USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 73
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 73
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 73
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He was married in St. Louis, in 1869, to Miss Johanna Connelly, an estimable lady, and a native of Canada. Her parents were James and Catharine' Connelly, and she was one of seven children, three sons and four daughters. Dr. and Mrs. Lyons have two children: Deloraine J., now twenty. two years of age, is unmarried, and is a telegraph op- erator in Colorado; Gertrude, now thirteen years old, is at home and in school.
The Doctor is Democratic in his political affiliations, on which ticket he was elected to
the position of Coroner of Cass' county, serving in that capacity with acknowledged ability.
Socially, he is a member of the M. W. of A., and is prominently associated with the Masonic order, which latter socicty he joined in St. Louis.
These are a few of the most important facts of a busy and useful life, which has been spent in the amelioration of human suffer- ing, and in promoting the happiness and welfare of his fellow beings.
ILLIAM FREESEN, now deceased, having died near Oxville, Scott county, Illinois, in 1884. He was fifty-four years of age, being born in the Rhine province, Prussia, Germany, near the river Rhine, in November 1829. He came of German parents, who lived and died in Germany. He was the only member of his family to come to this country, which he did when he was twenty-three years of age, set- ting ont from Antwerp, in 1852, for the United States in a sailing vessel. He landed in New Orleans after a seven weeks' voyage. He came to Beardstown, and after the first year became a farmer, purchasing land in Cass county, where he became a successful farmer. He owned 200 acres of good land in Cass county, and 240 acres in Scott, at the tinie of his death. His widow still owns the Cass county farm. Mr. Freesen was a good, worthy citizen, a member of the Lutheran Church, and a stanch Democrat.
He was married after the first year in this county, in Beardstown township, to Eliza- beth Stauttler, who proved herself a most devoted wife, and a woman in every way worthy of the good husband she had. She
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now enjoys the property she lielped her hus- band accumulate. She was born in the same place as her husband March 9, 1838, and was reared and cducated by lier German parents, William and Margaret (Speaker) Stauttler. The former died in Germany, wlien a young man, and his danghter, Mrs. Freesen, was only eighteen years old. Her mother is yet living in Beardstown, and is eighty years old, and is now the wife of F. W. Friday, and both old people have been prominent members all their lives, of the Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Freesen came to America with her mother and stepfather, on the same vessel as Mr. Freesen. She is the mother of twelve children, four of whom are deceased: Marga- ret, Bell, Anna and Hannah, all died young. The living ones are: William, now a farmer in Scott county, married to Matilda Baully; George Garrett, a farmer in Scott county; Fred, a resident of St. Louis; Katie, at home, and she and her sister Maggie, also at home, dressmakers; Henry is at home, as are also Lewis and Edward. Mrs. Freesen and all the children are members of the Lutheran Church.
HEOPHILUS C. LAUNER, a large and prosperous farmer, lives on sec- tions 6 and 7, township 17, range 11, where he owns 270 acres of well-improved land, with good farm buildings. He also owns 320 acres, almost all well improved. Besides this he owns a fine lot of timber land amount- ing to 182 acres, and eighty aurcs draining land in section 20. He came to the county a poor young man, but has since accumulated much valuable property. Hc has always lived in Cass county, except a year in Morgan
county. He began here as a farmer on his own account, first purchasing forty acres, which he sold and with the proceeds bonght 120 acres, and later sold that and increased his sales until he now owns a fine property, all earned by his own efforts.
He was born in Buffalo, New York, Janu- ary 30, 1838, and was yet a very young child when his parents removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two years later they came to Cass county, which he lias since made his home, and where he has been a prominent farmer. His father, Rev. Frederic G. Launer, was a native of Berne, Switzerland, born February 18, 1793. He was very highly educated, receiving instruction in his native country and other places, including London. He was educated as a Lutheran minister, and became master of five languages, being a man of quick perception and powerful intellect. He came to America in 1832, and first held a professorship in a college in Buffalo, New York, and later at Philadelphia, also preach- ing in both places. He afterward came to Beardstown and built up the first Lutheran Church of the place, and was also at Havana and Pekin, Illinois. He was widely and well known thronghont the State as a preacher, and had a great deal of influence in that capacity. He was the pioneer minister in this part of the State, and did a great deal of good. He died in Beardstown, September 28, 1867. He was then seventy-four years, six months and ten days old. He worked hard all his life for his church, and made a host of friends. He was a missionary in this State, after filling that position in Africa for three years. His wife, Lydia, was born No- vember 23, 1811, and died several years after him, in Beardstown, January 1, 1873. She was then over sixty years of age, being born in Canton Peal, Switzerland, where she lived
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until her marriage. She was a devoted wife and inother, and a good Christian woman. She was a daughter of General Marthe, and a grandchild of General David Marthe, Com- mander-in-Chief of the army of Napoleon the Great, during the time that general was frozen out of Russia, near Moscow. Of seven children three are now deceased. Charles served five years in the Union army; Peter was a brave and efficient soldier in the Mexi- can war; Theodore is now living in Morgan county, this State; and Mary resides in Beardstown.
Our subject was married in this county, March 10, 1863, to Josephine Winhold, born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1838, coming to Cass county with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Launer are members of the Lutheran Church, and are prominent, good people. Mr. Launer has held almost all the local offices. He is a Republican in politics, as are his sons. They are the parents of six children: Bertha, wife of Prof. John Hage- ner, a teacher of the county; Ida, wife of John Kloker, farmer of this county; Rose, Cora, Richard and Robert are all at home, and all the children are intelligent, well edu- cated, a credit to the family, society and the State.
ERDINAND WINHOLD, a very pros- perous German farmer, living on section 8 of township 18, range 11, was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, in 1839. He is the son of William Winhold, born in Hesse- Darmstadt, of Hessian parents, who, after all their children were born and a good part of them married, including the son, William, came to the United States in 1833. They set sail from Bremen, Hanover, and after a
voyage of fifty-seven days landed in Baltimore, Maryland, later settling in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, where the father of William died, an old inan. Later, William, who was the only child who came with his parents to America, came with his mother and own family to Illinois, settling in 1840 on a new farm in township 18, range 11. Here the mother of William spent her last years and died when an old woman. William began to make a home for his wife and children. He first bought forty acres, and added to it from time to time, improving it all the while until it was one of the finest farins in the county. He died in 1886, when nearly seventy-eight years old. He was a good citizen, a success- ful farmer and a stanch Republican. He lield to no church, although his parents were Catholics. His wife is now deceased, dying on the old farm in 1887, when quite an old woman. She was born, reared and married in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, coming of good old stock. She was the good mother of seven children, five of whom are married and all are living in Cass county.
Ferdinand is the fifth child of the family and was reared in this county, being but eighteen months old when brought to Illinois by his parents in 1840. He now owns 230 acres of land, all well improved, which he has owned for some years, having begun farming for himself when twenty-three. He had but few opportunities for education, but made the most of what lie had, and has made up for lack of education in common sense and in- telligence.
He was married in this county to Bertha Philippi, born near where she now lives in 1847. She was reared and educated in this county, and is one of a large family. (For history of same see biography of parents.) Mr. and Mrs. Winhold are prominent people
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of their county. Mr. Winhold is a Republi- can, and has held local offices. He and his wife are the parents of nine children, all yet at home: Rudolph F., Julius P., William P., Lena B., Charles H., Eugene S., Paul P., Bodo H. and Hngo V. Mr. and Mrs Win- hold deserve their present prosperity, as they have been hard workers all their lives.
EWIS ZIMMER, JR., a practical general farmer, of section 21, township 18, range 11, was born on his present farin March 19, 1861. Hle has since lived on the farm and was educated in Bluff Springs precinct. He lived with his parents until after lie be- came of age, and since that time he has liad control of the home farm, which he lias run successfully. He is the son of Lewis Zim- mer, a native of Prussia, Germany, and came of German ancestry. He was reared a farmer and while yet a young man he came all alone to America and settled in Cass county. This was in the '40s. He later began to buy land and finally accumulated the large and sub- stantial farm he now owns. Here Mr. Zim- mer, Sr., and his wife lived until some six years ago, when they retired to Beardstown, and are spending their last days quietly, leaving the farm in the charge of Lewis. Mr. Zimmer, Sr., married his wife in this county, her name being Catharine Keil, a native of Germany, who came to America when young. She lias proven herself a good wife and mother. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are members of the German Lutheran Church of Beardstown. Mr. Zimmer is a Democrat.
Our subject is the second child and only son, his only sister being Maggie, wife of Theo. Krohe, an agricultural dealer in Beards- town. The farm consists of 200 acres, 100
of which he owns himself. It is in fine con- dition.
Lewis was married in this county, to Ma- tilda Krolie, born in this county, February 1, 1862, and was reared and educated in her native county. She is the daughter of Au- gust and Mary Krohe, wlio now live in Bcards- town and are retired farmers, owning a large improved farm in township 18, range 11. Mr. and Mrs. Krohe are both natives of Ger- many, but have lived in Cass county since their marriage. They are Lutherans. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer are members of the Lu- theran Church, and Mr. Zimmer is a Demo- crat. They have three children: Calvin L. P., Clara M. C. and Theodore E. Both Mr. Zimmer and his wife are highly respected, and have liosts of friends in the county, where they are well known as lionest, liard-working people.
ON. JESSE DARNELL, deceased, a resident of Rushville township, and one of the oldest settlers of the county, is worthy of representation in this history. He was born eight miles from Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, October 4, 1811, a son of Henry Darnell, a native of West Virginia. The father was a volunteer in the Colonial army, participated in the battle of Yorktown, and was present at the surrender of Lord Corn- wallis. About the year 1800, with his own and nine other families, he emigrated to tlie Northwest Territory, being among the earliest settlers of Ohio. He first located in the Scioto valley, but as it was sickly there, he went to Wayne county; here lie secured a tract of land which was part timber and part . - prairie. For several years there were no other settlers in that section. Indians were
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numerous and often hostile. The colony built a block-house with a stockade around it, and it was within these walls that our subject was born. The father improved a fine farm there, on which he resided until his death in 1847. His wife's maiden name was Eliza- beth Lee, also a native of Virginia; she died in 1818.
Jesse Darnell, whose name heads this notice, was reared in his native State, where his educational opportunities were limited to the subscription schools, which were taught in private honses. There were no railroads or canals: consequently no market towns. The people lived upon the products of their own land and wild game, which was plenti- ful. The mother carded, spun and wove all the cloth used by the family.
At the age of fifteen years our subject went from the home which had sheltered his childhood, out into the world to begin life for himself. He remained in Ohio until 1833, and then came to Illinois via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, landing at Oquawka, where he remained about a year, after which he came to Schuyler county. There were fcw settlers in the county, and agriculture was carried on in a most primitive fashion. He settled at Frederick and engaged quite ex- tensively in the manufacture of fanning- mills, which he continued for seven or eight years, and then turned his attention to farm- ing. He lived in Frederick township until 1886, at which time he removed to a farm he had purchased several years before; this is a tract of 160 acres, the greater portion of which is well improved; he also owned another farm of 200 acres in Frederick town- ship.
Mr. Darnell was married in April, 1841, to Louisa Utter, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Lyman and Martha Utter, natives
of the State of New York and pioneers of Schuyler county, and located on a farm east of Pleasant View. His wife died in 1847, but he never married again. Two sons and one daughter survive him: John Monroe, James K. Polk and Mrs. H. A. Nelson, the latter living in Santa Barbara county, California. His son James is a resident of Breckinridge, Colorado, having located in that State twenty- two years ago.
Mr. Darnell was a sincere Democrat, and had been from early youth. The principles laid down by Jefferson were thoroughly in- stilled into his very being, and he was always found allied with the cause he believed to be right. In 1848 lie represented this county in the Legislature, and for eight years he was Supervisor from Frederick township, filling the position of chairman of the board for several years. He was a prominent member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., to which he had belonged for nearly half a century. He was a man of sterling integrity, esteemed and respectcd by all who knew him.
EORGE H. WIER of Birmingham township, was born here September 16, 1841. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Clampet) Wier. Mr. Samuel Wier is a native of North Carolina, a farmer, and came to Illinois in the fall of 1835 and sct- tled where the subject now lives, and bought eighty acres and later purchased more, leav- ing 160 acres at his death. He made the trip with his wife and child, with one horse and wagon. He first built a log house 16 x 18 feet and remained in it until his present house was built in 1869. In politics he was an old-line Whig and was a minister of the
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Methodist Episcopal Church. He continued preaching occasionally until his death in 1865. His wife was born in North Carolina and died where our subject now lives, in middle life.
George Wier remaincd home until his marriage, when he rented part of his father's farm and after the latter's death he bought the land and now owns 365 acres. He is a thoroughly self-made man, politically a Re- publican and a highly valued church member for eighteen years.
He was married for the first tinie in 1863, to Martha Wells, who dicd a year later, leav- ing one child which also dicd. In 1870 he was again married, to Mary McPherson. She was a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born in 1847, daugliter of Benjamin F. and Harriet (Thompson) McPherson. Her fa- ther is still living, but her inother died here, aged forty-five. They were pioneers of Illinois.
Mr. Wier has five children, namely; Har- riet L., William A., Edwin R., Samuel B., and Harrison R.
EORGE W. ERWIN, one of the most prominent farmers of Littleton town- ship, Schuyler county, Illinois, was born in Constable, Franklin county, Ohio, December 1, 1818. His parents were Cor- nelius M. and Lucinda (Furman) Erwin. His father was born in Rutland county, Vermont, aud died in Ohio, aged fifty years. (See sketch of L. D. Erwin.)
Our subject was reared and educated in Ohio, living at home until his father's death, when in June, 1838, he came to Illinois, where he walked all through the
lead inines, looking for work, and finally located in Rushville, working by the month on a farm. He continued in this capacity until the year 1847, when he enlisted in Captain Dunlap's company and served for a year and a half in the Mexican war. At the end of this time, he returned to Rushville, and soon after married Agnes Corrie, on New Year's Day, 1851. She was born in Orange county, Illinois, and was a daughter of John Corrie, a substantial farmer of the State. After his marriage, our subject bought a farm of 160 acres of partly im- proved land, on which he built in 1855, the home in which he still resides, which is a substantial pile, suggestive of comfort and convenience. He has added large barns and other buildings for his grain and stock, and has his land under a high state of cultiva- tion, being devoted to mixed farming. His former farin is worked by his son-in-law, Mr. Bosworth, a highly esteemed young man and intelligent farmer.
Mr. and .Mrs. Erwin have had ten children, four of whom are now living, viz .: Ellen A., wife of Richard R. Bosworth, has five chil- dren, three boys and two girls; Cornelius M., married Sara B. Taylor, and they have four children; Frank C. married Mary Cor- dell; William S. lives in Montana. He has had his children carefully educated in the schools of the vicinity, and all are intelligent members of the communities in which they live.
Mr. Erwin had the misfortune to lose his wife, after thirty-four years of happy wedded life. She died May 10, 1885, aged fifty-five years, mourned by her family and a large circle of friends. She was a lady of intelligence and many charms of person and character, a faithful wife and fond mother, and sympathetic friend.
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BIOGRAPHIICAL REVIEW OF CASS,
Our subject is a member of the Demo- cratic party, having cast luis first vote for Martin Van Buren, since when lie has voted the straight Democratic ticket. His constitu- ents have honored him by an election to the office of collector of the township, in which capacity he was the first to serve after its organization. He has also been a school trustee and director for many years, which position he has filled with ability and to the general satisfaction of the community.
He is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, to the support of which he lias always liberally contributed.
Of superior ability, energetic and pro- gressive, and of high morality and integrity, Mr. Erwin enjoys the esteem of his fellow- citizens to an unusual degree.
E WITT CLINTON JOHNSTON, de- ceased, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, April 2, 1824. His father, James T. Johnston, was born at Washington, Penn- sylvania, and his father and grandfather lived in Scotland, and on coming to America set- tled in New Jersey. They removed to Penn- sylvania and there engaged in farming until they died.
The father of the subject was a graduate of Jefferson College and became a practicing physician in Clermont county, Ohio, but he spent his last days at New Richmond. His wife was a Mary Whetstone, of Hamilton county, Ohio. She died in the same town as her husband.
The subject of this sketch received his edu- cation at the public schools of New Rich- mond, and from private tutors, and graduated from the saine college as his father, in the year 1843. He commenced the study of law
at Batavia, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar at Hillsborough, Ohio, and practiced there till 1850, when lie removed to New Rich- mond, Ohio, an opened an office and continued there until 1853, when he came to Rushville and practiced there until January 28, 1866.
He married, in 1845, a lady whose maiden name was Margaret Bauer, a native of Bavaria, Germany. Her grandfather had lived in the same country all his life, and so had her father until 1832, when he resolved to try his for- tune in the new world: so with his family he set sail from Havre de Grace in the fall of the same year. His father, Conrad Bauer, also came over to America in the same ship. The trip was made in thirty-three days. From New York, where they landed, the older man went to Ohio by the way of Pennsylvania, making the journey by the canal and stage to Pittsburg, and then down the Ohio river. He located in Brown county, and bought a farm and engaged in tilling the soil until his deathı.
Mrs. Johnston's father was accompanied by his wife and two children, and he located in the same county as his father, bought a farm, and resided there until 1856, when he sold out and came to Illinois, and located in Rush- ville township. Here he also bought a farm, on section 25, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death.
The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Johuston was Margaret Heigh. She was born in the same locality as her husband, and spent the last years of her life on the home farm.
Mrs. Johnston continued to reside in Rush- ville for some time after her husband's death, but she now occupies her father's old home- stead in Rushville township. She has two sons living, James B. and Harold W. The former is a gradnate of the Chicago Univer-
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sity and is a practicing attorney. The second son is a graduate of the Illinois College, Jack- sonville, where he is professor of Latin. He is also an author, his first work is entitled "Select Orations and Letters of Cicero."
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were earnest mem- bers of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Johnson was a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, of which he was a mein- ber. He was an able lawyer and a fine citi- zen. His record is one of which his family and friends may justly be proud, not only in his capacity as County Judge, but in the oc- cupations of daily life. Having many ad- vantages whichi other early settlers did not have, he became well-known throughout the State as a legal authority, as well as a man of literary attainments.
RANK T. RITCHEY, a farmer and resident of Rushville township, was born in what is now Buena Vista town- ship, Schuyler county, Illinois, September 19, 1844, being the only son of George S. and Lncinda Ritchey. His father was born in Dayton, Ohio, and lived there until 1831, when he emigrated to Schuyler county, hav- ing nothing but a large stock of health and youthful spirits upon which to draw for a livelihood. Energy and industry spurred him on and he continned a hard-working man, liv- ing to see himself possessed of a good com- petence.
In 1831 neighbors were far apart in old Schuyler, deer being far more numerous than human beings. When he married Lncinda Walker, of Kentucky, he took her home to a log cabin, where the subject of this sketch was born. The year following this latter event Mr. Ritchey removed with his family
to section 6, Rushville township, upon land he had previously purchased, and, except two years spent in California, he resided there until his death. His wife also died on the old home farm. Mr. Ritchey, Sr., was inourned as a good farmer, a kind neighbor and a good friend.
Frank Ritchey received his early education at the district school, the first one being held in a log house with furniture of the mnost primitive kind, the benches being mere slabs. Later he took advanced steps in the public schools of Rushville, where he was fitted as a teacher. He engaged in teaching and farming until 1872, when he went to Crawford county, Kansas, and there taught school for two terms, after which he returned to Illinois, and has resided ever since, in Rushville, where he now owns a nice farm of 255 acres and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
He was married in 1876, to Catharine F. Sands, of Rushville township, daughter of Robert and Frances Nall Sands (see sketcli of R. E Sands). Four children have blessed this nnion, namely: Lora E., Lucinda F., George F. and Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchey are consistent incm- bers of the Christian Church. He is an act- ive member of the Republican party, and, as all good citizens should do, takes a deep interest in all that concerns the well being of his county, State and the Union.
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