USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
On the 4th of October, 1866, Mr. Per- rin was united in marriage to Miss Mary Todd, who was born in Burlington. Iowa, May 31. 1845. and is a daughter of Miles and Eunice (Haight) Todd, natives of Ohio. The children of this marriage are as follows: Flora Emma. born August 6. 1867: Mary E .. born November 10. 1870, and now the wife of E. G. Braymen. of Monett, Missouri : William Miles, who was born January 30, 1873, and died Feb- ruary 17, 1874: Harriet Eunice, who was born November 27. 1874, and is at home : Arthur E .. who was born October 5. 1876. and is living in Monett. Missouri : George Gulliver, born October 28. 1878. and now a student in the University of Chicago: and Fleming Allen, born April 29. 1884, and is now a student in Champaign.
Mr. Perrin is a member of the Christian church, in which he has served as elder since 1899 and also as clerk. He takes
an active interest in church work and does all in his power to extend its influence and promote its growth. In politics he is a republican and served as school director in La Harpe township, but otherwise has sought nor desired public office. His un- divided attention in former years was given to his business interests, which, be- ing carefully managed, brought to him a good financial return and now, with a comfortable competence gained through his own labors, he is living retired in the enjoyment of well-earned ease.
C. A. ECKLES.
C. A. Eckles is the owner of a fine farm- ing property comprising three hundred and eighty-seven acres in Durham town- ship on section 13. and he also has eighty acres on section 7, La Harpe township, to- gether with five acres of timber in the latter township. Starting out in life on his own account at the age of fourteen years, and providing to a considerable ex- tent for his mother and sisters, he certain- ly deserves much credit for the success he has achieved and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration to others. proving what may be accomplished through perseverance and close adherence to the rules which govern unfaltering dili- gence and unswerving integrity.
A native of Adams county, Illinois. he was born in 1853, and is a son of Sam- 11cl and Diana (Hopson) Eckles, the
1 19
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
former a native of Virginia and the late owner of one of the mode que a l'e ter of Ohio. Both were married twice. county, comprising three hundred and eighty -seven acres of seither 3. 11 . township, and eighty acreson -elf . l. Harpe township. in addition to y he owns a five-acre timber tract Henge eral farmer and also rares considerable stock, his farming interest - being sp title fully. systematically and admirably mm aged that he seems to have realized the utmost possibility for successful de- complishment. The father was a carpenter by trade and removed to Illinois in 1851, becoming a resident of Durham township. Hancock county, in the fall of 1854. He lived the life of an honest, upright and enterpris- ing farmer, was loyal to the best mter- ests of the community and gave his po- litical support to the democracy. He died in 1870, while the mother of our subject passed away in 1872. Both were interred in Durham cemetery. After josing her first husband the mother became the wife of Samuel Eckles. Unto Samuel and Diana Eckles were born six children . C. A. : Emma C., who died at the age of eleven years; Narcissa B., deceased wife of llorace Dodd, who has also passed away: Johanna, the wife of Isaac G. Kil- gore, of La Harpe : Ella. the wife of John Kilgore, of Nebraska: and Mahala, the wife of Charles Cambron, living in La- Crosse, Illinois.
C. A. Eckles was only about a year old when his parents removed from Adams county to Durham township and here in the public schools he was educated. He lost his father when fourteen years of age and remained with his mother, assisting her in the work of the farm, until twenty- six years of age, when he went to Colo rado, working in the Leadville mines for two years. Following his marriage he set- tled on the old homestead in Durham township and lived in the old house until 1002, when he erected an elegant country home, supplied with all modern improve ments and conveniences. He has also buil fine barns and sheds, has built fences and put up windmills and is now the
In 1882 Mr. Eckles was married to Miss Frances B. Nichols, who was born in La Harpe township, in 1850, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Thirza & Murdock ) Nichols, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Hancock coun- ty in 1852. the father settling en a farm in La Harpe township, where he became an extensive dealer in stock. Both he and his wife have now passed away. Of their seven children, only two are living : Mr -. Eckles : and Ida, wife of David R. Sights, of La Harpe township. Mr. and Mrs. Eckles had four children : Amy, Ada and Marion, all at home : and Inez, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Eckles are members of the Methodist Protestant church and he belongs to the Durham Lodge of Wound men and to the La Harpe Lodge of Child Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. In politics he is a democrat and has served for two terms as enperson of Durham township. also as highwn commissioner and as a member of the school board His fellow townsmen have also given other evidences of ther en- dence in him and he is in every w. worthy of their trust.
450
BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEII
WILLIAM JAMES TOMLINSON.
William James Tomlinson, whose life has been one of earnest labor character- ized by fidelity to duty and straightfor- ward dealing in all relations, makes his home in Augusta, where he is now acting as sexton of the Christian church. He was born in Humphreys county, Tennes- see, .August 9. 1837, a son of Daniel and Emily ( Ridings) Tomlinson, the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of North Carolina. The father removed to Tennessee when a schoolboy and the mother became a resident of that state when only three years of age. Mr. Tom- linson engaged in farming throughout the period of his residence there and in 1852 he came to Illinois, making an over- land journey with horse teams. He set- tled in Jackson county. this state. where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he cultivated and improved, making a good home there for himself and family. In 1854, however. he removed to Augus- ta township, Hancock county, where he rented land and continued farming until 1859. when, on the 20th of October of that year. his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away at the age of fif- ty-three years and ten days. He was a democrat in politics and was known as a man of thorough reliability. His wife long survived him and passed away March 22. 1895. on the old homestead west of Augusta at the advanced age of eighty-six years. She was a member of the Baptist church and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Pulaski cemetery. In the family were nine children, but only Iwo are now living.
William J. Tomlinson acquired his early education in a log schoolhouse at the place of his nativity and in his youth assisted his father upon the home farm. He afterward attended school in Augusta for a short time and when eighteen years of age lie began working as a section hand on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. There his capability and trust- worthiness gained him promotion and for twenty-two years he had charge of section 13 at Augusta, filling the position con- tinuously until 1898. Since his retirement from the railroad service he has acted as sexton of the Christian church at Augus- ta. He has always lived a busy life inter- rupted only by his service in the Civil war, for which he enlisted on the 12th of Au- gust, 1862, becoming a member of Com- pany A. Eighty-ninth Illinois Infantry, with which he served until the close of hos- tilities, when he was mustered out with his regiment at Nashville, Tennessee, June 10, 1865. He participated in the battles of Stone River. Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and the Atlanta campaign, also the engagements at Frank- lin and Nashville and many others of less- er importance. He was wounded at Pick- ett's Mills, Georgia. As a soldier he was brave and loyal, always at his post of duty whether it called him to the firing line or the lonely picket line. He is now a mem- ber of Union Post. No. 302, Grand Army of the Republic, at Augusta and served for some time as its quartermaster.
Following his return from the army Mr. Tomlinson was married at Augusta on the 2d of June, 1867. to Miss Anjaline Booker, a daughter of Samuel J. and Sarah W. ( Haworth) Booker. Her fa-
ther was born in West Virginia and when seven years of age became a resident of Vermilion county, Illinois. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming and his last days were spent in Adams county. He, too, was a soldier of the Civil war, serving with the boys in blue of Company C. Seventy-eighth II- linois Infantry. His wife died in Law- rence. Kansas, at the age of sixty-five years. Mrs. Tomlinson was educated in Augusta and has lived in the village since 1804. By this marriage there have been born nine children: Ella G., who died at the age of thirteen months ; August F .. police magistrate at Galesburg, Illinois, who married Susie Raymond and has five children Kenneth C., William Carroll. Charles L .. deceased. Lois and Jesse L. : Rosette M .. a teacher in the public schools of Elvaston: Effie, who became the wife of Elmer J. Bellew and died leaving one son, Chellis: Jennie, who died at the age of three years : Bertha, who is a typesetter in the office of the Augusta Eagle ; Mary, who died at the age of seven years : Jessie. who died at the age of eight years; and James Robert, at home. All of the chil- dren were born in the residence which the parents yet occupy. Mr. Tomlinson having built the home in 1868. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and he belongs to Augusta camp. No. 527. Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, which was the de- fense of the Union in the Civil war and which has always been the party of reform and progress. He is today a valued and respected citizen of Augusta and in public affairs has manifested the same loyal and
un tary service of the but chieles of the s uth.
Witham C. Stimm, resting on farm of one hundred and sixty acres an section 18. Pilot Grove township, & a native of Hancock county. Kentucky. born April 17. 1843. His parents were Henry and Sarah ( Marene) Stidum, the former a native of Tennessee and the 'at ter of Indiana. They removed from Ken- lucky to Perry county, Indiana, where both passed away.
William C. Stidum resided in his na tive county until he had attained his ma- jority and his education was acquired in the common schools. His mother died in 1854. when he was only eleven years of age and he soon afterward started out in life on his own account. working on various farms until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in 1801. he enlisted as a member of Company B, Seventeenth Kentucky Regiment, and served until the close of hostilities. He was in the bat tle of Fort Donelson. Corinth, Shiloh. Missionary Ridge and other important military movements, including the march from Atlanta to the sea, and was honor- ably discharged and mustered out at lon isville, Kentucky, having made a croit able record as a soldier by his unite ing bravery and loyalty He enlisted is a private soldier but in ab ut one month's time he was promoted to the duties ni colorbearer for his regiment
452
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEI'
After the war Mr. Stidum returned to Hancock county, Kentucky, where he engaged in farming for about two years. He then came to Illinois, settling at To- lono, Champaign county, where he also spent about two years, after which he came to Hancock county. taking up his abode in Durham township, where he fol- lowed farming on rented land for five years. He next removed to Pilot Grove township, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of par- tially improved land, whereon he made a home for himself and family. For thirteen years he lived upon that farm, after which he sold the property and bought his present place, which at that time was only partially improved. He has here erected a good residence, barns and other outbuildings and has developed a model farm property equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences. In addi- tion he owns eighty acres adjoining the homestead property and throughout his entire life he has carried on general farm- ing and stock-raising. meeting with a creditable measure of success.
On the 8th of November, 1876, Mr. Stidum was married to Mrs. Sarah E. Haley. a native of Durham township. Hancock county, Illinois, and a daughter of Samuel and Jane ( Phillips ) Shinn, na- tives of Obio and Indiana respectively. Her parents came to Illinois about 1854. settling in Durham township, where Mr. Shinn engaged in farming where he lived until his death. He died at about the age of eighty-two years and his wife sur- vived him for about three weeks, passing away at the age of sixty-eight. He was one of the prosperous men of his day.
Their daughter Sarah was educated in the schools of Durham township and there reared to womanhood. She first married a Mr. Haley, by whom she had one daughter, Stella, now the wife of James Bassett, a farmer of Dallas town- ship, by whom she has three children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stidum have been born three children. Jesse D. resides on his father's farm, which he operates. He is now twenty-seven years of age and he married Miss Pearl Wright, a daughter of John Wright, of Webster, Illinois, by whom he had one child, who died in in- fancy. In politics he is a Republican and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. William S. resides upon the home farm. Roy E. is a farmer of Pilot Grove township. renting forty acres of land, and he also aids in the operation of the old home place. Roy E. is twenty- three years of age and recently married Miss Inez Towles, daughter of Mr. Ster- ling Towles, of Plymouth, Illinois.
In politics Mr. Stidum is a republican. but is without aspiration for office. pre- ferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and other interests.
JACOB GROVE.
Jacob Grove was one of the earliest settlers of Hancock county, where he took up his abode in April. 1836. From that time until his death he was closely as- sociated with the early development of
153
ILINCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
the county and although more than sixty Crooked creek. About the the the years have been added to the cycle of the owned and operated a dry goals stilt m La Harpe, taking produce of . Noale w exchange for goods which they - quel on thatboats to New Orleans centuries since he passed away, he should be mentioned and honored as one of those who aided in laying the foundation for the present development and progress of this part of the state.
A native of Page county, Virginia, he was born in October, 1809. a son of Christian and Mary (Gochenour ) Grove. who were likewise natives of the Old Dominion. Educated in the subscription schools, Jacob Grove afterward learned and followed the miller's trade in Vir- ginia, where he owned a grist mill. While still residing in that state he was married to Miss Rebecca Lionberger, who was born in Page county. Virginia, June 10, 1816, a daughter of Joseph and Esther ( Burner ) Lionberger, natives of the same county, and a granddaughter of John and Barbara ( Hershberger ) Lion- berger, who were born in Pennsylvania. The maternal grandparents were John and Lythia ( Young) Burner, natives of Virginia.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grove was celebrated January 16, 1834. and for a year thereafter they remained in their native state, after which they sold their property there and started with team and wagon for Illinois. They left their old home 'in September and in November reached Sangamon county, where they spent the winter, coming in April. 1830. to Hancock county where for two years Mr. Grove operated a rented farm. He then, in company with Joseph Lionberger. bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Pilot Grove township, where they built the saw and grist mill on
In 1842 he Went to Jen Oreml to sell flour and bacon, making the jour ney down the Mississippi on . that boat and while there he contracted iever, which terminated ins hie three days - after his return home, his death occurring July 15. 1842. He was a member of the Baptist church and a democrat in his pali- ical views. Men who knew him respecte i and honored him, for he was always just and upright in all life's relations.
Following his death the mill was con ducted by Joseph Lionberger until the time of the Civil war, when it was washed away in an overflow of the creek and never rebuilt.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Grove lived with her father who also came to Hancock county in April, 1836. and owned the land where the town of La Crosse now stands. She continued to live with her father until after her children were grown and following his death, in January, 1868, she bought sixty acres of prairie land on section ;. Foun- tain Green township and forty acres of timber on section 1. Filet Grove township With the help of her children she call ducted the farm and the business " > carefully managed.
Unto Mr. and Mrs Jacob firme hul been born the following wimed Benja min F. born in Virginia. November ;. 1834. is a partner of his brother . Il Scott and Joseph N. m tCEM ship of the home place, where the In
454
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEII
William Harrison, who was born Sep- tember I. 1837. and was married and re- sided in Pilot Grove township, died May 31, 1897, leaving five sons and a daughter. Mary V., born May 19, 1839, is the wid- ow of Calvin Phelps and resides in Pilot Grove township. Winfield Scott. born August 3. 1841. is a partner of his brother
Benjamin. In 1872 . these brothers bought one hundred and eighty-six acres of the home place and have since con- ducted their farming interests in partner- ship. In connection with the tilling of the soil they have raised Percheron horses since 1886, when they imported two stal- lions and two mares. They now keep two full-blooded Percheron stallions and they also keep and raise Durham cattle and Poland China hogs. They are well known and successful stockmen, with large business interests, which they are capably conducting.
FARMER NUDD.
Farmer Nudd, who is an extensive land- owner and makes his home in La Harpe. is numbered among the native sons of La Harpe township, where his birth oc- curred on the ist of November, 1844. His parents, Joseph and Sarah ( Wales) Vidd. were both natives of New Eng- land. the former born in Massachusetts and the latter in New Hampshire. The paternal grandfather. Robert Nudd, was a native of Scotland and married a Miss
Pinkham, who was also born in that coun- try. The maternal grandfather was San- uel Wales, a native of the old Granite state.
Joseph Warren Nudd, removing from New England in 1832, became a resident of Quincy, Illinois, where he remained un- til 1834. He was married there and aft- erward removed to La Harpe, which then contained but two houses and the little hamlet was called Franklin. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of land a half mile south and one mile west of the village on section 20, La Harpe town- ship, and began to till the soil, improving the place until he had brought the farm under a high state of cultivation. He lived there until 1855. when he sold the property and took up his abode in La Harpe. He was the owner of two hun- (red and forty acres of valuable and pro- ductive land two miles south of the town and he also owned twenty-seven acres in La Harpe, extending from the square to the depot, which has since been divided and sold off in town lots. He lived in a house on the south side of the square. which is still standing and is one of the old landmarks of the town. it being one of the first dwellings which were erected in the village. He was closely associated with many of the events of the early days which indicate the trend of public prog- ress and improvement and he always gave his support to any measure or movement that was calculated to advance the general welfare. TIe held several positions of po- litical preferment, including that of justice of the peace and was also school treasurer in his township for many years. His wife passed away December 3. 1868, and he
455
spent his last years with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah C. Gochenour, who lived two and a half miles south and a half mile cast of La Harpe. There his death occurred in January, 1890, and thus passed away one of the prominent and honored pioneers of the county, who had resided in this sec- tion of the state for fifty-six years. Their children were: Joseph Warren, who died in 1865, at the age of twenty-five years; Farmer, the subject of this review : Ham- mond Woodman, who died in 1800, at the age of forty five years: Pinkham Wales, a resident of London, Arkansas : and Sarah Emma, the wife of David Gochenour, of La Harpe township.
Farmer Nudd. whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the public schools of La Harpe and at the age of eighteen years started out in life on his own account. He went to the west with a company of men inchiding Sydney Tuttle. Israel Brundage. James N. Younger. Charles Thompson and several others, being one hundred and six days on the way to Virginia City. Hle started to work in the gold mines, receiving at different times six, ten and twelve dollars per day. He also took up claims and worked for himself, remaining a resident of Montana until the fall of 1866. With his companions he built a flathoat and they thus made their way down the Missouri river from Fort Benton to Omaha, Ne- braska, in company with twelve others, Vt the last named point they took a steamer to St. Joseph, Missouri, and thus proceed- ed to Keokuk, Iowa, from which point Mr. Nudd made his way to his home in Han cock county, Illinois. Here he turned his attention to farming and for two years op-
created a rented fare He then you chased torty acres of law of La Harpe township, with De I cann traded to his father for the me peut of three hundred and forty antes. Here moved to the latter farm and thereon one gaged in the tilling of the soil and m stock raising. He still owns that place. which is now being conducted by li- Harry and his son also lives upon the old homestead. Since his return from the west Mr. Nodd has enjoyed a very sur cessful career. He worked diligently and energetically to bring has farm under a high state of cultivation and as the result of the care and labor which he bestowed upon the fields he reaped bounteous har vests. From time to time he made judi cious investment in property until his land ed possessions now aggregate seven hun dred acres, of which three hundred and eighty acres is in La Harpe township and the remainder in Fountain Green town- ship. He lived upon the home farm until the spring of 1890. when he purchased a fine residence in the central part of La Harpe. It is one of the most attractive and best located homes in the village and here he resides with his wife and son Clay
On the 8th of March, 1868, Mr. Nul was united in marriage to Miss Rosabelle Vincent, who was born in La Harpe town ship. April 8. 1847. upon the site of the present fair ground. She was educated in the public schools and became a successful teacher, being connected with the weil vi the schoolroom from 1864 until 1808 518 is a daughter of Samuel C Vincent. who was born near Buffalo. New York, and married Jane Andrews, whose birth or curred at Great Barrington, Connecticut
20
456
BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN'
Her parents were married in the Empire state and removing westward settled in Elgin. Illinois, where they remained for a short time. They then came to this town- ship and purchased land on the west of the town, where Mr. Vincent lived up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 15th of August, 1870. For twenty years he was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Hancock county through the winter seasons. He was a well educated man and a successful educator, imparting readily and clearly to others the knowl- edge that he had acquired, so that he gave excellent satisfaction in his school work. His wife passed away in January, 1890. In their family were the following named : Mary Adell, who married Cowden Bryan and after his death wedded Wesley Cas- singham. and resides in La Harpe. Illi- mois ; Rosabell, now Mrs. Nudd; Frances Adelaide. the wife of Frank James, a resi- dent of Galesburg. Illinois: Byron Z .. of Shenandoah. Iowa: Juie, who became the wife of Charles Sanford, and died in No- vember. 1876: and Elma, who died in La Harpe. October 25. 1903.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nudd have been born four children. as follows: Joseph Samuel. Harry and Clay, all residing in La Harpe township: and May, who was born May 17. 1880, and died February 17. 1906. In his political views Mr. Nudd is a stalwart democrat and has served as commissioner of highways, as assessor of his township and as supervisor since 1902. his last term expiring on the 3d of April. 1006. In all of his public service he has been found faithful, capable, prompt and efficient. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has attained the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.