USA > Illinois > Mason County > Centennial history of Mason County, including a sketch of the early history of Illinois, its physical peculiarities, soils, climate, production, etc. > Part 12
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Mr. Swing, like all substantial citizens of our common country, has served a full share in township and school offices. For eight years he was engaged in a mercantile business, and has now two sons among the prominent business men of Mason City.
For some time Mr. Swing has been retired from active business, but, not willing to give him entire rest, the people of Mason City retain him on their Board of Aldermen, where his judgment and influence are felt and appreciated.
ABRAM SWING.
The subject of this sketch and the preceding one were brothers, and both noted in the early interests of Mason county.
Abram Swing was born in 1813, in Clermont county, Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1839, and was married to Sarah M. Sikes in IS40, settled at Swing's Grove, and was engaged in farming until 1857. He served the community in which he lived several years
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as justice of the peace. He removed to Ohio for a short time, and like all others who leave Mason county, soon returned to make it his permanent home for the rest of his life.
After his return from Ohio he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Mason City, until the time of his death, which occurred in the year 1866. Being one of the first business men of the city, he was known and greatly beloved among his acquaintances.
EDWARD SIKES.
The data we have been able to obtain of Edward Sikes is of ex- ceeding brevity; but his early residence and identification with the early history of Mason county, scatters his name on many pages of this book. His home, quiet life, unostentatious manners, and the surroundings of his early Mason county home, will make it long to be remembered by residents of that county.
Edward Sikes was born in Maine, and removed to the State of New York when six years old, and from there to Ohio when at the age of fourteen. In 1820 he married Miss Jemima Virgin, moved to Illinois in 1837, settled in Mason county, where he re- mained until his death, in 1855. His sole occupation was that of farming, which he made a success. He was frequently called on to serve his neighbors in the capacity of justice of the peace. It was at his house the first school was taught in the eastern part of Mason county, by his daughter Mary, now Mrs. S. D. Swing, of Mason City. The other daughter, Sarah M., widow of Abram Swing, is also a resident of Mason city.
These families have been ever prominently identified with Ma- son county's interests.
J. A. BURLINGAME.
Mr. Burlingame was born in New York in 1819, May 25th, and in 1848 he removed west, locating in Bath, Illinois, where he has since resided. In 1846 he married Miss Harriet Taylor, in New York. On the first settlement of Mr. Burlingame in Bath he went into the employ of Messrs. Ruggles and Gatton, and then with Gatton and O'Neal. The confidence placed in him by these busi-
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ness firms may be inferred from the fact that he remained in their employ over twelve successive years.
On the completion of the Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville Rail- road through Mason county, he was made station agent at Bath, a position he has since retained without a furlough, being the first and only agent at that town.
Mr. Burlingame's make-up peculiarly qualifies him for the posi- tion he has so long and so satisfactorily occupied; satisfactorily not only to his employers, but to the public with whom he has to do.
A pleasant, genial gentleman, kind and accommodating, whose strict integrity may be inferred from the positions he has so long occupied. His amiable lady is by no means his inferior in socia- bility.
JOHN H. HAVIGHORST.
Was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1820, emigrated to America in 1836, settled at Havana in in 1837, and has since resided in Ma- son county ; was one of the persons present at an election held at Havana in IS37, at which there were but twelve voters in the pre- cinct-Mr. Havighorst not being of sufficient age to vote. He was elected sheriff in IS48, served two years, was re-elected in 1858 for two years, and in 1862 for a third term of two years.
In 1864 he was elected circuit clerk; served four years. Between these several official terms he has been engaged in farming.
Mr. Havighorst has, in all these positions, made a prompt and efficient officer, as these frequent re-elections testify. Though now the years have crept upon him, it has been almost imperceptible, and he yet bids fair for many more. Active and vigorous in his habits, he is in in no danger of rusting out, and the care he takes and has taken to preserve his frame in its present vigor, he may still be expected to keep it from wearing out.
To Mr. H.'s long residence, familiarity with public affairs, and splendid memory of early events, and his kindness in communica- ting them to us, we are indebted for many facts contained herein.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
LUTHER DEARBORN.
It is necessity, not choice, that compels the system of brevity we have been compelled to adopt in this department.
. Mr. Dearborn was born March 24, 1820, in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and removed to Illinois in 1844, and settled at Havana. Was admitted to the bar in 1852, in Kane county. He held the office of sheriff and circuit clerk. It is superfluous to state the du- ties of these important offices were performed. What Mr. Dear- born does not do well and satisfactorily he will not do at all. He returned to Havana in 1858, since which time this has been his per- manent home.
The wife of Mr. Dearborn is a member of the the Walker fam- ily, so prominently known in the business interests of Mason county. We refer the reader to the history of the Walker family, else- where in this work. A very interesting family has been the result of their union.
To speak of Mr. Dearborn, personally, we have ever known him the gentleman, and a lawyer of unusual abilities, kind and courteous.
JOSEPH STATLER.
Joseph Statler was born, in 1828, in Miami county, Ohio, re- moved to Mason county in 1849, since which time Mason county has been his permanent home. In 1852, he married Miss E. J. Cramer. Mr. Statler's business abilities have frequently induced his friends to place him in those official positions he is so peculiarly qualified to fill. The records of Mason county show terms of his services as assessor and county treasurer. In these positions, it is needless to say his duties were promptly, faithfully and ably per- formed.
Mason city is his present home, where he has resided some years, and the people of that thriving and prosperous city have honored him with the office of city judge. He is also extensively engaged in the insurance business.
Mr. Statler's residence, on the castern side of the county, began when that region was quite primitive, and a very pleasing contrast could be drawn between "then" and "now." Then, vast scas of -18
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ness firms may be inferred from the fact that he remained in their employ over twelve successive years.
On the completion of the Peoria, Pekin and Jacksonville Rail- road through Mason county, he was made station agent at Bath, a position he has since retained without a furlough, being the first and only agent at that town.
Mr. Burlingame's make-up peculiarly qualifies him for the posi- tion he has so long and so satisfactorily occupied; satisfactorily not only to his employers, but to the public with whom he has to do.
A pleasant, genial gentleman, kind and accommodating, whose strict integrity may be inferred from the positions he has so long occupied. His amiable lady is by no means his inferior in socia- bility.
JOHN H. HAVIGHORST.
Was born in Hanover, Germany, in IS20, emigrated to America in 1836, settled at Havana in in 1837, and has since resided in Ma- son county; was one of the persons present at an election held at Havana in 1837, at which there were but twelve voters in the pre- cinct-Mr. Havighorst not being of sufficient age to vote. He was elected sheriff in IS4S, served two years, was re-elected in 1858 for two years, and in IS62 for a third term of two years.
In 1864 he was elected circuit clerk; served four years. Between these several official terms he has been engaged in farming.
Mr. Havighorst has, in all these positions, made a prompt and efficient officer, as these frequent re-elections testify. Though now the years have crept upon him, it has been almost imperceptible, and he yet bids fair for many more. Active and vigorous in his habits, he is in in no danger of rusting out, and the care he takes and has taken to preserve his frame in its present vigor, he may still be expected to keep it from wearing out.
To Mr. H.'s long residence, familiarity with public affairs, and splendid memory of early events, and his kindness in communica- ting them to us, we are indebted for many facts contained herein.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
LUTHER DEARBORN.
It is necessity, not choice, that compels the system of brevity we have been compelled to adopt in this department.
. Mr. Dearborn was born March 24, 1820, in Plymouth, New Hampshire, and removed to Illinois in 1844, and settled at Havana. Was admitted to the bar in 1852, in Kane county. He held the office of sheriff and circuit clerk. It is superfluous to state the du- ties of these important offices were performed. What Mr. Dear- born does not do well and satisfactorily he will not do at all. He returned to Havana in 1858, since which time this has been his per- manent home.
The wife of Mr. Dearborn is a member of the the Walker fam- ily, so prominently known in the business interests of Mason county. We refer the reader to the history of the Walker family, else- where in this work. A very interesting family has been the result of their union.
To speak of Mr. Dearborn, personally, we have ever known him the gentleman, and a lawyer of unusual abilities, kind and courteous.
JOSEPH STATLER.
Joseph Statler was born, in 1828, in Miami cor. Ohio, re- moved to Mason county in 1849, since which tim Mason county has been his permanent home. In 1852, he married Miss E. J. Cramer. Mr. Statler's business abilities have frequently induced his friends to place him in those official positions he is so peculiarly qualified to fill. The records of Mason county show terms of his services as assessor and county treasurer. In these positions, it is needless to say his duties were promptly, faithfully and ably per- formed.
Mason city is his present home, where he has resided some years, and the people of that thriving and prosperous city have honored him with the office of city judge. He is also extensively engaged in the insurance business.
Mr. Statler's residence, on the eastern side of the county, began when that region was quite primitive, and a very pleasing contrast could be drawn between "then" and "now." Then, vast seas of -18
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prairie grass and flowers; now, vast seas of ripening wheat and growing corn. Then, the sight was only obstructed by the distant . groves, or undulating swell of the ocean-like surface. Now, the landscape is diversified by orchards, meadows, and the homes of the well-to-do farmers, whose fine agriculture is a mine of wealth, and "the cattle on a thousand hills" are his.
Like others removing to the. west before the day of railroads, Mr. Statler came overland by his own conveyance. At noon they dined near Prairie creek, and from there to Lease's grove was with- out a house, tenanted only by herds of deer in the tall grass. The leading characteristics of the subject of this brief sketch, are sound- ness and business abilities, a pleasant associate, a good neighbor, and a gentleman.
MOSES ECKARD.
No better representative of the substantial farmer element of Mason county exists than the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, Oct. S, IS12, and removed to Illinois in 1843, and settled where he now resides, near Topeka, in this county. Mr. Eckard was married, in IS41, to Miss Simmons, oldest daughter of Pollard Simmons, an old resident of that vicinity. They have raised a family of four chitul ree boys and one girl, all residing in Illinois. His busi- ness has , farming, and with him it has been a financial success.
There are few pleasanter homes, even in the beautiful region of Quiver, than the home, and well cared for farm of Mr. Eckard, on the banks of that beautiful stream. Quiet and unostentatious in his manners, and though well on in years, he bids fair for many more of pleasant usefulness in the community where he lives.
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THOMAS N. MEHAN.
It is with pleasure we record the arrival in Mason county, dur- ing this centennial year, of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Mehan was born in the City of New York, April 1, IS44; removed to Illinois in 1857, located at Delavan, and worked on
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
a farm until twenty-one years of age; and were we called on for an opinion as to the kind of a farmhand he made, we would say, good; for his physical organization and driving energy would make him first up in the morning, first in the field, and first home for his dinner. The common schools were his alma mater, although he attended for a while Lombard University. He was admitted to the bar in 1868; began the practice of law in Delaven; located in Mason City in March, 1876; was city attorney in Pekin one year, and is the democratic candidate for county attorney of Mason connty for this coming fall's election. We anticipate his success, for from our knowledge of Mr. Mehan, we know he ac- complishes all his undertakings. In Thomas N. Mehan we find another marked instance of a self-made man. Talented, energetic and careful; educated by his own energies and perseverance; soci- able and affable in his intercourse with all, of good legal abilities, fine physical organization, we know of no one with better pros- pects of usefulness and longevity before them.
COL. A. S. WEST.
Col. West first made Mason county his home in 1844, having located in Bath that year, when Bath consisted of two log cabins and a small frame house, the latter not occupied. When Bath was the county seat of Mason county, and no court hanty, Gas yet erected, Circuit Court was held at the house of Te MWest. He also served in the Winnebago war, which was then a serious draw- back on the settlement of the northwestern part of this State. Col. West is now a resident of Miami county, Kansas. Being born in ISO1, he is consequently now seventy-five years of age, a marked instance of health and vigor.
Nature has covered him over with certificates of good conduct- of fidelity to her laws-thus enabling him to enjoy his present years with the life and vivacity of youth, or "he has eaten his cake and still has kept it." Col. West opened the first stock of general merchandise in the town of Bath. Few men have been more fortunate than Mr. West. Possessed of a competency, and his family all well settled in life, though bereft by death of the com- panion of his life's journey, he finds happiness in visiting those old friends and the members of his family in this State and in the west.
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One daughter is the wife of Dr. H. O'Neal, well and favorably known in this county. Another is married to a prominent physi- cian in Jacksonville, and a third daughter is the wife of Dr. Chap- man, an eminent physician in Peoria. A son is a prominent busi- ness man in Paola, Kansas.
On the carly settlement of Mr. West at Bath, a daughter died, and was the first interment in the Bath cemetery.
The acquaintance of Mr. West and his pleasant family raises our estimate of the human race. It is seldom we find the talents, refinement, health and general sociability that we have met in our acquaintance with this family.
CHARLES P. RICHARDSON.
In gathering material for the present work, we heard of Charles P. Richardson. the old pioneer of Grand Island in 1836, who as- sisted Mr. Lincoln in the original surveys of. this country, etc. We fixed in our minds that we would meet an old, decrepid man, walk- ing on two canes, or on crutches, with an asthmatie cough, etc., etc. But imagine our surprise. We found him, of course, on in years, but vigorous, hale and hearty, a model of health and activity, en- gaged in an occupation requiring the exercise of muscle, of which he has an abundance. A hand-shake with him wakes you up if disposed to be dull; a mine of information, a splendid memory, a pleasant gentleman.
Mr. Richardson was born in Kentucky, in 1814; moved to Illi- nois in 1819, and settled on Grand Island, in the Illinois river, op- posite Bath, in 1836, and has resided in Bath for the past nine years. He assisted the late President Lincoln in the original surveys of this country and the town of Bath. Mr. R. is a natural mechanic; has been engaged in the various occupations of blacksmithing, shoe-making, boat-building and cabinetmaking. Mr. Lincoln and surveying party boarded with Mr. Richardson during their stay in the vicinity of Bath. Mr. Richardson was so pleased with the society of his guests that he refused all compensation for board. Mr. Lincoln persisted. however, in some compensation being made, or some service rendered, in return, and surveyed Mr. Richardson's lands for him in that vicinity. During the stay of Mr. Lincoln and party at the home of Mr. Richardson, a party from Schuyler
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county came there on a deerhunting expedition, and also were the guests of Mr. Richardson. Three beds were filled, and the rest bivouaced on the floor of the one small room the house contained.
Billy Brown, one of the Schuyler county party, had a frightful dream. He dreamed the world was on fire, an event Mr. Brown did not feel prepared for, and consequently was much alarmed. Rising hastily from his bed on the cabin floor, he looked through the openings between the logs of the cabin walls, and beheld the fires in the open furnaces of an Illinois river steamer, which was headed for the shore, near where the cabin stood, wakening the echoes of the island shore with her shrill whistle, to rouse the men of the wood yard from their deep slumbers. Poor Billy Brown, from his frightful dream, half awake, beheld the fires, the puffing steamer, and the shrieking whistle, so mistook his surroundings as to believe that Gabriel had blown his last trump, that "the elements were melting with fervid heat," and the heavens were about to be "rolled together as a scroll." Billy engaged in very fervent devo- tions then and there, on his humble cot, much to the amusement of Mr. Richardson and Mr. Lincoln, and the rest of the company. The poor fellow was finally brought to his senses, and made to comprehend the true cause of his alarm. For the balance of their stay Billy's devotional exercises were not allowed to be long out of mind.
W. F. BUNTON.
Mr. Bunton was born in North Carolina in 1822, and came to Illinois in 1840, and settled in Greene county. From there he re- moved to Bath in 1842, and in 1843, when the county seat was con- sidered permanently located at Bath, and a court house erected, Mr. Bunton put the roof on that celebrated structure. Not only the county seat has passed away, but also the old court house, to give room for the handsome and commodious school edifice erected in its stead.
Mr. Bunton is a good citizen-a gentleman. For many years he has been in a general nursery business and the manufacture of wines.
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ISAAC VAIL.
Mr. Vail is an old citizen, and a citizen of which Bath may well boast. He is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and came to Illi- nois in 1843, and to Bath two years later, which has since been his home. Bath owes much of her improvements and influence to Mr. Vail. For fifteen years he was engaged in general merchan- dise in that town, but for some time the weight of years have been pressing somewhat heavily upon him and having a competency of this world's goods, he has retired from active business.
Mr. Vail is now seventy-five years of age, enjoys uniform health, saying with Job of old, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come." Our personal acquaintance of over twenty years with Mr. Vail has been very pleasant.
MOSES MORRIS.
The subject of this sketch is one of whom it is difficult for the writer to to give an impartial sketch, for the reason that we have had a long and an exceedingly pleasant personal acquaintance with him.
"Some books are lies from end to end, And some great lies were never penned, Even ministers they have been kenned In holy rapture. At times a rousing whid to vend, And nail it with scripture.
But this that I'm going to tell, Is just as true as the di'els in hell, Or Dublin city. That he no nearer comes oursel's, Is a great pity."-Burns.
The above named was born in New Jersey in the year 1824, and came to Illinois in 1854, and located in Bath three years later, and has resided not only in the same place ever since, but in the same house. In his younger days Mr. Morris was apprenticed to the saddlery and harness business, but splitting leather, making wax- ends and stuffing saddle-pads and horse-collars, did not satisfy a strong and somewhat inquisitive mind, hence he became' somewhat
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actively interested in the political issues of the day, and an active partizan, in local, State and national affairs. Though his home has been in this small and comparatively quiet town, instead of a State capital or a commercial centre, we have known frequently of his opinions being asked for and his influence having been felt in places and under circumstances that those uninitiated in politics would have little dreamed of. The one prominent element in the charac- ter of the subject of this sketch that is above the rest, where there vare many prominent ones, is his kindness and goodness in caring for and rendering assistance to the sick or suffering of his neigh- bors. No trouble too irksome, no undertaking too severe, where the suffering of a fellow-mortal is to be alleviated or in any way benefitted. He always has time for these duties, and duties he re- gards them, and with him duty is law. In his intercourse with his fellow-man he is dignified and courteous, never turning his back on a friend or avoiding an enemy. His sociability makes him many friends, and he has, perhaps, a larger acquaintance among promi- inent men in the State of Illinois than any other person in Mason county.
JOSEPH S. BANER.
Mr. Baner was born in Warren county, Ohio, 1823, and removed to Mason county in 1857, and settled on a farm iu Allen's Grove township, where he resided until he removed in IS66 to Mason City. Was made post-master at that city in February, 1874.
Mr. Baner was married in 1846; has three children living and five deceased. Mr. Baner has ever been an active politician, firm and candid in his views, and a republican "after the straitest of the sect." He was a candidate for the State Senate in 1872, but was defeated by our present Lieut. Governor; made a canvass for con- gress before the convention last year.
We have advocated for some years the repeal of all laws requir- ing official bonds to be given by men elected to office, either local, state or national, and have always referred to Mr. Baner as one of the men of our acquaintance for whom we would vote for any po- sition as freely without an official bond as with it, and we have never found a man to dissent from our opinion on that subject.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Pleasant and gentlemanly, with all with whom he has to do, active and efficient in his duties, as an officer and as a citizen he has many friends.
ยท A. A. CARGILL.
Prominently identified with the business interests of Mason City, and consequently of Mason county, is Mr. A. A. Cargill. He was born at Wentham, Mass., Dec. 9, 1827, where he resided until 1849, when he removed to Chicago, and from there to Mason county, in 1857, and to the vacant prairie where Mason City now stands with her 2,500 inhabitants, in 1858, and opened the first dry goods store in that now flourishing city in the same year. On his commencement of business there, there were but six houses in the vicinity, three within the corporate limits, and three without. He has not been continuously in business since his residence in the city, but for the past eleven years has done a very extensive trade in dry goods, clothing, and boots and shoes.
Mr. Cargill's business ability in the management of his affairs has secured him a competency, and he lets the world run on quietly and easily, not losing rest at night for the accumulation of dollars and cents. He was the first Postmaster in Mason City, was suc- cecded by Israel Hibbard, and again re-appointed, at the retire- ment of Mr. Hibbard. He is at present a member of the city council. As is usual with the prominent members of every com- munity, he has served a full share in those humble but useful posi- tions of township and school offices, where it is all work and no pay.
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