USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 55
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JOSEPH M. CAMPBELL,
THE present popular and efficient judge of the county court of Edwards county, was born in the neighboring county of Wayne, February 20th, 1837. His father, Alexander Campbell, was a native of Kentucky, whilst his grandfather, also Alexander by name, came from county Tyrone, Ireland. His mother, whose maiden name was Amelia Bird, was also of Kentucky nativity. In a family of nine children Joseph M. was the fourth in order of birth. Of the number six are yet living, five
of whom are settled around the parental home in Wayne county, where his people first located in 1817. The subject of this biography obtained a fair common school education, and when twenty years of age entered the school-room as teacher. During the war for the Union he enlisted in Company G 18th Regiment Illinois Vol -. unteers, of which he was made Orderly Sergeant, and in the fall of 1861, was promoted to Lieutenant, after a year's service he resigned and returned home. In 1864, he entered the law office of W. H. Robinson, of Fair- field, as a student of law and in 1865, was admitted to practice. The following year in the month of Novem- her he came to Albion to prosecute his profession. Here he soon acquired a fine practice, and what was of greater value, the esteem of his fellow-citizens as being a man of unquestioned integrity of character. Although, politically a Democrat, in a county recognized as one of the Republican strongholds he was because of his re- cognized fitness for discharging the duties of the office elected judge of the county court in 1873, a position he has since held. In the discharge of his official duties his work is marked by judicial ability and fairness in all dealings. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, in the workings of which order he takes great in- terest. On the 17th of December, 1878, he was united in marriage to Annabelle Thompson, daughter of Dr. Francis Burdette Thompson, one of the pioneer physi- cians of the county.
WALTER COLYER,
THE editor of the News, is a young man of unexceptionable habits, of good business qualifications and determination that knows no failure. He is a native of this county, having been born in Village Prairie, July 19. 1856. He came of good old English stock. John Colyer and Ann Withall, of Surrey, Eng- land, were married in the year 1775. They raised a large family, and of the number, four sons found their way to America ; first James and Edward, who came to Illinois in 1818, followed by their brothers, John and William, who came across the ocean, a few years after, John locating in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and William in Louisiana where he was murdered. Edward Colyer and Jane Thread traveled fourteen miles from their homes, on Village Prairie, to the nearest squire, two miles south of Grayville, and were married in September, 1818. Their union was blessed by a family of twelve children, namely : Eliza, John, William, James, Ann, Jane, Elizabeth, Edward, Mary, George, Henry, and Robert ; all but James and Elizabeth reached man aud womanhood's estate. John died in August, 1858, and Robert died in the service of his country in 1863. Ed- ward served in the army, during the Rebelion, as lieu- tenant-colonel of the 87th Illinois Volunteers, and after the close of the war moved to Kansas, whither Henry, who had lived a few years in Minnesota, followed him. The others, with the exception of Mary, now in Marshall
RESIDENCE OF W. B. TRIBE, ALBION, ILLINOIS.
RESIDENCE OF L.C. BOND, ALBION, ILLINOIS.
LIVERY STABLE
J. SENTANCEE SON.
FARM RESIDENCE OF HENRY & SARAH GLAUBENSKLEE, SEC.26, 7.2.R.10, DIXON PRECINCT, EDWARDS CO. ILL.
ALBION LIVERY STABLE, J.SENTANCE & SON PROPRE ALBION, EDWARDS CO.ILL.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF '."
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
county Illinois, are all in this county. William Colyer and Sarah Hunton Hardy, daughter of Jonas Hardy, and native of Pennsylvania, were married May 10, 1849. To them were born two sons, Morris and Walter. Mor- ris is a thrifty farmer. On the 27th of December, 1876, he was married to Etta Peters. Jonas Hardy was a na- tive of Yorkshire, England ; came to America in 1819, and to Edwards county in 1838, locating in Frazier prairie, near the site of the present village of Browns. He died in Albion in August, 1871. The Colyer family were generally industrious, saving and prosperous farm- ers. Most of their number were, and are, members of the Christian or Disciples church.
ELD. CALEB EDWARDS,
WAS born in Brighton, England, February 25th, 1832. His father, Henry Edwards, was an architect and builder. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Hollingham. In the year 1840, the family came to the United States, locating at first in Dearborn county, In- diana, whence they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1842. Here Caleb, who was the eighth in order of birth, together with his brothers and sister, obtained a common school education. Here, too, he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter. In 1848, the family found a home among people of like nationality with themselves in Edwards county, locating on Boltinghouse prairie, where they engaged in farming. On the 21st February, 1855, Caleb Edwards was united in marriage with Mary Hannah Orange, daughter of Eld. Daniel Orange, one of the pioneer settlers in the county, and one of the active members of the Christian faith. By this union there have been born six children : Caleb Henry (died in November, 1864), Elizabeth (now the wife of - Hodson) Orange, Thomas Albert (died April 17th, 1881), Mollie and Naomi. Mr. Edwards has pursued the vocation of farming ever since coming to this county. With this he has combined preaching since 1868, A most faithful and zealous Christian; a constant student of the word of God, he accomplished much in behalf of primi- tive Christianity. True to his professions, his daily walk and conversation made him a teacher by example as well as precept. He is a representative temperance advocate, whose boast it is, that he never tasted ardent spirits. As a Prohibitionist, he was the party's standard bearer for legislative honors in 1882. Of pleasing address, cheerful disposition, earnest in his enthusiasm, he has made hosts of friends.
ROBERT W. CURDLING.
AMONG the enterprising tradesmen of Albion is Robert W. Curdling, who was born in Bridport, Dorsetshire, England, April 16th, 1854. His father, Robert by name, was born in the same village July 25th, 1835. Here he was early apprenticed to a shoemaker, and followed the trade, first at home, then for ten years in London and
again in Bridport, and since 1857 in Albion. His father in turn was Richard Curdling, a baker by trade. The mother of Robert W. Curdling was Harriet White. A brother of hers had located in Albion several years prior to the coming of Mr. Curdling, and in fact his letters, directed Robert Curdling's attention particularly to Albion and determined him upon coming here. In 1857 he bid adieu to his native land, crossed the ocean, land- ing in New York city, July 3d of that year. Early the next morning, it being the natal day of American Inde- pendence, his vision was greeted with tri-colored bunt- ing and flags in great profusion every where. He sought work in the city and promptly obtained it. On Saturday night after the end of his first week's employ- ment he was astonished to find a fellow workman chat- ting pleasantly and smoking with his employer. This was new to him who had been accustomed to recognizing a wide breach between master and laborer-but, he reflected-this is America, the land of liberty. In the fall of 1857 he was in Albion and opened the shop which has since been in his hands, until transferred to his son, Robert W. In the family were five children, all living. Robert W., Richard G , Martha W. now the wife of Mr. Johnson, William H. and Mary H.
Robert W. Curdling, who inherits the characteristic stick-to-itive-ness of his father learned his father's trade early in life, and with commendable energy pursues it. He was united in marriage with Madelina R., daughter of James Tribe (of one of the leading families of Edwards county) Oct. 31st, 1880. One child, a daughter, Leeta V. by name, blessed the union. Mr. Curdling is a pronounced Republican politically. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. in which order he is an officer, and in the work- ings of which he takes great interest. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. As a business man he is energetic, thoroughly honest in his dealings and has established a fine trade.
THOMAS T. WOODS,
ONE of the most successful farmers in Edwards county, was born April 16th, 1822. His parents, John and Elizabeth, were both English by birth. His father located in Edwards county in 1819, hence was among the old pioneer settlers. Here he kept hotel, or as it was termed public house, several years. In 1827, he moved to Shawneetown where he died in 1829. His widow returned with the family to Albion, and again took charge of the hotel, which she kept aided by her family until 1838. Thomas T. Woods remained with his mother until 1845. He was united in marriage with Georgiana W. Spangler, daughter of Emanuel and Jane Spangler, September 8th, 1843. The Spanglers were from York, Pennsylvania, and were of Irish and Ger- man descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Woods have been born ten children, eight of whom Maurice, Charles, Alfred, Harry, Edgar, Spangler, Elmer and Katie are living, and Mary Jane and Lewis are dead. All the children
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
are residents of the county, and all are agriculturists save Edgar, a shoemaker by trade. Mr. Woods' first venture in his own behalf was the purchase of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in 1845, on which he yet lives, and to which he has added over forty acres. The original cost of the tract was $600. Year by year by constant toil he has made it one of the best farms in the county. He takes an active interest in everything calculated to enhance the prosperity of his county. He is a member of the Episcopal Church. An excellent citizen, an obliging neighbor, a man of fine judgment, he possesses tbe esteem and love of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
GEORGE BOWER.
THE present popular treasurer of Edwards county was born in Albion, January 22d, 1832. His father, George Bower, was a native of Germany, where be was born January 30th, 1788, a potter by trade. He worked some time at his trade in the city of Paris, France, where he located August, 1818, hence acquired the French language, which was spoken in the family. After coming to America on board the Louis from Havre de Grace en route thirty-one days in October, 1826, he located first in New York, thence to Vevay, Switzerland county, Indiana, and from there he was led, through the solicitations of George Flower, to come to Albion, where be prosecuted his trade a number of years. He died, or rather was killed by a fall from a wagon, breaking his neck, September 20th, 1848. His
wife, whose maiden name was Catharine Kophfel, was born in Germany July 9th, 1794. To them were born five children in Europe, two of whom died there, and three in this country, eight in all. Mrs. Bower died April 12th, 1858. Mr. George Bower obtained a very fair common-school education. In 1848, then sixteen years of age he went south to work with an older brother, Adam Bower, as gin-wright. Two years after he returned and followed the avocation of carpenter three years, when he associated himself with William B. Tribe in wagon-making, combining therewith the work of blacksmithing and wheelwright. In 1854, he be- came sole proprietor of the establishment, remaining so until 1867, when he formed a co-partnership with Messrs. Painter and Frankland, which arrangement continued until 1871, since which time he has continued business alone as before. He was married to Mary Frankland, daughter of Robert Frankland, of English birth, No- vember 19th, 1856, by whom he has ten children, six boys and four girls. Mr. Bower is a working member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and has for many years held po- sitions of profit and trust. His first public office was that of police magistrate, which was followed by his election as county treasurer in 1875, an office he has since continuously held. He takes great interest in educational affairs, which received recognition at the hands of his fellow citizens by bis being maintained as member of the board of education. Mr. Bower is a man of enterprise, industry and high social qualties.
LAWRENCE.
LAWRENCE COUNTY.
HIS township deserves favorable mention from the fact that it contains the capital of the county, and is among the first-settled precincts of Lawrence county, and bears the same name. It is centrally situated, and includes the fractional part of four congressional townships, to wit ; townships three and four, ranges eleven and twelve. It has an area of forty-two sections, or about 26 880 acres of · land, nearly three-fourths of which is under cultiva- tion. It is bounded on the north by Bond township, east by Allison, south by Dennison, and west by Bridgeport and Petty townships. The surface is generally undula- ting, and in places along theEmbarras river quite prom- inent bluffs appear. In the south and west the surface is mainly level, and the soil is a dark loam and specially adapted to the raising of corn. The land in this part of the township is considered the most valuable from the
act of its.extreme productiveness. In the east the soil is sandy and not so productive. Along the state road, leading west, there are many fine farms, the soil being a chocolate-colored clay, and is the best wheat-producing soil in the county. On either side of the Embarras river there are quite extensive bottoms, especially on the north- east. These are mainly covered with heavy timber, and are subject to overflow.
The natural drainage is good, but tiling would pay an hundredfold. The Embarras enters the township in sec- 22, township 4, range 12, and flows in a southeasterly course, diagonally through the precinct, and passes out in section 17, township 3, range 11. Brushy Fork and Muddy creed constitute its northwestern tributaries, and Indian creek is its west and southern tributary. The Ohio and Mississippi railroad extends from east to west through its entire territory, entering from the east in sec-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
tion 4, township 3, range 11, and crosses the boundary line into Bridgeport in section 9, same township and range. The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railway crosses the precinct from north to south, entering from the north between sections 19 and 20, township 4, range 11, and passes out at the corner of sections 17 and 18, same township and range.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
One of the first to brave the wilds of the western fron- tier was John Mc Cleave, a native of Maryland, born in 1778. When a mere boy his parents moved to the state of Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1801, he mar- ried Mary Benefiel, and remained in Ohio until 1814, when he moved to Illinois (then Territory) and first stopped in the north part of Allison's Prairie, not far from the present site of Centerville. The Indians then being on the war-path, he was obliged to move his fami- ly into the fort (Fort Allison) for protection, where they remained until the spring of 1814. After the conclusion of the treaty with England relating to the war of 1812, the Indians became peaceable, and the people left the fort. Mr. Mc Cleave located across the river from Vincennes, where he remained until the following spring, when he moved over the river and stayed one year. In the spring of 1817, he again came to the Illinois side and perma- nently located in section 3, township 3, range 11 west, then Edwards county. At this time his family consist- ed of his wife and five children, William, John, Rebec- ca, George and Lucinda. He threw up a small camp, made of puncheons, and commenced the life of a pioneer. He entered quite a tract of land, which he subsequently improved. Mr. McCleave was an unassuming man, a good citizen and a kind neighbor. He died at the old home in 1846. Mrs. McCleave survived him until 1860. Two children were born to them after their settlement, Robert B., and Mary. Only three of the family are now living, George, Robert and Lucinda. The former resides on the old farm, and has filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty-two years, and is still acting in that ça- pacity. A son, J. W. is the present county treasurer. George is also living at the old farm. Lucinda, now widow of Thomas Dickerson, resides in section 33, town- ship 4, range 12
The first permanent English immigration and settle- ments were made in 1816-'17 after the Indian troubles had ceased, at which time there was quite an active in- flux of emigrants, who were mainly families from some portion of the South. Among these was Geo. W. Kin- kaid who came with his family from Kentucky in the above year and settled in section 28, township 4, range 11. He had one son, Albert, and three daughters. Mr. K. resided on his farm for some years, when his wife died, and he moved into Lawrenceville. He was one of the early postmasters of the town. He remained here until his death, which occurred in 1848. Albert, his son, is a citizen of Richland county.
A prominent pioneer was Col. Willam Spencer, who permanently located in section 2, township 3, range 12.
He had been here several years prior to this settlement He improved a good farm, and was very popular with his neighbors. In early times all male citizens of certain ages, were required to ·muster, and devote a portion of time each year to train as militiamen. Mr. Spencer was elected a colonel of a regiment, hence his title, and he was ever afterward known, by his acquaintances, as Col- onel Spencer. He was also elected County Commision- er for some years. He died nearly half a century ago. At his coming there were three pioneer children, Jane, Fannie, and William, all of whom are dead. One son, George, who was born in the precinct, is now living in Macoupin county.
David Grove came from Pennsylvania, in 1816, and lo- cated in section 10, township 3, range 12. He had a family of three children, Michael, John, and Eliza. He was of German descent, and thus a very industrious and thrifty farmer, cultivating a good farm, on which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1842. His remains were interred on his own land. His widow survived him but a few years. Washington Grove, residing in Petty township, is one of his sons, and the only one of the fam- ily now living.
Another pioneer of 1816, was Isaiah Lewis, who migra- ted from Kentucky with a large family. He settled in section 3, township 3, range 12, where he cleared and im- proved a good farm. He resided here until about 1830, when he moved to some point north in the state. He was school teacher, and in the pioneer timea was one of the first teachers in this part of the country. But one of the family is living in the county, Jacob, who is a resident of Petty township.
Larkin Ryle came to the state as early as 1813 or '14, entered land and returned to Kentucky from whence he came. He owned several slaves in that state, and when the emigration excitement for Illinois, commenced he sold them and came to the land he had entered, it being the south half of section 11, township 3, range 12. He was then quite an old man and feeble in constitution. He brought no family with him, having left them in Kerk tucky. He taught school for several years, and lived around among the settlers. It is said that he was the first teacher in this precinct, having taught the children of the pioneers as early as 1817 or '18. He continued teaching as long as his health would permit, and finally died with lingering consumption at the house of one of the early settlers. This was more than half a century ago.
John Buchanan was also from the South, and as early as 1816 he came to the State and settled in section 12, township 3, range 12. He was a man of family, several of his children being old enough to aid him in his pio- neer efforts. He improved a farm, where he resided until his children had grown up and married. He then moved to Lawrenceville, where he resided until his death, which occurred long ago. Some of his descendants are yet living in the county.
The Rawlings family were from Kentucky, and located
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
in the county in 1816. The old gentleman was very aged when he made his advent here, and lived but a few years. His sons, James, Nathan, Scott, and Michael, were citizens of the county for many years, all of whom have passed away. N. D. Rawlings, who resides a mile east of Lawrenceville, is a son of James. N. D. is the present supervisor of the precinct, and has represented it as such since 1879. Several other descendants of the family are citizens of the county.
Thomas Fyffa and family came from Kentucky in 1814, and, upon their arrival in the territory, they were obliged to take refuge in Fort Allison. With the rest, after peace was declared, he left the Fort and located temporarily in the eastern part of the county. In 1817, he entered land in section 34, township 4, range 12, where he made a permanent settlement. This was his home until his death, which occurred about 1830. But one of the family is now living (Albert), who is residing at the old homestead. It is said that Edward P., a de- ceased son, was the first child born of English parents in Lawrence county.
Another pioneer of 1817 was John Brigman, a native of South Carolina. On coming to Illinois, he first stopped upon the site where Lawrenceville now stands. His family consisted of his wife, two children and two brothers. The names of the latter were, Solomon and Isaac. He built him a small house, or rather hut, but remained here only a short time, moving to what is known as Brigman's Island. He located in section 22, township 4, range 12, on the farm now owned and occupied by Joseph Griggs. This was a sickly locality, and nearly all the family soon died. Mr. B. also died here, and was buried on his own land.
Robert Benefiel came from Ohio in 1818, and settled in section 34, township 4, range 12. He had a family, consisting of his wife and one daughter, Ruhama. His first domicil was a covered rail-pen. It was in this pen that one of the first children was born in this precinct, the event occurring in 1818, not long after Mr. Bene- fiel's advent to the State. He remained here improving a little farm until 1830, when his wife died. He, with his family, then moved to the State of Indiana.
Joseph Lamott was of French descent, and came over from Vincennes in 1818, and located in section 9, twp. 3, range 12. It is said of him that he was a most excellent citizen and an obliging neighbor. He died at his farm about fifteen years ago. His second wife survives him, and is residing at the old homestead. One son and two daughters are residents of the county-James, Caroline. and Angeline. The latter is the wife of James Dunlap.
Another settler of 1818 was Benjamin McCleave, who was born in Maryland, and was a brother of James Mc- Cleave, before mentioned. He emigrated from Ohio with his family to this State, and settled in section 3, township 3, range 12, on land that he had entered two years before. Prior to his coming he had been twice married, and the family consisted of four of his own children and five step-children. The names of the for-
mer were-Polly, Sally, Betsy and Benjamin; those of the latter were-Polly, Helen, Martha, Betsy and Mar- garet. He died about 1845. But one of the family is a resident of the county (John), who is a native born.
John Gillespie came from Virginia, near Wheeling, in 1820, with a family of children, viz: Jane, Robert, William, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Walter, Ellen and Sa- muel, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 15, township 3, range 12, where he resided permanently, and died about 1846, at the age of sixty-eight years. Elizabeth and Samuel are yet living,-the latter on the old place.
A prominent settler of 1821 was James McLean. He, with his brother John, came from Kentucky in 1817, and located at Shawneetown, Illinois. The latter subse- quently became United States Senator. James came to Lawrence county in 1821, and on the organization of the county he was appointed the first circuit clerk by Judge Wilson. This office he held until the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, when he resigned his office . and volunteered for that campaign. While in service, his successor died, upon which the people of the county signed a petition to have Mr. McLean re-appointed, which was speedily done. This was in 1832. He held the office until 1836. In 1838 he was elected clerk of the council of revision. In 1840 he was in the legisla- ture and drew up the bill for the organization of Rich- land county. In 1842 he was appointed registrar of the land office at Palestine, which position he filled until 1854. He then returned to Lawrence county and be- came county judge, which office he held until his death, in 1859.
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