USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 93
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 93
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 93
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
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Daniel Gerlach
AMONG those who left the " Faderland," severing all the dear associations of family and home in order to live under a Republican form of Government, stands the name of Mr. Gerlach. He was born September 9, 1835, in Bavaria, Ger- many. In the spring of 1853, he left behind him father, mother, brothers and sisters, and native land. He set sail for the United States, thus gratifying a long cherished wish, nursed from early boyhood. He eame by way of New Orleans, and up the Mississippi river, and after stopping a short time with relatives at Carondelet, Mo., he came on to Waterloo, Monroe county, and there commenced to work at
his trade, that of blacksmithing. He remained there three years, and then settled where he now resides. He immedi- ately went to work- at his trade, improving with that peculiar zeal common to his people, and like them he has prospered. In the fall of 1856, October 28, he was joined in marriage to Miss Annie C. Baum, of Monroe county. Daniel Gerlach was elected sheriff in 1876 and re-elected in 1878. He made a universally popular officer. He is a member of the Masonic order, in whose workings he takes deep interest.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ALIILE
+13 Anderson
ALITTLE
Anderson
JAMES B. ANDERSON
WAS born April 2, 1825, and is the youngest son of James and Mary Anderson, and resides upon the place of his birth. Deprived of his father when but two years old, he owes all to a mother's care. In temper and other characteristics he was his father over again. His mother's exclusiveness and disposition to make her home her kingdom, became his, by choice, as well as inheritance. He was born in Illinois, but at nine years of age, his widowed mother, to better her con- dition, moved to Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. Five years of cotton factory life comprised a period, when his education was only that given by a mother at night. The mixed character of those that are collected as hands in factories, was obnoxious to his mother, and was a spur to him to win the confidence of all, and ally himself to none. This was soon noticed by his employers, and rewarded by the position of confidential messenger to the firm. The campaign of 1840 was so spirited, that old and young had their flags and cam- paign songs. The factory firm were Whigs, and James B. Anderson's mother's minister was a Whig, as well as Pres- byterian. He became a Presbyterian and Whig. In 1842 he was brought back to the Illinois home, and very much against his mind, farming was to be his pursuit in life. The others, having families of their own, he and his mother occu-
pied the old home. His marriage with Matilda Nimock November 4, 1857, was instrumental in bringing him into active relation with the reforms of the day. He was active alike in affairs of churches and schools, giving time and money. The happy home his wife had made him was to be dismember- ed and shadowed from time to time. The delicate wife mourn- ing the loss of an infant child, in 1861, became more delicate, and symptoms of paralysis were met, and check. d from time to time. 1869 came in with forebodings. The young mother longed to be spared to fulfill, to an only son, her sacramen- tal vow, "to train him for the Lord," but the physicians, at her bed-side, answered, (softening of the brain) " At least we can only ease your sufferings, the end is death." Seven- teen weeks she lingered, and in the morning, May 5, she died, answering, by signals, her husband's voice to the last. The aged mother, now the housekeeper, took the mother's place to the grandchild, but her prolonged stay, too, must end. On September 16, 1876. James B. Anderson, with none to care for, other than James C. Anderson, his wife's legacy, became absorbed in his education-delicate like his mother ; endeared to his father by much suffering, as well as noble qualities, after attaining his majority, casting but one vote as a citizen. His last visit to Sparta, was on Decoration day, at evening ; he came home to die, and during his illness,
RESIDENCE
VIEW OF FARM FROM VERANDAH. RESIDENCE AND FARM ( 550 ACRES ) OF CHRISTOPHER FULTS, MITCHIE PRECINCT, MONROE CO. ILL.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
when in fever, was anxious to juin the procession, as the music was in his ears. Attended day and night, by old and young, he died August 25, 1881. His remains lie buried in the Caledonia burying grounds. Shorn of all his family, James B. Anderson lives comforted by the assurance that his loss is their gain.
MARY ANDERSON.
MARY (Beattie) Anderson, the subject of this sketch, was born near Newburgh, N. Y., on the 10th day of August, 1790. Being the eldest daughter, she was early given such privi- leges and opportunities as wealth and social position war- ranted. A Presbyterian ecclesiastically, home-training and visiting friends of the faith made an impression on her mind that was never removed. The Bible, the catechism. and the Westminster Standards had a sure place in her father's library. As taught by her parents, so she taught when having a family of her own. When our subject was about seventeen years old, her father and family determined to remove to Allegheny county, Pa. This was accomplished in the old style, in covered wagons, camping out by the way. The mountains retarded their journey, and made it seem never-ending. Passing through Pittsburg across the Monon- gahela, they stopped there one season, and next year returned and settled on the north bank of the Allegheny river, about eight miles above the city. After a few more years of home- training, she was sent to the city of Pittsburg to learn needle- work. In hat-binding and tailoring she gained the use of the " needle" that was ever after a source of income in years of widowhood. Jan. 19, 1816, she was married to James An- derson of Pittsburg, where they resided until about 1821, when they and others seeking new homes came to Randolph county, Illinois. They had at this time three children, Fran- cis B., John HI , and Mary J. James Anderson came West to die au early victim of consumption. In their new home three more children were born to them : Malinda M., James B., and Sarah A. Mrs. Anderson's widowhood dates from July 3d, 1>27. Her's was a two fold grief, as her youngest child had died the previous month. Sore tried but com- forted by many friends, her young family had to be provided for. Her needle made au income, together with the rent of the farm, that made her situation endurable. This was continued until prompted by friends in the East to returu among them. Assenting to their request, she leased the farm, made sale of personal estate, and in 1834 moved back, mak- ing her home in Allegheny city. This period just preceded the " hard times." She, as ever self-reliant, with three of her children in the cotton factory, met the crisis like many another mother, with tired fiogers and aching heart. Eight years of town life, and her family about all grown up, her resolution was to return West to the farm. The move was made in 1842.
She had the benefit of a strong constitution ; this, and a well-cultivated mind, gave her an equipoise of temper, added to a daily trust in the Divine supervision, and was the secret of her success during 49 years of widowhood Her two eldest sons having removed to Kansas, her home was with her youngest (James B. Anderson), who with the only
living daughter ( Mrs. R. Jack), waited on and carried the remains to " Bethel burying-ground," near Sparta. Mrs. A. died September 16th, 1876, aged 86 years, 37 days, mourned and remembered by many friends.
The following are her surviving children : Francis B. Anderson, Wyandotte city, Kansas; John HI. Anderson, Tabor city, Clay county, Kansas ; Mary J. Jack, Colfax, McLean county, Illinois ; James B. Anderson, Sparta, Illinois.
WILLIAM P. MURPHY
Is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Lincoln county, that state, November 11th, 1828. When he was scarcely a year old, his parents came to Illinois, locating in Sparta. When a young man the Judge took up with mer- chandizing, first as clerk. In 1855, he commenced the study of law. In this Ilosmer of Nashville and Fouke of Belle- ville were his preceptors. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, and was the same year elected Treasurer of Randolph county. In 1869, he was elected Judge of the common pleas court of Sparta and in 1877, Jud_e of the county court. In each of these offices he acquitted himself with credit. He was married to Mary J. Frush, in October 1849. To them have been born Clarinda J. Emer L. (who died May 4th, 1880), Everette J. (present sheriff of the county), William H., mail agent, U S. service, Ptolemy H. and Philip F. l'earl and Alice, (dead), Judge Murphy is a tried and true Republican, having upheld the principles of that party ever since its inception, He is a faithful member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. An honest man; a true citizen, he holds the respect of all.
CAMPBELL BROS.,
THE enterprising editors and publishers of the " Sparta Plain- dealer." are both youug men of energy and business push. Charles M., the elder of the two, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, January 27th, 1853. Early in life he learned his father's occupation, that of a carriage and car painter. He obtained a fair education, being a graduate of the Sparta High School, and having attended a short time the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbondale. George II. was boru in St. Louis, August 9, 1855. When about fifteen years of age he entered the home printing office in Sparta, and learned the art of printing. Having gained some pro- ficieucy as a type-setter, he went to Monmouth. Illinois, where he became a compositor on the " Atlas"; from thence to Moline, on the " Reverie," and from there in turn to St. Louis, where he entered the office of the " Times," returning to Sparta in 1880. He was married February 25 1880, to Miss Marian Crawford, daughter of Brice Crawford, one of the old settlers of Randolph county.
The parents of the members of this firm were Louis H. and Mary Campbell (nee Scott). Louis H. Campbell was a native of Vermont ; he left his home in Middlebury in 1850, going first to St. Louis, and from thence to Sparta, in 1856, where he has since resided. Campell Bros. purchased the I'laindealer " iu 1880, and are publishing one of the neatest
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and best papers in this part of the state. They particularly pride themselves upon the typographical appearance and outspoken, honest sentiments of the " Plaindealer." Under their management the paper is prosperous. The cause of Republicanism has been abetted no little through its agency.
JOHN MICHAN
WAS born in Philadelphia, Penn., Nov. 1st, 1822. His parents were both natives of Ireland, though they traced their ancestry to Scotland. They came to this country in 1820. In 1837 they moved to Washington county, Illinois, where John, though but fifteen years of age obtained a posi- tion as teacher. He next entered a store as clerk, in which position he remained two years, dropping it to take up car- riage and wagon making. In 1852, he went by overland route to Oregon; first to Portland, where he found no work, then to Oregon City, with the same result. Being met here by a stranger, who evidently took an interest in him, he at- tended him to his home and the next day was rejoiced to find in the stranger a friend indeed as he secured for him a school, upon the duties of which he at once entered as teach- er. In 1854 he returned and put into execution a resolution formed in Oregon, to study law. He secured a few books, and alternated his study with labor. Three years thereafter, he was admitted to practice at the bar. He soon rose to prominence in his profession, and has built up a large prac- tice. In 1862, he was appointed Master in Chancery for his county, a position he held for two years. In 1868, he was elected States' Attorney for his district, on the the Republi- can ticket. In this election a high compliment was paid his legal abilities, in that he overcame a majority of 1400 votes.
Mr. Michan is a self-made man, has attained to a profound knowledge of the law ; is a good speaker, cogent, close rea- soner, and receives recognition as an able lawyer.
He was married to Miss Margaret Alexander, a native of Randolph county January 21st, 1845.
J. C. HAWTHORNE,
A NATIVE of Randolph county, was born near the village of Blair. A common school education was supplemented by attendance in the Illinois State Industrial University at Champaign 1873 74 ; McKendree College in 1875, and when Dr. Allyn, its President, was called to a similar posi- tion in the Southern Illinois Normal University, at Carbon- dale, Illinois, Mr. Hawthorne was one of the pupils to follow his preceptor. From this institution he graduated in June, 1876. Having chosen the profession of law he attended Union Law College, a branch of Chicago University, from which he graduated May 27th, 1880. Immediately after he engaged in practice in connection with Messrs. Steele and Jones in the city of Chicago, and after six months came to Sparta and located in the practice. His father, James Haw- thorne, was born in Preble county, Ohio, April 16th, 1816. Was brought by his family to Illinois, 1819, who located on a farm where Evansville now stands. When a boy, some
Indians came to the house, when his parents were at church, and stole all the bread to be found except three pieces. The children ran up stairs to secrete themselves where they were followed by an Indian who counted their number on his fingers and had a piece of bread left for each. He died April 18th, 1866.
J. C. Hawthorne is a young man of steady habits and much force of character, and has the qualifications necessary make a successful lawyer.
REUBEN J. GODDARD.
AMONG the members of the Randolph har, none deserve more honorable mention than Reuben J. Goddard. He is a native of the county, and has always recognized it as his home. At the age of sixteen he commenced a course of study at the Union Academy, at Sparta, a religious institu- tion under the management of the United Presbyterian church, after ward dissolved in favor of Monmouth college, in the northern part of the State.
At the age of seventeen he entered Michigan University at Ann Arbor, where after remaining until the age of nine- teen, he began the study of law in which he graduated in 1864. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Sparta, and by close application to his books and busi- ness, he has established a large and lucrative practice. In 1870 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the Common Pleas court at Sparta, an office abolished by the new Consti- tution. In November, 1872, he was elected to the office of State's Attorney for Randolph county. In 1876 he was re- elected to the same office. The duties of this position he discharged with signal ability.
In his political views he is conservative, yet in the heat of a campaign active and outspoken. He identified himself with the Democratic party upon attaining his majority, and has ever since aided and abetted her cause, by voice and vote. Ambitious to excel in professional life he devotes his energies to its prosecution.
Mr. Goddard was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ker, November 30th, 1875, hy whom he has one child, a boy, Willie D. Goddard. His wife is an accomplished musician, possessed of a rare voice.
Mr. Goddard's father, William B. arrived in this county when an infant, as early as 1819. He died in 1875 in the little town of Evans, Colorado, where he had gone for the benefit of his declining health. He was married in this county, near Kaskaskia, to Miss Eliza Hawthorne, daughter of James Hawthorne, one of the old pioneers of Randolph, and a very prominent and leading citizen, and who filled at various times a number of public offices. He was intimate- ly connected with all the enterprises looking toward the improvement and development of the county and its resour- ces. After his marriage, Mr. Goddard moved to the vicinity of Sparta, which was his home at the time of his death. During his life he followed at different times the occupations of farmer, merchant, builder and architect, and was an active Justice of the Peace about twenty years. For many years he was a prominent member of the Presby-
HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
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terian church, in which he was noted for his devotion and exemplary piety. He was not very successful in the accumulation of property, but was nevertheless a fair liver. He took great pride in his family, and nothing gave him more pleasure than the prosecution of plans promoting the r advancement in intellectual, social and moral culture He gave his children that which is of infinitely more value than property, a good education and proper ideas of the true ends and duties of life.
Of the brothers and sisters of Reuben J, James H. is a practising Attorney at Sedgwick, Kan-as, Albert is a printer, Sarah E., now the wife of Porter Morrison lives near Monmouth, Illinois, and Eveline L. wife of Mayron Camp, resides near Wichita, Kansas.
His grandfather, William Goddard, was an early settler of Kentucky, and was a soldier in the United States service, during the war of 1812, and was afterwards employed as a
ranger in defense of the white settlers of Illinois against the Indians, and was finally killed in a skirmish with the savages, near the old Indian towu of Cahokia, St. Clair county He was a fearless and brave man, and did much in holding in cheek the incursions of the red-men in their depredations on the whites. His progenitor in town was an old Continental soldier, who faithfully served his country through its struggle for independence.
The Hawthorne family are of Scotch origin, and derived the name from a shrub of thick undergrowth in the mouu- tains of Scotland, where the old Scots were in the habit of retreating, when vanquished on the plains during their wars with the Danes. Its bestowal upon the family was because of the leading part they took during the wars. They were afterwards among the persecuted for conscience sake. Some of their number found their way to this country in time to participate in the revolution of 1776.
MITCHIE.
MONROE COUNTY.
ECEIVED its name from the Mitehegamie Indians, who at one time inhabited the bottom in the extreme south part of Monroe county. Three ancient grants of land were made by the French within the lim- its of the precinct. One of these, claim 1753, survey 706, was conceded to François IIen - nett dit Sauschagrin, and is deseribed as ten arpents in front, extending from the hills to the Mississippi, situated at the Prairie Apocquois. Chalfin bridge is on the upper end of this grant. Claim 1283, survey 707, was granted to François Noyze dit Labé, and also extended from the Mississippi to the hills, and is described as situated in the Prairie Apocquois. Claim 1753 was owned, in 1809, by Joseph HIennett, and claim 1283, at that date, had passed into the possession of John Rice Jones, a prominent lawyer, of Kaskaskia. Claim 263, survey 769, was an old French grant to Deville, (or Villiers), and in 1809 was owned by Peter Menard. That part of the bottom, between Chalfin bridge and the river, was called by the French the Prairie Apvcquois, from the Indians who lived there in early times.
The old French grants were not necessarily founded on the improvement, or cultivation, of the soil. It is evident that a Frenchman, named Louis Pillet Lasond, made a set- tlement at an early day on the river in the neighborhood of the present Ivy landing. Claim 2046, survey 736, was
granted to him on account of an improvement he had there made. Claim 633, survey 484, at the bluff, near Chalfin bridge, was granted to Louis Villard, in right of his im- provement. Other grants show the early American settle- ments. The first improvement on claim 828, survey 467, was made by James Scott; on claim 557, survey 655, by Raphael Drury; on claim 760, survey 486, by William Howe; on claim 770, survey 483, by Elizabeth Labushe ; on claim 768, survey 448, by Charles Gill; on claim 2623, survey 697, by Henry O'Harra ; on elaim 615, survey 485, by Isaac Chalfin ; on claim 1618, survey 698, by William Chalfin, and on claim 495, survey 701, by Josiah Ryan. Claim 316, survey 704, on part of which Maeysville is now built, is an improvement right granted to James McRoberts.
One of the most noted of the pioneer settlers, of Mitchie preeinet, was Nathaniel Hull. He was born and raised in Massachusetts, and acquired a good education. About the year 1780. in company with several other young men, he came to Illinois. Ile descended the Ohio, and landed at a place afterward called Hull's landing, from which he opened a road across the country to Kaskaskia, which afterward became the main traveled way. He bought the improvement right of Elizabeth Labushe, claim 770, survey 483, at the foot of the bluff, just below the pres- ent Chalfin bridge, aud there settled. A few years after his arrival he married into the O'llarra family. The place of his settlement was where Christopher Fults now lives. He bought a farm of considerable size under cultivation, and built a block house. He was commonly the leader of the companies raised in the neighborhood to protect the settle-
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ment from Indian depredations, and soon acquired the title of Captain Hull. A post-office and small store were estab lished at the block-house. This post-office was probably the first within the limits of Monroe county. He became a Jus tice of the Peace, and Judge of the Randolph County Court. In 1794 he revisited Massachusetts. On his return his brother, Daniel Hull, came with him, and settled in the bottom. He died in the year 1806.
The Worleys came to Illinois with the first American im- migration Joseph Worley made an improvement north of Bellefontaine, and received a grant of four hundred acres of land, included in claim 562, survey 640. This is the farm on which Joseph W. Drury now lives, and was in the own- ership of the heirs of Worley till September, 1809, when his sons, John, Joseph, and William, sold it to Enoch Moore. James Worley was killed by the Indians in the American Bottom in Mitchie precinct in 1789. From Bellefontaine the Worleys moved to the bottom, and made early settle- ments at the foot of the bluff. John and William Worley lived at the mouth of the hollow at Chalfin bridge, and there raised families. Their farms were in claim 633, survey 484. The stream which flows out of the hollow, now known as Maeysville creek, was then called Worley's creek. Joseph Worley, Jr., settled a couple of miles below Chalfin bridge, near the bluff, on what was afterward known as the Master- son place. The old house, now standing on this place, was built by Benjamin Masterson, who moved here from Harri- sonville. He gave his name to Masterson lake, now mostly drained and under cultivation. At this place, also, lived Dr. Carribine, an Irish gentleman, who lived here many years and practiced medicine. At this point, Masterson, at one time, kept a small store.
The Chalfins (the name is commonly spelled by early members of the family "Chaffin ") settled in the bottom, where Chalfin bridge now is, in the year 1796. They came from England, Isaac Chalfin and his son William, and first settled in Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, and from there came to Illinois. Isaac was an old man at the time he left England. He was blind for several years, but regained his eyesight previous to his death. James Chalfin, a brother of William Chalfin, removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois about the same time with the other members of the family. Coming up the Mississippi they got out of provision, and landed, sending a man to Hull's fort for assistance and pro- visions. Ou his return to the boat the whole crew was found massacred. The Indians had mangled the bodies cruelly, and of some the tongues had been cut out. This is said to be the same massacre in which MIrs. Neff, the mother of John Moredock, was killed. James Chalfin and his whole family were among the victims. Seth Chalfin son of William Chalfin, was born on the old Chalfin place, lived there during his life, and died in 1838. He built the Klein bonse near Chalfin bridge. Nathaniel Chalfin went to California in 1849. Five generations of the Chal- fins are now buried in the old graveyard, under the bluff, near Chalfin Bridge. The first settlement made on the up- land in this precinct was hy James McRoberts, claim 316, survery 704, but he settled permanently, at an early day,
on claim 315, survey 703, which was given him as a militia donation. He was born near Glasgow, in Scotland, in May, 1760. He emigrated to America at the age of twelve, and settled in Philadelphia. When eighteen years old he be- came a soldier on the side of the colonies in the war of the Revolution and served until the close of the war. He was married iu the year 1787, and the next year settled in Ken- tucky on the Ohio river. In 1786 he came to Kaskaskia, where he remained till 1797. During his first visit to Illi- nois he settled temporarily on claim 316, and made some at- tempt tu place land uuder cultivation, which entitled him to the grant of land he subsequently obtained. He came back to Illinois and settled on claim 315, a mile north of where Maeysville now stands, which was afterward his home for nearly half a century. The same year of his settlement here (1798) he built a dwelling-house, which is still stand- ing and is probably the oldest house now in the county. In this house his children were born, among them Josiah Mc- Roberts, who became a prominent member of the bar, and Samuel McRoberts, the first native-born citizen of the state elected to the United States Senate from Illinois. Judge McRoberts devoted himself with much industry to his farm. He served as a justice of the peace for many years, and was also elected county judge. His death occurred in 1844, and his widow survived him several years. . His son, Samuel McRoberts, was born in 1799. He attended a school kept by Edward Humphrey in the bottom near Chalfin Bridge. At the age of twenty he became clerk of the Monroe County Circuit Court, and in 1824 was elected Circuit Judge by the State Legislature. He filled several other public positions, and in 1840 was elected United States Senator. He died at Cincinnati in 1843, while on his way home from Wash- ington. Two children of James McRoberts are still living. Josiah McRoberts is a resident of Joliet. and the youngest daughter, Mary, the widow of Major Xerxes F. Trail, lives in the county.
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