Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 28

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 28
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 28
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 28

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JOHN WADE was born May 2. 1827. His first independent. undertaking in life was at eighteen years of age, when he attended eight acres of land for one year. Then he bought on credit sixty of the 200 acres of land he now owns, and resides on. This well tilled farm, his fine residence. and the many improvements, have all been accumulated from active, arduous labor, and the frugal, judicious use of money. Mr. W. has acquired a fair literary education, entirely by home study. He devoted several years to the study of Theology, and was ordained a minister in the Christian Church, in which call- ing he has been actively engaged up to a year since, when he retired owing to illness in his family. Such have been the benefits of his teaching and example, that their influence for good will live after him. On May 20, 1847, he married Martha Featheringill, of Cumber- land County. They are parents of ten children, only five of whom are living, viz .: John H., Lovina (now Mrs. De Vall), Delitta H., Mary E., and Hattie.

SAMUEL WELKER, farmer, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 14. 1835. When nine years old he came with his parents to Cumberland County, III., in 1844. His father opened a farm of 160 acres. At the time of his settlement there were no neighbors within

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two miles, and our subject walked four miles to school for three win- ters. Church services were held at residences; assisted in building the first church erected in the township, at Hazel Dell, in 1862. The first school he attended in the county was in a rude log-structure without a nail in it. with greased paper for windows and slabs for seats. With these meagre advantages and home study, and close application, he acquired a good business education. as well as quali- fying himself as a teacher. He taught school when eighteen years old, one term: then farmed until he was of age, when he went to carpentering which he followed for twelve years. He had no such conveniences for fine work as are now possessed by the trade; used wooden pins in lieu of nails; went forty-five miles for building mate- rial, tools, etc. In domestic needs they also endured the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life-having wheat bread but once a year, and until horse-mills were introduced, had to grate corn for meal to make the bread. He first broke prairie with five yoke of oxen and a wood plow faced with steel. His father introduced the first steel plow in the township, and owned the first saw-mill. In 1861, our subject gave his attention to farming, located on and improved the farm, on which he now resides. He was an early Abolitionist and Old-line Whig, and now a Republican in politics. He is now Tax- Collector, and has been School Trustee and Overseer of the Poor; is an ardent temperance worker, and a member of the Christian Church. On January 1. 1861, he married Matilda De Vall. To them have been born three children, viz .: Mary (deceased). Willie (deceased), and Emma. now seventeen years old, well educated and highly accom- plished in music. They are also raising a bright little girl-Rose Hosier.

WILLIAM WELKER was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 10. 1840. He came with his parents to Cumberland County, Ill., in 1844; secured a good business education by close application in home study. He lived on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he commenced life for himself. He first worked two years as a day laborer; then learned the carpenters' trade with his brother Samuel (whose sketch is elsewhere given ), and followed that trade for ser- eral years, until 1861. when he went to McLean County, Ill., but returned the same year, and enlisted in Company F, Fifty-Ninth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. For valiant conduct at Pea Ridge, Ark., he won promotion to First Sergeant, at which battle he was wounded. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Liberty Gap, Perry- ville, Pea Ridge, Chickamauga, and many others. He wasa member

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of and with the brigade that fought "above the clouds" at Look- out Mountain. He was mustered out December 8, 1865; returned to Cumberland County, Ill .. and bought his present farm of eighty acres, which is well improved, with a good house, a fine orchard, etc., his accumulations by personal effort. On April 8, 1868, he married Annie Yates, of Crooked Creek Township, a very intelligent and amiable young lady. Three children, Leslie L., Zadie (deceased), and Laura E., have been born to them. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Universalist Church, are generous and charitable, and held in high esteem by their neighbors and associates.

ROBERT YELTON, farmer, was born in Covington, Ky., March 28, 1827. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, and on March 21, 1850, was married to Jeannette Jerhard, of Shelby County, Ind. She has borne her husband eight children, viz .: Elias (deceased), Mahala, Jeannette. Jacob (deceased), Alexander (deceased). Susan (now Mrs. Toney), John (deceased), Hannah (now Mrs. Stevens). In 1851, they moved to Jasper County, Ill., where he engaged in farming for thirteen years, when they came to Cumberland County, and bought the farm where they now reside. His entire property-his farm of 220 acres of productive prairie land; his brick residence, and the many surrounding improvements- have been accumulated and built up by a life of indefatigable energy and frugality, both of himself and wife. In all his business relations, active and industrious, yet honorable, he has won the esteem of all who know him.

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DAVID BEALS, farmer, was born October 6, 1846, in Cum- berland County, III. He enlisted August 1, 1862, in One Hundred in and Twenty-Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part the battle of Perryville, and received a shot which took off' the first joint of the great, finger of the left hand. He contin- ued with his command notwithstanding his wound. He was under Gen. Buell, and consequently traversed the entire State of Ken tucky. From Perryville they went to Munfordville, thence to Glasco, thence to Castalian Springs, Tenn. The regiment proved itself very serviceable at all these points. At the latter place, on Christmas day, 1862, the regiment took the noted "rabbit hunt." The regiment would surround forty acres and then close in, some- times encircling several hundred of the little animals. They returned in the evening with more than 1,700 rabbits, and it was not. a very good day for rabbits either. From there to Horse Shoe Cave,. Ky., thence to Murfreesboro, Tenn., where they were mounted, and then they scouted the State of Tennessee. In June, 1863, while mak- ing his horse jump a ditch, his gun was discharged into his foot. He never returned to the regiment. For fifteen months he never touched that foot to the ground. He now draws a pension, owing to that wound. His discharge dates June 30, 1865. He was married, Decem- ber 14, 1865, to Mary E. Coleman, of Coles County. These par-

ents have nine children, viz .: Sarah C., Minnie L., Lorin E., Phi- lyncy, Ida B., William A., Eddie A., Simon N., and Viola. Sarah C. died July 13, 1870, in her fifth year; Minnie L. died December 13, 1870, in her second year; Eddie A. died August 23, 1869, in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. B. have both been members of the C. P. Church for more than eighteen years. Mr. B. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics he is a Republican. He is numbered among the first- class men of the county.

SIMON O. BEALS, farmer and broom-maker, was born Janu- ary 16, 1844, in Coles (now Cumberland) County, Ill. He was born and raised in the same house. His parents are Levi and Catharine A. Beals, the former from Ohio, the latter from Kentucky. The father was minister, farmer, teacher and shoe- maker. He was a regularly ordained minister of the C. P. Church, and preached in the Beals neighborhood at the following

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places: Goose Nest, Pleasantville, Cottonwood, Woodbury, Para- dise and Dionia. He owned 200 acres of land when he died, and was a well-to-do farmer. He taught subscription schools in a number of places in different neighborhoods. He was very successful as a teacher. He was considered an expert in those days in making a good, neat fitting boot or shoe. His death occurred September 10, 1854, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. His wife is still living on the same farm to which they came after their marriage, forty-seven years ago. These parents had eight children, six of whom are now living. Susan, the oldest, died a few days before the father, at the age of seventeen. Matilda J. died in 1846, at the age of four years. His widow married Rev. Samuel Landers, by whom she had two children. He has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and was a missionary preaching to the slaves in Ken- tucky. Later, he joined the C. P. Church, and preached about twenty-six years. He died in 1880. He was a private in the war of 1812. His widow now draws a pension for services he rendered in that war. Simon O., the fourth of the children, and our subject, attended school with a good degree of punctuality until his father's death. At the age of eight years he made two pairs of shoes from scraps. They were neat and nice. One pair exactly fitted the lady who is now his wife, and the other pair a younger brother. The remuneration for the two pair of shoes was four and one half pounds of sugar, which was exactly the price asked. From his twelfth to his eighteenth year he worked at carpentering and farming. He enlisted August 6, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battle of Perryville, was charging on the Rebs when a flinder of shell struck him on the head, knocking him senseless. He fell and lay, he does not know how long. When he was restored to consciousness he was confronted by a Texan Ran- ger, demanding that he "march." This was a physical impossibility, and so thought the T. R. The latter dismounted, threw him on his horse behind the saddle, then mounting himself, they were soon mov- ing to the rear at full speed. After reaching the rear, for three days and nights they gave him no food. He was then at the court house at Harrodsburg, Ky .; at the end of that time they compelled him to march thirty miles, which he did before receiving any food He was then transferred to Benton Barracks Parole Camp, at Saint Louis. He was absent from the command about five months, and at home about four months of this time. He then returned to his com- mand. The next engagement in which he took part was at Milton,

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Tenn. He returned home on a furlough in February, 1864, and was married February 29, to Sarah M. Bresee. She is the daughter of E. D. and F. (Hays) Bresee, of this county. Mr. Beals returned to the army soon after marriage, but was not able for field duty after May, 1863. His discharge dates March 27, 1865. During his sick- ness he was in Armory Square Hospital. Dr. D. W. Bliss, one of President Garfield's physicians, was the surgeon in charge. His signature is on Mr. Beals' discharge. Later, he returned home and engaged in farming and broom-making, in both of which occupations he has been reasonably successful. He is honored and respected as one of the responsible citizens of the county. To Mr. and Mrs. B. were born five children, viz .: Stella B., Perry, Arthur N., Leonard C., and Erva E. Perry died in infancy .. Both parents are members of the C. P. Church. The former has been an elder in the church for several years. He is a member of the Masonic Order, also of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican.

REUBEN BLOOMFIELD, farmer and merchant, was born July 11, A. D. 1819, in Wayne County, Ind., where his father and mother, Robert Bloomfield and Mary Lewis, were married in 1818. In the spring of 1821 they moved to Crawford County, Ill., which was but sparsely settled with the whites. Living there some six years, they moved to Edgar County. They had two children-Reu- ben and Mahala. It was here where Renben got his education, attending school in the log schoolhouse. He gained a fair education and taught school in the neighborhood where he was raised some five years. Reuben was married to Eliza Jane McBride, daughter of Charles Me Bride, who moved with his family some year or two pre- vious, from Mercer County, Ky., and settled on Big Creek, in Edgar County, Ill. Reuben, after he was married some three or four years, moved to Clark County, Ill., living in Marshall, the county-seat of Clark, where his wife, Eliza Jane, died, October 1, 1852. By her he had six children, only one of whom is living. Martha P. and George D. lived till they grew to be men and women. Reuben, after the death of his wife, went to live with his father and mother, who were then living in Auburn, Clark Co., Ill., where he remained until the October following, when he moved to Greenup, the then county- seat of Cumberland County, where he engaged in the mercantile bus- iness, and in the meantime was appointed Postmaster of said place. He then married, for his second wife, Mrs. Charlotte Beck, the widow of William Beck, late of Owen County, Ind., and daughter of Abner Goodwin, who resided and died in Mill Grove, Owen Co.,

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Ind. Having a brother, Dr. T. H. Goodwin, who was well and favorably known in this county, living in Greenup, Ill., she was induced. after the death of her husband, to move to this county, and bought land and settled in Cottonwood Township, where Reuben and Charlotte were married, on the 11th of October, 1853. He, with his two children, Martha and George D., and her two, William and Melissa, commeneed life anew, with but a small share of this world's goods, but with a determination to succeed. They have had four children, two daughters and a son, viz .: Odessa, their first born, dying in infancy; Nevada, Sonora and Robert G., still liv_ ing. Nevada is the wife of Thomas Warne, an attorney of Toledo, Ill. Sonora is the wife of Willis R. Clark, all of Cumberland County. Robert G., his youngest child and son, is now twenty-three years of age, and a young man of considerable promise. He is now attending Rush Medical College, Chicago, with a prospect of graduating at the close of the session for 1883-84. William and Melissa Beck are still living. William is living in Washington Territory, single, and in easy circumstances. Robert Scott, and his wife Melissa, are living in this township, and are in good circumstances. Martha, his daughter, married Joseph Scott, and died shortly after she was married. George D., his only child liv- ing by his first wife, lives in Toledo, having married Martha A. Ross, of that place. Reuben lived here some three years and a half. Dur- ing his residence in Greenup, the county-seat agitation took place, which resulted in its removal from Greenup to Prairie City. In this contest Reuben took the stand that the county-seat should remain at Greenup; but after a bitter contest was beaten. Soon after he moved to his farm in Cottonwood Township, where he worked and opened an extensive farm with his own hands. During this time he

filled various offices of trust, such as Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of his township. In 1865 he was elected County Judge to fill a vacancy, and at the next election, which took place in November, 1866, was nominated for the same office by the Democratic party and was elected by something over 100 votes. At the close of this term he was re-nominated and re-elected, holding the office for four years, at the close of which he chose to retire to private life. Buying an interest in the drug store of I. & J. H. Yanaway, he engaged in the drug trade, in which business he remained for some three years, being quite successful in business. He dissolved partnership with his partner, Israel Yanaway, and bought out J. H. Morgan, who

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was carrying on a general mercantile business in Prairie City, now Toledo, where he remained selling goods some nine or ten years, during which time he did an extensive business. In the fall of 1874 he was nominated by the Independent party for State Senator, with- out any solicitation on his part, receiving a large and creditable vote. Selling out his store, he again returned to private life. But being of an energetic and industrious nature, he could not remain long idle, so the next spring he again went into business with H. Rhoads, of Toledo, engaging in the hardware trade, in which business he continued for some two years. Not liking the hardware business, he dissolved with his partner and moved back to his farm, in Cotton- wood Township, where he has built an extensive store-room, and filled it with such goods as are suitable to the farm, and such as the farmer needs, where he has had a post-office established called Brad- bury, of which he is Postmaster. He has built one of the neatest residences for himself that is in the county, where he expects to remain and end his days, now being past sixty-four years of age.

JAMES A. CARRELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born November 9, 1841 (forty-two years ago this day), in Morgan County, Ind. His parents are John H. and Catherine E. (Laughlin ) Carrell, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Indiana. The father was a farmer, a member with his wife of the Society of Friends, and in politics a Democrat. He is living at present with his son James; is in a helpless condition; his age, sixty-five. The mother is still living at the age of sixty. These parents had fifteen children, five of whom are now living. James A. made his father's house his home until he was twenty-one. The following five years he spent in trav- eling; was in Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Arkansas, etc. He was married in September, 1866, to Sarah A. Heddins, of this county. At this time he owned no land, but farmed near where he now lives. He bought a small farm of twenty acres in 1869, and has been adding since, until he now owns 100 acres of good land. He has been quite successful, all things considered, in his business relations. . In 1874 he was elected Collector of this township. He served as Commissioner of Highways the three years following. He is at present Supervisor of his township. All the above offices he filled to the satisfaction of his constituency. He is classed among the responsible, well-to-do farmers of the county. By his first wife he had five children-Thomas C., Luther F., Eleazer O., Parmelia J. and Edwin I. Thomas C. died at the age of nine months, in 1868. Eleazer died in 1875, at the age of four years. Mrs. C. died July 29,

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1876, at the age of thirty-four years. Mr. C. married, for his second wife, Hepsy J. Starbuck, of this county. Their children are Letha, who died in infancy; Ross and Horra M. Mr. C. is a member of the K. of H., and in politics a Democrat.

WILLIAM A. DOYAL, retired farmer, was born June 13, 1824, in Crawford County, Ill. His parents are Hugh and Rachel (Eaton ) Doyal, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of South Carolina. The father was a farmer and' plasterer, having done the first plastering that was done in Charleston, Coles County, Ill .; also cut the first timber that was cut off the site where that town now stands. He died about the year 1852. The mother is still living, at the advanced age of eighty years. These parents had eighteen chil- dren, only seven of whom are now living. Our subject came with his parents from Crawford County to Clark County, where they remained but a short time, and then came to Coles County. The county was very new then, as this was in 1828. The nearest neighbor was three miles, and the next nearest three and one-half miles away. At that time, our subject states, they had no house. They lived in the woods until a cabin was built. The Indians had wigwams within a mile of their cabin. They made frequent visits to Mr. Doyal's cabin, but would leave their weapons on the outside. Our subject's maternal grandfather was killed by the Indians in Crawford County, Ill. After a few years, the father bought an old blind mare, and with her they planted and attended a crop. From her they raised a colt, and then another. The first team he owned came from those colts. In this fast age that would seem a very slow way, but it is a very sure way, as our subject can testify. They made a sled, put on a box, and our subject rode that old mare, she pulling the sled, the box filled with eggs, poultry, butter, and such other commodities as they had to spare, to the nearest market. In this way the family was supported. The mill was so far away that it took three days to go and return with the grist. In winter, many times they would boil the corn and grate it through a grater, improvised by their own hands with tin and an awl punch. It was many years before they had a mill within a few miles. From this mode of procedure, we can learn of the hardships and deprivations endured by the pioneers in the western wilds of the great State of Illinois. Mr. Doyal bought 120 acres, where he now lives, in the fall of 1852. He went to California via the overland route, in 1850. The trip lasted from the 18th of March to the 27th of August. There were 103 men started on that trip from Saint Joseph, Mo.

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Several died on the way. Mr. D. teamed for several months, and then went to mining, with tolerable success; made enough to buy the above farm on his return. He returned in the fall of 1851, by water. They encountered a storm, which was the most impressive sight he ever saw. Some were praying, some drinking, others play- ing cards and making light of what, to many, was a very serious mat- ter. They tore out the inside of the vessel to make steam, that they might land at Savannah. He " batched" for one year, and raised his first crop. He was married February 20, 1853, to Rebecca McCord, of Coles County. Ezra L., Cordelia, Richard E., an infant, Rachel E., and James H. are their children. Ezra L. married Sallie Clem, of this county; Cordelia was the wife of R. R. Wood, of Moultrie County. Their children are: William C., and an infant, unnamed. Her death occurred at the age of twenty-four. Rachel was the wife of George W. Light, of this county. Her death occurred April 7, 1883, in her twenty-fourth year. James H. died at the age of fifteen, September 7, 1881. Mrs. (McCord) Doyal died August 25, 1874, at the age of about forty-five years. Mr. Doyal was next married on June 23, 1875, to Jane MeCord, of this county. He has been quite successful in business. He is nicely located, in Section 28 ; has a pleasant, happy home, and owns 256 acres of well improved land. He is numbered among the responsible, honest pio- neer settlers of this county. He is a member of the Seventh Advent Church, as is also his wife. In politics, he is a Republican.

ALONZO GRAFTON, farmer and teacher, was born October 5, 1839, in Champaign County, Ohio. His parents are Thomas and Mary (Weaver) Grafton, both natives of Ohio. The father is a farmer and carpenter, and is still living, near Olney, Ill. The mother died May 2, 1877, at the age of fifty-two. Both parents were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had seven children, three of whom are now living. Our subject had good school advan- tages. Going to school, farming and working at the carpenter's trade were his youthful employments. He was married February 14, 1861, to Sallie Heath, of Logan County, Ohio. She is the daughter of Henry and Corinda Heath, now of Charleston, Coles County, Ill. He enlisted August 8, 1862, in the Forty-Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. They were for about one year mounted infantry. Mr. G. was on detached duty for about eight months after enlisting. He took part in many battles, first in the siege of Knoxville, at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and all the engagements of the Atlanta cam- paign. He never missed any; then came with Thomas to Franklin,

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which was as hard a fought battle as he ever was in; thence in a two days battle at Nashville, which drove Hood across the Tennessee River; went into winter quarters at Huntsville, thence through East Tennessee, where they were when the war closed. His dis- charge dates June, 1865. He served three years lacking two months. He never had any sickness, never had a wound worth mentioning. He went in as private, served two years as orderly, and returned Second-Lieutenant. He was with the command all the time except while on detached duty; never was a prisoner; never had a furlough; in short, he was remarkably fortunate. On returning, in 1865, he came to where he now lives, in Section 32, and has been here ever since. He has been engaged in teaching every winter since, save one. Hlas taught seven terms in his home district. No one in the county, perhaps, has a better record as teacher. He does a good share of other business, such as farming, teaching music, carpenter- ing, etc. To Mr. and Mrs. G. were born six children: Carrie B., Mary C., James T., John K., Musa M., and Harry B. James T. died April 3, 1867, at the age of nine months. Carrie B. is the wife of William Judson, of this county, married December 22, 1881. Mrs. G. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. G. is Republican.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 28

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860