USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 34
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 34
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 34
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Again we started up town in another direction, and examined some of the prominent buildings through Broadway-A. T. Stewart's store, ete .; in fact, every building in the city that was worth seeing. They averaged from ten to twelve stories high, and are built of the best material. I would like here to give a more full account of the city and everything we saw. but time will not permit; in fact, a person could write a whole volume, and then not think of everything. To say the least, New York City itself is one of the greatest sights I ever saw or expect to see.
It now being evening we started on our journey back to East Albany by way of a boat called the " Saratoga" of the same line by which we came, and as I gave mention of the Hudson River, it is one of the finest and most picturesque rivers in the country. We arrived at East Albany about 7.30 on Wednesday morning, and on the following morning started by early train for Indianapolis.
My trip from Indianapolis to New York, a distance of about one thousand and ten miles and return, was a journey which will never be forgotten.
I left New York for home November 23, and took in the Canada side of the famous Niagara Falls and extension bridge. The view was beautiful-the hillsides covered with moss interspersed with spruce, pine and hemlock. It was snowing quite briskly when I arrived here-put up for the night, and in the morning as I looked out from the Cliff House I think I never saw a finer sight. A large mass of falling nature of over a half mile in length bent in a cres- cent slope, with the sun being reflected from it, making all the dif- ferent shades of the rainbow, impressed me with its great beauty and grandeur. At 7.20 we left for Buffalo, and the snow storm still rag- ing but increased in intensity as we crossed the Mohawk River. A large dam was thrown across the river here, but the water was " going up stream " owing to a very high wind which was blowing. We learn that it was one of the most severe storms of this kind ever witnessed there, and houses of every description were almost swept away by the floods. As we neared Buffalo we were struck by the gale, under which the train swayed to and fro, and at times nearly capsizing us. This continued until we arrived at Buffalo. From Buffalo home, the view of the towns and country along the line of the railroads was fine, and I arrived at home on November 25, and found all well, and realized that I had traveled in the round trip 2,265 miles.
AMOS JENNINGS, farmer, was born December 16, 1833. in
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Tuscarawas County, Ohio, is the son of Solomon and Catharine Jennings, who emigrated to Illinois in 1840. They settled in what is now Crooked Creek Township, Cumberland County. The fol- lowing year his father died, aged thirty years. His mother again married and moved to Section 11, Union Township. in 1842, where the subject of this sketch lived till the age of twenty-five, when he married Martha Stultz. She was born in Ohio, in 1839. Five chil- dren bless this union, viz .: Frank L., John A., Amy C., W. T. and Amos W. After marriage he managed his mother-in-law's farm about six years. He then moved to his present farm, having first bought forty acres; and from time to time, as his means would allow. added other land. He now owns 156 acres, largely improved. They are members of the United Brethern Church.
JOHN C. MILLER, farmer, born November 27, 1831, in Fair- field County, Ohio, son of William and Dianah Miller. His father was born in Maryland, his mother in Ohio. The subject of this sketch was brought up on his father's farm. At the age of nine years his parents came to Union Township. On May 12, 1840, his father entered 160 acres, in what is now Crooked Creek Township, and lived on that land about eight years. He then removed to this farm, known as the Smith farm, which is the oldest settled farm in this neighborhood. Part of this land was entered by Newel Burch, of whom Andrew Smith bought his claim, and entered other lands adjoining. His father lived on this farm till his death, which ocenr- red May 23, 1880, aged seventy-five years. The farm now consists of 350 acres, mostly improved, and stocked with six horses, sixty head of cattle, eighty hogs, fifty sheep, etc. He was married Janu- ary 1, 1856, to Miss Mahala Fancher, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 16, 1835; they had eight children, six living, viz .: William H., David B., Martha L., Ahnanette, Dollie J. and Flora E. Eva V. died in 1867, aged five years; Amy O. died Novem- ber 3, 1875, in her twentieth year. She had attended the Westfield College six years, had finished a classical course, and one year later would have graduated. In order to educate his children Mr. Miller removed to Westfield in 1874; remained there three years, then returned to his farm. When in Westfield he held the office of Police Magistrato; here he has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms and Township Superintendent one term. They are members of the United Brethren Church.
WILLIAM M. MILLER, farmer, was born November 30. 1835, in Fairfield County, Ohio. At the age of four years he came with
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his parents to Cumberland County, settled in Union Township, and has since lived in this locality. He was married August 14, 1862, to Mrs. Mary A. Clauson, who was born in 1837. They had two children, Ida I., and Reason R. This farm consists of ninety-eight. acres, located on the National road, and improved with a good house, which cost about $600; barn cost about $400. The farm is stocked with four horses, seventeen head of cattle, and about thirty hogs.
CHARLES McMILLEN, farmer (post-office Union Center), was born February 27, 1825, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is the son of Gideon and Elizabeth McMillen; the former born in Luzerne County, Penn., and moved when young to Delaware County, Ohio. He carried on the milling business. He came with his family to Coles County, Ill., now Cumberland County, settled about two miles north of where he died, March 3, 1864, aged seventy-seven years. The subject of this sketch was married in 1850, to Harriet Bennett, of the same county. After marriage he worked his father's farm two years, and then bought forty acres, where he lived a short time. April 13, 1859, he left for Pike's Peak with a party of five and three yoke of oxen, and landed where is now Denver, July 4, 1859. They then went into the Gregory Diggings and prospected there about six weeks ; then to Fair Play Diggings and worked there until driven out. by cold; thence to the pinery and furnished hewed logs for houses in Denver. The first house they built there was for a colored man named " Uncle " Reuben. They built a shoe shop for $100, receiving for the same four pairs of boots in payment. They continued in getting out. wood and shingles till spring, and then went to Colorado City and put. up two buildings, which they sold when completed; went mining in the California Gulch; worked there about four months; was taken sick, and returned to Denver. Finding no work there, he drove one yoke of oxen from Denver to his home in Illinois, arriving there Novem- ber 2, 1860, occupying about three months in this journey. He then took charge of his father's farm, and raised one crop. August 31, 1861, he traded his yoke of oxen for a horse, went to Camp Butler and enlisted in Company A, Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and served three years. Hfe enlisted as a private and was promoted, in about fourteen months, to Quartermaster Sergeant, and was mustered out August 25, 1864, at Vicksburg, Miss. Theirs being an independent regiment, they were constantly engaged in skirmishes and scouting through the country. The first regular battle was at Cotton Plant, Ark., where he was wounded by his horse falling on him while crossing a
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bridge near Trenton, Ark., December 8, 1852. He has never recor- ered from this injury. About the last of May, their command was ordered to Vicksburg. They took boats and proceeded there, land- ing June 1, 1863. He was also hurt there by a horse running over him, injuring his right breast. This he has not recovered from. June 3. they were ordered to watch the enemy, and encountered him in the rear of Vicksburg, having there a skirmish, taking twenty-four prisoners; remained in the rear of Vicksburg doing skir- mishing duty, and so continued till the surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. July 5, they crossed the Black River, on their way to Jack- son, Miss., where they captured the enemy's entire picket-post, at about 9 A. M .; soon after encountering Johnson's rear-guard, skirmished with them till night. There they sat in their sad- dles all night. As soon as it was light they moved on, driv- ing them through Clinton. They contested every inch of the ground till they were driven to their fortifications at Jackson. There they fought about eight days, when Johnson's command evacuated their fortifications. They captured their rear-guard, con- sisting of 800 to 1,000 prisoners, and their pontoon bridge, with their wagons. Their regiment, with the Fourth Illinois and Third and Fourth Iowa Cavalry Brigade, started for Canton, Miss., pro- ceeding as far as Pearl River, where they were repulsed and driven back. Receiving reinforcements of infantry and artillery, they pro- ceeded to, and captured Canton, taking 300 to 400 prisoners. They destroyed a train laden with stores and ammunition, the railroad machine shop, and tore up the railroad track; also destroyed five locomotives. They returned to Oak Ridge and went into camp, where they laid during the month of August. On August 4 he got a furlough to come home, where he remained till August 25. when he returned to his command. On account of the boat running aground he was delayed in reaching Vicksburg till about the 6th of September. The following day the regiment was ordered out on a scout, met with the enemy early in the day; drove them till about 2 o'clock when they made a stand on a hill, and there made a charge on them, driving them across an open field into the woods. There they made another stand-the enemy firing on them, wounding a number of their men and taking one prisoner. After receiving reinforcements they drove the enemy till night, when they fell back a couple of miles and went into camp. The following morning they moved on the enemy and skirmished with them all day; that night a negro gave them information where they could gain an entrance between the
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main army and the picket-post, and they captured the entire post, consisting of twenty-four men and the commanding officer. The next morning they went into camp near Vicksburg, where they remained some time. They were then ordered to Natchez, where they skirmished several days, when their company was detached as scouts, reporting the movements of the enemy. With their com- mand they remained until the enemy fell back from Natchez. They then returned to Vicksburg, where they remained during the win- ter. The following spring and summer they were skirmishing with the enemy in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee, with head- quarters at Vicksburg, where he was mustered out August 25, 1864, and returned to Cumberland County, where he has since lived. In October, 1864, he moved to his farm, consisting of 100 acres, about seventy-five acres improved. He built his house in 1875; cost about $500. He is a member of the G. A. R., Post Monroe, No. 100. In closing this sketch we will further add that, in selecting a wife, Mr. McMillen has made an admirable choice, she being of a cheerful and hospitable disposition, and having won the esteem of her large circle of acquaintances.
WILLIAM NEAL, farmer and dealer in live stock, was born November 1, 1817, in Bourbon County, Ky., and is the son of James M. and Matilda Neal, also natives of Kentucky. His father carried on the shoc-making trade, afterward blacksmithing and farming. The family emigrated to Crawford County, Ill., in 1827. In the summer of 1830, his father, in company with James Gill, came to this locality and entered eighty acres of land. He then returned to Palestine, where the land office was then located. He died in August, 1830, aged forty-six years. William, the subject of this sketch, in company with his mother, came to the land his father had entered. They at once commenced improving it, and soon after he entered 160 acres where Diona is now situated. He also bought sixty aeres where Toledo now is. This he afterward sold. He now owns 317 acres in Sections 1 and 2. Their house was built in 1853, and rebuilt in 1867. It cost in all about $2,000. HIis barn is 44x64 feet, is the finest in the township, and was built in 1867. It cost about $3,000. He, with his son, Dr. J. W. Neal, is now carrying on the drug business in Charleston. He was married, November, 1840, to Rebecca C. Ryan, of Crawford County. She was born November 25, 1822; died in 1847. They had four children, one living-John F .; lost one in infancy; Mary M., died in 1880, aged thirty-nine years; George W., died December 14, 1882, aged thirty-nine years.
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His second marriage was to Sarah Delap, in 1848. She was born in Crawford County, and died in 1856. They have four children, viz .: Albert A., James W., Naney J., wife of James T. Conrad, and Matilda E., wife of JJohn W. Conrad. His third marriage was in 1858, to Jane Hubbard, of Indiana. She died May 10, 1879, aged fifty-nine years. His mother died in Davis County, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty-three years.
JOIIN F. NEAL, wagon-maker, Union Center, was born May 29, 1845, in Union Township, and is the son of William and Rebecca Neal, of Kentucky. In 1827, they emigrated to Crawford County, Ill, and in the summer of 1830 they came to this locality. The sub- jeet of this sketch was reared on his father's farm. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-Third Illinois Infantry, and served till February 28, 1865. He participated in the battles of Prairieville, Ky., Mission Ridge, Hoover's Gap, Farm- ington, Noonday, and others. In the spring of 1866 he went to Col- orado, and there followed teaming on the plains, prospecting and mining at Georgetown, Col., seven years. He traveled through Cal- ifornia, Nevada, Montana, and was absent about ten years. On return- ing home he remained on his father's farm about two years, then rented a farm, and there remained three years. He engaged in the wagon business in 1882. He was married September 26, 1879, to Lettie A. Roberts. She was born in Cumberland County.
JOHN E. STALLINGS, farmer, born March 18, 1813, in Bullitt County, Ky., is the son of William and Nancy Stallings. His father was also a native of this State, his mother of Virginia. At the age of two years his parents removed to Harrison County, Ind. There they lived on a farm, where they died at an advanced age. In 1844 he moved to Coles County and raised one crop. In January, 1845, he came to Union Township and bought 160 acres of land, there be- ing but five acres cleared. This land is now well improved; also other lands which he has since bought and improved, now owning in all 380 aeres. He first located on Section 26, and has recently moved to Section 35. His son, William H., occupies the old homestead. He married Mary E. Grosshart in October, 1840. She was born in Indiana in 1820, and died in 1853. They have five children, viz .: Mary J., wife of E. Closson; Nancy A., wife of L. Cooper; Sarah E., wife of James Jenkins; Tabitha E., wife of Madison Jones, and Mi- nerva A. His second marriage was to Rachel J. Grosshart, in 1854. She was born in Harrison County, Ind., in 1830. They have four children, viz .: William H., Elizabeth, wife of F. Pennington; John
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W. and Laura A. Since coming here, Mr. Stallings has been engaged in the wagon, wheelwright and carpenters' trade, although principally farming, and he has succeeded in placing himself in com- fortable circumstances.
JOSEPH W. STROCKBINE, farmer, was born February 20. 1829, in Perry County, Ohio, is the son of Joseph and Frances Strock- bine, who were natives of Virginia. His father died in 1846, aged sixty-four years. The subject of this sketch was brought up on their farm, living with his mother till her death, which occurred in 1849, aged sixty-one years. He then emigrated to Illinois and settled on this land. He entered 120 acres, now owns 100 acres improved. He was married March 23, 1851, to Harriet Nigh. She was born July 29, 1835, in Fairfield County, Ohio. They have six children, viz .: Mary F., wife of John Luke; Christian C., Emelia C., wife of Ellridge McMackin; Harriet A., wife of M. Rhue; Lewis F., Mattie E. Lewis F. has been a student at the Westfield College two years, and contem- plates finishing his studies at this college. He is now in his eight - eenth year. Peter Nigh, father of Mrs. Strockbine, died February 17, 1844. Her mother died October 30, 1874, aged eighty-seven years. The family are members of the United Brethren Church. This church is located on his farm, having been built in 1881. It cost $1,200.
W. G. WALLING, farmer, was born April 9, 1815, in Ross County, Ohio, and is the son of James S. and Margaret Walling, he being a native of Virginia, and one of the earliest settlers of Ross County. The subject of this sketch assisted his father on their farm till his death, which occurred in 1837, in September of that year. He married Eliza A. Pennington, who was born July 29, 1820, in Pennsylvania. They had nine children, three living, four of whom died in infancy, viz .: William, died May 10, 1877, aged seventeen years; Uriah died October, 1878, aged twenty-two years. The surviving children are, James, David and Mary, wife of William Stanberry. His son James has been Township Clerk. He managed his father's farm two years. In 1840 Mr. Walling came to Union Township and entered 160 acres, then bought eighty acres. He afterward traded 160 acres, and bought 120 acres in Section 9, about 100 acres of which he has improved. He has just completed a very comfortable home which cost about $400.
ISRAEL YANAWAY, farmer and live-stock, was born Janu- ary 1, 1811, in Washington, Washington Co., Penn., and is the son of Henry and Regina Yanaway. His father carried on the trade of shoemaking, in Pennsylvania, and in Rushville, Fairfield Co., Ohio,
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and was Postmaster at the latter place, where he died. aged sixty- three years. The subject of this sketch worked out by the month till the age of twenty-two, when he married Effic Sturgeon. March 20, 1833. She was born in Fairfield County. Ohio. August. 1812. They have had nine children. four living. viz .: Mary E., wife of John Strockbine ; Regina, wife of Lafayette Stultz : Jane. wife of Plumber Sidwell, and Samuel S. Three died in infancy; Henry died in 1867, aged twenty-three, from injury sustained by a horse falling on him; Lucinda, wife of JJacob Rhinebolt, died October 16, 1872. aged thirty-two years. In 1842, he came to Cumberland County. bought 160 acres of land where he now lives, and from time to time has bought other land, now owning abont 1,000 acres, mostly under cultivation. When he first came here, the courts were held in Greenup, in a log schoolhouse. He opened the first drug store in the county, this being at Prairie City; continued the business about fifteen years. He then traded this store for land, and returned to his farm, where he has since remained. This farm is stocked with six horses, fifty head of cattle. he having had as high as ninety-seven head; also, about fifty hogs and seventy-five sheep, etc.
S. S. YANAWAY, farmer and live stock; born March 3. 1840. in Fairfield County, Ohio, is the son of Israel and Effie Yanaway. At the age of four years, his parents came to Cumberland County. and settled in Union Township; he was brought up on his father's farm. He was married April 14, 1863, to Mary E. Decker. Her parents emigrated to Cumberland County at an early day. They had seven children, five living, viz .: Israel W .. Thomas R., Samuel B., William J., and Mary R. Harry A. and Charles W. died when two years old. After marriage, he settled on his present farm, at that time but forty acres. He has been adding to this as his means would allow, and now owns over 500 acres, mostly improved. He also had charge of his father's farm during his absence of about fifteen years in Prairie City, where he was engaged in the drug business. He attended to hiring and paying off hands, disposing of stock and pro- duce, and had general supervision of the entire business. They are. members of the United Brethren Church in Christ.
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WOODBURY TOWNSHIP.
BAZIL BROWN was born in Licking County, Ohio, on Novem- ber 26. 1835. His father, B. Brown, was born in Pennsylvania, April 28, 1793, and moved to Kentucky, with his parents, and later, in 1812, to Ohio, and in 1848, to Illinois, settling in Cumberland County, where he engaged in farming. He died on May 20, 1854; his widow on March 9, 1878. They were both prominent members of the Baptist Church, he having been a minister of that denomina- tion for several years. Bazil received a good common school educa- tion. and taught school for ten years. He served as Justice of the Peace for sixteen years, and as Township Treasurer for six years. On October 6, 1859, he married Laura A., daughter of Levi and Mary Farmer, of Guilford County, N. C. She was born on February 22, 1843. They have had seven children born to them, viz .: Almira, Lafayette, Alva N., Sonora B., Otis L., Orrin L. and Joseph W. (twins). Mr. Brown is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a prosperous farmer and lumber dealer, and is highly esteemed in the community in which he resides.
MARTIN MOUDY, physician and surgeon, was born in Wash- ington County, Md., on October 16, 1812. He remained in his native State until the age of twenty years, working on a farm and attending a common school. In 1833, he came to Greene County, Ohio, where
he began the study of medicine. In 1836 and 1837, he attended the Fairfield Medical College, of New York, from which institution he graduated in 1838. Returning to Ohio, he began practicing medi- cine with Dr. Martin, of Xenia. In 1841, he came to Terre Haute, Ind., and followed his profession for three years. Removing then to Danville, Ill., he engaged for some time in milling and farming, then returned to Terre Haute, and resumed his old practice, which he continued for eleven years. He then removed to his present home, in Cumberland County, Ill., in 1870, where he is one of the promi- nent physicians of the county. In 1834, the Doctor married Marga- ret MeClure, of Augusta County, Va. They have had ten children born to them, viz .: John (deceased), Joseph, Martin, Hiram S., Ellen J., Albert (deceased), George (deceased), Robert B., Daniel W., and Samuel H.
J. W. BOOTH was born in Orange County, Ind., in 1819. His father, Wade Booth, was born near Richmond, Va., and came to
22
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Indiana as one of the first settlers, living first in Orange County, and then moving to Vigo County, at which place he lived for thirty-five years. From there he moved to Ogle County, Ill., where he died in 1856, his wife dying in Saint Mary's, Ind., in 1862. Our subject spent his early days on a farm, receiving only a common school education. At the age of sixteen. he was apprenticed to the carpenter and join- ers' trade, and followed it until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in a detachment under Mcclellan, commanded by Major Barker, and afterwards became attached to the Twelfth Illinois Cav- alry, in which he served his time, and was honorably discharged in Angust,, 1864, at New Orleans. In. In 1867, he purchased an unim- proved farm, six miles south of Vandalia, Ill., which, after improv- ing. he disposed of, and engaged in the mercantile trade, at Auburn, Ill., for two years. During the past nine years, he has been engaged in the same business at Jewett, Ill., and is rated as one of the most successful and enterprising business men in this section. On Octo- ber 14, 1844, he married Emma Heubest, a native of England. Seven children have been born to them, three of whom are living, viz .: Lyman W., Lavina, and Frances.
JOSEPH KING was born in Washington County, Ind .. on Octo- ber 19, 1823, and is the son of Jacob and Frances (Shelton ) King. who were natives of Kentucky but came to Washington County. Ind .. among the first settlers, where Mrs. King died. Soon after this event Mr. King moved to Morgan County, Ind., where he followed farming until his death. Our subject's grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution. In 1849 our subject came to Cumberland County, Ill .. and located on a farm three miles from what is now called Toledo. In 1875 he engaged in the mercantile trade, at Toledo, which busi- ness he followed until 1880, since which time he has resided at Jew- ett. In 1846 he married Macy A., daughter of William and Tabitha (Elwards) Russell. She was born in Harrison County, Ind., on November 27. 1821. There were three children, now living, born to them, viz .: James T., Joseph S., and John W. For thirty-seven years Mr. King and wife have been members of the Christian Church. He has been a life-long Democrat in politics. Mr. King has a beau- tiful home, and is highly esteemed in the community in which he resides.
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