Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 81

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 81
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 81
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

M. L. TAYLOR, farmer and stock dealer, was born in Rich- land County, February 16, 1848, is the son of William and Amelia ( Williams) Taylor, is eldest of six children, and is of Scotch- German extraction. William Taylor was a native of Kentucky, and his wife of Ohio. The Taylor family has long been known in Richland County. Their ancestors came to the county almost half a century ago. M. L. Taylor is a distant relative of President Taylor. Mr. Taylor began working for himself when twenty-four years of age. He went to Iroquois County and there clerked in a clothing store for a short time, then went to Fairfield County, Ill. In 1870 he returned to Richland County, and here has since re- sided. In November, 1870, he was married to Sarah L., daughter of John and Hulda Given, and a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have had five children, viz: Dora E. (deceased), Ida A., William O., Lillie E. (deceased) and Hulda A. Mr. Taylor is a true Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and owns a good farm of 120 acres in the northern part of Decker Township. He has a good practical business education, and is one of the most prominent men in Decker Township, being one of its pioneers.

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MADISON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN BROWN was born July 10, 1819, in Hamilton County, Ohio. When eight years old, his parents moved to Kentucky, where he remained until 1855, when he came to Madison Township, Richland County, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 160 acres of land, well improved, with good buildings and five acres of orchard. Mr. Brown was married. in 1840, to Elizabeth Serren, also of Hamilton County, Ohio. Two children have been born to them.

DR. S. S. CANBY was born JJune 27, 1848. in Logan County, Ohio. At the age of fourteen years he moved with his parents to Kansas, where he attended school until the spring of 1863, when he came to Olney, III., and commenced the study of medicine, with Drs. French & Lemen, continuing one year. In 1869 he began practicing his profession in Louisiana, going to Clay County, III., the following year, and continuing to practice medicine. In 1876 he went to Saint Louis, and attended the Missouri Medical College, graduating from that institution in 1878. He is the father of three bright children.

O. P. HEISTAND was born in Fredericks County, Md., Febru- ary 12. 1815. and at the age of twenty-five years removed to Rich- land County, Ohio, where he carried on a blacksmiths' shop until 1839, when he moved to Fairview, Richland Co., Ill .. still por- sning his former occupation until 1868. For the last eighteen years Mr. Heistand has been Justice of the Peace. He has been steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church the past thirty years. Mr. Hleistand has four children living, viz. : Emily L. wife of Rev. D. C. English, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Albion, Hester A. (wife of Rev. O. HI. Clark, presiding elder of the Olney District), Mrs. George C. Moore and Norman A. (a carpenter in Fairview). Another son. Bently N., enlisted, in 1864, in the Eley- enth Missouri Infantry, was wounded December 16, 1864, and died from amputation of his limb, in January, 1865.

JOHN P. HIGGINS was born in Wabash County, Ill., March 30, 1825, and at the age of thirteen years engaged in flat- boating on the Ohio and Mississippi, extending their trips from Bonpas. Ill., to New Orleans, and continuing this pursuit nine years. Mr. Higgins and his father were successful hunters, he having killed in one year as many as sixty deer, and his father 120, besides large numbers of turkeys and small game. In 1859, the subject of this sketch went to California, with an ox-team, remain- ing about two years. While there he killed a grizzly bear. Mr. Higgins was married, in 1849, to Mary K. Key, also of Wabash County, III. He first bought forty acres of land, adding to it as his means would allow, until he now owns 357 acres, with comfort-

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able buildings, ton aeres of orchard, and seventy head of cattle and three teams. Mr. Higgins is largely engaged in the live stock business, and is one of the most enterprising men in the county, and one of its oldest settlers.

TITUS HILL was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 20. 1824, and came with his parents to Lawrence (now Richland) County, October 1. 1840. Boy as he was, he signed the first petition dividing Richland from Lawrence County. His father settled in Calhoun Prairie, and bought 165 acres of land, and engaged in farming. He worked with his father till the age of forty-one. their interests always being identical. He then married Catharine M. Wilson, a native of Indiana, who died May 30, 1868, aged twenty-five years. They had one daughter, Mary C. His second marriage took place November 14, 1876, to Flora M. Bolinger, of Fairview. They had four children-two living-David S. and John L. After his marriage his father bought him a farm of eighty-five acres, where he lived till his wife's death, when he sold this farm and came to Fairview and lived with his father till his death. They were always happy in each other's company. Mr. Hill's great-grandfather served in the Revolutionary war, and was buried alive by the British on Long Island. He was taken a prisoner and placed on board the ship Jersey, and fed with bread mixed with lime, and he being about dead. they buried him alive. The Tories in the neighborhood made their brags that they " buried one damned Yankee alive." and so handed the story down from one generation to another.

J. S. HOWE is a native of Fleming County, Ky. His father, having served in the Mexican war and being entitled to a land grant, entered 160 aeres where they now reside, coming to Madison Township in 1865. Mr. Howe has held the office of Assessor one term. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and President of the Richland County Sunday-school Association.

I. N. MARTIN was born in Kenton County. Ky., and came to Madison Township, October 24, 1853. where he has since resided, with the exception of three years he served in the late war. He enlisted in 1862. as Sergeant of Company H, Ninety-Eighth Illi- nois Mounted Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost and other lesser engagements, and was mustered out in July, 1865. Mr. Martin's marriage occurred July 2, 1868, to Virginia R. Powell, of Covington, Ky. They have seven children-six sons and one daughter.

WILLIAM PARKER is a native of Madison Township. Richland Co., Ill. His grandfather was one of the earliest settlers. having come to that locality from Kentucky in 1823, and entered a large tract of land including the site where Parkersburg is now situated. William's father laid out the town, and was one of its prominent men. holding the office of Sheriff three terms. He was

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also a member of the Constitutional Convention. Mr. Parker, the subject of this sketch, in 1868, with Mr. Althouse, built the grist- and saw mills, which they operated five years, then sold to other parties, and engaged in merchandising three years, carrying on a farm also. He now deals extensively in stock and grain and owns two large farms of 400 acres under cultivation.

AMOS B. SNIVELY was born in Richland County, Ohio. When he was three years old his parents came to Richland County. Ill., and in 1843 his father entered eighty acres, where the homestead now is. In 1838, he had visited the same region and located 160 acres. At the time of his death he owned 450 acres, 240 of which were under cultivation. His death occurred June 22, 1883, at the age of eighty-one years. Amos, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in 1862 in Company B, Ninety-Eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry. and served to the close of the war. "In 1868 he was married to Sarah E. Parker, of Madison Township. Three children, two sons and a daughter, have been born to them.

DR. J. P. SOLISS was born in De Witt, Clinton, Co., Iowa, December 10, 1848, and lived there with his parents until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Johnson County, Nebraska, afterward attending the State Normal School at Peru three years. He then studied medicine with Dr. M. C. Roe, of Beatrice, three years. He then entered the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, from which institution he graduated in 1874, after two years' study. He at once settled in Calhoun, Richland Co., Ill., where he is suc- cessfully practicing his profession.

JACOB SOTZEN was born April 15, 1823, in Switzerland. His childhood was spent there upon a farm, and in the spring of 1844 he came to America, locating in Richland County, Ohio, re- maining there a few months, when in the fall of 1845 he removed to Richland County, Ill., and entered eighty acres of land. He now owns 230 acres, 130 of which is well improved. His house cost $1,200, and barn and other out-buildings $550. In the spring of 1849 Mr. Sotzen was married to Susan Ellsworth, of Indiana. Six children, five sons and a daughter, have been born to them.

S. M. THOMSON was born November 5, 1824, in Posey County, Indiana, and came to Madison Township, Richland Co., Illinois, in February, 1845, where his father had entered 800 acres of land and deeded 200 to him, which he has since owned and improved. and it is now one of the finest farms in the township. Mr. Thomson has 150 acres under cultivation, three in orchard, and raises horses and cattle extensively. He also owns and operates a sugar mill, which has a capacity of 2,000 gallons a year. For twenty years he has been director of the Agricultural Association ; has been vice president, and is now president. Mr. Thomson was married August 22. 1844, to Mary E. Knight of Mount Vernon, Ind. Ten children have been born to this marriage, seven of whom are living. One son, Jonathan F., served six months in the late Civil war. Mr. Thomson has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church

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forty-five years; also an active worker in Sunday-school. He has also been Supervisor of the township and is a friend of education and has done much to improve the common school.

JAMES B. THOMSON was born August 28, 1826, in Posey County, Ind., and there lived until thirty-two years of age, when he came to Richland County, Ill., and settled on land his father had entered in 1836. He now owns 560 acres, part of which is im- proved, with a good honse, barn and other out-buildings, and twelve acres of orchard. Mr. Thomson has been school director several years. Ten children have been born to him, six of whom are living, viz .: Anna, Mary. Horace, Grant. Lincoln and Eva.

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BONPAS TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM B. BOLEY was born in Bedford County, Va., July 16, 1811. He was reared on a farm where he was born. His father, Elijah Boley, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died on his return home. When about nineteen years of age our subject moved to Greenup County, Ky., and followed farming there about four years and then commenced to work at the tanners' trade, which he followed about seven years. He then worked on the farm four years, and also engaged in teaming. In 1856 he came to Fairview, Richland County, remaining only a few months, then settled on Calhoun Prairie, remaining there abont fourteen years; thence to the farm which he now owns and occupies, consisting of 210 acres, 120 acres of which are improved. In 1837 he was married to Nancy A. Huekworth, who was born in Bedford County, Va. Six children have been born to them. Their son, Thomas E., is now teaching school and residing here. Their son Elias, at the age of twenty-one, enlisted in the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry in 1868, and died at Camp Douglas, Chicago, on February 22, 1862, from measles contracted in the service and in the line of duty. At the time of his death the loss was deeply felt, as at the time he was the parents' only sup- port.

A. J. BRITTON was born in Hampshire County, Va., on January 29, 1829, and removed with his parents to Ohio, in 1832, when a great portion of the southern part of the State was wild and unsettled. He assisted in the clearing of two farms in Ohio. When twenty years of age he joined the Christian Church, and assisted in carrying forward the good work in the erection of meeting houses. On January 20, 1853, he was married to Anor M. Barrow, of Hillsboro, Ohio. She was born on February 4, 1831. Six children have been born to them, viz .- Charles A., Amelia J. (now Mrs. H. A. Colvin), Benjamin F., Ollie M., Lydia A., Alexander H. In 1864, Mr. Britton removed to Richland County, Ill., and engaged in farming. He was instrumental in building the church at Fairview, and still continues to be an active worker in the church. He was engaged in Olney, Richland County, a considerable time in the mercantile trade, but depreciation of values and the panic of 1873 caused him to fail in the sum of $16,000. He has since paid this indebtedness, principal and inter- est. Mr. Britton is emphatically a working man, and, as a Chris- tian gentleman and worthy citizen, is highly esteemed by the community at large.

W. B. BUNN was born in Wayne County, Ohio, June 3, 1838, and was one of ten children of Rev. Benjamin and Margaret (Hyatt) Bunn, who were natives of Virginia, but emigrated in 1804, soon after their marriage, to Ohio, where they lived until

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the fall of 1838, when they moved to Ilinois, settling in Richland County. During the war of 1812. a fort was erected on Rey. Bunn's farm to protect them from the Indians. The first steam flouring mills in Richland County were built by Rev. B. Bunn, who owns 600 acres of land in this locality. In 1859 he deeded one hundred acres to his son, the subject of this sketch, who erected a cabin upon it. In 1860. W. B. married Sarah JJ. Smith. One daughter has been born to them. He now owns 200 acres of land, 180 acres improved, with fine dwelling, commodious barns, and other out buildings. Mr. Bunn has been Supervisor of the township two terms, and is now school treasurer, Mr. Bunn has great skill as a hunter, hay- ing killed as many as a hundred deer in one year, proving a source of considerable revenue.

JOHN BYERS, farmer. was born in Rush County, Ind., on January 8, 1827. He worked on his father's farm and was engaged largely in teaming, during his minority. At the age of seven years he moved with his parents to Hamilton County, Ohio, where they remained until the spring of 1845, when they removed to Knox County, Ind., twelve miles from Vincennes, where his father bought a farm of 130 acres, on which he worked until he had attained his majority. His father gave him nothing but good advice when he commenced life for himself, and, following his parent's counsel, his life efforts have resulted in pleasant surroundings and a comfortable and happy home. He first leased a small quantity of land and engaged in farming and flat-boating. In the autumn of 1852 he came to Rich- land County and entered 137 acres of land, then a wilderness, but now a farm which will compare favorably with any in the town- ship, as to buildings and improvements. A fine house, which he built during the war, on January 25, 1880, was entirely destroyed by fire. The house cost $1,800; insurance $900. His present resi- dence cost $1,600; his barn, 40x58, cost $700; machine-house and other buildings cost $150. His farm is stocked with seven head of horses, twenty-five head of cattle, thirty sheep, etc. Mr. Byers has held the office of JJustice of the Peace for twelve years: was on the County Board of Supervisors from 1863 to 1866. During the war he was appointed one of three commissioners to raise the bounty war fund, and go to Springfield and pay the soldiers who were mus- tered into the service. On September 28, 1854, he was married to Rebecca Boyd, of Knox County, Ind. Six children have been born to them, viz .: Mary M. (now Mrs. Curry) Harriet E. (now Mrs. Clodfelter) John B., Clara A., Mattie L. and Luther P. Mr. Byers is a man who keeps himself well informed in the affairs of the day; and as to honesty and integrity, no man in the county has a better standing. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

JOSEPH EAGLESON was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, on August 14, 1833, and was raised there on a farm. In 1854 he went to California, and returned to Ohio in 1859, coming in the

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autumn of that year to Bonpas Township, Richland Co., Ill., where he purchased ninety-four acres of land and built a house, 24x56. This house he has since remodeled, and it is now one of the most attractive residences in this section of the country. Its cost was about $1,500. His barn was built in 1865, and cost about $800. He now owns 174 acres of land, about 125 acres of which are under cultivation. He was married on June 26, 1860, to Martha A. Spen- cer, who was born on November 27, 1840, in Guernsey County, Ohio. They have nine children, three sons and six daughters.

LORENZ FRIEDLY was born April 23, 1828, in Switzerland, and is the son of Lorenz Friedly, who came to Richland County, Ohio, in 1844, remaining there about eight years, and in 1852 came to Richland County, Ill., and settled about nine miles north of Olney. They lived there six years, when his father died, in 1859, aged seventy-three years, and his mother in 1873, aged eighty-three years. In 1858 he came to this farm, consisting then of seventy acres, but he now owns 107 acres, about seventy acres of which is improved. Mr. Friedly enlisted in August, 1861, in Company D, Eighth Ilinois Infantry, and served three years and seventeen days. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Tenn., Shiloh, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hill, charge at Vieks- burg and others, and was mustered out as Corporal. He was mar- ried on January 30, 1858, to Margaret Abbuhl, who was born in Switzerland, July 28, 1839. They had two children, one living, Gilbert L. J. They lost Margaret J. in 1872, in her eighth year. They are members of the Reformed Church.

MICHAEL FORNEY was born in Somerset County, Penn., on January 14, 1811. When five years of age he moved with his father to Brother's Valley Township, where the latter owned about 200 acres of land, and he assisted his father on this farm until he attained his majority, when he took up the coopers' trade, which he followed about twelve years, working at the trade during the winter, and on the farm the summer seasons. He purchased a farm of 283 acres, and in the autumn of 1835 he moved to this farm. In 1857 he traded this land for the farm he now occupies; coming to Richland County in 1858, he built his house, which cost about $1,000; in 1859 he built his barn, 84×40, which also cost about $1,000; in 1861 he built a cider-press, and during that year made over 3,000 bushels of apples into cider. On February 16, 1834, he was married to Rachel Horner, who was born May 2, 1817, and who lied March 4, 1871. Mr. Forney is a German Baptist preacher, having commenced this work in September, 1857, and has since been actively engaged in it. The first communion service was held in his barn, in 1859, there being twenty-seven communicants. Their membership here now is about sixty. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Forney. Eight of these are living, viz .: Mary (now Mrs. Smoker, living in Pennsylvania ); Samuel M.(now in Nebraska); Edward (living in Ogle County, III. ); Sallie (now Mrs. Snoveley, living in Nebraska ) : John M. (managing the old farm ): Susanna (now

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Mrs. Rothrick, living in Nebraska ): Catharine A. (now Mrs. Frim- mon, of McLean County, Ill. ) and Amanda. also of McLean County, Ill.

HENRY H. HARMAN was born in Daviess County. Ind., on April 21, 1833. When about nine years of age he went with his parents to Missouri, remaining there two years ; then, in 1844, they came to Richland County, and settled in Olney Township. He assisted his father at farming till the age of twenty-four, when he married and settled on his present farm, consisting of 160 acres. His first purchase was forty acres, adding to this as his means would allow. He had nothing when he commenced here, but he now has a comfortable house, built in 1880, which cost him about $1,100, and a barn, 40x56, built in 1873, which cost about $700. He first made his start by working in a mill four miles west of Olney, owned by Sylvester Utterback. After his day's work was finished, on Saturdays, he walked home, a distance of fourteen miles. During this time his wife was ill, which illness cost him, for medical attendance, over $200. Mr. Harman is a thriving, indus- trions farmer, and very much respected by the community.

J. D. HUNDLEY (deceased) was born in Virginia, on June 24, 1827, and died on March 25, 1881. When a child his parents removed to Highland County, Ohio, where he received his early training. In the spring ot 1858 he came to Richland County, Ill., and purchased a farm of one hundred acres, in Olney Township. where he lived five years. In 1863 he sold this farm, came to Fairview, and engaged extensively in the mercantile trade, continu- ing in this business seven years. It was principally his efforts which induced the P., D. & E. R. R. Co. to come to Fairview. He held the office of postmaster there for several years. In 1870 he bought the Reed farm, consisting of 300 acres, 200 acres of which are in a high state of cultivation. On April 16, 1858, he was married to Amy Harris, of Highland County, Ohio. She was born November 9. 1833. Five children have been born to them, viz. : Jesse, Charles H., Martha J., Mary and Melissa.

J. S. KIMMEL was born September 30, 1827, in Crawford County, Ohio, and when JJ. S. was about one year old, his father died. He then was taken by his grandfather who reared him. There he remained till the age of fourteen, when he worked by the month about two years, and was then apprenticed to the carpenters' trade, which he followed about twelve years. At the age of twenty-two, Mr. Kimmel was married to Rebecca Chileate, who was born Janu- ary 24, 1830, in Crawford County, Ohio. Nine children bless this union-Jane (now Mrs. Jackson), Eliza A. (now Mrs. Simons), Mary (now Mrs. Kissinger), William F .. Henry C., Charles, James, George, and Alice. Mr. K. continued the carpenter trade in his native State one year, then removed to Allen County, Ind., and there carried on farming about eighteen months. In 1853 he moved to Iroquois County, Ill., and farmed there three years, then moving to De Kalb County, Ind., where he remained one summer, and returned

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to Allen County, Ind., farmed there two years, then moved to Willis County, Ind., where he ran a grist mill about two years, then moved to Huntington County, and bought a mill site and carried on that business there about three years. In 1866, Mr. Kimmel came to Richland County. first bought 160 acres and now owns 365 acres of land. about 230 of which are improved. His house, which is one of the best in the Township, was built in 1877, and cost about $2,000. He also built a large and commodious barn in 1872, which cost about $1,000. When raising the frame of this barn, a timber slipped from the mortise causing the frame to fall, injuring two men who were assisting at the raising. One of these men, Peter McNair, is a near neighbor, now in his eighty-fourth year, and still enjoys excellent health.

CAPTAIN E. R. LINDSEY is a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born in November, 1830. He was raised there on a farm. From the time he was sixteen to the time he was nineteen years of age, he worked at the blacksmiths' trade. In 1853 he went to Cali- fornia, but returned to Ohio in 1857, and engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company M, Fifth Missouri Cavalry, and served about one year in that regiment. He was wounded near Grand Junction while on picket duty. After his return from the hospital, he was promoted Captain and transferred to Company G, Seventh Ohio. This company was recruited by Sapt. Ferguson, who resigned on account of physical disability. Capt. Lindsey returned to Ohio in 1864, and engaged in teaming and handling coal. In 1869 he came to Richland County, Ill., and pin- chased fifty-three acres of land, where he now lives. In the spring of 1875 he went to Cincinnati, and was engaged with the Cincinnati Transfer Company, but returned to his farm in the spring of 1883. He held the office of Supervisor from 1871 to 1873: was also Town- ship Treasurer two years.

J. R. LINDSAY is a native of Bonpas Township, Richland Co .. Ill. After attending the district schools in his locality, he went to Olney and attended the Normal School there. He now holds four certificates for teaching school, and is at present teaching in District No. 1, Bonpas Township, being now on his second year. His father, Milton C. Lindsay, served in the late war and died, in 1873, from disease contracted in the army. His mother, Mrs. Benninger. is now a resident of Fairview, this county.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 81

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