Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers, Part 38

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : M.A. Leeson
Number of Pages: 710


USA > Illinois > Stark County > Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers > Part 38


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83


329


OF TOULON TOWNSIHP.


Council Bluffs, Ia., was born at Cokl Springs, Cattaraugus county, N. Y. They are the parents of one daughter, Carrie. Mr. Burroughs is a member of the masonic society, a strong advocate of temperance principles, and a supporter of all beneficial enterprises.


Captain Henry Butler, son of Justus Butler, the famous hotel- keeper of New Haven, Conn., was born in that city about 1793. When he was of age he married Miss Rebecca Green, grand daughter of Samuel Green, the "Cambridge, Mass .. printer." Captain Butler, depending on the accounts of the West rendered by one Bogardus, a pioneer lawyer of Peoria, and Elias K. Kane, one of the first constitu- tion makers of Illinois, Jeft New York in June, 1835, traveled by boat to Chicago, and arrived at Wyoming in the fall. He was followed by his wife, three sons and five daughters, who took up their residence in the double Jog-house which the captain had built and prepared for them. In later years the brick residence was erected, and here the founder of the family in Illinois died, August 2, 1864, his wife follow- ing him to rest, November 30, 1865. In this county two of their children were born. Lucy, George, Samnel, Henry, Rebecca, Mary, Charles, Abby, Elizabeth, Albert, Virginia and Henrietta then made up the family circle. In 1839, William F. Thomas married Mary But- ler, and the same day Ira Ward, Jr., married Elizabeth. In January, 1840, Oaks Turner, of Hennepin, married Rebecca G., Elizabeth mar- ried John W. Henderson, Henrietta married Thomas J. Henderson, and so on through the list. George and Charles never settled here; the former held a leading position in A. T. Stewart's house, New York city, for years; the latter is a lawyer of that city. Virginia, who in her youth was deprived of hearing, was educated by the Gallaudets ; AAbby died while yet an infant.


Edwin Butler, publisher and editor of the Stark County Nes, was born at Kewanee, Henry county, HIL., January 9, 1841. Moving to Milan, ID., he remained there until 1549, when he came to Toulon. Ilere he attended some of the many private schools then existing at the county seat, was a pupil at the seminary, and completed a four year's classical course at Knox college in June, 1861. During the next winter he taught the " Dutch Island" school in Essex township. On August 11, 1862. he enlisted in Company F. One-hundred-and-twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was appointed second sergeant, promoted orderly, and served three years. In September, 1868, he was de- tailed to assist in printing the Athens Union Post in the office of the suppressed Athens Post. On the 17th the first number appeared, and contained a well-written salutatory, from which the following extract is made: "Our first issue of the Athens Union Post will present quite a different appearance to what it did. when I'mion was not attached to its title. The former editor. Mr. Ivins, prob- ably not thinking that we would want to issue the paper in his absence, took with him nearly all the material necessary to give it a genteel appearance." The motto of the new paper was " Our country. may she ever be right ; but our country right or wrong." Mr. Butler worked faithfully on the Post until the sudden evacuation of Athens, when he was captured in the office. While with the rebels, he tasted


-


330


BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES


the sweets of prison life at Atlanta. Danville, Richmond: from March to September. 1864, in their notorious hotel at Andersonville: next at Charleston, and then at Florence, S. C. In December. 1864, he con- trived to make huis way to Charleston with the sick and wounded, who were there exchanged. Once within the union lines, he made the first hearty meal since his captivity, put on a new dress, returned to Toulon for thirty days, and in one week increased fourteen pounds in weight. In April, 1865, he rejoined his command at Greensboro. N. C., and served until July. Returning, he worked on a farm, was elected county surveyor in November, a position he has since filled with the exception of two years. In May, 1869, he purchased Oliver White's interest in the News with Joseph Smethurst : early in 1870, purchased the latter's interest, but in June. 1882, sold a half interest to James A. Henderson, who, dying in the fall of 1883, left the partnership to his widow. Mr. Butler was married in March, 1883, to Mrs. Maggie Porter, daughter of flames S. Templeton, one of the early settlers of Toulon, who returned to his home near Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1872. he with Enoch Emery were delegates to the Republican National con- vention. ( Vide military and local history.)


C. C. Campbell, born in Connecticut in 1817; moved to Stark county in 1865; resided at Wyoming a number of years; died at Chi- cago, May 1, 1880.


+Alfred Castle, M. D., son of Samnel and Phoebe ( Parmalee) Castle, was born at Sullivan, Madison county, N. Y., September 22. 1:06. Ilis father was a native of Berkshire county, Mass., and a cousin of Ethan AAllen, and a descendant of the Irish family of Castles who settled in Connecticut among its pioneers. His mother was of Belgian lineage. Dr. Castle studied the languages under Dr. Sillsbee, of Cazenovia, N. Y., and medicine at Brockport and Pittsford, in Monroe county, mean- time attending lectures at Berk's College, Pittsfield. Mass., at Jefferson College, Philadelphia, and at Vermont College, Woodstock. He was a resident graduate of Harvard College, and also at Massachusetts Hos- pital, Boston. Hle practiced two years at Brockport before obtaining his degree of M. D. in 1834, at the Berkshire school. During the two succeeding years he practiced in Monroe county. On May 19. 1835. he married Miss Maria P., daughter of Col. Daniel Dana, of the U. S. army, who commanded the Vermont volunteers during the war of 1812-14. In 1836 he set out for Peoria, Ill., on a one-horse buggy. leaving his bride to follow. He resided there five or six years, returned reduced in health to Vermont, but in 1-42 he revisited Peoria, to lind that, where only one honse stood in 1836 (six miles west of Peoria). between Peoria and Wyoming, many were now built and building. In 1543 he settled at Wyoming. Dr. and Mrs. Castle were the parents of five children. two of whom died in infancy. He was the active agent in building the B. & R. R. R., of which his son Alfred was president. The doctor only retired from practice a few years ago. During his forty years of duty in this county he merited and obtained many tokens of popular esteem. A reference to the chapters of the general history and to the sketch of Wyoming will point out the various parts Dr. Castle has taken in that drama of real life which


331


OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.


has been on the stage of Stark County particularly since its organiza- tion, only a few years before his settlement here.


Ree. W. W. Care. native of Vermont, born in Addison county. at Middlebury. July 23. 1550, is the son of William and Harriet E. (Rogers) Carr, both active members of the Methodist church. William Carr's father, also William, was a native of Rhode Island-of old Episcopalian circles there. W. W. Carr spent his boyhood at Middle- bury, obtained a good common school education, and took a prepara- tory course at the Middlebury High School, and at Brandon, Vt. Ile also taught school during this time. and labored for himself since the age of twenty-one. At the age of twenty-three he came west and entered the Northwestern University, at Evanston, graduated in the class of 1877 with an honorable record, taking some prizes. During the last two years of the college course he preached at Brighton Park. and upon graduating joined the Illinois conference, and was stationed at Yates City. Hle held this charge one year. then went to Trivoli, Peoria county, where he remained two years, signalizing his work by a large revival. At Ipava, Fulton county, he remained three years There he removed a considerable church debt. repaired the old build- ing, and built a new parsonage. A church was built in his circuit dur- ing this time. Moving to Blandinsville, MeDonough county. he held remarkable revival services, and during his one-year term repaired the church there. In 1554 he was appointed to the Toulon charge, and in 1456 to that of Kewanee. Ile married at his old Vermont home Miss Mattie L. Piper, daughter of David Piper, of Middlebury, an old family of that town. To them three sons and one daughter were born Ruby Pearl, Harlow Piper, George W .. and Sidney McCord. Rev. Mr. Carr's relation to Stark county is best told in the history of the Methodist church and of the Masonic, Odd Fellow and Good Templar circles of Toulon.


Thomas II. Carlin, senior member of the firm of Carlin & Sickles. is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of Stark county, and takes the credit of pioneer work here in his industry. He was born in Canal Dover, Tuscarawas county, O., March 9, 1558, the son of Matthew Carlin and Jane Rockford, both natives of Ireland, who came from near Drogheda, Louth county, to our shores to make a home for themselves. They settled in Tuscarawas county, where two sons and five daughters came to them and grew to manhood and womanhood, all worthy citizens and industrious people. The subject of our sketch completed a good comnon school education and began the trade of cigar-making at Canal Dover. He subsequently did jour- nevman work at his trade through the country. finally locating here in March, 1852. where he soon after embarked in business, which he has very successfully carried on since. Ile feels the full force of his citizenship in Toulon, and in the early part of the present year married Miss Lydia, the estimable daughter of Daniel and Ann (Maguire) Wolgamood, worthy people of Toulon. Mr. Carlin attributes his suc- cess in life to a careful and pains-taking principle in the manufacture of his goods, and the rapidly growing trade of the firm attests this fact. Socially, he is a genial gentleman and a substantial friend. He


332


BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES


is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F. society, and is (with all his active business duties) a close student of this progressive age, and is found clever in other arts besides his trade.


William Chamberlain. M. D., died November 2, 1882, in his 64th vear. Ile came to Stark county in 1847. and practiced here contin- nously up to the period of his death. F. S. Rossiter represented the I. O. O. F .. and B. F. Thompson the Masonic society at the funeral.


Julius Field Chapin, born in New York in 1801, died in March, 1884, aged $2 years He put the first coat of paint on the Baptist church spire at Toulon prior to his removal to LaSalle.


Mrs. Mary ( Fanshawe) Chapin, sister of Daniel Fanshaw, one of the pioneer printers of New York city, died at LaSalle, Ils .. December 15, 1883, aged 81 years. She came to Toulon in early days, moved to LaSalle in 1853, where she resided thirty years.


Joseph Catterlin, born in Virginia in 1789, moved to Ohio, married Eleanor Knox, who died at Kewanee in 1873; died himself at Albion, Kan .. May 22, 1886. He was postmaster at Tonton during Filhore's administration, and one of the old merchants.


John S. Cleveland died in Wyoming October 4, 1886. He was father of three children, two of them are still living, and one of them, Mrs. John W. Cox. resides at Wyoming. His wife died in this place a little over one year ago. The deceased was born at Chillicothe, Peoria county, Ils., and died in his 57th year. His home was formerly in Neponset, from which place he moved to Wyoming several years since. He served three years in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry. He was the inventor of a sulky revolving harrow, on which he received letters patent in 1883.


Jeffrey A. Cooley, born in Grayson county (now Carroll county), Virginia, on July 4, 1825, where he lived for seventeen years, came to Toulon November 18, 1842. and lived for forty-four years here. The first seven years he was in the employ of John Culbertson, assisting him in farm work. On February 7, 1849, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Louisa Culbertson, by Rev. S. G. Wright. They had three chil- dren, all of whom died early. Only his wife survives him. Immedi- ately after marriage in 1849, he built a hotel on the site of the present house which was the first regular public hotel in the place ; and up to his death, September 22, 1886, he was proprietor of what is known as. the Virginia House He bequeathed to his wife the hotel and fix tures, lot and barn thereon, and to Kate Maxfield, daughter of Mrs Nellie Maxfield, all his personal property and twenty two acres of land lying just east of town.


Presly Colwell, an old settler of Stark county, died at Burlington Junction. Mo., hine, 1, 1883.


Mrs. David Cooper, now Mrs. Ennis of Wyoming, a sister of Isaac B. Essex, came in the fall of 1829.


Mrs. Mary Cor, of Wyoming, daughter of James and Maria Graves, died June 24, 1881.


('lara ( De Wolf') Coe was born in Clark county. Ohio, March 23, 1848, and at the age of four years came with her parents to Stark county, where she resided up to her death, November 4, 1886. In the


333


OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.


vear 1867, she was united in marriage to Walter Cox which union was blest by six children.


Jere M. Cor, druggist and pharmacist, was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 11. 1850. His parents, Jesse and Abigail ( Waldron) Cox, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of North Carolina, with their fan- ily moved to Illinois in 1852, and here Mr. J. M. Cox received his early education completing such at Lombard university, Galesburg. At the age of 23 years, he engaged in mercantile life, and has since been one of the successful business men of the county. He married Miss Emma J .. daughter of the late J. II. Batehelder of Englewood, and to them three children were born : Harry C., Fannie G. and Nellie-the second now deceased. A reference to the Masonic and Odd Fellow's history of Wyoming, will point out definitely the position of Mr. Cox in these societies. He is a member of the Illinois Pharmaceutical so- ciety and of the State Board of Pharmacy.


Aunt Polly Crandall. the old maid of Toulon and "aunt to the whole town." moved to Barton county. Mo., in 1882, and died there the same vear.


Miss Eliza J. Creighton, who was a well-known teacher of Stark county. in the fifties, died at Morris, Ill., September 21, 1864.


Prof. P. K. Cross, a native of Illinois, comes from a worthy pioneer family of Winnebago county. Ile was born in that county April 18, 1836. Ilis father. A. B. Cross, a descendant of Scotch pioneers, of New York state, has always been known to the people of Winnebago county for his sturdy support of upright principles and progressive measures. The subject of our sketch, when a lad, obtained a good training in the elementary studies of the common schools of the dis- triet in which he lived. and at the age of sixteen he entered college at Beloit. Wis. There he applied himself to a regular collegiate course of study, and began fitting himself as an educator. At nineteen he began teaching as a profession, as also for the purpose of earning money to complete a thorough and systematic training, which he did subsequently by spending about two years in the Illinois State Normal School. when he resumed teaching. His success has been favorably marked, and he is now found a leader in the profession. He passed some five years at Somonank, IN., where he raised the public schools from a chaotic condition to that of a thoroughly graded system, and had the pleasure of not only being complimented with a salary nearly double of what he began with, but of graduating two large classes in a. thorough English literary course. Finishing his work there he ac- cepted his present position in 1883. where he has been successfully con- nected since, as the records of Wyoming's school shows. In polities he is a pronounced republican, of strong temperance proclivities, prin- ciples espoused not only through his own observations, but inherent, as his father was prominent among the many early abolition and tem- perance workers of Winnebago county in promulgating those views. Prof. Cross was happily married in Somonauk, Ill., to Miss Emma L. Iless. a lady of clever literary and musical attainments. and a fitting helpmeet to him in his professional labors. He is a member of the Masonic order. In person he is tall and of commanding presence, of a


20


334


BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES


frank and generous nature, but of a disposition to reason deeply and conscientiously on all matters, and when resolved, to stand manfully to his opinions. Since coming to Wyoming he has won the admira- tion of all good lovers of its school interests.


John Culbertson, son of William and Elizabeth Culbertson, was born in Pennsylvania, December 19, 1800. His earlier years were passed in a manner common to boys at the beginning of this century : but as his years increased he manifested his desire for independence. and resolved to learn the saddler's and harness trade. This resolve he carried out, and for years he followed the trade with the same close at- tention which marked his later life in commercial circles. In 1841 he settled in this county and engaged in mercantile trade. His striet at- tention to business and square dealing, insured the success of his new venture, so that in a short time he commanded a very heavy trade around Toulon, and indeed throughout this section of the country. He established a Hlouring mill and woolen factory here, which was operated under his own supervision, and gave employment to a number of per- sons, some of whom were skilled workmen. His investments in real- estate round Tonton were very extensive, and at one time it was said he intended to purchase the whole township and adjoining one of Go- shen. In religions affairs both he and Mrs. Culbertson were Baptists, and in the history of that church their connection with it is shown- he having built the present house and presented it to the society. On February 17, 1822, he married Miss Pleasant Bateman. They were the parents of four children-Louisa, who married Lucius Miner ; Will- jam and John, deceased ; and James, a physician of Toulon. Mr. Cul- bertson died June 5, 1869, just at the time when he planned the expen- diture of some of his great wealth on improving the town in which he accumulated it.


R.c. T. J. Cullen, while en route from Wyoming to Bradford, was attacked by heart disease, and falling from his buggy was instantly killed, May 13, 1883. He was missionary priest in this county during the absence of Father Moynihan.


Dr. Curtiss died at Cleveland, Ohio, June 21, 1883, aged sixty-seven years. Years ago he practiced medicine at Toulon.


L. P. Damon, son of James G. and Martha J. (Clark) Damon, was born at Medford, Mass., October 1, 1848. His father was a native of that state, and mother of Maine; on both sides being the families of mechanics. In 1858, the family moved to Stark county. L. P. learned the machinists' trade at Kewanee, also learned the mason's trade, and followed this trade in Cass and Union counties, lowa, for about ton years, returning to Wyoming in 1879. Here he was engaged in mason work, windmill manufacturing, and machine business. More recently he established his blacksmith and machine shop here, and now has completed preparations for manufacturing a "shoveling board " and end gate for wagons, which he invented and improved. The manu- facture of these inventions he is now pushing forward. In 1869, he was married in Stark county to Miss Ella M., daughter of George Cushing. They are the parents of one son and two daughters - George G .. Nellie E. and Jessie A. In religious matters he is entirely Christian,


335


OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.


vet liberal to a degree and yields hearty moral support to all churches.


Samuel. Mills Dewey, son of Andrew and Harriet (Pinneo) Dewey, was born December 21, 1823, at Hanover, N. II. His father, who was a carpenter, carried on a small farm here in connection with his trade, and on this farm the subject of this sketch worked in his boyhood. at the same time attending the district school. In 1836 or 1837. the family moved to Canaan, N. Il., where Andrew purchased a farm and established a saw and shingle mill. With the exception of about one vear passed at school in Hanover, Samuel M. assisted his father both on the farm and in the mill. In 1844, he visited Boston and held the position of book-keeper in the drug store of Carruth. Whittier & Co., until the character of the work and the cold sea breeze brought on a severe sickness. On his recovery he looked westward, and in the fall of 1848, moved to Canton, Ill., where he was clerk for Mr. Graham. and subsequently clerk and partner in the house of Stipp & Bass. Close attention to business there threatened another attack of sickness, which urged him to move to Tonlon in 1852. Here he was clerk in John Culbertson's house for a short time, when, in partnership with the late Davis Lowman, he established the firm of Dewey & Lowman. In 1865, he established a banking house at Toulon, which is still carried on by his nephew, Samuel Burge and his son, C. P. Dewey. In the course of his business life here he had for partners - Davis Lowman, Patrick Nowlan. William Lowman and Samuel Burge. Mr. Dewey was married in May, 1853, to Miss Cornelia, daughter of Myron and Adaline (Rice) Phelps, of Lewiston, Ill. This old settler was born in Ontario county, N. Y., March 17, 1803, settled near Springfield in 1824. and carried on an extensive trade in furs and peltries with the Indians and early settlers of Illinois, lowa and Cedar Valley. Mrs. Myron Phelps died March 24, 1851 : but in April, 1855, this pioneer married Miss Mary Proctor, of Rawley. Mass. He died at Lewiston, August 15, 1878. His daughter, who married Samuel M. Dewey, died at Toulon, January 2, 1862, leaving two sons, Charles Phelps and Harry Pinneo Dewey. In June, 1863, Mr. Dewey married Miss Sarah M. Hale, of Rowley, Mass. In 1853, he united with the Congregational church, and at the time of his death, August 31, 1866, was clerk and trustee of that church and superintendent of the Sabbath school. 1 reference to the official, social, religious and business life of Toulon village, will point out more definitely the several parts taken by him during his life here, and further, will show what his children and okl associates have done and are doing to advance all the interests of this section. Quoting from Rev. R. C. Dunn's funeral sermon, delivered in 1866, this brief sketch of a useful citizen closes: " His loss to the church as well as to the community will be a severe one. It was especially in private life - in his own family - that his shining qual- ities were seen. Those that met him only in business little knew his sterling worth. We cannot enter the privacy of his home life: but those that enjoyed his ever-ready hospitality can form some idea of what he was.'


Stephen Deuver, son of Stephen and Sarah (Bouchman-Stephens)


336


BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES


Deaver, was born in Baltimore county, Md., November 20, 1828. His father was a native of Maryland and a blacksmith; his mother, of Washington, D. C. Stephen, Jr., learned the woolen business in his native county, and about 1843 moved to Philadelphia, Pa., where he was engaged in that trade for fifteen years, meanwhile resided at Bonaparte, Ia., for two years. About 1858 he moved to Wilmington, Del .. and in 1859 to Northeast, Md .. where he married Miss Hattie Carter. of Brandywine, Del. Returning to Wihnington. in 1862, he lived there until 1868, when he came to Monmouth, Ill. In 1869 he came to Toulon, Stark county, and embarked in the manufacture of woolen goods. with his brother-in-law, James Frill. In 1871, Mr. Deaver acquired a sole interest in the mills and business, conducting them successfully down to the present time. Mr. and Mrs. Deaver are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the former since 1866, the latter from her girlhood. He has also served the society as steward and class-leader; is a member of the Stark County Agricultural Society and of the Toulon Lodge of Odd Fellows. His son, William Ellsworth Deaver, is a young man of much promise.


Miss Kezia Dexter, nee Mrs. Young, was born in Maine, in 1799; married Stephen Young in 1823; moved to Iowa in 1854, and to Tou- lon in 1858. Mr. Young died in 1875; herself on February 3, 1886.


Robert J. Dickenson, son of William Townsend and Rebecca (Weller) Dickenson, was born at Woodburne, Sullivan county, N. Y., September 3, 1836. His parents were natives of Duchess county, N. Y., and Ver- mont, respectively. In 1855, they moved to this county, where Robert J. Dickenson completed his knowledge of the building trade, with his


father and has been very prominently connected with this trade down to the present time. In 1857 he married Miss Laurette M., daughter of James Chapman, of Steuben county, N. Y. Their children are: James B., a builder, of Toulon; Harvey E., paper-hanger, frescoer and decorator: Laura A. and John W. Upon the beginning of the Rebel- lion Mr. Dickenson was residing at Lafayette. On August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Company B., One-hundred and-twenty-seventh Illinois Infan- try, and followed the fortunes of that command until, at the siege of Vicksburg. he lost his arm by a minnie bullet; was sent to hospital and received honorable discharge September 24, 1863. On regaining health he engaged in teaching school, meantime giving attention to the arts of drafting and building. Many of the new business blocks at Toulon, Samuel Burge's palatial residence. the Congregational church, the County Agricultural Society's buildings, the residence of A. F. Stickney, S. M. Adams and A. H. Galbraith, with those of the Arm- strongs, Lehmans and H. II. Oliver, bear testimony to the character of his studies in this direction. Mr. Dickenson is a member of the W. W. Wright Post, G. A. R .. of the I. O. O. F. and of the Stark County Agri- cultural Society. He is a strong temperance advocate, and for years has been identified with the literary, musical and social progress of Toulon.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.