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 45
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F. O. Phelps, a brother of E. H. Phelps, died in Angust, 1875, at Riverhead. L. I.,
Mrs. Franklin Pratt died near Wyoming, in June, 1870.
Henry T. Prentiss, of the firm of Bogue & Co., Wyoming, was born at Monroeville. O., November 26, 1>31. His father, Charles P., also a native of that county and postmaster at Monroeville, is a son of Thomas Prentiss. of Lebanon. N. Y., who settled in Ohio in her pioneer days. Ilenry T. was educated in Ohio, and was interested in his father's manufacturing interests until 1>80, when he accepted a position with Bogne & Co .. at Chicago; coming to Wyoming in April. 1884. Ile was married at Plymouth. O., to Miss JJennie Beekman, daughter of 'Squire Abram Beekman, an old settler of that town. Mr. Prentiss is an important addition to the citizenship of Wyoming and is well estab- lished here.
Jola Prior, whose cabin in 1842 was transformed into a church, and in 1844 into a school-house, presided over by Jolin W. Henderson. was the pioneer chair-maker of Toulon. Mrs. Shallenberger, referring to him and his home. says: "The fireplace was rough and large, into
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which good-sized logs could be thrown when occasion required ; a pole, the dimensions of a common hand-spike, served as poker, or lever, and an old saw inverted played shovel. Then, as a pointed illustration of the proverb, 'shoemakers' wives always go barefoot,' there never was a whole chair seen in this establishment. A number of frames with shingles laid on them accommodated the adult listeners, while a turn- ing lathe in the corner afforded perching places for the little folks. Thus the people gathered, the men wearing patches without shame, and the girls in sun-bonnets and coarse shoes, or the little ones without any, and listened to the Powells and Blakes, the Wilkinsons and Boyers of old; but what our memory still retains of those meetings with peculiar pleasure is, the rich, full tenor of Caleb Flint, which, when wedded to some of Wesley's glowing lines, bore all hearts aloft and made a sanctuary of the rough dwelling where we met. . Brother Prior,' too, was wont to sing with the spirit, if not with the under- standing; and we recall an occasion, after fashion or more thorough culture had rendered the congregation a little fastidious as to its music, and a .Brother Woollascroft ' led well, both the circuit and singing, this . Brother Prior' was cantering on a measure or so in advance of his leader, despite his earnest gestures to arrest his course. When human nature could endure no more, Mr. Woollascroft said, in his most decided tones, ' Brethren, we will commence that verse again ; and not so fast, Brother Prior.'"
Nelson Prout, son of William and Jane (Davis) Prout, was born in Greene county. N. Y., in 1812. His parents were natives of Greene county, N. Y. Mr. Prout moved to Newark, N. J., where he married in 1832, Miss Sarah A. Gardner, daughter of John Gardner, of Newark, N. JJ. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in Newark, N. J. When the family moved to Stark county in 1855, they were accompanied by two of their girls and three boys. Albert is in Kansas. Frank is a lawyer in Nebraska, and Fred, who served in the First New Jersey Infantry in 1861, died in Jersey City. All the daughters are married except Miss Anna, who conduets a millinery store at Toulon. Mr. Prout, sr., has been janitor at the court house for the last ten years, and by his precision in all matters relating to his duties, has made himself, in fact, a part and parcel of the court house.
Mrs. Elijah Ransom died at Oregon, Ill., November 26, 1881.
Francis Renwick (deceased), was born near Enniskillen, Fermanagh county, Ireland, April 16, 1819. He lived in his native country till his twenty-second year, when he came to Canada, where on the 16th of April, 1844. he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cousens, of Montreal, and during the time of his residence in Canada, his family of ten children were born, the eldest of whom died there. In the year of 1867, he moved with his family to Stark county, where he continued lo reside until the time of his death, December 21, 1886.
Joseph D. Rhodes, one of the pioneers of Stark county, died at Toulon, in February. 1880, aged sixty-one years. (Vide Goshen town- ship.)
Eugene Rhodes, born in Toulon township. August 13, 1859, is a son
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of Charles and Caroline (Cram) Rhodes. He was raised and educated in this county and here married Miss Clara Wright, a daughter of T. J. Wright, of Toulon, to whom one son - Arthur Rhodes, was born. He gives some attention to stock growing and has always taken an active part in agricultural matters. Mr. Rhodes has held a member- ship in the Stark county Agricultural Society since coming of age, and is considered one of the most popular of the younger farmers of this countv.
Mrs. Byrne Riley, whose husband died in Ireland while on a visit, in March 27, 1886, is now a resident of Lincoln. Neb. Mr. Riley settled at Peoria in 1840, was a large landholder in this state and owner of ten acres at Wyoming.
Anthony Robinson, an old settler of Wyoming, died May 2, 1886, aged sixty-one years.
George Rockwell, of Toulon, while jumping off the cars at Platts- month. Neb., in January, 1882. fell under the wheels and was killed.
James Morris Rogers, born in Mamaroneck, New York state. April 17. 1824, is the son of Benjamin W. and Hannah ( Vreeland ) Rogers, and grandson of Benjamin W., also a native of that state, who served in the war of 1812-15. The Vreeland's were one of the Knickerbocker families. In 1837. his father moved to Illinois, settled twelve miles west of Peoria, near Kickapoo town, where he died in 1846, leaving a widow, one son and three daughters. Here James grew to manhood, and received a practical education. In 1851, he came to Stark county, purchased land in Valley township and improved two farms. He has given considerable attention to fine stock-growing, and it is said that his Chester white hogs and short horns have carried off many good premiums. In 1874, he retired from farm life, and locating at Wyoming, carried on a large hardware trade there until 1878. when he retired from business. From 1854 to 1570 he was justice of the peace in Valley township, meantime served on the school board and as supervisor. represented the township on the county board as related in the sketches of Valley and Essex townships. In 1882. he was elected police magis- trate of Wyoming, a position he has since filled very acceptably. Ile was married in Peoria county early in 1847. to Miss Harriet Beall, daughter of Asa Beall, a native of Kentucky. They have an adopted son, Henry J., a farmer here and now the head of a family. During war times Mr. Rogers served actively in collecting funds for the aid of the soldiers, and in other local measures for the defense of the Union. 1 reference to the sketches of the Stark county Agricultural Society, and of the Central Agricultural Society will point out at once, the parts he has taken in building each organization up. Ile is also a member of the Blue Lodge, chapter and council at Wyoming; while Mrs. Rogers is a member of Easter Star. Himself and lady have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.
Frank Rosseter, formerly principal of the Toulon schools, and more recently a lawyer of Kewanee, moved to Chicago in March, 1586.
William R. Sandham, came to Illinois from Herkimer county, N. Y .. in March. 1867. taught school in Henry county several terms, and came to Stark county in September, 1871, to take charge of the Brad-
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ford schools. In 1873 he was chosen principal of the South Side school at Wyoming, which position he held until the end of the spring term in 1879. During the last named year he purchased and assumed the editorship of the Wyoming Post. In November 1882 he was elected County Superintendent of schools, and reelected to that office in Nov- ember, 1886. lle was edneated in the common schools of the state of New York and at Fairfield Seminary, one of the leading institutions of learning in that state. located at Fairfickl, Herkimer county. In Aug- gust 1873. he applied for and received a state certificate, which entitles him to teach in any school district in Illinois. In the year 1885 he was appointed a member of the State Board of Education by Governor Richard J. Oglesby, in recognition of his thorough practical knowledge and ability in school affairs. He was married at Atkinson, Ill., July 16, 1871, to Miss Rhoda S. Tuttle, a native of New Haven county. Conn., then a resident of Annawan, IH. They had but one child, a son named Arthur, born December 13, 1874, who died May 15, 1882. A reference to the sketches of Wyoming and Bradford schools to the chapter on the press and to the political history will point out very definitely the important parts taken by Mr. Sandham in the latter- day progress of the county.
Peter Sanner, born in the Grand Duchy of Nassau, Germany, Ang- ust 28, 1844, came with his parents to the United States in 1851, and settled with them in Wisconsin, locating for a short time at Milwau- kee, but subsequently settled at Janesville. In the last named town the youth grew to manhood, learned the harness-maker's trade there, and became, so to speak. an American of Americans. In 1861 he en- listed in Company A. Fortieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and after two years' active service with that command was honorably discharged. In 1870 he came to Wyoming, and worked steadily at his trade here until 1886, when he leased the Truax House. In 1881 he was married at Wyoming, to Miss Bertha E. Dalrymple. They are the parents of three children : Laura E., Rosa M. and John P. Like her husband. she gives much attention to the hotel, so that the house is considered one of the best conducted hostelries to be found outside the large cities of the state.
Winfield Scott, son of John and Minerva ( Hubbell) Scott, was born at Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, September 13, 1827. In October. 1836. he came with his mother. Mrs. John Leidley, to Tazewell county. Ill .. where he received a common school education. In 1544 he entered on the work of carving out his course through life in this State, and trav- eled in search of something permanent until 1854, when he moved from Adams county, IH. to Stark county, and purchased an 80 aere tract on section 29, Penn township, which he improved. Since that time he ex- tended his land hokling's considerably, and has become one of the first growers of fine stock in Illinois. Mr. Scott was married in Adams county to Nancy Ann Haines, a native of Virginia. Their children are George E., a farmer and stock-raiser of Penn township, John E., of the same township; William A., associated with his father in the Wyom- ing meat market, is also associated with him in fine stock-growing and in the shipment of all kinds of stock ; Charlie F., stock-grower of Ad-
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air county, Mo .; Emma M., wife of George Mathewson, of Mayhew. Wis .: Frank W., farmer of Penn township; Adeline A., wife of Frank Davis, of Wyoming. Mr. Scott was always an active member of the eounty Agricultural Society. and one of the most prominent builders- up of the Central Agricultural Society, as related in the chapter on county societies. Mrs. Seott is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. He is a supporter of all Christian denominations, is a mom- ber of the R. A. chapter, an excellent neighbor and undoubtedly one of the leading spirits among the enterprising men who made Wy- oming what it is, and continue to push it Forward toward its destined place among the large towns of Illinois.
George W. Scott, banker of Wyoming, was born July 21, 1832, at Fredonia, Chautauqua county, N. Y. His parents were Ephraim Scott, Jr., and Lydia Sherman, both natives of Ware, Mass., the former of Scotch and the latter of English origin. This Ephraim was a son of Captain Ephraim Scott. a soldier of 1512, who commanded a company at Buffalo. when that post was burned. Miss Sherman's mother was a daughter of Renben Sherman, a soldier of the Revolution, and a cousin of Roger Sherman, one of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen- dence. There are now in possession of George W. Scott two commis- sions .- ensign in 1802, and captain in 1806-issued to his grandfather by Caleb Strong, Governor of Massachusetts. The original owner of these old parchments died in 1838. but without exposing the family to hardships, for although a soldier in manner and spirit, looked well to the future of his family. George W. Scott was educated at Millbury Academy, Mass. In 1853 he settled in Peoria county, HI., purchased lands there and engaged in agriculture. Ten years later he moved to Wyoming and entered at once on a most successful mercantile career. continuing in trade for seven years. In 1870 he established the bank- ing house of Scott & Wrigley, and by that close attention and most careful management, which have marked the projectors and proprie- tors. it is now classed among the leading banking houses of the north- west. Mr. Scott's marriage with Miss Mary C. Cox, a native of Ohio, was celebrated December 23, 1858. Of their five children, they have lost two. while three daughters are living. His thoughtfulness and liberality are exemplified in the educational opportunities and advan- tages he has placed at the disposal of these children. Nor do these virtues cease here, for his interest in educational matters extends to the whole system and to the whole community. A reference to the school history of Wyoming and adjoining townships points ont his services on the board of education for 13 years, while other pages deal definitely with his public and business career in this county. Ile has taken a full part in making Wyoming what it is today, and continuing the good work does not permit the failure of any enterprise which promises or gives public benefit.
Martin Shallenberger, born in Fayette County, Pa., December 3, 1825, received a common school education in that county. and resided there until April. 1838, when the family moved to Hlinois. Mr. Shal- lenberger is of a Swiss family. from the Canton Uri, one of the origi- nal cantons that won independence from the Austrians in 1307.
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The record of this family goes back to that date, when it first appears in the history of Switzerland. The name takes its rise from the orig- inal home of the race, the Schallenberg. a noted mountain in Uri. which in ancient times was the rallying, or mustering place for the first cantons in times of invasion or public danger. It means in English. the " Echoing Mountain." When surnames came in vogue in the eleventh century, the chief dweller on that mountain was called the Shallenberger. The family first settled in Lancaster County, Pa., but afterwards removed to Fayette County. where the subject of the pres- ent sketch was born, as above stated. On coming to Illinois with his parents. he assisted them in making a home in the northern part of Fulton County. and remained with them until 1843. when he was sent to the " Peoria Academy," kept by David Page. Early in 1846, he entered the office of Andrew Peters, then one of the leaders of the Old Bar of Illinois, a year later was examined by the late Isaac N. Arnold and Patrick Ballingall, examiners appointed by the court, was admitted an attorney-at-law by Judges Caton and Treat, and the same vear took up his residence at Toulon, opened the third law office es- tablished in Stark county, and for forty years has practiced in the courts of this county and circuit. His marriage with Miss Eliza J., daughter of the pioneer Dr. Thomas Hall, took place June 25, 1849. This lady was born in England in 1830, and came with her parents to Osceola Grove in 1837. as related in the history of the llall family. To her the people are indebted for the work entitled, " Stark County and fler Pioneers." noticed in the chapter on journalists and authors. and the literary circles of Toulon for many well prepared essays. With a few members of her family she resides on the old Shallenber- ger homestead in Fulton County. Of the children, the two younger ones. Herman and Perey are on the farm in Fulton County. The eldest daughter, Matilda, keeps house for her father at Toulon. The rest are in Nebraska. Thomas M., originally a lawyer, is now a banker at Bradshaw, Neb. Eugene is postmaster there ; Anslen P. is a lawyer at Hastings, Neb .; Ashton C. is postmaster and dry goods merchant at Osceola, and Pauline is the wife of J. M. Ragan, the leading lawyer of western Nebraska. residing at Hastings, the senior member of the firm of Ragan, MeDonald & Shallenberger. Mr. Shallenberger has held office but once. Ile was a member of the legislature of Illinois. in the winter of 1856-57. from the district composed of Peoria and Stark. John T. Lindsay, now of Nebraska, being his coadjutor. This legislature con- tained many able men well known in Illinois history: John A. Logan, Isaac N. Arnokl. William C. Goudy. William R. Morrison, Shelby M. C'ullom. C. B. Denis, Silas Bryan, Samuel W. Moulton, and many oth- ers of like character. It goes without saying that Mr. Shallenberger hekt his own among them. Mr. Shallenberger is often styled " The animated encyclopedia," on account of his vast fund of general knowl- edge. Ile has painted more than 200 pictures, many of them of rare excellence, and all good. Since 1847 Mr. Shallenberger has been prom- inent in law circles. Although two lawyers had settled at Toulon be- fore his coming, they did not stay long enough to share the honors of pioneership, so that to him is generally accorded the credit of being the
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of TOULON TOWNSHIP.
pioneer attorney, the last of the Old Bar in the county, and one of the few members of that great old cirele still residing in the milit- ary tract.
Hopkins Shirters, son of James and Mary (Cowger) Shivvers, was born twelve miles south of Hillsboro. Highland county, O., June 15. 1817. Ilis father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Kentucky. In 1822 the family moved to Washington. Fayette county, O., where his father died in 1850, and where the subject of this sketch acquired a common education and engaged in farming. In 1836 he mar- ried Miss Isabella, daughter of Jacob and Druzilla ( Harrison) Jameson, a near cousin of President Harrison. To them were born ten children. of whom seven are living, namely: James, at Washington, la. ; Mrs. Druzilla Trickle, Atkinson, IN. : Mrs. Sarah Q. Wing, of Newton, Kan .; J. Randolph, farmer of Scandia, Kan .: Mrs. Belle Ballwin of Goshen township. Ill. ; Charles Il., merchant of Scandia. Kan., and Davis L., of Pawnee City. Neb. They are all married, and with the exception of Davis, are all the heads of families, the grandchildren now numbering fourteen. One of his sons served in the War for the Union, as recorded in the military chapter. In 1853 Mr. Shivvers came to Stark county. purchasing 196 acres on sections 5 and 6. Essex township, where he now owns 232 acres. At one time he was owner of 1,000 acres in this county. Hle has served as supervisor of Essex township several times : has been school director for thirty years : was one of the original mem- bers of the County Agricultural Society, of the Old Settlers' Associa- tion, and representative of the Farmers' Aid Society at Springfield. For over half a century he has been in full communion with the Meth- odist Episcopal church, so was his first wife, who died February 22. 1852, a member from her girlhood. Mr. Hopkins and Davis Lowman were the original introducers of "Short-horns" into this eounty. Up to 1876, when he retired from agriculture. he was one of the most enterprising farmers of Stark county. Mrs. Isabella Shivvers, born in Pickaway connty, O., in 1816, died near Toulon. February 22, 1882. She married Hopkins Shivvers in 1836, and in 1853 moved to Toulon. Mrs. Lydia A. (Strong) Shivvers, born September 27. 1824. in Penn- sylvania. came to Illinois in 1542. married Ansel Fuller, of Osceola in 1-44. He died in 1863. In 1982 she married Hopkin Shivvers, of Toulon. She died November 16. 1854. and on June 16. 1985. he mar- ried Mrs. Lucinda Wright.
William. U. Sickles, junior member of the firm of Carlin & Sickles, was born September 24. 1961. in Marshall county, Ill. Ilis parents, William and Abigail (Freeman) Sickles, natives of New York state, were early settlers of Marshall county. William Siekles, Jr .. came to Wyoming in 1873, engaged as mercantile clerk, and subse- ¿quently became a traveling salesman. In 1877 he came to Toulon, and on June 15. 1884. joined Mr. Carlin in the manufacture of cigars. Like his partner, he embraced all the joys of matrimony by uniting himself in marriage with Miss Nettie, daughter of Charles Rhodes, to whom one danghter. Gertrude Ethel, has been born. Mr. Sickles possesses many qualities which carry with them snecess, and in business circles at Toulon and Wyoming he holds a high reputation.
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Leci Silliman, son of Minott and Henrietta (Bathan) Silliman, was boru in Goshen township, Stark county, September 17, 1842. His father, the pioneer county treasurer of Stark, is noticed in the pages of the general and local history. His mother was a native of Ireland and a pioneer of Stark county. Up to 1862 Levi Silliman was engaged in agriculture, having for fifteen years devoted himself to agriculture and education. On August 13, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, One- hundred-and-twelfth Ilinois Infantry, was wounded at Resaca, Ga., but served to the close of the war, when he resumed farming. and engaged in school teaching winters. In 1876 he established himself in the grain trade. In 1877 joined Mr. Oliver in this business, and also purchased a lumber yard and carried it on individually. In 1885 he purchased 11. H. Oliver's and Charles Myers' interests in the grain trade and ware- house at Tonlon, and now is sole owner of the two elevators at this point. Apart from this he owns a fertile farm on section eight, Essex township; is interested in the building trade ; is school treasurer of the township; an active temperance worker, and representative to the Masonic Grand Lodge of Illinois. Mr. Silliman married Miss Mary E., daughter of Robert and Ellen (Tuttle) MeKeighan. They are the parents of three children, viz: Minott. Henrietta and an infant. A reference to the history of Toulon and to the military chapter of the general history will point out more clearly the social, military and business enterprises in which he has been engaged. (Vide Goshen Ilistory.)
Perry Hazzard Smith, third son of Greenleaf and Lettice L. (Sparr) Smith, was born in Essex township, November 8, 1831, being the first male child born in Stark county, within the American pioneer period. His father was born in Maine, who in very early years moved with his father, Benjamin Smith, to Ohio, and thence to Putnam county, Ilinois, in August, 1829, being among the very early settlers. Benja- min died here. His son, Greenleaf, father of Perry H., died here on July 12, 1848, followed about 1862 or 1863 to the grave by the mother of our subject, leaving three sons and three daughters, one having pre- ceded her a few years. Perry H. Smith was educated in the district schools, labored on his father's farm for years, learned the carpenter's trade, and from 1850 to July, 1885, was identified with that trade here. He was married to Miss Barbara E., daughter of John Emery. This lady, referred to in sketch of Eastern Star chapter. died on April 21, 1882, leaving one son and one daughter. Charles A. and Linnetta, the wife of Thurman H. Francis. of Wyoming. On May 8, 1884, he married Mrs. Anna D. Ewers, née Hochstrasser. She has four chil- dren : Ira, Murray R., Artie and Clark C. Mr. Smith is Republican in politics, but not an office-seeker. Ile has served earnestly on the school board and in the council. He may be named as the senior old settler and member of that association, as well as one of the oldest members of the Masonic circle in this county. His wife and daughter are members of the Eastern Star chapter.
.John W. Smith, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Parsons) Smith, was boru near Wheeling, W. Va., January 25, 1846. His father, a native of Chillicothe, O., was one of the old river steamboat men. His
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mother was a native of Virginia. In 1849 the family moved to Illi- nois, and locating on a farm in Marshall county, was engaged in agri- culture there for sixteen years. In 1865 they moved to Valley town- ship, Stark county, and in 1868 to Harvey county, Kan., where the father died in October, 1884. leaving a wife and eight children. John W. received his early training in Marshall county. Here he was on- gaged in agriculture from 1865 to 1868, when he entered the lumber business, which he carried on for fourteen years. He was married in Peoria county, in 1866. to Miss Clarinda, daughter of Daniel and So- rena (O'Neil) Peppers, natives of Ohio, but old settlers of Illinois. He has always taken part in political matters, has served as supervisor of Toulon for two terms, was elected member of the council of Wy- oming several times, and is now the president of that body. He was an active worker in the establishment of the Central Agricultural So- ciety, is a supporter, but not a member, of the Protestant Episcopal church of Wyoming, and altogether a citizen who. laboring wisely for himself, is over ready to exercise the same judicious round of labor in the interest of the community of whom he is one.
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