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 46
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John Smith, born at New Berlin, Pa., in 1805, came to Pekin, 1]]., in 1848, published the Mirror and Whig until 1856. when he moved to Toulon, and with ludge Hewitt projected the pioneer journal of this county, the Prairie Advocate. In 1860 he returned to Pekin, in 1802 he moved to Hennepin, and in 1863 to Princeton, where he died July 23. 1880.
Mrs. Barbara (Emery) Smith, born in Richland county, O., in 1830. died April 21. 1883. She moved to Wyoming from Galva with her husband, Perry II. Smith, in 1866.
Mrs. Phobe Il. Smith died at Modena, June 29, 1881. where she settled with her husband in 1832.
Whitney Smith son of Jonathan Smith, who came from Connecticut to Luzerne county, Pa., while vet the Shawnee Indians inhabited the region, was born at Wilkesbarre, Pa .. July 14. 1804. Ile came to Spoon river about 1834, with his wife, a daughter of General Thomas, and established a general store at Wyoming. It is said that he had several copies of a plat of Wyoming printed, showing docks along Spoon river, a steamboat, negroes unloading cotton, warehouses, etc., etc. It is further alleged that this very much overdrawn picture of the set- tlement was distributed throughout the eastern towns and cities, and won for its author a very unenviable notoriety. He moved to Galena, Ill .. in later years. where he died.
Isaac B. Spilman, a son of one of the old settlers of Stark county. who went to " Egypt" years ago, was elected state's attorney for Franklin county. Il .. in 1884.
Nathan Share was born in Huntingdon county Pa., on February 3. 1826: is the son of John P. and Esther (Baker) Snare, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Pennsylvania, being one of the old Quaker families, born near Philadelphia. The ancestors of John P. Snare were from Germany, coming to this country at an early day, the father of John P. serving as a teamster in the War of 1812. Esther Baker also had one brother, Joseph Baker, who was a captain in
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the same war. John P. Snare removed to Pennsylvania while he was vet a boy and engaged in farming. He was married June 8. 1820, to Miss Esther Baker, by whom he had a family of seven children, four of whom still live, namely, Nancy. widow of Alexander Kissenger, re- siding in l'enn township, this county; Nathan Snare, of Toulon town- ship : James and John are married, both residing in Penn township. this county. The mother of this family died in 1840. Mr. Snare re- married in 1844 to Mrs. Nancy Gharrett (Kurfman), by whom he had a family of six children, four of whom still live-Cyrus C., married, living in Minnesota; Khesa S., married, living in Penn township, this county; Edwin, married, living in Valley township, this county ; Albert, married, living in Nebraska. John P. Snare removed to Illinois in 1847 and settled in Penn township, where he purchased four hundred acres of land and engaged in farming; he remained so en- gaged until his death, which occurred in 1872, his widow, Mrs. Nancy Snare, still residing there. In political matters he was in early days a whig, but when the republican party was organized he embraced that platform and remained a thorough-going member of that party until his death. Ile was at his death a member of the M. P. church, with which he died in full communion. Nathan Snare passed his younger years on the farm and attending common school. In the year 1846 he removed to lllinois, locating in Penn township and engaged in farm- ing. In 1850 he married Miss Lydia A. Davidson, daughter of Chal- dron and Abbey (Stark) Davidson, both natives of Luzerne county, Pa. To this marriage three children were born, one of whom still lives, namely, Lily, now residing with her husband in Kansas. Mrs. Lydia Snare died in 1865, and he was remarried in 1866 to Miss Isabella II. Williamson, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cook) Williamson, both natives of Pennsylvania. To this marriage eight children were born, namely, Hattie, now living in Kansas; Charles 1., John R., Ernest M., Lanra B., Walter D., Albert E., and Edith. The subject of our sketch was engaged in farming in this connty until 1867, when he removed to Missouri, remaining there for seven years engaged in farming. In 1874 he returned to Ilinois and purchased land in Toulon township on section 12, where he now resides. In conection with his farm interests he also has several coal mines on his land. In politics he was an early- day abolitionist, and when the republican party was formed he ac- cepted their platform, but of late years has rather affiliated with the greenback party. He is not a member of any church, but lends his support to the M. P. church. He was a member of the Union League and was a staunch supporter of all things pertaining to the benefit of his county.
Perry Staneliff, farmer, stock raiser and horticulturalist, Wyoming, was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 21, 1822, the son of David and Amy (Miles) Stancliff, the former of whom was born in Canada near Niagara Falls. He was the son of Stambangh B. Stancliff, a native of New York state, whose father was a native of Germany. Stambaugh B. Stancliff did action and honorable service in the War of the Revolution, from which he carried wounds to his grave, but for which he felt himself too patriotic a citizen to ask for or to receive
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indemnity. He moved into Canada (in consequence of business inter- ests) some time after the war, but upon the outbreak of the difficulties which caused the War of 1812, he chose to abandon his interests there, and selected for himself a home in Ohio. Ile reared a family of twelve children-seven sons and five daughters-whose character- isties (that of large-sized and tall people) follow the Stancliff family. David Stancliff, his son, learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it for many years, but he finally retired from it and died on his farm in Ross county, Ohio. He, like his father, had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to manhood -six sons and five dangh- ters. Perry, the eldest of the family, learned the mason trade in Ohio, and followed it there for a few years. In 1844 he came to Illi- nois, and in the same year purchased the present property ( " Sunny- side Farm") which he has improved and developed to its present handsome condition. He married here in 1848 Miss Martha (. Davis, daughter of Daniel and Rachael (Ennis) Davis, both deceased. The former was a native of New York state and the latter of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Staneliff have reared eight sons and two daughters, all of whom have grown to manhood and womanhood, and have taken a. leading part in the interests of their different localities. Daniel. W. is a worthy farmer of Valley township, and has one daughter. William is a successful farmer and stock raiser, of Saline county, Neb., and has four daughters. George is in the agricultural implement business in Valley county. Neb., and has one son. Stephen Miles is in the ice business in Fairfield, Iowa, and has one daughter. James is in the transfer business in Wyoming, and has a son and daughter. David is located at Fairfield, fowa. Mary is the wife of Alfred Neeley, of Peoria. Emma, Herman and Albert are still under the parental roof. and help to cheer the fireside and enhance the comforts of their worthy parents. Mr. Stancliff has always been a liberal contributor to measures attending the advancement of the publie good of his locality. and in his time here has done an important part. He has always held aloof from the snares of public office but has always carried his share of the " load of office" on the school board and in township offices.
Patrick Sullivan, born in Rosscarberry Parish, Cork county, Ire- land, March 14, 1836, is the son of Cornelius and Catherine ( Howell) Sullivan. natives of that parish. The father was a linen-weaver by trade and manufactured largely. He came to the United States in 1852, settled at Grand Rapids, Mich., and invested in city property. Ile died in that city in 1880, in his ninety-second year, leaving a widow, three sons, and one daughter. namely : James A., steamboat man and a bachelor; Patrick, of this county; John, a brickmason and con- tractor, and Mary, wife of Geo. Il. Soule, a merchant of Grand Rapids. Patrick Sullivan passed his boyhood days in his native country. Upon coming to the United States, he was apprenticed to the moulder's trade at Grand Rapids, but after four years turned his attention to tinsmith- ing at Peoria, Ill., where he served an apprenticeship. lle then on- gaged in the hardware trade at Princeville, where he was successful. In 1876 he came to Stark county, and carried on business at Castle- ton until he opened his large store at Wyoming. Mr. Sullivan
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was married at Peoria to Miss Hannah Hanlon, a native of that county. daughter of Patrick Hanlon, of Limerick county, Ireland, but an old resident of Kickapoo, Ill. They are the parents of five sons and three danghters, namely : John, Mary, JJames, William, Edward. Robert, Ellen, and Kate. The family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic church.
Charles M. Swank, son of Reuben and Martha A. (Heaton) Swank. was born in West Jersey, Stark county, February 23, 1856. His father. a Pennsylvanian. and mother, a native of New Jersey, came here about 1853 while yet this now beautiful township was a wilderness, and. as related in the history, took a full part in building it up to its present prosperous condition. Their children are Flora B., now Mrs. W. II. Johnson. of West Jersey : Clyde W., student at Knox college ; Eva G., a girl of eleven summers, deceased. and Charles M., of Toulon. The latter received a practical agricultural and common-school ednea- tion, completed studies at IFedding college, Abingdon, Ill., and in 1876 entered mercantile life at West Jersey, continuing in trade there until March, 1883, when he established his house at Toulon. On JJune 20. this year, he married Miss Cora B., daughter of Charles and Lucinda Emery Potter, of Toulon. They have one boy, Glenn R. Both are members of the Congregational church, and each holds a high place in the estimation of the people.
Andrew Scurte, who settled near Toulon in 1837, died April 22. 1884.
Sylvester Siret died at Toulon. February 8, 1983. Ile was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y .. in 1795; served through the War of 1812: married Mary Adkins in 1818 (this lady died in 1825). In 1828 he married Cynthia Strong, and with his family settled near Saxon in 1841. In 184> he was living three miles northwest of Toulon, where his second wife died in 1875. In 1877 he married Catherine Rounds, who survives him.
Mrs. Wm. Sweet, who died in Toulon June 16, 1586, added another name to the long list of Stark county pioneers who have crossed over the river. Mrs. Sweet's maiden name was Tane Pearson ; she was born in Oswego county. New York, in 1826, and came with her parents to Peoria county in 1836. She was brought up in the Universalist faith, her father and grandfather both being ministers in that denomination. After the death of her father. she came to Stark county in 1844. and made her home with a family by the name of Bowen. In 1848 she was married to William Sweet. She was the mother of three children. two of whom, a son and a daughter survive her and are living in this vicinity.
Bushrod Tapp, whose name occurs so often in the pages of the general history and of this township, is one of the old residents of this county.
Charles Madison Teeter. the fourth and youngest of the family of John and Sarah (Van Brunt) Teeter, the latter a descendant in line from a New Amsterdam family in which Anneke Jans Bogardus was principal, was born near Florida, N. Y., June 30, 1817, where his parents occupied a farm. The beginning of the family was marked in
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Orange county, by the settling of John Teeter, grandfather of Chas. M., who arrived from Brunswick during the Revolutionary war. Charles Madison received a thorough, practical education, and entered mercantile life as clerk on the corner of Front and Fulton streets in New York City. After three years' active service, owing to failing health, he resigned his position as book-keeper and took up the em- ployment of instructor, both public and private. At this he continued for a number of years, and while at Chester, New Jersey, he became acquainted with and married, March 7, 1843, Miss Julia Horton Stout. who was born December 25, 1820, beinga daughter of Thomas B. and Deborah (Terry) Stout, the former a descendant of the union of Rich- ard Stout (England) and Penelope Van Princis (Amsterdam) in New Amsterdam about the year 1624. Discontented with the business of teaching. he at length accepted the situation of Station Agent at As- bury, N. J., where he remained until October, 1854, when, spirited by the glowing accounts of the great west, he, together with his wife and two sons, namely: John H., afterward a soldier in the Forty- seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, who sickened and died March 31, 1865 at Camo Butler, and Elias S. came to Illinois and settled at Henry, Marshall county. During the three years' sojourn at this place his family was increased by the births of a daughter, Maggie A. and Charles W., the third son. Having finally decided upon agricultural pursuits he removed his family to the " Teeter" farm at Bradford. Stark county, which he occupied until November, 1874, when he again changed his residence and located at Wyoming. His career through- ont was marked as one of industry and integrity, of irreproachable character and widespread influence. Finally, surrounded by his family and worldly comforts, he fell suddenly sick and departed this life June 18, 1883. A reference to the official and religions history of the town- ships shows the part taken by him in public affairs during his residence in this county.
Elias Stout Teeter. second son of Charles Madison and Julia H. (Stout) Teeter was born at Chester. Morris county. N. J .. Oet. 20. 1847. Early in youth he accompanied his parents to Ilinois where the family located at Henry, Marshall county, in October. 1854. and resided there until 185s. when they moved to Osceola township. Stark county. and en- gaged in farming until 1874. In this year Mr. Teeter retired from agriculture, took up his residence at Wyoming, and made that town his home until his death in 1883. Elias S. spent boyhood's years on the farm, and attending school in Osceola township until 1869. when he moved to lowa, and embarked in mercantile life. In July. 1872. he sold his Iowa interests and returning to Stark county in August. purchased a partnership with O. G. Smith. In March. 1873. Dr. I. G. Green purchased the Smith interest, which in 1876 was bought out by C. W. Teeter. the firm being known since as Teeter Brothers. Their large house at Toulon was not established until February, 1885. although Elias Teeter had an interest in Chas. Wright's drug store from 1878 to 1881. Ile married in Osceola township Miss Emma M .. daughter of J. M. Huffman. a native of New York State. Their chil- dren are John R. and Mariam J., both now attending school. Mr. T.
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was one of the original stock-holders and directors of the First National Bank. one of the original members and stock-hoklers of the Central Agricultural Society, has been a member of the linois Phar- maceutical Society, also holding a certificate since the passage of the Pharmacy Act, a member of the I. O. O. F., and one of the aldermen in the town council. Ho was appointed notary public in 1886. In the history of Wyoming and of Osceola township references are made to this family. The foregoing record points out clearly their place in the industrial history of this county.
Isque Thomas, a resident of Stark county since 1844, is a native of the Green Mountain State. He is a son of David and Hannah ( Dwyer) Thomas, and dates his birth in Berkshire. Franklin county, Vermont. January 22, 1809. His father was of Welsh and his mother of Scotch- Irish decent. David Thomas was a blacksmith by trade, born in East Hladdam, Conn., May 27, 1783 ; served as captain of militia in Vermont about the year 1813. Moved with his family to Kingston, Lawrence ยท county, Pa., when Isaac was about 13 years old, the latter finishing his edneation at the Kingston Academy. When 17 years of age, our sub- ject was engaged by his uncle, General Samuel Thomas, who was a contractor on the Pennsylvania canal, and with whom he remained about two years, superintending the men at work. Subsequently re- turned to Mahoopany and engaged in the mercantile and lumber bus- iness. Served there as post-master under President Van Buren. In the year 1844 moved with his family to Wyoming. Il .: engaged for a short time in farming, also served here as post-master under Polk, Tay- lor and Fillmore. During his residence in this county, has served as a justice and police magistrate 35 years, and still holds the office of JJ. P. Ilas been a member of the M. E. church from early manhood, was iden- tified with the Democrat party until the firing upon Fort Sumter, after which he became a Repubhean, and was active in getting up san- itary supplies in war time.
James Monroe Thomas, son of General Samuel and Marcia (Petti- bone) Thomas, was born near Kingston in the Wyoming Valley, Pa .. October 1, 1822. There his mother's two uncles were murdered by the British and Indians during the massacre of July 3, 1778. The l'et- tibones, however, were not driven away for ever, as throughout Luz- erne and adjoining counties, they are found today. as in the past. both in the trades and professions, and as ready to defend the country as were their fathers of the Revolution. James M. Thomas came here in 1834 with his father. At an early age he acquired a taste for mechan- ies, and here engaged in mill-buikling, designing implements. and did construct the first threshing machine in Stark county, as well as the first thresher and separator in this or Peoria county. He continues to devote attention to mechanics, having built some of the finest buildings in the county. He was appointed master of Wyoming post-office. JInne 30. 1853. by James Campbell, Postmaster-General, under the adminis- tration of President Pierce, and on July 28. 1885. he was recommis- sioned by A. E. Stephenson, acting Postmaster General. under the ad- ministration of President Cleveland. In early years he was married at Peoria, Ill., to Miss Ellen, daughter of Squire Isaac White, a native of
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OF TOULON TOWNSHIP.
Pennsylvania, born at Loudon. Franklin county. in that State. Their children are Frank, a genial and clover member of the Stark county bar, residing at Wyoming: Payne P., a farmer on the old homestead in Essex township; Samuel, a mechanic, and James M .. a student of the University of Michigan, and Isaac, who died at Wyoming. II., De- cember 3, 1565, when eight years of age. Both Mrs. and Mr. Thomas attend the Methodist church, although the former had been a member of the Presbyterian faith up to December 5, 1847. at that date Mrs. Thomas united with the M. E. church, while the latter has been con- nected with the Methodist faith since his nineteenth year. General Samuel Thomas was the nominator of Andrew Jackson for President in 1832, so his son has been equally attached to the old Democratic party. James M. was one of the original members of the Stark county Agricultural Society. In 1877 he took an active part in organizing the Central Agricultural Society : has always been a member of the State Agricultural Society and an official of that body, also of the Stark county Old Settlers' Association, and of other local organizations established for publie benefit.
William F. Thomas came From Wyoming Valley, Penn , with his father. Gen. Thomas, in 1834. In 1850. he was sheriff and er officio collector, was one of the aiders of the American Central railroad, and in every sense one of the most useful citizens of the county: died in May. 1875.
Frank Thomas, son of James M. Thomas, was born here Septem ber 17. 1848. He received the rudiments of his education in the Wy. oming schools, then attended for two years the Clark seminary at Aurora, and subsequently passed one year at the Northwestern mi- versity. Evanston, Ill., and taught school for three terms. In his nineteenth year he attended school at Ann Arbor, Mich., then he affiliated with the state university, following took a literary and scien- titic special course in the university, and took up the study of law there under the preceptorship of llon. T. M. Cooley. L.L. D. He graduated from the university in 1871, and, returning to Ilinois, was admitted an attorney-at-law of the state. He married Miss Anna Walsh, of Ann Arbor. Mich., and to them two children were born. This lady died JJune 3, 1876, and some years later he married Miss Julia, danghter of Dr. W. H. Hoover. A reference to the pages de- voted to the law and political chapters of the General History and to the history of Wyoming will point out very clearly the part Mr. Thomas has taken in the political, legal and social life of the county.
Samuel Thomas, born in Connecticut, February 2. 1787. settled in Wyoming Valley, Pa., in 1806, and on May 10, 1807, married Miss Marcia Pettebone, a native of Kingston. Pa .. daughter of Oliver Pette- bone. On the breaking out of the War of 1812, he was captain of a company of volunteer artillery composed of one Inndred young men. none of whom were over twenty-five years of age. Their services were tendered to the government, and accepted, and the company was ordered to Erie. Pa., where the fleet of vessels were builling for the use of Captain (afterward Commodore) Perry. On reaching Erie. Captain Thomas was put in command of the post, and a block-house
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
and breastworks built and cannon planted thereon to protect the building fleet, while on the stocks, as the British fleet were then ernis- ing on Lake Erie with the avowed intention of burning our vessels be- fore their completion. Several efforts were made by the British to burn our lleet during the time the boats were building, but were driven off by our artillery. After the battle upon Lake Erie. Captain Thomas was ordered out into Canada to join the Northwestern army under the command of General William H. Harrison. After the bat- tle of the Thames at that place with the British and Indians in which the celebrated Indian chief "Teenmseh" was killed, Captain Thomas was ordered over to Detroit, which was then held by British and hostile Indians. Onr forces drove out the hostile English and held Detroit until ordered back into Ohio near the mouth of the Maumee river, and thence to Pittsburgh and to Wyoming Valley, Pa. Soon after peace was declared, Captain Samuel Thomas was made brigade inspector of the Northeast Division of the Pennsylvania militia. This position he held until commissioned as brigadier general in 1828, which position he held until moving to Illinois in 1834. Hle was a member of the legislature of Pennsylvania two terms, was a leading Methodist from an early day, and in the early settlement of Spoon River his house was the only chapel for a number of years. He was also a member of the Masonie fraternity from an early date. Ile arrived with his family after forty-two days' travel. on the site of the present town of Wyoming. in October, 1834, where his brother- in-law. Sylvanus Moore, had a cabin and claim. Purchasing Moore's interest here be entered the land at Quiney in June. 1835. opened a store there and also began farming, and continued to reside here until his death, as noted in the history of Wyoming. Mrs. Marcia Thomas died here July 21, 1865. Their son. Wilham F., who came with them into the wilderness of Spoon River, was born in 1817, died at Wyoming, May 25, 1875: Ruth Ann. born in 1819, who married Giles C. Dana, in May. 1536, died at Peoria in July of that year and James M., born in 1822, who in 1847 married Miss Ellen White, has for over half a century been a prominent figure in the history of the district. In the history of the Agard family reference is made to Martha P. Thomas, who married J. W. Agard'in 1834 and came with him in Sep- tember, 1836, to Wyoming. Mary Ann Thomas, who married Whitney Smith, of Wilkesbarre, Pa., one of the early traders here. came with him in 1835, and for many years shared his home here until her sep- aration from him. when she married E. S. Brodhead. who died at Toulon in 1873. Some time after her second husband's death, she be- came Mrs. Chase, of New York City. From 1808 to 1879 the general is said to have voted the Democratic ticket, and as told in the political history, was elected on that ticket a member of our legislature in 1846. The life of this enterprising pioneer of Stark county claims extended notices in many pages of this work : vet this sketch of the family is necessary to complete our history .. General Thomas was called to Michigan in 1532 and spent a part of that season there, and in the fall of 1833 was called to old Fort Dearborn, at the time the Indians, who fought under Black Hawk were paid off by the United
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