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 53
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" Captain Stuart is not the birth of the present war excitement ; he long ago showed a talent for military command, a strong penchant for a sokher's life, even in the most piping times of peace. Everything pertaining to the camp or field in history, or in the commotions of the old world was always seized upon by him as the choicest reading or news. Over a year ago he had so infused his military ardor into the quiet, orderly, and nexcitable Scotch settlement of Ehnira as to set on foot the organization of a rifle company, and in May, 1860, the company was organized under the old militia law. Stuart was elected captain by unanimous vote of the company. Stephen W Hill at the same time was elected first lieutenant, and Alexander Murchison, Jr., second lieutenant. He found in the settlement just the material for his company ; the Scotch in their characters are not dissimilar to the Vermont mountaineers. The company advanced as far as they could.
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but were unable to obtain arms from the state, probably for the very good reason that the state hadn't any.
"So matters remained until the bombardment of Sumpter. No sooner had the news reached Elmira, than Stuart set about filling up his company to tender them as volunteers. With his officers and part of the old company as a nneleus, he drummed for recruits in different parts of the county : he found no difficulty, only that most wanted to enlist as officers, if he and his fellows would throw up their old com- missions. llis company was filled and tendered to the government. but was not accepted, though he spared no effort to get them in, and the company was disbanded, and the brave volunteers reluctantly gave up all hope of getting into service.
" Afterward a special town meeting was called which was attended by the people. The tax-pavers of Elmira township turned out gener- ally; unlike the board of supervisors, they didn't stop to find out impediments in the way of being patriotic, but with unanimity and hearty zeal they voted a tax upon themselves of $700, for the purpose of uniforming volunteers: and responsible individuals on the spot sub- scribed over $1980 for the support of families of volunteers m service- near twice the amount appropriated by the whole of Stark county for the same purpose. Individuals, sound and prompt, subscribed as high as $200 each. A new company was reorganized under the amended militia laws. Captain Stuart and the commissioned officers of the old Rifles joined it, and, unsolicited, threw np their commissions, but upon a new election they were all reflected to their former rank, and the company reported to headquarters. The members were scattered over considerable territory. and could not well be got together for drill oftener than once a week. Seeing no immediate prospect of being called into service, they went about their ordinary pursuits, putting in crops, making brick, or whatever else they would have done if the country was at peace. What followed is best related by a correspond- ent of the Chicago Tribune of the 18th, which we copy :
" The Chicago Tribune of the Sth inst. announced the fact that the Elmira Rifles. Captain Stnart's company, had been accepted, and were required to be in Springfield on Thursday, the 13th inst. Of course such intelligence created no small stir in our midst, and not only the company, but the whole community were thrown into some degree of consternation. And what seemed to add to the difficulties in the way of being snatched off so suddenly, was the fact that Captain Stuart, who is a minute man. always so active, energetic and indomitable, was at the time in the east, and no one here knew very well where. In removing this diffienlty. the other officers deserve much praise for the prompt- itude with which they acted. Lieutenant IFill took the lead, as was fitting he should, and Lieutenant Murchison worked up to all just expectations; and all seemed determined to let no obstructions prevent them from coming up and responding to the demand. On Monday, the 10th. a very large meeting, consisting of the volunteers and citizens of the townships of Elmira and Osceola, was hekl to make some arrangements for the departure of the volunteers. At this meeting difficulties seemed to increase by a dispatch arriving from the Adjutant-
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
General from Springfield, stating that none would be received enlisting for a shorter term than three years. At that time the company's roll contained fifty-nine names, and in two days after this, between eighty and ninety started en route For the service of their country. At the meeting on Monday, a committee was appointed to canvass the adjoin- ing county, which committee reported at an adjourned meeting held on Tuesday evening, that between 100 and 200 men had pledged their sacred honor and their every means for the support of the families of volunteers during their absence. At this meeting, also, arrangements were made for the departure of the soldiers on Wednesday, at 12 m. The ladies, who are always so ready to work, were busily employed. and prepared and set a most excellent and sumptuous dinner before the volunteers and some 1,200 citizens. In the village of Osceola, the volunteers wore met by two military companies-a horse company, commanded by Captain Pahner Blanchard, and a foot company by Captain Merrill. Three martial bands were in attendance - Dalrymple's band with our volunteers, and the other companies each had a band. The whole multitude assembled on the west side of the church, and after prayer, we had a spirited. patriotic, stirring farewell address from George Clifford, Esq., of Toulon. The departing volunteers and other military companies present were then marehed into the church, where four tables, the whole length of the building, were groaning under the burden of good things which they supported ; but though these were so temptingly displayed, prepared with so much care by the willing hands of the kind-hearted ladies, vet the soldiers seemed to have little desire to partake of the food ; their hearts seemed to be so enlarged that the stomach had no room left in which to perform its functions It is a good thing to know that soldiers have hearts. After partaking of the dinner inside of the church, and the great multitude outside, the order was issued to fall into procession and march to Kewanee. the place of embarking on the cars for Chicago. The whole was under the direction of the marshal of the day, Captain Mark Blanchard, of Osceola, assisted by George Gray, Esq. The procession consisted of between one and two hundred conveyances of various kinds. A num- ber of four-horse vehicles were loaded to their utmost capacity. Ar- riving at Kewanee, and being kindly received by the citizens of that place, the volunteers were marched up in front of the Kewanee House. where a few parting words wore addressed to them by Rev. J. M. Graham, of Ehuira, and Rev. Mr. R. C. Dunn, of Toulon. Captain P. Blanchard, of Burean county, proposed that a collection be taken up for a little pocket money to bestow upon the volunteers. This being done. it amounted to something short of $100. It is proper here to say that every mark of kindness and respect was shown by the citizens of Kewanee to the company about to leave, and to their many friends who attended them to this point. Supper was furnished to the company, and all others, so far as was known by the writer, were pressed by various persons to take tea at different places. The mul- titude which assembled in front of the Kewance Honse at the time the words of farewell were being addressed to the soldiers has been variously estimated at from 2,000 to 4,000. All we know about it is,
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that it was an immense crowd, and all seemed to enter into the spirit of the occasion, and feel that it was an occasion of importance, such as never before was witnessed by most of those present.
"We read here with a degree of mortification that the Elmira Rifles, citizens of our county, bound to us by every tie of citizenship, going forth from . Molly Stark' to fight our battles, tearing them- selves from home and friends, many probably never to return to us, were compelled to accept an eseort from strangers from a for- eign county. As much painful feeling exists upon the part of our El- mira and Osceola friends because the Home Guards from Toulon did not do this duty, we have this apology to offer for them : First, that the sndden departure of the Ehura Rifles was not generally known to them, as it was expected they were not to leave before Friday, the Chicago Tribune announcing they were to report themselves at Spring- field on the 15th, and not the 13th as stated in the above corre- spondence. Second. and principally, because the treatment received by them at the hands of the board of supervisors was such as to dishearten and discourage the Guards to such a degree that it was impossible to rally them for any purpose. The just blame shoukt rest on those who produced that state of feeling. and not upon the community here, ex- cept that portion of them who would gladly break up all volunteer com- panies and freeze out the life-blood of patriotism in our county ; men who discourage the formation of volunteer companies. We can as- sure our Elmira and Osceola friends that in spite of officials we shall do our duty hereafter. Right here we have an anecdote which ought to be saved to history. On the second day of the meeting of the board of supervisors when . our member of the board had moved a reconsid- eration of the vote appropriating six dollars to each volunteer for uni- forming purposes, and the matter was engaging discussion before the board, one said he thought the volunteers could drill withont uniforms, and was opposed to giving them the first cent before called into ser- vice, and another had drilled many years in Ohio at his own cost. A pious, devont member of the Elmira Rifles was in town bidding adien to his friends. He is a prominent member of Mr. Dunn's church, and a very quiet unexcitable man - J. B. are his initials. Ile was at din- ner with the family of the orderly of the Home Guards. Now said sergeant can, good-naturedly, and we think not very wickedly, do a good business at swearing; in fact he is rather voluble in the emission of some naughty words which church-goers call swearing. J. B. saving to him that the board of supervisors had reconsidered their vote and he was afraid they were going to defeat the volunteers, he clinched his indignation against the board as follows: . Mr. W., you know I can't swear, I wish you would go down and attend to those supervisors.' W. replied. 'Idon't believe I can do the subject justice, but I'H go down town and see if I can't get T-, who can swear them to h-] and gone.'
"To return to the Rifles. Captain Stuart has a wife and two chil- dren. He is a farmer and well respected in the community where he lives. IIe is in stature of medium size and put together for action rather than bulk. He is quick of perception, being of quick temper-
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ament, and will at a glance decide the best position for his command, and will as quick exeente his movements. A man of quick pereep- tions is as necessary upon the battle field as a man of courage, pro- viding he does not lose self-control by too great an exeitability. IIc is a man of warm heart, and will endear his company to him. We predict a brilliant career for Captain Stuart. The responsibility of a commander is great ; the . wives, families, friends and people of Stark connty have committed to Captain Stuart the gravest responsibility, the lives. the honor of their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. and the good fame of the county itself, and we shall hold him to a faithful account of his Stuart (Steward) ship.
" First Lieutenant Stephen M. Hill is not unlike Stuart in his make and git up.' He leaves at home a family -a wife, and we believe eight children. He is highly esteemed at home, and we have no doubt he will fill his post with honor and eredit to himself. his company and county. He is a native of the State of New York as we are informed. Second Lieutenant Alexander Murchison, jr., is a young, unmarried man : by birth a Scotchman, but in America one of the warmest friends of the constitution, the union, and the free institu- tions of our country. First Orderly Sergeant John S. Pashley, evi- dently put up for the very purpose of being an orderly sergeant of just such a company as the Elmira Rifles. He is a young man, married however, of the highest order of natural qualifications for an official position in the army. He will come out raised in rank. His manners are agreeable and he is bound to have warm friends. Second Orderly Sergeant William Jackson is a young, unmarried man, omi- nently qualified for his post. He is a Seotehman, too. Third Orderly Sergeant .I. Il. Hunter is a married man, and leaves a wife and several children. He is very highly spoken of. Fourth Orderly Sergeant Jas. G. Boardman is a young man, brother to Dr. Boardman, so well and favorably known in Stark county. He has been a medieal student and just come home from his second course of lectures. He is said to be every way worthy, and will make an excellent officer. First Corporal James Jackson is a young Seotchman, brother of William Jackson. Every way worthy. Second Corporal James Montooth is every inch a man. We would cantion the enemy not to get in striking distance of . Jim.' He's pluck to the backbone ; he's game to the last. If you don't be- lieve it, ask that volunteer who stayed in Chicago drunk and didn't go down to the camp to be sworn in. Jim met him in the street and just took him out of his shirt and brought the shirt back to camp. Third Corporal, Charles HI. Brace, is a young man. son of Myrtle G. Brace, Esq., of Elmira. 'Charlie' will give a good account of himself. Fourth Corporal, Robert A. Turnbull is a young man, a nephew of ' Uncle John, which is a suthicient guaranty that he is all right. Had we space and time it would afford us pleasure to speak more at length of all the officers and privates. We do say that the officers seem to be exactly qualified for their respectiv posts, and that they have been placed in their positions with a single view to their qualifications. The privates include some of the best men of our county, and we are not surprised to notice that the company ranks the best in the service of
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the state, best in orderly, sober materials for a company. Chicago papers and people so regard them, and justly, too." # This organization, which became, after they were mustered into service, Company B. Nineteenth regiment. United States volunteers, was the first to leave our county for the defense of the Union ; and the next we think was the "Lafayette Rifles," known after enlistment as Com- pany B, Thirty-seventh regiment United States volunteers.
The first named were sworn into the service of the United States in June, 1861 ; the second in a rust of the same year.
" The Lafayette Rifles" we. commanded by Captain Charles Dickinson, a man who would perhaps bear "lionizing" as well as Captain Stuart, of the Elmira company, but penned in the cooler at- mosphere of 1876 such gushing tributes would appear over-wrought. So we leave Captain Dickinson to be praised by his honorable record, and that of his company. They rendezvoused near Chicago. at a place named Camp Webb, in honor of their colonel. They were at Vicks- burg from the 11th of June, 1862. till the surrender, July 4, 1863. Then went to Yazoo City, had a skirmish there. then to New Orleans. and Brownville, in at the capture of the latter. This about concluded their first term of service, and they were permitted to come home on " veteran furlough " and to vote for President Lincoln, but with ranks sadly thinned by the risks of battle and the diseases incident to camp life. During the summer of 1865 they were on garrison duty nearly all the time, along the Mississippi river, were present at the surrender of Mobile, and helped storm the works at Fort Blakely. Yet Captain Diekinson says their regiment was more famous for marching than fighting.
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
The general history and foregoing pages of this chapter may be said to contain every name and event connected with the settlement and progress of this division of the county. Here many of the lead- ing actors in those stirring scenes, which mark the history of Elmira for over half a century, are portrayed. so that these pages, taken with the former ones, constitute at once a most complete history of this division of Stark county.
John Adams, born in Cumberland county, Me., in 1794. served in Captain Knight's company in 1812. as drafted for the defense of Port- land, came to Illinois in 1853, died in Elmira township Jan. 21, 1879. Israel Adams, his father, died at Freeport, Ill., served under Arnold in the Quebec expedition, and his grandfather, Moses Adams, was a son of one of the two Adams who came after the Plymonth settlement was made.
Jumex Armstrong, Sr., who came from Scotland in 1855, died in Elmira township in August, 1876, aged eighty-three years.
Louis Austin, of Elmira, died November 15. 1878, finishing his apprenticeship as pioneer of that township.
Matthew Bell, who came with his parents to Hamilton, Canada, in 1832, eame to Valley township in 1852. and in 1853 moved to Elmira. In 1849 he married Jane Mulholland, of Wentworth county. Canada.
Wan. D. Blanchard, an oll settler of Elmira, died May 13, 1881.
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Mrs. Abby M. Blanchard, widow of W. D. Blanchard. died August 18, 1885. She was born in Maine in 1811, married in 1853, and came here that year. Eugene, the youngest son of Mark Blanchard, of Elmira, died at Stuart, Ia .. in September, 1883. On November 12, 1886, Mrs. Ann Blanchard, wife of J. Blanchard, aged sixty-five years, died. She was the daughter of Hugh and Anna White, pioneers of the county, and more recently of Harvey county, Kan.
Dr. Edwin Bouland Boardman, was born in Luzerne county, Pa., March 3, 1829. His father, Orlando, was a native of Massachusetts: grandfather, a native of Connecticut, and great-grandfather a native of Great Britain. His mother, Mary Brace, was born in New York state, to which her father's people moved from Connecticut prior to the Revolution. Orlando Boardman was born in 1789; moved to Pennsylvania in 1828: having previously been engaged in the drug trade in Saratoga county, N. Y., where he was married, and where three of his children were born, namely: William IL., Jane E. and Persis P. Their son, Edwin, was born in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mary (Brace) Boardman died in 1832. Five years later he married Miss Ann Goble, to whom were born James G .. Mary and Margaret E. In 1840 the family moved to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Paw Paw Grove, Lee county. There his wife died in 1866 and himself in June. 1873. Dr. E. R. Boardman was educated in the schools of Paw Paw, studied medicine there under Dr. G. W. Hunt, subsequently attended the Indiana Medical School at La Porte, from which he graduated in 1849, and commenced practice in this township. His marriage with Miss Hannah, daughter of Ambrose and Hannah (Munson) Fuller was solemnized September 12, 1850. To them ten children were born, namely: Charles O., deceased ; Mary H .. married at Creston, Iowa ; Edwin O., a physician of Osceola, this county ; Naney J., married, of Kuva Paha county. Neb .: Sarah C., deceased ; James A. deceased ; Adella S .. deceased : George D., William IL. and Anna L., residing at home. In 1552 the doctor purchased a farm, which he carried on in connection with his professional duties. In 1881 he was appointed public administrator for this county. For forty-three years he has been a member of the Baptist church, his wife being also a member. He has been a Republican since the organization of the party : but his busy professional life and farm work left him little time to be active in politics. ( Vide che on Physicians.)
Dr Edwin O. Boardman, son of Dr. E. R. and Hannah (Fuller) Boardman, pioneers of this township, was born here, May 18, 1855. The summers of his early years were passed on his father's farm and the winters in attendance on school. In 1871-3 he was at the East Paw Paw schools; then read medicine under the direc- tion of his father; subsequently was a student of Rush Medieal College. Chicago, and graduated in the spring of 1878. In July of that year he married Miss Mila J., danghter of Miles and Mary L. (Ames) Iluestis, natives of New York. Her grandfather Huestis was a native of France, a shoemaker by trade, and her grandmother ITuestis an Alsatian or Lorrainer. Iler grandfather and grandmother Ames were natives of New York and were farmers of that state. Miss
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Huestis was born at Vietor, De Kalb county. Ill., May 20, 1858, and resided in De Kalb county until her marriage. She attended the Teachers' Institute and Classical Seminary at East Paw Paw from 1571 until 1574; from 1874 until 1577 attende I the graded schools of Sandwich, IN. Her parents died while she was quite young, leaving her to fight the battles of life alone. Dr. Boardman commenced practice here with his father in 1878; but soon after moved to Osceola village, where he established an office and still shares the full confi- dence of the people. In religions matters he belongs to the Baptist church, is tolerant as all intelligent men must be, and fully recognizes what is good in all other denominations The children of Dr. and Mrs. Boardman are Miles E. and Mary Alice. ( Vide History of Board- man Family.)
Charles Bolt, deceased, son of James and Catherine ( Aron) Bolt, natives of Scotland and Bucks county. Pa., respectively. was born in Philadelphia, June 19, 1814. James Bolt was a seafaring man. The son, Charles, on coming of age, learned the blacksmith's trade, and worked at this trade until he left his native city. in 1841. for Osceola Grove with his children by his first wife. Samuel and Catherine Bolt. Ilere on January 19, 1842. he married Catherine Slifer, a sister-in-law of the Vandykes. Samuel Bolt married Miss Mary Snell, now Mrs. Mary Gleeson, before the war. Catherine was also the head of a family of three children when she died, March 10, 1879. To the second mar- riage there were no children, but the family adopted three, namely :> Rebecca Brown, married, residing in Osceola township ; Lamont l'ahner, married, a resident of Penn township, and Josephine Hoadley, married, residing at Salem, O. Charles Bolt followed blacksmithing and farm- ing for a number of years after moving to Ilinois, his first farm being in Elmira township. but afterward he purchased a land warrant of eighty acres in Penn township, where he erected his residence. A few years after his removal here, he engaged in store-keeping. and carried on this in connection with his farm until his death, February 23, 1884. In politics he was a member of the Greenback party, in religion a Free Will Baptist, and in business and social matters a man who claimed the respect of every one. He served as school director and col- lector for several terms, and always took a lively interest in anything which promised benefits to his district. His widow, Mrs. Catherine Slifer Bolt, resides in Elmira township, just northwest of Modena. Like the Vandykes and Slifers, she is a member of the Old School Baptist church.
Myrtle G. Bruce, born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1808, settled in Stark county in 1835 or 1536, preempting a one-quarter section in Elmira township, subsequently purchased 170 aeres, and set out the groves and orchards. and in 1850 built a large farm-house. His sons Orlando and Charles, served in the One-hundred-and-twenty-fourth Illinois Infantry and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry. respectively. the former being wounded at Spanish Fort. A reference to the general history points out his service as justice of the peace and representative. While returning from Chicago, where he was a juror in the United States court, he died on the cars. ( Fide History of' Orlando Brace.)
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Lochlin Buchanan, son of John and Margaret (McLennan) Bu- ehanan, was born in Rosshire, Seotland, September 16, 1834. His parents were married there in 1816. They came to the United States in 1852. bringing with them their four children. Alexander, deceased ; Catherine, who married Duncan Matheson, now living in Wisconsin ; Lochlin, the subject of this sketch, and John, a resident of Colorado. One of the family, Betsy, who married Duncan Murchison, came with him to America in 1849 and both died here, while another daughter resides still in Scotland. John, the father of this family died on his farm hore, September 14, 1860. Lochlin Buchanan married Miss Christina McLennan, January 1, 1857. Her parents, John and Bar- bara (MeKenzie) McLennan, came to New Hampshire in 1832, and after several removals settled in Elmira, where her father died in 1872. Her mother now resides at Kewanee, Ill. Lochlin removed to his farm shortly after his marriage. In 1861 he visited California, was a gold miner in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, at HIelena, and Fort Benton, and other places, but after six years returned to his family. and re- sumed the development of his original purchase. He purchased 280 acres additional on section 28, where he now makes his home. Of their seven children, six are living, John D. resides in Henry county ; Lochlin, Jr., is a resident of Elmira: Barbara A., Christina L., Margaret A. and George R. reside with parents. His wife is a mem- ber of Knox church, and he is a supporter of that church. In politics he is decidedly Republican, earnest in school matters, prominent in Masonic circles and altogether a citizen of excellent parts.
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