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 57
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Thomas Oliver's residence was destroyed by fire on the morning of September 15. 1SS6. Ilis father-in-law. W. If. Turnbull, was burned so badly that he died the afternoon of that day. Building. furniture. records, etc., were a total loss. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The flames were first discovered by Mr. Oliver's daughter. Mr. Turn- bull, who was about seventy-five years old, was sleeping in an upstairs chamber, and succeeded in getting down stairs to the kitchen. where he became overpowered by the heat, and was dragged out badly burned. This prominent old settler has resolved to re-enact the pioneer drama in the west.
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Matthew Buchanan Parks, son of William and Agnes (Buchanan) Parks, was born in Washington county, Va., August 15, 1818. His l'ather was born in Cumberland county, Pa., March 7, 1777, where Joseph Parks (a native of Ireland and a tailor by trade), grandfather of Matthew. had settled prior to the Revolution. Joseph's wife, Rebecca Clark, was a native of England who came to America with tier people before the Revolution, and met and married Mr. Parks in Cumberland county, Pa., and moved to Augusta county. Va. The founder of this family in the United States now lies in the cemetery near his Virginia home. In 1810 William Parks, a millwright, married Miss Agnes Buchanan. This lady was a daughter of Matthew Buch- anan, who served in the Revolution under General Campbell at Kings Mountain, and with two companies sent against the Indians in Ken- tucky. His wife was Elizabeth Edmondson. To them seven children were born. namely : Granville C., a widower of Bureau county ; Eliza, unmarried, residing here : Rebecca who died in 1855; Matthew B., of Elmira, Polly Ann died March 29. 1847; JJoseph. unmarried, and Naney H., unmarried, residing here. The family moved from Vir- ginia to Macon county, Ill., in 1835 ; but after a very brief stay there. William located 160 acres of land in what is now Ehnira township, erected the first house ever built in Elmira on this land, and resided therein until 1842, when he moved out of the timber "onto the prairie," and there, so soon as the lands were offered for sale, entered 280 acres. Ile was engaged in farming and stock-raising until his death. His wife was born in Washington county, Virginia, October 13. 1785, of which state her parents were natives. of the descendants from Scotch-Irish Buchanans of Lancaster county. Pa. She died in 1877. Matthew B has always been a bachelor citizen, represented his township on the supervisors' board for a number of terms, and filled nearly all the township offices. He resides on the old Park Homestead with his sisters. Eliza and Nancy H .. and his brother Joseph. The latter is a member of the Baptist church, while Matthew B. is not a member of any society, though a supporter of the Presby- terian Church. In the family circle all questions affecting their inter- ests are thoroughly discussed, and dissenting opinions so expressed as to leave no room whatsoever for discord.
William G. Perkins, born in Orange county, Vermont, January 19, 1819, is the son of Lemuel and Lucretia (Gentleman) Perkins. Lemnel Perkins was a native of New Hampshire. He was the son of Timothy Perkins and Betsy Gentleman. Timothy Perkins, a native of England, was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and after the war he engaged in farming in the state of New Hampshire, remaining there until his death. Betsy Gentleman was a native of Connecticut. her parents coming from France. Lemmel Perkins enlisted for the war of fs12 at the age of fourteen, served seven years in the army, and after the war he engaged in the cooper trade. He was married in 1817 to Lucretia Gentleman, and had by her two children. the subject of our sketch being the oldest. Daniel died when two years old. in the town of Tapsham, Orange county, Vt. His wife died in 1823. and in 1833 he married Miss Hetty Pomeroy, a native of Vermont, by whom he
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OF ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
had one child. Jane, who married and is living at Tapsham, Vt. He remained in Vermont the greater part of his life, and died there about the year 1838. The subject of our sketch passed his boyhood on a farın. When he was old enough to take part in heavy labor he helped to cut the timber and then assisted in building the second steamboat that ever ran on Lake Champlain, called the Burlington, commanded by Capt. Sherman. He became a boatsman on the boat, followed the lake marine for a short time, and in October, 1840, he left Buffalo, N. Y., for Chicago, Ill., being nine days making the trip. After landing in Chicago he removed to Ottawa, of this state, and engaged in team- ing and breaking prairie. He was married in November, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Lyle, daughter of William and Atlanta (Darling) Lyle. After his marriage he was employed on the Chicago & LaSalle or Illinois canal, and worked at this until the canal was finished, being the man who drew the last stone, and also helped to place the last stone on this great public work. After he finished his canal job he engaged in farm- ing, and remained so engaged until 1856, when he removed to Kansas, where he made a stay of a few months. For a short time afterwards he traveled around, first from one state to another, but in 1857 he set- tled in Elmira township, purchased 160 acres on section 8, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Remaining on his first purchase until 1866, he purchased 160 acres on section 9, and removed to it. and has remained on this purchase up to the present, having added forty acres more to his last purchase in Elmira, and 330 acres in Osceola township. He has, since coming to Stark county. been engaged in farming and stock-growing. In polities he is democratic ; is not a member of any church, but supports all denominations alike. He has a family of ten children, namely : Hazen H., married and living at Kewanee; Char- lotte, married, living at Chicago ; Charles E .. married, living in Penn township; Mary, married, living in Elmira township; William L., um- married, living in Osecola township; James, unmarried, living in Osceola township. Ida M .. married. living in Elmira township ; Phoebe, married, living in Osceola township : John, at home : George, married, living at home. The subject of our sketch in an early day was looked upon as being king of the hunters in this county, having, in company with his old hunting friend, David Fulk. of Osceola, killed the last deer that there is any record of in this township.
Gideon Potter, son of Thomas and Olive (Northrup) Potter, natives of Yorkshire, England, and Michigan, respectively, was born at Ham- ilton, Canada, August 21. 1847. HIis father was a sash and door maker, who enlisted in the English army, and came with a division of that army to Canada, in 1837-8, to beat back the patriots who sought liberty for their country. On being discharged, after his term of ser- vice, he moved to Michigan, married there, returned to Canada where he resided until 1853, when he left en route to Missouri. At Chicago he was taken sick and died there. His family scattered, Thomas and Ann are known to be deceased, while Gideon resides here. The latter, at the age of seven years, was "bound out" to a Missouri farmer named W. HI. Elliott, with whom he remained until 1859, when, owing to the hardship of his work, he eloped, found his way to Nauvoo, Ill ..
29
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
and worked for a man named Bartlett there until 1864, when he moved to the Bartlett, Sr., farm near town. In 1865 he left him and was variously engaged until May, 1867, when he enlisted in Company F, 13th United States infantry, and served three years at Ft. Ellis and Ft. Shaw, M. T. Subsequently he engaged in herding and farming in that territory for Chip Travis, returned to Illinois and for thirty months engaged in fruit-growing in Hancock county. Hle next was a farmer near Denver, Col., returned to Sonora, Ill .. and on November 30, 1874, married Miss Emily Thompson, daughter of Harvey and Lois (Crosby) Thompson, of Osceola, III., who was born there, her parents being natives of Vermont and Massachusetts respectively, but both of old families in the latter State. For five years after this he engaged in fruit-growing, and then came to Osceola village, where he purchased the mercantile interests of A. F. Spencer and established his present business. His children are : David, born October 13, 1875, and Rollin, September 25, 1880. In politics he is a Republican. Religiously he inclines toward the Baptists, but is not a member of any church. Ofli- cially he has served as school director and on the board of cemetery trustees. Though not a pioneer of this celebrated pioneer neighbor- hood, he claims many warm friends, and stands as high in the com- munal circle as he does in the commercial.
John F. Reed, born at Reed's Grove, Will county, Ill., September 7. 1851, is the son of George W. and Mary (Straeder) Reed, both natives of Indiana, as related in the chapter on Osceola township. Mr. Reed passed his boyhood days in assisting his father in farm work, or attend- ing the school of the district. At the age of nineteen years he attended the graded schools at Toulon and subsequently studied in the Bradford schools. Adopting the profession of teacher, he would preside over a school for one term, and the next attend school at the Wesleyan Uni- versity, Bloomington. He also studied in the Illinois Industrial Uni- versity, at Champaign. Since completing his education he has been engaged in teaching school, and is now in the thirteenth year of his professional work. On June 19, 1878, he married Miss Frances I. Searl, daughter of I. W. and Charlotte (Furness) Searl, natives of Pennsyl- vania. To them three children were born, namely : Mary E., Ralph L. and George H. Reed. Mr. Reed has always been Republican in politics, and, it is said, wields the pen for the good of his party, when- ever the thought of doing so oceurs to him. He is an excellent teacher and is now filling his fourth engagement in the schools of District No. 3 or Elmira village. While Mr. Reed is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and in these societies they exert their influence for good. ( Vide, also, history of' Osceola township.)
Simon B. Spencer, born at Peacham, Vt., December 27, 1821, is the son of Samuel, born October 26, 1777, and Betsy (Currier) Spencer. natives of Windham county, N. Il., and Boxford, Mass., respectively ; and grandson of Ebenezer and Mary (Robinson) Spencer, descended from one of the three Spencer brothers who came from England, and from the Robinsons, who settled in New Hampshire among its pioneers. Betsy Currier is the daughter of David and Elizabeth
OF ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
(Peabody) Currier (the latter raised by Gen. Putnam's sister), natives of Massachusetts. She married Samuel Spencer about 1803, Rov. Leonard Wooston officiating. To them six children were born, viz .. Sarah, born in 1804, residing in Rock Island county; Isaac. born March 26. 1812, died in Elmira, December 27, 1884: Betsy, born January 1, 1817, married Dan N. Beall in 1836, resides in Rock Island county, and celebrated their goklen wedding in 1886; Simon B. resides here, and two died in infancy. In 1842, Simon B. Spencer set out for the west, arrived in Elmira, May 19th, and worked for his brother Isaac at eleven dollars per month. Early in 1843, he revisited Vermont, returned in the fall with his father, mother and elder sister, and completed the Spencer settlement here. From 1844 to 1848, his health did not permit him to engage in any kind of work. In the spring of 1852. he purchased the southeast quarter of section 2. and here has since been an agriculturalist and stock-grower. The forty acres which he entered in 1843, on section 14, he still holds, together with seven acres of coal land on section 16, eighty acres on the west half of section 2. and his residence in the village of Osceola. He belonged to the Union League (1861 65), has always been republican. but is content with going to the polls. In religion be is a Baptist.
Isaac Spencer, born in Vermont in 1812, came to Peoria in 1835. and to the northeast quarter, section 10, Elmira township, in 1838. and subsequently purchased more lands, all of which he improved, his steam flouring mill being one of the early industries of the county.
Sturms Family .- Much has been written of this family in the sketches of Osceola and Tonlon townships, as well as in that of this township. Again in the general history many references are made to them. For the purposes of this part of the chapter, the following notice of the family is given: Louis Sturms, who came to LaSalle Prairie, Ill., about the period the first settlement was made in Essex township, came to Spoon river about 1834; in 1835. visited what is now Elmira township, remained some time, but returned to Ohio. Matthias Sturms, who came in September, 1834, brought with him his wife and ten children, thus giving a population at once to this part of the wilderness. In the history of the Methodist Episcopal church throughout the county, many references are made to this pioneer, for in his cabin were held the first Methodist services north of what is now Wyoming, in this county. Among his sons were Henry S. (not Henry Sturms, who settled here in 1838), Nicholas, who was a juror in 1539, Samuel, Matthias and Simon. Of this number, there were assessed in 1539, Matthias, junior, Henry S., Samnel and Nicholas. Henry S. was married to Miss Osborne in Ohio, and brought his wife with him, as his sister, who married John Kirkpatrick, brought her husband with her in 1834. Another sister married the pioneer - Peter Pratt. Matthias Sturms died in February, 1862, aged seventy-six years; but prior to this time the old people had passed away. The records of the cemeteries all around Elmira and in the township contain the names of this family, oven as the marriage record tells of the beginnings of other families of the same name.
John Turnbull, commonly known as "Uncle John." was born in
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 23, 1806. His parents, Robert and Ellen (Brydon) Turnbull, were also natives of Scotland, the former (a soldier under General Elliott) participated in the siege of Gibraltar, and, after his honorable discharge from the British army, married and engaged in farming in Scotland until his death in 1809. Uncle John, in his boyhood (aged 83 years), served eight years as cowherd for Thomas Stavart, subsequently had charge of a flock of sheep, and in 1826 removed to Lochcanon, Rosshire, where he was shepherd for Adam Scott on the Tullich farm, serving for eleven years. During this time, on February 22, 1834, he married Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver. On June 14, 1837, he and wife sailed from Greenwich for America, landed at Chicago, September 1st, moved in a few days to Joliet, and thence, in February, 1838, to Osceola Grove. Here he purchased a squatter's claim of 160 acres for twenty-five dollars (on section twenty-one) the same year: subsequently purchased it from the United States, and has made this his home ever since. He added 120 acres to his original purchase, and has followed farming and sheep-raising here since 1838. He takes pride in the fact that his first vote was cast for Ilenry Clay. "I lost it," says he, "but he was a grand old man." U'nele John has been justice of the peace for over thirty years, was supervisor for three terms, and school director for a number of years. He was one of the original members of the United Presbyterian church here, and one of its most earnest supporters since organization. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull never had chil- dren, but by adoption reared a number of nephews and nieces, namely. Thomas Rule, married, living on the frontier; Will Rule, married, a resident of lowa : Jane Rule, deceased, and Anna Rule, married, resid- ing in Iowa. The two orphans, Mary and Matthew Phelan, were raised and educated by " Uncle JJohn" and his wife; also, they reared Il. HI. Oliver and William B. Turnbull, giving parental care in eachi instance. Mr. T. is one of the most honored members of the Old Set- tlers' association, the annual meetings of which he attends. In polit- ical matters he is republican, versed in all public subjects, and now. in his eighty-first year, a synonym for health and vigor.
John G. Turnbull was born in Dumphrieshire, Scotland, December 20, 1828. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Graham) Turnbull. re- sided in Roxburghshire so early as 1799, for there the eldest son, Thomas, now deceased, was born. Of their six children, all born in Scotland. John G., of this township, and Sophia, married, residing in Bureau connty, survive. The family settled in Canada in 1837, moved to JJoliet, III., in 1838, where Margaret Turnbull's mother and two brothers were attacked and carried off by some disease, and were buried there. During the following winter the survivors of this party moved to Ehnira township, the father purchasing a farm on seetion twenty-two. Here there were five more children born to them, among whom are Robert, married, in Page county, Ia. : James, married, a citizen of Missouri : Adam, married, of Fremont county. la. ; George. deceased. In politics Robert Turnbull. Sr., was democratic, in relig- ion an Old School Presbyterian. He died in 1874, and later his wife. who for years shared all his disappointments and successes, followed
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OF ELMIRA TOWNSHIP.
him to the grave. John G., when of age, purchased 160 acres in Burean county. In 1859 he married Miss Helen, daughter of Matthew and Catherine (Temple) Scott, natives of England and Scotland, re- spectively. Mrs. Scott was a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Elliot) Temple, natives of England, her father being a physician, who on graduating moved to Newcastleton, Scotland, where they died. Mat- thew Scott. her father, was a shoemaker of Roxburghshire, and re- sided there until his death. Mrs. JJ. G. Turnbull came to the United States with a cousin in 1858, and. as stated, was married in 1859. She is the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz. : Thomas R., widower, residing here; Margaret J., married, residing in this township; Anna, Henry, Charlie, Cora, and Irvine, all residing at home. In 1860 Mr. Turnbull owned 240 acres in Bureau county, and from that year until 1873 made his home there. He purchased 702 aeres additional in Elmira township, where the family took up their residence in 1873. lle began life's battle as a farm laborer, now owns 942 acres of fertile lands, and one of the most elegant homes in the county. While his wife and some members of his family are members of the Presbyterian church, he is not a member of any society ; but his moral and financial support is given freely to all Christian organiza- tions. ( Vide lustory of township.)
William II. Turnbull was born on the line of Roxburghshire and Northumberland, bordering on England, February, 1809; was married to Miss Mary Hume, of Roxburghshire, in 1837. He came to the United States in 1852, stopping in Oswego county, New York ; in 1853 came to Henry county, Ilinois, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In October, 1859, death claimed his beloved companion, from which time he made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oliver. On September 14, 1886, while the family were all quietly resting in sleep, little dreaming of the destructive element consuming their dwelling. they were suddenly aroused by the crackling flames. Only by the greatest efforts of Mr. Oliver was his body rescued from the flames, but so badly burned that death resulted in twenty-four hours later. Hle was the father of seven children, two of whom died in early childhood-one in Oswego county, New York, and the other at Elmira. Four sons and one daughter survive him. Two sons are Presbyterian ministers, one now pastor of a thriving church in Detroit, Mich., and the other of one in Nova Scotia, Canada. One son lives in l'awnee City, Neb., and the other is in Chicago.
William Turnbull, born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, came to Stark County in 1850, died July 12, 1882.
Archibald Vandyke, son of Jacob and Alice (Craven) Vandyke, was born in Bucks County, Pa. annary 10, 1806. His brother Charles was also born m that county, April 12, 1814. The father, Jacob, was born in Pennsylvania, October 6, 1764, the mother was born in Penn- sylvania, May 17, 1773, of which state her parents. William and Alice Craven, were residents, but natives of Holland. Jacob Vandyke was a stone-mason : Archibald, his son, learned the tailor's trade, and with his brother Charles, are the only representatives of a family of nine children. Archibald was married in March, 1835, to Martha, a daughter of
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BIOGRAPHIY AND REMINISCENCES
Abram and Martha Slifer, both natives of Pennsylvania, but of Ger- man and Welsh descent. That year, with his brother, he engaged in moreantile business in Bucks County. Pa., but in 1836, he moved to Osceola Grove, located 160 acres, and farmed and worked at his trade here until the lands were placed on the market, when he entered his claim. Archibald and wife have no children of their own, but raised four, namely : Anne Sweet, deceased ; Orsinus Sweet, Carlos Newman, deceased ; and Emma Leonard, married and living in Minne- sota. In 1874 he soll his lands at the Grove, moved to Kewanee, es- tablished a private boarding house, but on the death of his wife in 1877, sold his Kewanee interests, returned to Elmira, and resides with his brother. In polities he is Democratie, and for over fifty-four years has been an earnest member of the Baptist church. Charles Van- dyke married Eleanor, his brother's wife's sister in April, 1836, and the same month came to Illinois with his brother. After a stay of a few months at the Grove he returned to Pennsylvania, where he left his newly-wedded wife in April, engaged in agriculture there until 1811, when he revisited Elmira, purchased eighty acres, to which, within a few years, he added 240, and cultivated this tract until 1875, when he sold the farm, and purchased sixty aeres a point south, to which he has added 126 acres of choice land. Of their eight chiklren five are living, namely : Abram, of Osceola Township; Theodore, single ; Charles H., single ; Alice, married, residing at Osceola, and lames H .. residing here. Charles Vandyke has always been a far- mer. In politics he is Republican like his sons. Adeline Condelle has been with the family over forty-tive years. Since 1845, Charles has been prominent in the public affairs of the township, and like his brother has always been a leading member of the ok! Baptist church. Socially. the family hold a high place, and are noted for their hospital- ity. They have in their possession a Welsh dictionary, a China bowl. center table and clothes chest, brought to America in 1738.
Charles and Ellen (Sliper) Vandyke settled at Spoon river in 1836, the same year of their marriage, when they erected their cabin. laid the puncheon floor, put in an old-fashioned fire-place, swung the crane, hung on the kettle and opened up in grand style, with one table, font chairs, one bake-kettle, one mush-pot, one bed, a rolling-pin, a hickory broom, two stout hearts and as many full grown appetites. The Van- dykes' golden wedding took place April 21, 1886.
Hewes Hhite, one of the pioneers, was the father of Wells White, born at Mansfield, Pa., June 7, 1836, came with his parents, Hewes and Anna (Williamson) White to Illinois in 1837 and settled at Osceola in 1838-9. Howes White carried on blacksmithing there until 1847, when the family moved to Toulon. Here the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1876, leaving three sons and five daughters. Wells White carried on the wagon, carriage and blacksmith business which his father established at Toulon. He married a Miss Hill, of Michigan, to whom a son and a daughter have been born. This son, Frank, is also the head of a family. his wife being Miss Mary, daughter of JJohn Johnson, of Toulon.
CHAPTER XVIII.
ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
IIIS division of the county was settled in 1829 by the Essex ... family. in whose honor the name was given to it in 1853. by Calvin Eastman, Henry Breese and T. F. Hurd, the com- missioners under the act of 1851 for dividing the county into townships. Essex forms the center of the trio of Stark's southern divisions. It is a full congressional town- ship; but owing to the fact that the vagrant Spoon river and rambling Indian creek selected it as a special section for their wandering's, the area under cultivation is not of equal extent. The population in 1880, including part of Wyoming village, was 1,452, the village claiming 434. The villages of Duncan, Slackwater. and Stringtown form the leading settlements. Moulton on its northern border, and Massillon on its western border long since passed away, and their sites were plowed over by the modern husbandman. Princeville township, adjoining on the south, was settled by Daniel Prince, in 1822, but the family of Stephen French was the first there. Miss Esther Stoddard taught the first school ; Theodore F. Hurd was the first male teacher. Rev. Robert Stewart, a Presbyterian, was the first preacher, while the first death was that of Isaac Essex's father-in- law. Princeville village was platted for W. C. Stevens, in 1837, where the Presbyterian church of 1834 was built. Monica is a new village. About the time the first settlers came into this district of Spoon river, the Indians were residents. Subsequently they moved some miles westward and did not return until 1830, when they remained a few years. At this time the forest presented its huge trees without under- brush, with Indian trails stretching out in every direction.
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