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 60
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Samuel Diron was born in Jackson county, O., in 1830. He was the son of Lemuel and Rosanna (Graves) Dixon, with whom he resided until twenty-one years of age, when the family came to Stark county. Here he married Miss Cox, and at once entered on farm life for him- self, in which he was industriously engaged until February 16, 1865, when he enlisted at Peoria, and at once went into the field. While in the service he contracted such diseases from hardship and fatigue as to warrant him a furlough. While en route home he sank to rest at Mich- igan City, Indiana. Ilis remains were taken home, and as related in the history of Wyoming cemetery, rest in this county. Of their three children, Maria is Mrs. J. MeCorkle. of Wyoming; Martha J. is de- ceased. and Lemuel is a resident of Essex. This family has played an excellent part in the progress of Essex for over thirty years.
"Aunt" Rosanna Diron, one of the pioneers of the Wyoming dis- triet, died at Peoria in September, 1885.
Philip F. Earhart, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ritz) Earhart, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., November 18, 1830. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where his father was engaged in farm-
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ing and at times worked at the cooper's trade. In 1831 he moved to Ohio, and settling near Columbus, followed farming. Hlere, in 1844, he passed to his last long sleep, and in 1850 was followed by his wife. Philip is the sixth child of their family of nine children. After his mother's death he worked by the month for his brother for about a year. He then being twenty-one years of age. came to Illinois in 1851. He came to Stark county and began as a hand for his brother-in-law in the summer and attended school in the winter. On February 21, 1853, he married Amanda F. Sheets, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Weigal) Sheets. This lady was born April 11, 1834. Her parents were natives of Virginia, who removed to Indiana, and thence, in 1836, to Illinois, settling in Essex township, where they remained until death, Mr. Sheets dying in 1880 and Mrs. Sheets in 1874. After his marriage Mr. Earhart began farming. In 1868 he purchased eighty aeres on section 17, where he still resides. Three children came to his home, all of whom still live-Lavina S., Emma S., and Alva M. On July 9, 1864, Mrs. Earhart, having been in poor health for a number of years, passed away, being then in her thirty-first year. On September 7, 1865, Mr. Earhart married Miss Lucretia d. Dolison, a daughter of Andrew and Dorcas (Long) Dollison, born November 3, 1843. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio, and in 1856 to Illinois, when they settled in Stark county. Later they purchased a farm in Peoria county, where her Father died in 1871, being then fifty-five years of age. Iler mother now makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Earhart, and although now nearly seventy-one years of age, is quite active. Two children have been born to them -- George F. and Jay M. Politically Mr. Earhart is a Republican. He has held the offices of supervisor, assessor, collector and school trustee, which he has filled with eredit to himself and profit to the township.
Mrs. Eliza Edwards, wife of E. J. Edwards, born in Pennsylvania in 1837, died in Essex township. June 18, 1880.
Isaac B. Esses. the pioneer of Stark county, was born in Virginia in 1800, moved to Ohio, and thence to Peoria, Ill., under Rev. Jesse Walker, the Methodist itinerant. In 1828 he selected his home in this township, and settled here permanently in 1829 with his family. In 1831 his parents. Thomas and Elizabeth Essex, their four sons, their daughter, Mrs. David Cooper, and her husband, arrived. The father, Thomas, died at David Cooper's house on sec. 10, May 15, 1853, and the mother, Elizabeth. January 26, 1853. Thomas Essex was born in Virginia January 13. 1771, and Elizabeth, his wife, in 1773. Joseph. brother of Isaac B., died in 1876, as related in the history of Toulon ; Thomas resides in Peoria county, David is in California, Isaac B. moved to Dongola, Ill .. John remained in the district, also Mrs. Cooper, while William moved to Knox county. Whether to eredit the state- ment that Isaae B. Essex joined the Mormons to Mr. Baldwin, of Peoria, Capt. Haacke, of Peoria, Martin Shallenberger, of Toulon, or an old record of Mormon circuits in Illinois, the writer cannot deter- mine. It is certain, however, that the statement was made on what appeared to be good authority. At the close of this volume a complete sketch of the Essex family and of their settlement in Illinois is given.
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Thomas Esser, born in Virginia in 1803. is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bowen) Essex, natives of Maryland, came with the family to Spoon River in 1831, and settled near Wyoming. In 1834 Thomas Essex bought his present home in Richwood's township. He served in the Black Hawk War, being the only one of the family named in that connection. Mrs. E. Essex resides at Muscatine, lowa.
Philip Fast, who died in 1856, had' one son, Daniel, who served in Capt. Brown's Company K. Forty-seventh Illinois. The widow of this pioneer and mother of the soldier-Mrs. Mary Fast, was granted a pension of $8 per month, to date from 1862, in February, 1885.
Mrs. Jane (Fairchild ) Frail, born in Luzerne county, Pa., in 1815, died in Goshen township, this county, February 25, 1882. She mar- ried Barney Frail, in 1833, and both moved to Stark county, IN., in 1835, making their first home near Wyoming, in what was " Moulton City."
James M. Estep was born near Fairfield, Ia., February 7. 1842. His father. John Estep, died there two years later, and his mother. Sarah Whittington, returned with her family to Peoria county, Ill .. and resided there several years with her brother. In 1849 or '50 she married Christian Miller, and with them James M. made his home. At the age of eighteen years he became a farm laborer and for nine years gave his attention to this work. When twenty-seven years okl he married Miss Elizabeth. daughter of George and Christina Springer. This lady was born in Essex township. in 1849. and resided there until her marriage in 1868. The six succeeding months they resided in Peoria county, and then moved into their small house in Essex, which has given place to present home. Their original farm of eighty acres has been increased to 160 acres with all improvements. In polities he is democratie, but above party when a man or measure deserves his confidence. Only two children came to their home, Jennie V .. deceased, and Anna N. He is indeed a self-made man, and of that intelligent class, too, whose friend is always a friend.
George Fautz. was born in Germany, March 9, 1812. His parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Stacer) Fautz, came to the United States about 1818, settled in Perry county, Ohio, moved thence to a point near Lancaster, Ohio, where the mother died in 1867, and the father died in 1869. George remained with his parents until the age of twenty- one years, when he married Miss Sally Springer a native of Ohio, whose parents came from Virginia some years before. In 1841 Mr. Fautz came to Stark county, while the wild prairie stretched ont in every direction. Ile located 160 acres of prairie, breaking some acres that year and planting his first erop of corn. The tract he increased to 346 acres which he sold in 1883, and moving to Duncan, established his large hardware and grocery store there. Of his family of twelve children, nine are living. Six of the nine have gone westward to seek their fortunes. Ellen is Mrs. Wheeler, of Dunean ; AAndrew resides in Essex township ; Malinda is Mrs. Turner. of Princeville. Peoria county. A reference to the history of the United Brethren church here tells that Mr. Fautz was one of its first members and always prominent in every effort to build it up to its present importance. In politics he is
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republican. a strong temperance worker and a man very much respected. He came here when he had to drive his cattle and haul his grain to Chicago to find a market : and remembers driving his hogs to Peoria receiving $1.25 per 100 pounds, for hogs that weighed 200 pounds and upwards. 150 pounds and upwards, seventy-five cents per 100 pounds. and under 150 pounds $9 per dozen. At Chicago the butchers reserved the hide and tallow for their pay. while he sold the meat at $1.50 per 100 pounds. Letter rate at that time was twenty-five cents. With all the hardships and small rewards attending the early labors hore, he raised and educated a large family. and took a full part in every move- ment tending to improve the moral and commercial condition of his county.
Joseph Friedman, son of Ignatz and Theresa (Geotz) Friedman, was born at Baden, Germany, in 1819, where his parents died a few years later. At the age of twenty-two years Joseph came to the United States, and for three years labored at Pittsburgh, Pa. : there be mar- ried Miss Caroline Krisenger, daughter of John and Clara Krisenger: she was also born at Baden, and came in 1847 with her parents to Pittsburgh. Some time after their marriage they settled within fifteen miles of Buffalo, N. Y., and worked by the month there until 1852. when they came to Valley township, Stark county. III., and purchased a farm on sec. 31. At this time there were not over twenty families in Valley : wolves and deer were numerons. In 1857 he purchased 160 acres in Essex, built his home there, and has been identified with the progress of Essex for thirty years. His first tax payment was 95 cents, now increased to over 8600 annually. Of their family, JJohn is in Peoria connty, Joseph C. at home, William C. also here, Sophia and Lizzie are numbered among the dead, Caroline resides here. The family are old members of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Fried- man is decidedly independent, voting always for the best man and best measures. lle was a member of the anti-horse-thief association and lends his aid to every project for the advancement of virtue and the detection and punishment of vice.
Mrs. Lucinda Gingrich, widow of Daniel, is the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Gathney) Porter. She was born in Westmoreland county. Pa .. in 1822: in 1823 moved to Richland county. O., when nine months old : her father was engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods while there. In 1834 he removed with his family to Decatur. Ill .. and engaged in mercantile business. This Daniel Porter was a soldier of 1812, who was honorably discharged on account of illness. and resided here until his death, in his forty-fifth year. Mrs. Lncinda Gingrich married in her twenty seventh year. Her deceased husband, Daniel Gingrich, was born in Franklin county, Pa .. in 1808, where his father. Christian, was a farmer and cabinetmaker. They came here, as related in this chapter, in 1837. To his marriage with Miss Porter tive children were born : Alvorado A .. a graduate of Abmgdon College. now a farmer here ; Daniel P .. in Kansas ; Estella D .. now Mrs. J. Addis, of Stark county: Ophelia C .. now Mrs. Arthur Hotchkiss. of WaKeeney. Kan., and Violetta A., deceased. The father, Daniel Gingrich, died August 20, 1885, in his seventy-seventh year. His first wife, Miss
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BIOGRAPHIY AND REMINISCENCES
Coleman, died December 16, 1849, leaving four children, three of whom are living, as previously noted in this chapter. In political life he was an ardent Democrat. For years he was commissioner of highways here. A reference to the township history will point out the various varts taken by this family in the building up of Essex.
.I. E. Gingrich, son of Daniel and Polly (Coleman) Gingrich. was born in Stark county May 14, 1840. In early years he worked on the home farm, attended the primitive schools, and studied at home. At the age of twenty-nine years, he married Miss Harriett, danghter of Silas and Elizabeth (Broek) Caskey, of Ohio, who moved to Illinois about 1863; was married in 1869; remained on home farm one year; then the young couple removed to their present home near Duncan, where their five children, Florence M., Allan A., Violla D., John J., and William W., were born. His brother, D. HI. Gingrich, is interested with A. E., and resides in the same house. The family, in all its parts, have been prominent in everything contributing to the agricultural interests of Essex, and indeed of the connty. In polities. democratie; vet party considerations generally give way to the claims of candidates whose characters are reproachable.
Mrs. Nancy Graces, the widow of Thomas Graves, and the daugh- ter of Nathan and Ann (Dixon) Cox, was born in Ross county, Ohio, in the year 1826. Iler parents were respectively from Virginia and North Carolina. Their respective parents removing to Ohio, they became acquainted and were married. Some twenty-five years after their marriage they removed to Stark county, Ill., in 1836, and started to build the first mill in Stark county. It was on Indian creek, and was used for many years. In 1840, Mr. Cox, after a brief illness of bnt two weeks, passed from earth in his fifty-sixth year. For three years after her husband's death, Mrs. Cox remained at the old home, and there followed her husband to the last sleep, in her sixty-fourth year. They were both prominent among the pioneers of the county, and highly esteemed. Their family consisted of ten children, five still living, four of whom are in Stark county. Mrs. Graves remained with her father and mother until her father's death. In 1841 she was mited in marriage to Thomas Graves, the son of John and Elizabeth Graves. lle was born in Chatham county, N. C., in 1816. When eight years of age, his parents removed to Ohio, where he received a common school education, and in 1840 came to Stark county, where he met and married Miss Nancy Cox. Some eight years after their marriage they remained upon the farm of her father until 1850, when they removed to seetion 23, Essex township, where since then the family has resided. On the 12th of December, 1876, after several years of failing health, and but nine weeks confined to his bed, he died. He was a man prominent among the progressive and enterpris- ing farmers of the township, and one who was known only to be hell in high esteem by all, and it is to such men that the real progression of Stark county is owing. Since her husband's death, Mrs. Graves has remained on the homestead, where she still resides with five of her children. Her family consisted of ten children, William H., in Essex township; Martha L. (Mrs. Riner Duncan); Lorenzo D., Armourdale,
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Kan .; James H., in Essex; Mary A. (Mrs. J. II. Moran), widow at home: Franklin J. in Essex; Harriet E. (Mrs. A. J. Smith), Essex ; Forney L., Essex; Hermie Augusta, Essex; and Archie L, Essex. Mrs. Graves has reared a family of useful citizens, and is considered one of the county's foremost women.
James Graces, one of the oldest settlers of the county, was born af. Chatham. N. C., January 6, 1818, his parents, John and Elizabeth (Freeman) Graves, being natives of North Carolina and Virginia re- spectively, and their ancestors natives of Ireland. John was born in 1789, was married in 1813, moved to Ohio in 1821, died there in 1844. His widow eame with her son James to this county soon after, where Mrs. Graves died in 1875, in her eighty-first year. Of her twelve chil- dren, nine grew to manhood and womanhood, six are living and five reside in this county. James Graves was married in 1842 to Miss Maria, daughter of John and Mary (Waters) Francis, who was born in Ross county, O., in 1820, her parents being of German and Irish ori- gin. She remained at her father's home, but being a good spinner was always a welcome guest and helper at the wheel throughout the neigh- borhood. While with Mrs. Graves, Sr., the friendship which led to her marriage was formed. In settling in Essex, Mr. Graves and his brother purchased fifty acres on credit. This small beginning has grown into an excellent farm of three hundred acres, fully improved and equipped. Of his children, Mary, married S. Cox, is deceased ; B. F. Graves : Ma- tilda is now Mrs. G. A. Thomas, of Chicago: Frances, now Mrs. M. R. Cox ; Malinda A., now Mrs. HI. L. Crone; Amanda, Austin and John, deceased. This family has been closely identified with the county for over forty years, and has always been on the side of progress.
Joseph S. Grares, son of John H. and Amy (Wilkinson) Graves, was born in Vinton county, O., in 1833. Until twenty-three years of age he assisted on his father's farm and attended school. At this age he was appointed teacher in charge of the district school, and for three winters was engaged in teaching. In 1856 he accompanied his father to Stark county, located, and purchased the one hundred and sixty acres on which he now resides, and in the course of a few weeks re- turned to Ohio. In 1861 he revisited this township, but did not come to reside here until 1863. In 1865 he began to improve this farm, and has since made his home here, transforming the wild land into one of the most fertile tracts in the county. On December 12, 1867, he mar- ried Miss Mary J .. danghter of Theodore and Elizabeth Whitten, a native of Lieking county, O. This lady came to Stark county with her parents in 1855, and was one of the early teachers in our schools. A few months after this marriage they assumed the work of house- keeping on their farm in the same house which has been recently re- built. Their children are: Carrie E., John W., Amy E., Theodore, Alva L. (deceased), Marion R. and Alice M. The mother, when a young woman, united with the M. E. church of West Jersey, while Mr. Graves united with the Christian church in Ohio. Ile is decidedly Republican, was a member of the Union League in the time of the Rebellion, and always foremost in supporting what seems just as well as what promises the greatest good to the greatest number.
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Jacob Graces, born in Vinton county, O., in 1834, is the son of John and Amy (Wilkinson) Graves, John Graves was born in Ohio, of North Carolina settlers. His wife was daughter of Jacob and Amy (Brady) Wilkinson, also North Carolina settlers of Ohio. The Graves family resided in Ohio until 1864, when they came to Essex, and pur- chased a farm of 160 acres, but some time prior to this John pur- chased lands here for his sons. Mrs. Amy Graves died here in 1878. Of their children. Mrs. Annie Rateliff has since died: Joseph S .. Jacob. Mrs. Amy Bamber, of West Jersey, Mrs. Alma Whitten. of West Jersey, are all residents of Stark. In 1884 Mr. Graves sold the homestead, and has since made his home among his children. A member of the Christian church since childhood. he has opposed secret societies. He was a Whig and Abolitionist, and since 1856 a Repub- lican. Jacob Graves was raised and educated in his native county. At the age of twenty-two years he married Miss Sidlay A .. daughter of George and Mary (Bouyer) Barnett, of Ohio, natives of Pennsylvania, and whose parents came from Germany. George Barnett and wife moved to Guernsey county from Pennsylvania, and thence to Vinton county, where the wife died in 1855, leaving twelve children. of whom Mrs. Graves was the youngest. The father died there in 1876. Jacob and Mrs. Graves resided eight years in Ohio after marriage. In April, 1864. he enlisted in the One-hundred-and-forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served round Richmond, City Point, and Petersburg until expiration of term, when he returned, and in a few days set out with his family for Illinois, entered on improving his farm, and raised it from the wilderness to be one of the finest tracts in Essex. Of their eleven children, Mrs. Mary A. Fantz, is in Kansas : Mrs. Lneinda A. Shebel, Elba V., Smiley R., Stanley S., Lyman S., Iulia E., Clinton E., Elton O., Emery R., and Jennie E., all residents of Essex. The father of this large family holds a Grand Army membership. As assessor of Essex for six years. the board of equalization has never changed one of his figures : as supervisor, his associates never negatived one of his propositions, and in all political and social connections his precision and adherence to truth have brought him into the esteem of every one.
Lemuel Gruces died in September, 1878, aged sixty-four years. He came here in pioneer days with six brothers.
Argelon Gruces died September 26, 1856. The burning of William Graves' daughter, while trying to save her father's barn from fire, near Duncan, April 25. 1879, was one of those dreadful afflictions which draw forth the sympathy of people.
Jerome Graves and his wife, Lucie De Lent, both former residents of Essex, and the latter formerly a teacher in Essex and West Jersey townships. were married at Beaver Dam, Wis., February. 1885.
James Hartley, son of Edmond and Mary (Morris) Hartley, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1827, immigrated in 1851, and shortly after settled at Trivoli, Ill .. and worked by the month until 1854. when he came to Essex with Mr. Ingram, and jointly purchased 160 acres. In 1856 he married Miss Ann Mellor, settled on his purchase of 1854. and entered on the work of reducing the wilderness, and how well he suc-
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OF ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
ceeded is shown in the fine farm he left his family at his death in 1871. Of his children, Edwin resides in Essex: Mary A., now Mrs. John Duckworth, of Valley : William II., Walter J., and Clara, residing at home. Sarah J. and Eliza II. are numbered among the dead. In early years Mr. Hartley became a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and died in communion with that society.
Mrs. Jun Hartley, widow of James Hartley, was born in Royton. England, in 1837, where her mother Mary ( Holland) Miller, died m 1889. Her father, Joseph Miller, was a weaver, and m the cotton factories made the acquaintance of Miss Mary Madden, whom he mar- ried. About 1846 the family immigrated. settling at Crookville, Pa .. but within eighteen months returned to England. Soon after the parents of Joseph and Mary (Madden) Miller died, and again they sought America for a home ; coming in 1851, they obtained work in the woolen mills at Crookville, came to Peoria in 1852, thence moved to Trivoli, and ultimately settled at Wyoming. Mrs. Hartley accom- panied her parents in their travels until the age of seventeen, when she began work for herself, and at Trivoli worked for a consin of James Hartley, where she met her husband, and was married in 1856. Since his death she has not only managed the farm, but also increased the original property to nearly 600 acres, and is today considered one of the most enterprising and successful business women in the whole Congressional district.
II. Ingram was born in Kentshire, England, in 1926. His father. William, and mother, Margaret, died there. At the age of ten years Mr. Ingram hired out as a butcher's boy. Eleven years later he emi- grated to the United States, staying a short time in New York and at Chicago, and settled at Peoria, where he found work at $$ per month. Some years later he came to this township in company with James Hartley, he purchased 160 acres, on which he worked with a will and soon added a house to the few then in this section of Stark. Two years later he married Miss Jane, daughter of Edmund Wrigley, and sister of the banker. John Wrigley. This lady was born in England. but came to America with her father and family as related in their family history. For three years the young people lived in a small house on section 12, then moved to Wyoming, where Mr. Igram estab- Jished the first meat market. The year the C. B. & Q. was completed to Wyoming he resumed farm life on section 12. where Mrs. Ingram died in 1578. Of their six children. Emma is Mrs. C. Mc Millen, Charles, Harry. Fred, Jesse and Nellie reside in the township. In November, 1882, Mr. Ingram married Miss Laura Strange, of Peoria. born at Fishkill, N. Y., in 1844: lived in Ohio with her grandmother until 1860, when she joined her parents in Peoria county. In agricult- ural and fine stock affairs Mr. Ingram is truly a representative man. lle is one of the 100 men who own the records of the Devon Cattle AAssociation, and in local matters takes a leading place among the stock-growers of the district. His home is evidence of all which thrift and labor may accomplish. In politics he is Republican.
Jared Jones, son of Henry and Nancy (Moss) Jones, was born in Jackson county, Ohio, in is17. His father, a Virginian, moved
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BIOGRAPHIY AND REMINISCENCES
to Ohio at the age of sixteen years with his grandfather, and served in the war. and soon after married Nancy Moss, of Pennsylvania, who settled in Jackson county, Ohio, with her family. Henry and Nancy Jones made that State their home until their death. Jared Jones married Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael and Hozanna (Waldron) Sollars, in 1836. This lady was born in Jackson county, Ohio, in 1818, where her parents, Virginians, had settled. After this marriage they settled on a farm which they purchased. In 1838 the farm was sold and the young people coming to this township, purchased their first homestead in the west, where they have since resided. While in Ohio Mr. Jones joined a volunteer company enlisted to protect the frontier from Indians, and on coming here was ever ready to become a member of protective organizations against the white savages engaged in horse- stealing and claim-jumping; but notwithstanding all his vigilance he had to pay for his land three times to meet the demands of the old claim sharks. Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, ten are living. David, John, Nancy, Ann, Hozannab, William, Sylvester, Michael M., Sarah, James A., Christopher (deceased), Lydia J., Laura (deceased). The father of this large family was for years a Democrat, but recently gives his support to the prohibitionist cause. His wife and he are members of the United Brethren church, opposed to secret organizations, but always ready to aid any object of a beneficial and progressive character.
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