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 61
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Abner Kerns, son of William and Mary (Drummond) Kerns, was born in Ross county, O., in 1824. His father was born December 25. 1800, of Pennsylvania settlers in Ohio. About 1823 he married Miss Drumond. a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Kerns) Drummond, born in 1807. In 1855 this Family came here, purchased a farm and resided until the death of William, on September 13, 1873. His widow is still among the okdl settlers. Abner Kerns shared his parents' labors and fortimes until his twenty-eighth year when he married Miss Amer- ica, daughter of Daniel Watts, born in 1828 of Kentucky settlers of Ohio. Prior to this marriage Mr. Kerns often drove cattle across the mountains to Baltimore and New York cities and after marriage engaged in stock-growing. his wife superintending the farm. In 1871 they moved on their farm of 160 acres, one mile south of Wyoming. Of their seven children six are living: Mary J., Emma. Frank A., Fred, Harris and Hattie. Alice is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Korns have always supported the Methodist church of which his aged mother is a respected member. Hunself and boys are decidedly Republican. His farm of 560 acres he has transformed into a garden-spot, and there erected a commodions house, the center of much that is pleasant and instruetive in that neighborhood.
John Leffer, son of John and Frances (Wilkinson) Leffler, was born in Stark county. September 6, 1850. His father was a native of Ohio. where the Pennsylvania Lefflers settled at an early day, came to Illi- nois in 1849 and hore married Miss Wilkinson. Six weeks later. Janu- ary 1. 1850, he died. His widow, daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Wilkinson, whose history is given in this chapter, still resides here. John Leffler, jr., married in his twenty-ninth year, Miss Anna,
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519
OF ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
daughter of Jesse and Lutitia Boblet. This lady died March 12. 1881. leaving one child, Nora Leffler. His second marriage with Miss Ella, daughter of Isaac and Martha Nicholas, was celebrated March 3. 1886. Her parents, natives of Ohio, came here with their parents, were mar- ried here and made their home here since. Mr. Leffler has built up here one of the best farm houses in the county, and around it a fertile farm of 175 acres. In politics he is Democratic. His publie sympathy centers in school matters and at present he is clerk of the school board of his district.
Jesse L. Moffitt, son of Josiah and Jane (Stuart) Moffitt, was born in this county in 1844. Josiah Moffitt was born in Ross county. O., in 1808 where his parents, John and Lydia (Cox) Moffitt. natives of North Carolina, had settled. Up to his twenty-first year Josiah Moffitt's educational advantages were very limited. In 1829 he married Miss Jane, a daughter of John and Ann (Carney) Stuart, who was born in Derry county. Ireland, in 1813. She came with her parents to New York in 1817. and in 1820 moved with them to Ross county, O., where her mother died shortly after. Her father moved to Stark county. purchased a farm and resided here until his death in 1865. Josiah Moffitt and wife were engaged on their Ohio farm until 1836, when they took up 160 acres in Essex and made their home in the west the log cabin being without doors and windows, Indians prowling around. and in the absence of the disagreeable but then innocuous savage. wolves presented themselves. The nearest market was Peoria. Here the young wife was often left to protoet her four children. Josiah died in 1885, but this pioneer lady still lives with her son (Jesse). now in her seventy-third year. At one time she, with her sister, were lost on the prairies, and did not find a landmark until the following day. Jesse Moffitt remained on the homestead which be added in improving. In 1879 he married Miss Sarah Arganbright, born in Ohio in 1860. where her father still resides. Their children are Fred. Ada B. and Harley M. In society matters Mr. Moffitt is an Odd Fellow, in politics democratic, and in all public enterprises enterprising and liberal.
Jolm Il. Ogle, son of William and Lucretia (Butler) Ogle, was born in Stark county in 1840. His father was born in Ohio in 1810. His mother was born in Vermont the same year, and with her parents omi- grated from Vermont. They were married in 1835 and shortly after came to the wilderness of Spoon river, engaged in agriculture until 1856 when they moved to Toulon, where Mrs. Ogle is today a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and William one of the leading cit- izens, as related in the history of Toulon and in the general history. John H. spent his youth as other pioneer boys. In his eighteenth vear he entered Rock River Seminary, and. after a full course engaged in school teaching in Stark county. In his twenty-third year he mar- ried Miss Diantha W .. daughter of Job and Diana Shinn, the father being a Virginian and the mother a native of New Hampshire. Of seven children born to this marriage, six are living: William S .. Lucretia D., Mary E., Laura. Diantha, John C. and Marcia (deceased). Mrs. Ogle, the mother of this excellent family, died September 7, 1850, In 1882 the widower married Miss Anna, daughter of Hugh and Ann
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
(Galbraith) Winn, born in 1843, to whose family full references are made in the histories of Goshen and Toulon and in the general history. To this marriage two children were born : Robert and Maggie R. In religions matters Mr. Ogle is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in society matters a member of the Blue Lodge at Tonlon, and in all township and county affairs an interested and just exponent of the cause of right. His farm of 611 aeres, in Essex, is considered very valuable and well improved-all the work of his own hands.
Henry M. Rogers, son of William and Eleanor Rogers, was born in Westchester county, N. Y., May 9, 1816. His father, a blacksmith, was born there in 1775, died in 1842, and his mother born in New York in 1778, died May 4, 1852. Henry M. in early life was engaged at several trades, among them a lake sailor. At the age of twenty- three he migrated to Peoria county, purchased land there and was a day laborer for some time, in order to raise money to make a payment on this land, but with all his labor he was compelled to borrow. paying lifty per cent interest. In 1844 he married Miss Amelia. daughter of John and Frances Evans, established their home in Peoria county. and resided there until 1857, when they moved to Stark and built up, so to speak. the Rogers farm, one of the finest in the county. After a most useful life he moved to the old settlers' higher home in 1878. For six- teen years he was supervisor of his township, and a most able member of the county board. A reference to the township history, and to the society history of Wyoming, will convey an idea of the part he took in public affairs. Since his death his widow, assisted by James T. Rogers, has had charge of the estate, and resides there with three of her children - the survivors of a family of six. The lady is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of the Eastern Star Chapter, and prominent in all benevolent or charitable associations where woman's work is needed. James T. Rogers has taken the active management of the estate since his father's death. Like him, he is democratic in politics, and in other respects follows closely in the footsteps of that excellent old settler who left the county forever in 1878. John Evans and wife were natives of Maryland, but okl residents of Virginia, where he died in 1850. Two years later his widow moved to Peoria county. where she died September 12, 1864. Of their eleven children only four are living. Mrs. Rogers being the only one in this county. She came to Peoria county in December, 1840, with her sister's family. engaged in weaving there until 1844, when she married Mr. Rogers.
John Scott died at his home, five miles south of Toulon. August 20. 1852. He was born in New Jersey March 17, 1821; married Miss Phobe Ann Trowbridge in 1848, and in 1863 moved to Stark county.
Benson Sherman Scott, of Duncan, an earnest Sabbath school worker, died March 2, 1882, aged fifty-three years.
Peter Sheets, one of the first settlers of Essex township and the son of Henry and Katherine Sheets, was born in Germany in the year 1786. When but a child his parents came to Pennsylvania, and several years later removed to Virginia, and thence after years removed to Indiana. where at an advanced age they both died. Peter made his home with his parents until his marriage in 1813. His bride was Miss Elizabeth
521
OF ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
Weigal. a native of Pennsylvania, her parents being Germans. For twenty-three years after their marriage he made his home in Virginia and Indiana, starting in the latter state on a new place which he im- proved and put in a flourishing condition. In 1836 they turned their steps toward the new West, and having purchased a traet of nearly new land, he began at once to make improvements. Living in an old log- house for several years, he in 1838 erected a square-topped barn, which still stands in a good state of preservation and is yet one of the best barns in the vicinity. In 1842, Mr. Sheets, endowed with the spirit of enterprise which always characterized him, erected the first and only native stone house in the county. The pine for the finishing was drawn by wagon from Chicago. The house is vet a good house and long will stand as a moment to its worthy builder. Ever prominent in every matter which promised to advance the interests of his county. lending a helping hand wherever he could, he and his faithful wife ·spent many happy years together until 1874, when death called Mrs. Sheets to her reward, in her eighty-third year. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Sheets. in his ninety-fifth year followed his wife to the last sleep. The joys and sorrows of sixty-two years of married life they had spent to- gether. rearing a family of fourteen children. Six still live, and three in Stark county. Mr. and Mrs. S. were prominent members of the Baptist church and people whom it was only necessary to know to highly esteem. By thrift and good management he had increased his possessions to nine hundred acres of good land. He was a self-made man. William Sheets, the twelfth child, remained in the home of his father until his twenty-second year, obtaining a practical education at the common schools of that time, and at eighteen began teaching a "geography school." which he continued some three winters, meeting with good success. When he first left home he proceeded to Switzerland county. Ind .. and here remained two years. While in Indiana he made the acquaintance of Miss Mahala Houze, who, in 1854, became his wife. She was born in 1836. her ancestors being of German extraction, who came to America at an early date. some of them taking an active part in the war of 1812. her grandmother having an arm broken during a siege of one of the forts, which was so fiercely assaulted by British and Indians that, every man being needed at the front. the women had to act as physicians and attending the wounded, set her arm, which after- ward became strong. Mrs. Sheets remained at home until her mar- riage, having in the meantime obtained a good education and acted as assistant in a school one winter. Some twenty months after their marriage they removed to Illinois, and the following spring, 1856. built upon and removed to a farm of eighty acres on section 17, Essex township, where their home has since been made. Since then his farm has been increased to 243 acres of good fertile soil. Their family con- sists of nine children - Philip A., Susan V., George A., Mary J., Peter U .. William J., Harriet 1. and Nancy M. (twins). Arminda M. The youngest five are at home. Mrs. Sheets is a member of the United Brethren church, as are seven of her children. Mr. S. is in politics a Democrat, but pays more attention to the affairs of his immediate business.
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Henry Springer, the third surviving child of George and Christina (Fautz) Springer, was born on the old homestead December 5, 1847. At the age of twenty-two he married Miss Araminta M. Miller, dangh- ter of Henry and Lucinda (Mills) Miller. This lady was born May 27, 1850, in Princeville township, Peoria county. Her father was a Caro- linian, who in his youth moved with his German parents to Kentucky. and thence to Peoria county in 1837, where he met and married Miss Mills, a native of Tennessee, where her mother died when she was two years old. She was taken care of and raised by a relative at Prince- ville, Ill. From the age of thirteen to the age of twenty-two, when she was married, she labored for herself. After her marriage with Mr. Miller they settled on the old farm. where their thirteen children, nine of whom are living, were raised and educated. Mrs. Springer re- mained with them until her marriage, when she, with her husband, took up her residence on section 34, and built a small house there. Their home is said to be one of the happiest in the county. Of their four children two are living -- John H. and Nellie E. Mr. Springer is republican in polities. For five years he has served as commissioner of highways, and still fills that office.
Mrs. Amelia M. (Emery) Standard, daughter of Henry and Olive (lacobs) Emery, was born in Ashland, O., August 15, 1827. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, was born 1801, and came with his parents to Ohio when but a boy. Her mother, a native of New York, was born about 1805, and when she was a child came with her parents to Ohio. where, in 1822, she married Mr. Emery. Remaining in Ohio, during which time Mr. Emery was engaged in farming. and during the winter he worked at the cooper's trade. In 1834 he came to Illinois, and set- tled in Fulton county, where he followed farming and also followed his trade, shipping the barrels that he made down the Ilinois river to St. Louis. In 1857 he removed to Henry county, and settled in Galva. Remaining here two years, he purchased a farm in Weller township, then moved upon it, began its improvement, and remained here until about two years before his death, when he returned to Galva, where, November 17, 1875, he passed away in the seventy-fifth year of his age ; his wife having preceded him to the grave some fifteen years. Amelia, whose name heads this sketch is the second child of a family of eleven children. Her early life was spent at home with her parents, until November 29. 1846, when she married John P. Standard. His parents were natives of North Carolina. removed to Kentucky, and resided there in the time of slavery. He was a slave owner, but being opposed to slavery he eame north and settled in southern Illinois, and in 1832 they removed to Fulton county. This was about the time of the Black Hawk war, and on one occasion, when an alarm of Indians was sounded, the people rushed From their beds to the fort, but fortu- nately the alarm was a false one. But the Indians at times took the liberty of helping themselves to whatever property they could carry away. Mr. Standard died 1877: Mrs. Standard died 1839. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Standard began farming in Fulton county, and in 1854 came to Stark county and settled in West Jersey township. Two years later they returned to Fulton county, where Mr. Standard
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OF ESSEX TOWNSHIP.
died, October 23. 1856. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five children blessed their union: Evalina, now Mrs. Gus. Hulsizer, of Toulon : Olive M., now Mrs. William Barton, of Iowa; Marcia A., now Mrs. Milo Grillin, of Iowa: Lyman E., now at home ; Thomas II., in lowa. In 1860 Mrs. Standard married Lyman E. Stand- ard, a brother of her former husband, who was born in 1830. In 1862 they came to West Jersey township and began farming. Again, in 1865, she was left a widow ; Mr. Standard's death occurring February 5, 1865, his health having been failing some time. By her second marriage Mrs. Standard is the mother of two children: Jennie M., now Mrs. W. E. White, of Essex township, and Alva A., at home. Mr. Standard, as is Mrs. Standard, was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
In 1875 Mrs. Standard purchased 108 acres in Essex township, and moved upon it, where she has erected a fine residence, about four miles from Duncan. The lady is now in her sixtieth year, and until recently has been quite well and active for a person of that age.
Edward Trickle, Sr., one among the few pioneers of the county now residing here, was born in Howard county, Md .. in 1807. His father. Christopher, died in Wayne county, O., in 1814, while in a fort seeking refuge from the fury of British and Indians. His mother was Mary Wil- son, who, like her husband, was a native of Maryland, and moved with him to Ohio about 1811. Edward married Miss Rebecca Miller in 1833, and their family of two children came to this township in 1836. Stephen, his brother, came from Indiana in 1836 with his wife, Jemi- ma Kinser, and five children : Adam, Thomas, John, Harriet and Rebecca. This Stephen set out for California during the mining stampede via Panama, but was buried in the ocean. Thomas, another brother, settled in Rock Island county in 1836, but moved to Missouri a few years later, where he was killed during the political troubles preceding the late war. Edward Trickle has served his township as justice of the peace and in varions township offices. Of his children, Ennice, Wilson, Rebecca, Martha, Milton, Eliza, Edward HI. and Nancy are living. Milton served in Company F, One Hundred and Twelfth Infantry for three years, and Edward Il. in Company B. Seventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry during the war until discharged in 1865. A reference to the general and township histories will point out more fully the important parts taken by the family in the settlement and progress of the county.
Jefferson Trickle, who died November 25, 1883, was the son of Chris- topher and Mary ( Wilson) Trickle. He was born in Maryland, February 1, 1805: in 1811 moved with parents to Ashland county, O., and in 1837 settled in Essex township, with his wife. Nancy Mason, to whom he was married at the age of twenty-seven years, and two children, Jackson and Catherine Trickle. In 1871 he moved to Wyoming, where his wife died, in August. 1881. Of their four children, two reside here- Mason and Catherine: the latter is the wife of F. F. Brockway. On coming here he purchased 409 acres, which he increased to nearly 1,000 acres before his death.
Mason B. Trickle, son of JetTerson and Nancy (Mason) Trickle, was
524
BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES.
born in this county in 1849. ITis father was born in Maryland, in 1805; moved with his parents to Ohio in 1811; married Miss Naney Mason in his twenty-seventh year ; came to Rochester, Ill., in 1832, and after a short time settled on sec. 21, Essex. Miss Mason was born in Ohio, in 1812. of Pennsylvania settlers in that state. In 1862 these pioneers moved to Wyoming: thence, in 1875, to sec. 7. Essex, where Mrs. Jefferson Trickle died in 1881 and her husband in 1883, as shown in the cemetery records of this work.
Mason Trickle assisted on the home farm or attended school until the age of twenty-one years, when he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Henry and Clarinda Colwell, referred to in this chapter. He began life for himself then, on section 21, where he resided until 1875, when the family moved to their present home, on section 7. The first section on which they resided denoting the age of the owner at his marriage; the second, the number of his children. Politically he is independent. In township matters he has been honored with many offices and is now highway commissioner. The family, on both sides, come of represen- tative pioneers, and like them have contributed in every form to the wealth of the county while building up their own interests.
Sylvester Wilkinson, who settled in this county in 1849, was born October 11, 1842. llis father, Solomon, was a native of North Caro- lina, to which state his people for generations belonged. His mother, Elizabeth, daughter of William Ray, was born in Ohio. In 1849 they came here with their children, making the journey in wagons. Of their children, born in this township, Frances is the widow of John Leffler; Rachel married Aaron Curfman, now of Nemaha county, Kan. ; Charity is the wife of Levi Francis, of that county ; Nancy is also married ; Sylvester, named above; Alonzo and Newton. Sylvester was married here to Miss Euniee, daughter of Jesse Boblett, of Moul- trie county. Ill., who, like her husband, was born in Jackson county. (). They are the parents of two sons and three daughters, namely : Eliza- beth, Everett, Cora and Clara (twins), and Jessie. Mr. Wilkinson has filled several township and school offices, and is a supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. His farm of 360 aeres is among the best in the county, and his stock-breeding establishment always marked by a full line of fine cattle, horses and hogs.
Alonzo Wilkinson, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Ray) Wilkinson, was born in Ohio, in 1844, as stated in the family history in this chap- ter. lle came here with his parents, and for thirty years resided with them, assisting in making and improving the old homestead. In 1874 he married Miss Esther F., daughter of Owen and Sarah (Pierce) Thomas, whose history appears in the chapter on Toulon. This lady was born here in 1855, two years after her father's settlement in the county. Of five children born to them. there are living-Emma R., Cordia N., James P. and Alonzo ; the eldest, Solomon O., is numbered among the dead. Mr. Wilkinson has always been a son of industry. and has succeeded in making a fully improved and fertile farm of three hundred and forty aeres in Essex. In religious affairs the family be- long to the Methodist church, and in political life he is a Democrat. His neighbors know him as a genial, intelligent citizen.
525
GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.
Solomon Wilkinson, born in North Carolina in 1801. moved to Ohio in 1806, married Miss Ray in 1828, moved to Essex township in 1849, where he died April 2. 1885. His grandfather was a native of Ireland.
Thomas Winn, born in Virginia in 1801, married in 1823, and the same year settled at Peoria, came to Stark county in 1834, and died at his son's home (Perry Winn), October 12, 1879.
CHLAPTER XIX.
GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.
RIOR to the organization of Stark county, township 13 north, range 5 cast, was a part of Lynn township. Knox county, and up to 1853 was known as district No. 4, of Stark county, or Lafayette precinct. to distinguish it from Massilon precinct, or West Jersey. Unlike the greater part of the military tract, it was not extensively entered by soldiers; so that when the actual settler arrived he was not surrounded by the uncertainties of title attached to other townships, even in this county. With the exception of the eastern sections, broken by Indian creek, the sur- face is just sufficiently rolling to meet the desires of the agriculturalist. Coal of superior quality underlies the township, but the industry has not been developed to any extent. There are a few prairie tracts, and in the neigh- borhood of Walnut creek, a fertile valley. The streams known as Indian creek and Walnut creek, with numerous rivulets, course through the township; the Rock Island &
Pacific railroad runs almost east and west through its cen- ter : the farms and farm-houses speak of taste and thrift, and altogether the happy name of Goshen is truly applicable. Lafayette, the only village in the township, is a thriving business place, with a population bordering on 350. In 1880 its population was 265, and that of the township, including the village. 1.192. The school, the church and temperance have for years claimed much attention from this people, and the result manifests itself in a thousand conciliatory evidences of intelligence an I prosperity.
The original entries of Goshen, or township 13 north, range 5 cast. with the names of present land owners, are given as follows:
E. B. Ware, n. e. gr. sec. 1; March 9, 1818. Abel Armstrong, e. 40, J. Martin, 120. James Ware, n. w. qr. sec. 1; March 9, 1818. John Martin, n. w. qr.
Jacob Armstrong, e. hf. s. w. qr. sec. 1; Sept. 20, 1852. John A. Maxfield, n. hf. s. w. qr.
Sidney T. Aumick, n. w. hf. s. w. qr. sec. 1; March 27, 1851. D. K. Fell, s. hf. s. w. qr.
Jacob Armstrong, s. w. hf. s. w. qr. sec. 1; Sept. 20, 1852.
Daniel Shattuck, s. e. qr. sec. 1; April 7, 1818. Abel Armstrong, s. e. qr.
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HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
Rubull Parrish, n. e. qr. sec. 2: Jan. 1, 1838. I. A. Maxfield, e. hf .; Ruluff Parrish, w. hf.
Rubull Parrish, e. hf. n. w. qr. sec. 2; Jan. 1, 1838. Ruluff Parrish, e. hf. 73a; J. Fuller, 52 acres; U. C. Brown, 10; Fuller's heirs, 11 acres.
Harris Minor, w. hf. n. w. qr. sec. 2; June 6, 1836.
Elisha Courtney, s. w. gr. sec. 2: Jan. 7, 1818. Amos Bennett, s. w. qr.
Isaac Bingham, s. e. qr. sec. 2; March 5, 1818. A. Bennett, 25 acres; J. A. Max- field, 135 acres.
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