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 70
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Mrs. T. R. ( Metinnis) Cupperune, born in Chester county, Pa., in 1810, moved with parents to Ohio, where, in 1832, she was married to A. Corbin, who died in Knox county, III., in 1839. In 1836 the family came to Knox county. In 1842 she was married to T. R. Caperune, and with him moved to Boyd's Grove in 1850. She died at Milo in May, 1885.
Mrs. George Cushing, mother of M. P. Damon, of Wyoming, died at Bradford in March, 1886.
James B. Doyle, one of the men connected with the bond forgeries, was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary, by Judge Blodgett. in Juno, 1881. Judge Bangs, General Henderson and Martin Shallen- berger defended the prisoner.
V. P. Dator, born at Claverack, Columbia county, N. Y., Decem- ber 5, 1822, is the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Rowe) Dator, whose ancestors date their settlement on the Hudson to the first Dutch colo- nies there. His grandfather, also Philip, served throughout the War of the Revolution, and was discharged as a commissioned officer. In 1839 W. P. Dator entered mercantile life in New York City ; returned home after some time, but in 1844 resumed mercantile life in Wayne county. N. Y. In 1849 he married Miss Emma Loretta Soverhill, and subsequently was engaged in farming and store-keeping in that state until 1857, when he sold his interests there, came west, and settled in Marshall county, Il., where he was an agriculturalist for some years. In 1865 he removed to Tiskilwa. Bureau county, and in 1869 to Brad- ford, where he has since carried on a large general store. and in 1873 established his lumber yards. As shown in the official history of Bradford and in the sketch of the schools, he has taken a full share of the honors of official life. Also in the Masonic and Odd Fellows' his- tory his name finds a place, while in that of the Baptist church Mrs. Dator is mentioned. Of their children, Anna is the wife of William P. Phunmer, postmaster at Bradford ; Elizabeth married Lyman Allen, of Johnson county, Neb .; Hattie J. married F. P. Wright, now of Furnas county, Neb .; Sarah is the wife of A. J. Green. a jeweler of Oxford, in that county, while Jennie resides with her parents.
Mrs. Timothy (Girein) Driscoll, while proceeding with her family to visit friends in Bureau county. was thrown from the wagon and re- ceived such injuries as to cause death, January 15, 1882.
Mrs. Ennue 21. Fink, a daughter of Abram and Esther Phenix; born in 1864 ; died in October, 1885.
Patrick Finnigan, an old settler, died January 20, 1880, aged 92 years.
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OF OSCEOLA TOWNSHIP.
Wesley T. Foster, born in Maine, March 31. 1844, is the son of Alfred and Fanny ( Wiggins) Foster, both natives of that state. In 1853 the family came to Bradford. The father engaged in farming, on lands which he purchased, in connection with his trade of shoe- maker, and so continued until his death in 1871. Of their five children. there are living: Charles A .. carpenter, of Burean county : Stephen, of Osceola : Wesley T., of Bradford ; and Nathan, a farmer of this town- ship. Wesley T. may be said to have been raised and educated in Stark county. In 1861 he entered in the Ninth Ilinois Cavalry, roën- listed in 1864 and served fifty-one months, until mustered out as ser- geant in December, 1865. Returning to Bradford he engaged at the carpenter's trade, and has been so engaged down to the present time. In 1866 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Samnel and Ann E. Shaw -the former a native of England-the latter of Rhode Island-who settled in Illinois in 1\40, where their daughter was born. In politics Mr. Foster is Republican. He has held the office of village trustee for eight years, and collector for one year. In religious affairs he supports the Protestant Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member, and in society matters is a member of the Blue Lodge and Grand Army Re- public Post.
Otis Gardner died February 22, 1850, aged 72 years.
Charles F. Hamilton, editor Bradford Independent, was born in Armstrong county. Penn., May 16. 1837. His great grandfather left Ireland at the age of sixteen years, and came to New Jersey before the Revolutionary war. He raised a company of scouts and served as captain during the entire war of the revolution. His grandfather was born in New Jersey in the year 1787, where about the year 1809 he married a Miss Willis. His father was born in Essex county. N. J., in the year 1511. His grandfather moved from New Jersey to Arm- strong county, Pa., with his family, and thence to Marshall county, Ills., in 1955, where he died in 1876. Mr. C. F. Hamilton's father married Miss Sarah Callen, of AArmstrong county, Pa .. in 1836. Moved with his family to Marshall county, Ill., in 1548, but returned to his Pennsylvania home in the spring of 1849. In 1857 he and his fam- ily made a permanent settlement at Sparland, Marshall county. Ill., and there his wife died that year. C. F. Hamilton was educated in Pennsylvania. On coming to Illinois he engaged in school teaching. and in 1862 entered the army. as related in the military chapter and in the history of De Wolf Post, No. 371. Grand Army Republic. After receiving honorable discharge he resumed school teaching at Sparland. Ill., subsequently was in business there. Came to Wyoming in 1880, and here was engaged in the boot and shoe trade for fifteen years. In 1885 he established a boot and shoe store at Bradford, and in June. 1885, founded the Independent, of which he is owner and editor. In 1858 he married Miss Anna, daughter of Martin and Margaret Harmon, of Sparland. Marshall county. IN. Mr. Harmon came from Germany to Lacon, Marshall county, Ill., in 1855, and to Sparland in 1857. To this marriage ten children were born, of whom nine are living: three are married, namely : C. Il., who married Miss Echth, daughter of the widow Clarke, of Bradford ; George B., married Miss Delia Aldrich,
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
of Ingersoll, Canada ; and Miss Lillian married Walter A. Washburn, of Bradford. A reference to the political and press chapters, as well as to the history of Toulon and Essex townships, and Wyoming village. will point out the part Mr. Hamilton has taken here.
Miss Jennie Hartley was accidentally killed by falling from a buggy in February, 1879. Nothing created such sorrow since the death of Geo. Pettit, under similar circumstances.
Thomas Wesley Harmon, born in Stark county. December 10. 1851, is the son of John and Margaret (Dunn) Harmon. John was the son of Nathaniel and Ann (Bennett) Harmon, natives of New York, where he was also born. Margaret was the daughter of William and Barbara Dunn, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. Harmon received his education in the district schools of this county, and January 12, 1872, married Miss Calista O., born here December 23, 1853, daughter of Ste- phen D. and Julia (Drawyer) Breese. and granddaughter of Henry and Sarah (Johnson) Breese, of Pennsylvania, and of John and Rachel (Ilall) Drawyer, of New York, pioneers of Stark county. In 1875 he purchased 80 acres on section 30, which he sold in 1876, and purchased 160 acres on section 31, where he has made his home since. Always a farmer, this tract shows the results of his taste and skill. For the last nineteen years he has also been interested in the sale of threshing machines and corn shellers. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon are the parents of six children May, born October 14, 1872; Earl, born December 31, 1873; Havs, born October 16, 1875; Clande, born March 25, 1878: Julia, born July S, 1883. and Wesley, born July 13, 1886, four of whom are attending school. Mr. Harmon has served as school director for five years. In politics he is a Republican ; in religious matters, non- denominational, but an earnest supporter of all Christian and benevo- lent associations. ( Vide History of Township.)
William Harvey, son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Hall) Harvey, was born in the township of Ehnira, one mile north of Osceola village, Novem- ber 16, 1840. His parents were both natives of England, the father being a grocer and tea dealer of Derby, and the mother one of the Halls named in the history of Elmira township. In October, 1861 William enlisted in Company F, Fifty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; was wounded at Corinth, October 4, 1862. and received hon- orable discharge. He remained in the South after the war ; was in the United States mail service From 1869 to 1876, when he returned to Stark county and established his drug store at Bradford. He married Miss Mary, daughter of Frank W. and Sarah Jane (Harris) Anthony. of Jackson county, Mich., to whom three children were born -Joseph H., Frank A. and William (. She is a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Harvey is a member of the Fifty. seventh Regimental Association and Dickerson Post. G. A. R. (Vide Chapter on Elmira.)
Georg L. Haskins, born at Harford, Cortland county, N. Y., March 26, 1541, is the son of George and Ruby (Edminster Haskins. both natives of New York. George Haskins was the son of Anthony and Jernsha ( Daigler) Haskins, both natives of Massachusetts. Anthony came to America in 1778, with two brothers, Clifford and Paul, and
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established an optician's store at Springfield, Mass., now conducted by Smith & Lesqeureanx. Anthony had a family of eight children. three of whom still live, namely: William. of Potter county, Pa .; George, of Milo, Ill .; Washington, of Potter county, Pa. George Haskins has been engaged in farming since his boyhood. He was married in New York in February. 1838. Of his nine children, four are living. as follows: George L., of Lombardville; William W., of Milo, a soldier of the late war: Mary J., wife of James F. Malette, of Boyd's Grove, Ill., and Norton B., residing at Adele, lowa. George llaskins removed from New York, in 1865, to Milo, Ill. Here his wife died in 1879. Anthony Ilaskins' wife was born at Taunton, Mass., died in Pennsylvania at the age of ninety-six years. Ruby, wife of George Haskins, was the daughter of Henry and Mary E. (Barnes) Edminster, of French and English extraction. George L. Haskins, at the age of nineteen years, enlisted in the Thirty-fourth New York Infantry and served his Mull term, from Ball's Bhiff's to the close of the war. After being mustered out he returned to Illinois, and locating at Milo engaged in farming. He was married in Cortland county. N. Y., September 19, 1864. to Miss E. J. Shapley, a native of New York, daughter of O, and Phe- linda (Phelps) Shapley, both natives of Pahnyra, N. Y .. the children of soldiers of the Revolution. He removed to this county in 1869, and now resides at Lombardville. In polities he has ever been a Repub- liean. Ile has held the office of constable for sixteen years, was also school director at Milo. Of Mr. Haskins' two children, one is living- - William F. He is a charter member of Dickerson Post, G. A. R., at Bradford.
Mrs. Thomas Horan died at her home, near Lombardville, Sep- tember 19, 1886, leaving tive small children-one an infant but a few days old. She was buried in the Bradford Catholic cemetery.
John Lackie, born at Barnett, Vt., December 6, 1823, is the son of Ambrose and Betsy (Wadell) Lackie, both natives of Vermont, the ancestors of whom were of Scotch origin, coming to America at an early day. John Lackie spent his younger years on the farm with his father. In 1844 he came to this county. purchased land in Osceola soon after his arrival and was engaged in farming here until 1550, when he visited California, where he remained three years, a part of the time engaged in mining and also was employed in running saw mills. On returning he settled on the land he had purchased before going to California, and resumed farming and stock-growing. lle was married in 1855, to Miss Sarah Fall, a native of Ohio, whose parents were natives of New York. To this marriage three children, two boys and one girl were born, of whom Lizzie is the wife of W. House. a farmer of Bureau county. In politics he has ever been a Republican. As a marked appreciation of the respect and confidence in which he is held, he has held the following offices : supervisor, justice of the peace and school director for years. In the fall of 1882 he was elected rep- resentative of this district. lle is a member of the Masonic society. but in church affairs non-denominational. (Vide general township history.)
Emily M. Lewis, widow of R. B. Lewis, of Lombardville, and
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daughter of the late E. IL. Lombard, died near Philadelphia, Pa., July 24, 1885.
Francis J. Liggett, son of William and Ann (Maderia) Liggett, was born in Warren county, Ohio, May 30, 1854. This William, a native of Virginia, came with his parents to Ohio when he was but little over one year of age. His (William's) parents were engaged in farming in Ohio, where his father died very suddenly, leaving the mother to raise the family. William was the youngest child of a family of six children ; was born in Harrison county, Va., June 25, 1806. After his marriage to Miss Ann Maderia. November 15, 1842, they remained on the old homestead in Ohio until the fall of 1854, when they sold their interests there, and proceeding to Stark county, IL .. purchased a farm of 200 acres in Osceola township, upon which they settled. The country at this time was a wilderness, but with the wolves and deer as their most numerous neighbors, they braved the dangers of a pioneer life and built themselves up a home. Mr. Liggett died April 23, 1875. Mrs. Liggett still resides on the homestead. She was born February 3, 1822. and although she is now in her sixty-fifth year, is strong and active. Of the nine children living at Mr. Liggett's death, one has since died. Francis, whose name heads this sketch, is the oldest child. In his eighteenth year he joined Company B. of the One-hundred-and- twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and proceeded with the company to Peoria. September 18, 1862. Ile participated in thirteen engage- ments, among them being Franklin. Nashville, Atlanta, Cleveland, Ft. Anderson, and Goldsborough. At Cleveland, Tenn., September 18, 1863, he was taken prisoner and suffered all the horrors of Belle Isle and Andersonville. In the summer of 1864 he made his escape from Andersonvile, and after many weary weeks of travel by night. . and hiding in the forests and swamps by day. he entered the Union lines in Georgia, during the Atlanta campaign, and joined his old com- rades. Nearly starved, he was in no condition to perform military duty, and was sent home on a furlough. During this visit home he married Miss Katie Long, daughter of Alexander and Nancy Long. born at Zanesville, Ohio, January 27, 1843. Her father, a Pennsyl- vanian. came to Ohio at an early day, later to indiana, and thence to Hlinois. Remaining here some time, they moved to Nebraska. where they still reside. At the close of the war, Mr. Liggett purchased a farm near Bradford and erected a fine residence where he still resides. On December 28, 1875, Mrs. Liggett passed away in the thirty-third year of her age, being an invalid for several years. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter, of Bradford. March 11, 1880, Mr. Lig- gett married Miss Millie, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Biddle) Ilamilton : was born near Philadelphia, June 24, 1845. Her parents, natives of Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1847 and settled at Osceola. in Elmira township, where Mr. Hamilton died August 17. isto, in Ins sixty-fourth year. Mrs. Hamilton now makes her home with her daughter. Mrs. Liggett, and is now in her eightieth year. Mr. Liggett still resides on his farm near Bradford, where he owns 120 acres of choice lands, and formerly owned real estate in Iowa. Social- ly, he is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Bradford ; politically, he
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OF GOSHEN TOWNSHIP.
has always been a Republican, and has held several township offices, among them being that of collector and assessor, the latter he held for ten years. IFe is a man who is interested in all works of a progressive nature, and his home is a model one.
George W. Longmire, son of George and Sarah ( Haines) Longmire. was born in Indiana. September 19. 1824. His parents were natives of North Carolina, where his grandparents, Joseph Longmire, a native of the north of England or Scotland. and Mary, his wife, a native of Scotland. had settled with his great-grandparents. George, father of G. W., was a soldier of 1812. He was the father of thirteen children. seven of whom are living: James and Joseph. near Olympia. W. T .: John, in Iowa: George W. and David IL., in Illinois: Sarah, in Ne- braska. and Leonard. a ranchman in California. George W. Longmire received his education in the district schools of his native county, and taught school there for two terms, and for one temi in this State. Also read medicine in Indiana, and gave that seience two and one-half years study. He married in this county Miss Thankful Elston. May 21. 1854. This lady is a daughter of Jesse and Hannah Elston. natives of Pennsylvania. To this marriage seven children were born. of whom five are living : Sarah, now Mrs. J. Harmon, of Penn Township: Byron. residing here: Frances E., now Mrs. Hosea Harmon, of Osceola: Homer. a farmer of this township, and Laura, wife of Adna Whitcher, of Osce- ola During the war Mr. Longmire was a Republican in polities, and member of the Union League ; but now may be classed among the independent voters of the county. For twenty years he has served as school director, has been township clerk, and commissioner of highways for some years, and altogether a very useful citizen. His farm embraces the northeast quarter of section thirty-five, and is a model one in its arrangement and improvements. Mr. Longmire is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Bhie Lodge of Masons, Bradford: but beyond the support which he freely gives to Christian churches, his name is not Found among church members.
Catharine Me Nulty, relict of James MeNulty, died at her home near Bradford, October 31. 1886, and was buried at the Camp Grove. She was born in Canada, of Irish parentage. was married in the Domin- ion. and in 1868 she, with her husband, came to Illinois and settled in this section. where she resided up to her death.
John A. Mielkey. son of John and Wilhelmnenia (Comb, Mielkey, was born in Prossia, February 26, 1836, of which country his parents were natives. his father serving in the German army at the defeat of Napoleon. His death occurred January 3, 1852, being over sixty years of age. John A. is the second child of a family of three. When he was eighteen years of age he came to America and landed at Quebec, proceeded at once to Detroit where he was taken sick, and for a month was compelled to remain at the hospital. After his recovery he came to Chicago and began working on the Chicago. Rock Island and Pittsburg Railroad. On January 19, 1561. he mar- ried Mrs. Elizabeth, daughter of John and Nancy (Arnokl) Vanscoyk, who was born in Crawford county. July 19. 1826. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of Carolina. The former, when
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one year of age, came with parents to America and settled in Ross county, Ohio. In 1835 Mr. Vanscoyk was foully murdered by one of his neighbors. This was in Mossville, Peoria county, where he settled some four years before. He left six children. of whom Elizabeth was the third. At the age of sixteen years she married Mr. Simeon Sprague. with whom she lived ten years, when death parted them. By her first marriage she is the mother of three children. Nine years later she married John A. Mielkey, as before stated. After this marriage they farmed m Peoria county for six years, when they removed to Osceola township, where they purchased a farm and began its improvement. Four children have blessed their union : Julius A .. John A., Lillie M. and William E. They have always been hard workers. and as a reward of their labors they now own 120 acres of the choicest lands in Osceola. about three miles from Bradford. In political matters Mr. Meilkey is bound by no party ties.
II. R. Mokeler was born at Wilmington, Will county, IN., March 27, 1861. is the son of J. F. and his wife Elvina Mokeler, the former a native of Boston, Mass., the latter, a native of Philadelphia, Pa. J. F. Mokeler was a graduate of a college in the East, but subsequently learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he has been employed down to the present time. Ile came to Illinois at an early day, was married at Naperville, and had a family of ten children, all of whom are living. HI. R. Mokeler received a common school education, learned blacksmithing in his youth, and has followed the trade since he was able to labor. lle moved to Bradford in 1880. In 1885 he commenced business for himself. He was married April 22. 1886, to Miss Lydia Foster, daughter of Charles Foster. Politically he is a Democrat. socially, a member of Bradford Lodge, No. 517 1. O. O. F., but is not a member of any church.
James M. Morris, son of James and Zada (Grimes) Morris, was born in Greene county. Pa., March 24. 1837. Ilis parents were farmers of that state, who in 1845 moved to Guernsey county, but in 1853 moved to Ross county, Ohio, where they were engaged in agriculture until retiring from active life. Of their children. John resides in Mar- shall county, Il. : James M., here ; William. in Hamburg, Iowa; Mar- garet. wife of Eli Wilson, also of Iowa : Maria, wife of William Morgan. of Ross county, Ohio. The mother of this family died in August. 1851, and a year later the father remarried. To this second marriage six children were born, five of whom are living. James M. passed his early years with his father. At the age of fifteen be left home to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he has ever since followed success- fully. In 1856 he moved to Peoria, IL., worked in the old - Peoria ('ity Shop," eighteen months, when he moved to Valley township, and was a blacksmith there until 1861. In this year he enrolled in the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, served three years and twenty days in that command, reïnlisted in Fourth United States Volunteer Company G. and served until mustered out as sergeant March 9, 1866. Returning. he married Miss Henrietta K. Little. a native of Massachusetts, April 15. 1846. This lady is the daughter of Dr. David and Susan B. Little. both natives of Ireland and both practicing physicians. At the time
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of her marriage Miss Little was a school teacher. In 1852 she attended Bennett's Eclectic Medical College. Chicago, graduated in March, 1884, and is now one of the leading physicians of that school in Chicago. Their children are John L., a painter and musician, of Chicago, and James C., attending school at Bradford. Mr. Morris visited Kansas in 1-71. homesteaded 160 acres and resided there until 1874, engaged in Farming. From 1875 to 1885 he carried on his shops at Bradford. Renting them that year he moved to Chicago, but returning in the spring of 1586. resumed charge of them, where he is engaged in black- smithing and manufacturing. In politics he is decidedly Republican, a member of the Blue Lodge, and of the Grand Army Republic Post at Bradford, and although not a church member. is a friend of all churches. ( Vide history of Bradford for official and social record.)
.1. B. Morse, who carried the mail between Bradford and Tiskilwa, and subsequently to Senachwine, moved to Gage county. Neb .. in 1s81. It is alleged he was found guilty of murdering his wife in 1ss5.
Harmon Phenix, banker of Bradford, was born near Wilkesbarre, Enzerne county, Pa., January 20. 1834. His parents-John T., born in 1792. and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix-were natives of Delaware county. N. Y. The former was a captain of militia in his native county and was the son of Peter, one of two brothers who emigrated from Scot- land. John T. Phenix moved with his wife and family to this county in 1035. his children being Daniel B., a farmer of Penn township: Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Sturm, of Osceola; Nancy, wife of Solomon Geer, of Boulder county. Col .; Mary C. married HI. II. Drawyer: Abram Phenix, of Bradford, and Harmon Phenix. The father of this large family died in 1867. and was interred in Franklin Cemetery, Osco- ola township. Up to his death he held membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he was connected since his marriage. The first home of the family here was in Tonlon township, on what is now the "James Montooth Farm."
Harmon Phenix was little over one year old when his parents moved here, so that he may be considered as one who grew up with the county. Apart from his academical course, at Paw Paw, I'll .. his education was received here, and all those practical lessons inculcated. which have borne to him such rich fruit. At the age of twenty-four Years he entered mercantile life: in 1862 established his store. and in 1×69 moved to Bradford. where, with C. W. Phenix, he has built up a large and increasing business. In 1ss1 the banking house of Harmon Phenix & Co. was founded here. In 1864 he married Miss Emeline Libby, born near Stanstead Plain. Sherbrooke, Quebec province, Can- ada. Of their children, Oscar is a student at Chicago; Lillian C., Naney L., Daniel I. and Elbert reside at home. Mrs. Phenix is a member of the Baptist church, as shown in the history of that society. In the pioneer and political chapters of the general history, and in the sketches of Toulon and Osceola townships, the intimate relation of the Phenix family to Stark county and her townships is fully related.
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