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 75
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Dr. James R. Holgate, son of James and Sylvina (Trux) Holgate, was born September 24. 1541. His early years were passed in attend- ing school or assisting in the home-farm work; but in 1866 he aban- doned the idea of agricultural life, and the same year became a stu- dent of Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he graduated in February. 1869 ; the same year established his office at C'astleton, and built up a reputation that is no disgrace to his family. On April 26. 1876, he married Miss Emma C., daughter of David and Harriet (Biglow) Stimpson. both natives of Canada, and granddaugh- ter of Joseph and Nancy Stimpson, natives of England, of Scotch an- cestry. Harriet Biglow is the daughter of Abel and Amelia Biglow ; the former of Massachusetts, the latter of New Hampshire, who set- tled in Canada. Mrs. Holgate, however, was born in Ragor, N. Y., to which state her parents moved from Canada. Dr. Holgate and wife are the parents of five children, namely: Winser R., Leslie M .. Jane, Reha and Bliss B. In politics he is Republican ; in social matters, a member of the Masonic society and 1. O. G. T .; and in religions mat- ters, while conservatively christian, like his people, is not a member of any one denomination, but a supporter of all.
Edwin Holmes, born April 9. 1832. at Ilyde, near Manchester. Eng- land, is the son of Eli and Maria (Baily) Holmes, both natives of that
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OF PENN TOWNSHIP.
country. At the age of fifteen years he bound himself apprentice to Captain Jacob Giffis, of the ship " Queen." bound for Mobile, and served on the ocean until March, 1849, when he bid farewell to the sea at New Orleans, and by April was at Canton. IN. There he engaged in mining for eight years. He married Miss Salina, daughter of Abram and Ann Savill, all natives of England. In 1860 he purchased land in this county, on which they resided until Angust 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B. One-hundred-and twelfth Illinois Infantry, and aided to make the record credited to that command as given in the military chapter, in which also his own military record is given. lle was wounded at Cleveland, Tonn., made prisoner, hauled to Dalton, Ga., from Dalton to Cassville, thence to Atlanta in January, 1863, suf- fered all the horrors of rebel treatment there, and the even worse hor- rors of Andersonville, to which he was transferred in April. On Sep- tember 28th. the third report of exchange of prisoners was circulated, and this time there was some foundation, for he. with others, was ro- moved to Charleston ; but the rebel scourge was cruel. There the I'mion prisoners were kept under fire of the Union guns, and ultimately moved back into the country to experience the terrors of Florence. AAfter fourteen months and twelve days of the vilest treatment which men could inflict on a wounded and sick man, he was released Novem- ber 30, 1864. The forty acres which he purchased in 1860 now elaimed his attention. This traet he managed so well that he has since added sixty acres to it, and ereeted a substantial residence together with other buildings. In politics he is Republican : in religion, non-denom- inational, but a supporter of christian churches; in society affairs he is a member of James Jackson Post, G. A. R., and for three years past has served as Post Surgeon. In township affairs he has held several offices, and served as director of his school district. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, three are living, namely : Maria A., wife of W. C. Bocock: Mrs. Walter Swetts, of Marshall county ; and Al- fred E., residing at home. ( Vide military chapter.)
Leo July, son of Andrew and Rosanna Julg, both natives of Baden, Germany, was born there March 30, 1835. In 1852 he came to the United States, landed at New Orleans, proceeded to Peoria, Ill .. and there learned the shoemaker's trade. In 1:56 he moved to Woodford county, farmed there one season, resumed his trade at Penola, in that county, where he resided until 1859, when he returned to Peoria, worked there a few months. when he moved to Minonk, Ill., and estab- fishing a shop remained there until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company II. Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He with seven others were captured at Mansfield. La., and shared the terrible ordeal of life in rebel prisons for thirteen months and nineteen days. being exchanged May 29. 1865. There is one bright memory con- neeted with his imprisonment. It was the celebration of July 4. 1864, by 3,500 Union men in prison. One of them read the Declaration. while another brought forth a Union flag, fastened it to a pole, and raised it over the brush wakiup, which they built for shade. The pris- oners cheered Instily, while the guards looked sullenly at the old fag as it floated above a rebel stronghold. In June, 1865, he was mustered
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
out, hurried to Minonk to meet his wife - Miss Ernestina Happert, a native of Oldenburg, Germany, to whom he was married in 1861 - and resided there until 1874, when he came to Castleton, where he has since followed his trade. In society matters he is a member of James Jackson Post. G. A. R., and of the Odd Fellows' society. To Mr. and Mrs. Julg two children were born, both of whom are numbered among the dead.
Michael Kitterman, born in Virginia in 1800, came to Hinois in 1830 and squatted on the site of the Cyrus Brant home, built a cabin. returned to Indiana for his family, but on coming back found his claim jumped. Hle then located where he resided up to his death, in August, 1885.
Alexander Kissinger, deceased. son of David and Mary (Marks) Kissinger, was born at Martinsburg, Pa., in 1821. Ilis father was a native of Reading. Pa., but moved to Martinsburg in 1819, where he carried on a tailoring house until his death, in 1878, in his seventy-ninth year. His mother, like his father, was of German ancestry. Alexan- der Kissinger's youth was devoted to school and in learning the tailor's trade; again, he taught school near Martinsburg, and later engaged in the tailoring business there. On February 23, 1845, he married Miss Nancy. daughter of John P. and Esther (Baker) Snare. and two years after settled in this township. but in 1848 purchased property at Henry. Marshall county, Il., where he followed his trade and dealt in real estate for six years. Returning to this township, he purchased 160 acres on section 20; on which he resided some years, when he added eighty and moved thereon, where he made his home until his death, October 18, 1880. Of his twelve children, eleven are living: Luema. who married Robert Woods, deceased; Charlotte, wife of William Hol- gate; Arthur S .. residing in Osceola; Josephine A., Mrs. John Draw- ver, of Osceola: Frank: Ella V .; James E .: William A., all of this county ; Ida B., wife of Leslie Foster, of Osceola: Jennie L .: Albert D), and Lena L. residing at home. Mr. Kissinger was a Democrat, but in later years accepted the principles of Greenbaekism. In church affairs he was undenominational vet very liberal, and in township matters always earnest, filling several offices as well as being identified with school interests here. His widow resides on the old homestead with three of her daughters and two of her sons.
Thomas Leadley, who came to the United States in 1835 and to Ilinois a few years later, moved to lowa in 1552; died June 1. 1882, aged sixty-nine years. He came here to find his brother and sister. The former died in 1878, the latter in the spring of 1882; not finding them he died himself, in Penn township.
"Auntie MeLaughlin" died at Elmwood. September 21, 1886, aged eighty-three years, and was buried at Camp Grove. Her husband died near Castleton, some years ago, when she moved to Wyoming, and thence to Elinwood in 1883.
James McNulty died at his home, three miles south of Bradford, June 29, 1886.
George W. Miller died at Peabody. Kan., March 29, 1885. He moved to Kansas in 1880.
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OF PENN TOWNSHIP'.
Warren Pettit, died May 4, 1886, aged seventy-four years.
Virgil Pike, who died May 28, 1879; aged seventy-eight years, came from Pennsylvania in 1837 and located on what was afterwards the village of Dorranee, where he resided until his removal to Bradford, shortly prior to his death.
Charles Henry Perkins, born at Ottawa, Bl., August 4, 1851, is the son of William G. and Elizabeth (Lyle) Perkins, both natives of Ver- mont, references to whom are made in this volume. Charles H. spent his boyhood days assisting on his father's farm, attending school, or working in the Perkins coal mme at Osceola. In March, 1872, he visited California, remained one year there freighting and operating a threshing machine. Returning, he was married February 21, 1573. to Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel and Julia A. (Drawver) Brees, whose history appears in the chapter on Toulon township. After this marriage, he engaged in agriculture, and during the winters carried on coal mining. From his boyhood he has been engaged in operating threshing machines, and for the last five years has owned and operated a steam thresher, the first introduced into Penn township. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins four children were born: Sarah JI., December 26. 1874: Lulu J .. November 3, 1877: Ellie E., July 28, 1882, and Henry C., the youngest. In politics he is decidedly Republican, and in re- ligious affairs as decidedly tolerant. Physically, he is above the average man, and his powers of endurance and ability to work have suggested the new proverb. " He has done about as much as Perkins."
I'm. Ryan, born in Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1818; came to the United States in 1847: settled near Camp Grove in 1854; diod JJune 19. 1880.
Henry and Elizabeth (Sharer) Sely, the former born in York State, the latter a native of Indiana. were married in Indiana. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living: John Seely, born in Stark county, III .. March 1, 1836, and Lydia A., wife of Zara Barnett, now of Nebraska On the death of this lady. he married Harriet A. Boardman, and on her death married Almira (. Smith, by whom he had three children, namely : William IL., a resident of Brad- ford: Rose E., and Sophia, living with mother at Bradford. Henry Seely was engaged as a farmer in Indiana until his removal to this State, as told in the general history. He entered 320 acres of land on sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight, Penn. When he first com- meneed farming his nearest neighbors were eight miles away, he being the first settler in Osceola township. Ile at one time was the only stock dealer in the township. He owned the land on which the grove stands. known as " Seely's Point." In political matters he was a Repub- lican, and held several offices : was a member of the Methodist church until he died in March, 1876.
William &. Smith, born in Pennsylvania, February 19, 1829, is the son of Peter and Margaret (Searls) Smith. natives of that State, of German origin. They were the parents of eight chiklren, of whom are living : Catherine, Mrs. Andrew Adams, of this township ; Mary A .. widow of Silas Bunnell, of Bureau county ; Charity. Mrs. George Albright, of Livingston county ; Wm. S., of this township, and Joseph,
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
married, residing in Bureau county, all in Illinois today. The father of this family moved to Bureau county, III., April 10, 1852 ; purchased land there, and was engaged in agriculture until his death in 1860. William S. Smith received a practical education on the farm and in the schools of his district. From the age of eighteen to the close of his twenty-first year he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, but on moving with his father in 1852 he aided him in improv- ing his Bureau county farm; subsequently he worked at his trade there until September 17, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-second Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, serving steadily with that command until September, 1864. In the spring of 1865 he married Miss Elizabeth D., daughter of Thomas and Elvina Cole, natives of Virginia, but early settlers of Illinois, where their daughter was born. After this marriage he moved to Wisconsin : in two years returned to Burean county, and four years after settled at Castleton, being engaged at his trade all the time, and since coming here in blacksmithing and manufacturing. Their children are: William S., a telegraph operator on C. I. R. R. in Knox county ; Edith M .. Mrs. Walter Eagelston, Keokuk, la .; Lillian M., Rose E., Katie S., and Lawrence E., pupils of the Castleton schools. Mr. Smith is a member of Dickerson Post, No. 90, G. A. R. ; a member of the I. O. G. T. Lodge at Castleton, and both he and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. P. church.
Jolm Share, son of John P. and Esther (Baker) Snare, was born at the old home in Pennsylvania, January 5, 1828. in 1847 came to Illi- nois and located in Penn township. His first land purchase was made on section 12, Toulon, of 200 acres. On March 4, 1854, he married Miss Maria T. Holgate, daughter of Judge Holgate, (whose history is given in this chapter), and to them five children were born, of whom three are living. Wilden P., married, residing inf Toulon township ; Wilna P., wife of Watt P. Mansker, now of Kansas, and Wilbur P., married, residing in Penn township. Since his marriage Mr. Snare has added 400 acres to his original purchase, aggregating 600 acres in Toulon and Penn townships. He has always been a true Republican, a part of the time an unconditional Abolitionist. He was elected justice of the peace for Penn township, but moving to Toulon, did not hold this office, and was supervisor of Penn. Religiously, he is one of the old members of the Methodist Protestant church. and in school work, an carnest friend of the system and conscientious ollieial of his district for years A reference to the history of Nathan Snare, given in the chapter on Toulon, contains much of the history of the family in this county.
James Snart, son of John P. and Esther (Baker) Snare, was born in Huntingdon county. Pa., July 7, 1827. He attended school and worked on the home farm until thirteen years of age, when he was indentured to a tailor, who did not at all suit the young aspirant for this trade, so that he was transferred to the shop of J. M. Cline, also a tailor combined with the calling of a Dutch Winebrenarian preacher. For two years he labored with this man, when he entered the employ of John P. Gable, a tailor and Methodist class leader. Subsequently he worked at his trade at Newburg, purchased an interest in the Kis-
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OF PENN TOWNSHIP.
singer tailor shop. which he held about four years. He married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Amos and Alley (Baker) Clark, November 13. 1545. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother was daughter of Captain John Baker of the War of fs12, who as a private soldier led a forlorn hope against the English, which resulted in the victory for the patriots. For this deed of valor he was commissioned on the field. Mr. Snare continued at the trade after marriage. and also sold goods on commission. For years he was connected with the state militia. held two commissions as First Lieutenant from Governor Johnson of Pennsylvania. Resigning his lieutenancy in the fall of 1852 and selling his business interests, he migrated to this township. purchased sixty acres on section 18, where he resided five years. when he traded his home and tract for his brother's property, and in 1860 moved to his new farm of f18 acres on section 7. to which he has since added 197 acres, giving a total acreage of 315. In connection with his large farm and stock interests he also carries on the auctioneer's busi- ness. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Snare, six are living : Millie J., widow of George MeClyment. now residing at Wyoming; Martha L .. Mrs. Thomas Dryden, of West Jersey : John Charles Fremont. married, resident of Buffalo county. Neb .; Lincoln C., Jesse and James, residing with parents. Mr. Snare's first vote was cast for Fremont. In 1859 he was elected justice of the peace and holds the office down to the present. In 1886 he was elected supervisor. has served as school trustee of Penn, also collector. For over forty-six years he has been a member of the Methodist Protestant church, of which his wife is also a member. During the war he belonged to the Union League. At the breaking out of the rebellion he helped to raise a company and was elected Captain. But as more companies were offered than conll be received. the members of this company went off and joined other companies that were received. For over thirty-four years he has played a complete part in the drama of Stark's progress.
R. S. Saare born in Huntingdon county. Pa .. January 27, 'IT, is the son of John P. and Mrs. Nancy ( Gharrett-Kurfman) Snare, both natives of that State. as related in the history of the Snare family in the chap- ter on Toulon. Mrs. Snare is the daughter of David and Susan (Bar- nett) Kurfman, whose ancestors came from Germany to Pennsylvania. where they were born. R. S. Snare came to Penn township with the family in '47. was raised and educated here, and during his whole life, with the exception of four years, has been identified with the agricultural and stock interests of the county. His first land purchase was fifty-four acres on section eighteen. and forty acres on section twenty-four. His mar- riage with Miss Margaret A. Crum was celebrated September 19, 73. This lady is a daughter of Samuel Crum, whose family history is given in this chapter. To this marriage two children were born, one of whom only is hving. In 'as the family moved to Jefferson county, Colorado, where for three years he was engaged in agrienlture, and for one year traveled, in company with Ins wife, through that country, vis- iting every point of interest, if not every settlement then existing there. While there he served as director of schools, and gave the name
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
-Rockland-to district twenty-three of Jefferson county. In this township he has also served as director of schools. Pohtically he has always been a Republican, and in religions affairs a supporter of the Methodist Protestant Church at Snareville.
Edward Somers, son of Edward and Margaret (Standring) Somers, was born at Philadelphia. August 12, 1834. His father was German and his mother English. The former was a dyer and followed his trade at Philadelphia until his death, where his wife also died a few years after him, having filled the position of head-matron in a hospital there for a number of years. Edward, jr .. passed his early years in a factory, when not attending school. From 56 to '58 he was engaged in agriculture in Clearfield county, Pa , and in Angust, '58 he moved to Illinois, set- tled in this township and engaged in farming and stock-growing. On September 6, '61, he enlisted in Company K, Forty-seventh Illinois, at Peoria. He was wounded at Corinth. October 2, '62, but the moment he felt ready to resine active service reported for duty and shared the fortunes of the command until August 27. '63, when he was honorably discharged on account of wounds. On June 11, 66, he married Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Lovi T. and Ann (Jolison) Ellis, natives of Virginia, where their daughter was born. November 21. '38. This lady died March 16, '76, leaving to her husband's care their six children : Mary E .. born June 10, 67; Levi E., a farmer of Clay county, Neb .; George E., James, William H. and Elizabeth A., born March 16, '76. Mr. Smith married Mrs. Mary (Fletcher) Henderson, May 2, '77. After his first marriage he superintended his grain and stock-growing interests, being unable himself to labor. He is Republican in politics. is a member of James Jackson Post, Elmira ; assisted in the organiza- tion of Jackson Post, is a supporter of the Methodist church, and alto- gether is said to be a man of excellent parts.
Elizabeth Sturm died here in November, 1856, in her seventy-eighth year. She was born in Clermont county, O .; married to llenry S. Stumm in 1831; emigrated from Ohio in 1835 and settled in Osceola Grove, where she lived until recently. Iler husband died about nine years ago. She leaves five children, fifty-one grandchildren, and thirty- nine great-grandchildren.
Mieagy Siger died February 9, 1886, in his sixty-fourth year. Ile came from Ohio in 1841 to Peoria county, and thence moved to Stark.
William II Whitten was born December 25, 1819, in the city of New York, of English parents. His father died before he had any knowledge of him; his mother died in the fall of 1824, leaving two children of which he was the youngest; his sister died in 1844 or '45. the last and only relative he knew of in the world: she left two children, the youngest died at the age of three years, the other, Frederic Ike Leaveroft, lived with him until he was twenty- two years old. when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty- fourth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, and served during the war and was honorably discharged : he (Frederic) is now living in Kansas. In the month of November, 1829, the subject of this sketch was indentured as an apprentice by the commissioners of the almshouse of the city of New York, to Thomas Elliott, a farmer
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OF PENN TOWNSHIP.
of Middletown, Delaware county. N. Y., to learn the art. trade and mystery of a farmer. At the age of eighteen his master died, and he still remained with the family until March, 1841, and got an honorable discharge. In 1844 he married Miss Naney, daughter of Peter and Sarah Weaver. of Delaware county. N. Y .. engaged in farming there until 1:54, when he settled at Pleasant Grove, Osceola township, pur- chasing eighty acres on section 34, where he engaged in grain and stock-growing. In the spring of 1860 he joined the Pikes Peak stampede, traveling from March 22 to May 7 overland. There ho worked in the gold mines, also prospected, all with such success that the $23 he started out with increased to $27 on his return home in November, 1860. In 1865 he sold his Osceola farm and purchased 160 acres on section 3, Penn. In February, 1865, his first wife died and in November of that year, he married Mrs. Ellen Philhower, daughter of William and Sarah Schuyler, natives of New Jersey. To them four children were born: Ira A .. Charles W., John IL., and Fred. A., all residing here or in attendance on school at Bradford. In polities Mr. Whitten is Republican. For six years he has served as justice of peace. was road commissioner for a number of years and also school director. Ile was formerly a member of the old Free Will Baptist church. but now supports the Methodist church of which his wife and some of his children are members. The five children of Mrs. Philhower are : Ann. wife of Rouben Redding. of Nebraska : George, of Springfield, Il .; Sarah, wife of Henry Wm. Budine, of Henry. Ill. ; Jennie, residing here, and Peter, a resident of Bureau county, Il.
(. Wilson, father of Rev. G. T. Wilson. of the M. E. church, died in April, 1883, aged seventy years. He came to Illinois from Ohio over sixty eight years ago.
Lydia White, wife of Henry White, died at Snareville, January 30, 1880, aged sixty-four and one-half years. She was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1815, married in 1832; and came with her husband to Stark county in 1836.
Abrum Zinon. aged seventy-eight years, died October 20, 1875.
In the pages devoted to personal reminiscences and biography, much of the unwritten history of the township finds a place and also many of the leading families an authentic record.
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CHAPTER XXII.
VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
HIE township received its name in 1853 from the commis- sioners appointed to divide the county into townships, under the law of 1551. The prairie character of the soil. and its location. at the foot of the highest divide in the State, sug- gested the name " Valley." The streams credited to this township in the topography of the county form at once a water supply and drainage system. Unlike a regulation prairie tract, deep wells afford a never-failing supply of ex- cellent water, and this, in connection with a most fertile soil, tend to render Valley one of the finest agricultural towns in Hlinois. Throughout the township evidences of thrift and industry are manifest, and it is said that of the 986 persons claimed by the census of the township in 1880. not over forty had the time or inclination to indulge in those crimes which lead the evil-doers before the police justice. justice of the peace, or circuit judge, and this in a township inhabited by people of several nationalities.
The original entries of lands in township 12, north, range 7. east, with the names of the present owners, are given as Follows :
Charles Gibhard. n. e. gr .. . ce. 1: June 3, 1818. David Hickey. Linus Gilbert, n.w. gr .. sec. 1: Aug. 12, 1850. Anthony Ryan.
Samuel D. Sterns, s. W. qr. and s. e. qr., sec. 1 ; Dec. 6. 1817. Julius Barnes,
s. SO. W. McConnell. n. 8O. s. w. qr .. Asahel Wilmot, s. e. qr., see. 1. John T. Engelston. n. e. gr., sec. 2: June 21, 1851. Bernard Colgan.
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