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 78
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Mrs. Sarah Hampson, daughter of David and Elizabeth ( Hearst) Gilworth, of Cawthorn. England, was born there in 1811. where her paternal grandparents, Thomas and Mary Gilworth, also resided, while the maternal grandparents, Joseph and Mary Hearst, were natives of Wakefield. David was one of seven children. At the age of twenty-nine he married Miss Hearst, and to them seven children were born, of whom Mrs. Hampson is the only one surviving. Her father died at the age of fifty-nine years, and her mother died twenty years later. Mrs. Hampson resided with them until 1825, when she moved to Newton- nian, Cheshire, and there, at the age of eighteen, married Henry, son of Newton, and grandson of Thomas and Nancy (Newton) Hampson. For seventeen years sho resided there, and there seven children were born to them, who came with them to America in 1846. The follow- ing eighteen months were passed at Newport, R. I .; the succeeding four vears at Salem, Mass .; thence moved to Yonkers, N. Y., where they remained one year. Meantime the father had visited Illinois and pur- chased a farm in Essex Township, and in 1853 the family came by rail to LaSalle, by boat to Peoria, and by wagon to their E sex farm, where they resided three years. Then the Essex farm was sold, and 160 acres in Valley purchased, which was increased to 255 acres prior to Mr. Hampson's death in December. 1871. Here Mrs. Hampson and family continue to reside. Her children are : Elizabeth, Alice (now Mrs. Ilarris, of Attleborough, Mass .. Mary (now Mrs. Simmons of At- tleborough), Anna ( Mrs. Jackson, deceased), Jane (Mrs. Mills, of Mid- dletown. N. Y .: Sarah (Mrs. Bowes), Charles, and Emeline (widow of Mr. Kelsch), residing here; Martha A. (Mrs. Jones, of Missouri) ;
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
David HI .. of Massachusetts ; Emma M., of New York, all deceased. Mr. Hampson, Sr., was democratic in politics, as his son is today. Dur- ing life he was a most industrious worker and good citizen, and gave to this county a family who have aided in its building up as they shared in its prosperity.
Thomas Houghney, son of Charles and Rosa (McGurk) Heaghney. was born in Tyrone County. Ireland, in 1834. Twenty years later he moved to New York State, where he labored as a farm hand for two years, when he came to Ilinois and worked on a farm here until 1861. In this year he married Miss Margaret Kinsley, of Stark County. rented a piece of land which now forms a part of his estate, and other tracts until 1864, when he purchased eighty acres, residing there in a 12x16 house until his lands were paid for, when he built his present. residence. Mr. Heaghiney has now a tract of 240 acres of excellent farm land, together with several quarter sections in the west. Of their eight children six are living. He has in little over twenty years wrung from labor a just reward, and today holds an enviable place in the es- teem of his neighbors. In religious life he is Catholic, in political life Democrat, and in agricultural affairs a hard worker and close calculator.
Darid Hodges, born in Kontshire, England, February 5, 1822, is the son of Thomas and Mary Hodges, natives of England. As near as can now be ascertained Thomas was married in 1818 or '19, and in 1834 he came to America. and settled at Saratoga Springs. N. Y .; but after a short time moved six miles north of the springs, purchased a farm and engaged in farming. Of their eight children six are living : Matilda, of Worcester, Mass .; Harriet, of Washington county, N. Y .; Edwin, of Saratoga county, N. Y .; Amos, of Page county, lowa; George Il., of Greenfield, Saratoga county. N. Y .; and David, of this county ; all the heads of families. Thomas Hodges remained where he last settled, engaged in farming, until his death, in 1853. His wife survived him until the year of 1880. David Hodges was thirteen years old when he left England. In America he remained with his father, helping to clear the farm. until 1851, when he came to Ilinois, pur- chased land in this county. Returning home he was married in 1852, to Miss Jane Standish. a native of New York, to whom were born Harry, residing with parents, and Joseph, married, of Kingsbury county. Dak. The year following his marriage David settled on the land he had purchased in this county in 1851. building a house thereon. On March 23, 1860. his wife died, and on February 1, 1861, he married Miss Mary Hutchison, a native of Ohio, whose parents removed from Ohio to Illinois about 1851, and settled in Peoria county, where they remained until their death. They are the parents of five children, namely: Otis, Clark, Fred, Frank, and one deceased. The first pur- chase of land Mr. Hodges made was the southeast quarter of section 33, and since that time he has added 540 acres to this. all of which is well improved. He is not a member of any church, but is a liberal supporter of the Methodist church. In politics he is a Republican, takes a great interest in schools, and in all matters pertaining to the public benefit. He has held several township offices, and is at present commissioner of highways.
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OF VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
Charles M. Hull, son of Harry and Sarah (Shaw) Hull, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., in 1836. His father. a native of Ver- mont, was born near the New Hampshire line in 1799, and his grand- father in New Hampshire in 1758. This latter man served through the Revolution, soon after was married and settled in the village of Kane, Essex county, N. Y., where he was an agriculturalist until his death, in '41. his wife dying abont 51. Of their nine children all lived over sixty years, and four are still living. He with five of his sons served in the War of '12. Harry Hull was married about '24, moved to St. Lawrence county about 26, and twenty years later to Wisconsin. In '47 he came to Peoria county : in January, '50, settled in Stark, purchased one hundred and sixty aeres on section 30, Valley, and died here in '79. His first wife died here in '62. In '64 he mar- ried Mrs. Alice Surnberger, of Victoria, Ill., who survives him and re- sides on the homestead. To his first marriage twelve children were born, and to his last, two children. Of the first. six are living : Silas, Charles N., Nathan HI .. John D .. Mrs. R. E. Dickenson, and Mrs. Sarah A. Boutan, of whom Charles N. resides in Valley with Euphra- sia and Catherine, children of the second marriage. Charles IFull shared in the travels and fortunes of the family until '52, when he went to Princeville to learn the blacksmith's trade. In '60 he moved to Osceola and followed his trade there. In '61 he married Miss Calista E. Bales. of Orange county. O .. then visiting her sister at Princeville. On September 20. 62, he enlisted in Company A. Second Ilinois Light Artillery. and was in active service with the battery for thirty-four months without receiving a wound. On returning he worked at his trade until '70, when he removed to his Valley farm, which he had purchased prior to the war. In '76 he established a general store at Stark village, the first business there. In '82 Mr. Speers and he built the grain elevator there; in '84 he purchased his partner's interest therein, and since has carried on his large interests alone. In politics he has always been a Republican. avoiding office. and ever attentive to his own business and the development of his district. ( Vide military and Valley histories.)
George L. Jackson, son of R. and Jane ( Lonsley) Jackson, was born at Marrick. Eng., in 1818. His father was born and lived there forty-four years. Ilis mother was born at Heley, in 1758, married at nineteen years of age, and fifty-two years later her husband died. she following him to the grave in a few years. They came to Orange, () .. in '35 with their eleven children, purchased two farms there, and there died, as noted. George L. came with his parents to Ohio, and en- gaged in farming there until '47. when he revisited his native country for ten months. married Miss Margaret Carse there at Rielnnond, re- turned in '48, and after spending the winter in Ohio, moved to Brin- field, Ill .. where he was engaged in agriculture for eight years, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 28. Valley. In '82 his wife died here. One of her children died in '59, but three still reside here : Thomas C. and George R. on the homestead, and Percy near Stark station. In June. '82. Mr. Jackson deeded his lands to his boys, lived with them until 'S5, when he built a residence near Stark
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
station, and on December 1, that year, married Miss Lydia Danley, of Peoria connty. In politics he has always been Democratic.
Mrs. Judith S. Joh, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Frum) Fur- brushe, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1820. Her father was born on the Island of Guernsey, a French possession, in 1797. Came with the Guernsey colony to Ohio, and here in 1818 married Miss Frum, a native of Virginia. A number of years later the family moved to Preble county, Ohio, and moved thence in 1854 to this county. Peter Furbrushe died here in 1855, and twenty years later his widow followed him to the grave. Of their seven children four are living; Mrs. Joh, however, being the only one residing here. Mrs. Joh remained with her parents until 1841, when she 'married David Joh. David Joh was born in Virginia about 1816. In 1832 he moved with his parents to Preble connty, Ohio, where he met and married Miss Furbrushe. After four years they moved to Butler county, and eight years later settled on a farm in Valley township, of this county, where, after a long illness, he passed to rest in August, 1879. Of their seven children. Elizabeth A. is deceased, lohn A. resides in Kansas, Mary E. is Mrs. II. Martin, of Castleton : Emma S., Mrs. A. Schanck, resides here ; George L., in Colorado : Clara L., engaged in school teaching in this county, and Nellie E., residing at home. Mrs. Joh has been for years a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which her husband was also a member up to the period of his death. She resides on the oldl homestead in Valley with two of her children.
Thomas Kelly died at his home in Valley June, 1884. He leaves a wife and four children. Was buried in the Camp Grove Catholic burying ground.
Gotlieb Klopfer's body was found in the creek near Stark by his son and Michael Heggenberger May 23, 1881. Ile was one of the old German residents of the county, wealthy, but the death of four of his children within a few months preved so heavily on his mind, he was driven to commit the rash act.
Alonzo Kingsley, son of John and Hannah ( Russell) Kingsley, was born in Peoria county in 1839. His father was born at Brattleboro', Vt., in 1815, learned the mason's trade there, and at the age of twenty- one years married Miss Russell, and both came to the wilds of Peoria county, where their family was raised and educated, and themselves have resided. Of their four children three are among the best citizens of the state, and one crossed over the river of time. John Kingsley, the father, was an ardent politician until his sudden death in Novem- ber, 1878. Ilis widow resides on the old home. In 1861 Alonzo mar- ried Miss Hannah, daughter of James and Mary A. Dewhurst, native of Heywood, Eng. This lady was born there in 18+1, and followed her father, who came in 1848. In 1850, with other members of the family, all settled at Peoria, and five or six years later settled in Valley, section 29. There the Dewhursts resided for sixteen years, when they moved to Wyoming. Mrs. Dewhurst, while visiting Mrs. Kingsley in 1880. died. Her husband moved to Oswell, Burton county, Ind., where he died, in 1855. He was a soldier of the late war. Alonzo Kingsley enlisted in Company K, Seventy-seventh Illi-
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OF VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
nois Infantry August 6, 1862. It suffered so terribly on the march that his weight reduced to ninety pounds, so that he was left sick at Ft. Pickering: was honorably discharged. and is now a United States pensioner. His son. James L. Kingsley, resides at home. Two years after his return from the war the family moved to the Dewhurst home. In polities he is Republican, and in works of benevolence and charity always foremost. Mr. Kingsley. Jr., twenty-two years of age, was the first member of the Sons of Veterans in Stark county, was first in the move to organize the Sons of Veterans Camp at Wyoming, and is the commander. He is also connected in Sunday-school work, being superintendent of the Stark Sunday-school. He is also a Republican.
Mrs. Malinda Marlatt, widow of the late George Marlatt, and daughter of Alexander and Betsy (Chatham) Porter, was born in Ga !- latin county. Ky., in 1817. At the age of seventeen she moved with her parents to Indiana, and the following year married George Mar- latt. In 1838 she moved with him to Pittsburg and in 1848 came with him to Illinois. Her father was born in Mercer Co .. Pa., October 12, 1806, and her mother in South Carolina. Alexander Porter moved with his father to South Carolina, where they engaged in weaving. There the son worked hard, studied at night, and at the age of eighteen years opened a school ; afterward he studied engineering and became a good surveyor. He married Miss Chatham, removed to Kentneky. and for several years they remained there in the wilds as the friends of Daniel Boone. In 1805 Mr. Porter enlisted in the exploratory party under Lewis and Clark, but owing to his wife's illness did not go. After several years he moved to Indiana and engaged in farming and teaching there until his death in 1838, his wife having preceded him to the grave several years before. Of their twelve children Mrs. Marlatt is the only survivor. As has been stated. Malinda Porter married Mr. Marlatt in 1835. In 1848 they came by river to Pern, but the follow- ing year settled in Stark county, where Mr. Marlatt refitted the Spoon river mill north of Wyoming, and found shelter in a log-cabin which had no floor and little roof. Meantime he built a house, sawing all the lumber, framing and erecting with his own hands. In 1850 the family moved into this honse-with wolves as the most numerous neighbors and frequent visitors. There they resided for years: the father in- creased his original farm to 320 acres. built a new honse, and when death came. October 15, 1886, the grim monster called on one who did a life's work well. George Marlatt was born October 12. 1806. I 1817 he moved with his parents to Adams county, Ohio, and worked with his father as millwright for two years, when he joined his brother at Pittsburg in shipping coal to the New Orleans sugar refineries. After his marriage he built a warehonse at the mouth of the Anderson river and conducted a general store there for several years; returned and resumed coal-shipping at Pittsburg, and in June. 1>45, set out for Illinois. Of their nine children two died in infancy ; Druscilla mar- ried Edward Colgan, of Valley : James and Joseph M. are dead, the latter leaving a widow and two children ; George O. died in the rebel prison at Belle Isle : Emeline is Mrs. Barrett, of Peoria : William. Homer J., F. M. and Myron P. All reside here. The boys have all
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
grown to manhood here, and like their father, fill a place in the economy of the county completely. Myron P., who resides on the homestead with his mother, was born July 20, 1860, in the present home. On September 15, 1884, he married Miss Kate, daughter of James and Mary (Alyward) Walsh, of Peoria. To them a little girl. Malinda M., has been born. Thus runs the history of a family who for almost forty years have added largely to the wealth of this district, while aiding themselves.
William McConnell, son of Robert and Martha (Scott) McConnell, was born in Down county, Ireland, in the year 1814. At the age of twenty-five years he married Miss Susanna Jelly, daughter of John and Margaret (McBride) Jelly. In 1854 they came to America and settled with the son of old Bishop Chase, at Jubilee, Peoria county, Ill. Here they spent nine years, then removed to Valley township. Stark county, and purchased a farm of eighty acres on section 1. Three children have come to their home, namely : Margaret (Mrs. S. Malone, of Stark county); Mary Ann (Mrs. J. Kelly, of Valley township), and Martha, residing at home. Mr. McConnell and his family are members of the old Presbyterian church, in which faith he and his wife were both reared. Ile has always been a Democrat.
Sarah Meffinnis, born September 20, 1812, is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Harris) Montgomery. The former, born in North Caro- lina in 1764, at the age of sixteen enlisted as a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War, and served until liberty was secured. At the close of the war he moved to Russell county, Va., and taking from the govern- ment a title to a piece of land, called a "corn right," began its im- provement. His first wife, to whom he was married at the close of the Revolution, removed with him to Virginia, where after several years she died, leaving him a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. He was again married to Miss Elizabeth Harris, of Vir- ginia, with whom and his family he moved to Russell county, Va., where he purchased land and continued farming for a time, when once more he removed with his family to Floyd county. Ky. At the end of three years he took his family in wagons, and, carefully avoid- ing the Indians, arrived safely in Franklin county, Ind. There he re- mained for seven years, when he and his faithful wife removed with the subject of this sketch, who in the meantime had married, to Peoria county, III., in 1835, where he died in 1845 in his eighty-second year; some eighteen months later his wife followed him.
This union was blessed by four children (the first two Boys died in infancy), and two girls, Sarah and Susanna, the latter deceased, leaving Mrs. McGinnis, the sole representative of the family. At the age of eighteen she was married to Geo. 1. McGinnis, and settled on a farm in Park county, Ind., where she remained some nine years, and then with her husband and two children moved to where Princeville now stands. There Mr. McGinnis died at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. McGinnis still resides upon the farm, one and a half miles north of Princeville. Of their twelve chikIren nine are still living, namely : Susanna, Sarah Ann (deceased), John, James. Nancy, Mary, Elizabeth, Temperance (de- ceased), Jane, William (deceased), George I., Charles H. Susanna,
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OF VALLEY TOWNSHIP.
the wife of J. Anderson, resides in Stark county, III. John and James are at Rochester: Nancy resides on homestead; Mary resides at Wyoming; Elizabeth is postmistress at Stark; Jane is in the Indian Territory ; George I. at Princeville, and Charles HI. in Peoria county. The father of the subject of this sketch was for a time a friend and companion of Daniel Boone, being with him at Fort Boone when it was besieged by the Indians.
John Morrissy, son of John and Margaret (Knox) Morrissy, was born in Kilkenny county, Ireland, in 1820, and there he resided for twenty-eight years, when he moved to Boston, Mass. Later he worked on railroad in New Hampshire as section hand, but after one year engaged in farm work in Virginia, where he remained eighteen months. then moved to Peoria, Ill., where he remained three years. While there he married Miss JJoanna Prendergast, who in 1856 settled with him in Valley on 160 acres which he purchased on section thirty- two, an area since increased to 400 acres. Mrs. Morrissy died here in May, 1875, following three of her children to the grave and leaving five, namely : John, James, Robert. Kate, and Bridget. In 1850 his parents came to the United States, settled in Peoria county, where the father died in his eighty-fourth year, and the mother in her eighty-second year. Mr. Morrissy has always been a Democrat. and prominent in national election matters. His industry has won for him an excellent social position, and, what is next best, a good estate-a something which neither manliness, honor, nor industry could accom- plish under British laws in his native land.
William Peterson, born in Franklin county, Ind., August 23, 1842, is the son of Henry and Ziporalı (Halberstadt) Peterson, and grandson of John Peterson, of Trenton, N. J., who settled in Indiana in 1823, eight years after his marriage with Miss Edith Gaines. After spend- ing thirty-four years in Indiana the family moved to LaSalle county, III., where they resided nine years, when they removed to Philo, HI., where parents died, each in the eightieth year. Of their fourteen children thirteen became heads of families, of whom seven are still living. John Peterson held a claim to a tract of land on which the Union depot and other valuable buildings of Philadelphia now stand, but this claim was set aside by sharpers, who produced false titles. Being a. man who desired peace he submitted to this robbery, but his heirs con- template taking steps to recover the millions of which Mr. Peterson was defrauded. Henry Peterson was born at Trenton, N. J., where his twin brother died at the age of one year. He shared his parents' labors and travels until the age of twenty-one years, when he married Miss Ilalberstadt. In 1850 he moved to Lee county, Iowa, where he remained until 1862, when he removed with his family to the Missouri boundary. His sons, Samuel and William, who enlisted, did not join in this migration. Later the family removed to Philo, Ill., where, on March 14, 1873, he bid farewell to his church brethren, stating that he would never meet them again. On the succeeding day, while drawing corn across his meadow- the sky showing but a single cloud-he was struck by lightning and instantly killed. His widow resides upon the homestead at Philo. Of their family of ten children : Samuel G. is in
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Missouri : William resides here : Nelson, deceased ; Mary E. is in Mis- somri; B. F. in Iowa; C. W. in Kansas; Margaret A. at Philo; John in Missouri: Thomas at Philo, and Charlotte in Iowa. Samuel was one of the first to respond to the call for troops in 1861, then entering the Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, served ninety days and enlisted in the Fourth lowa Cavalry, serving to the close of the war; was pro- moted several times for bravery in different battles. William Peterson removed to Lee county, Iowa. with his parents when eight years old, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in the Fifteenth Jowa Infantry, participated in the battles of Shiloh, Bolivar, Inka and Corinth : was discharged for wound received at Corinth, Miss., in October, 1862. On returning he married Mrs. Mary Woodin, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Town) Jackson. After his marriage they settled on their present Valley farm, where all their children were born : Florence, Mary, James W., Belle, Albert M., Henry A., Orion E., all residing at home, and one, Henry, deceased. In politics he is decidedly Republican, but takes no active part in political contests-his farm and stock claim- ing the attention of all his business hours. Himself and family are all members of the Congregational church, and prominent in all matters relating to the welfare of the county. In Masonic circles he belongs to the Chapter. James Jackson. his father-in-law, was born in York- shire, Eng., in 1796: married Miss Town, of London, when twenty- five years old ; six years later came to America and settled in Dutchess county, N. Y .. and in 1841 moved to Peoria county, Ill., and to Stark county in 1852. Here James Jackson died in 1870 in his seventy-fifth vear, and his wife in 1876 in her eighty-second year, leaving seven chil- dren, of whom four are living-Mrs. Peterson being the youngest member of the family.
John Selvnek, who died at Wady Petra April 27, 1880, aged fifty- eight years, was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 16, 1823 : moved with his family to Valley township in 1854. In 1875 he pur- chased the Chase store and was in business there until his death.
A. J. Simmerman, son of Jacob and Malinda (Sheets) Simmerman, was born in West Jersey, October 11. 1846. His father was a native of Wythe county, Va .: born in 1815. Came with his parents to Han- cock county. Il .. in 1833, overland, and in 1835 to Stark county. Ile worked on the father's eighty acre farm until 1838, when he married Miss Sheets, and took up their residence on a farm which he purchased near the David Simmerman farm in West Jersey. Eight years after his young wife died here, leaving three boys. Some few years later Jacob traded his farm for another in that township and resided on his new farm until 1560, when he moved to his father's homestead, remain- ing there until his migration to Linn county, Jowa, in the spring of 1584. In 1848 he married. for second wife, Mrs. Permelia Lane. To the first marriage were born : James II., deceased ; George H., now in Fillmore county, Neb .; and A. J., the subject of this sketch. To the second marriage were born : Malinda. Sarah A., Albert and Lydia, all of whom are married and residents of Linn county, Iowa. In politics he was a Democrat ; in religion a Methodist, and in the social and busi- ness circle one of the county's first and most useful pioneers. A. J.
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