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 82
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
Walter B., Oscar E., Margaret C., Daisy N., and two, an infant and Lenora, deceased. Mr. Finley has served his township as justice of the peace and assessor, and was collector of Essex. He has been a member of the Agricultural Society since its beginning. His farm of 460 acres is among the best in Stark county.
Samuel J. For. son of Julius W. and Mary E. (Johnston) Fox, was born in Richland county, O., January 28, 1835. His father was a native of New York, where he was born in 1796. His mother, a native of Pennsylvania, was born 1804. They removed to Ohio from New York at an early day. and again in 1848 to Wisconsin, settled in Rich- land county, thus passing through the pioneer period of two States. There, in 1860, Mr. Fox., Sr., passed way, being preceded to the grave two years by his wife. Samuel J. Fox assisted his parents on the farm, or attending the pioneer district school in his early years. In his twenty-second year he married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Rhoda Myers, who was born in Ohio, December 31, 1840. Her parents removed to Indiana, where her father died. Her mother remarried, and in a short time was again a widow. She removed with her family to Wisconsin, and settled in Richland county. Wis., in 1850, and there Mary met Mr. Fox, to whom she was married April 2. 1857. Mr. Fox followed farming one year after this event, then joined a prospecting party, and went to Colorado; engaged in mining for one year, when he returned to his home at Richland Centre, Wis., and the same fall moved to Princeville, Ill .. and engaged in the mercantile business. Remaining there a short time, he moved to Wyoming, Ill .. where he remained about two years. He then purchased a store at West Jersey. where he is now proprietor of a general store in the village and of a stock farm close by. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of seven chil- dren. namely : William W .. Charles L., Frank A .. Rollin S., Gilbert T., Ernest A., and Effie M., all at home. They are members of the Presbyterian church, and are interested in all movements of a chari- table or progressive nature. Mr. Fox is also a member of the I. (. (. F., and in politics a Republican. He served as postmaster at West Jersey twelve years; has also been elected and reflected township clerk, and has been vice-president of the Agricultural Society of Stark conntv.
Sarah George, who married Frank Dugan, was born in West Vir- ginia in 1835. and died in West Jersey. July 26, '82.
Jacob N. Hazen, deceased, was born in New Jersey in 1804; mar- ried Miss Jane B. Mitchell there, and with her and their five children moved to Fulton county, Ill .. in July, 1839, and to section twenty-seven, West Jersey, in the spring of 1842. Here he purchased 120 acres of wild land at $2.50 per acre, erected a frame house, which was the family home, school, Methodist class-room, and general meeting-house of the town for many years, the Hazens making every one welcome. Only live years did this strong man stand the wear and tear of pioneer times here. for he died in March, 1847. His partner in all the toils and troubles of early years outlived him twenty summers, dying in 1867, as shown in the cemetery record in history of West Jersey.
John Huzen, the second son, was born in New Jersey, December 1.
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OF WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
1831, and has almost as distinet a recollection of pioneer days in Fulton and Stark as if he had been of age when he shared in them. In 1857 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Franeis Anthony, and the following year settled where he now resides, on his fine farm of 2063 acres. As shown in the official and school history of the township. he has served as trustee and supervisor. In polities he is, like his father was, always Democratic in national concerns, but independent in local affairs. His wife and children, Frank M. and Edna V., are associated with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hazen is one of those pioneer men whose word is his bond and whose opinions are considered.
Selywick R. Hazen, son of Jacob N. Hazen, whose history is given in this chapter, was born in New Jersey in 1833. He was one of twins, the sister dying in infancy. He accompanied his parents to Illinois in 1839 and here his youth was passed in the manner common to boys of the pioneer period, having to walk two miles to attend the winter school of his district. In October, 1856, he married Miss Mary Isabelle, daughter of William and Amanda Barr, who in 1851 came from Ohio to this county. After his marriage he settled on the Hazen farm where he resided until 1875, when he established a mercantile honse at West Jersey, which he carried on for eighteen months. when failing health compelled a change. Disposing of his stock, he ro- sumed agricultural life, and in the fall of 1876 took up his present residence, owning one hundred acres of the best improved land in the township. In official life he has been assessor, road commissioner and school director for a number of years. Mrs. and Mr. Hazen are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a reorganization of the old class of " llazen's Schoolhouse." Their son, Lewis J., born here December 16, 1857, is also a resident of this township. In political life Mr. Hazen votes the prohibition ticket .- his strong ideas on tom- perance questions urging him to break away from the old line politics.
James R. Henry, son of John and Martha Henry, was born in Hunterdon connty, New Jersey, March 1, 1822. Ilis father was born in Ireland in 1786, came to America and settled in New Jersey, married Martha Swears, who was born in New Jersey in 1802. Ilis father died in 1852 at the age of sixty and his mother in May 25, 1885, in her eighty-fourth year. James R. Henry is the second of their seven children. His early life was spent on the home farm. up to the age of twenty-two years, when he married Miss Eliza Poyshur. Her par- ents, natives of Germany, dying in New Jersey when she was but a child. After their marriage Mr. Henry followed Farming in New Jersey six years. He came to Illinois in 1851, journeying overland by wagon, the trip lasting six weeks. They purchased land in this town- ship, and there braved the dangers of pioneer life with the wolves and deer for neighbors, and their worst enemies, rattlesnakes, with which the country abounded. On July 1. 1883, Mrs. Henry died suddenly, being then in her sixty-second year. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy: aose living are: Theodore P., minister in Kansas; Watson (., ", est Jersey ; George W., principal of the Lafayette schools; and Charles W., now Dr. Henry. of Vermont, III. After his wife's death Mr. Henry rented his
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
farm, and has since made his home with his son Watson in West Jer- sey village. Mr. Henry, as was also his wife, is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He has always been a Republican, and has held several township offices, although he has never sought them. He has spent some time visiting the scenes of his childhood. from which he has recently returned. Hle is in his sixty-fifth year, and although his locks show the inroads of time, he is quite active.
Mrs. Boone Ingels, who died at El Paso, Tex., in July, 1983, resided near the south line of West JJersey.
John Jackson born in Fayette county, O., in the year 1832, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Rouse) JJackson, natives of Pennsylvania. who settled in Ohio, where Mr. Jackson died in 1546. Mrs. Jackson is liv- ing at the age of ninety years. Our subject was reared on the farm and in 1854 came to Illinois and settled in Toulon, where he resided till the following spring, when he secured work on a farm near Toulon, as a hand, where he has since resided. In 1861 he purchased 136 acres in West Jersey township. In 1857 he married Miss Paulina Ann, a daughter of William Mahany. They were the parents of five children : Lydia E., Laura B., William A., Ursula and John. This lady died in 1875, aged thirty-eight years. In 1876 he married Miss Susan, daughter of Barnabas Frail, to whom two children were born: James T. and Jennie E. This lady is a member of the Catholic church, while Mr. Jackson is liberal in religious matters. Politically he is a Democrat. (Vide sketch of Frail family.)
Levi Johnson, a native of New York, was born October 13, 1769. lIe followed the occupation of a millwright. He married Hannah Russ, who was born December 18, 1770. Her father, Abraham Russ, was murdered by the Indians on the Allegheny river, March 2, 1790. Ile (Levi Johnson) was the father of five children, three boys and two girls. Henry, the eldest of these, was born January 9, 1793. He Fearned his father's trade. When he was about seventeen years of age he removed to Kentucky with his parents, enlisted during the war of 1812, but on account of a wound on his arm caused by the shipping of a hand ax, he was rejected. On March 28, 1516, he married Mary, daughter of Amaziah Davidson, born in Kentucky, September 14, 1799. Her parents were Scotch who came to America and settled in Ken- tueky, as companions of Daniel Boone. In 1827. Mr. Johnson with his wife settled in Pike county, Ill., but on account of the troublesome Indians they were compelled to return to Kentucky. In 1830 they braved the dangers of a frontier life and returned to Pike county. where he followed his trade of millwright. Here on September 11. 1846, Mrs. Johnson died in her forty-seventh year. In 1851 Mr. John- son settled near the place where the village of Sparland, Marshall connty, now stands. In 1965 he came to Stark county, where he died September 17. 1578, in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
A. J. Johnson, son of Henry and Mary (Davidson) Johnson, was born in Chambersburgh township, Pike county, Ill., October 23, 1833. He is of Irish descent. his paternal ancestors coming to America prior to the time of the Revolution and settling in New York. Andrew J. is the eighth child of their family of eleven children. In 1854 he married
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OF WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Margaret (Bunn) Campbell, born in Pennsylvania, December 16, 1833. Her father, a Pennsylvanian, died in 1835. In 1848 she came with her mother, who had married a Mr. Placher, to Peoria, where she met Mr. Johnson, as before stated, and married him in 1854. After this marriage he followed farming in Marshall county several years. In April, 1865, they came to Stark county where they had previously purchased one hundred acres in West Jersey township where they still reside. Nine children have blessed their union, eight of whom are still living: Charles W .. (deceased), William HI., Oscar J., Edgar L., Frank C., Lewis O., Robert B., Ida A. and Fannie M. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the M. E. church, as are also all of their children. Politically Mr. Johnson is a Republican, and has held several offices of trust, among them, justice of the peace, and supervisor for several terms. That he honor- ably discharged his duties to the satisfaction of the people is signified by his numerous reelections. He has increased his original farm of one hundred aeres to 240 acres of choice lands, located within two miles of the village. Mr. Johnson has for several years been an officer and member of the agricultural society of this county.
William II. Johnson, son of Andrew J. and Margaret JJ. (Campbell) Johnson was born in Marshall county, Ill., Angust 6, 1859. In '65 he with his parents settled in West Jersey township. In '76 he entered Iledding College, Abingdon, Ill., and after a study there of four years he returned to his home on account of ill health, and at various times was engaged in teaching school. On December 5. '83, he married Miss Flora, a daughter of Reuben and Martha (Heaton) Swank, born in Stark county, September 22, '60. Previous to his marriage Mr. John- son had purchased a store at West Jersey village, which he now owns. Mr. Swank was a native of Pennsylvania, born November 14, '30, and died April 14, '72. Mrs. Swank was born in New Jersey. November 23, 33. They came to Illinois at an early day, and after their mar- riage settled near West Jersey, where Mr. Swank died. At the age of fourteen Miss Flora entered Hedding College, where she studied for about three years, when she entered the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill. Subsequently she spent some time at Chicago in the study of the fine arts. and in '83 she married Mr. Johnson, as be- fore stated. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have resided at West Jersey. They are both respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in all works of a progressive nature, and are held in high esteem. In politics Mr. JJohnson, like his father, is a Republican, and has honorably lilled the office of town clerk.
R. W. King, M. D .. one of the old physicians of the county, was born in Columbiana county. O., in 1519. His parents, William and Elizabeth ( Ware) King, were Virginians, who settled in Ohio about 1810, where both died. The father served in the War of '12, which resulted in the total banishment of the British from our coasts. Dr. King was educated in the early subscription schools of his district. In '45 he entered the study of medicine at Akron, O., under Dr. Bartges. [Ie practiced in that city for eleven years, until coming to Peoria county in '56, where he practiced two years ; resided at Brimfield two years,
41
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BIOGRAPHIY AND REMINISCENCES
and in '60 established an office at West Jersey. In addition to his professional duties he served as school director for sixteen years, col- lector one year, and in 'S5 was appointed postmaster. Ile is also en- , gaged in the drug trade there, his son, now of Toulon, assisting in the store. Dr. King was married in '39 to Miss Sarah Bartges, to whom six children were born, of whom two are living -Catherine E., now Mrs. James Jones, of Omaha, Neb., and Elizabeth, Mrs. George Slo- cum, of Ford county, Kan. A son, John W., enlisted in '62, but died at Port Hudson before muster-in. The mother of this family died in May, '56, and three years later the doctor married Miss Fannie E. Hunt. They are the parents of five children: Fannie R .. deceased, Frank, Allen, Bert and Azora M. In political life Dr. King was de- cidedly Democratie up to a few years ago, when the fascinating god- dess of Greenbackism won his allegiance.
Jacob Kissel, who settled in West Jersey about 1862. removed to Nebraska, and after a residence of nine years there returned to this county. Mr. Kissel was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1808, moved to Ohio, and subsequently resided in Indiana, Wisconsin and Nebraska, settling down here. In 1833 he married Miss Hester Clouser in Pennsylvania. Of their children, Reuben, Nathaniel, Mary, Emanuel, Sarah, Arabella, Henrietta, James (deceased), George and Jehial Kis- sel, are names well known. Emanuel served three years with a Peoria battery, escaped wounds, and is now a useful citizen of Dodge City, Kan.
Philip Knopf, deceased, was born in New Jersey, February 7. 1805. where his parents, Peter and Susan (Simmons) Knoff, then resided. In 1832 he married Miss Sarah Young, in 1845 moved to Ohio, and the following year set out for this county by wagon. On the journey hither, and after traveling forty miles, one of his horses died, when he returned to Ohio: but in the next spring made the journey and here purchased eighty acres of congressional land, built a log cabin, and entered on pioneer life. Here be resided until his death. October 11. 1876. He saw his original farm increased to 160 acres, and two sur- vivors, of his five children, settled in life-Mrs. Kate Cross, of Toulon. and Mrs. Margaret Show, of West Jersey. In politics he was demo- cratic. Jacob Young, brother of Mrs. Knoff, settled in West Jersey in 1846. For thirty years he was a pioneer here, and then became a pioneer of Iowa, where he now resides. Mrs. Knoff was born in New Jersey in 1809. Iler parents, John and Susan (Daly) Young, died in that state about 1824. She has been connected with the Presbyterian Church of West Jersey since her settlement here, and has always been looked upon as a most exemplary member of the community.
William Maliny, deceased. settled in Toulon township, on the line of Essex. in 1836-7. He was born in the Shenandoah valley, in 1803 ; came to Illinois a single man and here married Miss Lydia McMullen. The farm which he purchased on coming here was improved by his own hands, and on it he resided until his death, in 1875. His wife died in 1866, at a time when her husband's success in life was assured and her young family provided for. Their children were: Paulina A. (deceased). James V. B., John W., residents here; Baxter M., died
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OF WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
while in the army: Marshall, residing here, and Oliver, deceased. J. V. B. Mahany married Miss Belle C. Cain. of this county. He is the owner of 330 acres of fertile land in West Jersey township, all well improved and thoroughly cultivated. Like his father. he is democratic in political life, but liberaland enterprising as a citizen. ( Vide general. history and slatch of Toulon township.)
I. S. Mcclanahan, physician and surgeon, a native of Monmouth. Ill., is the son of T. S. and Mary J. (Martin) McClanahan, natives of Ohio. but old settlers of Warren county. IN .. of which T. S. McClan- aban was surveyor for many years. The doctor completed his literary education during a two years' course at Monmouth College. He taught school, principally at Berwick, for three years; read medicine under his brother. Dr. J. M. Mcclanahan. of Kirkwood. Il .; in the fall of 1881 matriculated at Rush Medical College, where he took a full course in medicine and surgery, and from which he graduated in 1883. Ile began practice immediately after in Mercer county, Ill., and six months later settled at West Jersey, where he has confirmed himself in the confidence and esteem of the people. As related in the history of the village, he is a member of the new 1. O. O. F. lodge there. His mar- riage with Miss Mabel S. Matteson, of Berwick. III., was celebrated in 1884. They are the parents of one child. Earl M.
Ree. Allen Con Miller, born in Fayette county, l'a., February 12. 1807, was the fourth son of James and Agnes Miller. His father died early in the twenties, for in 1826 his mother resided at Sewickley, Pa., where her son united with the Presbyterian church that year. From this period until 1829 he devoted all his leisure hours to study. In this year he was employed by Dr. Jennings, of the Christian Her- ald, to canvass for that paper throughout Northern Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, and continued in this position until the fall of 1831, when he entered the Bassenheim Manual Labor Academy at Zelieno- ple, Pa. In 1832 he entered Jefferson College, and with the exception of the summer of 1835, studied there until 1837, when he graduated and entered the Western Theological Seminary. from which he grad- uated in 1840. Ile was licensed by the Ohio Presbytery June 17, 1×40, and in June. 1841, was installed pastor of the church at Mar- seilles, Ohio. He presided over that church for seven years, and while there married Miss Mary Pierson, who died at Toulon. August 22, 1872. From 1848 to 1831 he presided over churches at Edna and ('arohne, Ohio. On coming to Ilinois in 1851, he preached at Roscoe one year and then became pastor of the church at White Rock, where he remained for nine years. During that time he organized the Pres- byterian church at Rochelle and also preached there for two years. In the fall of 1861 he with his family settled at West Jersey, and in the spring of 1863 removed to Toulon and for four years supplied the pul- pit at West Jersey. Subsequently he rested from ministerial labor, again preached to several congregations throughout this district, acted as bible agent and colporteur, and in 1873 revisited his okt home and friends in Pennsylvania and churches in Ohio. On returning in January, 1874, he received a call from his old society at White Rock. which call he accepted. There he died May 12, 1874. and his remains
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BIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES
were taken to Toulon to rest. Of his three sons, two are leading lawyers of Stark county, and the youngest lies buried beside his parents in the cemetery at Toulon.
I. L. Nernun, born in Warren county, N. J. July 7, 1827, is a son of Abraham and Eleanor (Lanning) Newman, natives of that state, and still residents there. His grandparents were Abraham and Mary (Hankinson) Newman, whose ancestors were British. Grand- father Abraham entered the service of the Continental Congress when fourteen years old and served throughout the grand struggle for free- dom. At one time his brother and a man named Wykoff were capt- ured by Indians who tomahawked one, while Wykoff escaped. This murder Abraham well avenged, both on the Indians and their teachers of England. After the war he settled in New Jersey, became a preacher of the M. E. church, and died there in his seventieth year. Isaac L. Newman was educated in the schools of Warren county. In 1851 he left his home in a one-horse buggy, and in forty-two days ar- rived at West Jersey Center with a capital of $300, and began life on the prairies. He purchased a tract of forty acres on section 15. at 83 per acre, and this small tract has grown, so to speak, into a magnifi- cent farm of 600 acres. On September 12, 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James R. and Anna (Tuttle) Waibasse, whose brother Joseph came from Germany, and in 1858 settled here. Her father was the first to break sod in Sussex county, N. J. To this marriage there were born : Jerome, September 22, 1859; Anna, Feb- ruary 14, 1862; Melden A. and Selden A. (twins). March 24, 1866, all of whom are living. As related in the township history, he has been supervisor of West Jersey for five years; is a member of the Blue Lodge at Tonlon, and politically a member of the Republican party. In 1881 Mr. Newman married Miss Permelia, daughter of John and Lydia (Maines) Pevey, who came from New Jersey to the township about 1850. Here her father died in 1863, aged about fifty- six years, and here her mother still resides in her seventy-sixth year. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Rachel, Joseph, Henry, John, Catherine. Permeha. William. Arthur, Jane, Aaron. Elizabeth and Clarrissa. Arthur resides in Peoria county, Aaron in Fulton county. Ill., and Elizabeth in Kansas. The other children are residents of Stark county. ( Vide General History.)
Joseph Palmer was born at Brattleboro, Vt., in 1802. In 1827 he moved to Ashland county. O .. and ten years after came here, settling on the farm now in possession of his son. He was married in Ashland county to Mary, a daughter of Elias Slocum. On coming here in 1837 he purchased 320 acres and made this township his home until after the war, when he moved to Galesburg. He was one of the old Board of County Commissioners, and for years the postmaster at Walnut Creek. Of his children, Willard resides here, James lives at Galesburg, Anna is wife of JJames E. White, of Garnett, Kan .; Averella and Rose (the latter known as Mrs. McChesney) are deceased. Mr. Palmer still sur- vives pioneer hardships, and is a resident of Galesburg. Ill.
Willard Palmer was born in Ashland county in 1837, and when seven months old was brought into the wilds of Spoon river. He
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J.J. Newman
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OF WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
received a practical education here, and here in 1861 married Miss Elsie, daughter of Wilson Garnu. of Michigan, who subsequently set- tled in this county. Mr. Palmer carries on a large farm and devotes much attention to stock-growing. While appreciating the value of good men in official positions, and like his father, unpartisan in political atfairs. he votes with the Democratic party on all state and national issues.
John Prutz (deceased) was born near Carlisle, Pa. April 17. 1795. ITis marriage with Miss Nancy Layman took place there about 1819, and the following year this lady died there. Subsequently he married Miss Sarah Wetzell, and in 1827 moved to a point near what is now Ashland City. O. In 1837, with their eight children, and in company with the families of Elias Wycoff. Elias, Jr., Nehemiah Wyeoff and Newton Matthews, they came to Illinois. Each family had two ox teams. a span of horses and a light wagon, with which they made the journey overland. Mr. Pratz settled on the east half of southeast quarter of section twenty-eight. and also entered a second eighty on the same section. built a log cabin, the chinks of which were filled with clay and chopped prairie grass. For a quarter of a century he lived here, moved to Rochester, where he died December 23. 1862, and Mrs. Pratz September 19, 1865. They were okl members of the Congrega- tional church. but later connected themselves with the Christian church, of which they were members at the period of death.
Jonathan Prate, their only surviving son residing here, was born in Pennsylvania February 14, 1820, came with his parents here when seventeen years old, was married here February 8. 1844, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of James and Maria (Trickle) Murphy. began farm life for himself, and in 1546 settled on his present farm. Of their eight chil- dren. five are living: Anna M., in Iowa; Rosetta L., Sarah C., John E. and Hiram N. The deceased were : Mary F .. Roval L. and Ora E., who died in August. 1883. For thirty-five years they have been mem- bers of the Christian church, but prior to that time were Congregation- alists. He owns 220 acres, apart from the broad acres which he gave to his children. He has been successful in all his dealings, strictly upright, and now lives in the midst of peace and plenty.
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