USA > Illinois > Warren County > Early days in Greenbush : with biographical sketches of the old settlers > Part 10
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Notwithstanding the fact that he was physically a powerful man, inured to the hardships of frontier life, vet the exacting life of an itinerant preacher was too much for him : and although much against his will. he was forced to resign.
He then bought a farm and moved on to it. While here he was chosen and served a term as judge of the court for Lawrence county, Ohio: but office-holding did not suit him, and he went back on his farm.
In 1842. he became restless of a farmer's life, and again betook himself to boating. Ile purchased a large flat-boat, loaded it with tan bark, took it to Cincinnati and sold all. He then returned. sold his farm and bought a very large keel-boat, which he loaded with provisions, took his family on board and floated off down the Ohio, into the Mississippi river, down through bayou Atchafalia, in Grand Lake, in Louisiana.
The next year he made another trip to the south, selling out his boat and provisions. He then went to New Orleans, bought a stock of dry goods, and took passage on a steamer for Quiney. Illinois, where he arrived some time in April, 1845.
In May, 1854, he sold his stock of goods and moved to Green- bush, Illinois, where he lived until the fall of 1863, when he moved to Avon, Illinois, where he died, as before stated, Janaury 23, 1877.
John Frampton, the father of the subject of this sketeh. was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, belonging to the Cumberland county Rangers, and was with Washington when his army erossed the Delaware river on the floating ice, December 25, 1776.
Lueinda (Trowbridge) Frampton was born near Marietta, Ohio, April 8, 1811 ; married Elijah Frampton at Burlington, Ohio, May 28, 1828; died at Avon, Illinois, March 15, 1895.
In her youth she was possessed of more than ordinary beauty. She was of very cheerful disposition, always looking on the bright side of life. To the day of her death she had the faculty of attraet-
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ing to herself the society of young people, which she greatly enjoyed. She was everybody's friend-bore no malice.
William Walker Frampton, born at Burlington, Ohio. Decem- ber 5. 1824: married Mary Anderson, in 1849; and again, Mary Miller, in 1852-both at Quiney, Illinois; again married (name not known), in 1867; and again, Ella Eckman-both of the latter at DeSoto, Kansas.
William was a stationary engineer and surveyor by profes- sion. He learned the trade of engineer on a steamboat. on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. In 1852, he came from near Blandinsville, Illinois, to Greenbush, Illinois, to take charge of a sawmill and corn-eracker owned by Ragon and Mather.
In 1856, he and his brother Elijah bought the mill and put in two sets of burs for grinding wheat. On September 1. 1858. the mill burned down. At this time it belonged to Dr. Bailey Ragon, the Framptons having sold out to him in the spring of the year, William going to Blandinsville, Illinois, and Elijah to Kansas.
William moved to DeSoto, Kansas. in 1859, where he now resides. He served as private in the Seventh Kansas infantry, in the War of the Rebellion, being mustered out in 1865. By his second wife William had three children: Charles. Amenia. and an infant, which died in infancy, at Blandinsville, Illinois.
Elijah Frampton, jr., born at Burlington, Ohio, May 20. 1>29; married Sarah Walker Hanon, at Greenbush, Ill .. November 1, 1855. To them were born three children: Ida Cornelia. November 7. 1856: Edward Trowbridge. March 12, 1860: and Netty Hanon. March 17, 1862. Ida C. died in Kansas, May 16, 1860; and Netty II. in Greenbush, July 27, 1864. On July 27. 1864, his wife also died at Greenbush, where she was buried.
Elijah learned the trade of miller at Canton. Mo. He then secured a place in one of the Quincy mills. In 1852. he came to Greenbush and took charge of the corn-crackers. In 1856, he and William bought the mill and put in a flour-mill. which they ran until the spring of 1858. when he sold out and moved to Kansas, along with Elijah Hanon, his wife's father, and Samuel M. Snapp. his brother-in-law.
In the spring of 1860, they returned to Greenbush, having been driven out of Kansas by the terrible drouth and the grass-
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hopper scourge. In 1864, after the death of his wife, he went to Avon, Ill., where he now resides. His son Edward married a lady in Kansas, where he still resides.
Elijah learned the trade of wagon-maker under Porter J. Jack, at Greenbush, in 1864, and he continued to work at his trade in Avon and Bushnell. At the latter place he was associated with Henzie Darneille in the wagon-making business.
Isabelle Rogers Frampton was born August 26, 1846: married John B. Compton in 1867; came to Greenbush, in 1854. and to Avon, in 1863, where she was married. From Avon they went to Bement, Illinois, where Compton secured a place with the Wabash railroad. He was killed by the ears in 1892. Mrs. Compton is now living in Chicago with her five children.
John Martin Frampton was born at Burlington, Ohio, October 22, 1830: married at Pittsfield, Illinois, to Miss Amatha Whittaker, December 25, 1872; moved to Quincy, Illinois, from Ohio, May 6, 1845: moved to Greenbush, Illinois, in December, 1856: moved to Avon, Ill., in the fall of 1863: worked on a farm owned by Isaac N. Morris, during the spring and summer of 1848, for eight dollars a month; worked on steamboat as pantryman and second steward during the year 1849; taught school in the summer of 1851. at Muddy Lane, in MeDonough county, at eighteen dollars a month and boarded himself; clerked in a store at Louisiana, Mo., in the fall of 1851 (pay nominal) ; worked in The Whig newspaper office at Quincy, Illinois, 1852 to 1855-pay, sixteen dollars a month ; and was shipping clerk for a large foundry in St. Louis, Mo., from July, 1855, to October, 1856-pay, forty dollars a month.
In December, 1856, went to work for Ragon and Frampton as bookkeeper and superintendent of the grist department of the mill, at twenty-five dollars a month, at Greenbush, Illinois. Sep- tember 1, 1858, the mill was burned. He returned to Quincy. Illi- nois. in the spring of 1859, and kept the books in the Star Mills until November, 1860, when the mills were shut down-salary, twenty-five dollars per month.
May, 1861, returned to Greenbush; took a place as clerk and bookkeeper with F. H. Merrill & Co., at twelve dollars a month and board ; went to Avon with Mr. Merrill, in the fall of 1863; con- -11
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tinned to clerk for him until the spring of 1865, when he had to give up the place on account of a long spell of sickness.
AApril 15, 1867. he was appointed clerk in the U. S. internal revenue service by Gen. L. F. Ross, collector of the ninth district. Illinois. From that date until July 1. 1886, he was continuously in government service as clerk and deputy-collector, at a salary from nine to eighteen hundred dollars, serving under five different collectors.
John M. Frampton moved to Pittsfield. Illinois, in July. 1892. where he now resides. To John M. Frampton and wife were born two sons: Mendal Garbatt. born November 21. 1874: married to Miss Marian D. Kirby, at JJacksonville, Ill., September 10, 1903; John Ross, born July 10, 1879. Mendal was graduated from Illinois College, Jacksonville, in 1898. with the degree of A. B .: and as post-graduate, in 1899, with the degree of A. M .: and as post- graduate at Harvard University, with the degree of A. M .. in 1900. Ile is now a teacher of English in Pomona College, Claremont. California.
John Ross graduated at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1901. as A. B .; and graduated from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. in 1904. He is now a teacher in Iowa College Conservatory of Music, at Grinnell. Iowa.
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MARY PARK.
Mary Park was born in La Rue county, Kentucky, in 1816. She was a daughter of James and Theodosia (Dodge) McDonald, and was married to Joseph L. Park, in 1835. He was born Novem- ber 12, 1810, and died in 1852; and was a son of George and Elizabeth (Hahn) Park. George Park was born January 31, 1773, and was married to Elizabeth Hahn, April 26, 1795.
Mary Park came with her children to Greenbush, Warren county, Illinois, in the fall of 1856. Her son, William B., pre- ceded her on horseback.
To Joseph L. and Mary Park were born the following-named children :
William B., born December 24, 1836: married Rebecca Morris. She was born December 14, 1833; and died June 28, 1893. HIe died in the army in 1862.
Columbus, born in 1837; married Sarah A. Standeford. She died in Arkansas, in 1895.
Josephine, born September 17, 1839; married John J. Butler, December 29, 1860. He died June 27, 1864, at the age of 28 years. Her second marriage was to J. Robert Lloyd, June 25, 1866. He died December 21, 1878, at the age of 46 years. Her third marriage was to J. E. Amos, March 30, 1882.
John A., born January 9, 1842; married Mary Eliza Park. She was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Culbertson and Julia A. (Walker) Park.
Wallace, born June 19, 1844; married Naney Hains. He died from mineral poison while working in mines at Joplin, Missouri.
Marian, born September 17, 1849; married Chu Lieurance, in 1861. Her second marriage was to John Patton.
Sarah E., born May 8, 1852; married Michael Carroll. He died in the army. Her second marriage was to Daniel E. Gott, a native of Canada.
Mary Park, the subject of this sketch, was for several years a member of the Methodist church. During her last years she became a member of the Christian church, and died a member of that denomination, August 1, 1888.
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JOHN WEBB NANCE.
John W. Nance was born in Rockingham county. North Car- olina. May 15, 1814. lle was a son of William II. and Nancy ( Lowe) Nance. His father and grandfather, John Nance, were natives of North Carolina.
Ilis boyhood days were passed in middle and west Tennessee. HIe was married May 24. 1836, to Nancy Simmons in Calaway vomity, Kentucky, near Paris, Tennessee. She was a daughter of Charles Simmons, who came to Greenbush in 1845. In January. 1845. John W. Nance moved from Tennessee to Stoddard county, Missouri. In April, 1845, he moved from Missouri to Ilinois, and settled in the town of Greenbush, April 27, 1845. On April 27. 1857, he moved to his farm five miles northeast of the village of Greenbush, where his wife Nancy died November 13. 1872. To them were born the following-named children :
Rufus Dodds. born February 20. 1837 ; married Alice MI. Sorter, December 19, 1861. She died February 13. 1866. Ilis second marriage was to Josie Thurman.
Francis Marion, born February 20, 1838. Ile was enrolled in Co. H, 83rd regiment, Illinois Vol. Infantry, August 9. 1862. at Greenbush, Illinois, and was mustered in the service at Momouth, Illinois, August 11, 1862.
In the formation of the company he was elected second sergeant. On the 14th day of March, 1863, he was promoted to the office of second lieutenant. This regiment went into camp at Fort Heiman, Ten., September 5. 1862. within fifteen miles of where Francis M. was born. During the greater part of the time he was in service he was in command of the mounted infantry, whose duty was to hunt guerillas. repair telegraph lines, and pro- teet foraging parties. On one of these trips Egbert Bostwick was killed : he was a comrade who had the love and respect of all who knew him. This company had many exciting skirmishes with the guerillas. February 3, 1863, af Fort Donelson, Tennessee. nine com- panies of the 83rd regiment with company C .. second Illinois light
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artillery. successfully resisted the attack of Forest and Wheeler with 8000 men. The 83rd regiment moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, in October, 1864; from there to Nashville, Tennessee, in June, 1865, where they were mustered out June 26. 1865. This mounted infantry. while out with scouting parties, became familiar with most of the people living between the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers from Paducah to Nashville. They will be remembered by some of those people, no doubt, to this day. While at Clarksville, Tennessee, F. M. Nance became acquainted with Miss Georgia Alwell. After he was mustered out of the service, he returned to Clarksville, where they were married October 26, 1865.
Susan Alabama, born April 3, 1839; married Levi Lincoln, December 3. 1857. He died March 30, 1901.
Mary Jane, born November 27, 1840; married Josiah Smith, March 16, 1865.
Sarah Elizabeth, born July 16, 1842; married James F. Mings. He died November 28, 1898.
Charles William, born August 11, 1844: married Eliza A. Wright, January 15, 1873. He died February 18, 1881.
Nancy Cinthela, born January 16, 1847: married Robert Byram, January 18, 1870.
Martha Washington, born December 4, 1848; married Dr. Emory Stone, February 24, 1876. Iler second marriage was to Knox R. Marks, June 1, 1893.
John Alonzo, born February 10, 1853; married Eliza Smith, October 28, 1877.
Robert Henry, born January 20, 1856. First marriage to Melinda J. Shirley, August 16, 1875; she died September 10, 1879. Second marriage to Ann Shirley: third marriage to Tessie Meadows, June 8, 1904.
Harriet Missouri, born April 1, 1851; died August 11, 1852.
Jolın W. Nance was married three times. His second wife was Mrs. Harriet E. Brooks. This marriage occurred January 11, 1874. She died March 22, 1878.
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His third marriage was with Mary ( Lucas) Crawford, April 20. 1879, at Abingdon, Illinois, where they now reside.
Mr. Nance was by occupation a carpenter in his younger days. afterwards a farmer. In 1850, he went with Dr. Bailey Ragon to Monmouth, Illinois, and joined the Masonic fraternity. Lodge No. 37. A. F. & A. M. Hle now belongs to Abingdon Lodge.
In polities he was a Whig up to 1856, afterwards a Democrat. In religion he is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
He has always borne the name of an honest. upright citizen. to which he is justly entitled.
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AMOS PIERCE.
Amos Pierce was born in Vermont, July 31, 1784, where he spent his boyhood days. Removing from Vermont, he settled in western New York, where he was engaged in blacksmithing, prov- ing himself an expert in making the first bolts and iron-work on the New York and Erie canal.
In 1811, he was married to Miss Mary Sanford. She was born in 1790, and died September 30, 1845. His second marriage was to Mrs. Evaline Woods.
Mr. Pierce removed from New York to Ashtabula county, Ohio. He came to Illinois in 1834, and bought a quarter section of land in Knox county. The village of Altona is located on this same quarter.
After he had bought it, he became dissatisfied, as there was no timber on the land. He then sold it and went to St. Augustine, where he met with some old settlers who went with him to Green- field (now Greenbush), where he bought land south of the village, on section 7.
Here he built his log house of three rooms, and here he spent the remainder of his days, farming, blacksmithing, and running a sawmill on Nigger creek, a short distance south of his residence.
This mill was built by Cornelius Clover, who then resided near St. Augustine. It was run by water-power, and had an np-and- down saw. The log was drawn against the saw with a wheel, hay- ing notched segments on the outer circle and wood pins on the side. When the board was sawed, the sawyer stepped on the pins to re- turn the log. This action was called "treading back the rag- wheel."
Many of the old settlers procured Inmber here to use in the construction of their houses, and for other purposes. The old mill played its part in the early days, and then passed into decay.
It is said that at the home of Amos Pierce strangers and friends were welcome alike, and that his home was a refuge for the
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colored man on his way to Canada for freedom. Ile was industri- ons. and stood for temperance. education, progression, and a lib- eral religion ; and was a member of the Universalist church. In polities he was a republican. Ile died July 20, 1872.
Amos Pierce, the subject of this sketch, was the seventh in deseent from Thomas Pieree, the emigrant ancestor of this branch of the Pierce family. Thomas Pierce came from England to this country, in 1633, with his wife Elizabeth, and settled in Charles- town. Mass. Ile was born in England in 1583, and died October 7. 1666. His wife Elizabeth was born in England, in 1595. The genealogy of this branch of the Pierce family, commencing with the emigrant ancestor, is: Thomas 1, Thomas 2, Thomas 3. Thomas 4. AAmos 5. Phineas 6, Amos 7.
Franklin Pierce was the seventh in descent from this same emigrant ancestor. He was born November 23. 1804: married Jane M. Appleton, November 10, 1834. She was born in 1806; and died December 2, 1863. He died October 8, 1869, in Concord. New Hampshire. He was inaugurated President of the United States, March 4. 1853.
Phineas Pierce, the father of Amos Pierce, the subject of this sketch, was born January 24. 1751; married, October 10, 1771, Ruth Gaines. She was born in 1751, and died November 9. 1802. His second marriage, January 13. 1803, was to Ruth Beebe. He died October 1. 1808. To them were born the following-named children :
Keziah. born July 1, 1773: married =- Austin. C'andice, born October 14, 1775; died September 13, 1777.
Iluldah, born August 6, 1777: died October 7. 1777.
Rhoda. born August 4. 1779; married John Ramson. She died September 2, 1862. Their children were: JJohn P., born August 4, 1801 ; died in 1863. Julia, Hiram, Horace, Stephen ( bet- ter known as "Col." Ramson ), born March 4. 1811 ; and died June 11, 1873. Mary, born October 2. 1812 : married C. P. Van Ness.
Phineas, born August 6, 1781; married Anna Kellogg. Elizabeth, born May 1. 1783; died May 5, 1783.
AMOS PIERCE AND WIFE.
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Amos, born July 31, 1784: married Mary Sanford, and Eva- line Woods.
Abiram, born May 20, 1786; married Sarah Satterlee, January 8, 1809.
William, born April 20, 1788; died May 9, 1788.
Lucy, born May 20, 1789; married Ashel Smith, and J. D. Webster. She died September 24, 1864, and was buried in the Bond graveyard. She was the mother of Phineas Pierce Smith, who died in Avon. Illinois. July 18, 1898; and was also the mother of Laura Roberts, who died in Swan township, February 3. 1877.
Horace, born November 16, 1803; married Mary Perkins.
Ruth, born October 12, 1805; married Luke Perkins.
Harry, born February 20, 1808; married Alma Phelps.
To Amos Pierce and his wife Mary were born the following- named children :
Clement, born in Poultney, Rutland county, Vermont. Sep- tember 24, 1813. He was married to Nancy Farr, March 6, 1834. She was born in Essex county, New York, January 13. 1814. He came with his father to Greenbush township, Warren county, Illi- nois, in 1834. They purchased 160 acres of land on section 7. Clement settled on a tract of land adjoining, where he resided until March. 1845, when he purchased the southwest quarter of section 35. in Roseville township, and moved upon it. Here he resided until June, 1864, when he moved to the village of Roseville, where he was engaged with Dr. B. Ragon in the mercantile business for about two years. He then bought Dr. Ragon's interest in the stock and continued in the business for about seven years, when he sold out.
In 1873 he retired from active labor. He was justice of the peace from 1872 to 1885. He also filled the office of supervisor in Roseville township.
To Clement Pierce and wife were born the following-named children :
Mary M., born August 2, 1835; married Solomon Emberling.
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Laura A., born January 26, 1837; married Alexander Bram- hall, and Charles Strand.
Ames, born December 10. 1843: married Mary JJ. Barr. They reside in Belleville, Kansas.
Phebe J., born October 10, 1845 : married Thomas JJ. Newburn.
Zachariah T., born April 23, 1848: died September 23, 1860.
In religion Clement Pierce was a member of the Universalist church. In polities he was a republican. He died December 25, 1890.
William Henry, born January 23, 1816: came to Greenbush, Illinois, in 1836. Shortly after his arrival he taught school in a log-cabin located in the woods, a short distance west of the village, then called Greenfield. Ile was also engaged in shoemaking with Julius Ilill.
William II. Pierce was married to Angeline Waldron. Septem- ber 10, 1837. She was born April 17. 1819; and died July 9, 1842. In 1840. he opened up a farm of two quarter-sections, one on the southwest corner of Berwick township and the other on the south- east corner of Roseville township. He built his house about one inile west of the village of Greenbush.
It was here that his wife Angeline died. She was buried a few rods west of the house. This was a lone grave until 1845, when Mary, wife of Amos Pierce, was buried there. This was afterwards used as the Pierce burying-ground; and about the year 1885. the land was deeded to Warren county, to be used as a publie burying ground.
Win. Il. Pierce was justice of the peace for several years. He moved to Momnonth, Illinois, in 1858, where he served as deputy- sheriff under Deacon John Brown for about 10 years: was county superintendent of schools; was also postmaster in Mommonth, Illi- nois, in 1861 to 1865.
Ile helped with his money and influence in the establishment of the Galesburg Liberal Institute which finally became the Lom- bard University. He was a member of the Universalist church. In polities he was an old-line whig up to 1856, when he voted for John C. Fremont and was a republican thereafter.
WM. H. PIERCE.
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In the early '40's, he was associated with David Mather and Dr. B. Ragon in the manufacture and sale of medicine for fever and ague which was then a prevalent disease. While engaged in the sale of this medicine, he was in Carthage, Illinois, on Sunday, June 27. 1844. and witnessed the killing of JJoseph Smith, the Mormon.
Win. Il. Pierce moved from Monmouth to Galesburg, where he died February 25. 1880, and was buried in Hope cemetery, at Galesburg, Illinois.
To Wm. H. Pierce and wife Angeline were born the following- named children :
Almiron G .. born July 4, 1838, in the first house that was built in the village of Greenfield, which name was changed to Green- bush, in 1843. This house was known in after years as the Karns cooper-shop. Ile received his first schooling at the old Downey schoolhouse, west of Greenbush. Frederic H. Merrill was his teacher. His second teacher was James C. Stice. The third was Miss Julia Root. at Woodville (now Avon).
In 1855, he attended school at Lombard University, at Gales- burg. Illinois. In 1856, he clerked in a store at Avon, Illinois. for J. M. Churchill. In 1858, he taught school in the Sisson school- district at Swan Creek. Ile was also clerk and salesman for S. J. Buzan in Greenbush, at one time.
He was married, in 1860, to Caroline Sanford. She was a daughter of Alba and Minerva ( Rust) Sanford. Alba Sanford was born in Vermont, September 22, 1807. He was a Baptist minister and school-teacher, resided in Greenbush for several years, and was engaged for some time in carrying the mail from Greenbush to Monmouth. He died in Greenbush, August 28, 1871, and was buried in the Pierce burying ground. Later his body was removed and placed by the side of his wife's in the family lot of A. G. Pierce, in Monmouth cemetery.
A. G. Pierce took charge of the old home farm during 1861 and 1862: removed to Monmouth. August 20, 1862, to act as deputy-postmaster under his father; and was city collector one term, 1865-6. February 5, 1866, he entered the railway mail ser- vice on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. Commencing when the railway service was in its infancy, he remained in the
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service until April 1, 1887. during which time he saw and helped to develop the system to a high grade of perfection. He cast his maiden vote November 6. 1860, in Berwick. Illinois. for Abraham Lincoln, and has been a republican ever since.
Almiron and Albert N. Snapp were intimate friends in their younger days. They were often together and generally attended publie gatherings together. In the fall of 1858, they coneluded to go to Galesburg and hear the joint discussion between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. So they started and walked to Abingdon. Here they got a chance to ride in a farm wagon to Galesburg.
During the campaign they conchided to make a wager on the election. They went to Osborn & Merrill's store and selected two gentleman's shawls. These shawls were all wool. large size, and very fashionable at the time. The loser was to pay for both shawls. Almiron bet on Lincoln and lost. His shawl cost him twenty-eight dollars, that being the price of the two.
Almiron remembers that Al. Snapp and he attended the meeting at the academy in Greenbush when Alexander Campbell preached there.
Since 1889. Almiron has been in the employ of the Maple City soap works, at Monmonth, Illinois. as traveling salesman.
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