USA > Illinois > Warren County > Early days in Greenbush : with biographical sketches of the old settlers > Part 5
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In polities he is a democrat. In religion he and his family are members of the Catholic church.
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JOHN PHILIP KRAMER.
John P. Kramer was born in Hadem, Westphalia. Germany. December 20. 1824. After going to the public school and being confirmed in the Lutheran church, he learned the tailor trade and worked at that occupation in different towns near the Rhine river.
In 1855 he started for America in company with his friend, Louis Hollenberg. They took a sail-ship from Bremen, and after a perilous journey of eight weeks, in which time all the passengers suffered from lack of a sufficient supply of food and drink. they arrived in New York city.
The railroad did not extend beyond Galesburg at that time, and they came on here; and while in Galesburg they luckily came across Amos Seigler who took them with his wagon-load of merchandise on to Greenbush. They soon found Mr. Ilollen- berg's two brothers. Henry and George, who had come to this country a few years previous.
Mr. Kramer first found work at his trade in Monmouth. where he staid about a year, and then he went back to Greenbush. where he kept a tailor-shop until 1866.
Hle was married November 1. 1858. to Helena Meusborn, whom he had known in Germany. She was born in Vorm Wald. Westphalia, Germany. February 13. 1839: and came to America in 1858. in company with some friends. In 1878, in company with her oldest daughter and others, she visited her old German home.
In 1866 Mr. and Mrs. Kramer moved out onto their farm, two and one-half miles southeast of the village of Greenbush. where by thrift and industry they built up a comfortable home for themselves and children.
In polities Mr. Kramer was a republican. He was an earnest, quiet man, fond of his German books and papers.
He died April 13. 1902.
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The following-named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kramer :
Louise Katrina, who married Rev. Karl Lotz, April 23, 1879. He was then pastor of the German Lutheran church at Galesburg, Illinois. Since then they have lived mostly in Kansas and Mis- souri. They have one son (adopted) - Albert.
Emma, who married Rev. Karl Luecke, pastor of the German Lutheran church of Stover, Missouri, April 23, 1890. She died March 2, 1892. She was a woman of rare goodness and kindness of heart. She left a daughter, Bertha.
Frederick William, who married Lena Doll, of Bushnell, Illinois, and who has always lived in Greenbush township. They have three children - Dollie, Esther. and Edith.
Bertha Marie, who married Ferdinand Schoenheider, of Peoria, Illinois. May 24, 1893. They have three children - Arnold, Arthur, and Gertrude.
Wilhelmina Amelia, who married John R. Armes, formerly of Nashville, Tennessee, July 27, 1897. He died the following November, leaving one son, Eugene.
Alvena, who married Olof Olson, of Greenbush township, March 9, 1903. They live on the old home place.
Clara Helena, who is living with her mother who moved to Peoria, Illinois, in March, 1903.
Jacob, brother of John Kramer, was born August 6, 1815. He came to this country, in 1858, and made his home with his brother. He was never married. He took two trips to Germany and, in 1896, he decided to go again to pass the remainder of his life there. He died in Germany, January 16, 1905, after an illness of a few hours, in the very house in which he was born. He was quite active and strong to the last and his enjoyment was found in walking from his home to visit friends and relatives in the villages near by.
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CHARLES HENRY KILLOUGH.
It will be observed that the spelling of the name Kellough has been changed to Killough, the subject of this sketch having chosen to return to the original way.
Charles Henry Killough was born in Cecil county, Mary- land, March 16, 1834. lle was a son of Richard and Sarah (Max- well) Killough. His father and grandfather were born in Lan- caster county, Penn. Their ancestors came from Scotland in 1648.
Charles II. Killough eame to Illinois with his parents in 1837, and settled near Brooklyn, in Schuyler county, where he grew to manhood.
In April. 1855. he came to Greenbush township and settled on section 28. Ile cast his first vote in the fall of 1856, for John C. Fremont for president : was a voter in Greenbush town- ship for forty years, and during all these years he continued to vote the republican ticket and never wavered from the principles of his party.
Hle was married December 25, 1855, to Margaret Holcomb. of near Plymouth. Hancock county, Illinois. She was a daughter of Hosea and Susan (Gilman) Holcomb. To them were born the following-named children :
Martha, born April 25, 1857; married John M. Conley. December 6, 1877. She died April 12, 1889.
Sarah, born August 15, 1859, married George E. Young. March 30, 1880.
Lura, born March 8. 1863; married T. H. Eastman, Jannary 22, 1889.
Mary, born February 11. 1866; married Joseph L. Stice, January 26. 1899.
Anna, born October 21, 1868: married Nathan M. Wetzel, January 10, 1889.
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Minnie, born April 7, 1873; married Harvey D. Ludden, March 8, 1898.
These girls all grew to womanhood in the old home where they were born, and some of them were married there.
In religion Mr. Killough is a Presbyterian, having been a member of that church for more than fifty years; and for more than twenty-five years has been a ruling elder of his church. Soon after coming to Greenbush, he transferred his membership to the Prairie City church, where it has since remained. His wife is also a member of the same church.
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PETER HONTS.
Peter Hlonts was born in Botetourt county. Virginia. Sep- tember 24, 1815. Hle was a son of Henry and Catherine (Kauf- man) Honts, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Honts worked with his brothers Daniel and Henry about four years in a paper-mill that was located about five miles from Fineastle. Virginia.
He left Virginia, in 1836, and went to Morgan county, Indiana, where he married Martha A. Walker, in 1838. She died March 28. 1896.
Peter Honts came to Greenbush in 1847. where he has resided the most of the time since.
To Peter and Martha Honts were born the following-named children :
Lney A., born November 20, 1840. She married Thomas Gunter, in 1860.
William Henry, born June 17, 1843; never married, and re- sides in Greenbush.
Delphia Jane, born November 26, 1845; died of cholera July 17. 1851.
John B., born June 24. 1848; married Sarah E. Montgomery. She died August 19, 1902.
Isaac George, born January 6, 1854; married Alba Knight.
Joel A., born June 24. 1856; married Alice Snare.
Mary Catherine, born September 10, 1859; died April 15, 1862.
George B. M., born November 13, 1864; died in infancy.
Peter Honts was by occupation a wagon-maker and car- penter; he was also engaged a portion of the time in farming. In polities he is a democrat.
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FREDERIC HENRY MERRILL.
Frederic H. Merrill was born in Amherst, Mass., July 25, 1819. He was a son of Ilorace and Deborah (Paine) Merrill.
Ilis boyhood days were spent mostly in his home town, where he received superior educational advantages. In early manhood he removed with his parents to Orwell, Vermont, and was for some years employed in a large mercantile house at what was then known as Chipman's Point, on the shore of Lake Cham- plain. Ilis parents having, in 1836, moved to Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio, he about one year later followed them there, where for a time he engaged in business for himself.
About 1840, he came to Illinois. For several years he was a prominent and successful teacher in the district schools of Warren and Henderson counties. On October 7, 1847, he was married at Denny. Warren county, Illinois, to Lucretia Paine, daughter of Charles Henry and Parthenia (Mason) Paine. She was born at Freedom, Portage county, Ohio, August 27, 1825.
About 1849 or '50, he came with his wife and one child, Mary Emily (now Mrs. George Albro Johnston), to Greenbush, Illinois, and associated himself with Alfred Osborn under the firm name of Osborn & Merrill. They for years did a large general mer- chandise business, and were widely known. Their store was noted for fair-dealing, and the word of Frederic H. Merrill was always as good as his bond. He was interested in everything calculated to better the condition of his home town and the welfare of his fellow-citizens.
In his religious affiliations he was a Congregationalist, but his views were broad and charitable.
There were born to them eleven children, namely :
Mary Emily, born July 4, 1848: married George Albro Johns- ton, April 26, 1868.
Charles Henry, born January 11, 1850.
Effie Maria, born November 19, 1853.
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Frederic Horace, born April 20, 1860; married Mary Alice Belding, June 2. 1892. He is now engaged in the grocery and hardware trade at Avon. Illinois.
Giles Edward, born December 13, 1862; married Catherine M. Snyder. May 28. 1885. He is extensively engaged in the poultry and egg business at Avon, Illinois, and is a member of the firm of Merrill Brothers, doing a general merchandise business at Greenbush, Illinois.
Frank, born October 6. 1867: married Pearl Meachum, December 14, 1893. He, in company with his brother. Giles E., is engaged in the mercantile business at Greenbush, Illinois.
Arthur, born November 20. 1869; married Elizabeth Bliss, July 18. 1894. After receiving a divorce from her, he married Catherine Robey. October 12. 1898. She was a daughter of T. A. and Emma (Baldwin) Robey. He was appointed postmaster at Avon, Illinois, July 15, 1897, which office he still holds. He is a strong advocate of the rural route system, having obtained three routes as early as November 1, 1900.
Cora Eliza, born April 17, 1865; died May 10, 1879.
Three children died in infancy.
Mr. Merrill and his family removed to Avon, Illinois, in the fall of 1863, where he continued in the same line of business. He was for several years postmaster at Avon ; also school director. In his political belief he was a republican.
After years of a busy life he transferred his store interest to his two sons. Giles E. and Fredric H. Merrill. Ile died in Avon, Illinois. August 14, 1892. His wife followed him to the better world April 28, 1897. Both have left behind them names that will ever be honored and cherished by all who knew them.
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BETHUEL MERRIS.
Bethuel Merris was born in the state of Ohio, July 9. 1826. He was a son of John B. and Eliza Merris, both natives of Ohio. He came to Scott county, Illinois, about the year 1845. He was married at Naples, Illinois, to Mary Crawford, July 5, 1846. She was born in Ohio, August 7, 1825.
They moved to Greenbush, Warren county, Illinois, in the fall of 1852. where they resided up to the time of their death.
To them were born the following-named children :
Meribah, born February 6, 1848; married Robert Barbour, February 16, 1861.
John B., born October 23, 1849.
Almira, born March 21, 1852; married James Garland Ray, December 3, 1871.
Eliza Ellen, born January 29, 1855; married Joshua Coates Ray, April 2, 1874.
Flora A., born January 5, 1859.
Melissa, born February 2, 1867.
Mr. Merris was by occupation a farmer. In politics he was a democrat. In religion he and his wife were members of the Christian church. He died March 7, 1891 ; his wife died December 24. 1898.
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EBENEZER WILFORD WOODS.
E. W. Woods was born in Sullivan. Madison county. New York. September 16, 1818. He was a son of Asa and Mary Wilford ) Woods and a grandsen of Samuel and Phobe ( Holten) Woods. His maternal grandparents were John and Anna ( Black- stone ) Wilford, both natives of England.
Mr. Woods came with his father from New York to what is now known as Avon, in Fulton county, Illinois. in 1836. He says when they arrived they found David Young and James Simmons digging a well for Ira Woods.
Mr. Woods, the subject of this sketch, was married in Green- bush township. Warren county. Illinois, to Rhoda M. Butler, January 6. 1853. She was born in Gallia county, Ohio. JJanuary 6. 1830, and was a daughter of Col. John and Mary ( Adnex ) Butler.
To Mr and Mrs. Woods were born the following-named children :
Mary, born October 25, 1853: died October 4, 1854.
Ezra B., born November 27, 1854; married Carrie Lovejoy. who died March 4, 1897. His second marriage was to Kate Lester, October 14. 1899.
Willis R., born March 9, 1857; married Priscilla Van Velsor, December 25, 1885.
Amelia A., born March 13, 1859: married John E. Meitchel, April 4. 1877. She died March 8, 1892.
Olevia E., born February 22. 1861.
John A., born March 7, 1863; married Dora Simmons, Angust 14, 1886.
Edwin S., born March 19. 1865: married Nettie Austin, January 19. 1887.
Sarah B., born May 4, 1867 ; married Artie Lincoln, August 26. 1885.
Minnie C., born November 11, 1869 : married John E. Meitchel, July 8. 1894.
By occupation Mr. Woods is a farmer. In his younger days he worked some at the carpenter trade; he also made the first wood- work of a wagon in the country. This wagon was ironed by his cousin and traded to McMahon who then kept store in Greenbush. Politically Mr. Woods votes the republican ticket.
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ISAAC CUNNINGHAM.
Isaac Cunningham was born in Kentucky, July 10, 1815. In his boyhood days he went to the state of Indiana, where in 1838, he was married to Miss Sarah James.
He came to Greenbush, Illinois, in 1841, and moved to Fulton county, Illinois, in 1850; was in the mercantile business at Avon for fifteen years. He filled the offices of supervisor, collector, and constable, and was at the time of his death deputy sheriff of Fulton county. He died of heart disease and seemed to be as well as usual the day before his death, which occurred at Avon, Illinois. April 19, 1872. Hle had no children. In politics he was a democrat.
TIIOMAS CARROLL.
Thomas Carroll was born in County Latram, Ireland, in 1832. He left Ireland in his younger days in company with his unele John Fay and wife. After a voyage of fifty-two days on the water, they arrived at Quebec, Canada, where he remained with his unele until 1842, when he went to Bakersfield, Vermont, where he learned the blacksmith trade. He then went to Massachusetts, where he worked seven years in the carriage shops of Charles Rice.
Ile was married March 13, 1853, to Miss Elizabeth Raper : and in June of that year they went to Monmonth, Illinois. Mr Carroll then ran a peddling-wagon over the prairies for one year. IIe then went to Ellisville, Illinois, on the Spoon river, where he and his wife first engaged in housekeeping. Caroline W., their first child, was born and died here.
Their next move was to Greenbush, Illinois, -the date they do not remember. Mr. Carroll then went to work for Cornelius Hanks and Alexander McGrew. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, four of whom are now living; three of them are married.
Mr. Carroll and wife reside at Winfield, Henry county, Iowa.
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CHARLES CHAUNCY MERRILL.
Charles C. Merrill was born in Orwell, Vermont, September 10, 1833. Ile was a son of Horace and Deborah ( Paine) Merrill. His boyhood days were mostly spent in Chardon, Ohio, to which place his parents had removed in 1836. In the fall of 1853. he came to Greenbush. Illinois, where his brother Frederic HI. Merrill resided. During most of the year of 1854. he was employed in the dry goods and general store of MeKinney & Co .. at Oquawka, Illinois.
August 27, 1855. at North Bloomfield, Ohio. he was married to Cornelia Converse Osborn, daughter of Leonard and Amanda (Smith) Osborn. The same year he became a partner in the firm of Osborn & Merrill at Greenbush, Illinois. changing the firm name to Merrill. Osborn & Merrill.
In 1860, having withdrawn from the business, he removed to Galesburg. Illinois, where he still resides. For more than 35 years he was a clothing merchant in Galesburg. In religious belief he is a Methodist : politically. a republican. They had no children. Cornelia, wife of C. C. Merrill. died October 28. 1904. She was a working member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was noted for her Christian character.
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DAVID SHINGLER LINK.
David S. Link was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 5, 1832. He was a son of John and Susan (Shingler) Link. His boyhood days were spent on a farm. After arriving at manhood he engaged in teaming from Stanton to Winchester, Va. He was married July 4, 1852, to Elizabeth Ann Quick. She was a daugh- ter of Tumis and Jane (Adams) Quick.
In September, 1853, Mr. Link and wife removed from Virginia to Delaware county, Ohio; and in September, 1864, they moved to Fulton county, Illinois. In 1867, they removed to Greenbush town- ship, Warren county, Illinois, where they purchased sixty-five acres of land of Thomas Cunningham on section 16; and resided there until 1887. when they moved to Avon, Illinois, where his wife Elizabeth died August 24, 1894.
To Mr. and Mrs. Link were born the following-named children :
Susan Jane, born March 25, 1855: married Arthur Lee Win- gate, December 25, 1873.
Sarah Catherine, born February 10, 1857; married Alvin Hewett. July 4, 1878.
Elizabeth Margaret, born February 14, 1859; married James Coons, December 14, 1877.
William Daniel, born November 27. 1860: married Carrie L. Weaver, November 8, 1883. He died February 26, 1896.
Mary Emma, born March 11, 1862; died August 26, 1874.
Eliza Ann, born March 18, 1864; married David B. Simmons, January 1, 1882.
Jennetta Virginia, born January 21, 1867: married Frank Hathaway, March 13, 1890.
David Delbert, born February 26, 1869; married Mary L. Simmons. July 1, 1890.
Ora Addie, born February 21, 1871; married Charles W. Johnson, February 26, 1889.
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Zenanna Anis, born April 4. 1873 ; died May 7. 1874. John Henry, born July 3. 1875 : died July 21, 1876.
Mr. Link's second marriage was to Alvernia A. Mason, May 4, 1896. She was born in Frederick county, Va., February 25, 1854.
David S. Link by occupation has been a farmer. In politics he is a democrat. In religion he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. His first wife was a consistent member of this church for many years before her death. His present wife is also a member of the same church. They now reside at Avon. Illinois.
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ROSWELL ROSE.
Roswell Rose was born in Oneida county, New York, February 2, 1801. His father was Phineas Rose, a Revolutionary soldier. He attended sehool but very little, but was educated by his mother, who was a scholarly woman. He taught school for a number of years when a young man. IIe afterward learned the carpenter's trade and worked for a time in the city of Buffalo, New York.
In 1836, he came to Chicago with his family, consisting then of a wife and four children, and worked there at his trade for about a year, when he pre-empted a piece of land in Lake county, Illinois, about twenty miles northwest of Chicago, the land in that locality having but recently come into market. He improved this land and lived there about six years, when he moved to Waukegan, Illinois, a small village, then just starting, where he worked at carpenter work and millwrighting, being interested in building the first mill erected in that place.
He came to Fulton and Warren counties in the summer of 1850, and purchased a half-interest in a mill property, situated near where Swan creek crosses the Meridian line. This property had been partially improved some time before by John and Riverus Woods. A sawmill was already running and a frame put up for a gristmill.
Mr. Rose returned to Waukegan in the fall of that year and moved his family, loeating on the northeast quarter of section 13, in Greenbush township, now known as the Saunders farm. Here he bought a log house and some other small improvements. The house was built by Loren Woods in 1838. IIe resided in this house about three years, when he erected a frame dwelling on the south side of the creek and near the mill, where he resided until his death.
Mr. Rose, with his partner, Riverus Woods, put the grist-mill in operation in 1851. This mill did quite a large business for a number of years, and was a great accommodation to the surround- ing country, especially Greenbush township and farther west, many customers coming there from a distance of 25 or 30 miles, -6
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and sometimes they were obliged to wait two or three days to get their grist ground.
When this mill was built Swan creek furnished sufficient water to run the mill nearly the whole year, but as the country became improved. the water became less and steam power was added.
This mill proved to be a death trap for Mr. Rose. On Sep- tember 5. 1867. he was caught in a band and instantly killed. His partner, Riverus Woods, had died the year before at the age of 62 years.
At the time of Mr. Rose's death his son. W. H. Rose, was interested with him in the business and carried it on for some time after.
Roswell Rose was married to Elizabeth Ingraham in Oneida county. New York. Six children were born to them. namely : Har- riet. Havilah R., Silas N .. and Cyrus ( twin brothers), William HI., and Birney.
Elizabeth, wife of R. Rose, died in Avon. Illinois, November 29. 1870. at the age of 66 years. surviving her husband a little more than three years.
Ilarriet ( Rose) Nichols died near Santa Ana. California. Sep- tember 21. 1898, at the age of 71 years.
Ilavilah R. Rose died in Avon. Ill., August 11. 1900, at the age of 70 years.
Silas N. Rose died at Memphis. Mo., September 22. 1898, at the age of 66 years. His twin brother. Cyrus, died at the age of S years. in Lake county, Illinois.
Birney Rose died in Avon. Illinois, February 2. 1877. at the age of 31 years.
W. H. Rose, the only surviving member of the family, is now a resident of Avon, Illinois.
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PHILIP KARNS.
Philip Karns was born in Baden, Germany, October 22, 1815. His father died when he was about two years old, leaving two sons, Philip and John, with their mother.
When Philip was twelve years old, his cousin Philip Sotman and family took passage on a vessel for America. Mr. Sotman asked Philip's mother if he could go with them to the vessel and see them off. To this she consented, thinking Philip would return home the next day.
After arriving on board the vessel, they quietly stowed Philip away in the hold, where he was found three or four days after they had started. He was brought up on deek where he created a considerable stir among the passengers and erew: but Philip made himself useful on board, was well liked and enjoyed the trip.
In 1828, he went to Lancaster, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Nancy Ann Ellinger, August 20, 1837. She was born Novem- ber 15, 1817. This marriage occurred before breakfast as there was a camp meeting in the nighborhood at the time and they wished to attend that day.
In 1842. they moved to Morgan county, Indiana, near Mar- tinsville, where Mr. Karns was engaged in the cooper trade and in the business of teaming. In 1846, he moved with his family to Greenbush, Warren county, Illinois.
To Mr. Karns and wife the following-named children were born :
Catherine, born July 3, 1839; married Riley Adams.
Samuel L., born September 19, 1840; married Edwina C. Bond. He died November 1, 1874.
Margaret Ann, born October 27. 1842: married George J. Emriek.
John Henry, born August 14, 1845; married Clara Neer. He died March 5, 1877.
Mary Minerva, born February 23, 1848; died Mareh 11, 1864.
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Philip Jacob. born August 19, 1854: married AAramanta Johnson.
Huldah Jane, born August 23, 1851: married Dallas Clark. She died February 7, 1873.
William Riley, born March 24, 1857: married Birdie Williams. Josiah C .. born November 20, 1859: died May 8. 1862. Joseph E .. born January 5, 1863; married Laura Harker.
Philip Karns was by occupation a cooper; he was also en- gaged in teaming. and took great pride in his horses. He hauled goods for the merchants in Greenbush for many years from Oquawka. Burlington, Peoria, and other places.
During the visitation of cholera in Greenbush, in 1851, he was especially helpful, hauling off the dead, assisting in the burials, and doing everything in his power to relieve the suffering.
HIis last years were spent on his farm north of Greenbush, in Berwick township, where he was engaged in farming and stoek- raising. He died March 10, 1898.
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IIENZIE DARNEILLE.
Hlenzie Darneille was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, April 16, 1824. He was a son of Henzie and Elizabeth (Congle- ton) Darneille, who were natives of Virginia and were of French and Irish descent. Henzie, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born July 8, 1789. He died in Kentucky, August 18, 1824. His wife Elizabeth was born December 4, 1790, and died in Adams county, Illinois. July 8, 1834.
To them were born the following-named children :
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