USA > Illinois > Warren County > Early days in Greenbush : with biographical sketches of the old settlers > Part 8
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Frank, born August 6, 1864: married Belle Warren. February 12, 1888.
Bertha, born September 14, 1866: married Lemuel ITiram Car- roll, February 5, 1888. Hle was born March 25, 1865.
Fredrie, born March 20, 1868; married Ida Carroll, February 5, 1891. She was born August 9, 1869.
Andrew Sailer's second marriage was to Mary Condon. She was a daughter of William and Ann (Moore) Condon, who emi- grated from County Kildare, Ireland, in 1846.
In politics Mr. Sailer votes with the democrats. In religion he and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
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THOMAS DARNEILLE.
Thomas Darneille was born in Middletown. Bourbon county, Kentucky, March 3, 1822. He was a son of Ilenzie and Elizabeth (Congleton ) Darneille, who were natives of Virginia. Thomas came with his mother to Adams county. Illinois, in February, 1832. - his father having died in Kentucky, August 18, 1824.
After the death of his mother, which occurred in Adams county. Illinois, July 8, 1834. Mr. Darneille followed boating on the Mississippi river from Quiney. Illinois, to New Orleans. Louis- iana. On one of his trips he had the pleasure of seeing Andrew Jackson while viewing the battle grounds.
About the year 1844, he came to Greenbush township. Warren county. Illinois, where he was married February 9. 1847. to Mrs. Lucinda Snapp. Her maiden name was Lucinda Willard. She was born in Overton county, Tennessee. August 3, 1822. and died at Greenbush, Illinois, January 21, 1899. To them the following- named children were born :
Fielding M., born November 20. 1847. Died October 21, 1848. Leander, born October 6. 1849. Ile was engaged as salesman for more than ten years in the mereantile house of Merrill Brothers at Greenbush, Illinois. Ilis health failing him, he quit the business and. believing a trip to the mountains would be beneficial, he in company with his brother Orlando, Alfred D. Simmons, and J. C. Morris, started west on the fourteenth day of May. 1902 .- destination, Frying-Pan river. Colorado.
They went overland. driving a span of mules the entire trip; crossed the Mississippi river at Burlington, Iowa: reached Fair- field. May 17. and visited there with A. B. Camp and family; left there on the 19th and on the 22nd they stopped over night with George Jennings near Russell, lowa. On the 23rd they stopped over night with George Roberts, three miles north of Chariton, Iowa. George was formerly a Warren county, Ilinois, boy and his wife was a granddaughter of Col. John Butler.
They crossed the Missouri river at Nebraska City and the Republican river at Concordia, Kansas; stopped at Osborn City.
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Kansas, June 11, 1902, and took dinner with Elder R. M. Simmons; arrived at Great Bend, Kansas, on Saturday, June 14th, where they met Frank Merrill and wife; also Frank's sister Effie. After resting here two days, they again started on their journey, Frank going with them, the ladies returning to their homes in Illinois.
The party then followed the Arkansas river and the Santa Fe railroad, arriving at Lamar, Colorado, Tuesday, June 24, where they stopped two days visiting with William A. Jack and family. They arrived at La Junta June 29th; and four miles west of there, at noon, they saw the Spanish peaks, ninety-five miles away. This was their first view of the mountains. Arriv- ing at Pueblo, Wednesday, July 2nd; here they remained two days. They reached Cannon City, July 5th; and after visiting the penitentiary, Royal Gorge, ete., then fell in with a party of eighteen persons, with whom they traveled for several days.
On July 11th, they came to Salida, on the Arkansas river, where they were highely pleased with the beauty and attraction of the city. After leaving Salida, they passed several mines and camps, arriving at the summit of the "continental divide," on Sunday, July 13th, where the altitude is 13,000 feet, known as Monarch pass. Snowdrifts above and below.
After traveling that afternoon they reached the valley at sunset and eamped for the night on a beautiful little stream. On July 14th, they eame to the little 'town of Sargent, where considerable excitement prevailed, as a train had been held up and the passengers robbed; the express car had been blown up. This occurred on the D. & R. G. railroad, about four miles from Sargent on the Marshall pass. Here the party was engaged in hunting and fishing until they went to Gunnison City.
Arriving there on the 17th, where on the 18th of July it snowed and hailed, the party engaged in a game of snow-ball; but before night the sun shown bright and the bow of love and peace appeared in the heavens.
On Saturday, July 19th, A. R. Dickson and family left the party, going farther west. This family had been with the party for about three weeks and had beeome strongly attached by friendship and kindness. The parting was rather affeeting.
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After leaving Gunnison City, the party went twenty miles north on Spring creek, where they engaged in hunting and fishing for a week. It was here that Frank Merrill killed the first grouse. Then they drove west across a range of moun- tains and stopped on Cement creek near Crested Butte, where they did a little fishing and hunting. Here they also prospected for gold.
They went to ". Jack's Cabin, " and took a lunch there. This cabin was built by JJack many years ago, it being the first cabin in the valley. The cabin shows age and shrinkage. Here in this nice valley of East river is one store, a school-house and several ranches. The D. & R. G. railroad runs through this valley. Here the party bought provisions and feed for their mules.
On August 4th, they started on their trip homeward. Fol- lowing up Taylor river, they reached Union Park, where thirty men were engaged in a sluiceway, on which they had expended fifty thousand dollars, for placer mining. From there they followed Taylor river up to Taylor Park: then to a mining town, on the side of the mountain called Tin Cup.
After visiting the town a few hours, they drove four miles up the mountain to Black lake, where they eamped for the night. This lake contained about eighty aeres and was full of fine fish. Here the nights were so cold that water was frozen in the pails, and this in the month of August.
At nine o'clock in the morning. they were on top of Alpine pass above timber line. altitude 13,500 feet : wind blowing cold, sun shining bright, with St. Elmo seven miles below, where they arrived at noon. After viewing the fine seenery en route. they camped within three miles of some hot springs. on Chalk creek, where a fine hotel had been built but not entirely finished : $50.000 had been expended in its ercetion. the company breaking up with- out ever opening the building.
After passing the hotel a short distance, they saw a large mountain lion crossing the road. Cal. Morris and a Mr Miller, who were then with the party, followed the lion up the moun- tain but failed to get a shot. After losing trail of him, they
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returned to the wagon. The natives said from the description he must have been nine feet long.
About five miles northwest of this hotel the X-ray mines are located in the gold belt. John S. Rea, now in the grocery trade at Avon. Illinois, is a large shareholder in this mine.
Their next camping-place was Buena Vista, a nice little city located on the Arkansas river, at the foot of a mountain, in a mining district. While here they visited the smelter; then started for Cripple Creek. traveled all day and until nine o'clock at night, failed to find any water, and were compelled to go into camp without it. At daybreak the next morning, Lee, Dick, and Land started out to find water. After going about two miles, they arrived at a cabin owned by N. B. Daniels, an old miner. Here they found plenty of water. They also found that they were off the main route and were about sixty-five miles west of Pike's Peak. They camped for the day with Mr. Daniels, visiting his mines. Here Lee went down in one of the mines and helped put in a blast. This mine is known as "The. Last Chance." Here Frank killed a prairie-dog and brought him into camp, and the "Big 5" voted him the best hunter.
The party camped at a deserted town called Badger. This town had twenty-one empty buildings and was located in a valley surrounded by mountains. Here the party separated. out view- ing the town and the mines; and here they met Elder Smith Ketchum. a Predestinarian Baptist preacher, who was pastor of the New Hope church at Greenbush. Illinois. He was trav- eling with his two sons. One of them, having poor health, was trying the mountain air. This was a pleasant meeting, which all enjoyed.
On the fifteenth day of August, they passed through Box canon, viewing the beautiful scenery in the canon and meeting many pienie parties. They went into camp at 5 o'clock that even- ing in Cripple Creek, where they remained about six days, view- ing the mines-including the Independence and Portland.
After leaving Cripple Creek, they took the Cheyenne canon wagon road for Colorado Springs, passing in sight of the city of Altman, the highest incorporated city in the world. camp- ing at night at a summer resort called Rosemont: then crossed
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the Pike's Peak range. following Cheyenne canon, coming out on the high mountain south of Colorado Springs, where they had a fine view of the plains. They also saw a big storm, attended with lightning, hail and rain, below them on the mountain-side.
They then drove through Colorado Springs to Colorado City, where they camped and remained until the first of September. They visited the Garden of the Gods; had their photographs taken under Balance Roek; saw Glenerie, General Palmer's resi- denee: met Giles Crissey at his office in the lumber yard. and visited the family of Jolm R. Snapp, who were then at Colorado Springs.
On August 31. O. Darneille and Mrs. J. R. Snapp and child started for home by railway. On September the first. the party decided to go up to the top of Pike's Peak. Lee Darneille. J. C. Morris, Alfred D. Simmons, and Earl Snapp started about seven o'clock in the morning. all afoot reaching the half-way place about noon. Lee concluded to return, which he did, arriving in camp at two o'clock that afternoon. Earl being the youngest in the party. reached the summit at 2:30, and returning reached his residence at 7:30 that evening. Alfred reached the summit at 3:30, and arrived baek at 9:30 that night. J. C. Morris, being the oldest of the party. reached the summit at dark and returned September 2nd, at 9:30 in the evening. While he was up on the peak, he paid three dollars for supper, lodging and breakfast, and was called at 3:30 to see the sunrise.
On the third day of September. they started for Denver. passing Monument, Palmer Lake, Sedalia, and Littleton. The scenery on this route is noted for its grandeur and beauty. On the evening of September the fifth, they arrived at the residence of John K. Walker, near Littleton, and abont ten miles south- east of Denver. Here they met with a kind and joyful reception ; they had all been well acquainted in their younger days when John had lived in and about Greenbush, Illinois. The party stayed two nights with John, and they talked about old times and bygone days.
They left Walker's on the 7th and arrived in Denver the same day, where they eamped until the 20th. Here they visited William MeMahill, Mrs. Mary Buzan, Homer Pond and wife.
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Wm. Baumgartner, George Hamilton, and a daughter of Sarah Walker. After selling their mules and wagon, they returned home by railroad.
Orlando, son of Thomas and Lucinda Darneille, was born April 15, 1852. He was township collector in Greenbush town- ship for nine years; supervisor one term; assessor four years; and notary public for seventeen years, which office he now holds. He has also been engaged for several years as administrator and executor in the settlement of estates. Ile was married in Spring- fild, Illinois, October 3, 1905, to Mrs. Margaret Ellen Smith. She was born February 4, 1861, and was a daughter of William B. and Rebecca (Morris) Park.
George, born February 13, 1857: died February 6, 1862.
Mary Elizabeth, born January 1, 1860; died December 4, 1863.
Shortly after Thomas Darneille was married, he moved to Middletown, McDonough county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the business of blacksmithing with his brother Henzie. About the year 1850, he moved back to Greenbush and purchased lots one and two in block nine, where he built a small frame house.
The most of his last years were spent in Greenbush working at the blacksmith trade. In religion he was a member of the Christian church. In politics he was a republican. He died May 24, 1870.
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PAYTON A. VAUGHN,
Payton A. Vaughn was born in Dinwiddie county. Virginia. March 31. 1810. He was a son of JJohn E. Vaughn. Payton came with his father to Logan county, Kentucky. in 1829. They moved to Todd county. Kentucky, where Payton's father died in 1831.
Mr. Vaughn came to Adams county. Illinois, in February, 1832: came to Greenbush, Illinois, in June, 1837, and located on the southwest quarter of section twenty. Here he built his house.
This house was sixteen feet square and was built of hickory and elm logs hauled together with cattle: the chimney was built of sod and the roof was made of boards, rived out with a fro. fastened on with knees and weight poles. The door was made of boards and was set in the south side: the floor was made from hickory logs split and howed on one side, and was called a puncheon floor. This house had no window.
They had one bedstead when they moved in, so they made another by boring holes in the log wall and running small pieces of timber to a post in the floor. This frame was then corded with green hickory bark. After the bark dried, this proved to be a very good bedstead.
He was married to Mary Darneille, JJuly 18. 1834. She came from Bourbon county, Kentucky, to Adams county, Illinois, in 1832, and was a daughter of Henzie and Elizabeth (Congleton ) Darneille and a sister of Thomas and Henzie Darneille, who came to Greenbush in an early day.
To Payton A. Vaughn and wife were born the following- named children :
Elizabeth, married David Smalley. He died October 20. 1873. Her second marriage was to Elder John Ward.
Martha, who died at the age of two years.
Parthena, married David B. Keith. He died September 27. 1899.
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James Thomas, married Susanna Johnson. She died Feb- ruary 9, 1886, at the age of 39 years. His second marriage was to Inez Stice.
Mary Z., married William C. Rush. December 4, 1866; and was afterwards married to James C. Donaldson. He died in 1893.
George E .. married Josephine Welsh. He died March 17, 1893.
Douglas, married Clara Butler.
Mary, wife of Payton A. Vaughn, was born February 13, 1820, and died in December, 1898. She was for many years before her death a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In religion Mr. Vaughn is a member of the same church. He votes the democratic tieket.
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THOMAS MOULTON.
Thomas Moulton was born November 14, 1500. He came from Indiana to Greenbush, Illinois, in 1838, and settled on section 16. where he lived and died. He was a farmer by ocen- pation. Ile filled the office of justice of the peace for many years, and was also a local preacher in the Christian church. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Margery Howe. was born November 14. 1801, and was also a member of the Christian church.
To Thomas Moulton and wife were born the following-named children :
John, born September 25, 1825; married Elizabeth Sargent. He died December 22. 1851. She afterwards married John Worden.
Andrew J .. born September 30, 1834; married Mary Jane Cunningham. They moved to Kansas and from there to Cali- fornia. where he died.
David, born March 18, 1836; died September 5, 1858.
Thomas B., born May 24, 1843: married Eliza Davis. She died May 31, 1901.
Mary Jane, born September 18. 1823: married Walter Bond. After his death, she married Benjamin C. Carter. She died April 26. 1893. B. C. Carter died December 18. 1897. at the age of 75 years.
Lucinda. born July 23, 1831: married James H. Simmons. She died April 17. 1874.
Sarah. born September 18. 1829: married Alfred W. Sim- mons. She died May 18. 1902.
Elizabeth, born February 24. 1827: married Thomas Cun- ningham.
Susan, born September 6. 1837: married William Bryant Reed. She died September 4. 1858.
Thomas Moulton died January 24. 1868. Margery. his wife. died July 1. 1887.
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JAMES SIMMONS.
James Simmons, who was a brother of Rowland Simmons, was born in 1795. Late in the fall of 1816, he moved from Green River, Warren county, Kentucky, to Madison county, Illinois. His wife and infant son ( Andrew W.) came with him. They made the entire trip on horseback.
He moved to Greenbush, Warren county, Illinois, in October, 1833. He first settled about one mile south of where the village is now located. He afterwards moved east of the village on land adjoining it.
He was married in Kentucky to Sarah Stice. To them were born the following-named children :
Rowland M., born November 7, 1819; married Diana Stice. She died in Missouri. He was a member of the militia and, in 1843, was elected first lieutenant and commissioned by Governor Ford under Captain W. B. Blankenship, who died in the service. R. M. Simmons was then elected captain to fill the vacancy.
This was the 6th company, 2nd battalion, 84th regiment Illinois militia. John C. Bond was major; John Butler. colonel ; V. Il. Marshall. adjutant; John McMahill, first lieutenant; Levi Hedges, orderly sergeant. They mustered three times a year company battalion ; officers' drill, twice a year. They had three places of meeting: Greenbush, Berwick, and New Lancaster.
Captain Simmons's company was composed of 80 substantial men. He was drillmaster at officers' drill. The regiment was called out for volunteers for the Mexican war. Wyatt B. Stapp, who was brigadier-general, went with the company as captain to the Mexican war.
R. M. Simmons is an elder in the Old-School Predestinarian Baptist church, and has for many years devoted a great portion of his time to preaching in different localities.
Andrew W .. born in Kentucky, September 2, 1816: married Mary Ann Hedges, January 6, 1842. She died July 19. 1847. His second marriage was to Ascenath Brooks, March 2, 1848.
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She was born in Kentucky, January 7. 1825. Ho filled the offices of tax-collector and justice of the peace for several years in the township. He died September 12, 1887.
Alfred W., born November 5, 1821: married Sarah Moulton, August 26. 1847. She was born September 18, 1829, and died May 18. 1902.
Charles Riley, born December 24, 1825; married Martha Bair. She died December 13. 1884. at the age of 42 years.
William Jackson, born December 30. 1827; married Sarah Holeman. He died in Gentry county, Missouri, November 4, 1884.
Francis Marion, born November 10, 1823; was never mar- ried. He died at the residence of Peter Snider. his brother-in- law, in the village of Greenbush, June 24, 1891.
Martin V. B., born October 5. 1839: married Hester Cun- ningham. He died September 29, 1877. She died December 4. 1887, at the age of 42 years.
Nancy, born in Madison county, Illinois, February 17, 1831; married J. Woodford Ray. She died March 11. 1853.
Sarah A .. born JJanuary 27. 1818; married William Wiet. She died March 25. 1863. He died March 23. 1895. at the age of 78 years.
Joanna, born October 11, 1842: married Isaac Holeman. She died August 22, 1901. Hle died May 20, 1901. at the age of 68 years.
Dianna, born August 2. 1835: married Peter Snider.
Arminda C .. born November 14. 1837: married Benjamin F. Watt. He was born September 30. 1840. and died February 13. 1904.
James Simmons died August 21. 1873. His wife died April 8. 1855. at the age of 58 years. They were members of the Old- School Predestinarian Baptist church. In politics Mr. Simmons was a democrat.
JAMES SIMMONS.
.. .
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WILLIAM P. JONES.
William P. Jones was born in Kentucky, November 11, 1810. He was a son of Elijah and Sarah ( Hamvock) Jones, both natives of Virginia. She was born in 1777; their marriage occurred in North Carolina, in 1801. To this union the following-named children were born :
Susanna, born in 1802; Wyley, in 1804; Margaret, in 1809; William P .. in 1810; Jessie, in 1812; John, in 1814; and Eliza- beth, in 1816.
Elijah Jones, the father of William P. Jones, died in Ken- tucky in 1833. His wife Sarah died in Illinois in 1857.
William P. Jones was married in 1829, to Adora Strode. She was born in Kentucky, in 1810. To them were born the following- named children :
Mary A., born April 19, 1830; married Chylon Kemp.
Sarah A., born April 15, 1833; married William Wood.
Cynthia A., born January 24, 1834.
Elijah, born January 29, 1836; married Eva Shawler. Elizabeth, born September 8, 1838.
Catherina, born October 12, 1841; married Newton Kemp. Angelina, born September 6, 1845; married John Bowman. William, born May 4, 1848; married Adeline Hasson.
Peter, born November 7, 1850; married Helen Threlkeld.
William P. Jones came to Greenbush, Illinois, in 1835. After living in Greenbush township for several years, he purchased land on seetion 22, in Swan township, where he resided the most of the time during his last years. IIe was by oceupation a farmer. In religion he was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. In politics he was a lifelong democrat. He died July 9, 1888; his wife died April 27, 1877.
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ALEXANDER WILLARD.
Alexander Willard was born in Virginia, October 26, 1795. He was a son of William and Jane ( Cook) Willard. Jane Cook was born in Ireland.
Alexander Willard left Virginia in his younger days and went to Overton county. Tennessee: from there he moved to the state of Missouri. His next move was to Morgan county, Illinois: from there he moved to Greenbush, Illinois. in 1837.
He was married in Tennessee to Lucy Liles. She was born July 7. 1796. To them the following-named children were born :
Mary, born November 24, 1814: married William Foster. She died January 16, 1893. He died September 7, 1862.
William, born August 11, 1816; married Jane Hodge. She was born October 17, 1818: and died October 24, 1879. IIe died March 5. 1901.
Ineinda, born August 3, 1822; married Ezekiel M. Snapp. October 19, 1839. He died October 1, 1842. Her second mar- riage was to Thomas Darneille. February 9, 1847. He died May 24, 1870. Lucinda died JJanuary 21. 1899.
Thomas Joiner, born April 10, 1824; married Mary Sim- mons. daughter of Rowland and Julia A. Simmons. Both died in Kansas.
Jane, born August 31, 1826; married Henzie Darneille, Jan- mary 6, 1847. She died September 27. 1905.
Margaret, born March 18. 1829; married Charles S. Hole- man.
John, born February 25, 1831: married Martha A. Sum- mers, in July, 1850. She was born August 15, 1831. His second marriage was to Mrs. Elizabeth McClurg, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hutton. She was born in Ohio, October 10. 1843.
Annis, born July 11, 1833: married Porter J. Jack. She died at Meedoc, Jasper county, Missouri, February 21, 1876. He died at Arcadia, Crawford county, Kansas. July 14. 1897.
PORTER J. JACK.
THE NEW YES PUBLIC LIBRARY
ACTOR, LEWCY AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS L
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Alexander, born December 17, 1837; married Emily Sim- mons. She was a daughter of Rowland and Julia A. Simmons, who came to Greenbush in 1830.
Mr. Willard, the subject of this sketch, was by occupation a farmer. In politics he was a democrat. In religion he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years before their death.
He died February 21. 1849. His wife Lucy died at the resi- dence of her son-in-law Henzie Darneille, in Bushnell, Illinois, May 15. 1879. She was blind for many years before her death.
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DR. WILLIAM RANDALL.
Dr. William Randall was born in the town of Aurora, in Dearborn county. Indiana, May 27. 1834. He was a son of George and Rhoda (Ewbanks) Randall. His father was born in Canterbury. Kent county, England, in 1796: and emigrated to the United States, in 1819, and located in Shawneetown, Illinois. From there he moved to Dearborn county, Indiana, where, in 1826. he was married to Miss Rhoda Ewbanks. She was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1806: and died in Indiana. in 1859. He was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He died in 1866. To them were born the following- named children :
John E., George F .. William, Mary, Thomas E .. Richard R .. Rebecca J .. and Elizabeth V.
Dr. William Randall was married to Caroline Snapp, March 10, 1863. She was a daughter of Franklin G. and Adeline (Morse) Snapp. She died May 20, 1875. To this union the following- named children were born :
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