Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 101

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

wagon drawn by oxen, and enjoying the advan- tage of ample provisioning and equipment. On the journey the Indians often catde to the wagon for food. and through the generosity thus ex- iended, and the kindness exercised, he avoided many of he trials and dangers which beset the pathway of the early Argonauts. After five months of sleeping under the stars or in the rough wagon. the party arrived at the mines. where Mr. Wheelhouse secured work for a time. and eventually rented 300 acres of land along Feather River. This property was extremely fertile, and in consequence the western experi- ence of the erstwhile miner was profitable and pleasant. He made a specialty of barley, wheat and garden truck. and his first barley and wheat crops consisted of $000 and 1.000 bushels. re- speetively. The garden truck covered a ten-acre patch, and contained all of the vegetables and small fruits which would grow in that part of the country. Regular mining prices prevailed. practically everything being sold by the poundl at figures that would astonish the central west- ern farmer of the present. All vegetables were tive cents a pound. barley six couts and wheat the same, potatoes being sold in hundred-pound saets at ten cents a pound. For these products. Mr. Wheelhouse realized about $1,000 an acre. Pur- ing five years and three months Mr. Wheelhouse availed himself of this splendid opportunity, and at the expiration of that time. 'n the aumam of 150, he set sail with his family for Panama, . being twenty-three days on the water. There were 400 passengers, all homeward bound from the mines and farms of the Pacific States, and of these but twelve appeared for breakfast after the boat had gotten into the gulf. Crossing the ' Isthmus of Panama, the party landed in Now York harbor on Friday. and the following Mon- day Mr. Wheelhouse started for his old home in Ohio, intent npon visiting the friends and rela- tives whom he had left behind in Licking County.

In the spring of 1859 Mr. Wheelhouse said good by to his friends in Ohio and journeyed to Schuyler County, loading his little family into a wagon, and during the trip camping by the roadside. He was in a position to start farming under the most favorable auspices, as he had done well in the West. and felt in fine humor with himself and the world in general. Taking up 140 acres of land, forty acres of which was in timber. and the rest under the plow, he began to build and purchase stock, starting with 35 head of sheep and 65 head of cattle, including four milch cows, for which he paid $7 a head. and some yearling steers which cost him $4 per head. In all ways he has added to bis farming enterprise. until today he owns 420 acres of land. unquestionably as fertile and productive as any in the Central West. Ile has been one of the influential and prosperous farmers of the township, setting an inspiring example of indus- try. good jigisment, good heart and good purpose. While als ait on his western trip. Mr. Wit4l- house's circle of loved ones was narrowed by the . death of his Father in Des Moines. lowa. in

1854. and of his mother. in 1857. There remain at present. however, three brothers and two sis ters of the old family. and of these. John, a res- ident of Polk City, lowa, is ninety three years old: George is eighty-nine years of age. and lives in Rushville: Hannah, the widow of Benjamin Bryant of Des Moines, lowa, is eighty years old ; and Jane, widow of Dr. Thomas Campbell. lives in St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Wheelhouse is the last of her family, her parents and one brother having died in Licking County, Ohio, where she was born January 11. 1827. Another brother. Samuel. died in Schuyler County. To Mr. and Mrs: Wheelhouse hn ve been born the following children : Caroline. widow of Ezra Walker. liv- ing on the farm in Woodstock Township: Melin- da. wife of J. L. Richey, also living on the okl place with her husband and two children. Prank- lin and Margaret : Samuel (deceased). a former coal operator of Rushville, who married Joke Black: George, a farmer in Woodstock Town- ship; Robert W .. a farmer in Rushville Town- ship, now operating coal lands owned by his father in Sections IS-19. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wheelhouse enjoy good health, and are nusu- ally bright and active for people of their years. Association with younger people has kept their hearts young and their interest ip life koen, and until about five years ago Mr. Wheelhouse could read the newspapers without his glasses. Ile is not a member of any church, but has always con- tributed generously of his means to churches and charitable organizations. He has been nn- willing to serve the community as an office hold- er. bont has stanehly supported the principles and issues of the Democratic party. Ele likes to look back to his rushing. busy days, when he kept up high standards of stock-raising. making a specialty of hogs and rattle, and at one time had a steer weighing 1015 pounds. One year he shipped sixty head of Poland China hogs. fifty-eight of which averaged 500 pounds, and on the market brought their proud owner $2,300. He has a pleasant. comfortable home in which to dream away the days of leisure, and although his farm is rented, he is still interested in its productive power, and the reputation which it enjoys among the finely developed properties of the county.

WHETSTONE, Marcus .- The qualities which have advanced Marens Whetstone to a foremost place among the large landowners, influential politicians and prominent promoters of Schuyler C'ounty, IL .. are those which have aided the am- bitious man in more or less degree since the he- winning of time. Standing upon the foundation of unassailable integrity, good judgment and practical industry, this honored agriculturist mmist needs feel the only kind of satisfaction worth striving for. that of having been of un- questioned use to his fellow men. A men wie. without special alds or opportunities in his youth, can so fashion his purpose as in the years to come to be able to bestow upon his progos 680 acres of land. and keep for himself a : 3m

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

suficient for all his subsequent needs, has il- lustrated in truth the best benefits of life and labor and service.

Born in Adams County, 111., March 6. 183S, Mr. Whetstone is a son of Abijah and Lucinda (Brunton) Whetstone, natives of the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, and who were married in their native State. Moving first from Ohio to Indiana, the parents, in the summer of 1833, loaded their household possessions into a prairie schooner and came across the prairies to Schuyler Conuty, draw- ing rein in the neighborhood of the present city of Rushville. Later, they took up their abode in the wilderness of Adams County. Ill., and in 1853. returned to Sehyler, again taking up their residence in Adams County, three years later, and still later, moving to Missouri, where the father died in 1SSS. Thereupon the mother returned to Augusta, Ill., and there spent the remainder of her life. She was the parent of eleven children, of whom three sons and four daughters are living. Of these, Mary was first married to William Seward, and later, to Wil- liam Johnson, the latter also deceased: Melissa 1. is the wife of Jacob Working; Maria is the wife of T. Farr; Eliza J. is the widow of John Willis; D. J. lives in Colorado: W. B. is a resi- dent of Garden City, Kans .; and Marcus, of Schuyler County.

Educated in the public schools of Adams County, Marcus Whetstone worked hard to learn the business of farming. and at the age of 20 returned to Schuyler County, purchasing in 1858, at the age of twenty, 140 acres of land for $2,500. Today, after years of careful cultivation, this same property is worth eighty dollars an acre. Subsequently, Mr. Whetstone's father gave him 160 acres of land, all of which be improved and devoted to general farming and stock-raising. In time he added to his possessions until he owned 803 aeres, all of it valable and tillable Jand. Possessing far sighted business judgment, and directing wisely and practically his efforts, he has expected and therefore has succeeded, each season adding to his large store of money and experience, and advancing him to larger useful- ness and influence in the community.

In 1863 Mr. Whetstone established a home of his own, marrying Clara Tarr, who was born in Schuyler County, a daughter of Jacob Tarr, a thrifty pioneer of Schuyler County, who, with his wife, is now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Whetstone have been born eight children, of whom three daughters and one son are living, as follows: Mary Ellen, widow of W. E. Melvin, and mother of five daughters and two sons; Mattie F., wife of Lewis King, a farmer of Huntsville Township; Hattie E., wife of Ray Blackburn, living near Brooklyn, Sehuyler County ; and James G. (operating his father's farm), who married Ida L. Hand. The present farm of Mr. Whetstone consists of eighty acres, and he has started his children out with gon- erous endowments of land and money, besides all of the advantages, edneationally and otherwise, which his means would permit.

Politically, Mr. Whetstone is non-partisan. voting for the man best qualified to serve the public welfare. While never seeking or desil - ing office. he has adapted hin.self to practically all of the local positions of honor, and among other responsibilities close to the needs of his fellow townsmen, served nine years on the Board of Supervisors. Ile is a remarkably charitable and benevolent man, and many in the county owe their early success to his encouragement and practical help. Much of simplicity and bar- mony has attached to his home, business, po- litical and social relations, and a lesson in strength, endurance, honesty and concentration arises from the successful accomplishment of his life purpose.

WHITSON, George T .- In his struggle for the competence which enables him to live In com- fortable retirement in Rushville, Ill .. George T. Whitson has employed good judgment, honesty and perseverance. Many experien os have crowded into his life since he started out to make his own way in the world, at the age of twer ty- two years, having worked until then with his father.

Born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa., September 14, 1829, his recollections of the Quaker State at best are dim, for in 1837 he came to Schuyler County, Ill., with his parents, Benjamin and Susan (Little) Whitson, settling on a farm near Rushville. Benjamin Whitson was born in Maryland, and his wife in Ireland, and the former died in 1867. at the age seventy years, while the latter lived to be eighty-four years old.

The limited resources of the family made It imperative that George T. Whitson contribute to their financial support as soon as possible. and he therefore abandoned his schooling at the age of sixteen and applied himself to learn- ing the plastering trade, which he followed un- til his twenty-second year. The craze for gold at that time had reached its belght throughout the country, and In 1852 he joined the great army of fortune seekers who were willing to suffer all manner of privation for the chance in the mines of the Pacific Coast. His was the success of the average rather than the excep- tional miner, and upon his return to Rushville he again took up his trade as a safe and sure means of livelihood. In 1864 he made a sec- ond visit to the coast country, and In all, spent over six years in the West. Through his mar- ringe to Ermine Patterson, of Kentucky, in Jan- - uary, 1856, Mr. Whitson allied his fortunes with those of another pioneer family. one which had also been established In Schuyler County, in 1837. Much of the activity of Mr. Whitson has been along political lines, and he has been a valuable adjunet to the local or- ganization of the Democratie party. He was elected Sheriff of Schuyler County in 1872, and afterwards served as Deputy Sheriff for two years under the administration of George W. Campbell, and for four years under that of

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Felix Jackson. From 1881 until 1543, he was Deputy Cirenit Clerk under W. H. 11. Rader, and in 1996, he was elected Treasurer of Sebuy- ler County. He is credited with investing all of these offices with dignity, and due regard for the welfare of the community which had placed him in office. In the face of circumstances which afforded ample opportunity for personal gain at the expense of principle, he kept his standard of official Integrity high, and furnished no excuse for serions criticism.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitson are as follows: George A., carpenter and builder, who resides in Rushville; Carrie E., widow of George Bates, a resident of Peorla, Ill .: Laura . wife of Charles Bassett, who lives in Valley City. N. D .: Susan M., widow of Joshua Parkhonse, whose home is in Los An- geles, Cal .: Lonis W .. of Valley City, N. D. : Frederick E., of Galesburg, Il .; and Clifford G., deceased.

In January, 1964. Mr. Whitson joined the Masonie Fraternity, and there is but one mem- ber of Rushville Lodge who has been longer connected with it than himself. He served th. lodge as Secretary for more than fourteen years. twelve and a half years of this period being con- secutive service.

WHITSON, Wilbur F .- The firm of Whitson & Son, established in 1590. and composed of Wil- bur P. and James W. Whitson, is one of the lars- est concerns in Schuyler County, Ill., for the breeding of Jersey cattle. Preceding the business organization of 1850 were the years of effort of Wilbur F. Whitson, pioneer, and senior member of the firm who was born in Columbia County. Pa .. September 16, 1836, and who. when a year old, was brought up the river to Frederick and from there the father walled, the family being conveyed in a wagon. He first worked at his - trade, that of a plasterer, and then bought SO aeres in Buena Vista Township. He took up his residence in Rushville in 1919, living there until his death. Benjamin Whitson was born in Har- ford County, Md .. and his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Little, was a native of Ire- land. Mrs. Benjamin Whitson died in 1890.

Mr. Whitson was educated in the public schools of Rushville Township, and his youth was spent among the crude conditions which made the way of the pioneer a hard and self- sacrificing one. Several years of his life were spent in a rude log cabin, which his father erected in the wilderness during the fall of 1840. and he was taught to make himself useful around the farm at an age when most boys of today think their time should be given up to play. Thinking that he had outgrown the farm he turned his attention to learning the plasterer's trade, but finding work with the trowel too confining, he returned to farming with renewed appreciation of its freedom from restraint : nd independence. He has developed one of the finest properties in Schuyler County, has ex- cellent buildings, fences and general improve-

ments, and the seeker might travel far and not find so interesting and valable a collection of gentle, beautiful faced Jerseys. His farm con- tains 235 acres of land, with ample facilities for conducting the large Jersey-cattle business. which has brought himself and son into the lime light of agricultural publicity. He has taken premiums for his stock at State and county fairs, and is also extensively engaged in the breeding and sale of Poland-China hogs, Southdown sheep, of which he has fifty head. and Plymouth Rock chickens. There are no better fowls of this kind to be found in the State, or any that bring higher prices for breeding purposes. The entire place is spirited in its enterprise and progressive in its tendencies, and a model of what may be achieved by a definite purpose and high agricultural ideals. The stock raised on this farm are never allowed to fall helow grade. and each and every animal which makes its way to the market is regarded as an advertise- ment, and a good one. for the firm it represents.

In 1858 Mr. Whitson was united in marriage to Alive Taylor, who died in 1961. His second wife was Bliza ( Bellamy ) Whitson, whose death occurred in 1901. James W. Whitson is the father's only child. Mr. Whitson never has sought the honors of political office, although he stanchly supports the Democratie party. In religion he adheres to the Methodist Episcopal faith. He is one of the wealthy and influential men of Schuyler County. having a reputation for fairness, progressivenes and public spirited- ness. Ile is personally very popular, and enjoys the good will and companionship of a large circle of friends. The changes that bave taken place during the past seventy years have been ente- fully noted by this large hearted and success- ful stock-man, and for at least fifty years he has been an active factor in bringing about the present prosperity. Three score years and ten find him the possessor of a cheery disposition. a well balanced mind. and a memory stored with faets which are indispensable to the complete history of Schuyler County.

WILLARD, Burton 0 .- A practical demonstra- tion of the results obtainable by a union of singleness of purpose, good jndement and large capacity for industry is found in the career of Burton O. Willard. a legal practitioner of Rush- ville. 111., since March. 1895, Chairman of the Republican County Committee since 1900, mein- ber of the Slate Board of Education since 1902. and Ex-City Attorney. Mr. Willard is a product of the farming contingent of Littleton Township, Schuyler County, Ill., where he was born June 14. 18GS. His remote paternal ancestors pur- sned their avocations in England. and the fam- ily was first represented in America by his pa- ternal great-grandfather. Samuel Willard, who settled in Massachusetts. Geore Willard, the pa- ternal grandfather, was born in Boston, and married Rachel Garrett, a native of the Ilonsier State. Patrick Willard, father of Burton O., was born in Browning, Sebuyher County, 111.,

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and married Auna G. Garrett, a native of Kick- apoo. Ill., Mis. Willard was a daughar of John Garrett, born in Lexington, hy., h 1830. and Sarah E. ( Williamson) Garrett. born in Wheeling. W. Va .. Her grandparents, Thomas J. and Susan ( Wagoner) Garrett. were born in Lexington, Ky.

Ednented primarily in the public schools of Illinois. Burton O. Willard next entered the Rushville Normal College from which he was graduated in 1501. From the age of twenty- one to twenty-four he both taught and attended school, at the same time taking up the study of law, which resulted in his admission to the bar November 22, ISMI. Since attaining maturity he has been increasingly enthusiastic over Re- puldican politics and locally has proved one of the stanchest and most popular supporters of his party. In 180G he was the unsuccessful audi- date for State's Attorney, and in 1897 was elected City Attorney, serving two terms. In 1900 he became Chairman of the Republican County Committee, in which capacity he now is serving his third term. He was appointed to the State Board of Education in 1902 by Gov- ernor Yates. In 1500 he represented the Fif- teenth Congressional District in the Electoral College.

August 31. 1802 Mr. Willard was united in marriage to Ida Barton, a native of Coopers- town, Ill., and of the imion there is a son, Paul B. Mr. Willard is fraternaily a Mason, and in religion, is a Presbyterian. During the eleven years of his residence in Rushville, Mr. Willard has maintained the highest tenets of his pro- fession, and has proved himself a judicious and faithful counselor, and a genial companion, con- siderate friend and high-minded gentleman.

WILLIAMS, Wilbuin L .- A recent adjnnet to the business life of Roshville is the photographie studio of Wilburn L. Williams, a young and en- thusiastie follower of an art which is in- ereasingly interesting and broadening. For the greater part, Mr. Williams' thirty years of ex- istence have been spent in Pana, Ill., where he was born in 1ST5. a son of Wade Hampton and Ifuldah ( Briggs) Williams, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Missouri. The elder Williams at present is mak- ing his home in Mount Sterling, Brown County, II1.

Wilburn L. Williams was educated in the public schools of Pana, and after graduating from the high-school, took a course in a busi- hess college in Springfield. In the latter city, he served an apprenticeship to a photographer. and thereafter worked at his trade in Chicago, whence he came to Rushville in 1905. Already he has established an encouraging business and has met with a generous response from a com- munity glad to welcome within its bomularies . whatever shall tend to its greater growth and enlightenment. He has natural artistic terden- cies, developed by constant research and ex- perience, and understands to a nicety the sub-

Hleties of lights and shadow . the possibilities o arrange ments and the empassing of char iter. istics through posture and expression.

In Lincoln. Neb., in ISOs, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Mildred Carnathan, and of the union there is a daughter. Helen. Mr. Williams is a consistent Demmurat, but not in- «lined to either seek of accept official honors. . genial personality : nd keen de're to proasp art among the business qualifications which promise increasing shecess to this popular promoter of artistie photography.

WILSON, Thomas tdereasedi. - No personality which invaded the infant community of Rush- ville in the later thirties erected a more en- during momment to foresight and business saga- city than did that of Thomas Wilson, farmer. merchant, banker, eburebman, and all-around promoter of stable community conditions. For seventy years, the form of Wilson & Company has been a central and compelling necessity around which has gathered in turn. all of the other commercial and industrial enterprises, and nearly all of the residences which comprise the town of Rushville, and it is not known that any other business concern in Semmiyler County has had so long and continuons a tenure of activity. One reads in its changing fortines practically the entire history of the settlement. Its first modest houshle. its few commodities. its sub- sequent enlargement and its present prosperity. are all landmarks unerringly pointing to the Jawy of demand and supply which controis busi- ness interests the world over. The oldest living settlers never heard of a more jolly meeting place than this old store of other days; no larger crowds gathered anywhere, outside the church, than used to settle upon its eracker boxes and barrels and counters, to warm them- selves at the ruddy stove and settle. after vig- orous and sometimes physical persuasion. the weighty questions of local or national import. Mr. Wilson himself was the presiding genius of the establishment for more than half a een- tury, and carefully guarded its growing import- ance from 1837 until his lamented death, in

Thomas Wilson was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in IN12. and in the same county were born his parents. Thomas and Jane ( Greer ) Wil- son, whose marriage was solemnized in 1801. Thomas Wilson. Sr., was born in 17Gs, and to him is due the distinction of being one of the first in that part of Ireland to unite with the Methodist Church. His task of promoting that faith was not an easy one. for there was much opposition in the conservative neighborhood. Mr. Wilson was a farmer by occupation and, ac- cording to the standard of wealth prevailing in the community, was in fairly prosperous ciremu- stances. His son and namesake was reared also to farming, bitt carly telt the limitations by which he was surrounded, and which, seemingly. had satisfied the gimbition of his father. . At the age of twenty, he took a decided stand in

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regard to his future, left all tha' he held dear behind him, and came in a sailing-vessel to Amer- ica, reaching Philadelphia in the fall of 1832, after a tempestuous voyage of seven weeks. After a brief sojourn in Philadelphia he went to Lancaster County, Pa., then to Allegheny County, in both of which places he worked as a farm hand and saved a little money. Later making his way to Pittsburg. he found various kinds of employment, and there married. on September 18. 1531, Susan Clarke, daughter of John Clarke, with whom he continued to live in that eity until 1\37. when, during the summer of that year, he brought his wife overland in a wagon to Schuyler County, Ill., and at once es- tablished the business with which his name ever since has been connected." He had a hard, up- hill fight at first. but he was a shrewd buyer, a keen observer of the trend of affairs, and an in- stinctive judge of human nature. What drew him to this locality is a matter of conjecture only, but he seems never to have hesitated in his plans or, at any time in his career, to have re- gretied his course. Ile drew the horoscope of the locality with great foresight. and the com- minnity may be said to have lived up to his ex- pectations. His business placed on a se ure footing. he sent to the old country for his father, mother and other members of his family. but the mother sickened and died on the journey, and the reunion of which he so long bad dreamed was therefore incomplete. The father made his home with his children in the county, and, at the time of his death in December, 1854, was living with his son Joseph, then a farmer in Han- cock County, Ill.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 101

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126