Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 62

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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twenty deer within close range, and prairie chickens by the hundred were seen so fre- quently as to cause no comment. All of this is now a thing of the past. The birds and other beautiful winged species that then tilled the air with their music, have almost disappeared, even the bumble bee now rarely being seen.

John Corrie was one of the leading men of his time and locality, ever on the alert to in- augurate and assist any project that would bene- fit his fellowman. either directly or indirectly. This was perhaps nowhere more noticeable than in the establishment of a church and school in this neighborhood. to each of which undertak- ings Mr. Corrie gave liberally of both time and means, and for many years was treasurer of the school in Camden Township. As early as 120 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and throughout his lite he put into daily practice the precepts of his faith. His death. March 17, 1891, was mourned as a deep loss to the community in which he had lived for so many decades, for he stood as a link be- tween the days of hardship, privation and trial. and its prosent prosperity, his life a part of the past which made today's greatness.

The tirst marriage of John Corrie occurred in 1825 in Lawrence County, Ill., when he was united with Mary Schrader, the daughter of John Jacob Schrader, who was of German desrent. Mr. Schrader was a man of unusual accomplishments, being able to speak fluently in seven different languages, and for many years he taught German, French. Latin and English. besides vocal music in Baltimore. In 1845. twenty years after her marriage, Mrs. Mary Corrie passed away, and the following year Mr. Corrie married Cyrintha Erwin. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in the faith of which she went to her reward May 14. 1%SS.

Adam Schrader Corrie, the eldest child of John and Mary ( Schrader) Corrie, was born July T. 1:26, and now makes his home on a farm adjoining the okl homestead, the latter owned and occupied by John D .- these two brothers being the only living male representative of the parental family, The eldest daughter. Agnes E., born February 4, 1830, became the wife of George W. Irwin, and both died in Littleton Township. Jacob W. born March 17. 1832, died September 8. 1\91: Samuel R., born March 10. 1534. died October 24. 1835; Margaret Eliza born November 4. 1536, is the widow of Poter Beals, and makes her home in Chicago, Mary Ellen was born Iune 6. 1841. and is now the wife of Charles Collins, of Pasadena, C'al. Sarah M., born February 4. 1813, became the wife of B. F. Peterson. but is now deceased. William H. S. and Penelope Jane were twins, born March 23. 1845: the former died when six months old, but the latter lived to maturity, becoming the wife of George R. Inghes, a resident of Indianola, Iowa.

John D. Corrie, the second child in the family, was born in Lawrence County, IN .. February

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

27, 1828. As he was a child of about seven years of age at the time of the removal to Schiy- ler County, he well remembers the incidents connected with that event and he never tires of recounting them. as well as other pioneer ex- periences, to the younger generation of settlers. who in turn are entertained, not with fanciful imaginations but with truthful facts regarding the times and conditions of that period. Dur- ing the rush to California in 1950, Mr. Corrio was among the mumber who braved the hard- ships and dangers of an overland journey. making the trip with four yoke of cattle in one hundred days. With the golt which be had accumulated during his three years mining ex- perience, he returned to Illinois in 1833 and re- sumed farming on the old homestead. Ilis country's call for able-bodied men during the early days of the Civil War onee more interrupted the quiet routine of his rural life and in 1862, he went to the front as a member of Company A, Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Among the battles in which he participated may be mentioned Chickamauga. Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain. Jonesboro and Nashville, Tenn. At Jonesboro he was wounded three times, twice in one hand and once in the shonl- der. In an engagement at Jonesboro, while charg- ing over the breastworks, many of the men in his company paid for their bravery with their lives, and many others were wounded and compelled to go to the hospital. Among the latter was Mr. Corrie. but at the time of Lee's surrender he was sufficiently recovered at Raleigh, N. C .. to take his place with his regiment. and from there went to Richmond and thenco to Washington. where in the grand review, be participated in the grand pageant which has never been equaled in the history of the country. After being mus- tered ont and receiving his honorable discharge at Chicago. he returned once more to the farm. where up to the present time he has continued nuinterruptedly the peaceful life of the agricul- turist. His property consists of 250 acres of the land originally owned by his father, and adjoin- ing his lies the farm of his brother, Alam S. As was his father before him. Mr. Corrie is a believer in Republican prinendes, and votes that party's ticket at all presidential elections. Al- though well advanced in years he is hale and hearty, and enjoys recounting the events of his long and eventful life. He holds a biel place in the esteem of all who know him, and who op- preciate him for the qualities of citizenship dis- played for over half a century.

COWDERY, Lewis .- One of the finest farms to be seen on Section 25, Birmingham Township. Schuyler County, is that owned and occupied by Mr. Cowdery, which has been his life-time home. for here he was born in a primitive log cabin February 8, 1516. From Vernimt, his native State. Roswell Cowdery began to work his way to the Middle West in young manhood, come first to Meigs County, Ohio. While there he was married to Merey Hoyt. a native of New Hamp-

shire, and on the farm which he owned in Ohio, five of their seven children were born. Some years prior to the birth of Lewis, about 1:39. the parents came overland to Illinois, settling in Selmyler County on Section 25, Birmingham Township. During the year previons (1558), two of his brothers, Jacob and Cyrus Cowdery, had settled in Birmingham Township. a eiremn- stance which, no doubt, was a strong influence in inducing Roswell Cowdery to locate in the same township. Jacob finally removed to Mis- souri, and there died, while the other brother, Cyrus, passed away in Augusta, Hancock County. In isto Roswell Cowdery'entered 160 acres of land from the Government on Section 25, erecting a log cabin for the shelter of his wife and five children. In this rnde structure two children were added to the number, all liv- ing to years of maturity, but of this large family, Lewis is the only one now living. Lucinda was the wife of James Compton. and to them were born four children, of whom Merey Sarah and Alice are the only ones living, two dying in in- fancy; Mr. Compton is still living. making his home in Augusta, Hancock County. Sarah be- came the wife of Alexander Walker, and both are now deceased : their four children are, Ros- well. Samuel, James and Charles. Royal and Newton were both unmarried. Charles married Miss Henrietta Walker and to them was born one daughter, Eva, who became the wife of Edgar MeWharter. Spencer was first married to Miss Lucinda Phillips, who at her death left one daughter. Alice, who married George Witson, and resides in Thompson, Mont .. and one son, William, who married Elsie Shanks and lives in Brooklyn. For his second wife Spencer Cow- dery married Jane King, and their four children wore named Minnie, Mary, Henry and Roswell ; his widow still lives on the old home farm.

Personally Roswell Cowdery was a man fear- loss in speech and action, open and above-board in all of his transactions, and it goes without say- ing that he was a man well liked by the best element. He was particularly fond of his friends, and was never so happy as when enter- taining them in his own hospitable home. Al- though he was not interested in politics in the sense of desiring to hold office, he was withal an ardent admirer of Republican principles and al- ways voted that party's ticket. To his original pre-emption claim of one hundred and sixty neres he added from time to time as his means would allow until he laid claim to five hundred and eighty acres of fine land all in one hody. To each of his children he gave a traet of eighty acres when they reached maturity. During the many years which he had made his home in Schuyler County he had witnessed innumerable changes, he himself bearing a large share in the transformation, and at his death was mourned as a public loss to the community. His wife died in 1.6. honored and respected by hosts of . friends and acquaintances.

Lewis Cowdery was educated in the subschip- tion schools in vogue during his boyhood, each

LikeMoon

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

pupil paying a percentage of the teacher's sal- ary, and the teacher boarding around in the parent's families. Later he attended the district school and the school in the neighboring city of Brooklyn. As his studies would permit, he as- sisted in the duties on the home farm. so when his school days were over he was well qualified to take a helpful part in its management, llis marriage, April 3, 1869. united him with Miss Mary Meacham, a daughter of Seth Meacham, one of the old pioneers of Brown County. III., where her birth occurred. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cowdery. but two of them, Lyman and Homer, died in childhood. Idell, who was born December 22, 1875, became the wife of Sloan Horney. a farmer on Section 25, Birmingham Township, and they have five chill- ren, Vaile, Lewis Meriba. Laverne and Irene. The youngest child. Arthur. born October 15, 1552. still makes his home with his parents on the old farm. For one year after his marriage Mr. Cowdery made his home with his oldest brother, but as his father and mother wished him to re- turn to the old home and live with them, he de- ceded to their wishes, the homestead of 220 acres falling to him at their death, this being the express wish of the parents, as he was their youngest child. No allurements of public er of- ficial life have ever been able to turn MIr. Cowdery's thoughts away from the duties con- nected with the care and management of his farm, and as a reward for his devotion to its interests. he has the satisfaction of knowing that he owns one of the finest farms in point of pro- duetiveness in the county. Politically he casts his vote in favor of Republican candidates, and in a quiet way does what he can to advance the interests of his chosen party. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, toward the maintenance of which both contributed lib- erally, as they do also to all projects, whether religions or secular, calculated to advance the welfare of their home community.

CRANDALL, Fred E .- One of the youngest men in Rushville to conduct an independent en- terprise, and by his business sagacity and deter- mination to invest it with the certainty of sue- eess. Fred E. Crandall is known to the patron- izing public as the owner and proprietor of a successful livery and feed stable since the sum- mer of 1901. Mr. Crandall comes of a family long identified with extensive horse and mule raising, and practically all of the male members have promoted branches of industry at sometime in their lives. There are no better judges of these animals in the State of Illinois, and their knowledge along these lines is frequently drawn upon by those less versed on the subject.

Mr. Crandall was born in Rushville, IN .. Octo- ber 20. 1989, and is the youngest of the seven children of Byron and Euna (Greer) Crandall, natives of Ohio. Byron Crandall engaged in the harness, carriage, wagon and stock business in his adopted State of fiinois, but he came here with but one dollar in his pocket, settling among

strangers who would favor hum only as he earned the right to such favor. Locating first in .As- tor :. Enlion County, to which place be eame by way of Beardstown, he sometime later settled in Rushville, and here industry, thrift and con- Sipsey of purpure met with their just reward. He had the family fondness for stock, and de- voted nich of his time to its raising and pur- elite. Of les children. Harvey is a prominent stock faiser and dealer ot Huntsville Township, S wayer County: Charles E. is a prominent Shipper of horses, mules and agricultural imple- w cp's at Rushville; Guy is engaged in the com- mission boisiness at Tampa, Fla., and also is ex- tensively interested in the purchase and sale of hopes and mules: Belle is the wife of George W. Winters, of Littleton, Schuyler County ; Mor- ther died at the age of twenty-one years, and at that time was considered one of the best Judges of horses and mules, having begun to deal thi them when he was thirteen years old; Lillian j- the wife of C. C. Young. a real estate and loan agent of Kansas City, Mo .; and Fred E .. the I Posent liveryman of Rushville.

Fadl R. Crandall is a member of one of the leiding families of Rushville, and has been an inportant factur in developing the stock business . i . Schuster County. His livery is well supplied with son horses, modern equipages, and ample fullities for boarding, feeding and storing. He has vehicle of various kinds for sale, and ma- terially ados to his ammal income by buying and selling hopes and mules. He is a Democrat in jolities. and fraternally is connected with the Independen- Order of Odd Fellows and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America.

CRASKE, Henry .- For generations the family of which Henty Craske is a representative flour- ishel as agriculturists and tradesmen in Suf- folk. the easternmost shire of England, where he was born at Burg St. Edmunds. September 26. 1815. In the same quaint town his father, James Craske, was born in 1798, and the county was also the birthplace of James Craske's father, who lived and died in the land of his siro%.

James Craske was the only member of a large family who gave heed to the inducements that invited him from this side of the water. He had received the education and careful home training of the English youth of the middle class. and while still young had married Eliza Clark, who was born at Barton Mills, England, and who. upin her death at Burg St. Edmunds. in 1949. left five children : Sarah, James, Caroline, Eliza- beth and Henry. In 1862 Mr. Craske set sail for the United States, and after various changes located permanently at Little Falls. Herkimer County, N. Y. At that time Henry Craske was thirteen years old. and was serving as the ap- prentice of a man engaged in the dyeing business in his native town. Two years later, having com- plered his apprenticeship, ho joined his father, brothers and sisters in New York State. On April 23, 1-06, he located in Springfield, Ill ..

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

where he followed his trade until IseS. The latter year found him a resident of Rushville, whence in 1870 he went to Decatur, 1l., return- ing soon afterwards to Rushville, however, where he since has been engaged in the ice business.

While a resident of New York, on September 5. 1862. Mr. Craske, then seventeen years old. en- listed in the Second Regiment, New York Volun- teer Infantry, and served until the clos of the Civil War. On December 23. 1865, be married Ellen Maria Jones, a native of Little Falls. N. Y., and a daughter of Elijah and Jane Jones, born in England and New York, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Craske are the parents of six children, namely : Geneva A., Caroline E., Mamie, Francis C., Harry Barton, Lillian M. and John A. Logan.

Mr. Craske has led an industrious and useful life, and in many ways has contributed to the development of his adopted town. A stanch and unswerving Republican. he has held many local offres, but is best known for his services as a member of the State Board of Equalization from 1885 to 188S. In 18 5 he originated the scheme in the Thirty-fourth District of Illinois of elect- ing a Republican Representative to the State Legislature, thus breaking the deadlock which had tied up the General Assembly for months, and affording an opportunity for re-election to the United States Senate of Gen. John A. Logan. Mr. Craske has for years been a member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9. A. F. & A. M., Rushville Chapter No. 184. R. A. M. and Rushville Com- mandery, No. 56. K. T. He also is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Security Lodge No. 31. I. O. M. A. and Col. Hor- ney Post. No. 131, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Craske is a self-contained. honorable man of business, whose word is unimpeachable, whose fidelity to the public interests is unquestioned. and whose judgment of men and affairs is de- eidedly trustworthy. He is the possessor of a handsome competence, won solely through his own efforts, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of the best people in the town.

CROZIER, Robert H., a prominent and success- ful farmer of Rushville Township. Schuyler County. 111 .. was born in the vicinity of Pleasant- view, in the same township. March 5. 1559, and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Crozier) Croz- ier, natives of Connty Tyrone. Ireland. Richard Crozier came to America with his father. Rich- ard, Sr., and the latter's wife, sojourning! for a while in Canada. and thence going to New York State and loeating at Ithaca. His future wife, Sarah Crozier. accompanied her parents to the United States, the family also settling in Ithaca. and there she was married to Richard Crozier. About the year 1554 the young couple came to Schuyler County, Ill .. making their home in Section 35. Rushville Township. In 1:56 Rich- ard Crozier moved to Bainbridge Township, buy- ing seventy acres of land, and adding more from time to time. until he became an extensive land- holder, owning 500 acres at the time of his

death. lle was one of the most successful farmers in his locality, and as his family grew to maturity, gave each a fine piece of land. He and his wife had five children, as follows : Helen Augusta, wife of Thomas L. Strong, who owns part of the old homestead: Frederick, born in New York State, who died when about three years old: Robert H. : Margaret F., wife of Ro- land M. Stover, of Rushville, IL. ; and Annie M., who died in Bainbridge Township at the age of eleven years. Iler father died Feb- ruary 29. 1906. lle was one of the lead- ing citizens of Bainbridge Township, and a strong advocate and supporter of educational enterprises. In politics, he was a Democrat, and ably and faithfully filled various township of- fices. Ho was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, as is his worthy widow. who re- sides in Pleasantview, enjoying the sincere lo- spect of all who know her. and the serene con- sciousness of a well spent life. Robert II. Crozier attended the common schools in bis boy- hood. and remained on the home farm until the time of his marriage. He then bought forty apres of land in Section 15, Bainbridge Township, which in 1900 he sold and moved to his new purchase of 118 acres in Rushville Township. Since then he has made many attractive improve- ments of the place, especially on the dwelling. and has now a beautiful home, with spacious and substantial barns, and convenient outbuild- ings for the care of his stock.

On January 30, 1890, Mr. Crozier was united in marrioge with Anna M. Acheson, a native of Bainbridge Township, where she was born April 16. 1870. Mrs. Crozier is a daughter of William and Mary ( Ward) Acheson. and particulars in regard to her father's life may be found in a biographieal record of Alexander Acheson, apea"- ing elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Crez- ier have had four children, namely : Mabel ... born January 1, 1891; Harry Earl. born Novem- her 15, 1803, deceased May 8. 1902: Clarice E .. born Jume 11, 1899: and Sarah Elsie, born No- vember 11, 1903. Mr. Crozier is the only one of the Croziers left in Schuyler County. Five brothers of his father moved to Kansas, where all but one died, leaving families.

In politics, Mr. Crozier is a Democrat, and has for many years held the office of School Diree- tor. Fraternally, he is connected with the M. W. A. Rushville Camp, No. 30S. He is a man of genial disposition, and he and his amiable wife have many friends.

CURRY, Amos L .-- The farm upon which Amos 1 .. Curry lives in Section 6. Frederick Township. was the place of his birth. July 25. 1868. his childish troubles, pastimes and small labors, and has been the scene of his subsequent extensive and successful operations as a general farmer and stock-raiser. Davis H. Curry, the father of Amos, was born in Memphis, Tenn., and by tra le was a ship carpenter. Coming early to Schuy- ler County. he settled on the farm now owned by his son, and there died in 1973 while yet the

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HISTORY, OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

world seemed to hold much of promise and hap- piness for him. To a manysided and industrious career he added the service of a military man, enlisting in the navy at the beginning of hostili- ties, and serving until the close of the Civil War. He was a man of quiet and mostentatious na- mure, in no sense a politician, but a consistent promoter of Republican principles. Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic Order. Through his marriage to Lonise Messerer. dangh- ter of an early pioneer of Schuyler County, there were born to him five children : Burton E., liv- ing in Beardstown, and a loromotive engineer for the Chicago, Burlington & Qniney Railroad Company : Davis II .. Jr., for many years a miner in Nevada, and Superintendent of the Independ- ence Mine, at Cripple Creek. Colo. ; Beulah M .. widow of Rev. J. W. Knight. a Christian minis- ter, and a resident of Champaign, Il .; one not named ; and Amos L. The mother of this family lives in Frederick Township, having married as her second husband. B. F. Redman, a well-to-do farmer and dairyman.

Until his twentieth year Amos L. lived at home. in the meantime acquiring a fair common school education, a good constitution, and shrewd business sagacity. Upon starting out for him- self he worked by the day or month, but in 1887, having abandoned farming he went to Colorado. where he spent a year with not very profitable results in the North Star and Whale mines. Not favorably impressed with the financial ad- vantages of mining. he returned to Frederick Township, and for four years was employed as bridge carpenter by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. September 13, 1803. he was imited in marriage to Minnie M. Reno. a native of Browning. Ill .. and daughter of Hon. William C. Reno, a grain dealer in charge of the grain elevators at Browning. Mr. and Mrs. Curry are the parents of three children : Margaret M., born September 3. 1594; Ada L .. born July 5, 1896, and Fred E .. born August 8. 1SOS. Mrs. Curry died November 25. 1899, and was sadly missed by her devoted little family and many warm friends. She was a loyal wife and mother, and an active member of the Chris- tian church. September 2. 1902. Mr. Curry was married to Vesta ( Ward) Gregg. daughter of Ira and Mary (Taylor) Ward, and born in Bain- bridge Township, Schuyler County. April 6, 1876. To their home and hearts Mr. and Mrs. Curry have taken little Ida Burrell. who has lived with them four years, and this is but one of the many expressions of kindness and humanity which have fallen from the lives of this worthy couple.

In 1893, Mr. Curry rented the old farm in Sec- tion G, Frederick Township, containing 292 acres, and here is following general farming and stock- raising. raising large numbers of hogs, cattle. horses and sheep. besides many kinds of general prodnee. Besides his original farm he owns 112 aeres in Section 32, making in all 102 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, with dwellings. barns, out-buildings and general improvements of modern style. In addition to being one of the

leading agriculturists in two townships, Mr. Curry is prominent politically, and on the Re- publican ticket has served as Supervisor for three terais from Frederick Township. at the last oretion. in 1907. receiving a majority of fifty votes. For four years he was chairman of the committee on roads and bridges, and in this con- nection has rendered valuable suggestions as to the care and improvement of these public utili- ties. While not a member of any church. he is a generous contributor to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, with which his wife has been con- ne ted for many years, and is also a faithful friend of education, and all enlightening agen- cies. Possessing an interesting and engaging personality, and having great social taet and dis- cretion, Mr. Curry is a general favorite wherever pwofde are gathered together for mutual enter- tainment. and is especially popular in the lodges of the Modern Woodmen of America. Knights of Pythias, and D. O. K. K. Within the limits of Seimyler County there is not a man more highly respreted, or whose word is more readily ac- cepted than is that of Amos L. Curry.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 62

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