Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 63

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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CURRY, William Jackson, one of the oldest all in ist highly esteemed farmers of Schuyler County. Ill., residing in Section #1. Buena Vista Township, and long a leading citizen of his com- munity, was born in Mercer County, Ky., Jan- uary 1. ISTO. He is a son of Matthew and Namney (Simpson) Curry, natives of Kentucky. and a grandson of James and Honora ( Booth) Curry. of whom the former was born in Ireland. emning to the United States in the beginning of the last century, and making his way to Ken- tueky. There Grandfather Curry was married to llonora Booth, and settled in Mercer County. where the rest of his life was spent. Some time after his death his son Matthew journeyed from the Blue Grass State to linois, locating in Brown County, and living there from 1842 to 1844. In the latter year he went back to his old home, where he remained until 1849. returning then to Illinois, and bringing his wife's mother with him to Schuyler County, where he located in Woodstock Township. In 1851. Matthew Curry made an overland trip to California, stay- ing until 1853. On his return he spent a short time in Schuyler County, and then went to Mis- souri. When he came back to Illinois he located again in Brown County, moving to Schuyler County in 1-61. He died at the home of his son James, at Cooper-town, Brown County, in 1962. his wife surviving him many years, and finally passing away in Selmyler County at the home of James Curry, in 18SS. Their family consisted of five sons and three daughters. as follows: Henry Clay. James, William Jackson. Sarena A .. John W .. Saraha. Matthew T .. and Mary Jane. Henry Clay Curry went to California in 1:53. and from there to Oregon, where he spent his last days. James Curry, who is a retired farmer, living in Rushville, Il .. was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in the Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, three years, Sarena

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

A., resides in East St. Louis, Ill., and is the wife of Asa Kent. John W., who was also a member of the Tenth Ilinois Cavalry, died at Pilot Knob, Mo., and was buried at Cooperstown, Brown County. Saraha is a widow living at East St. Louis. Matthew T., whose home is at Beards- town, Cass County. IN .. served during the Civil War in the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mary Jane was the wife of James White, and died in Missouri, in 1906.

In boyhood William J. Curry attended the common schools, spending his early youth in the manner connuon to farmers' boys. At the age of seventeen years he cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan without being challenged ! Later he learned the cooper's trade, which he followed until the spring of 1861. On May 24th of that year, he enlisted in Company E. Six- teenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry,

serving three years. In the engagement at Edgefield, Tenn., he was wounded and laid up in the camp hospital, but soon recovered and re- ported for duty. On the termination of hostili- ties he returned to Illinois. locating in Vermont, Fulton County, which was then the home of his mother. There he was engaged at the cooper's trade. working thus until 1565. For two years he was engdoved on the steamboat. "Progress." running between LaSalle and St. Louis. Then he changed his location to Woodstock Township. Schuyler County, where he followed farming and coopering some time.

Subsequently, he spent some time in Iowa, returning from there to Woodstock Township, and remaining there until 1850. In that year he went to Missouri, staying nine months in that State, and then coming to Buena Vista Township. Schuyler County, Ill .. purchasing 100 acres of land in Section 31. hi January, 1SS1. he sold sixty acres, retaining forty acres as his home. Ile has been a very energetic, thorough and successful farmer, but has now practically retired from active business pursuits. He has always taken a prominent part in all measures pertaining to the develop- ment and prosperity of his township, and has been recognized as one of its leading citizens.

On May 31. 1866, Mr. Curry was united in marriage with Emma Avery, daughter of Wil- liam and Margaret Avery, who came to Illinois from Ohio, and were among the pioneer settlers of Schuyler County. Both of the parents of Mrs. Curry are deceased. Eight children resulted from this union. as follows: Rosa. Eva. William. Julius ( deceased), Nida E., Estella, Myrtle, and Alec. Rosa is the wife of Robert Walker. a farmer in Camden Township. Schuyler County, and the mother of three children: Eva married Jor- dan Miller, of Beardstown. Cass County. 11 .. and has three children : William is a resident of Cam- den Township, and is the father of four children : Nida became the wife of Thuren Noval, and is living at the parental home, having two chil- dren : and Estelle was married to Henry Agans, a farmer in Camden Township, and has six children. The grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs.

Curry number twenty, and their great-grand- children, three.

In politics, Mr. Curry has always been a Dem- oerat, taking an active interest in the success of bis party, and being influential in its local con- cils. He has twice been elected Assessor of Buena Vista Township. Fraternally, he is affili- ated with the 1. O. O. F. having become a mem- ber of that order in IS66. Ile belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic Post, of Rushville. In religion, he and his wife adhere to the faith of the Latter Day Saints. Both enjoy the re- spect and esteem of a large acquaintance.

CURTIS, Frank P .- Three generations of the Curus famity have contributed to the agricul- tural and general upbuilding of Brooklyn Town- ship, Schuyler County, and at present there are various representatives in this section of the State, the best known being Frank P. Curtis, who was born here March 21, 1861, and whose whole life has been spent in Brooklyn Township. William Henry Curtis, father of Frank P., was born on a farm in Clay County, Ten., and as a lad of six years, came with his father, James Curtis, to Illinois, settling during the summer of 182 in Brooklyn Township, where the balance of bis life was spent. James Curtis was a man of strong character and keen appreciation of duty, and when the strife between the North and South culminated in the Civil War. he and six of his sons, tendered their services to the Union army. He became a member of Company K. in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, and served until the disbandment of the regiment. His son Jesse, after more than three years service as a soldier. was mustered out of Company A, Seventy-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. June 7, 1865, and is now dereased : John Curtis was a member of the same company, and received his discharge on the smine day. later dying at his home in Brooklyn Township; Henry W., also a soldier in Company A. and serving the same length of time, was wounded in the battle of Jonesboro. September 1. 1863, from the effects of which he died in 1STS : Joseph Curtis enlisted first with his father in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry. and later in the same regiment with his brothers. receiving a gunshot wound at Kenesaw Mountain. finally dying at his home in Brooklyn Township. Feb- ruary 11. 1907 : Jefferson also served during the war, and still survives, a resident of St. Louis, Mo. : and James served in Company A. Seventy- eighth Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, being wounded at Kenosaw Mountain. The military record of this family is unique, as in the history of war- fare in America, few fathers have fought with six sons, for the same length of time, and all survived the conflict. The fact is the more fo- markable, as the original sympathies of the fam- ily were Southern, yet they left their hard home tasks and donned the accontements of the I'nion soldier. thins testifying to their apprecia- tion of the sublime ideals of the Great Emanci- pator. James Curtis had also two daughters, of whom Elizabeth is the deceased wife of Louis

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

I'rakes, also deceased : and Mary J. is the widow of Harlin Dixon, and lives in Kansas.

Frank P. Curtis is the third in order of birth of the four children of Willianr Henry and Lydia ( Wiley ) Curtis, the other children being Charles and Louise, deceased, and Edward, a resident of St. Lonis. The mother of the family is still living in Brooklyn. Frank P. bad the average advantages of farm boys, and like All of the paternal family, has a strong constitution and great capacity for industry. in 1852 he was united in marriage to Mary S. Mason, a native of Brooklyn Township, and daughter of Aden G. Mason, a pioneer of Schuyler Counts. l'or seven years after his marriage Mr. Curtis lived on a tract of land south of Brooklyn, but later located in Littleton Township, whence be removed to his present home in Section 10, Brooklyn Township, where be conducts general farming on a scientific basis, and with commendable success. To himself and wife have been born two children. of whom Jesse A. married Jessie Logg. a farmer of Littleton Township: and Charles G. who is at home. The family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. and Mr. Curtis is a Re- publican in politics. He is an upright and intel- ligent farmer, an obliging neighbor, and a friend who may be trusted and depended on in times of trial as well as of good fortune.

DACE, Wilbur M .- lu no profession of 1 20 the present are there larger mechanical and af- tistic possibilities than that of dental surgery. What already has been accomplished is but the nucleus of the knowledge of the student of a few years hence. for with the growing apprecia- tion of dentistry as a factor in hooth and good appearance. the dentist's opportunities for s .F- development are limited only by his own ability and resourcefulness. It is in the spirit of pro- gression aud constant research that Dr. Dave pursues his calling in Rushville, where be is one of the most enthusiastic of the town's array of professional men and the recipient of a large Patronage. much of it being attracted from the adjoining country. .

Dr. Dace was born in Ripley. Brown Counts. III .. December 22. IST. non of H. M. D .... born in the State of Missouri. : nd granlsm o! Dennis Dace, a native of Illinois. HI's m aber. formerly Katherine belapp, was born in Illinois. and a daughter of John and Kate Debom, While still young Dr. Dave moved with his parents to Rushville, where he was educated in the prildie schools, and graduated at the Rn-wille IRteb School in the spring of 19. In the man of the same year he entered the Dental D. formmient o! the Northwestern Univer-By. at Evinin. Il .. and during his vacation came to RushMe and Practiced in the office of Dr. Bettorr. At thu expiration of the three yours' course he was given a diplopia, and at ware entered upon en independent practice in Rushville. At present he is located in the Date Building of the north side of the square. woord be has Birge, well well- tilated and handsomely furnished apartment -.

profession, and with books. periodica's and com- fortable surroundings for those awaiting his at- tention.

On September 19. Hol. Dr. Dace was united In marriage to Fredereka Mead. a native of Junistudie, Ill .. and a graduate of the high school of that gia Their mily child is named Doro- thy Mol. Dr. Dave & # Dringerat in politics. and iratruly, is converted with the Knights of mathias. He is a careful investigator and a diligent worker, keeping ; oreast of the best re- a posto in avail himself of the wonderful in- prover pats which have marked the adr ure of the ar during the past few year -. He makes a special y of crown and bridge work, in which be Las forn especially successful. and his e meral skill. to_ wer with a genial mamer and taettul. syn la hetje nature, insures him all of the pat- r hoge to which he can do justice. adhering to his s andard of thorough, jainstaking and lasting work.

DARNELL, Hon. John M .- A representative of that dass of agricultorists who combine, the Scientite pursuit of their calling with meritori- ous interest in the politieil and general welfare of the coarnunity in which they live. Hon. John M. Darnell is recognized as one of the best Kowa smo herders and authorities in the St: te of Ihopis, as the original introducer of Hereford entle into Schuyler County. as a mer- chant of Vended and successful experience. and as a lezbior who thoroughly understood the med wind noted the best interests of the county of which he is a native son. having been In orte form which he now owns and oc- enpie- D & ction 6. Frederick Township. August 4. 1 45.

la it- e volution from the condition of a lack- Woods 1 2200. Schuyler County has had the con- timons sopport of the D: raeil family. Pioneer- ing Thas hogy a conspicuous tendency of those bearing firade ever sia e the arrival on Ameri- can shape of the first Darnell who, presumably, settled in Virginia, where Henry Darnell, grand- father of In M. was born in liGT. on the shop- of top Potomac River. Henry Parnell N'ai the Revolutionary War at the age of fifteen years. and was present at the surrender of Care telis at Yorktown. Ile grew to man- Hood of Virginia, and when twenty-five years old ier ind Elizabeth Les. also born in Virginia. and who home the mother of nine children. Of these Jesse M. father of Hon. John M. was horn Gember 4. 1.18. The family eventually loraten, if the wilds of Ohio, seibig in Wayne Commis, where the father died and when e Jesse removedl in 33 to Henderson County. III. In 1533 1 . povelto Warren County, and in 1534 to Slifler County, Where he engaged in the manufacture of family mills. II's business grow apa e and while Qualeting it h . roomed and board 1 at the life of his future wife. Louise Utter, daughter of Lyman Ciler. The

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

ancestors of the Utter family came from Scot- land, settling in the colony of New Amsterdam, which became New York after the capture by the English. Born to. Mr. and Mrs. Darnel were font children, three of whom are living. Lonise is the wife of Mr. Nelson, of Santa Bar- bara, Cal .: James K. spends his winters in Seattle, Wash .. and his summers in mining in Alaska; and Jolm M. is the subject of this sketch. Jesse Darnell gained much prominence in Schuyler County, becoming not only a compar- atively wealthy farmer. but representing his dis- triet in the State Legislature in 1818-49. He was eleered on the Democratie ticket, and during his term was one of its most capable and force- ful legislators. At the time of his death, he was the owner of 340 acres of land, and the recipient of the respect and good will of all who knew him.

Educated primarily in the district school near his home in Frederick Township. John M. Dar- nell, in 1862, entered Lombard College, near Galesburg, Il .. at the end of two years going to Ann Arbor College. Mich., where he completed the four years' course in three years, graduating with high honors in the class of 157. Return- ing to the home farm. he remained there continu- onsly until isso, in that year engaging in the hardware business in which he continued nmtil 1SSS. Disposing of this business, which. in the meantime, had grown to prosperous proportions, he again located on the farm, and at the present time owns 300 acres in the county, all of it im- proved and very valuable. Few properties in the county present a more modern or thoroughly up-to-date appearance, and certainly no expense has been spared to convert it into a model of neatness and productiveness. For twenty years the owner has been extensively engaged in breed- ing Hereford cattle, the breed of which was in- troduced by him into the county, and no finer animals were to be found anywhere between the oceans, llis first importation in the early 'sev- enties included an animal for which he paid $1,000, unquestionably the largest price up to that time paid for an animal of its kind from England. Mr. Darnell continued to take prizes and lead in the breeding ot Herefords in S huy- Jer County until January 1. 1907. when he sod the last of his stock, and since has practically retired from stock-breeding. His wide experi- ence and exhaustive knowledge of stock has led to many distinctions being conferred upon him. and his advice for many years has been sought and followed. In 1500 he was appointed by Governor John R. Tanner a member of the Live Stock Commission, and during his three years of service, proved one of the most useful members of the Commission.

Mr. Darnell has been prominent in Democratic politics for many years, and in 12 was elected a Representative in the State Legislature. and in 1864 to the State Senate, serving a four your" term. Fraternally he is a member of the Mia- # sonic order. Broad-minded al enterprising. far-sighted and public-spirited. his career has

touched many sides in the development of his county, and invariably has tended to an eleva- tion of business and moral ideals, and to politi- cal soundness and utility.

DAY, Richard .- It was a pleasure to feel the hearty hand-shake and hear the cheery voice of so good and amiable men as Richard Day, and it is a pleasure to write abont him. lle was among the quiet and unobtrusive of life's work- ers, yet he was a thorough master of an ocenpa- tion which has interested the race since the be- ginning of time, which possesses a paramount creative quality and the absorbing element of great and even absorbing usefulness, In the companionship of carpenter's tools he found his greatest del'ght and most practical reward. and from the time of his arrival in July, 1849, until the close of his life, December 22. 1905, he bent his energies to erecting houses, barns, and gon- eral buildings throughout Schuyler County, many of which formed the basis of important agricultural activities, and remain intact and usable after the lapse of almost half a century.

Mr. Day was descended from farmers and me- ebanies, and in his veins flowed the blood of an old English ancestry. His birth occurred in the little town of Norton. Norfolkshire. Eastern England. June 27, 1825, and in early youth he learned the carpenter trade from his father. George Day. He was reared also to farming as practiced in his mitive country, but the farm was a small one, as are all in Norfolkshire, owing to the inmmerable marshes and fons along the shores of the North Sea. When all on this side of the ocean was in a turmoil over the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, Mr. Day left his quiet home and sailed for America, arriving in St. Louis, in March, IN19. and remained there until coming to Schuyler County in the following July. Ile settled on what now is the home- stend in Oakland Township, and continued to make this his home for the rest of his life, going into the surrounding country to follow his oreu- pation as a builder for a part of each year.

The first wife of Mr. Day in maidenhood was Ann Booth Downing, whose death occurred in 1853. In 1:56 he married Martha E. Garret. who died in 1\\3, and January 20. 1SS1. he was united in bonds of matrimony to Mrs. Artemisia (Arkman) Walker, a native of Kentucky and daughter of Isaac and Nancy ( Herman) Aekman. early settlers of Rushville Township. James Walker. the first husband of Mrs. Day, was born in Norfolk, England, and came to Schuyler County, Ill. in 1550. His parents. Stephen and Emily (Fletcheri Walker, settled on a farm in Rushville Township, where the father died. the death of the mother occurring in Parsons, Kan. After her marriage Mrs. Walker settled with her husband on the farm which over since has been her home, and where Mr. Walker died February 18. 142. Ile was a public spirited and very capable nein, a stanch Republican, and the holder of many important local offices. He was active in church and school work, a member in good

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B.F. Rehman

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a generous contributor to worthy charities. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were the parents of six sous and three daughters: James F., a farmer of Oakland Township, Schuyler County ; Stephen. alo a farmer of Oakland Township; Charles. orcupying the old Walker farm; Lewis, a resi- dent of Pittsburg, Kan., husband of Jesse G. ( Robinson ) Walker, and father of Paul Walker; Margaret, wife of, George Baughman, of Pitts- burg, Kan. ; Nancy, wife of Robert Morris, of Ray, Il .; Nellie, wife of Charles Sloane, of Ottumwa, Iowa. To Mr. Day and his third wife were born Richard Maurice, who married Mary EBen Sargent, and farms in Littleton Township, and James, a farmer of Schuyler County. Of the other marriages of Mr. Day there were six children : Mrs. Costello; Mrs. Holson; George Ilward; Richard Albert; James William and William Harrison.

DEAN, David, (deceased). former retired eiti- zn of Rushville, Schuyler County. Ill., was born at Kellybegs, County Donegal. Ireland, Septem- lør 14, 1828, spending the first twenty-four years of his life in his native country, where in his youth and mature years, he was engaged in farmu- ing and sheep-raising. Coming to America in 1852. he was employed for the next ten years as foreman of the yards of the Pennsylvania Rail- road at Pittsburg. In JS59, he was married at Rushville. 11., to Katherine Montooth, whose parents were also natives of County Donegal, Ireland, coming to Illinois in 1851 from Pitts- burg, which they made their first home after leaving their native country. Mr. and Mrs. Dean came to Selmyler County in 1861, settling in Oakland Township, which continued to be their home mitil 1902, and where they reared a family of eight children. six boys and two girls- two other boys dying in infancy. Purchasing eighty acres of land in Oakland Township. Mr. Dean began farming on a small scale but finally lecame the owner of 500 acres in one hody. After a successful career as a farmer. he re- moved to Rushville with his family, where he erected a pleasant home during the following year and there spent the remainder of his life in comfortable retirement. His death occurred suddenly, at his home in Rushville. September 27, 1907, as the result of heart-failure, just as he was sitting down at the table for his evening meal.

In infancy Mr. Dean was baptized into the Episcopal Church, and while a resident of Pitts- hurg. was a, communicant of St. James Episco- Pal Church of that city, but on coming to lili- hois became a member of the Methodist Episco- jeil Church. Of a singularly happy disposition and plain, unassuming manners, a life of strict . integrity and his upright Christian character won for him a large circle of appreciative friends.

Of the eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jean. James died at the age of eighteen months and Jesse aged two and a half years. Of the six

children still living, George Il. married Elizabeth Stanbauch, has four sons and two danghter- and is engaged in farming in Eldorado Township. Medmonth County ; William R., married Incz Wetzel, has one son and ofte daughter, and is a farmer near Astoria, Fulton County ; Ellie B., is the wite of Joseph Rose of Canton, . Ill .. and has four daughters and one son; John married Sadie lare, has two sons and two daughters and is a farmer in Rushville Township. Schuyler County; Lawrence married Nellie Wetzel, has three sons and one daughter and is engaged in farming war Browning. Il. ; Herbert and Sam- uel are on the old home place in Oakland Township. David Dean was a Republican in polities and. at the time of his derease. left an estate comprising 740 acres of land. besides his pleasant new home now occupied by his worthy widow. The following tribute to Mr. Dean from a member of his family is worthy of reproduction

"The writer has often felt his heart deeply touched at the sorrows of others when grieving at the loss of a parent, but it was a new revela- tion to us that evening when our dear father went away to the better land. Though by his toil and frugality he had accumulated a goodly heritage, yet to his children the memory of those sacred hours around the family altar. bis pure and Nameless life, bis wise counsel and his sacrificing live, ale the most precious legacies that he could have left us. He dearly loved his home, and as the infirmities of age grew upon him. he had an intense longing to have his child- ren near him and his home was like heaven to him when he could have them about him.

"But the voice we loved to hear is Insbed for- ever. No more shall he greet ns with his genial smile of welcome. nor ever again shall we feel the warm grip of his great hand. The vacant conch, the empty chair, the unused cane. are mute witnesses that he no longer lives among The last earthly service that we could render him was to bear him to the beauti- ful cemetery where we left him to the guardian care of the holy angels, Farewell, dear father. until we meet in the morning!

"One less at home !

The charmed circle is broken ; a dear face. Missed day by day, from its accustomed place ; One voice of welcome hushed. and evermore One farewell word unspoken : on the shore Where parting comes not. one soul landed more.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 63

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