USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 71
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The rise from comparative poverty of Mr. Harding furnishes an enconraging lesson to those who struggle with adverso circumstances. He settled on his present farm in 1851. finding it all erudo and nneultivated. and oven withont a log cabin in which the family might have temporary shelter. He earned the money to pas for his first small cabin, and this in turn was succeeded by another house which eventually gave place to the present substantial structure in which Mr. Harding lives with his daughter and her family. All of the buildings which now house the stock. products and machinery were erected by Mr. Harding, and few farms in the township are better supplied with all that tends to progressive and successful farming. More than
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half a century ago he set out an orchard which attained maturity, lore fruit in season, and passed into the paarled and useless period of its existener. This was steereded by the orchard which now waves Slade and food to the home- stead dwellers. To his first hundred aeres he has added until he now owns 200 acres, 100 of which are in Buena Vista, and the remainder in Littleton Township. Mr. Harding has been a careful and painstaking farmer. living always within his income, and studying scientifically the diverse possibilities of his land. The gen- erous and kindly impulse is noticeable in all his walks of life, and in ins relations with the Christian Church, of which he is a devout and active member. Politiegdy he is identified with the Republican party, which he has alded with a conscientious vote if not with official service. Ile is honored as a conservative and capable citizen who reflects credit npon the family from which he springs and the community whose best agricultural and general interests he rep- resents.
HARRISON, Benjamin Chadsey, for many years one of the leading farmers in Brooklyn Township, Schuyler County. Il .. a man of hizb character and upright live. respected by all, and recognized as one of the most useful elti- zens of his community, was born in Brooklyn Township, February 9. 1-16. a son of Benjamin and Mary ( Riggsi Harrison, natives of Indiana and Kentucky respectively. The paternal grand- father was one of the early set lers of Brooklyn Township. Schuyler Conny. and Sheldon Fizes. the grandfather on the maternal side, spent a portion of his early life on the ocean as a sailor, finally becoming one of the pioneer resi- dents of the same township, where he entered up a tract of government land thickly covered with timber. Some time previous to the Civil War he went to Texas, and remained in that State until the conflict was over. returning then to Brooklyn Township. where he spent the re- mainder of his days, dying about the year 1516. The death of Grandfather Harrison occurred in Brooklyn Township in 1540. Benjamin Harrison. father of Benjamin C., was the owner of sople land in the locality of the latter's prosent hope. Ile went to California in 1SIS, living there for twenty years. On his return to Illinois, he made a visit to Brooklyn Township, and then located in Henry County, Mo., where he departed this life, his wife having passed away on the home place in 1867. Their family consisted of three sons, the two others being John and William Henry, both deceased. The mother. having Tren judicially separated from the father. was mar- ried to William Justus, by whom she had a daughter, who died when quite young. In e: riy youth. Benjamin C. Harrison attended the d's- triet schools in his vicinity. and crew to manhood inured to farm life. He h. s always lived on the homestond. which became his by inheritance. It consists of 140 acres, located in Section 36. Brooklyn Township, and in addition to this he
has bought 110 acres in Sections 1 and 12. Camden Township, the purchase including abont fifty acres of timber land. Besides general farming he is engaged in raising horses, cattle and hogs, and has met with success in all his operations.
On December 15, 1570, Mr. Harrison was united ja marriage with Enuna Peterson, who Was born in Camden Township. Schuyler County. April 4. 1953. Mrs. Harrison, a woman of most excellent traits of character. is a dangh er of Samuel and Almira (Davis) Peterson, na- tives of hipliana. her grandparents being John and Edith & Hutton Peterson. and Ward and Martha (Etter, Davis. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, as follows : Mary, born September 22. 1ST2, who hecame the wife of Frank L. White, of Camden Township: Wallace B., born April 7. 1974, who lives in Brooklyn Township; Jessie, born Sep- tember 29, 1575, who married Fleming Horney, and is a resident of Littleton, Ill. ; and Dwight. born June 6. 1881, who follows farming on the home place.
In political action, Mr. Harrison is a supporter of the Republican party. His religious on- neetiom. as piso that of his wife. is with the Meth alist Episcopal Church, in which he of- filiates as trustee and steward. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are held in warm regard by all their friends, who are many in number.
HARTMAN, George, a well known and pros- Ferons flui bing contractor of Rushville, Ili .. and one of the most prominent and influenti: l citizens of that place, was born in Columbus. Ohio, September 17, 1856, a son of Henry and Louise Harman, natives of Germany mal France, respectively. His parents came to the United States in 1851 and proceeding to Oh'). located la the capital city of that State. They were the parents of a family of twelve children.
In boyhood George Hartman attended the public schools of Columbus, and at the age of 15 years, applied himself to the task of lerh- ing the trade of a tinner and plumber. I: this ocenpation he became very efficient, and has followed the business of tinning and plumbing ever since, with the best of success. From Columbus he moved to Toledo. O .. where he re- mained three years. In 1861 be became a resi- dent of Rushville, Ill .. and in a comparatively short period built up a very profitalde patronage. t: king a position at the head of his trade and ranking as one of the leading citizens of the community. He secured the contract for the tin. iron and slate work on the new court hanse in Rushville, and also that on the county jail. Besides his work in these lines. he has - tablished a business in pumps and well-die for. which las presumed considerable proportion. The a paratns used in his well-boring operations 's of his own invention, and not only greatly to il- itates the process. It has given him no little prestige of mechanical ingenuity.
On February 3, ISS1. Mr. Hartman was united
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in marriage with Carrie Pelton, who was born in Bowling Green, Ohio, where in girlhood she enjoyed the advantages of a good common school education. Three interesting children were the result of this union, namely : May, Louise and Lillian.
In polities Mr. Hartman is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, and is prominent in its local commeils. lle was elected Mayor of Rush- ville in 1899, and gave the city a most creditable and satisfactory administration. Fraternally he is identified with the 1. O. O. F., M. W. A. and K. of P. Socially he is very popular and the range of his personal acquaintance includes many warin friends.
HERRON, Thomas W .- Among the most pros- perous and worthy representatives of the agri cultural element in Schuyler County, J., and one who is respected by all for his good qual- ities, is the well known farmer of Bainbridge Township whose name stands at the head of this personal record. Mr. Herron was born on the "Darnell farm," in Rushville Township, Schuy- ler County, Ill., February 29. 1860, a son of David and Mary ( Hull) Herron, David Derron was born in County Down, Ireland, June 27, 1829, and came to the United States about the year 1850, locating in Malioning County, Ohio, where he was married to Mary Hull in 1557. Not long after his arrival in this country he had made a trip to Schuyler County, 1H., returning in a short time to Ohio, and subsequently coming back to his permanent home in Illinois. Be- tore leaving his native land he had learned the trade of a weaver, but abandoned that ovenpa- tion ou locating in Ohio, After making his home in Schuyler County. he worked for some thine by the day and month, and then followed farming on rented land until 1965, In that year, he bought 160 aeres in Section 13, Bainbridge Town- ship. The traet had been heavily timbered, and the only dwelling on it was a log cabin. in which he and his wife settled down to house- keeping. He applied himself to the task of grubbing the stumps aud clearing the ground. and in course of time made many substantial auml attractive improvements on his property. Ile died May 6, 1901. at that time being the owner of 140 acres of land, 240 of which con- sisted of the home farm, the other 200 being lo- rated in Frederick Township. His widow is still living on the homestead place at the age of sixty- six years, in the enjoyment of unimpaired health and of the sincere respect and cordial regard of many friends. le and his wife became the parents of six children, as follows: Martha J .. who died at the age of forty-one years: Thomas W .: Mary A. and Robert, who died when four and two years old, respectively : Blanche wife of John R. Strong. a farmer of Frederick Town- ship, and Lulu E .. who married Grover Dodds. a farmer on Section 13, Bainbridge Township.
Thomas W. Herron was reared on the paternal farm, receiving his education in the district schools of that vicinity. He worked on the home
place until the time of his marriage, at the age of thirty two ye. rs. Soon after that event he took chatre of the Zło aeres comprising the homestead, continuing thus until 1:05, when he bought cithty arres, on which he has since lived, At the the he took possession of this land. it contained no dwelling place except an old log cabin. He built a tine residence of eight roone, and put up outbuildings, and substantial and convenient barns for the care of his stock. lle now owns 160 acres of land under a good state of cultivation, and is looked upon as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers in his township.
The marriage of Mr. Herron took place March 21, 1892, on which date he was wedded to Sarah J. Dodds, who was born in Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County, Il., February 5, 199, and is a daughter of Samuel and Margarette ( Wilson) Dodds, natives of County Down, Ireland. Further particulars in regard to the Dodds family may be found in a biographical record of Thomas Dodds, which appears on another page of this volume.) Mr. and Mrs. Herron have one child. Lottie Myrtle, born August 23. 1894. Mrs. llerron. a woman of many amialde traits of character. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics. Mr. Herron is identitied with the Democratic party. although taking no active part in political contests and entertaining no desire for public office.
HIGGINS, Henry .- Few residents of Brook- Ivn Township are so closely in touch with the progress made in Schuyler County during the past half century as llenry Higgins, who was born in Brooklyn Township in the early 'forties. and has known no other home. Hle is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Brewer) Higgins, natives of Ohio and Morgan County. Pa. respectively. His paternal grandfather. Higgins, died in Ohio. while the maternal grandfather. Brewer, passed away in Pennsylvania. As early as 1538 Daniel Higgins come as a pioneer to Schuyler County. 111 .. and on the farn: which he had purchased in Brooklyn Township. his earthly life came to a close about 1892. having reached the venerabile age of ninety years. His wife had died in 1850. When Daniel Higgins located in th's Township it was a vast wilderness, presenting little of encouragement to clear the land and prepare it ' for ponting. However, he lacked none of the unalities necessary in the make-up of the true pioneer. and was undismayed by the formidable task which lay before him. Probably one of the most trying experiences during the early days was what was known as the high water of 1814. In common with all the other farmers, Mr. Higgins lost his entire crop, the only one who had anything to show for his season's work being William Brickman, who succeeded in saving his COT!I.
The eldest child horn to Dan'el and Sarah Higgins was Julia A,, who became the wife of John Fowler, but both are now deceased; the next child in order of birth, John W., also is
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deceased; Jackson is a resident of Brooklyn Township; Christopher dird m Reno. Nov. ; and James is a farmer of Brooklyn Township. Henry was born on his father's farm in Brook- lyn Township, May 17. 1542, and here h's en- tire life has been passed. lle clearly recalls the experiences of his boyhood while endeavor- ing to glean an education in the primitive schools at Center Ridge, which was distantly located. and which he attended with as much regularity as the home duties would permit. The building in which the children gathered to receive their meager instruction was a rule log structure. and its only furniture consisted of slab seats and desks. Here the children conned their les- sons and ate their lunches, which consisted prin- cipally of a corn cake baked in the old Dutch oven of early days. Mr. Higgins well remem- bers the time during his boyhood when this primitive fireplace was supplanted by the more modern cook stove, the one which his father pur- chased being the first one to make its appear- ance on Center Ridge. The day after its pur- chase neighbors from tar and near came to see the wonderful invention. The mother used the stove continuously until the marriage of her son Henry, when she gave it to him and for five years thereafter it was in constant service.
The marriage of Henry Higgins occurred October 2. 1873. uniting. him with Sarah Gossage, who was born and reared in Brook- lyn Township. Mrs. ITiggins is a daughter of Thomas and Mary Jane (Edmonson) Gossage. the former still living and making his home with his children. Mrs. Gossage died November 2, 1905. After his marriage Mr. Iliggins con- tinned to make his home on the oldl home farm uulil 1885, when he purchased 151 acres of land on Section 6, Brooklyn Township, and in the log cabin which he erected in a clearing, the family made their home for five years. In 1800 he moved the cabin back and in its place erected the present commodious residence now occupied by the family. In keeping with this he has also built excellent farm buildings, and, taken as a whole, it would be hard to find a more up-to-date farm equipment than that owned by Mr. Higgins.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins have become the parents of two children, Charles and Ira E. Charles was born January 18, 1>75. married Miss Chick- wood, by whom he has one child. Artie Ray. and is now established as a farmer in Brooklyn Township; Ira was born April 6. 1853, is a resi- dent of Schuyler County, and is employed in carrying the mail from Birmingham. Hle mar- ried Inez Manlove, who was born in Schny- ler County, the daughter of Jacob Manlove, and two children have been boru to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Higgins are ardent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Higgins is a Democrat.
At the age of nineteen years Henry Higgins was converted to Christianity through the preaching of a Methodist minister, who in 1861 held a series of revival services in the old Center Ridge school house. In January of that year
forty were converted, including Mr. Higgins, On May 30 following he was taken ill and until June 9 the doctor remained by his bedside con- stantly. On the day last mentioned abont three o'clock in the afternoon, while Mr. Iliggins was entirely alone, he had a vision in which he saw a man standing in the room who introduced himself to the sick boy as his Heavenly Father. In his hands he carried a large book. which he gave to the boy saying "Be thou healed, be then whole." Immediately afterward the pa- tient turned himself in bed, the first time he had done this unassisted since his sickness be- gan. As he took the open book in his hands he read alond from the right band page the names of Christian friends, and on the left hand bage he saw the names of friends that were not professing Christians. He also saw his brother Christopher standing between him and the other friends, and thereafter six children with angels came into the room. At the request of his friends Mr. Higgins joined in the song with the angels and children, and those who were gathered in the room said they never had heard a clearer or sweeter voice. After the song was finished he thought be was in heaven and there conversed with Job and the Heavenly Father, the latter saying to him that he was going to send him (MIr. Higgins) back to earth with a message, which he was to deliver just two weeks from that day, June 9. to those friends whose names had appeared in the left hand page of the book. He then began to sink and his father and friends who were watching thought he was dying. Hle rallied, however, and just two weeks from that day, he went to Center Ridge and de- livered the message to those of his friends still unconverted. The news of his wonderful healing caused widespread comment and was published in the papers of Schuyler County.
HILLYER, Henry .- No retired citizen of Huntsville. Schuyler County, has contributed more to the making of his architectural sur- roundings than has Henry Hillyer. In this in- dustrious and capable builder and contractor of other days, Schuyler County recognizes a scion of one of its very early and prominent families, one who has left the impress of bis character and work npon its progress and devel- opinent for sixty-eight years, and who invariably has stood for the best commercial, industrial. political. religious and social conditions. Mr. lillyer was born in the City of New York. Angst 15, 1831, and in that same city were-born fonr daughters out of the fourteen children of William and Sarah ( Earwicker) Hillyer. natives of Portsmouth, England, and who came to America with two of their children about 1819. In Norfolk, Va., where the family lived for a time after arriving in America, two other children were born, and in Baltimore, which was their home for a time, a daughter was born. In Cincinnati, whither they moved atter sey- eral years in New York, a girl was added to the family, and in the same city the mother died,
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
the father surviving her until 1858. Of this large family three members now are living. Isaac M. and Edward N. both of Cincinnati, and Henry, of Huntsville. Il.
William Hillyer and his son, James, came to Schuyler County in 1:39, the father later re- turning to the east. while James went west in the early 'fitties to seek his fortune in the mines. and as far as is known is still a resident of California. Henry Hillyer was educated in the public schools of Ohio, and in 1849 went to Chandlerville, Cass County. Ill., where he fol- lowed the carpenter trade until 1555. Hle then came to Schuyler County and took the contract for a large two-story frame building for Lewis 1. King, thereafter contimming his trade of car- penter and builder with growing success. He erected many barns and dwellings in this part of the county. and many still are standing in excellent condition, a tribute to his thoroughness and conscientious workmanship. At times he was a large employer of labor, and he had the gift of securing from his employes the best serv- ice of which they were capable.
January 24, 1861, Mr. llillyer was united in marriage to HIenrietta Sanford, who was born in New York. April 20, 1840, a daughter of Syl- vester and Maria (Redfield) Sanford. arrivals in Huntsville Township in: 1854. For many years Mr. Sanford followed farming, then re- tired and built a beautiful home in Huntsville village, where his death occurred in 1880. and that of his wife in 1895. Of the five children of this couple three are still living: Henrietta, widow of James Seeley. of Rushville: George Sanford of Hampton. lowa; and the wife of Mr. Hillyer. Mr. and Mrs. Hillyer are the parents of four children: Herbert, born October 1, 1861, a painter and decorator of Beardstown. Ill. ; Florence, wife of J. V. Smith, an o ulist of Bloomington, Il .. and parents of one son. Bernard; Minnie wife of Alexander Alters, of Huntsville, who has four children: Edith, Russell, Ralph and Carroll: and Dr. Warren E. Hillyer, of Huntsville, who has a son. Ernest. and who is represented elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Hillyer's is the only family left of those established in Huntsville in 1961. Ile has been an integral part of the community, and his labor has netted him a comfortable competence. For many years he has been a stanch promoter of the Presbyterian Church, and socially is con- nected with the local lodge of Masons. He be- can to handle the tools of the carpenter wlien fourteen years old, and has always sought 10 make his work of value to his fellow men. No man In the township is held in higher esteem. hor has anyone a larger number of devoted and appreciative friends.
HILLYER, Warren E., M. D .- A carver deeply in tune with the humanities, and of inestimable value to the community of Huntsville, is that of Dr. Warren E. Hillyer. a young physician and surgeon of recognized skill and ability, and a na- tive son of the town in which are centered his
professional labors. Born July 22, 1872, Dr. tillver is a son of Henry Hillyer, and his pre iminary education was acquired in the dis- triet school, and completed in the local bigh school in the class of 1893. Soon after leaving his school days behind him. the youth entered the office of Dr. Smith, of MIt. Sterling, and for dichten months had a varied experience in squidy a .. ] supplementary practice. In 1895 he entered the Keokuk Medical School, at Keokuk, lowa, graduating therefrom in the three years' course in March, 1898.
In Fowler, Adams County. IN .. Dr. Hillyer made his professional bogning, remaining there and succeeding beyond his largest expectations until returning to his native town of Huntsville, January 1, 1899. In the meantime he has worked up a large and paying practice, has demon- strated a high degree of efficiency, and has been especially successful in the diagnosis and treat- ment of complicated and seemingly hopeless cases. He has a large and well equipped office, supplied with electrical and other expensive apparatus, and he avails himself of journals. conventions and post-graduate work to increase his efficiency and capacity for usefulness. A pleasing, per- sonality is not the least of his professional, as well as social assets, and an impression of sin- verity invariably is backed by the most trust- worthy and dependable service.
The marriage of Dr. Itillyer and Orpha Caine was solenmized April 23, 1899. in Adams County. Ill., the home of the bride. Mrs. Hillyer being a daughter of Philip Caine, a prominent and wealthy citizen of that county. Dr. Ilillyer and his wife have one son. Ernest, born September 12. 1901. The doctor affiliates with the Pres- byterian Church, and fraternally is connected with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Home Fraternal League. In pol- ities he is a Democrat.
HODGE, William Hamitton .- The city of Rush- ville, has produced many men of sterling char- acter, superior intelligence and progressive spirit. whose lives have contributed largely to the increase of its prosperity and reflected signal credit upon the place of their birth. Among these. William H. Ilodge, who spent a long and honored life in that locality, always conspicu- ously indentitied with its best interests, is see- ond to none. Mr. Hodge was born in Rushville, Ill., January 12. 1834. Ilis father. John Hodge. who was a carpenter by trade, was born in the vicinity of Mt. Sterling. Ky., March 26, 1500. Louisa ( Mcclure) Hodge. his mother, was born in the same neighborhood. March 24, 1814. John Ilodge moved from his native State to Ilinois in 1831. establishing his home in Rushville. He was a conspicuous factor in the carly activities of the place, and constructed the running gour of the well-known carding mill which was then put in operation. He departed this life in 1869. his wife dying the same year. They had seven children, of whom the venerable genth man to whom this record pertains is the sole survivor.
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IHISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
Four died in infancy; of the two others de- ceased, who reached maturity, John passed away at the age of twenty-one, and Alice married a grandson of the Confederate General Price and left one child.
William 11. lodge passed bis youthful years in the parental home, and made diligent use of the opportunities afforded by the common schools of Rushville. After finishing his studies he fitted himself for the work of telegraph oper- ator, and continued in that occupation several years. Subsequently he became a wool-carder, and was thus engaged until 1869. from which period his time was variously occupied until ISST.
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