Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 79

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

USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 79

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

2. J. Thompson.

ラ

875

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

step-father. The loss of his mother marked the beginning of a new era in his life, and from this time on he was entirely dependent on his own resources. Ilis first work consisted of clearing the tuber from one acre of land, for which he received titty cents a day, it requiring eight days to fell and clear away the heavy hickory trees with which the land was covered. Other work of, a similar character was offered and ac- copted, and with the proceeds of his mabor he was finally enabled to purchase a yoke of oxen, which be used in breaking a farm of thirteen aeres in Birmingham Township, which he later planted to corn. The next year, Iso1, he soid the yoke of oxen and bought a mare. His marriage, March 31, 1853, united him with Abigail L. Swise- good, a native of North Carolina, who had made her home in Illinois since 1846. After their mar- riage they began housekeeping in the log cabin on the farm. and although their home and sur- roundings were primitive. they were young and hopeful, and their united efforts soon began to make a marked difference in the outlook. Mr. Manlove bought an undivided half interest in 170 aeres of land for which he paid $200. and as his brother reached his maturity he 'purchased the latter's interest in the land. paying him $600 therefor. To his original tract of 170 acres he has continued to add as his means would per- mit, until as previously stated. he now owns over 1,000 acres of land in Birmingham Town- ship.

Six children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Manlove, four of whom were sons. Eli died of typhoid fever at the age of twenty- four, leaving a widow, formerly Nettie Lawler, and one son. William, who married Minnie Ray- mond. by whom he has one child. Donald. Laura Manlove became the wife of Frank Cassiday, a farmer of Birmingham Township, and they have the following children .- William. Ethel, Roy. Ray and Ivy. one child having died in infancy. Jacob Manlove. a farmer in Birmingham Town- ship. married Etta Twidwell. and they have three daughters and one son-Inez, who is the wife of Alvah Higgins and the mother of two children. Marie and Raleigh: Mary. wife of John Wear and mother of one child. Dorothy : Thomas and Blanche. Isabel Manlave became the wife of George Homberger. a farmer of Birmingham Township, and is now deceased, having been the inother of one child. Zemeth. James T. Manlove Is a farmer of the same township, as is also his brother Joseph E., who married Ada Copeland. and has four children-Troy, Floy, Leo and Ralph.

In the death of his wife, March S. 1907. Mr. Manlove was bereft of his companion of over fifty years. She is remembered as one of the pioneer women of the township. and side by side she worked with her husband under circumstances which were often discouraging, but through it all she retained her hopeful, cheery disposition. In the early days they went a long distance to the Congregational Church, she riding horseback,

and be walking by her side. Since those days many radical changes have been made, and Mr. Manlove has been no small factor in bring- ing them about. With Samuel DeCounter, be shares the honor of being one of the two oldest residents of Schuyler County, Mr. DeCounter having been born in Woodstock. III., October 6, 127. and Mr. Manlove in Rushville December 2%, 1830. Mr. Manlove Past his first vote for Millard Fillmore, and since that time has voted for Republican candidates. He takes commend- able pride in the fact that he has never in his life bought a drop of liquor as a beverage, has never played a game of cards, and has never used tobacco in any form.

MANYX, Patrick .- The Manyx family prosum- ably originated in County Clare, a maritime county of Monster, Ireland, where Patrick Manyx was born in 1840, and whence be came to America in a sailing vessel in 1854. at the age of fourteen years. Accompanied by his aunt. he spent some time in Pennsylvania, and in 1959 came to Illinois, where he chanced to meet Miss Mary Bowe, who subsequently became his wife. and who surviving him, has demonstrated re- markable ability in overcoming obstacles and managing a large estate. The marriage of Miss Bowe and Mr. Manyx occurred in Peoria about 1861. and a year later the young people came to the farm owned at that time by Mrs. Manyx's father. James Bowe, and now the prized posses- sion of his daughter. Mr. Manyx died on June 22. 18$2. and Mr. Bowe, December 24, 1886. To Mr. and Mrs. Manyx were born six children, four of whom are living: James, born January 22. 1562. a resident of Rushville; Mollie, who died at the age of fourteen years: John, on the home place : Mike, a farmer in Bainbridge Town- ship: an infant who died unnamed, and Lizzie, wife of Andrew Volk, a farmer in the vicinity of La Grange, Brown County, IN.

Although an industrious man and quite sue- cessful as a farmer, Mr. Manyx left his family almost no available assets, his widow having. after all expenses had been paid. the sum of twenty-five cents in money. From this nuelens she has developed truly wonderful results. has lifted the mortgage from the small farm, and added to it until now she owns 700 acres. 245 acres in Woodstock Township. 455 acres in Bainbridge Township and SO aeres in Mt. Ster- ling Township. Brown County, bought in 1907 at a cost of $11,000. In this she had the help of her sturdy and willing sons, but her brain has . done the planning, and her economy the saving. and unquestionably there are few women in the line of business in this part of the State who have established such a record of achievement. The farm occupied by the family is remarkably homelike, and its improvements conform to the most exacting standards of the present. The buildings are modern and commodious, the fences in good repair, and the machinery selected with the greatest care and good judgment. Mrs.

816

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Manyx has ever been a hard worker, but she has found time to give her children every advantage within her power, and to train them to noble and useful manhood and womanhood.

James Manyx, who inherits his mother's managerial and business ability, was married in IS93 to Mary Sullivan, of County Clare, Ire- . land, who came to America alone in IsSt. Mr. Manyx is a scientific farmer, and in stock devotes his attention principally to the breeding of Po- land-China hogs. lle is thoroughly devoted to the farm, and finds little time for the outside in- terests of the community. As was his father, in politics, James Manyx is a Democrat, and in religion a Roman Catholic. The family enjoy an enviable reputation and have many friends among the best people of the community.

MARKEY, Harvey B .- The Markey family eame originally from The land, the grandfather, William Markey, emigrating from Gloucester- shire, and planting the name in the New World. From Maryland, where he first located. he went to Harrison County, Ohio. and there died prior to the birth of his grandson, Harvey B. In llar- rison County his son and namesake, William Markey, was born, and there, too, he was reared and married. With his wife, who was formerly Lueina Smith. he came to Illinois in 1859. over- land, and until 1862 they made their home in Fulton County. In that year they went to Han- cock County and four years later, in 1856, lo- cated in Birmingham Township. Sebuyler County, and purchased 180 acres of the old Landrus farm. Times were hard and Mr. Markey found it difficult to provide for his large family from the products of his farm alone. It was this con- dition which led his son Harvey to accept the position of mail cartier between Plymouth and Rushville, receiving for his services $180 per year, and making one trip per week. The father. in his early life, was one of the most extensive stock buyers of Harrison County, Ohio, buying all kinds of stock, which he drove to Pittsburg and Baltimore. He was also engaged in mer- . cantile business with a partner, but through un- serumulous dealings, the latter cheated him out of his interest. A number of years before re- moving from Ohio (in 1852), Mr. Markey sent his son Daniel to Illinois with a drove of 2.000 sheep, but the venture was a total loss. When he located in the State himself in 1:59, he came practically empty-handed, having only a warrant for eighty acres of land and possessing $30 in cash. He traded the land warrant for eight head of milch cows, and from this small beginning persevered steadily until be owned over 400 acres of as fine land as could be found in Schuyler County. Politically. he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and was a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. Previous to the Civil War his home in Ohio was one of the stations on the "underground railroad," and many a fugi- tive slave was cared for under his hospitable roof. Ile died in 1889, and his wife, the mother of Harvey B., passed away in 1891. By his

first wife he had eight children, of whont but two are living,-Hannah, the wife of C. Sprole, and Eliza \., wife of George Boyd, both of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Fourteen children were born ot his marriage with Lucina Smith, of whom ouly eight are now living, viz: Mary, who married Eland llale, a farmer of Bir- mingham Township; Harriet, widow of Harry 1. Coe, who lives in Blandinsville, Ill .; Harvey B .; John B. and Annie S., twins, the former : resident of Ringgold County, la., and the latter, wife of Oliver Brach, of Plymouth, Ill. ; lesse M. and Jessie Lee, also twins, the former a resident of Liberty. Ill., and the latter, wire of J. Vaughn, of Meadow Grove, Neb .; and Noah 1., a farmer in Birmingham Township.

Harvey B. Markey was born in Harrison County, Ohio, September &, INT, and was there- fore a lad ot about twelve years when the family settled in Illinois. He well remembers the strug- gles of the early days in the new surroundings, and as previously stated, when he was only eighteen years of age. he drove the mail wason from Mymouth to Rushville. Ile continued to make his home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he went to work by the month for Charles Mitchell. His marriage took place in Sangamon County, November 9, 1876, Charlotte Mitchell, the daughter of Charles and Hannah Mitchell, then becom- ing his wife. She was born in Sangamon County, 1H., March 29, 1855. P'or several years after their marriage the young people made . their home in Sangamon County, but in 1ss1 they moved to Sebuyler County, and located on the farm which Mr. Markey then pur- chased in Section 12. Birmingham Township. where they have since innde their home. Seven children were born to them, but ouly four are how living. three having died in infancy. Of those surviving, Edith became the wife of Al- bort Jones, a farmer in Schuyler County, and they have one child, Alyne. The others, Fred- erick, Bessie and Frank, are still at home with their parents.

Much credit is due Mr. Markey for what he had accomplished since taking up his home in Birmingham Township, where he is known as one of the most up-to-date farmers, owning 104 acres of excellent farming land. in addition to general farming he raises considerable stock, making a specialty of red cattle. Everything about the farm marks the owner as an in- dustrions and progressive farmer, the fences and outbuildings being kept in repair, as is the resi- dence, which is a commodious eight-room house, Mr. Markey has filled many offices in Birming- bam Township, among them that of Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served for right years. l'olitically, he is a stanch Republican. and fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Houtsville, and to the camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, at Birmingham. Mr. and Mrs. Markey are active members of the Methat- ist Episcopal Church, and both are held in high esteem in their home community.

877

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

MARLOW, John Wesley .- The agricultural in- terests of Schuyler County. Ill .. have a well- known representative in John Wesley Marlow, a native-born son of Camden Township, where practically all of his busy and useful life has been passed. The subscription schools of this locality afforded him snch advantages as were possible in pioneer days. The churches of the community gave him religions training and taught him in youth the duty which he owed to God and mankind. The soil of the township. tilled in a systematic manner, netted him a fair income from early life and laid the foundation of his prosent prosperity, enabling him from time to time to add to his possessions until at this writing he owns 365 acres of valuable farm land. The record of the family appears in the sketch of Levi S. Marlow, presented upon another page of this volume. John Wesley Merlow was born at the old homestead August 16, 1910, being a sou of Hanson Marlow. After having gained a knowledge of the three R's in the neighboring schools, he turned his attention to general farm- ing, in which he acquired a thorough training under his father. On August 15, 1861, he was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Green, daugh- ter of William and Hannah (Spencer ) Green, honored pioneers of Schuyler County, but both now deceased. Of the Green family one son and one daughter (Mrs. Ayers) alone survive, and they are residents of Camden Township. After his marriage Mr. Marlow settled on Section 14, Camden Township, where he bought ninety-five acres of bottom land wholly unimproved, and during the next tive years he was busily engaged in the cultivation of the property. While liv- ing on that farm two of his children were horn. About 1866 he sold the land and removed to Richardson County, Neb., but in the fall of that year be returned to Schuyler County and traded his Nebraska property for eighty acres on Sce- tion 25, Camden Township, where he has since made his home. In 1881 he lost his first wife. by whom he had the following children : Levi. William Ray, Mary E., Henry, Rosetti. Charles W. and Annie. Levi was born May 31, 1862, and died January 26, 1865: Mary E. was born October 26, 1864, and died September 11. 1876. William R., was born Febuary 25, 1566, and died December S. 18GS. Henry, born February 11. 1868, is a farmer in Camden Township. He mar- ried Sophia Weightman, by whom he has had seven children, five of whom are living. Rosetti. was born December 10, 1869. is the wife of Al- bert Lung, a farmer in Camden Township. hy whom she has had nine children, seven of whom are living. Charles W., born November 18, 1871. died February 12. 1873; and Annie, born April 18, 1874, deceased wife of Mead Clayton, left one child.

The second marriage of John Wesley Marlow united him with Jemima Weightman, who was born in Camden Township February 1. 1863. he- ing a daughter of that honored pioneer, William Weightman, who is still living, his wife having died February 4, 1908. Of this nion six chil-

dren were born, namely : Asa L'., born December 6. ISS3, who died November 2. 1903; Martha Jane, born May 10, ISS5; Getrude Victoria, born December 2%, 1856, who is the wife of Burt 1. Davis, a farmer of Camden Township; John W. born March 17, Isoh, who assists his father on the farm; Minnie Elizabeth. born May 1, 1^93; and Netlie Ruth, born July 29, 1805, The hospitality of the Marlow family is proverbial. Their guests look with especial pleasure upon a visit to the farm, whose genial owner deservedly ranks among the honored men of the township. In I wal Improvements he has maintained a constant interest. llis devotion to his native county is unquestioned, and his solicitude regarding is permanent prosperity is deep. In religious work he has been faithful and generous. The Union Chapel owes its organization and usefulness largely to his labors. To the building of this house of worship he contributed $55 in cash and forty-five days' work, while Mr. Weightman gave $50 and his work, the united labors of the two men being the means of dedicating the church free from debt. Many have been the changes his eyes have leheld since his youth. Agricultural pro- cesses have been revolutionized. In early days he was accustomed to the tedious task of thresh- ing the wheat with a fail ; the grain was then hanled by wagon to Quiney, where it was sold at twenty-five cents per bushel. The days of "dol- lar wheat" were then undreamed of. nor were there any prophets to herald the coming inven tions which would radically change all known methods of harvesting and threshing. The tele- phone was then unheard of, and many other con- voniences, which are regarded as necessities by people in the twentieth century, wore then un- known, yet the pioneers look back upon those days with a keen recollection of the many pleas- ures they enjoyed and a vivid appreciation of their happiness in spite of the lack of modern im- provements.

MARLOW, Levi S .- Adjacent to the village of Mabel. Schuyler County, Ill .. lies the farm of 200 acres which for sixty-three years, or during his entire lifetime, has been the home of Mr. Mar- low. Here be was born Angust 16, 1844 the son of Ilanson and Esther (Whiteman ) Marlow. the former a native of Kentucky, and the lat- ter a descendant of Virginian ancestors. About the time of his first marriage, in 1825. Hanson Marlow came to Illinois as a pioneer and here he was deprived of the companionship of his wife. here death occurring soon afterward. Subs- quently he was united in marriage with Esther ( Whiteman ) yes, a widow, whose husband had died of cholera. About 1826 Mr. Marlow camp to Schuyler County, settling at first near Little- ton, and about 1537 he came to Camden Town- ship, on Section 22. and here he rounded out the remainder of his long and useful career. At the time he came to this locality there was little to encourage one to battle with the rude con- ditions which existed on every hand. It with the tine pioneer spirit he steadfastly adhered to

878

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

his purpose to make @home for himself and fam- ily, first erecting a small log cabin. In the course of time, after a portion of ti land bad been cleaned and the land cultivated, this rade struc- ture gave place to a moore commodions double log cabin, and here, and in the home previously mentioned, all of the four sons were born and reared. Some idea of the starcity of neighbors at the time Mr. Marlow came to this section, may be gathered from the fact that when he erected his first house there were only two or three cabins in Rushville. now a thriving village, no settlers between his cabin and Rushville. and but few between his form and Quincy. Mr. Marlow's first purchase of land consisted of 130 aeres, part of the land now included in the old homestead, and in partnership with his brother, Alfred. be purchased another farm of the same size, which they operated together for a number of years. By purchases Han- son Marlow added to his original acreage un- til he had 160 acres, to which he supposed he had a clear title, but his claim to ownership was disputed and he was obliged to pay for the land again. As his means permitted he purchased other land adjoining, until at one time he owned 520 acres. At the time of purchase the greater part of the land was heavily timbered, but with the assistance of his sons he cleared away the timber and underbrush, and in time waving fields of grain wire to be seen in their sroad. As his children grew to maturity, he gave to each a share of the home farm. The eldest son. Henry, is a resident of Sullivan. Ind. ; llanson, who is now deceased, married Miss Nancy Davis. by whom he had a son and daughter. both of whom are now deceased : the other son, besides Levi S., is John W., who owns and cultivates a farm in Camden Township. The mother of these children passed away in 1860, and some years later the father was united in marriage with Mrs. Nancy Green, who was left a widow about one year after her marriage, and she, too. is now deceased. The death of Hanson Marlow oc- curred 1563 and was deeply felt in the com- munity where he had made his home for so many years and toward whose upbuilding he had done so much. Throughout his life be adhered rigidly to the religious teachings of his parents, and was an ardent member of the Methodist Epis copal Church. During the early days, before a house of worship had been erected. his home was the stopping place for the circuit riders who came to minister to the people. Hospitality was one of his chief characteristics, a quality which he inherited from a long line of Sonthern ancestors.

Levi S. Marlow was born in the double log cabin on the old homestead. August 16. 1544 and all the school training he received was in the dis- triet school at Camden, three miles from his home. As soon as he was large enough he began to aid in the duties which fall to the lot of every farmer's sun. his father at that time owning 520 acres, well stocked with cattle. Until he was thirty years old he worked continuously on

the farm, but at this age he took up work at the plasterer's trade. building cisterns prin- cipally, and also to some extent, worked at the carpenter's trade. Among his accomplishments in the latter trade may be mentioned the First Methodist Episcopal Church. South, known at that time as the Union Chapel. He gave the grond on the which the edifice was erected, $25 in cash, hewed the frame, and in addition gave sixty day's work. The services of the church and Sunday-school have been maintained without interruption since the church home was built, church services being held every two weeks, and Sunday-school, class and prayer meetings every Sunday. Though not a member of the church. Mr. Marlow is a liberal giver to its charities and is especially active in Sunday school work, and since its organization has been treas- urer of the Sunday school at Camden. Many of the finest houses in Camden stand as monuments to Mr. Marlow's skill and ingenuity, and taken all in all, he has been a prominent factor in the march of progress in this part of Schuyler ConDiy.

Mr. Marlow's marriage, in West Quincy, Mo .. January 6, 1865, united him with Margaretta Rice, a na ive of Columbus, Ohio, and a daugh- ler of John and Rebecca Rice, both natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, and still later to Missouri. Their last home was in Illinois, where both passed away, the father dying in 1963. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Marlow, lemy A., a farmer in Cam- den Township, married Mary E. Terrell; Esther became the wife of James Lawson, a farmer of Balabridge Township and had two children, one of whoin, Verna, is living ; the next ilied in infancy ; George W. by his marriage with Mary C. Corsey, he me the father of three children of whom one thed in infancy : Lena is now four years old and Guy is a farmer in this locality; Julietta aud Jeanetta were twins, the latter being killed by a runaway horse and the former being the wife of William Lawson, by whom she has one son, Ray; Ida May, the wife of Thomas Fitch, has two children. Guy and Carl Frederick; Fannie, the wife of Elmer Carter. of Gray, Sievens County. Wash., has five children-Harohl, Emory. lowjs, Ernest and Opal Olive, three having died in intaney : Eva M., was first married to Emery Calvert, by whom she had two children-Mabel and Myrtle Ruth; by her marriage with Mead .1. Clayton, she has three children-Rosroe. Emery and Lorena : Carl L .. a farmer in Camden Town- ship. married Nettie Elliott. Mrs. Margaretta Marlow died November 18, ISS7. leaving to mourn her loss a family of devoted children, and many friends who had learned to love her for her many noble christian virtues. She was a me !- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Marlow was subsequently married to Mary 1. Elder, who was born in Buena Vista, Ill .. 3 datighter of Robert and Inanna (Allen) Eller. While she was a mere child Mrs. Marlow w left an orphan, and was reared and tolerly

S79

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

cared for by Mrs. Margaret Eifert, with whom she remained until her marriage.

Socially, Mr. Marlow is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Camden, Six times he has been elected to the office of Justice of the Pence. serv- ing in this capacity for twenty-four years. Three times he has been elected Collector, and has also been thrice elected Assessor. MY. Marlow's long retention in office is an excellent indication of his fitness for the trusts in question, and an un- mistakable evidence of his popularity in the com- munity.

McCABE, John .- Since a comparatively early- period in the history of the township and city of Rushville, Selmyler County, IN .. brickmaking has been an important industry in that locality. The pioneer settlers were succeeded by men who not only profited by the experience of their pre- decessors, but who themselves established a standard of achievement for those who should succeed them. In the early fifties was witnessed a decided impetus towards briekmaking on a large scale, and a young and sturdy element was introduced in the person of John MeCabe, then twenty-two years of age, who was destined to spend at least half a century in the manufacture of this necessary building material.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 79

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