Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 81

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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In the early part of the year just mentioned. Mr. MeKre, with his brother, loel. and Joel Tullis and the latter's family, started overland for the far-distant Oregon country, with which the first named was already quite familiar. The trip was filled with hardship and sorrow. es- pecially to Mr. Tullis, two of whose children dled on the way and were buried along the In- dian trails where they happened to breathe away their young lives. Soon after their arrival the settlers of the country were stirred profoundly by the Whitman tragedy, and a call was issued

to quell the Indian uprisms, of which this was the Trading event. Mr. MeKop was naturally oter of the first to offer his services, and although he was in the think of the three months' cam- paign which comprised the active part of the conflict with the Indians, In escaped without in- jury. Prom Orezott. in ISI9, he went to Cali- tornia. where for three yours he tasted of the feverish life of the early goldminers, but in 1 52 returned to the old homestead in Schuyler County, and seemed Hever again to wish to leave its atmosphere of peace and contentment, For forty-five years thereafter he lived a quiet life of integrby, industry and broad usefulness, and finally passed away at the age of eighty-four, without a moment of pain -- as a candle light, which quietly burns to the socket and expires.

In 1-53 Mr. MeKee was umted in marriage to Sarah C. Wilmot, and tive danghters were born to their union : Mes. Henry Hite, Mrs. Samuel 1. Wheelhouse, Mary C. and Meta MleKee, and Mrs. Cyrus La DeWitt. (See sketch of tyrus L. DeWitt in another portion of this history. ) Mrs. McKee and her daughter, Mrs. DeWitt. are the only surviving members of this honored pioneer family, and. having removed from the old home- strad. the venerable widow is living in honored reitrement with her daughter in Rushville. The former still owns the beautiful farm, which was The Scene of her early joys and sorrows, and which she so faithfully shared with her honored Wand. After coming to Schuyler County, Your more children (making ten in all) were added to the family of the elder Mekce, and of this nun bar none is now surviving.

McLAREN, Harry E .- The Schuyler County Ilerali was established at Rushville. Ill., Feb- ruary 25. 1901, by Harry E. McLaren, a young man whose jonen distie experience has been fur- ther enriched by the publication of the Astoria Argus for ten years. The Heraldl maintains a Democratie policy, and in general trend, is a vehicle and moulder of the most advanced public opinion.

Mr. McLaren was born in Astoria, Fulton Conty. Ill., June 3. 1874, and comes of a family of which much reasonably might be expected. He is a son of Robert F. and Amanda (ne) Me- Laren, natives of Fulton and Schuyler Counties. respectively, of whom the former enjoys the dis- tinction of having been one of the most promi- ment and publie spirited men of Astoria for al- most half a century. Ile was Justice of the Prace for thirty-two years, and during that time united two hundred and twenty-seven couples. in marriage. For eighteen years he was a no- tary Public, for eleven years Township Clerk, for six years City Clerk. Assessor for two terms. and member of the Board of Eineation for many years. In 1903 he became a member of the retired colony of Rushville.

Harry E. Mol aren was educated in the public schools of Astoria and Drake University of Iowa. He began at the bottom round of the journalistic ladder by learning the printer's trade. gradually

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making his way to the front office of the Astoria Argus, over whose editorial destiny he presided for ten years. Mr. Mclaren is promin ut socially, and is identified with the Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and other fraternities. His personality is pleasing. and he has the taet and good judg- ment which keeps the wide awake newspaper man on good terms with himself and the world in general.

McMILLEN, Gilbert .- The enviable standing - of Mr. MeMillen among the people of Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IN .. where he was born and where he has made his lifelong home, may be appreciated trom the statement that six consecutive times they have chosen him to rep- resent them on the Board of County Supervisors. Though elected by the Democrats as their nomi- nee, he is popular with representatives of all parties, and during his twelve years of service on the board he was a stanch supporter of pro- gressive enterprises contributory to the progress of the county, while at the same time aiming by his influence and ballot to conserve the interests of the tax-payers.

The genealogy of the MeMillen family can be traced back to Scotland, but several generations have lived in the United States. John McMillen, a native of Ohio, born in 1815. came to the then unknown frontier of Minois during carly man- hood, and in Schuyler County, in 1843, he mar- ried Margaret Pittenger, who was born in Vir- ginia in 1823, and came with her parents to Illinois, settling in Schuyler County in 1836. Since that time she has remained at the old homestead. now operated by her son, Gilbert. ller mishand died in ISS, at the age of seventy- three, after a long and useful live devoted to agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of eieven children, but three of these died in early life. Eight are now living, namely ; Sa- rah, who married William H. Baxter, a farmer in Littleton Township; Mary. the widow of Wil- liam Billingsley, living in Rushville Township on a farm: Belle, who married William BIv. a farmer near Macomb, Ill .: Nicholas, of Macomb ; Margaret, at home : Gilbert : Henry, who is now in the West: and Ollie, wife of Charles Vertree. station agent at Elmwood, Ills .. for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Company.

The MeMillen homestead. on Section 26, Onk- land Township. where Gilbert MeMillen now re- sides, is his birthplace, the date of his birth being January 1. 1857. During boyhood he at- tended the district school near the farm. On December 23. 1896, he was united in marriage with Mira, daughter of Peter Rose, an early set- tler of Schuyler County, having removed hither from Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. MeMillen have four children, namely : Harry, born Jannary 20. 1SOS: Phoebe, January 29, 1900: Mildred. July 2. 1901: and Mabel. May 25, 1993. The family attend the Methodist Church, of which Mr -. MeMillen is an active member. While devoting himself with assiduous care to stock raising and

general farming, Mr. MeMillen has found leis- u'e to participate in public affairs. He has been connected with the Independent Order of odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. and has been a stanch worker in the interests of the Democratic party. Besides serving as Super- visor, as before stated, he has filled the positions of Collector and Assessor of his township, and in every relation of life, bas proved a patriotic and mogressive citizen.

MEAD, Dr. Mary Ward, a prominent practicing physician of Camden, Schuyler County, IN., was born in her present place of residence. October 2. 1ST2. a daughter of Jas, N. and Martha {Par- rish) Ward, the former a native of Caundlen. Ill., and the latter of Macoupin County, IN. Her pa- rents were married in Schuyler County, and the father, after pursuing the life of a farmer, is now living in retirement with his daughter, Dr. Mary Ward Mead, the wife and mother having died July 16, 18ST. Joseph N. Ward, the pa- ternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a pioneer settler of Schuyler County, was a native of Kentucky. The father, James N. Ward, is a Republican in politics, though not a politician in the sense of being an office-seeker. and has been a life-long member of the Chris- tian Church.

In her childhood and youth, Mrs. Mead at- tended the priny ry school at Nebo, near her birthplace and later, the public school at HIunts- ville, Schuyler County. She began her profes- sional career as a trained nurse in the Mercy Hospital at Keokuk. lowa, during this period having charge of laparotomy cases, the treat- ment of which, with a single exception, proved Successful. On October 2, 1859, she was married at Huntsville. IN., to Dr. Richard Homer Mead. whose biography appears on another page in this connection. After her marriage, she studied medicine under the tutorship of her husband. and as the latter became less active, proved a useful assistant in his extended practice. her previous training as a profissional nurse, qualifying her to enter upon a collegiate course. She then attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keo- kuk. Ia., from which she graduated with high honors in the class of 1807. After graduation. she returned to her home at Camden, Ill .. and engaged in active practice in which she has met with marked snecess, both in growth of patron- age and its extension in wider fields, her reputa- tion as a practitioner having extended into ad- joining counties. She is a member of the Schny- ler County Medical Society and the International Medieal Society, and fraternally. is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors, being Martha of the former and Camp Physician of the latter.

Dr. and Mrs. Mead are the parents of three children, namely : Miss Clara Brisve, born April 26. 1591: Miss Andrew Jackson, born De pigber 18. 1593: and Hughes Barrow, born April 10, 1898. Each of the older children has received a superior edneation, the daughters being grad-

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Hates of the High School, and having logan their college course in September, 1005, Clara intend- ing to study medicine, and her sister, to become a nurse. They are especially well trained in music, often being called upon to take part in public entertainments, in which they have been remarkably successful. Both parents and chil- dren are members of the Christian Church, The heads of this family, engaged in a like profes- sional task, are living harmonions and useful lives, in which they are able, while co-operating with each other, to benefit a wide circle of pat- rons.

MEAD, Richard Homer, M. D .- Rarely do men in the medical profession express the maus sidedness and versatility found in Dr. Richard Homer Mead, an eminent practitioner of Cam; den, Ill., and known also as a soldier during the Civil War, as a writer of more than average force and elegance, as a politician of integrity and wide usefulness, and as a promoter of edu- cation, sanitation, fraternities and general com- munity interests. Dr. Mead is a native of Schuy- ler County, and was born January 16, 1547. a son of Andrew J. and Mary ( Briscoe ) Mead. long residents of Huntsville, in the same county.

Primarily, Dr. Mead was educated in the pub- lie schools of Huntsville, but owing to interrup- tions in his youth, his higher training has been largely self acquired. As was the case with thousands of the boys of the land, his principal and most developing experience was the Civil War, which broke over the country when he had attained to barely sixteen years, Enlisting in Company K. Eighth Iowa Cavalry, at Camp Rob- erts. Davenport. Iowa, he went with his company to Nashville, Ten .; and during the winter of 1863-4 was on duty in the mountains of Ten- nossee. With the coming of spring his company was on the left wing of General MeCook's eny- ahry, and with Sherman's army advanced on Atlanta. After engaging in fighting for one Inin- dred days the regiment returned northward, and was the first to oppose Hood's crossing the Ten- nessee river, an effort which resulted in defeat, although later they prevented his advance at Duck River. After the Battle of Nashville they continued to pursue the wily Comederate general to the Tennessee river. In the spring of 1565. Croxton's brigade became detached from Wil- son's corps. successfully fighting the Battle of Selma, but was unable to return to the command and became known as the "lost brigade." It fought its way and roamed at will over Ala- bama, being in two mountain engagements. Af- ter the surrender of Lee, neither the oppos- ing Federal cavalry nor Croxton's command had any knowledge of the event until two weeks after its occurrence. Later the regiment was sent in pursuit of Jefferson Davis lo Maron, Ga .. and August 28. 1865. Mr. Mead was mustered out of the service, having proved himself a sol- dier of rare courage and endurance. He Was taken prisoner on the MeCook raid in the rear of Atlanta, but eseaped in a few hours. Not so

his follow brethren at arms, for full, half of the company died in Andersonville prison.

Returning to his home in Itinois, Dr. Mead continued the study of medicine begun before he had donned the uniform of the Union soldier. His first professional fir tructor was his father, and in November, 15, he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Keokuk, Jowa, graduat- ing therefrom in the Class of 1867. Locating in Huntsville. t., he practiced until 1822 with his father, going then to Texas, where. for five years, he was connected with the 1. & G. N. Railroad Company. During isis he attended the St. Louis Medical College, and then resumed his practice at Huntsville, which he continued umil 1884. Although his educational opportunities seemed not to warrant the experiment, the doc- tor applied to the civil service commission for examination, and upon passing in the class at Burlington, III., he was appointed pension clerk at Washington, D. C., August 18, 15, being the fifteenth man from Illinois to pass the examina- tion. March 2, 1SS5, he became a permanent member of Class 1, and in October, of the same Year, he was promoted to class 2. On April 24, ISS6, he was detailed to the field as special ox- miner in Maine, New Hampshire and New York, and December 28, 1556, resigned Dis posi- tion, but being an honorably discharged soldier, he can re-enter the service willout examination whenever inclination dictates.

Returning to Huntsville, the doctor engaged in a general medical and surgical practice until locating in Camden. He is one of the best known and most highly reputed practitioners in his part of the county. In spite of his other interests has never allowed aught to interfere with a con- scientious discharge of professional obligations, and cold, heat or storm have never been known to keep him within the shelter of his home when duty called. Ile is the genial friend and depend- able adviser in hundreds of families, and has presided at the entrances and exits of many of the foremost people of the community. He has left no stone unturned to advance his usefulness and add to his opportunities, and has been a constant attendant at professional conventions, including that of the National Colombian Medical Asso- ciation at Washington, D. C., in 1851-5-6.

The doctor was physician of the Illinois South- ern Penitentiary for four years, and served two years as Assistant Superintendent of the State Insane Asylum at Chester.

The marriage of Dr. Mead and Mary, daugh- tor of James N. and Martha (Parrisho) Ward, occurred October 3, 159, and this union re- sulted in two daughters, Clara Briscoe, Andrew Jackson, and a son, Hughes Barrow. A bio- graphical record of Dr. Mary Mead appears on another page in this volume. Dr. Mead is an ar- dent fraternalist, and is identified with Hunts- ville Lodre No. 465. A. F. & A. M .; Auensta Chapter No. TS. R. A. M. ; Almoner Commandery No. 32. K. T .: and Cyclone Lodge No. 635, 1. O. O. P., of which he is a charter member and one of the organizers. He is prominent In Grand

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Army circles, always attends local and national encampments, and is a member of George .1. Brown Post, No. 417.

Ile is a consistent and active member of the Christian Church of Camden. In politics he is a strong Republican, and was a debunte from Schuyler County to the famous "deadlock" State Convention of 1904, supporting Gov. Yates to the end.

MESSERER, Anthony (deceased), one of the best known men and most successful farmers among the early settlers of Frederick Township, Schuyler County, Ill., whose career rellecual lasting credit npon the home of his adoption, was born in Germany in 1706. Of bis parentage and family history, all records have been lost in the lapse of time. Together with an elder brother, Anthony crossed the Atlantic when six years old, the brother being seized with yellow fever on the passage, from which he died, his body being buried at sea. The young lad, thus left alone, completed the voyage to a port on the West In- dia Islands, and was bound out to a Spaniard. There he stayed until he was twenty-one years old, when his Spanish master set him free. After traveling for some time he finally came to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania. In the West Indies, he had been employed on a large plantation in charge of negroes, and on arriving in this country be applied himself to farm work. Subsequently, he journeyed westward 10 St. Louis aud Peoria, and later to Schuyler Coumy. Ill., where about 1831 he entered up a tract of government land in Frederick Township. But one dwelling had been built in the locality where he settled, and Indians still lingered about, will game also being plentiful. For marketing, it was necessary for him to make trips to Beards- town.

In Pennsylvania, Mr. Messerer made the de- quaintance of Margaretta Weaver, a native of Harrisburg, that State, whom he married about 1833, and after spending some time in Peoria, Ill., and later in St. Louis, in 1834, settled on a farm in Frederick Township, Schuyler Comty. there being then but one house in Frederi k. Ile there bought 320 acres of land and through in- dustrious habits and frugal management. finally became the owner of more than 800 acres, and one of the most extensive farmers in that vicin- ity. Ile was a member of the Board of Super- visors for Frederick Township for many years. A member of the Masonic fraternity. he was a Lutheran in religions faith. his wife being a Christian. Mr. Messerer died in 1559, and his wife on November 10, 1881, having survived her husband twenty-two years.

Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mes- serer, two died in infancy: Joseph, after spend- ing his youth on the home farm, of which he took charge after the death of his father for three years, entered into the mining business in Cali- fornia, about 150 going to Chili, South America, where he was superintendent of a mine until his death some years since; Elizabeth (now de-

ceased) married Hudson M. Deane of Frederick, 111., February 17, 1559, and died March 3, 1902. having borne her husband seven children, of whom four died in infancy; and Louisa, bora in IS!I, on February 8, 1865, married Davis 11. Curry, who died May 17, 1873. On January 1, 1STD, she married Benjamin F. Rebman of Fred- erick, and is now the only member of her father's family still living. Five children were born of the first union, of whom Amos, Bert, Beulah and David Curry (the last two twins) are still liv- ing, and three of the second union, of whom Gail and Herman Rebman are living, the former a teacher and the latter with his parents on the farm. (ore sketch of Benjamin F. Rebman in another part of this volume).

MILBY, Edward T .-- In the mind of Edward T. M'lby the fast fading pioneer history of Sebuy- ler County, Ill., remains a vivid and enduring memory. His life is of the home-spun kind, a record of hard work performed with cheerfulness and intelligence, of obstacles surmounted with vigor and determination, and of sacrifices made with true Christian courage and fortitude. Inei- dents of early times recalled by him are tree felling, stump pulling with oxen, log cabin rear- ing, plowing, cultivating and harvesting with the erndest of agricultural implements, spinning, weaving, tallow dip making, flint fire lighting, husking bees, barn raisings, apple parings and church "socials" and donations. In all of these Mr. Milby took an active interest, although cer- tain of them fell to the lot of the women mem- bers of his own and his father's household. In his prosent leisure he delights to recall the com- parative quiet of a time long since elapsed, and to contrast it with the nerve-racking, competi- tion-torn age in which bis declining years are being spent.

Mr. Milby is one of the wealthy retired farm- ers of Rus'iville, Ill., and all that he has is the result of his own untiring exertions. He was born in the State of Delaware, August 4, 1835, and is a son of Nathaniel and Eliza J. ( Wilson) Milby, also natives of Delaware. The father de- veloped the pioneering inclination and sold bis Delaware property in 1539. and in the winter of 1540, with his wife and four children, undertook the journey to Illinois which consumed the greater part of the season. Edward T. Milby re- members well this arduous journey, although he was but five years old. and especially that part made on the canal, through which they were drawn on a boat by a single horse. During this portion of the trip the older members of the fam- ily walked for a considerable distance along the tow path, probably out of consideration for the poor, overworked horse, whose lot certainly was not an enviable one. The journey was continued in a covered wagon, and the arrival in Frederick, Schuyler County, was not calculated to inspire enthusiasm for the country to which the way- farers had so laboriously and hopefully tended. The day was bitterly cold. the snow penetrated the chinks of the wagon, and the wind swirled

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Ja their Thompson

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

across the prairies, striking a dreary chill to the heart of even the most courageous, Finding no desirable resting place, the little party soon after pushed on to Rushville, making the small village their home until the following spring. The father then located on a rented farm, and in the fall of 1$11, bought eighty acres of land east of Rushville, in the township of that name. The timber on this land was dense and varied, and arduous tasks confronted the settlers. To the small log cabin which they found on the land, the father added, as such addition became necessary, until finally be had what was called a double log cabin. In this humble abode were born the rest of the children, in all eleven. eight of whom attained maturity. Three of these still survive, namely : Edward T .: Zadoc L .: and Dora, wife of David Wray, a farmer of Johnson County, lowa. Zadoc now owns and occupies the old homestead.

. Three years after the close of the Civil War (in 1SUS) the log house was torn down and a modern, six-room, two-story, frame dwelling was erected. This was made possible largely through the efforts of Edward T. and Zodac, who so faith- fully had worked at grubbing trees and hazel bushes, using oxen for the task, and hitching a chain around the stump or bush at which the strong animals tugged until accomplishing the task. The mother, in the meantime, rocked the cradle with one foot, while with the other she ran the spinning wheel ; and later she made her cloth into jeans for her sons and into dresses for her daughters. Her toil seemed never ending, and her working day extended from the rising to the setting of the sun. The father lived to see eighty acres of his land cleated and under the plow, and he was in fairly prosperous cir- cumstances at the time of his death, July 28, 1873. The wife who had shared his hard labors did not long survive him. her death occurring on October 12, next following. They had occupied the same farm continuously for thirty-two years, and were among the honored and influential peo- ple of the township.

Among the first of the children to leave the old Milby homestead was Edward T., who, with a practical education acquired under great ditti- culties, and an amount of farm experience which fitted him for conducting almost any agricul- tural enterprise, was married. in November, 1860. to Lizzie Ilillis, and thereupon settled on a rented farm in Huntsville Township. In 1565 he purchased a small piece of land in Buona Vista Township, and there his wife died the fol- lowing November, leaving him with the care of three children, of whom Frank is deceased : Clement is a farmer in Schuyler County ; and Lizzie is the wife of Frank Ilaughduffer. of Los Angeles, California. In 1873 Mr. Milby was united in marriage to Lizzie J. Davidson. and from this union resulted two children; Walter, a farmer of Oakland Township; and Ida. wife of George Rogers, of Flagstaff, Arizona, Mrs. Milby died in 1878, and on January 21, 1586, Mr. Milby married Mary Bower, a native of

Cincinnati, Ohio, and an early resident of Schuy- ler County.

Mr. Milby added frequently to his land until he owned a large tract, sos acres of which still remains in his possession. He was industrious and progressive, lived always within his income, and was exceedingly conservative in adopting new and untried methods of farming. In 1903 he left the farm and located in Rushville, where live also many of his friends of the strenuous pioneer days. Politically, he has always been on the side of the Democratic party, but bas steadfastly refused the honors of local office. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has worshipped since early manhood, bas prof- ited continuously by his generosity and zeal, and in all the walks of life, its teachings have been his guide.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 81

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