USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 85
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
High School, and attended Eureka College during the season of 19975. Arthur In the oldest son in the fat ily, wi - bern February 1. 1ST9, and h. graduated from tar Western Hinois State Nor- inal, in the Class of 1907; Bula L .. born Septem- ber Di. Isso, was killed in a runaway accident July 2, 1903. Claude B., born October 4, 151, is a graduate of the Western Llinois State Nor- mal, class of 10006, and married Hattie HI. les- ser, of St. Louis, Mo., and has one child, Byron Hesser Onwekker, born March 20. 1907. Claude B. is living on the home farm with his father, and is an active and capable young farmer. The crise family are held in the Richest esteri, ant represent the intellectual, well bred and thet- ougly informed element in the community.
ORK, Henry, whose life in Schuyler County, 111., is com'emporaucous with nearly all the stages of the county's development from a barren wild, and who is known to most of its ofder residents as one of its most successful farmers and stock raisers, was born not far from his present home in Bembridge Township. May 15, 1814. He lives in Section 9, and his birthplace is in Section 16. Mr. Orr is a son of Joseph and Mary (Burn- side, Orr, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, where they were reared, and married, Joseph Orr and his wife came to the Unted States at an early period. and proceeding to Schuyler County, Ill., settled in Section 16. Bainbridge Township, about the year 1837. Here they en- dured all the privations and hardships of pioneer lite, confronting perils from Indians and raven- ous animals, and in course of time the father cleared and tilled his land, building in place of the primitive log cabin a comfortable dwelling in which the worthy couple spent the remainder of their days. Two of their children were born in Ireland, namely. Jane and Mary. Jane became the wife of Sitoon Hoeve, whose life is depicted elsewhere in this volume, and Mary married S. B. Vaughan, a farmer of Bainbridge Township. Of those born in this country, Ellen and Lily died in infancy. Joseph Orr died Angust, 1895, at the age of ninety-five years and five months. Hle was a man of great force of character, gen- erous impulses, intense public spirit. and in ev- ery resport, a model citizen. His wife was eighty- five years old when she passed away. In reli- gious faith, she was a devout Presbyterian.
Henry Orr was reared on the farm, and re- ceived his early education in the log school house in the vicinity, of whose slab seats and unglazed windows he has a vivid recollection. Ile assisted his father until he reached the age of twenty -. three years, taking charge of the home place at that time. In 1885 he bought twenty acres of land. afterwards purchasing one hundred acres more, in Section 9. Bainbridge Township, which was partly improved and contained a log cabin, most of it. however, being heavily timbered. Mr. Orr applied himself to the arduous task of clear- ing the ground of its dense growth, and after getting a part of it under the plow. built a two- story frame house on the site of the log cabin.
900
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
To his original purchase of twenty acres, he added from time to time, until he is now the owner of 215 aeres in one body, lying in Sec- tions 9 and 16, Bainbridge Township. Ilis farming operations have been very successinl, but he is recognized not only as a prosperous and substantial farmer and stock raiser, his standing as a public spirited, enterprising and useful citizen being also acknowledged through- out the community. During all his long partici- pation in the affairs of the township, he has been one of the most earnest supporters of the church and school, and has always done his full share in promoting every measure intended to advance the general welfare.
In 1867, Mr. Orr was united in marriage with Margaret Bowlin, who was born in Bainbridge Township, and is a daughter of John and Louisa Bowlin, natives of Kentucky. The following children resulted from this union, namely : Ern- esi, Dora, Delvan, S. B. and Cora. Ernest mar- ried Sarah Lenover, and is the father of three children -- Stella. Nellie. and Melvin, who has charge of the farm of Henry Reeve. Dora, de- ceased wife of Charles Ackers, left seven chil- dren -- Ilomer, Henry, Earl, Owen. Bertha and Buster Codry, of whom the last named makes his home with Mr. Orr. Deivan married Lily Lawler, who has borne him four children-John Henry, Sarah M., Harvey and Thomas. S. B. married Lenora Rittenhouse, by whom he has one son, William D., a farmer in Bainbridge Township. Cora is the wife of Emory Payne. who follows farming in Littleton Township, Schuyler County. The living descendants of Henry and Margaret (Bowlin) Orr. now num- ber nineteen, of whom fifteen are grandchildren.
Politically, Mr. Orr is a supporter of Demo- cratie principles, but the sympathies of Mrs. Orr. who is a woman of uncommon intelligence and deep reflection, are with the Republican party. Both husband and wife are highly esteemed hy a large acquaintance.
-
PARKE, Overton .- The association of the Parke family with the landed interests of Illi- nois dates back to the year . 1530, when a stal- wart young Kentuckian, Oliver II. P. Parke (better known as Perry Parker came from his home in the Blue Grass State on a tour of in- spection through what was then known as the frontier. The appearance of the country pleased him and his keen foresight discerned great pos- sibilities in its future development. Shortly after his arrival in Brown County,- III .. he pur- chased a tract of wild land for $1.25 per aere. after which he returned to Kentucky. Ilis na- tive place was near Richmond, Madison County, where he was born in 1813, and where also his wife, Mary Logsdon, was born and reared. They were married in 1834 and their wedding trip comprised a journey by steamer down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi, then up the Illi- nois River to a convenient landing piace known as Legrane. from which they traveled by wagon to the home of his cousin. Ilis first task was the
building of a log cabin; his next, the clearing and developing of a farm. Selling out in ISE, he came to Schuyler County and bought an un- improved tract of eighty acres. In addition, he bought 160 acres at the solicitation of his sons, who agreed to stay with him until the quarter section had been paid for. Fortunately, this proved on easy task, as the heavy timber on the land scon paid for the entire property.
From the time of his permanent seitlement in Illinois in 1:34, until his death in 1802, Perry Parke was privileged to witness many changes. Looking around him at the improved lands, neat buildings, prosperous villages and contented peo- ple, he could truly say as a pioneer, "All of which I saw and part of which I was." It is to such men as he that Schuyler County owes its pres- tige as one of the linest farming communities in the State. Ils and his wife, who survived him only about one year, had a large family, seven of whom attained mature years, namely : Amelia 1 .; Talithia, who married John Il. Black, a farmer living on Section 12. Woodstock Town- ship; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Kirby, of Beardstown. Ill. ; Lucy A,, wife of William Al- len, a retired farmer; Elbert, a resident of Kewanee, IL .; William J., living in Kit Carson County, Col .; and Overton. who was born in Brown County, Ill., October S, 1841, and now lives in Section 11, Woodstock Township, his farm lying on the line of the rural free delivery from Cooperstown.
At the age of eight years Overton Parke ac- companied his parents to Schuyler County, where he received a common school education. On Au- gust 11. 1862, he enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment, Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and for three years he remained at the front. Shortly after his enlistment he suffered an illness when in camp at Danville, Ky .. and for seven weeks was in a hospital at Louisville. On recovering his health he ac- comuanied his regiment in its marches in the south and participated in the engagements at Chickamauga, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and Dalton, as well as many minor skirmishes. June 11. 1865, he was mustered out of service in East Tennessee, and on the 3d of July he arrived at home, which he had not visited during his ab- sence of three years.
The marriage of Overton Parke and Rosan !! Reddick was solemnized November 1. 1863, and the young couple began housekeeping at the old Parke homestead. but in 1872 moved to ther present farm. Mrs. Parke was born in Bain bridge Township, and was first seen by Mr. - Parke when she was sitting on her mother's lap in church. They have five children now liviu ... namely: John E., who married Blanche Taylor and lives on a farm in Woodstock Towns !! : Maggie ; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Less- don. a farmer of Brown County. Ill. ; Nettie, w.o has been engaged in teaching in the district schools of the county : and Rosa C. (Mrs. Quitn) who lives on a farm In Brown County. Six chal- dren died in infancy.
1
901
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
The Parke farm consists of 260 aeres in one body and bears first-class improvements, with every facility for the extensive feeding of hogs and cattle, of which Mr. Parke keeps only the finest grades. The residence is a two-story, frame building with a double "L." There are three barus, 42x62, 60x60 and 21xIs feet, respectively, the last being a cow-barn enclosed with sheds at one end and on both sides, It is the owner's ambition to maintain a farm surpassed by none, and he spares no pains in his effort to keep the soil under first-class cultivation and the build- ings in good repair. While neglecting no duly connected with the maintenance of the place. he has discharged also the duties devolving upon him as a patriotic citizen, has aided in building up the roads of the township and in promoting the welfare of the schools. Politically, he votes with the Republican party, In religious asso- ciations he and his wife have been members of the Union Baptist church for more than half a century, and they have been liberal contribu- fors to its maintenance, as well as to the relier of those in need. On the organization of the Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Parke became one of its charter members, and he has also been quite active in the work of the Grand Army Post at Rushville, with which he has been iden- tified for years. Accommodating in his associa- tion with neighbors, kindly in disposition. earn- . est in religious life, sincere in devotion to coun- try and loyal to the upbuilding of the township. he furnishes an illustration of what may be ac- complished by our progressive farmers and loyal patriotic citizens.
,
PECK, James E .- Pride in her self made. well made men, appreciation of the obstacles which they have encountered on their road to success. and gratitude for the inestimable boon of their attainmeuts and presence in her midst, is one of the strongest claims to outside consideration known to the people of Sehuyler County. When. in addition to marked success in some practical department of activity, a man expresses many sided general capacity, is a power in clean poli- ties and government. a promoter of education. benevolence, ethics and temperate living. he has become an example by which the youth of the community may richly profit. Such a one is James E. Peck. an extensive slock and grain raiser, owner of 380 acres of land in Section 36, Oakland Township. a prominent Prohibitionist, and an active member and worker in the Free Methodist Church.
A substantial monument to the enterprise and standing of this family is Peckville. Lackawanna County, Penn .. where during the Civil War. Samuel Peck. father of James E .. took for debt the Jessup coal lands. which he operated in connections with sawmilling and morebandising for many years. Mr. Peck was an exponent of New England thrift and sagacity, a native of Massachusetts, and a settler in Lackawanna County in the early part of his life. His opera- tions were conducted along strictly legitimate
and progressive lines, and he was not only the vivie father of Pe kville, but its mose phimisias- tie and substantial promoter. His Immbering business was so extensive that the mills were often kept running whill late at night, Hle be- came one of the wealthy and influential men of that part of Pennsylvania, was a leader in poli- ties and religion, and was especially active in the Presbyterian church, in which faith his busy life drew to a close July 7, 1961. He was twice married. and there were ten children of the first union, the majority of whom still live in Pennsylvania, and are among the leading coal operators of leckville and Seranton. For his second wife Mr. Peck married Anna Bertholf. a native of New Jersey, and James t. is the only child of this union. Mrs. Peck's father sold his wagon manufactory in New Jersey, and in 1419 joined the caravan of fortune sockers bound for the Pacific coast. He was fairly successful as a miner and mechanic, and in 12 came to Schuyler County, where he spent the remainder of his life on a farm in Rushville Township.
James E. Peck was three years old when he came to Schuyler County with his mother, and thereafter. for nine terms she taught school in what was known as the Christian Neck school- honse in Rushville Township. When James E. was four years old he used to accompany his mother to the little log school. and they event- ually bought forty acres of land, where began the active farming life of the boy. He knew little of actual leisure, for the income of the school teacher was meager, and the little fel- low. at the age of twelve years, planted twelve acres of corn, tended and Put it. From then on no advantages glided noiselessly into his life. and responsibilities fell thich and fast around him, After his mother's second marriage tto David Harrisi he kept bachelor hall on the lit- lle farm in Section 2, Rushville Township, doing his own cooking, washing and ironing. and even making his own clothes. His step-father dying. his mother returned to make her home with her son, and here her death occurred in August, 18%. She was a devout Christian woman, of lovable nature, and deeply interested in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she was a teacher in the Sunday school for many years.
Ilis mother gone from him, and his fortunes risen somewhat through his industry and thrift. Mr. Peck married, May 29. 1SSS. Mary 1. Ross, who was born in Buena Vista Township. Jannary 9. 1869. a danghter of Rev. William B. Ross, whose family history see elsewhere in this work. Before his marriage Mr. Peck added forty acres to his original farm, making eighty neres. In 1999 he bought 220 acres in Section 36. Oakland Township, and in 1900 added to it 160 arres. making 250 in one body. In 1mm; he sold his Itusbville Township property, and dovotes his time entirely to his larger estate. For many years be has rented large tracts of land, and in 1907 realized $ 1,000,00 from live stock, and after disposing of large quantities of general produce. still has on hand in storage a thousand bushels
902
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
of wheat. In raising hozs, he makes a specialty of the Poland-China breed. As a general Farmer and stock raiser. he stands wel in the county. Underlying his farm is a thirty-inch vein of as fine coal as is to be found in this section, thus rendering his property of much more than aver- age value. The improvements of Mr. Perk have been carefully consalered and are thoroughly practical in their nature. He is a conscientious student of the science of his vocation, and his methods are those of a man who has given pro- found thought to the little as well as larger things of life.
Politically. Mr. Peck is one of the strongest Prohibitionists in the State. llis first presiden- tial vote was cast for James G. Blaine, but ho soon after became interested in temperance, and the cause since has enlisted his serious and practical efforts. He was a delegate to the national convention at Indianapolis, Ind. in 1904. when Swallow, of Pennsylvania, and Car- roll, of Texas, were nominated, and for several years he was chairman of the County Central Committee of the Prohibition party, resigning from the same on account of unsatisfactory health and multiplicity of other obligations. IIe is a fluent and forceful speaker, has splendid command of the temperance situation, and his services are enlisted upon all important State and National occasions of the cause. He has been equally prominent in the Free Methodist Church, which he joined npon attaining his ma- jority, and in which he acted as an official at Christian Neck, serving as recording steward several years. During the past fifteen years he has also serveil as class leader. steward. exhor- ter. a frequent delegate to Annual Conferences. and a member of the standing committee.
Mr. Peck is a great lover of sports and the great out of doors, and is one of the most expert rifle shots in the State. As a small boy his mother encouraged his tendency towards marks- manship by presenting him with a gun, and it has ever since been his chier diversion. In 1850 he went to Fort Smith, Ark .. upon a hunting and trapping expedition. and remained in the enjoyment of the sport for a year. In the spring of that year marksmen and hunters from all over Arkansas arranged a meet at Fort Smith, but Mr. Peck's gun was ruled out and he was obliged to shoot with their guns. He won an undisputed victory over all there assembled. thus adding to many other laurels already won by his superior marksmanship. Personally, Mr. Peck is popular and well liked. and he has many warm friends throughout the county and State. He is regarded as one of the influential and broadly useful eiti- zens of Schuyler County.
PEMBERTON, Judge Ephraim John. ceased) .-- From the time of his admission to the Bar of Illinois in December. 1861. Ephraim John Pemberton was an increasingly important factor In law. polities, education and good government In Rushville. In the life of this County Judge of more than a decade and old time practitioner,
are many lessons of vital worth for the young man about to embark upon a Jogal career. Chief among these is the necessity for an earnest and absorbing purpose, and, a determination to in- vest the calling with the best that work and brain can accomplish. The habits of thrift, and the economy of time and labor and industry, which rendered Judge Pemberton so useful a citizen. were fostered and developed on a farm in Illinois to which he came with his parents when a year old from Knox County, Ky., where he was born April 13, 1534. His father, Thomas Pemberton, was a native of West Vir- ginia, and his mother, Deborah ( Moore) Per- berton, was born in North Carolina. The family settled on land in Oakland Township, Schuyler Comty, where Ephraim gained his first knowl- edge of books in the subscription schools, and which surroundings he eventually outgrew. to embark upon the more strenuous business of le- gal procedure.
At an early stage in his professional career, Mr. Pemberton became interested in politics, readily discerning that the most superior com- pensarions of his calling went hand in hand with patty affairs. He began to practice during the first year of the Civil War, and in September of the last year of the war, he was elected County Judge of Schuyler County on the Democratic tieket, and served continuously for seventeen years.
In addition to a general practice of law, he served as Justice of the Peace, member of the Town or City Conneil, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Rushville Union School for many years. Ilis services were characterized by conscientiousness, more than average insight and intelligence, and faithfulness to whatsoever might contribute to the permanent well being of the community. He had a thorough grasp of the technicalities and intricacies of law. and of their application to the various complications which come up for adjustment. As a judge his rulings were rarely contested, and were invariably mod- erate, wide and according to the law.
The marriage of Judge Pemberton and Ten- nessee J. Hills was solemnized April 2. 1502. Mrs. Pemberton being a native of Selinyler County, and educated in its distriet schools. Mrs. Pem- berton departed this Bife March 28, 1881, leaving three children : Henry T., Elle L. and Nora J., the latter of whom is deceased. Judge Pember- ton was one of the very familiar figures upon the streets and in the courts of Rushville, and it is safe to say that no professional man in the town was a more dignified or upright acquisition to the calling. He invariably stood for conserva- tive, thoughtful progress, and was never known to let his enthusiasm or desire for publicity bins or mislead his judgment. He died of pneumonia, February 27. 1907. after an illness of five days, aged seventy-two years, ten months and fourteen days. The surviving members of the family are : Henry J. Ellie 1. Mrs. Dieterich, and a granddaughter, Nora J. Kerr.
903
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
PEMBERTON, Henry T .- Of the native sons who owe their education. business prosperity and social prominence to the opportunities af- forded by the city of Rushville. Ill., none is more favorably known than II. T. Pembertou, real estate broker, Justice of the Peace, and prominent in all the relations of a chizen. Mr. Pemberton was born December 13, 1863, and is a son of Ephraim and Tennessee J. ( Hills) l'en- berton, of Knox County, Ky,, and Schuyler County, Ill., respectively. He is a grandson of Thomas and Deborah (Moore) Pemberton, the former born in West Virginia, and the latter in North Carolina. Of his father, Judge Ephraim J. Pemberton ( deceased), who was Judge of the County Court of Schuyler County for seventeen years, extended mention is made elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Pemberton completed his education in the public schools of Rushville, and some years afterwards embarked in the real estate business. Since early manhood he bas taken a keen in- terest in politics, in behalf of the Democratic party. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1901, and re-elected in 1905. From 1903 until 1905, he served as a member of the City Council of Rushville. Mr. Pemberton stands high in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been a member of the Grand Lodge since 1901, at present serving as a member of its commit- tee on logi-lation. Ile was grand marshal of the order during 1896-97. It is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Pemberton is a wide-awake and enterprising man. He has materially promoted the enhancement of real estate interests in the city and county, and on- joys the respect and good will of all who know him. his acquaintance in business and fraternal circles behar extensive in its range.
PERSHING, Charles T., a retired farmer, of substantial means and high character, whose residence in Selmyler County, III .. covers a pe- riod of more than half a century, and who is perhaps the oldest of its honored veterans of the Civil War, is passing his declining years in re- tirement on his fine form in Section 7. Littleton Township. Mr. Pershing bears a name long identitied with the agricultural interests of the Eastern States, the Pennsylvania arm cultivated by his great-grandfather still being in possession of the family. lle was born in Westmoreland County. Pa., l'ebruary 18, 1829, and is a son of John and Margaret ( Funk) Pershing, natives of Pennsylvania. Ilis paternal grandparents, Conrad and Mary A. (Alton) Pershing, were also born in Pennsylvania (then one of the orig- inal thirteen colonies), the former. in 1766, and the latter, in 1771. Grandmother Pershing died in 1823. The great-grandparents ou the paternal side. Frederick and Elizabeth ( Weyant) Pershing, were natives of Alsare tat that time French territory), the birth of the great-grand- mother having occurred in 1721. She came from France to Baltimore during the same year in which her husband emigrated,-about the mid-
dle of the eighteenth century,-aud their mar- ringe took place in that city, the great-grand- father being obliged to work for 21 months after his arrival, in order to repay the expenses of his voyage to America. Frederick Pershing af- terwads bought a farm in Frederick County, Mld .. where he lived several years, and on which he and his wife levante the parents of a family of tive sons and three daughters. At a later period, he crossed the Allegheny Mountains on foot, traveling to the thin "Far West." the journey consuming fourteen days. On reaching his des- tination. he took up a "unatank" claim of 29 neres in Westmoreland County. la .. among the Fine and oak forests, but dhi not receive the final papers for the patent on the tract until after the Revolutionary War. Fort Ligonier was the nearest trading post to his claim, and "bis next door neighbor" was three miles distant. Ile built a very erude and uncouth log house in the midst of the wilderness, without windows. and with a jaincheon floor and a stick and mud chili- ney, and in the spring of 1779, moved into this primitive abode with his family. Wild deer min- gled with the cows, and Iminting game was the principal occupation followed by the early set- tiers of that region. Indians lurked in every direction. committing many depredlations. and often perpetrating murderous atrocities. Freder- ick Pershing died in 1778. Ilis four sons and bis nephew made his coffin out of a white-onk log. by splitting it into two paris, and hewing out or adzing the larger half as a receptacle for his body, and shaping the smaller part for use as a lid. His remains, together with those of his wife, rest in what is known now as Smith Cemetery, about a mile west of the Pershing home. Grandfather Conrad Pershing obtained 100 acres of his father's farm. by purchase, and spent the rest of his life there, dying in Ist2. Jobn Pershing, father of Charles T .. was born on the oldl homestead, where he remained until 1851, when he came to Illinois, locating in Han- cock County. Ile bought 160 acres of land in Durham Township, in that county. on which he was engaged in farming until the time of his death. Ilis wife. Margaret (Funk) Pershing, survived him but one year. They were the pa- rents of eight sous and three daughters, Charles T. being the seventh in order of forth. Of this family, five sons and one daughter are still liv- ing.
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.