USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2 > Part 94
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Thomas W. Swe eney was born at Galva Henry County 001 .. October 2. 1575, and in Issi came to Rushville with his father, John L. Sweeney,
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
where he attended the public schools and grad- nated from the high school in the class of ING. Ambitious of a higher education, the young man in 1991 emered the department of liberal arts connected with the Northwestern University. at Evanston, Ill., and in 1895 returned to Ru-h- ville and entered the ciaploy of Wilson & Com- pauy, general merchants. Mr. Sweeney con- tinued a clerk in this patriachal enterprise until 1597, in the meantime applying himself to learning every detail of the business with the Zeal, forethought and sagacity required of the man who would engage in successful mer- chandising. At the expiration of two years his faithfulness was rewarded by his appoint nem as manager of the store, a position which he ever since has maintained with commendable dig- nity and ability. He carries a stock of diy- goods and shoes, observes the greatest possible neatness and order in the distribution and ar- rangement of his goods. and insists upon cour- lesy and consideration upon the part of his em- ployes. Some of his patrons have purchased commodities since a very early period in the history of the store, but those who knew it in its log cabin era mostly have been gathered to their rest. The same reliability and confidence characterize its general atmosphere as earned for it the patronage of the early settlers, but it has assumed the dignity of larger growth. and the influence of a manager who is variously and intimately connected with the upbuilding of the comnmnity.
Mr. Sweeney is promoting many phases of local business activity, and is Secretary and Manager of the Rushville Electric Light Com- pany. For the past two years be has been Pres- Ident of the Rushville Business Men's Club, an organization established for the promotion of the best business methods and ethics, and which sets a high standard of requirements in its mem- bership. He is interested also in agriculture. and is part owner of a farm of 600 aeres in Schuyler County. Politically Mr. Sweeney is a Republican, but he has no official aspirations be- yond the intelligent casting of his vote. To his credit is several months efficient government service during the Spanish-American war as Chief Clerk in the Commissary Department un- der Captain Orson Pettijomm. Third Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps. at Camp Alger, Washington. D. C. This position Mr. Sweeney held from July. 1SOS. until the follow- ing Derember, he having previously enlisted un- der Col. George Rankin, whose company was never requisitioned for active service. Mr. Sweeney is active in fraternal circles. being a member of Blue Lodge No. 9. A. F. & A. M., the Chapter, Commandery, and Knights of Pythins, while his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Sweeney formerly was Mand HI. Rottger. daughter of John and Anna Rottger, and born in Jacksonville, Ill .. in November. 1876. The marriage of Mr. Sweeney and Miss Rottger oc- curred June 1, 1800, and the comple occupy a shade embowered home on one of the pleasant
streets of the town, and are regarded as among the best informed and most progressive of the witter day generation of citizens. Mr. Sweeney is the ideal of the progressive, force- ful and influential merchant, and possesses in large measure those qualities of thrift. initiative and resource which bring a man into closest touch with the best and most substantial of com- munity interests.
SWISHIER, Solomon C .- In his long and still active Be Solomon C. Swisher has evidenced industry, versatility and rare good judgment, supply ing a large need in both his native State of Virginia, where he was born in Marion County. November 23, 1829, and in Schuyler County, Ill., to which he came in the summer of 1857. Ilis father, Jacob Swisher, was for twen- ty-five years a well known lumbermau of Marion County. W. Va., arriving there in his youth from Butler County, Va., where he was born in 1812, Ile married Beersheba Ferrell, who bore him fifteen children, eleven of whom are now liv. . ing. and who died while absent from her south- ern Lome, at about fifty years of age. Jacob Swisher also died while away from home, but in the same State, having attained to seventy- five years. He was an honorable and highly respected man and wielded a beneficial influence in all his walks of life. Following Solomon C., the oldest of this large family, came Elizabeth, who lives bear the ol l home In Virginia ; Eroch W., a farmer of Mississippi; Nancy, widow of Mr. Dakes, living also in Virginia: Nelson, at home ; Harriet, in Virginia; Wesley. a soldier in the Federal army, who died during the serv- ive in a Southern hospital; Sarah, wife of Mr. Watson. of Monessen, Pa .; Henry W .. of Vir- ginia : Emeline, wife of John Swisher (not a relative), and a resident of West Virginia ; Rob- est, deceased in Hancock, Ill .; Jennie, who died single at the age of forty : Elvira lives in Marion County. W. Va .; Frank, a resident of the vicin- ity of Canton, W. Va .; and a child who died in infancy.
As the oldest son in his father's large fam- ily, Solomon C. Swisher naturally assisted in the Inmber business, and for years engaged in raft- ing on the Monongahela River, and in hewing and dressing logs. The occupation offered much of interest and adventure, and in the free and open air life the youth secured physical and moral strength, as well as business independence and sagacity. June 6. 1856, he was united in marriage to Rebecca T. Vincent, daughter of Jacob and Annie (Brain) Vincent, born in Marion County, W. Va .. November 17, 1835. A year after . the marriage of the young people. accompanied by the father of Mrs. Swisher, they undertook the long journey from Virginia to Schuyler County, Ill .. in a wagon drawn by two horses, camping by the wayside at night and spending thirty-one days on the road. Arriving at their destination November 21, 1957, they spent the rest of the winter in a log house owned by Rev. Aaron Wright, in Section 11, Wood-
HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
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stock Township, and in the spring of 1458, Mr. Swisher and Mr. Vincent became equal owners of a farm of 160 acres in Section 9, the same township. A small log cabin and ten cultivated acres constituted the sole improvements on this land, and both families lived in the cabin until success made possible the erection of more com- modious quarters.
Having much timber to ent down on his land. the experience of Mr. Swisher back in Virginia stood him in good stead, for be soon began to convert his timber into barrel staves, and for many years be found an extensive patron jor his barrels in Thomas Wilson, than whom he never had a better friend. Practically all of the suitable timber on his land went into barrels, and the packers of Rushville found him ready and resourceful in supplving their need. But barrel-making was not allowed to interfere with the general improvement of the farm, and its ad- vancement towards a protitable and comfortable home was rapid and certain. At present he has a fine modern rural residence. well furnished throughout, and surrounded with trees, shrubs. gardens and an orchard. His barns and out- houses are ample for the protection of stock during the winter, and for the housing of sur- pluis produce and machinery.
By no means self-centered in his interests. Mr. Swisher has variously contributed to the ad- vaneement of the community, has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, held many offices, including that of first Town Clerk, Com- missioner of llighways, and member of the Board of Supervisors for two years. For many years he was one of the most active members of the Grange, supporting it with his enthusiasm and constant attendance, and otherwise identifying himself with a movement which has for its primal object the promotion of the interests of agriculture. Mr. and Mrs. Swisher are the parents of nine children: Emma, widow of John Spencer, mother of Lydia Spencer, and who lives with her father: Carson; Ida, de- ceased wife of George M. Swisher; Laura. twice married, and now the wife of John Dunn, of Champaign County, Ill .: George E., a lawyer and real-estate broker of Oklahoma City. Okla. : Lauretta, wife of Philip Eyler, of Woodstock Township; Edith, deceased at the age of eight- een years; Martha, wife of James B. Hair, of Round Lake. Minn .: and Clarence, a carpenter and builder of Oklahoma City, who married Bessie Luther. Swisher has been the sole archi- iteet of his growing fortunes. and his life is a tribute to the qualities of industry. persist- ence and faith in his ability to succeed. At the age of seventy-eight. and after half a century in Schuyler County, he finds himself one of Its fortunate and highly respected citizens, the possessor of a liberal competence, and the pros- pert of many more years of usefulness.
TAGGART, Benjamin F .- History relates that the Taggart family came originally from the Isle of Wight, an Island in the English Channel
off the south coast of Bland, whence three brothers came to America and establi. bed the name in Massachusetts prior to the Revolution- ary War. The son of one of these brothers was John Taggart, the father of benjamin F., who later removed to Pennsylvani. where he married Ellie Wolverton, daughter of Peter Wol- verton. win came to America from Holland be- fore or during the Revolution. After the birth of five of his children, in IS28, John Taggart, ae- companied by his father in-law, removed to Illi- nois, settling in Schuyler County, and in many of their early experiences as pioneers they were associated. In the spring of that year (1828) they built a raft at Warren, Pa., on the Alleghany River, which they loaded with shingles, house- hold supplies, five head of horses, two cows and a dog: at Cincinnati they sold a part of their goods and with the proceeds bought a flat-boat with which they proceeded down the Ohio River as far as Shawneetown, where they unloaded their cargo and by wagons started for Rock Island. Il. When they reached Rushville, how- ever, they were so pleased with its thrifty ap- pearance that they decided to remain, and for two years they made their home in the location afterward occupied by the Halls, three miles north of Rushville. Selling out his holdings in Rushville Township in 1930, Mr. Taggart then came to Camden Township, and on the farm which ho hore ponichseed he rounded oui the remainder of his long and useful life. When be first located here it was necessary to drive to Quincy to have his grist ground, a hardship which be soon overcame, for as he was a miller it was not long before be erected a inill in his vicinity. This was known as the Taggart mill. and he continued to operate it until JSt. when he sold it to Joseph Parrott, of Rushville. Ser- eral other miills besides his own were erected by Mr. Taggart, among them the first mill of Sugar Creek. which he built for William McKee, and one for Thomas Justus.
Lucinda J., the eldest child of John and Ellie (Wolverton) Taggart, became the wife of Dr. Charles S. Ward. of New Haven, Conn., who died in May, 1849, and there her death occurred in 1902, leaving Your sons, three of whom grad- uated from Yale College as physicians : George and Charles, both physicians are deceased. the first-mentioned dying in South America. and the latter in Bridgeport, Conn .. Heury C., is a wholesale hardware merchant in the latter. city; and the other son. Edward F .. is an electrician in Central America. The next child in the John Taggart family was Emily E .. who became the wife of Dr. Samuel Clark, and in Anrora, Ill., where they made their home. both passed away, leaving three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living with the ex- ception of one son. Marshall Taggart Cl: rk, who died at the age of six years, Wealthy. another daughter, first married Simon Wilcox. and, some time after his death in 1SB3. she married George Ryerson, toul four children were born to them. Andrew J. died in IS41. All of the children of
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
John and Effie ( Wolverton) Taggart, mention xd thus tar, were born in Pennsylvania prior to the removal to Illinois in 1225. Benjamin F., subject of this sketch, was born on the home farm in Cam- den Township, Schuyler County, February 17, 1832. Sarah became the wife of Philip Fryendall. of Batavia, Ill., by whom she had two sons and two daughters. Ellen (deceased) was buried in the cemetery at Bitavia. The death of Stephen, second child of Jolm Taggart, was one of the first recorded in Camden Township. Benjamin F. Taggart still has in his possession a chest brought by bis grandfather. Peter Wolverton, across the Allegheny Mountains when he came to Illinois in 1828.
The earliest recollections in the life of Ben- jamin F. Taggart take him back in memory to the days spent in the log school house of pio- noer days, whose advantages and comforts were nothing as compared to present-day conveniences and advanced courses of study. When he was fifteen years old his father died, December 12, 1847, and thereafter his life trend was in more important lines. In is19 his mother purchased an eighty aere tract of land on Section 8, Cam- den Township, which was heavily timbered with white oak, and here Benjamin began his first independent work as a farmer, in time building a log cabin into which the mother and children moved. and there the mother and two children, Sarah and Ella, made their home until her death. Some time after this. July 16, 1851, Mr. Taggart was married to Miss Rebecca M. Hill, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio. March 16, 1833, the daughter of Wesley and Mary Ann ( Buckmaster) Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Ilill were natives respectively of Delaware and Pennsylvania. but much of their mar- ried life bad been spent in Ohio: in 1852 they came to Illinois and settled in Fulton County, but finally located in Brooklyn Township, where the death of the mother occurred. Mr. Hill thereafter removed to MeDonough County, where he died in 1865.
In the little log cabin which Mr. Taggart had erected in 1849. he and his wife began house- keeping immediately after their marriage, and there. too, their four oldest children were born The first shadow cast over their otherwise happy home was in the death of their two eldest chil- dren, a son and daughter. The third ebild, ITelena Ollie, was born December 1, 1857, and is now the wife of Martin C. Bleecker, of Pueblo, Colo. Their two eldest sons. Warren F. and Frederick Guy Bleecker, are graduates of the Centennial University, Colorado. Together the brothers patented a steam motor that is des- tined to revolutionize the steam power of the world. The engine is equipped with an automatic governor which admits steam at full pressure. doing away entirely with the old idea of throt- tling. and thus eliminating the loss of steam energy. A company has been formed for the manufacture of the engines. The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bleecker. Mary, is now the wife of James Pickard. a locomotive engineer on the
Santa Fe Road and a resident of Topeka, Kan. Harold Bleecker died at the age of five years. Elson F., the youngest child. is still at home with his parents. Frans M. Taggart. born March 2>. Isto, chose as his wife Elizabeth Wood, formerly a resident of Schuyler County, and they now make their home in Holbrook, Neb. They have bad five children, as follows: Nellie May, the wie of Oscar Mart, of Furness County, Neb. ; Je- sie, Mrs. Ernest beach, of Heilley. Neb. ; Annie, the wife of Jobn Patton; Mary F. and Gracie. the latter dying in childhood.
Until 1869 the log structure into which Mir. Taggart moved after his marriage remain . I the family home, but about that fine he erected a modern residence in which they lived until it was destroyed by fire in 1803. During the lat- ter year he built the residence now occupied by the family, a modern structure. which is in- dicative of the progressive spirit of the owner. For sevemy-five years he has watched the march of progress in Schuyler County, and has lo:ne his share of the discomforts of pioneer life, but notwithstanding these clouds which shadowed his pathway. he is content with the lot to which Fate led him. For over half a century he has had the love and companionship of the wife of his youth, and together in their , declining years they are enjoying the comforts which theis ctris struggles made possible. Mr. Taggart cast his first vote for President for Bnebanan ; later his sympathios were enlisted on the side of the Republican party and tor some time he cast his ballot for the candidates of that party. More recently, however, he has given the weight of his influence to the cause of the Prohibition party. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has assisted in maintaining. as he has every help- ful measure, whether religious or secular. Per- somally Mr. Taggart is a man of noble qualities. which are nowhere better known and appreciated than in his own family. A close student and a constant reader all of his life, he is well versed along all lines and is an excellent conversation- alist, one to whom it is a delight to listen.
TAYLOR, Henry W .- The history of that branch of the Taylor family to which Henry W. Taylor belonged is traced to the North of Ireland, where his grandfather, Matthew Taylor, was born of English parents. He emigrated to the United States in 1772 and took up his ;hode in l'ennsylvania, passing away in Huntingdon County at the ripe old age of ninety-seven years. Before her marriage the grandmother was Miss Mellheney, she too being a native of Ireland. al- though a descendant of Soteh-Irish ancestors. She also lived to attain a great age. being in her ninety-sixth year at the time of her death. Among the children born to this couple was Alexander Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, who as early as 110 crossed over into the adjoining State of Ohio and there cleared a farm out of the very heart of the forest. In his pioneer labors he was cheered and encouraged by his
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
faithful wife, formerly Betsy Scott, she too being a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, Nehemiah Scott, was a native of Long island and the descendant of Scotch ancestry, while the mother, Mary Wick in maidenhood. was born in Washington County, Pa. Alexander Taylor passed away in Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, at the age of fifty-five. and his wife in Burling- ton. Ia., at the advanced age of eighty years.
Henry W. Taylor was born in the family home in Trumbull County. Ohio, February 11. 1824. His parents thoroughly appreciated the value of an education, and no opportunity which lay in their power to bestow upon their son was denied him. Be it said to his credit that he appreciated the efforts which were made in his behalf, a co-operation which enabled him at the age of nineteen to take charge of a school. After fol- lowing the teacher's profession for two years he gave it up to take a course in law. receiving pri- vate tutorage. In the course of time he grad- uated from his studies and began the practice of his profession. The news of the finding of gold in California, however, proved too alluring to pass him unheeded, and closing his office he went to the new Eldorado. With four yoko of oxen he made the trip overland, starting from Rushville, Ill., April 1. 1849, and arriving where the town of Maryville. Cal .. is now located October 22. 1919. The fact that he remained In the gold fields for four years affords evidence that he was successful in his efforts as a miner.
Returning to Rushville, Ill .. at the end of this time, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage. June 8, 1853. with Miss Cornelia Manlove, a native of Rushville, and the daughter of Jonathan D. and Sophronia (Chadsey) Manlove. The de- scended of an old Southern family and himself a native of North Carolina. Mr. Manlove came to Illinois at an early day. settling in Schur- ler County in 1823. and here in 1826 he was married to Miss Chadsey, theirs being the third marriage celebrated in Schuyler County. After his return from California Mr. Taylor engaged In the lumber business, owning a lumber yard in Rushville, and in addition to its management also took contracts for building plank roads. He followed the lumber business until 1857. when he sold ont all of his interests and removed to Brooklyn Township. Coming here at a time when settlers were few and far between, he bought considerable land. much of it heing eov- ered with heavy timber, owning in all 900 acres of land. Out of this he developed an excellent farm. upon which he made a specialty of rais- ing fine blooded stock of all kinds. In addition to his agricultural interests he also maintained a mercantile establishment prior to the Civil War, and up to 1804. when he retired from active life.
Four children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. as follows: Marion II .. who became the wife of T. D. Lewis, of Brook- lyn, Schuyler County: Ida M. and Fanette. who is the wife of Dr. J. E. Camp. an account of whose life is given at length elsewhere In this
work, and Willie, who was born in 1862 and died in 1864. Throughout his life Mr. Taylor was a stanch supporter of the Whig party, and expressed his preference for its principles by casting his first vote for Zachary Taylor. At the time of the organization of the Republican party proper he gave his allegiance to that or- ganization. his vote being cast for John C. Fre- mont. For many years he had been an active member of the Presbyterian Church. serving as an elder in that body, and Mrs. Taylor is still active in the benevolent and charitable work of that church. Mr. Taylor's death. December 20, 1596, brought to its close a life which had meant much to the well-being of Schuyler County in general and of Brooklyn Township in partie- nlar, none standing higher in the estimation of those who had known him for nearly half a century.
TEEL, Herschel Volany .-- The distinction of be- ing the youngest native sou to wear the judicial ermino in Schuyler County is emphasized by the efficient and painstaking service of Herschel Volauy Teel, during his eight years as County Judge of Schuyler County. Judge Teel, who rep- resents one of the earliest and most substantial pioneer families of Hluois, was born in Rush- ville Township, Selmyler County. March 3, 1568. the second son of James A. and Elizabeth Smith Teel. Descended through both ancestral lines from German-Irish stock, he inherited the solid- ity. frugality, perseverance and thrift of the former. combined with the frank. ardent. por- tinations and courageous elements of the latter. which characteristics have made that sturdy strain. wherever Wanted. foremost in hardy undertaking and adventurous enterprise. His forefathers were not cradled in Inxury ; they were essentially the rugged. vigorous pioneers of civilization, who assisted in the making of the early history of our county: Captain John Teel of Revolutionary fame, being the founder of this branch of the family. Ilis son. John Teel. belonged to the regular army and served in the War of 1812. These two patriots resided in New Jersey : Henry P. Teel. sen of John Teel and grandfather of Herschel Teel, resided in Penn- sylvania, but in 1833 he followed the tide of Empire and moved his family west. finally lo- cating in Schuyler County. then very sparsely set- tled.
The history of the maternal ancestors of the subject of this sketch is not so easily traced ; it is only known that they settled here at an earlier date than the Teels, and it was upon the land cleared practically by the unaided efforts of his grandfather. Jonathan Smith. that Herschel Teel first saw the light of this mundane sphere. Ilere his youth was passed in the hard labors of the farm. Its comparative isolation inevitably created within him the spirit of the boundless prairie and fostered that freedom which knows not the restraint of aggregated humanity in cities. Ileredity endowed him with a robust physical constitution and vigorous mind, while
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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.
his early environment developed bis innate IDW ers of industry, perseverance and self-reliance to a very marked degree.
Eager for knowledge, he assiduously utilized every opportunity offered by the rural schools; in 1890 he graduated from the Rushville Normal and Business College; in 1891 from Eureka Col- loge and in 1-05 he received his diploma from the Law Department of Northwestern University, was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Rushville, where he still resides. In 1898 he was elected County Judge on the Democratie ticket and again in 1902. During his tenure of office, several appeals were taken from his decision to the higher courts, and it speaks well for his ability as a jurist that in ev- ery case his decision was sustained by the superior court. As a lawyer he is a close student, a sagacious and conscientious counsellor. and merits and receives the high regard of the members of his profession and of his clientele.
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