Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 99

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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Ever since casting his first presidential vote Mr. Ward has subscribed to the principles of the Democratic party, and he has held many offices of trust and responsibility. He was Tax Col- lector two years. Justice of the Peace twelve years, and Supervisor for two years. His serv- ire invariably was characterized by justice and integrity, and he has been one of the most sat- isfactory officials in the history of Bainbridge

Township. His children, both by his first and second wife, have been given excellent educa- tional and other opportunities, and every chance has been noted and improved to make them desir- able and useful members of their respective com- munities. Mr. Ward bas the gift of making alld keeping friends, and in this, Ins sixty-ninth year, he finds hits If the recipient of the respect and affection of all who know him.

WARD, Jackson .- Schuyler County is much in- debted to the Ward family, Jor there are none of its members who have reached maturity in this section but have contributed to its agricul- tural prosperity, as well as to the development of its educational and civic systems, Jackson Ward, whose farm is in Section 12. Bainbridge Town- ship, and who is one of its most worthy repre- sentatives, is the son of Apollos Ward. (For the general family history, see the biography of James M. Ward.) Jackson Ward was reared upon the old home farm, and educated in the dis- triet school of his neighborhood until his mar- riage in 1876 a few months before he had reached his majority. He was born in Section 11, Bainbridge Township, on the 19th of Febru- ary. 1856, and was married to Miss Martha .1. Dodds. September 28, 1876. His wife, also a native of Balubridge Township, was born July 25. J85%, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret ( Wilson) Dodds, her father being an honored pioneer of the county, whose published record may be read with pleasure in connection with the biography of his son, Thomas. Dodds.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Ward, namely : Que who died in in- fancy : Ethel J .. deceased wife of Frank Krobe, born October il, 1977. and died June 9, 1903 --- was the mother of three children-Homer, Roy and Florence : Mimmie, born August 31, ISS2, and is living at home; Wallace, born November 27. 1844, who married Miss Annie Strong. Septem- ber 1. 1906, his wife being the danghter of Thomas Q. Strong, of Bainbridge Township, and who is now operating the Strong homestead : and Vernon. born November 13. 1891, who is now liv- ing at home. The children have been given a good connuon school education, and are an honor to the family name.

Jackson Ward is one of the substantial men of Selinyler County, whether considered from the standpoint of worldly comfort, of substance or character. His pleasant homestead is within half a mile of his place of birth, his agricultural Inbors being devoted chiefly to livestock. in con- nection with which, both as a raiser and dealer, he is well known. Although his entire life has been devoted to agriculture in some form, he has also taken an active part in the public affairs of the township, especially those which relate to the contents school system. He is one of the Directors of Semal District No, 76, has held the office of Township Assessor and is otherwise i lentitied with townslup government. In polities, Mr. Ward is a Democrat, and his fraternal asso- ciations are with the Modern Woodawn of

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America, Pleasant View Camp No. 2004. Both he and his family are members of the Methodist C'Imreb.

Mr. Ward's substantial and honorable position has not been attained except at the expense 0. long years of labor, sell denial and good man- age ment, his personal efforts being ably seconded by those of his good and capable wife, For four or five years after their marriage they were en- gaged in farming on rented land, but about 1883 Mr. Ward bought eighty deres in Section 12. Uroon this dilapidanted property, which had for improvements a little trame house and an old log stable, the father began making improve- ments and preparing the land for cultivation, while the mother gaye equahy energetic atten- tion to the care and improvement of the house- hold and its surroundings. Mr. Ward finally erected a comfortable two story frame residence with substantial barns, and other out-buildings, introduced radical improvements in the way of drainage and tillage of the soil, and his place is now classed among the comfortable and bean- tiful homesteads of Bainbridge Township. being considered a suggestive illustration of its owner's substantial and enterprising character.

WARD, James Madison .- The fine live-stock farm of 100 Heres, located in Section 11. Bain- bridge Township. Sehnyler County, Ill., and owned by the honored citizen named above, bas been in the Ward family for nearly eighty years. and since 1856 has been continuously occupied as a homestead by either father or son. It is not too much to say that James M. Ward kuows every inch of the farm, and that he loves it as thoroughly as he knows it. In a human way the people of the township have much the same feeling toward Mr. Ward as he has toward the old homestead: their long acquaintance with him and their substantial affection for him. based upon reliable and continuous service, have gone hand in hand these many years. He has not only furnished a fine example of a typical American farmer, but the faithfulness of a citi- zen who has never wearied.in doing his utmost for the public, his neighbors and friends of a lifetime. For thirty consecutive years he has served in some otheial capacity in the township government. for the past twenty-six years of that period having been Town Clerk. His is perhaps the greatest success in life to secure friendship and confidence by faithfulness in every duty. and to retain them both unshaken, rather with in- erease of strength as the years pass.

James M. Ward was born on the farm he now owns and occupies on May 26. ISTO, being a son of pollus and Jane (Bramble) Ward. His father was a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born July 29. 1805, and was in turn a son of Uzal Ward. of New Jersey, who is thought to have been of English ancestry. AApolus Ward accompanied his parents to U'nion County, Ind., where his father passed the remainder of his life. The former, however, had decided to mi- grate to lands further west. and in 1828 bought

one of the many elaine hled in linois by the soldiers of the War of iste. or their descend ants. The warrant had been signed by President Monroe in Ist and, as intimated, covered the homestead of the Ward family in Bainbridge Township. In the spring of 1822 Apollos Ward viewed bis land for, the first time, and, althouzt he was out with the soldiers of the Black Hawk War for about six weeks, he saw no fighting an. l returned to ludiana. He was married in 195. and in the following year brought his wife lo his timleged farm in illinois. In addition to the timber. he found that much of the land had been covered with brush and wild plum fers. and the outlook was anything but encouraging. The first work was to 'mild a log cabin for the wife and infant how the matter born in India. The loss for the walls were hewn, and the bed- steads made by boring holes in the ends of the timber. Stick chimneys and puncheon floors. with split logs for seats, home-spun clothes, and all the other well known accessories of the prim- itive life of pioneer times, constituted some of the crude surroundings of James M. Ward's buy- hood days; for he was born in this rude los cabin. as were his brothers and sisters. Bu despite the necessary deprivations of the tines and the place. the life passed there w.ts healthful and happy. There the parents died and their children grew to manhood and woman- hood, and finally when they were called upon to make homes of their own settled within three miles of the old tarni.

The children of the family have been as fol- lows: Major A. Ward, now deceased and the only one born in Indiana, who married Emily J. David and had a family of nine children; Henry, a farmer of Bainbridge Township. who had one child by a first marriage and four by a second : Jatues M .: Edward Marion, who has had three children by a second wife; Mary, wite of Willian Acheson and a resident of Rushville ; Priscilla J., who married George Utter, a Fred- erick Township farmer: Ira L., who lives with his wife (nee Mary J. Taylor) and his four chil- dren on a farm adjoining the home pace on lie east: Emily J .. deceased, formerly the wife of Thomas Dodge. a farmer of Bainbridge To Wal- ship. by whom she had seven children : and Jaex- son Ward. a farmer of the same township, who has a family of three children.

As stated the father came to Schuyler County in 1836 and settled on his farm in Section 11. Bainbridge Township, where the children were roared. As they developed to maturity aud mar- ried he helped them in every possible way. prod his death, March 14. 1575. bereft them of il . best friend and the wisest counselor of thea lives. Apollus Ward was not only tender and generous in all bis family relations, but his serv- ives in the development of educational and reiz- ions privileges were highly valued by the co .- munity at large. Ile was very active in the bo ! ing of churches and schools, donating consha "- able land for both of these purposes, and ?. .. especially remembered as the founder of Wird

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

School No. 1, and the Southern Methodist Clmirch. The mother of James M. Ward, a good woman, who shared with the father the grati- tude and affection of the family, died on the old homestead July 11, 18:5.

Joseph Ward, the great-grandfather. was born August 25, 1731, Uzal Ward, the grandfather, February 8. 1765, and Apollus Ward, the father, July 29, 1805. On October 13, 1906, the de- scendants of Joseph Ward held a reunion at Mount Carmel Church, and mustered 122 strong. of the nine children born to Apollus Ward two are deceased and seven are honored residents of Semmyler Commy, residing, as stated. within three miles of the old family homestead.

James M. Ward, the third of the family, bas spent his entire life of sixty -seven years upon the home farm. In his boyhood he attended the district school. and assisted his father in all bis duties until the latter's death in ISTS. On March 14, 1875. he wedded Mrs. Eliza (Sisk ) Saylor, and their only child, Charles, was born December 28. 1873. Charles Ward married Laura Tyson October 26. 1892, his wife being born in Bainbridge Township September 15. 1569, the daughter of William T. Tyson. an linh- ored citizen of that township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ward. with the dates of their birth are as follows: Ruth E .. October 21, 1893; S. Florence, January 5. 1896; James R., August 30. 180; and William F .. June 16. 1901. The son mentioned above is now in active charge of the old home farm, and promises to maintain the family name to its full integrity and honor.

James M. Ward continues with ardor and good judgment the work so well begun by bis father in the fields of education and religion. llis con- tinuous public service of thirty years as Collector and Town Clerk also has earned him a strong claim upon the gratitude of the township, which its citizens have always freely Recorded hin. Mr. Ward has been a lifelong Democrat. Al- though not a church member, he has responded with cordiality and liberality to all calls for the support of meritorious causes, and his life has been a long round of useful, helpful and char- itable deeds.

WARD, Major Andrew (deceased), formerly one of the prosperous and greatly respected farmers of Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County. IN., where his busy. upright. public- spirited and useful life covered a period of sixty- five years, was born in Columbus, Ohio. August 9, 1835. a son of Apollus and Jane (Bramble) Ward, natives of that State. When a child Mr. Ward was brought to Schuyler County by his parents. the family arriving in the county in September. 1836, and settling in Bainbridge Township in the same section where Jackson Ward pow lives. In boyhood days, he attended the district school, remaining at home until the wild land had been cleared of timber and brash, and converted into a productive farm. In 1858, he located on the place in Section 10, Bainbridge

Township, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits tor forty two years. He departed this life March 9. 1900, being the owner of more than joo acres of land, as the result of his energy, diligent application, & sons duct. lle was one of the foremost farmer's of his locality, being also eminently serviceable in his public relations as a member of tla. com- mummy with with his career was so long alen- titied. Ile was a man of war n and spurious nature and his kindness to the in dines was proverbial. In all walls of life, he bre posel' creditably and honorably. lis civi. s. bitteal vas earnest and practical, and he took a deep interest in all measures that puertaine! to the development and prosperity of the town ship and county. In politics, he was a Demorar atul filled various local offices With commendable fidelity and efficiency, bearing the reputation of a model citizen.

The marriage of Mr. Ward took place April 6. 1856, on which nate Emily Davis in atam his wife. Mrs. Ward, who still survives, is a woman of the highest character, and enjoys the - pete respect and cordial regard of her PAteroid de- maintance. Her birth occurred in a Pale log cabin on the farm now owned by Cherbs K. Strong in Section 1. Bainbridge Township. She is a daughter of Edward and Irene (farter) Davis, natives of Athens County, Ohio, whence they moved in 1835 to Schuyler County. Il., making their home on the spot just mentioned. where their daughter, Emily, was born March !. 1512. Mrs. Davis died in October of that year, and thus Mrs. Ward never knew from personal experience what it was to be blessed with the love and tender care of a mother. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of three sons and one daughter, namely : Elias, Sylvarus, Cyrus and Emily. Elias Davis is a farmer in Miama Coun- ty. Kans .; Sylvanus also moved to that county and there died March 14. 1905; and Cyrus, who was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisted : cost- pany G, Twenty-eighth Regiment Ilinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and was killed in battle October 5, 1862.

After the death of his wife Mr. Davis sold the old farm in Section 1, and moved to a pace of land which he had purchased in Section 10, in the same township. which is now Mrs. Ward's place of residence. Later. her father married a second time, wedding Keziah Stevens, wha bore him two children: Caroline, who is the widow of Lewis Elam, and lives at Ottawa. Kan. : and Mary, who died at the age of nineteen years Mr. Davis died in August, 1852. He was an edu- cated man, had been a close studen and was thoroughly fitted for the practice of medicine. but changing his purpose, turned his attention to an agricultural lite. Politically 1. In mocrat, but had no audit on top . .... tion of public office. He to0. .. cartes :d lh- selfish interest in the welfare e the wyomity. heartily supported charitabe enter; habitually extended kindly aid to the world.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

nate. Ilis noble traits of character won the friendship and esteem of all who knew him. He was a member of a worthy family, grand- father Reuben Davis, a Hollander by birth, hav- ing come from his native land to America about the time of the Revolutionary War. The latter settled in what is now the State of Ohio. then a part of the Northwest Territory, and there spent his last days, The maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Carter, was born in England, and on crossing the Atlantic, also be- came a resident of Ohio, whence in course of time she moved to Schuyler County, IN., and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wesley Parker.

Nine children resulted from the union of An- drew Ward and Emily Davis, as follows: Ed- ward, born June 13. 1857; Irene, born March 19. 1860; Cyrus, born February 10, 1862 ; James, born Angust 12, 1565; George E., born August 12, 1867; Robert. horn May 22, 1870; Ezra. born May 22, 1872; Cora, born August 20, ISSO; and Clarence, born May 15, 1885. The oldest son, Edward Ward, who is a farmer in Bainbridge Township, married Hannah M. Scott. by whom he had one child. Zehna. Irene, deceased. was the wife of Pulaski Reeves, and left a daughter who married Clarence Robinson, a farmer. C's- rus, who follows farming in Cowley County, Kan., married Josie Somaster, and is the father of four children,-Clinton, Wilbur, Olie and Frank. James Ward, a farmer of Bainbridge Township, is the husband of Estella Persinger, and they have four children, Bettie, Ralph, Della and Irene. George E. Ward, a resident of Huntsville, Il., married Sophronia Johnson, by whom he has three children,-otis, Lelia and Brook. Robert Ward, a farmer in Bainbridge Township, married Ruth Hatfield, and has one child, -- Vail. Ezra Ward, who farms in the same township. is the husband of Ada Gregg. who has borne him five children,-Earl, Viola, Olive, Gladys and Herman. Cora Ward, who died April 23, 1906, was the wife of Henry Ambrosius, and left one child .- Carl Clayton. Clarence Ward is the owner and operator of the old home farm in Section 10, Bainbridge Township. which he keeps in perfect condition. The second daughter, Cora. was a graduate of the Rushville and Normal Colleges, and later. finished a course in stenography and typewriting. For two years, she held the office of Deputy County Clerk of Schuyler County, and for an equal period (until September 27. 1905) was a bookkeeper and stenographer in the Bank of Schuyler County.

The father of this interesting family was a man whose kindly suggestions and wise counsel many of the younger men of the township have often heeded with substantial profit to them- selves, and his memory is warmly cherished by scores who were the recipients of his generous benefactions.

WEAVER, Samuel, has lived in Schuyler Con- ty, Ill., almost three score and ten years, and his experience nearly covers all the stages of the

conmy's development from a wild and desolate region to lis present material, moral and intel- lectual status among the conmunities of the State. Not many of the contemporaries of his childhood still remain to share with him his reminiscences of early days. He was born in Littleton Township. Schuyler County, February 23, ISBS, and is a son of John and Polly (Fow- ler) Weaver, natives of Kentucky and Tennes- see, respectively. His grandparents were Sam- uel and ( Bollinger) Weaver, and Isaac and Elsie Fowler. The marriage of John Weaver and Polly Fowler took place in the South, and in 1550, they traveled northward by wagon to a point near Springfield, III .. where they sojourned for a year, then moving to the vicinity of Rushville, Selmyler County, and after spending another year there, locating in Section 19. Littleton Township. John Weaver entered up a tract of 160 acres of Government land. most of which was covered with timber or brush, and after clearing and improving the place, tol- lowed farming many years, adding in the course of tine 20 acres to his original pre-emption. On this farm he died in April. 1876, Polly ( Fowler) Weaver, the companion of his pioneer toil, hav- ing passed away about the year 1551. He was married a second time, wedding Parnissa Mor- rison, whose death occurred in ISDS. John Wea- ver was the father of six sons and four daughters by his first marriage, of whom the subject of this personal record is the sixth in order of birth. Isaac died in infancy, and six are still living. as follows: Mrs. Cyrus Fowler, a widow, residing in Melonouch County. Il. ; Peter Weaver, whose home is in Brooklyn Township, Schuyler Coun- ty ; Mrs. Richard Ban Bevers, a widow living at Littleton, Ill .: Samuel, to whom the present writing pertains; Mrs. R. B. Daniels, a widow, of Littleion Township; and Mrs. Will'am Chockley, a resident of Kansas, living at lola. In politics, the head of this family was a Dem- oerat. and in religion, a Primitive for Old School) Baptist.

Samuel Weaver was reared on the paternal farm, receiving bis education mainly in the sub- scription schools. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage. after which he lived one year in MeDonough County. At The end of this period he moved to Brooklyn Town- ship, Sehuyler County, and was domiciled one year in the old schoolhouse, subsequently oreu- plying various places in the township. For ihrer years, he and his wife were residents of the village of Brooklyn, where he owned a house and three lots, which he sold. In IS76. he bought his present farm of 120 acres in Section 23. Brooklyn Township, having had a lease of the property for five years previous to becoming its owner. Only a small portion of the place was cleared. about ten acres. He has removed the brush and timber from so acres, adding more land to his original purchase, until he now has 200 Heres-100 being in Section 2, and the pre in Section 20. Besides general farming. he has devoted his attention to rising horses, calle,

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

sheep and hogs. Since 1905, he has lived some- what in retirement, attending to that portion of his land which is in meadow, but renting out the part under cultivation. has 40 Heres of solid timber in Section 26; and 10 acres in Sec- tion 23, three-quarters cleared.

The marriage of Mr. Weaver took place Octo- ber 5. 1857. Adelia 11. Daniels, a woman of admiralde traits of character, becoming his wife. Mrs. Weaver was born in Rushville Township, Schuyler County. September 17. 1SUS, and is a daughter of Paul and Lydia (Manlove) Daniels, natives of North Carolina, where also originated her maternal grandparents. William and Nancy Manlove. The father and mother of Mrs. Wea- ver settled near Rushville. Schuyler County. at an early period, Mr. Daniels owning 120 acres of land in Brooklyn and Littleton Townships. le departed this life in 1900, his wife having passed away in 1894. Seven children resulted from the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver, as fol- lows: Eldridge, born August 13, 185%, whose business is that of a traveling salesman : Alphe- ns. born March 11, 1860, who lives in Brooklyn Township; Georgietta. born February 1. 1562. deceased June 17. 1560: Everett. born October 5. 1864, whose home is in Lemoine Township, Me- Ponongh County. IL. ; Orville, born October 11. 1872: Delorions, born January 1. 1874 ; and Cor- nelia, born November 5. 1877. The last three are at home. The names of the the deceased brothers of Mr. Weaver are .- Harrison, who died in 187%, at the age of 78 years: Thomas, who died in 1894. aged 15 years, and Joseph. whose death occurred in ISS5, when he was 30 years old.

In politics. Mr. Weaver is identified with the Democratic party, and has served on the town- ship board and the central committee of his . party. His religious connection, as also that of his estimable wife, is with the Primitive Baptist Church. in which he has officiated as deacon since 1SST. He and Mrs. Weaver are deeply re- spected by all who know them,

WEBSTER, John L .- Among the leading mell whose residence in Rushville and vicinity is of long standing. and who are esteemed alike for their worthy traits of character and the good influence they have exerted while promoting the best interests of the community, none are better known than John L. Webster, by occupation a contractor and builder. Mr. Webster was born in Oakland Townshifp. Selmyler County. III .. . October 14, 1815. a son of Thomas Mathew and Susan (Jills) Webster, the former of whom was born in England. as was also his father. Mathew Webster. At Marylabone Church, London, Mathew Webster was united in marriage to Hes- ter Miller, born in Gloucestershire, England, and who became the mother of Henry Mathew. Nan- Cy. Thomas Mathew ail George Mathew W + ster. Of this family Heary Webster only f: iled to come to the United States, and his present whereabouts are unknown, his last address hay- ing been Adelaide, Australia. Mathew Webster,

Sr., was a sailor by profession, and in this capac- ity put into many ports and traversed many seas, llis nautical career was brought to a close because of a fractured les, and his daughter. Nancy, bas a snuff box, made from a piece of wood taken from his ship. Nancy married John Schoder. in the north of England, but now lives in the United States. Thomas Mathew Webster was a carpenter by trade, but followed farming as an alternate occupation. He came to America as a young man, settling in Illinois, where he met his future wife. and where his death or- curred in 1919. his wife surviving him until 1873. They were the parents of the following children : John L. : William, of Grundy Conny. Mo. : and Mathew, who was killed by a live wire in October. 100%, at Elmwood. 11].

John L. Webster enjoyed the advantages of the public schools of Buena Vista Township, and in ISMO began learning the trade of cupen- tering with Amos Sylvester, a well known con- tracting builder of Rushville. Possessing marked mechanical skill. he developed into a master workman, and in time enjoyed a birze patronage in different parts of the county, Greeting dwell- ings, barus, outbuildings and doing general var- penter work. At the present time he has # ron- tinually increasing business, and although hay- ing reached sixty-two years of age. is still vigor- ous and active. taking a much pleasure in the accuracy and excellence of his work as when it was a new and necessary resource. In the Town and county are many monuments to his skill and artistic ability, and he has contributed a large and congendable share toward bie making of . bis pleasant and thritty surroundings.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 99

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