Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 90

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 90

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

and honored family in this county. She was born near Iberia, Ohio, March 22, 1848, a daugh- ter of Laban Bell and Mary (McLow) Bell. Her father was born on a farm near Fort Cum- berland, Md., December 6, 1819, and died De- cember 6, 1901; while her mother was born near Williamsport, Pa., December 4, 1823, and died March 29, 1912. They were married at Iberia, Ohio, in 1842. Miss Bell's grandfather, James Bell, was a farmer owning large tracts of land in Ohio, having come there from Mary- land. Her parents lived for a time on a farm in Ohio, and then moved to southern Illinois, from whence they went to Iowa, and in 1851, came to Hancock County, and located at Hamil- ton, building the house now occupied by Miss Bell. Mr; Bell was engaged in a teaming and excavating business, and he also dug wells and handled stone, becoming one of the leading business men of Hamilton. Miss Bell is one of eiglit children, the others being as follows : Margaret A., who became Mrs. Riley Carr, but both she and her husband are now deceased ; Brilla, who is the widow of Daniel Bliss, lives at Hamilton; Taylor Z., who lives at Keokuk, Iowa ; Catherine, who is Mrs. Robert A. Boyce, lives on a farın near Osborne, Kans .; Eliza, who is Mrs. Edward Voigtdlander, lives at Bonaparte, Iowa; and James and Nellie, both of whom died in infancy.

Miss Bell attended the Hamilton public schools, as did her brothers and sisters. Since she was eighteen years old, she has carried on a dressmaking business, and has been very suc- cessful in her work. The homestead at the cor- ner of Fourteenth and Oak streets, has been in- herited by her. It is a large brick house on a lot 200x150 feet. She has seen Hamilton grow from a little hamlet to its present proportion and her recollection of its early days are very interesting. She and the members of her fam- ily have always been Methodists.

BENNER, Charles Milton, proprietor of the Triangle Farm, of Prairie Township, for many years was one of the leading agriculturalists of Hancock County, and he still lives on this farm, but it is operated by a tenant. He was born in Sonora Township, in August, 1860, a son of George and Nancy E. (Bradley) Benner, he born in Massillon. Ohio, and she in Hancock Township. In 1837 the father came west to Independence. Mo., with his parents, who were Mormons. After their arrival the grandfather was killed by the anti-Mormons, and after that George Benner came to Hancock County, settling near Lima for a short time and then going to Golden's Point. Sonora Township, where he bought land and lived there until his death in April, 1903. His widow survived until 1908, when she died at the age of seventy-five years. Their children were as follows: Ura G., who was Mrs. Timothy Ford, is deceased ; Georgiana, who was Mrs. Clay Hanson, is also deceased ; A. H., who lives in Clarke County, Iowa ; Charles M., whose name heads this review; Ira F., who lives at Des Moines, Iowa ; and W. C., who lives at Montrose, Iowa.

Charles M. Benner attended the district schools and was reared in his native township, and on December 25, 1881, he was married to Leatha Golden, born in Sonora Township. She is a daughter of Charles P. and Margaret (Ful- ton) Golden, natives of Sonora Township and Ohio, respectively, and a granddaughter of Abram and Sarah (Houghton) Golden, both of whom were born in New Jersey, were taken to Kentucky by their parents and there were mar- ried. Abram Golden was one of the first set- tlers of Sonora Township, and Golden's Point is named after him. Mr. and Mrs. Benner have no children, but they reared a niece and nephew of Mrs. Benner from infancy, they being : Pearl, who is Mrs. George Sheur, of Ellisburg, Wash .; and Glenn, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Ben- ner.

After his marriage, Mr. Benner rented land in Sonora Township for four years, and then lived for six years in Appanoose Township, fol- lowing which he moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, and conducted a dairy for five years, selling then and buying a farm on section 3, Prairie Township, Hancock County. After eleven years he sold that farm and bought 160 acres of land on section 1, in the southeastern part of Prairie Township, which is one of the finest farms of that township. Since 1914 he has rented the farm, but prior to that was a general farmer. Mr. Benner is a Republican and in 1918 was elected supervisor of his township. He belongs to the Hancock Mutual Insurance Company, and Mrs. Benner belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution.

BENNER, Franklin, now deceased, was one of the older residents of Hancock County, and during the Civil War enlisted in defense of liis country, dying while in the service. He was born in Ohio, May 27, 1836, a son of Elias and Eliza (Cramer) Benner, the former of whom, born in Pennsylvania, died before the birth of his son. The mother survived her husband many years, and died about 1860, having also been a native of Ohio. Franklin Benner had the following brothers and sisters : Henry, George and Elias, all of whom are now deceased; Sarah, who is deceased; and Eliza, who is the widow of George Stripe, re- sides at Kansas City, Mo.

Franklin Benner attended the common schools of Ohio, and then learned to be a blacksmith. In 1859 he came to Hancock County and estab- lished himself as a blacksmith, became a man of importance, and was made postmaster at Sonora. In August, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, at Camp Butler, in Company C, One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and during his period of service was in numerous engagements including the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Shiloh, and was made a corporal, which rank he held at the time of his death, at Baton Rouge, La., February 5, 1865.

On November 9, 1861, Mr. Benner was mar-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

ried to Mary A. Forney, born in Sonora Town- ship, September 23, 1843, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Smith) Forney. Jacob Forney was born in Stark County, Ohio, April 17, 1816, and died at Hamilton, August 30, 1910. His wife, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, December 22, 1820, died in Sonora Township, June 8, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Benner had one son, Austin F. Benner, who was born November 3, 1862, and died November 19, 1879. For the past twenty-five years Mrs. Benner has been a resident of Hamilton, and during her long res- idence in this city has endeared herself to all who know her, as a lady of Christian character and many charities.

BENNETT, Mrs. Agnes (Luce), a member of one of the old and honored families of Han- cock County, is a highly esteemed resident of Sonora Township. She was born at Nauvoo, June 28, 1843, a daughter of Daniel Grant and Lurena (Hopkins) Luce, natives of Maine. The parents came to Nauvoo in 1842, the mother having been converted to Mormonism. After the trouble with the Mormons that resulted in their being driven from Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Luce lived in various localities in Hancock County, where he was engaged in teaching school, but he later settled on a farm in Sonora Township. Both parents of Mrs. Bennett are now deceased.

Agnes Luce was reared in Hancock County, and attended the local schools. In April, 1865, she was married to A. L. Bennett, a son of John F. and Elizabeth (Fryberger) Bennett, natives of Pennsylvania. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett moved on the original Luce farm, containing seventy acres of land, and here Mr. Bennett engaged in general farm- ing. They became the parents of the follow- ing children: Laura, who is Mrs. John M. Brant of Bushnell, Ill .; Parthena, who is Mrs. Dr. Billings of Chicago; D. C., who lives at Minneapolis, Minn .; Cora and May, twins, the former of whom is Mrs. Albert Tallant, and the latter is Mrs. Albert Phillipps, of Kindersley, Canada; and John F., who lives in Sonora Township.

BENNETT, John Norman, sheriff of Hancock County and ex-city marshal of Warsaw is one of the most efficient men to have charge of public morals this county has known. He was born in Clark County, Mo., July 13, 1875, a son of Mitchel Smith and Florence Roseltha (Roberts) Bennett, farming people.

Growing up on his father's farm in Clark County, Mo., John Norman Bennett attended its schools, and when he became self-supporting he engaged in constructional iron work. In April, 1913, Mr. Bennett was first elected city marshal of Warsaw, under Louis Lamet, mayor. So ably did he discharge the duties of this office that he was re-elected in April, 1915, under R. O. Marsh, mayor, and was re-elected in April, 1917, under William L. Hill. In 1915 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Hancock County under Marion

R. Mosely, sheriff. A stalwart Republican, his elections have been on the ticket of his party although followers of other political faith, voted for him, owing to the general appreciation ren- dered his efficiency and fearlessness as a public official.

On May 22, 1895 Mr. Bennett was married to Daisy Taylor, a daughter of John G. and Mar- inda Taylor, born in Tazewell County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have three children, as fol- lows : J. Elmer, who was born January 24, 1901; Beryl B., who was born June 4, 1903; and Edmund, who was born December 16, 1910. Mr. Bennett belongs to the Odd Fellows and Elks. He made a splendid record as city marshal and constable of Warsaw. On November 5, 1918 Mr. Bennett was elected sheriff of Hancock County, the first Republican to be elected to that office. His majority of 854 votes in a strong Democratic County testifies to his personal popularity. He is utterly without fear in the discharge of his official duties. His physical and mental charac- teristics are such as to materially aid him, and make him an ideal official. He is respected by all law-abiding citizens, and is the terror of crim- inals who know they will not have their viola- tion of the statutes condoned.

BENNETT, Lorenzo, owner of 300 acres of magnificent land in La Harpe Township, is one of the leading farmers and cattle men of Han- cock County. He was born in Fountain Green Township, October 3, 1870, a son of Norden and Rhoda Jane (Noble) Bennett, he born in Foun- tain Green Township, and she near Cincinnati, Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Isaac Bennett, was born in Tennessee, while the maternal grandfather, William Noble, was a native of Ohio. The Bennett family were early settlers of Fountain Green Township, while William Noble came to Illinois about 1843, locating first in Scioto Township, McDonough County, a few years later coming to La Harpe Township, this county, where they bought a farm. After their marriage, Norden Bennett and wife settled on a farm in Fountain Green Township, where they lived until 1901, then retired to La Harpe, where she died June 30, 1905, he surviving her until May 9, 1909. Their children were as follows : Raymond, who lives in Fountain Green Town- ship; Ransford, who lives at La Harpe; and Lorenzo.

Lorenzo Bennett attended the Elder Grove district school, and grew up on his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage, which occurred December 26, 1901, when he was united to Daisy Dell Mesecher, born in La Harpe Township, on section 34. She is a daugh- ter of Elkanah and Rebecca (Buntler) Mese- cher, he born in La Harpe Township, and she born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have three children, as follows: Floyd Lorenzo, Iona Dell, and Loyal Quincy.

After lıis marriage Mr. Bennett lived in Foun- tain Grove Township until October, 1904, when he bought eighty acres of the Mesecher home- stead, and began to farm it, also raising horses,

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

cattle and hogs. He kept on adding to his farm until he now lias 300 acres of fine farm and pas- ture land, and since the fall of 190S, he has specialized in feeding cattle. His operations are conducted upon an extensive scale, and his success proves his knowledge of his business. In politics Mr. Bennett is a Democrat, but aside from serving on the school board for eleven years he has not held public office, his business cares being too numerous to permit, but he has always taken an active interest in local affairs. The Christian Church holds his membership, and he is a liberal contributor to its good work. Being a man who accomplishes what he starts out to do, Mr. Bennett is a valuable asset to his community.

BERGER, Herman, one of the thoroughly repre- sentative citizens of Nauvoo, and one who has done more in bringing about present conditions not only in immediate sections but throughout the country, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 24, 1837, a son of Ernest and Marie (Diedrich) Berger. In 1846 the family crossed the ocean, being sixty days on a sailing vessel. From New Orleans they went up the Missis- sippi River to St. Louis, Mo. From thence in a few weeks they went on to Galena, Ill. Being advised that the Mormons in Nauvoo were about to be driven out and that property there was very cheap, they came back to Nauvoo, Ill. They arrived there some time before the Mormons were driven out. In 1852 he went back to St. Louis, where he served time at the butcher trade, after which he drove omnibus for Bob Obleniss. The Sixth Company of the Sixth In- fantry was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., to recruit, and then was ordered to California, but before starting the order was counter- manded, and they were ordered to go up the Missouri River, and out on the plains, because the Sioux Indians had massacred thirty men of Company G of the Sixth Infantry. They found the Indians encamped, about 15,000 of them, near Ash Hollow, Neb. They surrounded them during the night, and at daylight opened fire on them with a battery and the Indians, trying to get away, came down the valley and had to pass the fire of the infantry. You wouldn't want to call it a fight ; it was simply a slaughter, accord- ing to the count and the burying of the dead, in which Mr. Berger did not take part, because he had been wounded with an arrow on the right hip. The infantry took something over 200 prisoners, mostly women and children, and proceeded on to Fort Laramie. In the following spring the Indians congregated near Fort Laramie and made peace. In 1857 the company was ordered on an expedition after the Cheyenne Indians, who had become hostile, and were murdering immigrants on the old California Road. They proceeded under command of Colonel Sumner in a southwesterly direction from Fort Laramie, arrived at the Platte River on the second day of July, which river was very high, and they could not cross over. They fer- ried the Platte River in metallic wagon beds,

and started out with pack mules with twenty days' rations. They were ordered to save their canteens, as they would probably not find water before night. But about noon of the same day they found a buffalo wallow that would probably cover an acre of ground with water in it, but it was more mud than water. They rested there for an hour, and then started on again. About four o'clock in the afternoon, one man dropped dead for want of water. They found water the next morning, and Mr. Berger says he drank about two quarts, the effect of which he felt for about eight or ten years after. A few days after that they overtook the Cheyenne Indians on Mud Creek in Kansas, when Colonel Sumner took his cavalry and charged into the Indians. The infantry never got a shot at the Indians. In the evening when he returned to camp with his cavalry he had two men killed and nine wounded, and took one Indian prisoner. Mr. Berger's company, Captain Foote in command, was ordered to remain on the battlefield until such time as the wounded would recover suffi- ciently to be transferred. They stayed there only four days, when they made drags of willow poles, to which they hitched mules, Indian style, with a basket behind each mule in which to lay a wounded man, and proceeded to Fort Kearney. During the last three weeks before getting to Kearney they had subsisted on one pound of beef without any salt. The men seemed to be in a very weak state, Mr. Berger included. After remaining at Fort Kearney for a few days the company again went on to Fort Lara- mie. While at Fort Kearney they heard that General Johnson with a command had passed on to Salt Lake, because the Mormons had re- belled. In the spring of 1858 they were ordered on an escort to guard a supply train to General Johnson, who was camped at Fort Bridger, 100 miles east of Salt Lake. When they arrived there they found the camp had subsisted on quarter rations for over a month. In a week or two after that they started for Salt Lake, and on the second of July marched down Brig- ham Street. They found the city evacuated, all the people having fled to the hills, by order of Brigham Young, but when the troops passed the Bee Hive and the Lion House they found on a stoop in front of the Bee Hive between fifteen and twenty women. They waved hand- kerchiefs at the troop and many soldiers tipped their hats to the ladies, although Brigham had made the people believe that when the troops would invade the city they would pillage their houses and debase their women. At the foot of Brigham Street the troops crossed the bridge over the River Jordan, when they marched up the river and camped right alongside the city. On the Fourth of July the troops were ordered out for review and when they passed the review- ing officer, General Johnson, a large portly gentleman on horseback was right by the side of General Johnson. A few days later the soldiers went on to Cedar Valley, where they camped about six weeks, when finally the Sixth Infantry had all been assembled there they were finally

Eng hy [ " Wilhom - & Bro N".

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Cora a. Pettijohn

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

ordered on to California. They took with them 206· mule teams, the whole being divided into sections of twenty-five wagons. Each section had an assistant wagon master. Mr. Berger acted as assistant wagon master part of the way, and finally, about half way from Salt Lake to California, General Hancock started out ahead of the command to buy supplies when the troops arrived at civilization, Mr. Berger was detailed as one of four men to go with the general as an escort. They crossed the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the 11th of October, found about eight inches of snow on top of it. After getting across they camped a couple of days near Hang Town. From there they proceeded on to Benicia. In the following February Mr. Berger's company was ordered to Fort Walla Walla. They got as far as the mouth of the Columbia River, when by telegraph they were ordered back to San Francisco. A few days later they were ordered to go up the Colorado River to Fort Yuma. They made a small steamer out of a flatboat, to transfer rations, and then proceeded up the river about 150 miles, into the Yuma Indian country, to pacify the said Indians. They were ordered to bring in two children, about 12 or 14 years old, which they were holding as prisoners. After that the company proceeded back up to Los Angeles and San Pedro, where they took the steamer back to San Francisco. After arriving at Presidio a man was reading the morning paper and he was reading that it was steamer day, giving a list of the prominent passengers. At the foot of the list it also stated that the two children that had been rescued by the govern- ment troops from the Mohawk Indians were on the steamer, and that the government was now sending them back to their homes in Hancock County, Ill. Mr. Berger was discharged from the army at Fort Yuma, November, 1859.

"or remaining in San Francisco for a few uu 3, mr. Berger started back for his old home at Nauvoo, Ill., which has been his home ever since. He says he has been very liberally treated by the people of Nauvoo, being elected to all the offices in their gift; was mayor of Nauvoo for four years, and when his present term expires will have been justice of the peace for forty years which he thinks is long enough, as he is eighty-three years old.

BERRY, James Hurlburt, the oldest meat dealer in Hamilton, and one of its most highly esteemed citizens, has conducted his present market for twenty-six years. He was born near Warsaw, Ill., November 6. 1855, a son of George W. and Margaret A. (Howes) Berry, the former of whom was born in 1814, and died in December 1879; while the latter was born in 1820, and died in February, 1SS6. They settled southeast of Warsaw, in Wilcox Township, on the old English farm, which they later sold and then moved near Sutter, in Walker Township. Still later their sixty-acre farm was sold and they bought another sixty acres in Walker Township, which the father still owned at the time of his death.

They had fifteen children, three of whom died in infancy, twelve growing to maturity. Those now living are as follows: Nora, who is the wife of Fred Sleeper, lives at Luther, Okla .; and James H. Those dead were: Laura, who was the wife of J. D. Pratt, died at Keokuk, Iowa: Thomas E., who died in Oregon; Mrs. Ludicie Blades, who died at Greensburg, Mo .; Mrs. Sallie E. Shaw, who died in Nickerson, Kas .; Mrs. Ann .Doty, who died at Westcliff, Col .; Mrs. Fannie Hardin, who died at Nicker- son, Kas .; Mrs. Electa Mullenix, who died near Lambert, Okla .; Flora, who died near Joplin, Mo .; Jesse W., who died at Topeka, Kas .; and David M., who died at San Diego, Cal.

James H. Berry attended the common schools of the county, and the Georgetown school east of Sutter, in Walker Township, and was reared on the farm, which lie left in 1877, when he was twenty-one years old. He went to Nicker- son, Kas., and herded cattle for five years, but returned to his native county in 1882. On December 4, 1883, he was married to Ella M. Laughlin, a daughter of Robert and Julia (Guy- mon) Laughlin. Mr. and Mrs. Berry became the parents of the following children: two who died in infancy, Goldie Z. and Myrtle B., both of whom are now teaching, are twins and were born March 17, 1SS6; Lester Vaughn, who was born March 13, 1SSS, married Anna P. Rose, a daughter of John Rose, the ceremony taking place in September, 1913, and they have three children, Louella, born in May, 1914, James Hurlburt, born in January, 1916, and Lavaughn, born in February, 1918; Julia Gladys, who was born September 30, 1891, is the wife of Frank E. Bolt, formerly of Warsaw, Ill., but now in the United States Army, no children; Inez E., who was born July 14, 1894, is the wife of James K. Denholm of Newport News, Va., one child, Janet O., born in February, 191S. Mrs. Berry died August 20, 1913.

After his marriage Mr. Berry established himself in business, and in 1892 founded his present enterprise which he has built up to large proportions. He is a member of the First Christian Church of Hamilton, of which he has been an elder for ten years, has been superin- tendent of the Sunday school for twelve years, and chairman of the church board for twelve years. A Mason in good standing, he belongs to Black Hawk Lodge No. 238, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been both junior and senior war- den, and also to the Eastern Star. He is a Democrat. One of the sound, reliable men of Hancock County, he stands very high in public confidence.

BERRY, Melvin P., one of the most progressive representative men of Carthage, has borne an important part in the development of the county seat. He was born in Eldorado Township, McDonough County, Ill., May 25, 1853, a son of Jonathan Lee and Martha (McConnell) Berry, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. They were married in Hancock County, Ill., to which he came in the early forties and she about the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

same time with her parents. Martha McConnell was a daughter of Francis and Hannah (Camp- bell) McConnell, he being of Irish; and she of Scotchi descent, and they were among the earli- est settlers of Fountain Green Township. After their marriage, Jonathan Lee Berry and his wife moved to McDonough County, Ill., and there he died in 1858, and she in 1860. Prior to his marriage with Martha McConnell, Jona- than Lee Berry was married to a Miss Brewer, and they had two children, namely : John, who died during the Civil War and Charles Lee, who lives in Kansas. By his second marriage, Jona- than Lee Berry had three children, namely : Orville F., who lives at Carthage; Melvin P .; and Estelle, who died in infancy.

Melvin P. Berry attended the local schools and then took a four-year course at Carthage College, following which he was engaged in teaching school at Webster, in Fountain Green Township and at Burnside, in Pilot Grove Township, being thus engaged for five years. He then read law with Mack and Baird for two years, and was admitted to the bar, and after practice for a year alone, he entered the firm of Sharp and Berry Bros., and was engaged in active practice for twenty years. He and his brother, O. F. Berry, organized the Dime Savings Bank at Carthage, in November, 1902, with a capital stock of $50,000, O. F. Berry being president, and Melvin P. Berry, cashier. This bank was re-organized as the State Bank of Carthage, in January, 1906, with the above named officers, and R. W. Sear as vice president.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 90

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174