Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 154

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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mained with the family, gardening, sawing wood, doing anything to provide for the family during the father's absence. Soon after his father's departure he accepted a position in the office of the "Virginia Gazette." Later his fa. ther returned to Virginia and took a position in the same office, father and son working side by side once more; and a comfortable home was the result of the combined efforts of the family. At the end of four years Ira M. Bunce left the Gazette office to enter the employ of the "Virginia Examiner," which had changed ownership, his father remaining with the "Ga- zette.' Here he was promoted from time to time, and after four years in the Examiner of- fice, relinquished his place to his father, and went to Macon County, Mo., where he was engaged in farming for five years. In 1888, he returned to Jacksonville, and was employed as a printer on the "Jacksonville Daily Jour- nal" until 1899 (eleven years), resigning the position early in the last named year. Shortly afterward he purchased the "Daily Dinner Horn" outfit and started "The Farm" March 1, 1899. In this venture his son, Curtis, was a partner for some time, and later, his wife en- tered the concern forming the company. The paper was first issued as a monthly seven-col- umn folio, and four months afterward the size was increased to a seven-column quarto. Four months later it became a bi-weekly. It is a local paper, circulating mainly in Morgan County, and aside from its publication, the firm of I. M. Bunce & Co. does job-printing. John J. Bunce's last enterprise was the "Temperance Advocate," which was published in Virginia, Ill., at the time of his death, on November 26, 1887.

On April 24, 1879, Mr. Bunce was joined ill wedlock with Hattie F. Haverly, a native of Macon County, Mo., and their union resulted in two children: Curtis W., of Yuba, Wash .; and Gary, a daughter.

In politics Mr. Bunce casts his vote with the Democratic party. Religiously he is a member of the First Baptist Church, and is treasurer of its Sunday-school.

For two years, Ira M. Bunce was a member of the military organization in Cass County, Ill., known as the "Lippincott Guards." Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Modern Wood- men of America.

S J. MATTINGLY

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

BURCH, John B., a prominent farmer and stockman residing in his pleasant home on Sec- tion 1, Town 13, Range 9, Morgan County, Ill., was born north of the village of Franklin, Ill., . July 18, 1842, the son of Shelby M. and Saralı (Wyatt) Burch. The father was a native of Kentucky, who came to Morgan County at an early day and died in 1846, leaving a wife and two children: Mary A., now the widow of Henry C. Woods, formerly a farmer and trader. and John B. The mother took for her second husband Francis M. Scott, who proved himself a faithful father to the orphaned children.

John B. Burch was educated in the Frank- lin schools and was a student under the well- known pedagogue, "Uncle" Charley Snow. In his industrial life he was reared to farming, stock-breeding and feeding, and, on reaching maturity, engaged in business on his own ac- count. Starting without capital, he now has a splendid estate aggregating 750 acres, all ac- quired by his own industry, economy and fore- sight. He has combined stock-breeding and feeding with general farming, but for the last quarter of a century has rented his grain land, and, assisted by his son, has confined his at- tention solely to live stock. Mr. Burch occu- pies a handsome residence with excellent sur. roundings, making it one of the most pleasant and attractive homes in the county. It is lo- cated one mile south of Franklin, nearly forty years ago the site of the home of Judge Waller, but all the present improvements have been made by John B. Burch himself. Mr. Burch was one of the first Commissioners of Town- ship 13, Range 9, and is now serving as School Director-a position which he has filled con- secutively for twenty-one years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Burch was married October 1, 1868, to Helen Rice, daughter of W. W. and Martha (Chestnut ) Rice, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Morgan County at an early day. Mr. Rice was a successful merchant of Waver- ly for many years, and died in May, 1871, aged sixty-six years, leaving a family of nine chil- dren. Mrs. Burch, who was next to the young- est of these, lost her mother by death when she was a child of seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Burch are the parents of one son, Fred B., who was born June 13, 1873, and is associated with his father in all his business affairs. Fred B.

is unmarried and resides with his parents. He is an energetic and enterprising worker and a member of several fraternal associations, in- cluding the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 121; M. W. A., No. 610; Court of Honor, No. 214; M. P. L., No. 138, and the order of Re- beccas, all having local lodges in the village of Franklin.

BURNETT, George W., prominent fariner and live-stock breeder, living in Section 22, Town 14 North, Range 8 West, Morgan County, Ill., was born in that county three miles west of his present home, April 3, 1831, the son of Jshan and Lucinda (Van Winkle) Burnett. Roland Burnett, the grandfather of George W .. mi- grated from his native State of Kentucky to Missouri, while his son Isham moved to Mor. gan County, Ill., in 1830. Isham Burnett was an enterprising man and a successful farmer. and was widely and favorably known through- out this section as forming a part of the pioneer element. He acquired a large estate and had a family of eleven children: James, Rantz, John. Mary, George, Byar, Roland, Moses, Joseph. . Charity and Micajah, all having died except George, Moses (of Franklin), Joseph (of Jet- more, Kans.), and Micajah (of Springfield, Ill.). Roland, Sr., died in Morgan County in Septem- ber, 1885.

George W. Burnett, the fifth child of his father's family, was reared on the farm in his youth, assisting in agricultural labors, while receiving his education in the country schools. He was married May 6, 1858, to Mary McCormick, daughter of John and Jane W. McCormick, and moved to the present home. To them were born eight children: Marshall, born March 5, 1859, was married to Martha Hocking November 24, 1882, and to them were born two children-Ethel and Frank Lester: Everett, born September 14. 1860, and was married to Margaret Hubbs October 16, 1890: Oscar, born February 17, 1862, was married to Nancy Adams October 15, 1884, and to them was born one son, Ed- ward Littleton, Mrs. Burnett dying June 12, 1903; Frederick, boru May 1, 1863, was mar- ried to Mary Bateman October 8, 1885, and to them was born one daughter, Olive: John. born December 1, 1864, resides with his parents: Anna, born September 10, 1867,- died September 9, 1872; Emma, born April

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

2, 1877, was graduated from the Woman's College, Jacksonville, in the class of 1897, received a diploma from the Illinois College of Music, in 1901, and has served as instructor in that school for the past three years; Lu- cinda, born August 14, 1878, graduated with her sister Emma in 1897, was married to Lewis Massie October 10, 1899, and they have one daughter, Helen Burnett. Mr. Burnett has given each of his sons a well-improved farm and a good residence, and still owns and cultivates 330 acres of land, being in every respect an up-to-date farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett are universally respected for their qualities of mind and heart, and are prominent factors in the community in which they live. Mr. Burnett has served his district on the School Board many years and is affiliated with the Republican party. He is not a member of any denomination, but attends the Methodist Episcopal Church lo- cated near his home, and has been a liberal contributor to its work besides serving as its Trustee for twenty-five years; his wife and daughter are members of this church and have actively assisted in the Sunday-school and other church work.

BURRUS, Alexander, a successful farmer liv- ing on his farm near the bluffs northeast of the town of Meredosia, Morgan County, was born in that county August 17, 1859, the son of William and Nancy Jane (Masterson) Bur- rus, respectively natives of Kentucky and Ten- nessee. They had a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, Alexander be- ing the seventh son of the family. The par- ents came to Morgan County in the early 'fif- ties and proved successful, acquiring an es- tate of 720 acres. Both parents are deceased. The father was a Christian man who raised his children aright, and like himself, they be- came consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, receiving the best education the times afforded.

Alexander Burrus has been a farmer all his life, and at this writing owns 236 acres of land, upon which, assisted by his son, he conducts general farming operations. Mr. Burrus was married January 13, 1884, to Mary L. Cochran, daughter of Phillip Cochran, a farmer and early settler of Morgan County. Of this union seven children have been born, six of whom are liv-

ing, viz .: Grace, Lorenzo, Pearl, Royal, Wil- bur and Harold. Mr. Burrus has served his district as School Director. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.

BURRUS, George M., a merchant of Bluffs, Scott County, Ill., recently a farmer of Morgan County, was born in the neighborhood of Mere- dosia, December 18, 1862, the son of George W. and Eliza A. (Masterson) Burrus, both natives of Morgan County. The father. George W. Burrus, was born in 1827, his father, also named George W., having migrated from Tennessee in pioneer days and settled on a farm near Mer- edosia. The forefathers of Mr. Burrus, for sev- eral generations,- were farmers.

George M. Burrus assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm, attended the district school, and thus developed toward manhood. Later he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, from which he graduated in the class of 1885, after which he taught in various parts of the county for fifteen years, during 1892 and 1893 being Principal of the Meredosia High School. During Governor Altgeld's administration he held the position of Chief Clerk of the Cen- tral Hospital for the Insane at Jacksonville. On the death of his widowed mother, which occurred March 4, 1894, he returned to the farm, which had reverted to him and his brother, John H., and which he conducted until 1904. In 1900 he had established a mercantile business at Bluffs, and in 1904 moved perma- nently to that place, in order to give his entire attention to it. He resides in a pleasant home and enjoys a profitable business.

Mr. Burrus was married, on September 16, 1886, to Julia F. Reyland, daughter of E. E. L. Reyland, a native of Germany and an early set- tler of Illinois, and he and his wife have one daughter named Inez. Their only son, Freder- ick, died in infancy. In politics Mr. Burrus is a Democrat.

BURRUS, Thomas J., farmer and stockman actively engaged on his farm near the bluffs northeast of the town of Meredosia, Morgan County, Ill., and three miles southwest of Arenz- ville, was born in the locality where he now resides March 10, 1847, the son of William and Nancy (Masterson) Burrus, being raised on his father's farm and educated in the local

Wwf of Mattingly

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

schools. He was married March 31, 1870, to Eliza Ray, daughter of Samuel Ray, a farmer and early settler in Morgan County, who, with his wife Ellen, came from Ohio, bought land and engaged in farming near the Burrus home. Thomas J. Burrus and his wife have had a family of eight children, four of whom sur- vive: Nettie, wife of Henry Kuhlman; Eliza Jane, Alice and T. Arthur. Those deceased were: William Henry, who died aged twenty. one; Benjamin M., Harry A. and Elmer R., all died in their infancy. In 1894 Mr. Burrus bought a farm near Chapin, Morgan County, which he managed for nine years. Then un 1903, he purchased his father's old homestead. which had been in possession of the family for more than fifty years, and upon which he now resides. It consists of 200 acres of valuable farming land with a pleasant residence and convenient out-buildings. Mr. Burrus and fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has served as Superintendent of the Sunday-school and is Church trustee. He has also served his distriet on the School Board and votes the Prohibition ticket.

BURRUS, William, farmer and stockman, whose farm lies near the Illinois River bluffs northeast of Meredosia, Morgan County, Ill., was born on his father's farm, May 17, 1856, the son of William and Nancy Jane ( Masterson) Burrus, a sketch of whose life appears in con- nection with that of his son, Alexander Burrus, elsewhere in this volume. His paternal grand- father was Martin Luther Burrus. William Burrus was reared to work on the farm, mean- while obtaining a good district school educa- tion. He was married November 29, 1877, having one daughter by this union, who is now the wife of Albert Hierman. The wife and mother died May 10, 1879. Mr. Burris' second marriage occurred December 28, 1882, to Sarah Beauchamp, the oldest child of George N. Beau- champ, a prominent farmer of Meredosia town- shlp. Nine children have been born of this union, viz .: Edgar J., Clarence, Leah, Frank, Alta, Paul, Earl, Leona and George.

Mr. Burrus has served as School Director in his district, Road Commissioner and Super- visor. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Burrus is a member of the Modern Woodmen and a stanch supporter of the principles of the Pro-

hibition party. He owns and cultivates 200 acres, mostly rich bottoni land, and has a well- improved farm and house, the homestead be- ing developed largely by his own efforts. He is associated in his farming operations by his sons, who are all bright and industrious young men.

CADWELL, George, M. D., located in Morgan County, at Swinnerton's Point, near the pres- ent site of Lynnville, in 1820. He was the first physician in the county. In a terrible eyclone in April, 1825, his house, the only one in the vicinity covered with shingles, lost one-half of its roof. He was a member of the "Mor- ganian Anti-slavery Society," and took an ac- tive part in preventing Illinois from becom- ing a slave State. The first Circuit Court of Morgan County was held by Judge John Rey- nolds in a log cabin owned by him in April, 1825. He was a Senator from Madison County in the First General Assembly of Illinois in 1818-1820, in the Second General Assembly from Madison County in 1820-1822, and in the Third General Assembly from Greene and Pike Counties, in 1822-1824. (See Hist. Enc. of Ill., page 72.)

Dr. George Cadwell was one of an illustrious trio of early western pioneers, two of whom- Messinger and Cadwell-had such a prominent part in the legislative history of Illinois, that the following account of them given in the "Pioneer History of Illinois," by Governor John Reynolds, is worthy of reproduction here as furnishing a fuller record of the Morgan County member of this group:

"In the year 1799, sailed down the Ohio River Matthew Lyon and family, with John Messin- ger and Dr. George Cadwell, and their respect- ive families. The last two named were the sons-in-law of Lyon, and all settled in Ken. tucky, at Eddyville. Matthew Lyon had ob- tained a considerable celebrity as a member of Congress, from the State of Vermont. He was a native of Ireland, had been in the Revolu- tion, and was a warm advocate of Thomas Jef- ferson and Republicanism, against John Ad- ams and Federalism. He possessed some tal- ents, and much ardor and enthusiasm. While he was in Congress he had a difficulty with a member of the Federal party, and spit in his face. He was up before Congress for contempt ; but speeches were the only result. He was

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

extremely bitter against the administration of Adams, and was fined and imprisoned under the alien and sedition laws. While he was in prison, in the State of Vermont, his friends elected him to. Congress, and took him out of confinement to serve them in the Congress of the United States.

"He represented his district in Congress from Kentucky for several terms; and was always, during a long and important life, an excessively warm and enthusiastic partisan in politics. He was at last appointed an Indian Agent for the Southern Indians, and died there at an ad- vanced age. Long after his death Congress paid back to his heirs the fine he paid with interest. It was considered by Congress that the fine was paid under a 'void law,' and that it was due to principle, as well as to his de- scendants, to refund the amount paid and in- terest. I voted, in Congress, to refund the fine and interest to his heirs.

"Matthew Lyon was a droll composition. His leading trait of character was his zeal and en- thusiasm, almost to madness itself, in any cause he espoused. He never seemed to act cool and deliberate, but always in a tumult and bustle, as if he were in a house on fire, and was hurrying to get out. His Irish impulses were honest, and always on the side of human free- dom. This covers his excessive zeal.

"Messinger and Dr. Cadwell left Eddyville in the year 1802, and landed from a boat in the American Bottom, not far above old Fort Chartres. They remained in the Bottom for some time, and Dr. Cadwell moved and settled on the Illinois bank of the Mississippi opposite the Gaborit Island, and above St. Louis. He was quite a respectable citizen, practiced his profession, and served the people in various offices. He was Justice of the Peace, and County Court Judge for many years in both St. Clair, and in Madison, also, after its for- mation.

"Since the establishment of the State Gov ernment he served in the General Assembly from both Madison and Greene Counties, at different times, and always acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the public. After a long life spent in usefulness, he died in Morgan County, quite an old man. He was moral and correct in his public and private life, and left a character much more to be admired than condemned-was a respectable physician and always sustained an unblemished character.

"John Messinger was born in West Stock- bridge, Mass., in the year 1771; and was raised a farmer. He was, in his youth, educated both to work and in the ordinary learning derived from books at school. This system of farmers teaching their children the science and prac- tice of agriculture, as well as science from books, deserves particular consideration, and this mixture of education seems to me to be the best that a young American can receive. Messinger, when he had advanced some years in age in his agricultural pursuits, commenced the study of mathematics with William Coit, who resided in the neighborhood of his father. In 1783 he left Massachusetts and settled in Ver- mont, and learned not only the art of farming, but also, in his early life became acquainted with the business of a carpenter or house- builder, and the trade also of a mill-wright. He possessed a strong and vigorous intellect; and his mind, by either nature or education, or by both, became quite solid and mathemat- ical. He possessed also a great share of energy and activity; so that it was not a difficult task for him to acquire these different mechanical trades, as well as to become deeply versed in mathematical science. In maturer age his whole delight and pleasure was found in the science of mathematics, and the various prac- tical branches arising out of that science. His whole life seemed to be tinctured with mathe- matics; and, I believe, for many years he was the most profound mathematician and best land surveyor in Illinois.

"John Messinger, by the force of his genius and energies, became an excellent English scholar, and was always pleased to have an op- portunity to instruct any of his neighbors or friends that would call on him for that object. He taught the science of surveying to a great many young men, and has also taught many grown people, males and females, the common rudiments of education, even after they were married. He reached Illinois in 1802, when there was scarcely a school in the county, and it was honorable to both him and his students, for one to give, and the other to receive, an education, if it were after the parties were married.

"Messinger was not large in person, but com- pactly built-hardy, and very energetic. Witli the talents he possessed, and his activity, be was extremely useful, not only in teaching the art of surveying to others, but in the practical

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operations of surveying himself. He was the first person, or amongst the first surveyors, that, in the year 1806, surveyed the United States lands in townships, in this section of the State. He surveyed much of the public domain in St. Clair and Randolph Counties.

"He was not only an excellent mathematician, but he wrote and published a book entitled 'A Manual, or Hand-Book, intended for con- venience in Practical Surveying.' This work was printed by William Orr, Esq., in St. Louis in the year 1821, and contains the whole sci- ence of practical surveying, together with the necessary tables to enable the practitioner to calculate the area of land, without any diffi- culty whatever. This book has shown deep re- search by the author, and establishes the fact that he was a profound mathematician. He was Professor of Mathematics in the seminary at Rock Springs, St. Clair County, for some time, and performed the duties of this respon- sible station to the entire satisfaction of the public.

"In 1815, he was appointed Deputy Sur- veyor under the Surveyor-General, Edward Tif- fin, of the State of Ohio, and was authorized to survey the military tract in the forks of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. He surveyed much of this tract, which was approved by the Surveyor-General. He was appointed with a gentleman of Hillsborough, Ill., to survey, on the part of the State of Illinois, the northern limits of the State, in latitude forty-two and one-half degrees north. The Hon. Lucius Lyon, of Michigan, was the Commissioner on the part of the United States, to assist in the survey. Messinger was an efficient and scientific astronomer and mathematician in calculating the latitude, and surveying this line dividing the State of Illinois front Wisconsin. He and Philip Creamer, a celebrated artisan, made surveyors' compasses that were as well calcu- lated, and as well finished in workmanship, as any made in the United States.

"Messinger was never ambitious of public office; yet the public called on him, and he served them, both in the General Assemblies of the Indiana Territory, and the State of Illi- nois. He was elected in 1818, from the county of St. Clair, to the Legislature of Indiana Ter- ritory, and did much towards obtaining a di vision of the Territory. which took place the

next year. lle was elected from St. Clair County, a member of the Convention that met at Kaskaskia, and formed the State Constitu tion, in 1818. He made a cautious and prudent member: always wise, without rashness. In the first General Assembly of the State of Illi- nois, at its organization, in 1818, he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was a member elect from St. Clair County; and made an upright and impartial Speaker. This was an important Legislature, and much business was done during the session.

"He gave his children a common, good edu- cation, and taught almost all of them the art of surveying. He never acquired any great amount of wealth, although he had great op- portunities to acquire property. He had no talent for speculation-was rigidly and scrupu- lously honest, and possessed an ambition to appear plain and unassuming. He seemed to be proud of his want of pride. His morals, and orderly bearing were above reproach, and such as even a clergyman might be proud of. His mind was strong and mathematical, and all its various movements seemed to be in search of some abstruse truth in that science, that de- lighted him so much. He died on his planta- tion in the year 1846, aged seventy five years. At his death he had no enemies, but truly all friends, that mourned his decease. He had not the time or disposition to attend to his farm. He seemed resigned to leave this 'vale of tears," with the hopes of being with his God, to enjoy a happy immortality."

CALDWELL, Leander Acres, a prosperous farm- er residing in the village of Franklin, Ill., was born one and a half miles southeast of that place, on June 27, 1850, the son of John C. and Louisa (Rogers) Caldwell, both natives of Ken- tucky, who settled in Morgan County in 1826. At that time John C. came here with an older brother, William, and later became a farmer and tanner. His shop was located on the farm where Leander A. was born, and probably at that time he was the only tanner in the county. His leather was eagerly sought, for the manu- facture of shoes, harness and other purposes. In 1827 he was married to Louisa Rogers, daughter of a Baptist minister, who preached the first sermon under the auspices of that de- nomination In the county. He built himself a

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 154

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286