USA > Illinois > Warren County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Warren County, Volume II > Part 84
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with such success that he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good land in Section 13, Sumner Township. He affiliates with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in township affairs, has been elected tax collector of Spring Grove Township and has also served as school director. He was married February 14, 1874, in Sumner Town- ship, to Martha E. Reynolds, a native of Hen- derson County, born May 18, 1840. Mrs. Wiley is a daughter of Thomas and Eleanor B. (McClahan) Reynolds, from North Carolina, who, with John Reynolds, brother of Thomas, settled in Henderson County in 1836. After farming there for some time they removed to Sumner Township where Thomas Reynolds farmed in Section 24 until the end of his life. He was born October 15, 1782, and died June 12, 1869; his wife, born March 10, 1803, died March 5, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have had three children: Nettie May, who died in 1900, and Thomas W. and Myrtle E. Nettie May was the wife of George Seaton, and Myrtle E. is Mrs. James Clark. Mr. Wiley has many interesting recollections of early days in Warren County, and of scenes in the Civil war; but it is doubt- ful if any is impressed upon his mind more vividly than that of the historic charge at Resaca, where he received the wound of which mention has been made.
CHAPTER LII.
SWAN TOWNSHIP.
(Township No. 8 North, Range 2 West. )
Swan Township is in the southern tier of townships in Warren County, lying south of Roseville Township, and between Greenbush and Point Pleasant. The land is generally roll- ing, except in the northeastern part near the confluence of the Nigger and Swan creeks. There are some fine bodies of timber along these streams. It is a fine farming country, and the farmers are generally prosperous and independent. The St. Louis division of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railway enters. the township on the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 6, and passes nearly south to Swan Creek on Sections 19 and 20, thence east to Youngs-
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
town at the corner of Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, then southeast and out of the township and county at the southeast corner of Section 35. The stations mentioned, Swan Creek and Youngstown, are the only towns in the town- ship, and neither one is incorporated.
The election for the organization of the town- ship was held April 4, 1854, and resulted in the election of Absalom Vandeveer as Super- visor; A. B. Sisson, clerk; W. G. Bond, asses- sor and collector. The present officers are: D. A. Stice, Supervisor; H. B. Roberts, Clerk; J. A. Davis, Sr., Assessor; Pearly Acton, Col- lector; E. H. Soule, B. F. Watt and J. W. Cog- hill, Highway Commissioners; E. M. Babbitt, and M. B. Roberts, Justices of the Peace; Hen- ry Sands and George Lofftus, Constables. Those who have held the office of Supervisor in this township are: Absalom Vandeveer, 1854-57; Hezekiah Simmons, 1858; Wm. G. Bond, 1859- 62; A. Vandeveer, 1863-64; R. A. Mckinley, 1865; A. Vandeveer, 1866-70; Jacob Miler, 1871- 72; G. W. Beckner, 1873; A. Vandeveer, 1874; G. W. Beckner, 1875-77; J. P. Higgins, 1878-81; A. Vandeveer, 1882; A. A. Cornell, 1883-88; David A. Stice, 1889-92; Clarence A. Cayton, 1893-96; D. A. Stice, 1897-1903.
Probably the first settlers in Swan Township were Peter Scott, Daniel R. Perkins and Elijah Hanen. They came in 1832 and 1833, Mr. Scott locating on Section 18, and the others on Sec- tion 1, in the northeast corner of the town- ship. Mr. Scott was the first postmaster in the township, the office being at the northeast cor- ner of Section 18. He was commissioned in 1837, and continued in charge until his re- moval to Oregon, when he was succeeded by Joseph Ratekin. Mr. Scott was the father of Mrs. Asahel B. Sisson, who still resides in the township with her son-in-law, A. A. Cornell, at the age of about ninety-three years. Soon after them, if not earlier, came William Garret and James Sutton, who took homes along the west line of the township. Mrs. Lively Cayton, widow of Abel Cayton, came in 1834, with her five children, and one of them, Andrew J., still lives on the old place on Section 11. She was a native of Kentucky, but came here from Mor- gan County, Ill., where she had lived one year. Abijah Roberts, an Ohioan, came the same year, and located on Section 12. His wife was said to have been the first white child born in Morgan County, Ill., from which place they came here. Mr. Roberts died of the chol-
era in June, 1851. In the spring of 1835 Jos- eph Ratekin, a native of Kentucky, came from Morgan County and settled on Section 19, dy- ing at the old home in 1867. His son Joseph S. still occupies the old place. The same year came James Tucker from Washington County, Penn., locating on Section 4. Some time later he removed to Roseville. He was a County Commissioner, Justice of the Peace and also served as a member of the legislature for the term 1846-48. The year 1836 saw a number of new families in the township. Rev. Charles Vandeveer, with his wife and five children, John, William, Absalom, Cynthia and Maria, came and made their home on Section 2. He was a native of North Carolina, but had resided a while in Kentucky, and later in Sangamon County, Ill. He was a Baptist clergyman for over thirty years. His death occurred in 1854. James Kelsey came with the Vandeveers, his wife being a daughter of the minister. He was a native of Kentucky, but had resided a short time in Sangamon County. The same year came John Jared and family from Morgan County. He was a Virginian, but had resided in Kentucky before coming to Illinois. He set- tled on Section 5, and had a large family of children, some of whom still reside in the south part of the county. Thomas Adkison also caine from Kentucky in 1836. In 1837 Joseph Sis- son, a native of Rhode Island, came from New York state. with his family, locating on Sec- tion 20. His son, A. B., nad come the previous year and located on Section 29. Richard Orr, William Talley and Reece Perkins came in about the same time, settling on Sections 1 and 18. Larnard Kidder, a native of Connecti- cut, and of Puritan ancestry, came from Ohio in 1837, and located on Section 28, a little south of the present site of Youngstown. He was the father of Almon Kidder, ot Monmouth, and W. O., B. H. and Nathaniel Kidder, of Swan Township. Others of the early settlers were: Ezekiel Chambers, north of Youngstown on Section 22; Hezekiah Simmons, who came all the way from Massachusetts in a one-horse wagon in 1838, and settled on Section 28; John Byrd, who as early as 1836 lived on Section 27, and later sold to R. R. Mckinley; Moses T. Hand, on Section 36; John Childs Perry, father oť W. A. Perry, on the township line west of Swan Creek; E. M. Wellman, on Section 26; Mr. Mead on Section 35; and Mr. Curtley on Section 22.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The first school in the township is said to have been taught by a Mr. Hendricks, in the spring of 1833. It was held in a log cabin, with no floor, and only loop-holes for windows. Asa- hel B. Sisson taught the second school in a log school house on Section 17 in the winter of 1837-38. The latest report of the County Super- intendent shows that there are now in the township nine school districts. each with a frame school house; three male teachers re- ceiving wages ranging from $35 to $55; and six female teachers receiving from $25 to $35; 120 males of school age, of whom 90 are en- rolled in the schools, and 118 females of school age, of whom 91 are enrolled. There are three school libraries, with 180 books, valued at $100; the tax levy for schools is $2,500; the value of School property is $4,550, and the value of school apparatus is $150.
The assessment rolls for 1901 show 833 horses, 1,778 cattle, 31 mules and asses, 685 sheep and 2,237 hogs in the township. The total value of personal property is $256,425, and the assessed valuation is $51,285. The assessed value of lands is $243,675, and of lots $5,400.
On May 22, 1873, the township was visited by a fierce tornado, which left ruin and deso- lation in its track. A number of buildings were demolished, and George Vandeveer was killed, and Mrs. Charles Perry so severely in- jured that she died a few days later, and sev- eral other persons received more or less severe injuries. Among those who lost property were William Huston, J. Worden, William Jared, John Booten, N. J. Reynolds, A. J. Cayton, William Jones, Absalom Vandeveer, Burrus Reed, A. Brinkmeyer, William Thomas, and others. The storm started in the northwest corner of the township and passed off east into Greenbush township, where it also did some damage. Its path was about eighty rods wide.
The population of Swan Township in 1900 was 1,003, a loss of fifteen from the census of 1890.
YOUNGSTOWN.
Youngstown is one mile south of the center of the township, at the corners of Sections 21, 22 and 27. The land was owned by W. O. Kidder and others, and the survey of the town was made by T. S. McClanahan, deputy county surveyor, September 1 and 2, 1870. The original town contained a public square and five blocks. Mckinley's addition of three blocks was laid
out later on the southeast corner of Section 28, adjoining the southwest corner of the pub- lic square of the original plat.
H. V. Simmons opened the first store in Youngstown. The building was destroyed by fire several years ago. The first house in the village was built by Adam Futhey, who drifted in with the railroad. It was made of scrap pieces of lumber, and still stands in the rear of the residence of H. P. McQueen, near the town hall. There are now two general stores. in the town, a blacksmithing shop, two churches, and a grain elevator.
The Youngstown Baptist church is an off- shoot of the New Hope church which was es- tablished in 1836. The church was organized at the Sisson school house with nine charter members: Mary A. Worden, Albert Worden, B. F. Worden, Julia Worden, William Stice, Eme- line Stice, Mrs. H. M. Soule, Carrie Soule, Mrs. G. M. Hammond. The society removed to Youngstown in 1862, and the first house of wor- ship was built in 1874. It burned April 13, 1894, but was rebuilt the same year. The church has about twenty members, and is now without a pastor.
The Christian church of Youngstown was or- ganized January 6, 1890, by Rev. W. H. Bybee, of Cuba, Ill., with thirty-seven charter mem- bers, as follows: C. S. Arnold, John Bowman, elders; Geo. L. Beckner, Nathan Kidder, dea- cons; R. O. Carlock, clerk; A. J. Cayton, treas- urer; Lydia Beckner, Clara Booten, Addie White, Wm. McBride, Rose Lodwick, Sarah Baker, Elizabeth Hickman, Thomas Wilson, Ruby L. Cayton, Henry Beckner, Laura White, Minnie Beckner, Arvie Cayton, Matilda Shoop, Nellie Record, James White, Miranda Shores, Olive Higgins, C. H. Ballman, Susan Romine, Alice Morton, Susan Johnston, Anna Bowman, Vic- toria Jared, John W. Booten, Robinson Wilson, Elizabeth Smith, Mattie A. Kidder, M. T. Tra- vis, Thomas Bair, Nancy K. Bair. The pastors of the church have been: W. H. Bybee, 1890; -. -. Ingram, 1891-92; Paul Castle, 1893; J. D. Dillard, 1894; Paul Castle, 1895; M. D. Sharp- less, 1896; J. W. Knight, 1897-98; C. G. Blakes- lee, 1899-1900; and George Chandler, the pres- ent pastor. The church has had a steady growth since its foundation. There have been several special meetings, including one by M. Jones, of Arrowsmith, with 62 additions, and one by Geo. Duvol with 15 additions. The pres- ent membership is 117. The house of worship
1018
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
was erected during the summer of 1894 at a cost of $2,250, and dedicated on August 12 of that year.
Youngstown Lodge No. 813, I. O. O. F., was organized November 22, 1894, with C. A. Cay- ton, J. W. Bond, J. T. Westlake, H. V. Sim- mons, B. F. Watt, Thomas Wearmarth, P. B. Smalley, B. H. Ferris and T. B. Shawler as charter members. The first officers were: C. A. Cayton, Noble Grand; B. F. Watt, Vice Grand; J. W. Bond, Secretary; E. H. Soule, Financial Secretary; H. V. Simmons, Treasur- er. The present number of members is thirty- one. The officers are J. G. Lee, Noble Grand; A M. Shoop, Vice Grand; James Watt, Secre- tary; B. F. Watt, Treasurer.
Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 435, I. O. O. F., was instituted February 14, 1896, with eighteen charter members, as follows: Maggie A. Watt, Arminda C. Watt, Ollie Westlake, Belle Watt, Kate C. Bond, Tillie Shoop, Mary Howe, Re- bekah Simmons, Mary Davis, Arvie Cayton, Fannie Johnson, James Watt, B. F. Watt, J. T. Westlake, Lewis Watt, E. H. Soule, and Wm. P. Watt. The officers were: Rebekah Sim- mons, Noble Grand; Arvie Cayton, Vice Grand; Fannie Johnson, Recording Secretary; Belle Watt, Financial Secretary; Mary Davis, Treas- urer. The present membership is sixteen, and the officers are: Sena Watt, Noble Grand; Ettie Arnold, Vice Grand; Wm. P. Watt, Secre tary; Maggie A. Watt, Treasurer.
SWAN CREEK.
Swan Creek is situated on the west side of Section 20 and the east side of Section 19. It was laid out April 16, 1871, by John A. Gordon and J. B. Mccullough, on land owned by James Tucker, Joseph S. Ratekin and Geo. W. Wor- den. Seventeen blocks were platted and Rate- kin's addition of two blocks was laid out later, on the north of the original plat. As soon as the railroad was completed in 1870, steps were taken to establish a station at Swan Creek, but the railroad company would not build a switch or erect the necessary buildings, because a station had already been established at Youngs- town. Finally the promise was given that a station would be established if the residents would raise $1,000, and this was done through the efforts of Mr. Worden, who had been carry-
ing on a store there opposite his residence for several years. Swan Creek now has a bank, four stores, two blacksmith shops, a hotel, a harness shop, a barber shop and a lumber yard.
The Swan Creek postoffice was established in 1837, on the northwest quarter of Section 18, about two miles northwest of the present village, with Peter Scott as postmaster. He was succeeded by Joseph Ratekin, who was followed by Jonathan Ratekin, and he by Geo. W. Worden, who kept the office a little west of where the village now is. The remaining postmasters, in their order, are: D. A. Burr, John Tucker, J. H. Lippy, M. B. Roberts, E. Bliss, D. R. Warren and J. H. Lippy, who is now in charge of the office.
The Methodist church of Swan Creek was or- ganized in 1872, by Rev. C. B. Couch. The charter members were five in number, viz: A. A. Cornell, A. J. Sisson, Burrell Booth, Ann E. Philips, and May Sison. The present mem- bership is about thirty, and the minister is Rev. Ira E. Moats, of Hedding College, Abing- don. The society has a neat little house of wor- ship, erected in 1874 at a cost of about $1,500.
The Universalist church was organized Aug- ust 18, 1878; by Rev. T. H. Tabor, with the fol- lowing charter members: H. V. Simmons, Rebecca A. Simmons, Mary A. Kidder, William Sprague, E. T. Bliss, Sarah Bliss, Hattie Bliss, Zoa Higgins, Dr. Bailey Ragan, G. W. Ewing, Mary F. Ewing, Jennie L. Worden, Ida B. Tucker and Maggie Mckinley. The church dwindled down and was reorganized by Rev. J. B. Grundy February 9, 1895, with twenty-three members. The present mem- bership is thirty-six. The society has no regular minister at present, and no preaching cervice or Sunday school is now held. A Young People's Christian Union was organized in 1895, of which Mrs. Carrie Roberts is president, and Mrs. Grace Perry secretary.
A union. Sunday school has been maintained for a number of years, meeting regularly in the hall. Mrs. A. J. Ratekin is the present superintendent; Mrs. Allie Sands, assistant superintendent; Dale Ratekin, secretary; and Mrs. Grace Perry, treasurer. The average at- tendance of this school is about thirty-five.
Christian Science has about twenty-five fol- lowers in Swan Creek. They meet regularly at the residence of B. F. Jared. Mrs. Grace Perry is the leader.
The Swan Creek bank is a private institution
1019
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
organized October 17, 1900. It has a capital of $13,000. A. A. Cornell is president; D. A. Stice, vice president; and J. W. Lance, cashier. The bank occupies a convenient and well equipped brick building.
The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized September 13, 1879, by Mrs. Emma W. Kirkpatrick, of Monmouth, repre- senting the Tenth District organization. There were thirty-three members. The first officers were President, Mrs. G. W. Stice; vice presi- dents, Mrs. J. J. Worden, Mrs. E. T. Bliss, Mrs. Mell Crab, and Mrs. E. G. Hughen; secretary, Mrs. A. J. Ratekin; treasurer, Mrs. Cornelia Booth. The present membership of the Union is eighteen, and the officers are: Mrs. M. B. Roberts, president; Mrs. Sarah Bliss, vice president; Mrs. Allie Sands, secretary; and Mrs. Effie Grimsley, treasurer.
Fraternity Lodge No. 203, I. O. O. F., was instituted November 19, 1885, with six charter members, viz: J. S. Ratekin, D. R. Warren, R. D. Bradley, S. C. Watt, Frank Jared and B. A. Griffith. Mr. Warren was Noble Grand, Mr. Jared Vice Grand, Mr. Bradley Secretary and Mr. Ratekin Treasurer. The present officers are: L. R. Stanley, N. G .; Claude Jared, V. G .; E. R. Bradley, Secretary; C. L. Grimsley, Treas- urer. The membership is forty-eight.
Rebekah Degree Lodge No. 446, of Swan Creek, was instituted April 19, 1902. There were twenty-four members, and the officers elected at that time and still serving are: Beu- lah Birdsall, Noble Grand; Mrs. B. A. Griffitlı, Vice Grand; Lorena Simmons, Secretary; Mrs. Ella Jared, Treasurer; Eva Ratekin, Warden; Grace Birdsall, Conductor; Perl Acton, Out- side Guard; Daniel Warren, Inside Guard; Mrs. M. B. Roberts, R. S. N. G .; Dr. B. A. Griffith, L. S. N. G .; Mrs. C. L. Grimsley, R. S. V. G .; Mrs. D. R. Warren, L. S. V. G .; Mrs. Emma Acton, chaplain. The other charter members are Mary Simmons, A. L. Simmons, Jos. S. Ratekin, C. H. Jared, Mrs. Alma Beebee, C. L. Grimsley, Sarah A. Simpson, C Birdsall, F. M. Aten, Harry H. Simmons, A. M. Roberts.
Camp No. 2818, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, was organized at Swan Creek June 20, 1895, with eighteen members, and now has a membership of seventy-two. The first officers were: B. L. Birdsall, Venerable Consul; A. F. Roberts, Clerk; Ira Booth, Worthy Advisor; C. L. Grimsley, Banker. The present officers are: Carl Brown, Venerable Consul; H. B.
Roberts, Clerk; A. L. Simmons, Worthy Ad- visor; B. F. Jared, Banker.
D. J. Tucker Post No. 407, G. A. R., was or- ganized February 9, 1884, with fourteen mem- bers. It has been disbanded for a number of years.
Gen. Post Camp, Sons of Veterans, was or- ganized in March, 1887, with twenty members. J. W. Booton was captain, Samuel Watts and Wm. Cooper, lieutenants, and P. H. Lippy, sergeant. The camp does not now exist.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ANDERSON, JOHN H., a wealthy and provident Swedish farmer of Swan Town- ship, Warren County, whose industry and thrift have made him in every way pros- perous and fore-handed, is a worthy rep- resentative of his countrymen in America, thoughtful and progressive, broad-minded and closely linked with the moral forces of the community. He was born in Sweden, October 20, 1850, a son of Anda and Gunhilda (Anderson) Anderson, both born in Sweden, where the father died. The mother died in Stanton, Iowa. John H. Anderson was edu- cated in the schools of his native coun- try, and remained at the home of his parents until manhood, coming to the United States in 1876. He entered this country by way of the city of New York, coming thence direct to Monmouth, Ill. After a time he bought a farm of 200 acres in Section 31, Swan Township, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation, and which attests his industry and good judgment. He is a member of the Meth- odist church; and a Republican in his political views. Mr. Anderson was married at Mon- mouth, October 25, 1883, to Charlotte Johnson. Of this marriage have been born the following children : Allful, Robert, George, Dale and Arthur-the last of whom died at the age of nine months. Mrs. Charlotte Anderson was born in Sweden in 1851. Her father, John Johnson, came to this country at an early date, and had his home in Swan Township, where he died. Her mother died in the home of Mr. Anderson, and was killed by being struck by the limb of a falling tree. Mr. Anderson has been School Director, and is Pathmaster of the town. He is highly thought of in the commun- ity. There is an adopted son in his family, Gus Peterson.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
BECKNER, GEORGE L., whose ambitious spirit and successful career well entitle him to honorable mention in any book devoted to the career of those who have accomplished results in Warren County, and not simply planned and schemed, was born in McDonough County, Ill., February 25, 1865, a son of George W. and De- borah (VanKirk) Beckner. Both parents were natives of Kentucky, his father having been born in Bath County, in that State, in 1825, and died February 21, 1900. The latter was a son of A. L. and Elizabeth (Kinkaid) Beckner. The father of G. W. Beckner was born in Clem- ents County, Ky., in 1805, and died in Missouri in 1854; the mother was born in Kentucky in 1806, and died in 1853. Deborah VanKirk, not- ed above, was the daughter of Matthias Van- Kirk, born in Kentucky in 1796, and died in 1846, and Elizabeth Wilson, who was born in 1802, and died in 1882. George W. Beckner came from Kentucky in 1851, and made his home in Youngstown, Warren County, where for a time he was employed at farm work by the month. At a later period he purchased a farm in Section 32, Swan Township, becoming a leading character in the town, where he serv- ed three years as Supervisor, fifteen years as Justice of the Peace, and the same period as Assessor. He was School Director eighteen years, and owned at the time of his death 240 acres of land. The mother is still living on the old homestead. George L. Beckner, whose name introduces this article, having acquired a good education at home and in Chicago, took up civil engineering, and was employed by the Rock Island Railway in Kansas, Col- orado and Nebraska. On account of the death of his brother he resigned his position and came home to take charge of the farm, in the cultivation of which he is still engaged, in both general farming and stock-raising. For four years he was Justice of the Peace, and School Trustee for three years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Roseville, and the Odd Fellows at Youngstown; is also a member and elder of the Christian church at Youngs- town. In his political proclivities he is a Democrat. Mr. Beckner was married in Clay County, Kan., September 12, 1888, to Minnie Hawes, a native of that county, born Septem- ber 10, 1871, by whom he has had four child- ren: George B .; Mary R .; Loren L .; and Sam- uel Miles. Mrs. Beckner is a daughter of Sam- uel M. and Mary (Pinkerton) Hawes, the fath-
er born in Tennessee, and the mother in Mis. souri. They removed to Kansas in 1866, where the father is still engaged in farming and stock-raising.
CORNELL, AUSTIN ALMY, retired farmer, of Swan Creek, Ill., where his long and useful career commands unstinted respect and es- teem, was born in Berne Township, Albany County, N. Y., March 4, 1836, a son of Almon J. and Nancy (Almy) Cornell. His father was also born in Berne Township in 1811, and his mother in Rensselaerville, in 1809. They were married December 12, 1832. Almon J. Cornell was a son of Abram and Lida (Jones) Cornell, who were born in Massachusetts, and Schoharie County, New York, respectively, and a grandson of Peleg Cornell, who was born in Massachusetts in 1757. Nancy Almy, the mother of Austin A., was the daughter of Christo- pher and Rhoda (Thomas) Almy, both natives of Rhode Island. Christopher Almy was the son of John and Sarah (Sherman) Almy. His father died at the beginning of the Revolution- ary War, and his mother at its close. Austin A. Cornell had his education in New York, where he was one of a family of three children: his brother, Chauncey R., being born September 16, 1833, and his sister, Mary, September 13, 1839. His father died April 15, 1901, and his mother July 15, 1901, at the old homestead at Middleburgh, Schoharie County, N. Y. The senior Cornell was a man of note in his com- munity, a prominent farmer, and a Justice. In 1861 he was a member of the New York State Legislature. Austin A. Cornell came from Albany County, N. Y., to Swan Township, War- ren County, in 1857, and for some seven win- ters was engaged in teaching, being employed in farming during the summer. October 16, 1864, he was married to his first wife, Lovina Caroline Sisson, a daughter of Asahel B. and Henrietta (Scott) Sisson. Her father was a native of Rensselaerville, N. Y., born Septem- ber 2, 1813, and died June 27, 1890. Her moth- er, born in Kentucky, October 22, 1819, came to Warren County in 1832, and is still living (1902), the oldest inhabitant of the township. Mrs. Cornell died July 7, 1879, and on June 12, 1901, Mr. Cornell was married at Galesburg, Ill., to Isabella King, daughter of Richard T. and Martha A. (Holden) King, natives of Ten- nessee, who came to Warren County at an early day. Mr. Cornell has followed an active
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