History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 86

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Illinois > Bureau County > History of Bureau County, Illinois > Part 86

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

J. H. MORGAN, Concord, was born in Lackawanna County, Penn., December 28, 1844. He was reared on a farm in his native State, and his principal occupation during life has been that of farming. In 1864 he came to Bureau County, Ill., with his parents and has since resided in Concord Township. Part of the time after coming to the county he worked in the coal mines at Bourbonnais. In 1874 he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness at the same point, and continued until 1877; but most of the time he has followed farming, and now owns a farm of 120 acres. Mr. Morgan's opportunities for an education in early life were very limited, but he takes an active interest in all school matters, and has held various school offices in the district and township. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and has acted as Township Collector, etc. He is an active member of the Baptist Church. He is the son of Enoch and Mar- garet (Bowen) Morgan, both natives of Wales. Mrs. Morgan was born in 1809, and yet sur- vives. Enoch Morgan was born in South Wales in 1804. In 1830, in company with his wife and about twenty others, came to the United States, and settled in Carbondale, Penn., where he resided until 1864, when he came to Bureau County and settled near Buda, where he died November 13, 1882, at the age of seventy-eight years, six months and thirteen days. His occupation was that of a miner, and was one of the pioneers in the mining of hard coal in the northern portion

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of the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania. Mr. Morgan and his partner, David Davis, were the first to take out coal at what is now Scranton, Penn. The first summer that he worked was on the bank of the Lackawanna River, and only by daylight at 75 cents a day. Mr. and Mr. Enoch Morgan were the parents of the following named children who yet survive: William, John, David, Jediah and Jemima. William and David reside in Pennsylvania; John and Jediah in this county, and Mrs. Jemima Morse in Shenan- doah, Iowa. Mrs. Elizabeth Jerman, an- other daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, died in Pennsylvania, but was the mother of one daughter, who is now Mrs. S. M. Aker, of Buda, Ill.

C. M. MORRILL, M. D., Fairfield, was born February 24, 1851, in Randolph, Catta- raugus Co., N. Y. His grandfather, Mastin Morrill, was a native of Vermont. Our sub- ject's parents, Albert and Hannah (Board- man) Morrill, are natives of New York. They reared the following children: Mrs. Cynthia L. Binkley, Charles M., Marion and Willard Morrill. Charles M. Morrill received a com- mon school education in Illinois and Iowa. His preceptors in his chosen profession were his uncle, Dr. J. L. Morrill, and Dr. J. H. Taggart. At the age of seventeen he went into the drug business, and during that time read medicine. He kept a drug store in Yorktown and Tampico, and made many friends in the vicinity of both places. Being desirous of entering the medical fraternity and showing the public his ability as a practi- tioner, he attended medical lectures at Ciu- cinnati, where he graduated January 25, 1876. After receiving his diploma Dr. Mor- rill permanently located in Yorktown, Bureau Co., Ill., in which vicinity he has a lucra- tive practice and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. Dr. Morrill was joined in marriage March 19, 1876, in Tam- pico, Ill., to Miss Mary E. Banes, born June 18, 1856, in Whiteside County, Ill., daughter of Jenks G. and Naomi (Parvis) Banes, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the lat- ter of Maryland. They were formerly resi- dents of Cincinnati, but removed to White- side County, where he at one time cultivated over 1,800 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Dr.

Morrill have one son-Frank G. - born Jan- uary 22, 1880. Politically the Doctor is a Greenbacker, and a Free-thinker in all relig- ious matters.

JOSEPH MORRISON, Princeton, was born in Union Township, Belmont Co., Ohio, August 16, 1806. His father. Arthur Mor- rison, was born April 1, 1770, in Adams County, Penn. ; he died September 3, 1839, in Belmont County, Ohio. He was a tanner and farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject was John Morrison, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but his father was a Scotchman. Mr. Morrison's mother was Grezzella McCormick. She was born in 1776, in Pennsylvania, and died May 16, 1846, in Belmont County, Ohio. She was the mother of fourteen children, of whom ten reached maturity. Of these six are now living: Mrs. Martha Cerr, Samuel, Joseph, Arthur, Mrs. Jane McCormick and Robert. The family is noted for longevity, the average age of three now living being eighty-two years. Our sub- ject received his early education in a log schoolhouse in Belmout County, Ohio, where he afterward followed tanning and merchan- dising. In the spring of 1849, when the news of the discovery of the gold mines of California reached the East, Mr. Morrison, more from a desire of seeing the West than to hunt for gold, joined a party of sixty-five men, and with them crossed the plains with teams and wagons. They were nearly four months in reaching the gold fields. Before leaving the East he formed a stock company with eight men, one of whom died on the plains. The other eight men worked together one year in the gold fields and were success- ful. After the first year a part of them re- organized and worked another year. In the spring of 1851 Mr. Morrison returned to Ohio, where he lived one year, and then came to Bureau County, Ill., settling in Dover Township. He farmed till the spring of 1877, since which he has resided in Prince- ton, where he is living a retired yet by no means idle life, enjoying the fruit of a suc- cessful business career. Mr. Morrison was married March 10, 1831, in Belmont County, Ohio, to Miss Ann J. Thompson, who was born August 22, 1812, in Belmont County, Ohio; died May 22, 1884. She was a daughter of

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Samuel Thompson, a native of Ireland, and a Captain in the war of 1812. Her mother, Ann J. Lundy, was also of Irish extraction. Mrs. Morrison was the mother of eleven chil- dren. Of these two died in infancy, Cyrus died at the age of fourteen, and another son, Hugh A., reached maturity. He was a gal- lant soldier in our late war, fighting till its close, after which he was sent with his reg- iment, the Second Illinois, to Texas, where he stayed till January. 1866, when he came home. About 1870 he entered the service of Gen. Dodge, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and with the General went to Texas, where he was in his employ till his death from lung fever, which occurred November 18, 1874. The names of the living children are: Mrs. Mary Garton, Mrs. Grezzella Honn, Mrs. Frances Butts, Mrs. Sophia Emmerson, Thomas C. (now a farmer in Nebraska), Julius (a farmer in Kansas) and Maggie. Mr. Morrison is an active member of the Presbyterian Church. He is connected with the Repub- lican party. For the last ten years Mr. Mor- rison has traveled considerably, visiting all the States except three, and all .the Territo- ries except three. His two brothers, Samuel and Robert, are residents of California, and to that State he has been twice since he was there digging for gold. At present Mr. Mor- rison is one of the Directors of the Farmers National Bank.

L O. MORSE, Neponset, was born Febru- ary 10, 1840, in Peacham, Caledonia Co., Vt. His father, Thomas Morse, was born 1796, in Peacham, Vt. He was a brick-maker and farmer, and died there in 1872. The grand- father of our subject was Moody Morse, who was a native of Massachusetts, but died in Vermont. The mother of our subject, Cyn- thia (Blanchard) Morse, was born in 1802, in Peacham, Vt. She died there in 1881. She was a daughter of Abel and Elizabeth (East- man) Blanchard. They were natives of Mas- sachusetts and the parents of thirteen chil- dren. Mrs. Cynthia Morse was the mother of five children: Francis A .. Mrs. Mary E. Balcon, Lucius O. (our subject). Abel and William W. Our subject was educated in his native town. In early life he worked at his father's occupation. At the age of nine- teen he went to Fall River, Mass., where he

clerked one and one-half years, and then en- listed April 7, 1861, in the Third Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Infantry, Company G, serving till July, 1864, and was discharged at Burlingtou, Vt. He was promoted to Second Sergeant, and participated in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Days' Fight, Bucketsville, Antietam, Freder- icksburg, Gettysburg, Funkstown, Rappahan- nock Station, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor and Fort Stevens. In October, 1864, he came West to Osceola, Ill., where he taught school two winters and farmed one summer. In May, 1866, he came to Neponset, where he clerked three years, and then went into the clothing business. After two years he engaged in the hardware and farm implement business, and is now conducting that business in partnership with P. M. Childs and S. H. Bennett. He has made an efficient Postmaster for more than fourteen years, and takes a deep interest in all public affairs, being one of the most wide- awake men in town. Politically Mr. Morse is a Republican. He was married August 13, 1867. at North Haverhill, N. H., to Miss Addie Hatch, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Obadiah Hatch. She is the mother of two children: Hazen H. Morse, born December 12, 1869, and Glenn A., who was born January 31, 1876. Mr. Morse is a supporter of the Congregational Church, of which his wife is an active member.

PROF. S. W. MOSES, Princeton, was born March 5, 1842, in Petersburg, N. Y. He is a son of Hiram Moses, a nativo of Norfolk, Conn., where he was born September 15. 1800, and yet resides. He is a physician and has followed his profession for fifty-five years. His father was Thomas Moses, a farmer. His parents or the great-grandparents of our sub- ject came to the United States from England. The mother of Prof. Moses was Abalina (Worthington) Moses. She was born in New York and died in Petersburg. She was the mother of five children, viz .: Hiram, who is a physician, Thomas, Charles, Albert, and Solan W., our subject, who received his pri- mary education in Petersburg and Fort Ed- ward. It soon became evident the musical scales had more attraction for him than the mysteries of science. Therefore at an early

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date he studied music in Troy, N. Y., and Boston, Mass. In the fall of 1861 he enlist- ed in the Music Corps of the Second Regi- ment of New York Volunteers, and was after- ward transferred to the Tenth Regiment, serving about one year. After the war he de- voted himself to his chosen profession and taught music, making harmony, thorough base, violin and piano a specialty. He is an ex- cellent violinist, and has played before large and select audiences in Boston, Chicago, and New York, and a number of other cities. In 1866 he came West and for three years taught in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. After this he taught four years in Dixon, Ill. For the last six years he has been teaching in Princeton, Illinois, and here opened a music

store. Prof. Moses' ability as an instructor is well known and he may well be satisfied with his success. He was married Jauuary 1, 1862, in Petersburg, N. Y., to Miss Mary E. Hovey, a native of Petersburg. Her par- ents were Moses and Cornelia (Hakes) Hovey. She is the mother of two children, viz .: Cor- nelia A., born April 7, 1864, and Mattie M .. born April 30, 1867. Prof. Moses is a mem- ber of the A. F & A. M. fraternity, and in politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAM N. MOSELEY, deceased, was born in Rensselaer County. N. Y., April 11, 1822. In 1831 he came to this county with his father, Roland Moseley (see general history). They were among the number who came here before the Indian troubles, and during the Black Hawk war the family fled across the river to the fort, having first buried their goods. W. N. Moseley spent most of his life in this county, following farming as an occupation. He was married in Princeton, III., December 16, 1860, to Miss Sarah A. Ross, a native of New York. Her father, Charles Ross, was of Scotch de scent. He moved with his family from New York to Canada, and thence to Putuam County, Ill., in about 1838, and there died. To Mr. and Mrs. Moseley five children were born, viz .: Fannie, William, Frederick, Asa B. and Roland F. Mr. Moseley died May 6, 1872. He was a practical, thorough-going business man, and through his energy and close attention to business made a financial success of life, and left a good property, but.

more than all, an untarnished name. His education was such as could be obtained in the schools of the frontier, but he was a great reader of the news of the day, and gained much practical knowledge, and was well versed in current history. Mr. Moseley never entered into political life, but was an adher- ent of the Democratic party.

D. E. MUNGER, Princeton. was born in Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 31, 1845. He is the son of William H. and Emily A. (Bushnell) Munger, both natives of Connecti- cut. The father was born in 1803, and died in Verona, N. Y., October 17, 1854. His occupation was that of the proprietor of a hotel. and his family was born and reared in the hotel in Verona. The mother was born Oc- tober, 1807. In the fall of 1855 she came to Morris, Grundy Co., III., and settled on a farm. She is now a resident of Bridgeport, N. Y. She is the mother of seven sons, four of whom responded to their country's call and enlisted in the army. One, George B., in the Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infant- ry, was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, and afterward discharged. Three of the brothers, D. E., William H., and H. G., enlisted August 22, 1862. in Company C, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, un- der Capt. afterward Col. C. C. Jones. Mr. D. E. Munger was but sixteen years of age at the time of enlistment, being the youngest in the regiment. Their regiment was in the Army of the Tennessee, Second Brigade, Fourth Division of Seventeenth Army Corps. They participated in seventeen different engage- ments among which were the siege of Vicks- burg, Champion Hills, Jackson, Mississippi, and Spanish Fort. They were mustered out of the service at Galveston, Tex .. but did not receive their pay till August 22, 1865, after arriving at Chicago. Soon after return- ing from the service, H. G. Munger died of disease contracted while in the army. Of the Munger brothers now living, all are en- gaged in the hotel business. G. B. and E. M. are proprietors of the Matteson House, Chi- cago; W. H. is in the Gault House, Ster- ling, Ill .; D. A. is in the Phoenix House, of Pontiac. III., and D. E. is proprietor of the American House, Princeton, Ill. After re- turning from the army Mr. D. E. Munger

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engaged in the hotel business at Leland, Ill., and such has been his occupation since, with the exception of seven years when he was in the drug business at Newark, Kendall Co., Ill., and Pontiac. While at the latter place he suffered a heavy loss from fire, as his store was burned. Besides having been in the hotel business at Leland, he has also been in the same business in Wyauet, Ill., and in Princeton, and since 1879 has been proprie- tor of the American House. While at Leland Mr. Munger formed the acquaintance of Miss Angie M. McClure, to whom he was married at Earl, Ill., December 22, 1866. She was born in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Penn., March 27, 1844. Her parents, John and Rebecca (Wier) McClure, were natives of Pennsylva- nia. The father's occupation was that of a merchant during most of his life, and a short time before his death, which occurred in 1854, his business had been consumed by fire. The following year, 1855, his widow and family removed to Earl, LaSalle Co., Ill., where she yet resides. Of the family of seven, only four now survive, viz .: T. D. McClure, of Chicago, Mrs. James Mekeel, of Ottawa, Ill., Mrs. D. E. Munger, and Mrs. Allie Wade, of Cannon River Falls, Minn. Mrs. Munger is the mother of two daughters, viz. : Maud May, born March 24, 1869, and Georgie E., born July 18, 1878. Mr. Munger is a member of the Princeton Masonic Lodge and of Ferris Post, 309, G. A. R., of Princeton. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

HOWARD W. MUNSON, Hall, was born September 10, 1820, in Jefferson County, Ind. His father, Alanson Munson, was a native of New York, and died in Bureau County, Ill., December 16, 1865, at the age of sixty-six years, two months and eighteen days. He was a son of Hiram and Rhoda (Peas) Munson, natives of New England, and the parents of five sons. Alanson Mun- son married Rosanna Sage, a native of Ken- tucky, who died in this county September 12, 1854, at the age of fifty-five years and seven months. She was the mother of three boys and two girls, viz .: Howard W. and Lucinda (deceased), twins, Mrs. Matilda Miller, Caleb, of Nebraska, and William, of Nebraska.

Alanson Munson came to LaSalle County, Ill., in about 1837, and was located on In- dian Creek, where the massacre occurred. In 1840 he came to Hall Township, Bureau County, where he died. Howard W. Mun- son came to LaSalle County, and for some time was on Indian Creek helping his uncle, William Munson, whose wife, Rachel Hall, was taken prisoner by the Indians. Mr. Munson now resides on the old homestead, for which his father traded his farm on In- dian Creek, and which was entered by Edward H. Hall. Our subject now owns 365 acres of land. He was married in this county October 23, 1844, to Eliza J. Seaton, born January 12, 1826, in Oldham County, Ky., a daughter of James and Nancy ( Wilhoit) Sea- ton. (See sketch of Seaton family.) Mr. and Mrs. Munson are the parents of five chil- dren, viz. : Plencina, born August 19, 1846, drowned July 4, 1862; Mrs. Augusta Swan, Mrs. Loretta Brookie, William H. and James A., all in this county. In politics Mr. Mun- son is a Democrat.

L. B. MUZZY, Berlin. Thomas N. Muzzy, father of the above named gentle- man, was born in Worcester County, Mass., March 16, 1789. He was a musician in the war of 1812, and his son now possesses the clarionet on which he played. In 1814 he settled in Guernsey County, Ohio, taking up Government land, and lived there until his death, in March, 1883. He named the town- ship Spencer, after his old township in Mas- sachusetts. For many years his business was that of farming, but in after life he was also interested in railroads in Eastern Ohio, and was one of the well known men of Guernsey County. He was married in Mas- sachusetts a short time before he moved to Ohio, to Lorinda Bacon. She was born in Worcester County, Mass., March 8, 1791, and is still living. Both families are noted for their longevity. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. Two died in infancy, and one while in the army. Three of their sons were en- gaged in the civil war. L. B. Muzzy was the youngest of the family, and was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 23, 1833. He was reared on a farm until nineteen years of age, when he attended school in Cambridge,

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Ohio, for two years, and afterward engaged in teaching. In 1855 he came to Bureau County, and gave his attention to teaching and farming. September 9, 1857, he was married in Dover to Maria B. Wood, born in Saratoga County, N. Y., March 31, 1839. Her parents were also natives of Saratoga Connty. Her father, Lewis Wood, was born June 11, 1805, and her mother, Electa (Clark) Wood, February 12, 1801. They came from New York to Downer's Grove, Ill., and in 1855 to Dover, where be died May 1, 1864. His wife is still living. They had eight children, six of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Muzzy have four children, viz. : Rollin L., born June 22, 1858, a photographer of Mendota (his wife was Miss Vene Bert, of Princeton); Nettie M., born April 26, 1860, wife of George Bryant, of Milwaukee, Wis .; George L., born October 31, 1863; Lora C., born January 5, 1868, wife of Marshal Momeny, of this county. Mr. Muzzy purchased his present farm in 1867. It contains 115 acres, with excellent improvements. He has spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits and making a model farm. In politics he has always been a Republican. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational Church of Mal- den. He is an Odd Fellow, his member- ship being at Cumberland, Ohio.

AUGUSTUS MYERS. Concord, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., September 21, 1833. He is the son of Samuel and Cather- ine (Smith) Myers. The Myers family is an old family of Hunterdon County. Samuel Myers was born in 1805, and came to this county in 1854, and is now a resident of Mineral Township. His wife was born in 1811, and is the mother of nine sons and one daughter; all the family, except two sons, are yet living, but only the daughter and two sons in Bureau County. The others are settled all through the West. Augustus

Myers was reared on a farm. He received most of his education in the schools of his native State. After coming to this State he worked on the farm, taught school, etc., till his marriage, and then engaged in farming for himself. He has lived in Concord Town- ship since March 6, 1865. He now owns a farm of 240 acres of well-improved land.

October 7, 1858, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Neff, who was born in Champaign County, Ohio, November 1, 1836, and is the daughter of George W. and Magdalene (Dicious) Neff. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, but the mother in Virginia in about 1809. They came to Bureau County, Ill., in 1854, and here died -- he in 1879, but she in 1876. They were the par- ents of ten children, five of whom yet sur- vive. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have four children living, viz .: Wellmore L., born June 14, 1860; Charles L., October 18, 1862; Frank G., March 28, 1866, and Arthur A., Novem- ber 22, 1872. In politics Mr. Myers is Re- publican, and has held various township offices, and at present is Supervisor.

ANDREW D. NEELY, Neponset, was born September 19, 1824, in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y. His father, Robert Neely, was a farmer and soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Little York, Cortland County, N. Y., in 1879, aged ninety-seven years. The grandfather of our subject was of German descent; he was a farmer and manufacturer by occupation, also a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war, with rank of Captain. He died in Scipio Center, N. Y. The mother of our subject, Margaret (Vandeline) Neely, was of foreign descent, but a native of New York; she died in Homer, N. Y. She was the mother of six children, viz .: Mrs. Hannah Scuder, Abraham, Robert (deceased), Mrs. Sarah Boyles (deceased), Mrs. Jane Barnum, and Andrew D., our subject, who was educated at Homer Hill, N. Y. He farmed in early life. In 1849 he came West, and crossed the plains and freighted about one year for Perry & Young, between Leavenworth and Salt Lake City. He participated in several severe Indian fights; then took sick and re- turned East, where he remained one year, when he came West again and settled in Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill. There he farmed about five years, and then removed to Oneida, Knox Co., Ill .; was there two years, and roamed abont three years through Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Santa Fé, N. M., mainly to see the country. He returned to Knox County, Ill., in 1859, and in August, 1861, he en- listed in Company C of the Forty-second

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Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as private, but was promoted to Color-Bearer Sergeant. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Franklin, Chickamauga, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and other engagements. He was severely wounded September 20, 1863, at Chickamauga, and lay in the hospitals fourteen months, having contracted gangreen and erysipelas. He was discharged August 19, 1864. After the war he returned to Knox County, and there lived till 1868, when he came to Neponset Township, Bureau County, where he was married September 15, 1868, to Mrs. Mary J. Russell (nee Mary J. Van- vactor). who was born May 17, 1836, in Ply - mouth, Marshall Co., Ind. She is a daughter of David and Harriet (Ward) Van- vactor. Mrs. Neely is the mother of three children, viz. : Mrs. Hattie E. Dana, a daugh- ter by her first husband, William Russell; James Eddie Neely, born July 19, 1869, and Minnie Neely, born October 15, 1875. Mr. Neely is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R., Elmira Post.

JAMES NELSON, Westfield, was born March 4, 1838, in Perth, Canada. His par- ents, James and Martha (Gourley) Nelson, were natives of the north of Ireland. They came to Canada while quite young. The father was a hatter by occupation and fol- lowed it in Perth and Ottawa. In 1852 he came to LaSalle County, Ill., where he died July, 1868. aged sixty-four years. The mother died July, 1867, aged fifty-six years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom the following are yet living: Elmer W., Mrs. Margaret Longworth, James (our subject), Mrs. Letitia R. Holbrook, William S., Josiah D. and Mrs. Isabell Ritchmyer. The above were all married. Our subject, James Nelson, came to Bureau County in 1856 and has been a farmer and stockman all his life and has a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Nelson was married here October 20. 1863, to Miss Mary A. Barrett, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Barrett) Barrett. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of the following children: James B., Elizabeth L., Charles C., Warren G., Mattie M. and George E. Nel. son, the latter deceased aged seven years. Politically Mr. Nelson is identified with the Democratic party.

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History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 86

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company Number of Pages: 776

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776