USA > Illinois > Cass County > History of Cass county, Illinois > Part 43
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ROBERT P. BELL, farmer; P. O., Chan- dlerville; was born in Pulaski County,
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. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Virginia, March 6, 1829, sixth child of a family of twelve, born to John and Mary (Vinyard) Bell, natives of Virginia. He, a farmer by occupation, died in 1839, aged about fifty-five years; she died in 1880, aged seventy-seven years. Subject, after receiv- ing such an education as the common schools of that day afforded, began life as a farmer. He came to this county in 1850, and to his present place of residence in 1860, where he has since followed farming, putting all the improvements on his place himself. He has been twice married; first, in Virginia, in 1858, to Margaret S. Martin, a native of that State; died in 1862; four children were born from this marriage, viz .: Charles, Eliza, John, and one died in infancy. In 1865 he married Jemima Palmer, a native of Virginia, born in 1849, who has borne him nine children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Mary, Melissa, Al- bert, William, Milton, Riley and Winnie. Mr. Bell is a supporter of the Democratic party.
ELIJAH CARVER, farmer; P. O. Virginia; was born in Madison County, Ky., Dec. 11, 1805. When 21 years old he engaged as over- seer upon a large plantation; farmed in Mis- souri two years; in 1832 came to Illinois and located at Walnut Grove, this county, and two years later moved to his present place, which has been his home for forty-eight years, and where he has been engaged in general farm- ing. He was married Jan. 15, 1-28, to Miss Sophia Haff, who was born Nov. 30, 1811, and died Feb. 4, 1866, leaving four children, viz .: Fletcher T. (see Hist.) Harrison, of this coun- ty; Mary E., wife of Charles B. Hopkins, of Kansas; and Charles, also in Kansas. Mr. Car- ver again married in this county, Jan. 1, 1867, to Mary E. Boatman; born in Madison Coun- ty, Ky., March 17, 1846, who has borne him 3 children, viz .: Ida May, born April 12, 1863; Elijah, born June 13, 1869; Estella, born Nov. 18, 1872. Mrs. Carver is a daughter of Nel-
son and Elizabeth (Todd) Boatman, natives of Kentucky, still living at Philadelphia, this county. Mr. Carver's father, William Car- ver, a farmer, was born in Virginia, in 1760, and died April 19, 1837. His wife, Mary Duncan, born about 1768, died about 1817. They had nine children, of whom our sub- ject is the fifth child. He was originally an old line Whig, but is now a Republican; himself and wife are connected with the Methodist Church.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM, farmer; P. O. Newmansville; is a native of Scotland, born Dec. 3, 1830; sixth child of James Cunning- ham (see history). Subject came to this country with his parents in July, 1836, where he received but a limited education in the common schools. He worked for some time in a tan-yard, and on attaining his majority, engaged in farming, which he has since fol- lowed; he owns 160 acres of land, and in ad- dition to the usual crops, raises considerable cattle. He married, Dec. 12, 1865, Margaret J. Allen, a Canadian by birth, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Kennedy) Allen; he, a native of Canada (deceased); she, a native of Scotland, still living; from this union they have had three children; Margaret J., David K. and Ethel R. Mr. Cunningham has been School Director and Township Trustee; he is a strong advocate of temperance; he is a Republican; his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.
F. T. CARVER, farmer; P. O. Philadel- phia; was born in Mercer County, Ky., Oct. 6, 1828; eldest child of a family of six, born to Elijah and Sophia (Haff) Carver, natives of Kentucky; he, still living; she, deceased. When three years old our subject was taken to Missouri by his parents, and three years after came to this county, where he has since resided; he left home when 21 years old, and has since been engaged in farming on his own account. In this county May 14, he
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married Sarah D. Howard, born in Fulton County, May 15, 1832, daughter of John C. and Anna (Cadwelder) Howard, natives of Ohio, and both deceased; from this union seven children have been born, viz .: Elijah H., Mary E., wife of John W. Fell, of Jack- sonville, 111 .; Anna N., Helen, William, Dally and Elmer R. Mr. Carver is a staunch Republican; has been School Director; he is a Methodist.
WILLIAM S. GARNER, farmer; P. O. Virginia; was born in this county, Dec. 16, 1837 (for parents, see sketch of G. Garner). Subject received his education in the common school, and remained with his father until the death of the latter; then began farming on his own account, and has now a farm of 120 acres, on which he built a fine house in 1877. He was licensed to preach by the M. E. Church in 1876 and has since been a local preacher. In this county, Sept. 30, 1858, he married Nancy M. Crews, born in Sangamon County, Ills., Oct. 7, 1837, daughter of Jesse and Susan Crews, natives of Kentucky; he died in 1878; she, still living; from this union eight children have been born, viz .: Hanson A., Nellie, James H., L. E., Jessie, Bell, Ger- ie and Pearl. The first ploughing that Mr. Garner saw done, was with a wooden mold- board, and he was quite a large boy before he saw a team driven with lines; he saw the first threshing machine in this county, which . was brought here by a Mr. Yaples. Mr. Gar- ner is a Methodist; has been an Odd Fellow; le is a Republican.
REV. JAMES R. GARNER, minister and farmer; P. O. Berryton; was born in Indiana, May 30, 1830; has been a resident of this county over fifty-one years, having come here when the county was in its infancy, and has endured all the trials and hardships of a pio- neer's life; he has followed farming all his life; has preached the gospel for twenty years, and, during that time, has married
about sixty couples. In this county, in 1850, he was married to Margaret Wilson, a native of Ohio; born Feb. 28, 1834, daughter of Jo- seph and May (Allison) Wilson; from this union they have been blessed with nine chil- dren, viz .: Mary W., Sarah, Charles R., Cyn- thia, S. G., James W., Joseph, Theodore and Renty. Mr. Garner is a Methodist, and is a supporter of the Republican party.
F. U. ISHAM, farmer; P. O. Aslıland, was born in Warren County, Tenn., March 9, 1822. When nine years of age he was brought to this connty by his parents, who were among the early settlers of this county. The place where they settled is owned by Joseph Whitenack. Subject, in 1864, purchased the place upon which he now resides. He was mar- ried Jan. 27, 1847, to Mary Clancy, born in Pike County, March 28, 18?8; who has borne him seven children, viz .: Nancy L., died in her died in her fourteenth year; Wilburn A. died in January 1882; William M., died when 16 years of age; Marinda, wife of John Spen- cer, of Springfield; John T., at home; Ophelia wife of Andrew Brown, of this county, and Lola E., wife of Nolton Garner. Mrs. Isham is a daughter of Hiram Clancy, an early set- tler of this county; he and his wife, Lucinda Thacker, both deceased. James Isham, sub- ject's father, was born in Virginia, in 1793; was a farmer, and died March 20, 1847. His wife, Nancy Hash, born in North Caro- lina Feb. 11, 1790, died Oct. 7, 1847; they had ten children, of whom subject is the sixth child. He is a Democrat, and a member of the M. E. Church. By the death of his parents he inherited the old homestead farm, which he sold to Mr. Whitenack in 1864.
DAVIDM. LOGAN, physician, Newmans- ville; was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1821. In 1836 he came with his parents to this county; they located on the Sangamon bottom, near Beardstown, and engaged in farming. James Logan, subject's
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father, was born in Huntington County, Pa. The family is of Irish descent, and some of the ancestry came to America in 1775. Emma Collins Logan, the mother of our subject, was a descendant of the Tillinghast, Collins and Green families, of Rhode Island. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom the doctor is the fourth. At the age of twenty- one he began teaching in the Beardstown schools; the principal part of his educa- tion was obtained in the literary department of the Illinois College; he attended his first course of lectures in the Medical department of that institution. In 1857 he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College, receiving his diploma as an M. D., and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Newmansville, where he has since remained. He married in this county, Jan. 20, 1858, Miss Rebecca W. Hamilton, who was born in Lou- doun County, Va., June 20, 1830; they have six children, viz .: Sally, Edwin M., Emma, Stella, Charles C. and Agnes; the two latter de- ceased. Mrs. Logan is a daughter of Charles B. and Sarah C. (Lucket) Hamilton, natives of Loudoun County, Va .; he deceased; she is still living. Dr. Logan was at one time a member of the I. O. O. F; he is a Republican.
WILLIAM W. MATHEW, farmer; P. O. Newmansville; is a native of this county; born Oct. 2, 1844; eldest child of a family of nine, born to Lewis C. and Rebecca (Conyers) Mathew; he, a farmer, born in Indiana, Nov. 28, 1820, died Jan. 14, 1863; she, born in Kentucky, Aug. 18, 1825. Subject, at seven- teen years of age, enlisted in Co. "F," "1st Ills. Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Weaver, the regiment being commanded by Col. Gil- bert; was in the 100 days' service, and after four months returned home. When twenty- three years of age he began farming on his own account, and now conducts a farm of 180 acres of choice farm land, on which, in addi- tion to the usual grain crops, he raises large
numbers of cattle and hogs for market; he built a fine house in 1875; has also a fin ; barn. He has been twice married; first, in this county, Sept. 5, 1867, to Alice Hurie, who was born in 1851, and died March 11, 1871, leaving one child, Lewis L .; the last mar- riage was on March 23, 1876, to Louise L. Robinson; born in Linn County, Iowa, June 11, 1858, daughter of Andrew D. and Eliza- beth Ellen (Wactle) Robinson; from this marriage one child has been born, viz .: Inez R. Mr. Mathew is a Democrat; he is a Master Mason.
WILLIAM E. MILSTEAD, farmer, de- chased; was born in Kentucky, Feb. 25, 1829; sc of Edward and Mary N. (Hinchee) Mil- stead, natives of Virginia; he, a shoemaker hy trade, died about 1871; she died abont 1870. Subject was the fifth child of a family of thir- teen, and came to Morgan County, Ills., with his parents, when fourteen years old, and soon after to this county. He settled on the place where his widow now resides, in 1858, and, at his death, which occurred Sept. 6, 1872, had over 500 acres under cultivation, on which he had erected a fine farm residence, and made all the other imp ovements. He married in this county, Oct. 28, 1855, Ellen Struble; born Feb. 23, 1338, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Stout) Struble, and from this union ten chil- dren have been born, eight of whom are living: Saralı L., James W., Philemon, Jacob D., Alfred S., George E., Laura, Florence, Ella, and Martha. Since his death his widow and children have man iged the farm on which the usual farm crops are raised; and in addition they feed all kinds of stock, of which they handle a large amount. Mr. Milstead was a suppo. ter of the Democratic party.
C. S. MATHEW, M. D., Newmansville; is a native of Menard Co., III .; born Feb. 25, 1851; son of Lewis C. and Rebecca (Conyers) Mathew. Lewis C. Mathew, sub- ject's father, a native of Indiana, and a farmer
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by occupation, was born Nov. 28, 1820, and died Jan. 14, 1863; his wife, a native of Ken- tucky, was born Aug. 18, 1825. Our subjeet pursued the study of his profession in the medical department of the University of Ann Arbor, Mich., two years, and at the medical college of Cincinnati, Ohio, one year; prac- tieed medicine in connection with Dr. Hough- ton, of Mason County, Ill., for a time; re- ceived his diploma in 1879, and located at Newmansville, where he has built up an ex- tensive and rapidly increasing practice. The Doctor is a Democrat; he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Petersburg, Menard Coun- ty, Ill.
ALEXANDER NEWMAN, farmer; P. O. Virginia; is a native of this county; born May 29, 1857; son of Robert and Sarah E. (Man- gis) Newman, natives of Virginia; he, a far- mer, residing in this eounty, she died about 1860, leaving two children, Alexander and Sarah Ann, wife of Thomas Workman, of Vir- ginia. Our subject received an ordinary education, and at the age of nineteen years began farming on his own account, and has sinee pursued that occupation; he has a well cultivated farm of ninety acres, on which he raises the usual erops. In this county Oct. 29, 1878, he married Ellen Cunningham, a native of this county, born Dec. 24, 1857; ' daughter of Thomas and Euphemia (Wilkey) Cunningham, residents of this county; two children have been born from this union, viz .: Mary and Florence. Mr. Newman is a Re- publiean.
ALEXANDER ROBISON, blacksmith, Newmansville; was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, June 25, 1838, son of Cuthbert and Jane Ann (Bawser) Robison. Cuthbert Robison, subject's father, was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1808 ; was a blacksmith by trade, came to this eounty in the fall of 1856, and died in Virginia, this county, July 6, 1864. Ilis wife, a native of Pennsylvania,
died Nov. 5, 1858. Our subject, the second child of a family of nine, received his education at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and came with his parents to this county in 1856; worked on the farm two years, and in 1858 was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade in Virginia, this eounty. In August, 1866, he came to Newmansville, where he started a blacksmith shop on his own account, and has since been engaged in that business, doing a good trade. He married in this county, Sept. 29, 1860, Martha J. Joyce, born in Butler County, O., March 22, 1840, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hughes) Joyce, natives of Ohio, both deceased. From this union they have had three children, viz .: James W., Josephine, and Jessie A. Mr. Robison is Postmaster at Newmansville; has held that position ten years; has been Town- ship Trustee eleven years, and has served the county as Magistrate about eighteen years. He is an adherent of the Democratie party.
WILLIAM WATKINS, farmer; P. O. Berryton ; was born in Wayne County, Ill., July 17, 1831; son of Elijah and Lydia A. (Montgomery) Watkins ; residents of Rich- mond township, this eounty. Elijah Wat- kins, a farmer by occupation, was born in Kentucky, July 23, 1797; his wife, also a na- tive of Kentucky, was born April 25, 1802; of their fifteen children William is the eightli child. Our subject, when about four years of age, was brought by his parents to this county, where he received his education in the sub- seription schools common in those days. When twenty-two years of age he left home and began farming on his own aecount, and has sinee followed that occupation. He mar- ried in this county Oet. 23, 1853, Margaret Hinchee; born Feb. 28, 1827. She died, leav- ing seven children, as follows : Charles W., William T., Elijah, Margaret, Lydia A., Al- bert, and Minnie B. His second marriage took place Sept. 1, 1881, when he married Belle Gordley, born in Adams County, Ill., May
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5, 1850. She has taught school in this county about eleven years ; she is a daughter of William and Sidney (Stephenson) Gordley, natives of Kentucky, he dying in June, 1856, she in September, 1859. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Methodist Church; he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM WYATT, farmer; P. O., New- mansville; was born in Fayette County, Ky., Feb. 22, 1828. When two years of age he was brought to Illinois by his parents, who located in Morgan County, on what was once called "Golden Prairie;" in 1846 they came to Newmansville, and five years later moved to the present residence of A. E. Wyatt. Our subject's parents, James and Sarah (Stephen- son) Wyatt were natives of Kentucky, and had five children: Walter, deceased; John M., de- ceased; Andrew E .; William, and Elizabeth
Jane, wife of Hugh Sherrer, of Lincoln, Lo- gan County, Ill. William moved to his pres- ent place of residence about the year 1851; he has made a success of the stock business, in which he engages quite extensively. He married in this county, April 27, 1851, Nancy Jane Nance; born in Green County, Ky., June 13, 1836, who has borne him four children: John Hardin, born April 26, 1852, died May 21, 1876; Fanny, born June 26, 1854, wife of Walter M. Thompson; Alice Mabel, born March 10, 1859, wife of James Struble, of Newmansville; and James Judy, born Jan. 31, 1862, at home. Mrs. Wyatt is a daughter of Ottawa B. and Sarah (Danields) Nance, natives of Kentucky; he, deceased, she, living, aged eighty-four years, hale and hearty. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt are members of the M. E. Church; he is a Republican.
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HICKORY PRECINCT.
HENRY BIERHAUSE, farmer; P. O. Virginia; was born in Hanover, Germany, Mcl. 25, 1834; son of George and Elizabeth Bierhause; he, a farmer, and dying at the age of 72 years; she is living, at the advanced age of 80 years; they had seven children. Our subject came to America in 1852, first settling at St. Louis, where he remained two years, coming to Cass County in 1854, when he be- gan farming, and now owns 213 acres of ex- cellent land, which has been acquired by in- dustry and good management. : In Cass County, in 1860, he married Annie Fahel, who has borne him 7 children: Rosie, Lizzie, Harry H., Edward, Annie, Milton and Lou. Is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and independent in politics.
G. W. COOK, farmer; P. O. Virginia; is a native of this county; born March 22, 1841; son of James and Aun (Trueman) Cook. James Cook was born in Ireland, about the year 1812; came to America at an early day and engaged in farming; he died about the year 1854; his wife, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in this county about the year 1864; they were the parents of seven children. Mr. Cook received an ordinary education, and began life as a farmer, which occupation he still pursues, and now owns 110 acres of land. In 1865 he married Mary Quick, a native of Ohio, born in 1847, daugh- ter of Oakey and Sarah (Osborn) Quick. He is a Greenbacker.
JACOB HOUCK, farmer; P. O. Chandler- ville; was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 31, 1827, son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Poorman) Houck; he is a native of Northampton County, Pa., who went to Ohio in 1838, came to Cass in 1832, and from
there went to Nebraska, where he died in 1871; his wife following him in 1875, at the age of 80 years; they had nine children, our subject being the sixth. At the age of 21, our subject began farming, and has so well suc- ceeded, thanks to his thrift and perseverance, that he now owns 293 acres of choice land, all under good improvement. He also raises stock. In 1858, he married Rosanna Plaster, born in Tennessee, March 15, 1836, daughter of James and Nancy (Chamblis) Plaster, and two children have been born to them: Bessie and'Harry. He is a Greenbacker.
ALVEY HORROM, farmer; P. O. Chand- lerville; was born in Dearborn County, Ind., Jan. 14, 1824; son of Benjamin and Sarah (Austin) Horrom; he is a native of Maine, and she of Massachusetts, who came to Cass County in 1829, he dying in 1847, aged 70 years, and she in 1863, aged 82 years; they had nine children, Alvey being the youngest. Our subject owns 250 acres of fine land, which he farms in the best manner. He has been married twice, but both wives are dead; the first was Nancy Adams, and the second Annie Goodpauster. His children are: Melinda, A. E., William, Lyman, Ray and Grace. Ile is a member of the Greenback party.
THOMAS KNIGHT, farmer; P. O. Beards- town; is a native of England, born in Corn- wall, Aug. 14, 1836; son of Thomas K. and Elizabeth (Bellace) Knight, who were the parents of seven children. His father was also a native of Cornwall, England, and fol- lowed the cooper's trade there till he came to the United States, wliere he engaged in farm- ing; he died in 1866. Thomas attended school in England, and afterward in the schools here for some time, and began life as
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a farmer here, on the Sangamon Bottom, and has since followed farming. He was married in Beardstown Precinct, this county, Oct. 27, 1859, to Emeline D. Haywood; born in Corn- wall, England, Oct. 27, 1838; daughter of Peter and Mary Haywood; and by this union nine children have been born: May (deceas- eu), Robert, Minnie, Myrtle, Albert J., Harry (deceased), Lloyd, Edwin, and an infant, de- ceased (unnamed). Mr. Knight was County Commissioner three years, in 1879-'80-'81; he is a Democrat.
ARCHIBALD TAYLOR, farmer; P. O., Chandlerville; was born in Scotland, July 2, 1806; son of Robert and Miza (MeCoig) Tay- lor, both natives of Scotland; he died in 1819 and she in 1845; they had nine children, our subject being the fourth. Archibald was raised to farming, and also learned the trade of a weaver, at which he worked considerable in his native country, but after coming to Amer- ica has followed farming, owning at the pres- ent time 700 acres of land, which is in a high state of cultivation. His first purchase was 100 acres, to which he has added until he has accumulated his fine estate. He has always taken an active interest in all matters of im- provement of his precinct and county.
ROBERT TAYLOR, farmer; P. O. Chan- dlerville; was born in Scotland, Nov. 25, 1816; son of Robert and Miza (McCoig) Taylor, both natives of Scotland; he, dying in 1819, and she, in 1845. Our subject came to Ameri- ca in 1835, and located in Champaign county, Ohio, where he remained four years; then came to Cass. In 1842 he purchased the land he now resides upon, and engaged in general farming and stock dealing. He was one of the first 'Trustees of the township, hold- ing the position several years. Jan. 10, 1844, he married Miss Janet Cunningham; born in Scotland in 1824; daughter of John and Ellen (Taylor) Cunningham, and is the father of twelve children, all living: Ellen, Angus, John
W., Flora, Maggie, Miza, Alice, Archibald, Dunean, Katie, Janie, and Robert. Is a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and independent in politics.
CALVIN WILSON, farmer; P. O. Chand- lerville; was born in Perry County, Ohio, Aug. 24, 1828; son of James and Elizabeth (Wil- liams) Wilson; both natives of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of nine childron, our subject, Calvin, being the third son; who, after receiving an ordinary education in the com- mon schools of his section, began farming. He has followed his ehosen occupation in this county since 1849, having acquired his fine property of 243 acres of excellant land, with all its improvements, by his own industry and energy. May 25, 1853, he married Miss Amanda M. Bowen; born in Cass County, May 1, 1831; daughter of Jeremiah Bowen, who came to Cass County in 1829; he died in 1859. Mr. Wilson and wife are the parents of seven children: Dessa M., widow of J. O. Horrom, Frank, Annie B., IIerschel, Faver C., Mamie M., and Earle. He is an A., F. and A. M., and a Democrat.
JOSEPH ZIEGELMEIER, farmer ; P. O. Virginia; was born in Germany, Nov. 5, 1821; son of Futus and Barbara (Biller) Zie- gelmeier, both natives of Germany; he, a miller by occupation, dying in 1875, aged about eighty years; and she dying in 1827, at about the same age; they were the parents of sixteen children, Joseph being the old- est. Our subject, at the age of twenty-one years, in Germany, was drafted into the army, where he served about five years, and in 1848 emigrated to this country, landing in New York. He first settled in Cincinnati, where he remained two years, working at the coopering trade. In 1850, he removed to Cass County, and began the coopering busi- ness in Beardstown, remaining there two years, when he removed to his present resi- dence, and began farming upon eighty acres
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of land, which he bought, since ad ling to the same till his farm comprises 295 acres. June 14, 1849, in Cincinnati, he married Katrina Nemiller, a native of Prussia, by whom he
has had seven children, six of whom are living: Lewis, Peter, Caroline, Barbara, Mary, Lucy.
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