USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 45
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LEASON ADAMS.
THE Adams family are of French ancestry. The grandfather of the present sketch came over with the Marquis De La Fayette, and with him fought for the independence of the country. After the war closed he settled in North Carolina. His son Francis remained there until about the year 1825, when he removed with his
family to Washington county, Indiana. In 1834, he came to Illinois, and settled on See. 10, T. 13, R. 3 W., where he remained until his death in 1846. IIe married Rebecca Harmon, who was of German extraction. She was born and raised in North Carolina. She died in 1863. Eleven children were in the family, six of whom are still living. Leason Adams is the eldest. He was born in Ash county, N. C., July 1, 1816. When he came to Illinois he was in his eighteenth year. In 1836, he entered the land upon which his dwelling now stands. In 1838, he built a house, a part of which is still used as a sitting-room for the family. On the 27th of Feb- ruary, 1840, he married Amelia Ralston, daughter of Gavin and Cynthia Ralston. He was a Scotchman, and came to America when he was eighteen years of age. He settled in Washington county, Indiana, where Mrs. Adams was born. He brought his family to what is now known as Christian county, in 1833 or '34. He was during his life a prominent man in the county. Ten children have been born to Leason and Amelia Adams, nine of whom are still living. Their names are : Gavin, a farmer of this county ; Francis, a farmer and resident of Crawford county, Kansas ; Cynthia, wife of J. M. Taylor, farmer and stoek shipper, Kansas; Cecil, farmer and resident of this county ; Rebecca, wife of I. J. Perkins of this county ; William B., farmer and resident of Crawford county, Kansas ; Nannie, James and Alexander yet at home. Martha Jane was the eldest daughter. She was the wife of Mat. Hardin. She died February 23, 1860.
In 1848, Mr. Adams made the second purchase of land, and since that time has added to it until now he is regarded as among the largest farmers in his township. He was formerly an old line whig, and cast his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison in 1840. He remained a whig until the war when he joined the republican organization, and is yet a member, politically, of that body. He represented his township in the Board of Supervisors for two terms. While a member of that body he had the reputation of being a painstaking and efficient officer, and one who looked carefully after the interests of the people. His business through life has been that of a farmer and stoek raiser, in both of which he has been very successful. Ile started in life poor, with nothing but strong hands and energy to back them. The first land he bought was with money carned at hard labor on a farm, at wages ranging from eight to twelve dollars per month. He was saving, economical and careful, and made judicious investments, and the result has been success. Both he and his excellent wife are members of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM F. GORE.
WILLIAM F. GORE was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, Oct. 31st, 1828. His father, John Gore, was a native of North Carolina. He came with his father to Kentucky, where he married Sophia Barton, who was born and raised in the latter state. In the fall of 1830, he came to Illinois and settled near where Taylorville now stands, and engaged in farming. He subsequently removed to See. 12, T. 13, R. 3 W., where he remained until his death, which oc- curred Dee. 16th, 1856. ITis wife died soon after he came to Illi- nois. He afterwards married Mary Young. By the first marriage there were eight children, six of whom are living. By the latter there was one child, a daughter. The subjcet of this sketch re- ceived a limited education in the subscription schools of the county. He remained at home at work upon the farm until the breaking out of the late war, when on the 8th of July, 1862, he entered as a pri- vate in Co. "A" 115th Regiment U. S. Infantry. Upon the organization of the company he was elceted Sceond Sergeant.
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RESIDENCE AND GENERAL VIEW OF THE STOCK FARM OF WM.G. GEORGE , SEC. 2, T. 13, R. 4,
( SOUTH FORK TP, ) CHRISTIAN
CO., ILLINOIS.
FARM RESIDENCE OF A. A. TAYLOR, SEC. 18, T. /3, R. 3, (SOUTH FORK TP.,) CHRISTIAN CO., ILLINOIS.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
On the 28th of February, 1863, he was promoted to First Sergeant of the company. He remained in the service until the close of the war, and was mustered out June 11th, 1865. The regiment rendez- voused at Camp Butler, and from there was ordered to Covington, Ky., and during the winter was on duty in different parts of the state. From Louisville the regiment embarked in transports, and went down the Ohio river and up the Cumberland to Nashville, Tennessee. The regiment was a part of what was known as Gon- eral Granger's Reserve Corps. Gen. Beard was the first Brigade Commander. The first regular battle in which the regiment par- ticipated was at Chickamauga, where they suffered severely in killed and wounded. Company A. entered the battle with forty-eight men in the ranks, and after the battle the next morning but twenty-four reported for duty. After this battle the regiment became a part of the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, under command of Gen. Stanley, attached to the army under Gen. George H. Thomas. At Resaca the 115th and two other regiments were charged upon by an entire Division of the rebel forces. In the language of the sub- ject of this sketch, it was the " hottest place he ever was in." After the siege and capture of Atlanta the regiment went back to Nash- ville, and assisted in the defeat and annihilation of Hood's army, and pursued him to Huntsville, Ala. The pursuit lasted from the 17th of December to the 6th of January. From Huntsville they moved up to Ball's Gap in anticipation of meeting Johnson, and from there to Camp Harker, Nashville, where the regiment was mustered out, and returned home. Mr. Gore was badly wounded on the 20th of September, 1863, at the battle of Chickamauga. He went back to Nashville where he was placed in the hospital. After his recovery he rejoined his regiment at Shell Mound, Tennessee. That was the only time he was absent from duty. Ile participated in every battle in which his regiment engaged. That Mr. Gore was a gallant and brave soldier, we have no doubt. He belonged to that class of western farm boys that went out to do service for their country from a sense of duty. They were steady, quiet, orderly men. They had that eool courage that often turncd threatened disaster into victory. When they went into line of battle they went there to stay. Their wiry-nerved physical frames eould stand any amount of exposure and fatiguc. In short, there was never marshaled on this continent or any other, a more brave intelligent body of men, who were cooler in action or more resistless in a charge than the western yeomanry in the late war.
In politics Mr. Gorc is a republican. He voted for Gen. Zachary Taylor in 1848. He is a farmer. That has been the business of his life. Mr. Gore is a man who is respeeted by the entire com- munity and wherever known.
ORIN GIFFORD.
THE Gifford family are natives of New York. Joshua Gifford married Phebe Lampman. He removed to Ohio in 1831, and settled in Delaware county, in the town of Berkshire. In 1840 hc removed to Jay county, Indiana, where he died in 1853. The sub- ject of this sketch is the third in a family of six children, five of whom are living. Corydon, the youngest son, was a member of the 32d Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and was killed in the battle of Shiloh. Orin was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 3d, 1835, and remained at home until after the death of his father, when he eame to Alton, Illinois. After remaining there one year he went to Greene county, where he remained two years. He was then for a while a resident of Macoupin county. In June 1858, hc married Matilda Jones, who was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Hc removed with his family to Iowa,
where he remained eighteen months, and then returned to Macoupin eounty again, and remained there until March 1st, 1874, when he removed to Christian county, Illinois, and settled in South Fork township, where he bought land and has continued to reside to the present time. His marriage has been blessed with two children, one living named Rosalie. Nancy died at nine years of age. Mr. G., and his wife are members of the Baptist church. He is also a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, order of A. F. and A. M. He was elected Justice of the Peace for his township in 1878, and is the present incumbent. He is a man who is univer- sally respected in the community in which he resides.
ALEXANDER RALSTON.
THE subject of this sketch was born in Washington county, In- diana, October 1st, 1819. Gavin Ralston, his father, was a Scotch- man by birth, and was educated in the best schools of Edinburgh. He came to America in 1813, and settled in South Carolina, where he was overseer of a large plantation for four years. After this time he removed to Washington county, Indiana, where he engaged in milling and carrying on the distilling business. In 1833 or '34 he came to Illinois, and settled in section three, town thirteen, range three, west, of what was then a part of Sangamon county, now Christian. There he remained until his death, which occurred June 26th, 1845. He was a man of more than ordinary accom- plishments, was liberally educated, and was considerable of a linguist. His business qualifications were much superior to his neighbors, and he was frequently called upon to make ealculations and attend to business which was beyond their knowledge. He was one of the first county commissioners when Christian county was formed. On the 30th of October, 1817, he married Cynthia Van- deveer, who was born in Adair county, Kentucky, October 30th, 1800. Her father, John Vandeveer, was a native of South Carolina, but came to Kentucky while yet young and settled on Green River. In 1815 he moved to Washington county, Indiana, where Cynthia Ralston was married as above stated. Mrs. Ralston is still living on the place where they first settled in 1834, and is a smart, vigorous woman in full possession of all her mental faculties despite her four score years. She is the mother of ten children, four of whom are living. Alexander is the eldest of the family. He was fifteen years of age when he came to Illinois. His brothers, Gavin and A. V. Ralston, are residents of Crawford county, Kansas. His sister, Amelia, is the wife of Leason Adams, an old settler and sub- stantial farmer of South Fork township. The subject of this sketch has remained on the old homestead to the present time. He is recognized as one of the old citizens of the pioneer era of this eounty. In politics he is a republican. His first presi- dential vote was cast as an old line whig for William Henry Har- rison in 1840. In 1856 he joined the republican party, and since that time has voted that ticket.
Mrs. Ralston, the mother of this sketch, was formerly a member of the Baptist church, but is now a member of the Christian church.
Mr. Ralston's occupation has been that of a farmer. He is a plain-spoken, hospitable gentleman, and is regarded among his neighbors as an honest and trustworthy man.
V. B. CROWL
WAS born in Sangamon county, Illinois, April 8th, 1836. He comes from an old and patriotic stock. His great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, his father of the Black Hawk war, and his brother Upton of the Mexican war. Joseph Crowl, his father,
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
was a native of Washington county, Md. He came to Sangamon county in 1834, and settled in what is known as Cooper's township, four miles east of Rochester, on the Springfield and Terre Haute road. Ile was a blacksmith by trade, but afterwards abandoned it and engaged in farming and stock raising, in which he was very successful. He died Sept. 10, 1865. He married Mary Ann Dille- hant. She was born and raised on the Eastern Shore, Maryland. She is yet living on the old homestead in Sangamon county. By this marriage there were fifteen children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch remained at home until April, 1863, when he rented the farm owned by his brother, Mr. Crowl. He remained there four years, then moved to the place where he now lives, where he has remained to the present. On the 9th of Febru- ary, 1864, he married Eliza Crowl, by whom he had two children. Their names are Helen Elizabeth and Authur Brittenbaugh Crowl. Mrs. Crowl died Dec. 14, 1875. On the 20th of June, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Catharine Saunders. She is a native of Loudon county, Virginia. Her father, James W. Saun- ders, is dead. Her mother is still living in the same place. In polities, he is a thorough and sound republican. He east his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860, and has steadily voted the re- publican tieket. Mr. Crowl is among the prominent and influen- tial stock raisers of his township. He is a man who enjoys to a large extent the confidence and esteem of the entire community.
ROBERT F. COFLIN, (DEC'D),
WAS born November 6, 1811, near the little town of Skaneateles, in Onondaga county, New York. His parents died when he was quite young, leaving him dependent upon his own energies to mould that character which should follow him through life. He enjoyed but few advantages for an early education. But every sheaf of facts, gathered in his younger days, he stored up for future use, which in later life he applied in counsel to his rising family. Ilis early years were spent in Onondaga and Cayuga counties, New York, working on a farm, attending school, and in learning and working at the blacksmith trade, which he chose as his vocation of life, up to 1837, when he came to Illinois in a one-horse buggy. He designated Illinois in his youthful mind's eye as his home, and upon his arrival being well pleased with his choice, after viewing many portions of the state, which he accomplished by horse and stage, finally settled in Springfield, and gained a livelihood by "Striking while the iron was hot."
In 1838, he married Miss Charill S. Dorwin, who has borne him twelve children, only three of whom are now living.
From that time on, many of the carly settlers of Sangamon county will remember his career. He proscouted his trade, though not lucratively, till 1849, at which time he went to California, in the rush that is so memorable. He walked more than 2,000 miles of the route. They were six months on the road, during which time he encountered the usual hardships of the western bound man, except combat with Indians, which their little band fortunately escaped, though very narrowly several times. An incident occurred when the company with which he traveled came within one or two hundred miles of their destination, which demonstrates that firmness of decision which all acquainted with him knew to be one of his charac- teristics. The journey had been long and tedious; the osseous frames of the oxen supported nothing but yoke and hide. The major.ty of the party were in favor of leaving the oxen to care for them- selves, abandoning the wagon, taking what they could carry on their backs, and completing the journey on foot. "1," said he, while ouce relating the event, "seeing that such a dissolution would
render us an casy prey to the Indians, told the boys that those who wished could go, but I would stay with the team until the journey was completed." The rest of the party, seeing his determination, resolved to stick together until the last; and when they arrived they let their oxen fatten and sold them to good advantage.
He returned from California by sea, and across the Isthmus of Panama and, after a voyage of four months arrived at Springfield, having been absent nearly two years. Ile immediately resumed his former labors, but he only worked about two years, when he moved on a farm in the western part of Christian county, where he resided, excepting about a year, until his death. This has been the most quiet and happiest portion of his life. He improved his farm with the choicest of fruits. In 1861 he traded his farm for another adjoin- ing it upon the west, and immediately began planting forest and fruit trees, so that it soon afforded conveniences. In 1872, in com- pany with his wife, he visited his native state for the last time. In the fall of 1874, while coming from Taylorville with a load of lum- ber, he was thrown from the load when crossing a eulvert, and the hind wheel of the wagon passed over his back and shoulders. From this injury he never fully recovered, and it finally caused the stroke of paralysis which resulted in his death Dec. 7th, 1876.
U. R. ALLEN
Is a native of Hardin county, Kentucky, and was born February 14, 1809. Elijah Allen, his father, married Elizabeth Scott. Her family were from Virginia. On the paternal side his grandmother was a Kendall. They were a prominent family of Maryland. Elijah Allen moved with his family to Missouri about 1819. IIe returned the next year to Logan county, Kentucky, where he remained until 1820, and in the fall of that year came to Greene county, Illinois. One year later he moved to Sangamon county, and stopped one year on Sugar Creek and made a crop, then returned to Groene county, where he stayed until his death, which occurred February 21, 1850. His wife died January 13, 1849. Both were living with the subject of this sketch at the time of their death.
U. R. Allen remained in Logan county until 1830, when he came to Illinois. He was here during the winter of the deep snow, and recolleets it well. While on the road helping to move his father's family from Sangamon county back to Greene county, he was notified that he was drafted for service in the Black-Hawk war. He reported for duty. His company was a part of the regiment under command of Col. Jacob Fry, and belonged to the third brigade, which was under the command of Gen. Henry. The company entered the service in June, and were discharged the last of August. He remained in Greene county until 1835, and worked at the car- peuter trade. He then went back to Logan county and remained there until 1841, when he returned to Greene county, built a wagon-shop and worked at the trade of wagon-making. He also engaged in saw-milling, farming, etc., until December 18, 1861, when he came to Christian county and settled on Sec. 12, T. 13, R. 3 W., and engaged in farming, at which he continued to the present time. On the 4th of August, 1836, he married Eliza Jane Coffman. Her family were originally from Pennsylvania. Her father, Adam Coffinan, went with his father to Tennessee while yet a boy. He afterwards moved to Logan county, where Mrs. Allen was born. Eleven children have been born to U. B. and Eliza J. Allen. six of whom are living. William Jackson Allen is the eldest son; he is now a resident of Farmer City, Illinois. He was a brave and gallant soldier of the late war; was a member of Co. "A," 61st Regt. Illinois Infantry, and was severely wounded in the battle of Murfreesborough, Tennessee. He entered the service in 1861,
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THE STOCK FARM AND RESIDENCE OF A.M. COUNCIL, SEC. 29, T . 14, R. 3, (SOUTH FORK TP) CHRISTIAN CO., ILL.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
veteranized with his regiment and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He entered as a private and was mustered out as 2dl Lieutenant of his company. Samuel Jefferson is a farmer of this county. Ile was also a soldier in the late war. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. " A," 115th Regt. Illinois Infantry, and remained in the service until the close of the war. Mary Melvina, only daughter, wife of Thomas J. Langley, a farmer of Christian county; George P., now a resident of Kansas; Edward D., a resident of South Fork township, and James Logan yet beneath the parental roof. Mr Allen in religious matters does not subscribe to any of the formu- lated creeds, but is of the universalist belief. In politics he was an old line whig, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1832. Since the republican party has come into existence he has been a member of that political organization. He is not a politician. To use his own words, he would not have an office that would not honor him, or accept an office that he could not honor. Mr. Allen is a great reader, and is therefore a well-informed man on almost any topic. He is an agreeable and very entertaining talker, and a hospitable gentleman. He has accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to make him comfortable in his declining years.
GEORGE W. HARDIN .- (DECEASED).
WAS born in Bath county, Kentucky, June 17, 1842. William Hardin, his father, was also a native of the same state. He came to Illinois in 1860, and settled on the Ulrick farm, five miles north of Mrs. Hardin's present residence. IIc afterwards removed to South Fork township, where he remained until his death, which occurred February 15, 1874. He married Patsey Flemming. She died March 6, 1863. There were seven children in the family. George W. was the sixth. He remained at home until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. " K," 124th Regt. Ills. Vols. as a private. He remained in the service until the close of the war. On the 3d of September, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E Phillips. She is a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. IIer father, William Phillips, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a young man when he came west with his father's family. He mar- ried Caroline Smith, who was born and raised in Sangamon county. Mrs. Hardin is the eldest daughter in a family of six girls and one son. By the marriage of Geo. W. and Mary E. Hardin there have been five children born to them. Their names are : Patsey C., Allie B., Hiram Herbert, Rupert Raymond and George Oliver Hardin.
George W. Hardin was cruelly and foully shot by a ruffian named James H. Batty, on the public highway, on the 3d day of March, 1879. Ile was brought home and survived until April 7th, 1879, when his spirit took its flight to the world that lies beyond. His body was followed to the grave and buried by the members of the Pawnee Lodge, No. 675, A. F. & A. M., of which body he was an active and beloved member. His murderer fled the country after the confession of the crime, and has not yet been apprehended and miade to answer at the bar of justice for his inhuman act Mr. Hardin was cut down in the prime of life and vigorous manhood. He was aged thirty-seven years. He was very domestic in his habits, a loving husband and a fond and affectionate father.
A. M. COUNCIL
Is a native-born citizen of Christian county ; he was born in the north-west part of South Fork township, April 27th, 1853. He is the son of Aquilla and Sarah E. Council. Aquilla Council was born in Halifax county, North Carolina, June 5th, 1805. His father, David, emigrated to Tennessce about 1813, and settled in
Montgomery county. Aquilla Council was raised to agricultural pursuits. He received such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. At the age of twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Melugin, a native of Dixon county, Tenn. The Melugins were early settlers in Tennessee, and of Irish descent. After his marriage Mr. Council began farming in Tennes- see, and in 1830, desirous of moving to a country where land could be more easily obtained, he, with his wife and two children, emi- grated to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon county, in what is now Cotton Hill township, near the South Fork of the Sangamon river, where he remained two years ; then moved about four miles fur- ther up the river and settled on section 29, town 14, range 3, and when Christian county was organized, the cut-off from Sangamon made him a resident of Christian county. He improved a farm upon the above named section, where he lived until his death, July 13th, 1857. His wife still survives him, a hale and hearty old lady of sixty-nine years. They raised a family of seven children, five girls and two boys, viz. : Amanda, Rebecca E., Sarah E., Elizabeth, Aquilla M., William T. and Amelia. Mr. Council was a man of tlie strictest integrity, and one in whom the people placed all confi- dence. For about sixteen years he filled the office of Justice of the Peace. He represented his township, in the county Board, for a number of years, with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the people. The subject of our sketch now lives on the old homestead, the place where he was born. At the age of nineteen he joined the army in the late civil war. He was in company D, under Captain Daniel DeCamp, 130th Ills. Vols., Col. Niles having command He was in the first brigade, second division, and thirteenth army corps. HIc was in several engagements ; among the most noted the siege of Vicksburg, and battle of Jackson, Mississippi ; in the engage- ment incident to the Red river campaign, was taken prisoner near Mansfield, Louisiana, and taken to camp Ford, Texas, where he re- mained about fourteen months. He passed his twenty-first birth- day in this prison. After his exchange he was sent to New Orleans, but was subsequently ordered to camp Butler, Illinois, where he was mustered out of service at the close of the war. He inmediate- ly returned to his home in Christian county. Christmas day, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Williams, a native of Sangamon county, and daughter of I. B. Williams. By this union they have a family of two children-Phoebe and William. Mr. Council is one of the prominent young farmers of South Fork township. A view of his place can be seen in another part of this work. In politics he is a republican.
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