USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 45
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Geo to Smallwood
HONORED, as among the pioneer settlers of De Witt county, is he whose portrait graces this page. George D. Smallwood was born in Ross county, Ohio, March 31st, 1810. His parents were Par- menious and Deborah Smallwood, natives of Jefferson county, Virginia. Their ancestors were among the early settlers of Vir- ginia, and were of Irish extraction. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1825, and located in what is now Macon county. In all, there were fifteen children in the family. Of these, George D was the second in order of birth. Parmenious built a mill on Salt Creek, in what is now Creek township, De Witt county, in 1834, of which George took charge. George had built a cabin in the fall of 1830, near the site of the mill. He acquired a fair common-school education, first in Ohio, then in Sangamon county, this State; learned surveyiug, and did much in this line in early times, dividing with Alexander Barnett the laurels of
all the early work of this character in De Witt county. He was married to Mary Ann Brown, daughter of Henry and Jane Brown, who were early settlers of what is now Texas township, March 24th, 1839, by whom he had one child, who died in in- faucy. His wife died Feb. 21st, 1867, aged 43 years one month and twelve days. Mr. Smallwood has followed the vocations of milling, in which he was engaged for about fifteen years, farming and surveying. In politics he is a prominent Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson; but, since the organization of the Republican party in 1856, he has stood by that party. He participated in the Black Hawk War, and when the militia was organized he was appointed Colonel, which position he held several years previous to 1840, when he re- signed. Honored and respected of all, Mr. Smallwood is passing the evening of life on a farm about a half mile south of Clinton.
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REV. JAMES C RUCKER.
THIS much-respected and talented Methodist divine was born . iu Woodford county, Kentucky, January 6, 1817. His parents were Rev. Ahmed and Nellie Rucker. His father, likewise a Methodist Episcopal minister, was a Virginian by birth. Tradi- tion says that a person named Rucker came from Alsace, France, to America, contemporaneous with John Smith, was shipwrecked off Cape Hatteras, and swam ashore, a distance of seven miles, carrying with him a bottle of French brandy ; that he settled in Amherst county, Virginia, and from him sprang the honored family of Rucker, now scattered throughout much of the Union. In the Revolutionary war one Amherst Ruckor, a brother of the , career commenced in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and has cou- grandfather of our subject, was a colonel. Just before the close of that seven years' struggle, he visited his home, where he was gladly received by many friends, who with him witnessed a won- derful vision from his house of the surrender of the red-coats to the patriots in mid-air. The sign was to them full of meaning and hope, aud served to renew their courage upon return to the field of battle.
Ahmed Rucker was born during the first year of the Revolu- tion. He had nine brothers, all remarkable for their size and strength.
James Rucker received a fair education in select schools at Harrodsburg, Kentucky. An incident in his school life shows the character of the boy. He was struck by one McConnell, a son of Gen. McConnell. He informed his teacher, who, because of the position and wealth of the offender's father, failed to mete ont merited punishment. This made a lasting impression on young Rucker, who from that time forth has hated anything that
smacked of the domineering trait of slave-holding. At the age of seventeen, James came to Illinois with his parents, who lo- cated iu Sangamon county. In 1857 he went to Winchester, where he taught school. Soon after we find him in the law office of Stephen A. Douglas as a student. He remained here two years, when he was admitted to the bar and practiced the pro- fession of law for four years. About a year before he quit the practice, he was converted under the preaching of Rev. Peter Akers, and had no peace of mind until he dropped everything else for the advocacy of the Master's cause. His preaching tinued in various places for a period of thirty-three years. He was married to Miss Rachel Howard, Aug. 29, 1849, by the Rev. John S. Barker. Iu politics Mr. Rocker is an uncompromising Republican. During the progress of the war he boldly advo- cated the abolition of slavery, and in a speech made upou the occasion of the ratification of the victory at Vicksburg, said :- " God Almighty has written on the broad face of the sky, in let- ters of burning light, ' that all men are created free, and that slavery shall be destroyed,'"-at the time a bold utterance, and most effectively said. At present Rev. James Rucker is leading a quiet life, which he has richly earned by virtue of faithful, earnest work in the past, in Clinton. His wife, a lady of sweet disposition, thongh of late years a great sufferer, physically, is loved by all who have come to know her; and, together, they enjoy the society of friends who gather about them, and enter the. evening of well-spent lives.
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A LITTLE
PHOTO. BY F 0 PEASE.
Isa queller
SOME men pass half their lives in determining for what nature fitted them. In the light of William Fuller's success as au at- torney coupled with the fact that his admission to the bar was after he had attained his forty-fourth year we opine that he be- longs to this class. William Fuller was born February 19th, 1823, in Greene county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Daniel and Nancy Fuller, were of the good old Pennsylvania stock of farmers from whom have sprung so many of the energetic men of to-day. His father coupled with his farming operations the vocation of blacksmith, in which he excelled. It devolved upon him to manufacture sickles, scythes and fine work generally. His pa- rents were of Irish birth. His father a native of the city of Dub- lin. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, from whence he was taken at the age of three years to Fayette county. Wil- liam Fuller was the oldest of a family of eight boys, of whom all but one are now living. He received a fair common-school education. His aptness to learn secured for him the position of teacher in his native county when still a youth. He had the honor of teaching the first frec school ever opened in his own district. In November 1848 he came to De Witt county where he taught for four win. ters, varying these duties by farming during the summer. He had in his possession a few law books which he most industriously studied, and which laid broad and deep his knowledge of the
general law and determined him largely in his choice of a profes- sion. These were yet primitive times in De Witt, and so he found himself chosen as the advocate of many clients in the lower courts, where he gained a fiue local reputation as a pettifogger. Pedagogies was his business, but old farmers as they witnessed his pleadings declared pettifogging his real forte. At one tinie he en- joyed the largest practice of this character, vested in any one in- dividual in the county. In 1854 he was elected sheriff of the county, an office he filled to eutire satisfaction. Had been elected prior to this time as a Justice of the Peace, which he only held for the brief term of three months, preferring to appear as an advocate to sitting in judgment on cases brought before such a court. In 1867 he was, after an examination, admitted to the bar as an Attorney, since which time he has continually and successfully practiced. In politics he is a Democrat of the strictest order, outspokeu, bold and defiant. Has taken a hand in every cam- paign since he was a boy. His first vote was cast for James K. Polk. He is a member of the Masonic Order. He was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Parker, in Madison county, Ohio, February 23d, 1846. By this union there are six children living four boys and two girls. Mr. Fuller is a man of courage, enter- prise and strict integrity of character.
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PHOTO BY F. " PEASF
Amos Wiedeman
PROMINENT among the early settlers of De Witt county have already in this work been noticed the Weedmans. Their con- tributions to the development of the county's latent forces have been a positive factor in the story of her progress. Amos Weed- man, the present efficient sheriff' of the county, was born in Perry county, Ohio, May 12th, 1526. His parents were John and Rachel Weedman. In 1830 the family all came to MeLean county, where some of them have continually resided since ; Amos obtained a fair common-school education amid the disadvantages attending early schools in this part of the country. His first teacher was Lieutenant Governor Moore. He was married to Mary J. McCord, December 16th, 1847. His wife, a most excel- lent lady, is of the pioneer family McCord. They have two chil-
dren, Rucker and Smith Y. both farmers. Amos Weedman by vocation is a farmer, but his talents have brought him to the front as an office-holder. In 1876 he was elected sheriff' of the county, and so ably did he discharge the duties of the office that he has been twice re-elected since, and that too with increased majorities. He is a pronounced Republican in politics, and takes great interest in promoting the success of his party. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders. Of a popular family whose reputation he well sustains; of fine social qualities; and ever prompted in his actions by pure motives he is held in high es- teem. His peronal traits of character and long residence in the county have made him many warm personal and devoted friends.
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PHOTO. BY F O. PEASE
G. W. Hyde, MI F.
WILLIAM HYDE, the father of G. W. Hyde, was born in Der- byshire, England, November 26th, 1807. He early began his seven years' apprenticeship at the joiners' and cabinet trade, which has always been his source of livelihood. In his early manhood he was a local preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and has since been an active member. He now lives (1882) at an advanced age in Birmingham, England. His uncle, Joseph Ilyde, was a Wesleyan Methodist Minister, who was arrested and imprisoned in Whitefield's time for proclaim- ing the doctrine. He was imprisoned in the Derbyshire prison, and made his escape by scaling the walls surrounding the prison. So wonderful was the feat that the wall was ever after knowu as " Hyde's Leap."
About 1828 occurred the marriage of William Hyde and Susannah Walker. Five children were born to them : George Walker, Sarah Ann, married to Richard Woodfull, William and Alfred, all now of Birmingham except the first ; aud Ellen, de- ceased, who at her death was Mrs. Swain. Mrs. Susannah Hyde died during the last week of 1860; she lies in St George's churchyard, Birmingham. The writer directs the following lines to the principal subject of these notes, viz. Dr. Geo. W. Hyde : He was born in Packington, in the same house in which his mother had been born. When he was one year old his parents settled iu Birmingham. The boyhood of George was spent in the private and national schools of his day till he became 14 years of age. Labor at that time being scarce he sought to aid his parents somewhat financially. He became a billing clerk in
a large brass foundry, where he remained some three years. During part of this time he attended the Polytechnic Institute, a night institution of learning. Between the ages of 14 aud 15 years he became connected with the Juvenile Temperance Society and Rechabites. He continued in this cause, and when 16 years old was admitted to the adult society of the same name. Being somewhat efficient as a speaker, it was proposed to enter him in the list of regular speakers for the Birmingham General Tem- perance Society. In order to carry this out, it was necessary he should make a trial speech. At a meeting held at the Temper- ance Hall on Union Street, Lecturer Murphy presided, and the trial speech was made, which brought out warm encomiums from the chairmau, and resulted in his election as a speaker. His various appointments were duly met. Just previous to this period of his life, at the age of 19, exposure brought on a severe attack of typhus fever, which confined him for six months, and which so broke his constitution as to give rise to the frequently precarious condition of his health during subsequent years. At the age of 20, he began to learn the joiner's and cabinet trade with his father. This trade he followed more or less as an actual means of support, but not coustantly, his ill health requiring changes in employment, which probably would not otherwise have been made. Ou his 21st year, November 20th, 1850, he was united in marriage to Sarah Owen, who has ever been his efficient helpmate. She was born October 5th, 1828, between Lionell and Fleet streets, Birmingham, Eng- land. Her father, George Owen, was born in 1785, on the border
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
of Wales, near Bristol, and was of Welch ancestry. At 17 years of age he became a sailor, but five years after he became engaged in the Iron Plate Works in Birmingham, where he re- mained till his death at the age of 58 years. His wife, Nellie (Warren) Owen, was born in Birmingham, in 1790, and survived him till March 4th, 1873.
Shortly before marriage, the subject of these memoirs was in- duced by an associate to begin the study of medicine. It was about this time that the question of reform in medical prac- tice began to be considerably agitated in England, chiefly through the instrumentality of American physicians. Dr. Wooster Beach, a student of Dr. Jacob Tidd, of New Jersey, fonuded, 1826, the "New York Reformed Medical College," and soon issued the Reformed Medical Journal. He also early compiled some medi- cal works. His principles were early advocated in Europe, and a class was formed in Birmingham and taught by a Dr. Norris. Advantages were of course limited. Animals were used for anatomical demonstration and clinical experiment. Antivenesec- tion and antimineralism were studied and promulgated. It was the privilege of George W. Hyde, dissatisfied as he was with the existing practice of medicine, to unite himself with this class. Every spare moment was spent in this class work. Two years were thus improved. Although he did not give himself wholly to the practice yet it was his pride to undertake severe cases des- paired of by other physicians. Ilis own danghter was not the exception to this case, and no case that came uuder his care was lost. Strengthened in the practice by his success, he continued the study, taking the medical journal above mentioned, and such other reading as he could afford. The class had frequent corre- spondence with Dr. Wooster Beach of New York.
A change of climate becoming necessary to his health, Dr. Hyde determined to sail for America. Accordingly, leaving his family, a wife and three children, Mary A., Alfred W. and George Walter, in Birmingham, he set sail Juue 7th, 1857, and immediately experienced a change for better health. He landed at Point Levi, opposite Quebec, after 9 days and 20 hours sailing in the steamer Iudiana.
He hastened by railway to Onarga, Iroquois County, Illinois, arriving July 1st, following. Ile was then on the froutier, as Iroquois County was uew, and frontier life was mnde real by oxen, breaking plow and experiences generally incident to such occupation. His brothers-in-law, John and Abram Owen, were already in the hardware trade. Soon a co-partnership was formed, the firm being known as Owen, Hyde & Oweu. The Dr. was urged to begin practice, but fear of ill health caused him to desist. At the opening of the rebellion, being refused admission to the army, he removed to the country to care for the family of a William Frazee, while the latter served his country as a soldier. The family removing. Dr. Hyde purchased 40 acres of land on which he built a small dwelling, which he occupied till the close of the war. Ilowever, he farmed hut little himself, his time being mostly occupied in his medical work made imperative by war's demands.
At the close of the war, be purchased property in Onarga and there lived till he located in Clinton, moving his family Novem. ber 5th, 1872. In 1876 he enjoyed a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, receiving a diploma of the institution. He is a member of the State and National Eclectic Medical Societies. As regards his success as a physician in Clin- ton it is unnecessary to commeut. Politically iu Englaud he was a Radical as opposed to Toryism. In America he espoused
the Republicau cause, casting his first vote for the immortal Lincoln, and since has voted successively and successfully for all Lincoln's patriot successors. In petty elections he is oblivions to party, but in National policy has found uo party more in consonance with his own views, than the Republican. Religiously both he aud wife have been members of the Baptist church since 1849, having been baptized by Dr. Charles Hill Roe, then pastor of Henage street church, Birmingham. He has occupied all official positions withiu the gift of the church. Both he and wife have been prominently identified with the temperance orga- nization and progress since childhood
The children have numbered seven. Three, Mary A., Alfred W., and George Walter, born in England, emigrated with their mother in 1859, in the steamship " North America," landing at Point Levi after a voyage of eleven days and eleven hours. William F F., was boru in Onarga, and three babes have been buried. The only daughter, Mary A., was married August 15th, 1876 to Mr. S. P. Flemming, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
DR. J. A. EDMISTON
Was born in Logan county, Ohio, February 6, 1839, where his grandfather, Robert Edmistou, had located iu an early day, being one of the pioneers of the county. He in turn hailed from Ken- tucky. The Edmiston ancestors were originally of Scotch-Irish extraction. Robert Edmiston, the father of the subject of this biography, was a farmer by occupation. John A. received a common-school education, which was supplemented hy a partial academic course of instruction at Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Paris, Edgar county, this state. At the age of seventeen years he struck out to make his own livelihood, and found it in teaching. The great west, as Illinois was then known, had its attractions for him, and thither he came; remained awhile in Edgar county, aud in 1857 came to De Witt, where he entered upon the study of medicine with Drs. Goodbrake and an uncle, T. K. Edmiston. During the years 1858-9 he attended a course of lectures in Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, and returned to Ohio, where upon the breaking out of the war he volunteered, in April, 1861, in the 13th Regiment Ohio Vols, for three months' ser- vice. At the expiration of this time, he filled with enthusiasm iu the cause of the Union, made his way to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he joined the 20th Regiment Illlinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private. He soou after became hospital steward, under his old preceptor, Surgeon Goodbrake. Immediately after the battle of Fort Donelson he was appointed Ist lieutenant, Co. E; went ou duty in this capacity the morning of the Shiloh fight ; in August was appointed captain, and remained so until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Clinton, and in 1865-6 attended another course of lectures in Rush Medical College, from which institution he graduated February 24, 1866. Soon after he formed a partnership with his uncle in the practice of medicine, which continued until 1870. He then engaged iu the drug business, which he followed for five years, and since which time he has practiced his profession. Ile is au active member of the De Witt Co. Medical Society, of which he has been several years president. Politically, he is an ardent, out- spoken Republican ; he is a member of the Masonic order ; religiously, is a Presbyterian. He was united in marriage De- cember 17, 1867, to Miss Mary Haynie, a most accomplished lady. Mrs. Edmiston has been for fifteen years leader of the singing in the Presbyterian church, a position for which her talents have pre-eminently fitted her.
PHOTO. BY F. O PEASE.
Amos Dick
Hattie Dick
WHO is one of the prominent retired farmers of De Witt County, was born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky February 18th, 1812, and was the son of Peter and Christina Dick. Mr. Dick's father was a native of North Carolina, and of German and English de- scent. When he arrived at the age of maturity he went to Ken- tucky where he afterwards married his wife, Miss Christina Shut who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of clear German ancestry, her forefathers having emigrated to America at a very early date. Peter Dick was a farmer, an avocation he followed for nearly a quarter of a century in Kentucky. He then, with a view to better his, coudition in life emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Sangamon county, this being in 1829. In the spring of 1831, he moved into what is now Cass County, where he lived until his death, March of 1st, 1849, aged 68 years. His wife survived him three years, and lied December 7th, 1852, aged 64 years. They raised a family eight children, five boys and three girls, who married and raised families. The subject of this sketch, being the third, was in his seventeenth year when he came to this state. His advantages for receiving an education were limited, hnt by a close application in after life, he has qualified himself sufficiently to transact most any ordinary business. He was united in marriage January 1st, 1843, to Miss Sarah J. Combs, a native of Kentucky ; she died September 15th, 1862, leaving four children, viz. : Thomas J., John K., James A., and Ruth J. Mr. Dick was married the second time October 19th,
1869, to Miss Harriet N. Scott, who was born in Sangamon County, Illinois. They have one child, Emma. Mrs. Dick's parents were among the first settlers of that county, having emigrated there in 1819 from Kentucky. The old homestead is a short distance east of where Pleasant Plains in that county now is. Mr. Dick was educated to farm pursuits, and in consequence has made that his life occupation. He started ont in the battle of life unaided, and by hard work, good management aud economy he has ac- quired sufficient of this world's goods to live the remainder of his life in comparative ease. He lived in Cass county until 1865. February of that year, he came to Waynesville township, and bought a farm, where he was actively engaged in his chosen vo- cation, farming and handling stock until quite recently. He gave each of his children a farm, thereby enabling them to start in life more full handed than was his lot. He reserved his homestead place near Waynesville, upwards of two hundred acres. In No- vember 1881 he came to Clinton, where he now resides. In poli- tics Mr. Dick has always been a Democrat. In 1877 and 78 he represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors be- ing the Representative of his township when the Midland Rail- road Company sued Waynesville township for $50,000, bonds given by the township, in which suit the company was defeated by failure on part of the company to fulfill their contract. Reli- ; giously Mr. and Mrs. Dick are members of the Christian Church.
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PHOTO, HY F. O PEARE ..
Jak A Willow
THE present efficient Treasurer of De Witt county, was born October 30th, 1839, a few miles north-east of Clinton. His father Edward was from Perry county, Ohio, his mother, Mar- tha Wilson, from East Tennessee ; both came in 1832 and located in De Witt county. The ancestors of Edward Wilson were from Maryland, those of Mrs. Wilson, from Tennessee. Edward Wil- son, a brave sturdy pioneer, who left his impression on the com- munity in which he lived for good, died May 10th, 1863. He had followed farming all his life. James A. Wilson had only the meagre advantages extended the youth of this section of country in the days of log cabin school-houses. Harvey Blunt was his first teacher. He made the most, however, of the advantages offered, and good strong common sense has led him in all business operations he has engaged in. His chief pursuit has been farm- ing and stock dealing. He has represented the fellow citizens of his native township as supervisor and school trustee, and in 1877 he was elected county Treasurer by a majority of seven hun-
dred votes, although a democrat in what is generally a republican county. This can only be attributed to his personal popularity and universally recognized fitness for the position. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Cook, of Waynesville, September 7th, 1862, by whom he has had five children. Politically Mr. Wilson is a democrat, and in the advocacy of his belief is ardent and positive. He is a member of the Masonic order, his membership being with the Amond Lodge No. 284 at De Witt, aud with the Good- brake chapter in Clinton, also the Knights of Pythias, Planta- geuet Lodge. That measure of success which always follows in the wake of energy has been his portion, and now he is the owner of seven hundred acres of fine land, and is somewhat extensively engaged in the stock industry both at home and in company with others iu Texas Industrious, reliable, of well established iuteg- rity of character, Mr. Wilson enjoys the good will and good wishes of host of friends.
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