USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 66
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IRA C. HUBBARTT, farmer, P. O. Beecher City. Among the leading farmers of this town- ship is the above gentleman, who was born June 22, 1834, in Fayette County, Ind., the eld- est son of John Hubbartt and his wife Eliza- beth Hubbell. Mr. Hubbartt came to this State with his parents in September, 1853, who settled on the edge of Shelby County, just
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across the Effingham line. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and a short time afterward, and assisted in improving the homestead. In October, 1855, he married Mary A., a native of Shelby County, daughter of Elijah Parkhurst. Shortly after his mar- riage, he moved to Fayette County, where he had purchased land. Here he engaged in farm- ing. He remained here about five years, when he exchanged his property there for the place he now owns, and added more to the same by purchase. He located on the northeast quarter of Section 22, and has since remained and giv- en his attention to farming. He has now 321 acres of land, 160 here, and the remainder in the adjoining county. He has eight children living, viz .: Charles C., Eliza J., Elisha H., Rebecca A., Ira K., Laura A., John E., Mary N. Member I. O. O. F., Beecher City Lodge, No. 690; Greenbacker.
W. H. JENNINGS, merchant, Beecher City. Among the leading business interests of this township is that carried on by the above-men- tioned gentleman, who was born in this county in December, 1838, son of Tsom Jennings, a native of Warren County, Tenn., who emigrated to this State in the fall of 1829. He was born in March, 1805; died in October, 1877. His wife was Frances Smith, a native of North Car- olina, daughter of Peter Smith. William Hay- den was raised on the farm; began for himself at twenty-one at farming. Made his father's house his home until the summer of 1861, when he left home. June, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany K, Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and served until September, 1864. During this time, he participated in all the engagements that his company was engaged in. Served in Pea Ridge, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca, and in all the battles np to Atlanta. Upon his return home, resumed farming, which he con- tinued until 1871. That fall he came to this township and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with J. D. Jennings & Brother, which con-
tinued four years. He then sold out his interest; then returned to Fayette County and went to Holliday and resumed the mercantile business there, continuing until May, 1880, when he came to this place and set up in business with his brother Noah, who built the business house he now occupies, and continued together about eighteen months, when he purchased his broth- er's interest and has since continued alone. Building, 24x60 feet, well stocked with a gen- eral assortment of goods. Married in 1866 to Mary J. Musser, born in Knox County, Ohio, daughter of William and Mary Musser. Mem- ber of the Universalist Church. Member of the A., F. & A. M., Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; Democrat.
T. L. D. LARIMORE, retired farmer, P. O. Beecher City, was born October 25, 1808, in Stokes County, N. C., and when a lad removed with his parents to Fayette County, Ind., where he lived until twenty-five years of age. His father was Thomas J. Larimore, a native of Virginia, and when a young man removed to North Carolina, where he married Nancy Wright, a daughter of John Wright, who came from Ireland and settled in North Carolina. The paternal grandsire of our subject was James Larimore, who was a Revolutionary soldier, and for many years afterward drew a pension. He married Katie Daniels. Thomas J. Larimore removed to Rush County, Ind., in 1815, and was a pioneer of that locality, and remained here until his death in 1852. Thomas L. D., our subject, was raised to farming, and received but a common school education, and very common at that. He married Mary J. Hubbard, a native of Fayette County, Ind., where she was born January 31, 1814. Her parents were Charles Hubbard and Lillie Hol- land, the latter a daughter of Laban Holland and Elizabeth Hales, of English ancestry. Charles Hubbard was a native of Maryland, his wife Lillie of Virginia. One year after Mr. Larimore's marriage he removed to Hancock,
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Ind., where he entered land and settled in the woods, remaining there about nineteen years, when he sold out and came to this State, locat- ing in this township September 20, 1853, where he has since lived. His first purchase was 520 acres, some of which he entered. The piece he located on had a small cabin thereon and a few acres broken. He has now 160 aeres left after dividing out among his children, of which he has eight in number, whose names are as follows : Charles T., born July 19, 1834; Eliz- abeth. born February 14, 1836; John L., born January 6, 1840 ; Louann, born October 3, 1847 ; Albert, born November 3, 1849 ; Aza- riah. born June 3, 1852 ; Sarah C., born July 23, 1854; William F., born Angust 15, 1857. Children deceased are Nancy E., Mary I. and William H. Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Holli- day, resides in Fayette County ; Louann, wife of Noah Jennings : other children are residing at or near the homestead. Mr. Larimore is a member of the Universalist Church and a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson.
S. D. LORTON, farmer, P. O. Beccher City, was born January 17, 1822, in the State of Arkansas, and came with his parents to Madi- son County, this State, in 1823, and the follow- ing year came to Fayette County, where he lived until 1843, when he came to this county, and has since been a resident of this township. Ilis father's name was Henry, a native of Henry County, Va .; son of Robert Lorton and Tabitha Ganaway, both natives of Virginia, and re- moved with their family at an early day to Cumberland County, Ky., about 1813, where they remained until 1819, when they located in Green County, near White Hall ; here Robert Lorton died abont 1833, in his eighty-sixth vear. He served all through the Revolutionary war. Henry, the father of our subject, was the sixth son of Robert, and was born August 4, 1799, and was raised a farmer, and while in Madison County, now Bond, about 1820, he
married Sarah Carson, a native of South Caro- lina, daughter of James and Elizabeth (West) Carson. After the marriage of Henry Lorton. he moved to Arkansas in 1821, and the follow- ing year returned to Madison County; stayed one year, and in 1824 located in Fayette County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming, and remained here until his death, which occurred October 11, 1851. His wife died September 20, 1866. He served in the Black Hawk war, and was a life-long Whig. He raised to maturity four children-Samuel D., Greenup. John and Sarah, all now living. The boys, John and Greennp, reside in Fayette County and are engaged in farming. Sarah re- sides in Shelby County, wife of James Askins. Samuel D. being the only one of the family re- siding in the county. At the age of twenty he began for himself, which was in 1843. His father gave him 100 acres, upon which he lo- cated and has since remained. In 1843, March 28, he married Lucy A., born in Fayette Coun- ty, 1824, December 12, daughter of Isaiah and Eliza (Reed) Nichols. Ile was born in Mason County, Ky., July 6, 1800; son of Thomas Nicholas and Duleibela Berry. Eliza was born 1806, August 3, in Randolph County, this State. daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth (Doyle) Reed. After Mr. Lorton married, he located in a cabin which he built, which was burned in the spring of 1845. He then built a cabin where he now lives, in which he lived about six years, when be built a frame house, in which he lived until 1874, when he built the brick house he now ocenpies; has five children living-James K., Samantha, Elana J., Sarah and Henry; de- ceased-Julia A., who died at seventeen; other died in infancy. James K., resides in London Township, Fayette County; Samantha resides in this township, wife of C. W. Larimore; Elana, wife of Harmon Buzzard, of Fayette County; Sarah and Henry, unmarried. Has 200 acres and the same amount in Fayette County. Had at one time 660 acres before dividing among
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his children. Democratie, and served as Col- lector several terms-now Assessor. Is Uni- versalist in doetrine, and a Mason since 1856; now of Greenland Lodge, No. 665; always been a temperate man.
J. P. ROBERTSON, stock-dealer, Beecher City. The resident stock-dealer of this town- ship is James Polk Robertson, who was born in Todd County, Ky., March 28, 1843, third son and fifth child born to Jesse B. Robertson and Harriet Key, he born in Virginia, and removed with his father, David, to Tennessee when twelve years old. In 1842, he (Jesse B.), located in Todd County, Ky., where he lived until 1861, and came to Washington County, this State, and, 1870, removed to Ef- fingham County, this State, where he died in 1876. Harriet was born in Tennessee, daughter of William Key. James P. was raised on a farm, and located in Todd County until 1878, when he came to Washington County, this State; remained here until February, 1880, when he came to Beccher City and since re- mained; was in Kentucky during the war; in 1874-75, was selling goods in Todd County; in 1875-76, was Constable; 1877-78, was engaged in the leaf tobacco business. From there to Washington Connty, this State, 1878, where he engaged in farming two years. Then acted as foreman for Osgood & Kingman (railroad con- tractors), for twelve months. Went to the Hot Springs; stayed one year for his health, when he came here and engaged in butchering. Since August, 1882, been engaged in stock business, buying and selling cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. Married, June, 1863, to Rebecca Starks, a native of Simpson County, Ky., daughter of Aquilla Starks. Ilas three children-Martha J., Jesse F. and Mary S. Member of A., F. & A. M., Dayville Lodge, Ky., No. 587; of I. O. O. F., Beecher Lodge, No. 690. He was formerly Democratie, politically, but having seen and experienced the evil effects attending the liquor traffic, he is now a Prohibitionist, in the strong- est sense the term implies.
AMAZIAH SPARKS, deceased, Beecher City, was born August 9, 1826, in Indiana, son of John Sparks and Mary Campbell. He from Pennsylvania, she from Virginia, and were early settlers in Indiana. Subject was raised a farmer, and lived with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. February 23. 1854, he was married to Amanda Steele, a na- tive of Rush County, Ind., born September 17, 1834. She was the eighth child of James Steele and Sarah Reeves. He was born in Pennsylvania November 6, 1799. She was born in Kentucky July 29, 1798, and removed to Indiana in an early day. He died January 30, 1839; she January 12, 1864. He was of Presbyterian, she of Christian Church. After the marriage of Mr. Sparks, he lived nearly ten years, and in the fall of 1855 moved to Illinois, lived two years in the northwest part of the township; removed then here, north half of southeast quarter of Section 22, bought of railroad eighty aeres ; no improvements on same. He remained here until his death, April 4,1871; was a member of the Christian Church; Republican. Since war, was a man highly re- speeted in the community in which he lived. Surviving him are his widow and six children -Sarah M., James W., George B., Ila U., Will- iam II., Charles F. They have 110 acres.
WILLIAM R. SPIVEY, farmer, P. O. Beecher City, was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 3, 1828, to John and Hannah (Frazey) Spivey. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born on November 25, 1800. She was born December 25, 1802, in New Jersey. He eame to Ohio in 1813, and settled in Butler County. He carried the mail for seven years, from Cin- cinnati to Xenia, carrying out of Cineinnati the first paper that was ever published there. In 1839, he moved to Fayette County, Ind., and remained there till his death, November, 1878. She died there also in September, 1874. Onr subject received his education in the common schools of Indiana. He was raised on a farm, and that has been his occupation through life.
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He remained at home till he was twenty-five years old, working on the farm, and then went to the then far northwest, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northern Illinois, and was gone for three years, farming one season while gone, and for two years was railroading, being with an engineer- ing party. On November 17, 1856, in Milwau- kee, Wis., he was married to Harriet Williams. She was born in Ohio, near Cleveland, to Abram Williams; both her parents died when she was small. Mr. and Mrs. Spivey had ten children, nine living-Ida, Jessie, Charles, Susan, Har- riet, Georgiana, Omer, Everett, Dolly. After his marriage, he went back to Indiana, and farmed on his father's farm, for twenty years, and then came to Effingham County in 1875, to his present farm, which he had bought be- fore coming. His farm consists of 120 acres; about 100 being improved. He is a life-long Democrat. The next year after coming to Illi- nois, he was elected Justice of the Peace. but not liking it soon resigned.
DAVID SWEAZY, farmer, P. O. Beecher City, was born in November 12, 1833, in Hock- ing County, Ohio, the third son of Rev. An- thony Sweazy and Susana Clark. He (Rev. Anthony), was born November 20, 1800, in New Jersey; son of Henry, whose wife was a Cramer. Subject is of German descent. Ilenry Sweazy removed with his family at an early day from New Jersey. and settled in Hock- ing County as early as 1814, where he died. Ile raised a family of eleven children, who set- tled in Ohio and Indiana. David came West to this locality in the fall of 1853; his father had been out the year previous and purchased 400 acres in this township; cost $4.50 per aerc. He remained here until his death, September 2, 1864. Ile was for many years a member of the United Brethren; he first united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, afterward joined the United Brethren Church, and in 18-10 was licensed as minister in same, and was ordained in 1844. On account of ill health, could not
travel, and worked in a local way, and for one of his advantages was past the medioere of his profession. In early life, was a Democrat; later in life was a stanch Republican. ITis wife died in June, 1861. To them eleven chil- dren were born, ten grew up-Henry, William, David, Henderson D., Anthony, Louis C., Janc, Melinda, Hannah, Susanah. William, Hender- son D. and David lives in this township. Sub- ject came out liere and engaged in making im- provements; remained with his father about eighteen months, when he began for himself, and in March, 1856, married Mary E., daughter of John Miller, and Susan Wantland, of Knox County, Ohio. After marriage he located where he now lives, and since remained. Ilas 190 acres. Has eleven children born, eight living-Charles M., Amanda J., Alverda V., Jessie W., Eliza J., Emma F., Mary A. and Louis E., deceased, died young; he has been a member of the United Brethren Church since nineteen years old; Trustee of church and Class-leader, and Superintendent of Sunday school.
H. D. SWEAZY, farmer, P. O. Beecher City. The subject of this sketch was born in llocking County, Ohio, May 8, 1835, to Anthony and Susannah (Clark) Sweazy (see sketch of David Sweazy). His early life was spent on his father's farm, and in attending the common schools of his native county. In the spring of 1855, he left the old home, and, in company with his father, came to Ellingham County, set- tling in Liberty Township, and since that time his fortunes have been cast with this township. Although farming has always been his occupa- tion, still he has had enough practice to make him handy either with the carpanter's square or the mason's trowel. He remained at home with his father till his marriage in the spring of 1861, when he was married, in Hocking County, Ohio, to Miss Mary B. Wilson; she was born in Perry County, Ohio, February, 1836, to Hiram and - (Tucker) Wilson. They
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were both born in Ohio. He is still there, but she is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Sweazy have two children-Nancy Ellen and Henrietta. As soon as he was married, he moved to his present farm, and has since been actively engaged in farming. His farm consists of 175 acres, of which he inherited sixty, but the remainder he has made by his own energy and industry. Be- sides his farm, he has a number of town lots in Beccher City. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and each has been connected with that church for over thirty years. His first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, and he has kept by the party ever since. Up to the time the railroad passed through, his house was opened to any in the county, and never charged a cent for lodging or a meal of victuals to any one belonging in the county; but after the railroad was built, he was soon over-run, and so had to change his way and go to charging. He boarded the hands as they were laying the track for the rail- road, also as they were building the depot and laying out the town. Part of Beecher City is laid out on his farm. The first twelve years after his marriage, he ran a threshing-machine in its season, and made quite a success of it.
T. D. TENNERY, farmer, P. O. Beecher. Among the old settlers of Liberty Township is Thomas Douthad Tennery, who was born in Greenup County, Ky., December 22, 1819, the sixth son of a family of twelve children. There were eight sons and four daughters, T. D. be- ing the ninth child in order of birth. His par- ents were Thomas and Jane (Wilson) Tennery, both natives of East Tennessee. His father was Zophar Tennery. In the fall of 1820, our subject removed with his parents to Edgar County, this State, and located on land south of Paris, which he afterward entered from the Government. He remained here until about the year 1845. He removed to Jasper County, where he laid out the town of Granville, after- ward deceased in that county about the year
1867. Thomas D. remained with his father until he was twenty-two years of age ; had fair school advantages for that time. After leaving home, he engaged in farming, where he contin- ned until April, 1846, when he came to this township, loeating on Section 30, on land he had purchased in 1845 of Christopher Arms, at about $1.333 per acre ; no improvements on the same. In June, 1846, he went out in the Mexican war, Company E, Fourth Illinois Volunteers, under Col. E. D. Baker. He served one year ; was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and was at the taking of Vera Cruz. and was left in the hospital, and returned home June 31, 1847. Soon after his coming home, he purchased forty acres on Section 31 ; cost, $2.50. Began improving this, and after- ward, in 1851, located on the land owned by T. L. D. Larimore, which he had 'first bought. Here he lived until the fall of 1853, when he sold his land to Mr. Larimore and purchased (where he now owns) 120 aeres ; cost, $400. Afterward added forty acres for $75. Located here in the fall of 1853, and since lived here. Has now 200 aeres. Was married, February 7, 1850, to Sarah E. Allsop, born in Belper, Derbyshire, England, on February 5, 1826, eldest child of John Allsop and Mary Slater, who came to America in 1845. Mrs. Tennery came out to this State in the spring of 1848. Mr. Tennery has had eleven children born to him, seven living : Sarah A., Julia E., John H., Rich- ard W., Samuel C., Thomas C., Flora. Deceased, Mary J., Adelaide, George W., Mattie C. Mat- tie C. died March 1, 1880, aged twenty-four ; Mary J. died aged ten; others died young. Julia E. resides in Beecher, wife of Dr. John Cook ; John and Samuel are in Kansas ; Thomas C. in Menard County ; member Uni- versalist Church; member of the Masonic Order, Greenland Lodge, No. 665 ; charter member of the same. Been a Mason since 1857. In politics, he is Democratic ; has served the township several terms in important offices of
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trust, as Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and others, with satisfaction to the people.
CHIARLES WHATELY, farmer, P. O. Beecher City. Among the self-made men of this township is Charles Whately, who was born in 1837, September 18, in Warwickshire, England, and emigrated to America in his eighteenth year. His father's name is Charles Whately, son of Richard. Subjeet's mother's maiden name was Hannah Sharp. To sub- ject's father and mother were born three chil- dren-Richard and Charles ; one sister died in infancy. Subject was raised on a farm and emigrated to Wisconsin, and he remained here a short time and then came to this State the same fall. Stayed in Stephenson County about two years. Worked here by the month. Then, in September, 1857, he came to this locality, and at once hired out by the month to Stephen Riggs, with whom he lived about fourteen years. During the time, he worked by the month and "eropped." Saved his means and made h first purchase in 1859 in this township of forty acres, where he now resides; cost, $320. About 1867, he purchased sixty acres, forty here where he now lives and twenty in Shelby County, at $15 per acre. In 1876, he added fifty acres more, costing $20 per aere-forty acres in Liberty Township, ten aeres in Shelby. Has now 120 acres in this township, and thirty acres in Shelby County, all of which he has earned himself, never having a dollar given him, and assisted in supporting his father in the meantime, and lost money through others. Was twice married, first in 1869 to Priscilla, born in Ohio. She died one year after ; no issue. February, 1872, he mar- ried Susan Olinger, born in Ohio, daughter of Peter Olinger. By this marriage he has four children-Stella J., John E., William H. and Mary I. Member of Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, I. O. O. F.
JOHN WILLS, physician, Beecher City. In all professions, and more especially the 1
medieal, we find men of different qualifications. There are those who claim the title of M. D., upon the fact of a diploma having been granted them, and others who have earned this by years of hard, comprehensive study. Included in the latter class is Dr. John Wills, whose portrait is in this work, and who is a thorough- ly educated gentleman in literary lore as well as in the science of medicine. He is a native of Charles City County, Va., and was born November 20, 1825. He is descended from an ancient English ancestry. He is a son of Robert C., born February 16, 1792, in Charles City County, Va .; was a farmer and died An- gust 4, 1878, - a Elizabeth T. Rock, born January 29 2, and died February 13, 1881.
The pars were blessed with ten children.
Dr. W. obtained a good academic education
and Ay learned the art of farming. January 1' .848, he left his native State, and located . Ohio, where he elerked in a general store for about one year. Here he began the study of medicine. He graduated at the Cleveland Medical College in March, 1853. He at once began practicing at West Bedford, Ohio, and soon after transferred to West Carlisle, where he remained until July, 1857, at which time lie came to Fayette County, Ill., settling in a little village, a short distance from his present farm residence. Here he built up a lucrative prac- tice. In 1873, he located where he now resides, in Liberty Township, where he possesses a fine farm under excellent cultivation. He also owns good land in Fayette County and Mis- souri, all of which fortune he is the artificer. August 10. 1854, he married Josephine E. Metham, a daughter of P. and Eliza (Bowman) Metham. The former was born May 26, 1785, in England, and the latter November 11, 1789, in New Jersey. Mrs. Wills was born May 12, 1855, in Coshocton County, Ohio. The Doctor's union has given him nine children, four of whom are living, viz .: Clarella E. V. E., Robert P. K., Walter P. C., Eolia C. and Ida E. He
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is a member of the Greenland Lodge, No. 665, A., F. & A. M., and Beecher City Lodge, No. 690, 1. O. O. F. He holds to the Protestant religion. He has been identified with the Republican party since its organization, and adheres strict- ly to the principles of the same. He has
always been averse to office, and has attended to his profession, which he likes, and con- sequently is successful. He has for a long time given some of his personal attention to rural pursuits, and ranks among the very best as a farmer and stock grower.
WEST TOWNSHIP.
JAMES BECK, farmer, P. O. Welton, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 11, 1818, to William and Amelia (Ford) Beck. His father was born in Delaware; after his mar- riage, removed to Ohio, and settled in Harrison and afterward Knox County, and in 1850 re- moved to Effingham County, Ill., where he died in 1857, aged seventy-eight years. He was a farmer. He served in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject was born in Delaware, and died in Effingham County, Ill., in 1861, aged eighty-eight years. She was the mother of twelve children, of whom John was the fourth child. His early life was spent in assisting to till the soil of his father's farm. He left home when he was twenty-two years old, and spent four years in boating on the Mississippi, Mis- sonri and Ohio Rivers. In 1843, he married, and settled down at farming in Ohio. In 1850, came to Effingham County, Ill., where he is still actively engaged in farming. He is the owner of about 500 acres of good land in the county, and is considered one of the most practi- cal farmers of the county. He first married Miss Maria Van Winckle, who died in 1852, leaving three children as the result of their union. Sarah, wife of John Leonard is the only surviv- ing child. In July, 1853, he married Miss Susan Hardsock, who has borne him six chil- dren, of whom five are now living, viz., William, Maria, Margaret, Hester L. and Susan A. Mr. Beck is an active member of the Masonic order at Altamont. Politically his sympathes are with the Democratic party.
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