History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650

USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 73

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DAVID SPITLER, farmer, P. O. Montrose, was born in Jasper County, Ind., October 22, 1843, son of Wesley and Ann (Varner) Spitler, botlı natives of Page County, Va., he, a farmer, born October 19, ISII, and is now living in Jackson Township, this county, where he has resided for the past two years ; she, born in March, 1811, and died January 29, 1879, in St. Francis Township, this county. The par- ents had five children, three boys and two girls. Our subject received his early schooling in his native county, and began life on his own responsibility at farming. He lived in Jasper County, Ind., until 1865, when his father came to Effingham, lived there three years, when he purchased 200 acres of land, near Montrose, at $13 per acre, which has since been improved. In October, 1867, our subject went to Missouri, returning in a year, and has since resided near Montrose. His farm now consists of 300 acres, which is under systematic cultivation and is given to farming in its general branches. Mr. Spitler was married in Jasper County, Ind., May 30, 1877, to Mary E. Crews, born in the latter county, April 29, 1853, daughter of J. L. and Mary A. (Green) Crews, he born November 14, 1825, in Terre Haute, Ind. ; she near Day- ton, Ohio, July 2, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Spitler have two children -- Cora Ann. born February 4, 1878, and a boy, not named, born October 5, I882. Our subject is a member of the Board of School Trustees, and in politics is a Dem- ocrat.

J. J. THOELE, farmer, P. O. Tentopolis, was born in Kentucky November 17, 1841, son of Andrew and Angelina (Hacklaga) Thoele, both natives of Germany, he, a farmer, died in this county, she still living in St. Francis Township, this county. They have two boys now living. Our subject received his early schooling in Teutopolis, this county, and began in life as a tiller of the soil. He was married in Tentopolis, October 23, 1867, to Miss M. Fulle, born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, July 20, 1846, daughter of Jacob

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and Antoinette (Grove) Fulle, natives of Ger- many, both born in the same year, 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Thoele have six children, Joseph, Henry, John, Gus, Frank and Lizzie. Our subject has a farm of 300 acres of good land, and buildings, a good share of the land being in timber. The farm is situated about one mile from the center of Tentopolis. Mr. Thoele engages in farming in its general branches. He has filled township offices, is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN THOELE, farmer, P. O. Teutopolis, was born in Donglas Township, this county, December 24, 1843, son of Peter and Marianna (Stauberman) Thoele, natives of Germany; he was a farmer, and died in this county; she is at present living in Tentopolis. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are living. Our subject received his early schooling in Teutopolis, this county, and was afterward engaged in various occupations, farming, car- pentering and wagon-making, ete. He was united in marriage, January 30, 1865, in Douglas Township, this county, to Katharina Korfage, born in Watson Township, this county, November 6, 1845, daughter of G. and Franciska (Dinggrave) Korfage, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Thoele have three children, John, born May 24, 1867, George, born April 22, 1878, and Mary, born November 17, 1880. Our subject lived in Teutopolis for fourteen years, when, in 1879, he purchased eighty acres of land at $17.50 per acre. which he has improved. Mr. Thoele has good build- ings on the place, and he carries on farming in its general branches. Ile is a man whose all represents the result of his own labors. He has been Township Clerk, School Trustee and Director and Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Catholic Church and votes the Democratie ticket.

HENRY ULHORN, farmer, P. O. Teu- topolis, is a native of Germany, born February 22, 1844, son of John II. and Maggie (Krone)

Ulhorn, natives also of Germany, he born in 1806, and died in 1876, in St. Francis Township, this county; she, born in 1808, and in living with her only son, our subject. He received his early education in Tentopolis, this county, and made farming his occupation for a start in life. Ile was married in Teutopolis, May 29, 1869, to Mary Thoele, born in this county in 1846. IIer mother, Mary Stauberman, was born in Ger- many. The father is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Ulhorn have three children-Mary, born July 20, 1868; Katy, born February 23, 1874, and Lizzie, born December 21, 1882. Our subject at one time learned the carpenter's trade, but has been mostly occupied at farming. Ile was brought to this country when but two years old, and has resided in this county ever since. Ile owns a fine farm of 2.10 acres, well im- proved, and contains good buildings and a healthy orchard. He carries on general farming. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

H. G. VAN SANDT, physician, Montrose, was born in llamilton County, Ohio, February 18, 1843, son of J. and Nancy Jane (Bowen) Van Sandt, natives of Kentucky, he, a farmer and millwright, born September 23, 1791, and died May 25, 18.17, in llamilton County, Ohio ; she, born April 3, 1804, and died in Danville, Hendricks County, Ind., July 18, 1871. The father was twice married, and had eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters, our subject being his youngest. He received his early education in Bloomingdale, Parke County, Ind., under Prof. Hobbs, and afterward attended the St. Louis Medical College, where he re- ceived his diploma. He began life as a physi- cian and a merchant. Ile was married Feb- ruary 8, 1871, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., to Henrietta Morton, born July 15, 1849, in Keosauqua, Van Buren County, Iowa, daughter of G. and Caroline (Barton) Morton, he, born in Mt. Sterling. Ky., in 1810; she, in Overton County, Tenn., June 20, 1822.

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Mr. and Mrs. Van Sandt have had five chil- dren, two of whom are living, Guy and John Arthur, three boys being dead. Our subject responded to the Nation's first call for troops, enlisting in the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, Company I, Captain J. Deodnff, serv -. ing the three months, re-enlisting in the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and fought with that regiment at Perryville and other engagements, and was also with Sherman in his "march to the sea," and served his country till the close of the war, after which he came to this State, afterward going to St. Louis, where he grad- uated, and then practiced five years in Mis- souri. In December, 1870, he came to St. Francis Township. where he practiced medi- cine, and also kept a drug store, and afterward a general merchandise store. He owns 160 acres of land in this county, all of which is in cultivation, and is put to general farming. Our subject's father has a very interesting history. He owned a large plantation in Kentucky, but, being a strong Abolitionist, he liberated his slaves, and afterward became a member of the famous "Underground Railroad," on ac- count of which he was prosecuted in 1842 at Washington, D. C., Messrs. Salmon P. Chase and William H. Seward pleading his case, which, in 1846, was decided against him. This case was mentioned in a popular work entitled, " The Ferry Boy and the Financier." He is also the person mentioned by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her famous " Uncle Tom's Cabin," on page 137, under the title of " Honest John Van Trompe." Our subject has filled the office of

Township Trustee to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Master Mason, and an Odd Fellow, and also a member of the Encamp- ment of the latter. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Van Sandt is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

HENRY VORMOR, farmer, P. O. Teutopo- lis, was born in the Grand Duchy of Olden- burg, Germany, October 28, 1809, son of Joseph and Engel (Busse) Vormor, natives also of Oldenburg, Germany, and both died in St. Francis Township, this county. They were farmers, and the parents of eight children, of whom our subject is the only living represent- ative. He received his education in his native country, and farming has been his life occupa- tion. He came to the United States in 1831, and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for six years, where he was married to Agnes Lot, born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1814, danghter of Wilhelm and Agnes (Dates) Lot, natives also of Oldenburg, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Vor- mor have six children-John, Elizabeth, Mary, Sophia, Catharine and Caroline. After leaving Cincinnati, our subject came to what is now St. Francis Township, this county, and pur- chased 120 acres of land for $150, making subsequent additions, including one of 360 acres, which he has divided among his children. He still has 300 acres left on the home place. At one time, Mr. Vormor could have secured many hundred acres near his present place, at the extremely low price of 123 cents per acre, which is now worth $15 per acre and up- ward. Our subject is a member of the Catholic Church, and in politics, is a Democrat.

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UNION TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE V. ELLISTON, farmer, P. O. Eb- erle, is an industrious and enterprising farmer of Union Township. He was born in Carroll County, Ky., August 1, 1836. He was brought by his parents to Jefferson County, Ill., in 1842, when six years old. They remained there un- til 1866. Subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended school in all about one year. He was married in March, 1857, to Keturah Knox, a native of Jefferson County, Ill. In 1866, he came to Effingham County, Union Township, and purchased a farm, where he now resides, of 100 acres, in Section 14, of which fifty acres were in cultivation. He paid $1,400 cash for the farm. His main productions are grain and grass. In April, 1865, he was drafted, and joined Company G, Forty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; was in no battles. He was mustercd ont at Paducah, Ky., September, 1865. He has always been a Democrat, and has served in various township offices; as Assessor two terms and as Supervisor two terms. Mr. Ellis- ton belongs to the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, organized at Mason. His father, Benjamin S., is a native of Kentucky, and is farming in Jasper County, Ill. His mother. Susan, is a native of Kentucky, and is living in Jasper County, Ill. They had ten children, namely- Mary Catharine (deceased); George V. (subject); Robert, living in Marion County, Ill .; Newton, Jasper and Thomas (deceased); Franklin, liv- ing in Jasper County, Ill .; Harvey M., living in Jasper County, Ill., with his father; Parmelia Aun, wife of Willis Shamhart, living in Jasper County, Ill .; Eliza, wife of Henry Cross, living in Effingham County, Bishop Township. Sub- ject has three children living and five dead, namely: Nancy Jane, Diamie and John William are living; Mary Catharine, Allen Olin, Samuel

J. Tilden, are deceased, and two died in in- fancy. Miss Nancy Jane is a school teacher, and was born in Jefferson County, Ill., Novem- ber 30, 1858. She was brought by her parents to Effingham County, in 1866. She then com- menced attending school at what is known as the Trapp Schoolhouse. She attended 'school there until sixteen years old, when she began teaching. She taught her first school in Dis- trict 5, Union Township. In 1875. she attend- ed the County Normal, held at Effingham, and has attended there successively six terms. She has been teaching for eight years, and during that time has taught only in three different dis- tricts, in Union Township, namely: Districts 5, 1 and 2. She is now teaching in District 2. called the Hill Schoolhouse. By her economy she has saved considerable money.

WILLIAM EVANS, farmer, P. O. Elliotts- town. Among the oldest settlers in this town- ship is Mr. Evans, who was born in Lawrence County, Ind., July 23, 1835, eldest son of Ran- som and Anna (Morris) Evans, who emigrated to this township abont the year 1841, settling on a piece of land that he entered on the cast part of Section 24. He remained on the land eight years, when he returned to Indiana, and stayed three years and then returned to this township, making his settlement on Section 25, and re- mained here until his death, Jannary 1, 1862 ; his wife survived him until October, 1864. To this couple were born six children who grew up- William, Ruhamey, Louisa J., Joshna H., Rob- ert C., Amanda. Ruhamey resides in this township, wife of James Rentfrow; Louisa, re- sides in Clay County, wife of Henry McGhee; Joshua, resides in Kcokuk County, Iowa; Rob- ert C., resides in Lucas Township; Amanda, resides in Clay County, wife of John McEnelly;

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parents were members of the Christian Church. He was a member of the Democratic party; William, our subject, was raised in this town- ship, being a lad of about six years when his parents came here ; what schooling he obtained was what he got when back in Indiana three years; his early boyhood was spent on the farm, and remained at home until he became of age; he was married at the age of twenty- two, to Minerva, born in this county, daughter of John and Mary (Brockett) Trapp. After Mr. Evans was married, he settled on Section 11, where he bought forty acres at $12.50 an aere ; remained here about fifteen years ; then came to this place on Section 14, where he traded for eighty acres, and has since lived and been engaged in farming, and at the carpen- ter's trade, which he took up himself. His wife died, leaving three children-Sylvanius, Louisa F. and John H. Our subject's second marriage occurred in June, 1866, to Fannie Simmerman, a daughter of Joseph Simmerman, and he has six children-Amanda, Charles, Joseph E., Anna, Mary F. and Jessie. He is Democratic; elected Township Assessor 1882; been Town Collector three terms, and one term Supervisor; member of the Christian Church.

NELSON MARSHALL, farmer, P. O. Elli- ottstown, is an enterprising farmer of Union Township; he was born in Pike County, Ohio; his father, Oliver Marshall, was a native of Maryland, was a physician and died about the year 1848; his mother, Harriet Durham, is a native of Virginia, born in the year 1817, and is living in Madison County, Ill. Nelson is one of a family of seven children-Nelson, subject; John, living in Union Township; Isaac, deceased; Mary, deceased; Martha Jane, wife of O. D. Oberlin, living in Madison County, Ill .; Thomas, living in Madison County, Ill. Mr. Marshall was reared in the town of Way- erly, Ohio, until fourteen years of age; and during that time attended school there about six months in the year; after that time he went

to work in a flour inill for Emmitt & Davis ; remained in the mill two years, which time he still worked for the same firm, but as canal boatman in summer, and in the winter drove team; continued in that business until 1857, which time he was married February 27, to Rebecca Davis, of Pike County, Ohio; he then engaged in farming. In November, 1859, he removed to Missouri, and engaged in chop- ping and clearing up timber land for Dr. Birch, and later worked some as drayman; in October, 1861, he removed to Madison County, Ill., and engaged in farming; in 1868, he came to Effingham County, Union Township, and farmed in different places in the township. In 1870, he purchased a farm in Union Town- ship, and removed there in 1871; he raises grain, principally wheat, corn and oats. He has nine children living, and two dead-Ma- dora, deceased; Henry. Jane and William, are living; Lilian, deceased; James, Clemmentions, Hally Ann, Mattie Bell, Eva, Buhama and Nellie are living.

WILLIAM T. MILLS, farmer, P. O. Eberle, was born in Madison County, Ill., March 6, 1835, the fourth son of a family of children born to James Mills, a Virginian, who came West to Illinois, locating in Madison County about the year 1828, where he remained until his death in March, 1848. His wife survived him until October, 1873. Of the children born to them nine grew to maturity, of whom four are living. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Elsie Watts, born in Kentucky, daughter of Gabriel Watts. Mr. Mills had eight own brothers and sisters, of whom there are but two living, Rachel and Sarah, both liv- ing in Madison. Rachel, Mrs. Jonathan M. Harris ; Sarah, relict of Madisou Kersey. Will- iam was left fatherless at an early age. He lived with his mother until grown. At twenty- two, he was married to Missouri McDaniel, born in Trigg County, Ky., daughter of Jacob McDaniel and Rebecca Hensberger. After

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marriage, located there in Madison County, and farmed there until November, 1863, when he located where he now resides, and bought 120 aeres at a cost or average of $13 per aere, and has since added 120 acres more, making 240 in all. Ile has been twice married. First wife died in Angust, 1875. By her he has nine children, six living-Emma R., Lillie E., Laura, Julia A., Anna R. and Clara. De- ceased are Mary J., died aged twenty- three; James L., died aged two years; Sarah, died aged nearly two years. In June, 1877, our subjeet married Mrs. Hulda (Evans) Holt, born in this county, daughter of Younger and Mary (Witzman) Evans, and by her has three children-Nellie, Charles and William. Mr. Mills is one of the self-made men of the township. When he began for himself, he began with one horse, and com- menced by renting, and continued until he came to this county. There were but little improvements on the place at the time of his purchase. He is a Republican in polities.

H. N. RUFFNER, farmer, P. O. Mason. Among the solid farmers and prominent men of this township is Harrison Ruffner. He was born January 16, 1834, in Fairfield County, Ohio, eldest son of Andrew and Betsey (Leith) Ruffner. Andrew Ruffner was born in Vir- ginia about the year 1805, and removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, with his father, who was one of the first settlers in that locality. He died in that county in 1842. His wife survived him until 1868, having had five ehil- dren born them that grew up-Harrison N., Lucas, Andrew, Margaret and Dorothea, who are variously located. Lucas is an attorney at law and resides in Arkansas. Andrew, in Prescott, Arizona. Margaret resides in Mason Township, this county, wife of Charles Wilson. Dorothea resides in Washington Territory, wife of Ralph Warren. Harrison was left fatherless at the age of eight years, and lived with his mother until fourteen years of age,

when he came to this State with his uncle, David Leith, and lived with him in this county until he became twenty years of age. Ile then hired out by the month, continuing four years, commencing at $18 per month. July 19, 1859, he married Catharine White, a native of Bond County, and a descendant of one of the early settlers there. She was for several years em- ployed as a teacher in that county. After his marriage, he located on the farm he now owns, his first purchase being fifty-seven acres, at a cost of $13 per acre, upon which there were no buildings and but little improvements. He has since added to his first purchase, until he now has 340 acres of land as the result of his labor and good management. Of seven chil- dren born him six are living, viz., Alma, George, Andrew, Edward, Walter and Flor- ence. Ella died, aged seven. Mr. Ruffner is a thorough and progressive farmer ; not a mem- ber of any church. Is a prominent local worker and officer in the Masonic order. Is a member of A., F. & A. M., No. 217, and R. A. M., No. 76; has served as W. M. three years in the former, and ten years as High Priest in the Chapter.

JOSEPH SIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. El- liottstown, was born in Virginia January 11, 1824. He was reared on his father's farm in Virginia, and attended school some little in the winter season. In the spring of 1841, he and his parents removed to Effingham County and settled in Mason Prairie on wild prairie land. In 1844, at the age of twenty. he was married to Delia J. Wallace, a native of Kentucky. He entered a piece of land adjoining his father's farm and remained there twelve years, until 1856, which time he sold out and removed to Flemsburg, a place on the little Wabash River. He worked some at farming there and also in a mill for about two years, until 1868, which time he sold out and came to Trapp Prairie. He purchased a farm and remained on it abont ten years. In 1868, he sold out and came to

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the farm he now occupies. His father, Ahart Simmerman, was a native of Virginia. His mother, Mahala Ramsey, was also a native of Virginia. They had six children, namely : Oldest died in infancy; Joseph, subject; Mary Jane, Thomas, Susan, Calvin, all deceased. Subject's wife died in 1854, on Mason Prairie. He has three children living and two dead, namely: Fannie, wife of William Evans, living in Union Township; Susan, deceased ; Mahala J., wife of George Merry, living in Lucas Township; Amanda, deceased ; Ahart, living in Union Township.

URE STROUD, farmer, P. O. Elliottstown, is a substantial farmer and one of Union Town- ship's first settlers. He was born in Orange County, Ind., February 20, 1831. He was brought by his parents to Effingham County, Union Township, in 1840, when nine years old. They settled in Lucas Township at a place called Bishop Point. He was reared on his father's farm, and for the first three years they were there, no school existed in the neighbor- hood. In 1843, the community and neighbors built a log schoolhouse south of Elliottstown. And there, at fourteen years of age, was the first school subject ever attended. He attend- ed school there for two winters about two months each winter; during that time he learned to read and spell to some extent, afterward belped his father improve his farm. When they first came to this county, it was infested with wolves. They had a very fine colt about three months old, and on going out one morn- ing found that the wolves had killed their pet and had about half eaten it. And on another time he was sent by his father with a yoke of oxen to Ream's mill, in Jasper County. On returning home, was walking along and driving bis team and was attacked by three wolves. He managed to get into the wagon box, and by beating on the box with his whipstalk, kept them away. At the age of eighteen, he com- menced working out by the month in this and

northern counties. At one time, he hired to Thomas Steward to help drive cattle to Chi- cago. When arriving at a place called " Dead Man's Grove," one of the party, John Bartley, was taken sick. They did all that was in their power to check the disease and to make him comfortable, and having their cooking utensils with them, they killed a blue crane and made him some soup, from which he ate, and in a short time was able to go on their trip to- ward Chicago. In 1851, he came back to Lucas Township and purchased forty acres of wild land and worked on it one year. In the fall of 1852, sold out and bought eighty acres in Jasper County, Ill., now in South Muddy Township. On the 3d of December, 1853, was married to Sarah Jane Kether's, a native of Orange County, Ind. She was born in the year 1839. He was engaged in farming in Jasper County until 1857, which time sold out and re- moved to Eureka, Livingston Co., Mo. He re- mained there in Livingston and Marion Coun- ties, and engaged in farming until February, 1861, which time he sold out and came back to Jasper County, and remained there until the spring of 1862, when be sold out and pur- chased a farm in Union Township of 160 acres. It was nearly all wild land; thirty acres were in cultivation. Now he has it all in cultivation. In fall of 1864, be enlisted in Company H, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and on the 12th of November was on the raid with Sherman through Georgia. He was in the siege of Atlanta, which lasted thirteen days, and two days and nights in the siege of Co- lumbia. In the siege of Fatesville, which last- ed about three days, and also in the siege of Goldsboro two days and nights. There he was taken sick with the chronic diarrhea and taken to the hospital at Goldsboro. He lay there four days. He then was sent to Buford, N. C., was re-examined and sent to a hospital in New York City, and remained there until May 25, 1865, which time he was dis-

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charged and came back to his farm in Union Township, and has been engaged in farming ever since. He raises grain-principally wheat, corn and oats. His father, Thomas Stroud, was a native of Orange County, Ind., born 1805, and died in Union Township December 31, 1876. Ilis mother, Eliza Aston, was also a native of Orange County, Ind., born in the year 1813, and died in Lueas Township in the year 1852. His father married again, in 1858, to Rena Blakely. IIe had thirteen children by first marriage and two by last marriage, namely: Joseph (deceased), Ure (subject), Isaiah (de- ceased), John (deceased), Eliza Vandalia, wife of Nelson Tilton, living in Iowa; Lucretia Van- dania, wife of James H. Cooper, living in Pike County, III .; Ner, living in Lucas Township; Samuel, living in Lucas Township; Ephraim Joy, on last hearing from, was in Kansas; Na- thaniel Scarlet, was killed in battle of Hickory Station, Ark .; Austin and Nalls (twins), Austin living in Washington Territory, Nalls living in Union Township; Cava Lambert (de- ceased); those are by first marriage. Helena and Irena, by second marriage. Subject has two children living and seven dead, namely : Clayborne, Cora Ann, Cora Ann again, Mary Jane, are dead. Frances Matilda (living), Sarah (deceased), Ner (living), Samuel and Thomas Stephens are dead. Subjeet's wife died in the fall of 1862. November 9. He was married again, February 11, 1863, to Elizabeth Hand- ley, a native of Morgan County, Ky., and her death oeenrred March 30, 1880. Ile was married again, January 25, 1881, to Elizabeth Tucker, of Clay County, Ill. She has two children, namely : Robert Eli and Stephen Uriah.

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History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co. Number of Pages: 650

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650