USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 15
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In 1855 Joshua T. Nicholson planted one thousand peach trees on the south- west quarter of section 21, town 25 north, range 8 east. This large orchard was cultivated for about twelve years, when the trees died and were never replaced. This is how the township came to be named Peach Orchard.
William B. Holmes, Joshua T. Nicholson, Eliek Nicholson. Alexander Nicholson and David Spencer were the early settlers of this township until the fall of 1867, when the township was rapidly settled up. Among those coming were John Iehl, the Hunt family, G. and JJ. Dixon, JJohn Wilson, Joshua Um- barger, John Conniff, W. B. Knight, George and William Foster, G. and O. Defriese, A. Hellman, Joseph Fletcher. John and William Boundy, Robert. Ashley, P. Brady. William Underwood, Michael Schilts, Ed McKanna, Henry
SCHAFEK
A.P.GOULD
CL.WORTHING
CEN.MERCHANDISE
A SCHAFER
H.S. WOHLE
June 200
AT MELVIN
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Roweliff, George and T. Arends, Charles Gardner, Isaac C. Day, T. D. Thompson, William Frazius, William Lackey, George Phillips, Lot Robb, T. and J. Me- Laughlin and John Thackery.
The first school building in this township was the "Grand Prairie" (No. 8). although a year or so before this was built an old building was moved into the township from Wall and used for school purposes. It was called the "Black College." The first teacher was Robert IIntchinson.
The first marriage occurred in this township in 1857, the contracting parties being Elick Nicholson and Miss Margaret Scott. Charles Rodenhour was the first person who died. He was buried on section 3, in the fall of 1858.
On May 29th, 1857, Miss Fanny A. Holmes, daughter of Squire Holmes, was born, the first child in Peach Orchard. She became the wife of Paul Keostner.
This township has a railroad diagonally across it, originally known as the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield. now the Springfield Division of the Illinois C'entral. The township took twenty-three thousand dollars of stock, issuing bonds therefor for twenty years, drawing ten per cent interest. The road was completed in 1871 and trains were running that winter.
D. K. Pearson, of Chicago, owned the east tier of sections in this township, and one day in November he came down here and sold the entire tier of sections ; the average price paid was eight dollars and fifty cents per acre.
MELVIN.
Melvin, named after the president of the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad, is the only village in the township. It was surveyed and laid out at the request of Enoch Hunt, and includes about sixty-five aeres. It is situated on the south half of the northwest quarter of section 1, and contains a fine school building.
T. D. Thompson was the first station agent, and built the first house in the village.
John Lyer was the first postmaster and opened the first general store in the village.
In 1905 a graded school building was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars.
The following is a brief mention of the early settlers and leading citizens who have lived in Peach Orchard township :
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
WILLIAM B. HOLMES was born in England in 1820. Ile emigrated to America in 1849, landing in New York. He went to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he remained about three years. He then moved to Georgetown. Vermilion county, Illinois, and worked at the carpenter's trade for several years. then moved to what is now Peach Orchard township in April. 1855. set- tling on a farm which he afterward owned. Hle built the first house and turned the first furrow in this township. In 1860 the Prince of Wales' suite-Captain Carter, Hon. C. A. Ellis, now Duke of Rutland, and a German connected with the Royal family, with their servants,-were in this part of the country hunting and spent several days with Mr. Holmes. Hle was married December 26, 1844, to Miss Eliza Wren, of Yorkshire, England. Mr. Holmes had the office of super- visor, assessor and justice of the peace.
THOMAS D. THOMPSON was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1847, where he resided until 1864. He then moved to Illinois, and in 1868 settled in Ford county and was the first station agent at Melvin. He engaged in the grocery and dry-goods business and was postmaster of Melvin. Mr. Thompson always took a lively interest in the building up of the churches and schools in this place. Later, he moved to Paxton, where he is and has been circuit clerk for a number of years.
ENOCH S. HUNT was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1833. He moved to La Salle county in 1847. and lived there until 1868, when he moved to Ford county. In 1854 he was married to Miss Mary Griffen. Mr. Hunt was instru- mental in starting the village of Melvin and in securing the railroad across the township.
WILLIAM S. LARKIN was born in Rhode Island, March 5, 1826. He came to Ford county from Connectient in 1857. settling in Lyman township. After- ward he engaged in business with his son-in-law in Melvin.
EDWARD S. JENKINS was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1842. He moved to Marshall county, Illinois, in 1849, where he lived on a farm until the breaking out of the Civil war. Hle enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Infantry, remaining in the service until the war closed, when he was honorably discharged and returned to his farm. He married Miss Sarah Robinson, of Canada, and moved to Peach Orchard township. After farming for several years, he moved to Melvin and opened a meat market.
AUGUSTUS P. GOULD was born in Kendall county, Illinois, October 5. 1848. Ile lived there until 1858, when he moved to Dwight, Livingston county, farm- ing, attending school and elerking in a store until eighteen years passed away,
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
when he moved to Melvin and built and opened a store of general merchandise. He was married, October 16, 1878, to Maggie E. Wolverton, of Pontiac.
EDWARD G. COLLINS, born in Herkimer county, New York, September 22, 1851. His parents died when he was a young man. After learning the har- nessmaker's trade and being anxious to establish himself in business, came west and settled in Melvin, where he carried on business with success. In 1876 he was married to Martha M. Shute.
JOHN S. HUNT came to this place in 1867, becoming the owner of a fine farm of six hundred aeres. Ile was first collector of the township. also served two terms as supervisor and was school director for many years. Ile was one of the trustees of the Methodist church, to which he contributed largely. He always took an active part in all affairs of school, church or township.
JOHN IEHL was born in the province of Alsace, France, in 1839. When eleven years old he, with his parents, came to America and settled in Lake county. Illinois, and engaged in farming. When he became of age he started in life for himself, going to Marshall connty, Illinois, and working on a farm. In 1867 he bought the northwest quarter of section 28, Peach Orchard, and farmed it until 1873, when he bought the grain elevator in Melvin and carried on the grain business with great success. In 1871 he married Miss Mary Arends. In 1881 Mr. Iehl was elected supervisor of the township, which office he held for several years.
W. T. GASH was born in England, June 3, 1837, where he lived until he was twenty-one years old, then came to America and began farming in Henry county, Illinois. In 1869 he came to Peach Orchard and located in section 23. In 1874 he married Miss Sarah A. Bevins.
JOSIAHI UMBARGER, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1834, and at the age of ten years came west with his parents to Putnam county, Illinois. In 1860 he married Miss Jane Allen.
GERHARD DEFRIES was born in Germany in 1827. At the age of twenty- seven years he came to America and landed in New Orleans. He bought a farmi in Peach Orchard in the spring if 1868. In 1857 he married Miss IFissky Hilmers, by whom he had eight children.
HENRY ROWCLIFFE was born in England in 1843. He settled in Ford county in 1869, on section 33. In 1859 he married Martha Dim, of England. His second wife was Sarah Bell.
WILLIAM COOPER was born in England in 1830. Ile came to America in 1862. He learned the tailoring trade. He came to Peach Orchard township
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
from Fairbury, Illinois, and went to farming. In 1855 he married Miss Eliza- beth Cole, by whom he had seven children.
WILLIAM BOUNDY was born in England. October 30. 1832. He emigrated to America in 1857, first settling in New York state. He came to Peach Orchard township from Peoria county, Illinois. in 1871. He was married to Elizabeth Hill, of England, March 27. 1853, by whom he has six children.
WILLIAM FOSTER was born in Rochester county, New York, in 1833. Ile came west and settled in Ford county in 1865. He was married in 1859 to Miss Sarah Gill.
JOHN KARSTEN, a native of Germany, where he worked on a farm for twenty- four years, came to America in 1866 and settled in Marshall county, Illinois. In 1876 he came to Peach Orchard township. In 1867 he was married to Sophia Hose. He became the owner of two hundred acres of land, finely improved.
A. BUCKHOLZ. a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1852, work- ing at various places for a number of years. He finally settled in section 1, in 1867. In 1855 he married Miss Caroline Funte, by whom he had eight children. He became the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of land in this township. with excellent improvements.
HENRY SPELLMEYER was born in Germany, 1840. IFe emigrated to America with his sister in 1858. first settling in Marshall county; then, in 1868, came to Peach Orchard township. In 1868 he married Miss Louisa Steinman, by whom he had five children.
JOIIN THACKERY was born in England, 1834, where he lived until 1865. When he came to this country and settled in Putnam county, Illinois, where he lived for several years. He then came to Ford county and located in this town- ship. In March, 1865, he married Catharine Phillips, by whom he had six children. Mr Thackery became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of good land in Peach Orchard.
WILLIAM D. SPENCER, son of David Spencer, who was born in Vermont in 1811 and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1841, and bought four hundred acres of land, which he worked several years, then moved to Georgetown, same county, and engaged in stock-raising, which he followed for a time. In the spring of 1855 he settled in Peach Orchard. He died in 1857. Our subject was born in 1855, in Georgetown, Vermilion county, Ilinois, and came with his parents to this township. He was married to Miss Emma J. Terry, of St. Louis. Afterward Mr. Spencer prepared himself for the ministry.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
THOMAS MCLAUGHLIN was born in the north of Ireland in 1829. He emigrated to America in 1848, when he settled on a farm in La Salle county, Illinois, and lived there for six years, then came to this township. He became the owner of the southeast quarter of section 36, one-half mile from Melvin.
GEORGE F. FORNEY was born in Putnam county, Illinois, in 1845. At the age of twenty-two years he married Eliza S. Allen, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had four children. Hle settled in Peach Orchard township in 1870. He was town clerk for three years.
PETER CONNIFF was born in Ireland. At the age of six years he came to America with his mother and settled on a farm in New Jersey. He remained in that state abont twenty years, then came to Henry county, Illinois. He settled in this township in 1857. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth New Jersey Regi- ment and was in the service until the close of the war.
DAVID THOMPSON was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1841. In 1863 he enlisted in the Seventh Illinois Volunteers. He settled in Ford county in 1869, on section 23. HIe married Margaret Frazer in 1865.
JAMES DIXON was born in Manchester, England, in 1836. In 1861 he enlisted in the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteers and remained in the service until 1863, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Marshall county, Illinois. In 1867 he married Miss Jane E. Hunt, by whom he had seven children.
PATRICK GOGGINS, a native of the Emerald isle, came to America in 1846 and first settled in La Salle county, Illinois. After living there twelve years, he moved to Ford county. IIe married Miss Catharine Clark in 1863, and to them were born three children.
W. J. HUNT was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1841. He remained there twenty-one years, working on his father's farm, then moved to La Salle county, Illinois. In 1861 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Regiment and was in the service several years. Ile then returned to his old home in La Salle county, where he remained until 1872, when he moved to Peach Orchard township.
JOIIN M. THOMPSON was born in Noble county, Ohio, April, 1837. Ile lived there several years, then settled in Belmont county and tanght school for four years; also attended the academy at Belmont. £ In 1864 he settled in Grundy county, Illinois, remaining there a short time, then moved to Marshall county, and after living there three years he went to Woodford county and bought a farm and worked it for four years. Hle then sold out and came to Peach Orchard township in the fall of 1872, and engaged in general merchandis- ing. IIe soon sold out to his brother and engaged in the sale of agricultural
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
implements and lumber. In 1861 he was married to Miss Jane Day, of Belmont county, Ohio.
SULLIVANT TOWNSHIP.
This township was organized September 9, 1867. It originally formed a part of Dix township. and upon a petition being presented to the board of super- visors at their September meeting. in 1867. "to create a new town out of that part of Dix. to be known as Sullivant," they granted the petition, and Sullivant township was formed. £ This township is six miles north and south and nine miles east and west. The land is the highest in the state between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi river, as will be seen by the map, showing that many streams have their source in this part of the state. The soil is of good quality.
The history of this township can be nothing else but the history of a farm. for that is what it was. Most of the land in this township was entered or pur- chased by Michael L. Sullivant during 1854, who improved the land and operated it as an immense corn farm up to 1876, when he disposed of it to Mr. Hiram Sibley. of Rochester, New York. This was undoubtedly the largest corn farm in the world under one man's management. He was a leading man in the township, and lived in a beautiful grove called Burr Oaks, near the center of the township. After Mr. Sibley took possession of the farm he rented out most of the land, and for the accommodation of his renters, erected substantial dwelling houses on nearly every quarter section.
SIBLEY.
This beautiful village, originally named Burr Oaks, is situated on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. The original town of Burr Oaks was surveyed and laid out by John R. Lewis, in February, 1877. for M. L. Sullivant. in the northwest quarter of section 32. In 1880. Sibley's addition was laid off. and the name changed to Sibley to conform with the railroad station and the postoffice. But few buildings had been erected here previous to 1878. when Mr. Sibley organized a system of improvements, and a number of dwelling houses were erected, a hotel, the largest and best in the county at that time, a large seed barn, flax mill, stores, offices and numerous other buildings. A large commodious grain elevator was erected by Mr. Sullivant.
The beautiful schoolhouse, which is the pride of the town, was erected in 1882, at a cost of six thousand dollars.
MIA
SIBLEY HOUSE
20
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Although a town of but a few years' growth, the enterprise of its people is shown by the graded streets, good sidewalks, a park and hundreds of trees.
BRENTON TOWNSHIP.
This township was at one time a part of Stockton township, the latter being organized when Ford was a part of Vermilion county, and at that time com- prised the present townships of Rogers, Mona, Pella, Brenton and Lyman.
The name of Stockton was changed to Brenton March 7, 1864, and embraced the townships of Lyman, Brenton and Pella. As the country became more thiekly settled. Lyman and Pella were set off, leaving the present township of Brenton, which comprises thirty-six sections of land.
In 1856, John R. Lewis, Mark Parsons and S. Standish were the first perma- nent settlers of the township. Mr. Lewis built the first house in the township. on the northwest corner of section 22. In the fall of 1856, Peter Van Antwerp, George Benford, W. T. Reed, John E. Davis, T. W. Pope, Frederick Chambers. the Jeffreys and A. J. Bartlett came. In 1857. came the Cross and MeKinney families, Ira Z. Condon. W. W. Wieks, Aaron Schofield and Conrad Volp. In 1858, Joseph Davis. L. T. Bishop. Thomas Hahn, Jacob Titus, Merritt Free. Peter Ronse and Benjamin Hobbis, settled here. In 1860 came William L. Conrow, M. P. Sherwood, James Free, T. Jones, and in 1863. Jacob Lippencott, W. S. Thompson, Henry Patterson, Robert Wilson, D. E. Middleton and Joseph Carpenter.
The settlers of the township were nearly all eastern men.
The first birth in Brenton was Hattie B .. daughter of A. J. Bartlett. on the 14th of June. 1857. The second birth was a son of John R. Lewis. Angust 4; and, August 26. Mark Parsons was blessed with a son.
The first death was Captain Mack, who, with his young wife, came to Illinois from the east in search of a better climate for his health, but, growing worse instead of better, he sold out his property to W. W. Wieks and started for his eastern home. He got as far as Onarga, where he died and was buried. The first marriage in the new settlement was in 1859, between Charles Phelps and Miss Mary A. Davis.
The first school was started by John R. Lewis, and taught by Miss Annie E. Ilobbis, of Onaraga, who remained a teacher for a number of years.
The first election after Brenton was organized was held at district school- house No. 1 (the Wagner school).
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There were regular religious meetings held at settlers' houses every Sun- day, being conducted principally by A. MeKinney, Robert Hall and Henry Atwood.
The following are the names of those who went from the Pan Handle to the Civil war and returned safely: A. S. Bavouse, Fred Foot, Henry Phelps, R. A. Pope, Robert Ferris, Jacob Brown. Ed Kent, Mr. Stoneback. James Feeley, II. Eccleston, D. Kingsley, Morris Burt, John Haven, Ed Haven, Albert Holmes, B. Lyman.
Killed or missing, Thomas Hahn and Joseph Law.
The first schoolhouse built was the Wagner schoolhouse, in the southeast quarter of section 28.
The railroad through this township was built in 1857, first called the east- ern extension of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, afterward the Logansport. Peoria & Burlington, then shortly after changed to the Toleda, Peoria & War- saw, and now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. It runs in an east and west direction across the north tier of sections of this township.
PIPER CITY.
Piper City is the principal village in the Pan Handle, and the third village in population in Ford county. It was laid out in section 4. Brenton town- ship, by H. J. Howe, county surveyor, for Dr. William A. Piper, of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and Samuel Cross, of Chicago, in 1867. The village lies on both sides of the Wabash Railroad.
John Allen and W. C. Jones opened the first store in the new village in the summer of 1867.
Soon after Dr. Piper and J. A. Montelius opened a general store. The postoffice was established in John R. Lewis' honse, and he was appointed first postmaster. The first station agent was John Allen. The station was then called New Brenton. The United Presbyterian church was built in 1869. The next one erected was the Presbyterian in 1872. The Catholic church was built in 1880, and the Methodist in 1881.
Mrs. MeElhiney tanght the first school in Piper City in the building after- ward occupied as an office by Montelius & Brother.
The Piper City Dairy Association was incorporated in 1881, with Joseph Burger, president; J. A. Montelius, secretary and treasurer; E. H. Brooks, manager; and Joseph Burger, J. A. Montelins, E. IT. Brooks, John MeKinney, Columbus Jennings, John Clark and B. F. Church, directors.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
The following are sketches of the early settlers and business men who lived in Brenton township:
JOIN R. LEWIS was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 6, 1828. where he lived until April 16, 1850. He spent his childhood years upon a farm and attending school. One of his schoolmates was the HIon. A. HI. Pres- cott, at one time judge of Herkimer county, New York. Mr. Lewis taught school several winters, and then came west in 1856. and settled in this town- ship. being the first permanent settler. Mark Parsons came one day later. Mr. Lewis practically sold most of the lands in Brenton and Pella townships as agent for the Illinois Central Railroad lands. He was the first justice of the peace, first police magistrate, third supervisor and first postmaster of Piper City.
The second permanent settler of Brenton was MARK PARSONS, who was born in Bennington, Vermont, May 13, 1823, where he lived until seventeen years of age, working on a farm in the summer, and attending school during the win- ter. When abont twenty-three years old, he married Miss Jane E. Crossett, and with his young wife, moved to Will county, Illinois. In 1856, he came to Ford county and settled in this township. Hle built his house on the south- west quarter of section 34.
ARCHIBALD MCKINNEY was born in Ireland May 2, 1802, where he lived until 1848, when he emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia. He worked in a factory there for ten years. In 1858, he came to Ford county, settling on section 20 of this township. Mr. MeKinney was married in 1832.
. JOHN MCKINNEY, son of Archibald MeKinney, was born in Ireland in 1833. Ile came to this country with his parents in 1848. Mr. Mckinney learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for many years. When Piper City was started, he moved from his home in Brenton township and went into the Inm- ber business, and in course of time started a hardware store.
WILLIAM CARPENTER was born in Rhode Island February 22, 1811, where he lived continuously for fifteen years ; then moved to Herkimer county, New York. Here he lived until 1867; then moved to Ford county, and settled in Brenton township. In 1833 he married Ann Eliza Randall, a native of Rhode Island.
ABNER MCLAUGHLIN came to this township in 1861, and settled on section 5, In 1865 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret MeKinney, daughter of Archibald MeKinney, an old settler of this township. Mr. MeLaughlin used to teach school in winter and work on his farm in the summer. Ile was school treasurer for many years, and always took an active interest in all public enterprises.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
SAMUEL D. CULBERTSON. physician and surgeon, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, September 5. 1839. Here he lived for twelve years. attending school and helping on a farm. When eighteen years old, he began teaching school, and taught until the Civil war broke out, when he joined the army. After the war, he began the study of medicine, and in 1866 graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Ile came to Piper City in 1867. and began the practice of his chosen profession, in which he met with success. He also engaged in the drug business. Dr. Culbertson was married in 1866 to Miss Clara Kate Culver.
JOSEPH BURGER was born in Baden. Germany. He came to this county in 1868. settling on section 2, this township.
JOHN C. CULVER was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in May. 1848. In 1865, he went to Cincinnati, thence to Leavenworth, Kansas, and to the Indian territory, riding pony express from Fort Wallis to Denver: then was government scout through southern Kansas. Indian Territory and New Mexico. He served under William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) he being the chief scout. After being there several years, he came back and settled in Piper City, and went into the drug business. In 1880 he sold out and engaged in the grain business in this village. Mr. Culver was coroner of Ford county for two years. In 1872, he married Clara D. Fairley, of Lyman township.
JAMES P. McDANEL was born in Butler county, Ohio, where he lived until ten years old ; then he came with his parents to Illinois. In 1862. he married Miss Kate Huddleson, of Randolph county. Illinois. When he came to Piper City, he engaged in the hardware and furniture business. He soon sold out, and began farming and teaching. He was town clerk for many years.
HENRY ALLNUTT, a native of England, was publisher and proprietor of the Piper City Advertiser. He came to Ford county, and located on a farm in Pella township in 1869. In 1873 he moved to town, and soon started the Advertiser. He married Adda, daughter of Joseph Carpenter.
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