History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 42

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096

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United Brethren in Christ .- This Church was organized in 1853 by Rev. O. F. Smith. The building is in the eastern part of the town and was ereeted in 1873 under the auspices of Rev. I. Valentine : size of building, 40x60 feet. Present Pastor, W. B. Shinn ; officers -- Daniel Haffner, Balseer Lutz, JJames Lutz, Stephen Merrill, Wm. Merrill and C. Mathias; membership, 100; contribution per year, $600; Sunday-school-number of scholars, 80; Superintendent, Henry Switzer.

Christian Church was organized on the 23d of May, 1863, by Elder Joseph B. Royal, of Vermont. At times the congregation has been quite prosperous, and at other times its firm friends and supporters were only few. The present membership is 125. The annual contribution is $1,000. In 1866 the congregation had be- come strong enough to erect a church building, which they did dur- ing that year. It is a good frame structure, 35x60 feet, and is located in the western part of the town. The pastor is Elder L. M. Robin- son. The Elders are W. T. Toler, Geo. W. Kost and B. C. Toler. There is a good Sunday-school associated with this congregation, which is under the superintendeney of Stephen Allen, and has an average attendance of 85 scholars.

Presbyterian Church .- The building in which this congregation meets is located in the northeast part of town, and is a frame 30x45 feet in size. The Church was organized in 1876 by Rev. H. S. Beavis. The present membership is 33, and they employ no pastor

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at present, but contribute about $400 per year for expenses. The officers are : Elders-William Kost, William Allen and J. W. An- derson ; Deacon, J. B. Coyner. J. W. Anderson is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of 4c scholars.

Masonic Lodge of Astoria, No. 100 .- Dispensation granted Dec. 17, 1850, Samuel McNeil, Master ; chartered in 1851, with the follow- ing members: Wm. Kerns, Wm. Saxton, Sam'l McNeil, H. S. Jacobs, De W. C. Allen, Sam'l Smith, D. G. Tunnicliff, C. B. Cox, J. H. Hughes, Robert Anderson, A. G. Heron, G. V. Hopkins, A. I. Fitz and John C. Fitz. Present number of members in good standing, 64. W. M., J. W. Greene; S. W., T. W. Price; J. W., W. H. Emerson ( also an efficient Secretary). This is the oldest lodge in Fulton Co.

Ancient Order of United Workmen, organized Dee. 17, 1850, with a membership of 17; J. G. Bonnel, P. M. W .; J. Sollenberger, M. W. Present membership 24, out of debt and in a flourishing condition.

Ancient Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 112, was chartered Oct. 15, 1852. The charter members were J. M. Hunter, H. S. Jacobs, T. J. Kin- ney, Nelson Howell, A. T. Robertson and William Bader. The Lodge is now in prosperous working order and meets every Tuesday night. The present membership numbers 38. The Lodge room is over Scripps' bank. The officers are W. W. Bonnel, N. G. ; T. G. Mc- Laren, V. G .; J. R. Sencesich, See'y ; M. L. Tanksley, Treas.

Globe Encampment, No. 146 .- Connected with the Astoria Lodge of Odd Fellows is this Encampment, which was instituted Oct. 14, 1873. The charter members were Chas. Wilson, W. O. Rand, Alex. Bailey, Joseph C. Emerson, Wm. A. McClelland, Jas. T. Mc- Neil, James E. Lindsay, Thomas W. Price and Conrad B. Moul. The present officers are T. W. Price, C. P .; M. L. Tanksley, Seribe. It meets every alternate Tuesday night.

Personal Sketches .- We would mention personally those citizens who have been and are making the history of Astoria town- ship and town. The men and women who have developed the great resources of the township rightfully, deserve a place in its local history. From a forest they have made fine farms. They have dotted it over with fine churches and school-houses, and have raised a flourishing town where once stood a forest filled with wild beasts. This people have wrought these vast changes during a half century, and now they not only are utilizing the magnificent timber that borders the streams of the township, and are cultivating the various cereals of this latitude, but are delving into the bowels of the carth, and from her vast mines of the best coal found in the State are bringing to the surface and shipping all over this part of the country thousands of tons. The coal and hard-wood timber sup- ply of this township is inexhaustible.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

We give below personal sketches of almost all of the leading citi- zens and old settlers of the township.

Ansel Amrine, farmer, see. 6; P. O., Vermont. Ansel Amrine is a native of Fulton Co., where he was born in 1855. His father, Milton Amrine, a prominent man of Vermont, is well and favor- ably known. Ansel grew to manhood in MeDonough and Fulton counties and received a good education. With the exception of a short residence in Texas, where he embarked in cattle speculation, he has made his home in Illinois. March 27, 1879, he was married to Miss Wyllie Hamer, daughter of Col. Thomas Hamer, of Ver- mont.

John W. Anderson, Justice of the Peace and teacher, is a native of Fulton Co., and was born in the year 1842. He is a son of John G. Anderson, who is well known in this portion of Fulton Co., was born in Kentucky in 1815, and in 1835 came to Fulton Co., where he purchased farm property. Our subject remained upon the farm homestead until he attained his 14th year, when he accom- panied his parents to Wapello, Iowa, where he was liberally edu- cated, and for a period of 10 years was a teacher in the public schools. He finished his education at Howe's Normal School, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He then embarked in business with J. H. Coulter in the boot and shoe trade. At the end of one year he retired from this business and began farming. In 1868 he was united in marri- age with Miss Lizzie, daughter of Franklin Fackler. One year ago Mr. A. became a permanent resident of Astoria, and embarked in business with Samuel and Thomas Fackler, dealing in farming implements. He was soon chosen principal of the public schools of the town. He has held numerous local offices here, and while a resident of Iowa was nominated for a seat in the Legislature and defeated by only a small majority. Charles and Harry are children born of the marriage above referred to.

B. Bell Andrews, physician, located in Astoria 4 years ago, where he built up a large practice. He was born in Ireland in 1841. His father, Henry Andrews, was a Captain of Scottish Dragoons, was born in Scotland, where he married Miss Martha Bell. In 1848, while in command of the arsenal in the city of Galloway, he favored the insurrectionists and in consequence was compelled to cross the ocean with his family for America. Dr. A. graduated at Dela- ware, Ohio, Literary College and then entered the printing establish- ment of Harpel Bros., Cincinnati, where he soon became foreman. In 1864 he began the study of medicine and in '67 graduated at Starling Medical College, Ohio, and received an ad cundem degree from the Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia, and in 1878 Hahne- mann College of Chicago conferred upon him the degree of M. D. In 1867 he moved to Vicksburg and was appointed by Gen. O. O. Howard assistant physician of Burea Hospital. He then went to Jacksonville, Ill., and was appointed an instructor of printing and idiomatie construction of sentences. While there he married Miss

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY. 419

Olive Sealey. He went to Carrollton and became a public lecturer, and finally came here.

Astoria Tile Works, Messrs. J. B. Palmer and W. C. Holland, proprietors. This is a new feature of business in this flourishing town, but we feel will prove a most valuable one. The clay used is of a superior quality and the machinery of the most modern make. One kiln is now in use and others will undoubtedly be needed. They now have a capacity of 8,000 tiling per day. We will say a few words of a biographical nature in reference to the firm :

J. B. Palmer was born in Brooke Co., W. Va., in 1837, and in 1853 located near Astoria. When the late war broke out he enlisted in Co. H, 85th Ill., and participated in many important battles, as Perryville, Savannah, etc. At the close of the war Mr. P. returned to Astoria, where he has since resided. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary McLaren, of Astoria, who has become the mother of 4 children. He is the veteran school-teacher of South Fulton.

W. C Holland, who may be regarded as an old settler of this county, was born in Smith Co., Tenn., May 7, 1820. Growing to manhood in his native State he received a good common-school edu- cation. In 1845 he came to Schuyler Co., Ill., where he learned the carpenter trade and where he married Miss Margaret Kelly, daughter of William Kelly, of Tennessee. She bore him two chil- dren. For a number of years prior to his present venture Mr. Holland followed farming.

John C. Aten, agriculturist ; P. O., Astoria. The subject of this sketch is one of a numerous family of Virginians, whom we mention elsewhere. John was joined in matrimony with Mary J. Hall, daughter of Robert Hall, in Western Pennsylvania. John came to Illinois in 1855, and since his arrival here has be- come quite prosperous, and is the owner of a fine farm. There were born of the marriage referred to 9 children, only 4 of whom are living,-Nancy A., John C., Wm. HI. and Elizabeth. Mr. A. has held many offices, among them Lieut. Col. of Militia; Aid to the Governor with rank of Colonel ; Justice of the Peace ; Con- stable ; Deputy Sheriff and School Director.

Richard Aten settled in Fulton Co. nearly forty years ago, and is therefore a pioneer. He was born in Hancock, W. Va., June 2, 1815, and was the son of William and Jane ( Anderson ) Aten, and was the third of a family of 7 children. Growing to manhood in Virginia he was there married to Miss Ann Peterson. In 1840 he set out for Illinois, and in due time arrived at Astoria. In 1838, previous to his marriage, he had purchased land here, and 2 years later moved into a rough log house without windows, and a fire-place partly built occupied one corner of the cabin. Mr. A., who had been used to civilization, necessarily had to put up with many inconveniences in his Western home for a number of years. His nearest neighbors it might be said were snakes and salamanders,

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which erept beneath the cabin, over, around and in it. On one occasion Mrs. A. was greatly frightened by the dropping of a huge rattle-snake upon the floor, narrowly missing her head in its descent. Long years have passed since then, but those early cabin days are fresh in the memory of these pioncers. They have 4 children,- Henry J., who resides at Quiney ; John lives in Astoria township; Cornelius and Lucinda.

Thomas B. Atkinson, dentist, is a native of West Virginia, where he was born April 3, 1838. Until his twenty-first year he resided in Virginia and Ohio, where he received a liberal education. Dur- ing the war he proceeded to Pittsburg, Pa., and turned his atten- tion to his present profession. In 1864 he settled in Rushville and subsequently went to Iowa. In 1867 he came to Astoria, and has since been prominently identified with the interests of the town. He has succeeded in building up a large practice. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Miss E. J. Gambel, by whom he has 4 children,-John, Charley, Mabel and Ada.

Andrew J. Bates, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Vermont. This gentle- man settled in Vermont tp., Fulton Co., April 1, 1854. He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., June 2, 1825. His father, Daniel Bates, was a native of the same State, and devoted the principal part of his life to mercantile pursuits; he married Miss Susannah Bechtel. Of the 10 children she bore, Andrew was the seventh. Our subject learned the wagon-maker's trade, and worked at that employment for a number of years. While a resident of Pennsyl- vania he was married to Miss Eliza J. McGuire. Mr. B. enlisted as a private in Co. E, 2d Pa. Vol., to engage in the war with Mexico. He participated in the noted battle of Vera Cruz. At the Cerro Gordo fight he remained under fire about 13 hours. He was in the noted engagements of Contreras and Churubusco. At the storm- ing of the city of Mexico he displayed no ordinary courage; once severely wounded he again and again refused to retire from the field until a minic ball, sped on its deadly mission, buried itself in his right limb and he sank to the ground. To-day he carries battle- scars received in Uncle Sam's service, but receives no pension and declines any. He has 5 children,-4 boys and one 1 girl. Mrs. Bates passed away in 1876, and her remains laid at rest in Ver- mont cemetery.

Levi Bisby, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Astoria. Levi Bisby is a native of Maryland, where he was born in 1835. Of his parents but little is now remembered, as they passed away many years ago. Levi, while an infant, was adopted by a family that lived in Ohio, and there he remained until he had attained his tenth year, when he accompanied his guardian, Andrew Fry, to Astoria township. Young Bisby had the advantages of a good common-school education and grew to mature years of manhood upon a farm. In 1860 he was married to a daughter of John Aten, Miss Nancy A., who has become the mother of 9 children,-Bell, Emma A., Sarah, Ella, Ettie, Lucetta, Alta M. and John W., and an infant.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Benjamin Bolen, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Astoria. The subject of this sketch was born in Maryland, Feb. 15, 1806, and is the son of John Bolen, native of the same State, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Jane Hood, by whom he raised a family of 5 children. Benjamin, the only son, grew up in Pennsylvania where his parents settled in 1806. In youth he learned the carpenter's trade and for some time followed this calling. In 1833 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary MeCormick, daughter of Booth McCormick. In 1834 Mr. B. cast his lot among the residents of Illinois, settling in Astoria township, where he has since resided. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. H, 85th Ill. Inf., and after a service of one year was honorably discharged and returned to his old home. A short time after the enlistment of Mr. B. his second son, John Irvin, turned from the peaceful farm life to the battle-field and eventually laid down his life for his country. They have 5 children,-Matilda, Sarah J., Phoebe J., William and Irvin.

Rev. J. G. Bonnel, pastor of the M. E. church, was born in Bata- via, Clermont county, Ohio, in January, 1843. In 1850 he accom- panied his parents, Henry and Amelia Bonnel, to Griggsville, Ill., where, when Joseph attained his twentieth year of age, he deter- mined to devote his time to the ministry, and accordingly proceeded to Evanston, Ill., where he entered the Theological Institute; he was admitted to the Ill. Conference in 1869, and was appointed to preach. In 1873 he was ordained minister and entered upon his ministerial duties in the town of Barry, Ill., where he labored for two years, then came to Astoria. During 1874 he entered in part- nership with W. R. Bonnel in the drug business, and in 1877 they completed their present commodious and handsome brick building. In 1875 he built one of the best residences of Astoria.

William W. Bonnel, physician and surgeon, was born in Clermont. county, Ohio, Dee. 23, 1835. His father, Henry Bonnel, was by trade a saddler and harness-maker, who moved to Griggsville, Pike Co., Ill., in 1850, and there our subject began the study of medicine under Dr. J. B. Ensey, and at the expiration of three years spent at Rush Medical College, Chicago, he graduated with high honors. He first began to practice at Naples, Ill., and while residing there he united his fortunes with Miss Jane E. Smith, daughter of the Hon. Dennis Smith, of Carthage. Moving to Clayton he remained until 1865, when he located at his old home in Griggsville, where his merits as a physician gained for him a large practice ; thence to Clayton, and to Astoria in 1873. Of the marriage with Miss Smith 3 children were born, two of whom are living,-Lizzie and May.

Benjamin F. Bowman, liveryman. Mr. B. has for many years been engaged in this calling and has met with success. Although comparatively a stranger in Astoria, he has proven his enterprising spirit to the people. He came to Astoria in the autumn of last year and refitted the old City Hotel, and secured a good patronage. This he recently abandoned. He contemplates erecting a large

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

modernly fitted hotel here. . In Aug., 1877, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Moon, a daughter of Asa Moon, of Dallas City, Ill.

John Boyd became a resident of this county in 1840. He was born in North Carolina in 1812. His father, James Boyd, married Miss Rachel Danley, who bore him 6 children, of whom John was the second. He grew up in his native State and learned the trade of a tanner, and before attaining his 20th year was married to Miss Margaret Henderson ; two years later he started for Illinois, and during the summer of '35 remained in Indiana, and in the autumn came to Illinois and located at Rushville and opened a tannery ; at the end of 5 years he settled just west of Astoria and erected a tannery, where he continued in business many years. Of the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. B. 7 children are living,-James, John H., William F., Richardson W., Naney J., Rachel M. and Mary E. After retiring from the tannery he entered actively into general mer- cantile business ; next he tried the hardware trade. The latter years of his life have been devoted to farming. He has held many local offices. In 1857 or '58 he was appointed Postmaster, and for 14 years was School Treasurer and Trustee, and has been Supervisor.

R. W. Boyd, farmer. The gentleman here named is the young- est son of John Boyd, a pioneer of this county. He was born in Astoria in 1843; grew up amid pioneer associations and received a good common-school education. In April, 1869, he was married to Miss Anna B. English, daughter of John English, the well-known boot and shoe dealer of Astoria.

Amos Bricker, farmer and stock-raiser, see. 36; P. O., Astoria ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1817. His father, John Bricker, a farmer by occupation, married Miss Delia Warner. Amos was the seeond of 7 children born to them. He grew up and followed farming, although for a number of years he was employed in a dis- tillery. In 1839 Miss Sarah Wantze became his wife, and has borne him 7 children. In 1855 he came to Astoria, thence to Wood- land tp., and in 1856 settled in Pleasant. In 1864 Mrs B. was laid at rest in the Dunkard Cemetery, Woodland tp. In 1868 Mr. B. married Mrs. Elizabeth Wyand. There was born of this marriage one child, Katie. While residing in Pleasant tp. Mr. B. held many of the local offices. He is well known as an honorable farmer and business man.

J. L. Brown, farmer, see. 30 ; P. O., Astoria. Jackson L. Brown, for the past 36 years a resident of Fulton county, is a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1823, and passed his boyhood and youth in Harrison county. In his twentieth year he made his way to Illinois, stopping at Sharpe's Landing. From there he went to Farmer's township and became employed as a farm hand. In 1849 he united his fortunes with those of Miss Naney Grewel. This marriage resulted in 10 children,-Naney J., John H., Rebecca, Geo. W., Mary Ann, Cevilla, Rachel, Andrew J., Nellie E. and

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Nannie B. In 1848 he made his first purchase of land in this town- ship, and now owns some 300 aeres of fine land. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California and remained for 3 years. .

Conrod Byers, farmer, see. 34; P. O., Astoria. The gentleman here named is a native of Germany, where he was born in Novem- ber, 1833. Growing to manhood in the Fatherland, he engaged in farming. At the age of 22 he crossed the ocean, landing at Baltimore. Shortly afterwards he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Eberhardt, by whom he has 3 children,-Edward C., Ida E. and Josephine. Ten years ago he located at Decatur, Ill., and two years later came to Fulton county.

Jesse Carnahan, farmer, living upon sec. 18; P. O., Vermont. He settled in Fulton county in 1846, and very little improvement was manifest in his neighborhood. Mr. C. is a native of Virginia, where he was born March 19, 1814; his father, Jesse , Carnahan, was a farmer by occupation, and while a soldier in the war of 1812 perished at the hands of the red men. Jesse, jr., passed his early days in Virginia, where he was united in marriage with Miss Me- linda Wileoxen, daughter of Fielder Wilcoxen, a native of Mary- land, who also perished near Sandusky in the war of 1812. Mrs. C. died in Nov., 1877, and was laid at rest in the Vermont cemetery. Five children blessed their union,-William, James, Margaret, Mary and Fielder. Mr. C. has held many of the local offices.

Dilworth Carter, merchant. Mr. Carter ranks among the leading merchants of Fulton county. He was born in Delaware Co., Pa., in 1836, and is the eldest of a family of 21 children. By occupation his father, Amos Carter, was a farmer in Penn., where he married Miss Ann Mershon. Among the rugged hills of the Keystone State Dilworth Carter passed the morning of life, and became ap- prenticed to learn the trades of the stone and brick-mason, and be- came an adept at these callings. In 1857 he coneluded he would try a new field of labor and selected Vermont, this county, as the place. There he became employed as a clerk by Joab Mershon, the prominent banker and merchant of that place. He soon re- turned to his trade, and in 1859 located at Beardstown and erected the well-known Park House, an extensive grain ware-house and other buildings. He then proceeded to Mason Co. and began his mercantile career, although this particular venture proved unsuccess- ful. He then went to Bluff City, Schuyler Co., and erected a store- house and opened a stock of goods, and met with unusual success in handling cooper's stock. During the autumn of 1865 he came to Astoria and formed a partnership with J. C. Lutz in the hardware trade, and the following year purchased his interest. Since then he has succeeded well as a business man. In 1876 he added to the attractiveness of Astoria by the erection of a fine store building and public hall. This is a model building and contains two of the finest store-rooms in Central Illinois. In one department he has a large stock of dry goods, and a fine line of hardware in the other. In 1869

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he built his fine residence. In 1861, Oct. 31, he was united in marriage with Miss E. Branson of Pleasant township, this county. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living,- Nany D., Estella and Irving.

R. G. Carter, farmer and stock-raiser, see. 14; P. O., Astoria. Rutherford G. Carter was born Oct. 11, 1827, in Kentucky ; in 1829 his parents came to Illinois and settled in Schuyler Co. They remained only two years there when they came to Fulton Co. Here Mr. C. grew to mature years, having for his pioneer associates many who are now prominent farmers and business men. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Ann Hudnall, daughter of Wm. T. Hudnall, a well-known resident of Astoria tp. They have 6 children-Gertrude, James S., Sarah E., Frank G., Henry H. and Mary E. In 1852 Mr. C. crossed the plains to California, where he remained about two years. In 1847 he enlisted to serve against the Mexicans in an independent company from Rushville. For nearly a year and a half he remained in Mexico.

W. B. Carter .- Among the pioneers of this county, and among those hardy spirits who have grown with the development of the State, is our subject. He was born in Monroe Co., Ky., June 13, 1822; his father, William Carter, dissatisfied with his condition in life in Kentucky, and no doubt hearing many glowing accounts of Illinois, determined to make this his home. During the autumn of 1829 he moved into Schuyler Co., where he remained but a short time. Then he came to this township, where he purchased farm property and settled down in the routine of farm life. He is still living and a resident of Woodland tp. William learned the trade of blacksmithing and for a number of years followed this calling. He well remembers the old town of Washington, containing a store, perhaps two, and a school-house. Mr. C. remembers the site of Astoria as heavily timbered. A forest covered the site of the future city ; and where the publie square now is, Daniel Heffner and Charles Gearing cut the street through for what is now Broad- way. Years have flown by since then, and W. Carter has long since passed the morning and noon of life; but the carly scenes of West- ern life are still pictured on his memory. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Lovina Curran, daughter of Wm. Curran, who settled in Fulton Co. in 1835. They were blessed with 10 children, 5 of whom are living-Luey A., Helen P., W. J., John L. and George C.

William Cassel, a leading farmer of this township and county, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1832. He grew to manhood in that State, followed farming and learned the trade of a carpenter. In 1852 he came West, settling in Astoria township, and shortly afterward! purchased land. In 1855 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Schisler, who is the mother of 4 children -Sarah J., Angeline, Mary and William. Mr. C. is one of those enterprising, go-ahead farmers who wastes no time in idleness and is

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 42

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co. Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Peoria : C.C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1096