History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 51

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

USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 51

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Matthew Tatum, deceased, born Feb. 18, 1789, in Rowan Co., N. C., and died Sept. 19, 1868, in this township. He emigrated first to Indiana, in 1825 to Fulton Co. ; spent two or three years at the Galena lead mines; married Mrs. Lydia Eggers, a native of Laurens Co., S. C., Aug. 1, 1830, in Canton township, this county ; Mrs T. died Oct. 2, 1872; her maiden name was Dollor, and she was born in 1805; her father, Wm. D., was a native of Wales, and her mother Ruth (Beasley) D., of Virginia. Mr. D. served under Washington in the Revolution for 7 years; he died in this town- ship Sept. 6, 1838. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tatum are : Geo. W. born March 25, 1832, died in 1864; John G., born Dee. 13, 1837; Amy, born March 29, 1841 ; and Sarah Jane, Oct. 13, 1847, -the last three living in this county. J. G. owns and occupies the old homestead on N. E. # of sec. 7. Both parents were regular Baptist, and the father was a Democrat.

William P. Turner. The Turners are of English origin, but as far back as we are able to trace them in America it is in New Market, Frederick Co., Md., to about the year 1679. There we find William Turner, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Ilis grandfather was Wm. P. Turner, who moved to North Carolina and married Action Howard. Here their son, Starling Turner, was born, who was the father of Wm. P. He moved to Kentucky and married Sophia Carver in Feb., 1801. They came to Illinois with a family of 11 children in 1831, and the fol- lowing year located on sec. 13, Buckheart tp. Their children were Matilda, Abigail and Jesse, both deceased, Lydia, Wm. P., Sarah, James, Starling, jr., Jemima, Mary, Margaret, Benjamin and Sophia. Matilda married Win. Malshy ; Lydia, Renben Peter, and Sarah Rev. John Tarleton Fleming. Wm. P. married Eliza Ann

502

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Mc Pheeters, and resides on sec. 12, this township. James married Sarah A. Carver. Jemima married Ezekiel Rockhold, who died, and then married Mr. Pickering. Mary married Rolly Rogers and died in Banner tp. Margaret married Rev. Moses JJared, both de- ceased. Benjamin died at the age of 18. Sophia married John Piekering.

Cornelius Washburn lived in Ohio during the early Indian wars, and when Kentucky was in reality the "dark and bloody ground." He was an original Indian fighter and acted the part of a scout. While carrying words of warning to a fort near Pittsburg and being alone, was attacked by the Indians just after swimming a river. His horse was killed, yet he made his escape. The Indians having committed so many depredations, he, with 5 others, followed them and had a battle near Williamsburg, O., in which they defeated the Indians, at the loss of one man and one wounded. Ten years after- wards he returned to this battle-field and found a gun left by one of the party. It was leaning against a tree in the same position it had been left. Mr. W. was a genuine trapper and hunter, devoting his entire time to those pursuits. Abont 40 years ago he engaged with a fur company to go beyond the Rocky Mountains, since which time he has never been heard from, and it is supposed that . he has been killed by the Indians.

Dudley O. Wedge, physician, was born in Belpre tp., Washing- ton Co., O., Jan. 1, 1845; his parents were O. P. and Eliza A. ( Null) Wedge, natives of the same county, who emigrated to Henry Co., Ill., in 1854, where they now reside. The doctor was educated at the Galva ( Ill. ) high school, commenced medical studies with Dr. Geo. H. Scott at Kewanee, Ill., and graduated at the Jef- ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1874, as a "regular" physician ; located at Bryant in 1867, where he is still practicing medicine. He married Florence L. Herriot, of Bryant, and Charles A., Ethelyn H. and Maury E. are their children.

John H. Weller, son of Win. Weller, is a carpenter by trade, but is engaged in farming. - He was married to Martha JJ. Clark, Sept. 20, 1857, who has borne him 4 children,-William Cary, born Sept. 10, 1858; Elmer, April 15, 1861 ; Lilly, Oct. 25, 1863, and Ella, July 9, 1866.

William Weller, deceased, was born in Warren Co., N. J., in 1810. His father was also named William. Mr. W. came to this county in 1854, and located on a farm in Canton tp. He died Sept. 16. 1863. His wife, Elizabeth Long, was born March 8, 1811. They were married July 14, 1832. Mrs. W. died May 19, 1879. They had a family of 9 children : J. K., born JJuly 6, '33; Mary M., Feb. 19, '35; Caroline, May 29, '39; Sarah, Oct. 18, '41 ; Char- lotte A., March 16, '43; Johile, Aug. 4, '45; Hiram L., May 7,'47; W'm. H., June 5, '49; Emeline, June 13, '52, and Lewis A. R., April 7,'56,-all of whom are living except Caroline, who died Feb. 12, 1871. She was the wife of Samuel Shriner who was kill- ed by accident in 1872.

503

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Theodore O. Whitenack was born in Canton, Ill., in 1855. His parents were Peter and Sarah S. ( Elwood) Whitenaek, both natives of New York. The subject of this sketeh married Lavina, young- est daughter of William and Nancy M. Hummel, at Bryant, April 2, 1876; have one child, Grace, who was born March 21, 1878. Mr. W. was elected Police Magistrate in April, 1879, and is a Repub- lican. He is also engaged in the store of J. H. Kelly.

Joseph C. Whitnah, farmer, son of A. J. Whitnah, of Canton, was born Feb. 16, 1845, at the old homestead in Buekheart tp. (secs. 32 and 33) ; married Sarah A. Jones, daughter of Spakeman Jones, Jan. 20, 1866, in Lewistown tp. They have 5 children : Freddie and Dollie, born February 25, 1867; Cordie T., April 9, 1871 ; Harry, October 20, 1874; and Fenton, August 15, 1876. In politics Mr. W. is a Democrat.

Hiram A. Whitnah, farmer, son of A. J. Whitnah, was born in Buekheart tp. in 1838, married Mary E. Snyder in 1859, the same year he purchased the S. W. # of see. 34, this tp. He has cleared up 130 aeres, fenced it, put it in good condition, erected good build- ings, etc. ; dwelling 12 stories, 16 by 34 ft., with L 24 by 16, and porch, good cellar, etc. They have 2 children,-Chester Leon and Pearl Arzena. Mrs. W. is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. W. is Democratie in politics, though he has never run for any office.

Samuel Wilcoren, farmer, son of next mentioned, was born Oeto- ber 12, 1813, in Ash or Wilks Co., N. C., and January 6, 1841, married Ineinda Carver, a native of Estill Co., Kv., in Buckheart tp. Their children are: Ellen, born December 31, 1842, married Elijah Johnson and lives just south of Canton ; Anna, born Feb- ruary 2, 1851, married Frank Boner, lived on sec. 11, Buekheart tp., and died May 8, 1879, leaving two children, Fred and Charles ; and George, born August 15, 1853. Mr. W. has 992 aeres in all. His fine residence was built in 1860. He has used very little liquor, tobacco not at all, and is a Republican.

Squire Wilcoren, deceased, married Sarah Tatum in North Caro- lina, moved to Estill county, Ky., about 1815, and in 1828 to the old Nathaniel Vittum place near Canton ; lived 7 years on see. 2, Liverpool tp., and then made their permanent home on sec. 5, Buck- heart tp. The #-section last occupied was entered for him by his son Samnel, who had to go to Missouri to get good money, "wild- eat " money prevailing here. Squire W. was a volunteer in the war of 1812, Captain of militia in North Carolina, was a JJackson Dem- oerat, and an old-fashioned Baptist preacher. Was a cousin to Daniel Boone. He died in 1837, and his widow in 1865, at the age of 83. Their children were 9 in number,-Elizabeth, Martha, Sarah, Anna, Jordan, Amy, Samuel, James and Ellen.

John B Wilson, farmer, see. 2, is a native of Cumberland Co., Pa., where he was born in 1828. His parents were John and Margaret (McLain) Wilson, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of the

504

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Keystone State. His father came to Illinois in about 1834 or '35, and died before John B. came. He came to Scott Co., Ill., in 1841, and to this county in '42, and located near Ellisville, where he was married Oct. 3, 1844, to Adeline Athearn, a daughter of one of the old settlers of Deerfield tp. Mr. W. was engaged in cooperage and farming until 1846, when he moved to his present location one mile south of Canton, where he has a fine farm. He has been a member of the Baptist Church at Canton for 25 years, and Deacon for 24 years. His wife has borne him 9 children, 8 of whom are living : Mary E. married James Tallman and lives in Ohio; Wm. H. lives in Canton tp. Miranda E. and Benjamin live in Kokomo, Ind .; Sarah J., Addie G., Elmer T. and John M. live with their parents ; Frank was killed by accident at the age of 14. Esther Mary Wil- son, a sister of J. B., came to this county in 1835 and married Orrin Turner and died Feb. 9, 1846, leaving 2 children, Mary and John, both of whom were raised by Mr. W.

Forbes B. Wood, son of the late Thomas Wood, lives on sec. 12, and is engaged in agriculture. He married Mary Ann Rodenbaugh, a native of New Jersey, in 1869. They have a family of 3 children, -Bertha L., Ida B., and Otis R. Mr. W. has one of the finest im- proved farms in the county.

Thomas Wood was born in Harrison Co., Va., Dec. 18, 1805. He married Rachel Flowers, of the same county, Aug. 21, 1825. She was a daughter of Geo. Flowers, and he a son of Lambert Flowers, who came from Ireland at the age of 12 years. Thomas Wood's father was Benjamin, a son of John Wood, who came from England. Thomas Wood and wife came to this county in the spring before the big snow (1830). They came with a family of 2 children, Lavina and Angelina : the others were born here,-Aurelia, George S., Forbes, Rohanna, Laura V., Casper, Ellison G. and Carroll D. Benjamin enlisted in Co. E, 103d Inf., and after serving in the army for about a year died near Vicksburg, July 9, 1863. Thomas Wood died in Feb., 1870. Mrs. W. lives at the old homestead, see. 11. Thomas Wood's family was about the only one that was not routed at the Westerfield's defeat, spoken of elsewhere in this volume. A day or two after that event a number of persons were seen approaching the honse. They were supposed to be Indians and caused consterna- tion among the family. The women and children were hurriedly sent to the upper part of the cabin, while the men remained below. They knocked a part of a log out of a corner of the house, to shoot through at the approaching enemy. Mr. Wood, Mr. Flowers, his wife's father and two other men went out to meet them as they came up. The supposed Indians proved to be several families of settlers who were stampeded by the great fright of the supposed Indian slaughter going on north of Canton. They were on their way to Canton. Mr. Wood and family went with them to Canton, where they remained two hours and returned home.

Thomas Woodcock was born near Belviar Castle, Town of

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Strathorn, Leicestershire, Eng., Jan 4, 1822. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Hornbuckle) Woodcock, of the same place. Our subject first came to the United States in 1845 and located in Ross Co., O., and came to this county in 1849, locating in Canton. He was married to Elizabeth Oglesby, who was born in England in 1834, and is a daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth (Green) Oglesby. They were married Aug. 19, 1860, at D. W. Vittum's, in Canton. They have 7 children,-Thomas, born Dec. 13. '61; Edward, Oct. 3, '63; Emma Jane, Oct. 1, '65; Isaac, March 31, '67; Sarah Ann, April 15, '69 ; Richard, Aug. 28, 71, and Charles, born Oct. 8, '75. In 1860 Mr. W. began farming on sec. 3, Buckheart, and in 1865 bought a farm on sec. 26, where he now lives.

TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.

Below may be found a schedule of the township officials serving since the organization of the township, together with the years of serving :

SUPERVISORS.

A. G. Downing 1850

Howard Martin 1866

Horatio C. Nelson

1851

Michael C. Stoner

1867

John H. Kelly

1852-53

A. B. Hulet 1868-69

HI. C. Nelson. 1854

T. J. Kelly

1870

John H. Kelly

1855-56

Edward Maynard 1871

Milton Shryock 1857

D. O. Wedge. 1872

John H. Kelly

1858

Edward A. Maynard. 1873

Jeffry A. Maynard

1859

Wm. G Kirkpatrick. 1874

John Kelly

1860

D. O. Wedge

1875

Cyrus Babcock.

1861-63

A. B. Hulet

1876-77

Horatio (. Nelson

1864

Matthias W. Baker

1878

Milton Shryock

1865

Thomas J. Kelly

1879

TOWN CLERKS.

Jeffrey A. Maynard

1850-54

John G. Tatum. 1872

Chauncey Webster

1855-64

John A. Newton

1873

Sam. A. Kelly

1865-67

Eugene Smith

1874

Sam. C. Hasson

1868

F. M. Fouts ...

1875-76

Edward Maynard

1869-70

J. H. Kirkpatrick.

1877-79

Win. D. Nelson

1871

ASSESSORS.

Howard Martin

1859-73

Howard Martin 1877

S. A. Cunningham

1874-75

Joseph Baker 1878

Wm. Herriot 1876

George N. Shelenberger ... 1879

COLLECTORS.

Philip Slaughter

1859-60

F. M. Kimberlin 1871

John Fisher

1861

Jonas N Weaver. 1871

David G. Fisher.

1862

Nathan T. Reeves 1872

Chauncey Webster

1863

Henry E. MeCulloch 1873

George J. Luckey.

1864

George Luckey. 1874

George T. Balyor

1865

J. P. Lisenby

1875

Howard B. Spenny

1866

Berlin Johnson

1876

Alfred Putman

1867

Abram Johnson

1877

George Riley.

1868

John W. Carey.

1878

Henry Walker

1869

Levi Carper.

1879

Jacob Fouts

1870

BERNADOTTE TOWNSHIP.

This township is bounded upon the north by Cass, upon the east by Lewistown, south by Pleasant and upon the west by Farmer's. It is a timbered township and contains a greater number of miles of Spoon river than any other township in the county. There is, however, much good land in the township and many fine farms. William Walters came into the township about 1826, being its first settler. In a short time he sold out to Isaae Stewart and moved over into Farmer's township, where he passed the remainder of his days. Soon came in Daniel Walters, who settled upon section 15. Then came Solomon Sherwood, who built the first mill in the town- ship. This was a horse-mill and did grinding for the settlers for many miles around, until Joseph Coleman built his water-mill on Spoon river, at the site of the present town of Bernadotte. John Camron built a grist and saw-mill upon the same river in 1831. These improvements brought settlers from adjoining counties, and many are the incidents connected with their trips to these mills, re- lated by the pioneers. They would come for many miles, and often upon their arrival would find many ahead of them, and they would have to wait sometimes for days before their turn came. Sometimes they would find the mill out of repair, the dam washed away or something to detain them. They would then go to work and help rebuild the dam or do whatever the miller would direct. Men have told us that they have gone to the Bernadotte mill with a load of grist and have worked at hard labor for almost a week before they could get their grain ground. They would work late and early as though they were regularly employed and paid hands.

Thus was this point on Spoon river visited by many people, until Mr. Coleman's enterprise suggested to him the feasibility of laying off'a town. Accordingly in 1835, upon section 19, he platted a town and called it by the name of Fulton. The name was soon changed to Bernadotte. It grew rapidly and at one time ranked among the leading towns of the county. It failed to secure a rail- road, and when one was constructed within a few miles of it the in- evitable result quickly followed, and Bernadotte surrendered her prosperty to other places. There are now several stores here that do a fair business, a good mill, etc. Other settlers who came during an early day were Charles Howard, William Crosby, John Harris, who afterwards moved to Harris township, John Littlejohn, Wil- liam Wilson, Anderson Beadles, Mr. Toler and others. The first

507

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

school-house was erected in 1828 and John Clayburg was the first teacher. As early as 1827 the Methodists organized a Church.

We find personal sketches of those who have made the history of the town and township and are to-day thus engaged, to be quite interesting and fully as good history as we can give. We will there- fore speak briefly of some of the old settlers and prominent persons of the township :

John J. Baldwin, farmer, sec. 33, P. O., Ipava ; the son of Jackson and Margaret (Hawkins) Baldwin, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Oct. 28, 1848 ; moved to this county in 1876 ; married Feb, 12, 1877, Mary J. Duncan, of Fulton Co. This union has been blessed with one child, Gertrude. Mr. Baldwin is one of the leading farmers of the township, having 160 acres of land.

I. C. Barkley is engaged in agricultural pursuits upon see. 3 of this township.

John W. Barnes, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., Ipava; was born in Adams Co., O., Jan. 16, 1828 ; is the son of Luther Barnes, who was born in Va., where he married Nancy Wear. Both of the latter are dead. John W. came to this Co. with his parents in 1835, in a three- horse Penn. wagon, was educated at Lewistown, and has held the offices of Supervisor and Assessor. Was married to Elvira Zole- man, March 24, 1866, which union was blessed with two children,- Lida B. and John R. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. in Sept., 1878, mar- ried Miss Alice Mereer, of Ohio, both of whom are now members of the M. E. Church. Owns 300 acres of land. Democrat.

William Beckett, farmer, sec. 11, Bernadotte township; P. O., Lewistown ; the son of Wm. and Delilah (May) Beckett, was born in Lewis Co., Ky., March 12, 1837; father dead; mother still living in Ky .; Wm. came to this county in 1860 and has made this township his home for the past six years. Was married to Miss Sarah E. Kent Jan 15, 1862. They have seven children, all of whom are living,-Mary, Marzetta, Jedediah, William, Ella, Minta and Cora. Parents are members of the U. B. Church. Demo- crat.

John Cannon, farmer, sec. 4; P. O., Smithfield; one of the old pioneers of this county, was born in Sangamon Co. March 31, 1824, and with his parents came to Fulton county when only six weeks old, which place he has ever since made his home. July 4, 1846, he joined the 4th II. Vols., Co. K, and was engaged in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and most of the other important battles of the Mexican war, being wounded at the last named place. He well remembers Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Jeff. Davis. He helped fire the first gun at Vera Cruz. Was mustered out at New Orleans June, 1847. Married Miss Jane Sherwood Dee. 15, 1847; three of the five children born to this union are now living, viz : Telitha, Amanda and Charles. Has been Constable and is now Justice of the Peace. Has fought his way to a good farm and com- fortable home. When a boy he knew no other playmates than the

BERNADOTTE TOWNSHIP.

This township is bounded upon the north by Cass, upon the east by Lewistown, south by Pleasant and upon the west by Farmer's. It is a timbered township and contains a greater number of miles of Spoon river than any other township in the county. There is, however, much good land in the township and many fine farms. William Walters came into the township about 1826, being its first settler. In a short time he sold out to Isaac Stewart and moved over into Farmer's township, where he passed the remainder of his days. Soon came in Daniel Walters, who settled upon section 15. Then came Solomon Sherwood, who built the first mill in the town- ship. This was a horse-mill and did grinding for the settlers for many miles around, until Joseph Coleman built his water-mill on Spoon river, at the site of the present town of Bernadotte. John Camron built a grist and saw-mill upon the same river in 1831. These improvements brought settlers from adjoining counties, and many are the incidents connected with their trips to these mills, re- lated by the pioneers. They would come for many miles, and often upon their arrival would find many ahead of them, and they would have to wait sometimes for days before their turn came. Sometimes they would find the mill out of repair, the dam washed away or something to detain them. They would then go to work and help rebuild the dam or do whatever the miller would direct. Men have told us that they have gone to the Bernadotte mill with a load of grist and have worked at hard labor for almost a week before they could get their grain ground. They would work late and early as though they were regularly employed and paid hands.

Thus was this point on Spoon river visited by many people, until Mr. Coleman's enterprise suggested to him the feasibility of laying offa town. Accordingly in 1835, upon section 19, he platted a town and called it by the name of Fulton. The name was soon changed to Bernadotte. It grew rapidly and at one time ranked among the leading towns of the county. It failed to secure a rail- road, and when one was constructed within a few miles of it the in- evitable result quickly followed, and Bernadotte surrendered her prosperty to other places. There are now several stores here that do a fair business, a good mill, etc. Other settlers who came during an early day were Charles Howard, William Crosby, John Harris, who afterwards moved to Harris township, John Littlejohn, Wil- liam Wilson, Anderson Beadles, Mr. Toler and others. The first

507

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

school-house was erected in 1828 and John Clayburg was the first teacher. As early as 1827 the Methodists organized a Church.

John J. Baldwin, farmer, sec. 33, P. O., Ipava ; the son of Jackson and Margaret (Hawkins) Baldwin, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Oct. 28, 1848 ; moved to this county in 1876 ; married Feb. 12, 1877, Mary J. Duncan, of Fulton Co. This union has been blessed with one child, Gertrude. Mr. Baldwin is one of the leading farmers of the township, having 160 acres of land.

I. C. Barkley is engaged in agricultural pursuits upon sec. 3 of this township.

John W. Barnes, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., Ipava; was born in Adams Co., O., Jan. 16, 1828 ; is the son of Luther Barnes, who was born in Va., where he married Nancy Wear. Both of the latter are dead. John W. came to this Co. with his parents in 1835, in a three- horse Penn. wagon, was educated at Lewistown, and has held the offices of Supervisor and Assessor. Was married to Elvira Zole- man, March 24, 1866, which union was blessed with two children,- Lida B. and John R. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. in Sept., 1878, mar- ried Miss Alice Mercer, of Ohio, both of whom are now members of the M. E. Church. Owns 300 acres of land. Democrat.

John Cannon, farmer, sec. 4; P. O., Smithfield; one of the old pioneers of this county, was born in Sangamon Co. March 31, 1824, and with his parents came to Fulton county when only six weeks old, which place he has ever since made his home. July 4, 1846, he joined the 4th Ill. Vols., Co. K, and was engaged in the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, and most of the other important battles of the Mexican war, being wounded at the last named place. He well remembers Gen. Stonewall Jackson and Jeff. Davis. He helped fire the first gun at Vera Cruz. Was mustered out at New Orleans June, 1847. Married Miss Jane Sherwood Dec. 15, 1847; three of the five children born to this union are now living, viz : Telitha, Amanda and Charles. Has been Constable and is now Justice of the Peace. Has fought his way to a good farm and com- fortable home. When a boy he knew no other playmates than the

508

HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Indians, with whom he roamed over the fields that are now covered with grain. Democrat.

William B. Cannon, see. 14; Bernadotte tp .; P. O., Lewistown ; was born in Cass tp., March 12, 1834; removed to Colorado in 1858; in 1864 he came back, but returned to Colorado and after one year's stay found his way to Fulton county. Has held office of School Trustee in this township. Was married at Bernadotte Aug. 12, 1863, to Miss Lueretia Steward. This union has been blessed with two children (twins), Edwin and Oscar. Mrs. C. is a member of the M. E. Church. But few men of the township have seen as much of the world as Mr. C., and but few of his age can be found here that were born in this county. Democrat.

Joshua Crater, farmer, see. 17; P. O., Bernadotte; the son of Philip and Elizabeth Crater (both of whom died in this county), was born in Chester county, Penn., May 6, 1818, from which place he removed to Mason Co., Ill .; from there to this county in 1851 ; was educated in Penn. and married Catherine Knerr, of that State in 1840; nine children have been born to this union, eight of whom are living. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a blacksmith by trade, but of late has turned his attention very successfully to farming. Republican.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 51

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