History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 55

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

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John Bangs Allen, lumber dealer, is a native of Enfield, Mass., where he was born Oct. 3, 1825. His parents, John and Anna (Bangs) Allen, moved to Fredonia, N. Y., in 1834, and to Ohio in 1836. The subject of this sketch learned the carpenter's trade, the vocation of his father, and in 1846 came to Canton, and has been identified with the carpentering, building and lumber business of Canton to the present time. In 1860 he formed a partnership with James H. Murphy, to do a general carpenter and building business, and they have put up many fine buildings in this city. In 1862 the firm opened a lumber yard, and they received the first car of lumber shipped to Canton over the C., B. & Q. railroad. The firm was dissolved in 1872, Mr. Murphy retiring. Mr. A. was married in 1851 to Sarah A. K. Dunlap, and has a family of 5 children.

Stephen Alward, deceased, was a native of Somerset Co., N. J. In 1823 moved to Crawford Co., Pa., and Aug. 22, 1836, came to Illinois with his wife and 4 children,-Sarah, Esther, Benj. and Phoebe. He first located in Canton and followed farming. In 1848 he went to live with his son Benjamin, where he resided till his death in 1855. His wife died in 1875. Her maiden name was Joanna Pool. Benjamin Alward married, in March, 1856, Eliza Hol- comb, of Peoria Co. They have 10 children living, whose names are : Harry J., Ida, Elizabeth, Frank, George, Charles, Guy H., Grace J., Carrie L. and Mabel I. His eldest son, John H., died in 1873, at the age of 17. Mr. H. has a fine farm of 260 aeres. Hc built the first store-house at Norris, and carried on the stock and grain business and general store there for five years.

Henry V. Andrews was born in Madison Co., O., June 16, 1815, and is son of Luman and Elizabeth (Clarke) Andrews, who came to Illinois in Aug., 1820, and located on Farm creek, Tazewell Co. Both his parents died at Fort Clark, now Peoria, in 1822. His mother was well and remarked that she would die within 3 days, and sure enough ere the expiration of that time was a corpse. Her husband never spoke after learning of her death, and he died within

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5 weeks. Thus in a wild country were 3 girls and a boy left fath- erless and motherless. Of them our subject is the only one now. living. He went to live with his sister, Mrs. D. W. Barnes. Many were the hardships experienced by Mr. A. and he undoubtedly has the most vivid memory of early life here of any man in this county. He was married to Sarah Shane Feb. 25, 1840, in Peoria Co. She is daughter of James Shane. They have a family of 8 children liv- ing, and 2 dead. Hervey lives in Peoria, Elizabeth, Kate, deceased, Irene, David, deceased, George, Abner, Frank, Sadie, Corwin. Mr. A. lives upon sce. 16. He is the oldest settler residing in the tp., having located here in 1822 with David W. Barnes.

A. C Babcock, of Canton, is one of the prominent and representa- tive men of the city. He is an active politician and has been chair- man of the Republican State Central Committee, and one of the best campaign managers of the State.

William Babcock, sen., was born in New York July 15, 1823, and came to Canton in 1844, bringing a large stock of goods, and en- gaged in mercantile business for some years. He built the first mill and distillery in Canton, which were at that time the largest and best in the State. The business was conducted in the name of "A. Babeock." Mr. B. also became engaged in farming and raising stock, especially horses. He has the celebrated trotting horses, Gov. Sprague and Kate Sprague. He has been a large land-owner, hav- ing held 22,000 aeres at one time. He has now 4,000 acres under cultivation. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Kinsey, a native of Ohio, in 1851. They have had 6 children : Chas. A., Wm. B., Anna Watkins, Elizabeth, Frank, deceased, and John S.

Gco. T. Barnard, farmer, see. 30, is a son of Theodore and Sarena (Trites) Barnard, and was born in this township in 1846. In 1869 he married Nannie Brout, of Canton tp. His father was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1812, and came to this county with his father, The- odore Barnard, sr., in 1835, who settled on see. 31, Canton tp. He was a widower with 4 children : Jane, Harriet, Theodore, and Mary. He lived on this place till his death, in 1861, at the age of 83 years. His son, Theodore, now lives on the old homestead.

James H. Bass, of the firm of James H. Bass & Bro., dealers in hardware and agricultural implements. This business was estab- lished in 1868 by JJas. H. Bass & Co., dealing principally in hard- ware and stoves. In 1874 the present firm was formed, and does an extensive business in hardware and agricultural implements of all kinds, mostly of the Moline manufacture. That their business is extensive is shown from their large sales, which average $30,000 to $35,000 a year. Mr. B. was educated at Canton public schools and Jubilee College, Peoria Co. He is a native of this county, having been born here in 1843.

Michael Baylor, deceased, father of Isaac Baylor, was a native of New Jersey. He and his wife, Ann Lyda, came to this county in 1846, and resided on a farm just south of Canton for 20 years. They

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

brought a large family of children whose names are : Margaret, Isaac, John, George, Washington, Elizabeth, James, and Isaiah. The last mentioned died quite young ; the others are all living in this county. Isaac Baylor married Mary Ann Wise, of New Jersey ; she died in Nov., 1859, leaving two children,-Emma and George W. Two of his brothers, Washington and James, are living with him. Three of the sons of Michael Baylor served in the army during the Rebellion. Washington served 3 years in the 103d Ill. Inf. The regiment was in 23 battles, including Sherman's march, and he was in all except one, and never received but one slight wound. James served in the 51st Ill. Inf. one year, mostly in Texas. George was also in the army and very severely wounded, from the effects of which he has not recovered, and probably never will He lives at Cuba.

J. G. Bidamon, Postmaster at Canton, was born at Hillsborough, O., Oct., 1847 ; was brought to Canton when one year old and has remained here ever since. He was appointed Postmaster in 1870, and holds the office at present. His father, Christian Bidamon, was born in Virginia and came to Canton in 1847; he was Township Collector for a number of years, and was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln in 1861. He died in 1870 and was succeeded by his son.

John Blackadore, saddler and harness manufacturer, is a native of the County Antrim, Ireland, and came to the United States with his parents in 1821, who located on a farm 6 miles from Pittsburg, Pa., where he lived until 1829, when he began to learn his trade at Pittsburg and worked till '34. He carried on his business in Sharpsburgh, Ky., for 8 years, and in 1842 came to Illinois, and located at Canton July 2, 1843. He bought the stock of Mr. Hatchee, then carrying on a saddle and harness shop, and has con- tinued in business at the same stand since. He built the first brick store or shop in Canton, which was burnt in 1868 and rebuilt on a larger seale the same year. Again, July 25, 1878, his building was burnt, and again he rebuilt the same year. Mr. B.'s parents were George and Mary (Alexander) Blackadore. He was married in 1848 to Elizabeth Ferguson, who has borne 5 children. Mary E., Geo. F., John L., all living, and Almira J. and Emma E., deceased.

H. C. Bolton, boot and shoe dealer, was born at New Castle-on- Tyne, Eng., in 1837; came to Pennsylvania in 1842, and to Can- ton in 1860, bringing a stock of boots and shoes, and established himself on the northeast corner of the Square where he remained for 12 years, since which time he has been in his present location, on the east side of the Square. He has been successful and has sold as high as $45,000 worth of boots and shoes in a year. This was nearly the first, if not the first, exclusive boot and shoe store in Canton.

Dr. W. B. Bolton was born in England in 1826; came to the U. S. in 1844 and to Canton in 1861, and was Pastor of the Baptist Church from 1861 to '65, but practiced medicine during that period

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

and to the present time. His father, John Bolton, came to Canton with a family of 4 boys and 1 girl, whose names are : W. B., John C., practicing medicine in Peoria, H. C. and J. B., both in the shoe business in Canton. His father now resides at Cuba.

Samuel Breasley, miller, was born in Trenton, N. J., March 15, 1813. He was united in marriage with Miss Maria V. Conover, grand-daughter of Dr. Henry Vandever, of New Jersey, on the 30th of Jan., 1833. Seven children have been born to them, 4 of whom are now living. He commenced the milling business at Pekin in Jan., 1862, removed to Canton in 1866, and now owns the large flour-mills of this city. He lost one son in the army during the Rebellion.

William Henry Brown .- Samuel Brown and Lois Buswell, his wife, came to this county in June, 1839, and located on see. 29, Canton township. Mr. B. was a native of Winehendon, Mass., and was born Jan. 14, 1804, and died July 29, 1872; his father was Asaph, son of Samuel Brown. It is a very old family, dating back in the history of America prior to 1700. His wife's parents were John and Rebecca (DeMary) Buswell, the former a son of Samuel Buswell, who came to this country in the Mayflower. Samuel Brown, who came to this country in 1837, had a family of 5 children : Lucia M. married Henry R. Turpin and lives at Prairie City, III .; L. R. lives at the old homestead ; Mary A. died in 1856; Geo. S. died in 1856, and Wm. H., the name that heads this sketch, now owns and lives at the old homestead. His mother is living with him at the age of 78 years.

Elijah A. Capps was born in Lassiter Precinct, Randolph Co., N. C., in 1797. His parents were Dempsey and Sarah (Pool) Capps, who moved to Ohio in 1801, where they lived till 1838, the year the subject came to this county bringing both his parents, who are now deceased. He settled on a farm in Buekheart township where he lived till 1860, when he moved to Canton. He was married in Highland Co., O., in 1823, to Rebecca Walter of Grayson Co., Va., who is still living at the ripe old age of 85. Mr. C. has held about all the local offices, and has been a member of the Methodist Church for 66 years. His wife has also been a member for many years. Their family consisted of 7 children, 5 of whom are living,-James C., Sarah J., Elizabeth R., Lettice L., deceased, Martha Ann, de- ceased, Mary E. and Maria A.

Benjamin F. Chambers, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 1; P. O., Norris ; was born Oct. 21, 1833 ; is a native of Monmouth Co., N. J. He came to this county in May, 1866, and located on sec. 1, and first lived in a log house, but the next fall built the commodious frame in which he now resdes. His parents were Benjamin and Paulina (Anderson) Chambers, of New Jersey, both deceased ; the former died in Illinois in 1875, the mother in New Jersey in 1843. Mr. C. was united in marriage, March 1, 1872, with Eleanor Strick- land, of Ocean Co., N. J., and daughter of Barkalow and Abigail

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

(Bennett) Strickland. They have a family of 5 children : Florence, Frankie Ella, Elliott Angustine, Walter B., Lula May. They also have a nephew, Wm. Franklin Cook, living with them, who came from New Jersey in Nov., 1878. They have lost 2 children since coming to the county : Harry and Stella, who died in infancy.

Charles B. Churchill, jr., a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., came to this county in 1837, bringing with him his father, mother and 4 brothers, and located on a farm in Putman tp. In 1842 bought a farm on see. 32, Canton tp., and partly broke the land and raised crops ; there was no house on the place, and he tented it while attending his erops. In 1845 he went to South Carolina, Georgia, and other Southern States, engaged in trade ; was in Florida during the Florida war ; returned from the South in 1850 and married that vear Miss Lonisa Hurlburt and moved on his farm. They have 3 daughters and one son. The Churchills are a very oldl family. Samuel Churchill lived in Westerfield, Hartford Co., over 200 years ago. A large brick house built at that time is still standing in good condition. Capt. Charles Churchill was a son of Samuel and a Captain in the Continental army. Levi was a son of Charles and held a Captain's commission under Washington during the Revo- lution. Charles B. Churchill was son of Charles, who served in the war of 1812. Chas. B., jr., the subject of this sketch, is son of Chas. B. The Churchills are decendants in a direct line from an English duke by the name of John Churchill. Chas. B. died at his son's, C. B., jr., Sept. 17, 1878, at the age of 93.

Dr. A. B. Clough was born in Vermont in 1828 ; went to Massa- chusetts in 1843, to New York City in '49, and came to Illinois in '55 He was educated in Vermont and began the practice of med- ieine in '63 as an allopathist and continued to practice that system until 8 years ago, when, having made a study of homeopathy, he adopted that system.

A. L. Coleman was born Sept. 2, 1821, and came with his father, John Coleman, from New Jersey. He remembers when Indians were numerous through this section. They used to come to his father to have blacksmithing done. The Indian trails were the on- ly paths leading to Galena and Peoria, then called Ft. Clark. The first boat he remembers on the Illinois was the Shingle-Weaver, which made shingles as it went along. He was married to Miss Mary Fiddler, a native of Ohio. Elizabeth, Geo. F. and Josephine are the children who have been born to them.

Henry S. Coster, deceased. Mr. C. was born in 1831 in Mont- gomery Co., O., and was the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Dom- bough) Cosler. He came to Douglas Co., Ill., in 1854, and this county in 1868. He married R becca Steele, of Ohio, at Dayton, in Sept., 54. He died June 15, 1879, at his home in Norris, leaving a widow and 5 children. The children's names are : John B., Rosetta, Florence Victoria. Lillie May and Ulysses S. Mr. C. was promi- nent in Sunday-school matters and devoted much time to this good

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cause. For 5 years he was Superintendent of the school held at Curtis' school-house, and of the Cottonwood school 2 years. He and his wife were members of the same church all their lives, and during the last few years, of the M. E. Church.

Robert C. Culton was born in Marysville, Tenn., Feb. 13, 1804, and his parents moved to Lexington, Ky., when he was but 4 years of age. He served an apprenticeship at blacksmithing in Kentucky, but owing to the evils of slavery, sought a free State. In 1823 he opened a shop in Indiana, and in 1836 came to Canton. Desirous of starting a blacksmith shop here he began looking around, either to buy an established business or start a new one. At that time there were 5 shops in town, and he noticed that all of them except one kept a jug of whisky on the beneh free to customers. In Ira Baker's shop nothing of that kind was kept. This made a fay- orable impression upon Mr. C .; so he bought him out. Besides blacksmithing he erected the following year a building suitable for wool-carding, carrying on this business till '52, customers coming from the Mississippi river, Springfield, etc., to have wool carded. Mr. C. has been identified with the business of Canton for 43 years. He has always been a strict temperance man. He united with the Presbyterian church, Aug. 26, 1823, and has been a consistent men- ber since, serving as Elder for 38 years. He was married July 18, 1823, at Livonia, Ind., to Ary A. Ferguson, who died in June, 1845. He married again at Canton Mrs. Eliza (Campbell) Rawalt, de- ceased. He married his present wife, Mrs. Mary P. Lamond, in 1856. She was formerly Miss Kelsey, and a native of Thomaston, Maine.

Lathrop Willis Curtis, deceased, was born in Hanover, N. H., Jan. 9, 1800, and died March 25, 1879. His father was Joseph Curtis, of Mansfield, Ct., and was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war ; his mother, Sarah (Danis) Curtis, was a native of New Hampshire. Mr. C. came to this county Dec. 10,'32. He was a physician and practiced here for several years, but the necessarily long rides of a physician's practice in a new country, exposure, etc., ruined his health, when he partially discontinued his practice and engaged in farming. He was married at Hanover, N. H., April 3, 1826, to Louisa Wright, daughter of Royal and Diantha (Martin) Wright, of Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. C. had a family of 9 children, 6 of whom are living,-Samuel M., Mary Perry, Royal Joseph, Lucy M., Chas. W. and Amelia Annette. S. M. and R. J. live at Panora, Iowa. Mary P. is the wife of Marshall Pittman, Bridgeville, N. J. Lucy M., wife of Rev. Wm. Watson, Amelia A., wife of Samuel Lommason, of Ringgold Co., Iowa ; Chas. Wright is carrying on the homestead farm. He married Emeline Stout in Jan., 1876. They have two children,-Lydia Louisa and Margaretta May. Mrs. C. lives at the homestead farm near Norris.

Peter Y. Custer was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, where the family had lived for several generations. He came to Fulton Co.

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in the spring of 1857, where he has since engaged in farming. He married Miss Hannah AAlbright and has a family of 6 children.

Peter Daily was born in the Parish of Kilskyre, County of Meath, Ireland, in 1826, and is the son of Gerald and Frances (Flood) Daily, who came to the U. S. in 1853. Peter first came to this county in 1856 and located at Canton, and erected a brick building the same fall. He had learned the bricklaving and mason trade in New Jersey, and has followed that business in connection with con- tracting and building extensively in Canton, putting up no less than 43 buildings, including the opera house, which he owns, and also owns 9 dwellings besides the fine one in which he resides, which is one of the most attractive places in the county. He owns several farms in this county and also in Texas, Kansas and Nebraska, all of which he has accumulated by his own personal exertions. He was married in New Jersey in 1854 to Ann MeGinnis, who died in 1868, leaving a family of 2 children,-Joseph and Gerald. He married his present wife, Johanna McMahon, in 1872, by whom he has 3 children,-Elizabeth J., Mary F. and Agnes A.

William O. Dean, manufacturer of cigars. Mr. D. was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1844, and came to this county in 1856. His present business was established in 1869 by G. M. Arm- strong and himself under the firm name of Dean & Armstrong, and remained the same until Jan., 1879, when Mr. D. bought out his partner's interest. There are employed in the exclusive manufac- ture of cigars in this extensive establishment some 25 to 30 hands, 6 of whom are females. He turns out annually 1,200,000 to 1,500,- 000 cigars, the value of which is from $40,000 to $50,000.

C. C. Dewey was born in Hanover, N. H., August 9, 1826. His father, Oliver Dewey, came to Canton in the fall of 1832. Mr. D. entered business with his brother, R. W., with a stock of dry-goods and general merchandise in 1849, and continued till 1870, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. C. C. continuing business until 1874, when he sold out.

Edward Page Dewey, one of the old settlers of the county, was born in Hanover, N. H., Feb. 4, 1817. His parents, Oliver Dewey and Jemima Dewey, nee Wright, came to the county in 1832. Mr. D. was married at the age of 25, and 3 years later moved upon an 80-acre farm on see. 11 of this township where he resided till 1856 ; then he moved into Canton, where he continues to reside. Mr. Dewey's wife's maiden name was Anna Maria Shinn. They were married Sept. 1, 1842. The following are the names of their chil- dren : Roswell W., Sarah P., Chas. Arthur and Eliza Maria. Har- riet Henriette, the eldest, died at the age of 11, and Stephen, an infant, also dead.

Roswell W. Derrey, of the dry-goods firm of A. W. Dewey & Co., Canton. Mr. D., who is one of the oldest merchants in the city, was born in Hanover, N. H., in 1824, and was brought to Canton in the fall of 1832 by his parents, Oliver and JJemima (Wright)

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Dewey. His father was a earpenter by trade, but followed farming, and until Roswell was 15 years of age was raised upon the farm. At that time he came to Canton to attend school, then went to clerk- ing for his uncle, Joel Wright, in a general store. In 1849 he went into business with his brother under the firm name of R. W. & C. C. Dewey, Joel Wright being a silent partner until '55, and the firm continued under that name till 1870, when R. W. retired from business. In October, 1874, he again embarked in business with his son Alfred W. In 1849 he married Miss Sarah E. Shinn, daughter of Isaac and Maria Shinn, of Harrison county, Va. Their children are: Alfred W., Maria J., Francis H., M. Addie and Har- riet V.

R. W. Dewey, of the firm of Dewey & Divilbiss, dealers in dry- goods, hats, caps, etc., was born in Canton in 1845. His parents are Edwin Page and Anna M. (Shinn) Dewey, the former a native of Hanover, N. H., and his mother of W. Va. He received his education at the Canton schools and at Hedding College, Abingdon, Ill. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara L., daughter of Thomas L. Porter, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, March 15, 1876. Mr. D. enlisted in 1864 in the 134th Ill. Inf., Co. H, serving in Kentucky and Missouri.

Uriah W. Dickson was born in 1813, in Nelson Co., Va. His parents, John and Naney (Woods) Dickson, were both natives of the Old Dominion, where they both died. Mr. D. came to Illinois in 1838, located at Galena and engaged in the lead mines. He came to this county in 1842 and settled in Deerfield township, and farmed until a few years ago, when he retired from active labor. He was married to Ruth Ann Mills in 1842. She died in 1864, leav- ing 2 children,-Enoch M. and Jacob M. He married again, this time to Laura A. Williams. Mr. D. was Supervisor for Deerfield for 14 years, School Treasurer 12 years, and filled all other offices except Collector. He never was sued in his life, but sued the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co. He and his wife were greatly injured by a team of horses running away with them, which were frightened by an en- gine. He sued the company and recovered $8,000, after 8 years' litigation. At first he offered to take $3,000.

James U. Dirilbiss, of the dry-goods firm of Dewey & Divilbiss, is a son of William and Evaline (Feidt) Divilbiss, of Franklin Co., Pa., the native place of James U. They came to this county in 1850 and remained until 1873, when they moved to Farmer's City, Ill., where they now reside. In the fall of 1865 Mr. D. en- tered the store of J. W. Ingersoll as salesman, remained for three and a half years and accepted the same position in the store of R. W. & C. C. Dewey. At the expiration of one year R. W. Dewey retired from the firm and he remained with C. C. Dewey for 4 years. In 1874 he formed a partnership with R. W. Dewey under the firm name of Dewey & Divilbiss, and bought the stock of C. C. Dewey. The firm has remained the same to the present time, carrying one

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of the largest stock of goods in the county and meeting with general success.

James Donn &. Bro., hardware merchants, gun-makers and dealers. This firm occupy one of the finest store-rooms in Canton, being 1813 feet in depth by 22 feet wide. Ninety feet in front is stored with hardware, guns, cutlery, etc., and 913 feet in the rear is devoted to the manufacture of guns. This firm represents one of the im- portant business interests of Canton. They make a specialty in the manufacture of the best grade of breach-loading guns after the lat- est improved models, varying in price from $50 to $250. They have a reputation second to none in the State in the manufacture of superior goods. The business was established by James Donn in April, 1859, in a small building on Main street, north of the Square, he doing all his own work with no power excepting hand. He occupied this building for 6 years with an average business of $600 per year. He removed to the west side of the Square and remained till '67 when he formed a partnership with his brother, Wm. Donn, jr., and removed to the north side; and in 1872 moved to their present place on the west side, where they do a business of $50,000 per year. The parent's of these gentlemen, Wm. and Catharine (Thompson) Donn, are among the old settlers of Fulton Co. They were natives of Perth, Scotland. James was born in Lake Co., Ill., and married Ellen Rawalt in 1871. Ellen is their only child. Wm. Donn, jr., is a native of Canton and was born in 1849; he was mar- ried Nov. 28, 1878, to Belle Thompson.

Joseph Drake, farmer, see. 29, is a native of Sussex Co., N. J., and is the son of Ebenezer and Prudence (Sutton) Drake. Mr. D. came to this county in 1848, located at Canton and engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Vittum, Drake & Co. for 6 vears, and from 1854 to '61 was engaged in the same business in Prairie City. During the war was engaged in general trading in the Southern States. He moved his family to Canton in 1863, and afterwards engaged in business at Santa Fe, New Mexico. He mar- ried Sarah J. Vittum in 1850 and had a family of 8 children, 5 liv- ing: A. M., jeweler at Canton ; Martin, Eugene, Stephen A. Doug- las and Fred are living at the homestead. Mr. D. has been turning his attention to sheep-feeding, having about 600 to 800 head per vear. In '78 he sold 400 head that averaged 145 pounds. This lot went to Europe. He is one of the most successful sheep-feeders in Illinois.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 55

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