History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 60

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

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

In order to detail more fully the history of the town and town- ship, we will speak personally of the leading and representative citizens :

John C. Anthony, M. D., Smithfield ; was born in Mercer Co., Pa., Feb. 1, 1852. He is the son of Benjamin A. and Fanny A. Anthony; came to this county in 1854; was educated mostly in common schools and Abingdon College. The doctor attended both Rush and Missouri Medical Colleges, graduating at the latter March 4, 1875; commenced practicing April 4, 1875, in Marble- town, this county. He remained there three years and was success- ful, but suffered many trials that young physicians are heir to. From there he removed to Table Grove, thenee to Smithfield. While at Marbletown the Doctor was united in matrimony with Charlotte J. Markley. One child was born to them, but died in infancy. By close attention to his work and hard study he has gained a lasting reputation.

John H. Baughman was born in Ashland (then Richland) Co., O., Sept. 3, 1826; came to this county with his parents in 1830; educated in the common schools of Fulton county and entered into the dry-goods and grocery business in Canton, Fulton Co., in 1856, and in 1864 established a nursery in Canton. His store and dwell- ing were burned in 1871, and he established a nursery in Smithfield in 1874, whence he removed in 1876 and where he still resides ; was married to Sarah Pomeroy in 1845, by whom he has had 8 children,-Samantha C., born May 14, 1846; Martha J. (deceased), Nov. 21, 1848; Walter P., July 12, 1850; Laura N., Nov. 28, 1853; Emma, Oet. 30, 1857 ; Ella, May 21, 1861; Mary H., July 12, 1863; Cordelia, Dec. 11, 1864. P. O., Smithfield.

Joseph E. Baughman, son of Samuel and Eliza (Camron) Baugh- man, of Cass township, was born, raised and educated in Cass town- ship near Smithfield. His father came to this county in 1831, being one of the early settlers; was a cooper in younger days, but is a nurseryman and farmer at present. He was fond of the chase, and frequently shot deer from his porch. The subject of this sketch, Mr. J. E. Baughman, is an enterprising young farmer, but 21 years old ; was early taught to cook, bake, wash and iron, etc., his mother being an invalid since he was 7 years old. He worked by the month since 13 years of age until recently. P. O., Smithfield.

Jacob Bayless, farmer ; P. O., Cuba ; was born in Brighton, N. Y., Nov. 14, 1809 ; moved with his parents to Ohio in 1812, by schooner on the lakes. There being no canal around Niagara Falls at that time, his father hired the boat hauled around the Falls by horse-team. As he passed by Buffalo he saw chimneys standing of houses that the British had burned during the Revolution. His father, Richard Bayless, served in the war of 1812. Mr. B. heard

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

the cannon firing when the British attempted to land at Sackett's Harbor. He was the first J. P. after township organization, and served two terms; has served as School Trustee, School Director, Town Clerk and Supervisor; has been married twice, and is the father of 11 children, 7 of whom are living. Mr. B. is a noted bee-hunter. The following is an extract from his journal : "July, 1865, 12th bee-tree found about a mile south of bee-tree No. 11, on the north side of a branch, and north of an old field on the creek bottom in a red oak ; 13th found in limb of a large elm, half mile north of the mouth of Coal creek on Spoon river."

Milton L. Beadles, P. O., Smithfield. One of the first-class teach- ers of Cass tp. is our subject, who was born in this township Feb. 27, 1860. His father, James H. Beadles, of Cass tp., was born in Bernadotte township Feb. 17, 1832. He has always been a farmer, and is at present one of the leading agriculturists in this part of the county. J. H. B.'s father, Joel Beadles, entered the land now occupied by the Beadles family, viz : southeast quarter of section 32. Our subject received a good common-school education, being a pupil ofthe popular Mr. J. H. Benton, County School Superintendent. Mr. B. pays his own expenses while in school, with the well-carned money that he accumulates while teaching. Mr. James H. Beadles built, during the fall of 1879, a fine two-story frame dwelling, which adds very much to the beauty of his farm.

Caleb Boyer, farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Smithfield; was born in Lieking county, O., Sept. 3, 1824. He came to this county in 1839; has been married twice and is father of 11 children. His second wife had four by first husband, making 15 in all, and all of whom are living. He united with the U. B. Church in 1843. Is 55 years old, and has been in a court-house but once.

Henry Brock, farmer and stock-raiser ; born in Germany in 1825. his parents, Philip and Elizabeth Brock, natives of Germany, im- migrated to this county in 1838, and entered 160 acres of land. Mr. B. was married to Caroline Wilhelm in 1857, by whom he had 6 children,-John W., born Feb. 4, 1858; Caroline E., born, 1861 ; Amelia, born Jan. 1, 1865; Henry C., born in 1868; Chas. T., born in 1870; Philip L., born Jan. 28, 1873. Mr. Brock, when first beginning in life had but little, but energy and superior man- agement has made him possessor of 320 acres of the best land in Cass township. P. O., Smithfield.

John Broek, farmer; P. O., Smithfield. Mr. B. is a native of Germany, and is a son of Philip and brother of Henry Brock, whose biography also appears just above. He served one term as Collector, and at present is School Director; was married March 14, '59, to Amanda M. Watson. They have been blessed with five children, four of whom are living,-Alonzo G., John F., W'm. H., and Melinda J. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the United Brethren Church.

Daniel Catherman, farmer ; sec. 14; P. O., Cuba. To Jacob and

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

Susan (Spicklemire) Catherman there was born in Union Co., Pa., June, 1816, a son, the subject of this personal sketch. He removed with his parents to Crawford Co., Pa., thence to Ashland (then Rich- land) county, O .; came to this county in '37. He was educated in the select schools of Pennsylvania. He was married in Dee., '38, to Abigail Kuykendall, by whom he had six children. Daniel and Margaret are married and living in Cass township near their parents. Susan married Henry Hinderliter, and lives near New Philadelphia, Ill. The father of Mrs. C. is 94 years old and can walk from 10 to 15 miles a day, and very frequently does. He lives in Liverpool township. Mrs. C. is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. C. took wheat to Chicago in '42 and sold it for 48 cents per bushel.

Peter Christian, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Cuba; was born Dec. 23, 1817, in Plattsburg, N. Y; removed with his parents to Troy, N. Y., in '32, came to this county in '36. He saved a man from drowning in Spoon river during the freshet in '44; has been Com. of Highways and School Director. . He was united in mar- riage with Mary A. Johnson, June 26, 1841, by whom he had 4 children, 2 of whom are living,-Melissa C. and Pollie F. Mr. C. is a a Free-will Baptist minister, and a self-made man, having received but nine months schooling (in Troy) in his life.

Justus Deakins was born in Belmont county, O., May 18, 1827. He moved to Knox county, O., then to Fulton county, Ill., in 1855. His parents, Richard and Ann (Aikins) were natives of Maryland. Mr. D. has served as Road Commissioner 4 years, School Director 6 years; has lived in Iowa two years. He was married March 6, '42, in Richland (now Ashland) Co., O., to Margaret Statler, by whom he had 9 children, of whom 6 are living,-Geo., Ann, Selas- ticque, Justus, Ella and Squire. Mrs. D. died July 29, '77. Mr. D. is a faithful member of the M. E. Church, and is engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. P. O., Cuba.

James A. Ellis, farmer, sec. 17 ; P. O., Smithfield ; was born near Ipava, this county, Nov. 6, 1850. His father, John Ellis, was one of the early settlers of Fulton Co. His mother was Lorena B. Ellis, nce Camron. James attended the schools of this county and gained a fair education. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Brown. They have one son, Samuel W., and their little girl baby, born May 24, 1879, had not received its name when we called upon Mr. E.

James M. Fate, farmer and stock-raiser, see. 33 ; P. O., Smithfield ; was born and raised in this county. His father, Jesse Fate, was a native of Licking Co., O. He was a conductor upon the famous Under-ground R. R. He is the father of the M. E. Church at Smithfield. The first church in the township was built upon his land in about 1849 or '50. James M. served his country faithfully in the Rebellion, and took an active part in the battles of Ft. Don- elson, Corinth and others. He was a member of Co. G, 50th Ill. Inf. His brother George served in the same company. He was

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

married to Mary E. Douglas, Sept. 7, 1865. Their children num- ber 7,-Emma L., Carrie A., Charles W., George, Mary F., Jesse E. and an infant girl. He united with the M. E. Church in 1875.

Jesse S. Fate, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O., Smithfield ; is a na- tive of Licking Co., O., and was born Aug. 9, 1817; was married June 15, 1837, to Miss Sarah H. Harbert. They have a family of 5 children living, out of 11 born to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. F. is a local preacher, and earnest and sincere in his professions. He came to this county in 1839. He formerly voted with the Liberty party ; was a strong anti-slavery man, and says the line of the Under-ground railroad passed through Cass tp. not far from his residence. His sons, George R. and James M., served in the Rebellion.

Jacob Fink, merchant, Smithfield. The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and was born in 1835; was educated in Germany in the common schools ; formerly a stock-raiser, but is now engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Fink began in life with nothing, and now is comfortably situated ; served in the late Rebel- lion ; enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 55th Ill. Inf. as a private, and by his gallant service was promoted to First Lieut. and honorably dis- charged as such. He re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps in March, '65, as private, and was again promoted to Lieut. He is one of the fortunate men who drew the large bounty. He was in Washington when Lincoln was assassinated. The Lieut. still has the sword and Sharp's rifle that he carried while in the service ; was in 20 engagements and came out without a scratch ; was married to Samantha C. Baughman, July, 1866, by whom he has three boys,- Henry B., born May 11, 1867; Walter P., born Aug. 8, 1870; John J., born March 13, 1873.

Franklin H. Hart, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Smithfield ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1832; came to this county in 1848; served three years and two months in the Rebellion, in 1st Mo. Engineers' regt., the greater portion of the time in Co. K, anda portion of the time in Co. C, and filled the capacity of cook ; he now serves as School Director ; was married Mar. 15, 1852, to Katha- rine Baughman ; 12 children are the result of this union, 7 of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Smithfield M. E. Church. Mr. H. has operated a saw-mill for 12 years; has lived three years in Kansas.

Isaac Henderson, son of Nathan Henderson of this township, was born Dec. 5, 1828, in Fayette Co., O. He removed with his parents to Bernadotte township in 1843, and to Cass township in 44; was educated in the common schools of Ohio. Mr. H. has served the people of Cass as Constable for 14 years ; has also been Commissioner of Highways, and was the first School Trustee in the township, after the township organization in 1850, and served one term as Justice of the Peace. He was married Aug. 1, '49, to Elizabeth Fast. They have been blessed with 9 children. Martin,

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

a very intelligent boy, when 15 years old, while running through the corn-field one day, took hold of a cockle-burr with his teeth, that was clinging to his mitten, and beginning to cough at the same instant, violently drew the burr down his trachea into his lungs. After retaining it in his lungs four years, he at last coughed it up in 1874. He died from the effects in '77. Mrs. H. is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. H. was formerly a lawyer, but is a farmer at present. P. O., Cuba.

Albert Herbert. There was born to John and Rebecca (Long) Herbert, in Ashland Co., O., March 26, 1823, a son, the subject of this sketch. He came to this county in 1836, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising ; P. O., Smithfield. His father died when he was quite young, and he was bound out three times; went to California overland in 1849 ; was six months and four days complet- ing the journey. He was taken sick at Ft. Laramie; the company left him there after giving him $25 and an ox team, telling him to return to the State. He waited until one o'clock P. M., when he threw away a part of his clothing, bed and ammunition, mounted one of the oxen and overtook the company at dark of the same day. He recovered, went through to the Golden State and re- turned. Mr. H. when a boy, in 1836, came near losing his life by freezing. He was sent to a neighbor's on an errand, and a very sudden change in the weather taking place at that hour, he became very sleepy and was on the point of stopping to lie down, when the thought of freezing instilled new energy in him. In 1840, while living in Cuba, he and a brother were engaged in cut- ting wood on the Illinois river, and were caught in another fearful storm. The brother became sleepy, and Mr. H. procured a switch and applied it severely, which aroused the anger of the brother and he ran after him for revenge, Mr. H. leading the way toward home. His brother now declares that the switching saved his life. Mr. H. was contractor and builder of the Brock Chapel near Smithfield. He married Barbary Baughman in '77 and has 6 children.

Jacob P. Hensley, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 20; P. O., Smithfield. The subject of this sketch was born in Clay Co., Ind., Dec. 23, 1837, and is the son of John A. and Minerva (Yocum) Hensley ; came to this county in 1853. His brother Samuel serv- ed in the Rebellion. He serves his school district in capacity of Director ; was married March 9, 1861, to Margaret Baughman, by whom he has four children. Mrs. Hensley's father is one of the early settlers in this township, and is still living here with Isaac Howard, his son-in-law. Mr. H. is a member of the Christian Church.

Hiram S. Higgins, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ken- tucky, April 24, 1820. He is the son of James Higgins, from Bourbon Co., Ky .; came to this county in 1836; was formerly a cooper, but is a farmer and stock-raiser at present. He has supe- rior facilities for raising stock. In his wood pasture there is a pool

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

married to Mary E. Douglas, Sept. 7, 1865. Their children num- ber 7,-Emma L., Carrie A., Charles W., George, Mary F., Jesse E. and an infant girl. He united with the M. E. Church in 1875.

Jesse S. Fate, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O., Smithfield; is a na- tive of Licking Co., O., and was born Ang. 9, 1817; was married June 15, 1837, to Miss Sarah H. Harbert. They have a family of 5 children living, out of 11 born to them. Both Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. F. is a local preacher, and earnest and sincere in his professions. He came to this county in 1839. He formerly voted with the Liberty party ; was a strong anti-slavery man, and says the line of the Under-ground railroad passed through Cass tp. not far from his residence. His sons, George R. and James M., served in the Rebellion.

Jacob Fink, merchant, Smithfield. The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and was born in 1835; was educated in Germany in the common schools ; formerly a stock-raiser, but is now engaged in the mercantile business. Mr. Fink began in life with nothing, and now is comfortably situated ; served in the late Rebel- lion ; enlisted in 1861 in Co. D, 55th Ill. Inf. as a private, and by his gallant service was promoted to First Lient. and honorably dis- charged as such. He re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps in March, '65, as private, and was again promoted to Lient. He is one of the fortunate men who drew the large bounty. He was in Washington when Lincoln was assassinated. The Lieut. still has the sword and Sharp's rifle that he carried while in the service ; was in 20 engagements and came out without a scratch ; was married to Samantha C. Baughman, July, 1866, by whom he has three boys,- Henry B., born May 11, 1867; Walter P., born Aug. 8, 1870; John J., born March 13, 1873.

Franklin H. Hart, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Smithfield ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Jan. 22, 1832 ; came to this county in 1848; served three years and two months in the Rebellion, in 1st Mo. Engineers' regt., the greater portion of the time in Co. K, anda portion of the time in Co. C, and filled the capacity of cook ; he now serves as School Director ; was married Mar. 15, 1852, to Katha- rine Baughman ; 12 children are the result of this union, 7 of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Smithfield M. E. Church. Mr. H. has operated a saw-mill for 12 years ; has lived three years in Kansas.

Isaac Henderson, son of Nathan Henderson of this township, was born Dec. 5, 1828, in Fayette Co., O. He removed with his parents to Bernadotte township in 1843, and to Cass township in '44; was educated in the common schools of Ohio. Mr. H. has served the people of Cass as Constable for 14 years ; has also been Commissioner of Highways, and was the first School Trustee in the township, after the township organization in 1850, and served one term as Justice of the Peace. He was married Aug. 1, '49, to Elizabeth Fast. They have been blessed with 9 children. Martin,

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

a very intelligent boy, when 15 years old, while running through the corn-field one day, took hold of a cockle-burr with his teeth, that was elinging to his mitten, and beginning to cough at the same instant, violently drew the burr down his trachea into his lungs. After retaining it in his lungs four years, he at last coughed it up in 1874. He died from the effects in '77. Mrs. H. is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. H. was formerly a lawyer, but is a farmer at present. P. O., Cuba.

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

12 feet long by 6 feet wide and 6 feet deep, which flows freely the year round and never has been known to freeze over. He helped organize Company I of the 103d Ill. Inf. during the Rebellion ; went into camp, but returned on recruiting commission. Has held the office of School Trustee ten years; has also been Town Clerk and Road Commissioner. He married Elizabeth Baughman Feb. 15, 1844, by whom he has 9 children. Mrs. B. is a member of the Christian Church. P. O., Smithfield.

Isaac Howard was born in Fulton county, Ill., in 1832. His father, Samuel, is a native of Virginia, and his mother of New York; was educated in this county in the common schools; is a good, elever farmer, and has one of America's noblest women for an helpmeet. Mr. Howard's father died when he was but 7 years old, and he was bound to one Rev. Mr. Emery, with whom he lived but a short time, after which he worked from place to place on the farm, and by patience and many hard knocks he has come into possession of two good farms. Has lived in Cass township 25 years and has been out of the State but twice. - He was married to Hannah Baughman in 1856. Four children were the result of this happy union,-Sarah J., born in 1857; John, born Oct., 1859 ; Chas. G., born May 20, 1862 ; Luella, born Nov. 2, 1856. P. O., Smithfield.

Henry A. Howerter was born in Berks Co., Pa., Feb. 9, 1850; is of German descent. He came with his parents to this county in 1836; was edneated in the common schools of the Keystone State and Fulton Co. His father, Benjamin, lives in Cass township. Mr. H. is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was proprietor of a tannery and worked in a woolen factory until 53 years old. He has been Town Clerk ; was married in 1871 to Anna E. Turner, daughter of Israel Turner, of Knox county. His grandmother Howerter, father Howerter and all his- family were born in the same house in Penn- sylvania. His father proposed the founding of the present town of Shamrock in Pennsylvania, and was grain and coal merchant there for a number of years. Is a member of the Lutheran Church. P. O., Smithfield.

James T. Irwin, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 34; P. O., Smith- field. The subject of this sketch was born in Licking Co., O., July 16, 1837. He came to this county in 1849, and went to the Terri- tories in 1865, and had several encounters with the Indians while there. At one time the red-skins attempted to stampede their teams, but the leader, a white renegade, was captured. They gave him a "moonlight" trial, and released hin on the promise to keep the peace. They employed two men to bring them back to the set- tlement, who proved to be robbers. Before reaching Fort Kearney, a bare-headed man, with but one boot, met them and talked famil- iarly with the guides. This aroused a suspicion in Mr. I., and he lay awake all night and heard their plans for murdering the party the next day, which was checked in the morning by dismiss-

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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.

ing the guides under threats of immediate death. He was married to Samantha Totten, who has borne him 9 children, 7 of whom are living.

J. A. Johnson, Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, Smithfield ; is a son of Thompson and Mahala Ann Johnson, and was born in Belmont Co., O., in 1837. He came to this county in 1868. He served for 4 years in the late Rebellion as private in Co. F, 55th Ill. Inf., and after many narrow escapes was honorably discharged. He was united in marriage with Lucinda A. Wheeler, who has borne him three children,-Geo., Cora M., and Sarah B. Mr. J. united with the M. E. Church in 1877.

William Johnson, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Smithfield ; was born in this county. Benj. Johnson, his father, is a native of New York State; was educated in the common schools of Fulton Co. He helped put down the Indian raids and depredations in Colorado in 1865, under Colonel Chivington. On returning from the battle of Sand creek, he with others traveled 48 hours without halting. The son of the guide who led them to the Indian camp was the chief of the tribe. He was taken prisoner, and afterward shot by some re- vengeful soldiers. Mr. J. has been twice to Kansas, once to Texas, and lived three months in the Choctaw nation. Was herder in the mountains and learned to swing the lasso with precision. He mar- ried Miss Crawford, March 10, '76, by whom he has 2 children.

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History of Fulton county, Illinois, Part 60

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