USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 73
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Otto is a postoffice on section 30, on Otter Creek.
PERSONAL-SKETCH HISTORY.
The personal history of any community contains the most inter- esting features of its history. We speak of the prominent people and early settlers as part of the history of the township.
Jesse Benson, whose portrait we give in this volume, was born at Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1804, and there grew up to manhood. In early life he was engineer in the construction of the New York & Erie canal. He first came to Fulton county with Moses Freeman in March, 1828, and after looking at the country returned home the same year. Sept. 15, he joined a company com- posed of Isaac Benson, Moses Lewis, Alexander and Richard W. Freeman (including the families of Moses and Lewis Freeman), built a boat and came to Illinois by way of the Alleghany, Ohio and Mississippi rivers, arriving in St. Louis in Nov., 1828, where they remained all winter ; the following spring they came up the Illinois river, landing at the month of Spoon river April 15, 1829 ; the fol- lowing spring he took a trip to the north ; while absent he helped to re-build Fort Dearborn in Chicago when there were only a black- smith shop and a very few other buildings in the place. About 1831, in company with the Freemans, he built quite an extensive mill, on sec. 6, Isabel tp., for grinding and sawing, on Spoon river near where the old Hackelton bridge used to stand; but a big freshet and the use of quicksilver from the hands of some ill-disposed person washed the foundation from under the building so much that they were in danger of losing their valuable structure, when they removed the building to Beardstown, a part of the machinery being used in a mill on Otter creek where they operated successfully for a number of years. Mr. Benson and the Freemans made brick of which the present court-house was built.
Mr. Benson was first married in 1834 to Miss Mary W. Hackel- ton, sister of Maj. Hackelton, an officer in the Mexican and Black Hawk wars. She died June 3, 1835. His second marriage oc- curred Jan. 1, 1842, with Miss Mary A. Hendce. This lady died, and he again married, in 1851, to Miss Harriet E. Hendee. His third and last wife has been dead four or five years. He was the father of 12 children, 10 of whom are living.
Mr. Benson was an Adventist in his religions views. He was widely known throughout this county and greatly honored. Mr. Benson held many local offices; indeed he was not free from official responsibilities for perhaps a third of a century. Thirty years ago he was one of the three Associate Judges of the county ; was also
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
frequently elected Assessor. To this day his efficiency in these sta- tions are remembered and commented upon by the pioneers as a pleasant memory of pioncer life. Socially he was remarkable for his genial and hospitable characteristics. He was attached to his home and his children, as their grief at his death most pointedly attest. He had been in failing health for many months, caused by falling from a load of hay; but on the day of his death seemed stronger and more hopeful than he had been in many days. March 27, 1879, he was sitting in his chair talking pleasantly with a neigh- bor and his children, when he desired to lie down ; he declined assistance as he walked to his bed and lay down; within five minutes he was dead. His remains were buried at Freeman's Cemetery.
G. W. Brewer was born in Indiana Oet. 28, 1838, the native State also of his parents, Bincent and Elizabeth Brewer. He came to this county in 1856, and married Mary Ann Peggs at Otto in 1861, who was born in England in 1839, and they have had 4 children, of whom 3 are living. Farmer. Republican. Sec. 30, Isabel tp. P. O., Otto.
Jacob Brown was born in Ohio Feb. 24, 1826, the son of George and Naney Brown, of the same State ; in 1848 Mr. B. came by way of the rivers to Fulton county ; worked for $4 to $7 a month before coming here and $10 to $15 since, until in three years he laid up $250 and owned a horse ; worked at farming two years and bought 80 acres of land on 7 years' time, at $750, and paid for it before this time expired ; then bought another 80 acres at $1,600 and paid for it in less than two years; in 1863 he purchased 80 acres more, at $2,400 cash ; since that time he has bought 760 acres more. Aug. 23, 1853, he married Priscilla Cornell at Lewistown, who was a native of Meigs Co., O., Oct. 26, 1834; and they have had 10 chil- dren, some of them grown. Has been Highway Commissioner. Is a stock-raiser, see. 21, Isabel tp. Republican. P. O., Duncan's Mills. Portraits of himself and wife are given in this volume.
Jane E. Brown was born Feb. 13, 1810, in New Jersey, daughter of Joseph and Esther Gordon, natives of Pennsylvania; in 1829 married Charles Brown in Ohio, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1809 ; came to Fulton county in 1831 ; discouraged, they re- turned East, but before unloading the wagon concluded they could do better out West, and back to Fulton county they came and set- tled on see. 20, Isabel township, where they have been reasonably successful. They brought up 14 children, 10 of whom are still liv- ing. Mr. Brown died Dee. 21, 1878, leaving her with but one child at home, a young lady 21 years of age. Mrs. B. is carrying on the farm where her husband introduced the first Durham cattle of the county. P. O., Otto.
Thomas A. Brown was born in this township June 19, 1854, son of Jacob and Priscilla Brown, the former a native of Harrison Co., O., and the latter of Meigs Co., O. Our subject received a fair ed-
1
Jacob Brown
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
ueation, has filled offices of trust and is at present School Treasurer and Town Clerk. He manages for himself and father, on sec. 26, one of the nicest farms in the township. Republican.
Geo. W. Clark was born in Gallia county, O., Ang. 27, 1847. In 1849 the family moved to Indianapolis, next year back to Gallia Co., then to Indianapolis again, where they remained till 1854; then started for Chickasaw county, Iowa, with 5 yoke of oxen; lost two of his children in Peoria by sickness, but went on to Cedar river and entered a tract of land ; the Indians scalping a few natives in his neighborhood, Mr. Clark took his family back to Indianapolis in 1857, and soon to Gallia county, O., again ; in 1858 they emi- grated to Schuyler county, Mo., and in 1863 he was killed by guerrillas ; the remainder of the family removed to Adair county, Mo., where they all remain, except Geo. W., who enlisted in Co. E, 42d Mo. Inf .; in 1869, married Julia A. Smith, born in 1846 in Fulton county, Ill. Mr. Clark is now in the general merchandise and drug business at Duncan City.
Margaret Coleman, residing on sec. 18, Isabel tp., was born in 1819 in Va., daughter of Wm. and Mary Hawkins, natives also of Va. Mrs. C. first came to Tazewell Co., Ill., where she married Mr. Coleman in 1843, who died several years ago. They had 9 children. Mr. C. is successfully carrying on her farm. P. O., Duncan's Mills.
John Craig was born Nov. 18, 1858, in Isabel township, son of Wm. and Elizabeth Craig, the former a native of Ohio and the lat- ter of Indiana ; in 1844 they came and settled here. John obtained a good education and is now carrying on the farm with his widowed mother. Sec. 17. P. O., Duncan's Mills.
William Farris, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 15; P. O., Duncan's Mills ; was born May 4, 1819, in Missouri, son of John and Eliza- beth Farris, natives of Virginia. The family first settled in Frank- lin Co., Ill., in 1821; in 1828 they came to Fulton county, and have lived here ever since. Mr. Farris has been Commissioner of Highways, Supervisor, Assessor, etc., in Isabel tp. He is yet un- married, but has a niee farm.
. Ira M. Fish was born in New York in 1826, son of Moses and Debbie Fish ; emigrated first to Ohio, then to this county in 1840; in 1867 (he being then 41 years of age) he married Mary I. Vaughn, who was born near Vermont, this county. They have three chil- dren. Mr. F. is a farmer, on a nice tract of land, sec. 16. P. O., Duncan's Mills.
F. M. Foutch was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1833, the son of John and Rhoda (Ray) Foutch, the former a native of Ken- tucky. The family emigrated to this county in 1835, where the subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools. He has served the township of Isabel acceptably as Assessor and Col- lector. In 1854 he married Elizabeth Leadmon, a native of Indi- ana, and they have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living. Mr.
43
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Fouteh was a merchant for 6 years, but is now a farmer, on sec. 27; P. O., Duncan's Mills.
John Foutch was born in Kentucky in 1806; when of age he married Rhoda Ray ; came and settled on see. 22, Isabel tp., in 1827, where he still resides ; commenced poor here, doing most of the cultivating with a hoe, having only an ox team, ete., but is now a wealthy man, all owing to perseverance and economy. He has had 13 children, of whom 12 are living. Nine of the children were by his second wife, Lueretia, nee Farris. Mr. F.'s father, John Foutch, was born in Virginia, went to Kentucky, married Naney Wherrott, moved to Indiana in 1807, to Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1823, where he died in 1845. Of his 5 boys and 5 girls our subject is the eldest son. P. O., Havana. His portrait appears in this work.
John H. Foutch, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 23; P. O., Havana. Mr. F. was born in Isabel township in 1848, son of John and Lu- tetia Foutch. In 1878 he married Anna Shirrel, born in White Co., Ill., in 1856, and a member of the Christian Church. They have one child.
Dexter Freeman. Alex. Freeman came with his family to Isabel township when this country was a wilderness, undergoing all the hardships that other pioneers had to suffer, and now resides in Pleasant tp. Dexter was born Jan. 5, 1843, in Isabel tp., where he still resides, a prosperous farmer and stock-dealer, owning 240 acres of land. June 11, 1865, he married Mary A. Lockard: 3 boys and 3 girls are their offspring. Mrs. F. was born in Ohio in 1845, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. F. is a Free- mason. P. O., Otto.
James Gardner was born in Isabel tp. in 1850, son to James and Delia Gardner, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. In 1823 they emigrated to sec. 34 of this township, where the subject of this sketeh now resides. He is a Republican. P. O., Havana. In 1874 he married Martha E. Hukill, born in this township in 1852. They have one child living and two dead. They have a good farm on sec. 34, and from their residence is seen one of the grandest views of natural scenery in this region of country. One can see into Schuyler, Cass and Mason counties, looking over the Illinois river valley with its long and weird
Bands of bluish green And silvery sheen.
James M. Lane was born in Pleasant tp. Feb. 19, 1840, son of Relaford and Catherine Lane ; married Naney Lane in March, 1870, who was born in Isabel tp. in 1842. They have had one child. They occupy the old home on see. 29, Isabel tp. Mr. Lane is a Democrat. His father served in the Black Hawk war. Mrs. L. belongs to the Christian Church. P. O., Otto.
Charles G. Matthews was born in Fulton county in 1843, and is
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
the son of Montgomery and Alice Matthews. He served 3 years in the late war, in Co. I, 85th I. V. I., and participated in the bat- tles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others; and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was married in October, 1865, to Eliza Smith, who was born in Ohio in 1848. They have had 4 children, of whom 3 are living. Sce. 22, Isabel tp. P. O., Duncan's Mills.
Montgomery Matthews, farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Duncan's Mills. A native of Greenbrier Co., Va., born in 1811, son to Townsend and Naney Matthews, also natives of Va. The family moved to Gallia Co., O., in 1815, where Montgomery married Alice T. Walker in 1836, a native of Fayette Co., O. Emigration-in 1838 to Sullivan Co., Ind., in 1840 to Fulton Co., in 1845 moved to Wisconsin, and in 1849 back to this county. They have had 9 children, 5 of whom are living. As a farmer Mr. Matthews is successful. Republican.
Robert G. Mulica, sec. 15, Isabel tp. ; P. O. Dunean's Mills ; was born in Cole Co., Mo., Aug. 27, 1837, the son of Jesse and Par- melia Mulica, the former a a native of New Jersey and the latter of Tennessee. He first removed with his parents to Franklin Co., Mo., and afterward to this connty in 1845, where he grew to man- hood. He served in the late war, in Co. I, 85th I. V. I., nearly 3 years ; enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, and was discharged June 20, 1865. He was with Sherman on his noted march to the sea, and partiei- pated in the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and others. Mr. Mulica has filled the offices of Town Clerk two terms, Supervisor one term, and is at present Com'r of Highways. He was mar- ried, May 1, 1858, to Isabel Farris, by whom he had 10 children : 9 are living. Mrs. Mulica was born in Fulton Co., Sept. 9, 1840. Mr. M. is a Greenbacker.
Bernard Rogers was born in 1844, in Lebanon, Warren Co., O., son of James H. and Ann Rogers, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. Emigration-in 1855 to Mason Co., Ill., and in 1874 to Fulton. Bernard is a graduate of Bryant & Stratton's College, and has taught school considerably. During the war he served in the Quartermaster's Department of the Cumber- land. In 1867, at Havana, he married Anna M. Buck, born in 1844 in Mason Co. She is a member of the M. E. Church, and has been a school-teacher. Mr. R. owns 190 acres of land. Sec. 14. Demoerat. P. O., Havana.
William Rose was born in Fulton Co., Ill., in 1853, the son of Barnabas and Lizzie Rose, natives of England. Mr. Rose received a common education, and at the age of 21 married Miss Martha Vaughn in 1874; she was born in 1856, in Fulton Co., Ill. ; they have had one child. Mr. R. is a farmer with good prospect of success. Isabel tp., see. 19. P. O., Otto.
D. M. Shipp was born Oct. 11, 1832, in Ky., son of Walker and Rebecca Shipp, also natives of Kentucky ; came to Illinois in 1855, stopping in Riehland Co., then to Menard, then to Mason, and finally
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
in this tp. in 1859 ; formerly an operator of a saw-mill, now a farmer ; has been School Director and Trustee, Road Commissioner, ete., and has always been an influential man. He built the first levee on Spoon river. At the age of 20 he married Mary Seay, a native of Ky., born in 1834, and they have had 3 children, one only now living. See. 27, Isabel tp .. P. O., Havana.
Elizabeth Sterling was born in Ohio in 1818, the daughter of Henry and Caroline Bolender, both deceased. She came with her father by the rivers, in 1839, to this county, landing at the mouth of Spoon river. She was married to Mr. Sterling in 1843; they had 6 chil- dren, of whom 5 are living. Sec. 27, Isabel tp. P. O., Duncan's Mills.
Harmon Thomas was born Dee. 17, 1852, in Fulton Co., Ill., the son of Jesse and Martha Thomas, natives of Ohio. Mr. T. owns the old home farm where he was born. In the year 1875 he married Sarah H. Warner, a native of Indiana, born in 1853. Mr. T.'s occupation is farming. Sec. 21.
Jesse Thomas, Isabel tp .; P. O., Dunean's Mills; was born in Ohio in 1833, the son of John and Elizabeth Thomas, natives of Ohio. His father is deceased. He received a common-school edu- cation, and came to Fulton Co. in 1843. He was married to Martha Landon in 1853, who was born in Ohio in 1836. They have had 11 children, of whom 10 are living. Mr. T. is a well-to-do farmer and stock-raiser. Republican.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The following is a list of the township officials serving since the organization of the township, together with the years of serving :
SUPERVISORS.
Jeremiah Farris. 1850-51
Wm. Farris. 1866-69
Robert Carter
1852-53
Josiah Hendee. 1870
Wm. Craig.
1854-55
T. B. Duncan. 1871
Alex. Freeman
1856-57
Jolın Lane. 1872
Robert Carter
1858
Robert K. Walker.
1873
Alex. Freeman.
1859
James M. Lane.
1874-75
(. J. Dilworth.
1860
Robert G. Mulica 1876
John Lane.
1861-64
James Foutch
1877-79
W'm. Craig.
1865
TOWN CLERKS.
Jesse Benson 1850-59 · Robert G. Mulica 1872-73
Wm. Craig 1860
Jesse Benson. 1874-77
Jesse Benson ..
1861-69
Stephen J. Benson. 1878
Roland C. Benson
1870
Thomas Brown. 1879
Hugh Murrey
1871
John Toutch
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
ASSESSORS.
John Farris
1850
James Foutch.
1865
Robert Carter
1851
James M. Smith
1866
Wmn. Craig.
1852-53
Fenton McCartry
1867
George Duncan
1854
Alex. Beckelhymer
1868
Elija Barnes.
1855-56
Charles Brown
1869-70
Uriah B. Sloan
1857
Thomas Landon.
1871
David S. Ray
1858
Wm. Farris.
1872
John H. Duncan
1859
Dudley M. Shipp.
1873
John Graham ..
18 0-61
Wm. Farris.
1874-78
Alexander Beckelhymer .. 1862-63
Frank M. Fontch
1879
Wm. Farris.
1864
COLLECTORS.
John Farris ..
1850
Alex. Beckelhymer 1864
Lewis Freeman.
1851-52
John H. Duncan
1865
Charles M. Geering.
1853
I. P. Ames ...
1866-68
Hiram Shields.
1854
Abraham Leonard
1869
Charles M. Geering
1855
James P. Smith
1870
Thomas Rigdon.
1856
Francis M. Foutch
1871
John Graham 1857
John I. Holmes
1871
W. G. B. Kelly 1858
Hugh Murrey 1872
David S. Ray
1859
Francis M. Fouteh.
1873
John Lane.
1860
Thomas P. Kerney
1874
Josiah Hendee
1861
F. M. Foutch
1875-78
Joseph Stever
1862
Ira G. Graham
1879
I. P. Ames.
1863
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JOSHUA TOWNSHIP.
Perhaps Fulton county cannot boast of a better agricultural town- ship than this one. It is bounded upon the north by Fairview, the east by Canton, south by Putman and upon the west by Deerfield.
The first settler in Joshua township was JJoshua Moore, who im- migratet do Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1819, and to Fulton county in 1824. Mr. Moore settled on the place well known as the Moore farm, west of Canton five miles. Mr. Moore was accompanied by his son-in-law, John Walters, who was killed at Stillman's defeat in 1832. Mr. Moore was a Methodist, and at his house were held many of the earliest Methodist meetings. Here, to such pioneers as David W. Barnes, the Sergeants, the Buffums, John Hannan and his family, old Father Fraker, John Owens, Jacob Ellis, and a few others, Rev. Randall, Smith L. Robinson (the one-eyed preacher) and Peter Cartwright would preach sermons full of primitive fire and religious zeal. At his house were held the class-meetings and love-feasts, and here were held the merry-makings wherein those present had rarer sport than is known to the silk and velvet gentry of the present fast age.
The story of Mr. Moore's first visit to the county is related by Mr. Henry Andrews, of Canton. It will be remembered, as spoken of in the first chapter, that Capt. David W. Barnes was the first settler in the northern part of Fulton county. He erected his cabin about two miles and a half north of Canton. It was enstomary and expected in those early days for men who were "prospecting" through the country to put up at the cabins of, the settlers, where they were treated with the greatest hospitality and shown all over the country and the best quarter sections pointed ont to them. This was all done without remuneration. One day in August, 1823, two men stopped at Barnes' cabin. These were Joshua Moore and Levi Ellis. Barnes invited them in the most cordial manner to make his house their headquarters while in the neighborhood, and the invita- tion was cheerfully accepted. Mrs. Barnes annonneed to her hus- band that the meat was out that evening, and that she did not know what she was going to do for something to eat. As meat and corn- bread or hominy was about the extent of the pioneer bill of fare at that period, this announcement was received with some consterna- tion. Barnes had no stock to kill, and had neglected hunting, from the pressure of his fall work. George Matthews was at that time working at Barnes', and in the morning he undertook to find some
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
game. He started ont east of Barnes' cabin, and had been gone but a few moments before the report of his gun was heard, and his halloo for help soon followed it. The whole family started for the scene of action, anxiousto know the result. Matthews had shot and killed a fine doe within a short distance of the house, and was pro- ceeding to skin it. This gave Mrs. Barnes relief, and she furnished her guests an abundance of venison during the balance of their stav.
Moore purchased land in what is now Joshua township, and gave the township its name. Ellis afterwards moved to Ellisville, which township was also named in his honor. He built a mill at the present site of Ellisville. Both of them were prominent and useful men, and possessed of great influence among the people at that early day. Moore died in 1853.
Mr. Levi G. Ellis first settled in this township and erected about the first mill in the county. A few years later he moved to Ellis- ville and Joseph H. Gardiner bought his farm and mill in Joshua. Mr. Ellis had erected a steam saw and grist mill in Joshua, the first in the township and in all probability the first steam mill in the county.
Mr. Ellis had previously run a water mill on Put ereek, which was swept away by flood in 1835. Mr. Gardiner did a large busi- ness and for many years shipped flour to New York city. He made flat-boats upon which he would float his produce to St. Louis, start- ing from Copperas creek landing. After these boats were unloaded he would sell them to go further south. At one time he built a thirty-ton keel-boat, and carried it on wheels to Copperas creek, where it was launched. When the Illinois river was low and he could not run a boat to St. Louis he would take a team of four voke of oxen and a team of horses, and put on about 100 bushels of wheat and start for Chicago, where he would get 60 cents to 623 cents per bushel, when wheat would only bring 25 cents at home. It would consume a month's time to make these trips. He would return with dry-goods and other necessaries. These trips as we may well suppose were very tedious. The roads in some places crossed sloughs and were difficult to get over. At such places they would be obliged to hitch sixteen to eighteen yoke of oxen to one wagon and pull it across, the wagon sinking often to the box. This they were able to do as there would be generally from fifty to one hun- dred teams in a train going to market. They camped out on the prairies every night. They turned their oxen out to graze but tied them up at dark. Mr. Gardiner said it seldom cost any money to make the trip, but on one occasion there had been a prairie fire and in consequence they were obliged to buy corn from the settlers along the route. This cost him about $3 for the round trip, consum- ing a month of time.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHIES.
We give in connection with the history of Joshua, indeed as a part of its history, personal sketches of its leading citizens and old settlers of the township :
John W. Abbott, deceased, was born in the Keystone State Dec. 12, 1812, and came to this county as early as 1838. In 1846 he bought land and settled in Farmington tp., where he lived until 1865, when he bought a farm in Joshua tp. and moved upon it, re- maining there until his decease, which occurred April 10, 1877. During all his life-time he took a deep interest in educational mat- ters, aiding the same both morally and financially. He accumnu- lated a large property, leaving an estate of 800 acres of land. His widow still resides upon the homestead. He was married in Farm- ington tp. to Christina Babbitt in 1837. She was a daughter of Daniel Babbitt of Washington Co., Pa., who settled in this county in 1827. Two of the family, Jacob and Wm. Babbitt, served in the Black Hawk war. Of the large family of 14 children, only 6 are living, 3 of whom reside with their widowed mother on the farm. The names of the children are: Daniel, Jacob, John W., Naney C., Geo. B. and Jeremiah. Those deceased are : Alexander, died at the age of 25 ; Sarah I., at the age of 21; Stephen A., at the age of 17, and Elizabeth, Cynthia, Silas, Wm. A. and Bethany died in infancy. Of those living, Daniel and Jacob are attorneys at law in Canton. The children were all born on the farm homestead near the Dunkard church in Farmington tp. Mrs. Abbott was a native of Scott Co., Ind., and is the only one of the pioneer family of Daniel Babbitt living in this county.
Singleton W'. Ash, farmer, sec. 23, Joshua tp .; was born in Mor- gan Co., Va., March 5, 1834. His father was a farmer and Single- ton worked also on the farm up to 1851, when he with the rest of the family came West and settled in Joshua tp., Fulton Co., Ill. On March 3, 1856, he was married to Mary Jane, daughter of Joseph H. and Margarette Gardiner of this township. They have 3 children,-Charles Eugene, Lorin Melville and Lucy Ann. Mr. Ash is a Democrat.
John Berger, miller, the son of JJasper and Gertie (Wyckoff) Berger, was born in Hunterdon Co., N. J., Ang. 2, 1808. He landed in this county Nov. 20, 1841. He has been engaged in ag- rieultural pursuits most of his life and at present owns a farm on see. 1. Mr. B. and his son are the proprietors of the grist-mill at Fairview. Since this mill has come into their hands it has gained a good reputation and is doing a fine business. Mr. B. was married Dec. 10, 1833 ; his wife died Oct. 4, 1865. This union was blessed with 8 children,-3 boys and 5 girls, only 3 daughters and one son are living, all of whom are married. Mr. B. has been a member of the Reformed Church since 1838. P. O., Fairview.
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