USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 75
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Cecil Savill is a native of England and was born Aug. 22, 1832. He is the son of George and Bettie Savill ; the former died July 24, 1866, and his mother is still living in Fulton Co. Mr. S. came to the county in 1857 and has lived in the county since. He is a shoemaker by occupation and served as an apprentice in England for 5 years. He married Eliza Morton Sept. 15, 1856, and his sec- ond wife, Polly Silvernail, he married Nov. 4, 1861. By his first wife he had one girl, Eliza, wife of Chas. Abbott. His second wife bore him 8 children,-5 boys and 3 girls. Mr. S. lives on sec. 25; P. O., Canton.
Edwin Savill. Upon the 15th of Dec., 1820, in Yorkshire, Eng., there was born to George and Sarah (Whitehead) Savill a son, the subject of this sketch. He had very limited educational advan- tages, having attended school only 2 quarters, yet he has a good, practical business education. He came to this country early in life, and April 3, 1844, landed at Copperas creek, this county. He fol- lowed blacksmithing till 1860. In 1857 he bought a saw-mill and during 1860 added to it a grist-mill. He resides upon see. 25, and gets his mail at Canton. Aug. 11, 1849, he married Lucinda Lemon, who has borne him 6 children,-4 boys and 2 girls,-all living, and residing with their parents.
Peter Shafer, farmer, sec. 8; P. O., Fairview. Mr. S. is a native of Germany, where he was born June 15, 1840. He came to America in 1866 and June 15 of that year arrived in Fulton Co. He served in the German army 5 years and got 33 ets. per day, but had the privilege to hire ont and made money by thus working. He settled on a farm on sec. 8, then all timber, but now 56 acres of it improved. The second year he was in the county he made $225 at chopping with his axe. In Oct., 1866, he married Catharine Sinvac, who was born in 1839. Catharine, Abba, Harriet, Mary Ann, Sarah Deborah and Peter are their children.
John Shriner, deceased, was. a native of Maryland. He and his wife, Martha (Switzer). Ruster, the last name being that of her for-
44
742
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
mer husband, came to this county in about 1840. Mr. S. was an Abolitionist and did his part in assisting the working of the Under- ground Railroad. They were both raised in a slave State and early imbibed Abolition sentiments. Mr. S. died in 1865, leaving a widow and 9 children. John J. enlisted in the late war in 1861 and served 3 years and a half. He was accidentally shot in the hip while charging the enemy's works at Ft. Donelson. He enlisted as a private, but for gallantry was promoted to Captain.
George W. Smith, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Canton. Unto Jacob and Sarah (Lells) Smith, in 1843, while living in Indiana, a son was born, George W. being the name given him. His mother died in 1857 or '58, and his father in 1872. George W. was brought to this county in infancy (1848) and here attended the common schools. There are 5 brothers, who own in the aggregate about 1,000 acres of land. Two of the boys are married and all the sisters. Jacob Smith was one of Fulton county's successful farmers and esteemed citizens.
Joseph Smith, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Canton ; was born in Wash- ington county, Ind., June 16, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Lells) Smith, both of Virginia. His father died about 1870. He came to this county with his family in 1845 and lived 22 years on see. 26. Their marriage was blessed with 7 children,-5 boys and 2 girls. Joseph was married to Sarah Elizabeth Baughman, a native of Fulton county, in 1869. They have a family of 4 chil- dren,-3 boys and one girl.
E. G. Standard is a native of Fulton county and has lived here all of his life, almost. He has a farm of 210 aeres, which he has im- proved mostly himself. He lives on see. 17, and his postoffice is Fairview. He was born on the 13th of May, 1841, and is the son of Thomas and Rachel (Peterson) Standard. His father died Dec. 21, 1878, while his mother is still living and resides in this county. Ile received his education at the Randolph school, Joshua township. In 1860 Mr. S. was married, and again Feb. 14, 1864, this time to Margaret Walker. James, born March 20, 1865; Robert E., Oct. 4, 1866 ; John I., July 18, 1868; Lney Bell, March 9, 1870, are their children.
Irrin Standard, one of the oldest settlers of Joshua township, was born near Vienna, JJohnson county, Ill., May 12, 1820, and 8 years thereafter, Jan. 4, 1828, he was brought to this county. His par- ents were Thomas and Merey ( West) Standard. Mr. S. came here when school advantage- were quite limited, and consequently gained only the rudiments of an education. He has served his district as School Director for 10 or 12 years and his township as Collector for two terms. He was united in marriage with Miss L. Bales, Nov. 7, 1839. They reared 2 adopted children, a boy and a girl, both of whom are living and married. Mary, the girl's name, was born August 26, 1840; Frank H. Standard, the son, was born Jan. 10, 1850, Mr. S. remembers the time when he knew every man in this
743
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
large county, but it is quite different now. He is engaged in farm- ing upon see. 17; P. O., Fairview
Lewis E. Trites, farmer, see. 13; P. O., Canton. During the dark days of the Rebellion Lewis E. enlisted to defend his country's flag. He entered Capt. Trites' (his brother) company at Canton in 1862, and served as Sergeant. On his return home, Jan. 11, 1864, he was united in marriage with Eliza A. Randolph. Halcyon, born May 25, 1868 ; Carl, March 22, 1871, and Minerva, born June 30, 1873, are their children. Mr. T. is the son of G. G. and Louisa (Davis) Trites, and was born in Delaware county, Pa., May 14, 1838, and was brought to this county six years later. He brought the first Norman horse into the county in 1873, at a cost of $3,500, and has done much to improve and better the stock of the county.
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Peter Van Doren, farmer ; P. O., Fairview; was born in Somer- set county, Oct. 17, 1841, and is the son of J. K. and Maria Van Doren. He arrived in this grand old county June 11, 1847, and after receiving a good common-school education embarked in farm- ing, at which he has been successful. Oct. 15, 1868, he was married. . Politieally, Mr. Van D. is a Democrat.
Samuel Van Syckel. While residents of Hunterdon Co., N. J., William V. and Charity B. Van Svekle born to them a son whom they christened Samuel, the subject of this sketch. His father died in 1868. He came to the county in 1856 and at present resides upon sec. 1; P. O., Canton. In 1865 he was united in marriage with Mary Echleman, who has borne him 5 children. Alice May died at the age of 3 years. They have 3 boys and one daughter living.
Asler C. Thompson was born in Orange Co., N. Y., in 1799. He was united in marriage with Miss Berintha Eggleston, of Yates Co., N. Y., in 1834. They came to this county in 1836 and settled in Putman tp. on sec. 1. He died Sept. 16, 1863, leaving large property. He was a miller by trade. Mrs. Thompson manages their dairy, which is quite extensive. They were parents of 11 children : Mary, deceased, Charles M., Parmelia W., Harriet and Elizabeth, deceased, Phoebe C., Fannie, Sheldon, Rennet, Margaret Jane, deceased, James Carr and Catharine Agnes.
R. S. Voorhees was born in Somerset Co., N. J., and is the son of Albert and Helen Voorhees. Till 1856 he followed farming. He then embarked in the mercantile business, at which he continued till 1859. He then engaged in milling till 1865, when he returned to his agricultural pursuit, which he now follows, residing upon sec. 2. He has had the misfortune to be burned out twice. The first time lost $3,000, the second about $600. He now represents the town- ship in the Board of Supervisors, and has filled other positions of trust for his people. In 1846 he was married to Matilda Brokaw. Their children are R. S., born Feb. 18, 1850; Mary, Dec. 3, 1851 ; Aaron, April 12, 1854; John, Jan. 22, 1858 ; Martha, May 2, 1860; and Rynear, May 11, 1866. Mr. V. was born Sept., 1824, and Mrs.
744
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
V. was born March 20, 1826. Mr. V. is a member of the Reformed Chuch, and has served both as Deacon and Elder. P. O., Fairview.
John Jacob Will was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 19, 1815, and is the son of Valentine and Mary Ann Will. He came to America and took up his abode in this delightful county in 1844. At the early age of 14 he began to learn the tailor's trade, but aban- doned it for the farm. His residence and farm are on sec. 1, Joshua tp. He was married July 19, 1840. His children,-5 boys and 3 girls,-are living. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Van Buren. He is a member of the Reformed Church. P. O., Fairview.
Capt. John S. Wyckoff was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Dec. 12, 1808, and came to Fulton county in 1837. He is the son of Simon and Mary (Cline) Wyckoff. For an education he had only the sub- seription schools to attend. Mr. W. says that when he came here they, in going to Chicago by wagon, could travel 40 miles and not come to a dwelling-house. Now one passes more towns by far than they did single houses then. He began farming for himself at the early age of 16; in this pursuit he has been successful. He was married in 1824 to Elizabeth Wyckoff. Their marriage has been blessed with 5 children-only 3 of whom are living. During the trying days of the Rebellion the Captain raised Co. D of the 103d Ill. Inf., and was chosen its Captain. In less than one day he had 80 men who promised to go with him. He participated in several battles but from ill health he had to resign. He is a mem- ber of the Old Settlers' Association ; has been Justice of the Peace for 30 years, and was the first Town Clerk of Joshua. He has been School Director and Assessor. He is a member of the Reformed Church, P. O., Fairview.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
The following gentlemen have served the township since its or- ganization in the various official capacities named :
SUPERVISORS.
(. Jones 1850
C. S. Brokaw 1863-65
E. L. Boynton.
1851-52
Jacob Cosler
1866-6S
J. S. Young
1853
Job Walker .. 1869-71
J. S. Wyckoff 1854
Joseph Kingry.
1872
B. C. Johnson.
1855
Jacob Cosler
1873
Joseph H. Gardiner
1856-57
B. C. Johnson
1874
Michael Gardiner
1858
Jacob Coster 1875
Jacob Cosler ..
1859
Chas. S. Brokaw
1876-78
Joseph H. Gardiner.
1860
R. S. Voorhees
1879
Jacob C'osler
1861-62
TOWN CLERKS.
John S. Wyckoff.
1850
David W. Furrey 1857-71
Wm. M Standard
1851-52
J. J. Havermale. 1872
Douglas Spear.
1853
David W. Furrey. 1873-77
Win, M. Standard
1854-56
John R. Miller.
1878-79
747
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
ASSESSORS.
Benjamin Butler 1850
David W. Furrey
1866-68
John S. Young.
1851-52
Jacob Cosler.
1869
Wm. M. Standard 1853
D. W. Furrey.
1870-71
H. D. Voorhees. 1854-55
Harvey Montague. 1872
Wm. M. Standard 1856
D. W. Furrey
1873
Jacob A. Clauson
1858-59
O. C. Wysong.
1874
Benj. C. Johnson. 1860
J. S. Wyckoff.
1875
David W. Furrey ...
1861-62
A. H. Furrey.
1876
Wm. J. Cunningham
1863
D. W. Furrey
1877
David W. Furrey. 1864
Jacob Cosier.
1878
Jacob Cosler
1865
A. H. Furrey
1879
COLLECTORS.
J. P. Standard.
1850
Isaac Scott 1867
John Scott.
1851
R. S. Maxey.
1868
J. P. Standard.
1852
G. W. Kenneval. 1869
C. F. Baughman. 1853
Stephen Roswell
1870
Leonard Neff.
1854
J. B. Barchus
1871
Marion Wheeler
1855
W. C. Johnson. 1872
Lyman Standard
1856
J. C. Lawson 1873
J. R. Jones.
1857
F. H. Standard
1874-75
Chas. S. Brokaw
1858-62
D L. Miller
1876
I. M. Standard
1863
J. W. Drewner
1877
D. G. Havermale
1864
J. B. Lock.
1878
D. W. Furrey.
1865
F. H. Standard
1878
I. M. Standard
1866
W. H. Murphy
1879
John S. Young 1857
Jacob Cosler. 1873
KERTON TOWNSHIP.
Presenting the history of this township in chronological order compels us to notice first its archæology, that is, the mounds and relies of a remarkable people who have long since become extinct. Indeed, it seems that three distinet raees of people occupied this sec- tion of country in former ages. One was probably a race of giants, as we find skulls large enough to fit on the outside of the average head of to-day. One skull is of a reddish tinge, like the color of the bone, in which case the head was not well developed ; another skull is white : head well developed, and the facial contour correspond- ingly indicating a higher intelligence. On the farm of Jacob Fisher in the southeastern portion of the township are many relies of the Mound-Builders, such as vessels and fragments of pottery with ar- tistie designs, skulls, skeletons and fragments of skeletons in great abundance. Thousands of these have been carried away by visitors.
The earliest white settlers of Kerton township were Reuben and Roswell Fenner, who located on see. 19 in 1823; the next were Joseph McKee, John Vides and Joseph Dobson, on sec. 17. about 1827. John Kerton, from the East, and Edward McKee, from Ire- land, settled here about 1835. Very little is known of Mr. Ker- ton, although the township has derived from him its present name. Mr. McKee remained for a time and was a respectable citizen.
Kerton township is probably the smallest in the county, and much of the land is still held by old speculators, which fact militates against the prosperity of the country. Besides, a large portion of the land is hilly, being in the breaks of Spoon and the Illinois rivers. Yet there are many nice farms in this township. Among the representative men who give character and fix the destiny of this little township we may mention J. W. Swebaugh, Vandorus Martin, Jacob Fisher, Squire Reardon, Jacob Severns, Wm. Mark- ley, Isaac Beatty, Wm. Cluney, T. P. Carney, Lemuel Welker and others.
The first Justice of the Peace was Benj. Hartland, who is said to have settled here in 1838. The first school-house was built on see. 30, in 1845. The first post-office was established in June, 1871, in Marbletown.
West Point is on the Illinois river, located by Joel Onion, now of Woodland township, in 1847, and is rapidly gaining favor as a shipping point. Joel A. Barnes and Wm. Dutch represent parties in Beardstown as purchasers of grain.
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749
IIISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Marbletown is a small village, but the most central in the town- ship. Its name was given it under these circumstances : During the autumn of 1857 a saw-mill was erected by C. P. Richardson and Wm. H. Cogshall; of consequence tenement houses were ereeted ; in 1868 Hiram Marble & Son bought the mill, and the people naturally called the collection of houses about the mill " Marbletown." In 1871 a post-office was established here (the first in the township) and Jacob Severns is the present postmaster. Mr. Severns built the first store-house in 1859, and for a year and a half he carried on the mercantile business in a small way. In 1865 he re-commenced the business and since then has had a fair run of custom. Mr. Marble was the second grocer and merchant. Wm. Patchen also began the business last year, but he sold to A. E. Ralston, who was in turn succeeded by S. W. Sloan. The mill was removed several years ago, and business in Marbletown has consequently been diminished.
Mr. Marble lost a son, about of age, in the saw-mill. The main driving belt or shaft caught his clothing and stripped it from his body, crushing him and cansing instant death.
There is no established Church in Kerton township. Religious services are held at Hickory school-house, Cluney school-house, Brown school-house and at Severns'. There is no regular pastor. Latterly Dr. Note, of Woodland township, has frequently presided at meetings as Pastor. Nathaniel MeClellan, it is believed was among the first ministers in this township. Deacon Abraham F. Brown, now of Schuyler county, was the first to preach in this township, being called upon to preach the funeral sermon of Mrs. John Ker- ton.
The present Justices of the Peace are R. S. Warner and Wm. A. Reardon ; Assessor, James Morningstar ; Collector, Jacob Severns ; Supervisor, Lewis Beatty ; Constable, W. L. Wrestler ; Town Clerk, Richard Warner ; Road Commissioners, T. JJ. Wilson, James Morn- ingstar and Lemmel Welker.
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
We now complete the history of this township by giving biograph- ical sketches of old settlers and leading citizens :
Charles Baumgardner, farmer, son of Samuel Baumgardner, was born March 15, 1856, in Pennsylvania. About 1864 he came to Fulton county, and in 1876 he married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Severus (an original pioneer and now a weathy man, owning some 1,300 acres of good land, etc.) Mr. B. resides on sec. 19, where he has 80 acres of land. P. O., Marbletown.
Jesse Beamen, deceased, a well-known early resident of this county, whose eventful life we now follow, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, where he was born in 1799. While a lad his father died and receiving ill-treatment from those into whose hands he had fallen he ran away to New York State. He enlisted in the war of 1812 and
750
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
when discharged returned to New York. He soon came to the wilds of Indiana, where he followed farming and ran a saw-mill. He was married while there to Miss Nancy Pool, daughter of Joseph Pool and cousin of Gen. Joe Hooker. About 1840 he came to Illinois, landing in Schuyler county, he returned to Indiana and then came to Menard county, Ill., and in 1850 to Fulton county, where he re- mained till his death which occurred in 1858, and he was laid at rest in Isabel township. Mrs. B. is still living in this township. She was born in North Carolina, May 10, 1805. Eight children blessed this union, of whom John W., from whom this sketch is obtained, is the younger. He was born July 15, 1843, in Schuyler Co. He enlisted in Co. K. 103d Ill. Inf, and served through the late war. An older brother, William, was also a soldier and died from wounds.
Isaac Beaty, farmer, sec. 7; P. O,, Marbletown. Levi Beaty, the father of Isaae, was a native of Virginia and a farmer by occu- pation. He married Miss Sarah Meredith and there was born to them a family of 14 children, 11 of whom grew to mature years. Isaac was born in Newcastle township, Coshocton Co., O., in 1815, where he passed his childhood, youth and grew to manhood. At the age of 20 he was married to Esther Conner, daughter of Daniel Conner, of Virginia. They were blessed with 9 children, 8 of whom are living,-Andrew J., Peter, Robert L., Hiram, Daniel, Sarah J., Lydia and Isaac L., who resides on the old homestead and is one of the enterprising young men of the township. In 1851 Mr. B. came to Fulton Co. and settled in Kerton tp. on the prop- erty he now owns, and has since kept pace with the advance of the county.
James H. Blair, blacksmith, was born in Lawrence Co., Ind., in 1833; in 1853 he emigrated to this township, where he con- menced farming, but soon turned his hand to blacksmithing, at which he has succeeded well. Here he has had a family of 3 chil- dren, none of whom now survive. Independent. P. O., Marble- town.
John Brophy, farmer, deceased, was a native of Ireland, settled in this township in an early day, and died in 1870, after acumulat- ing considerable property by years of toil. He owned 320 acres of land. He married Mary Walder, and their children were James, William, John, Catherine, Thomas, Michael and Francis. Mrs. Brophy was a native of New York, but her parents were from Ire- land.
Charles D. Brown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Isabel tp., this county, in 1848, married Lottie Severns, a daughter of the late Daniel Severns, in 1866, and has had 6 children,-Daniel, Ida, Charles, Lottie, William and John. Mr. B. has 240 acres of good land, has been Collector of Kerton tp., School Director, etc., but has never sought office. In politics he is a Democrat. Residence on sec. 10. P. O., Marbletown.
751
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Joseph Brown, farmer, now deceased, was born in Pleasant tp., this county, May 1, 1843. His father was Charles Brown, a native of Butler Co., O., born in Cincinnati in 1810, who married Jane E. Van Garden, of New Jersey, and had 14 children, 10 of whom sur- vive. In 1841 Charles Brown moved with his family to Isabel tp. near where Havana now is. He was the first to introduce fine live stock, the first to bring in the Poland China hog. His beginnings were slow, but he finally got over 500 acres of land. He died Dec. 21, 1878. The old lady still survives, living in Isabel tp. Joseph grew to manhood, obtaining a good common-school education, and being a hard worker he has become well off. Sept. 3, 1866, he mar- ried Mary, daughter of the late Daniel Severns, and since has had 4 children. One is deaf and dumb. He was sent to the institute at Jacksonville, and on starting home he got upon the wrong train, got bewildered, and traveled about one way and another till he reached Denver, Col. Meanwhile the press and telegraph were busy advertising for the lost boy, and at this point succeeded in finding him, when he was brought home to his rejoicing parents. The home is on sec. 10, and the P. O. is Marbletown.
W. J. Carlock, farmer, was born near Springfield, Ill., one of the first white children born in this State. His father, Abraham Car- lock, was a native of Virginia and a farmer ; married his first wife, Abigail Osborne, in that State, and had 8 children. She died, and Mr. C. moved to Tenn., and married Mary Ann Lee, by whom he had 10 children. W. J., the youngest was one of the earliest pio- neers of Fulton county, went to school and diligently worked his way along. In 1844 he married Hannah, daughter of Edward Pass, an Englishman, who came to America in 1842 and eventually settled in Fulton Co., where he died. His wife was a Miss Alice Andrew, who died in England. Mr. Carlock has been Constable and Road Commissioner. He owns a 120-acre farm, in Kerton tp., on sec. 22. P. O., Marbletown. Democrat.
Wm. Cole, deceased, was born in Chicago, Ill., a son to Dr. Cameron Cole. The Doctor settled on the present site of Chicago when there were but two buildings there (log cabins). He came from Scotland, taking to himself a wife on ship-board. They had 5 children, of whom Wm. is the oldest. When but two years of age William was stolen by the Indians; every white inhabitant rushing to the rescue, he was found and brought back. He subsequently obtained a liberal education, came to Fulton Co., and followed farming during life. Nov. 2, 1832, he married Mary Sechorn of Kentucky, by whom he had 7 children : Lucy, who married John H. Aswell; Thomas, who married Alice Cullen; James B., who married Sarah E. Cluney ; Henry C., Clara, Elmira and Nancy J. At the first call Mr. Cole enlisted in the 2d III. Cav., obtained through meritorious conduct the rank of Sergeant, and was honor- ably discharged at the close of the Rebellion. He died at his home in this tp. Mrs. C. died in 1878. Thomas and James B. are the
752
HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
only children now residing in this tp. The latter was born in this Co. in 1856, and in May, 1878, he was married. Republican.
Edmund Curless. This gentleman resides upon sec. 30, and gets his mail at Marbletown. He was born in Brown Co., O., in 1831 ; at the age of 15, accompanied his parents, Joseph and Lucy Curless, to Illinois and located in Woodland tp., this county. When Presi- dent Lincoln called for troops to suppress the Rebellion, Edmund enlisted in Co. I, 85th Ill. Inf., and participated in many battles. He went out as private and was promoted to Orderly Sergeant and afterwards to First Lieutenant. At the close of the war he was dis- charged and returned to Fulton Co. He had previously married Mary Newton, daughter of Dr. Newton, deceased. There are 7 children living of this marriage : Olive and Florence, twins, Flora, Oscar, Edmund, Elizabeth and Lilly.
Jonathan Curless, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Brown Co., O., in 1836. His father, John Curless, was also born in Ohio, fol- lowed farming, and married Phoebe Rumney, and they became the parents of 7 children. They migrated to this county when Jona- than, next to the youngest, was a very small boy ; but the boy re- turned to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Sarah J., daughter of James Lemons. His children are : Nora A., Emery B., Linda A., Ulysses G., Ida B. and Nancy J.,-6 in number. On the breaking out of the great war Mr. C. enlisted in Co. H, 189th Reg. Ohio Inf., for the term of war. At its elose he was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., and returned to Ohio. In 1869 he went to Missouri, and in 1872 settled in Kerton tp. P.O., Marble- town. Polities, Republican.
George W. Dobson, farmer and machinist. Mr. D. was born in Woodland tp., Fulton Co., in 1844; he grew up in that tp., and at the age of 18 he enlisted in Co. K, 16th Ill. Inf. He was engaged in many battles. During the siege of Knoxville, while his and two other companies were escorting the paymaster to Burnside's Division, were taken prisoners, and officers and men were sent to Libby Prison. Jan. 1, 1863, Mr. D. came in sight of this wretched pen. It formerly bad been a tobacco factory and was 60x100 feet in size, 3 stories high. He was stripped of many articles of wearing apparel and confined to the 3d story, where he had a good opportunity to note the sorry condition of the Union soldiers, whose only fault was a devotion to the old flag. Very few were decently clothed. Mr. D. spent many weary months of privation and suffering scarcely credible to those who have never known the pangs of hunger or thirst. He finally was released and discharged from the U. S. service in Angust, 1865. In 1874 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, daughter of Jacob Brown. They have a family of 2 children ; Luland and an infant.
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