USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 83
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BIOGRAPHIES.
John G. Ackerson was born Feb. 15, 1831, in Lewistown tp., son of Abram and Eleanor (Kent), the first a native of N. Y., and the latter a native of Ohio, who came to this county about 1828, set- tling in Lewistown tp. John G. enlisted in the 85th I. V. I., Co. B., in Aug., 1862; at the end of ten months he was honorably dis- charged on account of sickness; he was 4th Sergeant; was in the battle of Perryville, etc., but was never wounded. Mr. A., about 1856, married Miss Sarah, daughter of Benj. Keeler, and has had two children, only Laura B. living now. Mr. A.'s second marriage was in Cowley Co., Kan., June, 1870, to May Walworth, daughter of Noah Walworth, formerly of New York. Mr. A. is now living on sec. 32.
Cleanthes Arnett was born April 2, 1805, near Sharpsburg, Bath Co., Ky., son of John Arnett, of Virginia, and grandson of Thos. Arnett, of the same State; his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Whitecraft, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of John White-
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
craft, a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. Cleanthes, in the fall of 1826, and in his native county, married Margaret Deane, who was born in Kentucky in January, 1809, daughter of James Deane, also a native of Kentucky. Nine years after their marriage, they settled in Sangamon Co., Ill,, and _in the spring of 1837 they located on the southeast quarter of sec. 19, Liverpool tp. Mr. Arnett has always been a farmer. In 1859 he built a frame house, into which he moved. In polities he is an old-line Whig, opposed to human slavery and a zealous advocate of temperance. Has been School Director several years. Children born in Ken- tucky,-John R., Sept. 7, '27; Rebecca W., Jan. 14, '29 (dec.) ; Nancy J., May 12, '30; James H., March 27, '32; born here- Joseph M., June 5, '37; Mary M., Jan. 15, '39; Anna A., Dec. 18, '40; Melinda E., Jan. 12, '44; Cleanthes M., March 12, '46; Martha E., Feb. 27, '48; Emily M., Dec. 16, '49, and Thomas E., Feb. 27, '52. Joseph M. served in the Union army, Co. K., 103d Regt., three years, and was in the most noted battles and marched with Sherman to the sea; received sumstroke while in the army ; died in Aug., 1874, leaving a widow and 5 children. His wife's maiden name was Roxana Huston. He was a Republican and a member of the M. E. Church.
John A. Beckstead was born near Prescott, Ontario, Canada, Aug. 3, 1836, son of George and Dinah (Middah), natives of Canada. His grandfather was Alexander Beckstead, a native of Germany. Dinah Middah was the daughter of John Middah, also a native of Germany. John A.'s parents came to Canton in 1840, followed farming two years; they settled on see. 6, Liverpool tp. in 1857; they both died here in 1862. Children - Mary E., Sarah Ann, Eliza J., Martha S., John A., Orelia A. and Caroline C. John A. occupies the old homestead. Feb. 15, 1863, he married Glaphy Ardena Raker, born Sept. 10, 1843, daughter of Nelson and Martha Ann (Mullens), natives of Ky. and Mo. John A. Beckstead's children are: John N., born May 13, 1865; Dora Ardena, Nov. 18, 1868; James H., Nov. 6, 1870; Martha Ann, Aug. 12, 1872; Ida May, Dec. 14, 1875, and Myram, May 25, 1878. Mr. B. is a Democrat. Has been a School Director, etc.
Isaac Black, deceased, was born in Berks county, Pa., went to Virginia, where he married Grace Woodford, a native of Philadel- phia, Pa. Her parents were English. They moved to Ross county, O., about 1811, where the next mentioned was born.
Isaac Black, farmer, son of preceding, was born Jan. 30, 1813, came into Liverpool township, this county, Oct. 7, 1842, lived sev- eral years west of Cuba, and bought the farm on which he now resides (140 acres of see. 4, Liverpool township) in 1857. He mar- ried Elizabeth Ann Byers at Washington, Fayette county, O., Oct., 1839. She wasborn Oct. 15, 1819, in Botetourt county, Va. They have had 12 children : Henry, born JJuly 27, 1840; Marion, Nov. 30, 1841 ; William, Feb. 3, 1844; James, Nov. 27, 1845; Hannah
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
J., Feb. 21, 1849 ; Martha A., April 30, 1851 ; Mary Louisa, Sept. 10, 1853 ; Sarah E., Sept. 3, 1855; Isaac Theodore, Nov. 23, 1857 ; Celesta Alice, Dec. 23, 1859 ; Edith M. July 31, 1861, and Travis, May 2, 1863. Henry died Sept. 22, 1866, Celesta A., Ang. 5, 1876, and Travis while an infant. Eight of the children are married. Mr. Black is ready at mechanical work, having been carpenter, shoe- maker, ete. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church.
Mr. Black relates many remarkable experiences of early life in Illinois, as illustrated by those given in our chapter on the early settlement of this county. In the severe winter of 1842-3, deserib- ed in that chapter, Mr. B. relates that money was so scarce that to obtain even 25 cents in cash a man had to lie, by claiming there was a letter in the postoffice for him and he wanted to pay the post- age on it and get it. Then, by delivering a load or so of hoop- poles with that plea he would sometimes raise the two "bits." At the close of that winter he tapped 20 sugar-trees, from which he made 100 pounds of sugar and 37 gallons of fine syrup. One tree yielded over a barrel of sap in one day! He says that in early day snakes were very abundant. Rattlesnakes were so thick in 1842 that he would not step out after dark for $10. He saw one with 29 rattles.
W'm. Black was born in Buckskin township, Ross county, O., in March, 1820, son of Isaac and Grace Woodford, the first a native of Virginia and the latter of Philadelphia ; born during the Revo- lutionary war. Mr. Black came to Fulton county in April, 1859, and first located at Maple's Mill; has always been a farmer, and for the last 8 years on sec. 11. Dec. 30, 1841, in Ohio, he married Miss Rachel, daughter of James Pummel ; she was born in May, 1821 ; their children are, John F., born Oct. 20, 1842; Allen, Feb. 19, 1845; Grace E., Sept. 25, 1851; Henry O., Oct. 12, 1854; Rachel Arabella, Feb. 26, 1858 ; Charles, July 22, 1860, and Simon D., June 5, 1863. The first 3 are married. Methodist. Democrat. Lewis E. Bordwine was born in Lewistown township, Nov., 1852; his father was Nathaniel Claxton Bordwine, who married Mary Elizabeth Simms, a native of Virginia. Lewis E. married Eudora C. Crosthwait Sept. 5, 1872, daughter of Eli C. Crosthwait. She was born April 28, 1852, and is a Methodist. Mr. B. is a professor of religion and in politics independent.
Nathaniel Claxton Bordwine was born Oct. 5, 1803, in Albemarle Co., Va., son of Lonis E. Bordwine, a native of Germany, who ac- quired a little fortune as a merchant tailor, and died three weeks before the subject of this sketch was born. Until 13 years of age he was taken care of by his grandfather "Tuggle," in Washington Co., Va., and afterward by his mother in Russell Co. In 1822 he married Olive Robbins, a native of the latter place and daughter of Wm. Robbins, and they emigrated to Vermilion Co., Ill. in 1825, and in 1827 came to Fulton Co., where they, by hard work, soon ac-
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
cumulated means enough to purchase a quarter of sec. 4, Lewistown tp. She died in 1834; and Nov. 27, 1849, he married again, this time Elizabeth Simms, of Va., daughter of Tandy and Mary (Reddis), of the same State. Children by first wife-Sally, born in Virginia; Anna, born in Vermilion Co., Ill. ; and Polly, born in Fulton Co. : by second wife,-Mary F., June 14, 1850; Lewis E., Nov. 12, 1851 ; Amy L., Sept. 29, 1853 (dec. Oct. 17, 1876) ; Martha A., Nov. 2, 1855; Margaret J., Feb. 2, 1857; Nathaniel C., Nov. 5, 1858; Tandy Oliver, Oct. 23, 1860 (dec. Nov. 16, 1860) ; Olive M., Oct. 5, 1862; Phoebe C., Sept. 3, 1864; Reuben M., Oct. 9, 1866; and Prudence E., April 16, 1869. For the last 18 years Mr. B. has lived on see. 18, Liverpool tp .; has cleared 375 aeres of land and improved 5 or 6 different farms; now owns 420 acres in 3 farms, besides other property ; stock-raising is his specialty ; was a soldier in the Black Hawk war. Republican.
Ezekiel Boswell was born near St. Paris, Champaign Co., O., Oct. 18, 1835, son of David and Nancy (Colbert), natives of the same place ; came to Fulton Co. in 1855, settling in Buckheart tp., but now living in Joshua tp .; they had six children. Ezekiel married in July, 1856, Helen Carver, daughter of P. M. Carver, and their 8 children are : Wm. E., born May 27, '58; Chas. P., April 5, '62; Emma F., Aug. 11. '65 ; John A., June 2, 1867 (dec. 1875) ; David, Dec. 2, 1869 ; Frank, May 11, 1872; Edgar, April 24, 1875 (dec. while an infant) ; and Ada May, April 16, 1878. Democrat. School Director. Sec. 5; 100 acres.
Wm. R. Clark was born near Troy, Miami Co., O., July 15, 1823, son of Isaac and Sarah (Roval), the former a native of N. J. and the latter a daughter of Win. Roval, of Monongahela Co., W. Va. Parents came to Fulton Co. about 1832, and Mr. Clark built the first grist-mill in Liverpool tp., on sec. 21. His first wife was Lydia Zelyph, of New Jersey, and they had 10 children ; by second wife he had 6 children. W. R. worked at the carpenter's trade for about 14 years, but has been a farmer and stock-raiser for about 25 years, on see. 21. His first wife was Elsie (Fitzgerald), of Fulton county, and they had 4 children,-Emily W., Orville W., Lydia M., Jesse B. Mrs. C. died in April, 1863, and he married Sarah E. Griggsby, of this county, daughter of Wm. and Dorcas G., and they also had 4 children,-Delta, Nellie, Carrie and Wm. M. Mrs. Clark died Jan. 21, 1873, and Mr. C. still lives on the old homestead. Dem- erat. Has been School Director. Has now 284 acres of land, a large, two-story brick house, cleared 75 acres, and split 10,000 rails by himself.
Wm. Denny was born in Northumberland Co., Pa., Oct. 8,1811, son of Philip and Nancy (Deacon), natives of Kent Co., Del. ; his grandfather, Philip Denny, was a native of England. Wm. was mainly brought up in Ohio ; first came to Fulton Co. in the fall of 1842; from 1843 to 1845 he lived in Missouri; has lived on sec 2 for the last 28 years, where his farm consists of 165 acres; he has
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
cleared most of it and put on the improvements. He married Mary Beets in 1835; she was born in Rockbridge Co., Va .; their only offspring is Margaret Elizabeth, who married Beverly G. Milner, but is now a widow, living in Canton township. Mr. Denny is a zealous Democrat.
Richard Hall was born in Bath, Greene Co., O., Feb. 10, 1821, son of John Hall, a native of Clarke Co., Va., and a grandson of Richard Hall, a native of Virginia and of English ancestry. May 10, 1831, Richard Hall, the subject of this biography, with his par- ents arrived in Fulton Co., locating on see. 13, Lewistown tp .; lived in Mason Co. a year or so, then returned to Fulton Co .; mother died Dee. 2, 1836, and father in April, 1843. Their chil- dren were Prior, Richard, Moses, Hannah, Daniel, Phobe and Merev. The first two are the only ones living. Prior married Phoebe A. Nichols and lives in Sangamon Co. Richard married Anna Imel, daughter of Peter Imel, a native of Maryland, and of Ger- man ancestry. Richard Hall is a Republican, and has been School Director for 14 years or more.
Barton Lee Harrison was born in Lewis Co., Ky., July 15, 1832, son of James and Sarah C. (Lee), and first came to Fulton Co. in 1855; Nov. 25, 1858, he married Mary M., daughter of Cleanthes Arnett, who died the following October, leaving one child, which died an infant. May 8, 1862, he married Charlotte T. Willeoxen, born Feb. 5, 1844, daughter of Jesse B. W., of this tp. Of Mr. H.'s 10 children 8 are living,-Mary C., born in 1863; Martha E., May 10, 1864; Robert E. L., Oct. 28,. 1865; Sarah E., Feb. 24, 1867 ; James B., March 27, 1869; Jesse B., Sept. 12, 1870; Emma R., Feb. 5, 1872; Owen C., March 14, 1874; Augusta P., March 14, 1876; and Tyra H., May 11, 1879. Jesse B. died in infancy and Owen died aged nearly 4 years. Mr. Harrison now lives on see. 18, where he has been since 1866 ; has always been a Democrat, and has been School Director, etc. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church, South.
Francis Marion Harrison was born in Lewis Co., Ky., Aug. 9, 1828, brother of the foregoing, and came to this county in Novem- ber, 1848; March 4, 1852, he married Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Kentucky JJuly 14, 1833, daughter of Hugh and Nancy (Given) Walker, natives of Ky. They settled in this township in 1835, and followed farming. Mr. W. died in April, 1850, and she died 11 days afterwards. Mr. Harrison has had 6 children, 3 of whom are living,-John W., born Nov. 9, 1855; Adelia B., Nov. 9, 1857 ; and Sidney E., July 27, 1865. He has been School Dircetor, Road Commissioner, etc. Democrat. Methodist. Has lived on see. 18 for the last 20 years.
Elijah Jennings, farmer and hunter, was born in Estill county, Ky., Nov. 27, 1817, son of Daniel and Debbie (Willcoxen) Jennings, natives of North Carolina, and of Scotch descent ; was brought up by Thos. T. Bybee, his step-father; has been a resident of Fulton
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
county sinee 1829. He remembers that Charley Deprest, a French- man, was the first settler in Liverpool township ; that the first grist- mill was built by Isaac Clark in 1833, on sec. 20, in Liverpool ; and that his first school-teacher was Richard Tompkins in 1831. As a hunter Mr. Jennings has seen as many as 100 deer in one day, shot 4 deer one day without moving out of his tracks, has killed 13 in one day, and averaged 100 a year for 28 years. He was so exact as a marksman that they would not let him shoot at the matches. In '78 he found 32 swarms of bees, this year 27 swarms, and one year he found 40. Nov. 28, 1837, he married Elizabeth Farris, and they have had 10 children, 7 of whom are living. Mr. J. has been a member of the Baptist Church for 30 years, and his wife is a men- ber of the Christian Church. He is a " Jackson Democrat " and has never scratched a ticket ; has been School Director, and Constable, and is at present Assessor and Collector.
James Kuykendall is probably the oldest man in Liverpool town- ship, being now past 94 years of age. He was born August 5, 1785, near Pittsburg, Pa. For one of his age he is unusually ae- tive. One day last summer he walked 18 miles. He first came to this county in 1831, prospecting, and in 1837 he permanently located on a farm in Putman township, 13 miles north of Cuba, where he lived for nearly 20 years. Nov. 14, 1811, he married Elizabeth Aton, daughter of Aaron Aton ; four years afterward they moved to Richland county, O., now Ashland county, and entered 160 acres of land. Indians were troublesome, and one day he ordered some of them off his premises, which made them angry and they threatened his life ; but they were put to death by their own tribe for so molesting the white man. Mr. K.'s children were Ira ; Ma- tilda, born in August, 1814; Lucinda, June 7, 1816 ; Abigail, Feb. 21, 1818; Sarah, June 7, 1820; Henry, in 1822; Susan, in 1824; Anna, in 1826; Jane, who died at the age of 4 years. Mr. K. taught school in his youth, and at the age of 18 he was elected Cap- tain of Militia in Pennsylvania, in which capacity he served for 7 years. Mr. K. has been a pioneer in three States, which are now far in the interior of civilization. Has given each of his children a farm. Democrat.
Jacob Maus was born Sept. 21, 1814, near Taneytown, Frederick (now Carroll) Co., Md., son of Jacob, sr., a native of Adams Co., Pa., and grandson of George Maus, of Holland, who settled in Pennsylvania before or about the time of the Revolution. Jacob Mans, sr., served in the war of 1812. His wife was Sarah, nee Hahn. The subject of this paragraph was brought up a miller, both in saw-mill and flouring-mill, in Maryland ; came to see. 13, this tp., May 6, 1840, and paid $2,500 for a pre-emption claim on 320 acres of land ; four years afterward he discovered that the claim was worthless, and he then bid in the land from the Government, at $1.25 per acre ; there was a saw-mill on this land, which he ran for 15 years, adding to it a grist-mill during the time; he now has 480
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
acres of land ; in 1861 he built a two-story brick dwelling, with basement, 26x40 feet; just previously he had built a frame barn 40×80 feet, to which 35 feet has since been added. Mr. Maus found but 20 acres cleared when he first came here, but by industry he has increased the plowed land to 350 acres. This gentleman is a Demo- crat and has been Supervisor 10 or 12 years, School Treasurer a long time, ete. ; is an Episcopal Methodist. Jan. 30, 1840, he mar- ried Mary Formwalt, who died May 19, 1878, a member of the M. E. Church ; of their three children, Josephus H. died in infancy, John W. died at the age of 13, and Jacob Perry was born Dee. 25, 1850, and married Lottie Morton, who was born May 12, 1859, the daughter of Richard and Eliza (Allen) Morton, and they reside at his father's. We give Mr. M.'s portrait in this book.
Wm. MeCracken was born Nov. 27, 1829, in Hopewell, Licking Co., O., son of John and Margaret (Simcox), father a native of Ohio, near Athens, and of Irish origin, and mother of Pennsyl- vania, near Pittsburg, of French ancestry ; April 14, 1851, he mar- ried Fanny Bordner, who was born April 15, 1831, in Licking Co., O., daughter of Peter and Christina (Losh) Bordner, natives of Pennsylvania. The latter came to Fulton Co. in 1853, and are now living in this tp., aged 97 and 86 years. Wm. MeCracken's chil- dren : Arrista, born May 30, 1853, and married Mary Morton, daughter of R. W., and lives on the homestead in another house ; Ira Artemas, Sept. 17, 1854 ; Samuel, Feb. 19, 1856 ; and Rilda Jane, Feb. 7, 1864,-all at home. Mr. MeC. has been Collector, School Director, Road Commissioner, etc., and is a Democrat. He is a substantial farmer, residing on see. 6 for the past 28 years; 240 acres of home farm, besides 80 aeres two miles away ; he commenced here in 1851 with only $9 and a team and wagon.
Charles McCumber was born JJan. 10, 1813, in Ontario Co., N. Y., son of Wm. MeC., of the same county, and Phoebe, daughter of Beriah Kelly, of Scotland. Charles was brought up in Madison Co., O., where he married Huldah R. Lane, daughter of JJacob Lane, of that county ; came to Fulton county in Oct., 1838, settling on a farm of 50 acres southwest of Lewistown ; afterward lived awhile northeast of Lewistown ; in 1869 he moved to see. 30, Liverpool tp., where he has a farm of 108 acres. His wife died in Dec., 1844, leaving 4 children ; Wm. W., born Oct. 18, 1837; Sarah J., Nov. 22, 1838; Orville M., Sept. 8, 1840; John, May 16, 1842. Mr. MeC. took for his second wife Sarah Caplinger, who died Dec. 11, 1856, leaving two children : Huldah, born Sept. 12, 1848, and Clara M., May 5, 1853. Mr. MeC.'s third wife was Mary E. Weaver, whom he mar- ried in 1858, and their 5 children are, Mary A .; Phoebe L., born Aug. 19, 1860; Myron N., May 10, 1862; Thomas A., Dee. 31, 1864; Florence L., July 13, 1867 ; and Samantha A., July 3, 1870, -all living except Myron N. Three sons served in the Union army during the war,-Wm. W., Orville M. and John. Mr. McC. was formerly a Whig; is now a Republican.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
Messena B. Nott was born in Windsor, Morgan Co., O., July 19, 1839; is the son of S. M. Nott, who came to this county in 1855. Mr. N. enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, in Co. B, 85th Ill. Inf., and was on detached service for 14 months as artillery-man in Battery I, 2d Ill. Art. Went with Sherman to the sea. He was Corporal and aeted as Com. Sergt .; at the battle of Peach Tree Creek he went in with 40 men and came out with 18, the rest killed, wounded or taken prisoners. While on the march from Sand Town to Atlanta they were annoyed greatly by the enemy's sharpshooters. On one occasion while Mr. N. was trying to get a shot at one of these gentry ; he partly exposed his person from behind a tree, when zip! went a bullet, which eut his belt from his waste. He was married Oet. 18, 1865, to Ellen M. Arnett, who has borne him 5 children.
Stephen H. Nott was born in Vermilion Co., Ind., May 10, 1840, and is the son of Dr. Nott. He enlisted Aug. 4, 1862, in Co. B, 85th Ill. Inf., for service in the late war. He was in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain and Knoxville; was with Sherman on his famous march until the battle of Peach Tree Creek July 19, '64, when he was taken prisoner and was an inmate of Andersonville prison from July 21, '64, till March 24, '65, when he was paroled.
Dr. Thomas Nott is a native of Roxbury, Washington county, O., where he was born Feb. 17, 1809; came to this county in 1835, but located permanently in 1841, and taught school for 2 years. His father's name was Samuel Nott, native of N. H. His grandfather was Thomas Nott, a native of England and a Revolutionary soldier. His mother, Amy (Van Chief) Nott, was a native of N. J. and daughter of Peter Van Chief, also a Revolutionary soldier. Dr. N. was married in Ohio March 13, 1828, to Celesta Kent, daughter of Jabe and Catharine (Johnson) Kent,-the Kents of English origin, the Johnsons of Dutch. Dr. N. has been in the practice of medicine continuously since he came to this county. Resides on sec. 29.
Tiffin R. Nott is a native of Ohio, and was born in Washington. county, July 1, 1833 ; parents, Steward M. and Phoebe (Kent) Nott ; they came to this county April 27, 1850, and settled on sec. 31, where they lived till their death. Mrs. N. died in Dec., 1867, and Mr. N. in Feb., 1868. Mr. N. was a very strong Democrat in pol- ities and served the township in some official position about all the time ; was J. P. for 8 years, but never tried a case, indneing parties to come to an amicable settlement rather than to spend their time and money in law contests. T. R. is now serving as J. P. In '57, Dee. 27, he married Elizabeth V. Keeler, daughter of Benj. and Mary A. (Ackerman) Keeler, and was born June 27, 1842. Their children are Mary C., Chas. A., Cora L. E., deceased, and Thomas C. They reside on see. 20, on land entered by Benj. Keeler 43 years ago. Upon this land are many Indian mounds, where relies have been plowed up, among which are sea-shells, with notches cut, eviently to hang in the ears, as ornaments; also birds
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
made of clay and of different species, copper tools and imple- ments, etc.
James O' Brien, farmer, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1842, and came to this county in the fall of 1860; married Caroline, daughter of Solomon Snider, in Jan., 1865, and located permanently on N. W. } of sec. 3, Liverpool township. After having two children (Minnie C., May 3, 1866, and Harry E., Aug. 16, 1868), Mrs. O'Brien died, April 6, 1875. Mr. O'B. married again, Atha Car- ter, who had been born and reared in Lewistown township, and was a daughter of Jackson Carter, of Kentucky. These have had one child, Jessie Maud, born Nov. 27, 1878. He has 164 acres in farm, all made by himself. Republican.
Mr. O'B.'s father was John O'Brien, also a farmer, who married Mary Harkin. Both were natives of Ireland, and after their mar- riage they came to Buffalo, N. Y., about 1837, where she died. He afterward died in Delaware, Ohio.
Alvin Pollitt, farmer, sec. 6, is son of the next mentioned ; was born in Mason county, Ky., Oct. 3, 1835. He married Emily C. Estes Nov. 17, 1847. She was a daughter of Lewis and Ann (Farris) Estes, and was born in Franklin county, Ill., Nov. 6, 1849. They have 8 children : Oliver P., John A., James L., Alexander, Wm., Chas. H., Laura A., and Della Josephine. Mr. P. has always taken a deep interest in educational matters and has been School Director in Distriet No. 1 for 12 years. He was almost the first advocate of free public schools in the District. He agitated the question and the benefit of building a school-house against great opposition from some, even threatening to shoot him. On being elected Director the first time, he immediately made a contract for and had built a school- house on his own land. It was made of hewn logs. It has since been abandoned and a fine frame erected. This District has a school fund of $4,000, the principal of which was secured from sale of lands.
James Pollitt was born in July, 1800, in Maryland. His parents, Jonathan and Narcissa (Pollitt) Pollitt, were natives of Maryland. They moved to Fleming county, Ky., in 1809, and James married Mary Thomas July 21, 1822. She was born in Fauquier county, Va., March 16, 1802. They came to this county in Sept., 1836, bringing a family of 6 children. James Pollitt died Feb. 14, 1875. The widow is living upon the old homestead with her son James. One son, George E., served in the 55th Ill. Inf. during the war for 3 years. Mr. P. was a member of the Baptist Church, as is his widow.
Amos F. Potts, deceased, was born in London Co, Va., Sept. 15, 1805, son of Isaiah Potts, who married Elizabeth Brown. Amos F. married Elizabeth S. Dolson, in Zanesville, O., April 25, 1828, who was born Feb. 13, 1810; they came to Clark county, Ill., in Jan., 1830; Oct. 31, 1833, they arrived in Fulton county, settled on sec. 29, where Mr. Potts died Dec. 17, 1866. Of his 10 children 8 grew
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