History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 51

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506

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MAZON TOWNSHIP.

Susan Lish, of Essex, Ill. She was born Janu- ary 7. 1859. They have one son-William F., born November 11, 1881. Mr. Rankin came to Mazon, February 14, 1879, and engaged in general mercantile business. One year after, he established the Mazon Creamery, with which he is doing a flourishing business. He is a Re- publican.

WILSON SMALL, hardware, Mazon Cen- ter, is a native of Somerset County, Maine, born January 1, 1843. When he was twelve years old, his parents, Harris and Sophrona Small. moved to Illinois and settled in Iligh- land Township, Grundy County, where our sub- ject was educated in the common schools. He enlisted July 31, 1861, in Company G, Thirty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served three years. He was mustered out Sep- temper 23, 1864, at Atlanta, Ga .; he participat- ed in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River and Jonesboro. He was mar- ried. December 23, 1868, to Miss Philena C. Mooney, daughter of Il. B. and Mary L. Mooney, of Grundy County. Mrs. Small was born in Essex County, N. Y., May 5, 1848, and is the mother of seven children-Ira M., born in Grundy County June 29, 1870; Gny W., born in Grundy County October 11, 1871 ; Clarence HI., born in Grundy County March 3, 1873; G. Winnefred, born in Grundy County May 27, 1875; Ina V., born in Grundy County August 27, 1876 ; Raymond, born August 28, 1878. died August 12, 1882 ; and Ida May, born July 21, 1882. Mr. Small owns a farm of eighty acres of cultivated land, valued at $50 per acre, in Section 2. of Ilighland Township. Ile is engaged in the hardware trade at Mazon Center ; is a Republican and a member of the Masonie fraternity, Blue Lodge. of Verona, No. 757.

MILLARD SMALL, farmer, P. O. Verona. The subject of this sketch, Mr. Millard Small, is a native of Somerset County, Me., born July 31, 1850, and came to Grundy County, III.

when four years old. He is the fifth of a fam- ily of six children of Harris and Sophrona Small; was educated in Grundy County, and raised on the farm. He was married, July 4, 1875, to Miss Imogene Ward, daughter of Samuel and Harriet Ward, born on the farm now occupied by Mr. Small, in Mazon Town- ship, March 3, 1852. They have two sons- George H., born March 19, 1876 ; Byron C., October 24, 1880. They own a farm of 113 aeres in Section 30 of Mazon Township, val- ned at $50 per acre. Mrs. Small's parents came to Grundy County spring of 1849, and settled in Mazon Township, where they lived, until the time of their death. Her father. Samuel Ward, was born in July, 1825; died in Mazon Township June 17, 1881, from injuries received on the railroad near his home. IIe was strnek by the engine while attempting to reach a crossing, seeming not to realize the near approach of the train from the fact of his being somewhat deaf and lame. Ilarriet Ward, mother of Mrs. Small, died in this county on the 27th of August, 1831, after suf- l'ering as an invalid for fourteen years.

SAMUEL G. SINCLAIR, farmer, P. O. Mazon, was born in Canada June 6, 1822, son of Jonathan and Betsey (Warner) Sinclair, who moved to Franklin County, N. Y., when Samuel G. was quite young. They afterward removed to St. Lawrence County of the same State, in which our subjeet received a common- school education. May 22, 1845, he married Miss Rhoda, daughter of Silas and Paulina Daniels ; she was born August 27. 1824, in Westport, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair have a family of nine children : Celestia, born JJuly 31, 1816, married January 10, 1866, to George Eells ; Sophia, April 24, 1848, married Septem- ber 19, 1875, to William Bennett ; Lefa P., April 18, 1854, married December 22, 1871, to Henry Burnam ; Emma, July 26, 1850. died in infancy ; Adelia M., April 18. 1854, married March 22, 1879, to Robert Howe ;

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Francis I., March 16, 1858; Henrietta A., Angust 9, 1861 ; George E., June 2, 1865, and Artie W., October 29, 1866. Mrs. Sinclair is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sinclair owns eighty acres of land in Sec- tion 21, Mazon Township, adjoining the village of Mazon. This land is worth $50 an acre.

THOMAS SYMONS, farmer, P. O. Mazon, is a native of Devonshire, England, born De- cember 13, 1818, and was raised and educated in England. He was married March 1, 1853, to Miss Elizabetlı, daughter of John Vale, of England ; she was born March 1, 1821. Mr. Symons came to the United States and to Grundy County in 1857. He settled in Nettle Creek Township and bought eighty acres of land, which he has since sold. He removed into Mazon Township, where he owns a farm of five hundred and twenty-five acres of improved land in Sections 2, 5 and 15, valued at $50 an acre. Mr. and Mrs. Symons have a family of four children-J. W., born in England Febru- ary 11, 1854, and died in England May 15, 1855; W. H., born in England March 28, 1855; Charles, born in England May 7, 1856, died in Grundy County December 28, 1874, and S. B., born in Grundy County December 18, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Symons and oldest son are mem- bers of Wauponsee Grove Congregational Church.

GEORGE P. THOMAS, farmer, P. O. Ma- zon, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., born September 14, 1835,and was raised and educat- ed in the State of New York. He was mar- ried in Oneida Co., N. Y., July 4, 1860, to Miss Sarah J. Richardson, who died in New York in 1861. Mr. Thomas enlisted in Company F, Twenty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, April 26, 1861, and served about four years, having re-enlisted in the Eleventh New York Cavalry. He participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock Station, sec- ond battle of Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mount- ain, Antietam and others ; he was discharged

in July, 1865, and then came to Illinois, and located in Mazon Township, Grundy County. Mr. Thomas was married, September 22, 1868, to Mrs. Sarah A. Preston, born September 23, 1838, widow of Asbury Preston, of Grundy County,by whom she had one daughter-Abbie, born in February, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have one son-Benjamin N., born November 21, 1869. Subject has 120 acres of improved land, in Seetion 8, of Mazon Township, valued at $50 per acre ; his residence being locat- seven and one-half miles south of Morris. Benjamin N. Thomas, father of our subjeet, was born in 1809, and is living in Oneida County, N. Y. His mother, Lurancy R. (Burlingame) Thomas, was born November 19, 1811, and died in June, 1856. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

ANN WALKER, farmer, P. O. Mazon, is the widow of Lazenby Walker, born in Ohio, August 4, 1829. She is a daughter of John D. and Jemima Clithero, married March 18, 1852. The family consists of six children- William D., born January 7, 1853, died July 15, 1859; Isaac B., born January 18, 1855 ; Har- riet J., born March 8, 1857, died June 30, 1858 ; Thomas W., born April 16, 1859 ; Eddie W., born October 31, 1861, and Oliver L., born De- cember 8, 1863. They have a farm of 200 acres in Section 28, of Mazon Township. The following is the notice of the death of her hus- band, Lazenby Walker, one of Grundy Coun- ty's noblest soldiers :

"How sleep the brave, who sink to rest By all their country's wishes blest ! When spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deek their hallowed mold ; She then shall dress a sweeter sod Than fancy's feet hath ever trod.

"By fairy hands their Rude is rung, By forms unseen, their dirge is sung; There, honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the sod that wraps their clay; And Freedom shall awhile repair To dwell a weeping hermit there."

MAZON TOWNSHIP.

Died, at Post Ilospital, in the city of Brownsville, Cameron Co., Texas, Lazenby Walker, of Company D (Capt. Fosha's), Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

The deceased was born at Belleville, in the State of Ohio, A. D. 1826, and was, at the time of his death, thirty seven years of age. He enlisted on the 11th day of Angust as a volunteer soldier in response to the call of the President of the United States for the purpose of aiding in putting down the rebellion. At the time of his enlistment, he resided at Mazon, in the connty of Grundy, Ill. Brother Walker was a good and faithful soldier, always ready to do his duty as a soldier in every particular. He had only one fault, and that cost him his life. That was his zeal in the cause in which he had cast his all. For three months, the disease of which he died, chronic diarrhea, had been preying on his system, before he reported himself on the sick list; and when he did, he was so exhausted and so ill that, our regi- mental hospital tent not having been brought up from Brazos Island, I sent him to the post hospital at Brownsville, where he could get comfortable quarters for his enfeebled body. There he contin- ned over four weeks. Part of the time he seemed to improve until the 13th, when he failed rapidly in strength, and expired on the morning of the 14th of December. He was buried with military honors in the soldiers' burying ground, of Fort Brown, Decem- ber 15, 1863.

"Then let him like a warrior sleep, The green turf on his breast; And where the summer roses bloom, They laid him down to rest."

Brother Walker was a good citizen and neighbor, beloved and respected by all who were acquainted with him. At home, he was the same as in the reg- iment. Ile had no enemies. As a father and hus- band, he was always at his post, kind, warm-hearted and affectionate. To mourn his loss, he leaves a wife and four children, besides an aged father and mother. No more will they behold his manly form No more with smiles of pleasure will they be greet- ed on his return from the labors of the day. No more will she hear his voice, so pleasant and agree- able to her he loved so well. No more will his dear children, for whose enjoyment he could sacrifice so much, see their noble father again. lIc is gone!

" Ile'll come no nore as once he came, A partner's heart to cheer,

To bring the smiles of pleasure back, Or stay the falling tear."

Brother Walker was not only a good citizen and soldier, but he was more. Ile was a good man and a Christian. Following in the footsteps of his worthy father, years ago he was converted to God, joined the Methodist Church, and by his Godly walk and conversation convinced all that he was what he professed, a meek and humble follower of the Lamb.

Although the summons came in early manhood, it did not find him unprepared. A few hours before he breathed his last, he became satisfied that bis hour of departure had come. lle gave some direc- tions to Capt. Fosha about his funeral, which he requested should be carried ont, spoke of his dying far away from home, from wife and children, from father and mother, expressing a wish to see them all once more on earth. But saying it was impossible (as he felt the cold damp of death on his brow) " I yield to Him who doeth all things well. I go to my Father's house, a house not made with hands, eter- nal in the heavens."

" Behold the Christian warrior stand, In all the armor of his God;

The Spirit's sword in his right hand, His feet are with the Gospel shod. * *

" Thus strong in his Redeemer's strength, Sin, death and hell he trampled down; Fights the good fight, and wins at length, Through mercy, an immortal crown." DAVID LEROY, Surgeon Ninety-first Illinois Volunteers.

J. C. WHITMORE, farmer, P. O. Mazon, was born in Middletown, Conn., April 25, 1831, son of D. C. and Sarah Whitmore, who moved from Connecticut to Ohio when John C. was but three years old. Here he was soon deprived of the care of his mother, who died in Decem- ber, 1837. Mr. Whitmore was first married, August 27, 1859, to Mrs. Emma T. Sitterly, widow of Silas Sitterly, of Connecticut ; she was born December 13, 1822, and died in Ma- zon Township March 13, 1877 ; she blessed Mr. Whitmore with two children-Hattie E., born November 19, 1861, married February 1, 1882, to Irvin F. Traver, of Grundy County; and Harry C., horn October 2, 1866 .. Mr. Whitmore was again married, June 6, 1882, to Mrs. Mary M. Moore, of Brookfield, N. Y.,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

born April 3, 1839. She was the widow of Frank Moore, of the State of New York. She has one daughter-Marian F. Moore, born in Brookfield, N. Y., May 15, 1869. Subject has 120 acres of finely improved land, valued at $60 per acre, in Section 9, of Mazon Township ; his residence is situated two miles north of Mazon and seven miles south of Morris. Mr. Whit- more is a Republican and a member of the Wanponsee Grove Congregational Church.

GEORGE WHEELER, farmer, P. O. Ma- zon, was born in Grundy County February 20, 1851. Raised on the farm and educated in the

common schools of the county. He was mar- ried, October 11, 1871, to Miss Jennie Keepers, of Ohio, who was born March 16, 1854. They have one daughter-Effie P. Wheeler, born March 11, 1877. Residence three and one-half miles southeast from Mazon. Mr. Wheeler is a son of H. H. and Amanda R. Wheeler, of Morris ; they own 160 acres of valuable land in Section 35, of Mazon Township. Mr. Wheeler owns a farm of 160 acres of improved land in Section 2, of Goodfarm Township, and Section 35, of Mazon, valued at $45 per acre.

WAUPONSEE TOWNSHIP.

JOSEPH ASHTON, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born in Delaware County, Penn., in Sep- tember, 1829, and lived there until he be- came twenty-two years of age, when he, with his parents, moved to Kendall County, Ill., and settled near Lisbon, where they bought a farm. Mr. Ashton now owns a farm of 190 acres, in Sections 19 and 20, of Wauponsee Township. This land is worth $45 an acre; 150 acres of the farm is under cultivation. On the 21st of February, 1865, Mr. Ashton married Miss Rachel Hager, daughter of Godfrey Hager, of Virginia. Mrs. Ashton was born June 12, 1840, in Illinois, and is the mother of three children, viz., William E., Sarah L. (deceased) and John A. Mr. Ashton is a Republican.

MICHAEL BERRY, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born in Ireland in 1829, and came to this country with his parents in 1837. They first settled in Athens County, Ohio, but, in the fall of 1840, removed to Grundy County, Ill., where the father of our subject assisted in the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Mr. Berry was married, in June,

1851, to Miss Mary Harney, a native of Ire- land, born in 1828. She is the mother of four children, viz., Bridget B., born in 1854, and married, February 12. 1878, to William Foley; Kate E., born in 1856, and married, November 25, 1879, to William McCabe; An- na A., born April 25, 1858, and married, February 13, 1882, to Michael Moran; Ella M., born February 26, 1861, unmarried. The entire family are members of the Catho- lic Church at Morris. Mr. Berry owns a farm of eighty acres in Section 17, all under cultivation. In February, 1862, Mr. Berry enlisted in Company K, Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, and served three years; was taken prisoner at Jackson, Miss., and held at Rich- mond prisoner until he was exchanged. when he returned to his regiment, after an absence of about ten months. He was twice reported among the killed, and initial steps were taken to recover his back pay. In politics, Mr. Berry is Republican.

JOHN CLAYPOOL, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born in Wauponsee Township January 5, 1837, son of Perry A. and Mary (Foster)

WAUPONSEE TOWNSHIP.

Claypool. Our subject was the third white child born in this county, his father settling hero in 1834; the latter, while hauling logs from Chicago to Morris, was kicked by his horse, from the effects of which he died Oc- tober 15, 1846. Mary (Foster) Claypool, the mother of our subject, is still living. Mr. John Claypool received his education in Mor. ris, where he attended the first day school over organized thore. He was married, April 7, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Hume, born in England May 15, 1837, daughter of Ed- ward Hume, who came from England with his family and settled in New York State, where they remained until about 1858, when they came to Wauponseo Township, Grundy County, Ill. Here Mrs. Claypool's father died, in January, 1859, and her mother Sep- tomber 17, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Claypool have three children, as follows: Jennie M., born May 2, 1860; Abel, born April 11, 1862, and John E., born July 11, 1868. Mr. C. owns 408 acres of land. Heis a Republican, and has filled a number of offices in his township.

P. G. COSGROVE, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, March 17, 1811, and was raised on a farm. He came to the United States in April, 1810, and worked in Pennsylvania for two years on canal and railroad; he then went to Cana- da, whiero he was engaged on public works for the following two years; then came to Chicago, where he worked until August 15, 1846, when he began stoamboating on the Mississippi River. In the spring of 1853, he went to California, where he worked in the mines for three years. Returning to 11- linois, he settled in Wanponsee Township, Grundy County, on his present farm of 160 acres, which is all under cultivation, and valued at $50 an acro. Subject was married, February 17, 1833, to Miss Annie Kattican,

of County Roscommon, Ireland, born Octo- ber 22, 1SOS, and died in Wauponsee Octo- ber 15, 1874. She bore him one son-Red- man, born November 10, 1837. Ho was married, February 27, 1869, to Miss Mary Nolen, who was born July 10, 1849; they have had seven children-Mary Ann, born April 21, 1871; Martin, Juno 5, 1872: Mar- garet, April 16, 1874; Catherine, November 1, 1875; Sova, February 24. 1877; Pabuck, March 18. 1879; Nellie, November 10, 18S2. Our subject has an adopted son-Daniel, born in 1855.

HENRY CLAPP, horticulturist, Morris, was born April 7, 1825, in Addison County. Vt. When our subject was six years okl, his parents moved to St. Lawrence County, N. Y., where he received a common-school education. In October. of 1846, ho settled in McHenry County; coming to Grundy County in 1847. he located in Mazon Town- ship, where for four years ho engaged in farming. He next lived upon a small farm in Greenfield Township, which, after five years, he sold, and made purchase of his present farm of eighty acres, situated in Sec- tion 15, of Wauponsee Township, two and one- half miles southeast of Morris. Here he car- ries on a very lucrative business in small fruits and market gardening. November 22, 1557, in Pontiac, Ill., he married Mrs. Pyrena Du- gan, born May 15, 1817. She was the widow of Robert Dngan, of Wauponsee Township. Mr. Clapp is a Republican.

ORSON BINGHAM GALUSHA. P. O. Morris, was born December 2. 1819, in Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt. His father, Jonas Galusha, Jr., lived at the time of the birth of the subject of this sketch on the es- tate of his father, Gov. Jonas Galusha. who was at that time serving his second term as Governor of the State. Orson was the youngest of three children, having one sister.

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Eloisa Electa, and one brother, Joseph Hins- dale. He lived upon his grandfather's es- tate, his father having charge of the several large farms into which it was divided, until sixteen years of age. in the meantime receiv- ing such educational advantages as the dis- trict school afforded, and also was sent one year to Union Academy, in Bennington. At the age of fourteen, he united with the Bap- tist Church, and continued in the communion of this denomination until 1844, when he united with the Congregational Church, in Grand Rapids, Mich., and is now a member of that church. In 1834, his father removed to Rochester, N. Y., where he lived four years, for the purpose, mainly, of giving his children better facilities for education, and at the same time have them at home, and here Orson was placed under the tuition of Chester Dewey, D. D., of the Rochester Col- legiate Institute. He also taught one year under Prof. Nathan Brittan, his brother-in- law, in the Fitzhugh Street Seminary. Ow- ing to the failing health of his mother, his father resolved to try a Western climate, in 1839, and removed to a farm near Grand Rapids, Mich. Soon after the arrival of the family there, the mother died, and the father and brother returned to Rochester, while he remained in Michigan abont fifteen years, during which time he occasionally taught school in winters, working upon the farm during summers. In this period, he served almost constantly, after attaining his ma- jority, in the capacity of School Inspector and Township Clerk. March 9, 1843, he was married to Mary J., third daughter of Judge Mitchell Hinsdale, of Kalamazoo, who is now living. In the year 1849, he ex- changed his real estate in Michigan for a small farm in Grundy County. Ill., situated on the north line of the county, and two miles from Lisbon, Kendall County; he soon

engaged in the nursery business, which he carried on there until his removal to his present residence, where it was at once re- sumed. During his residence at Lisbon, the agitation of the plan for a system of agricult. ural colleges took place, and in this project he took a deep interest, frequently writing and talking upon the subject. When the plan was finally adopted by the Congress of the United States, he was the first man ap- pointed by the Governor of Illinois as a member of its Board of Trustees, to take charge of the 480,000 acres of land which fell to the share of the State, and to found a col- lege and to start it in operation. He was elect. ed Recording Secretary of the board, which position he held until after the inauguration of the enterprise and the college was in suc- cessful operation, and remained a member of this board for the term of six years, and un- til the number of the members of the board was considerably reduced, by act of the Leg- islature. In 1864, he was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and re- elected in 1866, holding the position for four years, during which time and for several years, both previous and afterward, he was Superintendent of the Horticultural Depart- ment at the State fairs. But the principal and most valuable public services rendered by Mr. Galusha were within the Illinois State Horticultural Society. This society was or- ganized in Decatur in 1856, and Mr. Galusha elected Corresponding Secretary, which po- sition he held till December, 1861, when he was elected to the Presidency of the society. He continued in the gratuitous service of the society, traveling thousands of miles annually as member of the " Ad-interim Committee," collecting horticultural information for pub- lication in the annual volume; was re-elected Corresponding and Recording Secretary in 1869, and has continued in this position until

WAUPONSEE TOWNSHIP.

the present time, with the exception of one yoar. when he declined re-election, on account of severe illness at the time of the annual meeting. During these years, he has annual- ly edited and published a volume of the trans- actions of the society, about 400 pages each. In 1868, he sold his farm on the county line and purchased where he now lives, three miles southeast from Morris, to which place he removed a large portion of his nursery stock, and continues in this business, gradu- ally redneing it, however, and planting and raising fruits for market. This eighty-aere fruit farm, is known as the Evergreen Fruit Farm. Mr. and Mrs. Galusha have had two children-one a son, buried in Paris, Kent Co., Mich., who died at the age of four years; the other, a daughter, Nellie H., born Oc- tober 4, 1849, and now the wife of Prof. W. H. Smith, of Peoria, III.

JOSEPH D. HILL, farmer, P. O. Morris, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 26, 1822, but spent most of his boyhood in Delaware Connty. When twenty-one years of age, he came to Illinois, and bought some land in Pike County. At this time, he also entered a tract of land in Mazon Township, Grundy County. After returning to Ohio and remaining there about seven years, Mr. Hill. September 24, 1854, married Mrs. Margeretta Nicholas, born September 29, 1827, when he moved to his land in Mazon Township, which land he sold in 1865, and moved into Wanpon- see Township, where he now owns 280 acres of improved land, in Sections 21 and 22, situ- ated four miles sontheast of Morris. This land is valued at $65 an acre, and produces tino crops of corn, oats und hay. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have but one child-Homer D. Hill, born in Adams County, Ind .. June 5, 1856. who was married, January 7, ISSO, to Miss Flora Case, born March 24, 1856, daugh- ter of Morris and Carolino Case, of Delaware

County, Ohio. Our subject is one of the stalwarts of Grundy County. He enlisted a company of men for the ranks, in the early part of the rebellion, but, owing to physical disability, was obliged to place them in charge of Capt. Fosha. Mr. Hill and his son are both Republicans.

HORACE HOYT. gardener. Morris, was born in New York in April. 1811: was raised and educated in Oneida County, N. Y., where he engaged in mercantile pursuits nntil 1857, when he camo to Morris. Here he continued the mercantile business for five years. when he sold out and went to Mexico, where he was engaged for one year in buying, com- pressing and shipping cotton. After a trip East, he came back to Morris, where for the past six years he has been engaged in market gardening. He is located one mile south of Morris, on sixty acres of well-cultivated land. the soil of which is well adapted to the rais- ing of such produce as he handles. He has one son-Ifarris Hoyt, born in New York September 17, 1841; has buried two sons and one daughter. Mrs. Hoyt is a member of the Congregational Church of Morris. Mr. Hoyt is a member of the Society of Friends. of Rochester, N. Y., and belongs to the Re- publiean party.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 51

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 506

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506