History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 55

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

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GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.

the position of Commissioner of Highways, and is independent in politics.

G. F. SPENCER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born December 7, 1822, in New York, and is the son of George and Laura Hatzel Spencer, natives of New Hartford, Conn., and parents of six children-Adaline, Lydia, G. F., Norton, Anna and one deceased. Mr. Spencer's mother died when he was eleven years old, and he was bound out to Joseph B. Roe until he was sixteen, when he was employed at a small salary by Mr. Roe. At eighteen, he hired out at $11 per month. In the fall of 1850. he came to Grundy County, Ill., and purchased his present farm of 160 acres, which was then mostly raw prairie. With logs from the grove he erected a cabin, about 16x24 feet, in which he lived. He be- gan breaking the soil with an ox-team and the pioneer breaking-plow. With this same team, he hauled grain some distance. He was married, in 1851, to Eliza. daughter of Mahlon and Abigail Crane, she being one of nine children-Mary, William, Henry, Ln. cinda, Thaddeus, Edwin, Harriet, Howard, Eliza and Helen; her parents were Meth- odists; her father was in the war of 1812. Mr. Spencer has, as a result of the union. three children-Alice, the wife of Reed Keepers; Libbie; and Ida, the wife of Philip Southcomb, of Morris. The spring after his marriage, he was chosen one of the petit jurors for this county, and, after having been kept two weeks at Morris, when he would liked to have been cultivating his crops, he was dis- missed at 4 o'clock on Saturday evening; he walked all the way home; when he came to the foot log across the stream near his home, at 10 o'clock, when all was dark, he found that the rain had raised the branch about two feet above the one log bridge; he knew from the channel that the water was over ten feet deep, and that, should he fall in, he

would, in all probability, be drowned; he was bound for home, and at once " cooned" the log on all fours, his head only being above the water while passing over. This is only, one of many such scenes which this pioneer ex- perienced. When he built his cabin, he con- structed a brick chimney, which was a curi- osity to the neighbors, who often called out when passing, " take in the brick." In this building, the Methodists and other organi- zations held meetings. Near by Mr. Spen- cer's residence was located one of the first schoolhouses in this part of the county, the construction of which was largely due to the efforts of our subject. The father of Mrs. Spencer is residing with them, at the age of eighty eight. Mr. S. has been Assessor and Justice of the Peace.

JOHN SPILLER, retired farmer, Gard. ner, was born in Devonshire, England, No. vember 28, 1SOS, son of Robert and Ann (Applin) Spiller, natives of England; he was a farmer by occupation and died in 1872, at the age of eighty years. The mother died in 1848, aged about sixty. Our subject received a limited education, and assisted his parents upon the home farm, until he was thirty years of age, when he went to farming on his own account. In 1851, he emigrated to America, locating in Kendall County, Ill. October 31, 1839, Mr. Spiller was married, in England, to Miss Joanna Wakley, born in Devonshire June 24, 1819; she is the mother of six children, viz., Ann, William, Joel, Thomas, Mary Jane and John. For eight months after landing in this country, our subject was ill, and the entire support of the family devolved upon Mrs. Spiller. Upon regaining his health, Mr. Spiller engaged as a farm hand until, by his industry and econo- my, he had accumulated sufficient means to purchase eighty acres of farm land in Grun- dy County; this he added to nntil he had

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168 acres, upon which he located in 1858. In the spring of 1875, he retired from active labor, and the farm is now managed by his son. - Thomas Spiller, one of the sons of our subject, was born in England February 20, 1845. When six years of age, he came with his parents to America, and located in Kendall County, Ill .; received a common-school edu- cation and assisted on the home farm until twenty-one years of age. In 1876, he came to Gardner and engaged in harness-making, which he has since continued and at which he has been very successful. He was married. in Grundy County, January 9, 1868, to Elizabeth Allen, born in 1846; they have four children -Walter, Frank, Clarence and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Spiller are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican; his father also a Republican; cast his first vote for Lincoln.

CHARLES H. SHERWOOD. dentist, Gardner, was born in Marshall County. Ill., October 15, 1853, is a son of Lycurgus and Rachel B. (Wilson) Sherwood, he born at Saratoga, N. Y., in August, 1824, a retired farmer, living at Normal. Mc Lean Co., Ill .; the mother was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 24, 1832, and has borne five children, of whom the subject is the eldest child. When ten years of age, he removed with his parents to the town of Wenona, where he received a common-school educa- tion; attended the Northwestern University at Evanston, one year, and spent four years at Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, where he completed the junior year. In ad- dition to his other studies, our subject had studied medicine and dentistry, which sub- jects he continued prosecuting after leaving school, with Dr. S. C. Wilson, a prominent dentist and politician of Bloomington. In 1879, Dr. Sherwood entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he graduated

with honors, March 26, 1881, as surgeon den - tist. After nine months' practice at Gales- burg, he came to Gardner, where he is nicely located and doing a good business. He is a supporter of the Republican party.

AARON SCOGGIN, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 23, 1809; is a son of Eli and Eliza- beth (Meisner) Scoggin; the former was a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupa- tion, and died in 1852, at about the age of sixty-five. The mother, a native of Virginia. died in 1860, aged about sixty-seven years; she was the mother of seven children, of whom our subject was the third child. He received a common-school education and com- menced his business career as a trader on the Mississippi River; this he continued seven years, and afterward, for about six years, ran a steam-mill, in Dearborn County, Ind. In 1856, he came to Grundy County, and for two years engaged in the lumber business at Gardner; he next located on his present farm. July 4. 1851, he married Miss Sarah Kirk- patrick, who died in 1853, leaving one child. which died April 26, 1863. Mr. Scoggin was again married, in 1857. to Anna B. Weaver, born in Juniata County, Penn., in 1827: they have had four children, one of whom is dead. Those living are Lizzie, Mary and John. Mr. Scoggin has a farm of 320 acres of choice land, all under cultivation; he handles stock as extensively as his farm will permit, and also carries on general farming. He has been a Republican since the organiza- tion of the party.

FRED G. THOMPSON. City Marshal. Gardner, was born March 29, 1844, in Som- erset County. Me .. son of Osgood and Han- nah (Wentworth) Thompson, he born in Maine December 31, 1819, a farmer by oc- cupation; she, also a native of Maine, born in 1821, and the mother of seven children,

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of whom subject was the second. He re- ceived a common-school education; enlisted in Company B. Seventh Maine Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Albert A. Nickerson; regiment commanded by Col. E. C. Mason. Subject remained in the army two years and four months, when he again resumed farm- ing, but, owing to injuries received in the war, was obliged to leave the service; for the ensuing fourteen years, he was engaged in photography. In the spring of 1866, he came to Grundy County, and, in IS67. lo- cated in Gardner. In ISSO. Mr. Thompson was obliged to abandon photography, and at present is City Marshal, which position he has held about seven years. He has been twice married-first, in Grundy County, April 7, 1867, to Miss Nellie A. Locke, born at Harmony, Me., and died October 21, 1871, at the age of twenty-six years, leaving one child-Inez W. Mr. Thompson's second marriage occurred June 26, 1872, when he united with Lina W. Briggs, who was born in Wisconsin May 20, 1854, daughter of Enoch I. an Emma (Winslow) Briggs, of Gardner. By this second marriage there was one child -Emma Maud, born September 8, 1874, tied October 20, 1SSO. Mr. Thompson held the office of Town Clerk one term, and has held other minor offices. He is an active member of the I. O. O. F., of Gardner, and is a Ropublican.

JAMES I. TURNER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Lake County, Ill., May 18, 1854, son of Richard and Sarah (Doane) Turner, nativos of Maine. The father was born in 1817; is a stock-dealer, living in Kansas. The mother died in 1876, at the age of fifty five; she had two children -Nellie, who died at the age of twenty-seven, and James, our subject. He came to Cook County when four years of age, with his par- ents; attended the common schools and fin-

ished his edneation at Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Chicago. In 1872, he settled in Gardner, where he pursued the lumber business until 1877. In the fall of 1872, he erected the grain elevator now owned by Mr. Atkinson, and engaged in the grain business, in connection with his lumber trade. In 1876, he sold out his business to Mr. Atkinson, and the following year went to Sheldon, Ill., where he engaged in the grain business a year. Ho next went to Min - nesota, where he engaged in farming until 18SO, when he returned to Grundy County and settled on his present place. October 9, ISSO, he married Miss Jessie Manegold, born in Kankakee County, III., in 1860; she is the daughter of John and Mary Manegold, he dead, she living in Gardner. This union has resulted in one child-Richard Mr. Turner carries on general farming and stock- dealing; he has been School Director one year, and is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M. of Gardner.

ABRAHAM TINSMAN, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born in Butler County, Penn., April 7, 1828, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Sigler) Tinsman, he born in October, 1802, and died in July, 1882, was a farmer by oc- cupation. The mother was born March 2, 1806, and had twelve children, of whom our subject is the oldest. He attended the com- mon schools and worked on the farm in his younger days. In IS58, he came to Grundy County, and located where he now lives. Mr. Tinsman was married, September 15, 1873, to Susan Williman, born in Stark Connty, Ohio, February 28, 1841; she is the daughter of Jonas and Barbara Williman, who live in Grundy County. This mar- riage has resulted in three children, viz., Forney, Adam J. und Marlin. Our subject carries on general farming, and has held the positions of Road Commissioner and School

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Director. He and wife are members of the Church of God. He is a Republican.

J. B. TAXIS, physician and surgeon, Gard- ner, was born October 22, 1833, in Pennsyl- vania. Was married in 1860 to Virginia M. Hawley, the result being five children, three of whom survive, viz., Howard H., Herbert J. aud Virginia I. He came to Gardner in 1859, and has built up a lucrative practice.

JOEL UNDERHILL, physician, Gardner. Prominently identified among the physicians of this county is the man whose name heads this article. He was born November 25, 1825, in Dutchess County, N. Y. ; is a son of Henry N. and Julia A. (Carpenter) Underhill, natives of New York, and the parents of nine children- Caroline, Joel, Louisa, Henry P., Ida, only sur- vive. The parents belonged to the Christian denomination known as Friends. The Doctor had but little chance of attending school in his younger days. At the age of twenty-one, he started for himself. While at New Orleans, he was taken with the yellow fever, and returned home when only partially recovered. He engaged some time after this in farming, rent- ing of his father. He later met with another misfortune, that of the erysipelas, and after recovering he began reading medicine with Dr. Galord, and remained with him till 1849-50, at which time he attended lectures at a medical college, New York, transferring from there to Sodus Ridge, N. Y., where he bought a drug store with Dr. Galord, and remained there for two years, when he sold out and went to Buf- falo, and continued his studies with Dr. Hill for about three years, after which he attended three courses of lectures at Buffalo, at which city he opened up an office for three years. At this period, he gave up his practice on account of poor health. He made some changes in locality, and finally engaged in a flouring mill at Dwight, this State. In 1864, he bought a farm in Greenfield Township, this county, and has farmed the same since until 1872, when he

resnmed practice, taking up the homœopathic system. Was married, in 1862, to Caroline Crouthers. His wife is a member of the Pres- byterian Church. The Doctor votes the Demo- cratic ticket.

JAMES S. WILSON (deceased) was born in Niagara County, N. Y., December 12, 1821, son of William and Maggie (Callard) Wilson. Our subject came to Illinois when eighteen years of age, having but 50 cents in his pocket, but he was energetic, and wished to make his own way in the world. In 1854, he came to Gardner and engaged in farming; previous to this time, he had made two trips overland to California, and had improved two farms. At one time, Mr. Wilson had over 1,000 acres of farm land, all under a high state of cultivation, and on the homestead farm, which contained about 600 acres, he sunk a coal shaft, which he managed for two years. In 1871, he sold out his entire busi - ness interests in this line. He next pur- chased the Commercial House and its sur- roundings, to which he made several addi- tions by way of improvement. In connection with his duties as landlord, he did a general real estate and broker business. His death occurred January 1, 1877; he was married twice, his first wife being Jane Freelove; she died in 1863, leaving seven children- Andrew, Mary, Achsah, Maria, La Fayette, Ida and Frank. Mr. Wilson was again mar- ried, September 1, 1864, to Nancy Ann (Thatcher) Wheeler, born in Essex County, N. Y., July 27, 1830; she had by her first husband five children-Nancy, Julius H., Jennie, Hattie and Frederick. Mrs. Wilson has by her second husband, our subject, two children-Lucy A. and Charles J. S. At Mr. Wilson's death, Mrs. Wilson became admin- istratrix of the estate of her husband, and assumed full control of the Commercial House.

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BRACEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

DR. A. H. WRIGHT, dentist, Gardner, was born in La Porte County, Ind., Decem- ber 16, 1857, son of Gideon L. and Sarah E. (Concannon) Wright, natives of Indiana. Our subject passed through the common and high school of his native place, and spent two years in college; afterward studied den- tistry two years at Valparaiso, Ind., where he started in business and remained one year. He then went to Joliet, where he re- mained a year, and. in Jannary, 1882, came to Gardner, where he has a lucrative practice. He votes tho Republican ticket. Dr. Wright is the eldest of three children born to his parents. One sister, Millie, is living: the other, Hattie, is dead.

EDWIN B. YOUNG, editor of the Gard- ner Enterprise, is the eldest son of Will- iam B. and Ellen A. Young; he was born in

the town of Chatham, Middlesex Co., Coun., May 22, 1858, and was educateed at the high school in his native town. He has one brother, Howard P. Young, born October 12, 1870. In the spring of 1874, the family moved West, and settled in Clifton, Iroquois County, this State. Here the Enterprise was started by the present publisher in October, 1876. The family wishing a change of country, moved to Gardner, in the fall of 1878, where the paper has since been pub- lished. The Enterprise, which started as a four-column folio, has been enlarged from time to time, and is now a large sheet of eight columns to the page. enjoying a good run of advertising and a large subscription list. Its editor is unmarried, and resides with his parents and brother.

BRACEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE P. AUGUSTINE, Postmaster, Braceville, was born December 28, 1811, in Stark County, Ohio; is a son of John and Margaret (Wishard) Augustine, natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of John, George P., Mary, Joseph, Matilda, Margaret and Oliver P. The mother died in 1844, and the father came West in 1852, locating 640 aeres in Braceville Township, this county, as a land warrant for services in the war of 1812. The father was a Justice of the Peace here, Super- visor, and held other minor offices. While in Ohio, the father was Sheriff of Stark County, and was eight years in the State Legislature ; he died in 1871. Our subject elosed his school days at the age of twelve years, at which time he was actively engaged on a farm. When he reached his majority, he begin boating on the Ohio Canal, at which he was successful. In 1844, he entered the mercantile business at

Waynesburg, Stark County, Ohio, and in 1861 he closed out his business there and applied his time in Grundy County, erecting the first house in what is now the present site of the village of Braceville. The old buikling is now known as the Milwaukee Ilotel. lle used this building as a warehouse and for store room ; he bought corn at that time for 9 cents per bushel, and eggs at 3 cents per dozen. In 1876, he closed out said business, and also his coal interests, in which he had been interested since 1865. At the latter, he sustained a severe loss. By economy, he had accumulated a fortune, of probably $300,000, the greater portion of which he lost in the coal business. In 1862, he was commissioned Postmaster at Braceville, which position he hokls to-day. Was married, in 1847, to Julia Fisher, the result being one child-Elizabeth, who married S. B. Holly (deceased ). llis wife died in 1872

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and since then he has resided with his daugh- ter. In the spring of 1882, he was chosen Justice of the Peace, which position he now holds. He was identified with the Whig party, and since then has been a strong Republican.

GEORGE W. BOOTH, farmer and stock- breeder, P. O. Gardner. Among the leading farmers and stock-dealers of Illinois, the gen- tleman whose name heads this article ranks second to none. He is a native of Trumbull County, Ohio, and was born January 13, 1837. His parents, Moses and Myra (Hubbell) Booth, were natives of Connecticut, and came to Ohio at an early day, where the father died Febru- ary, 1856, and the mother in this county in 1882. The parents were blessed with three children by their union, viz., George W .; The- resa. the wife of Henry Waters ; Emma, the wife of Robert Briscoe, of Marscilles, Ill. The mother of our subject was the second wife of Moses Booth, he having married Sarah Judson, the result being several children-Truman, Moses, Samuel, Eliza, Laura, Sallie, et al. Moses B. was in the war of IS12, and he and wife were Presbyterians. George had the chance to attend the district schools in his younger days. At the age of fourteen, he be- gan driving cattle, and at sixteen, he was en- gaged with F. N. Andrews, of Trumbull Coun- ty, Ohio. At the age of twenty, he had saved some means, and invested the same in hogs and cattle, which proved successful. April, 1863, he took charge of a stock farm for Elias Trumbo, of La Salle County, Ill., with whom he remained five years, after which he bought 160 acres of land in Greenfield Township, this county. He owned this but a short time, and made several changes before he finally settled on his present farm in Braceville Township. Here he began to widen in his stock dealing, and, in 1877, he took in full partnership his son-in-law, Lyman Hawley, which firm name of Booth & Hawley still exists. Their herd of cattle now consists of the following noted fam-

ilies : Rose of Sharon, Pansy, Dulci Bella, Arabella and Seventeens, a class of the first importation from Europe by the Clays. They are also breeding the registered Poland-China hogs, which they ship to different parts of Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio and Indiana. They are stocking about eight hun- dred acres of land. Mr. Booth was married, April 9, 1856, to Caroline Rainy, a daughter of William and Mary (Taylor) Rainy, natives, the father of Ireland, and the mother of Pennsyl- vania. The parents were blessed with three children-Nancy, Mary and Caroline. Her parents were members of the Seceder Church. Mrs. B. was born May 3, 1838, and her union has given her two children-Warren (de- ceased) and Mary, who has one child by her marriage with Lyman Hawley-Maud. Mr. Booth has served his township as Supervisor for eight years, of which board he was Chair- man seven years. He has also been chosen Town Treasurer of Schools for nine years, and other minor offices. His estimable lady is a member of the Baptist Church of Gardner. He votes the Republican ticket.

JOHNSON BABCOCK, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born August 12, 1800, in Rensselaer County, N. Y., is a son of Johnson and Zilpa (Green) Babcock, natives, the father of Con- necticut, and the mother of New York. The parents had eleven children, six of whom are living. Johnson attended school awhile dur- ing his younger days. He emigrated to Ohio in 1831, and in 1846 he removed to a farm near Aurora, Ill., where he rented for three years. In 1848, he bought land where he now lives, and settled on the same in 1849, where he has since remained. Was married October 29, 1826, to Dorcas Messinger, who blessed him with twelve children, six of whom survive -Martin, Mary L., Eleanor, Frederick, Albert and Henry. His wife died January 20, 1872. He has served as Justice of the Peace, Asses- sor, Town Clerk and other smaller offices with

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credit to himself and his friends. He was a Democrat until Buchanan's campaign, since when he has been a stanch Republican. His son Albert married Almira Stallman, the result being Minnie E. and Orin E. and one deceased. This son lives with his father and farms the old homestead. Another son, T. J., was born October 29, 1837, in Ohio, and was married December, 1862, to Martha E. Laymon, the re- sult being four children, viz., William A. (de- ceased), Ralph S., Maranda A. and Thomas T. This son has eighty acres of good land, which he is farming.

SAMUEL BRADBEER, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner. This representative pioneer is a native of England, and was born April 3, 1821. His parents, Samuel and Jane (Lake) Bradbeer. emigrated to Kendall County, f., in 1853, where the father died in 1856. The parents were blessed with eight children, viz., Robert, Mary, Elizabeth, Samuel and James, and three deceased. They were members of the Congre- gational Church. The father was one time in excellent circumstances financially. but was made to sustain quite a loss by some illegal proceedings. He was therefore unable to give his children much chance to obtain an educa- tion. Our subject had the advantage of the country schools until he was eight years old, at which time he engaged on a farm, herding cattle, gathering stones, etc., for which he re- ecived only his board for two years. At the age of ten, he was called home to take his older brother's place, he having hired out for long time. In two years, he was set free again to care for himself, and engaged to a farmer for his board and clothing. Later, he was re- warded with £2 of English money per year. In one year more, he received .ES, or $40, per year. Two years later, he withdrew from act- ive labor and prospected for awhile in London, and finally returned to his parents, and soon engaged to a doctor for about six months. Ile was then employed as a waiter in a private

family at Exmouth for ten years, receiving from $80 to $100 per year. He was married, April 11, 1851, to Sarah Carter, the result be- ing three children-Susan J., Alice and Sarah. Mrs. B. was born in Somerset County, Eng- land, January 20, 1815 ; is a daughter of Rob- ert and Susannah (Diment) Carter, natives of the same country, and the parents of three chil- dren-Sarah, John and William. Our subject lived in Kendall County, Ill., for nine years, and then came to Braceville Township, this county, in 1863, where they have since re- mained. They possess now 100 acres of fine land, the result of their own labors. He is a member and Pastor of the Old School Baptist organization, holding at present the pastoral charge of the Verona church. His wife and daughter Sarah are Methodists. In the person of Mr. B. we have the character of a remarka- ble self-made man. The first penny he ever had in his life was given him by a cattle driver whom he helped transfer his herd a short distance. This he spent for two English songs. "Farmer's Boy" and "Ou Fox Hunt- ing. When twelve years old, he would slip books from the library where he was working, and sit by his bed at the barn and read nearly all night. At another place where he worked, be had an alarm clock which he arranged to strike at three o'clock, at which time be would light a candle and sit up in bed and read some book or paper. So carnest was he in the pur- suit of knowledge that he and his brother James gathered old bones and broken glass from the fields, which they sold in order to se- cure the Saturday Magazine, which cost ti d. per month.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 55

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