History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 56

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

USA > Illinois > Grundy County > History of Grundy County, Illinois > Part 56

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W. D. BRIDEL, farmer, P. O. Mazon, was born June 5, 1826, in England. Is a son of Robert and Mary (Diment) Bridel, who came to Pennsylvania in 1841, and in 1845 to Ken- dall County, Ill .; the father is living with his second wife, Alice Sutliff. Our subject is one of five living children from a family of eight ;

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William D., Isabella, Mary, Rachel, Robert are the names of those living ; their mother died about the year 1858. Mr. Bridel was married, in 1862, to Caroline R. Towns, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Green) Towns, natives of New York, and the parents of six children, viz., Joshua, Clarinda, Edward, Sarah, Caroline and William. Mr. Bridel has six children-Will- iam, Mary R., George W., Robert S., Belle and Lillie E. He settled on his present farm about 1854 ; he has now 316 acres of fine land ; has been in small offices ; was drafted and hired a substitute ; he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, Superintendent Wilmington Star Mining Company, Coal City. Mr. Campbell was born April 3, 1848, in Scot- land ; is a son of William and Susan (Melroy) Campbell. William began mining when quite young, and had followed the same the greater portion of his life. He mined at Braidwood as early as 1867, and, in 1879, he was appointed Superintendent of the Wilmington Star Mining Company at Coal City, which position he holds, and through his management these mines are turning out about 500 tons daily. He was married twice, the first time to Isabel Clombie (deceased), and the second time to Agnes Pat- terson, the latter union resulting in four chil- dren-Ellen, Arthur, Laura and Fannie.

ALEXANDER CAMERON, farmer, P. O. Braceville, was born April 12, 1820, in Scot- land. Is a son of William and Jane Cameron, uatives of the same country, and parents of ten children, four of whom are living, viz., Alexan- der, William, Isabel and Archibald. The par- ents emigrated to Peoria County. Ill., in 1833, and farmed in said county. The father died in 1864, and the mother in 1867; they were Methodists. Our subject never attended school a single day in his life, yet he has picked up a fair business education. Was married, June 3, 1846, to Julia A. Morrison, a daughter of William H. and Barbara (Usong) Morrison. Mrs. Cameron was born March 28, 1825, in

Pike County, Ill. She and her husband settled the present farm in 1856 ; they have 250 acres of fine land, the result of their own efforts ; they have no children. Mrs. Cameron's father left his family in Pike County when she was very small, and traveled along the river looking up land to purchase, and never returned. The party who went with him said he died with fever. She lived for some time with Dr. Henry Ross, of Pike County, until twelve years old, .and returned to her mother, she having married Ira Ackley, the result being one child-Lydia E., and by the former union two children- Julia A. and William. Mrs. Cameron's educa- tion is also limited, she having been unable to attend school in her younger days. Mr. Cameron votes the Republican ticket.

REUBEN CARTER, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born February 18, 1855, in England. Is a son of William and Elizabeth (Chick) Carter, natives of the same country, and parents of nine children, eight of whom survive, viz., Sarah, Susan, Mary, Elizabeth, Alice, William, Reuben and George. Our subject had but lit- tle advantage of school. At the age of ten, he took active labor in the rural pursuits of of life, at 16 cents per day. He came to America in 1871, settling in Grundy County. Was married in April, 1880, to Alice, a dangh- ter of Samuel Bradbeer, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His union has resulted in one child-Mabel. When on his way from his native country to this county, the train on which he was traveling through Michigan was wrecked, and he barely escaped from sudden death, with the loss of the right little finger. He owns eighty acres of well-improved land, which he bought in 1881 of James Smith. This is the result of his own labors, he having only one shilling left when arriving in this county. He votes the Republican ticket.

HENRY CASSINGHAM, farmer, P. O. Gardner ; born October 8, 1815, in England ; son of Thomas and Phoebe (Ford) Cassingham,

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natives of England. The parents emigrated to Muskingum County, Ohio, where they died, the mother in October, 1838, and the father in 1845. They had twelve children. all of whom grew up and were married, nine are living- Thomas, Richard, James, George, John, Henry, Phæbe (deceased), Elizabeth. Sophia (deceased). William, Ford and Mary (deceased). The par- ents belonged to the Methodist Church. Our subject attended the subscription schools in the country. getting a fair business education. He worked with his father until the age of twenty- one, when he began learning the carpenter trade, which he continued for fourteen years. Hle moved to Kendall County, Ill., in 1845, where he carpentered until 1849, at which time he came to his farm of eighty acres, in what is now Mazon Township, which he had purchased of the Government a little while prior to his moving. Here in this neighborhood he has lived and now possesses 240 acres, the result of their own labors. When locating in Ken- dall County, they had abont $300. They set- tled on raw prairie, and witnessed the scenes of the early pioneers. Was married, in 1839, to Jane Osler, a daughter of George and Jane (Hollenback) Osler, the father a native of Mary- land and the mother of Virginia, and the par- ents of four children-Jane, George, John and Naney. The mother was married, prior to that with Mr. Oster, to Nathan Devore, and the re- sult was two children-Elizabeth and David. Mr. Devore was drafted in the war of 1812, in which service he died. Her mother was mar- ried, after the death of Mrs. Cassingham's father, to John Hartford. the result being two children -Eliza A. and Sarah E. Mrs. Cassingham's mother was a church member of the Methodist Episcopal organization for sixty years before her decease, to which the father belonged. Mr. and Mrs. Cassingham have been blessed with eleven children, viz., David II., deceased ; Mar- shall, physician at Roberts, Ford Co., Il .; El- Ien, deceased : David. deceased : Mary E., de-

ceased ; Elvira, the wife of Thomas Foster ; Arvilla, the wife of Dr. W. II. Watson, of Caberey, Ill .; Alice, deceased ; Ora W., drug- gist, Ford County, Ill .; Clinton, married Me- lissa La Force ; and E. W. Mr. Cassingham was Supervisor for eight terms, Justice of the Peace several years, and other small offices ; was onee solicited and was run for County Judge, and was only sixteen votes behind. Hle and wife have been connected with the Method- ist Church for over forty-four years. Ile was once Whig. and joined the Republican party at its organization. A brother of Mr. Cassing- ham came from Ohio to this county on horse- back, bringing with him a dog to hunt. The first chase was a wolf, which they caught. Ford, the brother, took the hide from the ani- mal, and started home without his dog, which he thought was either dead or stolen When he arrived at his home, he found his faithful dog awaiting him.

E. H. COTTON, farmer, P. O. Coal City. was born December 3, 1835, in Montgomery County, N. Y .; is a son of Nicholas and Eliza- beth (Sweet) Cotton. The parents were mar- ried January 15, 1815; they removed from New York to Braceville Township in 1854, at which time the father erected a blacksmith shop. on the present site of the village of Braceville; he lived for awhile with his son-in-law, Brangham, who had settled here about 1852. The father died in this county in 1870, and the mother in 1872; were the parents of Mary, Sallie, John R., Nicholas, Garrett, Lucinda, James P., David G., Calvin II. and E. HI. The father served in the war of 1812. Our subject attended school some during his younger days, and has always been a farmer; he hanled all the lumber from Morris by ox team. from which his father con- strueted his first house in this county; he was married September 15, 1855, to Elizabeth J. Mitchell, a daughter of John and Ley (Pat- terson) Mitchell; she was one of seven children, viz., Lydia, James, Elizabeth, Margaret, John

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Lucy and Mary. Mr. Cotton settled on his present farm in 1867, buying eighty acres of James Barrett, and has since added until he has 240 acres of fine land. His union gave him seven children - Mary E. (the wife of James Sherry, of Iowa), Sarah J., Lida (the wife of Jesse Slutter, of Chicago), John J., Nicholas, Anna and Lillie; his wife died Au- gust 20, 1879. He has been Assessor; is now Supervisor of Braceville Township; votes the Democratic ticket; his father was a member of the A., F. & A. M., and was buried by that fraternity.

GEORGE H. CRAGG, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner, was born April 5, 1840, in Grundy Coun- ty, Ill .; is a son of John and Agnes (Litch- hult) Cragg, natives of New Jersey; they came to this county about the year 1832, and erected a log cabin 20x20, which is still standing; here they witnessed the scenes that make up the life of the actual pioneer, such as going to church in a wagon or sled, drawn by ox teams. The father was consumptive, and the greater por- tion of the labor depended upon Mrs. Cragg, which she performed readily. The father was of English descent, and early learned a trade. It has been said he could make almost any- thing; he was born March 6, 1803, and was the father of seven children, three of whom sur- vive, viz., Martin, George H. and Louisa. The mother is living; was born January 7, 1813, in New Jersey; she yet weaves, having a loom which she used about the time she settled here. George H. had some chance to attend school in a pioneer cabin. At the death of his father, he was sent to school at Wilmington for six months; was married, February 17, 1861, to Rachel Bridel, the result being four children- Alice, Robert, Cora B. and Emma. He has fifty-five acres of well-improved land, and is farming seventy-five acres which belongs to his mother; he enlisted in Company -, One Hundred and Fifty-six Illinois Volunteer In- fantry; he votes the Republican ticket. Further

notice is given of the Cragg family in the township history.

MARTIN CRAGG, farmer, P. O. Gardner. Martin Cragg is probably the first white child born in Braceville Township, the date of his birth being January 21, 1836; he is a brother of George H., whose biogrophy appears in this book. His early days were spent as much as was convenient in the log school cabin; he was very fond of chasing the wild animals that were so numerous when he was a boy. On one occasion the grey-hounds caught a deer, and Martin was a little swifter on foot than the other boys who were with him on the chase, and on arriving, he bounced the wild animal, and the dogs thinking their master could man- age it, let loose, and as soon as they did, the deer made a leap with Martin on its back, and away it went for the thicket. The gritty little fellow was going backward, and hung on until the brush forced him off. He was married, De- cember 17, 1861, to Helen N. Caverly, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Hannah (Newell) Caverly, na- tives of New Hampshire, and parents of four children; Helen only survives; her mother died when she was six years old, and her fathar was married a second time to Kate Kipp, of Phila- delphia, Penn., the result being two children- William and Louisa; her father died in 1856, and Helen lived with her uncle, Robert Newell, of Boston, until she was fourteen, when she came to Gardner, III., to live with her uncle and aunt. Sawyer; her marriage with Mr. Cragg has resulted in four children, two of whom are living, viz., Edward C. and Jennie. Mr. Cragg has been Constable of Braceville Township two terms; he owns 170 acres of fine land, the most of which is the reward of his own labors. He is raising many plants for sale, having an excellent hot garden; grows en - tirely for the Braidwood market; votes the Re- publican ticket.

OLIVER DROWN, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born October 23, 1823, in Canada; is a son

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of Hiram and Susannah (Stinson) Drown, na- tives, the father of Connecticut and the mother of Ireland, and parents of ten children-Oliver, Mary A., Susannah, Margaret, James, Jane, Rebecca, John, Thomas and one died young; his parents were Methodists. Our subject at- tended the district schools; has always worked on the farm; was married in 1849, to Harriet A. Thayer, a daughter of Ebenezer and Julia Thayer, natives of New York, and the parents of five children, viz., Harriet, Alonzo, Eliza, Emma and one deceased young. His union gave him seven children, six of whom are liv- ing-Julia, Hiram, Melvin, Emma, Frank, Ella and Jane (deceased). He came to Illinois in 1858, settling for awhile near Morris, where he engaged in a brick-yard and other vocations for some time. In 1869, he bought eighty acres where he now lives, of L. Crossley. where he has since resided. He is now School Trust- ee. He votes the Republican ticket. His brother Thomas died in the late war, member of Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

JOHN F. DUNLEAVY, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born November 22, 1845. in England; is a son of Michael and Sarah Dunleavy, na- tives of Ireland and the parents of seven chil- dren-Martin, Michael, William, Daniel, Mary, John F. and Ann. The parents emigrated to Wisconsin in 1846. and in 1855 to Illinois, set- tling where our subject now lives, where they died, the father in 1874 and the mother in 1876; they were Catholics. Our subject oh- tained a fair education; enlisted in Company B, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, on Janu- ary 1, 186.4. and remained until its close; was never married; has a family keeping house for him; owns 160 acres of fine land. He is rais- ing the Holstein eattle, Poland-China hogs and Clydesdale horses. Hle votes the Greenback ticket. He lost his health to some extent in the war.

CASSIUS C. EASTON, farmer, P. O. Gard- ner, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio,

March 21, 1845, was the youngest son of Alex- ander and Rhoda Easton. His father was a carpenter and farmer, born in Franklin County, Mass., September 25, 1801. Spent his last years with our subject, where he died Novem- ber 1, 1880. His mother, whose maiden name was Rhoda Plumb, was born March 10, 1805 ; was married when seventeen years old to Joseph Lee, who died in 1843, and on March 27. 1844, she was again married to Alexander Easton. She died in Trumbull County, Ohio June 20, 1851 ; sneh was her life, that none knew her but to love her. C. C. received bis education at the common schools of his native town. Working at carpenter work some with his father, he became quite skilled in the busi- ness, so that he has since constructed several houses. When sixteen, he came to Illinois and hired out as a farm hand. In the spring of 1868, he bought a farm of 100 acres in Norton, Kankakee County. In 1874, he rented his farm and moved to Gardner, where he lived a year or so, when he bought 120 acres, where he now lives ; has since added forty acres more and all is under a good state of cultivation. C. C. Easton was married in 1566. to Mary Jane, daughter of John Spiller, whose sketch appears elsewhere in the work. Mr. and Mrs. Easton have three children, two boys and one girl-Addison M., Rowland J. and Rhoda Belle. C. C. is a man of correct habits and uncom- promising integrity, warmly attached to home and its environments, for which he amply pro- vides. Mrs. Easton is a frugal, industrious woman, skillfully conducting her househohl affairs, always ready to do her part to make a home and make it happy.

REV. G. R. EVANS, Braceville, born May 20, 1821 in North Wales ; son of Richard and Ellen (Pryse) Evans, the parents of G. R. Syd- ney, William, Elizabeth, EHlen, Rees and Rich- ard. Our subject attended school in the coun- try and city, aside from his labors on the farm. At the age of twenty, he closed his school days

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and engaged actively in farming until 1850, when he was married to Ellen Jones, a native of Wales, and soon after engaged in buying grain on his own resource at Anglesea, Wales, for ten years, at which he was successful for awhile, and then sustained some losses. In 1861, he came to Racine, Wis., where he bought wheat for two years ; transferred from there to Arena, same State, where he built a warehouse and purchased grain for two years. In 1849, he began in the ministry, and from Arena he went to Milwaukee, where he took charge of the Welsh Congregational Church for one year ; then to Watertown, Wis., Ixonia and Emmet, and was pastor of a church at each place. In 1871, he located in Braceville, Ill., taking charge of the Braidwood and Braceville churches, and is still pastor of the former. In 1872, he was appointed agent for the American Express Company at Braceville, which he still holds. He is Police Magistrate of this village. His marriage gave him ten children-Sydney, Griffith, Ellen, Kate, Jennie, Richard (sea cap- tain in Wales), Eliza, Susie, Lydia and Znla. He was Supervisor for Braceville Township in 1878. Votes the Republican tieket.

SOLOMON HARRIS, boots and shoes, Braceville, was born November 30, 1824, in South Wales, is a son of Isaac and Ann Har- ris, who came to this country in 1863 ; the father died in 1876. The parents had thirteen children, ten of whom grew up-Solomon, Joseph, Eliza, Enoch, Mary, Thomas, Jemima, Isaae (deceased), Leah and Isaac. Our subject attended school but little. When quite young, he began min- ing, which he followed in the old country until May 16, 1851, when he landed at Philadelphia, where he dug coal till January 24, 1862, when he came to Illinois and resumed his labors in a coal mine. In 1881, lie engaged in his present business, that of boots and shoes, at which he is succeeding well. Was married, February 14, 1845, to Martha Watkins, a native of Wales, the union resulting in thirteen children-Isaac,

Valentine, Jane, Solomon, William, Thomas, William W., Martha A., Eliza, Hannah, Ann and Annie, Rebecca. He and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Votes the Repub- ican ticket.

C. E. HASTINGS, merchant, Braceville. Prominent among the leading young business men in Braceville is C. E. Hastings, of the firm of Trotter & Hastings. He was born in 1862, in Pennsylvania ; is the son of Eli and Rachel (Karr) Hastings, natives of the same State, and the parents of Laura, Catharine, S. M., C. E., Jessie M. and Cora B. The parents came to Illinois in 1866, settling in Gardner and afterward in Morris. Our subject attend- ed the schools of Gardner and Morris. He clerked for about three years in Braidwood. August 2, 1881, he formed the partnership named above, and is meriting a fine trade, hav- ing at this time a general line of dry goods, etc. September 21, 1882, he was married to Lizzie B., a daughter of Capt. L. A. Baker, of Wilmington. He is a pleasant, genial fellow, and has the respect and confidence of all with whom he does business.

TALCOTT HAWLEY, deceased. Mr. Tal- cott was born in 1800 in the State of New York; was a farmer, and married Elizabeth Mulford, and came to Lockport, Ill., about 1852, and a few months later they bought 160 aeres of land in Braeeville Township, on which farm the father died in 1859, and the mother in 1874; they were blessed with six children- Ellen and Lyman living, and Catharine, Will- iam, Daniel and Davis deceased. The deceased and companion had but little means when they located in this county; they nsed ox teams and all the old farming implements. Ellen owns the old homestead, and is living with Will- iam Vanhouton and family, who rents the farm. Mr. V. married Brittanna Cullen.

JOSEPII HOMAN, hardware, Coal City, was born October 26, 1852, in Union County, Ohio, is a son of William and Martha (Hill)

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Homan. The father is a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They were the par- ents of three children-Joseph, Emma (de- ceased, was the wife of W. S. Keay) and W. E. Joseph attended the country schools as much as was convenient. At the age of fifteen, he engaged actively on the farm, which avocation he continued until 1879, when he entered his present business, and is carrying a fine line of hardware. In 1880, his father took a half- interest in the same, and is still a member of the firm. Our subject was married September 14, 1881, to Isabel, a daughter of John and Ellen (Keay) Chadwick, by whom he has one child-Herbert W. He was at one time Treas- urer of the village. Votes the Republican ticket.

WILLIAM HOMAN, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born August 22, 1824, in Virginia; is a son of Joseph and Martha M. Homan, natives of the same State. The parents settled in Mus- kingum County, Ohio, in 1832, where they reared nine children, five of whom are living- William, John, Walter, Ira and Allen. The par- ents were Presbyterians. Mr. Homan had some school advantages. Was married, in 1849, to Martha Hill, a daughter of John and Esther (Marsh) Hill, natives of, the father Pennsyl- vania and the mother New York; she was one of eleven children, eight of whom survive- Joseph, Martha, H. D., Clarinda, Lueinda, Will- iam, Hugh M. and Esther. Mrs. Iloman was born May 22, 1824, and has blessed her lius- band with two children living and one deceased -Joseph and William E .; Emma, deceased. Mr. Homan settled where he now lives in 1868; has 160 acres of fine land; has held some small offices; he is a Democrat.

FRANK HORAN, farmer, P. O. Gardner, was born September 9, 1851, in Chicago; is a son of Owen and Mary (Kernan) Horan, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to Chicago be- tween 1833 and 1840; the mother was one of ten children, four living-Mary, Catharine (Mrs. ' P. A. Fennerty. of Chicago). B. F. and

Ellen, the wife of A. G. Willard, of Chicago. Our subject was one of five children-P. A., Frank. Ellen, John and Lettic. The father fol- lowed engineering of lakes and farming, hav- ing located where Frank now lives in 1859. At his death, he owned 210 acres of well-improved land, which the family still owns. Frank had some school advantages, and early embarked in farm life. Was married, 1878, to Hannah Walsh, a daughter of Richard and Catharine (McNamara) Walsh, natives of Ireland. Her father came to La Salle County, Ill., in 1848, and her mother in 1837. Hannah and Ellen are the only ones living from a family of six children. Mr. Horan is now Commissioner of Highways. His union has blessed him with three children-Frank, Henry and Lester J. He and wife are Catholics; he votes the Repub- lican ticket. His father died August 20, 1862, and his mother is living in Ottawa, Ill.

O. T. HOUSE, grocer, Braceville, was born June 19, 1857, in Bristol, Conn., is a son of Alfred and Ellen (Taylor) House, natives of the same State, and the parents of four chil- dren-Ralph O., Nettie, Minnie and O. T. The parents came to Beloit, Wis., in 1864, and are now residing in Wilmington, Ill. O. T. attend- ed school at Rockton, Ill. He began the gro- cery business at Braceville November 20, 1881, and has a large stoek of everything that constitutes a first-class retail grocery. Was married June 19, 1882, to Lillian Quacken- bush. lle worked for some time in the paper mills of M. D. Keeney, of Wilmington, by which he obtained the means to start his pres- ent fine business. Was a member of the I. O. O. F. of Wilmington, but severed his connec- tion on account of moving away.

GEORGE LITTLEJOHN, farmer, P.O. Gard- ner. Mr. Littlejohn was born January 17, 1845, in Scotland; is a son of Hugh and Eliza- beth (Wilson) Littlejohn, natives of Scotland and parents of three children-George, Susan and Jeanie: the father died Angust 18, 1869 ;

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the mother was born February 12, 1810, and is living with the subject; she and her husband helped to organize the first Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, La Salle County, and Gardner, this county, and he was Elder in the latter. Their children were sent to school at a pioneer build- ing beyond the river, and were compelled to cross the same with a boat, or on the chunks of ice. George was married, January 15, 1871, to Isabel Smith, a daughter of James aud Jean (Menzies) Smith, natives of Scotland; her parents emigrated to this country in 1854, and in 1858 they settled in Greenfield Township, this county; they were blessed with six chil- dren-James, Isabel, Alexander, Robert, Eme- line and Albert. Her mother died in 1861, and her father was subsequently married to Mrs. Mary Gleghorn. The parents are Presbyterians. Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohn have three children as a result of their union-Hattie, Mabel and Hugh; they have 120 acres of fine land. He enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Fifty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. L. was born May 21, 1848.

JAMES M. LAYMON, farmer, P. O. Coal City, was born September 4, 1807, in Clermont County, Ohio; is a son of Abraham and Eliza- beth (Goodpaster) Laymon, natives of Tennes- see, and the parents of ten children-James MI., Elias, David, Will, Cynthia, John, Rachel, Frank, Cornelius and Jesse. The parents were Baptists. Our subject took chances at sub- scription schools, and worked on a farm. Was married, in 1825, at the age of eighteen. to Maria Sloan, a daughter of George and Sarah (Story) Sloan, natives of Pennsylvania and the parents of seven children-Nellie, Thomas, Mary, Margaret, John, William and Maria ; her parents were Methodists. At marriage. they settled in Ohio, and thence to Indiana in 1842, settling near Crawfordsville, where they farmed for about four years, and then continued thesame in Bartholomew County, the same State, . Peace in Braidwood ; is a member of Braid-

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 56

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