USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 47
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The first sermons preached in Augusta township were probably by Revs. Wm. McCoy, Ralston, Boren and VanHorn; Father Cartwright a little later, and Rev. Lawton about 1834-7.
The Christian Church at Augusta was organized in 1843, at Mr. Gould's residence; James Stark and B. Gould, Elders; E. G. Browning, Deacon. First membership, Benjamin and Rebecca Gould, James and Mary Stark, William and Mary Ann Dron, Mrs. Cynthia Jones, Mrs. Nancy Tarr, Mrs. Mary Craig, and Hiram Jones. In 1851 the church building in Angusta was erected and dedicated. New building erected about 1870. Present member- ship about 230.
The M. E. organization was first in Pulaski; removed'to Augusta in 1849. Held first meetings 'in school-houses. First church erect- ed about 1856. New brick erected five or six years ago. Names of members at organization in town, by Rev. Halton: David Rice, class leader; Samuel Parrott and wife Mary; Thomas Leach and wife Dorcas Ann; Mrs. Sophronia Sullivan, Mrs. Elizabeth Ken- nedy and David Rice and wife Clarinda.
There is also a United Brethren Church near the southwest corner of the township, of which we have no particulars.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
As a portion of the history of Augusta township, we give bio- graphical sketches of pioneer and leading citizens, believing such personal mention forms the better part of local history. Those
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whose lives have made history deserve special mention in a work of this nature.
T. E. Antrim was born in Logan county, Ohio, March 15, 1828. In 1844 he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he has contin- ued to work to the present time. He owns one lot with dwelling, and one lot with shop in Augusta; has held the office of Justice of the Peace eight years, and Town Trustee three years. Was married in this county in 1850 to Elizabeth J. Saunders, a native of Ohio, born in 1832; they have had 6 children, 3 of whom are living, George, Orlando and Ada. In politics Mr. A. is a Republican, and in religion a Freethinker.
E. S. Austin was born in Connecticut April 27, 1809, and came to this county in 1843; was married in Ohio in 1835 to Julia R. Hawley, born in Ohio in 1807, and they have 3 children,- Julia E., Eugene S. and Lida J. Mr. A. has been Constable ten years, was through the Mormon war, and is a member of the Con- gregational Church. Mrs. A. is a Presbyterian.
A. E. Bacon, farmer, P. O., Augusta; owns 150 acres of land worth, $50 per acre, on sec. 14. He is a son of Benjamin and Lois (Everetts) Bacon, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Connecticut. He was born in 1811 in Vermont, and was raised on a farm; was in the mercantile business six years, and came to this county in 1857; was married in Vermont, in 1838, to Abigail Rowker, a native of Vermont, and born in 1815. They have these children: Anna E., Eleanor E., Hiram E., Carrie R. Mr. B. has been Justice of the Peace two terms; is a Universalist and a Democrat.
Benjamin F. Bacon, farmer, sec. 36; P. O., Augusta; owns 180 acres of land worth $50 per acre; is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Bacon, both of French descent; he was born in Missouri, Feb. 27, 1832, and came with his parents to this county in 1885; was married in Adams county, this State, in 1871, to Mahala J. Gordon, a native of New York, born in 1836; they have 2 chil- dren, Franklin and Mary L. Mr. B. is a member of the M. E. Church and is a Republican.
Nixon Balfour, farmer, sec. 26; is a native of North Carolina, born in 1826; came to this State in 1835, settling in Adams county, and came to this county in 1870. He was married in Adams county in 1848, to Keziah Robbins, who was born in 1826, and they have had 12 children, S of whom are living; James H., Andrew M., Theodore S., Mary E., Nellie D., Anna E., Minnie I. and Jennie E. Mr. B. is handling some fine horses.
A. J. Boman, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Plymouth; owns 159 acres of land, worth $35 per acre; was born in this county in 1840 and was raised on a farm; in 1860 he married Elizabeth C. Cooper, a native _ of this county, born in 1843, and they have 5 living children- Jennie and Jessie E. (twins), Marion W., Rosie E., Myrtie A. Two are deceased. Mr. B. has been School Director; is a member of the M. E. Church and is a Democrat.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
B. R. Boman, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., Angusta; son of James and Arcade (Sturgis) Boman, and was born in this county in 1837. He lives on a farm and owns 160 acres of land, worth $35 per acre. He was married in this county in 1867, to Mary Stark, born in this county in 1846. Mr. B. had but little property to commence with, but by industry and economy has acquired a good competence. In politics he is a Democrat.
E. K. Boman, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Plymouth; is a son of James and Arcade (Sturgis) Boman. He was born in this county April 13, 1826, and was the eldest of 11 children; was married in this county in 1852 to Mary Wade, who was born in Tennessee in 1834, and they are the parents of S children-Allie, Fannie H., Henry C., Paul K., Edward H., Benjamin R., Kittie F. and Ira L. Mr. B. has been School Director and Road Commissioner; was in the Mormon war; is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian Church.
James Boman, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Plymouth; is a native of Georgia, born August 10, 1803: came to this State in 1815 and to this county in 1834. In 1825 he was married, in Sangamon county, to Arcade Sturgis, a native of North Carolina, born Feb- ruary 28, 1802; they are the parents of 11 children-Ezekiel C., John R., William S., Melinda J., Rebecca J., James B., R. M., Benjamin R., A. J., Margaret A. and Arcade E. Mr. B. was in the Mormon war. He owns 70 acres of land, belongs to the M. E. Church, is a Democrat and is one of the old and honored citizens of Hancock county.
George W. Campbell was born in Schuyler county, Ill., in 1852. He is the namesake of his father, who died in 1865; his mother is at present the wife of Squire Gould, of Adams county, Ill. Her maiden name was Esther Harney, and she married Mr. Gould in 1876. Mr. C. was educated in the common schools of Augusta, and resides on section 30. September 6, 1873, he married Elizabeth Worman, and they are members of the United Brethren Church. His father was of German descent. He is a farmer and a Democrat.
John H. Catlin, farmer and stock-dealer, son of Joseph and Calista (Hawley) Catlin, was born in Georgia in 1821, and is of English descent. The first of the name of Catlin in America is Thomas Catlin, of Hartford, Connecticut, who came to America in 1687. John H. came with his father's family to this State in 1832, and he now lives on the same farm where his father settled. He owns 800 acres of fine land, worth $50 per acre. He was first married in this county in 1845 to Lydia Hawley, born in Ohio in 1823 and died in 1860. They had 3 children: Allie S., wife of James Stark, Camelia, and Nettie, wife of Benjamin Crane, of Augusta. In 1861 he married Alice E. Adams, a native of New York, born in 1829. Mr. Catlin has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years; helped lay out the town of Augusta. and was on the first School Board. He is one of the most extensive
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
stock-dealers in Hancock county. Is a Republican, and himself and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.
Wilson Chambers, farmer, sec. 21; P. O., Augusta; owns 75 acres of land, worth $50 per acre. He is a native of North Carolina, and was born in 1804. He came from Tennessee to this county in 1844; in 1825 he married Elizabeth Ridings, a native of North Carolina, born in 1802, and raised in Tennessee. They are the parents of 9 children-John M., James R., Joel R., Martha J., Laura, Emily, and Susan. Two are deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Baptist Church.
Benjamin B. Crain, dry-goods merchant and clothier, is a son of William and Harriet (Tongue) Crain, who came to this county in 1834. He was born in Schuyler county, this State, in 1851, and has been in business in Augusta since 1878, where he commands a large trade. He was married June 1, 1877, to Nettie A. Catlin, a native of this county, and they have one child, Lydia R., born June 18, 1878.
Alexander Denny, deceased, was a native of North Carolina, and came to this county in 1833. In 1822 he was married in Bond connty, this State, to Elizabeth Gilmer, who was born in Kentucky in 1805 and died in 1837. They had 6 children-John, Henry, Brown. Lee, Mary, and Robert. In 1839 Mr. Denny married Sarah Allen, born in New York in 1812, and they had 4 children, one daughter and 3 sons. Mrs. Denny died in 1851, and in 1852 Mr. D. married Margaret S. Denny, who was born in North Caro- lina in 1809, and they had one child, Hiram F. Mr. D. was a Republican, and at the time of his death owned 160 acres of land.
G. N. Edwards was born in Nebraska in 1856, and is a son of George and Mary Edwards, both of English descent. He came to this county in 1866. and in 1880, in Schuyler county, he married Fanny Pearce, a native of North Carolina. He owns 20 acres of land in Pulaski, with dwelling house,-also a coal bank or shaft, which takes up as many as 200 bushels per day, and this generally sells at seven cents per bushel; the coal is of excellent quality. Mr. E is a Republican. P. O., Augusta.
David Ellis, physician and surgeon, was born in Kentucky in 1826; came to this county in 1852 and settled in Augusta. In 1847 he commenced the study of medicine, and gradnated in 1852; he was married in Kentucky in 1855 to Elizabeth T. Fisher, who was born in Kentucky in 1833, and they have 6 children, James P .. Mary (wife of Richard Valentine, of Ky.) John, David and an infant. One is deceased. The Doctor owns 160 acres of fine farm land, and one lot with dwelling. He is liberal in his relig- ious views.
J. P. Fosdyck, carpenter and joiner, was born in New York in 1829, and came to this county in 1857; was married in New York in 1850 to Abigail McCann, also a native of New York. They have 8 children. Mr. F. owns three lots, one with dwell- ing and one with shop. He is a Freemason and a Republican.
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James Garwood, farmer, sec. 11; owns 240 acres of land, worth $35 per acre. He was born in this State in 184S, and came to this county in 1860; was married in 1876 to Mary McClain, who was born in this county in 1850, and they have 2 children -- Mabel, born June 17, 1878, and Jennie, born 1880. Mr. G. is a member of the Christian Church and a Democrat. P. O., Au- gusta.
G. W. Hawley, deceased, was born in Ohio in 1806, and came to this county in 1833, settling in Augusta. He built the first store-house, and bought and sold the first dry goods . brought to Augusta. Mr. H. was first married in Ohio to Julia W. Sale, born in Connecticut, and died in 1834. They had 2 children, one liv- ing-Edgar E. In 1855 he again married, in Connecticut, Mary F. C. Chapman, born in 1810. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1873, Mr: Hawley owned 120 acres of fine farm land; the widow lives on the old homestead. He was an industrious man and a good citizen.
B. P. Hewitt, attorney at law, was born in Ohio in 1818, and came to this county in 1864. He was married in Ohio in 1837, to Esther McLain, also a native of Ohio, born in 1818, and they have had 6 children, 4 of whom are living. Mr. Hewitt has held the office of Circuit Judge for nine years. He is a Master Mason, and owns one lot with dwelling.
O. Horton, veterinary physician and surgeon, is a native of Ohio, born in 1840, and is son of Silas and Virginia Horton, both natives of Ohio. Nov. 6, 1865, he married, in Fulton county, Lau- setta Shayga, also a native of Ohio, born in 1842; they have one child,-Belle. The Doctor settled in Augusta in 1875, where he has since practiced his profession, commanding an extensive patronage. He is a Democrat.
Johnson Irwin, farmer, sec. 9; P. O., Augusta; was born in Ohio in 1818, and came to this county with his parents in 1837. His father was William and his mother Mary (Johnston) Irwin, both natives of Ohio, the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch descent. In 1857 he married Sallie A. Tucker, born in 1834, and they have 3 children-Jennie, Whitney L. and Joseph M. He was in the Mormon war and is a Democrat.
J. R. Kelly, physician and surgeon, is a native of this State, born in 1847. In 1872 he graduated at the Michigan University, and commenced the practice of medicine in Kensington, Adams county, this State, and in 1878 settled in Augusta, where he has since had a large and successful practice. He was married in Adams county in 1873, to Maggie E. Richardson, born in that county in 1855, and they have 3 children -- Helen F., Melvina C. and Mabel.
Jacob Klepper, keeper of sale, livery and feed stable, was born in Schuyler county, this State, in 1835, and came to this county in 1874. He was married in Putnam county in June, 1859, to Cynthia Alvin, who was born in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Klepper have 3 chil- dren, Nancy R., Asenath and Clyde. He owns two lots, one with
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
dwelling and one with stable. He keeps a full supply of horses and buggies. He belongs to the M. E. Church, and is a Free- mason.
John H. Lawton, born in Vermont, Feb. 22, 1819. In 1820 his parents removed to Hillsboro, N. H., and took the promising youth along. Went to school at three years, until 11 years old; then went to Boston for three years. In 1834 his father brought him to Ohio, and entered him at Oberlin College. It only took him three months to finish his education there, when he left and worked his way back to Boston, his father being in the West. In the spring of 1835 his father returned, and in the fall brought John with him to Carthage. Here his labors were multifarious; worked about town, helped get out the timber for the windmill, did the circular work on the first number of the Carthagenian. In the fall of 1836 went to New Orleans, and spent the winter shell- ing corn; summer of '37 back in Carthage; clerked some in Mat- thew's store; painted some for Homer Brown. Next six years were spent in Carthage, Warsaw, Commerce, St. Mary's, Montebello and New Orleans, clerking, painting, driving stage, blacksmithing, act- ing Constable, etc., etc.
June, 1845, Mr. L. went East, where, at New Salem, Mass., on April 15, 1847, he was married to Miss Hannah N. Felton, a native of that place, born Oct. 13, 1819. They are the parents of 4 children, all living. Lived at Plymouth during the past 24 years, where he was P. M. about five years.
Mr. Lawton claims that there is but one man now residing in Carthage-C. S. Hamilton-who was there when he came.
William E. H. Lemon, physician and surgeon, was born in Pennsylvania in 1848. He commenced the practice of medicine in this State, in Jacksonvile, in 1868, and graduated in 1871; he settled in Angusta in 1877, where he commands a good practice. He was married in this county to Adel A. Gordon, daughter of George and Louisa Gordon, both natives of New York they have 5 children, 3 liv- ing-William. Frederick and Bertha. The Doctor owns one lot, with dwelling and office. He is a Methodist and a Republican.
Edward A. Lyon, farmer and stock dealer, sec. S; P. O., Augusta; was born in Vermont in 1824, and was reared a farmer, which occupation he has always followed. His father, Alanson Lyon, was a native of Massachusetts and of English descent; his mother Harriet (Parrell) Lyon was also a native of Massachusetts and of Welsh descent. Mr. L. married in this county, in 1852, Julia H. Blandin, daughter of Joseph and Asenath Blandin; she was born in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are the parents of S chil- dren-Alice, wife of O. J. Colton, of Galesburg, Edward B., Charles A., George H., Willis L., Frederick. Mary and Albert. Mr. L. has been Road Commissioner, owns 380 acres of fine farm land,is a Presbyterian and a Republican. His father, Alanson Lyon, laid out Blandinsville, McDonough county, in 1838, and established a wagon factory where he employed 24 hands, manufacturing 400
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
wagons annually for several years. He made four trips to California, and finally died there in 185S.
A. B. Matthews, farmer, sec. S; P. O., Augusta; was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1817; was married in Parke county, Indiana, in 1838, to Emily Davis, a native of that State, born in 1818 and died in 1841. They had 3 children-one living. £
In 1842 he married Diana Kalley, a native of Indiana, born in 1828, and they have 9 children. Mr. M. owns 190 acres of land, and is one of the old and honored citizens of Hancock county.
Anthony Mc Guilvery, farmer, sec. 9; P. O., Angusta; son of Alexander and Prudence McGuilvery, the former of Scotch and the latter of German descent. He was born in 1818, in Ohio, and was raised on a farm. At the age of 18 he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for 15 years. He came to this county in 1855, and was married in Indiana in 1849 to Sarah E. Johnson, who was born in Virginia in 1825, and is a daughter of Lemuel and Permelia Johnson, natives of Virginia, and of English descent. They have 3 children-Melvina (wife of Alfred Stuart of this tp.); Katie, born in 1852; and William, born in 1854. Mr. McG. has been Commissioner of Highways, and owns 136 acres of land; he belongs to the M. E. Church, and is a Republican.
Dr. Samuel B. Mead-The parents of this gentleman were Jonathan Mead, born August 24, 1769, and Martha (Barnum) Mead, whom he married in 1798. She was a daughter of Dr. Samuel Barnum, of North Salem, New York, and died in June, 1812, leaving 4 sons and 3 daughters, our subject being the eldest, and was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, Oct. 18, 1799. A few days before her death her youngest son, Alfred, was born. He came to Augusta in 1836, but now resides in Colusa, Cal. The eldest danghter, Caroline, born early in 1801, now resides in Colorado. Jonathan Mead was married to his second wife, whose name was Betsey Bradley, of Greenfield, Conn., in 1817, by whom he had one son and two daughters. The second wife died at Augusta, this county, June 26, 1847, aged 65 years. Jonathan Mead died at Augusta September 11, 1851, aged 82 years and 22 days. He came to Augusta to live early in June, 1837.
Dr. Samuel B. Mead lived on his father's farm until about 15 years of age, receiving, during this time, a common-school educa- tion. He then received a collegiate course and graduated at Yale College, New Haven, Conn., in 1820. He studied medicine and received his diploma to practice from the same college, Feb. 25, 1824. He emigrated to Illinois in the spring of 1833, living a short time at Rushville; the following Angust he came to Hancock county and located at Augusta, then called " Oliver's Settlement," and commenced the practice of his profession, which he continued till 1860, commanding an extensive practice. He was next to the first regular physician that practiced medicine in this county. In 1833 Dr. Isaac Galland was said to be the only practicing physician in the county, and probably was the first. In 1834 Dr. John F.
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Charles settled in Carthage. On Dr. Mead's arrival at "Oliver's Settlement," now Augusta, he immediately selected a site for a dwelling; first had a well dug and engaged a hewed log-cabin built; this was in July. It was finished in August, and he moved into it, with his family. It was the first cabin built on the site of An- gusta. In February, 1836, the town was laid out by the proprie- tors, William D. Abernethy, Joel Catlin and Dr. S. B. Mead. Oc- tober 1, 1834, Dr. Mead was appointed "Surgeon Mate" in the regiment of militia for Hancock county, by Dr. Isaac Galland, Colonel; September 12, 1840, he was appointed Postmaster at Au- gusta; Nov. 14, 1840, took charge of the same and continued as Postmaster until Feb. 2, 1857. He received the first mail carried by railroad into Augusta, Feb. 6, 1856. He has kept meteorological observations for the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C., nearly since its beginning -- till it turned them over to the War Department, and he still keeps them. He has many years devoted much time to the study of botany, and has discovered several inter- esting plants. As a botanist he has a world-wide reputation, fre- quently receiving letters from Europe and other distant places, asking for information in matters pertaining to plants, etc. Several plants are named after him.
Dr. Mead was married to Arietta Purdy Jan. 9, 1822, daughter of Ebenezer Purdy, Esq., of North Salem, Westchester county, N. Y. She was born July 27, 1804. They had 6 children. Only one is now living, Mrs. Velia Bredett, of Augusta. Mrs. Mead died May 7, 1865. April 18, 1866, the Doctor married his present wife, whose name was Martha Putnam, of Putnam, Ohio, and whose father was a nephew of Gen. Rufus Putnam, the founder of Ma- rietta, Ohio. They had one child, Ora Mead, born Aug. 23, 1868. The Doctor is still living at Augusta, very pleasantly and comfort- ably situated, and is respected and honored by all. Although now nearly $1 years of age, he is still active, with his mental faculties unimpaired, and is prepared to enjoy life for many years to come; that it may be so is the wish of many friends. His portrait is found in this volume.
William H. Mead, attorney at law, is a son of Horace and Mary B. Mead, both natives of Conn., where he was born July 10, 1839. He commenced the study of the law in 1861, and was admitted to the Bar in 1862, and has been practicing up to the present time, commanding a good patronage. He was married in this county in 1862, to Ann V. Bacon, a native of Vermont, born in 1841, and they are the parents of 7 children-Mary V., Millie B., Charlie, Allie A., John A., Nellie and Jennie. Mr. M. owns one lot with dwelling, and 185 acres of farm land, worth $50 per acre. He has been Supervisor of his township ten years; Village Trustee fifteen years; is a member of the A. O. U. W. and I. O. M. A. He is a Presbyterian.
F. H. C. Newcomb, farmer and stock-raiser, is a son of P. P. and Sarah A. (Munson) Newcomb, the former a native of Massachu-
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setts and the latter of Vermont. He was born in 1829, and in 1860 he married Sarah E. Gordon, a native of New York, born in 1840. Mr. N. owns 220 acres of land in this tp .. and 240 in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Newcomb are the parents of 4 children, John E., Sarah A., Susan and Martha. Mr. N. makes the raising of fine horses a specialty, having some very fine and fast trotting horses, and also pacing horses. He is one of the solid and influential men of his county.
P. P. Newcomb was born in this county January 15, 1834, and is a son of P. P. and Sarah (Munson) Newcomb, natives of Ver- mont. He came with his parents to this county in 1830, first settling in Schuyler county, and in Augusta in 1836. He is at present engaged in the lumber trade, also keeps a good stock of agricultural implements on hand, and deals in grain. He has taught several terms of school, has been Supervisor of his tp. four years, and belongs to the Masonic order. He was married in this county, Jan. 15, 1869, to Mercy Compton, a native of this county, born in 1841. They are the parents of 4 children, James C., Alla H., Mary C. and Helen. Mr. N. is a Republican. P. O., Augusta.
Samuel Pickens, farmer section 35; P. O., Augusta; is one of the most extensive farmers in this tp. He owns 700 acres of land, and was at one time an extensive cattle, horse and mule dealer. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1810, and came to this county in 1850, where he still resides. In 1839 he married Nancy Steele, and they have 9 children, William A., Mary E., George W., Jehu P., Allen S., Arthur A., Edward J., Margaret J. and Amelia E. Mr. P. is a Democrat.
W. J. Pitney, Justice of the Peace and Collector, was born in 1824 and raised on a farm: was married in Ohio in 1846 to Anna Richard, a native of Ohio, and they have had 7 children, 3 of whom are living, Frank B., Florence T. and Wilborn R. Mr. P. has been Justice of the Peace 14 years; he owns 30 acres of land joining Augusta, and one lot with dwelling, and five other lots. He is a member of the M. E. Church and a Republican.
James Stark was born in the town and parish Auchter- muchty, Fifeshire, Scotland, about 1817. Parents were James and Jessie(Dron) Stark, both natives of the same place in Scotland. When his mother died, his father came to the United States, in 1837, locating in Hancock county, where he died, aged about 42. Our subject came to America in 1836, locating at Jacksonville, Ill., and afterward at this place. In 1838 he was married to Miss Mary York, who was born in 1820, in Kentucky, a daughter of Newman York.
Of this marriage were born James W., John N., Ellen M. (now the wife of D. P. Coffman, of Augusta, this county), and Mary J. In 1842 the subject of this sketch first came to Hancock county, locating at Augusta, where he immediately established himself in the mercantile business, and may be classed among the very first
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