USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
J. P. Rieman was born near Gettysburg, Adams Co., Pa., Jan. 7, 1827; came to Warsaw in April, 1854; was a son of John and Lydia Rieman. He worked as a laborer at various occupations until 1863, when he purchased an interest with Christian Green in a flour mill, and has since continued in business there. The mill is now known as the "Eagle Mills" of Warsaw. The capacity of this mill is 30 barrels per 12 hours, and the flour is of the very best quality. They also manufacture patent flour. They use McGin-
667
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
nis's patented smutter. Mr. Rieman was married to Martha Ann Benson in 1855, by whom he had 4 children; of these, 2 are living, Edward F. and John William.
Silas Robinson, son of the noted Fayette Robinson, America's great showman (more commonly known as "Yankee Robin- son "), was born in Dansville, N. Y., July 22, 1845. He was edu- cated in Canandaigua, N. Y .; when the war broke out in 1861 he enlisted in the 13th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, but was rejected on account of a wound he received in 1857. He came to this county in 1879 and edited the Augusta Herald for one year, when, in the spring of 1880, he removed to Warsaw, where he established the Warsaw Democrat, and also is editor of the Warsaw Daily Inde- pendent, the first and only daily paper in Hancock county since 1857. He was married Sept. 3, 1869, to Miss Jennie Smith. His father, Fayette Robinson, was born at Dennison's Corners, N. Y., and was the first to render the celebrated Uncle Tom's Cabin under a canvas.
A. Roesler, dealer in stoves, tinware, hollow-ware and house- furnishing goods, Warsaw, has, since 185, continued in this line of business, sustaining a high reputation and enjoying an extensive patronage. He was born in Germany; came to America in 1848, stopping in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1851 settled in Warsaw. In 1851 he married Miss Susan Rett, and of their 4 children 2 are living-Rudolph and Oscar. Mr. Roesler is the present Mayor of Warsaw.
John Scott, deccased, was born July 9, 1804, in Ashe county, N. C. He removed to Kentucky in the fall of 1816, and to Madison county, Ill., in 1817, when it was a Territory; then he moved to Morgan county, Ill., where for the first two years he had to go 80 miles to mill. He came to Warsaw in the spring of 1834. He was married Dec. 13, 1836, to Lonisa J. Frazier, of Quincy, Ill., and they have had 5 children, 3 of whom are living -- Mary F. (now Mrs. George J. Rogers, of Carthage), Louisa (at home with her mother) and John F., who is the present Deputy County Clerk at Carthage. Mr. Scott died May 1, 1865. He was a merchant and commission agent most of his life.
Christopher Stephens, deceased, was a native of Germany, and was born in 1802. He came to America in 1843, stopping for a season at Baltimore, Md., and in the year 1844 he came to St. Louis, and thence to Warsaw the same year. He was a wagon- maker at Warsaw for many years. He died in July, 1866, loved and respected by his many friends and acquaintances. He was a prom- inent citizen.
Rev. Peter Wallace, pastor of the Warsaw M. E. Church, was born in Mason county, Ky., April 11, 1813, and is a son of Thomas and Catherine Wallace, deceased. His parents removed to Brown county, Ohio, when he was but an infant. He was here reared on a farm, with but limited educational advantages; but by hard study he has mastered several branches of literature and science, and is
668
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
therefore a self-made man. He came to Springfield, Ill., in 1833; and in 1835 married Miss Emeline Johnson, by whom he had 6 children. Of these, 3 are living: viz., Joseph, Laura (now Mrs. Clark), and Emma (now Mrs. Arrowsmith). Mrs. Wallace died Oct. 18. 1860. While a young man in Springfield Mr. Wallace had for associates such persons as Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, E. D. Baker, Milton Hay and others, afterward noted men. His first vote was cast for Lincoln for the Illinois Legisla- ture. Mr. W. became a member of the M. E. Conference at Beards- town, Ill., in 1853. He labored in the ministry until 1860. In 1862 he organized a company of soldiers, mostly from Sangamon county. which was mustered into the United States service Ang. 21, 1862. Mr. Wallace was elected Captain of the company, and they partic- ipated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Nashville, and other smaller engagements. He commanded the regiment during most of the battle of Stone River. He was discharged from the service on account of physical disability in May, 1864. He then supplied the Park Street M. E. Church, of Cincinnati, O., until his own (Illinois) conference met at Danville. Ill., in the fall of the same year, when he received an appointment to Moweaqua. He was appointed Presiding Elder of Mattoon district in 1867, and in 1871 was appointed Presiding Elder of Quincy district, which he trav- eled for four years. He was President of the Board of Trustees of Chaddock College six years; afterward pastor at Winchester and Beardstown stations, and is now stationed at Warsaw, Ill., in charge of the M. E. Church.
Major John R. Wilcox, the subject of this memoir, was born in Addison county, Vermont, in 1798. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of that State. His childhood and youth were em- ployed in obtaining the best education that the schools of his native town afforded. In very early life he accompanied his father to Portage county, Ohio. In 1818 he was appointed a cadet to West Point, by Congressman Sloan, and performed the journey from his home to West Point, a distance of many hundred miles. on horseback. He graduated in 1822, received an appointment of 2d Lientenant, and was ordered to Fort St. Anthony. He arrived at the fort about the time ofits completion, and was present. when General Scott, in compliment to its brave commander, Col. Snelling, changed its name from Fort St. Anthony to Fort Snelling. The winter of 1822-'23 he spent in Jefferson Barracks, and in the spring was ordered to Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, Ill., at that time considered the ne plus ultra of civilization. In the fall of 1823 he acted as second in a duel that was fought between Col. Marston, the commander of the fort, and Captain Home. In 1824, Major Wilcox resigned his commission in the army, and soon after received an appointment in the American Fur Company. In 1826 he went to the Galena lead mines, but subsequently returned and settled in Warsaw, where he resided until his death, in 1839. In 1824 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kinney, daughter
669
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
of Col. Lonis Kinney, one of the first settlers of Lonis county, Missouri. The fruits of this union were 7 children, 3 of whom died in infancy. Major Wilcox died at his home in Warsaw, on the 3rd of October, 1839, which event had been preceded by the death of his amiable and accomplished wife, two years before. Major Wilcox was a social, benevolent, high-toned gentleman-a man of understanding, well informed, sincere, and honest. His feelings were strong but tender, and in the domestic circle they shone with peculiar lustre. To the testimony of private friendship may be added that of less partial strangers, who have borne witness to the many virtnes of one whom it was impossible to know without esteeming, or to see without admiring. Major and Mrs. Wilcox left 4 children. The eldest daughter, Martha, attended school in Hancock county for several years after her father's death, then went to Ohio, completed her education, and married Dr. William English, who was for many years a prominent physician of War- saw. The second daughter, Elizabeth, was adopted and raised by an aunt in Ohio, where she married and is still living. The young- est daughter, Virginia, was adopted by another aunt, Mrs. Gal- land, wife of Dr. Galland, a gentleman who occupied a prominent place in the early history of Hancock county. This daughter, cele- brated as well for her amiability and grace of manner as for her wit and beauty, married Mr. William Ivens, of Keokuk, Iowa, and with the exception of a few years spent in California, has resided in that eity, an acknowledged queen of society. Their only son, Louis Kinney Wilcox, was reared and educated in Vermont; returned to Warsaw in 1848. and commenced the study of medi- cine with his brother-in-law, Dr. English; attended lectures at the medical college in St. Louis, from which institute he graduated with high honors. In 1852 he commenced the practice of medi- cine in Warsaw, and, with the exception of a year spent at the medical college at Philadelphia, and three years in the army, has made that city his home, where he has had for many years an extensive and lucrative practice, being considered one of the most skillful and prominent physicians in the county. Major Wilcox and his wife passed away in the summer of their lives, ere the journey of life was half completed; passed away while yet the golden floss of youth entwined their hearts, and the dim gray shadows of old age were but phantoms hovering in the distance. For long years they have slumbered in their darkened palaces of rest, and while the pitying stars have kept their everlasting watch and ward above them, and the night winds have sung a never-ceasing requiem o'er their graves, the Genins of improvement has passed with hurried tread over the scenes once familiar to their mortal eyes.
Capt.J. B. Williams was born in Madison county, Ky., March 28, 1816, and is a son of Levi and Polly (Reid) Williams, also natives of Kentucky, who came to this county in 1831. Mr. Levi Williams was a soldier in the war of 1812, the Black Hawk war and the Mormon war. Ile was the father of 6 children, of whom
670
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Captain Williams was married in 1849, to Miss Angeline A. McMahan, daughter of Andrew McMahan, of Warsaw. This union has been blessed with S children, of whom but 3 are living,-Mary, Flora J. and Thomas L. Mr. Williams operated the steam ferry at Warsaw for eight years, and since 1865 has been a Captain for the Eagle Packet Company, now operating on the Mississippi at all points between St. Louis and Keokuk. He still owns the old homestead on the N. W. ¿ of sec. 6, Walker tp. Thomas L. Williams is engaged in farming near Warsaw.
Amos H. Worthen was born in Bradford, Orange county, Vt., Oct. 31, 1813 ; was married to Miss Saralı B. Kimball, of Warren, N. H., Jan. 14, 1834; removed to Harrison county, Ky., and taught school a year; thence to Illinois in 1836, locating in Warsaw. In that place he entered into the mercantile business, which he follow- ed for a number of years, with moderate success.
In 1851 Mr. W. was appointed assistant geologist in the Illinois Geological Survey, and remained in that position for about three years. In 1855 he was appointed an assistant in the Geological Survey of Iowa, and was thus engaged when he was appointed State Geologist of Illinois by Gov. Bissell, March, 1858.
Prot. Worthen may justly be termed a self-educated man. With no education beyond that acquired at the common schools of New England, and no scientific training, he took up the study of geology and mastered it, to an extent excelled by few; and this, too, after his settlement in Warsaw, and amid the cares of a family and while engaged in business.
His attention was first drawn to the science of geology by observing the interesting minerals and fossils that were met with in such profusion on every hand. We well remember seeing him out in the morning or evening, with basket and hammer, rambling over the bluff's and among the ravines, collecting specimens, and then thought he was unprofitably engaged. The ravines were then full of geodes that had weathered out of the decomposing shales of the geode beds, and the beautiful crystals with which they were lined were objects of great interest. The limestones were also full of fossils; and although the forms of organic life they presented were entirely new to him, they excited an intense desire to know something of their history, and of the specific character of the animals to which they once belonged.
There had been no elementary work on geology published in this country at that time, and the first books he was able to obtain that contained any account of fossils, were a copy of Dr. Mantell's "Medals of Creation," and "Wonders of Geology," published in England. These, though they threw no light on the specific char- acter of the specimens he gathered in his excursions among the rocks here, gave him some insight into the manner in which the rocks were formed, and how the remains of living beings came to be preserved in them. By collecting the minerals and fossils that
671
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
were found in the vicinity of Warsaw, and exchanging them with other collections, he gradually acquired the information so much desired. Through these collections and exchanges, and by other means, Prof. W. obtained a valuable geological museum, which, when he was called to Springfield, thousands would not have pur- chased. Subsequently the first volumes of the Paleontology of New York were published, affording the first figures and descriptions of American fossils that he had been able to obtain. Those who com- mence the study of geology now, when the characteristic fossils of every formation on the North American continent have been figured and described in published works, that are accessible to the student, in public and private libraries, can form but little idea of the diffi- culties with which students in the same field had to contend 40 years ago.
Prof. Worthen's labors as State Geologist resulted in an extended survey of every county in the State, and the publication of six large volumes as a record of the work,-a publication deemed of great value to the scientific world.
More lately Gov. Cullom has appointed Mr. W. to the position of Curator in the State Historical Library and Natural History Museum, a post which he now holds.
Rev. L. Zumbuehl, present Pastor of the Catholic Church in Warsaw, a native of Switzerland, was in 1846 in the city of Lu- zerne. He entered the college of said city in 1860; in 1864 he con- tinned his classical course in the renowned College of Schwyz, a town in the Canton Schwyz. After having been a short period a member of the University in Friburg, Baden, he graduated in the Theological Seminary of Kür Graubündten, in the Grisons, and was admitted to the dignity of priesthood the 19th day of April, 1870. He emigrated with the Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, Rt. Rev. Rapp, to his first field of labor. In 1877 he started West, and joined the newly established Diocese of Peoria, Ills., of which the nephew of the deceased Archbishop Spalding of Baltimore, the most learned and eloquent T. L. Spalding, is the first Bishop.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Below is a list of the officers who have served the township since its organization, as near as could be compiled from the records:
SUPERVISORS.
Lemuel Mussetter. 1850
Charles A. Warner .. 1871
John Peyton.
1854
Charles C. Hoppe.
1873
Charles Coolidge.
1858
John H. Finlay. 1875
Thos. C. Sharp.
1862
Henry R. Chittenden.
1877
William H. Roosevelt.
1864
Lemuel Mussetter
1878
Joseph M. True. 1866
Fred Dross .. 1879
B. Frank Marsh.
1867
Charles C. Hoppe
1860
Oliver Edwards.
1880
·
672
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
CLERKS.
Edward E. Lane.
1858
Thomas M. Brawner. 1870
Peter Baker .....
1861
John K. Simmons.
1871
Henry Albers
1864
Charles Hilker
1874
John K. Simmons.
1866
Peter W. Plantz. 1876-1880
ASSESSORS.
W. S. Hathaway
1858
Harvey Tufts. 1870
Joseph Burton.
1859
C. D. Kruskopf.
1871
W. S. Hathaway
1861
Frank Herberts.
1872
David L. Spencer.
1862
Calvin Cole.
1874
Frank Herberts.
1866
F. C. Floto
1875
William I. Price
1868
Franz Scherer
1879-1880
COLLECTORS.
E. D. Baldwin. . 1858
Abe Greenwood. 1873
Wm. W. Chittenden.
1861
Conrad Kehm. .
1874
Conrad Nagel. .
1862
Ed. C. Simms.
1875
George B. Worthen
1864
Peter Kaiser.
1876
Henry W. Comer
1866
Charles Weiseman.
1877
Francis Shearer.
1868
Willard G. Aldrich.
Peter Kaiser.
1869
Joseph Hartman
1879
Henry P. Roth.
1871
F. C. Floto.
1880
Henry P. Anderson,
1872
1
HANCOCK TOWNSHIP.
Township 5-5, in the center, on the east line, and improperly named after the county, was for some time attached to St. Mary's and Fountain Green. It is largely timbered and broken, but has some beautiful prairie land and fine farms. The west branch of Crooked creek runs an extremely tortnous course through this tp., entering it at sec. 26 and crossing into McDonough from 36. From the northwest corner of 28 to the southeast of 26, less than three and a half miles, this stream meanders a distance of about 12 miles, at one point making a circuit of over three miles and returning to within 40 rods of its starting place. It is appropri- ately named Crooked creek. The east branch enters the tp. from McDonough county, and the united stream flows again into that county from sec. 36.
Among the pioneers of this tp., we are unable to mention but a few; viz., Major Williams, the Yetters, Wrights, Spangles, Longs, Anthony Duffy, Dr. Wm. Booze, James G. Smith, T, B. McCubbin, A. G. Botts, J. Lenox, T. Callihan, Lewis Rhea, etc.
In all the earlier history of the county the people of this tp. were known as citizens of St. Mary's or Fountain Green, respect- ively, as they lived north or south of the center.
The mills on Crooked creek have, in the early days, supplied much of the lumber for the eastern portion of the county, and much of the flour and meal for their breadstuffs. But since the advent of railroads and the introduction of steam, and the gradual failure of the stream, they have fallen into decay. Timber is still plenty, and hard-wood lumber is still manufactured for local supply .
There is no village in the limits of this tp., neither is there a postoffice, the offices of St. Mary's, Fountain Green, Webster and Middle Creek supplying the inhabitants with their mail facilities.
In the south part of Hancock tp. is a locality known to the earlier settlers as Black Hawk Ridge, or Black Hawk Headquarters, from a tradition that the old chief inade it a frequent residence, during the Indian occupancy of the county. It has evidently once been an extensive Indian encampment, and even yet such relics as arrow-heads, stone implements, pottery and heads are found there. The forests and bluffs of Crooked creek and its trib- utaries are as much noted for these Indian remains as the bluffs along the river.
RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.
We have been unable to learn the actual number of Church organizations in this township, or whether there are any but the one
(673)
674
IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
church building. This one is situated on section 28, and about three miles east of the old Middle Creek Baptist Church, in Car- thage township. Concerning it we have no report. Members of the various religions societies south of the creek, it is presumed, unite with the Churches in St. Mary's, and those north of the creek with the Churches in Fountain Green.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Following are brief personal sketches of the more prominent citi- zens and old settlers, whose lives constitute an important portion of the history of this township:
Charles Austin, sec. 31; P. O., Middle Creek; is a native of Addison county, Vermont; born in 1830, a son of Francis B. and Eleanor (Whittle) Austin, also natives of Vermont. Charles emi- grated to this State with his parents in 1846, and at the age of 21 was united in marriage with Harriet S. Allton, who was born in Indiana in 1833. After marriage Mr. A. located in Fountain Green tp., and followed farming for six years; from there he went to MeDonough county and remained one year, and in 1868 located in Hancock tp., where he has since resided. He owns 80 acres of improved land.
Their marriage has been blessed with 5 children, 4 of whom are living; viz., Charles L., Sarah A., Richard L. and Harvey D. Mr. A. has held the office of Township Trustee for six years. He and his excellent wife are members of the Christian Church.
Mr. A. served his country three years in the late war. He enlisted at Fountain Green, under Capt. Campbell, in Co. A, 118th Ill. Inf. He was present during the siege of Vicksburg; was mustered out in April, 1865. Republican.
Lucius M. Austin, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Middle Creek. He was born in 1826 in the State of Vermont. In the year 1847 he located in Burlington, Iowa, and worked at the cabinet and chair business for five years. He then came to Hancock Co., Ill., in 1853, and married Elizabeth Hobert in Jan., 1853. Children by this union 11, 8 of whom are living; namely, Winfield S., Norman H., Errias, Lodenia L., Caroline, Febe, Harriet, James N. He owns 80 acres of land. Mr. A. and wife are members of the .Christian Church. He is a Republican.
Francis E. Belknap, farmer, see. 34; P. O., Joetta. The orig- inal ancestry of this family came from Wales about 200 years ago. There were 3 brothers, Joseph, Seth and Samuel. The subject of this sketch is a descendant of Samuel, who is his great-great-grand- father. His great-grandfather was Simeon, and Francis was his grand-father. His father was Francis, Jr., who was a native of Conn., and born in 1781. He emigrated to Ill. in 1836, in Han- cock township. sec. 33. Died in 1846.
Our subject was born in 1825, in Windsor, Conn .; was the oldest of 5 children. He came to Ill. in 1837, one year after his father
Anthony Supply
HANCOCK Tp.
677
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
died. Married his present wife in 1874. Her name was Emma Mitchell. He has been Town Clerk. Is a Democrat.
Lysander Belknap, deceased, was born in Connecticut in 1817. His wife's maiden name was Mary Thurber, and she was born in Illinois Dec., 1824. He emigrated to Illinois in 1836 and located on the farm where he lived until his death in 1876, at the age of 58. His wife died Nov. 12, 1879. Mr. B. came to Hancock county in an early day, and like the other pioneers, had experiences which were both trying and unpleasant. Although he lived in the county 44 years, he never made but one move, which was from the old log hut into his large farm dwelling. Mr. B. is the only one of the family who ever came West, excepting a half-brother, whose history appears in this work. Mr. B. owned 160 acres of land. The home farm is cultivated by his son Orville, who lives with his sisters Annie and Elsie in the home house. He was married March, 1844, to Mary Thurber, who bore him 10 children, 7 of whom are living, -Amelia, Annie, Scott, Willie, Orville, Walter, Elsie.
Joel F. Booz, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Joetta; was born in this county in 1841. Mr. B. assists in carrying on the farm of Mrs. John Martin. He married Miss Marietta B. Martin in 1867, and they have 4 living children .- John L., Charles L., William W. and Ethel Pearl. He has been Town Clerk, also Tax Collector, which office he now holds. He enlisted in the 10th Missouri Inf. in 1861. He was engaged in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and Port Gibson, and was taken prisoner at Jackson, and sent to Rich- mond, Virginia; was exchanged at Benton Barracks and rejoined the regiment at Corinth, Miss .; was in it till the close of the war. He is a Republican.
William Booz, M. D., farmer and physician, sec. 33; P. O., Carthage. In the person of this sketch we have one of the pio- neers of Hancock county, and a representative citizen of Hancock tp. He was born in Kentucky in 1831. His father, Richard, was a native of the same State, and was born Ang. 20, 1810. His mother was born in 1812; her maiden name was Frances A. McCallister. When six years of age William came with his parents to Morgan Co., Ill., in 1836, and in the following year to Hancock Co., where he has resided ever since. His father lived here until his death which occurred in 1845. During the next three years William spent his time in teaching and going to school.
He began the study of medicine with T. A. Barnes, of Carthage, Ill., and in 1855 he entered the Iowa State University and finished the course of study. Mr. B. then located on his .present farm and has resided there ever since. He afterward graduated at Keokuk in the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has been in the active practice of medicine in his home neighborhood for the last 24 years, and with one exception is the oldest 'practicing physician in the county. His success both as a physician and farmer has been flattering. He owns 280 acres of land. His home improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. B. has been personally
40
678
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
identified with the interests of his township for many years. Po- litically he is a staunch Democrat and has taken an active part in the politics of the county. He stumped the county in the Douglas and Lincoln campaign and met in joint discussion some of the prominent orators of those times. Mr. B. has also been an active citizen in promoting the moral interests of his community. He has been a licensed minister of the Christian denomination since 1849. Mr. B. was united in marriage to E. J. E. McCubbin, who was a native of Kentucky, born in 1832 and daughter of Joseph Mc- Cubbin, of that county. Twelve children, 10 of whom are living, have been born unto them: Sarah E., Lenora W., Fannie E., Joseph M., Emma W., Dora M., Elizabeth A., Willie M., Zilpha F. and Nellie J. Mr. B. has been Town Supervisor 112 years, and Assessor two years. Is a Freemason.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.