USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 68
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As recruiting was at that time going quite briskly for the Union army, he was often called upon during the fall of 1861 to attend meetings and speak in favor of enlistments. In this way he helped recruit the 2d Ill. Cavalry, the 7th Mo. Cavalry, part of which was raised in Hancock county; and, in the spring and summer of 1862, the 78th Ill., the 84th Ill., and the 118th Ill. Inf.
Major McClaughry was married on the 17th of June, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth C. Madden, of Monmouth, Ill.
On the 15th of Angust he enlisted as a private, in what was afterward known as Co. B, 118th Ill. Vols. Upon the completion of the company organization, he was unanimously elected Captain, receiving every vote except his own. He proceeded to Springfield and tendered his command to Gov. Yates, who at once commis- sioned him to take command of the five companies then organized in Hancock county, under the call of July, 1862, and conduct them to the rendezvous at Camp Butler, near Springfield. This mission he fulfilled, and after reaching camp, the 118th regiment Ill. Vols., was completed, of which he was elected Major.
In this capacity he served with his regiment in the campaign against Vicksburg, conducted by Gen. Sherman in the winter of 1862; the campaign against Arkansas Post, under Gen. McCler- nand in Jan., 1863; also the campaign under Gen. Grant, which resulted in the capture of Vicksburg in July, 1863; participating with it in the battles of Champion Hills (May 16, 1863), Big Black (May 17), the investment of Vicksburg (May 19), and the move- ments and battles of May 20 and 21, which culininated in the bloody but unsuccessful assault unon the Rebel works, May 22, 1863. He also took part in the siege of Jackson, Miss., July 1863, after which was ordered with his regiment to Port Hudson, and afterward to New Orleans, reaching the latter city Aug. 16, 1863.
About the middle of October of that year, his health failing, the Major came home on sick leave; but before he was able to
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rejoin his command, he was detailed by Gen. Banks, then command- ing Department of the Gulf, on recruiting service, and spent the early months of 1864 on that duty in Illinois.
In June, 1864, he was transferred from the field to the Pay Department, ordered to Springfield, and there served as Paymaster until Oct. 14, 1865, when he was honorably mustered out of ser- vice, having served three years and two months through some of the most difficult and exciting campaigns of the war.
But the Major was not long permitted to remain in private life. In November, 1865, he was elected County Clerk of Hancock county, and held the office until Dec. 1, 1869.
In 1869 and '70 he was associated with Messrs. Wm. Patterson, Wm. Timberman and Guy Wells, of Keokuk, in furnishing stone for the foundation of the new State House at Springfield, and also for the piers of the bridge spanning the Mississippi between Keokuk and Hamilton. It may here be proper to mention that he was one of the original incorporators of that Bridge Company, and voted steadily along with Col. Alexander Sympson, H. G. Ferris, A. J. Griffith and F. M. Corby, Esqs., against transferring the charter to its present owners until they would contract and bind themselves to make said bridge a wagon and foot bridge as well as a railroad bridge. They fought over the matter all one day with Mr. Strong, of Keokuk, and others, who represented the railroad, who urged that a wagon bridge could not be built in connection with a rail- road bridge. Major McClaughry and his associates maintained that it could and must be so built, or they could not have the char- ter, and finally carried the point, to the great benefit of Hancock county and the community generally.
In 1871 the Major removed to St. Louis to look after some quarry interests he held at St. Genevieve, but the venture proving unsuc- cessful, and his health failing, he returned in 1872, and was resid- ing at Monmouth when appointed Warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet, Aug. 1, 1874, which position he still holds.
Major McClanghry possesses remarkable executive ability, which, associated with good judgment and a kindly disposition, qualifies him pre-eminently for the position, and we but echo the prevailing opinion among the State officials and people, when we say that the penitentiary has never been under better management.
The Major is a good writer and fluent speaker, and in addition to the services rendered during the recruiting days, before alluded to, in behalf of the Union cause, he has since made many effective speeches in aid of the Republican party.
Francis W. Mcclellan, principal of Highland School, Car- thage, was born in Washington county, N. Y., in 1831, son of Robert and Eliza (Small) Mcclellan, both natives of that county, who emigrated to Will county, Ill., in 1850, where they resided until the fall of 1857, when they moved to Russell county, Kan., where they yet reside. The subject of this sketch was educated in his native county and began teaching in Will county, Ill., where he
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was engaged until 1856, when he moved to Tama county, Iowa. Here he engaged in teaching and served as Captain of Militia in the Home Guard. In 1863 he enlisted as Lieutenant in the 4th Iowa Battery and served until the close of the war. Upon his return in 1865, he was appointed principal of the Wills School, Iowa, where he officiated six years. In 1870 he purchased and set- tled upon a farm of 160 acres in Prairie tp., this county, and engaged in farming until appointed to his present position in 1879, when he moved to this city. He was married in 1856 to Miss Sarah A. Selvey, a native of Kendall county, Ill., who died in 1859. She was a daughter of Walter Selvey, Esq., a pioneer who participated in the Sank war. He had one child by his first wife, Francis H. He was again married June 9, 1870, to Miss Sarah R., daughter of Peter Jackson, and a native of Ohio, and they have 2 children living-Ethel C. and Myrta L. Mr. McClellan served as Assessor two terms in Tama county, Iowa, and was Justice of the Peace four years, and is a member of the Masonic order. Politi- cally is a Republican.
James W. McKee, farmer, sec. 16; P. O., Carthage; was born in Brown county, O., in 1840. His parents, James and Mary (Pang- burn) McKee, were natives of that State, and emigrated to Illinois in 1857, and settled in this tp., where they resided until their death. The subject of this sketch was married in October, 1859, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Wm. Weir, a native of this county. To this union 7 children were born, 5 of whom are living: Ida, Al- bert A., Margaret J., Effie and Maud; Edgar and Clarence are de- ceased. Mr. M. settled on his present estate in 1865, consisting of 40 acres, valued at $60 per acre. Also owns 33 acres of timber in Hancock tp. He is Road Commissioner. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. M. endorses Repub- lican administration.
N. P. McKee, dealer in agricultural implements, is a native of Brown county, O., where he was born in 1845, and is the youngest liv- ing child of James and Mary N. (Pangburn) MeKee, natives of Penn- sylvania, who settled in Ohio at an early time, and moved to this county in 1857, and died in 1859. He was a veteran of the war of . 1812, and his father, James, was a relie of the Revolutionary war. She died in this tp. in 1860. The subject of this sketch engaged in farming until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. F, 7th Mo. Cav., and served until the close of the war. He participated in the bat- tles of Lone Jack, Marks Mills. Prairie Grove, and others in which the regiment was engaged. He was principally engaged in scout- ing and hunting guerrillas. He was honorably discharged and mustered out at Little Rock, Ark. Returning home he engaged in farming two years, and in 1869 joined a partnership and entered the mercantile trade. Three years afterward he was appointed Constable and served one year. The following two years he served as night watchman in the National Bank of this city. He then became interested in the sale of agricultural implements, and has
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established a good trade. In 1870 he was married to Miss Ella R. Johnson, a native of this State. To them have been born 2 chil- dren: William T. and Irwin G. Mr. McKee is First Lieutenant of Co. G, 8th Regt., I. N. G .; is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican.
Thos. J. McMahon, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Carthage; was born in Hancock county, Ill.,in 1845, son of Andrew and Mary (Craw- ford) McMahon, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to this county in 1832, and settled near Chili, where he entered land. The follow- ing year he moved to Wythe tp. and secured the second farm taken up in that township. Grandfather Crawford also came in at the same time, and took up land, and the families are among the early pioneers of Hancock. Thos. J.'s mother died in 1870. His father resides in Wythe tp. Mr. McMahon has always been engaged in farming, and by industry and energy has made it a complete suc- cess. He was married in 1870 to Miss Anna, daughter of J. K. Shinn, a native of this county. By this marriage 3 children have been born, 2 of whom are living: Argyll J. and Letta May. Harry C. is deceased. The farm of 170 acres is valued at $60 per acre. He also has a large tract in Harmony tp., valued at $30 per acre. Mr. McM. is School Director at the present time, and member of the Christian Church. Politically he is Democratic.
F. B. Miller, of the firm of Berry & Miller, grocers and grain dealers, Carthage. The subject of this sketch was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1842; son of Erastus and Sophia (Gaylord) Miller, natives of Herkimer and Oneida counties, who emigrated to Han- cock county in 1864, and settled in Dallas tp., where he resided until his death in 1871. He was extensively engaged in the dairy business in Herkimer county, N. Y ., but lived a quiet and retired life during his residence in this county. The wife and mother sur- vive him, and are residents of Ilion, N. Y. Our subject first be- came engaged in the U. S. mail service, running between Ft. Madison and Davenport, Iowa. Two years afterward he began opera- tions in the dairy business in Dallas tp., in which he has been en- tirely successful. His stock farm at that place, consisting of 476 acres, is considered one of the finest stock farms in the county. With a large and convenient factory, and from 75 to 100 head of cows, he does a thriving trade. Mr. M. was married in December, 1871, to Miss Kate M. Black, a native of Pennsylvania, and their 4 children are-Grace, Frederick B., Henry B. and Maud. The eldest daughter is deceased. In November, 1879, Mr. M. commenced under the present firm name in the grain and grocery business. The house is one of the solid concerns in Carthage. He also has a farm of 185 acres of land in this tp., and is always busy in some department of his trade. He has been a member of the Masonic order for 12 years, and is a member of the A. O. U. W. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Republican.
William H. D. Noyes, M. D., was born in Bowling Green, Pike county, Mo., in 1834. He received his collegiate education at
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Mslarey CARTHAGE
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Shurtleff College, Ill., and attended medical lectures at the Mis- souri Medical College, at which institution he graduated in 1861. The appeal of the Government for troops awoke his enthusiastic nature, and he enlisted in Co. K, 16th I. V. I., and after a service of four months was appointed as Surgeon in the U. S. navy, and assigned to the bark Brazzalier, of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, stationed at Cape Hatteras. Subsequently he was trans- ferred to the flag-ship "Southfield," of Burnside's Division, and participated in the battles of Roanoke, Newbern, and other smaller engagements. From this department he was transferred to the hospital service, and assigned to a vessel running between St. Louis and Vicksburg. After a faithful service in this department he re- signed and began the practice of his profession at Pittsfield, Pike county, Ill., where he remained until he came to this county in 1864, and settled in this city, where he has since been in active and successful practice. He was married in 1863 to Miss Elizabeth Lynde, a native of Griggsville, Ill., who died in 1872. The Doctor was again married in 1874 to Miss Laura Miller, a native of New- ville, Cumberland county, Pa. They have had 2 children-Fannie E. and Mary C. One adopted daughter, Haidee, completes the family . record. The Doctor was elected Supervisor the spring of 1880, and fills the office of Master in Masonry. Politically he is a strong advocate of Republican principles and administration. His parents were M. J. and Eliza (Tate) Noyes, natives of New Hampshire and Kentucky. They were married in 1816, and the following year moved to Missouri, where they resided until 1842, when they moved to Pittsfield, Ill., where he founded the first newspaper in that county, and died in 1867. He was a farmer, but was promi- nently identified with the interests of his township (Bowling Green Mo.). Mrs. N. is, at this time, a resident of Pittsfield, Ill.
William Ogilvie, farmer, sec. S; P. O., Carthage; was born in Columbiana county, O., in 1808. His parents, George and Isa- bella (Forsyth) Ogilvie, were natives of Scotland and emigrated to America in 1800, and the following year settled in Ohio, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married in 1832 to Miss Hannah Campbell, a native of Armstrong county, Pa .; to them 9 children have been born, S of whom are living, as follows: Belle, George, Elizabeth, John, William, Hannalı J., James and Willie. Mr. O. settled in Schuyler county in 1850, where he re- sided until the spring of 1853, when he settled on his parents' es- tate in 1859, consisting of 80 acres, valued at $35 per acre. He is Town Trustee at the present time, and has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for 40 years. Politically he is a Democrat, "dyed in the wool," as was his father before him.
A. W. O' Harra, lawyer at Carthage, was born in Adams county, Ill., in 1857. His parents, Jefferson W. and Paulina (Robertson) O'Harra, were natives of Indiana and Illinois, and settled in Adams county in 1845, where he became prominent in the town- ship where he resided. He moved to this county in 1859 and set-
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tled in Bentley, where he now lives. The subject of this sketch began the study of law in the office of C. J. Scofield, of Carthage, where he entered the Carthage College, and was graduated at that institution with second honors of his class. He began the prac- tice of his profession in 1879 in this city, and though young, is an able and active practitioner.
Thomas H. Owen while residing in the county was one of its well-known and conspicuous men. He was born in Buncombe county, N. C., June [25, 1797. His father, Mosby Owen, was a well-to-do farmer in that section. At about 19, he, with his par- ents, removed to Franklin county, Ill., and settled in the town of Frankfort. April 2, at the age of 21, he was married to Miss Mary Wren, a native of Kentucky. About eight years afterward he became a professor of religion, and united with the Old-School Baptist Church, and soon after became an ordained minister, which position in good standing he ever afterward held. Mrs. O. also became a member about the same time and continued faithful through life.
In 1831 he removed with his family to Hancock county and set- tled six miles east of Carthage,-at that time not laid out. Mr. O. soon became prominent, religiously and politically. He led in constituting the first and all theBaptist Churches organized in the county while he was a resident, having sometimes the supervision of three or four, preaching alternately. He was long a member of the Middle Creek Church.
Mr. O. was strongly attached to the Democratic school, and was very popular with his party. He was several times elected to the Legislature, and held other offices of honor and trust, as will ap- pear in the course of this history. His friends claim that he was a stroug Anti-Mormon-"Held Mormon doctrines in perfect ab- horence, considering them a great nuisance and detriment to the country, and encouraged every lawful means to get rid of them; but disapproved of many of the unlawful measures taken by the party. He was a law-abiding man, and approved of the course that Governor Ford took in regard to sending troops to quell the disturbances and keep peace."
In the winter of 1846 he sold his farm to Joseph Craven, and purchased property near Nauvoo and removed there. The same year he was appointed Postmaster at Nauvoo, to succeed Almon W. Babbitt. In 1849 he sold off all his effects, and started for the gold field of California, accompanied by his two sons, L. F. and J. C. Owen, leaving wife and younger children with his son-in-law, Newton Cauthorn. They were over a year on the way; took the southern route, and did not reach California till the spring of 1850. Hesettled on a farm in Suisun valley, Solano Co., 50 miles west of Sacramento, and sent for the remainder of his family. In the fall of 1852 he was elected to the California Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and served through the term, thus terminating his official career.
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Longing for the Church privileges to which he had been accus- tomed, he began to look about for the scattered members, and found enough to organize a Church of the O. S. Baptists, at Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., the first of that order ever founded in the State. In 1860, Mr. O. wrote a book, entitled " Rise and Progress of the Church," many of which are now in possession of his friends in Hancock. In 1867 he located in Napa Co., where he resided till 1876. Here his wife died in the 79th year of her age.
Latterly, Mr. O. resided with his children at Santa Rosa, broken in health of body and mind, till the 27th of Feb., 1880, when he quietly passed away, in the S3rd year of his age.
The deceased left a number of children, some of whom were well known in the county, viz:
Adaline, eldest daughter, married in 1835, to A. B. Welch; died in Appanoose 1852.
Mosby Riley, eldest son, married to Miss Henrietta Patten, of Knox Co., in 1842; taught school in Hancock; studied law in Peoria and served as Mayor of the city; to Quincy in practice of law; thence to Benton, Franklin Co., Ill., where he was killed in the Rebellion troubles in 1862.
John Wren went to Cal. in 1851; to Arizona in 1864, as Captain of a volunteer Co .; was elected to Territorial Legislature, held other Government positions, and died there in 1877.
Leander married a daughter of Joshua Hobarts; resides in California.
Minerva, now Mrs. Newton Cauthorn, of Middle Creek, Carthage township, Ill.
Carroll, Ellen (Mrs. Cannon), Thomas Jefferson and Martin Van Buren all reside in California.
William A. Patterson, one of the early settlers (coming here in 1836), was born in Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., Jan. 24, 1811; leaving Somerstown March 2, 1836, he came the whole distance to this State by horseback, arriving in Coles county the 21st of that month; in April he came to this county, having spent a week in Iowa; this year he bought } of sec. 29, Prairie tp., and at once commenced work. He built a log house 16 feet square on this place in 1839 and moved into it, where he kept bach part of the time, and part of the time had a family with him. In 1842 he married Mrs. Georgiana Allen, and continued to live in this cabin and another until 1847. This farm and one on secs. 5 and 6, Bear creek tp., also one on 4 sec. of 22, Prairie tp. and a } of sec. 27, were all first improved by Mr. Patterson. His health failing in 1847, in March he removed to Carthage, where he took a prominent part in the politics of the county, running in 1848 for Sheriff on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by 75 votes majority; being a candidate again in 1850, he was elected; at the expiration of his term of office he erected the "Patterson House," on the southwest corner of the public square, opening it to the public; in the fall of this year (1853) he was elected County Treasurer,
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which office he held three terms. He kept the hotel until 1857; this year he sold the hotel and entered into partnership with Jacob Shoel in mercantile business; three years afterward they dissolved ; in 1866 he entered partnership with Mr. Hunsaker, and three years subsequently they dissolved; in 1872 he bought back the " Patterson House," which he conducted until 1879; but since 1877 he has been keeping one of the largest stocks of groceries, crockery, etc., in the city.
Matthew Patterson, the grandfather of the subject of the sketch, was an officer in the British army, and came to America connected officially with the engineer corps, during the French and Indian war, and was retired on half pay; he settled in Putnam county, N. Y., where he was living at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. His son, Alexander K., married Elizabeth Palmer, a native of Connecticut, and they were the parents of Wm. A., the subject of this notice. Her father, Ebenezer Palmer was a minute-man during the Revolution. The Palmers were of English descent, of Puritan stock, and emigrated to New England in an early day.
An amusing instance of pioneer history we will record here, as it occurred in the early days of Mr. Patterson's residence in this county, and when a small log building was the court-house. The Grand Jury held its meeting under a tree in a ravine near by, and the Petit Jury was holding its meeting in the open air at a little distance, when a thunder-shower began to approach. The Constable in charge, anxious to have his Jury agree in time to get in-doors before the rain commenced on them, and seeing that they were not likely to agree, threw off his coat and declared that if they did not instantly come to an agreement he would thrash every one of them. They instantly agreed, - so the story goes. The Constable was brought up before the Court and fined, but the fine was remitted.
Mr. Patterson as well as being an early settler has done much toward developing and improving this county, and always threw the weight of his influence as well as substantial aid, in favor of education, temperance and good order. He is one among a very few of the " Pioneers " that are still living, and we present his portrait on another page.
Luke P. Prentice, retired farmer, was born in Otsego county, N. Y., in 1817, and is a son of Nathan and Eliza Briggs, natives of New York and Connecticut, who emigrated to Illinois in 1836 and settled in McDonough county, where they resided until 1846, when he moved to this county and settled in Nauvoo, where they both died. He was an early settler of both counties, and residing on the main road for many years, was widely known and highly esteemed by all who knew him. The subject of this sketch was married in 1847 to Miss Christiana Hall, a native of Erie county, N. Y., who died in 1853. Two children were born to this marriage, Lucia 1., wife of William Walters, residing at Dallas City, and Mary E., wife of James Gill, deceased. His present wife, Lydia Quimby, is a native of Ohio. They have had 3 children, Wm. H., Ella
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and Addie. Mr. P. still owns the homestead at Nauvoo, and has for many years been largely engaged in real estate transactions. He was Alderman of Nauvoo many years, and served one year on the Town Board. When Ford called for troops, he was one to respond to the call with the militia of MeDonough county. His opportunities for an early education were quite limited, but by dint of energy and frugality he has accumulated a handsome property. In 1874 he settled on his present estate, where he is living in re- tirement from all active pursuits. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican.
Jesse B, Quinby was born in Harford county, Md., August 5, 1822. His parents settled in Wilmington county, O., where he was converted and joined the M. E. Church. In 1841 he came to Knox county, Ill., and qualified himself for the ministry at Abing- don College. In 1848 he entered the ministry of his chosen Church, serving his first year on the Macomb circuit, the next year on the Carthage circuit, the next on the Nauvoo, to which place he moved in 1851. In the latter place,. April 25, 1852, he married Miss Elizabeth H. Betts, and their children were: Mary Elizabeth, Erasmus Collins and Wilbur Chaffee, the second of whom only now survives. Mr. Quinby continued in the ministry until 1862, when he was on the Kickapoo circuit in Peoria county ; here his health began to fail and he returned to Abingdon and engaged in merchandising. At this place, April 22, 1864, his wife died, and the same year he removed to Carthage, continuing in the same business, and adding agricultural implements to his trade; in this place he married Miss Mary R. Sympson, of Car- thage, danghter of Alexander and Nancy Sympson. By this mar- riage were born Nancy Addie, Mattie Bell, Mary Sympson and Jessie May; the latter died in infancy. Nov. 21, 1878, Mr. Quinby ran a nail into his foot at Ferris, which eventually produced lock- jaw and intense suffering, resulting in his death, Dec. + following. He retained his faculties till the last, being able to converse intel- ligently except when under the strong influence of opiates. The funeral, which was one of the largest ever in the place, was con- dueted by an old friend of the deceased, Elder F. M. Chaffee. The burial was under Masonic honors.
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