USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 76
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He was early interested in the cause of the colored race, and more than once imperiled his life by his protection of fugitive slaves. After his death Mrs. Safford remained on the home farm, devoting herself to the care of their children and the management of the estate, until the spring of 1874, when she moved into a pleasant home in the village of Oakwood, where she now resides. Of 7 children 5 are now living, 3 sons and 2 daughters.
S. E. Simpson is a native of Cayuga county, Ohio, and was born Jan. 5, 1823. His parents were Sylvanus L. and Susannah (Harrington) Simpson. He was reared on a farm. and educated in a common school. In 1860 he married Miss Sarah N. Reed. by whom he has 3 children: viz., S. Ensign, Cassius A. and Empire L. He came to this county in the autumn of 1861, and settled on sec. S. Montebello tp., where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. His grandfather, Alexander Simpson. was a soldier in the Revolution, and his father served in the war of 1812. Mr. Simpson went overland to California in 1853 : from there to Mexico, and returned by ship in 1857. While in Mexico he was taken prisoner by the Mexicans, but they were compelled to release him.
Gen. Robert F. Smith .- This gentleman was born in Phila- delphia. Pa., August 2. 1806. and is a son of John and Mary (Ray- mend) Smith, natives of London. Eng .: was reared and educated in his native city, where he learned the harness and saddlery trade: he came to this county in the spring of 1833, but returned the follow- ing autumn: June 19. 1834. he married Miss Amanda Benton, and came back to this county. Their 14 children are all living; namely. Emma. Lonisa. John. George. Robert, Henry. Mary H .. Clara D .. Franklin W., Annette. Edward H., Alexander S., Eleanor S. and Cora. Mr. Smith was an officer in the Mormon war, and was wounded in the neck at the battle of Nauvoo: he also served with distinction in the late war. enlisting in Co. G. 16th Ill. Vol. Inf .. in 1861. of which Co. he was made Captain: he was soon afterward commissioned Colonel: he took part in the battles of New Madrid. Island No. 10. Tiptonville. Corinth. the bombardment of Fort Pillow and others. and was in reserve at Stone River. His regiment was ordered to Northwestern Missouri to protect the transportation line, where it remained during 1861-2. The Colonel became disabled by the bursting of a torpedo. and left the command when at Atlanta, Ga., but joined it again in about three months and remained in the service until the close of the war. He was bre- veted Brigadier General. He is now farming and raising stock. residing on sec. 27. this tp. P. O., Hamilton.
$17
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Samuel Steele (deceased), one of the pioneers of' this county, was a native of Hillsborough county, N. H .. born Sept. 1. 1796. He was reared in his native State, educated in a New Hampshire academy, and in after years followed school-teaching to a consider- able extent. He came to this county in 1830. when but few settle- ments were made: he was a soldier of the band of "rangers" during the Black Hawk war.
He was quite active in the expulsion of the Mormons. main- tained the right of executive power, and aided in carrying it out against those unchristianized, troublesome people. He was Justice of the Peace for 25 years, and also Assessor for several terms. Dec. 25, 1832. he married Jane Cochran. He was a farmer and lived in peace with all his neighbors. He died Nov. 30, 1861: his wife is vet living. at a very advanced age.
George Torber was born in Germany, May 16. 1822. and is a son of John and Sophia Torber. He was educated in the high school at Parchin, Mechlenburgh, Germany: came to New York in 1847. where he engaged in the manufacture of pianos for four years: then went to Louisville. Kr .. where he remained until 1856. when he removed to Tennessee. In 1860 he emigrated to Ohio, locating in Toledo in 1861. He came to this county in 1878. and engaged in the furniture and undertaker's business in Hamilton, in company with Chas. Dregeer. They also deal in the Palace organ, which is a very fine instrument, both in finish and in quality of tone.
Mr. Torber was married. in 1852. to Miss Margaret Kachelman. by whom he has had 9 children: of these. + are living, viz .. Augusta, Emma. George and Edward.
Albert Urton, son of Burr and Mary Urton. of Prairie tp .. was born Sept. 12. 1856, in Ohio. His parents brought him to Peoria county. Ill .. in 1856 or 1857. where they remained until 1866. then removed to this county. Our subject was married. Jan. 7. 1850, to Miss Emma J. Benson, daughter of Wm. Benson, of Mendon. Adams county. Ill. Mr. Urton is a farmer and resides on section 35. Montebello tp., on a very beautiful and fertile traet of land. His future prospects are bright, for his energy and diligence will erown him with success.
A. Vangerman, farmer, etc., sec. 22; P.O., Hamilton, Ill .; was born in New York, March 24. 1823; is a son of Abram and Christina Vanaerman. He received but an ordinary education: came to this county in the fall of 1854. and has since resided within its limits. In 1861 he enlisted as a soldier in Co. A, 1st Reg. Iowa Cavalry (an independent regiment): participated in the following skirmishes: Prairie Grove. Boonville, and Bice Mertra; at the last named place he was shot through the wrist, which disabled him. and he returned home. Aug. 6, 1864, having served three years. He was married. May 2. 1846, to Susan Wardwell. by whom he has had 4 children: viz .. Geo. M., Chas. H.,Wm. B. and Ranson D.
R. M. Wilson, farmer, sec. 9: P.O .. Hamilton : is a native of Ohio, and was born April 16. 1841. His parents. Robert and Mary Wilson,
S18
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
were natives of Penn. He was reared in his native State and received but a common-school education.
He came to this county in 1871 and has since resided here. He was married, Dec. 1, 1870, to Mary A. Buchanan, and their 2 children are Mary E. and Flora B.
Mr. W. owns a farm of 160 acres in secs. 4 and 9.
OFFICIALS.
The following is a list of the Supervisors, Clerks, Assessors and Collectors that have served in this township since its organization. with the years in which their respective terms began.
SUPERVISORS.
Robert F. Smith.
1850
Thomas Ruggles. 1867
Samuel Steele.
1852
Jonathan M. Berry 1868
Robt. F. Smith
1853
James Reynolds. . 1870
Thomas Ruggles.
1858
Jonathan M. Berry 1871
Thos. Mclellan.
1859
Thomas Ruggles. 1879
Ephraim Grubb
1861
David Hansor
1874
Thos. Mclellan
1862
Ebenezer D. Crouch.
1875
Wm. O. Sanford
1863
Sylvester L. Comer.
1876
Thomas Ruggles.
1865
Henry C. Hanson
1877
William Stewart.
1866
CLERKS.
Gideon Alkire.
1855
George D. Sarller. 1875
Samuel Gordon ..
1858
S. P. Hubbard.
18:6
D. W. C. Harris
1863
George D. Savller.
1877
Francis J. Russell
1865
Frank C. Crane.
18:S
Samuel Gordon ..
1866
Marshall B. Lane.
1880
Wm. O. Sanford.
1874
ASSESSORS.
Enoch D. Brown.
1858
J. C. Paxton 1867
A. L. Miller
1859
Cyrus H. Wright.
1870
Benjamin J. Welch.
1860
Henry R. Dickinson.
1971
Thomas Gregg.
1861
J. R. Marshall.
1872
E. C. A. Cushman
1862
O. J. Loring.
1874
Edward Law .. 1863
James Burchard.
1875
Edward F. Humphrey
1864
Henry R. Dickinson. 1876
Henry R. Dickinson.
1866 W. L. Guthrie.
1879-1880
COLLECTORS.
Samuel Gordon
1855
John McClaughry 1870
William H. Githens.
1858
John R. Marshall.
15:1
Thomas Reid.
1859
James E. Morrison. 18:2
Enoch D. Brown
1860
William C. Peake.
18:4
E. C. A. Cushman
1861
Edgar Stewart. 1875
Thomas Reid.
1862
David Suter .. 1876
Horace J. Mack.
1863
Ezra H. Stuart. 1877
Thomas J. Potts.
1865
David Suter.
1878
P. K. Tuttle. .
1866
Albert E. Connable.
1879
John R. Marshall.
1868
Edward Grubb.
1880
FOUNTAIN GREEN TOWNSHIP.
The beautiful village with fanciful name gave title to township 6 n. 5 w. It is agreeably diversified with woodland and prairie, and about evenly divided. Its timbered and broken lands lie along the several branches of Crooked creek.
The village of Fountain Green was laid ont in 1835, by Jabez A. Beebe and Stephen G. Ferris. two of its early and enterprising settlers. The township also contains the town of Webster. This was originally a Mormon town, laid out in 1840 by Wm. Wight- man, and called Ramus, or Macedonia. After they left. its name was changed to Webster. Its population in 1545 had reached about 600, mostly Mormons. The villages are only about a mile apart; the first is much better built than the latter. and seems to be in a more flourishing condition.
This township now contains a large number of excellent and well-improved farms and substantial farmers. many of them descendants of early settlers who have passed away. A few of them are yet remaining. their heads whitened by the frosts of many winters.
The earliest settler in the township is supposed to have been Ute Perkins, who came in 1526. The next was John Brewer. in 1827: followed by Abram. James and Mordecai Lincoln. Benjamin Mudd. John Day. Andrew and Pittillo Perkins and Wm. Savlors, all in or about 1830. Then Wm. Duff. Jabez 1. Beebe and Jona- than Prior, 1831: Stephen G. Ferris. 1:32: Amnos Hobart. 1833; Wm. Allton, 1834: Jary White. 1:35: Martin Hopkins. 1836; Col. Thomas Geddes, 1836: David Allton, 1536.
James Lincoln was the first Justice of the Peace in the town- ship. from 1532 to 1836. From his docket, still extant. in the hands of L. Vandyne, Esq .. of Webster, we obtain the following additional names, either as parties in cases or jurymen: William Robertson. Eben Wiggins. James Gray. Edward Farley, William Shipley, George W. Howard. John Secrist, John Massingall. Nich- olas Jarvis. Leney Blord. Edward Shipley. Ira Gridley. Samuel Prentice, Evan Martin, John Shelton. Jacob Coffman. Jacob Clark. Thomas Whitaker. Samuel Brown. Daniel Prentis and Anson Hobart. Charles Hungate succeeded to the docket in 1836.
On the tombstones in the Fountain Green cemetery we find the following:
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820
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Died. Aged.
Died. Aged.
Stephen P. Freeman.
.1860
70
Stephen H. Tyler, Jr
.1855
43
Wmn. Bullock.
1872
65
Hannah Tyler.
18:4
James Westfall.
1858
50
Eunice Ferris.
1860
72
Jary White.
1844
5%
Thomas Callihan.
1863
83
Lucena White.
.1864
74
Margaret Callihan.
1869
Basil Wright.
1865
56
Jared Prentis.
155%
53
Matt. Curry.
1864
46
John Campbell
1858
54
Matt. Curry
1870
SS
James Campbell
:1
Matt. Curry.
1876
Jabez A. Beebe.
1971
Stephen H. Tyler, Sr.
18:1
85
Some of the foregoing were very probably residents of other townships, and some may not have been among the pioneers.
The first child born in the township is said to have been Thomas J. Brewer. son of John Brewer. in 1829: the second. James Day, son of John Day. August. 1831: and third (perhaps second. date not obtained). Alexander Saylors, also in 1831, son of William Savlors.
The first death was that of Pittillo Perkins. Sept. 15, 1834. who died from the effects of poisonous herbs taken for the ague. Wm. Duff died 1837, killed by a limb falling on him from a tree.
The Perkinses joined the Mormons at Ramus, and went with them to Salt Lake. Andrew Perkins was a County Commissioner at the time, and left his seat vacant.
The Lincoln brothers were from Kentucky, and were cousins to President Lincoln. They were connected by marriage with Day and Mudd. The latter left years ago for Missouri. All three are deceased years ago: Mordecai, the latest, in 1866. He had lived a bachelor.
David Alton was born in Connecticut about the year 1786, and was married to Lucy Farwell, a native of Vermont. Mr. A. died at Fountain Green about 1850. aged 64 years. Mrs. Alton survived him till the month of May. 1880. when she passed away, at the ad- vanced age of 92.
A postoffice was established two years before the town was laid ont. in 1823. and Jabez A. Beebe appointed Postmaster. The first regular school-teacher is supposed to have been Judge John M. Ferris, son of S. G. Ferris, and now of Carthage. The first school house was erected about 1836.
Mr. Beebe was a New Yorker, born July 1. 1789: came to Fort Edwards previous to deep snow, and wintered on the Aldrich place in the vicinity : in the spring settled in Fountain Green, where he died July 2. 1871, aged 82.
Who was first to open store in the village we are not advised; but Martin Hopkins (at present living there), Mathew McClaughry and Stephen H. Tyler. junior. carried on general merchandising busi- ness there as a firm for many years. They were all prominent and much respected men in the community.
Wm. Saylors was born in Tennessee about 1802. came to Fonn- tain Green with the Perkinses in 1830: died in 1850, aged 4S.
John Brewer was a Kentuckian. died about 1852: was out in a campaign in the Black Hawk war.
S21
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Hickerson Wright. born in Virginia, 1791; came to the county in 1833; died, January, 1877.
Jary White, Sr., was born in Wales about 1790; came to America in 1811, and settled in Fountain Green in 1835; his death occurred September 8, 1844; aged 57.
John Day, born in Kentucky, 1796; came to Hancock in 1830; date of his death not given; Mrs. D. still living at an advanced age.
Daniel Prentis, still living in the village, was a native of Vermont, son of a Revolutionary soldier, and was born in 1799; came to Fountain Green and settled in 1833; was engaged in merchandis- ing in Carthage about 1835, and under the wild scheme of internal improvements had a contract with the State for grading a portion of the Warsaw & Peoria Railroad, in 1838-'9. "Prentis' Shanty," on the line of said road, was for years a well-known landmark.
RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.
Revs. Abell, Logan and Lawton are remembered as among the earliest gospel ministers in Fountain Green. There were a num- ber of Catholic families in the neighborhood, and a Catholic So- ciety was organized at an early day, and a house of worship erected about the year 1838. The organization was kept up but for a few years, when the edifice was sold. This organization was effected through the instrumentality of Rev. Mr. St. Cyr.
Of the several Churches in Fountain Green we have only been able to procure the history of the Presbyterian, for which we are indebted to Rev. Thomas M. Walker, its Pastor.
The Presbyterian Church of Fountain Green was organized Nov. 27, 1840. by a committee of the Presbytery of Schuyler (O. S.), consisting of Revs. Wm. Stewart and James M. Chase, of Macomb, in the district school-house in the village. Members enrolled: Thomas Geddes, Susan Geddes, James McConnell, Margaret McConnell, Martha McConnell, Samuel Glass, Rachel Glass, Jane Seal, Wm. Foy, Ruth Foy, Irene Foy, and Mary McClaughry; Thomas Geddes and James McConnell, Elders.
The congregation was supplied by the before-named ministers till the summer of 1849; then for nearly two years by Rev. Ralph Harris, residing in Carthage; afterward by Rev. Joseph Worrell, of Chili. In June, 1852, an invitation was extended to Rev. Thomas M. Walker to become the stated supply, and in 1853 he was regularly installed Pastor of the Church, and from that time to the present (1880), he has, almost without interruption, ministered to this congregation. Other Elders: Ang., 1852, James Blair, John M. Walker and James Miller; March, 1855, James Campbell and John McClaughry; Oct., 1874, Solomon Kions, Joseph Spangler and Cyrus M. Geddes. The present session consists of Thomas Geddes, John M. Walker, Joseph Spangler and Cyrus Geddes.
A neat and commodious house of worship was erected in 1851, costing about $1,000. In 1872 this property was disposed of to
S22
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the M. E. Church, and the new one now occupied, erected at a cost of about $6,000. This is a neat and handsome church, 34 by 62 feet, with a full-size basement, all suitably furnished.
This Church has enjoyed at least an ordinary degree of prosperity. In the winter of 1873 an extensive revival of religion added about forty to the number of its membership; and again, in 1875, seven- teen more were added by profession of faith. But while there have been additions, there have also been losses by almost contin- ual emigration to the West, so that this Church has stood in the relation of a feeder to many newer congregations in the localities beyond the Mississippi, and to some nearer home. There were 115 reported as members in the spring of 1879.
BIOGRAPHIES.
As personal sketches are the most interesting and important part of the history of a community, we give a number of them here:
William Allton was born in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1811. He is of a family of 11 children, 7 of whom are living. The father, David Allton, was of English descent; was a farmer by occupation; emigrated to Western N. Y. in 1820, and in 1836, to this State, settling in Fountain Green tp. He died in 1848, 65 years of age. The mother, who died recently, at the advanced age of 91, was also of Englishi descent and a native of the same State. The oldest daughter, Salona, the wife of Conrad Cratzenburg, died in this county in 1854. David F., the elder brother, was married in New York; emigrated to this State in 1834, and died in 1871, leaving a widow and 8 children. Lucy, the oldest sister, is the wife of Cyrus Kyes, of New York. Betsey, wife of Henry E. Vro- man, emigrated to this State in 1834; her husband dying, she married Clement Logston, of Macomb, who died in 1866. W. S., N. A., Elliott and Miles, are farmers of this county. Miles died a soldier before Vicksburg, in 1865.
William, the subject of this sketch, the third in age, in early life a farmer, emigrated to Rushro in 1833; was educated in the common schools. He was married in 1840, to Mary A. Gibson, who, with one child, died in 1843. He then came West to Indiana, where he was engaged for a time in merchandising at Crown Point. Here he remained eleven years, returning in 1854 to New York, and settled as a farmer. In 1860 he came to Knox county, near Galesburg, where he engaged in farming. He was married again, to Sarah Meredith, who became the mother of one child, Wm. B., who died with his mother in 1866. He was married again in 1874, to Miss Maggie Fitch, of New York, with whom, and their sweet little girl Lillie, he is now enjoying the greatest blessings of a domestic lite. Mr. A. resides within a quarter of a mile of the . village of Fountain Green, where he settled on a farm of 80 acres, in section 33, also 40 of timber. His neat and commodious
John Pitt
SONORA TP.
S25
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
residence stands upon a rise of ground so as to give him a view of the surrounding country to be seen in no other part of the tp. Mr. A. has never been before the people as a candidate for office, but from his extensive library, and his genial, social qualities, he would not be an unfit servant for any position in which his friends might place him.
Richard Branden was born in Adams county, Pa., in 1809, and died at the age of 45, near Iowa City. He was an early settler of this tp., and the father of a family of 11 children, 6 of whom are living. The mother, whose maiden name was Mary M. Favorite, of the same nativity, and of French-German descent, is living, at this writing, in good health, and enjoying a happy life at the old homestead. The family came from Ohio to MeDonough county in 1839, and in '46 to the farm now occupied by Mrs. B., on sec. 15, consisting of 160 acres. The oldest daughter, Teresene, is the widow of Daniel Kimport, of Pa. She now resides in Macomb. James F., now a widower, is salesman for the McCormick Reaper Company. He has 3 little children-Ernest, Richard B. and Myrt Mabel. Lizzie, the third in the family, is the wife of Robert Geddes, a farmer of this township. Richard B. died in the late war. Edward E. died in infancy. Mary A. died near the date of the father's death, at the age of seven. Elias M. (wife, Susan Hay) has one child, Bessie. Julia F. is the wife of John Miller. Edward B. is now carrying on the farm with his mother. George was born in McDonough county in 1842. His early experience was on the farm and in the common schools. He was married in 1871 to Miss Laura Geddes, daughter of Col. Geddes, a lady devoted not only to her husband and children, but to her Christian work. Mr. B. has a family of 2 sons and one daughter-Maud, Royle and Robert G. The Branden family are Presbyterian in religious faith and Repub- lican in political principles. George was with the memorable 118th under Col. Fonda; was gone three years, and was discharged when the war was over. He moved to his farm in 1871, and in 1876 built the neat residence which may be seen three-fourths of a mile south of Fountain Green. George is a wide-awake citizen, and from his movements does not intend to rest complacently and see the world drive unless he is one of the drivers.
John Bullock was born in Western Canada in 1819, his father emigrating from Scotland a short time before. Mr. B. is of a family of S sons and 4 daughters. Five of the sons came to this county. John came in 1853, ten years after his brother William, who is reckoned among the early and most progressive settlers. His father and mother died at an advanced age, at their old home in Canada. John stayed with his father until he was 26 years of age, when he began farming on his own hook. He was married in 1834, to Miss Jennet Anderson, a Scotch lady of refined taste and manners. She is now the mother of S living children-Margaret, the wife of A. M. Cratzenburg; Thomas, Gilbert, John, Jennet, William and Mary (twins) and Gracie, the youngest.
-
826
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Mr. B., learning of the agricultural features of this country, and being a farmer, came here for the purpose of staying. He makes wheat-raising a specialty, and considers it as sure as any other crop. He owns 260 acres of good land on sec. 16, all in cultivation or pasture. Himself and lady have been members of the Christian Church for 16 years. Mr. B. is not a Radical in politics. and the treatment a stranger receives at the hands of the family is indica- tive of their generous Scotch hospitality.
William Bullock, father of John H .. was born in Glasgow, Scot- land, in 1807; came to Canada in 1818 with his parents, settling at Lanark, in Lanark county. He was married about 1830, to Miss Christina McDougal, a Highland Scotch lady. His children were all born in Canada, namely. Catharine, Thomas A., John H., An- drew R. and James S. Mr. B. came to Hancock county in 1842, and resided in Fountain Green tp. until his death, June 23, 1872. His wife died May 24, 1845. Two of Mr. B.'s sons were in our last war. Thomas A .. a member of Co. A, 118th Ill. Vol. Inf., and John H. in Co. G, 2d Ill. Cav. The company was raised by Col. B. F. Marsh, as good a commander as ever drew a saber.
Thomas Campbell was born in Franklin county, Pa., in 1805. His father. of the same name and nativity, died at his old home at the age of 68. Mr. C. was of a family of 2 sisters and & brothers. His mother. whose maiden name was Isabel Elder. was buried be- side his father in 1816. He began to learn the hatter's trade, after- ward taking an interest in the business, and carried on the factory for 39 years. He was married at the age of 22 to Margaret Camp- bell, of the same county and State, daughter of John Campbell. Mr. C. and lady have raised a family of 9 children, 2 sons and 7 daughters, who are scattered from Eastern Pennsylvania to West- ern Kansas. Henrietta is with her parents.
Mr. Campbell emigrated to this State in 1853, settling in this tp. directly south of the village of Fountain Green, where he purchased a farm of 80 acres; built a commodious residence, and after occupy- ing it for nearly 20 years. he engaged for a short time in mer- chandising. He is now living a retired life in the attractive little village of "The Green."
Mr. C. was a Whig before the war and has been a Republican since. He sacrificed one son. John W., in the memorable trials before Vicksburg on Black river. Mr. C. and family are con- nected with the Presbyterian Church. and are among the faithful ones who have preserved the fair name of their little village from being tarnished by intemperance.
John M. J. Cox was born in Breckenridge county, Kv .. in 1820. He was the 3d in a family of 6 children: Benjamin and Elizabeth, the father and mother. The father was born in Westminster county. Pa., in 1774. The mother, whose maiden name was Mid- cap, was a Virginian by birth. Mr. Cox was a farmer in early life, receiving the merest benefits of the subscription schools, traveling four miles to procure what he did. He has one sister in
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827
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
this tp .. the wife of George McElvain. After spending a few years on the farm with his father, he began teaching, and followed that business during the winter terms for eight or ten years. He was married to Miss Elizabeth E. Welch. the daughter of James Welch. an early settler of this county. They have no children. In 1872 Mr. Cox purchased an interest in the store run by Riley & Wright in 1873, but sold out to Smith & Booze. In the spring of 1876 he engaged in business with John B. Welch, who went West in 1878. He then moved the goods to where he now holds forth in the village of Webster, doing a general merchandising business. He was appointed Postmaster in 1876, which position he now holds. Mr. C. has held the office of Justice of the Peace 20 years. He is a sound Republican and a genial friend: this, with the pleasant address of his lady (which is a characteristic of the Welch family). cause all to feel comfortable in their presence.
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