USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 78
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Mrs. Rhea is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Conn, of Hancock tp., formerly from New York, who are still living, aged 74 and 72 respectively. Ermina was born in Cattaraugus county, N. Y., in 1821. She was married to Mr. White in March, 1865; by him she has 2 children, J. Willard and John Prosper. Also has under her care Lewis Leslie Rhea and little Ralph Parsons, a grandchild. Mrs. R. has 2 sisters, Caroline Bullock and Lucy Rhea. Marlow M. and Lorenzo T. are two brothers, in Hancock tp.
Charles C. Tyler, though young in looks and action, is among the oldest settlers in the village of Fountain Green. He is the son of Alvin Tyler, and the nephew of Stephen Tyler, so well known in the northeastern part of the county. The family is of English ancestry, and emigrated at an early day to Connecticut. Alvin was born in Harwinton, of that State, in 1809; emigrated to Mari- etta, O., where he settled and began practicing medicine. He raised his family here and was very successful in his business. He visited his relatives in this county in 1846, and on his return he sickened and died at Gilead, Ill., aged 47. The mother, whose maiden name was Adaline E. Church, was of same descent and nativity, and came West in 1854, residing with Chas. C. until her death, at the age of 46. C. C. was born Dec. 22, 1837; has one brother living, John H, an engineer of this county. He received his education principally at Macomb College, after which he was salesman for a time for Begby & Payton, a dry-goods firm in LaHarpe; was in Northern Illinois from 1858 to 1860, at the end of which time he purchased an interest in a general merchandising store with Mathew McClaughry, father of Warden McClanghry, of Joliet. He purchased his partner's interest in 1864, since which time he has been in business alone in the building popularly known as the "Arcade," erected in 1864. Mr. Tyler was appointed
838
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Postmaster in 1875, and from the hosts of friends who daily com- pliment his management of the office, one would judge that no presidential change would be apt to affect his position. C. C. was married in June, 1860, to Johan Webster, daughter of Chauncy Webster, of Harwinton, Conn. She is the mother of S children, 5 of whom are living,-4 sons and one daughter: Charles L., George C., Albert S., Clark L. and Mary F.
Mr. Tyler and family are members of no denomination, but they make the Churches feel their friendship. His residence, the old homestead, is both neat and tastefully arranged. He also has a farm of 90 acres one inile north of the village. Mr. T. is a man who enjoys the blessings of home comforts, and does much to make others do likewise.
Rev. Thomas M. Walker is the son of Alexander Walker; nativ- ity, Rockbridge county, Va .; he is also a half brother of the late Cyrus Walker, so well remembered as the recipient of Mormon treachery. Mr. W. was born in Adair county, Ky., Feb. 26, 1819. His grandfather is of Scotch-Irish birth, and came to the United States in 1736; stopped in Chester county, Pa., afterward in Rock- bridge county, Va. His father, a farmer by occupation, emigrated to Adair county, Ky., in early times, where he remained until he died, at the age of 62. His mother, nee Margaret Frost, afterward the widow of H. L. Combs, and the mother of one child, Jesse Combs, was a pious Christian lady, and after several years' residence, died in McDonough county, and is buried in Hickory Grove cemetery. Mr. W. remained with his father on the farm and attended the common-schools until 20 years old, when he entered the Macomb College. He received private instruction under the Rev. Chase, of Macomb, after which he graduated at the Theological Seminary at New Albany, completing his course in 1845; was ordained the next year a minister of the Presbyterian Church, and located at Willow Creek, Ill. His wife, nee Mary Montgomery, is the daughter of Wm. Montgomery, an Indian missionary, residing in Arkansas. She is the mother of 5 sons and one daughter: William, Alexander, James, Thomas, Charles and . Margaret. Mr. Walker came to this county in June, 1852, locating as Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of the village named.
Jary White was born in Mt. Holly, Vt., in 1809. His father, Jary W., was a native of Wales; he emigrated from Vermont to New York, in 1812, and remained until 1835, when he came to this county, arriving June 17 of that year. He, with 2 brothers, took an active part in the Mormon war.
His mother, nee Lucina Lawrence, was a native of Connecticut. Both his parents lie buried in the Fountain Green cemetery. Mr. W. is one of the pioneers of this county; he came when there was no mill nearer than Rushville, 35 miles distant. He knows how to make a "lizzard" (a kind of sled made from the fork of a tree, much used by the frontiersmen), and has yet in his possession one of the old-time corn-meal graters. He was married in 1833, to Miss
no
3.821
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Laura Eaton, daughter of Frazier Eaton, of Allegany county, N. Y. Mrs. W. was the mother of 8 children, 4 of whom are still living: George, Charles, Laura and Augustus. She died May 21, 1860. Mr. W. was married a second time, July 11, 1861, to Mrs. Elizabeth James, daugliter of John Williams, a veteran soldier of 1812.
Mrs. White has 5 children : Henrietta, James, Noble S., Clara E., Louis L., now dead, Laura E. and Frances E.
Mr. W. located on a piece of Congress land, on sec. 23, 80 acres, where he still resides. Mr. W. had two sons, Daniel and George, in the late war. Daniel entered the 34th Ill. Inf., under Capt. Parrot, Sept., 1861, enlisting for three years, during which time he was taken prisoner, took the small-pox, and he was taken to a pest- house in Maryland and died. George entered the S4th Ill. Inf. in 1862, was wounded at Stone river in 1863, was in the hospital 9 months, re-entered his regiment, and was discharged June 9, 1865, having received two wounds, one in the thigh and one in the head, the latter injuring him for life.
Hickerson Wright, now deceased, was born in Virginia and raised in Kentucky. His grandfather came from Scotland prior to the Revolution. His father died when he, Hickerson, was a small boy; not having the advantages of school, he did not even learn to distinguish the denominations of paper money; nevertheless, after coming to this county with his brother Basil in 1833, he accumu- lated considerable real property and proved to be a good financier. Wilson and Hubbard, two younger brothers, came soon after. Mr. Wright was the father of 11 children; viz., Sebean, Seneca, Pattrice W., Thomas G., Charles G., Henry D., now in California, Arzilla Ward, Martha Yetter, Cynthia, Willey, and James B., who died at the old homestead in 1851. Seneca, the oldest in this tp., remained at home until 22 years of age, when he was married in 1849 to Miss Eliza A. Burnham, who died in Dec., 1866, leaving 2 children, Douglas and Seneca L. Between the years 1850 and 1855 he made three trips across the Rocky Mountains, coming back by way of Nicaragua and New York. Growing somewhat tired of the traveler's life, he built a residence in 1860 on sec. 32, where he now owns 130 acres of tillable land, besides 40 acres of timber. In 1868 he was married a second time to Miss Damietta Rose, whose parent- age was of New York; the mother now resides in Carthage, the wife of Garland Beneathy.
By his last wife he has 3 children: Cora D., Ella A. and Robert Bruce, a little boy of seven summers. Mr. W. grew like a sun- flower and is considerably above the average in statue, now weighing over 200 lbs. The family generally hold to no sectarian faith, and are liberal in sentiment both in politics and religion. To realize their liberality, socially, one needs only to call at their homes, where he will share whatever may be reasonably bestowed by the family.
840
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Below is a list of the Town Officers, past and present, who have served in this township :
SUPERVISORS.
Stephen H. Tyler.
1850
Thomas Geddes .. 1868
James M. Renshaw
1853
John G. Fonda.
1870
Martin Hopkins.
1856
A. W. McConnell
1871
James Campbell.
1859
John H. Bullock.
1873
Daniel Prentis. . 1861
Samuel Walker ..
1875
Robert McConnell
1863
John H. Bullock.
1876
Thomas Geddes. .
1864
And. R. Simmons. 1878
T. McGinley Campbell
1866
A. W. McConnell
1880
Daniel Prentis.
1867
CLERKS.
John F. Mooney
1856
John A. Messie. 1864
James E. McConnell.
1858
D. C. Simons. .
1866
J. H. Emrick.
1859
Wm. T. Campbell. 1867
John G. Schenck.
1860
James E. McConnell
1870
J. H. Emrick. .
1861
James F. Brandon ..
1873
L. T. Ferris.
1862
James E. McConnell
1874-1880
Morris Crump
1863
ASSESSORS.
James E. Roberts.
1856
Jas. C. Brakens 1870
Daniel Prentis. Thomas J. Campbell.
1858
John M. Cox.
1871
1861
A. R. Bullock .. 1872
J. H. Emrick. .
1862
James E. McConnell 1873
John B. Yager ..
1863
O. F. Berry. .
1874
A. J. Bainter.
1864
Robert P. Geddes
1876
James E. McConnell.
1866
W. W. McCullough
1877
William Miller. ..
1867
And. R. Bullock. 1878
William C. Walker
1868
John M. Bainter.
1879-1880
COLLECTORS.
Henry Alton.
1856
John H. Bullock. 1870
John F. Mooney
1858
Don. C. Salisbury.
1871
Thomas J. Campbell.
1859
J. P. Brandon .. . 1872
Daniel Kimport.
1860
Jas. Miller. 1873
William Callihan.
1861
J. S. Bullock. 1874
A. W. McConnell.
1862
W. W. Glass. 1875
Miles Alton .:
1863
Wm. Callihan ...
1876
James Midcap.
1864
A. W. McConnell.
1877
C. C. Robbins ..
1866
George Latherow.
1878
A. D. Williams.
1867
Robert N. Withrow
1868
Jesse W. Taylor. 1879-1880
PILOT GROVE TOWNSHIP
Numbered 6-6, was named for a grove of timber, which stood alone in the prairie, in the early days, near the old Indian Trail, or what we in Hancock county termed the " Rock Island Trail." This trail ran from point to point on the prairie, following the general course of the Mississippi, avoiding thus its many tortuons wind- ings. In Hancock county it ran from Green Plains to Golden's Point, thence past this grove and through Durham, to some point in Henderson county, and so on to Rock Island. It had apparently been long traveled, and when the white settlements began, it became a much-used local road.
This township was settled mainly by people from Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and New York. They are mostly a thrifty and hospi- table class of immigrants, and have come generally to stay, as may be judged by the appearance of their farms and residences. They have a cemetery, but claim that it is seldom used, except for the interment of those who die of old age, or who come in from other parts of the county. What was a wide expanse of prairie, covered with ducks and deer and waving grass and wild flowers forty years ago, is now as one beautiful checkered farm, with not a single open quarter section. Grain and stock are the chief products, Peoria furnishing the principal market for both. Politically, this town- ship has usually given from 20 to 40 Democratic majorities.
The first postoffice was called Pilot Grove, and was kept by Nelson Andrews; afterward removed to the village of Burnside. The first J. P.'s were Isaac C. Howd, Nathan Mason and John Huckins. William Glaze is the oldest man in the township at this time, aged 86; and Mrs. Perkins is the oldest woman, aged 85. She says she came there early enough to have Indians about her door, and to have to hide her meat from the wolves.
Probably the first settler in the township was one Franklin, a few miles northeast of Carthage. This was about 1830. This claim was bought by Ephraim Perkins, in 1835, a son of Ute Perkins, who was about the first settler in Fountain Green. Among other early settlers in the township, we have the names of Neill McKay, Joseph Lionberger, Thomas Perkins, Elting Thompson, Wmn. B. Wilson, Wilson Wright, John Hamrick, Ralph Gorrell, James Goldsburg, Mr. DeHart, Dr. Cheney, and Nelson Andrews-all now deceased. Among those living are, Merrill Andrews, Nathan S. Cheney, Isaac Cooper, John Bailey, Solomon Elifritz, Harry Earles, James Gibson, Wm. Gorrell, Isaac C. Howd, Mr. Hath- away, John Huckins, John Manering, Nathan Mason, Samuel F. Pray (now of Montebello), Neil Rice, John Roth, Joseph Thomp-
(841)
842
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
son, Geo. C. Wagoner, Wm. and L. V. Aleshire, Smith Howd, Benjamin and J. W. Lionberger, J. B. McMillan, Wm. G. Mc- Cubbin, William Tyner, Miles B. Mann, I. K. Jacobs, J. Hem - mingway.
Pilot Grove stands well in the line of common schools. Her people are fully up to the standard in that respect. She now counts nine school houses used exclusively for that purpose. Beginning in the northeast, they are named-The Rock, Pilot Grove, Madi- son, Liberty, Burnside, Oak Grove, Cottage, Jubilee, and Grant. The Burnside school building has two departments, and is well suited to the wants of the people. This and the Cottage are men- tioned as creditable to the community.
In Mormon times John Huckins formed a company of Anti- Mormon warriors, which were called the " Brick-Batters."
Pilot Grove sports one very pleasant little village on the line of the T., P. & W. Railway, Burnside. It was laid out by J. B. Mc- Millan in 1868. It now contains near 30,0 inhabitants. There are 10 business houses and one mill doing a good business. And far from the least item to its credit, it has no saloon, and few who would patronize one.
Another, La Crosse, also on the line of the railway, is on the extreme eastern edge of the township, on land owned by John W. Lionberger, who was its first P. M. It has but two or three busi- ness houses and thirty or forty inhabitants. Both La Crosse and Burnside are surrounded by fine farms and thriving and enter- prising farmers.
RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.
Concerning early religious work in this township we have little data. The village of Burnside contains two churches. The Christian church was built in 1873, at a cost of about $4,000. The Metho- dist Episcopal church was built the next year, costing about the same amount.
The Jubilee school-house, in the southwestern portion of the township, was formerly also used for church purposes, and very likely others also.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Following are sketches of many of the pioneers and eminent citizens of Pilot Grove township:
William Aleshire was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1814; emigrated to this State, Fulton county, Ill., in 1842, and to this county in 1848, where he has since resided. He received no other education than such as the common schools of his day afforded him, but has been generally successful in life, and has raised a con- siderable family. His father, Ephraim Aleshire, was a native of Ohio, and after moving to this county, died in 1864. His mother
Joseph Je Place PILOT GROVE TP.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
whose maiden name was Elizabeth Williams, and who was a native of the same State, is still living and in good health; she is now 83 years of age. Mr. Aleshire was married in 1837 to Sarah Ewing; she is a native of Ohio, and of ScotchIrish descent; she is the mother of 10 children, S of whom are still living, 2 girls and 6 boys; the oldest, Sanford, is a merchant of Coburg, Iowa; Levi is a farmer in this township; William is a teacher, and is now travel - ing in Southern Illinois; Edward is in Stanbury, Mo., an attorney at law; Albert is still with the family at home; Oscar E., who is a youth of 18, is attending school at Carthage College, in the third year of his course. The girls, Angeline and Margaret, are married, and are the wives of two industrious citizens of this tp. Mr. Aleshire has spent the greater part of his life as a farmer, but is now running a hotel in the village of Burnside, this tp., where he has been en- gaged for six years past. He has passed through several financial discouragements, but has accumulated a reasonable amount of real and personal property. Besides his hotel he owns a small farm in this vicinity and some personal property.
John A. Barr is of light complexion, medium stature, weighs 160 pounds, and wears a genial smile upon his countenance, indica- tive of his natural good humor. He was born in Breckenridge county, Ky., in 1851, and emigrated with his parents to this county in the spring of 1859, settling in Rock Creek tp. His father, Charles Barr, is of German descent, and a native of Kentucky; a farmer by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Church. His mother, whose maiden name was Sallie Beaucham, is of French descent, and a native of Kentucky. She is a zealous mem- ber of the M. E. Church, and the mother of 11 children, all living, 5 boys and 6 girls. The Doctor received his literary education at the La Harpe Seminary of this county, and after graduating at the Keokuk Medical College he received a diploma from the faculty of the Jefferson Medical College, Indiana. He is now a practicing physician, having good practice at Burnside, this tp., where he has been located for four years. He is a member of the Hancock County Medical Society; also belongs to the Christian Church of his village. The Doctor is a young man for one of his experience, unmarried, and owns a beautiful and comfortable residence, besides a liberal share of personal property. He visited Philadelphia and the New England States during the Centennial of 1876; has been very successful in the business operations of life. He now holds 80 acres of well-improved land in Rock Creek tp., besides an undi- vided interest in the home farm of 160 acres.
William Bray was born in Somerset, Ky., Jan. 7, 1826; his father, Nathan Bray, is of English descent and a native of North Carolina; he is a latter by trade, in later life becoming a farmer, and is now S1 years of age. William's mother, nee Catharine Ranard, was of Welsh descent and a native of Kentucky; of her children, 2 daughters and + sons, William is the only one in this
846
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
county. Mr. B. received his education in the Indiana State Uni- versity, and was engaged for a time as teacher in Mississippi. He was married in Indiana to Martha A. Foster of Monroe county, of that State; she has raised a family of 9 children, 5 sons and + daughters. Mr. Bray, a farmer by occupation, moved to this county and settled on sec. 20 of Pilot Grove tp., where he now has 300 acres of land and a plain and unassuming but commodious resi- dence; does not court public note nor political favor, yet he is awake to the necessity of moral and political elevation of our nation. Mr. B. and lady have been for thirty-five years connected with the Church known as the Disciples Church, with which he has labored as Elder for several years. He is politically a Republican but not a radical; has represented his township as Supervisor several terms, and is now enjoying the highest blessing shared in this life, i. e., a quiet country home with a kind wife and a happy group of children.
William R. Burbridge is small in stature, quick in movement and wears an expression indicative of his knowledge, sagacity and determination. He was born in Paris, Bourbon county, Ky., in 1846. His father. Robert Burbridge, was a native of Kentucky, and of French-German descent. He was a Baptist minister by faith and profession, and died at the age of 61, at Paris. The grandfather, with 6 brothers, were a part of the crew with LaFay- ette, in 1777. Mr. B.'s mother. whose maiden name was Mary Rader, was a native of Nashville, Tenn., and of Anglo-Prussian blood. She died at the age of 59. in Tazewell county, of this State.
Mr. Burbridge began as an apprentice to learn the blacksmith trade in 1862. After engaging in steady business in a plow factory, he was married in 1868 to Josephine Blizzard, of Mason county, Ill. She was the mother of one child. now a bright little girl of 10 years, and died when Annie was seven, leaving her and her father. the only members of the household. She was buried in the McKay cemetery, in the vicinity of Burnside. She was a member of the Christian Church, and of the Eastern Star order. Mr. Bur- bridge was married the second time, May 9, 1880, to Miss Annie Steffey. of Basco, Ill .. a worthy and accomplished young lady. She is the daughter of a highly educated widow lady of Eastern birth, and an early member of the M. E. Church.
Mr. B. has been generally successful in his business, having traveled as salesman for J. H. Power & Co., Cincinnati. He has gained by this means a thorough knowledge of men and things, and has a very neat little residence, a shop, and other town property. He is doing a fair business and enjoys life in an equally high degree.
Charles B. Coleman was born at Zanesville, O., in 1828. His father, John C. Coleman, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch descent; emigrated to this State, settling in Fountain Green tp., in 1842, where, after spending a few years with his children, he died, at the age of 82. His mother, whose maiden name was
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Lutitia Erwin, of Scotch descent, died in May, 1855. Mr. Cole- man had the poorest advantages of the common-schools for an education, but is practical in business and has spared no pains in giving his family all the benefits his circumstances would permit. He was married to Nancy M. Huckins, daughter of John Huekins, who is one of the early settlers of this county, and has been iden- tified with the history of Pilot Grove tp. for more than 30 years. He has had 6 children, 5 of whom are still living. The 3 younger are Mattie E., Edwin G. and Lula M. The 3 older, Charles O., Anna A. and Addie, began a general merchandising business in LaCrosse, in 1878, but in a short time a sad misfortune left the young firm with but two members. Addie, a kind and loving sister, was burned to death by the explosion of a kerosene lamp. Charles and Anna still remain, having the postoffice added. They are not only esteemed in business cireles, but socially their genial hospitality makes them many friends.
Zalus Davis, medium-sized, man weighing 140 lbs., was born in Preston county, W. Va., in 1824. At the age of 18, he enlisted as an engineer upon the packet Irene, running from Cincinnati to Parkersburg, W. Va. He followed the Ohio as an engineer for 14 years, and during the war had charge of the Tigris. the headquar- ter vessel of Gen. Grant and Com. Graham during their river engagements up the Tennessee and Cumberland. He was present at the noted battles of Pittsburg Landing, Ft. Andrews and Ft. Henry. His father, James Davis, a Virginian by birth, was an early pioneer of the West. His mother's maiden name was Mar- garet Hughes; she was also a native of Virginia. Mr. Davis was married in Racine, O., in 1850, to Margaret Bailey, a native of that State. Mr. Davis emigrated to Richland county, Ill., where he remained but a short time, when he removed to this county and settled in Dallas City. He remained here six years and moved to Clinton, Iowa, and after six years stay at this place, he came to Burnside, this tp., where he purchased a grist-mill and is now doing a good business in this line. Mr. Davis has 7 children liv- ing, 4 boys and 3 girls. He traveled westward during the year 1872, exploring the Indian Territory and New Mexico. He has struck a bonanza in the business in which he is now engaged, and is enjoying the comforts of a pleasant life with his happy family.
Cromwell Gibson is the son of James Gibson, one among the oldest settlers of this county, and a native of the Emerald Isle. He was born in 1813, and emigrated with his father to New York, when very young. His father, Robert Gibson, removed to this State in 1837; he died and is buried on Green river in Bureau county. The mother of James, whose maiden was name Jane Black, was a native of the same country, and died in New York, aged 33. James was married in New York, to Angeline Bennet, and their children are 3 girls and one boy. She died in 1860, and is buried in the MeKay cemetery. He next married Mrs. Hannah Duffield,
848
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
whose maiden name was Halbertson. She was of German descent, born in Pennsylvania, and came to this State with her former hus- band.
Mr. G. received little of the advantages of the common schools of his day; has been remarkably successful in his business transactions, being a man who has never shrunk from the hardest manual labor. He has the hard-earned results, consisting of two farms in this tp., comprising 156 and 230 acres respectively, eich well improved and upon each a residence, both extensive and beau- tiful. His two eldest daughters, Achsah and Mary, are residing with their husbands in this county.
His son, Robert Cromwell, was married in 1873 to Hattie Lowry' of Schuyler county, this State. She is the mother of 3 boys, Elmer, Charles and James F. He and his accomplished lady are enjoying all the blessings of a domestic life together, residing 23 miles southeast of Burnside. Cromwell is a farmer by occupation, and is a jolly one, for he does not allow the " blues " to settle over himself nor any one with whom he associates.
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