History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws, Part 79

Author: Gregg, Thomas, b. 1808. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 1046

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 79

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).

John L. Goldsberry is the son of James Goldsberry, who was born in Hampshire county, Va .; emigrated to Illinois in 1839; went back to Virginia, married, and came a second time, in 1843; removed to Kansas in 1856, and died near fifty years of age. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gibony, was a native of Worefield, Va., is buried in the Mckay cemetery, this tp. Mr. G. has one brother, George H., who is a farmer residing in this county, Carthage tp. John was born here in 1844; has served the faithful life of a farmer, and now resides on his 90-acre farm, on sec. 34. He spent his years from 11 to 16 in Kansas, and in 1875 took a trip to California; was married in 1870 to Elizabeth Knowles, daughter of Captain Knowles, of a merchant vessel at Baltimore, the same Captain Knowles who saved a crew at Jersey Island, for which the Government presented him a fine telescope. She was born in Baltimore, Md., is of English descent, and the inother of one son and 3 daughters: Charley C., Annie M., Edith A. and Sarah E. Mr. G.'s grandfather was one of the few who survived the expedition with Lewis and Clark in the West.

Dr. John S. Gordon was born in Greene county, Penn., in 1825. His father, Bazel Gordon, was a native of New Jersey, and of Scotch descent. He was killed in his 28th year, by accident, at a house-raising. His mother, Sarah nee Shriver, was of German de- scent, and a native of Virginia; she died in Pennsylvania, 46 years of age. The Doctor, after his parents died, made his home with his uncle for a time; received a limited education in the common schools; afterward attended Green Academy, teaching through the winter and attending the Academy through the summer. He be- gan studying medicine under Dr. Alexander Shaw, now of Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated at Jefferson Medical College, and began the practice of medicine in Pilot Grove tp. in 1860, where

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

he has since been located. Dr. Gordon has been a remarkably suc- cessful physician, and has become the owner of considerable real estate. He occupies a choice residence in the north part of Burn- side, where he shares the comfort of his own home with his many friends. He owns 295 acres of land in this county. The Doctor was married in 1850 to Lucinda Whitlatch, a native also of Penn- sylvania, and of English descent. She is the mother of 4 boys, 3 of whom are living: Sylvanus H., Thomas J. (who died at 22), Albert M., now a dentist in Keokuk, and William M., a youth of 15, at home.

Mrs. E. A. Hamrick was born in Muskingum county, O. Her father, Henry Baty, was a native of Virginia, and died in Ohio at the age of 55. Her mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Watts, was a native of Rolt, Md., and emigrated to Ohio with her parents when only three years old. She is living at this writing, at the age of 78. Wm. M. Hamrick was a native of Clarksburg Va., and was married in 1852; emigrated to this tp., and settled, in 1853. Mr. Hamrick was a farmer by occupation, and after a successful career as such, he died in May, 1873. He left a comfortable resi- dence and a good farm of 310 acres to his wife and heirs. Mrs. H. has 6 children living, 3 girls and 3 boys-Alice, Delia, Frank, Willie, Alva and Effie. Alice, the oldest, is attending school at Carthage College, and paying some attention to music. She is active, energetic, and seems to be the chief operator of the Ham- rick farm. Her mother is a lady much respected in her community, and has a business tact seldom equaled by her sex.

Smith Howd was born in Camden, N. Y., in 1827. His father, Isaac Howd, a native of New York, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1832, thence to Illinois, where he settled in Carthage in 1836, and where he remained five years, after which he settled in this tp., the first time on sec. 16. He died at Pontoosuc in 1856. His mother, whose maiden name was Annie Johnson, died when he was but four years old. Mr. Howd was in this county too early to have the ben- efits of a common-school education. He went West in 1854 and traveled in Nevada and California, remaining ten years. He was a miner, and one of the successful ones. He understands the meaning and use of "sluice," "box," "rocker," "flume," etc. When he came back to Hancock he purchased land, and in 1864 was married to Catharine Yetter, of this county, who is now the mother of 6 children, 5 of whom are living-Emma, Curtis, Flora, Joel and Barr. Mr. Howd has been equally successful as a farmer and stock- raiser, and now owns an extensive farm, fertile and well improved, consisting of four 80's, besides several timber lots,-433 acres in all. Mr. Howd has met with few financial discouragements through life, and has had general good health, attending strictly to his farm duties.

Stephen Jacob, aged 69, was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., and emigrated to this county in 1837. His father, Udney II., was a native of Massachusetts, and of German descent. After remaining

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

here for several years he went to Utah (soon after the Mormons were driven from this county). where he died, nearly 78 years of age. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Hubbard, the mother of 7 children. all of whom lived to be men and women. The elder son, Norton, built the first mill in this county, run by Wilcox & Co., at Warsaw, in 1834. Mr. Jacob has been a farmer during his past life, and was married in New York, to Minerva Ostrander, of Saratoga county. She is of German descent, and the mother of 5 sons and 4 daughters-Margaret A., a milliner, of La Harpe; Abraham, Mary, Marvin, Emma, Elisha P., Eliza J., Prosper H. and Stephen. Two of the above are at home; two are dead. Eliza, after teaching four years, died a few months since with consump- tion, contracted by exposure. Mr. Jacob is one of the old pioneers of this county, but took no part in the Mormon war.

Wellington Jenney was born in Wheeling, W. Va., May 14, 1820. He is of large stature, weighs 240 lbs., and bears a dignified vet unassuming appearance. He emigrated to this county, Dur- ham tp., in 1860; after remaining 6 years he removed to where he now resides in this tp., on sec. 7. His father, Andrew Jenney, was a native of Massachusetts, of English descent, and was in early life a farmer, later a sailor and river captain, running the first steamboat that was ever run up the Wabash river. He died in West Virginia. after a few years of retired life, at the age of 62. Mr. Jenney's mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Copeland, was a native of Massachusetts, and of English-German descent. She died in Marshall county, Va.

Wellington, her only son, was married to Sarah Wart, and by her has 7 children living,-Annie, Eliza. Charles, a teacher by profession, Ella W., William. Laura and Perry L., a youth at home. Mr. Jenney, when a boy of 19, began life at his own risk as a teacher, and afterward became a farmer. He represented his dis- trict in Virginia, in 1849-'50, as a member of the General Assem- bly; was sent from this county to Illinois Legislature in 1876. He also served as Supervisor from this and Durham tps., for six years. He is now living with his second wife, a kind and loving mother and a worthy member of the M. E. Church.

After passing through the financial disaster of four years ago, which shook the faith of so many farmers of this community, he is now afloat with the following real estate: S0 acres in Rock Creek tp., well improved, and a home farm of SO acres, where he now resides.

Mr. Jenney deals no longer in the uncertainty of politics, but is contented with the domestic endearments of a home life.

John W. Lionberger was born in Page county, Virginia, and emigrated with his father to this county in 1835, finally settling on sec. 12 of Pilot Grove tp .; his father, Joseph Lionberger, was of German descent, also a native of Virginia: he was a farmer by oc- cupation, but built the first saw and grist mill in the township, on

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Crooked creek, in 1838. He made this the chief care of his busi- ness life, but was also engaged in merchandising with a man by the name of Grove, in LaHarpe. After raising a large family, died at 74 years of age, and was buried in the Andrews Cemetery, January 15, 1868. His mother's maiden name was Esther Burner, and she was of German-English descent, a Calvinistic Baptist by faith, and a native of Virginia; she died nearly 72 years of age, and is buried be- side her husband. She was the mother of 7 children, 4 sons and 3 daughters. J. W. is the youngest living son, and resides now on the old home farm; though quite young at the time he took an active part in the Mormon difficulty, being one of the Artillery Corps of gun number two; he was among those who bid the un- fortunate Brighamites a last farewell at Nauvoo, as they took their departure for Zion. Mr. L. was the recipient of instruction such as the common schools of 1844 afforded, but he did not stop with this; by faithful practice he gained a fair business education. He was married in 1850 to Philena Roberts, a native of New York, and of Scotch-English blood; she is the mother of 5 children, 3 sons and 2 daughters. The eldest, Mary, is the wife of W. A. Pickernell, a farmer of this tp .; Edward, Clara, Robert and John are still under the parental roof. Mr. L. has been tortured with the official honors of his tp., all the way from Supervisor up to School Director, and is still suffering a like oppression. He was the founder of the little village of LaCrosse, and was the first Postmaster, in 1868; he has been actively engaged as a grain and stock shipper for several years past, and makes it still his chief care. He has been remarkably successful in his business operations, as a census of his estate will show. Home farm, 200 acres; timber, 180, and 80 acres on sec. 10. Mr. L. is a hard worker and takes special care that none with whom he comes in contact escape his genial hospitality.

Miles B. Mann was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1813; his father, Nathan Mann, a native of Massachusetts and a mechanic by occu- pation, died soon after settling in New York. His mother, whose maiden name was Cynthia Blakely, was of English descent, a Methodist by faith, and died in Wisconsin in 1872, at 81 years of age. Mr. M., now 67 years of age, has two brothers and two sisters living, at last accounts. He emigrated to this county in 1839, and was employed for a time with Streets & Bro., then doing an exten- sive merchandising business in Carthage; during the time he was married (1842) to Amanda Hamilton, who was born in Ohio, and of German origin; she is the mother of 9 children, only 3 of whom are now living: Delia M. is the wife of Charles Hyslop, a merchant in Missouri; Celestia M., who was one of the successful lady-teach- ers of this county in 1873-'5, is now the wife of R. S. Woodruff, of Iowa; Mary E., a girl at home. Mr. M. has had his full share of misfortunes to bear, yet he has maintained a high repute as a citi- zen, and has accumulated a reasonable share of real estate, chattels, etc. His farm of 240 acres lies on either side of the Dallas and Carthage road, and is under high cultivation and improvement.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Mr. M. has acted as Justice of Peace eight years, and has assessed his township seven times; he was among those of his time who worked for his board and paid his own tuition while attending school, a rare circumstance now, but common then.

Sidney C. Mendenhall is the son of Nathan Mendenhall, who has been so long identified with the history of Durham tp. The father is a native of Madison county, Ind., but his forefathers, formerly from England, settled in North Carolina. IIe emigrated to Sangamon county, Ill., in 1835, thence to Henderson, and to Hancock in 1837, settling in Durham tp. He is now engaged in farming, near Appleton City, Mo., St. Clair county. His mother, whose maiden name was Lucy W. Lincoln, was born in New York and is still liv- ing, 55 years of age. She with her husband have been identified with the Christian Church 29 years. She is the mother of 4 sons and 5 daughters. Milo, a boy of five, died in St. Clair county, Mo .; Nathaniel died in this county, at the age of three years; Eliza died in 1856, an infant of one year, as also did Lucy J .; Paris J. is now a young man of 20, with his father; Lucetta is the wife of Wm. H. Hutchison, a farmer of Bates county, Mo .; Mary Etta is the wife of John D. Smith; Sidney C., the subject of this sketch, was born in Durham tp., in 1853, is of medium stature and weight, dark hair and eyes, wears a piercing yet sin- gularly pleasant expression upon his countenance. He left the farm at 18, after sharing the benefits of the common schools of this county, and the graded schools of Appleton, Mo., and engaged as an artist in the last named place. He went from this place to Girard, Kansas, thence to Oswego, of the same State, where he was married Dec. 3, 1875, to Alice V. Kinnear, formerly from Indiana. Her father, John L. Kinnear, emigrated to Missouri in 1866 and to Kansas in 1873. He was a mechanic by occupation, and of Irish descent. Mrs. Mendenhall is the mother of one child, a little girl, one and a half years old; belongs to the Christian order. Mr. M. is identified at present with Ross & Springer, as salesman. He owns a neat little residence in the little village of La Crosse, where he and his young wife share all the joys of a wedded life.

John D. Miller, now permanently located on sec. 2 of this tp., was born in Scott county, Ill., and is a son of Wm. Miller, a native of Eastern Tenn. Mr. Miller's father was a farmer by occupation, and died when his son was but four years of age, after he had emi- grated to this county in 1837.

William's mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Dixon, was of Irish descent and also a native of Tennessee. She died in Durham tp., at the age of 50, in 1866. Mr. Miller was married first in this county, in Dec., 1857, to Mary E. Riggins, who died Feb. 18, 1879, leaving 7 children, one girl and 6 boys, whose ages range from four to 20. He was married a second time, to Victoria Sayr, of this county, with whom he now enjoys the comforts of home and family. Mr. M. began life with no resources other than his good will and muscle,'and by this means has succeeded in gain-

Of. Duvall

ROCK CREEK TP.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

ing a well-improved farm of 120 acres, a neat and comfortable res- idence, besides his personal property. IIe had the advantages of instruction such as the common schools afforded, and has a special delight for works of art and history.

Thomas Nicholson, a native of Carlisle, England, was born in 1850. He emigrated to Boston, Mass., in 1832, where he and his father were employed in the cotton factories. He was the son of George Nicholson, a flax-dresser by occupation, who died soon after settling in this tp., in 1837. His mother died in Winsington, Mass., in 1834. Mr. N., who has never bowed before the hymeneal altar, or assumed the cares and responsibilities of a wedded life, is enjoying his happy old days of seventy-five years, the principal light, life, and substance, of the little village of LaCrosse. Mr. N. has two living sisters and one brother: Wallace, Elizabeth and Mary. Elizabeth is the wife of Calvin Westfall, a farmer of this tp. Mary McCollock, a widowed lady who cares for the domestic interests of Mr. N., is the younger sister, and the mother of 2 chil- dren. "Uncle Tommy" is of a genial turn of mind, always in a good humor, and with his appearance, the "blues " and all despondent feelings must vanish. During his better days he took a tour to California, Central America, and New York; was one of the boys who gave the Mormons their special invitation to cross the Mississippi. He resides on his farm near LaCrosse, where he owns several business houses and lots.

Henry Pennock is-the son of Sylvester Pennock, who was a native of New York, and came to this county in 1840. After staying one year in Fountain Green, he settled on sec. 22 of this tp., where the old residence still stands. He died in 1862, and his remains are interred on the old home farm, where he raised a large family. His mother, also a native of New York, died in Jan., 1880, and lies buried beside his father. She was a Methodist by faith and the mother of 5 sons and 5 daughters. Henry, the oldest son, is of medium stature, weighs 145 lbs., and was born in N. Y. in 1834. He is a farmer and stock-raiser, and resides on sec. 22, where he owns 345 acres of land. He also owns 80 acres in sec. 3. He was married in 1859 to Margaret Tyner, a daughter of Squire Tyner, of Burnside. She is the mother of 5 girls and 2 boys: George, Virginia, Lucy, Murry, Florence, Ethel and Lula; and are all at this time, on the home farm. Mr. P. shared with many others the financial disaster of 1876, but otherwise has been a successful manager. He has one of the best farms in the county, and a very neat residence in which, with his happy family, he spends his leisure hours.

Alexander Phillippi is a farmer by occupation. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His father, George Phillippi, was a native of Penn., and of German ancestry. He is a member of the Church of United Brethren. He is living, at this writing, aged 78 years.

His mother, who died (1837) when Alexander was quite young,

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

was of Irish descent, and a member of the United Brethren Church. Her maiden name was Mary McClellan.

His step-mother, Catharine Knomire, was of German descent and a native of Penn. She is still living, and is but seven days his father's junior.

Mr. Phillippi emigrated to Fulton county, Ill., in 1862. He was married in that county in 1856 to Martha Burnett, a native of the same county. She died July 6, 1865. Her only child, George, is now a boy of 17. Mr. Phillippi was married the second time to Mrs. Mary Frye, of Fulton county, in 1868. She at that time was the mother of two girls, Alma and Emma. Alma is now a teacher. Ella and Frank, aged respectively twelve and seven, are of the last union. Mr. Phillippi received an education such as the common schools of his day afforded. He has been successful as a farmer, and now owns 28 acres of well-improved prairie land, on which he has recently constructed a comfortable residence and barn costing nearly $3,000.

Joseph F. Place was born near Winchester, Frederick county, Va., Feb. 13, 1816; parents' names, Abraham and Sarah (Kin- drick) Place, both natives of Va. Abraham Place was of English descent, his father having come from " Merry England."

When the subject of this sketch was six years of age, his parents moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, taking him with them. One year afterward his father died in that county. His mother then moved to Pickaway county, Ohio, near Circleville. About one month after her arrival in that county, she also died, leaving a family of S children, 6 at home, our subject, Joseph F. Place, being next to the youngest. Thus, at the tender age of seven years, he was thrown upon the world. His mother's brother, Thornton Kindrick, took him home, where he lived some six years. During his uncle's absence he returned to Muskingum county, O., and lived with a brother-in-law, George Gayer, six years. Then being about nineteen years of age, he commenced working on his own hook, at seven dollars per month, on a farm. During the following two years he attended the district school, two months each winter, in all four months. This, with intervals of a few days at differ- ent times, was all the opportunities for education that Mr. Place ever had. He estimates that ten months would include all his time spent in school. Mr. P. worked in this way up to the fall of 1839, when he sowed a crop of thirty acres of wheat on shares. Before this was harvested he entered 120 acres of land in Putnam county, Ohio. This cost him $150 in money that he had saved while work- ing by the month. He then "cropped" with Samnel Baxter for the next two years, at which they were successful. In 1842 he was married to Eliza Garsuch, who died in February, 1845. He followed farming and cropping on his and other lands until 1846, when he engaged in trading and dealing in sheep, driving them to market across the Alleghany mountains into Virginia and Maryland, selling to farmers, etc. In 1848 he was married to his

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present wife, whose name was Eleanor Baxter, daughter of Samuel Baxter, a native of Virginia. About this time Mr. P. turned his attention to farming and stock-raising on a larger scale than he had previously, renting large farms of 300 acres, and giving half of what was raised-the same as $2,000 per year. He followed farming in this way until the war broke out. He then bought twenty-three acres of land on credit of four years. Before this time expired, he bought fifty acres more adjoining, at $50 per acre. In 1864 he sold this seventy-three acres for $5,500, and came to Illinois, locat- ing on section 15, Pilot Grove tp., June 5, 1865. The homestead now consists of 140 acres of good farm lands and 36 acres of timber. Mr. Place has a family of 3 children-Rilla F., Charles B., who married Mary James, and now lives in Disco (they have one child), and John B., who lives at home with his parents.

Mr. Place is a Republican, and while in Ohio served as Super- visor, School Trustee, and County Clerk. He has the repu- tation of being a thoroughly honest and conscientious man in all dealings with others, and generous and hospitable in an eminent degree. When quite a young man he was often selected by neigh- bors to arbitrate and settle differences where they existed, they having the utmost confidence in his good judgment and impar- tiality in deciding any case presented to him. As an acquaintance who has known him for years says, he is "honest." for the pure love of honesty. A higher compliment could scarcely be paid to any one.

We give Mr. Place's portrait in this volume, on page 843.

Joseph Thompson was born in Wayne county, O., in 1823. His father, Archibald Thompson, was a native of Virginia, of Scotch origin, and a mechanic by trade. He died at the age of 74, and is buried in Wayne county, O. His mother's maiden name was Martha Fitzsimmons. She was of Irish descent, a native of Penn- sylvania, and she died a Presbyterian by faith, at the age of nearly 74, in Ohio. Mr. Thompson is a farmer, and has had good health during his entire life. He was married in Crawford county, O., in 1847, to Sarah E. Harper, of Pennsylvania. She is the mother of 4 daughters and one son: Jennie, Mattie, Alice, Walter and Hettie. Alice is a teacher of acknowledged ability and seven years' experience. Walter, a young man of 20, has taught one term, and is now attending Carthage College.

Mr. Thompson shared but few of the benefits of the schools of his day, and is wisely profiting by his own loss, in giving his chil- dren due encouragement. He has weathered through all financial disasters. Has a comfortable home of 174 acres, on sections 9 and 17 of this tp., where he settled in September, 1854.

William Tyner is one of the oldest settlers in this tp .; is 64 years of age, weighs 180 pounds, and has enjoyed good health dur- ing his entire life. He was born in Franklin county, Ky .. in 1814, and emigrated to this county in 1846. He has been a resident of this tp. 34 years. His father, Solomon Tyner, was a native of South

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Carolina, and of Scocth descent. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and a Calvinistic Baptist by faith. His mother, whose maiden name was Jemima Henderson, was also of Scotch descent a member of the same Church as his father, and a native of South Carolina. His parents in early life emigrated to Franklin county, Ind., thence to Hancock county of the same State, where they remained until death. Mr. Tyner was married in 1832, to Susan Egan, of Franklin county, Ind. She is a worthy member of the Christian Church. and the mother of 9 children, S of whom are now living-3 boys and 5 girls. Mr. Tyner received his education at the Greenfield (Ind.) Seminary, and was sent to the Legislature from Hancock county, in 1856; has acted as Township Treasurer of school funds 28 years. and Justice of Peace 24 years. He has been very successful in his business, which has been chiefly farming. He is now making loans and dealing in notes, bonds, etc. He has a large and beautiful residence in Burnside, where he makes the comfort and happiness of his family the chief object of his life.

George Waggener is the son of James Waggener, an early settler of Kentucky, formerly from Virginia. George was the only son in a family of 3 children. He was born in Jefferson county, Ky., afterward removing to Todd county, where, after his father died, he was the overseer of a large farm. His mother was also a native of Virginia, and died in Todd county, Ky. After his mother died, George emigrated to this State, and settled on sec. 31, of this tp., in 1837. He had such advantages for educa- tion as the subscription schools of that day afforded, which were very meager. He was married before he emigrated, in 1835, to Mary F. Anderson; nativity, Kentucky; parents, from Virginia. She is the mother of 3 sons and 2 daughters, all living: James N., William J., Jasper B., Sarah E, and Mary O., all residing in this vicinity, except William, who is farming in Jasper county, Iowa. Mr. W. by occupation is a farmer and stock-raiser; also has a small farm or two and a handsome income, which amply provides for his declining years. Although a man of 60, he has the business snap of most men of 30. He was an active operator in the Mormon difficulties, not one of those who did the shooting, but the man who hauled the amunition for those who did. He was first into the jail when the Smiths were killed, and picking up the revolver which Smith had emptied, presented it to the authorities when called on the Coroner's jury. Uncle George is loyal from the ground up. He had 2 sons, William and Jasper, in the 2d Ill. Cav., under Col. Marsh; were in several battles, among which were Holly Springs, Vicksburg, etc .; were taken prisoners at Organza. Uncle George and lady belong to the Missionary Baptist society. He and Stephen Jacobs are the only pioneers of 1837 remaining in Pilot Grove tp.

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History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws, Part 79

Author: Gregg, Thomas, b. 1808. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, C.C. Chapman Number of Pages: 1046

Author: Gregg, Thomas, b. 1808. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 1046