USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 83
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
APPANOOSE.
Benjamin Riter.
.1858
William Jackson .. .1863
George T. Thompson. 1859
Charles C. Ritter.
1867-1880
COLLECTORS.
Christopher Smith. 1858
John G. Weber. 1873
Erastus Rossitter ..
1859
Milo P. Fulton.
1874
George Benner ..
.1861
J. J. Moffitt .. 1875
William L. Temple
.1:62
Luther A. Brown. .1876
John C. Brown ..
1869
Jolın Kendall ..
1877
C. G. Robison ..
.1870
Gust. Siegfried.
1878
Myron A. Black.
1871
William Temple. 1879
John Datin
1872
John Datin .. 1880
LA HARPE TOWNSHIP.
Township 7-5 occupies the northeast corner of the county. Nature has done much for it. It is well timbered, skirting two branches of Crooked creek, and it has as excellent a body of prairie land as can be found in the county. What is known as "North Prairie," lying in the north part of the township, has always been noted for its productiveness. Its settlers combine a goodly mix- ture of Yankee, Middle State and Southern blood. Time has been, before railroads changed things about, when La Harpe township sold more wheat in the Warsaw market than any other, except per- haps, Fountain Green, the north prairie being capable of 25, 30, and even 40 bushels per acre. It may take the lead still.
The name given, first to the village, is that of one of the early French explorers, who traversed the Illinois wilderness and prairies 200 years ago. The town was laid out in 1836 by Major William Smith and Marvin Tryon; previous to this date it had been called Franklin, but was changed because Uncle Sam refused to give the postoffice that name, there being enough Franklins already. In 1831, Maj. Smith settled there from N. H. with a stock of goods, though to whom he expected to sell his goods is a mystery. Another member of the firm was Mr. Oliver Felt, at Montebello, with a portion of the stock. This can be understood, for all "along shore" were squatters and keel-boat men and half-breeds and whole breeds (red and white) for customers. Mr. Smith's was thus the first store in the township. The La Harpe concern only lasted about three years, the trade being too limited.
Louis R. Chaffin was the first Postmaster, a position which he held till 1846. When Mormonism spread itself over the county, Mr. Chaffin, among some others of La Harpe, embraced it; and when they left, in 1847, he left with them, and the last his old neighbors heard of him he was a missionary of that sect, proselyting in the wilds of Australia.
La Harpe is well supplied with railroads, the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw entering it from the east, and running to the city, where it divides, the Warsaw branch running southwardly, and that to Burlington taking a northwest course and crossing the line at Disco Station.
La Harpe is the only town in the township. It has become a place of considerable business, the business center for all the north- east portion of the county. It sports a bank, a good complement of well stocked business houses, and a proportionate number of tradesmen and manufactories and a newspaper. Its population is
(892)
5
John M. Hurdle LA HARPE. TP.
895
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
a stirring and intelligent class, and manages to keep well even with the people of other towns in the county.
Who succeeded to the office of Postmaster. after Louis R. Chaf- fin. we are not advised, though we find Henry Coulson in the office not long afterward. Then followed Mr. Bliss, Mr. Coquillette, Mr. John Warren, succeeded by his son, E. L. Warren, the present incumbent.
Among the first settlers we may mention Jacob Compton and Abraham Brewer, the former of whom sold to Major Smith. These settlements were made abont 1830. After these come Wright Riggins, L. R. Chaffin, Mr. Hendricks, Mr. Hobraker, Jonathan Wassom. Job Clinkenbeard. John Scott. Mr. Robinson, Jesse Sey- bold. Isaac Sears. George Sears. Daniel Drake. Marvin Tryon, Samuel White, Lot Moffit. Jeremiah Smith. Lewis C. Maynard, Heury Comstock. Charles Comstock, James Gittings, Dr. George Coulson. Daniel N. Bainter, Hezekiah Lincoln, Jasper Manifold, John Warren. Benjamin Warren. Joseph W. Nudd. James Rey- nolds. Dr. Richardson. George Oatman, Mr. Johnson, Lyman Wil- cox, Joel Bradshaw, W. C. Bainter, H. H. Barnes, Smith Bryan, Samuel Cogswell. L. S. Cogswell, John Manifold, Wm. F. Mani- fold. H. R. Painter. M. D. Sanford.
RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.
We are not advised as to the beginnings of religious work in this township. the earliest obtained being that of the Congrega- tional Church in March, 1836. In that month a Congregational Church was organized, consisting of sixteen members. . The names of these members have not been obtained. Twelve years there- after a re-organization took place, under the ministration of Rev. Warren Nichols. with the following named 12 members: Sam- nel Hutton, Henry Comstock and wife. L. C. Maynard and wife, Lauren Tuttle and wife. Henry Bliss and wife. William Leavitt, Mrs. W. A. Nichols and Mrs. S. W. Nudd. April 27, 1848, Lewis C. Maynard was chosen Deacon. The church edifice was erected about 1854. Of its earlier Pastors, we have the names of Revs. Apthorp. Hawley. Williams. Rankin, Perkins, Babbitt, Nichols, Henry, Johnson. Pennoyer and Atkinson.
For the foregoing we are indebted to a memorial pamphlet, pub- lished by the Illinois Association in 1863. Repeated applications have failed to elicit any data from the other Churches in La Harpe. There is a Methodist Episcopal organization. a Protestant Method- ist, a Christian and a Catholic. all of which, we believe, have regular services. and most of them church buildings. There is also a Protestant Methodist Church on North Prairie.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Here are sketches of many of the well-known citizens of La Harpe township:
W. A. Bainter. farmer, sec. 23; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Muskingum county, O., in 1825, and is a son of Peter and Mary
51
S96
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
(Emaler) Bainter, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, who came to this county in 1853, settling in this tp. Both reside in La Harpe. The subject of this sketch was married in 1849 to Miss Leran Rol- ler, a native of Welden county, Va., and they have had 5 children, all living,-William L., Susan, Linda, Carrington A. and Martha. He resides on the homestead, which consists of one-half section of land, valued at $40 per acre. He is School Director, which office he has filled 16 or 17 years; is also a member of the Masonic order. Politically, he is a Democrat.
H. H. Barnes, Justice of the Peace, was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1820; in 1837 he came to Illinois and located on a farm in Henderson county; in 1839, he went to the pineries of Minnesota, then a Territory, and with ten others engaged in lum- bering, near the St. Croix river. The Chippewa Indians were exasperated at this intrusion and called a convention of war, and the whites were driven away. They were met by the Government Agents who were sent to make the first payment for territory to this tribe. Blankets and money were paid them, and the party came away with 600 logs. He afterward returned and spent 11 months there, being kindly treated. On his return to this State, he located at Peoria, and engaged in staging between that point and Burlington, Iowa. In 1848, he came to La Harpe and engaged at his trade, harness-making; subsequently he opened a salesroom for wagons and carriages, and had a large trade; in 1853, he was elected Constable and served three or four years; also, he has served as Deputy Sheriff 12 years, and City Marshal nine years; was Mayor two terms, and Alderman a number of years; has been Justice of the Peace since 1873. He also deals largely in horses, handling from 400 to 500 a year, making purchases and selling to the Gov- ernment. In 1844 he married Miss Mary, daughter of George Coulson, and they have 4 children,-Robert, Franklin, Edward and Harry.
Willis G. Bernethy, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Bond county, Ill., in 1832; his parents, James and Elizabeth (Gilliland) Bernethy, emigrated to that county, about 1826; sub- sequently they moved to Canton, Fulton county, Ill., and to La Harpe tp. in 1835. He was a farmer, and although solicited to fill many offices of trust, preferred the quiet of his home. He raised a family of S children, 4 of whom are now living,-Robert G., James H., Willis G. and Jane. His death occurred at the homestead January 19, 1877; the widow, now in her 79th year, resides on the homestead with her son and daughter, Willis and Jane. The farm, consisting of 90 acres, is well improved.
Joel Bradshaw, farmer, sec. 30; P. O., La Harpe; is one of the oldest citizens of the county. He was born in White county, West Tennessee, Sept. 15, 1812; when quite young he was brought by his parents, John and Fannie Bradshaw, to Madison county Ill .; they afterward removed to Morgan county, where they died, re- corded " Early State pioneers." The subject of this notice was
897
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
married in 1833 to Miss Catharine, daughter of Hugh Dickson; she was born near Knoxville, East Tenn .; they have had 10 chil- dren, of whom 7 are living: Jane, Emma, Eliza, Wm. D., Geo. W., J. S. and James M. Mr. B. settled on his present estate in August, 1837; his farm of 18S acres is valued at $60 per acre, being under a high state of cultivation. He is a Democrat.
William D. Bradshaw, farmer, sec. 30; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Morgan county, Ill., in 1837, and is a son of the preceding. In 1867 he married Mary E., daughter of Samuel M. Bainter, an early pioneer of the county. He has one child, Sarah M. Mr. B. settled on his present estate in 1867; it consists of 160 acres, and is quite valuable. He is School Director.
John W. Bray, deceased, was born at Welsh Pool, Wales, Dec. 24, 1806, and married Miss Ann Wilkinson May 22, 1830, and a few years later emigrated to America, settling near Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade, that of tinsmithing; in this business he succeeded well and accumulated some property. In 1840 he joined the Freemasons and soon became an enthusiast in the principles of the order. He was a charter member of the La- Harpe Lodge No. 195, and was the organizer of Bristol Lodge No. 653 I. O. O. F., at Bristol, Pa. In the former order he was S. W., W. M., Select Master, and when he died he was Scribe. He emi- grated to Carthage in 1852, and the following year he started in business with his son Thomas. He was one of the first of the city fathers, and was serving as Alderman at the time of his death, Sept. 4, 1879. After dinner one day he lay down, and when he was called and no response was heard, he was found dead. He was a good and true man.
Thomas S. Bray, son of the preceding, was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1836; in 1862 he married Miss Emma, daughter of Wm. Leavitt, an early settler of this tp. He has served on the Board of Education six years; has been an Alderman, and is one of the oldest and most respected merchants of La Harpe. He has 3 children living: Edwin, Annie and Winnie. Politically Mr. B. is a stalwart Republican, as was his respected father.
George W. Braymer, dealer in sewing machines, wall-paper, etc., was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1829; in 1855 he came to La Harpe engaging in mechanical work until he opened his present trade in 1870. In 1851, in his native State, he married Sarah H. Griffith, of the same State, and of their 7 children all are living: Emma, Adell, Linford, Edward, William, George and Bessie. For years Mr. B. has been Superintendent in the Method- ist Protestant Church, and is one of the active business men of the community. He is a Republican.
E. C. Brockett, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Trumbull county, O., in 1850; his parents, Hosea, and Aurilla (Nutt) Brockett, were natives of New York and Ohio, and came to this county in 1854, settling on the present farm. The home- stead farm consists of 200 acres, valued at $45 per acre. The sub-
898
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
ject of this sketch was married in 1873 to Miss Mary E. Biggs, a native of this county, and their 2 children are Eva O. and Clarence W. Mr. B. is a son of one of the old settlers of the county and tp. His father is a resident of California, and his uncle lives on the homestead. Politically Mr. B. is a Republican.
S. F. Bryan, farmer sec. 9; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Mercer county, Pa., Nov. 1, 1832; when eight years of age he was brought to this county by his parents, Jacob and Mary (Bagler) Bryan, in May, 1840; he settled in this tp. and engaged in farming many years, in which he was successful. He moved to La Harpe, where he now lives in retirement. The ages of these respected pioneers are 86 and 75 years. The subject of this notice in 1859 married Miss Dolena, daughter of Joseph T. Painter, who settled on his farm in 1836, where she was born in November of that year. Eight of their 9 children are living: Emma V., Joseph P., John F., William E., James R., Mary, Charles C. and one not yet christened. The homestead farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $50 an acre. It has a flow of living water upon it. This point is historic, as the cabin of La Harpe stood but a short distance from it, as also the rem- nants of an old fort supposed to have been occupied by a pre-his- toric race.
William O. Butler, dentist, La Harpe, is a son of Noah and L. C. (Dickinson) Butler, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, who settled in La Harpe in 1851; father was a graduate of the Missouri Medical College, and was a practicing physician in this city until his death in 1876. He was prominently identified with the inter- ests of the community. His estimable widow and five children survive. The subject of this biography was born in Clarke county, Mo., in 1850; he completed a course of study in the Missouri Medical College and graduated at the Dental School of Pennsyl- vania, and is the only graduate dentist in the county. In 1873 he married Miss Kate Lisk, a native of La Harpe, and their two children are Clyde and Edith. Dr. B. is an Alderman, a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the A. O. U. W., and of the Illinois State Dental Association. He is thoroughly devoted to his pro- fession. He established in practice here in 1873, and has a good patronage.
William T. Campbell and sisters, dealers in dry goods, millinery and notions, La Harpe, established themselves in business here in 1872, and now control a large trade. They are the children of James and Eliza (McCulloch) Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in 1853, settling in Fountain Green tp .; in 1874 they moved to La Harpe, where the father died in 1877; the widow and eight children survive. William T. was born in Franklin county, Pa., in 1839; in 1870 he married Mary A. Barr, a native of the same State, and they have one boy, Charlie. Mr. C. served as Clerk of Fountain Green tp., and is now an Alderman, a Superintendent of the Sunday-school connected with the Congregational Church,
899
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
and is one of those enterprising men who have given prestige to the business of La Harpe.
I. W. Cassell, principal of La Harpe Seminary, is a native of Knox county, O., where he was born in 1839. He was educated at Wittenburg College, Springfield, O., and graduated at that insti- tution in 1866. In September of the same year he entered the college at Adrian, Mich., as Professor of Greek and Latin, where he officiated six years. He organized and superintended the public schools at Lincoln, Neb., in 1872, where he was engaged two years. On his return to Illinois he settled on a farm in this tp., where he has resided until called to fill his present position. He entered the ranks of the Union soldiers in Co. A, 20th O. V. I., in 1861 for three years' service, and was discharged at Bolivar, Tenn., on account of sickness, after one year of service. He was a participant in the battles of Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. In 1871 Prof. C. was married to Miss Mary, daughter of James Gittings, an early pilgrim of Hancock county. Their living children are Abbie, Robert and Ort. The Professor and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
A. Claycomb, proprietor of the Tremont House, La Harpe, was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, in 1812; his parents, Coonrad and Nancy (All) Claycomb, were natives of that State, both deceased. Mr. C. was on a farm until thirty years of age. In 1835 he traveled extensively through the Western States, selling goods, but returned to his home, where he was married in 1847 to Miss Sarah Barr, a native of Kentucky. In 1853 he moved to La Harpe and purchased the hotel on the site of the present house, which was burned to the ground in 1871. He erected a new build- ing the same year, which also was destroyed by fire, January 31, 1879. In these conflagrations he lost about $3,500, besides the family wardrobe. Not discouraged by these losses, he erected the present house (" Tremont ") at a cost of $3,000, which is the only first-class hotel in La Harpe; it has the best improvements, and a livery stable attached, and commands the best trade of the traveling public. Mr. C. also has a farm of 160 acres in St. Clair county, Missouri, under a good state of cultivation. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the father of 2 children: Harry E., who assists his father in the hotel, and Della, deceased.
Albert Comstock, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., La Harpe; was born in this tp. in 1843; his parents, Henry and Lucy (Crocker) Comstock, natives of Conn., and Mass., came to this county in the fall of 1836, and settled on this place; here they resided until his death, in 1879, at the age of 85. His widow survives, aged 81 years. He was an active man, identified with the interests of the county, and was highly esteemed. The subject of this biography was married in 1866, to Miss Narcissa Strong, a native of this State. They have 7 children, all of whom are living: Grant P., Chesley H., Joseph, Alfred, Ernest, Orpha S. and Robert R. The homestead farm consists of 200 acres, valued at $45 per acre. Member of the Con-
900
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
gregational Church and the A. O. U. W. The family are among the oldest and most respected of the county.
Charles W. Comstock, farmer, sec. 23; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, July 28, 1828, son of Charles and Sophia (Bonner) Comstock, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, who came to this county in the fall of 1836, and settled on the farm of the present estate, consisting of 120 acres, valued at $40 per acre. He was among the earliest settlers of this tp., where he resided until his death in January, 1SS0, in the S1st year of his age. She died in 1867. He was a quiet, unostentatious man and devoted to the Church. The subject of this sketch was married in 1852 to Miss Julia A. Haggerty, a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky. They are the parents of 5 children, 4 of whom are living: Laura M., wife of Pliny A. Maywood, resident of this tp., Thomas D., Charles J., who died in June, 1879, in Sacramento, California, in the 22d year of his age, Leonard A. and Herbert H. Mr. C. assessed the town in 1866, and is School Trustee at the present time. He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1865. Politically he is a Republican. He was drafted into the service of the army in 1864, and served until July, 1865; partici- pated in the battles of Kingston, North Carolina, and was honorably discharged.
William N. Comstock, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Hampden county, Mass., Jan. 20, 1825; is a son of Henry and Lucy (Crocker) Comstock, natives of Connecticut and Massa- chusetts, who came to this county in the fall of 1836, and settled in this township, where they resided until his death in Jan., 1879. His widow and S children survive. The subject of this sketch was married in 1850 to Miss Sarah Nutt, a native of Trumbull county, O. They are the parents of 4 living children-Fannie, Mary, William and Frank. In 1869 Mr. C. settled on his present estate, consisting of 230 acres, valued at $45 per acre. He is Commis- sioner of Highways, and is one of the early living pioneers of the county; is a member of the Masonic order, and is favorably known throughout the county. Politically he is a Republican.
George Coulson, hardware merchant, La Harpe, established in the grocery business in 1870, and in his present business Jan. 1, 1879. carries a stock worth $3,000, and has a good trade. Mr. C. was born in this county in 1843. His parents, Dr. George and Nancy (Cossitt) Coulson, were natives of Virginia and Connec- ticut, and came to this county in 1834, settling in this place. The father was one of the first practicing physicians in La Harpe, and one of the earliest settlers. In 1840 he moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he resided until his death, in 1S51. Mrs. C. died in this city in 1866. The subject of this sketch was married in 1869 to Miss Maggie, daughter of Daniel Bainter, of this tp. She died in 1878, leaving 2 children, George and Mary, both living. His present wife, Rebecca Mayer, was a native of this county. They were married in 1879. Mr. C. filled the office of Assessor four
901
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
years; is a member of the I. O. O. F., and one of the oldest living settlers of the county. Politically he is a Democrat.
James C. Coulson, editor of The La Harper, was born in La Harpe. Sept. 24. 1844. His first experience in the newspaper business was at Raritan, Henderson county, Ill .. where he started the Raritan Bulletin, a small paper 10x12-a four-page weekly, which he afterward enlarged to a five-column quarto; afterward continuing this about one year. In November, 1877, he sold out to his partners, Barnes and Butler, and in March, 1878, he bought the office and good will of The La Harper, of Mr. L. S. Cogswell, and he has continued its proprietor and editor since that time, con- ducting the paper as an independent in politics. It is a five-column quarto, and has a circulation of about 600. Its advertisements are all of a local character. It is a live paper, and is in a very pros- perous condition.
Chas. P. Crum, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Disco; was born in Cass county, Ill., in 1853; is a son of James and Christina (Ream) Crum, natives of Indiana and Ohio, who settled in Cass county in 1830, where she died in May, 1878. He survives. The subject of this sketch was married in 1875 to Miss Salina, daughter of A. J Janes. a native of this county. They have 3 children, Roy. and twins, not yet christened. Mr. Crum came to this county in the spring of 1876, and engaged in the grain and mercantile business at Disco, but kept up his farming. In 1878 he disposed of his grain business, and turned his attention wholly to farming. He has an excellent farm of 160 acres, valued at $60 per acre, which is under a good state of cultivation and well improved. He is a member of the I. O. O F., and of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically he was raised a Democrat, but is now a staunch sup- porter of Republican principles.
J. G. Figley. miller, La Harpe, is a native of Columbiana county, O., where he was born in 1824. In 1846 he visited this county, and returned East. He married in 1849 Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1851 he came to this county, and located at Warsaw. where he resided until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C. Ill. Vol. Inf., and served in the Quartermaster's depart- ment until the close of the war. In 1868 he moved to Clarke county. Mo., and in 1875 went to Kohaka. Wis., and for two years engaged in the mercantile business. This he disposed of and pur- chased the mill at La Harpe, upon which he has expended about $3.000 in repairs, and he is now having a large and lucrative trade. Mr. F. is serving his second term as Alderman; is a member of I. O. O. F .. and one of the active, enterprising merchants of La IIarpe. His parents, David and Dorcas Figley, were natives of Washington county, and are both deceased. The following are his six living children: Mary, Jasper M .. Cora, Curtis, Isola and Birdy.
Charles Finney Gill was born in Antwerp. Jefferson county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1829, a son of Daniel L. Gill. who was born in 1783,
902
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
in Vermont, and was during his life-time a farmer, and during the war of 1812 was Captain. He removed from New York to Indiana in 1837, where he bought a farm a half mile from Muncietown, Ind., and where he died in 1838, leaving a widow and 6 children, in comfortable circumstances. Her maiden name was Sallie Cogs- well, and she was also a native of Vermont and of Scotch ancestry ; in 1841 she moved to Illinois with her children, locating in Foun- tain Green tp., on sec. 5; she died in Nauvoo Dec. 25, 1845. Charles' education was limited to that of the common schools in the winter. from 12 to 19 years of age. At 12 he commenced to work on a farm for $4 a month, continuing with the same man until he was 19, when he was employed by Gco. A. Chittenden in Warsaw, as clerk in the forwarding and commission business; six months afterward, in company with David Bettisworth, Mr. Gill bought out Mr. Chittenden and continued six months longer, when Mr. G. bought out Mr. Bettisworth'sinterest, and continued until 1852, when he went to California with three others. with 5 yoke of oxen; in California he engaged in various pursuits, but none of them proving to be permanent, he returned home in 1853, in Feb- ruary; but in March he started for California again, taking 165 head of cattle, and he succeeded in getting them through, which proved a profitable investment. In the spring of 1855 he returned overland, by mule train, and went to steamboating between St. Louis and St. Paul, at first owning an interest in the "Julia Dean " and " Minnesota Belle," and followed the business until 1858, when he bought a farm of 365 acres, the south } of sec. 29, Pon- toosuc tp., where he lived nine years; he then came to La Harpe and put up a large brick building and opened a private bank, which he conducted from 1867 to 1875, when he sold out, on account of failing health, to Hungate & Ward, and spent two years in the South for his health. Mr. Gill was married, Dec. 20, IS55, to Lucy S. A. Bainter, in Fountain Green tp., a native of Ohio and daughter of Daniel N. and Sarah Bainter, who came to this county in 1836, and are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are now resid- ing in La Harpe, in a very pleasant residence, with + children, whose names are Ella, Charles F., John and Sarah M. Politically, Mr. Gill is a Republican; in 1877 he represented the 24th district in the Illinois House of Representatives, which position he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Since that time his chief occupation has been the care of his property, which consists of about 600 acres of farm land in this county, some town property, securities, etc. He also carries on a general produce and grocery store. He has been Treasurer of La Harpe for the last eight or ten years. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.