USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 85
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On Mr. Maynard's arrival in this county there was no Congre- gational Church at this place; in the summer of 1836 a company was collected for the purpose of organizing a Church at his house. a log cabin. Rev. Asa Turner. of Quincy, officiated on the occasion. The members present were: Marvin Tryon and wife, Benjamin Rice and wife, E. A. Deming and wife, Roswell C. Jerome and wife. L. C. Maynard and wife, and others. This was the nucleus of the subse- quently large Congregational Church of La Harpe. At this meeting Mr. Maynard was elected Deacon, which office he has held con- tinuously to the present time. And the Sunday-school that was then organized has always been in existence, with few vacations. up to the present. At the first meeting Mr. M. was also elected Super- intendent of the Sunday-school, and he has officiated for 40 consecu- tive years. In early times the school was held at various places ; as, Ross' school-house, Methodist meeting-house, etc. About twenty- four years ago the society erected a house of worship in La Harpe. since which time the Sunday-school has been held in it.
We give in this volume, on page 315, a portrait of Deacon May- nard. from a photograph taken at the age of 73 years.
J. W. McCord, farmer, sec. 20; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Over- ton county, Tenn., in 1815. His parents, John and Mary (Willard) McCord, were natives of South Carolina and Tennessee, and made their settlement in MeDonough county in 1830, where he entered a large tract of land, and they were among the first families to locate in that county. They resided there until their death. The subject of this sketeh moved to this county in 1846, and settled on his present estate, consisting of 190 aeres, valued at 875 per acre. He was married March 15, 1838, to Miss Naney Manifold, a native of Tennessee. They are the parents of S children, 6 of whom are living,-Elizabeth, George. Sarah, John, Noah and Ida. Mr. McCord and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are highly esteemed. Politically Mr. MeC. is Democratic.
52
912
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
J. J. Mc Vey, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., La Harpe; is a son of Henry and Mary (Jones) McVey, natives of Maryland. They were among the pioneers of Ohio, and raised a family of 10 children. Both died in Ohio, the wife attaining the age of 90 years. The subject of this sketch was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1824. In 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Ramsey, a native of Muskingum county, O .; 3 of the 6 children that were born to them are living .- Clara, Lawrence and Elmore. The deceased are Lunda, Russell and Ernest. In 1860 Mr. McVey moved to this tp. and settled on his present estate, consisting of 190 acres of land. This is one of the finest farms in the tp. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically he is a strong advocate of Republicar principles.
John Miller, farmer, sec. 18; P. O., Disco; is a native of Scott county, Ill., where he was born in 1832. William and Margaret (Dickson) Miller, his parents, were natives of Tennessee, and early pioneers in Morgan county, where he died in 1838. She died after removal to this county in 1866. The subject of this sketch was married in 1855 to Miss Elizabeth, danghter of John Scott, an early pilgrim of Hancock, where she was born. They are the parents of 14 children, 11 of whom are living, as follows: Mary J., George, Della, Waymon, John, Hattie, Eddie, Ollie, Andrew J., Nellie and one not yet christened. Mr. M. settled on his present estate in 1857. now consisting of 520 acres, valued at $40 per acre. His advantages for education were very limited, and only by energy and industry he attained success. He has been School Director for 21 or 22 successive years, but never aspired to political position. Politically he favors the Greenback platform.
Rufus Norris, blacksmith, La Harpe; was born in Chenango county, N. Y., and came to this county in 1838, settling in this place, engaging at his trade. He came from New York on horseback, which at that early day was an adventurous undertaking. He is one of the oldest settlers of La Harpe. He served three years in the war, in the 50th Ill. Vol. Inf.
Farmer Nudd, farmer on sec. 33; P. O., La Harpe; was born in this county in 1844, and is a son of Joseph W. and Sarah (Wales) Nudd, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, who came to this county in the spring of 1835, settling on the place where they yet reside. The subject of this sketch was married in 1868 to Miss Rosabel Vincent, a native of this county, where she was born in 1847, and they are the parents of 4 children-Joseph S., Harry C., Clay, and one not yet named. Mr. Nudd settled on his present farm after his marriage; it consists of 390 acres, 180 of which are in Fountain Green tp., and is valned at $40 an acre. Mr. N. is Road Supervisor, is a member of the Mutual Aid, has been School Director, and in politics is a Democrat. He is one of the oldest living settlers of the tp.
George F. Otto, furniture dealer, La Harpe, was born in Phila - delphia, Pa., in 1834. His parents, William and Mary A. (Wood)
913
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Otto, were natives of that State; both are deceased. Mr. Otto came to this county in 1856, and the following year located in this city. He was a carpenter by trade, and followed his occupation until he established his present business in 1869. He carries a stock of' $1.500, and has a good trade. In 1837 he was married to Miss Hettie A. Hyatt, a native of New York State. Mr. O. has filled the office of City Treasurer and Alderman; was elected Mayor of the city in 1879, and filled the same office pro tem two years; has been a member of the Masonic order 14 years, and is one of the active business men of the city. His family are connected with the Protestant Methodist Church. Two brothers of Mr. Otto, William H. and Leroy T., served through the war. and died with consump- tion after returning home.
Henry R. Painter, farmer, sec. 4; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Mercer (now Lawrence) county, Pa., in 1828. When nine years of age he was brought to this county by his parents, William and Hannah (Reynolds) Painter, who made their settlement on the present farm, at that time, of SO acres. They resided here until their death. The subject of this sketch has by energy, economy and industry secured 320 acres, the most of which is well cultivated. and is one of the finest farms in the county. He erected his com- modions dwelling in 1871. His marriage to Miss Jane Dawson occurred in 1852. She is a native of Kentucky. Of their chil- dren 7 are living-Joseph H., Anna, Flora, Marion, Charles W., Lonis H. and Jennie E. Mr. P. is School Director at the present time. and numbers among the oldest and most respected citizens of the county. Politically he was formerly a Whig, but now endorses the Republican platform.
George W. Peck, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., La Harpe; was born in Mason county. Va., in 1819. In 1841 he moved to Gallia county, O., where he was married June 10. 1841, to Miss Lucina Rowley, a native of Ohio. In 1850 they came to this county and settled in this tp., where they have since made their home. Of 10 children born to them 9 are living. Their farm, consisting of 65 acres, is valued at $50 per acre. They are members of the Methodist Church, and among the oldest and respected families of the county. Politically he is Democratic.
William Perrin, Jr., druggist, La Harpe, commenced his pres- ent business Dec. 1, 1871, carries a stock of $5.000, and has a large trade. He was born in England in 1836, and emigrated to the United States in 1847 with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Gulliver) Perrin, who located in Warren county, Ill. He after- ward settled in Monmouth tp., where she died in 1869. The sub- ject of this sketch enlisted in 1862 in Co. F. S3d I. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, and against Forest at Nashville and Chattanooga. In 1867 he was married to Miss Mary Todd, a native of Des Moines county. Iowa. They are the parents of 6 children, 5 of whom are living, Flora, Mary, Hattie, Arthur aud George. Mr.
914
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
and Mrs. P. are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. P. is among the active business men of La Harpe. He is Republican in politics.
Charles B. Place, grain dealer; P. O., Disco; was born in Muskingum county, O., in 1852, and is a son of Joseph and Eleanor (Baxter) Place, natives of Virginia and Ohio, who came to this county in 1865, and settled in Pilot Grove tp., where they yet reside. The subject of this biography was married in June, 1877, to Miss Mary, daughter of A. J. James, of this tp. They are the parents of one child. Ernest. Mr. P. entered the mercantile busi- ness at Disco in 1878; subsequently he disposed of his stock and became largely engaged in the grain business. His shipments average 100,000 bushels per year. He enjoys a good trade and is one of the enterprising young merchants of Disco.
John Sperry, retired, was born in East Bloomfield, N. Y., in 1811, and came to this State in 1832. He stopped at Quincy, and the following year his parents, George and Mary (Lemmon) Sperry, came and located in Adams county. In 1833 the family moved to this county and located at La Harpe. He was a carpenter and erected many of the first buildings in the city. They both died at Council Bluffs in 1844 or '45. The subject of this sketch engaged at various occupations until elected Justice of the Peace; he was re-elected three times, serving 14 or 15 years, when he resigned. He has also held other public trusts. He was married in 1832 to Miss Sarah, daughter of Lyman Oatman, an old settler of the county, now deceased. By this marriage 10 children have been born, S of whom are living. Two sons, Eli and Aaron, lost their lives in the late war.
Robert Sutton, M. D., was born in England in 1842, and when four years of age emigrated to the United States with his parents, Robert H. and Martha (Reay) Sutton. He was a clergyman of the Methodist faith, and located in Pittsburg, Pa. He followed his professional calling until 1858, when he became blind. Subse- quently he returned to Pittsburg, recovered his sight, and in 1877 he retired from the ministry and moved to Waynesborough, Pa., and is living in quiet retirement. The subject of this biography received his early education in the schools of Fairmont, W. Va., and Henry College, Ill. He attended lectures at the Chicago medical school, and graduated at the Eclectic Medical College, Cincinnati, O., in 1863. The same year he began the practice of his profession in this city, where he has since been successfully engaged. He was married in 1864 to Miss Susan G. Chenour, who died in 1871. One child, David C., is the surviving offspring. He was again married to Miss Orpha E., daughter of Jesse C. Chandler, an early settler of this county. "They are the parents of 2 children, Mark C. and Jesse B. Dr. S. is serving the sixth term as Superintendent of the city schools, is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and enjoys a large practice as a physician.
915
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Benjamin Warren is a native of Shapleigh, York county, Maine, and was born April 20, 1828, of English ancestry. The founder of the family in America was also Benjamin Warren, the grand- father of the subject of this sketch, who came to this country soon after the Revolutionary war and settled in Waterborough, York county, Me., where he died leaving 7 children. One of his sons, Luther Warren, was the father of the present Benjamin Warren, and followed farming; he moved from Maine to Illinois in 1866 and made his home with his sons John and Benjamin, in this county ; he and wife are now deceased. The subject of this sketch re- ceived his education in Maine previous to his 17th year, in the common school; he then went to Boston and attended a commer- cial school for six months or a year; then followed clerking in that city the ensuing five years in a real-estate broker's office, and after- ward became partner. In 1848 he returned to his native State, attended school the following winter, and in February he started for the prairie State. Illinois, and arrived in La Harpe, where he commenced as clerk in the store of his brother John; the latter had come in 1850. He soon became a partner with his brother in general merchandising and continued until 1863, when he retired, and since then has been in no regular business in La Harpe, but for three years past has been a member of the firm of Warren & Co., at Peoria, produce and commission merchants.
Mr. Warren married Miss Portia Nutt, at La Harpe, Oct. 1, 1851, who was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Lecuster and Mary Ann (Cummings) Nutt, of that county. Mr. Nutt was a native of Connecticut, and his wife, of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Warren have a family of 7 children, as follows: Benjamin, Jr., now of the firm of Warren & Co., Peoria; Charles A., Cora E., Mary C., John, Jr., Luther and Allen L. The first five are living at home with their parents. The family are at present residing at La Harpe, in one of the finest residences in the county, built by Mr. Warren in 1874-'5, at an expense of about $15,000, and fur- nished with all modern improvements, with water up stairs and down, and fitted for gas, etc.
In politics Mr. Warren is a Democrat, and he takes a very active part in the promulgation of his principles. He has served his township in nearly all the local offices, among which is that of Supervisor; in this capacity he has served ten terms; he has also been County Treasurer and ex officio Collector, and is filling this office at present. In the fall of 1872 he was elected State Senator, and in the 28th General Assembly he was a member of the Com- mittees on Revenue, Finance, Agriculture, Railroads, Manufactures and Mining; and in the 29th he was a member of the Committees on Warehouses, Roads. Highways and Bridges, Education, State Educational Institutions, and was chairman of the Committee on Revenue.
John Warren, retired merchant, is a son of Luther and Charlotte Warren, both natives of York county, Me., and both born in 1792.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Luther W. lived on a farm in his native county till 1861, when he came to La Harpe, where he died in October, 1871. His death occurred on the cars, between this place and Canton, by the side of his son John. He died without making a sound or giving any intimation of his approaching demise. The wife and mother died Nov. 17, 1879. The subject of this biography was born in York county, Me., Jan. 6, 1815. He received the advantages of a good English education, and when 19 years of age began teaching school in his native State, where he taught the winter season for four years. In May, 1838, he came to La Harpe, then containing but a few log cabins, and engaged in brick-making in the summer and school-teaching in the winter. He taught the first school ever kept in La Harpe. On April 9, 1844, he commenced mercantile business on a small scale, and his was the second business-place opened at that time. He dealt extensively in produce, buying and selling wheat and pork, and made large shipments to St. Louis; and in his various operations made and lost considerable money. He was united in marriage, Dec. 28, 1845, to Miss Polly Ricker, a native of Maine, who died April 10, 1847. He was again mar- ried, to Miss Sophronia Ricker, July 9, 1848; she was also a native of Maine, and a sister of the deceased. To this union 11 children have been born, 7 of whom are living. In 1850 a partnership with his brother was formed, which continued till 1862. In April, 1852, Mr. W. started overland to California with an ox team, and was 111 days on the road. The party passed through the country of the Modoc Indians, and only the strength of their numbers saved them from annihilation. He engaged successfully in the manufacture of brick in California, and returned via Panama in 1853. He erected his fine and commodious residence in 1856, and in 1873 purchased the postoffice building and took charge of the office, in connection with a business in books and stationery. A few years later he was stricken with paralysis, which deprived him of speech, and the cares of his business passed into the hands of his only son, Edgar L. Warren, who was born in this tp. in 1855. He is a young man of excellent business qualifications, and con- trols a large trade in stationery, wall-paper and fancy goods. For six years he has been largely engaged in the insurance business, and is agent for the Ætna and Phoenix companies of Hartford, Conn., and the Home Insurance Company, New York. His father has held varions offices, and the family are among the oldest and respected of this community.
Luther Warren, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, La Harpe, was born in York county, Pennsylvania in 1833. In 1850 he came to this county, and two years afterward crossed the plains to Cali- fornia prospecting, where he remained three or four years. On his . return he entered the mercantile business, in this city, where he has since been engaged. He was married in 1857 to Miss Etha- line Stone, a native of Jefferson county, O. To this union 6 chil- dren have been born, 4 of whom are living: Frank, Ruby M.,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Willis E. and George O. Mr. W. has held many prominent offices and numbers among the oldest settlers and reliable business men of La Harpe. Politically he is a Republican.
OFFICIALS.
The following is a list of the Supervisors, Clerks, Assessors and Collectors that have served in this township since its organization.
SUPERVISORS.
Samuel Cogswell
1851
L. S. Cogswell. 1869
David Gochenour
1852
Cornelius C. Preston. 1871
Jas. A. Lester
1856
Benjamin Warren 1872
William Smith.
1858
John Miller. .
1874
Benjamin Warren.
1864
L. S. Cogswell.
1875
Andrew J. James
1866
James Mayor 1877
A. J. Bradshaw.
1868
Benjamin Warren
1880
CLERKS.
S. W. King.
1856
Theodore H. Stone. 1872
Francis M. Hurdle.
1853
Jeremiah Smith.
1873
William Garrigues.
1860
Benjamin Warren, Jr. 1874
Jeremiah Smith
1861
George W. Soule. 1875
D. B. Stone. . .
1864
Theodore H. Stone.
1876
John P. Brundage.
1865
H. S. Dickson.
1878
John S. Peyton.
1866
Israel Brundage 1879
George Coulson.
1868
I. W. Hindman.
1880
Israel Brundage.
1871
ASSESSORS.
Henry C. Coulson
1856
Wm. J. Riggins. 1870
Joseph T. Painter
1858
Joseph Nichols.
1871
S. W. Leavitt.
1860
John Miller.
1872
Joseph T. Painter
1861
William Bunger 1873
Joseph Nichols.
1864
John Miller ..
1875
Charles F. Comstock 1866
William Bunger
1876
Joseph Nichols
1867
John N. Painter 1877
John Miller
1869
George Coulson
1878-1880
COLLECTORS.
Henry C. Coulson
1856
Jeremiah Smith 1869
Joseph T. Painter.
1858
H. H. Bliss.
1870
F. M. Hurdle.
1860
George Coulson.
1871
Benjamin Warren
1861
Israel Brundage. 1872
John Warren. .
1862
David H. Gochenour. 1873
Jas. M. Campbell. 1864
Walter H. Fordyce. 1874
James Mayor.
1865
Charles Gochenour
1876
Wm. E. Coquillette.
1866
William Swisher.
1877
John Warren.
1867
John Sperry.
1880
Henry Beckman ..
1868
DURHAM TOWNSHIP.
There is probably no better township of land in the county than that numbered 7-6, and named Durham. It lies on the extreme north line of the county, and is chiefly prairie, though much of it is rolling and well drained. It has a small branch of Crooked creek on its east side, and a portion of Camp creek in its northi- west corner, each of which are skirted by bodies of timber. All the railroad it contains is about a mile of the Burlington branch of the Toledo, from Disco across its northeast corner. Its northwest corner lies less than two miles from the river at Dallas City. Dur- ham may be called the western extension of what in the early days was known as " North Prairie," a tract of splendid farming country lying north of La Harpe and extending into Henderson county. Disco, on the east line of the township, must be near the center of it. This town was laid in Feb., 1876, by John Shutwell, and is located on the line of Durham and La Harpe townships. It is young and small yet, but seems to be a place of considerable busi- ness as a railroad station.
Among the early settlers in Durham we have the names of Thomas Dixon, Sr., George Weaver, John Gilmore and brothers, of 1835; and Jacob Mendenhall, William Logan, Ferdinand Brent and son, James and Wm. Meeker, and Jesse Avise, of 1836. Among those the dates of whose emigration we are not advised, are the Boyses, Manifolds, Loftons, Harknesses, Wilsons, James Mills, I. Wimp, Wm. McGuire.
Among the first things in Durham township, we may mention: First school-house, of hewed logs, built in 1837, and called Camp Creek school-house; first school taught by Mary Jane Jacobs, now of Washington Territory. First preaching by Rev. Wm. Johnson, Episcopalian; first Sabbath-school by Wm. McGuire, at same place; first M. E. preacher was Rev. Pool; first P. O. was called Camp Creek, John L. Avise, P. M. Concerning this P. O. it was on sec. 18, west line of the tp .; when Mr. Avise died it was kept by his widow; and when she married Mr. Lyman Harkness, he was made P. M.,-three in one family. It was afterward removed to Durham Corners, and kept by J. Hugh McGuire.
RELIGIOUS PROGRESS.
As stated above, the first preachings in Durham were by Revs. Johnson and Pool. We have no data as to Church organizations. The M. E. society has a church edifice at Durham Center, built in 1865, which we believe is the only one in the township.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
PERSONAL.
It will be more interesting to give short biographical sketches of the best-known residents of this township, which we now proceed to do.
O. S. Avery, a farmer of Durham tp., was born in Ohio in 1817. His parents were Simeon Avery, a native of New York, and Re- becca, nee Passmore, a native of Ohio. Coming to Illinois in the fall of 1843, he first settled in Dallas tp., where he resided till the spring of 1847, when he came to Durham tp. In 1846 he was married to Miss Eliza J. Atherton, who is now 52 years of age. From this union she is the mother of 10 children, of whom 6 are now living; namely, James O., Eliza J., Rebecca A., John M., Nancy J., and Laura B. Mr. Avery owns 240 acres of land, of which about 150 acres are under cultivation. £ His educational advantages were very poor. He never went to school three months in a year, and yet he is a man who reads a great deal. He has been School Treas- urer and Collector. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, and and is politically a Republican.
David Byler, who is one of the many prominent farmers of Durham tp., is the son of John Byler and Sarah (Hayworth) Byler, who were natives of Tenn., and of German descent. He is also a native of Tenn., and was born in 1818. He first came to Illinois in 1836 and settled in Adams Co .; after having lived there 15 years, he came to Durham tp. He is now on sec. 9. He was married in 1840 to Miss Grace Jane Levi, who at her death was the mother of 2 children, John P. and Silas H., who are farmers in this tp. He was married a second time, in 1851 ; from this marriage, his wife, at her death, was the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom are living, Grace Jane and Henry C. In 1858, he was again married, to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who is now 46 years of age, and the mother of 3 children, all of whom are living : Sarah, William Newton and Mary Bell. Mr. B., when he first came to the State, had very little to start on, but by close management and the exercise of good judgment, he has succeeded well in all his undertakings. He now owns where he lives three quarters of fine land, which he estimates at about $50 per acre. He has also two quarters on sections 15 and 21, and nearly one quarter of timber in same tp. In Adams Co. he owns 200 acres of good land, and has an interest in a quarter of land in Missouri. 'He has held several township offices ; was Supervisor 10 or 12 years, and now holds the offices of Justice of Peace, Township Treasurer and School Director. His educational advantages were very good, teaching school considerably when young. He has been a farmer all his life, and by hard work has earned what he has. He and his wife have been for a number of years members of the Bap- tist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat ; was a Whig nntil 1852.
Stephen Eckles, a farmer of sec. 20 of Durham tp., was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. He is the son of James Eckles and Eliza-
920
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
beth (Quick) Eckles, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. Re- moving to Illinois in 1847, he first settled in Adams Co., where he resided until the spring of 1851, when he came to Hancock Co., and settled where he now lives. In 1865 he was married to Miss Lu- cinda Walters, who is now 39 years of age, and the mother of 4 children : Calvin, Emma, Stephen and William, all of whom are living. Mr. E. owns 80 acres of land, all of which is very well im- proved, and is worth about $45 per acre. The high esteem and lo-
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