History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws, Part 86

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 86

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cal repute in which he is held in his community is evidenced by the fact that he has held every office in the township, from School Director to Supervisor, which office he now competently fills. Mr. E. informs us that his advantages for securing an education were very good for the times. Politically, he was, is, and always expects to be a Democrat; has been elected by that party to the position which he now occupies as Supervisor.

Daniel Farren, who is the son of Daniel and Sarah (McAndry) Farren, is a native of Ireland, and supposes himself to be about 70 years old, the exact date of his birth being unknown to him. He came across the ocean to America in 1836, and first settled in Penn- sylvania, where he lived two years, and then came to Illinois. He came to Hancock Co. in 1852, and settled where he now is in Durham tp., on sec. 4. In 1855 Mr. Farren was married to Cath- arine Markey, who was a native of Pennsylvania. She is now 50 years old, and is the mother of 7 children, all of whom are living : John, Philip, Mary, William, James, Rosanna and Sarah. Mr. F. owns 280 acres of very good land, not quite all of which is under cultivation, and is worth about $40 per acre. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Catholic Church. His educa- tional advantages were quite limited.

William K. Gittings .- The ancestors of this worthy citizen of our county were from England, and settled in Baltimore county, Maryland, prior to the Revolutionary war; the first we know of them by this name was Kinsey Gittings, who married Mary Clem- mons, and who moved to Washington county, Kentucky, in an early day, and followed farming; he died in that county about 1830, aged 65 years, leaving a widow and 6 children; the former died at the same place about 1840. Their eldest son, William H. Gittings, was raised on his father's farm in Kentucky, where he remained until he was 28 years old; he followed farming and boating to New Orleans, etc. In October, 1818, he married Miss Ellen Mudd, a native of Maryland, and a danghter of Richard and Mary (Berry) Mudd, all of Maryland and English ancestry; Richard Mudd was an officer in the Revolutionary war under Washington; at an early day he removed with his family to Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. William Henson Gittings lived in Union county, Kentucky, where S children were born to him; in 1834 he moved to Illinois, stopping a short time in Morgan county, and in 1835 came to this county, with his family, and settled in Fountain Green tp., on sec. 7, where he afterward bought of the Government 180 acres of partly

William ft Gittings DURHAM TP.

921

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

improved land. In politics he was a decided Whig, and in 1848 was a nominee of his party for the State Senate. In this county he had nothing to commence with, but in time came to be one of the wealthiest men in this section. He was a man of the strictest integrity, whose word was as good as his bond. In his habits he was very temperate, and in all respects he was honored and respected by the community. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He died November 7, 1869, aged nearly 79 years. leaving 10 chil- dren, who were all married at the time, and are all living at present. He had a family of 15 children, but 5 are deceased.

William K. Gittings, the third child of the former, was born November 5, 1822, and was on his father's farm until 26 years of age, when he was married January 9, 1849. at the Church of St. Peter, Nauvoo, Illinois, by Father Griffin, to Amelia E. Hardy, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Ivo H. and Mary (Riley) Hardy, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Kentucky, and of English descent. Ivo Hardy and wife moved to this county in 1835: he is now dead. and his widow is now living with Mr. W. K. Gittings. On Mr. G.'s marriage he immediately moved upon a farm on sec. 1. Durham tp., consisting of about SO acres, which he had bought some time previous to his marriage. The first house he built was a small log cabin 14 by 16; in this he lived one year, when he built a small frame: in 1860 he erected a large two-story and L, which he has since occupied.

In politics Mr. G. is a Democrat, and he has been Supervisor four terms, and was one of the first Road Commissioners after the organization of the county. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. He has since added to the home farm until it now consists of 720 acres, and he has given to two of his children who are married 320 acres besides: his children are: Mary Ellen, now the wife of Wm. L. Dean, of this tp .; Julia A., now Mrs Wm. Yager. also of this tp .; Cory I., now Mrs. John Arnold. and living in Henderson county. near Burlington; Ivo James. Henry Mar- cellus and Catharine Matilda, at home. Wmn. Berry, Rose Ellen and Sarah May are deceased.

Jason K. Jacob. who has been a resident of Durham tp., Hancock county. Ill., for over 40 years, is a native of Connecticut, and was born Aug. 24, 1806. His parents' names were Udna and Elizabeth, who were natives also of Connecticut. His father was a farmer. also a mechanic by trade, and taught school some in his early life. Mr. J's grandparents were early pioneers of Connecticut, and his father removed from Connecticut to New York about 1812. when his son Jason, the subject of this sketch, was quite young. Here he lived until 1820, when he went to Indiana, and living there 6 or 7 years he again returned to New York. his son Jason returning with him. Afterward. in 1838. his father and family came West and settled on sec. 34 of Durham tp., where he (Jason) still lives. Mr. J. was married in 1839 to Sarah A. Thompson, who is the mother of 6 children, of whom 5 are living: Orson, the oldest, who is now

922

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

traveling for S. Hamill & Co., Keokuk; Milton, who is now running a store and buying grain in Sciota, Ill .; Richford, who is farming in the same tp .; Viola, who is the wife of Marshall Terry, a clothier in Blandinsville, Ill .; and Horace, who is still farming at home with his father. Mr. J. owns 30 acres of land where he now lives, which is pretty well improved and worth about $2,000. His advan- tages for an education were only such as log houses afforded. Politically he is and always has been a Democrat, and has held several offices, such as Magistrate eight years in this county, School Director, Trustee, and Commissioner of Highways. He and his wife are both members of the Christian Church.

James Edison Manifold .- This man's father, George Manifold, was a native of Tennessee, and came to Hancock county in 1836, bringing with him a family of a wife and S children. The names of the children were: Sarah, deceased; Elizabeth, Nancy, William Fleming, Joseph N., James E., Benjamin, Jashur and John, all living in this county except Joseph N., who lives in Rockford, Ill. Geo. Manifold's wife's maiden name was Mary Persley, and she was a native of Tennessee. He died in this county a year and a half after settling here. His occupation was that of a farmer, and his farm consisted of three quarter-sections, and his residence was one and a half miles west of La Harpe. He died somewhat in debt for his land, but the widow and family afterward succeeded in paying all balance due. She died about ten years ago, and her son John now occupies the old homestead.

James E. Manifold lived on the old place with his mother, sharing in clearing the place from debt, until he was 24 years of age, having received such a limited education as was afforded in the primitive log school-houses of the day. In the spring of 1853 he bonght 160 acres on sec. 9, Durham tp., for which he paid $1,150, $500 down, which latter sum he had made in raising a crop of wheat on rented land. On this farm was a small log cabin and some slight improvements; 100 acres of it was raw prairie; but the farm is now one of the best cultivated in the county, with fine improve- ments, fences, etc. The farm now comprises 280 acres, and Mr. M. has also 240 acres on sec. 28, and SO on sec. 20. Mr. Manifold has had but $200 given him in his life, and that was after his mar- riage; and he has therefore made all his present possessions by direct earning. He follows stock farming to some extent, feeding on an average from 100 to 200 head of stock per annum; raises on an average 80 to 90 acres of corn, all of which, besides more, he feeds; he raises wheat, oats, etc., for market. His residence is on sec. 9, and he is very pleasantly situated.

In politics Mr. M. is a Republican, and in religion he has been a member of the Methodist Church for the last fifteen years; Mrs. M. has been a member of the same Church since she was 18 years of age.

Mr. Manifold was married Nov. 17, 1853, to Elizabeth Logan, near Dallas, in Henderson county; she was born in Indiana, Nov.

923

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

28, 1830, and was a daughter of Wm. and Elizabeth (McCarty) Logan, formerly of Marion county, Ind., and moved to Hancock county in 1835, locating on Camp creek, in Durham tp., where he bought land, of which he finally owned a large quantity; he gave each of his 9 children 80 acres, and at his death left 160 acres. He died in this county in 1847; his wife died in 1843. In coming to this county he brought 9 children with him; namely, Sarah, James M., Benj. J., Wm. H., Enoch M., Jonathan B., Samnel W., Jane and Elizabeth. These are all living, and gone further west ( Mis- souri and Kansas) except Elizabeth and Enoch, who live in Mercer county: Ill. Mr. Manifold's portrait is given in this volume, p. 423.

J&B. McMillen, is the son of James McMillen and Eleanor (Bernethy) McMillen, and was born in Brown county, O., in 1828. Coming to Illinois in 1849 he first settled in La Harpe tp .; living there one year, he went to Fountain Green, thence to Pilot Grove, where he remained for 20 years. While here his occupation was a farmer and at the same time was engaged in the drug business at Burnside for a number of years with L. V. Aleshire. And after- ward he removed to Durham tp. in the spring of '75, where he now lives on sec. 34. He was married in the fall of 1854 to Miss Mar- garet S. Evans, who is still living; from this marriage they have had S children, of whom all are living except one. Their names are: Eleanor A., the wife of John L. Heller, who is a druggist in Abingdon, Ill .; Ethel, who was recently married to W. W. Glass, now a farmer of Fountain Green tp .; James E., who is a farmer in Durham tp .; Christina P., who is the wife of James Lionberger, a farmer in Pilot Grove; Cyrus Grant, Sarah B. and John Oscar, who are still at home. Since he removed to Durham tp., Mr. McM. has been an extensive farmer and stoek-dealer. He has a large farm consisting of 350 acres where he lives, and 115 acres in Pilot Grove, on sec. 3. All of it is pretty well improved and he estimates it at about $45 per acre. He has on his land a large and commodious stone barn, probably the best in the tp. This building is 40 by 60 feet in size and holds about 50 tons of hay; has a basement story for 20 horses and 60 cattle; and altogether, is a conveniently arranged structure. Mr. McM. has only one brother, John, who is a preacher and retired citizen of Winterset, Iowa, and 3 living sisters, 2 of whom are in this State and one in Iowa.

His educational advantages were only such as were afforded by a district school. Politically he is a Republican. He and family are members of the Christian Church, and all are highly esteemed by those who know them.

James Mills, son of William Mills and Sarah Morrison, was born in Ohio county, Virginia, near Wheeling, in 1816. He came to Illinois in 1853 and settled in Durham tp., on sec. 20; here he still resides, together with his three maiden sisters, Caroline, Sarah Jane and Minerva Zane, who keeps house for their bachelor brother James, the subject of this sketch. Mr. M. owns 160 acres

924

IIISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

of pretty-well-improved land which is worth about $50 per acre. He has never held any office and never belonged to any secret organization. His educational advantages were only such as were offered by subscription schools. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. M. stands high in his community as a gentleman of sterling worth, and as a man whose integrity all admire.

Sarah Morris, the danghter of William Cather and Elizabeth Gillet, who were of Yankee and Irish descent, was born in Penn- sylvania in 1836. Coming to Ill. in 1851 she first settled in Hen- derson county, where she resided one winter and then came where she now is, on sec. 12 of Durham tp. In 1856 she was married to John Morris, who died in 1876; from this union she is the mother of 6 children, 4 of whom are now living: Elizabeth, Day- ton, Sumner and Charles. She owns 200 acres of good land which is pretty well improved and is worth about $45 per acre. Her educational advantages were somewhat limited. She is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically her husband was a Republican. Her mother is still living.

V. P. Parmelee, a merchant of Durham tp., is the son of Ormin Parmelee and Phebe (Lyons) Parmelee, and was born in Conn., in 1853. His parents, who were of English descent and natives of Conn., are now both dead. He came to Illinois in 1870 and set- tled in Durham tp., where he has been ever since. He went into business at Durham Corners three years ago, buying the dry-goods and grocery store formerly owned by C. M. Thomas. He is now doing a very good business and has a good home trade. IIe carries a stock of about $1,500, and by fair, square dealing and prompt attention to business, has gained the confidence of his many friends in the community. Politically Mr. P. is a Democrat and now holds the office of Town Clerk. Before going into business here he was a farmer. His father was also a farmer and stock dealer.

Reynolds & Robertson, merchants, Disco. This young and enter- prising firm established business in October, 1879. They carry a stock of $5,000, and have a lucrative trade. The senior partner of this firm, W. H. Robertson, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1856, and came to Illinois with his parents, William and Ann E. (Pennell) Robertson, who are residents of Terre Haute, Hender- son county. Mr. R. had a large experience as clerk in the mercan- tile houses of Terre Haute, and has adaptation and energy for suc- cess. He was married in 187S, to Miss Jane Forseman. Edla is their only, child. The junior member, Mr. Reynolds, is a native of Clinton county, O., where he was born in 1848. His parents are residents of Henderson county, where they settled in 1879. Mr. Reynolds was engaged in farming until the present partnership was formed. He was appointed Postmaster at Disco, Jan. 1, 1880.

Josiah Ritchey, a farmer of Durham tp., was born in Tennessee, in 1830. He is the son of John M. Ritchey and Catherine Dough- erty. He came to this State in 1851, and settled in Adams county ; after living there one year he came to Hancock, and first settled in

925

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Dallas tp., where he resided until 1862, when he removed to Dur- ham, and settled on sec. 29, where he now lives. In 1854 he was mar- ried to Miss Amanda F. Knowles, who is now 44 years of age; from this union she is the mother of 9 children, all of whom are living: Hiram C., Philip M., John M., Sarah L., Margaret E., Catherine, James HI., Lucy M. and Dora B. Mr. R. has 80 acres of well-improved land which is worth about $45 per acre. Has never held any office except School Director, two terms. His educational advantages were very much inferior to those of to-day.

He has two sisters living, one in this tp., and one in Iowa. His father is dead but his mother, 76 years old, is living in this tp. Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat. He and family are members of the United Brethren Church.

James Rhea, one of the most prominent farmers of Durham tp., is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1834. His parents' names were William and Ann, who were of Irish and Dutch descent. He came to Illinois in 1850, and first settled in Adams county, where he resided until 1856, when he came to the place on which he now lives, on sec. 31. He was married in 1855 to Nancy J. Smith, who died about four years after their marriage; and was mar- ried a second time shortly afterward to Harriet I. Smith, a sister to his former wife. His first wife was the mother of 2 children, of whom one, whose name is Thomas, is now living. His second wife is the mother of 7 children, of whom 4 are living. Their names are: Theodore F., George, John and Adaline. His advan- tages for an education, when young, were very poor, being eon- pelled to go four or five miles to attend school. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. R. owns in Durham tp., where he lives, 117 acres, all of which is well improved. He has a fine two-story house, size, 28x32, with an L, which he built in 1872, at a cost of about $3,000. He has, also, one of the finest barns in the tp., size, 44x68, which he built in 1874, at a cost of $2,000. Besides the land on which he lives, he owns in Pilot Grove tp., 240 acres of well-improved land, the average value of all of which is about $40 per acre.

By hard work and strict adherence to the principles of right and justice, Mr. R. has accumulated considerable wealth, and has suc- eeeded in establishing a reputation beyond reproach.

Robert Thomas, one of the old settlers of Durham tp., but of late a retired citizen of Carthage, Ill., was born in Kentucky, in 1807. His parents, whose names were James and Sarah (Childers) Thomas were also natives of Kentucky, and of English and Welsh descent. Emigrating to Illinois in 1829, he first settled in Adams county, where he lived about 25 years. He next came to Haneock county, in 1856, and settled at Durliam Center, on sec. 16. He was married in 1830, to Miss Rebecca Thompson, who is now 56 years old and the mother of 9 children, 6 of whom are living: Mel- vina, Mary, Robert, Helen, Charles and George.

His educational advantages were rather poor, although he reads

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

considerably now. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for 48 years.

G. W. Vandruff, son of Joseph and Lavina (Nichols) Vandruff, who were natives of Pennsylvania, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1820. His descent is Holland Dutch. He emigrated to Illinois in 1849 and first settled at Mendon, where he lived three years: he then went to Henderson county, where he remained about a year and a half; thence he came to Hancock county, where he has resided ever since: he is now on sec. 14. He was married in 1847, to Miss Hettie Gillet, who died in abont 25 years. He was mar- ried the second time in 1873, to Susan Smith, who is now 52 years old. and the mother of 5 children, all of whom are living. Mr. V. owns 321 acres of land, which is well improved and worth about $50 per acre.

When a boy, he attended a subscription school in a log cabin, where they had greased paper for windows, and roughly hewn boards for seats. He has held the offices of Collector and Road Commissioner. He is now a member of the Masonic fraternity: he and his wife are both members of the Church of God, of which there is a small denomination in his community. Politically; he is a sincere Greenbacker.

Linus L. Wilcox. a prominent farmer of Durham tp., was born in Haddam. Middlesex county, Conn., July 6, 1819. He is the eldest son of Lyman and Emily (Hubbard) Wileox. both natives of Middlesex, Conn., and until 16 years of age he was on his father's farm; he then spent three years as an apprentice at the tanner's trade; then taught school one winter in Connecticut. April 3. 1839, he married Miss Abigail Burr, of the same State, and imme- diately removed to Hancock county, Ill., settling in La Harpe tp .; the following winter he taught school in La Harpe, and his wife taught the same winter in a log school-house one and one-half iniles east. In 1841, Mr. Wilcox rented land in La Harpe tp .. and the next year be purchased the northeast quarter of see. 22, Dur- ham tp., which place he improved and occupied until 1856, when his wife died, in Connecticut, July 12.

While on a visit to his native State in 1849, with his family, he became interested in a chain pump, which he was the first to introduce at any point west of the Alleghany mountains. He manufactured and sold the article for about four years, employing six to twelve men. After the death of his wife, as before men - tioned. he built a portion of his present residence, which was enlarged by additions and completed in 1872, at a cost of 82.300. His barn, erected in 1869, is one of the best in the country. Everything on the premises is neatly arranged. . Has a milk cellar communicating with an ice-house, a very convenient contrivance for taking off the wagon bed and keeping it in an elevated position, out of the way, an arrangement for loading, corn (can load 40 bushels of shelled corn per minnte), cultivator wheels usable also for a hand cart, and various other convenience's wherein he is " lit-

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

tle ahead" of most of the world. He began life poor, but by hon- est diligence has acquired a competence. He practices the cash system in all his dealings.

He has taken a prominent part in the " farmers' movement," and was Master of the first Grange organized in the northern part of the county; was originally a Whig, then a Republican, and now is a prominent Greenbacker; has been a member of the M. E. Church for 42 years, and has been Recording Steward.

Mr. Wilcox has been twice married. By his first wife, already mentioned, he had 5 sons and 2 daughters, 3 of whom are living- Daniel W., Cynthia E. and Edward A. Oct. 5, 1858, he married Fannie M. Buell, of Killingworth, Conn., and of their 4 children 3 are living-Ellsworth F .. Collins H. and Freddie. Mr. W. has three sisters-one in this tp., one in Elvaston, and one in Kansas. He has two brothers-one in Good Hope, McDonough county, Ill., and one in Kansas.

Mr. Wilcox is an intelligent, industrious and influential citizen, and as a prominent man of his community, we present on page 803 a portrait of him, from a photograph taken when he was 40 years of age.

TOWN OFFICERS.

Here follows a list of the men who have served this township officially, both past and present:

SUPERVISORS.

James Porter.

.1850

Jason K. Jacobs 1865

Jesse Duffield.

1853

Robert Inghram. 1868

Jesse Avise ..

1856

David Byler. 1869

David Byler.

1858

I. M. Morris ..

1874

Robert Inghram

1860

Wm. K. Gittings 1875

Wellington Jenney.

1862

Stephen Eckles

1879

David Byler.

1864

CLERKS.

John McGuire. 1855

Wesley Huston 1869

A. B. Stevens.

1859

Wesley Pershin .. 1875

Stephen Eckles.

1864

Geo. W. Hendrix 1876

Wellington Jenney.

1865

L. W. Buell. 1877

John McGuire.

1866

Ed. Wilcox. 1878

William Scott.

1867

V. P. Parmele

1879-1880

Stephen Eckles.

1868

ASSESSORS.

James Porter.

.1855

Stephen Eckles. 1870

William Scott.

1858

Robert Inghram 1871

J. B. Barr. .

1860

Stephen Eckles. 1873

Stephen Eckles

1862

Wm. E. Atwater. 1874

Jesse Avise.

1863

J. N. Burr .. 1875

Walter Stiles. .. 1864

Stephen Eckles 1876

John W. Hartzell. 1865

Joseph Gittings

1877

Robert Inghram

1866

J. N. Bradfield. 1878

John C. Ammons

1867

Francis Wilson. 1879-1880

Wesley Huston

1368

928

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

COLLECTORS.

Stephen Eckles.

1855

Wesley Huston. 1870

David Pershin.

1859

Francis Wilson.

1872

Stephen Eckles.

1860

· Wesley Huston. 1873

William. Eckles.

1863

S. W. Yager. .1874

William Scott. 1864

R. L. Phillips.

1875

Stephen Eckles

1865

John W. Byers

1876

William Scott.

1867

J. B. Rice. .

1878

Noah M. Hartzell ..

1868

Henry Reiselt

1879

George W. Vandruff.

1869

Josiah Dickson.

1880

PONTOOSUC AND DALLAS TOWNSHIPS,

Forming together township 7 n-7 w, lie on the north line of the county and on the river, which cuts off about half of the upper tier of sections in Pontoosuc. The stream known as Snake Hollow (we never heard of any big snake story connected with it, though there must be one, of course) empties into the river at Pontoosuc. Camp creek runs northeastwardly through the southern portion of the township, into Durham. There is much valuable farm land in this township, and is well settled with an intelligent and thrifty community.

The township is divided for political purposes; the two and a half tiers of sections on the east side being Dallas, and the three and a half on the west side comprising Pontoosuc.

The town of Pontoosue is on the river and was laid out in April, 1837, by Hezekiah Spillman, Marvin Tryon and James W. Brattle.

Dallas City is also on the river, three miles above, and was laid ont Oct., 1848, by John M. Finch. This is a town of considerable trade, and has a population of perhaps 1,000 souls.

Colusa, on the C. B. & Q. railroad, in Dallas township, is a small village five miles south of Dallas City.

Perhaps the first settler in this township was Hezekiah Spill- man, and one of the earliest permanent settlers in the county. The exact date we have not been able to fix, but he was a citizen when this was a part of Pike in 1825. Spillman's Landing, on the river, has been a place of note among all the early settlers; and it was here that he, with a few of his neighbors constructed a rude block house during the Black Hawk war. His death occurred 20 or 30 years ago.

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History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws, Part 86

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