USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 116
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had previously come to the county, and located on the same land where the family now lives. Of seven children, three are living: Eva, born September 15, 1853; Willie, March 14, 1856; George F., born April 28, 1866. Those not living were named : Charles P., Perry C., Annie P. and Tenna. Mr. Boswell has a very fine farm of 460 acres, upon which stands an imposing and beautiful residence.
William H. Ramsey, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, is a son of George Ramsey, and was born in Preble county, Ohio, October 11, 1842. His father being a farmer he was reared in that business, and attended school at the old home in Ohio. In 1867 le came to Iroquois county, Illinois, bought a farm on Sec. 22, T. 26, R. 14, in Onarga township, on which he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock-raising. Although he is not one of the early settlers he is one of the thrifty, energetic, go-ahead men. He lias built up a very beautiful and substantial home on the prairie, having now one of the finest residences in this part of the township. December 31, 1868, he married Miss Emma, daughter of William Harper, who was born in Clinton county, Indiana, January 5, 1847. He has two children : Martha E. and Cosie. He is now turning his attention to hay and stock, as he thinks that a more intelligent branch of husbandry than raising corn for an already depreciated market. His farm comprises 160. acres of highily improved land, on which he is raising a fine lot of stock.
Hiram Salisbury, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, December 18, 1827. When he was about four years old liis parents moved to York state. His early youth was spent engaged in farming and attending school till about the age of seventeen years. He then learned the blacksmith trade and followed the same in York state till 1856. He then removed to Wisconsin, and. there followed the business of his trade about ten years. Afterward he turned his attention to farmning, but after two years farming in Wisconsin he concluded he would prefer the climate and advantages of fruit-raising in Illinois, and finally suited himself in Onarga town- ship, Iroquois county, where he bought his present home, in Sec. 31 and 32, T. 26, R. 14, where he now lives, following the business of farming and stock-raising. This farm of 120 acres he bought in 1876, and it is a very desirable location, adjoining the Spring creek timber. February 2, 1854, he was married. His wife, Mrs. Lydia R. Salisbury, is a native of Rensselaer county, New York, and was born June 23, 1828. They have three children : Florence A., Philip E. and Joseph R. Politically Mr. Salisbury is a republican, and a member of the M. E. church, and is strictly a temperance man.
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
James W. Fryer, shoemaker, Onarga, was the oldest son of James W. and Sarah (Allen) Fryer, and was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England, August 1, 1840. He was educated in a grammar school in his native town. His father was a shoemaker, and he partly learned the same trade at home, and finished it under a German in London. At the age of twenty-four he began clerking in the post-office in Gos- port, where he remained three or four years. In 1868 he emigrated to America, and located in Onarga, where he set up at once at his trade. October 25, 1876, he was joined in matrimony with Emma R. Skeels. They have one child, James W., born November 12, 1877. Mr. Fryer is a Royal Arch Mason and a republican.
David Dean, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born in Sullivan county, New York, June 11, 1829. He is one of a family of fourteen chil- dren,-all but one now living. Having to go two and a half miles to a school, kept on the old subscription principle, his opportunities for education were limited. He was brought up to the business of farm- ing, and at the age of nineteen he began for himself by working out as a farm hand. April 20, 1851, he married Miss Hannah A. Davis, a native of New York. She was born June 7, 1825. He then engaged in farın- ing by renting land, but later bought a farm and continued in that business till 1869. He then sold his farm and came to Iroquois county and bought a farm in Sec. 33, T. 26, R. 14, in Onarga township, on which he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock- raising, which business he now follows, making Norman horses a specialty. His farm of 120 acres is well improved and, has been all earned by his own hard labor and industry. He has three children : Charles A. and Irvin M., both of whom are artists and engaged in the photograph business at Sycamore, Illinois ; and Cora May, who is still at home.
Walter Brinkerhoff, farmer, Onarga, was the oldest son of Isaac and Jemima (Cromwell) Brinkerhoff. His paternal ancestors were among the earliest emigrants from Holland, who settled in New Am- sterdam. Those on his mother's side came early from England, and are said to have been lineal descendants of the Protector. Mr. Brink- erhoff's birthi occurred May 23, 1826, in Dutchess county, New York. He was reared a farmer, and sailor on the Hudson. He supplemented a common-school education with a year's tuition in the Theological Seminary at Newburgh. Up to 1851 he had been engaged in farm- ing, river-sailing and civil engineering- in the latter capacity on the Hudson River railroad - but in this year he emigrated to La Salle county, this state, where he gave his whole attention to tilling the soil. In 1860 he removed to Galesburg and engaged in butchering. He
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held the office of alderman of that city one term. In 1860 he went to Chicago and embarked in the ham, lard, and sausage trade, and was the first who successfully ran a steam meat-chopper. In 1864 he bought beef cattle for Camp Douglas, and the next year took charge ·of a government picket-boat used for transmitting orders and convey- ing troops, with headquarters at Cincinnati and Memphis. Late in the same year he returned to Chicago and engaged in the live-stock commission business about three years. In 1869 he came to Onarga township, where he bought a farm of 400 acres. On January 20, 1848, he was married to Adeline Washburn. They have one son, named Leslie, grown to manhood and married. Mr. Brinkerhoff and his wife are members of the Congregational church.
Ira Q. Sanborn, Onarga, belongs to a family whose continued and faithful military service in behalf of their country forms a highly hon- orable part of their history. His great grandfather Sanborn was a soldier in the seven-years war, and was at the taking of Quebec. His grandfather, James Sanborn, served during the revolution ; he aided in the capture of Ticonderoga, retreated under Washington through New Jersey, fought at Trenton, wintered at Valley Forge, and was subsequently engaged in the battles of Monmouth, Eutaw Springs, Camden, and the siege of Yorktown. In the war of 1812 his father, Levi, bore a part in the engagement upon lake Champlain. Mr. San- born was born in Wyoming county, New York, December 16, 1837. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Fullerton. In 1845 his parents removed and settled in La Salle county, Illinois. He was brought up to the employments of the farm, and educated at Farm Ridge Seminary. On August 13, 1862, he was enrolled in Co. C, 7th
Ill. Cav., Col. William Pitt Kellogg. This regiment was a part of the Army of the Tennessee, and during its whole term of service he was on duty, participating in the usually arduous expeditions and endless skirmishing incident to this branch. At Memphis he was severely wounded in his left shoulder. He was mustered out of service at De- catur, Alabama, July 27, 1865. He was married, November 23, 1865, to Miss Martha Abbott, of Utica, Illinois. In 1869 he settled in Iro- quois county, where he bought a farm of 320 acres in Artesia town- ship; in 1875 he sold it and moved to Onarga, and engaged in the grain trade. In the fall of 1879 he sold his warehouse to S. K. Mar- ston. He was commissioned first lieutenant of Co. E, 9th battalion I. N. G., September 12, 1877.
James W. West, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, was born in Brown county, Ohio, on April 7, 1827. He was reared a farmer, but at the age of nineteen years went in a store belonging to his father as
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
clerk, where he remained till 1849, when he entered Franklin, gradu- ating in the classical course in 1853. He then engaged in teaching at New Athens, Harrison county, Ohio, but at the end of one year decided to take a theological course at Lane Seminary, in Cincinnati, and there graduated in 1856. He then returned to Brown county, Ohio, and became pastor of the Free Presbyterian church at Strait Creek, where he remained ten years. He then removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where he remained five years as pastor of the Congre- gational church at Tonica. He then came to Iroquois county, bought a farm of 200 acres in Sec. 35, T. 26, R. 14, in Onarga township, permanently located and engaged in stock-raising and farming at his new prairie home. He is now pastor of the Second Onarga Congre- gational church and of Crescent Congregational church. October 23, 1856, he married Miss Pheba M. L. Williamson. She is a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was born August 6, 1832. They have three children living: Lucy M., Henry M. and Anna W. His straightforward friendly way has made for him many warm friends.
Elias W. Swafford, farmer, Onarga, was born in Preble county, Ohio, April 5, 1835, and is a son of Nathan Swafford. He was engaged in farming, and attended school at home till about the age of twenty-one. He then went to Mercer county, Illinois, and after a short stay went to Iowa, where he remained four years engaged in farm -. ing. He came back to Illinois, and on September 27, 1860, married Miss Malinda A. Riner. She was born in Ohio on January 12, 1837. In the spring of 1861 he located near Yates City, Knox county, Illi- nois, and there engaged in farming, which he followed eight years. He then sold his farm and removed to Peoria, but only remained there. one year, when he went to Stark county, Illinois, and bought a farm on which he lived two years. He then came to Iroquois county, Illi- nois, bought a farm in Sec. 27, T. 26, R. 14, in Onarga township, and. on that farm permanently located and engaged in farming and stock- raising. His farm of 80 acres is well improved, and reflects credit on its owner. He has two children : Eva B. and Nathan P. Politically Mr. Swafford is entirely independent.
Ira F. Palmer, physician and surgeon, son of Gordon and Betsy (Kelley) Palmer, Onarga, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York,. May 23, 1845. In 1852 his father emigrated to Illinois and settled at Newark, Kendall county. In addition to a common-school educa- tion he received one year's tuition at the Fowler Institute, Newark .. He entered the army Jannary 30, 1864, in Co. C, 147th Ill. Vol. ; was on detached service in the field hospital of the seventeenth army corps
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about one year. Afterward he was mail carrier three months. He was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia, Jannary 22, and disbanded at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois, February 9, 1866. Beginning in 1866, he attended the University of Chicago two years; in 1869 he entered the Bennett Medical College and studied one year; in 1871 he went to the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and graduated in May, 1872. He located in Milwaukee for a few months, and then removed to Onarga, where he has gained a lucrative practice. He was married, November 27, 1872, to Emma A. Wood; they have one son, Paul J., born December 27, 1875. He is serving his third term as supervisor, and is chairman of the county board. His zeal for the principles of the republican party is unbounded.
George S. Ramsey, farmer and stock-raiser, Onarga, came to Iroquois county, Illinois, in 1874, from Preble county, Ohio, where he was born November 10, 1844. Up to the time he came to this county he lived at the old home in Ohio with his mother (his father having died when he was young). His business was looking after the interests of the farm, up to the time of his mother's death, which sad event in his life took place just previous to his removal to this county. Having bought land before coming, he began at once to improve his farm, and for the short time he has been on his new farm has gone far ahead of many who have been much longer in the county. His farm contains 160 acres in Sec. 22, T. 26, R. 14. He is turning his attention to hay and grass, as he considers it better for both his farm and pocket to raise stock than grain. January 25, 1877, he married Miss Keziah, daughter of John W. Grubbs, one of the early settlers of the township of Onarga. She was born in Ohio, May 10, 1851.
Edmund F. Burson, dentist, Onarga, was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, February 15, 1838. In 1848 he removed with his parents, Nathan C. and Margaret (Lyon) Burson, to Kankakee county, Illinois. In 1850 he went to Will county, and attended the high school at Joliet, and in 1855 he began studying medicine at Mount Blanchard, Hancock connty, Ohio. He took an office course and practice of three years, and in 1858 located at Minooka, Grundy county, Illinois. In 1859 he went to Colorado. He entered the army in 1862, and was in action at Perrysville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. He was mustered out in June, 1865, and immediately on his return he located in the practice of medicine at Frankfort, Will county, Illinois. In 1867 he took up dentistry and formed a partnership with Dr. E. H. Stewart, of Joliet. In 1876 he removed to Onarga, and has since practiced his profession
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in that place. He was married, July 11, 1872, to Mary C. Starr, of Cedar county, Iowa. They have three children.
ASH GROVE TOWNSHIP.
The history of Ash Grove township, and more especially the sketch of its early settlers and settlements, is of interest no less im- portant than that of those which have now, through the progress of events, assumed a greater importance. Its first settlers, and parties connected with its opening and in bringing about that grand condi- tion of affairs which has raised it to a place exceeded in influence, condition and success by none other in the county, were men whose reputation was in no measure confined to a single state, and were of that stamp to whose touch every movement turned to a complete success. To Robert R. Roberts, one of the honored bishops of the Methodist church, belongs the honor of purchasing the first land in Ash Grove, while through his influence, and we may safely say through his charity, the first settlement was effected. The town originally comprised the territory within its present boundaries, all of Fountain Creek and the east two tiers of sections in Pigeon Grove. Its eastern, northern and western boundaries have always remained as the original plat, while its present southern boundary was fixed at the annual session of the board of supervisors, September 15, 1868, at which time Fountain Creek was taken off, leaving to the town all of the congressional town 25 north, range 13, and the two eastern tiers of sections in town 25 north, range 14, giving the town, on account of its long sections in the northern part, an area of about sixty square miles.
The soil is a dark, rich loam, and as deep as the average through- out southern Iroquois. Upon the whole, it is excellent for farming and grazing purposes, save some portions which are a little "swampy," which those who are unfortunate enough to possess have rendered famous during the past few wet seasons by their try- ing to purchase "web-footed seed corn," that might stand straight as the "house founded upon a rock," dare all storms, and bring forth an abundance. Yet at certain seasons of the year, it is said. these are the happiest spots in the town, for all summer long the merry grasshopper waltzes to the grand chorus of the cheerful frogs. But fortunately nearly all can be well drained, which is being done, both in the form of open and tile draining, having a splendid outlet in Mud creek, which runs through the town, cutting the west line
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near the southern part, and running in an easterly direction, and passing into Milford on the east, about the center of section 25. This stream in all probability received its name, "Mud creek," from its miry banks. The southern portion of the town is also watered by Pigeon, Burson and Whisky creeks; the first receiving its name from the grove in which it rises, the second from a hospitable old gentleman by the name of Burson, who first settled upon its banks. The third was named by a man who probably would not now be taken as a model by the temperance portion of the town. Aretus P. Jinks had been to Milford and purchased a jug of whisky, thinking to have a fine time on the morrow, Sunday. He reached this stream, which was then without a bridge, but frozen over. Here he got off his horse, thinking to lead him across, fearing lest he should slip down on the ice. A few steps only had been taken toward the op- posite shore when, as Jinks says, "he saw as many stars as there are in the milky way and heard a noise." As soon as he had fin- ished calling upon higher authority and feeling his bruises, he saw his whisky running all over the ice, his jug in pieces at his side. This, he said, was too extravagant, so intending to save all he possi- bly could, laid upon his breast and drank what he could hold, and getting up, christened it with the name it has since retained. The northeastern corner of the town is watered by Rush creek, receiving its name, in all probability, from that venerable old settler, Samuel Rush, who first settled upon its banks, just across the line in Milford. Many different statements are made as to how the town received its name; some claiming that an Indian chief occupied the timber (lining Mud creek, varying from a quarter to a half mile in width, and extending entirely, through the town) in an early day, by the name of Ash Grove, who gave the place his own name. Others claim it was on account of the abundance of ash in the timber ; but this is certainly a mistake, as but very little of this kind of tim- ber remains, while the early settlers testify almost to a person the scarcity of this wood. Mr. Harvey, a most trustworthy gentleman, to whom the writer is under obligations for numerous facts concern- ing early history, is authority for the statement that in the early history of eastern Illinois, when many were settling farther west on the banks of the "Father of Waters," a large ash tree had been blown down by the place where all emigrants always stopped over night in the timber on the bank of the creek. This tree lay here for many years, until the fires which had been built against it had burned it in two, when it became known as Ash grove, a name given it by persons who had stopped on one of its beautiful spots, in
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
writing to friends who were going west, mentioning Ash grove as a point by which to come. This we think the most credible story.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
As we have incidentally mentioned before, Bishop Roberts is en- titled to whatever of honor there is attached in being the first purchaser of Ash Grove land. This was in 1833, and the land was a large tract on both sides of the creek, and mostly in the timber. It appears that the bishop, who owned a large farm of 900 acres in Lawrence county, Indiana, became interested in the condition of a number of his relatives in whom the organ of acquisitiveness seemed to be sadly deficient. This fact started many plans in his practical mind as to how to better their condition, the plan finally settled upon being to start a colony of the bishop's relatives in eastern Illinois. Ac- cordingly Mr. Roberts was constantly on the look-out for a good country in which to give them all a good home, and while on his way from Lawrence county, Indiana, on horse-back, to the Rock River conference, the charitable bishop, traveling along the old Lafayette and Ottawa road, settled upon this spot as capable of being developed into a valuable country. Hence the purchase, and the arrival of his brother and his nephew, by marriage, in the spring of 1834, Lewis Roberts and John Nunamaker, his son-in-law. These two gentlemen were the first pioneers of the township, settling on Sec. 28, T. 25 N., R. 13, where immediately after their arrival they built a rough log cabin, 18×20, being the first dwelling erected in the town, and on the land given to Lewis by the bishop. This was situated just southeast `of where Mr. Keath now lives on the place known as the Wilson farm, and northeast between eight and ten rods of Mr. Keath's barn, on the bank of the creek and in the edge of the timber. These two sturdy pioneers came from Lawrence county, Indiana, and lived in the house mentioned. After arranging things around their new home, Mr. Nunamaker moved his family into Mr. Roberts' house, while he boarded with them about a year before bringing his own family hither. They arrived in Ash Grove April 3, 1835, bringing with them a young man by the name of John Willoughby, who, when a little boy, was bound out to Bishop Roberts by the overseer of the poor for Lawrence county, Indiana. After assisting in putting in the crop that season, young Willoughby returned to Indiana, and came again in 1838, at which time he settled permanently. Mr. Lewis Roberts, who may be said to be the first actual settler, was a man of extraor- dinary ability, which Mr. Harvey thinks was not inferior to that of
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his distinguished brother, but unlike his brother was nothing of an orator, cared little for a sermon or anything of an intellectual char- acter, save political discussion, of which he was passionately fond, · and which at different times made him a representative in the general assembly of Indiana and also of Illinois, in 1838. ,Upon his return from the legislature Mr. Roberts was full of Lincoln's stories, and lost no time in extolling his virtues and his abilities. Mr. Roberts, being a man who was also a great story-teller and a most excellent conversationalist, was capable of appreciating Mr. Lincoln's ability as a politician and genial associate. The following anecdote he was always pleased to relate whenever he had an audience: After a tedious morning session of the legislature spent in the discussion of some political measure they adjourned for dinner, Lincoln dining with his friend Roberts. No sooner had they seated themselves at the table than the discussion was resumed, in which the honorable member from Iroquois so far forgot himself as to reach and help him- self to meat three or four times in succession. Upon noticing this Mr. Lincoln reached and took a piece from Mr. Roberts' plate. This attracted his attention and he immediately demanded an explana- tion, asking if he intended to insult him. Lincoln immediately and very courteously begged pardon, saying, "Excuse me; I took yours for the meat plate." Great laughter ensued at Mr. Roberts' expense, who soon saw what was the matter. He took a final leave of Lincoln, whom he was used to call his "large-hearted friend," at the adjourn- ment of the session, never dreaming that he would ever be the martyred president of this mighty nation. Mr. Roberts never lived to see the fruition of his noble plans in regard to the development of a town of which he was the father. He passed peacefully away February 2, 1848, leaving one son, Lewis, who is a Methodist min- ister, now located at Peru, Indiana.
The first wedding in the township was at Mr. Roberts' house, being the marriage of his daughter Sarah to Henry Skeels, who was then living near Spring Creek, and near the farm now owned by Mrs. Pierce. This occurred April 18, 1838. The ceremony was performed by Ira Lindsey, who it is said was much more "scared" than either the bride or the groom, causing a good deal of merri- ment among those who were present at the pioneer wedding, much to the chagrin of the officiating gentleman. They were married, owing to the smallness of the house, under a few trees just in front of the entrance, after which all sat down to a most remarkable dinner, both in its quality and historical interest. No wedding before or since in Iroquois county called together all the citizens of so large a
39
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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.
body of contiguous territory, comprising all the citizens in Ash Grove, some from Milford and from Spring Creek, about fifty in all. The following families were represented from Ash Grove: John Martin's, James Chess', John Nunamaker's, Thomas Hockins', John Henry's and his son Alexander's, Lewis Brock's, Allen Brock's, Hiram Sturdevant's and Wesley Jenkin's; Spring Creek was repre- sented by Ira Lindsey's family, Mr. Kirk's, Mr. Lehigh's, and Mr. James Smith's, the deputy county surveyor; and Milford by John Strean and his son David.
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