USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 18
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Parks, Hiram, born in New York, 1809; arrived 1836; living in Palmyra.
Parker, Solomon, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1840; dead.
Patterson, David, born in New York; arrived 1838; dead.
Peacock, Joseph, born in Ohio, 1796; arrived 1837; died January 12, 1871.
Peacock, William, born in Ohio, 1817; arrived 1837; living near Dixon.
Peacock, Charles, born in Ohio, 1823; arrived in 1837; living in Polo.
Plummer, Thomas, born in Ohio; arrived in 1837; moved to Iowa.
Plummer, John, born in Ohio; arrived 1837.
Plummer, Caleb, born in Ohio, 1806; arrived 1837; moved to lowa.
Porter, Aaron L., born in New York, 1808; arrived 1828; dead.
Porter, James, born in New York, 1814; arrived 1840; died at Harmon, July 15, 1880.
Porter, Jerome, born in New York; arrived 1840; living in California.
Porter, N. F., born in New York, 1820; arrived 1840.
Powers, Joseph, born in Massachusetts, 1786; arrived 1838; dead.
Powers, Abijah, born in Massachusetts, 1814; arrived in 1838; living in Palmyra.
Power, James, born in Kentucky, 1791; arrived 1835; died in Missouri.
Power, Thomas, born in Kentucky, 1819; arrived 1835; living in Missouri.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Pratt, Julius, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1835; died in Sterling.
Pratt, Marshall, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838.
Preston, Horace, born in New Hampshire, 1819; arrived 1838; living in Dixon. Purington, George, born in Maine; arrived 1839; living in Freeport.
Robinson, John K., born in Ohio, 1809; arrived May 1832; living in Mendota.
Rathbone, Ward, born in England; arrived 1838.
Richards, John, born in England, 1793; arrived 1836; died June 1, 1854.
Richards, James, born in Canada, 1825; arrived 1836; living in Dixon.
Richards, William, arrived 1836; living in Moline.
Richardson, Martin, born in Massachusetts, 1800; arrived 1835; living in Sterling. Richardson, Orrin, born in Kentucky; arrived 1835.
Rue, Jacob, arrived 1836.
Rosebrook Lyman, born in New Hampshire, 1817; arrived 1836; went to Colorado. Rogers, Walter, born in 1820; arrived 1839; living in Palmyra.
Steevens, Dewit C., arrived 1838; went to California.
Shelhamer Solomon, born in Pennsylvania, 1798; arrived 1837; died April 1879. Scheel, Orrin, arrived 1838; dead.
Seward, William, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838; dead.
Southwick, Edward, born in New York, 1812; arrived 1840; died in Amboy. Sargent, Robert, arrived 1839.
Santee, James M., born in Pennsylvania, 1802; arrived 1838; died December 1873. Santee, Samuel, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1838; died in Pennsylvania.
Smith, Barclay, born in Pennsylvania, 1808; arrived 1837; died April 20, 1845. Smith, Alanson, born in New York, 1817; arrived 1839; living in Mendota. Stiles, Elias B., born in Pennsylvania, 1820; arrived 1840; living in Dixon. Stiles, Samuel, born in Pennsylvania; arrived 1844; living in Dallas, Oregon. Stewart, Benjamin H., born in New York, 1809; arrived 1834; died in Missouri.
Sterling, James, born in Pennsylvania, 1805; arrived 1838; brought family here in 1847. Died November 1860.
Seavey, Joshua, born in New Hampshire, 1777; arrived 1837.
Seavey, Jesse, born in New Hampshire, 1811; arrived 1837; dead.
Seavey, Winthrop, born in New Hampshire, 1802; arrived 1837; died about 1865. Sartorius, Henry G., born in Germany, 1815; arrived 1838; dead.
Sartorius, Gustavus, born in Germany, 1822; arrived 1838; living in Palmyra. Scallion, Thomas, born in Ireland ; arrived 1839; dead.
Scallion, Moses, born in Ireland, 1821; arrived 1839.
Sweeney, Truxton, arrived 1840.
Simonson, A. H., arrived 1837; dead.
Thompson, Horace, born in New York; arrived 1836; died about 1845.
Thompson, John, born in New York; arrived 1837; living at Elkhorn Grove.
Thompson, James, born in New York; arrived 1837; dead.
Thompson, William, born in New York; arrived 1837; dead.
Tallmadge, Caleb, born in Massachusetts, 1798; arrived 1837; died February 19, 1858. Truett, Henry B., arrived 1837.
Thummel, Anthony, born in Germany, 1795; arrived 1836; died June 1876.
Thomas, Enoch, born in Ohio; arrived 1835.
Thomas, Noah, born in Ohio, 1813; arrived 1835; dead.
Van Arnam, John, born in Canada; arrived 1839; dead.
Van Arnam, James, born in Canada, 1827; arrived 1839; living in Marion township. Wetzlar, Gustavus, born in Germany; arrived 1838; went to California.
Welty, David, born in New York, 1811; arrived 1838; living in Dixon.
Wakalee, Aaron, arrived 1838; dead.
Williams, Cyrus, born in Massachusetts, 1797; arrived 1837; died August 2. 1866.
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DIXON TOWNSHIP.
Webb, Henry, born in New York, 1830; arrived 1838; dead.
Wilkinson, William, born in New York; arrived 1835; dead; son of Judge Wilk- inson, one of the proprietors of the town.
Woodyat, Richard, born in England, 1815; arrived 1840; father of W. H. Woodyat; died April 1, 1859.
Wheeler, Ozias, born in Vermont, 1812; arrived 1840; dead.
White, David, born in Scotland, 1798; arrived 1840; dead.
Warner, Moses, born in Massachusetts ; arrived 1838.
Warner, Henry, born in Massachusetts; arrived 1838; living in Sterling.
Whitmore, S. H., born in New York, 1813; arrived 1836; died May 5, 1873, from injuries received at bridge accident.
Young, John, born in New York; arrived 1839; living in New York city.
DIXON VOLUNTEERS.
The town of Dixon is credited with about 550 volunteers. Many of these, however, came from adjacent towns, but are placed on the roll of honor for Dixon. This is especially true of Palmyra volun- teers.
Of the number of soldiers reported from Dixon, there were nine- teen commissioned officers, and forty-two non-commissioned. There were fifty-two promotions, a large number of which were of privates to commissioned and non-commissioned offices because of merito- rious service. About twenty-one are reported as having been killed in battle, or having died from wounds received in battle. Thirty- five to forty died from sickness in hospitals or at home on sick fur- lough. Others were discharged because of disease contracted while in the service, and have since died, and whose deaths do not appear on the roll of deceased soldiers. Many, at the expiration of their term of service, reënlisted and joined other regiments than those to which they originally belonged. Others were appointed on special duty and have made honorable records in their several departments.
Col. H. T. Noble, who was mustered into the United States service as captain of Co. A, 13th reg. Ill. Vols., was appointed assistant quartermaster, after which he was successively promoted to the rank of major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel, chief quarter- master on the staff of Gen. J. J. Reynolds. In reference to his service we find the following items of record:
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D.C., August 9, 1864.
CAPT. H. T. NOBLE, A.Q.M., Helena, Arkansas.
Captain: An examination of the Inspection Report of the Quartermaster's Department of the Department of the Arkansas, made by Col. D. B. Sackett, inspector-general, dated June 8, 1864, reveals the fact that you have conducted the quartermaster's busi-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
ness, over which you have had control, in a most creditable manner ; that your "books and papers are in most beautiful order, cash ac- count balanced every night," and that you have the confidence and esteem of all who know you, because of your integrity, energy and efficiency.
The quartermaster-general cannot let the opportunity pass with- out adding his approbation, and commending you for the manifesta- tion of this best evidence of your genuine patriotism and devoted loyalty.
The individual who so contributes by his honesty, industry and zeal to the maintenance of his country's honor in the hour of her trials shall not be forgotten in the record of the many meritorious whose high motives have steeled them against taking advantage of the evil opportunities on almost every hand, which the weak and selfish grasp to weaken our cause by the practice of every species of vileness, losing sight of everything else but self and temporary selfish gratification.
Such spirits find their ignominious level here and hereafter. But the true and noble minded live beyond the present ; their memories shall come back laden with joyous messages to gladden the hearth- stone circle, and the hearts of generations yet to come.
These considerations should encourage us all to the continued faithful performance of every trust imposed upon us.
I am. Captain, very respectfully. Your obedient servant.
By order of the quartermaster-general U.S.A.
.Brevet major-general ;[sd] GEO. V. RUTHERFORD, Capt. and A. Q.M.
A true copy.
H. A. KRYER,
Brevet major and A. Q. M.
QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
January 13. 1865.
GENERAL L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-general U.S.A., Washington, D.C.
General: I have the honor to return herewith the letter of Maj. Gen. J. J. Reynolds, comd'g department of Arkansas, recom- mending Capt. H. T. Noble for appointment as colonel and chief quartermaster of that department, referred to this office by the adju- tant-general, on the 9th inst., with the following extract from an inspection report of Col. J. D. Cruttenden, inspector Q.M.D., made on the 19th of Dec. 1864 :
(DECEASED)
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANTER POD
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DIXON TOWNSHIP.
" I found everything under the charge of captain Noble in most "excellent order,-mules in fine condition, wagons in fine repair, " forage well stored, steamers unloaded immediately on their arrival, " be it night or day."
" All books, papers and accounts in the most beautiful order; " cash account balanced every night. Have not seen papers bet- " ter kept anywhere. He stands high with all who know him, as a "man of intelligence and integrity. I doubt if the quartermaster's ' department can boast of many more efficient and energetic officers " than Capt. Noble. He is certainly capable of filling with credit "any and all positions in the Q. M. Dept." * * I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, [sd] CHIAS. THOMAS, Act'g Q. M.Gen'l Br't Brig. Gen.
True copy.
H. A. KRYER,
Br't-Maj. and A.Q.M.
John D. Crabtree, Esq., who went ont with the 13th reg., was transferred as second lieutenant to Bowen's Batt. Mo. Cav., Sep- tember 5, 1861. On November 25, 1862, he was promoted to the captainey in command of Co. M, 3d Mo. Cav. He commanded the escort of Gen. Curtis during the latter's command of the department of Missouri. He afterward served as judge advocate of the court-martial division of Arkansas, in 1864. Returning home in that year, he was appointed in service of the government, as mustering, officer at Springfield, this state. The judge, at differ- ent times during the service, received honorable mention for deport- ment as an officer during engagements ; one which may be especially mentioned was the battle of Pea Ridge, under Gen. Curtis ; and at the close of his service he was commissioned brevet- major, under the signatures of the President of the United States and Gen. Stanton, secretary of war, as a token of appreciation of " faithful and meritorious services."
BIOGRAPHICAL.
NATHAN MOORHOUSE (deceased) was born March 14, 1801, at New Fairfield, Connecticut. When he was but two years old his father died, and at the age of about six years he was bound out to a farmer. Not liking his guardian he ran away from him when he had reached the age of thirteen years. He went on board a ship that was abont sailing, and was gone on a seven years' voyage, most of which was on the Mediterranean sea. When he returned to New York he was engaged
12
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
a year or more at navigation on the Hudson river, and after that was married to Miss Sarah Airs, of New Paltz, New York, where they lived until 1827. They then removed to Ohio, and later to Indiana, and in 1835 to Lee county, Illinois. They located in Palmyra town- ship, where his property and home was, principally, during his life. He was a very useful and active man in developing the resources of the county, having opened seven farms in Lee county, and was foremost in the promotion of law and order in society, at the earlier settlement. He held several public offices worthy of consideration, but aside from those of county treasurer, and probably deputy sheriff, we are not reliably informed. He was the father of nine children, but three of whom are now living, one of whom, Thomas C. Moorehouse, is living at Dixon. He died June 18, 1878, in Dixon, and his wife four days later.
WILLIAM W. BETHEA, farmer, Dixon, son of Philip and Mary (Mill- sap) Bethea, was born in Marion district, South Carolina, May 15, 1812, and was of Welsh descent on the paternal side. His father, who served in the war of 1812, and also in the Creek Indian war which occurred soon after, migrated from South Carolina to Overton county, Tennes- see, in fall of 1812, and again removed to Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1828, where he died in 1834, at the age of fifty-four years, leaving a family of five sons and two daughters. In the spring of 1835 W. W. Bethea started westward to seek a home, and being attracted by the beauty and fertility of the then almost uninhabited Rock River country, he soon after located a farm in what is now known as Palmyra town- ship, which he still occupies. Mr. Bethea was one of the earliest set- tlers of this section and has seen its development from the almost primeval wilderness of 1835 to the flourishing and populous commu- nity of to-day. He was elected county treasurer in 1845 and served two terms. At the organization of Lee county, in 1839, he was elected justice of the peace, and held that office uninterruptedly until 1877. Mr. Bethea was married in Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1833, to Miss Irena Fender, who died in 1838. He was again married, in 1850, to Mrs. Emily (Green) Ferguson, who is still living.
JAMES GOBLE, ex-sheriff of Lee county, Dixon, was born July 22, 1811, in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He spent his ear- lier youth at Exeter, Pennsylvania, laboring on his father's farm, and attending the public schools. At the age of sixteen years he entered a dry-goods store as clerk, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania. At the end of three years his health failing, he was obliged to give up confinement for the farm. In 1837 he came west and settled in Lee county, which has ever since been his home. In 1838 having purchased a claim and built a log-house upon it he was married to Christiana Harding, a
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DIXON TOWNSHIP.
daughter of a family who came to this county from his former home in Pennsylvania. Mr. Goble states that for some years they lived in this primitive dwelling as happy as could be. In 1846 he was elected county commissioner, and in 1848 he resigned that office and was elected sheriff. He then left his farm and removed to Dixon, where he has since lived. He has held the office of coroner, and others of minor importance. Politically he is a democrat, and cast his first vote in 1832 for President Jackson. By the year 1846 all his family had fol- lowed him to Lee county, and that Fourth of July they held a family re-union, at which were gathered forty-four members, including grand- children. He is the father of five children, only one of whom is now living, Mrs. Wadsworth, of Dixon. He lost his wife in the great bridge disaster at Dixon, May 4, 1873. She stood on the span at the north pier, holding a little grandchild in her arms, witnessing a bap- tismal ceremony. The bridge breaking, she threw the child so near to shore that it was picked up and brought to life, but she was drowned. She was a pions lady and died a member of the Baptist church.
MAHLON P. BURKET, farmer, Dixon, was born October 31, 1843, in Blair county, Pennsylvania. In June, 1847, his parents removed to Lee county, Illinois, where he has ever since lived. His whole work has been farming, and during his youth he received a good common education at the public schools. He has traveled more, probably, than a majority of farmers, and is well posted on the general topics of the day. He succeeded his father in the proprietorship of the old homestead, a beautiful farm-home two miles from Dixon, on the Franklin road. Mr. John N. Burket, the father of the above, pur- chased this home immediately on coming to Lee county, and has made it what it now is. He was a quiet but most useful man to his com- munity, and has lived a good example. It has been remarked that his distinguishing characteristic, aside from industry, was his ex- tremely temperate habits and pure life. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and the present organization of that denomination at the city of Dixon was made at a meeting held in his barn at an early day, Rev. Mr. Stoh officiating. He died January 3, 1865, in the house which his own hands had built.
JOHN COURTWRIGHT, farmer and carpenter, Dixon, was born De- cember 25, 1820, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. He spent the earlier part of his life there, laboring on his father's farin, and received a common school education. In July, 1840, he emigrated to Lee county, Illinois, where he has since lived. In 1842 he began working at the carpenter trade, and has pursued it more or less ever since. In July, 1846, he was married to Lydia, daughter of Joel Whitney, of Ogle county, Illinois, and they began life together on their present
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
farm home, about two miles from Dixon, on the Franklin road. They have witnessed the turning of a wild country, inhabited chiefly by Indians, into a land of bounty and civilization, braving many dangers and hardships with which pioneer life in this region was fraught. Mr. Courtwright owned the first reaping machine brought to Rock river, and the first threshing machine in Lee county. He helped in building the first county jail, and also the first church (Methodist Episcopal) built at Dixon. He is the father of several children, only one of whom, a daughter, is now living. He has been an indulgent father and kind husband, and is recognized and respected among his neighbors. He is a republican in politics, and a Methodist in church preference.
ISAAC MEANS, dealer in farmers' supplies, Dixon, was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, November 15, 1815, where he attained a lib- eral education and was employed at farming. In April, 1840, he emigrated to the United States, landing at New York, and in June following located at Dixon, where he has since lived. For some years he was engaged at contracting in mason work and house building; commencing the business on $45, which was all he had. In 1851 he opened a lumber-yard in Dixon, which he continued about ten years, and then began his present line of farmers' exchange. He has been very successful in business, notwithstanding he has sustained some heavy losses by reposing too much confidence in his fellow men. He has extensive real estate interests in Lee county and vicinity, which, taken with his exchange, makes his business one of much importance. He has been twice married, and has no children. He is a liberal minded, public-spirited gentleman, and has been a most useful man to the city and community, socially as well as financially. He was one of the few who were faithful during the earlier banditti out- rages through this section, and relates some very hazardous experi- ences of those times. He is an independent in his religions views, and accords to all the world liberty of thought upon this subject. For thirty-eight years he has been a Freemason. Prior to the organization of the republican party he was a whig, but since then has been a staunch republican.
WALTER LITTLE, sheriff, Dixon, was born September 7, 1841, at Malu- gin's Grove, Lee county, Illinois. Until sixteen years old he was em- ployed on his father's farm, and in attending school. At that age he lost both of his parents, and after that he attended school, mostly at Paw Paw, until nineteen years old, gaining a liberal education. At the age of twenty years he enlisted for a term of three years in Co. F, 1st Ill. Light Art., of the U. S. Vols., and passed unharmed, in the rank and file, through some of the severest battles of the war.
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DIXON TOWNSHIP.
He took part in nearly all the battles of the Georgia campaign. For some time he was the bearer of a set of colors that were presented to his company by the citizens of Dixon. At the elose of the war, in 1865, he was married to Miss Cornelia F. Nichols, of Malugin's Grove, and engaged at farming. In the fall of 1880 he was elected sheriff of Lee county, and is the present very efficient ineumbent. He has held various town offices. He is and has always been a republican in poli- tics. He subseribes to no church rituals, but favors a decided morality. He is a member of the order of Freemasons, and has filled varions offices in his lodge. He is also a member of the Knights of the Red Cross.
It is a rare thing for the writer to be called upon to record the life, or even a small portion thereof, of a gentleman who has so long been engaged in an active public life as the subject of this sketch, Hon. LORENZO WOOD. So varied and numerous has been the range of his efforts, that to do justice to all would be impossible in the space which we can allot to it. Judge Wood was born in November 1818, in Middlebury, Vermont. Until abont the age of sixteen years he worked at the carpentering trade, attending, when he could do so, the public schools of his native town : and later he entered the Middle- bury College, where he obtained a very liberal education. On leaving college he began the study of law in a law office at Middlebury, but soon after (in 1839) concluded to come west. He stopped at Detroit, Michigan, where he took a three years' course at professional reading in the office and under the direction of Gov. Woodbridge, of that city. He left Detroit in 1842 for the west, coming direct to Lee county, Illinois, which has ever since been his home. In February, 1843, he was admitted and enrolled as an attorney-at-law in Illinois. The judge states, in connection with this, that he was too poor to af- ford the expense of a journey to Springfield (as was the custom in those days), and that he sent a certificate of reading, and made such other compliance as by the court were held requisite. In return he received his certificate of admission, which is written on a sheet of "Congress letter " paper, with a steel pen, and signed by S. A. Doug- las and S. H. Treat. He immediately opened a law office in the city of Dixon, and his first four cases were in bankruptcy. He was success- ful in all of them, and he received fees of $100 each. This gave him quite a "boost," and was the beginning of many years' successful practice. A few years after being admitted to the bar he was elected county judge, which office he held until in 1852, when he resigned and moved on a farm which he owned in Lee county. In 1860 the house and improvements on his farm were almost totally destroyed by the " Comanche tornado " that passed over this section of Illinois, which
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
very seriously crippled his fortune. In the fall of 1860 he removed to Dixon, where he has since resided, and has been almost constantly in public life, filling the offices of master in chancery and internal revenue assessor ; he has been longer chairman of the board of supervisors than any other man in Lee county ; and has filled various other minor offices. In 1865 he purchased an interest in the " Hydraulic Power Company " at Dixon, which he bronght through some legal embarrassment, and afterward started some manufacturing concerns, which proved losing undertakings to him, again reducing his property. He has been a prominent Freemason for many years. His church preferences are for the Presbyterian. He has been twice married, and is the father of four children, three of whom are now living. The judge was present at the organization of the republican party, at Bloomington, and heard the speeches there; prior to that he had been a whig, but since then has been a radical republican. Speaking of the leaders of the two great parties, the judge says that in his boyhood days he played some pranks upon Stephen A. Douglas, who was then working at carpenter- ing ; that Douglas was the most determined fellow he ever saw,-he ran after him, finally caught him, and spanked him with a jack-plane ; he adds that the punishment was just.
JAMES C. MEAD, books, stationery, etc., Dixon, was born February 11, 1831, in Monroe county, New York, and obtained his earlier edu- cation there. In 1843 he came with his parents to Dixon, Illinois, he attended the public schools a short time, and later was taken as clerk in the post-office, under David Birdsall. In the spring of 1849 he concluded to learn a trade, and started to go to Chicago for that purpose. He had $5 in his pocket, and, with a pack of clothing on his back, he commenced the journey on foot. He had not gone far, how- ever, when he caught a ride with a farmer, on a load of wheat. It will be remembered that this was before the days of railroads in this vicin- ity, and farmers were obliged to haul their produce to Chicago to find a market, and to bring back dry-goods and lumber for the trade of the town. Stopping at Naperville for dinner, young Mead met a friend who was a harness-maker, and who prevailed upon him to stop and learn that trade with him. In about six months after this the cholera broke out and his employer died, and after settling the accounts of the business he returned to Dixon. In the following spring he again started out on foot, stopping at Anrora and Naperville, intending to engage at harness-making; but not being able to obtain employment at that, he entered a printing-office at Naperville. He learned that business rapidly, and was employed in that office about a year, at which time Mr. C. R. Fisk sent for him to come to Dixon and assist him in opening and establishing a printing-office; which was the first
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