USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 55
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
children (twins). One of them died, aged twenty years and two months. This was a sad bereavement to Mr. Merrill, as he was a kind and indulgent parent as well as a devoted husband. The surviving daughter, Mary A., was born in New Hampshire, February 7, 1831, and is the mother of five children, three of whom are living: Charles W., Walter A. and Mollie L. She has for the past two years been living in Chicago, where her daughter Mollie is attending school. Her son, Charles W. Dutcher, was married November 27, 1879, to Miss Susan A. Kennedy, a native of Ogle county, Illinois.
WILLIAM GARRISON, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is one of the early settlers of Lee county, coming here in the spring of 1845. Mr. Garrison was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1813, and is a son of Mathias and Susannah (Sealey) Garrison. He was reared a farmer and educated to a limited extent in the subscription schools of his native state. At the age of about twenty he started in the business of farming for himself. December 26, 1833, he married Miss Amelia Oman, a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. She was born January 31, 1811. In the spring of 1845 he came to Lee county, Illinois, and settled near Dixon, where he entered land and engaged in farming. This he followed four years, when he sold out and bought a saw-mill just over the line in Ogle county, and actively engaged in preparing the material then so necessary for improving the wild prairie with buildings and fences. This he followed about eight years, and then turned his attention to making a permanent home for himself. He bought the N.W. ¿ Sec. 30, T. 22, R. 10 E., which he has made one of the very pleasant homes of Nachusa township. Mrs. Garrison died December 27, 1870, on the home where she so long lived, after living to see her family all grown and the country that was so wild and desolate all made into beautiful farms and dotted here and there with schools and churches. Mr. Garrison's second marriage was with Mrs. Lucinda Shute, October 15, 1872. She has by a former husband one son, Abram L. Shute. Mr. Garrison is the father of fifteen children by his first wife, nine of whom are living: John, Peter, George L., Hester A., Hannah, Elizabeth E., William H., Harriett E. and Martha J. Mr. Garrison has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. When a boy he was converted to Christ, and since that time has been a consistent member of the church. Two of his sons, Peter and William H., served their country in the late rebel- lion, Peter. in the 75th Ill. Vol. Inf., and is now carrying a rebel bullet; William in Cheney's Battery.
According to tradition the founder of the HAUSEN family in the State of Maine was a Saxon-German, and accompanied Burgoyne's army from Europe to America in the same ship which brought that
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celebrated general to the shores of this continent in the time of the revolutionary war. Soon after his arrival in America Mr. Hansen declared his intentions to aid the colonists in their struggle for liberty, and at once became forage master for Gen. Washington, and rendered good service throughout the war, which gave birth to one of the grandest nations that ever existed. He finally married and settled in the State of Maine, where he reared a family, one of whom was Charles, who married Mary J. Hilton, and came to Lee county in 1840, bringing with him a family of ten children, the youngest of whom was Norman, the subject of this sketch, then a lad of nine years. His advantages of education were very limited, being only such as the old subscription schools of those days afforded, but the school of experience, from which may be learned lessons of industry and thrift, was sufficient, and our subject an apt scholar, as is proved by the success which has attended his business affairs so far through life. He began life for himself by working out by the month, and is now the owner of a good farm of 160 acres in Sec. 9, T. 21, R. 10, well improved and well stocked, besides a farm of 160 acres in Meriden, La Salle county, Illinois. He was born October 2, 1831, and married Lucy L. Herrick, July 8, 1866. She is a daughter of Hiram Herrick, was born in Vermont, and came to Lee county when a small child. They have one child, Jennie, born August 20, 1870.
GEORGE PALMER, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of Daniel and Christenia (Shuge) Palmer, and was born in Northampton, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1808. His early youth was spent on a farm. At about the age of twenty he began learning the trade of a miller with his father. This business he followed a number of years in connection with farming. In 1843 he married Miss Catherine Stettler, of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and in the summer of 1846 they came to Illinois and settled in Lee county in what is now Nachusa township. In 1849 he bought a little home of forty acres in Sec. 32, T. 22, R. 10. To this he kept adding till his farm now eon- tains 160 acres. This he has well improved and he is able to say that he has earned it by his own hard labor and industry. This is now one of the model farms of Nachusa township. Mr. Palmer is the father of two children, one of whom is now living. Dr. Thomas D. Palmer, born August 15, 1846, is now engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Paw Paw, Lee county, Illinois. He is a graduate of Davis Medical College, of Chicago.
JOHN H. BURKETT, farmer, Dixon, is a son of John M. and Mary (Fleck) Burkett, and was born in Lee county, Illinois, March 28, 1854. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools and at the city school of Dixon. December 9, 1874, he married Miss Ann
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Ophelia, daughter of Erastus and Mary Cortright. She was born in Lee county, Illinois. They have three children : Mary O., Annie N. and one infant. Mr. Burkett is engaged in farming. He is a clever, energetic young man.
JACOB WERTMAN, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1811. His parents were Henry and Anna M. (Krymmin) Wertman. They were also natives of Pennsylvania; and his grandfather, Michael Wertman, was a native of Germany and came to America about the middle of the last century. Our subject, Jacob, was reared on a farm and early educated in the art of being a hardy tiller of the soil. These practical lessons were like seeds sown on good ground, for they brought forth that in after life which is the fruit of industry and a sound judgment. In the spring of 1838 Mr. Wertman left the old associations of home to seek his for- tune in the then far west. After many weeks of weary travel by water and on foot he arrived in Dixon, Lee county, Illinois. Having early in life gained some knowledge of the trade of carpenter, this he now followed, in connection with other work, till he earned the means with which to enter some government land. Thus he secured for himself the foundation for his future home in Sec. 4, T. 21, R. 10. February 20, 1851, he married Miss Mary E., daughter Solomon and Jane (Buckalu) Shellhammer. She was born in Columbia county, Penn- sylvania, August 15, 1830, and came with her parents to Lee county, Illinois, in 1837. Though but a child at the time, she well remembers the trip, which occupied eight weeks and was made with horses and wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Wertman are now spending their declining years surrounded with all the blessings that a life of industry and honest toil will produce. They are the parents of an interesting fam- ily of four children : Charles H., Thomas J., Alice M. and Willard L. Three of whom yet remain at the old home. Charles H. is married and has two children : Harry J. and Herbert T.
THOMAS J. WERTMAN, farmer, Franklin Grove, is the son of Jacob and Mary E. (Shelhamer) Wertman, and was born in Lee county, May 30, 1854, and like his father was reared a farmer, educated in the common schools, but was more especially trained to the realities of hard toil and industry. December 24, 1879, he married Miss Lucetta A., daughter of Harrison and Lydia Hausen. She was born in Lee county, Illinois, July 29, 1854.
In the early part of the present century Mr. William Brandon emigrated from the north of Ireland to America, and settled in Penn- sylvania. Soon after coming to America he married Triphenia, a daughter of Benjamin Fuller, Esq., a native of Massachusetts. Of this union were fourteen children, one of whom was Benjamin F., the
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subject of this sketch. He was born January 11, 1814, in Luzerne coun - ty, Pennsylvania. His early youth was spent with his parents on a farm and attending the old subscription schools of his boyhood days, the latter only to a limited extent. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Brandon left his native state, as well as his old associates, and started for the pro- verbial green fields, and after a thirty-four day's trip by land and water arrived on the enchanting prairie lands of Lee county, Illinois. His first location was made near Dixon, where he bought a claim, but a few years later bought the farm where he now lives. Although it was then but a wild prairie, it now has an air of home comfort, and con- tentment. Its thrifty fruit-trees and beautiful large black-walnut groves indicate the proprietor to be a man of good taste and industry. October 8, 1841, Mr. Brandon was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Elisha Courtright, Esq. ; she was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylva- nia, February 15, 1825, and came to Lee county with her parents in an early day. They have six children : Charles D., Milton R., George W., William, Sarah T. and Anna O. Mr. and Mrs. Brandon are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JACOB EMMERT, retired farmer, Nachusa, is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Avey) Emmert, and was born in Washington county, Maryland, July 23, 1807. He was reared a farmer, which business he followed through life. December 16, 1830, he married Miss Mary Newcomer, also a native of Washington county, Maryland. She was born February 15, 1811. In 1844 they came to Illinois and settled in Ogle county, but one year later removed to near where he now lives in Lee county. He is the father of eight children, five of whom are living : Zachariah, William H., Jacob M., Susan, and Catherine. Jacob M. enlisted in Co. C, 34th Ill. Vol. Inf., in September 1861, and followed the fortunes of war nearly four years. In the fall of 1864 he was detached as sergeant of Gen. Jefferson C. Davis' escort, but again joined his regiment. He was at the grand re- view at Washington, and was finally discharged with the glorious old 34th in 1865. December 12, 1870, he married Miss Mary E. Ohmert, of Lee county ; they have two children : Gracie L. and Kittie C.
MARSHALL McNEEL, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, was born in Pennsylvania, May 29, 1836, and came to Lee county, in company with his parents, in April 1847, when a lad of eleven years. Here he grew to manhood, with but a limited means of gaining an education. His few spare moments, however, were devoted to his books, but the greater portion of his time was employed in the hardy pursuit of the labors of improving a farm on the wild prairie. At the time he settled here the country was without the advantages of a market nearer than Chicago, where he has hauled wheat with an ox team, the average time of mak-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
ing a trip being about thirteen days, sleeping on the ground or in the wagon as he could catch it. Hauling wheat over 100 miles, fording streams and wading mud, would not pay hotel fare. When Mr. Mc- Neel's parents, Thomas C. and Nancy (Russell) McNeel, started in Lee county, they were $80 behind an even start with the world, but by hard work and good management they succeeded in making a good home for themselves and family. Mr. McNeel died in April 1876 ; his ancestors were from the north of Ireland. Mrs. McNeel died August 2, 1881. Marshall, the subject of our sketch, was first married October 23, 1862, to Miss Anna E. Sharrar ; she died August 1, 1877. His present wife was Charlotte E. Miller, to whom he was married August 8, 1878 ; she was born in Pennsylvania, December 25, 1845. It is but just to say of Mr. McNeel that his home is one of the neatest in the township.
JOHN S. EICHOLTZ, wagon and carriage maker, Nachusa, is a son of William and Lydia (Hanes) Eicholtz. He was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1842. His early youth was spent on the farm. He received a good business education. After he grew to man- hood he engaged in farm labor till the spring of 1868, when he came to Lee county. A few months later he became an apprentice in the wood-work department of the wagon and carriage shops then in opera- tion at Nachusa, and of which a few years later he became the proprie- tor, and where he is now, in 1881, actively engaged in the manufacture of a superior class of wagons and carriages. In connection with this business he has a blacksmith and general repair shop. Thus, while many have continued as day laborers, Mr. Eicholtz has by industry, fair dealing and good management built up for himself a trade and repu- tation of which any young man should have a just reason to be proud. December 2, 1869, he married Miss Charlotte Stover, a native of Penn- sylvania. By this union he has four children : William B., Harry M., Edith M. and Mand May.
JACOB HITTLE (deceased) was born in Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, May 8, 1807. The business of his life was farming. August 9, 1835, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Kulp. She was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1811, and is still living on their old home in Lee county, Illinois, where they set- tled as early as 1841. Mr. Hittle died February 6, 1877, after a life of hard labor and industry, leaving to his family a comfortable home of 200 acres of excellent land. Mr. and Mrs. Hittle were among the sturdy pioneers of Lee county, whose word was considered as good as their bond. In his will Mr. Hittle wisely set off to his daughter Mary E., 40 acres of his farm, on account of her being in delicate health. The members of his family now living are, besides his wife, Fannie, wife of
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NACHUSA TOWNHIP.
John A. Sleer, now living in Carroll county, Illinois ; Hannah M., wife of J. W. Wingert ; Mary E., Alexander P. and Samson C., born in Lee county, Illinois, December 27, 1847. He was married February 5, 1874, to Miss Caroline Allbright, a native of Pennsylvania. She was born April 11, 1852, and came to Lee county with her parents when a child. They have two children : Anna J. and Elvie E. Mr. Hittle is now in charge of the old home farm, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a thorough, industrious young man, warm-hearted and friendly almost to a fault, yet careful and prudent at all times.
CHESTER HARRINGTON, stock raiser and farmer, Nachusa, came to Lee county, Illinois, in 1837, from the State of New York, making the trip with a team of horses and a wagon. He was born in Washington, New York, August 22, 1813, and is the son of Ebenezer and Paulina (Donlen) Harrington. He was reared a farmer, and educated in the common schools of his native state, finishing his education in the Homer Academy, in Cortland county, New York. He early engaged in teaching, but principally followed the business of farming through life. Soon after his arrival in what is now Lee county he bought a claim of Moses Crombie, and when the land came into market entered and bought it from the government. This farm he still (1881) owns. November 14, 1843, he married Miss Zerina, daughter of Cyrus and Pluma (Burton) Chamberlin, a native of the State of New York. The issue of this marriage is three children living: Inez Ione, Chester E. and Cyrus C. Mr. Harrington has always made it his home in this county, except fourteen years spent in Ogle county, where he also owned a farm. While in Ogle county he was four times elected by the people of Grand Detour township to fill the position of supervisor, and was in the spring of 1881 elected supervisor of the township of Nachusa. Besides the first land he entered in Sec. 13, T. 22, R. 9, he also owns a farm of 160 acres in Sec. 19, T. 21, R. 10. Mr. Har- rington's principal business is stock raising, though he also farms to some extent.
JOHN GARRISON, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, is a son of William and Amelia (Oman) Garrison, and was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1835, and came to Lee county, Illinois, with his parents in the spring of 1845, arriving here June 4. Thus it will be seen that John Garrison early became identified with Lee county. He was raised on the farm and educated as a hardy son of toil, with but a very slim chance of school learning. March 26, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Maranda, daughter of Mr. Jonathan and Sallie A. (Klintob) DePuy. She was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1842, and came to Lee county with her parents when a small child. They are the parents of eight children :
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Emma J., wife of C. B. Brader; Charles A., Addie M., George H., Priscilla M., Lucinda R., Elizabeth E. and Jacob F. In the spring of 1866 he moved on the farm where he now lives, in Sec. 25, T. 22, R. 9. His real estate comprises 240 acres of good land. His home farm is one of the very desirable ones of Nachusa township. He is engaged in stock raising as well as farming.
ALEXANDER DEPUY, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, son of Jonathan and Sallie A. (Klintob) DePuy, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsyl- vania, December 7, 1838, and came to Lee county, Illinois, with his parents in 1846. Here young Alexander grew to manhood, with only such educational advantages as were afforded in this county at that time. Like his father he was reared a farmer and thoroughly trained in all that pertains to agricultural pursuits. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C, 34th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. He took part in the great battle of Shiloh; was with his regiment during its three years' campaigns ; reënlisted as veteran with the same company and regiment, and with the same was honorably discharged in 1865. February 15, 1866, he married Miss Mary A. Bitner, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania. She was born June 11, 1840. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted child, Daisie May. Mr. DePuy is now actively engaged in farming and stock raising. His home is one of the beautiful locations of this township.
GEORGE J. GITT, farmer and stock raiser, Nachusa, son of William and Lydia (Wilt) Gitt, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1844. During his early youth he lived in town, but was principally engaged in working on a farm and to a limited extent attended school, and by applying himself to study and observation he has gained a fair business education. In 1863 he became a soldier in the war for the Union in the 165th Penn. Inf. After his discharge he engaged in railroading. In the spring of 1865 he came to Lee county, Illinois, and began working on a farm by the month. May 18, 1868, he married Miss Samantha, daughter of James Dawson, a native of Union county, Ohio. They have two children : Cora M. and James W. In March, 1873, Mr. Gitt took charge of the old and well known farm of Joseph Crawford, Esq., and still continues to successfully carry on the business of farming and stock raising.
HENRY BOTHE, farmer and stock raiser, Amboy, was born near Mindon, Prussia, December 26, 1841; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the country of his birth. In the summer of 1859 he left the home of his childhood and sailed for America, landing in Baltimore July 4 of the same year. Four days later he came to Lee county, Illinois. Here he found his father, who had preceded the family to prepare a home for them on their arrival.
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Here young Henry engaged in farming with his father till September 9, 1861, when he enlisted to fight the battles of his adopted country, but was discharged on account of disability, September 8, 1862, thus losing his bounty due him as a three-years soldier. For a number of years Mr. Bothe suffered from the effects of disease contracted while in the army. He was married September 4, 1864, to Miss Catherina Hotzel. She was born in Germany, January 14, 1844, and came to this country in 1847 with her parents and settled in Lee county. They are the parents of eight children : Fredrick W., Anna E., John H., Christian F., Minnie H., Elvina C., Katie M. and Lillie C. In 1868 Mr. Bothe bought his present home farm of 132 acres, in the south part of Nachusa township, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising, and by prudence, industry and good management is making it a success.
ISRAEL SLOTHOWER, grain dealer, Nachusa, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, April 24, 1843. He was reared a farmer, as was also his father, who died when Israel was but three years old. His educational advantages were only such as the common schools of his native state afforded. At the age of eighteen years he entered as an apprentice to a blacksmith. After learning the trade he followed the business till he entered the army as a soldier in the war for the Union. After his discharge he came to Lee county and engaged in the blacksmith business at Nachusa. This he followed three years, then went to Iowa, bought, opened up and improved a farm, which was, on June 18, 1870, swept over by a terrible tornado, completely de- molishing his new home and all his improvements, the accumula- tion of years of labor and industry. He, however, again rebuilt his home, but soon after sold out and returned to Nachinsa and engaged his services to Mr. John Dysart, then in the grain trade at Nachusa, and two years later became partner with Mr. Dysart in the business and has since managed the business to the entire satisfaction of all parties. His wife was Miss Jennie A. Stover, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children : Anna N., Retta B. and Carrie.
ALTO TOWNSHIP.
This township is in surface gently undulating, or rolling prairie, the eastern portion being quite rolling, the western more level, and some portions low and flat. There is very little land but can be used either under plow or as pasture for stock. The soil is a rich, black loam. Plum Thicket, a grove of about twenty acres, situated nearly in the center, is the only natural grove in the township. The Plum
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Thicket run is the only stream in Alto township. There are four or five driven wells from 100 to 200 feet deep. There is plenty of good wholesome water, nearly soft, on every farm. Wells are from fifteen to fifty feet in depth.
Alto was first settled at Plum Thicket. The first house built there in 1847 by John Grimes, the first settler, is still standing. The old state road running from Ottawa to Galena passes through this town- ship. On this road the early judges were wont to travel with pistol in hand (on their way from Ottawa to Galena), there being many hard, reckless characters, who roamed through this country engaged in horse stealing, and almost as dangerous as Black Hawk in his day and age. A wagon-road was laid out from Paw Paw to Rochelle, running through this township, in 1856. The above roads liave since been abandoned, and wagon-roads are now laid out and well worked on most of the section lines ; one or two are on quarter and half sections. The first family settling in this township, in 1843, was that of John Grimes, now dead. The second, who came about two years later, was the Rev. J. Wood, a Baptist preacher, who remained two or three years and removed to Earlville, La Salle county, Illinois. The next coming in- to Alto was Mr. Jeddediah Loneridge, coming in about 1852, who re- mained abont twenty years and removed to Nebraska, and has since died. Mr. Loneridge was noted for his skill at making baskets and various other useful articles. Mr. James Holcomb and father's family were the next comers, followed by Mr. Hubbel Williams and Mason Herrick. Soon after came the Mills family, James Tyler, and C. R. Hall, followed by the Kirbys, McDonnels, Stewards, Carpenters, and others, filling the township np quite rapidly.
ORGANIZATION.
A petition for organization was presented by the citizens to the supervisors of Lee county, and at a meeting held in the school-house, district No. 3, April 3, 1860, they organized by appointing Hiram C. Holcomb chairman ; Charles R. Hall was elected moderator, and James Tyler clerk. Being duly qualified by H. C. Holcomb, justice of the peace, the polls were declared open at nine o'clock. At this meeting a motion was made and carried that the town be divided into four road distriets. A motion was also made to levy a tax of forty cents on $100 for road purposes; a motion was also made and carried to raise two mills on the dollar for town expenses. A motion was made and carried to keep up all cattle at night, and if left out and damage was done, for first offense the owner to pay all damages, for second offense the owner to pay double the damage. A motion was made and carried that every man be his own pound-master. At the close of the polls
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