USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 58
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long Democrat. Mr. Rankin is full of recollections of pioneer incidents, and likes to talk of them. He relates with pride the fact that Abraham Lincoln, as deputy surveyor, at times surveyed land in his neighborhood and adjoining his farm.
Edward Rankin, one of Logan County's wealthy farmers, re- sides on section 10, Broadwell Township. He owns 1,400 acres of Logan County's best land, situated on sections 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15. Besides his own fine residence he owns four farms, with improve- ments, which he rents to tenants. Mr. Rankin has been one of the most public-spirited men in the county, and no one has done more than he to assist in building up and improving the county. Per- fectly honorable and upright, his integrity has won him a wide circle of friends, all with whom he has any dealing having the utmost confidence in him. Mr. Rankin was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 2, 1812, a son of William and Elizabeth Rankin. He was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the common schools of his day afforded. He remained on the old home till thirty-four years of age, when, in company with his brothers, William and Sinnet, he came to Logan County, and the following winter lived in Postville. He worked rented land two years, and then, in company with his brothers, bought a section of land, a third of which is a part of his home farm, to which he moved in the fall of 1848. When he came to this county Mr. Rankin had a cash capital of $1,600, and his present prosperity exceeds his greatest expectations. He was married January 4, 1844, to Rachel Allen, a native of Ohio, born in April, 1824. They have a family of three children-Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin C. Warrick, who resides on one of Mr. Rankin's farms; Polly, wife of George D. Corwin, of Lincoln; Sarah E. married John N. Parsons, and died February 6, 1884. In politics Mr. Rankin is a Democrat.
Sinnet Rankin, one of the prominent farmers of Broadwell Township, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 27, 1817, his parents, William and Elizabeth Rankin, being natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. His mother died in Ohio, and his father at the home of our subject, in October, 1857. They had a family of five children, Sinnet being the fourth child. His brothers, Ed- ward and William, reside in this township, and two of the children are deceased. Sinnet Rankin remained with his parents at the home in Ohio till twenty-three years old. December 5, 1839, he was married to Eveline McBee, who was born at Harper's Ferry, June 2, 1817. They have one daughter living-Nancy, wife of
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Robert Blacker. One child, Elmira J., died aged nearly ten years. Mr. Rankin continued to work on his father's farm till September 11, 1848, when he and his family started for Logan County, reach- ing Postville, September 30. He raised one crop on rented land, and in the spring of 1850 he settled on his present farm, on section 10, his first purchase being 160 acres of prairie land and a third interest in 160 acres of timber land. He has been prosperous since coming to Logan County, and now, in his advancing years, he needs nothing for comfort that wealth can buy. His fine, substan- tial residence and his farm improvements indicate thrift and care, and his splendid farm, including a small tract of timbered land, now contains 400 acres. In politics Mr. Rankin is a Democrat. He has served his township four years as supervisor, and has held the office of school treasurer several years. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 480, A. F. & A. M.
George W. Read, section 35, Broad well Township, was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, September 15, 1831. His father was an Englishman by birth, and his mother a native of Kentucky. The former died before the birth of our subject, and the mother subsequently married a Mr. Barthlom. Both are now deceased. Our subject was early obliged to depend upon himself for support, ard from the age of twelve to eighteen years lived with James Baucher in this township. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising till 1872, and from that year till 1885 was engaged in the grain trade at Broadwell, doing a large business, and build- ing an elevator to facilitate his trade, which reached from 100,000 to 200,000 bushels per annum. He owns a beautiful home on section 35, which contains 480 acres, all under cultivation, and also has 135 acres on section 33. He commenced his building improve- ments in 1861, and has occupied them since 1862. He was married November 10, 1853, to Margaret Kline, a native of Pike County, Ohio, born August 26, 1831, daughter of John Kline. Mrs. Read , died September 20, 1885, after an illness of two years. She left a family of six children, all at home with their father-Martha M., John T., Nancy E., Elery W., Mary E. and George L. Mr. Read and his wife in their early married life became members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Democrat. From 1878 till 1884 he was supervisor of Broadwell Township, and in his early life served as assessor. October 1, 1885, he was appointed post- master of Broadwell, and appointed Lincoln Eisiminger his dep- uty, and the latter is attending to the duties of the office for
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him. He is widely and favorably known in Logan County, and is universally respected for his noble, manly qualities and honest integrity. He always gives his hearty support to all enterprises of public benefit, being interested in everything that tends to the welfare of his township.
Charles O. Stelse was born in Prussia, Germany, December 5, 1823, a son of Frederick William Stelse. Leaving school at the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet- maker's trade, serving till he was eighteen years old. He then traveled as a journeyman for five years, during the time visiting many provinces and cities. In 1848 he embarked on a sailing vessel for America, reaching New York City, after a seven-weeks voyage, June 27 of that year. He worked at his trade and other employments five or six years in Albany and that vicinity. He then came to Illinois, spent a few months at Rockford, and visited different cities in this State, working at his trade. From Rockford he went to Decatur, thence to Paris, where he remained a year. In 1857 he came to Logan County, locating in Lincoln, and in 1859 he removed to Broadwell where he has since resided, with the ex- ception of a part of the year 1859, when he had charge of the Madison House at Joliet. After returning from Joliet he opened a general grocery store in the village of Broadwell, which he con- ducted successfully until May 1, 1885, when he retired from active business life. He was married June 17, 1870, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Kenny) Brewster, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union have been born two children-Charles Otto and Minnie. Mrs. Stelse has two children by her former husband-Benton and Alanso. Mr. Stelse was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of Broad- well Lodge, No. 727, I. O. O. F., in good standing.
Frederick Striggow is a native of Germany, born October 29, 1825. When he was six years old his father, Jacob Striggow, died. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to learn the black- smith's trade, and after serving three and a half years he traveled as a journeyman through the different cities of Germany, Denmark and Copenhagen, becoming a masterworkman. May 1, 1855, he left his native country for America, and on May 4 the vessel How- ard, in which he embarked, collided with an Austrian emigrant vessel in the English channel, compelling them to go into Dover for repairs, where she remained six weeks. Mr. Striggow reached New York City July 29, and from there proceeded to Milwanker, 39
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Wisconsin, where he remained three years. He then went to Northern Missouri, and was there engaged in chopping timber about seven months. He came to, Lincoln, Logan County, August 25, 1859, where he found employment at his trade, since which time he has followed blacksmithing and wagon-making in this county. Since March 5, 1861, he has carried on business at Broad- well where he has been fairly successful. He owns his shop, and also a good residence in the village of Broadwell. June 16, 1867, he was married to Caroline Kieselman, a native of Germany. They have two children-Caroline Ida and Charles Frederick. Mr. Strig- gow is a member of Elkhart Lodge, No. 545, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family belong to the Lu- theran church.
Frank A. Thompson, one of the prominent young business men of Broadwell, is a native of Logan County, and was born in the village, which has since, with the exception of five years, been his home, May 10, 1861. His parents, James and Catherine Thomp- son, were natives of Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Logan County. Their family consisted of three children-David, Frank A. and Emma. The father died in November, 1862, and the mother subsequently married Jesse H. Thompson, a brother of her first hus- band, with whom she is now living in Broadwell. Frank A. Thomp- son received a good education in the common-schools of the village. After reaching manhood he engaged in farming in East Lincoln Township five years. In May, 1885, he bought the stock of Charles Stelse, and is fast building up a good trade ; in addition to retain- ing the old customers of Mr. Stelse is constantly gaining new ones. He keeps a full line of general groceries and fancy goods, and has one of the best and neatest stores in the village. He was married May 21, 1885, to Rena Turley, a native of this township, born November 20, 1865, daughter of David K. Turley.
Jesse H. Thompson, the third child of Samuel and Hannah Thompson, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1832. His mother died in Pennsylvania in 1850, and in 1864 his father came to Logan County, Illinois, and made his home in Elkhart for several years. He died at the home of his danghter, Mrs. Mary Jane Green, of Eminence Township, in 1877, aged seventy-two years. He had a family of eight children-John Leslie and Jesse H., and Mrs. Green, living in Logan County; Archibald and Samuel live in Vernon County, Missouri ; Mrs. Mary Ann Zimmers, living in Champaign County, and James, who
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died in November, 1862. Jesse H. Thompson was reared to the life of a farmer, and in his youth received such education as could be obtained in the district schools. He left his home February 17, 1854, and came to Logan County, Illinois. After a two-years residence at Elkhart he came to Broadwell Township, and with the exception of two years, 1874-'5, residing in West Lincoln, he has since lived in this township. Mr. Thompson was married in 1866 to Mrs. Catharine M. (Lapham) Thompson, widow of James Thomp- son, brother of our subject. Mrs. Thompson was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1838. By her first marriage she had three children-David, Franklin, and Emma, wife of L. Ramsey, of this township. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Thompson have had seven children- Willie (deceased), Grant, Adeline, Johnson, Nellie (deceased), Charles and Martin. The family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Thompson came West in limited circumstances, but rapidly became wealthy, owning at one time 1,400 acres of choice land in Logan County. He was one of the most active business men in Central Illinois. He was very extensively engaged in buying and shipping stock, handling for about seventeen years most of the stock raised in the county, his annual transactions reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the business was risky, and heavy and repeated de- cline in business found him too heavily stocked. Losses follow- ing in rapid succession caused him to fail in business, and he is now living a quiet life in the village of Broadwell where he owns a good residence property. He also owns a farm on section 30, and other small tracts in different sections in this township. In politics Mr. Thompson is an ardent Republican, casting his first Presi- dential vote for John C. Fremont. He is a member of Elkhart Lodge, No. 545, A. F. & A. M.
Charles Turley, one of the pioneers of Logan County, settled in what is now Elkhart Township, four miles from the present vil- lage of Elkhart, in the year 1823. Mr. Turley was born and reared in Kentucky, and his wife, Elizabeth (Chatham) Turley, was born near the Blue Mountains in Virginia, a native of Greenbrier County, but reared in Kentucky. The children who came with them to this county are-James O., engaged in mercantile business at Mt. Pulaski, where he died; Marshall, now a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is noted for his valuable inventions; Gris- enda, deceased wife of Anthony Ridgeway; Sanford, deceased, his wife dying before him leaving one child, who is now Mrs. Chloe
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J. Ogle, of Elkhart Township; Eranda, deceased wife of G. C. Wright; and Charles, now living near Williamsville. Sangamon County. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turley after coming to this county-Commodore Perry, who died aged about twenty years, and David K., now living in Broadwell Township. Mr. Turley had his share of the trials and hardships incident to the life of a pioneer. In his last days he united himself with the Christian church. He died about the year 1836, aged about fifty years. . He was a genial, generous-hearted man and had a host of warm friends.
David K. Turley, son of the pioneer Charles Turley, was born in what is now Elkhart Township, April 11, 1825. When fourteen years old he began earning his own living. and since that age has earned every dollar he has owned. February 19, 1845, he married Sarah K. Poe, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Poe, a native of Ken- tucky. They had one child, Elizabeth, now the wife of James Birks, living near Blunt, Dak. Mr. Turley began life with no capital but a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed, and before his wife's death, in 1855, he had purchased eighty acres of land in this township which he still owns. For his second wife he married Juliette Warrick, in 1857. She was a daughter of Montgomery Warrick. She died in 1859, leaving one child, Georgie A., now married to John Towner, of Sangamon County. November 1, 1861, Mr. Turley married Julia Johnson, a native of Pike County, Ohio, daughter of Thomas Johnson. To this union have been born four children-Eliza Urana, wife of Frank A. Thompson. a merchant of Broadwell; John F., Clara Ollie and Maud Myrtle, all at home. Mr. Turley has a fine residence on section 34, where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life, and his farm, which contains 380 acres, is one of the best in the neighborhood. In politics he was formerly an old-line Whig, but has been an active member of the Republican party since its organ- ization. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, and in all public enterprises, educational, religious or otherwise, he takes an active interest. Mr. Turley is full of reminiscences of pioneer days, and loves to talk over the trials and hardships of those early days. He is a keen observer of passing events, a man of ex- cellent judgment and of strict integrity, and is respected by all for his many manly qualities.
Benjamin C. Warrick, son of Jacob G. Warrick, a pioneer of Logan County, was born January 30, 1840, in Broadwell Town-
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ship, Logan County, Illinois, and has ever since been a resident of this township. He lived at the old homestead till his marriage in 1861 to Elizabeth Rankin, the eldest daughter of Edward Rankin. She was born October 1, 1844, and was reared in the same neigh- borhood as her husband, and attended the same school. After his marriage Mr. Warrick made his home on section 11, this township, where he still lives, his farm containing 324 acres of land under the best cultivation, Mr. Warrick being a thorough, practical farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Warrick have five children-Edward R., William P., John A., Sinnet R. and Seth A. They have an adopted daughter, Mary Chrisfellow, a soldier's daughter. In politics Mr. Warrick is a Republican, and is an active worker for his party. He is at present serving his township as supervisor. His father, Jacob Warrick, was one of the first settlers in Broadwell Town- ship. He was a native of Virginia, but reared in Gibson County, Indiana, where he was married to Elizabeth Skelton, a native of Kentucky. In 1832, with his wife and two children, he settled in this township on section 10, but the following spring he moved to Lake Fork. The next year he became a resident of section 11, Broadwell Township. His children are as follows-Montgomery, a native of Indiana, died in this township soon after his marriage; Sarah Jane, deceased wife of John Thomas, was also a native of Indiana ; Robert, deceased ; Emma, died in childhood ; two chil- dren, twins, died in infancy; John C., residing in Texas; William, died in the army, a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry ; Benjamin C., whose name heads this sketch ; Mrs. Nancy E. Fletcher, of Chester Township ; Mrs. Martha C. Cochran, of McLean County, Illinois ; Mrs. Lonisa Turner, of Cowley County, Kansas. Jacob Warrick was an active, progressive farmer, and lived to improve a farm of 440 acres. He was for many years engaged in buying and feeding stock, being in those days one of the largest stock-raisers in the county. IJe died in 1857 aged about fifty-five years. His widow survived till 1876, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. Jacob G. War- rick served in the Black Hawk war where he was a comrade of Abraham Lincoln, and the acquaintance then formed ripened into friendship which lasted while Mr. Warrick lived.
Johnson W. Wright is a native of Logan County, born July 11, 1841, a son of Dorrel F. and Chloe J. Wright. Dorrel F. Wright was a native of Ohio and came to Logan County in 1835 and was here married, his wife being a native of Virginia. They located
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in Broadwell Township, where he became wealthy, owning at the time of his death 2,600 acres of valuable land. He came to this county a poor man but was one of the most active and progressive of Logan County's citizens. His property was all earned by honest toil, not being of a speculative nature. He was the soul of honor his word never being questioned in any transaction. He died April 5, 1879, aged sixty six years, his death being univers- ally regretted by a large circle of friends, each feeling it to be a personal bereavement. Mrs. Wright now lives in Lincoln, as do also three of her children. To them were born four children- Johnson W .; Didamia, wife of J. W. Noel; Frank C., and Ella M., wife of William L. Dustin. Johnson W. Wright remained at home till manhood. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in Company F, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry, and served three years. Among the more important engagements in which he participated were Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and with Sherman went to the relief of Knoxville. He was also in General Sher- man's heroic campaign against Johnston's army, culminating in the capture of Atlanta. He was at Franklin and Nashville, under General Thomas, and in the pursuit of Hood, which followed. He was honorably discharged June 24, 1865, and returned home, where he remained till his marriage to Miss Margaret Ryan, September 11, 1867. She was a native of Boston, born July 17, 1844, and being left an orphan when young was reared by the parents of Mr. Wright. Mr. Wright lives on section 29, Broad- well Township, where he owns 640 acres of land, given him by his father. He has improved his land and erected good buildings and now has one of the finest and most valuable farms in the county. He is a practical and progressive farmer, having been reared from childhood in that industry. He is, as was his father, in politics a radical Republican. He was reared in the Christian church of which he is a member.
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CHAPTER XX.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION .- LIST OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1867 TO 1885, INCLUSIVE. - STATISTICS. - POLITICAL. - CHURCHES .- BIO- GRAPHICAL.
The township of Chester lies southeast of Lincoln, and is bounded as follows: On the north by East Lincoln Township, on the east by Etna Township, on the south by Mt. Pulaski Town- ship, and on the west by Broadwell Township. It is traversed nearly north and south by the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Rail- road, which has one station-Chestervale-within its limits, but no village. The township is drained by Salt Creek on its south- ern border and Deer Creek on the northern.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
Following are the officers elected in Chester Township for each year since organization:
1867-Supervisor, Michael Hinrichson; Clerk, Jeremiah Math- ews; Assessor, Jacob Baker; Collector, John .E. Downing; High- way Commissioners, Daniel French, William Layman and P. C. Bowen; Justices, I. T. McCoy and J. P. Evans; Constables, Lemuel Spangler and John Stewart.
1868-Supervisor, Michael Hinrichson; Clerk, Jeremiah Math- ews; Assessor, William H. Trainer; Collector, John E. Downing; Highway Commissioner, T. H. Denny; Justice, Monroe Shoup.
1869-Supervisor, Michael Hinrichson; Clerk, I. T. McCoy; Assessor, William H. Trainer; Collector, Jeremiah Mathews; Highway Commissioner, William Carson.
1870-Supervisor, Michael Hinrichson; Clerk, I. T. McCoy, Assessor, Lewis Shaw; Collector, William H. Trainer; Highway Commissioner, J. Combs; Justice, W. C. Daney; Constable, A. Turk.
1871-Supervisor, Michael Hinrichson; Clerk, R. C. Maxwell; Assessor, Lewis Shaw; Collector, William H. Trainer; Highway (625)
la
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Commissioner, William Mathews; Justices, I. T. McCoy and William Layman; Constables, William Stewart and L. Spangler.
1873-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, A. A. Mills; Collector, Carlin Primm; Highway Commis- sioner, William Moore; Justice, William Layman; Constable, G. Lochenmeyer.
1874-Supervisor, Fred Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, Lewis Shaw; Collector, Carlin Primm; Highway Commis- sioner, W. T. Barnard; Justice, Thomas Billings; Constable, Fred. Wilmet.
1875-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, Jonathan Combs; Collector, Carlin M. Primm; Highway Commissioner, John Warner; Justices, R. C. Maxwell and Isaiah T. McCoy; Constables, Solomon Hinrichson and H. Slayton.
1876-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, Jerry Mathews; Collector, R. C. Maxwell; Highway Com- missioner, William Moore; Constable, H. Slayton.
1877-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, A. A. Mills; Collector, John C. Downing; Highway Com- missioner, R. H. Templeman; Justices, I. T. McCoy and Samuel Layman; Constables, H. S. Slayton and T. H. Denny, Jr.
1878-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, Andrew A. Mills; Collector, John C. Downing; Highway Commissioner, John Maurer; Justice, David C. Turley; Consta- bles, Daniel Spangler and Solomon Hinrichson.
1879-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, A. A. Mills;' Collector, Thomas B. Piatt; Highway Com- missioner, George Stoll.
1880-Supervisor, Fred. Dittus; Clerk, John D. Webster; As- sessor, A. A. Mills; Collector, Thomas B. Piatt; Highway Com- missioner, George Layman.
1881-Supervisor, R. H. Templeman; Clerk, John D. Webster; Assessor, A. A. Mills; Collector, Thomas B. Piatt; Highway Com- missioner, John Maurer; Justices, D. C. Turley and I. T. McCoy; Constables, J. J. Baker and Solomon Hinrichson.
1882-Supervisor, R. H. Templeman; Clerk, Charles Spitly; Assessor, I. T. McCoy; Collector, T. B. Piatt; Highway Commis- sioner, George Stoll.
1883-Supervisor, R. H. Templeman; Clerk, H. P. Purviance; Assessor, Samuel Baldwin; Collector, Daniel Turley; Highway Commissioner, George Layman; Constable, Andrew Armstrong.
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CHESTER TOWNSHIP.
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: 1884-Supervisor, R. H. Templeman; Clerk, H. P. Purviance; Assessor, I. T. McCoy; Collector, D. C. Turley; Highway Com- missioner, John Maurer.
1885-Supervisor, R. H. Templeman; Clerk, H. P. Purviance; Assessor, I. T. McCoy; Collector, D. C. Turley; Highway Com- missioner, George Stoll; Justices, D. C. Turley and I. T. McCoy; Constables, Andy Armstrong and Jeff. Harless.
STATISTICS.
Chester has suffered largely by emigration to the West, its population of 1,062 in 1870 being reduced to 872 in 1880. It is now estimated at 850.
The valuation and taxation of property in 1875 and 1885 are shown by the following figures:
1875 .- Equalized valuation, $654,074; State tax, $1,962.22; county tax, $1,308.15; town tax; $327.04; school tax, $3,223.90; road tax, $410.67; road and bridge tax, $1,373.56; sinking fund tax, $654.05; county bond tax, $850.30; back tax, $25.40; total tax, $10,135.33.
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