History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 989

USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 61

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

.. 114

1872-Ulysses S. Grant 109

1884-Grover Cleveland.

120

1876-Samuel J. Tilden .133

James G. Blaine.

118

Rutherford B. Hayes .. . 122

John P. St. John.

MIDDLETOWN

is the oldest town in Logan County. Indeed, it was formed before the county existed. . It was laid out by Hiram S. Allen, October 13, 1832, and consisted of sixty-four lots, each 60 x 120 feet in size. Not long after the town was laid out, Smith & King

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648 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

opened a small store, probably the first enterprise of the kind in the limits of this county. Their stock of goods was small, and comprised only articles actually needed by the few residents of the country. This firm only continued in business a few years. King died, and, in 1836, Smith left. He was at once suc- ceeded by Colbey Knapp, one of the prominent figures in the early history of Logan County. Mr. Knapp had been a clerk in Balti- more, and, being anxious to better his financial condition and pro- vide a home for old age, determined to come West. This he did soon after his marriage, the journey being performed by a stage over the mountains to Pittsburg, thence down the Ohio, up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Pekin, where he alighted, and went soon after to Middletown. Here he succeeded Smith & King in the mercantile business, shipping some goods from Baltimore, and procuring some in St. Louis. His first store was a frame building. He, in 1840, built a brick house, probably the first brick structure in the county. This was used as a dwelling as well as a store, and was at one time the largest store in this part of the State.

The town at first comprised only sixteen acres. In 1836 Colbey Knapp and William Glenn, Jr., platted the remainder of the eighty acres, and placed the lots on the market. Mr. Knapp was appointed postmaster here in 1837. Martin Van Buren was Presi- dent, and Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General. Prior to this time a postoffice had been maintained in Irish Grove, in what is now Menard County. There was also a Presbyterian church built about 1838 or '34, and here the people in Middletown and surrounding country attended services. Mr. Knapp remained here till 1860. The town, being off the railroad route, never partook of the rapid advancement attained by others more fortunately situated. It now contains about 200 inhabitants, and supports a good school and one church. There is one general store, kept by J. A. Glenn; Thomas M. Reed is the druggist, and Green Hill and W. V. Gut- tery practice medicine.

ODD FELLOWS ORDER.

Myrtle Lodge, No. 470, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 8, 1872, but was organized December 12 previous. The charter members were Abel Mckay, L. M. Lake, John Breasaugh, Charles H. Nord, Charles C. Reed, William Squires and A. J. Reed. The lodge was organized in the hotel of Thaddeus Davis, and continued to meet there until 1874, when their present property was purchased.

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This is composed of a residence building with a hall on the second floor. The building is of concrete and originally cost $3,000. It is a two story structure, with ten rooms above the basement. Two acres of land surround the building. The lodge is free from debt and has $600 invested at 8 per cent. The membership is thirty-two. The officers for 1885 are: A. R. Miller, Noble Grand; Edmund Jones, Vice-Grand; Thomas Davy, Treasurer; M. J. Burkett, Per- manent Secretary; W. V. Guttery, Recording Secretary; Will- iam Squires, Chaplain.

CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Middletown was dedicated July 3, 1870. It is a frame structure, costing about $2,800. A building was erected here very early in the history of the county, intended to be used by any and all denominations; but the Pres- byterians, who seem to have possessed the best claim to it, took it down about 1858 and re-erected it at Irish Grove, Menard County. The first Methodist services were held in private houses. Later, meetings were held in the school-house, and then in the brick church just mentioned.

The Springbank Methodist Episcopal Church, on section 25, was erected in 1867, at a cost of about $2,200. It is a white frame structure, neat and comfortable. Among the early and prominent Methodists in this vicinity, and especially those who contributed largely to the building of the church, were David B. Evans, Judge Nolan and William B. Boek. Early services were held at private houses and at the school-house. The society has now thirty-five members. A Sunday-school has been usually sustained. William B. Bock was superintendent for many years, and at his removal, Rev. G. T. Galford became superintendent and continued in that capacity five years, ending in 1884. The present superintendent is John T Foster.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

William Breeze Bock, deceased, was born in England, June 1, 1813. Although a native of England he was of German descent, his father, William Bock, having come from Hesse-Cassel, Ger- many, to Liverpool, when a young man, where he married Lucy Breeze. In 1823 William Bock, with his son, William Breeze Bock, came to the United States, settling in New York. The family came two years later. At the age of sixteen years our subject went to Philadelphia, where he served five years as an apprentice to the

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650 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

cabinet-making business. He then returned to New York, where he worked at his trade for several years, and in 1837 married Miss Ann McAdam, born in Ireland, March 12, 1814, and came to New York with her father in 1834. She taught school in New York. She is a granddaughter of Samuel Nielson, one of the United Irishmen of 1798. In 1838 Mr. Bock removed from New York to Jackson- ville, Illinois, and in the fall of that year he entered land in Logan County, where he settled subsequently. He then removed to Mid- dletown, and thence to Pekin, where he remained seven years en- gaged in working in black walnut and fancy woods, forwarding the same to the New York market. He returned to his home in Lo- gan County in the spring of 1856, and died at Lincoln in January, 1880, his wife dying one day later. Five of their children are now living. Mr. Bock was an honest, upright citizen, highly respected in the community in which he lived. Mrs. Bock was a woman of unusual literary attainments, possessing remarkable conversational powers. George A. Bock is the only one of the children of William Breeze Bock living in Corwin Township. He was born in Middle- town, Logan County, July 13, 1848. October 13, 1875, he was married to Mary Louisa Babington, born in Ireland, July 28, 1848, coming to this country with her parents in 1851. Her parents set- tled in St. Louis, Missouri, where the father died the following year; the mother still survives. Mr. and Mrs. George A. Bock have three children-Mary Louisa, Catherine and Sidney Ethel. Mr. Bock has 320 acres on section 35.

Peter Critz, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Logan County, is a son of John Critz and a grandson of Conrad Critz. The latter settled in what is now Broadwell Township, October 29, 1827. Conrad Oritz was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married. He removed to Clarke County, Ohio, from whence he came to Logan County in 1827. His wife died in Ohio and when he came here his children had reached ma- turity, the children being five in number. His son John, who was. then twenty-one years of age, accompanied him to this county, the remaining children coming here later. Conrad Critz died in De Witt County, Illinois, many years ago, and all of his sons are deceased. John Critz married Elizabeth Martin, a daughter of John Martin, who was one of the pioneers of Logan County, coming from Ohio- in 1827. They had four children of whom Peter, whose name heads this sketch, is the only one living. Those deceased are- John, George and Albert. After his marriage John Critz settled

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on section +, Corwin Township, where he lived till his death, June 10, 1878. His wife died October 28, 1877. Peter, the only one of his father's family who grew to maturity, was born at the home- stead in this township June 23, 1840, and he has always been a res- ident of the township. The farm which he owns and occupies was purchased by his father in 1865. It contains about 800 acres. He was married to Mary Ann Hamil, a daughter of William Hamil, of this township. Of the four children born to them only one sur- vives-Adaline, born May 19, 1878. The three eldest children are-John W., who died aged thirteen years, and Jacob and Charles, who died in infancy.

David G. Evans, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneers of Logan County. He was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, March 25, 1806, and when six years old he moved with his par- ents, Daniel and Mary (Gorsuch) Evans, to Pickaway County, Ohio. He was left an orphan when sixteen years of age, both of his parents dying the same week. In 1830 he was married to Anna Long, a native of Ohio. Of the ten children born to this union only two are living-Mrs. Nancy A. Richards and Mrs. Alice Foster, both in this township. Margaret married David Van Daren, and died in December, 1853; Norman died in May, 1857, aged twenty-four years; John died in 1859, aged twenty-two years; Mary Ellen married John Spindler, and died in May, 1866; Will- iam died in November, 1870, aged thirty years; James D. died in April, 1877, aged thirty-nine years; Anna Belle married James T. Galford, and died October 15, 1884; and one child died young. David Evans lived in Ohio till 1849, when he removed to Sanga- mon County, Illinois, where he occupied a rented farm for two years. He then located in Corwin Township, Logan County, pur- chasing of Captain Long a tract of 1,000 acres. Captain Long had erected on this place a large frame dwelling, around which he had built a fence, these being the only improvements made on the place when Mr. Evans located here with his family in 1851. Here he made his homestead, and here lived till his death. His widow still lives at the homestead with Mr. and Mrs. Foster, and is still in good health. Mr. Evans in early life was a Whig, and later a Republican of the most pronounced type. He was personally acquainted with a number of eminent men of his party, and was a personal friend of President Lincoln. He was present at the con- vention that nominated General Grant President in 1868. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and always gave

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liberally of his means to the support of the gospel. Mr. Evans was an energetic and industrious citizen, and became known as one of the wealthy and successful men of Logan County. He was widely known, and universally respected for his many excellent qualities of both mind and heart.

Hon. John T. Foster, one of the representative citizens of Logan County, is a native of Illinois, having been born in McDonough County, January 25, 1849, a son of Henry W. and Eliza Ann Foster. His grandfather settled in McDonough County in 1831, where he lived till his death, in 1847. In 1881 the parents of Mr. Foster came to Logan County, and are now residents of East Lin- coln Township. John T. Foster was reared to the occupation of farming. In the fall of 1869 he entered the university at Lincoln, graduating in the class of 1872. His intention was to prepare himself for the bar, but owing to the ill health of his father he returned to the home farm after his graduation. He was married November 21, 1877, to Alice Evans, a daughter of the well-known pioneer, David G. Evans. They have two daughters and two sons-May Evans, Fannie, Herbert B. and Paul. Mr. Foster has been a resident of this county since January 1, 1878, where his real estate comprises 720 acres. At present he is devoting his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, and is classed among the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Logan County. Mr. Foster in politics is an ardent Republican, and when occasion de- mands it he devotes considerable attention to political affairs. He cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1872, and was very active during that campaign. He made his first political speeches during that year, being a member of the Central Com- mittee of McDonough County. In the fall of 1880 he was nomi- nated by the Republican party for the Legislature. He received a majority of about 373 votes in Logan County, and was defeated by only thirteen and a half votes, the district being then largely Democratic. In the fall of 1882 he was renominated for the Leg- islature and was elected. After serving one term at Springfield he refused further political honors, as his large farming interests demand his entire attention. Although Mr. Foster is strongly attached to the principles of the Republican party he does not allow prejudice to bias his judgment in estimating the character of men. He is a speaker of much force and effect, and as a citizen no man is more highly esteemed in the community in which he lives than John T. Foster.

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Ferdinand Fulcher was born in Curchleven, Prussia, April 30, 1847. His father, Christian Fulcher, emigrated to the United States in 1854, settling in Pike County, Ohio, where he still lives, aged eighty-four years. His wife is also living. In September, 1867, Ferdinand Fulcher came to Logan County, where he worked by the month and farmed land till 1870, when he married Mary Rhoda, a daughter of Ephraim Rhoda, who came here from Ohio in 1865. He now resides in Lincoln. After marriage Mr. Fulcher rented a farm of 120 acres in this township, from John Windle. In the fall of 1870 he bought sixty acres of land on sections 2 and 11, where he located. His wife died in October, 1874, leaving two girls, Anna and Louisa, the former born December 18, 1870, and the latter September 10, 1873. In December, after the death of his wife, Mr. Fulcher returned with his children to Ohio, and in October, 1875, he married his present wife, Mary Baker, born in Waverly, Ohio, January 20, 1853. Mr. Fulcher then lived one year in Waverly, returning in March, 1877, to Logan County, and has lived on his present farm of 172 acres ever since. By his present wife Mr. Fulcher has four children-John C., Georgia W., Sophia E. and Harmon A. He is now serving his second term as road commissioner for his township. Politically he is a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Fulcher's father, John Baker, died in Ohio, December 25, 1868, and her mother is still living in Kansas. William Fulcher, an elder brother of our subject, lives in this township; and a sister, Mrs. Sophia Arnhole, who formerly married Levi Rhoda, resides in Or- vil Township.

Rev. James T. Galford was born in Tippecanoe County, Indi- ana, October 19, 1845. He removed with his father, William J. Galford, to Scioto County, Ohio, where the latter still lives. In 1868 James T. Galford came to Logan County, and entered the university at Lincoln as a student, attending one term. The fol- lowing winter term he taught school, resuming his studies at the university in the spring. In the fall of 1869 he became a teacher of the Broadwell school, teaching there two years. In 1871 he re- entered the university, graduating in the class of 1873, and in the fall of that year again took charge of the school at Broadwell, re- maining one year, meanwhile pursuing his studies for the minis- try. While a student at the university Mr. Galford had officiated, for one year on the Mt. Pulaski circuit as junior preacher. In 1874 he joined the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church,

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then in session at Mattoon, and was appointed to Schuyler Circuit, where he remained two years. In the autumn of 1876 he was ap- pointed to the Astoria charge in Fulton County, remaining there one year. November 11, 1874, Mr. Galford married Anna Belle Evans, born in Sangamon County, July 3, 1850, the youngest child of David G. Evans. In March, 1878, he settled where he now lives, on section 28. This was a part of the homestead farm of his father-in-law. October 15, 1884, Mr. Galford was bereaved by the death of his wife. She was a woman of excellent literary attainments, finishing her education at Jacksonville. She was much attached to her home, and possessed a kind and amiable disposition that endeared her to all who knew her. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Galford, four of whom are living-Anna Evans, Amy Alice, William V. and Gilbert Haven. The youngest child, James T., died in infancy. Mr. Galford devotes the most of his time to his large farming interests, preaching only occasionally. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

James A. Glenn, the only surviving child of David A. and Lucy Nash Glenn, was born July 28, 1845, in Middletown, Logan County, Illinois, and with the exception of two years spent in Mendota he has always lived here. He attended the North San- gamon Academy in Menard County two years, and the Wesleyan University for three years. At the age of twenty-one years he engaged in the mercantile business with his step-father, George D. Glenn. He married Zebella A. Robben, December 11. 1873, who was born in Menard County, Illinois, in June, 1853, a daughter of Edward and Anna (Redsucker) Robben, of Menard County. They have three children-Edward Robben, Anna Belle and Mary Edna. Mr. Glenn has been engaged in the mercantile business since 1867, and is one of the successful merchants of Corwin Township. He also owns several fine farms, the largest, which contains 325 acres, being in Menard County. His father, David Alexander Glenn, Was one of the pioneers of Logan County. He was a son of William Glenn, who came to this county with his family from Cumberland County Pennsylvania, in 1827 and settled in Corwin Township, on section 20, south of Salt Creek, where the family lived many years, and where the mother died. William Glenn died at the residence of his daughter-in law, Lucy N. Glenn, at Middletown, September 11, 1853, aged seventy-five years. He and his wife had eleven chil- dren, all but one reaching maturity. All the children are now de- ceased. David A. Glenn was born in Pennsylvania, December

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31, 1809. He came to this county with his parents and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was married May 13, 1840, to Lucy Nash Church, who was born at South Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1817, a danghier of Zenas and Rachel (Alvord) Church. When she was eleven years old her mother died, her father dying when she was fourteen years old. Four years after the death of her father she came to Illinois with her brother, Zenas Church, who settled in Bureau County, now a resident of Aurora. About one year after his marriage Mr. Glenn engaged in the mercantile trade at Mid- dletown which he followed till his death. He died in Pennsyl- vania, where he went for the benefit of his health, his death taking place December 12, 1850, at the age of forty-one years. He left his widow and two sons-Charles, now deceased, and James A., our subject. November 7, 1854, Mrs. Glenn was married to George D. Glenn, a brother of her first husband. He was born in 1819, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1868 he settled on section 21, this township, where his widow now lives. He improved the farm, on which he lived'till his death, November 17, 1883, at the age of sixty-four years. He left a widow and one son-Winfield, who was born February 27, 1857, now living with his mother at the home- stead.

John Long is one of the settlers of 1852, and has lived on his present farm, on section 28, since 1855. He was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, November 25, 1805, where he was reared and married Bethiah Long, who although of the same name was not a relative. In 1852 he removed with his wife and family, consisting of nine children, to Illinois, settling in Hurlbut Township, where he remained two years. He then bought his pres- ent farm. There were a few improvements made on the farm when he purchased it, but all his present improvements in the way of building, fencing, etc., he has made himself. The farm consists of 224 acres, twenty-four acres of which is timber land. Mr. Long is one of those who has made his own way in the world, having but a few hundred dollars when he came to Logan County. The wife, whom he brought to Logan County with him, assisted her husband in making a home but did not live long to enjoy it. She died in August, 1871, leaving nine children, all of whom lived to maturity. Two sons and three daughters are now living-Wesley, residing in Atlanta, Logan County, married Miss Addie Harrison, of Waynes- ville, Illinois, daughter of Dr. Harrison; Mrs. Nancy Ritchhart, widow of Philip Ritchhart; Ellen, wife of Charles Morse, of Hurl-

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but Township; John, and Anna, wife of Michael Brinkett. The father of the subject of this sketch, James Long, was a native of New Jersey, and removed with his parents from his native State to Pennsylvania, where he married the mother of our subject, re- moving soon after his marriage to Kentucky. Later he removed to Ohio, where he died. The mother came to Illinois to live with her children and died soon after. John H. Long, the only child at the homestead of our subject, was born in Ohio, May 8, 1847, and with the exception of six years, four of which he was engaged in business at Atlanta, he has always lived at the homestead. He married Miss Callie Van Meter, born in Ohio, July 8, 1852, daugh- ter of John R. Van Meter, of Logan County, Ohio.

Zachariah Martin is a son of John Martin, who settled in what is now Menard County, then a part of Sangamon, in 1827, making his home at Irish Grove. John Martin was born in Virginia, and removed with his parents to Clinton County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth Price, a native of Vir- ginia. In 1827 John Martin, with his family, consisting of his wife and seven children, came to Illinois, as stated, and settled on a farm, which he improved and on which he lived for several years. He then sold out and removed to Tazewell County, where he re- mained but one year, when he came to Logan County and bought eighty acres in Corwin Township, which is now a part of the farm of his son, Zachariah. Here he resided till his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him for several years, be- ing eighty-four years of age at her decease. Of the twelve chil- dren born to them, four died in childhood in Ohio. Only three are now living-Mary, widow of J. Langeston, of Missouri; Mrs. Rachel Price, of West Lincoln Township, and Zachariah. The last named was born in Clinton County, Ohio, February 16, 1823, and was only four years of age when he came with his parents to Il- linois. He has lived in Corwin Township most of the time since it was organized as a township, on the decease of his father pur- chasing the homestead farm, where he now lives, from the heirs. He is the only one of his father's family living in Corwin Township. He was married in this township to Margaret Baughan, a daughter of Berriman Banghan, also one of the pioneers of Logan County. In 1848 Mr. Martin was bereaved by the death of his wife, who left one son, John B., who was born January 10, 1847. Mr. Martin lost a son in infancy. He has 365 acres in this township and also owns 120 acres in Sheridan Township.

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Robert A. Rayburn, of Middletown, is a representative of one of the pioneers of Logan County. His parents, Milton and Jane Barnett, were natives of Kentucky, the former being born in Lin- coln County, August 25, 1799, and the latter born March 19, 1797. They were married October 11, 1821, continuing to reside in Ken- tucky for several years. October, 1831, they came to Illinois with their family of three children-Robert A., Nathan B. and James L., the first mentioned being then a little more than four years old, and the youngest a babe of three or four months. The family passed the first winter at the house of Nathan Barnett, who lived about one mile southeast of the present village of Middletown. This was the winter of the "deep snow " and all that was accom- plished by the settlers during that time was to keep themselves supplied, so far as possible, with food and fuel, not always an easy thing to do, owing to the almost impossibility of getting away from home to procure the necessary articles of food. Springfield was the first point of trade with the settlers in this vicinity, and was then but a small village. Milton Rayburn settled in Menard County, near the Logan County line, at what is known as "Irish Grove." Robert Rayburn, the father of Milton and the grand- father of Robert A. Rayburn, came here a year or two before Mil- ton and entered land, and it was on a part of the land that he entered that his son Milton settled. Robert Rayburn resided with his son until his death in 1836. His wife died in Kentucky. Milton Rayburn built his first house on the eighty acres which had been his father's, but this being located in the timber he decided, after two or three years, to rem ove his house to another farm of 120 acres which he had purchased, just west of his original eighty acres. There he lived for many years. About 1854 he gave up farming and came to Middletown, where he engaged in the mer- cantile business, which he continued till within two or three years of his death, which occurred April 27, 1872. His wife had died several years before the death of her husband. Milton Rayburn was a man that stood high in the community in which he lived as an upright, honorable citizen. He was a man who made but little noise in the world, but whose influence was exercised in a quiet way, in the interest of righ t, as he believed it. In religion both he and his wife were Presbyterians. Politically, in the early days, he was a Whig, of the anti-slavery type, and later was a Republi- can. Mr. and Mrs. Milton Rayburn had five children, three sons, whose names have already been mentioned, and two danghters-

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History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 61

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co. Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 989

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 989