USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 66
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Newton J. Fruit, farmer of Eminence Township, was born
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March 26, 1830, in Moultrie County, Illinois, his father, James Fruit, being a native of Kentucky. Our subject was married Au- gust 30, 1860, to Mrs. Parmelia Walker, and to this union have been born seven children-Martha, James, John, Charles, Will- iam, Hettie, and one who is new deceased. Mr. Fruit came to Lo- gan County. Illinois, in 1861, and settled in the southern part of Eminence Township on the place where he still resides. He has been very successful in his agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a fine farm containing 227 acres. In politics Mr. Fruit casts his suffrage with the Republican party. He and his wife are highly respected in the community in which they make their home.
Harvey Gale, a resident of section 18, Eminence Township, Lo- gan County, was born June 16, 1806, in Columbia County, New York, his parents, Neimad and Susan Gale, being natives of Con- necticut. He was reared and educated in his native State, and February 22, 1827, he was united in marriage to Ursula Roberts. She was born September 27, 1808, and was a daughter of Philip and Phoba (Moon) Roberts, of the State of New York. Of the seven children born to them but three are living-Samuel P., Ruth A. and Isaac J. Their son, Spencer S., was taken sick while serving in the late war and died in the army. Mr. Gale came with his family to Illinois in December, 1856, and the following spring settled in Eminence Township, where he has since made his home. He has been successful in his farming pursuits, and now owns 300 acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat.
John Harris, an old settler of Eminence Township, was born April 10, 1810, in Perry County, Ohio. His parents, John and Catherine Harris, had a family of eight children, of whom only three are now living-William B., Sarah and John. When thir- teen years of age our subject removed with his parents to Fayette County, Ohio, where he lived to maturity. He has been twice married. March 12, 1844, he was married to Mary Stothard, and of the four children born to this union, a son, James, is the only one that survives. His wife died June 18, 1848, and for his second wife he married Mary A. Johnson, February 29, 1852. She died in March, 1885. By his last wife he had four children, three of whom are living-Frank, Annie E. and Belle. In the fall of 1849 he came to Illinois and settled in McLean County, where he remained till the spring of 1854. He then settled on section 1, Eminence Township, Logan County, where he is successfully en-
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Sarah &. Hieronymus
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gaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Harris is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat.
John P. Hieronymus, a prominent and successful farmer of Eminence Township, was born September 20, 1844, in Logan County, Illinois, a son of James and Melinda Hieronymus who were of German descent. The name Hieronymus, as a Syrian General, was known according to the " History of the Times " 300 years B. C. (See 2 Macc. XII. 2.) To further show the great age of the name, we insert an extract from Calvin E. Stowe's "History of the Books of the . Bible," page 119, who quotes 100 ancient historians, of one of whom he says : "Hieronymus (Sophronius Eusebius) was born in the year 330 at Strido in Dalmatia. He was one of the most learned of all the church fathers, particularly in everything pertaining to the literature of the Bible. He re- ceived at Rome his first instructions in the sciences, traveled ex- tensively, and finally withdrew to a solitude near Bethlehem in Palestine, where he spent his life in the study of the Scriptures and the compositions of various learned works in the several depart- ments of Christian literature. He employed a Jew to teach him Hebrew, and was a diligent and faithful student. His greatest work was the revising of the common Latin translation of the Bible called the Vulgate, and writing for the several books of scripture erudite prefaces containing all that could be ascertained re- specting the authors, times and occasions of writing, etc. Even the most laborious investigations of modern times have in many in- stances scarcely advanced beyond the results of Hieronymus. Of most of the sacred books he made new translations very much superior to any that had preceded. His writings are among the richest of the ancient sources of critical investigation, and there are passages in them of surpassing eloquence; he was altogether sincere and earnest. He had several fierce controversies with Rufinus, Augustine and others. His writings were numerous, mainly on exegetical and historical subjects; they have been care- fully preserved, and are accessible in many good editions. He died in the year 420, at the age of ninety." Our subject's grand- father, William Hieronymus, who was born February 13, 1788, immigrated with his family to Illinois from Kentucky in 1828, settling in what has been known for many years as Hieronymus Grove, in the southeast corner of Tazewell County. His father, Henry, who was our subject's great-great-grandfather, came from Germany abont the year 1765, and first settled in Loudoun
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County, Virginia, near the foot of the Bine Ridge Mountains. He afterward removed to Kentucky in the year 1804 where he died in 1831. James Hieronymus, father of our subject, was born May 17, 1814, being fourteen years old when he came to Illinois. His wife, Melinda C. (Thompson), was born June 29, 1817, and came with her parents to Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1830. Of the seven children born to them four are living-Al- vira, born March 4, 1836, wife of Benjamin C. McAtee, of Ore- gon; Benjamin R., born June 27, 1841, cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Pekin, Illinois; John P., our subject, and Thomas H., born December 18, 1845, living in Tazewell County. The mother died October 24, 1847, the father dying January 27, 1848. After the death of his parents John P. was taken to the home of his maternal aunt, Mrs. Smith Stroud, then living in this county, and here he was reared to manhood. He was educated iu the schools of Atlanta, and for a short time followed the teacher's profession. He was married September 21, 1865, to Sarah E. Howser, who was born March 19, 1845, daughter of Abraham and Barbara A. Howser, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1836. To this union have been born eight children-Alva L., born September 7, 1867; Marion P., born April 5, 1869; Corinne P., born April 4, 1871; Sadie A., born May 20, 1873; Annie P., born March 12, 1875; Parrie M., born May 4, 1877; Jennie J., born June 17, 1879, and Ida V., born May 9, 1883. Alva and Jennie died in infancy. Mr. Hieronymus was elected township supervisor in April, 1885. He has for several years served as treasurer of the highway commissioners, and during 1877 and 1878 was treasurer of the Board of Township School Trustees. In 1880 he was elected a director and secretary of the Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Society, which was organized in 1860. He held the position of director for two years and is still acting in the capacity of secretary, having been re-appointed from time to time. He has been a member of the Christian church since 1859. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic wing of the Prohibition party. He resides on his farm of 245 acres, principally in the southeast quarter of section 13, one mile west of Atlanta. His farm is well provided with osage hedges and nut-bearing trees which he has raised from the seed. He has evergreens of various kinds in abundance, and has also supplied many of his neighbors. Having much more than doubled the capital with which he began
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life, he affirms that he occupies the most desirable condition in life which is expressed as follows :
"O, grant me, heaven, a middle state, Neither too humble nor too great, More than enough for nature's ends, With something left for poor and friends."
He endorses Mr. Emerson's words : "The few superior persons in each community are so by their steadiness to reality and their apparent neglect of appearances." And : "Those who are selected for a limited time to manage public affairs are still of the people and may do much by their example to encourage that plain way of living which promotes honesty and prosperity."
Sarah E. Hieronymus (Howser) was born March 19, 1845, in Jersey County, near Jerseyville, Illinois, a daughter of Abraham and Barbara Ann (Arnspiger) Howser, who were married Sep- tember 14, 1841, to whom four children were born -- Mary Cath- erine, was born April 13, 1843, and married Elias Lorey; Sarah Elizabeth, our subject; Margaret Ann, who was born January 5, 1847, and married Henry C. Mountjoy; Emily Jane, born Octo- ber 7, 1848, married James D. Attebery ; the three sisters are now residents of Kansas. The mother, Barbara A. (who now re- sides with her children), was a daughter of John and Catherine Arnspiger, Catherine being a daughter of Peter Funk, who resided in Jessamine County, Kentucky. Our subject's father and his father-in-law, with others, went to California with ox teams dur- ing the gold excitement in the spring of 1849. The wife and four children were left to struggle with poverty, in the hope of an abundance in the near future. In two weeks after reaching the Golden State, the father passed into another life, on October 17, 1849. With the then slow method of mail transportation the death news reached home in February, 1850, from which time a close struggle for support was the fate of the little family of five. And only with the aid of many friends, together with much out- door labor, was the tidal wave of destitution successfully over- come. The widow and daughters removed to Logan County in Angust, 1857, where many relatives resided, and where in 1859 Sarah E. was immersed and became a member of the Christian church, on Sugar Creek.
Joseph S. Hilscher was born January 16, 1828, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died on the 8th day of May, 1885. His parents, Henry and Susana (Secrist) Hilscher were of German
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descent. When he was a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, and followed that avocation for about fifteen years. He was married in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1851, to Louise Woland, a daughter of Solomon and Catherine (Radal) Woland, who were of German descent. Eleven children were born to this union-Robert W., an attorney at Watseka, Illinois, and the present prosecuting attorney for Iroquois County; Elmira R .; John F., an attorney at Lincoln, Illinois; Solomon S., a student at Lincoln University ; Nellie C., Jacob A., Clay W., Agnes H., Susan M., Abraham L. and Esan O., the last four of whom are deceased. In 1853 our subject left his native State and went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and after remaining there a short time went to Bethlehem, Hamilton County, where he lived several years and worked at his trade. In May, 1857, he came to Logan County, and settled on section 30, in Eminence Township, where he built him a house and devoted his attention to farming. In 1859 he, with several of his neighbors, attracted by the re- ported find of gold, started overland to Pike's Peak, Colorado, but spending the summer in a fruitless search, he returned to his farm in Logan County, and resided here until his death. He was a kind husband and father, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. In politics he was always a Republican. He was a member of the Protestant Methodist church, his widow also be- longing to the same church, until recently, when she joined the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Hilscher was a member of Lincoln Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Constantine Commandery of K. T. Mrs. Hilscher and three of the children still reside on the homestead farm, which contains 185 acres of highly cultivated land.
Peter Hitchell was born in Gallowayshire, Scotland, November 17, 1826. His parents, William and Barbara Hitchell, had a fam- ily of eleven children, of whom six are living-Jeanette, Mary, Peter, Catherine, Jane and Agnes. Peter Hitchell was reared to maturity in his native country, and there received a fair education. He left his home for America, in the summer of 1847, and after an ocean voyage of five weeks he landed at New York. He was first employed as a farm hand in Otsego County, New York, where he remained several years. After coming to Logan County he continued to work as a farm hand for several years, and in 1863 he settled on his present farm, on section 19, Eminence Township, where he has 143 acres of fine land, and is one of the leading far-
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OD H. Judy
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mers of this township. August 22, 1863, he was married to Mar- tha A. Orsler, daughter of Bazil and Dorcas Orsler, who came to Logan County from Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Hitchell have been born nine children-William J., Thomas M., John A., Isabel F., Mary J., May N., Annie S., Lottie D. and Georgie A.
William J. Horrom, a prominent farmer of Eminence Township, was born December 6, 1848, in Cass County, Illinois. He is a son of John and Susan Horrom, who were natives of New York State and Pennsylvania, respectively, and among the early settlers of Cass County. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and there educated in the common schools. November 15, 1870, he was married to Sarah E. Goodpasture, by whom he had seven chil- dren, six of them still living-Leona N., Eugene L., William A., Bessie, Pearl and Gertrude. In 1877 Mr. Horrom moved with his family to Logan County, Illinois, and settled on the farm where he has since resided. He is a successful and enterprising farmer and is the owner of 250 acres of good land. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is at present serving his second term as road commissioner of Eminence Township.
John A. Howser, deceased, was born July 24, 1834, in Menard County, Illinois. When he was abont ten years old his parents, Solomon and Martha Howser, removed to Kentucky, remaining there several years. He then returned with them to Illinois and settled in Eminence Township, Logan County. He was a carpen- ter by trade, which occupation he followed at different times in con- nection with farming. April 26, 1869, he was married to O88 Chowning, daughter of John and Mary A. Chowning, who were formerly from Kentucky, but now of Cass County, Illinois Of four children born to this union two are living-Allen R. and Nellie B. Mr. Howser died March 26, 1883, his death being mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. His widow still lives on the homestead, on section 20, Eminence Township, and is the owner of 117 acres of land. She is a member of the Christian church, Mr. Howser having been a consistent member of the saine. He had served his township as road commissioner.
Daniel H. Judy was born January 8, 1808, in Greene County, Ohio, his parents, Jacob and Nancy Judy, being among the early settlers of that county. ; In the fall of 1829 he came to Tazewell County, Illinois, and settled at Mackinaw, which was then the county seat of that county, where he was engaged in the mercan- tile business for about two years. On December 29, 1831, he was
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married to Caroline Simonton, after which he engaged in the black- smithing business nntil his wife died, October 11, 1833. She left one child-James I., born September 16, 1832. He went to the lead mines at Galena and Wisconsin, in 1834, remaining about two years, when he returned and was again married, to Elizabeth Ewing, Jannary 19, 1837, by whom he had six children-Mary A., born January 13, 1838; Nancy E., November 25, 1839; William F., July 14, 1841, died November 7, 1843; Jennie E., January 1, 1844; John H., November 7, 1846, and Martin W., born March 12, 1849, died October 19, 1862. In 1837 he operated a saw-mill on Sugar Creek, town 21, range 2, west; then moved on his farm on section 23, town 22, which was then in Tazewell County, but is now in Logan County, where he remained until 1857, when he moved to Atlanta, Illinois. His second wife died November 12, 1858, and October 23, 1859, he was married a third time, taking for his wife Lydia A. Cox, who died December 19, 1879. He moved from Atlanta to his present farm in 1859, where he has ever since resided. In politics Mr. Judy is a Republican. He is an active member of the Christian church, of which he has served as an elder.
Calvin Leach, a son of John H. and Elizabeth Leach, was born February 25, 1816, in Anderson County, Tennessee. His parents had a family of six children, five of whom are yet living-Calvin, Sarah, Mary. Nancy and Minerva. John is deceased. He was a soldier in the United States army during the Mexican war. Our subject was about ten years old when his parents left his native State and settled in Washington County, Indiana, remaining there many years. The parents subsequently died while on their way to Missouri. Calvin Leach was married June 14, 1839, in Indiana, to Frances B. Hise, who was born March 25, 1821, a native of Kentucky. She was a daughter of George and Nancy Hise, who settled in Washington County, Indiana, in an early day. Nine chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leach-John T., Peter B., Fielding I., William H., Charles D., Mary E., Nancy E., Sarah J. and Rachel M. The last three are deceased. Mr. Leach moved with his family to Logan County, Illinois, in the fall of 1856, and in the fall of 1865 he settled on his present farm in the northern part of Eminence Township. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Anderson Miller, deceased, was born November 6, 1811, in Ten- nessee, a son of William and Hannah Miller. When he was a boy
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his parents moved to Sangamon County, Illinois, and subsequently settled in Logan County. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received but a limited education. November 16, 1843, he was married to Louisa Murphy, who was born November 15, 1822, in Logan County, Ohio, a daughter of James and Jemima Murphy, being in her sixth year when her parents settled in McLean County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of nine children- James W., Mary J., John H., Louisa, Anderson A., Emma, George, and two who are deceased. Mr. Miller died May 21, 1872. He was a member of the Christian church, and as a citizen was highly respected. In politics he was a Republican. His widow resides in the north part of Eminence Township on the homestead farm, which contains 120 acres of choice land.
William H. Miller, deceased, was a son of George and Cath- arine Miller. He was born March 8, 1822, and was a native of Posey County, Indiana, where he was reared. February 9, 1846, he was married to Mary A. Hancock, born June 25, 1825, in West Tennessee, a daughter of William and Eliz- abeth Hancock, who were early settlers of Posey County, In- diana. Of the ten children born to this union only three sur- vive-Henry J., Frank R. and Nora J. George W., Harriet, El- len, James N., John E., Mary E. and Charles A. are deceased. In 1864 Mr. Miller came to Logan County, Illinois, with his family and settled in Eminence Township. He was a farmer by occu- pation, which avocation he followed industriously till his death, which occurred May 1, 1877. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church, and was a useful and enterprising citizen. His widow, who still survives him, resides on the old homestead farm, which contains 160 acres of land. She is also a member of the Baptist church.
Robert L. Mountjoy, deceased, was born June 16, 1843, a native of Kentucky, a son of Robert F. and Susan T. Mountjoy. When he was a boy he left his native State with his parents, and with them came to Eminence Township, Logan County, where he was reared to maturity. He was married August 16, 1866, to Mar. garet I., daughter of Stephen and Catherine Arnspiger, who came from Kentucky to Logan County, Illinois, among the early settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Mountjoy were born the following children- Lillie S., born July 18, 1867; Paralee, born March 15, 1870; Amanda, born March 19, 1874; Tolbert, born March 17, 1878; Mellie F., born September 29, 1881, and Robert, who is now
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deceased. Mr. Mountjoy was a soldier in the war of the Rebell- ion. He enlisted in the early part of the war and served three years, participating in several important battles. His death oc- curred November 24, 1884. He was a member of the Christian church, and in politics he affiliated with the Republican party. The homestead farm, which is owned and occupied by his widow, is located on section 35, this township, and contains 255 acres of land. Mrs. Mountjoy is a member of the Christian church.
Samuel Musick, a farmer of Eminence Township, is a native of Logan County, Illinois, born February 1, 1843, a son of Herod and Mary Musick, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Indiana. They came to this county among the early settlers. Of their children five are living. Samuel Musick was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools of this county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, and shortly after his enlistment he was appointed Corporal, serving as such till his discharge. He served two years, being principally engaged on guard duty, in several different States. October 1, 1867, he was married to Nellie McFarland, of Portage City, Wisconsin. Of the four children born to this union three are living-Mabel, Willard and John. Mr. Musick is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres of land, under a high state of cultivation. He has served as school director of his district for many years. In politics he is a Republican.
Jacob H. Paullin, farmer and stock-dealer, of Eminence Town- ship, was born April 23, 1828, in Greene County, Ohio, a son of Jacob and Polly Paullin, who were natives of New Jersey and Kentucky respectively. He was reared to manhood in Ohio, and there received but a rudimentary education. He was married November 30, 1848, to Martha A. Colvin, of Ohio. They have seven children -- Thomas L., Charles E., David C., John M., Laura E., Abraham L. and George W. In 1851, with his wife and one child, Mr. Paullin came to Logan County, Illinois, and for two years lived near the present site of Atlanta. He then removed to section 25, Eminence Township, where he has since made his home. Mr. Paullin is a self-made man, having commenced life in Logan County with very small capital. He is now classed among the well-to-do farmers of this township, where he has a fine farm of 427 acres. In connection with his farming pursuits he is also quite extensively engaged in dealing and shipping stock. In
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politics he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 176, I. O. O. F., of Atlanta.
Lewis A. Philipsen, an enterprising farmer and public-spirited citizen of Eminence Township, Logan County, was born January 4, 1846, in Pekin, Illinois, his parents Abram and Renetta F. Philipsen, being natives of Prussia, Germany. His parents had a family of six children, three of whom survive-John J. Augusta H. and our subject. The latter was quite young when his parents removed to Logan County, they locating near the present site of Lincoln. They subsequently returned to Pekin where the father died. Lewis A. was reared to the life of a farmer, and received but a common-school education. He was first married December 18, 1870, to Susannah Siebert, a daughter of John and Margaret Siebert, of Champaign County, Illinois. She died September 23, 1874, leaving two children-John A. and Anna M. Mr. Philipsen was again married January 6, 1876, to Mrs. Susan E. Braucher, widow of the late R. C. Braucher, of Logan County. Mr. Philipsen has a good farm on section 30, this township, where he resides. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
Allen Quisenberry, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Eminence Township, was born October 19, 1823, in Christian County, Kentucky, a son of Edward S. and Nancy Quisenberry. When a boy he came to Illinois with his parents, where he was reared to manhood on a farm, and educated in the common schools. November 16, 1843, he was married to Lizzie Burt, a daughter of William and China Burt, early settlers of Tazewell County, Illinois, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quisenberry-Parthena B., deceased; John W. and China M. Mr. Quisenberry has been very successful in his farming and stock-raising, and is now the owner of 510 acres of land, 340 being in Logan County and 170 in Tazewell County. His homestead farm is located on section 31, this township. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Both he and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church at Hittle's Grove.
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