History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 69

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

USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 69

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).

Christian Rupp, section 27, Laenna Township, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 28, 1841. His father, George Rupp, brought his family to the United States in 1852, and settled in Logan County, Illinois, and is still a resident of Mt. Pulaski Township. Christian Rupp was reared a farmer, and his educational advantages were but limited, being mainly obtained by his own efforts. He has been a successful agriculturist, and now owns 200 acres of valuable land. He was married December 3, 1868, to Ida, daughter of William Schweigckardt, of Lincoln, Illinois. Mrs. Rupp died March 10, 1885. She was an exemplary, Christian woman, devoted wife and mother and kind neighbor and

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734 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

friend. To Mr. and Mrs. Rupp were born seven children-Min- nie, Katie, Sophie, Flora, Benjamin, John and Lula. Mr. Rupp and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

David Shelhammer, farmer and stock-raiser, section 6, Laenna Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1830, a son of Jacob Shelhammer. He was reared in his native county, and after reaching manhood, in 1859, came West and. located in Logan County, Illinois. He worked by the month for a time after coming to Illinois, and by economy soon had money enough to buy a tract of laud, to which he has added and now has 684 acres of valuable land, which is one of the finest farms in Laenna Township. He was married in 1868 to Delilah Downing, and to them have been born five children; but four are living- James, Sarah, Albert and Augusta M.

Andy Simpson, retired farmer, Latham, was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, April 25, 1824, a son of William H. and Rebecca (Kinney) Simpson, the former a native of England and the latter of Monroe County, Illinois. His mother was a daughter of Samuel and niece of ex-Governor William Kinney, and was often taken to the old fort at New Design for protection from the In- dians. Andy Simpson was reared and educated in his native county, remaining there until twenty-six years of age. In 1S50 he came to Logan County and lived one year in Mt. Pulaski Town- ship. In 1851 he moved to Laenna Township, and in 1853 to Lake Fork Township, where he lived till his removal to Latham. He has a fine farm of 250 acres, all under cultivation, with good im- provements. He began life for himself when thirteen years of age, and worked for $5 a month, and for several winters split rails at 50 cents a hundred. After reaching manhood he worked for $9 a month. His property has been made by hard work and good management. He has served his township as highway commis- sioner two terms and has twice been elected justice of the peace but refused to serve. He was married March 7, 1848, to Arminda Waddell, daughter of Andrew W. Waddell, an early settler in Madison County. Of the seven children born to them five are living-Minora, Emmitt W., Laura J., Emma A., and Annie K. William A. died aged five years. Mary L. had reached maturity and was married. The family are all, save Emmitt, members of the Baptist church.

David Sims, deceased, born in Charlotte County, Virginia, Jan- uary 22, 1501. Ateighteen he went to Henry County, Kentucky,

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David Ling

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where he married, in 1822, Elizabeth Elston, born 1805, in Henry County, Kentucky. In 1825 they moved from Logan County, Kentucky, to Morgan County, Illinois, bringing three children and all worldly possessions in a two-wheeled cart. He worked about Beardstown, Illinois, a long time, and in February, 1830, with Eli- jah Friend, came to Logan County, Illinois. Each made a claim, David Sims claiming the land on which he lived and died, and where he built, a few feet east of the present house, a cabin of logs, 12 x 14 feet. Into this, with only the ground for floor, a clapboard roof, and a hole cut in the side for a window, he moved his family in the spring of 1830. During the following winter, that of the deep snow, much hardship was endured by this pioneer family. His trusty rifle (which is still in the family) was their main reli- ance for food, and did effective work among the deer, turkeys and plentiful game of fifty years ago. During the summer he had cleared a "patch" in the timber, as he had no plow-and when win- ter came on found it a hard day's work to go to the farm of Geo. Girtman, "snap" a sack of corn and "tote" it home through snow waist deep. The corn was pounded in an iron mortar, as there was no way of going to mill, even had there been one. Roads, bridges, etc., were not thought of. Springfield, then a log settle- ment, was their market, postoffice and county- seat. For three years David Sims did not have a cent in cash of his own. A note of hand is yet in the family, given for 75 cents, which he borrowed to pay postage on three letters, which some one was good enough to loan on the security mentioned. His first plow was a home- made affair, with a wooden moldboard, and his first cart a four- wheeled affair, also of his own manu facture-had wheels sawed off the end of oak logs, a foot thick at the hub and beveled down to three inches at the rim. It was a good wagon for those days, though a terror to all animate objects when not greased. In 1846 he gave ten milch cows for a spoke wagon, valued at $50. Fat steers, weighing from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds, sold at $16, and all live stock relatively low at this time. In 1838 his house and all con- tents was burned, and he then built the house where his son, D. H. Sims, now lives, it being one of Logan County's old landmarks. Mr. Sims acquired a fine farm of 400 acres, reared a family of ten children and died February 19, 1880. He was a Whig and Repub- lican, and a man of remarkably domestic habits. He made only one visit out of Logan County after settling in it, and for three

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consecutive years did not leave his own farm. His wife died March 15, 1872. Both buried at Mt. Pulaski.

D. H. Sims, section 34, P. O. Latham, was born July 8, 1838, in the house where he now lives. In 1859 he went to Marshall County, Iowa, where he married, July 4, 1860, Ann Birks, who was born June 30, 1845, in Laenna Township, daughter of James and Mercy (Turner) Birks. D. H. Sims enlisted in 1861, in Com- pany H, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served five years as a brave and faithful Union soldier. Fought at Shiloh and the sieges of Corinth and Vicksburg. Was about six months in General Sherman's secret service. At Meridian, Mississippi, he entered the Confederate lines in the guise of a "historian," pro- ducing letters, passes, etc., purporting to have been signed by Gen- eral Jos. E. Johnston. He worked his ruse successfully, secured the needed surveys and information, and re-entered the Union lines. For this daring work he was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and in February, 1863, was assigned to the Fifty-first Colored Volun- teer Infantry. He saw much danger and was in close quarters, bullets cutting his hat, clothing and canteen. At the charge on Fort Blakely, Mobile, he was severely wounded by the explosion of a field torpedo, which killed twelve men of his company. His left thigh was broken and ankle injured. After the war he was three years in mercantile business at Maroa, Illinois; then a year in business and cattle trade at Pilot Point, Texas. Has since re- sided on and now owns the Laenna homestead. Is a practical surveyor, and had four-years experience in Northern Texas. Poli- tics, Republican. Has three children-Clara May, Myrtie R. and David Benjamin. Two brothers of D. H. Sims, namely, B. F. Sims and John Sims, were in the Union army during the Rebell- ion, the former dying at Memphis, Tennessee.

Erhard Stoll, section 9, Laenna Township, was born in Wur- temberg, Germany, December 2, 1842. In 1846 his father, Er- hard Stoll, brought his family to the United States and lived a year in Springfield, Illinois. In 1847 he moved to Logan County, and settled in Laenna Township, where he died in 1860. Erhard, Jr., was reared a farmer in this county, and here obtained his edu- cation in the common schools. He is one of the prosperous citi- zens of the township, having a good farm of 185 acres. He makes. a specialty of stock-raising, and has some of the finest animals in the county. He has always taken an interest in all public enter- prises, and has held different official positions of trust and respon-

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sibility. He was married January 26, 1865, to Annie Mayers, daughter of John Mayers, an early settler of Mt. Pulaski Town- ship. They have eight children-Elizabeth, Sarah A., Mary, An- nie, Emma, Frederick, Charles E. and Henry.

Matthew Stoll, section 4, Laenna Township, was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, March 6, 1844, a son of Er- hard Stoll. He was reared a farmer, a vocation he has always fol- lowed with success, and now owns 340 acres of valuable land. He pays special attention to stock-raising, his cattle being of the im- proved grades. Mr. Stoll was married February 11, 1868, to Mary Gelbach, daughter of Jacob Gelbach. She died in October, 1873, leaving two children-Jacob and Cicilia. March 30, 1875, Mr. Stoll married Christina, daughter of Jacob Volle, of Spring- field, Illinois. They have had four children, but three of whom are living-Minnie, George and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Stoll are members of the Lutheran church.

Alfred H. Tomlinson, farmer, section 18, Laenna Township, is a native of this township, born April 12, 1842, a son of Isaac Tom- linson, an early settler of Logan County, now of Mt. Pulaski Township. He was reared a farmer, and educated in the Mt. Pu- laski schools, remaining at home till the breaking out of the Re- bellion, when he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry. Since his return home he has engaged in farm- ing, and now owns 160 acres of valuable land. In politics he is a Republican. He was married October 18, 1866, to Lucy C. Wil- son, daughter of Hiram Wilson, an old settler of Logan County. They have four children-Arminta M., George A., Walter L. and John M.

Matthew 1. Vaughan, section 24, Laenna Township, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, June 8, 1828. . His father, Joseph Vaughan, brought the family to America in 1833, and settled in Centerville, Bourbon County, Kentucky, and in 1846 moved to Cynthiana, Harrison County, the same State. Matthew was reared and educated in Kentucky. In 1855 he came to Illinois and lived in Sangamon County ten years, and in 1865 came to Logan County. He is by trade a mason, and works at it in con- nection with farming. He owns 320 acres of valuable land, and his improvements are among the best in the township. He makes a specialty of raising horses of the Clydesdale-Lexington breeds, and has some of the finest stock in the county. He has always taken an active interest in all enterprises of public benefit, and has

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held several official relations, such as township clerk, assessor and collector, and school director. Mr. Vaughan was married July 29, 1849, to Maria A., daughter of Hamilton Casey. To them have been born eight children, but three of whom are living -John M., George W. and Mollie A. John married Nancy Eliza- beth Curry, and has three children-Cora, Frank T. and Carrie.

George Weller, farmer and stock-raiser, section 27, Laenna Township, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 20, 1832. He was reared in his native country, and when a young man, in the spring of 1852, came to the United States and settled in Broad- well Township, Logan County, Illinois. He was a poor young man when he came to America, and at first worked by the month, but by frugality and good management saved his wages and has acquired a fortune, having now 840 acres of the best land in the township, and is one of the most prosperous and influential farmers of Logan County. He was married in 1863 to Elizabeth Brooker, and to them have been born six children, four of whom are living-Annie, Kate, Lonise and Henry. Mrs. Weller died in 1878. Mr. Weller is a member of the Lutheran church. In poli- tics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

William E. Williams, section 2, Laenna Township, was born in Oneida County, New York, May 3, 1840, a son of William Williams, a native of Wales. He was reared in his native county, attending the schools of Whitestown. He came West in 1857 and located in Logan County, Illinois, where he has since lived. He has devoted his attention to agriculture, and now owns a fine farm of 165 acres. He also owns an interest in the Ætna Tile Works near Chestnut and a general store in Chestnut. In the war of the Rebellion Mr. Williams enlisted in Company E, One Hun- dred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, and served until the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged, the most of his service being guard duty. He was married December 26, 1865, to Sarah E., daughter of William Donnan, of Etna Township. To them have been born eight children, of whom six are living-William S., Benjamin F., John L., Priscilla A., Ruth L. and Rose A. Mr. Williams has served as highway commissioner one year, and di- rector of his school district fifteen years.

George C. Yocom, farmer and stock-raiser, section 14; Laenna Township, was born in Sangamon County, Illinois, December 2, 1847. His father, Stephen Yocom, was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Sangamon County. He was reared a farmer, receiving

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a common-school education in his native county, and in 1874 came to Logan County and settled on the farm where he now lives. He has been a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser, and owns a fine farm of 280 acres, all under cultivation, with a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Yocom was married July 10, 1873, to Laura A. Young, daughter of Hiram J. Young, of Newton County, Missouri. They have three children-Clyde H., Claude M. and Jessie M. Mr. Yocom is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has taken the Knight Templar degrees.

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CHAPTER XXVII.

LAKE FORK TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION .- TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, 1867-'85 .- STATISTIOS .- POLIT- ICAL .- BIOGRAPHICAL.

Lake Fork is the smallest township in Logan County, and has the least population. It is six miles east and west, and three north and south, making eighteen sections. It occupies the south- east corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Laenna Township, on the east by Macon County, on the south by Sanga- mon County, and on the west by Elkhart Township. Its north- east corner is just touched by the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroad. The township is drained by Lake Fork of Salt Creek.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

Below are given the names of those elected each year to the re- spective township offices:

1867-Supervisor, James D. Gasaway; Clerk, Nicholas B. Gas- away; Assessor, John D. Gasaway; Collector, Levi Colvin; High way Commissioners, John M. Gasaway, fA. Delissa and John Bothwell; Justice, William H. Gasaway; Constable, Jason Birks.

1868-Supervisor, James D. Gasaway; Clerk, James Roe; As- sessor, John D. Gasaway; Collector, Levi Colvin; Highway Com- missioners, John M. Gasaway, Andy Simpson and William Rupp; Justice, William H. Gasaway; Constable, Jason Birks.

1869-Supervisor, James D. Gasaway; Clerk, Erastus Gas- away; Assessor, John D. Gasaway; Collector, James W. Gas- away; Highway Commissioner, Lafayette Purdom.

1870-Supervisor, Abraham Lucas; Clerk, James A. Ducker; Assessor, Henry Hall, Collector, John Simpson; Highway Com- missioner, John Henn.

1871 -Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, W. Y. Gas- away; Assessor, Thomas Purdoin; Collector, John L. Mann; High- way Commissioner, Noah Allison; Justice, Anderson Horn; Con- stable, Erastus Gasaway.

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1872-Supervisor, Levi Colvin; Clerk, William Y. Gasaway; Assessor, William Bowers; Collector, John L. Mann; Highway Commissioners, M. S. Colvin and Lafayette Purdom.

1873-Supervisor, Henry Hall; Clerk, Samuel G. Kirkwood; Assessor, Thomas N. White; Collector, Erastus Gasaway; High- way Commissioner, John D. Gasaway; Justice, James W. Gasa- way; Constable, John Conaway.

1875-Supervisor, Erastus Gasaway; Clerk, John Wells; As- sessor, John W. Field; Collector, Noah Allison; Highway Com- missioner, Jacob Huston; Justice, Henry Hall; Constable, Noah Allison.

1876-Supervisor, W. N. Gasaway; Clerk, N. W. Howe; As- sessor, W. G. Martin; Collector, Noah Allison; Highway Com- missioners, Henry Hackey and Lafayette Purdom; Justice, N. P. Gasaway.

1877-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Thomas D. Howe; Assessor, W. G. Martin; Collector, N. W. Howe; High- way Commissioners, James W. Gasaway, James Allison and An- derson Horn; Justice, Erastus Gasaway; Constables, James Shores and John W. Wells.

1878-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Thomas D. Howe; Assessor, W. G. Martin; Collector, Noah Allison; High- way Commissioner, Henry Hake; Constable, John W. Field.

1879-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Thomas D. Howe; Assessor, William D. Martin; Collector, John W. Wells; Highway Commissioner, Abram Mckinney; Justice, H. C. Girt- man; Constable, Samuel Martin.

1880-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Erastus Gasa- way; Assessor, John M. Gasaway; Collector, John W. Wells; Highway Commissioners, John S. Mann and Jacob Huston; Jus- tice, Ezekiel Fuller.

1881-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Nicholas W. Howe; Assessor, Nicholas P. Gasaway; Collector, John S. Mann; Highway Commissioner, Jacob A. Shyer; Justices, Noah Allison and Erastus Gasaway; Constables, James Shores and Erastus Gas- away.

1882-Supervisor, William H. Gasaway; Clerk, Henry C. Black- ford; Assessor, Nicholas P. Gasaway; Collector, John W. Wells; Highway Commissioner, Erastus Gasaway; Constable, James Shores.

1883-Supervisor, A. Mckinney; Clerk, Nicholas W. Howe;

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Assessor, James Huston; Collector, Nicholas P. Gasaway; High- way Commissioner, James McGee; Constable, John Henry.

1884- Supervisor, Abraham Mckinney; Clerk, Alexander Horne; Assessor, W. H. Gasaway; Collector, Nicholas P. Gasa- way; Highway Commissioner, Charles Simpson.

1885-Supervisor, N. P. Gasaway; Clerk, Alexander Horne; Assessor, John M. Gasaway; Collector, Thomas D. Howe; High- way Commissioner, John L. Mann; Justices, Erastus Gasaway and William Beckwith; Constables, Gilbert Mack and Anthony Gal- loway.

STATISTICS.

Lake Fork increased in population from 391 in 1870 to 431 in 1880. It now contains about 450 inhabitants.

For comparison, the items of valuation and taxation in 1875 are here given, and those of 1885 just below:

1875 .- Equalized valuation, $313,352; State tax, $940.06; county tax, $626.71; town tax, $125.35; school tax, $1,361.04; road tax, $67.82; road and bridge tax, $313.35; sinking fund tax, $313.35; county bond tax, $407.36; back tax, $115.73. Total taxes, $4, 270.77.

1885 .- Equalized valuation, $180,109; State tax, $617.53; county tax, $1,146.85; township tax, $88.22; road and bridge tax, $529.31; county bond interest tax, $229.37; district school tax, $1,411.43; dog tax, $62; back taxes, with cost and interest, $98.34. Total taxes, $4,183.05.

POLITICAL.

Lake Fork is in political sentiment almost solidly Democratic. The following table shows the vote for President since the adop- tion of township organization:

1868-Horatio Seymour .. 94

Ulysses S. Grant. 24

1872-Horace Greeley. 82

Ulysses & Grant. 8

1876-Samuel J. Tilden.

Rutherford B. Hayes .. 17

70 Peter Cooper 2

1884-Grover Cleveland

James G. Blaine

John P. St. John

BIOGRAPHICAL.

James Birks, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, Lake Fork Township, is a native of this township, born February 19, 1843, his father, William Birks, now of Decatur, being one of the pio- neers of Logan County. He has been a successful agriculturist,

1890-Winfield S. Hancock ... 83

James A. Garfield.

James B. Weaver

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and now owns 400 acres of valuable land. He was married Angust 2, 1864, to Jane Gasaway, daughter of James D. Gasa- way, of this township. Mrs. Birks died January 4, 1885. She was a member of the Baptist church, and an exemplary Christian woman. Mr. Birks is an active member of the Baptist church. He has four children-John, Mary E., James W. and Albert M. One daughter, Sarah V., is deceased.

James D. Gasaway, farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, Lake Fork Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 29, 1824. His father, Nicholas Gasaway, was a native of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and a pioneer of Ross County, Ohio, and in 1855 moved to Logan County, Illinois. James D. remained in his native county till manhood, and in 1852 came to Logan County and settled where he has since lived, in Lake Fork Township. He owns 680 acres of valuable land, all under cultivation, and, although a poor man when he came to Illinois, is now one of the most prosperous farmers of Logan County. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, with the exception of three years, when he was engaged in the grocery business at Latham, and during that time was assistant postmaster. He was a member of the first Board of Supervisors of Logan County, and has since served as highway commissioner, township treas- urer, school treasurer and director. He is a public-spirited, influ- ential citizen, always zealous for the success of any enterprise of benefit to his township. He was married in February, 1846, to Martha J., daughter of William Colwell. To them have been born ten children, but seven of whom are living-Nicholas P., William A., Thomas A., Sophia, Mary, Estella and Anna. The deceased are-Curtis, Jane and Sarah.

Nicholas P. Gasaway, section 14, Lake Fork Township, was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 4, 1848, a son of James D. Gas- away, of this township. He was reared on a farin, and has always given his attention to agriculture. He was married February 12, 1867, to Eliza J., daughter of David Shyer, an early settler of this county. They have five children-Thomas P., James D., Carrie E., Levi and John H. Mr. Gasaway has served the township two terms each as collector and assessor, several years as school director, and is now serving as supervisor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias.

Henry Hall, section 2, Lake Fork Township, was born in Rens- selaer County, New York, April 16, 1829, a son of Gideon Hall. In December, 1839, his parents moved to Des Moines County,

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Iowa, and thence, in 1847, to Madison County, Illinois. In 1850 he went overland to California, and worked in the mines till the fall of 1851, when he returned to Illinois, and in the fall of 1852 came to Logan County and settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 639 acres of fine land, and his improvements are among the best in the township. He has been one of the most prominent citizens of the township, and has represented the people in several official relations. He has been a member of the Baptist church since March, 1852, and for about twenty years has been deacon. He was married September 23, 1852, to Violet C., daughter. of Thomas Waddell. To them have been born ten children; but seven are living-Gideon, Abigail P., Mary F., Hattie E., Ida B., Oliver R. and Walter H.

James Huston, farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Lake Fork Township, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Logan County. His father, John Huston, came to Illinois from Ohio in January, 1830, and camped by the side of a log in the woods, on what is now section 4, Lake Fork Township. Here he built a cabin of rouud logs, 14 x 16 feet in size, with puncheon floor, clapboard door, stick and mud chimney, and a hole cut in the logs for a window. The furniture was of the most primitive kind, the bedstead being made of poles fastened in the walls. In this rude house James Huston first saw the light of day June 9, 1830. At that time there were no schools in the township, and the first that our subject attended was a subscription school, tanght in a rude log cabin. Their markets were Decatur and Springfield, and their- nearest mill was on the Sangamon River. James Huston in his boyhood was obliged to assist his father in the labors of the farm, and was early inured to the mysteries of hard work. He thus learned lessons of industry that in later life have made him one of the successful citizens of his township. He now owns a large farm of 490 acres, a part of which was his father's old homestead. He pays special attention to breeding fine horses. His thorough- bred stallion, Sam Powers, is noted for his speed, and is one of the- finest horses in this part of the country. Mr. Huston was mar- ried September 19, 1853, to Catharine A., daughter of George L. Poe. But four of the ten children born to them are living-Annie A., Jane, Eli D. and Lovina Alice. Jane married W. B. Gasaway and has one child-James Lewis. One daughter, Carrie Ellen,- and one son, John L., died after reaching maturity. Carrie E. was the wife of J. A. Colvin. John married Emma N. Allison, and

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History of Logan County, Illinois, Part 69

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