USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 78
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826 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
education in the district schools. He was married August 14, 1856, to Polly A. Lundy, daughter of John and Nancy Lundy, who were early settlers of Logan County, coming here from Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Barr have been born seven children, of whom four are living-William A., born May 23, 1857; Stephen D., February 24, 1860; Effie B., January 17, 1866, and Clara D., December 6, 1867. Margaret L., Mary A. and Jane A. are de- ceased. Mr. Barr settled in his present home on section 14, Oran Township, about 1856. He has met with much success in his farming pursuits, owing to his industrious habits and good man- agement, and is now the owner of 520 acres of land. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is one of the leading citizens of Oran Township.
Lewis Barr, a pioneer of Oran Township, was born April 19, 1818, in Gibson County, Ind. He came with his parents, John and Nancy Barr, to what is now Logan County, Illinois, in the year 1836, they settling in the north part of Sangamon County, now Oran Township, Logan County, where they lived till their death. They reared six sons and three daughters to maturity, of whom the following are yet living-Thomas, Lewis and Rebecca, the latter said to be the first white woman who settled on the Kickapoo, then in McLean County, now De Witt County. Our subject received but a limited education, he from an early age being engaged in the duties of the farm. He was first married in 1840 to Rebecca Cox, of De Witt County, Illinois, who died twenty- two months after her marriage. Mr. Barr was again united in marriage September 18, 1844, to Martha Montgomery, who was born March 13, 1819, in Gibson County, Indiana. She was a daughter of Walter and Nancy Montgomery. Five of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barr are living-Nancy J., John W., Matilda E., Rebecca E. and Andrew J. Andrew J. is a grad- uate of the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, in which city he is at present engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Barr has seen much of pioneer life and now in his declining years he is enjoy- ing that rest which a life spent in usefulness has so well earned. He is the owner of 150 acres of land in Oran Township, this county, where he is surrounded by all the necessary comforts of life. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. Barr is of Irish descent. His father was born in Belfast, Ireland, and his mother in South Carolina, of Irish parents.
Andrew J. Berryhill, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of
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Oran Township, is a son of Samuel and Mary (Crumly) Berryhill, who were natives of Virginia and early settlers of Greene County, Ohio, where our subject was born March 22, 1827. Of a large family of children born to his parents nine are yet living-Alex- ander F., Minerva J., Andrew J., Aaron M., Samuel L., Lemmon T., Elliacum B., Hannah S. and Aurelius P. Andrew J. was reared to manhood in his native State, receiving such education as the schools of those days afforded. Ile was first married April 15, 1847, to Sarah A. Hatfield, who died June 11, 1849, leaving one child-Mary J., born April 24, 1848, now the wife of J. W. Haas, of Oran Township. For his second wife Mr. Berryhill mar- ried Elizabeth J. Sullivan December 17, 1850. She was a dangh- ter of Lewis and Sarah Sullivan, of Logan County, and was born near Xenia, Ohio, September 4,1826. Her mother is now deceased, and her father resides at Central Point, in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Mr. Berryhill left Ohio for Menard County, Illinois, where he remained till 1857, and during the fall of that year he came to Logan County, and the following year located in his pres- ent residence on section 29, Oran Township. He commenced life on limited means, but is now the owner of 290 acres of good land, his success being due to his good management and close attention to business. He was an original member of the M. E. church or- ganized at Central Point in 1857, and was the first class leader in the county, east of Lincoln. He was a member of this church twen- ty-five years, and was steward twenty-three years. His wife united at the same time and both united with the Central Point Cumber- land Presbyterian Church in 1882, of which he has served as an elder for several years. In politics he affiliates with the Republi- can party. Mr. Berryhill is a distant relative of Thompson, who was a signer of the declaration of Independence, and he was named in honor of " Old Hickory," who was President at the time of his christening.
Henry Bock, farmer, Oran Township, was born January 11, 1841, in Prussia, Germany, a son of Adam and Catherine Bock, his mother dying when he was two years old. He received a good education in his native country, and in the war of 1866, when the Prussians were preparing to move against their Austrian neigh- bors to settle the question of State Supremacy in Germany, he was a soldier in one of the armies operating against the smaller German States with a view to frustrate an attempted coalition between them and Austria. Mr. Bock was also a soldier in the 53
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Imperial army during the French invasion in 1870. May 7, 1868, he was married to Elizabeth Conrad, who was born April 6, 1838, in Germany, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Conrad. In 1873 he and his wife immigrated to America, landing at New York. He came to Logan County, Illinois, and for three years lived on a rented farm near Elkhart City. He then removed to section 7, Oran Township, where he has since resided. He is engaged in farming, and has a good farm containing 160 acres of land. In pol- itics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
James Cantrell, an early and honored settler of Illinois, Was born in Clarke County, Ohio, April 10, 1810. He was married to Eliza McLanghlin, also a native of Clarke County, born March 22, 1811, the eldest daughter of James W. Mclaughlin, who was born in Scotland, and when a boy came with his father, Duncan Mc- Laughlin, to America and located in Mifflin County, Pennsyl- vania. Later he moved to Kentucky, and there married Jemima Strectch, and afterward became an early settler of Champaign County, Ohio, where he reared a family of eight children, of whom Mrs. Cantrell was the eldest daughter. In 1833 Mr. Cantrell with nineteen others with teams came to Illinois. His father, Zebulon G. Cantrell, had prior to this entered large tracts of timber and prairie land near Waynesville, and here, into a rude cabin, withont floor, door or window, James moved his wife and young child. They were environed by timber, and in after years the good wife often talked of the hardships of that overland trip and the howling of the wolves which often approached her door-for a rude door was finally hung and a puncheon floor laid in the cabin home, which Mr. Cantrell also lined with shakes rived out of the timber. They were among the earliest settlers of that part of Logan County which is now incorporated in De Witt County, and removed thence to Oran Township, where Mr. Cantrell died April 22, 1866. His wife died in Lincoln, June 14, 1881. Both are buried in the Lutes cemetery, near Atlanta, Illinois. Their family consisted of three daughters. The eldest, Sara J., born in Ohio, died in 1856. She was the wife of James Duff, of Oran Township. The second daughter, Elmira, is the widow of A. J. Lutes, and now lives in Lincoln, and the youngest, Eliza J., is the wife of Harry Piatt, of Wright County, Iowa.
John H. Donson, farmer and tile manufacturer of Oran Town- ship, Logan County, was born June 13, 1833, in Lincolnshire, England. His parents, John and Jane Donson, had a family of
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nine children, six of whom are living-Mary, John H., Charles, Jane, Joseph and Hannah. John H. was reared and educated in the common schools of his native country. and in the fall of 1858 he immigrated to America. He went first to St. Louis, Missouri; thence, in 1859, to Butler County, Ohio; thence to Warren County, Ohio, in 1864, and then to Logan County, Illinois, in 1876, and settled in the north part of Oran Township. His original pur- chase was fourteen acres of land, to which he has added by subse- queut purchases until he has a farm of fifty-two acres. He established his tile factory on a small scale, but his trade gradu- ally increasing he has been obliged to build several additions. He is still meeting with good success in his manufactory, and the tile manufactured is of a high grade. July 23, 1860, Mr. Don- son was married to Jane Minrey by whom he has six children- William, James B., May, Joseph, Rosa and John. Mr. Donson is an enterprising man of good business qualifications. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
William H. Estes ista native of Nashville, Tennessee, born July 29, 1833. His father dying when he was two years of age he was taken by his grandfather, Edward McReynolds, to Posey County, Indiana, where he remained till his eighteenth year. He then came with his sister Frances and her husband, James Marvel, who is now deceased, to Logan County, Illinois, making his home with them for several years. September 1, 1854, he was married to Adelphia Barr, daughter of James M. and Margaret Barr, early settlers of Logan County. They have had a family of twelve children, nine still living-Nancy M., wife of Richard Duff; George W., married Sarah Hodge; James F., married Maggie De Shon; Ollie, Charles E., Minnie B., Hattie M., Clara M., and Myrtie F. Mr. Estes settled on section 14, Oran Township, in 1860 and is the owner of 160 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of which he has served as class leader for twenty years. He was elected Road Commissioner of this township in 1876 and has been twice re-elected to the present office. In his political views he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
John W. Evans, son of Charles and Rebecca Evans, is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was born June 23, 1845. When he was eight years old his parents came to America, land. ing at New Orleans, thence up the Mississippi River to Pittsfield,
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Pike County, Illinois. His mother, having died on the way, was buried about thirty miles south of St. Louis. Of the eight chil- dren born to his parents four are living-Samuel, Elizabeth, John W. and James, the latter a resident of Dakota. While in Pike County the father was again married, taking for his second wife Catherine Russell. In 1865 he came to Logan County, and set- tled in Etna Township where he lived till his death, in October, 1881. John W., whose name heads this sketch, was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. December 26, 1867, he was married to Sarah J. Johnston, daughter of Andrew and Lettitia Johnston, who were early settlers of Logan County. To this union were born six children-Lillie L., Rebecca J., Edward F., Charles, Nellie and May. May is deceased. Mrs., Evans died January 7, 1884, and October 7, 1885, Mr. Evans was married to Nora Marvel, a daughter of Joseph W. and Emma Marvel, of Oran Township. Mr. Evans settled in the east part of Oran Township in the spring of 1880 where he has a fine farm of 200 acres. He is a member of Mount Tabor Methodist Episcopal Church. In his political views he is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of Wayne Lodge, No. 172, A. F. & A. M.
John N. Fisher, a prominent citizen of Oran Township, Logan County, was born October 31, 1835, in Cape May County, Now Jersey. His parents were John M. and Mary Fisher, natives of New Jersey. He was reared to manhood in his native State, re- ceiving a fair English education. When twenty years old he came to Sangamon County, Illinois, remaining there a short time. He settled in his present residence on section 31, Oran Township, about the beginning of the late civil war. He has principally de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, at one time being as popular a breeder of fine horses as Logan County furnished. Mr. Fisher is well informed on general topics, possessing a mind capable of emanating broad, liberal and com- prehensive ideas. He is possessed of superior mechanical ability devoting much study to mechanical sciences. He is a careful financier and is meeting with success. In politics he is a Repub- lican. He is the owner of 160 acres of land in Logan County, be- side other real estate in the East.
James H. Gambrel, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Oran Township, is a native of Gibson County, Indiana, born March 17, 1840. When he was about seven years old his parents, William and Elizabeth Gambrel, came to Illinois, and for a short
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time resided in Jefferson County when they removed to De Witt County. In 1850 his father moved with his family to Logan County, settling on section 16, Oran Township, where he entered 120 acres of land. living here till his death. He had a large family of children of whom seven are still living-Lucinda, Eva- line, Ellen, James H., Miranda, Thompson and William. Our subject has been a resident of Logan County since coming here with his father's family with the exception of three years spent in defense of his conntry during the late war. In August. 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, as a private, and took part in the engagements at Little Rock and Vicksburg and numerous others of minor importance. He received an honorable discharge in Angust, 1865, having served in Ken- tucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. October 11, 1865, he was married to Eliza J. Barr, born July 18, 1842, daughter of James and Margaret Barr, her father now deceased. One daughter, Laura, has been born to this union. Mr. Gambrel is one of the enterprising public-spirited citizens of this township, and is the owner of a farm of 200 acres. He has served over nine years as road commissioner of Oran Township which position he is hold- ing at the present time. In political views he is a Democrat.
Thompson Gambrel was born in Gibson County, Indiana, De- cember 14, 1842, and is a son of William and Elizabeth Gambrel, of whom his father is now deceased. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1844, and was reared to manhood in Logan County. From his youth he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is classed among the enterprising and practical farmers of Oran Township. October 25, 1860, he was united in marriage to Olive F. Barr, daughter of James and Margaret Barr, the former now deceased. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gambrel only two are living-Emma J., now Mrs. John H. Michaels, and Charles E. Mr. Gambrel is at present serving as trustee of Oran Township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he votes the Democratic ticket.
George Gelsthorp, a prominent citizen of Beason, Logan County, is a native of Lincolnshire, England, where he was born April 20, 1825. His parents, Thomas and Susan Gelsthorp, had a family of eight children of whom only three survive-George, William and Elizabeth. George Gelsthorp was reared to manhood in his native country, and there received a common-school education. May 15, 1849, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of William
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and Mary Wilson, of Lincolnshire, England. They have two children-William. born April 27, 1850, and John T., born April 6, 1854. During the autumn of 1857 Mr. Gelsthorp moved with his family to America, landing at New York. He came direct to Illinois, and located in Pike County, remaining there till the fall of 1864. He then came to Logan County, settling in Oran Town- ship, one mile north of Beason. He moved to Beason in the fall of 1875, since which he has been living rather retired. He has been very successful in his farming pursuits, and has now 320 acres of good land. In politics he votes the Democratic ticket. He has served several years as road commissioner of Oran Township, and at present is serving as township school trustee.
John F. Gordon, farmer and stock-raiser of Oran Township, was born April 18, 1841, in Champaign County, Ohio, a son of James and Jane Gordon. He came with his parents from Ohio to Logan County, Illinois, in 1843, the journey being made in nine days by wagon, this being considered good time in those early days. His parents settled on section 4, Oran Township, where they were among the earliest settlers. They had a family of ten children, seven still living-Wallace, Mary A., Martha J., John F., James W., Olive E. and William T. Fannie M., Elizabeth and Emma are deceased. James Gordon was a success- ful and practical farmer, and was a highly respected citizen. He was an active worker in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his house was always open to the itinerant minister. His death occurred February 9, 1885, after a useful and honorable career. John F. Gordon, whose name heads this sketch, was reared to manhood in Logan County, and received such education as the schools of that early day afforded. August 12, 1861, he en- listed in the war of the Rebellion in Company B, Second Illinois Cavalry, and with General Grant's command, participated in the battles at Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, and other en- gagements of minor importance, bravely attesting his loyalty to the Union cause. He was honorably discharged from the service Angust 24, 1862. He was married Angust 25, 1864, to Margaret B. Coffman, daughter of John W. and Christena Coffinan, who came to Logan County in 1843, and settled in Eminence Town- ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born nine children- Frank N., James W., Lena G., Lulu M., John B. and four who are deceased. Mr. Gordon has a fine farm containing 131 acres. In politics he is a Republican. He has served as highway com-
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missioner of Oran Township. He is a member of Central Lodge, No. 111, A. O. U. W., of Atlanta, and also belongs to Atlanta Post, No. 326, G. A. R.
Wallace Gordon, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Oran Township, Logan County, was born September 12, 1834, in Champaign County, Ohio, a son of James and Jane Gordon. When he was a child his parents moved to Logan County, Illinois, and here he was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving a limited education in the district schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Infantry, under Captain James Christie. He was engaged principally in guarding railroads, and was on provost duty for a time in Tennessee, being stationed at Jackson. He was honorably discharged in April, 1863. In the fall of 1865 he went to Missouri, where he was engaged somewhat extensively in farming and stock-raising till the spring of 1871 in Saline County. He was married February 5, 1868, to Sarah C. (Renick) Boone, of Saline County, a daughter of William S. and Eliza (Albertson) Renick. Mr. Gordon has 192 acres of valuable land in Oran Township where he is meeting with success in his agricultural pursuits. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 176, I. O. O. F., at Atlanta. In politics he is a Republican.
Elias Hammerton, deceased, was born in April, 1825, in Eng- land, where he was reared to manhood. He received but a limited education in his native country, and in May, 1849, he was united in marriage to Mary Cooling. She was born March 17, 1829, and was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Cooling, of Lincolnshire, England. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ham- merton, of whom four are living-Stephen, born October 27, 1851; John H., April 7, 1857; Lizzie, February 20, 1861, and Mary A., August 24, 1868. Mary J., Sarah J. and Fannie are deceased. Mr. Hammerton came to America with his family in 1854, land- ing at New York. He first located in Pike County, Illinois, remaining there till 1867, when he came to Logan County. He settled in Oran Township, on section 27, where he resided till his death, which occurred in April, 1881. He was a consistent mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which he was a deacon for many years. He was a highly respected citizen of this township and enjoyed the good will of all who knew him. His widow still resides at the homestead in this township, and, like her husband, is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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834 HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
Adolphus T. Hays, one of the successful agriculturists of Oran Township, was born in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, November 29, 1842, a son of Thomas and Caroline M. Hays, his father being of Scotch and Irish ancestry. When our subject was two years old his parents moved to De Witt County, Illinois. In 1849, dur- ing the time of the gold excitement in California, his father left De Witt County for that State and has never since been heard from. The mother lived till September, 1871. She was left in limited circumstances with three children to care for, one of whom has since died. Adolphus was taken by an uncle, but when he was ten years old he was bound to a man named Lafayette Stephens, in Lexington, Illinois, to learn the harness-maker's and saddler's trades. Not liking the business he ran away and found employment on a farm at $7 a month, and from that time till May, 1861, he followed agricultural pursuits. At that time he enlisted in the three-months service, Company E, Seventh Illinois Infan- try, and was on guard duty at Cario and Monnd City, Illinois, till mustered out July 29, 1861. March 12, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Second Illinois Cavalry, and after serving two years re-en- listed as a veteran and was finally discharged as Duty Sergeant at San Antonio, Texas, November 22, 1865. At the battle of Corinth he was detailed as Orderly to Brigadier-General Sweeney, and remained with him till the company was sent to Columbus, Ken- tucky, to recruit and was there detailed to duty with Brigadier- General Davies, and afterward with General Asboth. While with the latter he was sent as special Orderly with Major-General Canby for ten days. He was on the Smith and Grierson raid through Mississippi and was with General Davidson on the raid from Memphis, Tennessee, to Pensacola, Florida. He was with the company that captured General Pillow at Union Springs, Ala- bama, and thence to Vicksburg. From there the battalion was sent with General Mizener to San Antonio, Texas, and was there detailed Sergeant in charge of headquarters and the Orderlies sent with him until General Gibbs was placed in command. He took the steamer Texas at Galveston for home, and was caught in a Gulf storm and was unable to move for five days and four nights, the passengers keeping their life preservers on forty-eight hours. Arriving home he engaged in farming and now has a fine farm of 150 acres which he has accumulated by years of economy and hard work. Mr. Hays was married January 3, 1867, to Nancy J. Barr, her father being an old settler of Oran Township. He has repre-
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sented his township on the County Board five years, has been school director twelve years and tax collector several terms. He is a member of Atlanta Post, No. 329, G. A. R. In politics is a Democrat.
John Hoose, farmer, section 16, Oran Township, was born June 23, 1848, in Germany. When a child he was brought by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Hoose, to America, landing at Bal- timore. They settled in Carroll County, Maryland, living there several years when the mother died. Our subject then came with his father to Pekin, Illinois, and about the year 1859 located in Atlanta. His father was a wagon-maker by occupation, and fol- lowed his trade for many years. He was a soldier in the Union army during the late war, enlisting from Logan County, Illinois. His daughter, Elizabeth, is a resident of Clark County, Virginia. John Hoose commenced lite for himself at a very early age, and from his thirteenth year has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. February 8, 1880, he was married to Nancy A. Michaels, a daugh- ter of Gustavus A. Michaels, of Oran Township. They have two children-Willie C., born March 14, 1881, and Eva B., born Sep- tember 12, 1883. Mr. Hoose has been successful in his farming operations, and has now a good farm of 200 acres. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.
John B. Houchin is a native of Logan County, Illinois, born February 25, 1847, a son of William J. and Elizabeth G. Houchin, natives of Indiana and Kentucky respectively, the father now deceased. They came to Oran Township among the first settlers, and were the parents of four children-John B., Louvica, Sals- bury and Francis M. John B. was reared and educated in the district schools of Logan County. At the age of eight years he was thrown on his own resources by the death of his father. He has followed farming through life and has made his avocation a success owing to his good management and close attention to busi- ness. He now resides on section 10, Oran Township, where he has 240 acres of land. December 20, 1867, he was married to Margaret A. Jones, daughter of Freeman Jones, of Oran Township. To them have been born six children-James, William F., Bertie M., Dora M., Maud (deceased), and Rosetta. Politically Mr. Houchin is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Atlanta.
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