USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 82
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1875-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, S. R. McElhiney; Assessor, James H. Ewing; Collector, D. M. Burner; Highway Commissioners, J. D. Sparks and H. H. Sisson.
1876-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, P. H. Rourke; As- sessor, William Towberman; Collector, Joseph Coffman; Highway Commissioner, William Rourke.
1877-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, P. H. Rourke; As- sessor, T. J. Athey; Collector, J. W. Coffman; Highway Commis- sioners, Robert Miller and William H. McMurphy; Justices, T. P. Garretson and G. W. Gayle; Constables, Alexander Campbell and Michael Wurtzbough.
1878-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, P. H. Rourke; As- sessor, W. H. McMurphy; Collector, A. M. Caldwell; Highway Commissioner, Robert Miller; Constable, Berryman Baughn.
1879-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, A. M. Caldwell; Assessor, G. W. Gayle, Sr .; Collector, P. H. Rourke; Highway Commissioner, T. H. Price.
1880-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, Edward Beaver; As- sessor, William Wendle; Collector, P. H. Rourke; Highway Commissioner, W. E. Jones; Constable, J. W. Derr.
1881-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, William O'Shea; As- sessor, T. D. Gayle; Collector, Herman Truman; Highway Com- missioner, Adam Wenzle; Justices, T. P. Garretson and G. W. Gayle; Constables, Thomas Moran and William Smith.
1882-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, Samnel O. McKen- nan; Assessor, Barney Rourke; Collector, Frank Bolinger; High- way Commissioner, Charles Richmond; Trustee, H. H. Sisson.
1883-Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, Samnel O. McKen-
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nan; Assessor, W. J. Robbins; Collector, Isaac Hickey; Highway Commissioner, John Theobald; Trustee, D. M. Burner.
1884 -- Supervisor, Thomas Wendle; Clerk, Samuel O. McKen- nan; Assessor, George W. Gayle; Collector, Isaac Hickey; High- way Commissioner, Adolph Rimmerman; Constables, M. Wurtz- baugh and Isaac Lefler; Trustee, L. Baughn.
1885-Supervisor, J. F. Sisson; Clerk, Samuel O. McKennan; Assessor, C. Garretson; Collector, Isaac Hickey; Highway Com- missione :; John Buse; Justices, George W. Gayle, Sr., and Thomas P. Garretson; Constables, William Smith and George Tucker; Trustee, Thomas P. Garretson.
STATISTIOS.
Sheridan is not increasing in population, on account of removals to the West. The census reports of 1870 and 1880 showed as fol- lows: 1,002 and 948. There are now about 950 inhabitants.
The valuation and taxation of the township in 1875 are here given; and just below the same items for 1885:
1875 .- Equalized valuation, $612,592; State tax, $1,837.78; county tax, $1,225.19; no town tax; school tax, $4,505.52; road tax, $101.74; road and bridge tax, $1,470.23; sinking fund tax, $612.59; county bond tax, $796.37; total taxes, $10,549.42.
1885 .- Equalized valuation, $408,286; State tax, $1,542.69; county tax, $2,865.02; township tax, $484.84; road and bridge tax, $3,966.94; county bond interest tax, $573; district school tax, $3,976.28; district road tax, $738.04; dog tax, $103; total taxes, $14,249.81.
POLITICAL.
In political affiliation Sheridan is a strong Democratic township, as shown by the following abstract of the vote for President at each election since 1868:
1868-Horatio Seymour. 89
Ulysses S. Grant. 59
1872-Horace Greeley. 68
Ulysses S. Grant. . 53
15
70 1876-Samuel J. Tilden. .143 7
Rutherford B. Hayes .. 66
30 1880-Winfield S. Hancock. .. 145 65
James A. Garfield. 80
Neal Dow
1
1884-Grover Cleveland.
138
James G. Blaine
68
John P. St. John
7
NEW HOLLAND,
a thriving village on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad, in Sheridan Township, was laid out by Oliver Holland in April, 1875. The first building erected in town was a dwelling
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by William Towberman, who soon after built a store. He had been preceded a short time by Randolph & Co., who were the first to open a stock of goods here. An elevator was built in 1875 by M. La Forge, which is now operated by V. R. St. John. The shipments of grain from town are enormous. It is in the midst of an excellent farming community, and the handling of cattle and grain, especially the latter, forms the chief business of town. The population is now 300.
A very comfortable school-house was erected in 1876. The school is, however, under the township control.
The business firms of 1885 are: L. Burchett, general store; James Ryan, hardware; G. H. Warren, general store; S. O. Mc- Kennan, drugs; Binns & Bush, harness; Baker Bros., confec- tionery; McElhiney & Warnick, grocery; William O'Shea, hard- ware; V. R. St. John, grain, feed-mill, lumber and coal; D. M. Burner, coal; F. B. McKennan, jeweler and postal telegraph agent; P. H. Ryan, blacksmith; Julius Mayers, boots and shoes; William T. Smith, barber; S. O. McKennan, postmaster; Julian A. Smith, physician; J. B. Hackler, station agent; Jonas White, New Hol- land House; Mrs. T. M. McKennan, boarding house; A. A. Buz- zard, boarding house.
LODGES.
New Holland Lodge, No. 741, A. F. & A. M., was chartered October 3, 1876, the following being the first officers: T. P. Gar- retson, Worthy Master; A. M. Caldwell, Senior Warden; D. M. Burner, Junior Warden. The other charter members were: Jacob and John Bolinger, Ed. Beaver, John Harter, S. E. Bickford, S. F. Jackson, George W. Gayle, Lee Chance, William Towberman, Eli Thomas, E. A. Baxter and Robert Miller. The present officers are: A. M. Caldwell, Worthy Master; Ed. Beaver, Senior Warden; Sam. Faverty, Junior Warden; V. R. St. John, Secretary; D. M. Burner, Treasurer; George Harmon, Tyler; James Derr, Senior Deacon; Jonas White, Junior Deacon. The lodge has twenty-two members, and meets on Saturday evening on or before the full moon of each month.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal society built a frame church in 1867, mile and a half southwest of the village. This was known as the Richmond Grove Church, and was used on alternate Sundays by the Methodists and Cumberland Presbyterians. In 1882 the
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former sold to the latter, and built for themselves a frame church in the village, at a cost of $3,000. The land on which it stands was donated by Garrett M. La Forge, who also contributed liberally to the building. The pastor was J. T. Simmons; Trustees, D. Elam, George W. Gayle, J. C. White, James Baxter and Gerald Mckennie. The church was dedicated by Rev. Hiram Buch. After the village of New Holland was started the advantage of changing the place of worship was soon perceived. The pastor agitated the question of either moving the old building to town or erecting a new one. The latter seemed to be the most favorably considered by the society, and consequently, in the spring of 1882, a subscription was circulated to raise funds. Meeting with rea- sonable success, and having sold the old church building to the Cumberland Presbyterian society, reserving the bell, the contract for a new church building was let to L. D. Case, to be built from plans and specifications furnished by W. A. Carwine, of Lincoln. The pastor was W. A. Mckennie; Building Committee, A. M. Caldwell, W. S. Watson, M. D., George W. Gayle and V. R. St. John; Trustees, L. Burchett, A. M. Caldwell, George W. Gayle and V. R. St. John. The church cost $3,000, and was dedicated January 28, 1883, by Rev. W. H. H. Adams, D. D., of Blooming- ton. The present membership of the society is thirty-five; Pastor, Rev. C. N. Sloan; Stewards, A. M. Caldwell and V. R. St. John. A. M. Caldwell is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an average attendance of sixty-five.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Society having purchased from the Methodist Episcopal society the old church building in the fall of 1883, they moved it to town, and placed it on lots donated to the society by Oliver W. Holland at the time of laying out the town, reshingling and painting and otherwise repairing it. It was in November rededicated by Rev. R. D. Millen, Pastor. The Sun- day-school has an average attendance of about sixty-five; J. Derr is Superintendent, and F. B. McKennan, Assistant Superintendent. The present pastor is W. T. Rodgers.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Jacob Bolinger, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Sheri- dan Township, is a native of Germany, where he was born Decem- ber 26, 1833. Before he had reached the age of two years his father, Frederick Bolinger, came to the United States. Jacob re- mained with his parents till of age, assisting his father with the
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duties of the farm. In 1855 he was married to Frances Biebinger, a native of Germany. Of the eight children born to this union six are living-Katie, wife of David La Forge; Melissa, wife of Will- iam Bunn; Nora, wife of George Blaum; John F., Luster E. and Lena, at home. Alice, the third daughter, died at the age of twenty-two years, and Lutitia, the youngest, died aged four years. After his marriage Mr. Bolinger settled in Scioto County, Ohio, where he was engaged in farming till 1870, since which he has been a resident of Logan County, Illinois. He now lives on section 19, Sheridan Township, where he has a fine farm containing 400 acres of valuable land. He make a specialty of stock-raising. Mr. Bo- linger has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. He has held all the offices but that of master, in New Holland Lodge, No. 741. He is also a member of Lincoln Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he is a staunch Republican. While not a mem- ber of any church he believes in and acts the practical Christian life.
John Bolinger was born in Neistant, Germany, April 5, 1829, a son of F. F. and Kate Bolinger. His parents came to the United States in 1832, and located in Pike County, Ohio, near Waverly, and there our subject was reared, and in 1853 married Ann Eliza- beth Bebinger, a native of Manheim, Germany, born June 4, 1827, and came to America in 1851. Three months after his marriage he moved to the French Grant in Scioto County, Ohio, and lived there four years engaged in agricultural pursuits. He then kept a hotel in Portsmouth about a year, when he resumed farming and continued it in Scioto County till 1863, when he moved to Jack- sonville, Illinois, and thence the same year to Lincoln, and rented a farm of Dr. Sargent a year. In 1864 he returned to his farm in Ohio, but in 1871 came again to Illinois and bought the farm on section 7, Sheridan Township, Logan County, where he has since lived with the exception of two years, one spent in Lincoln and one in Menard County. Mr. Bolinger's farm contains 310 acres of choice land, and his residence and building improvements are among the best in the county. He is a thoroughly practical far- mer, and one of Sheridan's most reliable and energetic citizens. To him and his wife have been born five children-Jacob Allen, a physician and surgeon of Oakford, Menard County, a graduate of St. Louis Medical College; John Franklin, a farmer; George Lin- coln, a graduate of Jacksonville Business College, now a bookkeeper for a prominent New Holland firm; Mary Emma, and Charles
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Johnson, a telegraph operator. In politics Mr. Bolinger is a Re- publican. He is a member of New Holland Lodge, No. 741, F. & A. M. Mr. Bolinger was reared in a log cabin on the frontier, and is thoroughly conversant with all the phases of life in a new country. In his youth his mother spun and wove the clothing for the family, and often they went bare-footed, even to church. But their free life was health-producing and they were as happy as though clad in the finest linen. His father, F. F. Bolinger, served eight years in the army under the Emperor Napoleon, sharing all the hardships and glory of his most noted campaigns. He was with him at the crossing of the Alps, and in the campaign on the plains of Italy that followed. Was also in the ill-starred cam- paign against Russia, 'and witnessed the burning of Moscow, being one of the few survivors of the disastrous retreat that followed. He fought at the battle of Waterloo, his service ending with the final overthrow of Napoleon.
Landrum Burchett, the oldest settler and first merchant of New Holland, was born in Boyd County, Kentucky, January 21, 1841, & son of William and Emily Burchett; also natives of Kentucky. His boyhood was passed on a farm, and in his youth he was em- ployed as clerk in a mercantile establishment. When the civil war broke out he was surrounded by friends and neighbors who were in sympathy with the Confederacy, but his heart swelled with true patriotism for the Government, and he immediately enlisted in the service of the Union, and in 1862 was mustered in as a private in Company A, Thirty-ninth Kentucky Infantry, serving faithfully till mustered out as Second-Lieutenant in 1865. He received a few slight wounds, but was disabled for active service only a few days. His friends and neighbors who entered the service of the Confederacy nearly all lost their lives. After the close of the war Mr. Burchett preferred to live with loyal men and where free speech was allowed, and accordingly bade his native State farewell and immigrated to Illinois, stopping first at Mason City, where he was employed as clerk until he came to New Holland and formed a partnership with G. W. La Forge, under the firm name of Burchett & Co., and established the first mercantile busi- ness in the place. They did a good business and were prosperous till March 14, 1885, when their place of business and stock of goods were entirely destroyed by fire, involving a loss of about $11,000, their insurance being only $7,500. The partnership was then dis- solved, but at the request of his numerous friends Mr. Burchett
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immediately telegraphed for goods, and on Monday, March 16, resumed business. During the summer of 1885 he rebuilt on the old site, his present fine brick store building, 50 x 70 feet in size, and now carries the largest stock of goods in the village. Politi- cally Mr. Burchett is an ardent Republican, outspoken in his views. He was the first postmaster of New Holland, holding the office till November 4, 1885. He is a shrewd business man, and by his honest dealings and accommodating ways has made his customers his friends. In 1865 Mr. Burchett was married to Hattie Van Bibber, a native of Kentucky. They have one son-Oscar.
Alexander M. Caldwell is one of Sheridan's prominent agricult- urists. His residence is on section 17, and his farm, which con- tains 240 acres, is one of the best cared for in the township. Our subject received a good education in his youth, and for a few years followed the profession of teaching. He was married December 4, 1873, to Lutitia White, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born No- vember 9, 1854, a daughter of Jonas White. They have five chil- dren-Gracie L., Emma, Charles M., Richard A. and Brice. In politics Mr. Caldwell is a Prohibitionist. In 1885 he was elected school treasurer of his township, and has also served as clerk and collector of the township. He is a charter member of New Hol- land Lodge, No. 741, F. & A. M., of which he was the first senior warden, and has passed the master's chair. He is also a member of Lincoln Chapter. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Brice Caldwell, father of our subject, was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1804, and was of Scotch descent. He came to the United States in 1825, the year he reached his majority. He lived in Boston till after his marriage with Miss Mary Ann Thompson, which occurred January 1, 1835. Mrs. Brice was also of Scotch descent. She was born in County Antrim, Ireland, December 22, 1816, a daughter of Alexander and Jane (Stuart) Thompson. Her father came to America in 1822 to try to regain his lost health, but receiving no benefit he returned to Ire- land the following year. In 1834 he again returned to this country, making his home in Boston. He subsequently returned to Illinois, his death occurring in Mason County at the advanced age of ninety- four years. His wife had died many years previous. Mr. Thomp- son had the following children-William, Mrs. Caldwell, Mrs. Jane Gore, Mrs. Letitia Perrine (deceased), and a son who was ac- cidentally killed by a falling tree in Mason County. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brice Caldwell went to Bucks County,
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Pennsylvania, and a year later removed to Chatham, New Jersey, where they remained two years. After a short residence in Trenton, New Jersey, they came with their family to Scott County, Illinois, but soon after removed to Greene County. Two years later they returned to Scott County where they remained till coming to Sheridan Township, this county, in 1855, and here Mr. Brice Cald- well became one of the leading citizens. He lived to improve one of the best farms in this part of Logan County, and built for him- self one of the finest residences in the township. His homestead farm is on section 17 and contains 160 acres. Mr. Caldwell and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Caldwell was a kind and indulgent father, and as a citizen was highly esteemed. He gave his children the benefit of a good edu- cation and each of them a start in life. Eight of his children engaged in teaching school. The children are-Jane S., wife of T. H. Price; Mrs. Margaret H. Chesnut; Mrs. Letitia Welch, widow of Elijah Welch; William, deceased; Mrs. Charlotte A. Bray; Alexander M., whose name heads this sketch; Charles Edwin, M. D., and Mrs. Helen M. Shirley, residents of Chicago; Lizzie M. and Josephine. Mr. Brice Caldwell died June 20, 1882. His widow still lives at the homestead with part of her family.
George W. Gayle was born in Caroline County, Virginia, August 16, 1818, a son of William E. and Elizabeth Gayle, natives of the same county. When sixteen years of age he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade in the city of Richmond, and served till twenty-one years of age. He then joined his parents who had moved to Flemingsburg, Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1836. His mother died there in 1842. In 1850 he moved to Peoria, Illi- nois, and six years later to Tazewell County, where he lived until 1859, when he became a resident of Logan County, making his present residence on section 22, Sheridan Township, his home. His good farm of 165 acres has all been improved since his re- moval to it, and he has erected his pleasant residence and farm buildings. Mr. Gayle is a thorough master of his trade, and one of the most prominent builders and contractors in Central Illinois. He was the architect and superintendent of the building of the Lincoln University. He erected the Musick Block and Spitly House at Lincoln and several other business blocks. Mr. Gayle was married Christmas day, 1849, to Ann E. White, a native of Nicholas County, Kentucky, born December 24, 1830. They have had eleven children, all of whom, save the eldest, John W., who
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died at Peoria, aged three years, are living-George W., Jr., resides in this township; Mrs. Martha J. McElhaney lives in Pottawat- tamie County, Iowa; Thomas D., in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Will- iam D., in this township; Anna M., at New Holland; James E., at Omaha, Neb .; Daniel E., Robert T., Frank P. and Harry S., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Gayle are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has affiliated with the Demo- cratic party since 1841, although he cast his first presidential vote for General Harrison. He is a member of New Holland Lodge No. 741, F. & A. M.
Jacob Isonhart, one of the pioneers of Logan County, Illinois, now residing on section 20, Sheridan Township, is a native of Po- land, born June 5, 1811. His early life was one of hardship and toil, but one that taught him lessons of self-reliance. When an in- fant of three weeks the war carried on through his native country by Napoleon destroyed the home of his parents, John and Eliza- beth Isonhart, compelling them to flee to France, where their home was again devastated by war. They finally embarked for America with their family, and after a stormy voyage of nineteen weeks landed at Baltimore, and made their home in Maryland. At the age of ten years Jacob Isonhart was bound out to learn the black- smith's trade, serving as an apprentice till he was twenty-one years of age, during which time he only attended school twenty days. He was married at the age of twenty-five years to Hannah Bergen, who was born and reared in Baltimore County, Maryland. After his mar- riage he was employed as farm superintendent by Judge Buchanan, at that time Chief Justice of the State of Maryland. In the fall of 1836 Mr. Isonhart became a resident of Logan County, Illinois, making his home at Middletown. He first engaged in farming, but soon resumed work at his trade which he plied successfully at Mid- dletown eleven years. He continued to reside at or near Middle- town till 1883, when he settled in his present home, which property he had bought before the war. Mr. Isonhart was bereaved by the loss of his wife in February, 1878. Ten children were born to them, the first three dying in infancy. John resides in Spink County, Dakota; Marietta, deceased wife of Nelson Davis; Jacob, living on a part of his father's property in this township; William, living on the same property; Elizabeth, wife of Frank Ferris; Amelia, deceased; Cornelia, wife of James Turner, resides on Mr. Isonhart's farm near Middletown. Mr. Isonhart in the past has been one of the active men of Logan County. He has been suc- 55
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cessful through life, and is now the owner of 160 acres where he resides, and a farm of 155 acres in Thayer County, Nebraska, and still owns the old homestead near Middletown which contains 160 acres. His mother died at his home in 1846. Mr. Isonhart was a member of the first grand jury impaneled in Logan County. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
David H. La Forge resides on section 19, Sheridan Township, where he was born, December 1, 1860. His grandfather, Garrett M. La Forge was born on a farm in Richmond County, New York, in 1809, and received a very limited education. From 1828 to 1835 he engaged in the grocery business in New York City, and then moved back to Richmond County (Staten Island), and engaged in farming till 1854, when he came to Illinois and settled on a farm in Lee County, and also ran a grocery store in Lee Center. In 1858 he came to Logan County and selected and bought a tract of 1.620 acres, the greater part being in Sheridan Township, and the rest in Mason County. He made his home on the west half of section 19, town 20, range 4, where he continued farming till 1871, when he went to Mason City and built the La Forge Block and afterward went into the grocery business, but after spending several years retired, having been an active and successful business man. He was one of the progressive citizens of Logan County, and still retains the ownership of a large landed estate in Sheridan Township. He was married in 1830 to Catherine J. Martling, and had a family of three children-Martling R., Emily Thompson (who was married in Lee County), and David C., who died in Logan County in 1869. Martling R. La Forge was born in New York City, April 19, 1832. He was married on Staten Island in 1854, to Catherine A. Thorn, and the same year accompanied his father to Illinois. When they came to Logan County he settled on and improved the southeast quarter of section 19, and in 1856 built his residence. In 1868 he moved to Mason City and engaged in the grain trade, and when New Holland was laid out built the first elevator there. After several years of business life he re- turned to his farm, but subsequently moved to New Holland, where he died June 28, 1884. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, enlist- ing in the defense of his country in Company D, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Illinois Infantry. He lived a life of great usefulness- a life so honorable and upright as to win the confidence and respect of all who knew him, and in his death the town lost one of its best citi-
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zens. His children were three in number-Kate A., born in 1856; David H., and Gertrude M., born in 1863. Kate married John Sharp and lives on a part of the grandfather's estate in Mason County. the mother having a home with her. Gertrude is the wife of B. S. Talbott, of this township. David H. La Forge, the only son of Martling R. and Catherine A. La Forge, is one of Logan County's representative young men. His life has been spent in the near vicinity of where he now lives, and he has always taken an active part in promoting the material and social interests of his township. He is an energetic, practical farmer, and a worthy representative of one of the promient families of Logan County. He was mar- ried November 3, 1879, to Mary C. Bolinger, who was born in Scioto County, Ohio, May 12, 1859, a daughter of Jacob and Frances Bolinger, now of this township. They have three chil- dren-Martling, born October 6, 1881; Grace, born August 16, 1883, and Katie, born May 25, 1885. Mr. La Forge affiliates with the Republican party, having been reared in that school of politics.
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