USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan County, Illinois > Part 84
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1868-Horatio Seymour. 288
Ulysses S. Grant. . .228
60 | 1880-Winfield S. Hancock ... 873 154
James A. Garfield
219
Neal Dow ..
.21
James B. Weaver
58
.16
1872-Horace Greeley
.242
Ulysses S. Grant.
184
1884-Grover Cleveland.
417
James G. Blaine.
210
John P. St John.
.40
Benj. F. Butler.
.17
207
1876-Samuel J. Tilden.
.. 410
Rutherford B. Hayes. . 234
176
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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Rev. John Altic, a son of the pioneers Abraham and Elizabeth Altic, has been a resident of Logan County since four years of age. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were there reared and married, and soon after moved to Kentucky and came thence to Illinois, in 1829, locating on Sugar Oreek, where the father built a small log house and lived one winter. They then moved to the farm now owned by Benjamin Ligg, buying the place of the pio- neer, McClure. Their log house with its fireplace, eight feet wide, though small and of humble pretentions, was for some time a stopping place for the settlers going to and from the land office at Springfield. Every roof covered a hospitable family and none were more so than the Altic family. The father brought stock to the new country, but every animal died in one season of milk sickness. At the same time every one save one of a family of ten were sick with fever and ague, and no medical help could be obtained. The charms of the new country soon were lost to the pioneers, but sickness and loss of stock had so reduced their finan- ces that they were obliged to remain. In 1835 they moved to seo- tion 10, West Lincoln Township, where he made a farm of 120 acres, and also bought 100 acres of timber land, and there he lived till his death in 1844, aged fifty-six years. His widow lived till 1882, and died at the home of her son Abraham, at the age of ninety-four years. Of their twelve children but three are living-Abraham, John, and Elizabeth, widow of David Eveland. John Altic was born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, June 18, 1825. Although so young when he accompanied his parents to Illinois his recollections of the hardships and privations of pioneer life are very vivid. Their brightest dreams of the future of Logan County equaled the real- ization of its present prosperity. He remained with his mother till of age, having a short time before married Nancy Jane, daughter of Peter and Lucinda Randolph. Mr. Altic commenced married life with no means, and for several years worked for others on rented land, and when able bought eighty acres of land on sec- tion 14, where he lived one year, when he went to Missouri, but not liking the country returned to Logan County and bought a farm of eighty acres on section 12, West Lincoln Township, where he still lives. He also owns ten acres of timber land. He and his family are members of the Methodist Protestant church. In 1860 be was licensed to preach, and in 1874 was ordained a minister of
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that denomination, and now has charge of the church in the Fourth Ward of Lincoln. In politics he has been a Republican since the organization of that party. Mr. and Mrs. Altic have six children- Mrs. Martha Ann Eveland, Mrs. Mary E. Sample, Mrs. Amanda J. Conch, Samuel M., Ida F. and James R.
George Awe was born in Mecklenburg, Gerinany, June 10, 1856. When he was eighteen months old his father, Fred Awe, died. In November, 1857, his mother, Mary (Becker) Awe, came with six of her children to the United States, and settled in Logan County, Illinois. The children who accompanied their mother were-John, of East Lincoln Township; Frederika, wife of August Berger; Lena, wife of Louis Yorgo; Hannah, widow of John Brooker; Christopher and George. Two daughters, Sophie, now wife of John Schrader, and Dora, wife of John Ahrens, came before the mother, and a son, Fred, came in 1884. The mother died in February, 1880. George Awe married Rosa Wilmert, April 20, 1876, and now has charge of her mother's farm. They have four children -- Mary, Louisa, Emma and Katie.
Lewis K. Beaver was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 10, of 1840, a son of Michael and Sarah (Kirkendall) Beaver, natives Virginia and Ohio respectively. Michael Beaver was quite young when he came to Ohio with his parents, and there he was reared and married, to Sarah Kirkendall. Of the nine children born to them seven grew to maturity-James, a resident of this county; Mary, married Mahlon Anderson, and both died in Fulton County, Illinois; Michael, a prominent farmer of Broadwell Town- ship; Maria, wife of William Fowler; of Nebraska; Sarah, wife of Joseph Ewing, of Lincoln; Amos, living in Iowa; Lewis, our sub- ject, and William, living in East Lincoln. While visiting her children in Logan County, in 1860, the mother died at the residence of her son James. . The father died at his old home in Ross County, Ohio, in June, 1874. Lewis K. Beaver was united in marriage in Ross County, Ohio, February 15, 1865, to Lizzie Cook, she being a native of that county, born in June, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver have four children-Owen, Ida, George and Louie. After his marriage Mr. Beaver worked his father's farm till the spring of 1875. He then came to West Lincoln Township, Logan County, Illinois, and a year later bought a fine farm. He now has 127 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, located on sections 34 and 27. His fine brick residence, erected in 1883, is on section
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34 and is one of the best in the township. In his political views Mr. Beaver is a Democrat.
August Berger, one of the representative farmers of West Lin- coln Township, was born in Germany, September 17, 1834, a son of Ernst and Molly Berger. They had a family of six children, all of whom, save the eldest son, accompanied them to the United States in November, 1856. They landed in New York City and proceeded to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The father was a farmer in the old country and the family were reared to that occupation. While living in Milwaukee the family worked at various occupa- tions, remaining there till February, 1859, when August and Fred- erick came to Logan County, Illinois, and worked on farms in Sheridan Township about eighteen months, when they rented land of Jacob Gehlbach, in West Lincoln Township, and sent for their parents and the rest of the family. In 1865 August Berger bought 100 acres of what is his present home, on section 20, to which he has since added till he now has a fine farm of 180 acres under good cultivation, with comfortable and commodions build- ing improvements. This property he has accumulated by years of hard work and frugality. His parents made their home with him from the date of their coming to Logan County. His mother is still a member of the family and is seventy-eight years of age. His father died in September, 1869, aged sixty-five years. Their children are-Charles, in the old country; Frederick, of Sheridan Township; August and Henry, in this township; Sophie (deceased), wife of August Heneke; Mary, wife of Jacob Retter, of Spring field, Illinois. August Berger was married in 1867, to Fred- erika Awe, a native of Germany. Of the ten children born to them but four are living-Mollie, Emma, August and Dora. Fred- erick, Louis, Ernst, Annie and Caroline (twins), and Frederika are deceased. Mr. Berger and his family are members of Zion's Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Berger is a Democrat, voting with his party in national elections but in local elections giving his suffrage to the men he considers best qualified to fill the positions.
Henry Berger, one of the representative citizens of West Lin- coln Township, was born in Germany, February 15, 1841. He was the fourth of a family of six children, of Ernst and Mollie Berger, with whom he came to America in November, 1856, first settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He came with his parents to West Lincoln Township, Logan County, in February, 1859, and
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worked on a farm for Lewis Oraig for four years, after which he worked for Alexander Fassett almost six years. He was reared a farmer and has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the substantial farmers of this township. He was united in marriage March 12, 1865, to Lonisa Drolisch, a native of Germany, born January 29, 1847, coming to the United States in 1856 with her father, Gotthelff Drolisch, who now resides in Lin- coln. Mr. and Mrs. Berger have had eleven children-Mary, Henry, Frederick, Louis, John, Annie and William, and four who died in infancy. The family are members of Zion's Lutheran Church, at Lincoln. After his marriage Mr. Berger followed farming on rented land for five years. In 1870 he bought eighty acres on section 9, West Lincoln Township, and made his home chere till 1874. He then sold his land, and bought a fine farm of 160 acres from Morgan Barngrover, on section 16, this township, where he has a comfortable home. He also owns eighty-five acres of land on section 17. In his political views Mr. Berger affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 210, A. F. & A. M.
Gottleib Brochl is a native of Germany, born October 2, 1826, the third child of John and Augusta Broehl. His father was a laboring man, and he in his youth worked at any employment offered. In 1850, full of an adventurous spirit, he started for America. After coming to this country he spent almost three years in Texas, on the plains as a cow boy. This life had many charms for him. The rough rugged life and free air suited him better than the restraints of the old life in Germany. He came to Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1852, and in the fall of the next year his father, his brother Michael, and his two sisters, Annie and Sophie, came from Germany, and joined him in that county, his father dying there the same year. Of the children, Michael is now a resident of this county, Annie is deceased, and Sophie lives in Minnesota. Gottleib Broehl was married in 1850, a short time before leaving Germany, to Annie Meushke. They became resi- dents of Logan County, Illinois, in 1854, making their home at Atlanta. Mrs. Broehl died in Chester Township in 1863, leaving five children-Mrs. Pauline Scholl; Mrs. Amelia Dugingar; Louis, living in East Lincoln Township; Julins, of Christian County, and Charles, of Nebraska. For his second wife Mr. Broehl married Meta Engelken, a native of Germany. To this union have been born three sons-Herman, John M. and George, all living at 56
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home. Mr. Broehl came to West Lincoln Township in 1866 and bought 160 acres of land, which he converted into a fine farm, resid - ing on it till 1880, when he sold it and moved to East Lincoln. He resided in East Lincoln till 1882, when he bought his present home on section 2, West Lincoln Township. His farm contains 160 acres of land, and is one of the best in this part of Logan County, and his residence and farm buildings are in good condition. In his youth Mr. Broehl served four years in the German army. In politics he is a radical Republican. He is an active member of Mozart Lodge, No. 145, I. O. O. F., of Lincoln.
William H. Crain, one of the representative citizens of West Lincoln Township, resides on section 35, his fine farm, on which he settled in 1867, containing 160 acres. He is a native of Ohio, born in Warren County, June 24, 1833, the eldest of three and the only surviving child of Joseph and Mary (Getters) Crain, his parents being natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively. When be was two years old his parents removed to Greene County, Ohio, and there he was reared. His father was a farmer by occupation. He died in 1839, aged thirty-four years. His mother is at present living in Bellbrook, Greene County, Ohio. William H. Crain came to Logan County, Illinois, in 1855, and first located in Sheridan Township. While living there he was married February 6, 1862, to Amanda, daughter of George Stevens, who was formerly of Greene County, Ohio, coming to Logan County in 1851 and locat- ing on the farm which is now owned and occupied by Mr. Crain. Mr. Stevens is yet living, and is making his home with our subject, his wife, Nancy Stevens, dying in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Crain have six children -- Caroline, Kate, Annie, Minnie, Roxy and William A. Mr. Crain bought his farm in Sheridan Township in 1859, which he improved, living there till he settled in his present home in 1867. In politics Mr. Crain affiliates with the Democratic party. He has served his township two terms as supervisor, and is at present serving his second term as commissioner, and has filled other offices of trust in the township. He has always taken an act- ive interest in educational matters, and is at present serving as school director. He is a member of Logan Lodge, No. 480, A. F. & A. M.
Jacob Flick, son of Henry and Martha Lena Flick, was born in Germany, March 23, 1839. In September, 1850, his parente, with their family, consisting of their son John, their daughter Catherine with her husband, Michael Kief, and our subject, immigrated to
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America, landing at New Orleans, December 25, They reached St. Louis, January 1, 1851, and from there went to Bath, Mason County, Illinois, where the father bought eighty acres of land from the Government and there made a home. His wife died soon after settling in Mason County. Three years later he sold his land and moved to Tazewell County, where his son John bought a farm. He lived with John and came with him to Logan County in 1857, living with him till his death in 1879. Michael Kief came to this county and bought land in Broadwell Township in the spring of 1856, Jacob Flick, our subject, coming with him. After com- ing to this county Jacob Flick worked by the month, and later rented land until his marriage, which occurred October 20, 1862, to Sophie Rummel, a native of Germany. She died in 1865, leaving two children-Catherine, wife of George F. Weltzel, and John, living with his father. For his second wife Mr. Flick married, in 1863, Barbara Enbel, who was also born in Germany, and to this union have been born eight children, four living-Mar- garet, Annie, Frank and Emma. Two sons and two daughters died in infancy. The family are members of St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, at Lincoln. Mr. Flick has his home on section 14, his first purchase in 1863 containing eighty acres. To this he has since added eighty acres, and now has a well- cultivated farm of 160 acres. Mr. Flick commenced life with no capital but a pair of willing hands, and the comfortable home which he now owns has been the result of a life of industry and frugality. In politics he cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, but has since voted the Republican ticket.
John Flick, one of the substantial farmers of West Lincoln Township, is a native of Germany, born in Baden, Prussian Em- pire, April 2, 1829. In the revolutionary era of 1849 he was serving under conscription in the German army, and June 22 of that year he was fighting on the battle-field. His parents as well as himself being desirous to come to America, they left their native country in the winter of 1850, landing at New Orleans, December 25. They reached St. Louis, December 31, and from there went to Mason County, Illinois, where the mother, Magde- lena (Grinsfelder) Flick, died nine days later. In the fall of 1854 the family moved to Pekin, Illinois. John Flick was married May 18, 1851, to Catherine Kief, a native of the same province as her husband, born February 22, 1829. They have seven children living-Philip, married and living near Lawndale; Margaret, wife
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of Joseph Lucas, of McLean County; Annie Danker, born Sep- tember 15, 1869, an orphan child, was adopted into the family in infancy; Michael, married and living in this township; Lizzie, wife of Robert Dunlap, lives in Dakota; Henry, married and lives in this township; Katie and John, still at home. Annie and Matilda died within two days of each other, of scarlet fever, in April, 1867. Jacob died in 1865. The family are members of St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, at Lincoln. In politics Mr. Flick affili- ates with the Republican party. He came to West Lincoln Town- ship in the spring of 1857, where he farmed on rented land for five years. He bought his present home in 1860, to which he moved in 1861. At that time the place was but slightly improved; now he has one of the finest homes in the township, his residence, located on section 31, and his farm, containing 228 acres. He also owns a tract of timber land on Salt Creek of fifty-four acres. His father died in April, 1878, at the home of our subject.
Robert N. Forsyth, residing on section 24, West Lincoln Town- ship, was born in Schoharie County, New York, September 14, 1835, a son of Robert and Hannah Forsyth, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother born in New York State. His parents came to Logan County, Illinois, in December, 1856, making their home in Lincoln. The father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and Robert N. was reared to that avocation, and for several years father and son followed that pursuit in Lincoln, the city showing several fine buildings erected by them. In 1860 they traded their city residence with Judge Campbell, receiving in exchange the property that is now the home of our subject. Here the father died in 1864, his death being caused by the bite of a rabid dog, received about a month previous. He spent a life of great use- fulness, and his death cansed universal regret among a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His widow survived him about one year. Of their children, Charles is a resident of Lincoln; Lucy, wife of A. Mayfield, lives in Lincoln; Rebecca, married J. H. Beidler, of Mount Pulaski; Edward L. lives in Kansas; Newton, in Mason City, Illinois. Eunice, wife of William A. Engle, lives in Kansas, and Robert N., whose name heads this sketch. Two daughters, Mrs. Mary E. Brewster and Mrs. Emeline Small, died in this county. Robert N. Forsyth was married in 1868 to Anna Potter, who was born in Bond County, Illinois, June 3, 1848. Her father died when she was a child. Her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have two children-Frederick and Lena.
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Mr. Forsyth is now engaged in farming, his home farm containing 105 acres of well-cultivated land, and his buildings are among the best in the township. He takes an active interest in all the public enterprises of the county, and is one of the principal workers in the Agricultural Society's annual fairs.
Jacob Gehlbach, one of the prosperous farmers of West Lincoln Township, was born in Beibram, Germany, April 18, 1823, a son of Philip and Mary (Reiter) Gehlbach. When he was fourteen years old his father died, and in 1846 he came to America, landing at New Orleans, October 20, and, in 1852 his mother and the rest of the family followed him. Our subject commenced life a poor boy, having but $7 when he landed in America. The following year he came to Illinois. He has met with excellent success in his farming operations, and is the owner of a large amount of real estate in Logan County. His home farm, which contains 541 acres of land under a high state of cultivation, is located on section 31, and is one of the finest in the township. He also owns 404 in East Lincoln Township, 221 acres in Orvil Township, 200 acres in Mt. Pulaski Township, 458 acres in Chester Township, 134 acres in Broad well Township, and thirty-five acres in Corwin Township, all his land being under cultivation except thirty-five acres of timber land. He has also deeded to his children 832 acres. Mr. Gehl- bach was married in Mason County in 1850 to Rebecca Rimer- man, a native of Germany, and in 1859 he moved with his family to West Lincoln Township. His wife died February 28, 1866, leaving six children-Mary, now deceased; Hannah, Jacob, Re- becca, Minnie, Nettie. June 21, 1866, Mr. Gehlbach was again married, to Lucy Eberle, a native of Germany, coming to America when nine years of age. To this union have been born seven children -Philip, Katie, Willie, Frederic, Lucy, Lena and Charlie. The family attend St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lincoln. Mrs. Gehlbach, mother of our subject, came to Illinois with her four sons and one daughter. She died at Lincoln in 1883. Mr. Gehlbach is much respected in the township for his many manly qualities. Many a poor immigrant coming to this county has found in him a friend, and has been furnished by him with good employ- ment or lands to work on shares.
William E. Jones was born in Wayne County, Indiana, April 13, 1845, his parents, James W. and Nancy Jones, being natives of Ohio and North Carolina respectively. They were married in Ohio and soon after settled in Indiana, where ten children were
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born to them, nine still living-Melvina, living in Corwin Town- ship, this county; Mrs. Sarah J. Huddleston, living in Wayne County, Indiana; Mrs. Mary A. Morris, of Corwin Township; Richard W., of Corwin Township; William E., our subject; James R., of Lincoln; Henry, of Corwin Township; John L., of Sheridan Township, this county; and George, of Corwin Township. Eve- line, the second child, died in infancy. In 1856 the parents moved with their family to Mason County, Illinois. October 9, 1857, the father went to mill, a distance of twenty miles from his home, and being obliged to remain over night he slept in the mill. Dur- ing the night the upper story of the mill fell in and he was killed, and his remains conveyed home the next day. The spring following this sad event the widow and her children settled in West Lincoln Township, Logan County, on section 6, where Mrs. Jones spent the rest of her life. She died July 24, 1873, in her sixty-ninth year. William E. Jones, whose name heads this sketch, commenced life for himself on a farm at the age of eight- een years. December 25, 1865, he was married to Amanda C. Lucas, born January 31, 1850, in Pike County, Illinois. When she was six weeks old her parents, P. P. and Amanda Lucas, settled on section 6, West Lincoln Township, this county, where she has always lived with the exception of eight years after her marriage, spent in Sheridan Township on a farm of 180 acres, which is still owned by Mr. Jones. They are at present living on the home farm in West Lincoln Township, which contains 199 acres. Mrs. Lucas, mother of Mrs. Jones, died August 9, 1885, aged seventy- eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five children living -- Wiley, Elizabeth, James, Peter and Paul. Their eldest child, Charles W., died June 25, 1872, aged three years. Mr. Jones and his wife are members of the Methodist church. In politics he affili- ates with the Republican party. He is a member of New Holland Lodge, No. 780, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Odd Fel- lows order.
Herman H. Kiest, son of John Henry Kiest and Mary A. (Mey- ers) Kiest, was born in Hanover, now a part of the German Em- pire, November 22, 1835. His parents with their family of seven children came to America in 1850, landing at New Orleans, and from there proceeded to Mason County, Illinois. Our subject remained with his parents till twenty-one years old, although for three years previous he had worked by the month for others. Af- ter leaving home he farmed on rented land in Havanna Township.
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In March, 1861, he came to Logan County, buying eighty acres of land of Jacob Gehlbach, in West Lincoln Township. Four years later he sold his farm and bought his present home on section 14, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life. He has always been an industrions, hard-working man, and the property he owns has been acquired by his own efforts. In June, 1869, Mr. Kiest was married to Mary Becker, a native of Mason County, daughter of Nicolas Becker, one of West Lincoln's wealthiest citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Kiest have six children-Herman, Willie, Katie, Frank, Louis and George. The family are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lincoln. In politics Mr. Kiest is an ardent Republican.
John Henry Kiest, Jr., one of the prominent farmers of West Lincoln Township, has lived on section 27 since March 6, 1865. He was born in Hanover, Germany, February 13, 1833, a son of John Henry and Mary A. (Meyers) Kiest. In 1850 his parents with a family of seven children came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. From there came to Illinois and located in Mason County, where they bought a partially improved farm, on which the father died in June, 1865, and where the mother still lives. Her children were-Mary, widow of Herman Taggerty, of Mason County; John Henry, our subject; Herman H., of Logan County; Annie (deceased), wife of Fred Fette; John G., of Menard County, and Deidrich, on the homestead with his mother. John H. Kiest, Jr., was married in 1860 to Caroline Fette, a native of Hanover, born May 6, 1844. Her parents, Henry and Sophie Fette, came to the United States when she was a child and settled in Missouri, where her father died. The family afterward moved to Mason County, Illinois, and there the mother died. In 1859 Mr. Kiest bought a farm in the western part of this township, and there he commenced married life, living there till March, 1865. His pres- ent home contains 212 acres of valuable land, and he also owns a fine farm of 221 acres on section 4, East Lincoln Township. Mr. Kiest has always been a public-spirited man, always participating in anything of benefit to his township or county. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family are members of the St. John's Evangelical Church. He has a family of four children-Frank W., a farmer of this township; Oscar M., Matilda and Harry at home. Four children are deceased. Herman died aged two years; John, aged three years; Sophie, in infancy, and Louis, aged eighteen months. Christian Krueger was born in Germany in 1824, a son of Jo-
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