History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 102

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

now lives upon the farm. Mr. Grigsby now owns 760 acres, all well improved land, except 30 acres of timber. Four hundred and eighty acres of this is in cultivation, worked by tenants, the bal- ance is in pasture. He is largely en- gaged in raising and feeding stock. He is one of the firm of Grigsby Bro. & Co., bankers. Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby have had, eight children, six of whom are now living-John L., married to Amelia Moore and living in Holt county, Mis- souri; Joseph H., married to Jane A. King, also in Holt county; Francis J., married to Ora Groves, and living in Nodaway county, Missouri; Silas J., mar- ried to Fannie Taylor, and living on the homestead farm; Emma J., wife of W. P. Cherry, of Nodaway county, Missouri; and William V., living with his parents. Mr. Grigsby was associate judge of this county for nearly four years, just pre- vious to township organization, his term however, was not expired at the time when the organization was effected. He has since served two years upon the board of county supervisors.

S. J. Grigsby, Jr., was born July 4, 1859, on the southeast quarter of section 28, Blandinsville township. He is a son of S. J. Grigsby, Sr., who now lives in Blandinsville. His mother, formerly Mary F. Epperson died April 18, 1881. S. J. Grigsby, Jr., was brought up on the farm which was his birthplace, and is still his home. He owns 120 acres of the homestead farm, which is in a good state of cultivation, and finely improved. He was married March 9, 1882, to Fannie Taylor, a native of this county. They have had one child-Mabel, born March 19, 1883.

ELEVATOR.

The only elevator at this point is owned by A. P. Hopper, who leases the same to Brooks & Davis, who are also engaged in the lumber business and the sale of agricultural implements. Mr. Davis also deals to some extent in stock.

John M. Davis is a native of Ohio,and was born in Ashland county, February 23, 1852. He is a son of R. W. and Eliza (Warner) Davis, who was formerly from New York. John M. came to this county in October, 1853, with his parents and re- mained on a farm until 1877. He then went to Kansas, and there engaged in handling live stock for about two years. He then, in 1880, returned to Blandins- ville, and followed the same business here, also bought grain, and subsequently added to his trade agricultural imple- ments. He was married September 16, 1873,to Belle Allshouse, a native of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Davis is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically, a democrat. He has always been pro- nounced in his advocacy of the now dom- inant party.

OPERA HOUSE.

This place of amusement was erected by a stock company in 1882. The stock was subsequently purchased by Grigsby Brothers & Co., who are the present owners.

HOTELS.

The Central house is situated on Main street, and is operated by E. L. Sapp, who has had control of the house for three years past. This house contains 25 rooms. The present rates of the ho- tel are $1.50 per day. The succession of proprietors since its establishment are

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

John Edmunds; Charles Travis, J. Sap- pington and John Bond.

The hotel now known as the Edel house was built in 1858, on the corner of Harrison and Chestnut streets, by Thomas J. Davis. The building is three stories high, built of brick, 40x70 feet in size. The lower story is intended for store purposes and the upper for a hotel. The upper part was a tenement for fam- ilies and part for a dancing hall, until 1867, when R. W. Hume bought it at administrator's sale, and finished the up- per story for dwellings. In 1871, Mr. Hume opened it as a hotel and run it a short time, when he sold it to Joseph Edel, who remodelled it and reopened it as the Edel house. He ran it a short time, when he rented it to various par- ties. Mr. Edel converted the store rooms into part of the hotel. In 1885, Nathaniel Grigsby and Son purchased the property and leased it to Dr. A. White, who at present runs it.

Abner White,M. D., came to this county in 1868, but did not at that time effect a permanent residence. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber, 1825. When Abner was quite young his parents, with the family, removed to Missouri. The climate in that state did not seem to agree with his mother, and notwithstanding the finances of his fa- ther had run quite low, it was thought best to remove her to the native state of Abner. Consequently, his parents re- turned to Pennsylvania, and Abner, at 12 years of age, was thrown entirely up- his own resources. He then led a rov- ing life, being variously engaged in dif- ferent occupations. He never had the opportunity of attending school, but by

his own exertion and personal applica- tion, obtained a fair education. In 1852, he commenced the study of medicine in Perry county, Ohio, at New Lexington, with Dr. Vanatta, and continued nearly three years. He there commenced prac- tice in 1856. In 1879, he attended med- ical lectures in Keokuk, Iowa, and there in 1880, graduated from the college of physicians and surgeons. He then en- gaged in the practice of his chosen pro- fession in Schuyler county, Missouri, and there continued nearly two years, then came to Blandinsville and remained about six months, thence he went to Union City, Indiana, where he had pre- viously practiced four years, and re- mained about one year, thence to Mis- souri, and again here May 16, 1883, where he is now located. In addition to the practice of medicine, he is the present proprietor of the Edel house, the leading hotel of the place.

Besides those in active business be- fore mentioned, there are a number of others who must be mentioned in this connection to make this chapter com- plete, Their sketches follow:

Captain O. M. Lisk was born in Coop- erstown, New York, February 10, 1819. When he was seven years of age, his parents, Andrew and Nancy (Phelps) Lisk, removed to Jefferson county, of the same state, and settled near Sackett's Harbor, In the fall of 1842, Captain Lisk went to Warren county, Missouri, where he remained till the spring of 1847, when he removed to St. Louis, and there engaged as deck hand on board a diving bell boat named the Mermaid. He was there employed one summer, going up the Missouri river. In the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

fall of the same year the Mermaid sunk at Big Eddy, below St. Louis. He then went to work as diver for the noted con- tractor, Captain Eads, by whom he was employed one year, after which he went to St. Louis, where he was made captain of a diving boat, and engaged in the business of raising sunken vessels. He followed that occupation several years, and was very successful. He then went to New Orleans, where he built, in part- nership with Marshal Mathews and William Creeny, a boat called the Peli- can, and another called the Independ- ence, and still another called the South- erner, the latter a freight boat, was sold by Captain Lisk to General Butler dur- the war. In the fall of 1862, Captain Lisk came to McDonough county, and settled upon the farm formerly owned by his father, who had died in the mean- time. His especial object in coming here, was to care for his aged and widowed mother. He remained upon the farm till 1878, when his residence was destroyed by fire, then moved to Blandinsville, which has since been his home. He was married in 1869, to Helen Metcalf, daughter of R. Metcalf, of Michigan, and by this union has two children-Louis and Guy. He may properly be called a self-made man, having made his own fortune, and secured a competence by his own indus- try. He started in life with limited means, and without material assistance from any source, has placed himself in easy circumstances, and is thus enabled to spend his declining years in peace and comfort.

Mrs. Hannah Mustain, widow of Nathan G. Mustain, was born Octo-

ber 27, 1822. Her deceased husband was born March 23, 1819, in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, and came to this county in 1831. This marriage took place, August 17, 1848. She was formerly Hannah Wilson, and a resident of Hen- derson county, but a native of Ohio. After marriage, they resided on a farm in Blandinsville township. Mr. Mustain owned a farm upwards of 1,000 acres of land in McDonough county. His house was a handsome and commodious struc- ture, erected at a cost of $8,000. His barn and other farm buildings were of the best class. He resided upon the farm until the time of his death, Novem- ber 30,1872. Mrs. Mustain now lives in the town of Blandinsville, where she owns a fine residence. Mr. and Mrs. Mustain had a family of 10 children- Ellen, John L., Charles P., James A., Theodore, Elizabeth, Mary, Edward, Alice, and Florence. One daughter, Mary, is deceased. John L., James A., Alice and Florence, reside with their mother. Charles P. lives upon the home- stead farm on section 16. Ellen is the wife of W. M. Miller, of Blandinsville township. Theodore lives in Macomb, Elizabeth is the wife of Fred Williams, of Blandinsville, and Edward lives in Arkansas. Nathan Mustain was one of the early settlers of this county, a man of sterling qualities, and one of the sub- stantial and influential citizens of his township. He died deeply regretted, and his loss has been much felt through- out the community where he resided.

Benjamin Fowler came to this county during the fall of 1847, from Indiana, bringing his family with him, which consisted at that time of his wife and

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

nine children. He bought a farm of a 140 acres about a mile and a half north- west from the present town of Blan- dinsville, and moved there in February. 1848, where he lived for some 21 years, when he moved into the village, but af- ter 10 years he again' returned to the farm, remaining two years, and then again returned to the village where he now resides. He still owns the farm and rents it, living a retired life. Mr. Fowler was born in Washington county, Kentucky, June 26, 1806. He worked for his parents on a farm until 23 years of age, receiving but little of the advan- tages of an education. He was married in October, 1878, to Mary Gordon, also a native of Kentucky, soon after which he moved to Edwards county, in this state, where he remained 18 months, then moving to Owen county, Indiana, where he cleared a farm which he occu- pied for 13 years. Upon selling out there, he moved to McDonough county. He is the father of 13 children, all but one of whom are living. Mr. Fowler is in politics, a democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He has been commissioner of highways, and is a much respected gentleman.

Davis Aldrich, is a native of New York, born in Plymouth, Chenango county, June 12, 1812. His parents were farmers, but at an early age, Davis was apprenticed to a blacksmith, and served three years. He then went into an edged tool factory and served four years. He then carried on both bran- ches of his trade for about 10 years in his native state. He then moved to Farmington, Iowa, and followed the same business for three years, then

moved to Keokuk, and carried on the same business. four years, then moving to Hancock county, in this state, where he purchased 600 acres of land, and for 10 years he carried on his trade in con- nection with farming. He then moved to this county, and has followed the profession of a horse farrier and veter- inary surgeon. He was married in New York state when 21 years of age, to Sal- lie Henshaw. She died leaving three children, all of whom are dead. He was married again after moving to Keo- kuk to Abigail Dow. By this union there were four children born, two of whom are now living- John and Ella His second wife died in Blandinsville, and he was again married, November 19, 1866, to Sarah J. Hess. By the last marriage there are six children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Aldrich is a republican in politics, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

William W. Moss, a resident of Blan- dinsville, was born August 27, 1802, in North Carolina. He was brought up on a farm, and remained with his parents till 22 years old. He was educated in the common school, and learned the car- penter's trade. December 25, 1823, he was married to Elizabeth I. Couday, and by this union, had seven children, Eme- line M., born November 17, 1825; Mary C., born November 10, 1826: Luly C., born September 7, 1828; Margaret, born January 18, 1831; Lizer, born Novem- ber 14, 1830; William T., born Novem- ber 3, 1838, and Oliver, born September, 26, 1836: Mrs. Moss died October 30, 1857. Mr. Moss was again married in 1861, to Mrs. Eliza Goodwin. He had by his second marriage, four children -

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Charity, born November 23, 1863, mar- riad to William Shrier, of Blandinsville; Sarah May, born January 7, 1866, mar- ried to Theodore Herzog, and living on a farm in Blandinsville township; Mary C., born February 16, 1867, and died March 14, of the same year, and Edgar P., born March 6, 1869, now living with his parents. Mr. Moss settled in Hen- derson county, Illinois, in 1835, engaged in farming, and remained there, until he removed to a farm, which he purchased in 1842, located one and a half miles north of the village of Blandinsville. He moved here in 1844, and remained upon the farm until 1861, then became a resident of the village where he has since lived. He sold his farm to James Creel, who still owns it. He is a worthy and respected citizen.

Howard Campbell, is a son of Eli and Martha (Smith) Campbell, natives of North Carolina. He was born in Rowan county, of that state, January 20, 1813. His paternal grand-parents were George and Polly Campbell, and his mother was a daughter of William and Polly Smith. In the fall of 1830, Howard left his native state and went to Monroe county, Indiana, where he was engaged in farming till 1864. He was married in that county, March 3, 1836, to Han- nah L. Givens, daughter of John A., and Jane (Berry) Givens, natives of Ken- tucky. In November, 1864, Mr. Camp- bell removed from Indiana, to Hender- son county, Illinois, and settled on a farm, where he remained till March 5, 1872, at which date he came to Bland- insville, where he now resides. Mrs. Campbell died February 27, 1883, aged 63 years. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were

the parents of seven children-James H., born January 21, 1837; Paris D., born February 23, 1839; Henry P., born February 10, 1842, and died March 24, 1843; Newton S., born June 14, 1845; Addison M., born August 6, 1848; Wil- liam B. born November 20, 1851, and Mary E., born November 23, 1858. James H., was married January 13, 1859, to Mary E. Thrasher. Paris D., was married in 1864, to Maria Rush. Addison M., was married September 7, 1869, to Catharine Conner. Newton S., was married in 1870, to Lucretia R. Dunham, who died in 1875, in Nodaway county, Missouri. He was again mar- ried August 15, 1882, to Nancy E. Burr. William B., was married December 11, 1873, to Eva Wilson, and Mary E., was married June 14, 1877, to James M. York. Mr. Campbell is a supporter of the democratic party. During his resi- dence in the State of Indiana, he held the office of justice of the peace for seven years.

Newton S. Campbell, fourth son of Howard Campbell, remained with his parents until 1875. He then moved to Marysville, Missouri, where he remained two years engaged in handling stock, af- ter which he returned to Blandinsville and engaged in the same business which he still continues. His wife died during his residence in Missouri. They had two children, one of whom, Charlie, died in that state, the other, Anna, is still liv- ing. Mr. Campbell and his present wife are members of the Christian church. In the spring of 1884 he was elected mar- shal of Blandinsville. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the M. B. of J. Politically, he is a democrat.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

J. M. Naramore, station agent at Bland- insville, is a son of Dr. W; P. and Ann (Jones) Naramore, born September 20, 1858, in Stephenson county, Illinois. His mother died when he was an infant 10 days old, and he was taken to rear, by a family named Miller, who resided in Woodford county. Seven years later he removed with them to Kansas, where he remained till the winter of 1876. He then returned to Woodford county, ac- companying Mrs. Miller. He attended school until 1880, and learned telegraphy, .after which he was employed as extra operator on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad, until December 5, 1882, when he was given charge of the station at Blandinsville, where he has since con- tinued. During the time he has become known to the public as an accommodat- ing official and a genial and pleasant gentleman. Mr. Naramore was married November 22, 1883, to Mary L. Pond, a daughter of Valorous Pond, of Ohio. Dr. W. P. Naramore is now living at Lena, Stephenson county, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession. He has been twice married. He had by the first marriage, two sons-W. W. and J. M., subject of this sketch. By the latter un- ion, he had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Two sons and three daughters are living.

BAND.

The Glade City cornet band was or- ganized with a membership of 12, Janu- ary 20, 1880. The first officers of the or- ganization were as follows: J. C. Bush- nell, president; M. A. Terry, secretary; James Pennington, treasurer; F. A. York, leader. The band has always been,in

good running order and since its organi- zation has been incorporated. The pres- ent membership numbers 10, with the following officers: F. A. York, president; J. H. Fowler, treasurer; M. A. Terry, secretary; F. A. York, leader. The or- ganization is in good condition at pres- ent, financially.

MILLS.

Hume & Blandin established the first steam grist mill at Blandinsville. It was a large building, 40x40 feet in ground area, four stories high and had two run of buhrs. It was subsequently operated by a number of different parties, all of whom lost considerable of money in the transaction, and the mill was afterward torn down. A man by the name of Hop- per built a saw mill at about this date and purchased the engine used in the old grist mill, from which the motive power for this latter enterprise was produced. Additions were afterward made by Mr. Hopper to his mill, and a run of stones put in, some time after which it was de- stroyed by fire. It was again built and operated by Mr. Hopper for a number of years, when he purchased the elevator near the depot and tore down the mill. In 1876 he purchased his present milling interest. The building is 20x50 feet in dimensions, with an engine room 20x30 feet, and has two run of buhrs. The ca- pacity is one hundred bushels per day. At present the mill is not in operation, as Mr. Hopper's attention is now paid to buying grain for other parties.

. EDUCATIONAL.

In the cause of education, Blandins- ville has kept pace with the rest of the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

county, her public schools usually being among the best. At an early date the . United Brethren established in the place an institution of learning, to which was given the name of Blandinsville seminary. During the short period of its existence it accomplished much good. Not being financially a success, the building and grounds were sold to the village, and were afterward used for school purposes.

The first building for school purposes was erected at the extreme northwest corner of the original town plat, and was constructed of logs. Mrs. Hume taught the first term of school.

Blandinsville public schools are in a flourishing condition. The enrollment for the years 1884-5 being 250, with an average attendance of 220. School is maintained nine months each year, at a cost of. $2,500. There are five depart- ments in the school. The high school course embraces the study of advanced arithmetic, algebra, geometry, United States' history, geography, grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, physiology, botany, zoology, astronomy and civil govern- ment, and continues three years.

The building is a substantial brick, containing six rooms. Coal is used for fuel. The school is only partially sup- plied with apparatus. The corps of teachers for the years 1885, consists of the following-R. E. Spangler, princi- pal; E. E. Sherman, Mrs. Jennie Pan- cake, Miss Lee McNutt, and Miss Iva Epperson.

R. E. Spangler, the present popular principal of the Blandinsville schools was born on a farm near Macomb, on the 15th of October, 1857. In the fall

of 1864, our subject went with his par- ents to Minnesota, returning to McDon- ough county in 1869. He was brought up on a farm, and remained with his parents until reaching his majority. He worked on the farm during the summers and attended school during the winters. The education thus obtained was supple- mented by a course of instruction in the normal school, at Macomb. When 20 years of age he taught his first school near Bushnell, in Mound town- ship. His next school was taught in the fall of 1878, near Macomb, and he resided at home. His work for the three succeeding terms was at Scottsburg, Walnut Grove township, and next at New Philadelphia, Mound township. In the fall of 1882, he came to Blandinsville as principal of the schools, which position he has since filled with entire satisfaction. He has also conducted at this point two sessions of the normal school, which were of much interest to the teachers and all who were interested in educational mat- ters. The Blandinsville schools, under his management, have been placed in the front rank, and he has proved him- sels to be a most excellent instructor. In a great measure, Mr. Spangler is a self-made man. His opportunities for receiving an education were somewhat limited, but, by perseverance and his own endeavors, he has succeeded in at- taining a good education. He has a faculty for imparting instruction, which is so necessary to become a successsful teacher, and the village of Blandinsville may well take pride in having secured the services of so competent a gentle- man to take charge of her schools. R. E.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Spangler was united in marriage, in May, 1884, with Fannie A. Kellogg, a native of New York, and the daughter of A. Kellogg, of Blandinsville. Mr. Spangler is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, as is he also of the Ancient Order of United Work- men. .

RELIGIOUS.

With respect to religious privileges, the town has as many advantages as any in the county, there being large congre- gations of Baptists, Christians, Metho- dist Episcopal, and United Brethren in Christ, each of whom have fair church buildings. A historical sketch of each of these churches is given in the Ecclesi- astical chapter of this work. Attention is called. thereto.

SOCIETIES.

O. P. Courtright post, No. 267, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Blandinsville, in June, 1883, and was so named in honor of the first lieutenant of company C, 78th Illinois infantry. The charter of the post includes the names of the following comrades-C. R. Hume, C. E. Spielman, C. E. Ballou, William S. Bailey, George Jacobs, J. J. Ray, B. F. Gabbert, J. Phillips, William Hal- linbaugh, Jesse Rolston, W. H. McCord, J. M. Duncan, W. O. Sweeny, Nathan · Hainline, S. M. Pancake, John Wright, William Kirkpatrick, Frank York, T. B. Spielman, M. Baymiller, C. Batchlett, T. Hamilton, H. Carnes, H. N. Mason, J. M. Foley, S. A. Webb, A. J. O'Neal, James Shryack, J. H. Baughman, J. Q. Wilson. The present officers of the post are the following named-C. E. Spielman, C .;

B. F. Gebbert, S.V.C .; F. York, J.V.C .; T. B. Spielman, Q.M .; H. N. Mason, A .; S. M. Duncan, S .; John Phillips, chap- lain; George Jacobs, O.G .; Thomas Hamilton, O.D.

The society of the order of the Golden Rule was organized January 29, 1885, with the following charter members: J. M. Duncan, Mary J. Duncan, Alexan- der Todd, E. T. Sapp, Frank Fuhr, Lulu Fuhr, Mattie Dines, Mamie White, Ab- bie White, W. G. Shrier, Frank Kel- logg, Jennie Pancake, Mrs. Samuel Fowler, and Flo White. The first offi- cers of this society were as follows: J. M. Duncan, C. P .; Frank Kellogg, C. C .; Mattie Dines, C. C .; Frank Fuhr, secre- tary; Alexander Todd, treasurer; Mamie White, first guard; E. F. Sapp, C. G .; Lou Fowler, 2d G .; W. G. Shrier, sentry.

The Mystic Brotherhood of Justice was organized in the fall of 1880, with 35 charter members. The officers elected at the time of the organization of the society were: J. R. Gamble, W. C .; M. A. Terry, P. C .; S. J. Creighton, V. C .; S. C. Pancake, treasurer; E. A. Worley, marshal. The society now numbers about 100 members, its object being home protection and to enforce the law against criminals. The funds, when needed, are created by assessments. The order is in a flourishing condition and has its grand lodge established at this place, with the following officers: G. S. Fuhr, G. W. C .; M. A. Terry, G. S .; J. F. Anderson. G. T.

The charter of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Blandinsville, con- tains the following members: Henry T. Gilfrey, Thomas Lindsey, Daniel Wood, Charles W. McElroy, and Delevan Mar- tin. The lodge was organized October

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150