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 111

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 111

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Garret Ackerson Cadwalader, one of the prominent citizens of Mound town- ship, has his residence on section 11, where he owns 336 acres of excellent land, and some 40 acres on section 2. He came to McDonough county in February, 1865, and for the following four years

lived north of Bushnell, one mile. In 1869, he removed to his present location: In 1877, his residence was destroyed by fire, when he commenced the erection of his present dwelling. His farm, which is all under a high state of cultivation, is situated on the mound from which the township derives its name. Mr. Cad- walader is a native of Fulton county, Ill- inois, born July 8th, 1835, and is the son of Isaac Cadwalader, one of the earliest settlers of that county, and now among the wealthiest of her citizens, and of Elizabeth (Ackerson) Cadwalader, who were married in 1831, in Fulton county. Garret resided at home until his mar- riage on September 21, 1859, to Eliza- beth Kost. This estimable lady died July 24, 1872, leaving four children- Henry L., now in Fulton county; Isaac L., a resident of Mound township; Laura E., wife of John Crawford, also a resi- dent of this locality, and Ollie M., at home. On the 22d of October, 1874, Mr. Cadwalader was again united in matri- mony, this time with Mrs. Nancy Cash- man, nee Crawford. This union has been blest by one child-Willie H. Mrs. Cad- walader, by her former marriage, has two children-George W. and John H. In politics, Mr. Cadwalader is, and has always been since the organization of the party, a republican, and has held the of- fice of assessor since 1881. He is also, one of the school board of the township, and takes a great interest in educational and church matters. In the latter he is a church trustee, class leader, and assist- ant superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is, also, a member of the time hon- ored fraternity of Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, belonging to Bushnell

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lodge No. 307. A truly upright man, he squares his life with the teaching of both church and society, and enjoys the re- spect and esteem of all his neighbors.

George W. Hutchins was born in Cum- berland county, Kentucky, January 24, 1836, and is the son of William and Jane (Pace) Hutchins. His father died in the above mentioned state, but his mother is still living in the old home. In 1853, George W. came to McDonough county with his brother to visit an un- cle, William Pace, but decided to remain. He, at once, entered upon his work here, first driving the stage from Macomb to Carthage, but soon afterward went to work for Isaac Grantham, then a resident of Macomb. He then came to Mound township, and was in the employ of Ed- ward Dyer, for a time. In the winter of 1854-5, he went to Missouri, but being taken sick, he returned to Macomb, and was employed in the slaughter house during the winter. For several years he was engaged in farming, renting farms for that purpose. In 1860, he was in Texas, farming, but soon came back, lo- cating in the township of Mound. On the breaking out of the great rebellion in 1861, he enlisted in company F, 55th Ill- inois infantry regiment, at Bushnell, and was mustered into the service of the government, at Chicago. In the san- guinary battle of Shiloh, he was wounded, and shortly afterwards was transferred to Quincy, Illinois, where he acted in the hospital corps. He was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service, and returning to this locality was, on the 2d of December, 1864, united in marriage with Phebe Beaver, with whom he lived until July 12, 1877, when she died, leav-

ing five children-Sarah J., Fannie B., William L., Mary C., and Charles F. In July, 1878 he again entered upon the married state with Mrs. Sarah E. Hel- lyer, nee Welch, who at the time had three children-Frederick A., David H. and Minnie B. The result of this union has been three children-Clarence E., Herman C. and Goldie G. When Mr. Hutchins was first married he resided in Fulton county for about three years when he came back to this township and purchased land on section 13, but in 1875, moved to his present location on 14, owning 130 acres of fine land. He made most of the improvements. He is now director of school affairs in district No. 3, and has been road commissioner since 1870.

John W. Booth, the eldest son, was born March 16, 1827, in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was married at Bar- dolph, Illinois, to Mary F. Jackson, daughter of Rev. Wmn. H. Jackson, Jan- uary 15, 1851. They settled on a farm in Mound township,' on section 18, where they still reside. Their farm, of 320 acres, is one of the best improved in this part of the state. Their family consists of seven children, of whom only three are living-John F., Henry L. and Clar- ence J. Those deceased are-Alta V., Albert D., Herbert L., and Gracie May. Alta V. Booth was born November 27, 1851, died July 25, 1874; Albert D. was born August 23, 1858, died October 22, 1880; Herbert L. died in infancy; Gracie May was born June 14, 1868, died No- vember 25, 1871.

John F. Booth was married to Flor- encè B. Archer, on December 30, 1875, and resides in Macomb, this county,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

where he is engaged in the grocery bus- iness, with his brother Henry L. Clar- ence J. is engaged in farming on the home place.

Geo. Booth, Sr., was born in county of Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1796, and at the age of 27, was married to Isabel Orr, of the same county; they immedi- ately sailed for America, landing. at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods, continuing the business for seven years. He next removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he engaged in farm- ing, and remained there until the year 1843, when he, with his family, removed to McDonough county, Illinois, where he continued farming the balance of his life. Unto George and Isabel Booth were born 11 children, five of whom are now living- John W., George J., Rob- ert, Mary A., Sarah J. and James O. George J. Booth died at the age of 47 - years, at his residence, in Bardolph, this county. The three oldest children died in infancy.

Lewis Smick came from Boyle county, Kentucky, in 1851, and lived in the city of Macomb, and worked at the carpen- ter's trade two years. In 1853 he bought 240 acres of land in Mound township, where he has continued to reside. He was born April 2, 1809. His father was from Pennsylvania, and a hatter by trade; his mother was also from Penn- sylvania; they both died in Kentucky. Lewis was married in that state, on the 17th of October, 1839, to Martha Bard Adams, a native of that state. They have raised five children-William A. was educated at Ashland and Louisiana, Missouri, and at the theological school

in Princeton, New Jersey. After grad- uating, he went to Rosebury, Oregon, as a preacher in the Presbyterian church, where he now is; John W., married Lydia Woody, and now lives in part of the house with his parents; Priscilla Jane, married Ornan Sperry, and lives on a farm adjoining her father's; James C., married Lois Fleming, and lives on an adjoining farm; Nancy D., married P. W. Moor, and is deceased. Mr. Smick and wife are members of the Re- form church. Mr. Smick has frequently been honored with public office, and has filled the position of justice of the peace; he is now school trustee. He has always been an earnest republican.

A. J. Fleming was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, on the 27th day of February, 1831. His grandparents on his father's side were from Ireland, and on his mother's side from Scotland. Both of his grandfathers were in the battle of Bunker Hill. His parents were born in Fauquier county, Virginia. In the fall of 1832, when A. J. was yet a mere child, his parents removed from Virginia to Ohio, locating near London, in Madison county. The family consisted of the parents and seven children, six of whom were girls and one a boy. A. J. lived with his parents until the spring of 1851. He then came west, and located in Mc- Donough county, choosing a home. on section 16, Mound township, and has ever since been a resident of this town- ship. He was married, March 11, 1852, to E. C. Melvin. They have five chil- dren, four girls and one boy. Four of the children are married-Lois Ida was married to James Smick; Cornelia was married to Wesley Postlock; Conwell, to

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Alice Jackson; Francie, to Joshua Lind- sey. Mr. Fleming has spent his life in farm work, and by good management has accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods. His mother died June 26, 1866, and his father, August 6, 1876.

John Slater is a native of England, having been born near the city of Man- chester, in Lancashire, June 24, 1826. He is a son of Jonathan and Anna (Tay- lor) Slater, the latter a relative of Zach- ary Taylor, "old rough and ready," as he is familiarly called. Mr. Slater came to America in 1851, and on the 23d of December of that year, located in New- ark, New Jersey, where he worked in a machine shop, having followed that line of trade in the cotton mills of his native place. Here he remained about two years, when he removed to Whitneyville, Massachusetts, where he labored in a cotton mill. In 1865, he came to this locality settling in Canton, Fulton county, where he lived for four years, when he removed to this county, locating at New Philadelphia. He bought the 80 acre lot where the depot now stands, but soon sold it, and purchased the place he now owns and resides upon. This farm con- sists of 120 acres of land on the north- west quarter of section 24, 85 acres on section 17, and 52 acres on section 23. Mr. Slater was married in England June 14, 1851, to Esther Butterworth, a na- tive of "white cliffed Albion." Six chil- dren have been sent to bless their hearth, four of whom are living-Ed- mund T., Mary H. T., Sarah E., and Adaline. The two deceased were Vic- toria and John. Mr. Slater has always been interested in educational matters, and has been director of the school board

from district No. 10, for the past nine years. When he came to America he was poor, like so many others who cross the ocean to better their condition, but now, with a comfortable competency,and surrounded by all the conveniences of life, he looks back with pleasure at the road he has traveled.

Henry H. Nance, M. D., was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, March 4, 1841. He is a son of William and Susan Nance. The Nance family are of French descent, but William was born in In- diana. After the birth of Henry, the subject of this sketch, the family re- mained but three weeks in Schuyler county, and then removed to Vermont, Fulton county. As an illustration of the difference between those times and the present, it may be related that they traveled to their new home in a two- wheeled cart, drawn by calves. Arriv- ing at Vermont, William, the father, im- mediately set up in the practice of his profession, which was that of medicine. While thus engaged, his son, Henry, learned to like the healing art, and was accustomed to assist his father, while yet a boy, in the handling of medicine. He also went with his father on his pro- fessional calls, often being of assistance to him, and was thus enabled to acquire a practical insight into the mysteries of the science, in his daily life. He was educated at Vermont, and upon finishing his schooling, became a teacher, in which occupation, though quite young, he was successful. He continued in this employment until after he had reached his 20th year. The dark war cloud was then hanging like a pall over the coun- try. The young and ardent patriotism

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

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of our subject could only be satisfied with actual service in defense of his country's flag, and accordingly, the 2d day of August, 1862, found his name en- rolled on the roster of company B, 84th Illinois infantry. He was mustered in at Quincy, and soon was at the front in the gallant army of the Cumberland. This enlistment also gave him splendid opportunities for advancement in his profession, as he went in as a hospital attendant. For a time, he served as nurse in the hospital at Quincy. He was then assigned to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he was made hospital steward. By order of General Rose- crans, he was detailed to division head- quarters, and then to department head- quarters, on the staff of General Sher- man, with whom he started on the cele- brated march to the sea. After the cap- ture of Atlanta, he was put in charge of the dispensary at headquarters in that city. After the evacuation of Atlanta, he was transferred to Lookout Moun- tain, and was made assistant surgeon. There he remained, serving in that ca- pacity till the close of the war. At the cessation of hostilities he came home, and after three months, went to Ann Arbor university, in September, 1865. He graduated there in the medical de- partment, on March 10, 1866. He then went to Wheeling, West Virginia. In the meantime he was married, on the 27th day of February, 1866, to Susan E. Rinkes, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Samuel Rinkes. Both of her parents had died previous to her marriage. Shortly after his marriage, the doctor returned again to Illinois, and practiced during the summer and fall of 1866 at

Vermont. He soon came to McDonough county, and purchased the southwest quarter of section 4, Mound township, one and a half miles south of Bush- nell. He practiced here two or three years, but on account of kidney com- plaint, was compelled to give up riding at the call of patients. He has devoted considerable time and means to making his farm a model, and it may be truly said that he has one of the best tile drained farms in the county, he being a strong advocate of tiling for farm pur- poses. He is at present engaged in the life insurance business, and is a director in the Western Mutual, of Bushnell. He was a charter member of the G. A. R. post, at Bushnell, and was its quarter- master for two years. Five children live to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Nance. Their names are-Charles M., William C., Mary E., Kate L., and Susie R.

The Jacobs family, Seth, and two sis- ters, reside on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 16. Their parents were Amasa and Lois (Moore) Jacobs. The father was a native of Connecticut, the mother of Vermont, but they subsequently removed to Onan- daga county, New York, where they were married. The names of their chil- dren were-Luther; Peter; Zerviah, died in New York; Francis M., deceased; Amasa, living in Cass county, Iowa; Lois C .; Sylvia, deceased; Clark, deceased; Lucina; Clarissa, wife of Robert Adcock, now living in California; Elmina, de- ceased; and James G., deceased. In the fall of 1844, Luther, Peter, and Lois came west, traveling by wagon, and set- tled at Table Grove, Fulton county, this state, where Luther taught school. In

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1846, the parents came also, with the re- mainder of the family, except Zerviah, who died in New York. In the spring of 1848, they removed to New Salem township, McDonough county. Here Mrs. Jacobs died, October 10, 1855; Mr. Jacobs died, October 4, 1857; they were buried at Table Grove. The children were married, with the exception of Lois, Lucina, Elmina and Seth. They located four and one-half miles south of Bardolph, in New Salem township. There they remained four years, then sold the farm and went to Bardolph, where they bought the hotel property. They conducted the hotel for three years, then came to their present loca- tion, on section 16, Mound township. On the 22d of September, 1869, Elmina died, leaving Seth and two sisters on the farm. The latter are members of the United Brethren church, at Mound. Their parents were also members of the same church.

Rufus T. Allen is a native of Pulaski county, Kentucky, born August 29, 1819. His parents were David and Patsey (Harris) Allen, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of Vir- ginia. Rufus T. grew to manhood in Pulaski county, Kentucky, and was mar- ried there, November 19, 1840, to Rhoda Adams, a native of Pulaski county, who was born December 15, 1819. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Adams, who were of Irish descent. In 1863, our subject came to McDonough county, and located about one-half mile north of what is now Good Hope. There he remained but a short time before he bought the northeast quarter of section 33, Mound township, to which he re-

moved. The improvements on this farm have all been put on by Mr. Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of three children --- John, James, and Eliza- beth, who is the wife of William In- gram. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are both members of the Free Will Baptist church. The family is much respected by their friends.

James K. Kepple is the oldest child of David Kepple. He was born July 31, 1838, on section 19, Mound town- ship, and has ever since been identified with McDonough county. He was reared on the home place, and on the 24th day of March, 1859, he was mar- ried to Jane A. Greene,a sister of W. H. Greene. In October, 1861,he removed to the farm which his father had given him, on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 20. He soon bought the remainder of that quarter, and now owns the north half of the southwest quarter of section 17. He has made all the improvements on his place, and now has a splendid farm. Mr. and Mrs. Kepple are the parents of six children -Clara E., teaching; Lucy Ann, Etta M., Richard F., married Della M. Young, and lives in this township; Ollie J. and Bessie. Mr. Kepple has been making the raising of shorthorn cattle a spe- cialty, which he raises and sells for breeding purposes. He also brought the first full-blood Clydesdale horse into the township, going to Canada for him, in 1875. He has handled this line of horses ever since, and now has some fine brood mares. He also has fine stock of other kinds, and is known as a leading competitor at the state fairs of Iowa and Missouri. Among his recol-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

lections of early life in McDonough county, Mr. Kepple remembers how, when a boy, he had to go three or four miles to school, and, if returning after dark, it was no uncommon thing to hear the wolves, which then abounded, yelp- ing around him. He has served the township as collector, assessor and supervisor, and has been school director for 10 years. He is a popular man, and enjoys the esteem of his fellow cilizens.

David Beale was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th day of November, 1828. His parents were Benjamin and Hannah (Wykoff) Beale. His mother was of German descent. David, Sr., grandfather of our subject, died in Beaver county, and Benjamin removed to Virginia, where he and his wife both died. Our subject was mar- ried, on the 11th day of May, 1847, in Hancock county, Virginia, to Elizabeth A. Allison. In 1857 they removed to Illinois, locating in Mound township, this county. When they first came to this township, they located on section 21, but in the spring of 1860, they re- moved to their present location. Mr, Beale owns the east half of the north- east quarter,and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 19 There he has made all the improvements, and made a fine farm. His wife died on the 9th day of May, 1868. By their marriage there were nine children- Hannah Mary, deceased; Lynna, Sarah J., John S., Agnes B., Benjamin F., Ed- ward M., Luella F. and William A. He was again married in February, 1871, to Mrs. Layander C. McHenry, nee Robertson. By this marriage there have been two children-Elizabeth May

and Nannie G. He is an honored mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., and also of the Golden Rule.

John M. Work, was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th day of November, 1834. His parents were John and Margaret ( Mccluskey ) Work. She was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. When our sub- ject was yet a boy, his parents removed to southern Ohio, where the family was reared. In 1866, they removed to this county, and purchased the east half of the southeast quarter of section 16, Mound township. There the parents lived until their death, Mr. Work dying in 1872, and his wife in 1869. Both were Presbyterians. They were the pa- rents of eight children. Of these, seven grew to manhood and womanhood, and six are now living-four sons and two daughters. John M., was married in Ohio, in 1860, to Jane Gibbony. After his marriage, Mr. Work removed with his wife to Illinois, and located in this county and township. In 1864, he lost his wife by death. There were three children by this marriage, of whom one, Alice M., is living. He was married again, on the 28th of June, 1865, to Mar- tha J. Hervey, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. She is a daugh- ter of Henry and Mary (Yates) Her- vey. She came to this county from 'Pe- oria county. Mr. Work has some thor- oughbred horses, than which no finer are to be found in the country. He has them for breeding purposes. He is a man with sufficient of the love of sport in his composition to be fond of the chase, and owns a fine pack of fox-hounds, with which he often indulges in his fav-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

orite amusement. Mr. and Mrs. Work · are genial people, and are known for their hospitality, on any and all occa- sions. J. M., and S. Work were the first importers of Berkshire hogs in this vici- nity. They first imported from M. H. Cochrane, Compton, Quebec, Canada, and then from William Edward Tombs, Oxfordshire, England. In 1869, all their importing was done from Canada. Since 1865, they have paid much atten- tion to this business, and they shipped and showed their stock together, until within a recent date. Their hogs were kept on land lying in sections 17 and 15. They did a large and lucrative business. John M., still follows the business on his farm.

William H. Greene was born in Che- nango county, New York, January 25, 1837. His parents were Jonathan and Lucy P. (Breed) Greene, both of whom were natives of New London county, Connecticut. The family is of English descent. General Greene, of revolu- tionary fame, and the grandfather of William were own cousins. In 1851, William came to Farmington, Fulton county, and there started a dairy, which was the first in this part of the country. In 1856, he came to McDonough county, and located on the northeast quarter of section 17, Mound township. Here they have made all the improvements. Jonathan died December 19, 1873, on this farm. His wife died November 9, 1877. They are buried at Bushnell. Both were members of the Baptist church at Bushnell, and Jonathan was a life member of the Baptist theological seminary, at Chicago. Four children were born to them-William H., with

whom this sketch . was commenced; Jane A., wife of James Kepple; Ange- line R., wife of John M. Fleming; Mary E., wife of A. C. Fleming, now living in Quincy. William H., yet re- tains the old homestead. He was mar- ried to Mary C. McLean, on March 23, 1861. She died October 15, 1864. By their marriage there were three chil- dren-Julia, Annette, who died Septem- ber 20, 1864, and one who died in in- fancy. He was again married to Hattie W. Bemis, of Elyria, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 1866. By this marriage there were seven children-the first died in infancy-Willie W., Mary T., George H., deceased; Hattie M., Charles E., and Carrie E. William H. Greene, the subject of this sketch, is a member of the A. O. U. W., and also of the Golden Rule. When the grange movement was popular throughout the country, he was master of the lodge here four years. In his early years he took an interest in landscape crayon drawing, and has in his house, some fine specimens of his work. His sons also, have a taste in the same direction. The family are mem- bers of the Baptist church at Bushnell. Mr. Greene is the only remaining one of the organizers of that church.

Bigger Head, was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 12th day of Octo- ber, 1812. His father was William Head, a native of Pennsylvania. Wil- liam's father was Bigger Head, who was born in Wales, but removed to America, locating in Pennsylvania. William, the father of the subject of this sketch, went to Kentucky, where he was mar- ried to Mary McLaughlin, a native of that state. A short time after the mar-

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riage he removed to Ohio, where his family of 14 children, 11 sons and three daughters, were born. Four of them came to Illinois and located in McDon- ough county. Two of them died, and are buried in Macomb, while one re- turned to Ohio, so that Bigger, the sub- ject of this sketch, is the only one of the family now living in McDonough county. Bigger's first settlement in Mc- Donough county, was in the year 1852, on sections 26 and 23, Macomb township, where he owned three quarter sections. He still retains 340 acres of the original tract. In 1876, he removed to section 7, Mound township, where he bought 80 acres on the northwest quarter, and 80 acres adjoining in Macomb township. Mr. and Mrs. Head have had 11 chil- dren, whose names are as follows: Harriet, deceased; Ellen, deceased; James, deceased; Catharine; Maria; Rennick R. S .; Jennie; Alta, deceased; Newton; Johnnie, deceased; and Hettie. All are living near the home place, ex- cept Jennie, Catharine and Newton. Jennie is in Nebraska; Catharine is in Missouri, and Newton is a salesman for a Peoria grocery house. Mr. Head now has 504 acres of land. He has been a member of the M. E. church, for 45 years, and is now connected with the Bushnell congregation. He has held some official position for 40 years. He has never been on a jury, and never was in a court room two hours in his life. Mr. Head has assisted largely in build- ing six churches. He is always a lib- eral subscriber to things of that char- acter. He hewed the timber for three churches, while a resident of Ohio. He has always been ready to extend a help-

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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 111

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