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 112

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 112

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ing hand to those in need, and when any one has the misfortune to lose his home by fire or other similar accident, Mr. Head always gives liberally.

James C. Updegraff was born October 16, 1813, in Jefferson county, Ohio, and was the son of Joseph and Susan (Kin- sey) Updegraff. He left Ohio, in 1841, and settled near Lewiston, Fulton county, where he worked in a grist mill, he being a miller by trade. In 1856, he moved to McDonough county, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 27. He turned the first furrow on his farm. In 1859, he made a profession of religion and united with the Presbyterian church of Lewiston, under the pastorate of Rev. William McCandish. He transferred his membership, in 1858, to the Bar- dolph church, where he remained a con- sistent member until his death. He was married May 20, 1847, to Miss Humph- rey. She is a member of the Presbyte- rian church at Bardolph. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Updegraff- John C., Mary A., Frank K., Elmer J. and Carrie B. Carrie is a teacher, hav- ing taught several schools in the county, and John C., takes care of the home farm. Mr. Updegraff died October 27, -1883, and is interred in the M. E. ceme- tery, in Mound township. He served as supervisor several terms, and was an ac- tive republican in politics. He was deeply interested in educational matters, and for several terms served as town clerk, the town meetings being held at his house before the erection of the town hall at Bardolph.

Delas Shannon, the youngest son of Joseph and Delilah (Milner) Shannon, was born October 2, 1850, while his par-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ents were en-route from Ohio to Illinois. He spent his early life in McDonough county, and when 16 years of age, left home to go to Henderson county. He remained there a short time and returned home. In 1871-2, he traveled in Kan- sas and Missouri, returning to McDon- ough county in the spring of 1873. He was married December 23, 1877, to Mar- tha Phillips, daughter of David Phillips. He has four children-Fred, Austin, Mary and Charles. He resides on the southeast quarter of section 25.

James C. Smick, the youngest son of Lewis and Martha Smick, was born May 11, 1855, on the old homestead, on sec- tion 10, where his father yet resides. He worked on the farm until 1875, when he commenced a course of study at Knox college, Galesburg. He remained in school until he had acquired a fair edu- cation, and January 18, 1879, was mar- ried to Lois J. Flemming, a daughter of A. J. Flemming. He now resides on the east half of northeast quarter of section 15, where he has a beautiful home; his residence cost about $1,800. They have three children-Conwell H., Zella Zoe and Clara F.

Ornan Sperry was a native of Portage county, Ohio, and was born January 1, 1833, and when quite young, removed to Summit county. From this point he re- moved to Lee county, Iowa, and in 1860, returned to Fulton county, Illinois, and in 1861, took up his residence in Mc- Donough county. He was married Jan- uary 1, 1862, to Priscilla Smick, and for four years after his marriage, farmed on Mr. Smick's land. He then purchased a farm, which he afterward traded for the northeast quarter of section 15.

Here the father died in 1882, and is buried in the Bushnell cemetery. He left six children-William S., Albert W., Robert T., Lucy J., Martha E. and Win- nie M. William S., carries on the farm.

EDUCATIONAL.

At the last annual report of the county superintendent, for the year ending, June 30, 1884, there were in the district township of Mound 423 children of school age, 334 of whom were enrolled in the 10 schools of the township, none of which were graded. Seven and a half is the average number of months of school taught annually. Mound has 10 school buildings, which are all frame structures. The highest monthly wages paid any male teacher is $50, and the lowest $33, while the highest wages paid female teachers is $37.50, and the lowest $20. The estimated value of school property in Mound is $5,200, while the tax levy for the support of schools is $3- 124. The township is entirely free from any bonded indebtedness.

. An early school was taught by Dur- ham Creel, on section 20, near James Kepple's place, in 1839, or 1840. It was held in a frame school house, which was probably the second frame building erected in the township. The building was also used for church purposes and place of amusement.

In making a resurvey of school section 16, in 1849, the trustees were William McCandless, Joseph Crawford and David Kepple. It was surveyed by James' Brattle who did most of that work in the county at that time. The consideration was $1.25, to $1.30 per acre, all selling at this price.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The first school house in district No. 2, was built in 1862, at about the center of the district and was removed in 1868, about a half mile south to its present location on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 19. The building is 20x22, and was erected by H. A. White of Macomb, at a cost of about $450, the building commit- tee being composed of John W. Booth and James Jackson. Theodore Ken- drick, of Macomb, taught the first term of school therein. John W. Booth, Da- vid Kepple and James Jackson were the first directors of the district. The pres- ent directors are James Jackson, James Kepple and James Logan, and Emma Bethel teaches the school at present. This was the highest grade school at one time in the county, outside the city of Macomb.

The first school house in district No. 3, also known as Whitehall, was a small affair erected about the year 1852, on the northwest corner of the southeast quar- ter of section 14, where the Mound cem- etery is now located. In 1864, the pres- ent building was erected on the north- west corner of the southwest quarter of section 13, at a cost of $481.95.

District No. 4 .- Previous to 1855, school was held in Edward Dyer's house. In that year a frame house 22x30 feet was erected at a cost of $325. The pres- ent building, a good frame, was built in 1869, at a cost of $1,200, and is 22x36 feet in size. It is located on section 22.

Pleasant View, district No. 5 .- The first school house in this district was erected in 1858, on the southwest quar- ter of section 30, about 80 rods from the corner. The building was 18x26 feet in size and served the district until the pres-

ent house was erected in 1869. In the meantime the old building was removed to the center of the district in 1862, and the new house was constructed on tlie same site at the time above stated. The directors at present are S. V. Portlock, Peter Dougherty, and J. T. Kirkpatrick. Orie Beam is the teacher.

Cottonwood, district No. 6 .- Building located on the northeast corner of section 33. It was erected in 1865, and enlarged in 1877. The first teacher of the district was Mary Hipsley. Mrs. Clara Kepple teaches the school at present.

Langsford, district No. 7 .- The school house was moved from the New Phila- delphia district to its present location, the southwest corner of section 25, in 1863. The size of the building is 20x24 feet.

District No. 8 .- The building is loca- ted on section 2. The district was organ- ized in 1860, and the house erected the same year at a cost of $600, its size being 20x26 feet. The first directors were John Crowel, Moses Wilson, and William Cox. Mary Harper was one of the first teach- ers of the school.

District No. 9 .- The building is situa- ted on section 10, and was erected in 1864, at a cost of $800; size 22x32 feet. The year previous school was taught in a dwelling near the present house.

The school house in district No. 10, which is attended by children from New Philadelphia, was erected in the fall of 1877, by W. B. Jellison and Perry.Clark, on the northwest quarter of section 24. The contract for the erection was let for $800, and after completion was furnished by the district. The first term of school in this buiding was taught by James

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Ross. Previous to the erection of this building a school house was built on the same site several years ago, which was used by the district until the new struc- ture was completed.

STONE QUARRIES.

A good sand stone is found on sections 1 and 12, which is used for all purposes. Quarries are developed on the farms of Millington, Clark, Prindle and Hood, and large quantities of the stone are hauled to Bushnell and other points.

CLAY BANK.

There is a clay bank situated on the northwest quarter of section 12, and is owned and operated by Munson and Par- ker Hollister. Most of the clay used by the Bushnell tile works is taken from this bank. It is also a fine potter's clay, and is about six feet in thickness.

ORGANIZATION.

Mound township was organized at the time of the division of the county in 1857. The first township election was held on April 7th, of that year, at which time Lloyd Thomas and William Jackson were elected justices of the peace, and Samuel H. McCandless was chosen to represent the township on the board of supervisors. The present officers of the township are as follows: Supervisor, Joseph Shannon; clerk, W. C. Swayze; assessor, G. A. Cadwallader; collector, E. K. Richards.

CEMETERY.

Mound Chapel M. E. church cemetery was laid out August 15, 1874, on the land of A. J. Fleming, on the northwest quar-

ter of section 22; one acre was sold to the society for $50. The first burial was that of Peter Crownover. Besides he, Mrs. Atherton, Mrs. Vinson and George Greene were buried before the grounds were laid out by the society. '

HISTORIC ITEMS.

David Carter preached the first ser- · mon in the township at the house of Jacob Kepple, in 1835, the appointment here being in what was known as the Pulaski circuit.

Joseph Smith built the first cabin in 1832, on section 18.

The first marriage was that of James Osborne and Ruth Smith, May 14, 1834.

The second marriage was Edward Dyer and Jane Kepple. The ceremony was performed by Rev. John P. Richmond, April 17, 1838.

Josephine Kulp was the first birth, about the year 1834.

The first justice of the peace was S. H. McCandless, who was also the first supervisor.

. The first church was organized by Rev. John P. Richmond, a Methodist divine, at the house of Jacob Kepple.

The first death in the township was that of an infant child of James and Ruth Osborne, in 1835.

NEW PHILADELPHIA.

The first plat was made by Lloyd Thomas, in August and September, 1858, when the railroad was first surveyed. When the railroad was constructed, it ran about half a mile to the north of the first survey, and J. H. and B. B. Wilson platted a town, in 1868, on the railroad, and called it Grant. The post office at

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

New Philadelphia was soon afterward removed thither, sustaining its original name, and the station was also called New Philadelphia, so that the present village is more generally known by this name, although its present plat was made and appears upon the records as Grant. There is nothing upon the old site to in- dicate a town at present. All the busi- ness which was ever transacted there was by Lloyd Thomas and his son John. The former built the first store, in 1859, and put in a stock of dry goods, grocer- ies, etc. He operated the same until 1877, when he closed out the stock. In 1860, John Thomas put up a store building on the plat, putting in a stock of groceries, which he closed out in 1878. The post office was established in 1856, and Lloyd Thomas appointed postmaster.

THE NEW TOWN.

New Philadelphia, or Grant, is located on the east half of section 23, on a rather flat plain, or low land. It is situated on the line of the Toledo, Peoria and War- saw railroad, four miles south of Bush- nell, and in a valuable farming district, capable of supporting a town of consid- erable size. The first lots were pur- chased by Samuel Kost, in 1868, who put up two store buildings. In the fall of 1876, W. B. Jellison bought 14 acres from the main street, running west, and Mar- tin Robinson purchased 18 acres running east from the main street. Each gentle- man laid off 16 lots, and, through com- petition, induced buyers to purchase, and succeeded in disposing of them. A great deal of the building improvements of New Philadelphia were made by Mr.

Jellison. About 1,500 cars of grain and 600 car loads of stock are shipped from the place annually.

Jacob Walters, of Bushnell, opened the first store in one of the Kost build- ings. He put in a general stock, and operated the same about a year, when he was succeeded by Samuel Kost, the owner of the building.

Plecker & Hunt, of Bushnell, put in the second stock in the remaining store building erected by Samuel Kost. They carried on the business about a year, when they sold out to LeMaster and Swayze, and returned to Bushnell. In 1879 this firm was succeeded by James F. LeMaster, who carries a stock of gro- ceries, hardware, etc.

James F. LeMaster was born in San- gamon county, near Springfield, De- cember 17, 1848. His parents were Jos- eph and Sarah (Yocum) LeMaster. They came to McDonough county in 1863, but in the spring of the next year, the father, with his son James, went across the plains to Oregon, where they re- mained three years engaged in farming. After returning to this county, he re- mained one year on a farm, and then re- moved to Marshall county, Iowa, and from there to Indiana, where he staid one season, and then returned to this county, and in 1872, went into business

in New Philadelphia, keeping a general country store. He died in the spring of 1876, his wife having died several years previous. James was the only surviv- ing child. In 1869, he started out for himself, and was engaged in farming un- til his father's death, when he came and took the store. He has been married twice, the first time to Jane A. Sheets,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

September 8, 1870. She lived until March 15, 1875, when she died leaving two children-Ellis, born September 9, 1871, who is now living; and John, who died shortly after his mother's death. His next marriage occurred September 26, 1877, to Elizabeth Cullumbia, daugh- ter of John Cullumbia, in Mound town- ship. She died October 28, 1882, leav- ing no children. Mr. LeMaster is well known as the present postmaster of New Philadelphia, having succeeded to that position on the death of his father.

In the fall of 1877, Martin Robinson erected a building, 20x50 feet, two stories high, in which he put a stock of grocer- ies. He ran it about a year, with a very small trade, after which the building laid idle until occupied by W. H. Miner, in the fall of 1878, who put in a stock of general merchandise. In July, 1884, Mr. Miner removed his stock to the building made vacant by the assignment of Porter & Cowperthwaite, where he is still carrying on business. The build- ing is 20x50 feet in ground area and two stories high.

J. H. Nebergall engaged in the sale of groceries, etc., in 1877, which he op- erated about a year in the edifice also used by him as a residence, and for the ac- comodation of the traveling public, when he disposed of the stock to H. C. Swayze. He again embarked in this line in Au- gust, 1882, in the building he removed to its present location, adjoining the ho- tel and residence, in 1881. He does a fair business and carries a stock of about $600.

John Henry Nebergall was born March 5, 1838, in Augusta county, Virginia, and was reared a farm. When he was

seven years of age, his parents removed to Astoria, Fulton county, reaching that village some time in 1848. His father traded for 80 acres of land near Astoria, and remained there until 1854. In 1855, he sold out and purchased 40 acres of land in Fulton county. The parents died while living in this section. When our subject was quite young he "worked out" for neighboring farmers, and re- ceived the princely stipend of $4 per month for his first month's labor. He was married June 24, 1860, to Arminia W. St. Clair. For some years after their marriage they lived in Lewiston, and then moved to Canton, where Mr. Nebergall engaged in the pump busi- ness. The family settled on a farm in Mound township in 1865, but soon after returned to Bushnell. After several changes, our subject settled on the farm where he now resides, in 1877, and is classed among the successful and enter- prising farmers. They have two child- ren-Della and George.

H. W. Sheets engaged in the sale of general merchandise in the fall of 1879, being a successor to Samuel Kost. He carries a large and well assorted stock of goods as is usually found in a store of this kind. The main building is 20x40 feet in dimensions, with an addition 20x20 feet in size. Mr. Sheets com- mands a good trade and is the principal merchant in the place.

Henry W. Sheets is a native of Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He was born on March 17, 1836, and is the son of George W. and Ellen Sheets. In 1840, Mr. Sheets removed to Illinois, and settled in Mound township, McDonough county, where he took up 80 acres of land, which

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

he has added to from time to time, until he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres. Our subject was married, in 1857, to Mary Dimkle. The result of this union was seven children, of whom five are living. He is now a justice of the peace in Mound township, and at different times has held various township offices. He is an active, earnest citizen, deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to his county and township.

R. B. Butler erected a building in 1877, 12x18 feet in ground area, and en- gaged in the sale of groceries and feed. He is still a representative of that line of trade.

In the fall of 1881, Porter & Cowper- thwaite, of Bardolph, engaged in busi- ness at this point. They put in a stock of hardware and drugs, which they op- erated about three years, when they failed, and the stock was closed out.

Swayze & Gordon are engaged in the manufacture of wagons, buggies, etc., and also do a general repairing business. The business was established in Septem- ber, 1877, by Thomas Royal, as a wagon shop. He ran it until November 20, of that year, when he was succeeded by Samuel Gustin. While the business was being operated by Gustin, a black- smith shop was added by Martin Robin- - son. J. Hageman afterward succeeded Robinson. On the 1st day of April, 1880, W. C. Swayze took charge of the wagon shop, and in October, 1882, W. B. Gordon succeeded Hageman in the blacksmith department, since which time the business has been operated jointly, and under the firm name of Swayze & Gordon, the former having exclusive charge of the wagon shop, and the latter

of the blacksmith department. The wagon making department is 16x44 feet in size, while the other is 16x24 feet in . dimensions. This firm have all the bus- iness they can attend to, their patronage extending over a radius of 15 miles.

William B. Gordon was born June 11, 1839, in Macomb, and lived in that city until 1849, when he removed to Augusta, Hancock county, and resided there until 1856, when he came back to Macomb. He lived with his parents until 1858, when he commenced with his uncle, Robert Broaddus, to learn the blacksmith trade. He worked for him about 18 months, and left Macomb in 1880, and was at different places in the state. In 1865 he settled in Bardolph, and ran a wagon and blacksmith shop, part of the time alone, part of the time in partnership with Lewis Wilson. In 1880 he sold out, and moved his family to Vermont, Ful-, ton county, where he left his family and went to the mining districts of Colorado, and was gone about 10 months. He came home, and moved to Bushnell, where he opened a blacksmith shop, in July, 1881; sold out and went to Ma- comb, to work in the wagon shop of Price & Son. In October, 1882, he established himself in the blacksmith business in New Philadelphia, where he still con- tinues. He was married, November 7, 1865, to Mary Durell, of Vermont. They have four children living and three de- ceased. The eldest, Hattie, was 10 months old; Charles, died at the age of 3 years and 2 months; Terry, 22 months; Margaret, Walter, George and Ralph are all at home. Mr. Gordon is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Bardolph, being one of the organizers of the lodge.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Wellington Clernan Swayze is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, born the 21st of April, 1855. His parents are Jacob and Elizabeth (Yetter) Swayze, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother, of Pennsylvania. The elder Swayze died in Pennsylvania, leaving a widow, who still resides at the old home, Wellington learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1878 he came to New Philadel- phia, and worked for his brother in the grain business. The next year he hired out on a farm, but in the winter worked for his brother in the grain business. In the spring of 1880, he opened out in the wagon-making business on his own ac- count, and is now doing a good business, starting with nothing,' comparatively speaking. In the spring of 1885, he was duly elected clerk of the town of Mound. He was married, March 12, 1884, to Della Nebergall, daughter of John Neb- ergall, and has a home in the north part of the village.

The grain business now carried on by Henry C. Swayze was established by George Fritz, of Bushnell, at the time the railroad was completed to the place. William Steele carried on the business for Fritz until 1868, when the latter gen- tleman sold out to S. A. Hendee & Co., of Bushnell. They let it lay idle for about a year, when the present proprie- tor came into possession of the business. The building is 28x50 feet in ground area, and contains bins with a capacity of 5,000 bushels. On account of com- petition and cutting up of territory, bus- iness has considerably decreased during the past two years. From Aug. 9, 1882, until April 1, 1885, Mr. Swayze has ship- ped 174 cars of grain, mostly to Peoria.

The grain business is also represented by William H. Miner, who established the same in 1879, building an office on the main street near the railroad. He erected a warehouse 24x40 feet in dimen- sions, and with a capacity of 4,000 bushels. There are also corn cribs, with a capacity of 12,000 bushels. He ships principally to Peoria.

G. W. Solomon & Co. engaged in the stock business in 1880, the firm being composed of G. W. Solomon, J. A. Cow- perthwaite and W. N. Porter. This firm continued in the purchase and shipment of stock until November, 1883, when they were succeeded by S. A. D. Farr and J. A. Cowperthwaite. This firm are among the present representatives in this line, and do a business of about $40,000 annually. They ship to Chicago and Peoria, principally the former place. Mr. Farr is the principal buyer.

S. A. D. Farr, the subject of this sketch is a native of Fulton county, and was born near Ipava, October 29, 1854. He farmed for several years and then re- moved to Nebraska, where he engaged in agriculture. He returned in 1880, and went into the lumber business, and sold out to Mr. Cowperthwaite in 1883, and engaged in the stock trade as noted be- low. He was married December 23, 1873, to Phrania Lindsey and has four children. In 1883, Mr. Farr entered. into partnership with Mr. Cowperthwaite in the stock business and the firm now does a business amounting to $40,000, annually. They buy principally in Ful- ton and McDonough counties, and ship from various points. They handle all grades of fat cattle, and their principal markets are Chicago and Peoria. Mr.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Farr is the manager for the firm, and at- tends to the business details.

The stock business is also represented by Henry C. Swayze. He commenced buying stock in 1877, shipping to Chi- cago during the winter and to Peoria dur- ing the summer seasons. For the year ending March 1, 1855, he did a business of nearly $17,000. He is also engaged in the sale of the Leman tile, commenc- ing the sale of the same in 1884. In 1882, he handled the Bushnell tile.

HOTEL.

J. H. Nebergall operates the only hotel in the place. It is not considered a reg- ular hotel, as it is more of a private res- idence, although the traveling public are accommodated here. The house was built in 1877. Mr. Nebergall is also en- gaged in the sale of groceries in a build- ing adjoining.

George W. Makinson is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was born February 25, 1843. He passed his early life on a farm in Ohio. He enlisted early in 1861, as a private in an Ohio regiment, and served for three months, when he was discharged on account of failing health. He recovered, and in July, 1862, enlisted in company B, 98th regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. J. B. Mitchell, as a private, and was after- wards promoted to corporal, and served as such until the Atlanta campaign, when he was made orderly sergeant, and discharged as such, with a commission as 2d lieutenant. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Graysville, Mis- sion Ridge, Knoxville and a number of minor engagements. He was in the famous march to the sea, and was in the

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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 112

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