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 113

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 113

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

battle of Bentonville, where Col. Reaves was killed, and finally wound up his ca- reer as a soldier in the grand review at Washington. He was discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, and began studying for the ministry. After a course of study, and some time spent in teaching, he went to Tennessee, where he was connected with the Freedmen's bureau, in 1867- 68. After some years of varied experi- ence, he entered the railroad service, and during the strike of 1877, filled two mens places, at different points. He was mar- ried, April 10, 1869, to Alice Baughman. They have three children. He is a mem- ber of lodge 71, I. O. O. F., Warsaw, Hancock county.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first marriage in the town, was Isom B. Shaw and Mary J., daughter of J. H. Wilson, in 1873.

The first death was Mrs. J. A. LeMas- ter, a daughter of George Sheets, and a sister of H. W. Sheets. Her death oc- curred March 15, 1875.

OTHER PROMINENT PEOPLE.

James Harvey Langsford, one of the most prominent citizens of Mound town- ship, was born June 20, 1817, near Bardstown, in Nelson county, Kentucky. His father, Nicholas Langsford, was a native of Plymouth, England, and came to this county when a boy, of some 16 years, and learned the trade of a tailor in one of the eastern states. Upon com- ing to Nelson county, he was soon after married to Sallie Tichinor, and never moved from that county. He died in 1838, and his wife followed a few years later. When 21 years of age, James H.,

982

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

settled in Adams county, in this state, where for some 20 years he cultivated a farm. He was married April 20, 1843, to Narcissa Dunlap, daughter of Andrew and Rachel (Malone) Dunlap, both na- tives of Kentucky, who came to Adams county, Illinois, in 1841, and both died there. From Adams county, Mr. and Mrs. Langsford came to McDonough county in August, 1859, and settled on section 26, in Mound township, where he purchased 160 acres, upon which he now lives. He has since purchased more land and sold some. He occupies all the land that he owns, and has the reputa- tion of being one of the best farmers in the township. Mr. Langsford's mother was a descendant of John Oldham, who came over in the Mayflower. Although Mr. Langsford and his wife were child- less, yet there are several young men and women now living, who, as children, have been the objects of their love and kindness. Samuel Ramage, now in Cali- fornia, grew to manhood under their care and protection. Mary Carnes, Narcissa Messick, and several others, have lived in the family for years. Mr. Langsford is an active christian, and has frequently served as superintendent in a neighbor- ing Sabbath school. Mrs. Langsford has two younger sisters, who were reared by Mr. and Mrs. Langsford from in- fancy. The younger one, Lizzie E., is still with them; the elder, Louisa J., is in Kansas.

James H. Wilson, son of Samuel and Ann Wilson (formerly Boyle) was born June 11, 1826. Samuel Wilson, his father, was born in February, 1785, and died September 14, 1841. Ann Wilson, his mother, was born August 15, 1798,

and died September 5, 1884. When James H. was but 18 months old, or in the fall of 1827, his parents emigrated to the northern part of Putnam county, Indiana, then a very new country, heavy timber, plenty of wild game, such as bears, deer, wolves, etc. They bought land and improved a large farm in that place. James remained on the old home- stead till 1849. In 1843 he joined the Christian church at what was called the Hebron church, under the preaching of P. M. Harris, his cousin by marriage. He still lived on the same farm till May, 1849, when, in company with P. M. Harris, he took a little tour west, cross- ing the Wabash river near Terre Haute, Indiana, thence to Paris, Decatur, Sugar Grove, crossing the Illinois river at Havana, thence to Table Grove, Ma- comb, Blandinsville, crossing the Mis- sissippi at Fort Madison Iowa, thence to Ottumwa, Iowa, all a very new country at that time, and considered a long ways in the west. There were no railroads at that time, so they had to make the trip in a buggy. Thence they returned home by about the same route that they went out, arriving home about the 1st of June, 1849. On October 4, he was married to Rebecca James, the. daughter of William and Nancy James. Rebecca James, now Wilson, was born

in Crawfordville, Montgomery county, Indiana, December 13, 1832. Her father, William James, died at the age of 77; her mother died in Bushnell, Illinois, at the age of 63 years, in 1847. Rebecca James joined the Christian church at what was called the Hebron church, in Putnam county, Indiana, July 10, 1850. Their first son was born in October of

983

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the same year. "They emigrated to Illi- nois, landing at Table Grove, Fulton county, that state. There he stayed till 1853, when he bought a piece of land one and a half miles east of what is now the city of Bushnell, land being only worth about three to four hundred dol- lars per quarter. May 4, 1853, their daughter Mary Jane was born. Joseph A. was born July 10, 1855. He sold that land in 1855 and bought half a mile north of Bushnell. While living in Bushnell, their son, Lewis L., was born January 10, 1858; sold out there and bought southeast of Bushnell six miles, adjoining New Philadelphia. Their daughter Peneta J., was born February 8, 1860; their daughter, Mariam J., was born July 26, 1862; their son, Judge D., was born January 16, 1865; their son, Delana E., was born January 30, 1867; their son, Louie E. Wilson, was born July 19, 1870. In the year of 1867, he and his brother, B. B. Wilson, laid out and platted what is called Wilson's ad- dition to the town of Grant or New Philadelphia, where they resided till this time. Mary J. Wilson was married to I. B. Shaw, February 12, 1873, and now lives with her husband at Greenup, Illi- nois, and has one daughter. I. B. Shaw is railroad agent at that place. William P. Wilson was married to Fannie Hiett, August 27, 1873, and has six children. He lives in York, Nebraska, where he running the engine in an elevator. Joseph A. Wilson was married to Emma Walters, August 30, 1877, and has three children, and lives in York, Nebraska; he follows teaming. Levi S. Wilson, was married to Martha M. Logan, July 4, 1883, and has one daughter; lives in

York, Nebraska, and is running an en- gine in an elevator. Peneta J. Wilson was married to William Solomon, De- cember 29, 1881, and has one daughter, and lives in New Philadelphia, Illinois. The remainder of the children, Mariam L., Judge D., Delana E. and Louie are at home. The family are all republicans, except only son-in-law. He and his wife have not at any time since they joined the Christian church been disconnected from it. They have nine children, two sons- in-law, three daughters-in-law, eleven grandchildren-all alive up to June 1, 1885. He is 59 years old, lacking 11 days. His hair is white. His wife, Rebecca, is 52, since December, 1884. Her hair is as black as when she was 25 years of age.

Henry Havens iş a native of Warren county, New Jersey, and was born Janu- ary 3, 1828. The family in 1854, re- moved to McDonough county. He was married June 26, 1859, to Ann Jackson. In 1868, he sold his farm, and purchased the southeast quarter of section 12. The farm had been improved by William Oglesby, but Mr. Haven- has added to it largely. He has a good house, and his barns and outbuildings are of a sub- stantial character. In addition to the home farm, he owns valuable tracts of land in Fulton county, and may be classed among the solid, progressive farmers of his county. Mr. and Mrs. Mrs. Havens have had seven children born to them. He also owns stone quar- ries and a fine clay bank.

David M. Myers, one of the substan- tial farmers of this township, owns 280 acres, all in a high state of cultivation. His buildings are first-class, and his new

984

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

barn, 42x42, is the envy of his neigh- bors. He makes stock raising a spe- cialty, in which he has been very suc- cessful. Mr. Myers was born August 2, 1846, in Cumberland county, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Henry Myers, Esq., now a resident of Fulton county. Mr. Myers enlisted in September, 1863, in company G, 103d Illinois volunteer infantry, and served until he was trans- ferred to the 40th regiment, July, 1865. He was mustered out in 1865, at Spring- field. He took part in the siege and capture of Atlanta, and followed the fortunes of his regiment until the close. In 1870, he went to California, and re- mained in that state 8 months. Sep- tember 26, 1877, he was married to Kate Burress, and went to housekeeping on the farm where he now resides. They have three children-Frank A., William H. and Lulu Belle. Mr. Myers has made nearly all the improvements on his farm.

George W. Solomon is a native of Illi- nois, and was born March 12, 1839. He was a descendant of a good North Caro- lina family of.German extraction. When George was 10 years of age he came to McDonough county, and remained one winter in the county, and moved to Ful- ton county in the spring of 1850. Dur- ing the summer of 1860, he worked for George Reed, who owned his present farm. He was married in 1859, to Nancy Anderson, and in 1867 moved to the farm where he now resides. He has made stock dealing his principal business, buying large numbers of hogs and cattle, which after feeding, he ships to various markets. He now owns 480 acres of land, all in cultivation, he has a large herd of cattle in the Indian Nation, and is a thorough cattle man. He is a Master Mason and member of lodge No. 316. He was supervisor two years, the board which refunded the railroad bonds. He has five children. -

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 1

MACOMB TOWNSHIP.

The township of Macomb embraces all Mound, on the south by Scotland, and on the west by Emmet. of congressional township 6 north, range 2 west, and is one of the best townships Crooked creek passes through the en- tire township, coming in at section 13, and passing out at section 30. Drown- for agricultural purposes in McDonough county. It is bounded on the north by Walnut Grove township, on the east by | ing Fork, of this stream, derived its

985

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

name from the circumstance of a man being drowned there about the year 1827. Three soldiers were returning from the northern part of this state, or Wiscon- sin, where they had been fighting In- dians, going south. When they arrived at this branch of Crooked creek they found it swollen by recent rains. In attempting to cross, two of them were . drowned. Their companion buried them beside the stream, and made his way to the block house, in Industry township, where he narrated the circumstances to the few settlers surrounding it, who re- turned with him to the creek and found it as he described. They gave it the name which it has since borne-Drown- ing Fork. These streams, with other smaller tributaries, afford excellent drainage facilities, while furnishing abundant supplies of water for agricul- tural and stock purposes. The only tim- ' bered land in the township lies along the bank of Crooked creek, though · nearly every one of the many substantial farm- houses has its neat artificial grove sur- rounding. The land, outside of the · wooded district, is diversified, being composed in part of level prairie, and again of rolling surface, the whole, with the numerous handsome houses and painted barns thickly studding the coun- try, presenting a picturesque and pleas- ing landscape to the eye of the observer.

The major part of the city of Macomb lies within the borders of this township, while Bardolph is situated wholly within its limits. The Quincy branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad passes through the township, thus af- fording, with the easy accessibility of the two towns mentioned, the best of

market facilities for the products of its citizens.

The soil is a dark, unctuous loam in gen- eral, but in some sections it is composed of light clay and vegetable mold. The very best of potters and fire-clay is to be found in some portions, affording an in- exhaustible supply of these useful ma- terials, as well as being a source of reve- nue to the fortunate owners of the lands on which these clay banks are situated.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first settlement in this township of which there is any record was made by James Fulton, in the year 1830. He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, in 1804, and came to this county from that state. He remained in this locality for many years, and then removed to Macomb, where he died a few years ago.

Silas Hamilton came to McDonough county in 1831, with his parents, who settled on section 4, Macomb township. They came from Adair county, Kentucky. Levi, his father, afterward removed to Iowa, where he died in 1882. He was a staunch, generous Kentuckian and a member of the Presbyterian church, but not a very progressive citizen.

Alexander Harris located in Macomb township in 1831, about the center of section 22. He resided here until his death, The homestead is still occupied by this family.

In 1831, George Miller located on the south half of section 24, building his first house on the southwest quarter of that section. He came from Virginia, but was a native of Kentucky. He im- proved the farm and afterward erected the house now owned and occupied by

986

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Joseph Work. He had a wife, two sons and a daughter, and in 1843, joined the Mormons going to Nauvoo. He after- ward went to Indian territory, where he built a school house for the Indians, at Cherokee, and later removed to Texas.

In 1831 or 1832, Abner Walker came from Kentucky and located on the south- east quarter of section 16. He afterward removed to the city of Macomb, where he subsequently died.

James Harris settled on the northeast quarter of section 22, where David Hol- ler now lives, in 1832 or 1833. He im- proved the place and resided there until his death. His wife also died there and both were buried on the place upon which they settled at that early day. Mr. Harris was a member of the Presbyte- rian church and materially assisted Wil- liam H. Jackson in organizing the first Sunday school in the township, in 1837, at the house of George Miller.

James Creel, now a resident of Bland- insville, built a small cabin on the site of the present village of Bardolph about ·the year 1833, but did not own it. The cabin was afterward used for a school house.

Robert Grant, J. P. Updegraff and Ephraim Palmer were settlers previous to 1834. 1

Thomas A. Brooking came to Macomb township in the fall of 1834, where he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1835, built a double cabin on section 30, where the cemetery now is. He after- ward removed to section 7, where he ac- cumulated a large amount of land, some 600 acres in all. In 1856, he removed to the city of Macomb, where he afterward died.

John H. Snapp came to Macomb in 1834, settling.about two miles north of Bardolph. He lived here until 1854, when he removed to Missouri, where he died in 1872. He was born in East Tennes- see, in 1809, where he resided until he · came to this county. A son of Mr. Snapp, Alexander, still resides in the county, living in Walnut Grove township.

David M. Crabb located on section 17, Macomb township, in 1836, where he still resides.

John M. Crabb, was born in West- moreland county, Virginia, September 1, 1792, and was the son of Daniel and Frances (Middleton) Crabb, who were both natives of England, but who came to this country prior to the Revolution- ary war. Mrs. Crabb was a sister of Ar- thur Middleton,one of the signers of the immortal Declaration of Independence, an instrument which brought freedom to 3,000,000 of people then living, John M. was left an orphan at a very early age, his mother dying when he was but two years old, and his father some four years after. On the death of his father, he was taken by an uncle, Samuel Crabb, with whom he lived until the breaking out of the war of 1812. This uncle en- deavored to do his whole duty by his lonely nephew, and doubtless succeeded as well as any but a parent could suc- ceed. In that early day the school facilities of the country were very lim- ited, and unless possessed of great wealth, few could obtain an education such is now required of the youth of our land, Mr. Crabb, therefore, was only instructed in those branches taught in the common schools of his native state, but the will power and determination to

987

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

do of the man availed him much instead. When war with Great Britain was pro- claimed in 1812, Mr. Crabb, then in his 20th year, was among the first to enlist. He served his country faithfully as a private soldier, for two years, prov- ing that he came from good old revolu- tionary stock. For that service he re- ceived $8 per month, and a land warrant at the close of the war. John M. Crabb and Ann Fleming were united in mar- riage, and they were the parents of 10 children-Frances Ann, now living on the old homestead; Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Samuel McCray; Mary M., wife of Robert Kepple, of Mound township; Parmelia L., deceased wife of R. N. Chatterton; Daniel M., a resident of Macomb township; Hannah L., deceased wife of William Jackson, of Mound township; John A., living in Macomb; William E., a resident of Page county, Iowa; Robert F., living in Macomb, and Samuel M., deceased. In April, 1851, Mrs. John M. Crabb, was called on to pay the last debt of nature, and cross the dark and sullen river of death, leav- ing a large circle of mourning friends, and a sorrowing family circle. In 1828, Mr. Crabb, with his family, then con- sisting of a wife and six children, moved from Virginia to Montgomery county, Ohio, thinking to better his fortunes in a newer country. Here they only re- mained one year, when a change was made to Clinton county, in the same state, where they continued to reside until the fall of 1836, when another change was made, this time to the regions of McDonough county, where they arrived on the 14th of November, 1836. For a few weeks they lived in

the village of Macomb, when, leasing the east half of section 16, Macomb township, the family moved on this as soon as a house could be provided. The following spring, buying 80 acres of the same section, Mr. Crabb, with his boys, began to till the soil, which, for 49 years, has continued to yield bountiful har- vests. No other business did he ever follow than that of tiller of the soil, an occupation suited to his nature. Although he did not amass wealth, as did many, he added to his possessions from time to time, until he had acquired sufficient means to render liim comfortable while life should last. Up to his 54th year he continued to labor hard, after which he surrendered the laborious part of the work to his sons, who had grown up around him, and who physically were able to endure the burdens and hard- ships of a farmer's life. When he first settled on his place, Abner Walker was the only neighbor he had, he living then about one mile east. The fever and ague was very common in the country at that time, and the family all enjoyed a touch of it. We have re- marked that Abner Walker was the only neighbor. We might qualify it by say- ing human neighbor, for all around him were prairie wolves in great numbers, so bold they would come to his very doors, and from the yard kill the fowls which he had provided. The annual prairie fires were then very destructive, and great care had to be exercised to prevent their crops, and even buildings, from being destroyed. Mr. Crabb, long before the grass would begin to dry, would have his entire fields plowed around to prevent the spread of the fire

988

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

when it should come. In this way he saved himself from loss by prairie fires. He was possessed of great firmness of character, and with his children his word was law; when he commanded, obey they must. He was very fond of amusements, especially out door kind, yet never carried his love of the ridicu- lous to excess. He believed there was a time and place for everything, and nothing approaching levity should be permitted where sobriety should be the rule. For many years he was a con- sistent member of the M. E. church, with which body his wife was likewise con- nected, having united while a citizen of Montgomery county, Ohio. The last congregation with which he was con- nected, was the one in Bardolph, this county. Mr. Crabb departed this life on the 10th day of November, 1865, be- ing at the time 73 years, 2 months and 9 days old. He died at the old home- stead, surrounded by his children, all of whom had reached man and woman's estate; all of whom were married, save one.

Daniel M. Crabb, the eldest son of John M. and Ann Crabb, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on the 14th day of November, 1823, and when five years old, removed with his parents to Ohio, from which place they came to McDonough county, where they arrived on the 13th birth day .of the subject of

our present sketch. From that time to the present, he has been a citizen of this county, living in the well known Crabb settlement, in Macomb township. His entire life has been that a farmer, hav- ing never engaged in any other occupa- tion. Previous to his arrival in Ma-

comb, he attended the common schools of Ohio, and after his arrival in this country, went for a short time to the old Prairie school, near the present resi- dence of Patrick Laughlin, Esq., three miles north of Macomb, and about the same distance from his father's resi- dence. On the 6th day of March, 1850, Mr. Crabb was married to Rebecca E. Hampton, with whom he lived ten years, she dying in 1860. By this union there were three children-Anna E., wife of Abner Niely, living in Blue Earth county, Minnesota; Laura, wife of William H. King, of Macomb township, and James M., a resident of the same township. After his first marriage, Daniel made a settlement, where he now lives on section 17, where he owns 154 acres. He also owns 25 acres on section 23. Mr. Crabb was again married on the 6th day of March, 1862, to Mary E. Bardo, with whom he yet happily lives. By this union there was one child -- Robert Emmet, living at home. About the year 1841, Mr. Crabb made a profes- sion of religion, and united with the M. E. church. In 1871, he changed his church relations, by uniting with the Eyangelical Lutheran church, at pres- ent located in the city of Macomb, his wife also uniting with that con- gregation, though she had for several years been a devoted member of that zealous body of christian people. Mr. Crabb now occupies the position of trus- tee in that church.

A man by the name of Lovell settled on the northeast quarter of section 26, in 1836, where he erected a brick house, the first in the township. He improved the farm, and lived there until 1841 or

989

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

'42, when he removed to Bernadotte, Fulton county, where he afterward died. Michael Vincent settled on the north- west quarter of section 25, in 1837.

O. M. Hoagland, a native of Ken- tucky, came with his family from Rush- ville, Schuyler county, in 1840, locating on section 24. He died at Bardolph, August 18, 1875.

MENTION OF OTHER RESIDENTS.

In order that those who have labored to advance the interests of the township, may be represented, the following men- tion of the more prominent citizens is given:

Aaron R. McKee is a son of William R. McKee, who was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1783. He removed to Cincinnati, when a boy, that city being then a small town.' There he grew to manhood, and was mar- ried to Elizabeth Mills. He then re- moved to the Dry Fork of Whitewater, and attached himself to the Quakers. He next went to Miami county, Ohio, where he resided from 1827, till 1845. In the latter year he emigrated to Indiana, and, 15 years later, came to McDonough · _ county, to reside with his son, A. P. Mc- Kee. He died October 12, 1880, and is buried at Oakwood cemetery. He was a pleasant, social man and highly es- teemed by all. Aaron P. McKee was born July 16, 1821, in Miami county, Ohio, where his youth was spent. He was engaged for a time in steamboating on the lower Mississippi, as second mate. He then returned to the farm, and in ad- dition to farm work, made brick. In 1850, he emigrated to Indiana, and on the 29th day of April, of the following year,

was married to Hannah Hayhurst, who was a native of Miami county, Ohio. Mr. McKee came to this county in 1852. His wife died in 1862, leaving five children- Daniel W., William H., Charley A., Frank P. and Hannah I. He was again married May 28, 1863, to Eliza Cromer, a native of Indiana, who was born March 25, 1840. They have seven children liv- ing-John C., Ida M., Aaron P., Kate, Frederick D., Josie and Ruby M. Mr. McKee is an enterprising citizen, takes an interest in educational matters; has been school director, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 113

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