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 117

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 117

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Bacon. He settled in Bardolph May 18, 1875, and in the spring of 1884, at- tended the practitioners' course at Rush medical college. He was married March 19,1883,to Fidelia R. Hill, who died March 27, 1885. The doctor is a member of the Masonic order, and is master of Bar- dolph lodge, No. 572, which office he has held for five years, and is also secretary of the I. O. O .. F. lodge. For the last four years he has been president of the town board. His property is mostly in the town of Bardolph.

Lewis Wilson, the only blacksmith in the town of Bardolph, is a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and was born May 10, 1832. His parents died when he was very young, and he made his home with his aunt, Mary Jones. He lived with his aunt until he was 18 years of age, when he enlisted in com- pany H, 2d U. S. dragoons, and was sent to Carlisle barracks, where he remained, drilling until April, 1851. He served as a blacksmith and as bugler. At Leaven- worth, Kansas, the regiment was fitted out to cross the plains, and was sent to Mexico. He served there and in Cali- fornia and Texas, and was discharged in 1856, at Fort Union, New Mexico, his term having expired. He bought up a lot of horses, which he brought to Ma- comb, Illinois, for sale. He worked at his trade in Macomb and other places, and February 2, 1858, was married to Ann M. Kuhn. In 1860, he located at Bardolplı, after a visit to Colorado. In 1862, he enlisted in the 119th infantry. He was discharged in 1865 as sergeant, and resumed his trade at Bardolph. He has increased his business by the addi- tion of a wagon shop, and is doing a

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

good jobbing trade. He has nine chil- dren living.

James Park was born November 30, 1802, near Cannonsburgh, Washington county, Pennsylvania. He was pos- sessed of a vigorous mind, and was fond of study. He entered Jefferson college in 1823, and was a diligent student, and graduated with honors in 1827. His fa- vorite studies were mathematics and the languages. After graduating, he taught one year at Kittanning, and then 18 months under Dr. McClusky, at West Alexander. He then taught two years in Jefferson college as professor of Latin and Greek. After teaching some six months at Waterford he became the prin- cipal of Erie academy, which he suc- cessfully conducted for four and a-half years. After closing his school in Erie, he spent two or three years at home, and on the waters of St. Joseph, in Williams county, Ohio, clearing some land which he had purchased there. He put up a cabin on this land, with the expectation of occupying it, but changed his mind, and sold it. He resumed teaching, spend- ing three years in Kentucky, two at Mount Zion and one at Winchester.

After closing his school in Kentucky, he was married, September 2, 1847, to Anna J. Hamilton, of Meadville, Pennsylvania. They moved to Ohio the same fall, and settled on a farm on Cherry Fork, near Eckmansville, Adams county. They re- sided there nearly 20 years, where they enjoyed the respect and confidence of the neighbors and acquaintances. For. the purpose of getting nearer church and school, he sold his farm, and in April of 1867 removed to Bardolph, McDon- ough county, Illinois. He united with the Presbyterian church while in Adams county, Ohio. He was scrupulously honest, and would suffer wrong rather than trespass on the rights of others. He was a liberal supporter of the church and other benevolent agencies. Never, when able to attend, was his seat at church vacant. He was twice elected ruling elder, but declined. After com- ing to Bardolph, he retired from active labor, devoting most of his time to read- ing. He died at Bardolph, February 11, 1882, aged 79 years, 2 months and 12 days. He left a wife and four daugh- ters, who still survive him. His remains rest in Oakwood cemetery, Macomb.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.

This township lies on the northern tier and comprises the territory known as 7 north and range 2 west. It is a beautiful prairie country, only about 100

acres of timber land being within its borders. It is bounded on the north by Warren county, on the east by Prairie City and Bushnell townships, with Ma-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

comb on the south and Sciota township on the west. It was first settled in 1830, but emigration did not amount to much earlier than 1835, only one family living here for a short time prior to the latter date. The township is well represented by the numerous religious denomina- tions, each having good church build- ings, showing the inhabitants are not ad- verse to religious influences. As to its educational facilities, it is up to the av- erage. The T. P. & W. railroad passes through the township on the south side, and the St. L. C. & R. I. crosses its north- east corner. A portion of Good Hope lies in the township, near the southwest corner. This town is mentioned els'e- where. Bushnell and Prairie city are within convenient distance, which give the people good markets. Politically, the township may be classed as repub- lican.

The pioneer settler of Walnut Grove township, was Isaac Bartlett, who came from the state of Tennessee in the fall of 1830, settling on section 34. After erecting a cabin, he left his father and mother there and went over to the vicin- ity of Spring creek, in Emmet township, to work at breaking prairie. While here at work the memorable deep snow came and it was many days of unsuccessful at- tempts before he succeeded in getting back to his aged parents, who, he was aware, must be in destitute circumstan- ces. He found them in a half starved and frozen condition, with nothing to eat and but little fuel to protect them in their rudely constructed habitation from the bitter blasts of one of the worst winters in the history of McDonough county. The family cow, which had

died of exposure and starvation, was all that was left to eat, and upon the arrival of the son, who had been several days in coming from Spring creek settlement with three yoke of oxen, a sled and pro- visions, he found the old gentleman at work removing the hide from the carcass of the dead cow, preparatory to getting something to appease their hunger. The old folks partook of the provisions brought by the son, who soon afterward removed them to where he was stopping, on Spring creek.

No further effort was made to settle Walnut Grove until the spring of 1835, when Sydney Geer, an eastern man, who came from Schuyler county here, entered land on section 14 and built a cabin. He broke out about five acres of land, which he planted to corn. The year following he returned to Schuyler county. He had a wife, but no children. Mr. Geer was a superstitious man, and late in the same year he came, he re- turned to Schuyler county with his wife on a visit to her relations. While ab- sent, the wind played sad havoc with his fences, etc., and the wild hogs got in and destroyed some of his corn. The next season the team ran away, dragging him some distance and hurting him quite badly, and thinking he would have no prosperity or good luck here, he left, as recorded above.

J. H. Campbell arrived in the town- ship, March 20, 1835, remaining one year, when he removed to Industry town- ship. He is now living a retired life in the city of Macomb. He is a native of Tennessee, but was reared on a farm in the state of Kentucky, from which place he came to this county.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The next settlers were Gilmer and Quintus Walker, and families. These two gentlemen came up from where they were living on Camp creek, in Industry township, in the fall of 1835, and selected farms in this township upon which to settle. Gilmer bought land on section 34 and Quintus selected a place on sec- tion 10 to build a cabin, intending all the while to purchase land on section 16, as soon as'it was thrown open for purchase by the settlers. Gilmer con- structed a frame house, the first one in the township, on section 34, in the fall of 1835, which was one story in height, with one room and pole studding, into which he removed his family, who were at Camp Point, as soon as it was com- pleted. As soon as this house was finislied, Gilmer assisted Quintus and the latter's father-in-law, Alexander Camp- bell, to erect a log cabin for Quintus. The house was intended to be used, only, un- til his removal to section 16, and was completed and ready for occupancy in January, 1836,when the family moved into it. The following fall the other house was erected on section 16, as con- templated, and the family removed to that place.

The Walker family and their connec- tions, are among the most prominent families, and some of the members of the family have gained wide celebrity and high reputation. Besides the sketches which here follow, many references are made to different members of the family in various places in this work.

Quintus Walker was born in Adair county, state of Kentucky, three miles south of Columbia, the county seat, May 20, 1814. His father, Alexander Walker,

who was married in Virginia, Marclı 22, 1790, to Mary Magdaline Hammond, who was a' native of North Carolina. Alex- ander Walker was born in the neighbor- hood of the celebrated Natural Bridge, renowned in geography. In the good old days in which Alexander Walker lived, large families were the rule, hence we are not surprised to learn that his family record comprised 11 persons-Joseph Gilmer, born January 9, 1793, died Oct- ober 12, 1841; Cyrus, born May 6, 1791, died September 26, 1876; David, born April 15, 1795, died August 10, 1795; Abner, born August 10, 1796, died June 22, 1851; Cynthia, born March 25, 1798. She is a widow and resides in Bourbon county, Kansas. Margaret, born Janu- ary 7, 1800. She married John Calhoun, and died January 4, 1828. Allen, born January 2, 1802, died August 31, 1858; Alexander, born December 10, 1803, died August 17, 1827; Jane Hammond, born July 4, 1805, died July 18, 1844; Andrew Hammond, born August 16, 1808, died January 6, 1885; Pinkney, born March 11, 1811, died March 8, 1815. Mrs. Al- exander Walker died in 1811, and Mr. Walker married Mrs. Margaret . F. Coumbes. Of this marriage the follow- ing children were born-Martha Magda- line, born November 28, 1816, died Nov- ember 22, 1844; Thomas P., born Feb- ruary 26, 1819. He is a resident of Kan- sas, and is a minister of the Presbyte- rian church. Mr. Walker died July 25, 1824, in Adair county, Kentucky, and his wife died June 8, 1858. Quintus, our subject, was reared in Kentucky, and in 1830, when 17 years of age, decided to remove to Illinois. They settled in Sanga- mon county, at Clarey's Grove, and spent

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the winter there. In the fall of 1831, the family removed to Industry town- ship, McDonough county. In the win- ter of 1835-36, Mr. Walker built a cabin in Walnut Grove township. He has re- mained on this until the present time. Mr. Walker enjoys the proud distinction of belonging to the pioneer band, and was one of the first settlers in Walnut Grove, if indeed he was not the first. He was married August 1, 1833, to Mahala Campbell, daughter of Alexander and Mary Campbell.

Robert Pollock was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, May 26, 1829. He was the son of David and Jane (Lowry ) Pol- lock. His parents were natives of Ire- land. In 1834, they removed to McDon- ough county and settled near Macomb, and soon after united with the First Presbyterian church of that city. Mr. Pollock's mother died in the fall of 1834, and his father soon after followed. After the death of his parents, Robert resided with relatives in Peoria and Springfield. When eight years of age, he became a member of the family of his future father-in-law, Quintus Walker, with whom he remained until he reached the years of manhood. March 8, 1855, he was united in marriage to Mary, daugh- ter of his benefactor. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pollock, four of whom died in infancy-Quintus Al- exander, Wm. L., Mahala J., Robert E. Melvin C., born April 26, 1862; Elmer A., born March 1, 1868; and Mary Eliz- abeth, born January 16, 1872. Mr. Pol- lock owns 90 acres of tillable land in a high state of cultivation, and has four acres of timber located in another sec- tion. He has held the office of school

director, is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, and of the Anti- Horse-Thief association. He has held the offices of ruling elder and deacon in the Presbyterian church for a number of years.

Alexander Campbell, deceased, a pio- neer of McDonough county, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, April 19, 1789. His grandfather was a native of Scot- land. Alexander Campbell was quite young when his parents moved to Knox county, Tennessee, and settled on a farm, remaining there until 22 years of age, he married Mary Strain, of Tennessee. In 1829, he with his wife and family of seven children, started for the state of Illinois, but on account of a late start in the fall, stopped in Christian county, Kentucky, one season, after which he came and settled on Camp creek, in In- dustry township, McDonough county, where he lived six years. In 1836, he came to Walnut Grove township, and settled on section 16, and remained there until his death, which occurred October 16, 1845. His widow survived him until the fall of 1855. They had seven chil- dren-Jane L., Mahala A., John S., David, W. S. D., Mary A. and Margaret, all of whom lived to be grown and mar- ried. Mr. Campbell was a prominent citizen, very active in works of charity, and an earnest christian. He was elder in the Presbyterian church for many years. While living at Camp creek, he organized the first Sunday school in the county, being the year 1833, at the house of John Rodgers. At the present time, there are but six persons living who were members of that school, viz: Quintus Walker and wife, of Walnut Grove town-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ship, this county; Thomas P. M. Wal- ker, of Fountain Green, Illinois; John S. Campbell, of Chariton, Iowa; David Campbell, of Good Hope, and W. S. D. Campbell, of Warren county, Illinois. As to politics, he was a whig, until the organization of the republican party, in which he was quite active. He was hon- ored and respected by all who knew him.

Gilmer Walker, mentioned above, was a well known and highly respected citi- zen, and is mentioned in more than one place in this book. Below are sketches of the families of his daughters, Mrs. J. J. Scott and Mrs. William Early.

John J. Scott, deceased, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1830, and was a son of John and Rachel F. (Randolph) Scott. When John J., was about nine years of age, his parents removed to McDonough county, locating a few miles south of Macomb, where they resided for several years. They afterward removed to Macomb, where their remaining days were spent. Ra- chel Scott died April 16, 1859, aged 67 years, and John Scott, June 4, 1870, aged 84 years. They are both buried in Oakwood cemetery, Macomb. John J. Scott was married June 16, 1859, to Flora Walker, daughter of Gilmer and Susan (Bell) Walker, pioneer settlers of McDonough county, who removed to this county from Adair county, Kentucky, in 1833, settling in Scotland township, where they lived for two or three years. Mr. Walker then bought a tract of land in Walnut Grove township, where he re- moved in 1836, and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1841. His wife, Susan, died in' Macomb, in 1842.

Flora ( Walker) Scott was born in Wal- nut Grove township, June 2, 1837. She was the first child born in the township. John J. and Flora Scott were the par- ents of seven children- Susan Bell, An- nie R., who died at the age of eight months; Lucetta, Annetta, Lizzie W., who died June 21, 1882, aged 16 years; Walter G. and John F. Mr. Scott owned and resided on a farm in Scotland town- ship, until 1870. He then purchased a tract of land in Walnut Grove township, and removed there. The first railroad station on the Wabash railroad, west of Bushnell, was laid out on Mr. Scott's farm, and named Scottsburg, in his honor. His death occurred November 24, 1875, and his remains were laid to rest in Oak- wood cemetery, Macomb. He was a Presbyterian in belief, and died a chris- tian. His widow is a member of that church also. She still owns and lives on her farm. at Scottsburg.

William L. Early was born in Gibson county, Indiana, April 21, 1831, and was a son of Lewis and Sarah Early. He lived in Indiana until 16 years of age, when he came to McDonough county with his parents, who purchased land on section 35, this township, where William now resides, his father and mother dying in January, 1862. He was married June 7, 1854, to Catharine, a daughter of Susan and Gilmer Walker, and a sister of the late Judge Walker, of the su- preme bench of Illinois. They are the parents of nine children-Jesse B., Mary L., William G., Percy W., Ernest R., John S., James R., Joseph S., Pinck- ney A.

Andrew H. Walker, now deceased, lo- cated in Walnut Grove township in 1836.

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

1019

Andrew Harmon Walker, deceased, was married March 20, 1834, to Jane Campbell, daughter of Alexander Camp- bell. Six children were born of this marriage -- Margaret, Alexander C., Jo- seph Gilmer, Isabella, Cynthia, and a child which died in infancy. Mrs. Walker died October 29, 1845. Janu- ary 31, 1850, Mr. Walker married Mrs. Mary Noel, who was a native of Vir- ginia. By this marriage there were six children-William A., Cyrus A., Mont- gomery Allen, Martha J., Marion Alice, Ellen M. Mr. Walker during his life- time was a prominent resident of the county, and after his death the follow- ing biographical sketch appeared in the Macomb Journal of January 22, 1885: "Andrew Harmon Walker, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 16th day of August, 1808, near Columbia, Adair county, Kentucky. He had nine brothers and four sisters-all of whom are now dead except Quintus Walker, who is living in this county, Rev. Thomas Walker, who is living in Kansas, and Cynthia Campbell, also in Kansas. When three years old his mother died, and when he was about 16 years of age his father died. He was early destined by his father to be a lawyer, and to that end was given the best educational advan- tages that the state afforded. Although always opposed to a public life, in order to please his father and older brother, Cyrus, who was a member of the pro- fession, he consented to prepare himself for the bar. He obtained his license, and made speeches, in which he gave promise of a brilliant and successful ca- reer, but, being always of a quiet and re- tiring disposition, he decided that a pub-

lic life would not suit him. In 1830, he, in company with his younger brothers, sister and step-mother, left Kentucky and came to Sangamon county, and in the fall of 1831, they moved to Camp creek in this county. Andrew had, how- ever, before this made several trips through McDonough, and had been in Macomb when it was first surveyed. In 1834 he was married to Jane Campbell, and in 1836, he moved to Walnut Grove township, where he remained until his death. He made a profession of reli- gion when he was 29 years of age, but never united with a church, and those of his children and friends, who were with him in his last sickness, feel that they do not mourn as those who have no hope. His two first winters in Illinois were times of great privation-the first win- ter was that of the deep snow; the next, they being short of provisions on Camp creek, Andrew took a pack-horse and went back to Sangamon county for sup- plies. Before he started back the weather became very cold, but fearing the family would suffer, he started on his homeward journey. In crossing the river on the ice, when about the middle, the ice began to crack, and fearing it would break, left his horse and ran for the bank. Upon reaching safety, and looking back he saw his horse still stand- ing in the middle of the river, and re- turning brought the animal across; and though impeded by snow, reached home safely, where he found the family in a destitute condition. He taught district school for a number of terms in McDon- ough county. Owing to his aversion to public life, he would never accept any office, unless there was no one else that

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

could fill the place. He filled the office of school trustee for several years, and also that of school treasurer. He was in the Mormon war as a volunteer. His wife died October 28, 1845, and for sev- eral years he was father and mother both to his children. After several years he married Mrs. Mary Noel, who survives him. He was the father of 12 children. His first wife's children were Margaret Michaels, who died a few years ago in Missouri; A. C. Walker, who is living in Little River, Kansas; J. G. Walker, who is near Salisbury, Missouri; Isabella Scott, living in Walnut Grove township, this county; Cynthia Axtell, living in Kansas, and a child which died in in- fancy; his second wife's children were W. A. Walker, living in Baileyville, Kan- sas; C. A. and M. A. Walker, who live on the old homestead, and three who died in infancy. He was sick for some time before his death, and his disease was of a peculiar and trying nature. He suffered a great deal, but tried hard to be patient in all his afflictions. He died about five o'clock a. m., January 6, 1885. The funeral took place the next day, at- tended by a large concourse of friends and relatives. The sermon was preached by the Rev. H. J. Frothingham, of Bush- nell. The remains were buried in the Pearce cemetery."

Levi Hamilton and family came in 1835.

Harrison Hamilton, deceased, was born in Adair county, Kentucky, August 5, 1826, his parents being Levi and Ma- linda (Creel) Hamilton. He was only eight or nine years of age when his par- ents removed to this county. They lo- cated on section 5, Macomb township,

where they lived until the spring of 1873, when they left their farm, and afterward, in 1878, they moved with their son Uriah to Shenandoah, Iowa, where their re- maining days were spent. Mrs. Hamil- ton died there in January, 1881, and in March, 1882, the death of Levi took place. They were the parents of but three chil- dren-Harrison, Uriah and Silas H. The subject of this sketch, Harrison, resided in this county from the time he came with his parents when but a small boy until his death, January 29, 1867. He received his schooling in the common schools of the neighborhood, and com- pleted his education at the Cherry Grove academy, near Abingdon. He was mar- ried January 8, 1818, to Rachel Ballance, a native of Lincolnshire, England, and a daughter of Joseph and Ann ( Welborn) Ballance. In 1831, her parents came to America, and after a residence of two years in Chester, Pennsylvania, and three years at Wilmington, Delaware, they came to McDonough county, locating at Macomb, where they remained about three montlıs. In the meantime Mr. Ballance purchased a tract of land in Walnut Grove township, to which place they shortly afterward removed, residing in a small house on a neighboring farm until he had time to build a house and improve his own farm. Here her mother died July 28, 1848, and her father on the 6th day of July, 1861. They are both buried in the Walnut Grove ceme- tery. Mrs. Hamilton is the eldest of a family of five children, all girls. The names of her other sisters are-Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Rebecca. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are the parents of seven children-Annie M., Albert W.,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

deceased, Joseph F., William L., Ellis W., Mary J., deceased, and one other that died in infancy. Mr. Hamilton was a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, and served as deacon some 18 years at the Walnut Grove church. Mrs. Hamilton still retains a fine farm of 130 acres, which is nearly all under cultivation. It is managed by Ellis, who also carries on stock raising to a consid- siderable extent.

Joseph Franklin Hamilton, son of Harrison and Rachel (Ballance) Hamil- ton, was born on the farm on which he now resides, December 3, 1852. He was reared in this township, with the excep- tion of two years at Bushnell, which time his father was engaged in the dry . goods business. He attended the district schools, the public schools of Bushnell while living there, and three terms at the Normal college in Macomb. He was married March 5, 1879, to Anna L. Alli- son, a daughter of Andrew H. and Lu- cinda (Brown) Allison, of Scotland town- ship. She is a native of this county, be- ing born in Scotland township, and is a graduate of the Normal college at Ma- comb, class of 1873. They are the par- ents of two children-Andrew Welborn, born November 28, 1881; and Edith Beulah, born April 14, 1884. Mr. Ham- ilton has 101 acres of choice land, all of which is under cultivation or in pasture.

Among the pioneer of Walnut Grove was James Hogshett, who settled here in 1837. He was born in Virginia in 1780, where he was also married, and afterward removed to Highland county, Ohio, where his wife died in 1830. In 1833, he emigrated farther west, set- tling in Fulton county, from which

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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 117

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