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 118

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 118

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place he came to this township as above. He afterward returned to Fulton county, where he died at Ellisville, March 8, 1861. Mr. Hogshett was the father of Mrs. A. H. Walker, who still resides in this township. The farm upon which he settled is now owned by W. H. Stew- art.

Ephraim Banning was the next set- tler, coming during the summer of 1836. He was a young, unmarried man and came from Virginia. He worked for Abner Walker in a saw mill in Macomb town- ship that winter, and the following spring located on section 34, where he erected a cabin. During the summer he returned to Virginia, and was married to Mary Potter, returning immediately to the home he had prepared here. He afterward built a frame addition to the cabin, which is still standing on the Flora Scott place. His wife died a few years after coming to the county, leav- ing three children. He subsequently married Louise, a daughter of Gilmer Walker, and in 1855, removed to Kan- sas. They remained there until about 1861, when they removed to near Brook- field, Missouri, where he has since. died. His widow and most of the family now reside in Chicago.

Hugh Ervin also came in 1836, locat- ing on section 1. He resided in different parts of the township, until the spring of 1848, when he removed to the city of Macomb, where he still resides.

A short time after Banning came, some Mormon families, who had been driven out of Missouri, located in the township. Among them were the Har- mons, father and son. They took some grain down to Nauvoo to sell and do some

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

trading. While returning with their wagons and ox teams, it became so se- verely cold while they were crossing the prairie between Nauvoo aud Carthage, that they were both frozen to death. The son was found first. He had taken off his coat, wrapped it about himself, and laid down. The father was found a short distance further, The oxen were, also, found in the neighborhood hitched to the wagon.

These families were not permanent settlers. They built small cabins, re- mained a short time, and passed on, go- ing to Nauvoo. The Griffin family came about the same time as did the Mormons, but did not remain long.

In the spring of 1837, Robert Perry came from Knox county, Tennessee, lo- cating on section 16, where he erected a cabin. He had a wife, but no children, and died after a residence of less than a year in the township. After his death, Mrs. Perry returned to her home in Tennessee, where she afterward died.

Joseph and John Ballance came with their families in 1837 and selected a home on section 28, where they erected cabins. They came from England, di- rectly to this county. John afterward removed to Kansas with his family, but Joseph, reared his family and died in this township.

In 1838, F. Livingston and William Young, with their families, came to the township.

In the fall of 1839, W. W. Stewart came, and afterward purchased the place settled by James Hogshett, where he still resides.

William W. Stewart was born in Todd county, Kentucky, August 15, 1819, his

parents being William .K. and Lucretia (Moore) Stewart, the former being a na- tive of North Carolina, and the latter of South Carolina. His parents remained in Kentucky until 1830, when they re- moved to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Il- linois, where they passed the winter of 1830-31, and the following spring re- moved to Vandalia. During the sum- mer, Mrs. Stewart died, and was interred in the cemetery at that place. Mr. Stew- art was a Presbyterian minister, having been ordained in the state of Tennessee. He studied theology with Dr. Blackburn, and was ordained about the year 1816. He preached four years at Vandalia, having waited at Shelbyville for the ap- pointment. He came from Vandalia to McDonough county in the spring of 1836, locating at Macomb, where he was pastor, for 17 consecutive years, of the first Presbyterian church organized in that place, or in McDonough county. His death occurred April 26, 1852, and he was buried in the old cemetery at Macomb. He was married to Lucretia Moore, at Pond river, April 1, 1817, and were the parents of six children-James H., married Isabel McKamy, who reside at Monmouth, he being a lawyer and judge of the county; William W .; Nar- cissa C., died in infancy; Mary M., wife of John McKinney, a lawyer at Aledo, this state; Nancy H., second wife and widow of James W. Matthews, and re- sides at Monmouth; John C., drowned in Crooked creek, in February, 1843. Wil- liam W. and James attended the South Hanover, Indiana, college, two years, while their parents were residents of Vandalia. In 1833, William W. went to Kentucky on horseback, residing about

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 1023

a year and a half at Hopkinsville, that state, when he went to Bond county, where he worked on a farm until coming to this county, about the first of Septem- ber, 1839. He worked for Gilmer Walker until the next spring, at $8 per month. He remained in the township until 1841, when he worked in Warren county about two years, after which he returned to this county and worked for Hugh Ervin, and in the township, some four years. Mr. Stewart was married, May 18, 1848, to Martha Crafford, a native of Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Joseph and Deborah Craf-

a ford. He had purchased his farm sev- eral years previous to the time of his marriage, but did not remove upon it until that time. His farm consists of 80 acres on section 14, and 104 acres on section 13. Mr. Stewart is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Anti- Horse Thief association. He has held every office in the township, except that of assessor, and has served as supervisor for five years. He was, also, school treasurer 11 years. Mr. and Mrs. Stew- art are the parents of the following chil- dren: William K., Mary L., wife of Manning Ball, of Bushnell; James H., married to Viola Engle, and reside in Sciota township; Frances C., Henrietta B., Wallace W., Flora May and John Mariner, all living.

OTHER SETTLERS.

Besides those mentioned, there are many others whose sketches must ap- pear to make the history of Walnut Grove township complete.

William J. Edie was born in Brooks county, West Virginia, January 24,

1829. William was reared in West Vir- ginia, and assisted his father on the farm. In 1852 he graduated from Jeff- erson college, Pennsylvania, and taught school several months in that state. In 1853, he came to Illinois, and located at Vermont, Fulton county, where he taught a select high school for several terms. He, later, taught a select school at Lewiston, under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. During this pe- riod he was elected county surveyor, and filled the office with great acceptance for the period of two years. In 1865 he moved to McDonough county, and loca- ted on a farm of 240 acres, which he had purchased in 1864, in Walnut Grove township. He was elected county sur- veyor in 1869, but refused re-election. He was married February 24, 1858, to Sophia Irwin, daughter of the late Judge Irwin, and five children was the result of this union-Charlie, Irwin, Maggie E., Walter and William J. Mrs. Edie died March 30, 1866, and November 28, 1870, he married Evaline Harris. He owns 440 acres of land in McDonough county, all of which is under cultivation, besides 80 acres in Iowa. He makes stock-raising a specialty, and is reputed one of the best farmers in the county. He has held numerous township offices, and is considered an active, energetic citizen.

Henry Mariner was born in Sharon, Litchfield county, Connecticut, March 10, 1818. His parents were Buell and Esther (Lord) Mariner. When the subject of this sketch was five years of age, the family removed to Yates county, New York. Henry resided here and attended school until 1838, when he,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

in company with a brother, concluded to try their fortunes in the west. They settled near Canton, Fulton county, and Mr. Mariner busied himself in farming and running a saw mill until he removed to McDonough county in the spring of 1855, where he purchased a farm on sec- tion 11, where he has resided until the present time. He was married in Fulton county, October 5, 1848, to Lucretia Stearnes, who was a native of Naples, Ontario county, New York, and died March 24, 1885. They have had two children-Mary E. and Ada M. Mr. Mariner owns 320 acres of land, all of which is arable land. In 1869 he erected the house in which he now resides. It is two stories in height, and presents a fine appearance. He devotes considera- ble time and means to stock raising, is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief associa- tion, and was collector of Walnut Grove township for one term. He was elected to the board of supervisors from Walnut Grove township for five terms, from 1878 to 1883.

Asa J. Tiger was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, October 14, 1825, his parents being Jacob and Mary (Cra- mer) Tiger. They were also born in that county, reared, and died there. Asa received his education in New Jersey, where he remained until September 1, 1855, when he emigrated to Fulton county, this state, where he resided until the spring of 1862. At that time he came to McDonough county, locating on section 24, this township, where he pur- chased a farm of Dr. Abram Hull. It was wild land at that time, but such are the improvements made by Mr. Tiger that it ranks among the best farms of

the township at present. He was mar- ried in Somerville, New Jersey, October 14, 1854, to Margaretta E. Kline, a native of Hunterdon county. They are the par- ents of three children-Mary E., wife of Newton Swisher, who resides in Bushnell township; Anna J., wife of George Moore, who resides in Ogle county, Nebraska; and Gilbert W., living at home. Mr. Tiger has 163 acres of land, nearly all of which is under cultivation. He carries on stock raising to some extent, having raised Poland China hogs ever since he came to the state. Mr. Tiger is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge at Bush- nell, and has held the offices of vice grand and others. He is also a member of the Anti-Horse Thief association, and is wor- thy president, filling the second term of that office at present. Mr. and Mrs. Tiger are both members of the Linn Grove M. E. church, of which Mr. Tiger was one of the organizers. There were 13 chil- dren in his parent's family, he being the sixth in order of age. They all grew to manhood and womanhood, and were married.

Thomas King was born in Washington county, East Tennessee, November 6, 1814. His birth place was about seven miles from Jonesboro, and three miles from the beautiful Wataga river. His parents were James and Lydia (Tilton) King. His father was a minister of the gospel, well known and respected throughout this and adjoining counties. Thomas King, when in his 21st year, left his old home in Tennessee, in com- pany with his parents, on the 10th day of September, 1835, and reached his des- tination, Hill's Grove, in McDonough county, on the following 18th of October,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

having camped out every night for 38 days while en route from East Tennessee to Illinois. He was married in McDon- ough county, November 17, 1836, to Mary Holden. His wife was born in Butler county, Ohio, and was the daugh- ter of Jonathan and Phœbe (Rodgers) Holden. Mr. and Mrs. King continued to reside in Tennessee township until 1846, when they removed to Walnut Grove, near the section where they now reside. Mr. King owns 200 acres of land, which is all under cultivation or in pasture. He also owns 11 acres of fine wood land. He has been a trustee of Pleasant Mound M. E. church for more than 26 years, or ever since the church was built. He was a charter men- bers of the Anti-Horse-Thief Associa- tion. He has served the public seven consecutive terms as commissioner of highways, in which capacity he has given general satisfaction. He has raised a large family, giving them all a liberal education. Rev. Henry C. King, now of Denver, Colorado, is his son, and Mrs. Anna Wood, wife of Rev. Thos. Wood, of the Central Illinois conference, is his daughter. Mr. King is a democrat in politics, while he and his family are earnest members of the Methodist church. Withal, he is a respected and well-to-do citizen. A sketch of his father, Rev. James King, the well known pioneer preacher. is here appended:

Rev. James King was born April 13, 1778, at Harrisburg, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth King, who sailed from Dublin in 1755, in a brigantine bound for Philadelphia. James King was educated at Middletown, Pennsyl-

vania. He completed his common school studies, together with geometry, trigo- nometry and surveying, in his 17th year. He was a fine mathematician, something of an artist, and a splendid penman. His old books, in which all of his school work is written, are not only rare, but they are an heirloom to the family. He moved, with his parents, to Jonesboro, Washington county, Tennessee, in 1795. Here he took up a course of reading, and prepared himself for the ministry. He came to Chillicothe, Ohio, October 10, 1806, and after being kindly received by Dr. Tiffin, a Methodist minister, who was then governor of the state, he was placed in charge of a circuit. He continued as a circuit rider in Kentucky and Ohio for about eight years, and was made an elder by Bishop William Mc- Kendree, November 7, 1810. He was married at Lexington, Kentucky, during this time, to Lydia Tilton. Shortly after his marriage, he returned to Ten- nessee, where he remained for more than 20 years. He was admitted to the prac- tice of medicine, December 24, 1831. He and his wife, with a family of five sons and two daughters, arrived at Hill's Grove, McDonough county, Octo- ber 18, 1835. The names of his sons were-Thomas, Richard Tilton, James, John W. and Clark, all of whom lived in McDonough county for a number of years. James King, Jr., died at the old home, near Hill's Grove, in his 19th year, and was buried in what is now known as the King grave yard, which was on the old farm. His daughters were-Anna and Olethea, now respectively Mrs. David Kepple and Mrs. J. F. Tan- nehill. Rev. James King moved from

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Hill's Grove to his lands in Walnut Grove and Prairie City townships, in 1846. Here he died, March 8, 1849, aged 70 years, 10 months and 25 days. His wife, whose maiden name was Lydia Tilton, died on July 5, 1852, aged 66 years, 3 months and 19 days. Clark King died at the residence of John W. King, in Prairie City township, in the fall of 1852, following the death of his parents. John W. King died at his res- idence, in Prairie City township, Octo- ber 28, 1865. Rev. James King and wife, and two of his sons, sleep side by side, in the McMahill cemetery, Warren county. Thos. King, Mrs. Kepple and Mrs. Tannehill, still reside in McDonough county, while Richard Tilton King, now lives at Appleton City, St. Clair county, Missouri. The calling of Rev. James King, was that of a Methodist minister. He was opposed to slavery and while in the state of Tennessee, presented numer- ous petitions against it to the legisla- ture of that state. Copies of these peti- tions are still among his private papers. He owned at one time more than 2,000 acres of land in McDonough and Han- cock counties, and a few years pre- vious to his death, gave each of his sur- viving children, 200 acres of land or the equivalent. He was one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of the county and was a prominent man at that time.

John F. Tannehill, son of James and Anna Tannehill, was born in Butler county, Ohio, August 2, 1814. In 1839, he emigrated to McDonough county, and from thence proceeded to Plymouth, Hancock county, where he remained one year, and then went to Keosaqua, Iowa, where he worked at bricklaying and

plastering. After some years, he finally located in Walnut Grove, where he now resides. In 1841, he was married to Olethea P. King, daughter of the Rev. James King, one of the pioneer preach- ers of McDonough county. Mr. and Mrs. Tannehill are the parents of three children-James, married Fanny Arm- strong, resides in Bushnell township; William, married Etta Matthews, resides in Prairie Grove, and John F. is in the stock business, and being unmarried, re- sides with his parents. Mr. Tannehill owns 240 acres of fine land, all under cultivation, or in pasture. He devotes eonsiderable time to stock raising, in which he is quite successful. He is also a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Asso- ciation. Mr. and Mrs. Tannehill are prominent members of the M. E. church, and take great interest in the prosperity of the congregation.

William M. Hageman was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June 27, 1834, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth Hage- man. He lived in that county, upon a farm, until 1857, when he and his wife started with a team overland for McDon- ough county, arriving here in November of that year, being 21 days on the road. He located on the northwest quarter of section 24, and has resided there ever since, witnessing the birth and growth of a generation. He was married in Wayne county, Ohio, October 16, 1856, to Sarah E. Jontz, also a native of that county. They are the parents of six liv- ing children-Henry J., married Fran- ces Quigle, and resides in Walnut Grove township; Harriet M., wife of John W. Zaring, and resides in Washington county, Iowa; Minerva, wife of Clinton

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Gossard, who resides upon Mr. Hage- man's home place; Mary E., wife of George W. Brewbaker, who resides in this township; Charles Ezra and Wil- liam Leander, the two youngest sons, are yet at home. There was also one child that died in infancy, in Ohio, the date of its death being September 5, 1857. Mr. Hageman has 700 acres of land, which is all improved except two quarters, 320 of which is in Kansas. He also owns real estate in Iowa, which he purchased at a cost of $2,000. He was one of the organizers of the Linn Grove church, deeded the land for it, was the first clerk of the organization and served on the building committee. He has also been school trustee, and was clerk of the township for one year. Mr. Hageman, his wife and their four eldest children, are all members of the M. E. church.

Aaron Snodgrass was born in Madi- son county, Ohio, March 20, 1819. He is the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Smith) Snodgrass. His parents were married in Virginia, and soon after re- moved to Madison county, Ohio, where Aaron was born. In the spring of 1821, his father died, and the family, after several changes, settled in Washington county, Indiana, where our subject re- sided until he reached his majority, re- ceiving his education in the common schools of the county. In 1842, he re- moved to Canton, Fulton county, Illinois; remained there until 1849, when he lo- cated at Linn Grove, Walnut Grove township, and has resided there since that. In 1852, he was married to Mrs. Lucia Johnson. the fruits of union being a family of five children, viz-Hulda A., married James P. Arundel, and re-

sides in Warren county; Louisa M., married Porter Hall, and resides in Walnut Grove township; Demosthenes, died while in Wisconsin; Emily E., married Jacob Kline, resides in Bush- nell township; Lucinda C., died August 19, 1873; Aaron, died September 16, 1862. Mrs. Snodgrass died April 4, 1881. Mr. Snodgrass owns 183 acres of fine land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. He devotes much time to stock-raising, and is a member of the Mutual Benefit society, of Bushnell. Mr. Snodgrass has wit- nessed many changes since his residence in Illinois. Changes and improvements, from the semi-wild to the present, to which he has contributed his share, be- ing always found foremost in every good work. Mr. Snodgrass is a man of artistic taste, which he is displaying in the laying out and beautifying of his grounds. On one part of his property he is engaged in bringing into a state of beauty, three semi-artificial lakes. These are fed by a splendid spring, which has an immense flow, furnishing an ever-pure supply of water. To an already naturally beautiful locality, he has added the enchantments of art; the plow, the wagon, and the shovel have all helped in removing the surplus earth from the lakes, and filling it in at places where it was needed, according to his plan. Beautiful rows of evergreens adorn parts of the surrounding eleva- tions, and more are being planted. Al- ready many trees abound to furnish shade for pleasure parties seeking en- joyment at the lakes. When Mr. Snod- grass completes the work he has under- taken in the improvement of his grounds,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

he will have one of the finest pleasure- resorts in a large area of country, He will probably stock the lakes with fish, and the place will no doubt be one of profit to him in the future. There are three lakes, separated by walks running between them. Mr. Snodgrass las erected a park house of tasty design near the lakes, and will have all needed facil- ities for pleasure, with settees, boats, etc. He is to be congratulated on the pains he has taken in the direction of improvements. People of McDonough county will now have another fine place for picnics and gatherings.

Abraham Arthur was born in Hunt- ingdon, county, Pennsylvania, on No- vember 22, 1824. His parents were Joseph and . Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Arthur, both natives of the Keystone state. Our subject, in 1844, left the parental roof, and joined his fortunes with the hardy adventurers, who were. peopling the west. He located at Rush- ville, Schuyler county, where he re- mained until 1845, when he removed to Beardstown. After several changes, in 1856, he located on a farm in section 26, Walnut Grove township. Previous to this removal, in 1846, he was married to Margaret Ann Hageman, who was a na- tive of Wayne county, Ohio. Six chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, viz-Joseph, died May 18, 1865; Jesse, married Harriet Atkinson, and resides in Whiting, Kansas; Franklin, married November, 1877, to Lucinda Vertrees, died August 4, 1879, his wife having died May 4, previous; Mary J., married Jacob Angle, and resides at Whiting, Kansas; Catherine Frances, married Fillmore Mummert, resides on Mr. Ar-

thur's farm, and Margaret Jeanette, who married William Thompson, and resides near Rushville, Illinois. Mr. Arthur enlisted in February, 1865, in company C, 151st Illinois volunteer infantry, and served in Georgia until February, 1866, when they were mustered out at Spring- field, Illinois. Mr. Arthur served as first corporal of the company, and was mustered out as such. Our subject owns 191 acres of land, 140 of which are under cultivation. He is also a success- ful stock raiser, devoting his attention chiefly to horses, cattle, and hogs. He has held the office of school director, and is a member of the Anti-Horse- Thief association.

Jesse D. Hageman was born in Wayne county, Ohio, February 5, 1839, being a son of Isaac and Susan (Lickey) Hage- man. When he was but nine months of age his parents removed to Illinois, lo- cating in that portion of what was then Morgan county, but now known as Cass, where he was reared and received his schooling. In 1861, he came to this county, locating on land which his father had purchased in 1858. This land was the east half of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 23, upon which he has resided ever since, with the exception of two years spent in Warren county. He was mar- ried in that county, September 4, 1862, to Sitha J. Fruit, widow of Alexander D. Fruit, and a daughter of Bennett and Joyce (Dunbar) Thurman. They loca- ted in Prairie City township in 1854, and afterward removed to Cherokee county, Kansas, where her father died in Octo- ber, 1869. Her mother still resides there with her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Mc- Clure. Mrs. Hageman was the second

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

in order of age of a family of 11 children, being born in Madison county, Kentucky, February 13, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Hage- man are the parents of five children- Emma A., Carrie C., Edward F., Mar- tha A., deceased, and Oliver N. Mr. Hageman has 156 acres of land, 80 of which is under cultivation. He has been assessor one year, justice of the peace four years, school director of district No. 6, three years, and is a life member of the state liberal league. It is considered that he has the finest library in the town- ship. It comprises about 200 volumes of standard works and fiction and he has spent nearly 30 years in the collection of the same. Mr. Hageman was the eldest in a family of eight children. His father died in Cass county, this state, in Aug- ust, 1874. His mother also died there in September, 1883. They were resi- dents of that county from 1839 until the time of their death.

Albert H. Pittinger was born in Brook . county, Virginia, March 25, 1830. When he was seven years of age the family re- moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where they remained two years. From this point they removed to Schuyler county, where the parents resided until their death-the father dying in 1868, and the mother in 1865. His father and mother were the parents of 10 children, of whom Albert H. was the sixth in or- der. He removed to McDonough county in 1874, and located on his present farm, on section 13, Walnut Grove township. He was married in Rushville, March 6, 1856, to Eugenia P. Sandidge, whose parents were among the first settlers of the county, and figured in its early his- tory. Mr. and Mrs. Pittinger are 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 118

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