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 129

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 129

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mained until 1859. He then removed to St. Louis and became the local editor of the Westliche Post where he re- mained until 1861. On the breaking out of the war, he was appointed by . General Fremont, first lieutenant of Schwartz's battery. In the fall of 1861, he saw some service in Missouri under General Oglesby, and was, in January, 1862, transferred to Kentucky. On the 12th day of February, following, he gave the command to his battery to open fire on Fort Donelson, the first guns of that memorable conflict. On the 13th he was posted, with Oglesby's brigade on the extreme left of the rebel lines, about 450 yards from their rifle pits, and on the 15th, when General Pillow attempt- ed to break through our lines, Lieuten- ant Gumbart was compelled to leave the field, but not till after he was twice wounded. On the 1st of February, pre- ceding this, the battery had been trans- ferred to the Illinois .volunteers, and thereafter was known as company E, 2d Illinois artillery. Captain Gumbart re- joined lis battery, being healed of his wounds, while the army lay before Cor- inth. He went from there to Jackson, Tennessee. While here, he was detailed as chief of artillery, to General Leon- ard Ross, at Bolivar, Tennessee. No- vember, 1862, he went as chief of artil- lery, with General John A. Logan, to LaGrange, and afterwards, in the same capacity, with General John A. Lauman, through the state of Mississippi. He then went to Vicksburg, and after the second battle of Jackson, Mississippi, resigned his commission on account of disability. In 1864, he came to Macomb, and engaged in the restaurant business.

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In 1879 and 1880, he was mayor of Ma- comb. He is now engaged in the in- surance business. In April, 1862, he was united in marriage in 'Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with Esther Feilbach, a native of thatstate, by whom he has six children, two of whom died in infancy and four are living. The latter are- Louis F., Otto D., Georgiana, and Con- rad G. In politics, Mr.Gumbart, is a republican, and favors women's suffrage.

Joseph W. McIntosh came to Macomb in 1856, and at once formed a partnership with J. B. Cummings and J. B. Pierson, and, under the firm name of Pierson, Cummings & Co., engaged in a general mercantile business, on the corner on which the Randolph house now stands, and continued for about 12 months. He then ran a billiard room until 1864, since which time he has been engaged in deal- ing in live stock, and running a farm. His farm is situated in Chalmers township and contains 420 acres, but Mr. McIntosh always resides in Macomb. During the years 1875 and 1876, he was also engaged in the hardware business, in the last named year, selling to J. A. Smith. Mr. M. has always taken an active interest in Macomb's development, being one of the original stockholders of the First Na- tional bank, and for many years one of its directors. He was also one of the original stockholders of the Macomb Tile and Sewer Pipe company, and of the Cal- endar Clock company. In politics, he is a democrat. and has officially served the people of Macomb at different times. Mr. McIntosh is a native of Bath county, Kentucky, was born March 10, 1830, his parents being Frederick and Rebecca (Helphenstine) McIntosh, the former of

whom is a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Indiana. Joseph resided in his native state until 1852, when the en- . tire family removed to California, where - the father died in 1853, and the mother . still resides, now being in her 91st year. Joseph resided there until 1856, at which time he removed to Macomb. December 15, 1856, at Covington, Kentucky, Mr. McIntosh and Fannie F. Woodward, a native of that city, were united in mar- riage, and Mrs. McIntosh died in 1884, leaving eight children-Louis, now re- sides in California; Carrie, the wife of William Fisher; Laura, wife of I. M. Fellheimer; Kate, Nellie, Joseph, Mary and James. Mr. McIntosh is a member of the I. O. O. F.

James R. Patterson has been a resident of the city of Macomb since the spring of 1865. He was born October 10, 1834, in Wyoming county, New York, and is a son of. William and Catherine (Eggles- ton ) Patterson, the former of Irish and German descent, and the latter of Scotch and German. They removed when James was quite young, to Geauga county, Ohio, where Mrs. Patterson died, and Mr. Patterson was again married. In 1850, the family moved west to Delaware county, Iowa, and there William Patter- son died. In 1852, James began busi- ness for himself. Three years later he went to Kossouth county, Iowa, where he remained till 1857, thence to Missouri, there living until 1861. August 29, of that year, he was married to Priscilla Bell, and soon after removed to Rush- ville, Schuyler county, Illinois. He re- sided in Rushville until 1865, when as before stated, lie came to Macomb. Since coming here, Mr. Patterson lias been

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

employed in moving buildings, and is the only one in the city, who makes that a business. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are the parents of six children-Edgar, Wil- liam, Maud, George, Scott and Thomas, all of these children are gifted with ar- tistic talent of a high order.

O. F. Piper, who at present is engaged in the insurance business, came to Ma- comb in 1855. He was born in Craw- ford county, Illinois, on the 14th day of February, 1822, being the son of Edward H. and Anna (Blackburn) Piper, the former of whom was a native Kentuck- ian, and served as the first circuit and county clerk of Crawford county, Illinois, the latter of which offices he held until his death, which occurred in 1835. O. F. Piper resided in his native county until 1836, when, on account of the death of his father, the family removed to Laporte county, Indiana, and settled on a farm. Here, in 1844, Mr. Piper was united in marriage with Mary A. Hawkins, and in 1855, removed to Macomb, McDonough county, Illinois, where he entered into a partnership with Arthur G. Burr, and engaged in the hardware business. It was conducted under the firm name of Burr & Piper, about two years, when Mr. Piper disposed of his interest, and, from that time until 1865, was engaged in the grocery trade. The following year he followed the business of insurance, and then entered the lumber trade as a member of the firm of Martin & Piper. During the year 1868, he gave his entire attention to insurance, and in 1869, re- ceived the appointment of Indian agent of the southern Apaches of Arizona and New Mexico. He held this position for two years, then resigned and returned to

Macomb, and has ever since been en- gaged in the insurance business, and also acted as a justice of the peace. In politics, he is a republican, and has served the people in the county board of supervisors, in the city council, and as a member of the board of education. Mr. and Mrs. Piper have had seven children, four of whom are now living-Edward S., who enlisted in company C, 84th Illi- nois infantry, and died while in the ser- vice; Alice B., the wife of David S. Black- burn, of California; Mary C., wife of Ar- thur Moore, of Clinton, Illinois; Walter L., of Macomb; Charles, who died at the age of 18 years; Lewis, of Clinton; and Orlando, of Macomb. Mr. and Mrs. Piper are members of the Presbyterian church.

John W. Churchill, builder and con- tractor of Macomb, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, July 2, 1826. His father, Richard H. Churchill, was also a native Kentuckian, and came to this county in 1833, engaging in farming in Emmet township, four miles from Ma- comb on what is known as the Miller place. He was the owner of considera- ble land at different times and places, and continued farming about three years when he removed to Macomb and opened a general store and there died in 1837. The mother of the subject of this sketch was. formerly Sarah Ann Brown, also from Kentucky, and after the death of her husband returned to her native state with the children. John W., was mar- ried in Jeffersonville, Indiana, to Mary J. McConnaughey, of Jeffersonville, In- diana. They resided in Indiana six years then went to Champaign county . and lived seven years, thence to this county,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

and Macomb in 1864. Here he worked at the trade of carpenter until 1868, when he commenced taking contracts, and has since built, by the job, many public and private buildings in around Macomb and vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have eight children, all but one of whom are living at home with them-Harry, living in Peoria; Blanche, a teacher in the pub- lic school at Macomb; Albert, Laura F., John C., Samuel, Zoe and Robert. The family are members of the Christian church, and he is a highly esteemed citi- zen of the place.

John H. Fuhr; of the firm of Fuhr & Chandler, carpenters, was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1841. He was the son of George Fuhr, a blacksmith, who was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother's name was Amanda Hayes. His parents moved to Westmoreland county, where his father carried on the blacksmith business for 16 years. He now lives upon a farm three miles north- east of Macomb. John learned the car- penter's trade in Macomb. He worked four years with McElrath as a cabinet- maker, afterward working at Abingdon and Quincy. In 1864, he was married to Mary Kelly, and removed to Leaven- worth, Kansas, where he carried on a cabinet shop, and afterward the carpen- 'ter business. Returning to Macomb he worked with Thomas and Martin, until some eight years ago, he went into part- nership with Chandler. They have a fine shop, and are doing a good business. Some of the finest houses in Macomb and surrounding. country were built by them. Mr. Fuhr has three children- Clara, Henry and Albert. One child,

Freddie B., died in infancy. Mr. Fuhr is a worthy member of the Masonic order.

Edward McDonough is the son of Hugh McDonough, Sr., who was born in the north of Ireland, and at an early age came to America and settled near Frankfort, Kentucky. He commenced life as a peddler, driving a horse and wagon, but soon after his marriage he abandoned this business and became a farmer. His wife was a native of Ken- tucky. Eight children were born to them, four of whom are now living. They came to McDonough county in 1831, and settled in Tennessee township, where Edward was-born, April 14, 1832. He lived at home until the year 1849, when he went to live with a man named Ambrose Owens, where he worked for his board, remaining six months. He afterward worked for Richard Craig, in Industry township, and also for David Scott. He saved his money and used it in procuring an education. He came to Macomb and lived with Isaac Grantham, the old county clerk, for three years. During these years he attended school, in the meantime working for his board. He engaged with the late N. P. Tinsley, who was in the dry goods and milling business, and worked for him several years. He finally commenced business on his own account, and was very suc- cessful. In 1880, he was taken with erysipelas, and was obliged to abandon active work. Mr. McDonough has ac- cumulated a good portion of property. His marriage occurred December 1, 1864, his wife being Amanda N. Buzan, from Warren county. She died Janu- ary 22, 1879, leaving three children- William, Mary C. and Edward H. Mr.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

McDonough has not since married. A relative of the family, "Aunt Kitty," took charge of the household, and now, at the age of 85 years, is with them, beloved by all. Mr. McDonough pos- sesses many of the characteristics of his father, who was greatly honored and esteemed by his neighbors for his many good qualities.

William Ward, foreman of the tile works at Macomb, was born in Stafford- shire, England, January 28, 1838. His parents were Thomas and Matilda ( Ball) Ward, also natives of England. Thomas Ward and his ancestors, for many gen- erations, have been potters. He is now living in England at the advanced age of 80 years, and is still engaged in sell- ing pottery to the trade. His wife is also living. William grew to manhood in his native country, learning his trade . at Gibbs, Cannon & Co., in Stafford- shire. In 1862, he went to Rio Janeiro, South America, being sent there by Thomas Brassey, the great railway con- tractor and sewer builder, to manufac- ture the sewer pipes for that city. After completing his work he returned to Staffordshire, England, and again worked for Gibbs, Cannon & Co. He left their employ, to come to America, in 1856, landing in New York in April, of that year. He went to Ohio and established tile works, two miles from Liverpool, for N. U. Walker, there remaining one and a half years, thence to Columbus, Ohio, where he was employed by the Columbus sewer pipe company, for sev- eral years, coming from there to Mon- mouth, Illinois, where he established the tile works at that place, and then re- turned to Columbus. He came to Mc-

Donough county in 1880, and four years later, to Macomb. He is a skilled work- man and. thoroughly understands every branch of his trade. Mr. Ward has been married three times, first to Su- sanna Pugh, who died, leaving him one son, Herbert, who is now married to Mary Horrocks, of Bardolph. Mr. Ward's second wife was formerly Mrs. Martha Marks, nee Lovell, widow of William Marks. She had by her for- mer marriage, five children-Katie, Ed- ward, Clara, Alice and Thomas. Mr. Ward's present wife was Susanna Set- ter, a native of England. He had by. his second marriage, one daughter- Matilda.

POSTOFFICE.

During the summer of 1831, an ar- rangement was made by James M. Campbell with the postmaster at Rush- ville, by which letters for residents of McDonough county would be forwarded to him, at Macomb, there being no post- office within the limits of the county, he being personally responsible for the postage of 25 cents per letter, then sel- dom, if ever, prepaid. Mr. Campbell, it is said, on receiving the letters, would put them in his hat for safe keeping, and from this grew the story that he carried the postoffice in that useful arti- cle of dress. Mr. Campbell was asked if he would accept the postmastership if it could be got, and on his assenting, a petition was circulated and signed by nearly all the citizens of the county. Accordingly in October, of that year, the postoffice of Macomb was estab- lished, with James M. Campbell as post- master, and a mail route arranged. For 10 years he held the office uninterrupt-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

edly, until in 1841, some false charges having been made against him, he was removed and George W. Damron ap- pointed in his place. . For a month or two this continued, but as soon as the truth of the matter was made known to the postmaster-general, Mr. Campbell was reinstated with honor, although he did not desire the office. Mr. Campbell held this important position until July, 1846, when, upon resigning, he was suc- ceeded by Jonathan H. Baker, who con- tinued to be postmaster until 1849,when he gave way to Resin Naylor, who was succeeded by J. W. Westfall. and later by J. W. Atkinson. Joseph E. Wyne was appointed postmaster by President Lincoln, in 1861, but did not serve out a term. He was succeeded in this office by J. K. Magie, who in turn made way for Iverson L. Twyman. T. B. Maury was the next incumbent, being appointed May 10, 1869, and serving until October 30, 1877, when he was succeeded by J. B. Venard, the present postmaster. The office was made a money order one in 1865, the first order being issued on the 3d of July, of that year, and was issued to Harrison Bailey, of Blandinsville, and to the order of Will Bailey, of Memphis, Tennessee. It was for the sum of $10. In 1871, it was constituted an international money order office, and the first order of that character was drawn November 24, 1871. It was issued to Thomas J. Jolly, of Macomb, payable to Thomas Jolly, Mile-End road, England, and was for 18s and 7d, or $5.00. The first postal note was issued to Prof. Max Kennedy, on the 4th of September, 1883, for the sum of $4.50.

Among McDonough county's most prominent citizens, must be mentioned Josephus B. Venard, who was born in Morgan county, Illinois, March 3, 1832, and who has spent the greater part of his life upon a farm. His parents were George and Frances (Mitchell) Venard, native Kentuckians, who removed to Mc- Donough county, Illinois, in 1832, where they resided up to the time of their death, with the exception of a shorttime spent in Hancock county. They were well known and highly respected by a large number of people, both in Hancock and McDonough counties. They reared a family of nine children. From the time Josephus B. Venard reached his ninth year, he was compelled to do his share of the farm labors. having to plow and do such other manual labor as his strength would permit of. He was only enabled to spend a few weeks of his life in the public schools of the county, but it was the custom of his father to gather the children around him in the evening, after the toils of the day were over, and teach them as much as possible between the short time intervening between sup- per and the hour for retiring. When the war broke out, J. B. became im- bued with patriotism, and enlisted on the 2d day of August, 1861, as a private in Captain J. D. Walker's company, 2d Illinois cavalry, and in about 30 days thereafter, the second lieutenant resign- ing, he was chosen by the men to fill the vacancy,, and was then duly commis- sioned. He retained this position until January 17, 1862, when he was promoted to first lieutenant. While still holding a commission as lieutenant of company H, he was assigned to command com-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

pany A, during the Red river campaign, and discharged the duties to the entire satisfaction of his superior officers. July 20, 1864, he was commissioned cap- tain of company H, and served as such until it was consolidated with other companies, and lettered E, when he was placed in command, and served with it until January 3, 1866, when he was mus- tered out. The 2d Illinois cavalry de -. serves the thanks of the whole country, for no regiment in the entire service ac- quitted itself more honorably than did it, being in active service from its mus- ter-in until the close of the war. Cap- tain Venard served with honor and dis- tinction, and took an active part in al- most every engagement in which the regiment participated. In the early part of 1865, he came home on a furlough, and was united in marriage with Mary E. Curtiss, on the 14th day of March, of that year. Their union has been blessed with five children, all of whom are liv- ing-Olive F., Helen, Dollie, George C., and Bessie. Captain. Venard was elected to the office of sheriff in 1874, re- ceiving a majority over both his political opponents, and, as an instance of his personal popularity, we will cite the fact that he carried Sciota township by 35 majority, being the first and only repub- lican that has ever done so. He also carried the township in which he was raised- Bethel-being another demo- cratic stronghold. As a civil officer, he brought to bear the same unswerving zeal that characterized him as an army officer, and gave entire satisfaction, dis- charging his duties faithfully and con- scientiously, and never shirking a re- sponsibility. He professed religion in

1874, and on his removal to Macomb, in the fall of that year, united with the Presbyterian church, and is now a faith- ful member thereof. As a citizen, Cap- tain Venard stands high in the estima- tion of the people, of the county. He is the present postmaster of Macomb, hav- ing been appointed to the office Novem- ber 1, 1877. The lodges A. F. and A. M., A. O. U. W., and G. A. R., claim him as an honored member.

.R. H. Venard, the present assistant postmaster of Macomb, is a son of Geo. and Frances Venard, and was born in Bethel township, McDonough county, Illinois, on the 15th day of June, 1840. He resided with his parents, and assisted in tilling the soil until he attained his majority, and then took a trip to the Pa- cific slope, and spent the four succeeding years in Oregon and California. He then, in 1866, returned to his native county, and again resumed agricultural pursuits, which he followed until 1880. Mr. Venard's brother died in 1868, and he then purchased the homestead, con- taining 110 acres, which he still owns. He removed to Macomb in 1880, since which time he has assisted his brother, J. B. Venard, in the postoffice. In 1868, he was united in marriage with Orpha Weaver, a native of Pennsylvania, and of which state her parents are still resi- dents. Mr. and Mrs. Venard have been the parents of four children, three of whom are still living-Georgie F., Wal- lace O., and Karl D. Mr. Venard affil- iates with the republican party.

GOVERNMENT.

For the first 10 years of its existence, the town of Macomb was governed by

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the county commissioners' court, but in 1841, by an act of incorporation passed by the general assembly, the government was entrusted to a board of five trustees. By the same act, the limits of the incor- poration were made one mile square, with the public square of Macomb as the center. It has been found impossible to find the record book of the board of trustees, as it has been entirely lost sight of, and in its absence, we are indebted to Clarke's history of the county for the following partial list of them. He says of it: "In looking over the old papers, we discovered the poll books of several annual elections, and give the names of such of those we could find who were elected trustees, and the year each served:

1849-William H. Randolph, A. S. Bonham, C. A. Lawson, T. J. Beard, John P. Head.

1850-William H. Franklin, Richard W. Stephenson, John P. Head, William L. Broaddus, Joseph E. Wyne, Charles Chandler, William T. Head.

1852-B. R. Hampton, C. A. Lawson, J. M. Major, J. P. Updegraff, C. W. Dallam.

1853-Thompson Chandler, J. E. Wyne, J. L. N. Hall, W. S. Hendricks, J. M. Martin.

1854-J. L. N. Hall, J. M. Martin, J. E. Wyne, Thomas J. Beard, C. A. Law- son.

1856-Abraham Rowe, J. E. Wyne, T. J. Beard, J. L. N. Hall, Garrett Bon- ham."

MUNICIPAL.

The city of Macomb was incorporated in 1856, the first election taking place on the 8th of November. This was for

officers for six months, or until the au- nual election, in May. At the next ses- sion of the general assembly, in the early part of 1857, a special act of incor- poration was passed and approved by Governor Bissell, on the 14th of Febru- ary, in which the boundaries of the in- corporation are set forth as follows: "All that district of country in the county of McDonough and state of Illinois, em- braced in the following limits, to-wit: The south half of section 31, the south -. west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 31, and the northwest quarter of section 31, all in township 6, north of the base line of range 2, west of the 4th principal meridian; and the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 36; the southeast quarter of said sec- tion 36, in township 6, north of range 3, west of the 4th principal meridian; and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 1, in township 5,north- of range 3, west of the 4th principal meridian; and the northwest quarter of section 6, and the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 6, in township 5, north of range 2, west of the 4th principal meridian."

The following is a complete list of the officers of the city from the date of its incorporation to the present time, given by years:

1856 - Mayor, John O. C. Wilson; aldermen, James M. Campbell, Joseph McCroskey, William H. Randolph, Sam- uel G. Cannon; clerk, H. E. Worsham.

1857- Mayor, Joseph P. Updegraff; aldermen, First ward, James M. Camp- bell and James Clarke; Second ward, William L. Broaddus and O. F. Piper; Third ward, William H. Franklin and

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. ·

William H. Randolph; Fourth ward, Thomas J. Beard and Samuel G. Can- non; clerk and attorney, Carter Van Vleck; marshal and supervisor, G. L. Farwell; treasurer, George W. Smith; assessor and collector, H. E. Worsham; surveyor, Charles A. Gilchrist; sexton, . David Clarke; board of health, James D. Walker, Thomas M. Jordan, William Wetherhold; school inspectors, J. L. N. Hall, J. H. Baker, J. B. Cummings, W. E. Withrow.

1858- Mayor, Joseph P. Updegraff; aldermen, First ward, James Clarke and Charles Chandler; second ward, O. F. Piper and P. Hamilton; Third ward, William H. Franklin and William E. Withrow; Fourth ward, Thomas J. Beard, Samuel G. Cannon, and Wil- liam P. Barrett; clerk and attorney, Lewis H. Waters; marshal and supervi- sor, William L. Broaddus; treasurer, George W. Smith; assessor and collec- tor, J. H. Cummings; surveyor, George W. Page; weigher, C. A. Humes; sexton, Peter Clark; board of health, James D. Walker, Thomas M. Jordan, William Wetherhold; school inspectors, W. E. Withrow, J. L. N. Hall, J. B. Cummings, J. H. Baker and J. Hagerty.

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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 129

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