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 133

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 133

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William Hunter, a prominent citizen of Macomb, came to McDonough county April 11, 1853, from Cincinnati and set- tled on section 1, township of Chalmers He is a native of Scotland, was born June 16, 1816. His father and mother both died in Scotland, the former when William was but six years old. On the 8th day of June, 1839, he left his native land for this country, and came to Ma- rietta, Ohio, where he had friends, with whom he remained about seven months,

then went to Cincinnati and clerked in a grocery store about two years. In 1842, he engaged in that business for himself, and continued until 1853, when he came here as above stated. He bought 160 acres of land in Chalmers township and 120 acres in Scotland, and engaged in general farming and stock raising .. The farm in Chalmers was partly improved at that time, which he afterwards re- placed with new buildings, and there he remained until the spring of 1878, when he moved into the city of Macomb He still owns and controls both these farms, which are now occupied by his son. He was first married in 1843, to Elizabeth Harvey. By that union there were nine children, eight of whom are still living -Martha F., who was married to John McLean, now deceased, now living in Macomb and has two sons and one daugh- ter living; Elizabeth, now the wife of Captain George W. Reid, and living on a farm in Chalmers township; James H. now living in Leavenworth, Kansas, en- gaged in the practice of law; Jennie, now engaged in the millinery business and living in Macomb; William, who was married to Mattie Dunn, grand-daughter of Judge Dunn, who is well known in Indiana; he is now living in Clinton, Illinois, and is a Presbyterian preacher; Susan, now the wife of James E. Cooper and living on a farm in Scotland town- ship; Robert, married to Ella Cumber- land and living on the old homestead; and Emma B., living at home. Cath- erine, the fifth child and fourth daughter, died in this county in 1864, aged 14 years. Mr. Hunter's first wife died September 4, 1858. He was again mar- ried in 1861, to Mrs. Schull, formerly

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Eliza McBride, who died in 1870. He was married the third time in August, 1871, to Sallie M. Craig, a native of Ken- tucky. Mr. Hunter has long been a con- sistent and influential member of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is a republican, decided in principle, yet being raised in a country where the office sought the man as a rule, and not the man the office, could not approve the scramble for nomination, and conse- quently never was elevated to office.

Hiram Tatman, a resident of the city of Macomb, came to the county from Missouri, in June, 1840. He was born near Lexington, Kentucky, November 7, 1803, and was reared a farmer. When quite young he went with his parents to Ohio, and there lived until eight years old, then moved 25 miles down the Ohio river, stopping at a place called "Yaller banks," on the Kentucky side. One year later they moved near Louisville, and remained a short time, thence to Indiana, and soon after to a place in Missouri, 15 miles below St. Genevieve, lived there one summer, then removed to Washington county, Illinois, where he remained five years. He next re- moved to Texas, but soon returned to Washington county. His father's death occurred at this time, and he continued to live in that county till 1836. In that year he moved to Missouri, from whence he came to this county. He first settled on Camp creek, near Pennington's Point, purchasing in that locality, 600 acres of wild land. He put 450 acres under cul- tivation, and resided there until 1859, when he sold out and became a resident of Macomb. He has been twice mar- ried, first, May 13, 1824, to Mary Silk-

wood, and by that union had 12 children, nine of whom are still living-Sirledon and William M., twins, now living in Douglas county; Minerva Jane, who was the wife of Noah Perry, deceased, now married to M. Fay, of Sacramento, Cali- fornia; Hiram H., living in this county; Thomas, in Greene county, Illinois; Sarah, formerly the wife of John Rhodes, deceased, now married to John Tostly, of Scott county, Illinois; Bazila, living in Oketa, Kansas; Cynthia, wife of W. Taylor, of Macomb, and Andrew A., a resident of Macomb. Mrs. Tatman died in 1881, in California. His present wife was formerly Elizabeth Martin. Mr. T'atman has always been, politically, a supporter of the democratic party.

George D. Keefer (deceased) was a native of Clear Spring, Washington county, Maryland, and was born July 25, 1832, being the son of George and Susan (Fogwell) Keefer. After reaching his majority, he left his native city, and went to Dayton, Ohio, where for one year he clerked for Detrich & Oldin, whole- sale druggists. While there he laid the foundation of a strict business life. In 1854, he removed to Canton, Illinois, and engaged in the drug business with his father, under the firm name of Keefer & Son, which partnership con- tinued until 1861, at which time George D. retired from the firm, and imme- diately proceeded to look up a location. He traveled through Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, and finally chose Macomb as the most eligible locality . Here he es- tablished himself in business, his capi- tal being very meagre, in fact, the capi- tal with which he bought the first bill of goods was furnished by a brother-in-

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

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law, who put in $1,000 against Mr. Keefer's time and experience. The busi- ness was conducted under the name of George D. Keefer, who, three years later, bought out the interest of his silent partner, and continued the busi- ness alone until the winter of 1866-67, at which time John M. Keefer became a partner, and the firm was styled Geo. D. Keefer & Brother. This partnership existed until July 14, 1879, when George D. departed this life. To no man is Ma- comb more indebted than to Mr. Keefer, for to him is due the credit that Macomb has the handsomest and most tastefully arranged business houses of any city of its size in the state-he making the first grand departure from the old style, by fitting up his store in a most beauti- ful and attractive manner, and soon after other business houses followed in the wake. He was possessed of most won- derful will power, and remained actively engaged in business almost up to the day of his death, although for the last year and a half of his life he was hardly able to walk. While in such poor health he also superintended the building of his residence, which is the handsomest in the city of Macomb. He was pos- sessed of excellent business qualities, was a thorough master of the drug pro- fession, and at his death left a compe- tence for his widowed wife and children. George D. Keefer and Maggie B. Sten- son, of Philadelphia, were united in marriage in November, 1866. They had seven children born to them, four of whom were left to a mother's care- George, Henry, Frank and Fred.

R. M. Bonham has been a resident of McDonough county since January, 1839,

having come here at that date from Shelby county, Illinois. He was born March 26, 1806, in Flushing county, Kentucky. He left his native county, October 5, 1834, going then to Shelby county, where he bought 120 acres of wild land, which he improved and made his residence until he came here. After his arrival here he spent one winter in Macomb, then rented the "Kyle farm," where he lived two years, after which, in the winter of 1842-43, he purchased the place where he now lives, compris- ing eighty acres, now lying in the sub- urbs of the city of Macomb. He has lived here continually, except a short time spent in Missouri. His place now contains but 15 acres, he having sold the remainder of his original purchase. He was formerly a whig, but of late years, a republican, in politics. His father died in 1818, but his mother survived until November, 1858, when she died in Mc- Donough county, aged 84 years. R. M. Bonham was married March 22, 1833, to Lucinda Crain, a native of Kentucky, and by this union had seven children, two of whom are now living-Theodore, married to Mary D. Hampton, living in Macomb, (they have five children, four sons and one daughter), and William Harrison, married to Martha Cook, and also living in Macomb, (they have three children-two sons and one daughter. ) Mrs. Bonham died in March, 1854, and Mr. Bonham was married on the 15th of September of the same year, to Emily Crain, a cousin of his first wife, also a native of Kentucky. There were three children by this marriage, one of whom, a son, is deceased. The two living are Becca, married to Frank A. Smith, of

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Macomb, and Edna D., married to Wil- liam P. Damron and living at the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Damron have two children-Frankie B., a bright boy of five years, and Mary Tutt, the baby. Mr. Bonham has been a member of the Universalist church since its organiza- tion in 1851, and has always been prom- inently identified with the interests of that church, having served for many years, in an efficient manner, as one of its trustees. His family are also num- bers of that organization.

Thomas J. Doak came to this county in March, 1868, settling then on a farm in Macomb township. He is a native of Kentucky, born December 17, 1839. He was brought up on a farm, and as he had opportunity, attended the common school, thus acquiring a limited educa- tion. He remained on the same place until he came here. His father died in Kentucky, and his mother, some years later, in York county, Nebraska. He bought a partially improved farm con- sisting of 80 acres, and engaged in farming. Subsequently he purchased an additional 30 acres, upon which he made improvements. In 1881, he sold the 80 acres, having previously ex- changed the 30 for residence property in Macomb, where he now lives, and which has been his residence since 1871. He was married in the spring of 1866, to Nannie J. McCampbell, a native of Kentucky. By that union were two children-John and George, both of whom are living at home. Mr. and Mrs. Doak are members of the Baptist church.

James Fulton, deceased, a pioneer of McDonough county, settled in Eldo-

rado township in 1836, removing thither from Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois, where he had located the previous year. He was born in Fleming county, Ken- tucky, April 14, 1804. He was a grand- son of Isaac Fulton, a native of the Emerald Isle, who came to the United States shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled in the city of Baltimore. There he was mar- ried to Martha Work, by whom he had one son, Isaac, the father of James, the subject of this sketch. Soon after the birth of this son, Isaac,Sr., was drowned, and the child was taken and brought up by a Mrs. Martha Anderson, a relative of the mother, who lived in Virginia. Isaac grew to manhood in Virginia, and left that state in search of his mother, who had married again. She died, however, before her son's arrival. He remained in Kentucky, where he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Crail, nee Bennington. By this union five child- ren were born-Martha, wife of William Cline; Thomas, Isaac, John and James, the subject of this sketch. James Ful- ton was married January 31, 1826, in Fleming county, Kentucky, to Mary Bonham, and came to Sangamon county, Illinois, 1829. In 1856, they removed from Eldorado township, to Macomb township, and in November, 1881, be- came residents of Macomb, where James Fulton died, January 20, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Fulton reared a family of 10 daughters and two sons-Elizabeth, wife of George W. Scott, of Abingdon, Illi- nois; Constance, who was married to Henry Edie, and died in Butler, Mis- souri, September 30, 1870; Ale Ann, wife of D. N. Miller, of Shenandoah, Iowa;

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Amariah, deceased; William, deceased; Robert R., in Texas; Angeline, widow of D. G. Harland, of New Salem town- ship; Margaret, wife of James G. Evans, of Industry township; Armazinda, de- ceased September 21, 1868, wife of Granville Wright, of Fulton county; Aratus, living in Scotland township; Dilcy, wife of William Miller, of In- dustry; Sarilda M., wife of R. A. Miller, of Kansas; Mary Ann, widow of J. W. Carlin, living in Macomb, and Adela. The later is a teacher, having taught in this county for 12 years, and one year at LaClede seminary, Lebanon, Missouri. She is at present teaching in Warren county, Illinois. Mr. Fulton was for 40 years, a consistent member of the Christian church, and was connected with the church at Macomb, for 25 years. His widow still mourns him,and resides in Macomb.

Jonathan Stoffer is a son of Adam and Phebe (Tyson ) Stoffer. They were na- tives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. After marriage they removed to Ohio. Jonathan Stoffer was born in Portage county, of that state, January, 13, 1827. When 19 years old he went to Brown county, Illinois, which, with the exception of one winter spent in his native county, was his residence until 1870. In that year he removed to McDonough county, and located at Bardolph, where, he engaged in the pottery business. Two years later he came to Macomb and built the first pottery ever erected in that town. He operated the same until 1881, then sold out and went to Tennessee, where he built another pottery, making three buildings for that purpose in this county which he has helped to build.

He followed farming in Ohio, and dur- ing his residence in Brown county, was employed as a carpenter. He is not en- gaged in any business at present. Mr. Stoffer has been three times married; first to Eliza Myers, by whom he had four children, three of whom are living -Wadsworth, now a grocery merchant in the city of Macomb; Henry, also in in Macomb; and Catherine, wife of John Minium, of Kansas. Mr. Stoffer's sec- ond marriage was to Janet Allbert, and he has by this union, one child-Sher- man. His third wife was formerly Tina Ewing.

John S. Smith was born in Little York, York county, Pennsylvania, in March, 1802. His brother, the Rev. William Smith, still resides at Little York, and and is one of the wealthiest men in that community. While yet a young man, Mr. Smith removed to Miami county, Ohio, where he was married to Mary A. Risley. During the year 1864, he came to Illinois, and settled in Macomb, Mc- Donough county, where he worked at his trade for a number of years, that of a plasterer.

Manning H. Case, of this county, lives on the southwest quarter of section 30, Macomb township, where he owns a nicely improved farm, and is engaged in general farming and dairying. He came here in 1867, from Ohio, and was born in that state in Summit county, April 5, 1844. He was brought up to agricultural pursuits, and educated in the common schools. At the age of 18 years he en- listed in the army in company A, 42d Ohio volunteer infantry, which was Pres- ident Garfield's old regiment, and re- mained in the service three years, par-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ticipating in many battles, among them: Vicksburg, Red River, or engagements during that campaign; Pound Gap, Cum- berland Gap and Middle Creek. After his term of service expired he returned to Ohio, there remained one year, then went west, prospecting in Kansas, Col- orado and other sections of country. He was married in 1868 to Rhoda J. Har- mon. They have had four children, two of whom are now living-Herbert H., deceased, Freddie H., deceased, H. Don at home and George A. Mr. Case is a member of the G. A. R., A. O. U. W., and politically, a member of the republi- can party.

John E. Lane, the present deputy sher- iff of McDonough county, was born in Russell county, Kentucky, October 1, 1834. In the spring of 1836, his parents, Gholson and Mary (Jones) Lane, re- moved to McDonough county, and set- tled in Industry township. John E. grew to manhood in this county, and, May 24. 1861, enlisted as a private in company A, of the 16th Illinois infantry. In 1862, he was appointed first sergeant, and served until the 20th of June, 1864. He returned from the army to the city of Macomb, and was there married October 20, 1864, to Josie A. Kendrick, daughter of W. H. Kendrick, of Macomb. In May, 1865, Mr. Lane was appointed city mar- shal, assessor and collector, and served two years. In December, 1866, he was appointed deputy sheriff under Colonel Samuel Wilson, and served two years, after which, in 1868, he was elected sher- iff of McDonough county, which office he held, also, two years. He then purchased a farm in Carroll county, Missouri, on which he resided two years, engaged in

farming, then returned to Macomb. On the 16th day of January, 1873, he bought the interest of S. L. Babcock, and became a partner of Jos. Updegraff in the gro- cery business. This partnership con- tinued one year, then Mr. Lane pur- chased the interest of Mr. Updegraff and carried on the business alone about a year. He then formed a partnership with G. W. Pace, which lasted until Au- gust 6, 1877, when they sold out. Mr. Lane was elected in the spring of that year, to the office of constable, and re- elected to the same in the spring of 1881. In 1880, he was appointed deputy sheriff by Fred Newland, and in 1882, re-ap- pointed to serve four years. Mr. Lane is a worthy and public spirited citizen, and as a public officer, has served in a faith- ful and efficient manner. Mr. and Mrs. Lane have one son-Frank A.

Charles Shevalier, a prominent and . wealthy citizen of Macomb, is a son of John Shevalier, a farmer of Cortland county, New York, who died there in 1866. Charles was born in the same county, May 15, 1831. His early life was spent in his native state. In 1851, he came to Illinois, and settled at La Harpe, where he remained one year, then came to McDonough county and located in Blandinsville where he followed the shoemaker's trade, having learned the same in his native county. He continued in that occupation 13 years. He then re- turned to Cortland county, New York, with the intention of making that place his permanent home, but finally decided to return to this county, which he did, in 1867, settling then, in the city of Ma- comb, where he has since been a resident. He here engaged in buying and selling

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

produce, also hides, pelts and furs. He carried on that business three years, af- ter which he opened a shoe shop, which he run four years, employing several men. At the end of that time he aban- doned the business, and has since been engaged in speculating and loaning money. He is the owner of much real estate in Macomb and Hire townships, also in the city of Macomb. He owns an interest in the Macomb tile works, also the banks from which the clay is obtained. Mr. Shevalier was married in Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, in 1862, to Catherine Chaplin, a native of Cortland county, New York. She died December 24, 1884, in Macomb. They had no children. Mr. Shevalier is the only representative of his family, who has ever located in McDonough county.

Simon Lafayette Sommers was born October 23, 1823, in Alexandria county, Virginia. His father, John A. Som- mers, was a civil engineer on the Chesa- peake & Ohio canal,and died while serv- ing in that capacity. Captain Simon Som- mers, the grandfather of Simon Lafay- ette, was a captain in the Revolutionary war. The family is of English origin, and several of its members have attained distinction in this country. Dr. John E. Sommers, U. S. surgeon, now stationed at Omaha, is a cousin. George W. was a judge, and also a member of congress from West Virginia. Simon L.'s mother was Susanna Young, a daughter of Abram Young, who resided about one miles east of the capitol building, in Washington. The government pur- chased his farm, laid it out into lots, streets, avenues, and reservations, and deeded one-third of the lots to him as a

part of the consideration. Simon L.'s family, upon the mother's side', were of Scotch descent. At 16 years of age, Simon was sent to an academy inFauquier county, Virginia, where he remained four years. About the year 1844, he entered upon the occupation of a school teacher, and taught successfully in Charles county, Maryland, and afterward in Montgomery county, Alabama, re- turning to the farm in 1847, where he remained until 1855, in the meantime serving as county surveyor of his native county. In 1855, he became agent and attorney, in fact, for W. W. Corcoran, of Washington City, and came west to look after the extensive landed interests of his employer. He continued in that service until December, 1859. The spring of 1861, found Mr. Sommers in his native county, and espousing the southern cause. He raised a company, and was elected captain, but before the company was mustered into the service, the members were captured at their homes by the Union forces, and the com- pany was thus disbanded. At the time of the capture, Mr. Sommers was absent at Fairfax court house. During the war Mr. Sommers was in the South, and served as civil assistant engineer. In July, 1865, he was reappointed land agent for Mr. Corcoran, and came to Macomb, where he has since resided in that capacity. Mr. Sommers was mar- ried March 17, 1863, to Margaret Maria Newton, daughter of Charles and Sarah Ann A. Newton, formerly of the U. S. navy. Seven children have been born to them, six. of whom are living. Mr. Sommers is a Master Mason of Macomb lodge, No. 17, and for five years served

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

as a member of the Macomb board of education.

John Ewing was born in Mt. Pleas- ant, Jefferson county, Ohio, Septem- ber 12, 1818, and is the fourth child of the late Thomas Ewing. He received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and in January, 1845, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Emanuel and Rachel Malarnee, of Jefferson county, Ohio. The fruits of this union was a family of six children, only two of whom are now living-Pardon died in Littleton township and Alvin died soon afterward in the same place; Mary E., now the wife of Dr. A. R. Clark, now resides in Rush- ville; Homer died in infancy; Margaret Ann died in young womanhood; Asa T., the sixth child, is living in Littleton on the old homestead. When Mr. Ew- ing was still a small child, the family removed to Smithfield, in the same state, but in April,1853, Ewing left Ohio and settled in Littleton township, where he still owns a farm of 360 acres, 40 acres of which is coal and timber land. Stock raising was his specialty, although he was for some years, agent for the Mc- Cormick reaping machine, in Rushville. In 1869, Mr. Ewing was elected by the democratic party, as a representative in the legislature from Schuyler county, and served with credit to himself. His course as a representative was distin- guished by his great fidelity to the in- terests of his constituents, and his wis- dom, honesty, and independance won the approbation of all parties. In 1872, Mr. Ewing met with a great loss in the death of his wife. He subsequently, met and married Mrs. Margaret E. Hall, the widow of Edward Hall, who died

from disease contracted in the army. Mr. Ewing is a man who takes great in- terest in public affairs. He is now a resident of Macomb, in which city he recently settled, where he expects to spend the balance of his days.

William Harrison Franklin became a resident of McDonough county in 1839. He was born in Mercer county, Ken- tucky, on the 13th of June, 1813, being the son of James and Nancy ( Whitten) Franklin, and was reared on a farm, and resided in his native state up to the time of his removing to this county. Upon locating in Macomb, he took up the legal profession, having studied law previous to leaving his native state. He contin- ued this profession until 1858; being lo- cated in Missouri from 1842 to 1844. On the 1st of April, 1841, William H. Franklin and Maria Clarke, a daughter of James Clarke, were united in marriage. As a result of this union, they have been the parents of 10 children, four of whom are now living-W. J., a lawyer at Junction City, Kansas; John H., a lawyer at Russell, Kansas, at present editor of the Russell Record; George A. of Macomb, and Harry, a jeweler of McLean county. After abandoning the practice of his profession, Mr. Frank- lin for several years conducted a fruit nursery. In politics, he is a republican, and from 1831 to 1856 was a whig. He has been a justice of the peace and po- lice magistrate for 35 years, and at pres- ent fills the latter office; also served as master in chancery for two years. Mr. Franklin has never asked for an office, but his friends have secured his nomi- nation at different times. He received the nomination for state senator in 1856,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

but the entire ticket was defeated. At one time, during his absence from the county, he received the nomination for county judge, but the democrats again succeeded in electing their ticket. Mr. Franklin was one of the organizers of the Christian church, of Macomb, of which he is still a member. The tem- perance cause has always found in him a strong supporter, he having been a conscientious temperance man for the past 40 years.

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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 133

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