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 33

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 33

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

high priest of that order previous to offering his services to the country. In 1849 Mary McCrosky became his beloved wife. She is a Kentuckian by birth, but came to Schuyler county, Illinois, with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are the parents of three children; Ella L., Sarah Alice, now the wife of William Wyne, and James M., the part- ner, in business with his father.

The successor of Mr. Ervin, in this office was Quinton C. Ward, who was elected at the regular election in the fall of 1869. He, also, filled this office for four years.

Q. C. Ward is a native of McDonough county, and first saw the light on the 14th of February, 1838. He is at pres- ent a resident of the town of LaHarpe, Hancock county, Illinois, where he is engaged, in company with J. H. Hun- gate, in the banking business, under the firm name of Hungate, Ward & Co.

In 1873, A. L. Sparks was duly elected to the office of county clerk, and filled the same for four years.

Allen L. Sparks, a leading citizen of Bushnell township and prominent in McDonough county is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Deford) Sparks. His father was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania November, 24th, 1808, and died near Ellisville, Fulton county, Illinois, July 6th, A. D. 1876. His mother was born September 13th, 1813, in Belmont county, Ohio, and died January 21st, 1864, near Ellisville, Illinois. His father was of Irish descent and his mother of French. Allen L. is the eldest of a fam- ily of 11 children, and was born in Rich- land (now Ashland) county, Ohio, June 8th, 1831. In the spring of 1835 he em-

igrated with his father to Clinton county, Indiana, which was then called a wilder- ness, the country being new and sparsely settled. In 1845 his father with his family moved to Ellisville,Fulton county Illinois; there Allen worked and assisted his father to improve a farm in Deer- field township.

In 1853 a serious abscess arose on his spine and inflammation of the hip joint which for five years disqualified him for hard labor. During this time he studi- ously employed himself in the acquire- ment of an English education and in or- der to obtain means and not be depend- ent on his friends would teach school in winter and pursue his studies in sum- mer. He followed teaching as a profes- sion till 1859. On December 28th 1859, he married Ann Jane Johnson, a resident of Prairie City, Illinois. Her parents Mahetable and Elisha Johnson emi- grated from the state of New York and settled near Fairview. After his marriage he settled on and commenced the im- provement of the farm he now lives on, being southeast quarter of section num- ber 29, Bushnell township; he owns 120 acres on the northeast of section number 28 in Young Hickory township, Fulton county. Upon his farm in Bush- nell township he has substantial and good improvements, a commodious resi- dence, good barn, good stock and all good conveniences; his home is a beau- tiful one and the surroundings make it home like. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks have two children (boys), Emory Caldwell, the eldest, and Eben Wilson Burrill, both residing with their parents. Mr. Sparks was elected justice of the peace in Bushnell township April 4th, 1871,

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which office he held for two years. In the spring of 1873 he was elected supervisor of his town and held that till November 1873, when he resigned, and in Novem- ber 1873, he was elected county clerk of McDonough county, on the anti-monop- oly ticket, which office he held four years, and returned to his farm in Octo- ber, 1883. At Jacksonville, Illinois, he was elected grand worthy president of the Anti-Horsethief association of Illi- nois, its jurisdiction'comprising all the states east of the Mississippi river and north of the Ohio. In politics Mr. Sparks is an uncompromising national green- backer and anti-monopolist; is kind and generous to the poor, sympathizes with and takes an active part in all the labor reforms of the state, is proud of his pro- fession as a farmer, and at the Bushnell fair is superintendent of farm products. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In November, 1877, at the regular election, there were three candidates for the office of county clerk, Charles W. Dines, the nominee of the democratic party; J. W. Parks, of the republican; and Allen L. Sparks, of the independent. Mr. Dines was the successful candidate, by a moderate plurality. He was re-el- ected in 1882, and is the present incum- bent of the office.

Charles W. Dines, the present county clerk, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Todd) Dines, was born in Missouri, June 12, 1842. He received a good edu- cation, graduating at the Selby high school. In 1862, he entered the United States 'service as clerk in the office of the paymaster of war, and served two years. He afterwards resided for one

year at Quincy, Illinois. He then came to McDonough county and settled at Blandinsville, where he engaged in the general merchandise business, and also dealt in grain and live stock. In 1877, he was elected county clerk, was re-elec- ted in 1882, and is now holding said of- fice. He was married, in 1870, to Alta Hopper, daughter of A. P. and Cynthia Hopper. They have six children-Or- ville, Stella, Donna, Adelbert, Thomas A. and Mary Will. Mr. Dines is a dem- ocrat in politics, and is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mutual Aid, A. F. & A. M., and the K. of P. lodges. He is a gen- ial and obliging gentleman, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the citi- zens of the county, and has just been elected mayor of the city of Macomb by a majority of over 100, although the pol- itics of the city is largely republican.

Thomas Dines (deceased) the father of Charles W., was a native of Chester county, Maryland, was born in 1815. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and, in 1830, he emigrated to Missouri, and, while there, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Todd, also a native of Maryland. In 1865, they came to this state, and settled at Blandinsville, where he engaged in the merchandise trade, and subsequently retired from business. In 1880, Mrs. Dines went on a visit to her old home in Missouri,and there died, on the 6th of June. One year later, Mr. Dines went to Missouri, and while there he died, on the 26th of March, in the same house that his wife had died 'in. Four sons survived them-C. W., J. A., who is now in New Mexico; Adel- bert, now in Fort Worth, Texas, and William, who resides at Boulder, Col.

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 299

William P. Barrett, one of the pion- eers of 1844, is a native of England, be- ing born in 1820. His early life was oc- cupied in various employments in his native country, and in 1843 he emigra- ted to the United States, settling in Iowa, but fever and ague being almost an epidemic there he came to Illinois, and became a resident of Macomb. He followed farming and teaming, and in winter seasons worked in stores. He has held numerous local offices, and is at present deputy county clerk. He was married June 4, 1846, to Margaret Rob- berts, a native of Wales. Their mar- riage has been blessed with nine chil- dren, six of whom are now living-Sarah, William, Thomas, Edward, Maggie, Charles and Mary.

COUNTY JUDGE.

In 1847, a state election was held for members of the constitutional conven- tion, which convention prepared and sub- mitted to the people a new constitution which was adopted by a large majority. By this constitution, in place of the county commissioner's court, a county court was organized in each county. This court consisted of a county judge, and, if, the legislature saw proper to so order it, two associate justices. This the legislature favorably acted upon. On the 3d day of December, the first regular term of the county court was held. The duties of this court in a leg- islative capacity, were precisely the same as those of the county commissioner's court. The court itself consisted of a county judge and two associate justices. In addition to the legislative powers, the members of this court were permit-

ted to exercise judicial authority, hav- ing all the rights and privileges of jus- tices of the peace, together with all probate business. James Clarke was elected the first county judge to serve four years. The first associate justices were Charles R. Hume and C. C. Hun- gate.

James Clarke was among the earliest settlers of McDonough county, and for years occupied official positions that brought him before the people as much as any other man within its border. He was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, September 26, 1797. His parents were John and Ann (Whitten) Clarke, the father being a soldier of the revolution- ary war. They were in very moderate circumstances, and when James was but, a babe removed to Washington county, in the same state, engaging in the occu- pation of farming, their son assisting them as soon as he arrived at an age when he could be of service, remaining at home until eighteen years of age, when he left to learn the trade of hatter, which he followed for some years. A few months attendance in the common schools was all the educational advan- tages that he ever enjoyed, but that little he made the best of in after life. The same general traits of character for which he was noted for when more ad- vanced in life was observable in youth. He was a quiet, steady and industrious boy, never engaging in any of the rude sports of the time, and of good moral habits.

On the 21st day of May, 1818, a few months before reaching his majority, he was married to Mary Lewis, in Wash- ington county, Kentucky, with whom he

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lived happily a period of 58 years, or until death called him away. Eleven children were born unto them, eight sons and three daughters, the latter, with one son, the eldest of the family, yet dwelling upon this side of the river, the rest having passed over.

Realizing the almost utter impossibil- ity of the poor ever becoming rich, or even obtaining a respectable living in the old states, Mr. Clarke determined on emigrating to Illinois, and in the year 1829, with his family, removed to Mor- gan county, in this state, where they re- mained but one year, and in the spring of 1830 came to this county. When he arrived here he found but few families, and only scattered settlements here and there. In the neighborhood of the pres- ent city of Macomb, where he settled, there were but two families, Elias Mc- Fadden, then living on the Hunter farm, south of town, and John Baker, living near where the fourth ward school house now stands. The county was without organization, all local business being transacted in Schuyler county, and the nearest postoffice being in Rushville, of the same county. In the summer after his arrival steps were taken to organize the county, Mr. Clarke being very active in the matter. In the first elect- ion he was elected one of the county com- missioners, and was re-elected several times, serving, we believe, about eight years. He also served several years as probate justice. When a change was made in the government of counties, by the constitution of 1848, he was elected county judge, which office he held for four years. He was also a mem- ber of the first city council of Macomb,

and for years was a justice of the peace of the county. In the discharge of his official duties he endeavored to render satisfaction to all, and was always pop- ular with the people. Mr. Clarke was a resident of Macomb until the day of his death, which occurred upon the 12th of June, 1876.

Charles R. Hume was born in Dela- ware county, New York, on the 1st day of January, 1814, and is the third of a family of ten, five of whom were sons and five daughters. His parents were Robert and Catharine (Ross) Hume. The father being of Scotch birth, and the mother a native of New York. The elder Hume was a merchant. He died in 1858, leaving to each of his children a fair share of property. One son became an eminent clergyman, and was for a number of years missionary in India and died abroad. Another son attained high position at the bar in California. Charles R., has had a varied experience in life, spending the first 14 years of his life with his parents upon a farm and in at- tendance at school, graduating at Jeffer- son academy, when 18 years of age. He spent a few years as a clerk in a whole- sale dry goods house in New York, and in the spring of 1837, he came to Illi- nois, purchasing two quarters of land in Hire township. While coming up the Mississippi river, the boat blew up, in- juring a number on board, but Mr. Hume luckily escaped unhurt. After purchas- ing his land, he went to Indiana, where his parents were then residing, and re- mained there until the following spring. Upon his return he brought with him a liberal amount of supplies, and he set- tled upon his land and proceeded to cul-

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tivate it. His presence was regarded with suspicion by the settlers in that neighborhood, who were composed prin- cipally of emigrants from Kentucky and Tennessee, and who disliked Yankees, looking upon all as despised who were not born south of Mason and Dixon's line. He was ordered to leave, but with the perverseness of the Scotch, and the easy "don't careativeness" of the Yankee, "he reckoned as how he wouldn't go." He remained at his post and conquered the prejudices of his neighbors. The life of a farmer not proving attractive, after two years, when the town of Blan- dinsville was laid out, in company with Joseph C. Blandin, he erected a build- ing and opened the first store in the place. He followed this business in connection with milling until the break- ing out of the Mexican war, when he en- listed in Captain Stapp's company of mounted men, but was never sent to the front, being placed on detached service as recruiting officer, with headquarters at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis. In this capacity he continued until the close of the war, being mustered out July 3, 1848. On his return from St. Louis, he again embarked in the mer- cantile trade, continuing therein until the spring of 1852, when he went to Califor- nia, remaining there some three years, during which time, in the town of Placer- ville, he read law with his brother John. Returning to Blandinsville, in 1855, he continued the study of law, and in the following year was admitted to the bar. He has continued the practice of the law up to the present time, confining his business chiefly to collections and crimi- nal law. Mr. Hume was a member of

the old whig party, but was one of the first to identify himself with the repub- lican party. Although in a democratic district, he has been frequently honored by his friends and neighbors with public office. He was for nearly four years associate justice of McDonough county, resigning a short time before the expira- tion of his term, to go to California. He has also been notary public for many years, and for nearly 26 years has held the office of justice of the peace. In 1858, when his party was largely in the minority, he received a nomination for representative in the legislature, and made the race with entire satisfaction to his party friends. Mr. Hume was an active participant in the settlement of the Mormon difficulties in Hancock county, and was one of the number to escort the last remnant of the "Saints" across the Mississippi river. When the war broke out in 1861, Mr. Hume proved his loyalty and patriotism by raising a company of as brave and loyal soldiers as ever charged upon an enemy. This was company C, of the 78th Illinois vol- unteers. Its history is written in blood on many battle fields. Mr. Hume was mustered with his company into the United States service, September 1, 1862, and served as captain until December 18, 1864, when he was mustered out on account of disability. In December, 1862, he was captured by the rebel gen- eral, Morgan, and paroled upon the battle field, but not exchanged until September, 1863. While on parole he was stationed at Benton barracks, near St. Louis, and placed in command of the 2d battallion, Illinois paroled men, and was also made judge advocate on general

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courts martial. He was engaged in the battle of Mission Ridge, after which he participated in the forced march to re- lieve General Burnside, at Knoxville. He was on detailed service much of the time. On the 29th of May, 1839, he was united in marriage with Harriet L. Blan- din, daughter of Joseph L. Blandin, the founder of the town of Blandinsville. A son and daughter were born to them, both of whom are living. The daughter is now the wife of Joseph Edel, a citizen of Blandinsville, and a former member of the 11th Illinois cavalry, of which "Bob" Ingersoll was colonel. The son, R. W. Hume, was also a member of that regiment, joining the service when but 17 years old, and serving faithfully until the close of the war, being mustered out as orderly sergeant. Captain Hume, as a citizen and a neighbor, has always en- joyed the respect and esteem of the com- munity in which he has lived.

At the regular election of 1853 Thomp- son Chandler was elected county judge, and Samuel Calvin and S. J. Grigsby, associate justices. These parties consti- tuted the county court until April, 1857, when it was superseded by the supervisor system, adopted by the people of the county, in accordance with an act of the general assembly, providing for township organization. By this law, the jurisdic- tion of the county judge was limited to probate matters, settlement of estates of deceased persons, appointment of guar- dians and conservators, and settlements of their accounts, of all matters relating to apprentices, and in proceedings for the collection of taxes and assessments, and other minor matters. Judge Chan- dler occupied this position until 1866,

having been elected to the office in 1857, and again in 1861.

Judge Thompson Chandler comes of a hardy race, being born among the hills of New Hampshire, in the town of Al- stead, October 25, 1805. His early life was not unlike thousands of others who passed through the common schools, and with a few months in the academy com- pleted their education. He remained with his parents on the old homestead until after he reached his majority, thus showing filial affection to be commended.

In the spring of 1832 he left his native state and came west as far as Cin- cinnati, where he remained two years en- gaged in the mercantile trade with vary- ing success. On the expiration of this time he thought to still better his condi- dition by yet removing still further west, and in that new country, lately opened to immigration, he might attain that suc- cess in life to which he aspired. Accord- ingly, in the spring of 1834 he landed in Macomb, this county, where he has since continued to reside, an honored citizen and an esteemed friend, exhibit- ing in his life those traits of character which have rendered him so popular among the people. For the first three years after his arrival in Macomb he en- gaged in the mercantile trade in company with William Richards, so well and fa- vorably known among early settlers. His success in this business was as great as could be expected at that early day, when the settlers had little money and raised nearly all they ate or wore. Short- ly after his arrival in Macomb he pur- chased the southeast quarter, section 36, Emmet township, and afterward the en- tire section, part of which he obtained

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for one dollar per acre and the balance for three dollars. The whole of the south- east quarter is now covered by dwelling houses, from the humble cottage of the laboring man to the more palatial resi- dence of the wealthier class, and is the finest part of the city of Macomb. From 1837 to the present time, a period of forty years, Mr. Chandler has been en- gaged in farming, save a period of one year while in California. In 1849, with many others, he took up his line of march to the new Eldorado, where he engaged for one year in mining and trading, hav- ing fair success in either operation, but experiencing enough of the hardships of the country in that time. On his return he again engaged in his regular calling, which, as remarked, he has followed to the present time. In addition to the regular work of the farm, he lias for many years been engaged in raising stock, and was probably the first in the county to take an interest in improving the breed. At every meeting of the Mc- Donough county agricultural association since its organization, his herd of cattle has attracted considerable attention, and almost every year he has taken one or more premiums on his display.

In politics Mr. Chandler is now and always has been a democrat of the old school, in the years of his manhood vot- ing with and working for the success of the democratic ticket. Honoring the party, he has in time been honored by it, in receiving the nomination and election to various offices of trust. He has filled in a satisfactory manner the offices of trustee of the town, alderman of the city, justice of the peace, member of the board of supervisors, and county judge, in the

latter office serving from 1853 to 1861, a period of eight years, No man that has ever occupied the office has discharged its duties in a more satisfactory manner. His popularity on this account has ever been great, and we have more than once observed that when his party desired an unexceptionable strong man they always brought out Thompson Chandler, and seldom has he ever been defeated. Many times has the large majorities of the op- position been overcome or reduced to an insignificant amount through reason of his popularity.

Judge Chandler was married on the 3d day of February, 1831, to Lucy B. Towne, of Stoddard, New Hampshire. Four children have they been blessed with-three boys and one girl. Two are yet living. Albert B., the second son, died on the 15th day of September, 1877, at the residence of his brother, G. C. Chandler, of Chicago. Albert B. had been sick for a long time with consump- tion, brought on, doubtless, by exposure. He was a hard-working, industrious young man, toiling early and late, with the laudable desire of adding to his pos- sessions. He was buried in Oakwood cemetery, near Macomb, the funeral ser- vices being conducted by Elder G. W. Mapes. Solon F., the oldest, is also dead; Gardner C., after having been engaged in business in Chicago, is now living in Macomb; Mary Almeda is the wife of Crosby F. Wheat, a leading lawyer of Macomb, and for some years county at- torney of McDonough county.

In 1865 L. A. Simmons was elected to the office of county judge, and occupied the same for four years. -

Louis A. Simmons was born at North

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Bridgewater, (now Brockton), Plymouth county, Massachusetts, March 16, 1833. His parents removed to the south part of Warren county, Illinois, in the fall of 1839, and he shared the usual lot of farmer boys in pioneer days. With only limited advantages for education he had mastered the common English branches and made considerable progress in higher mathematics and the natural sciences before he was 17, when he commenced teaching and working on the farm, and pursuing his studies during the summer. In September, 1852, he entered the Illinois Liberal institute, (now Lombard university), at Gales- burg, and graduated in June, 1856. Re- turning home he worked with his father and younger brothers on the farm until August, 1857, teaching in the winter, and devoting six hours of each twenty-four to his studies. He was admitted to the bar, at Monmouth, Illinois, in August, and the first of September, 1857, en- tered the law department of the univer- sity of Albany, N. Y., where he graduated in February, 1858. His severe struggle had so impaired his health, that he re- mained until June on the old farm, meanwhile looking out a location for practice. In June, 1858, he opened a law office in Macomb. In November of the same year, he was married to Linda G. Bond. In September, 1859, he formed a partnership with J. C. Thompson, which continued three years. In the fall of 1860 his wife died of quick consumption, her infant daughter having two months earlier departed to the Summer Land. He was elected school commissioner in 1861, and resigned when he went into the army in 1862. He was a member

of the 84th regiment, Illinois infantry, from its first organization to the close of the war, serving a year as private and the remainder of the term as quartermaster. In the fall of 1865 he was elected county judge, ,In November of the same year he was married to M. Theresa Harwood, and during the ensuing winter wrote the"History of the 84th regiment,Illinois volunteers," which he published the fol- lowing year. On January 3, 1872, his wife died, leaving him two small chil- dren. In November, 1875, he was mar- ried to Jennie Barber. He devoted his attention to law practice until Septem- ber, 1880, when he removed to Welling- ton, Kansas, where he at present resides. His son, L. H., and surviving daughter, Myrtle T., are fine scholars for their age.

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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 33

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