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 72

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 72

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

county, and on the 3d of October, of the same year, settled on Spring creek, in what is now Emmet township. The location was a beautiful one, with tim- ber on, the east and north, and a fine walnut grove near the house, in which the Methodists held their camp meetings in 1853 and 1855. Here he remained until 1854, when lie sold out to Jesse Bugg. In the fall of the same year he went to Kansas, in company with Alex- ander and James Wilson, leaving his family at home. He was gone some six weeks looking for a home, but returned to this section, thinking that Kansas would not be settled up in his day. He then bought a farm in the southeastern part of Hire township, to which he moved in December. Here he remained for three years, but in the spring of 1857, he removed to a prairie farm, four and a half miles north of Colchester, where he has resided for 28 years. He had three daughters and one son born in Kentucky -Harriet, born February 9, 1840; Lucy, April 4, 1842; Frances, October 27, 1844; and J. T. William D. was born in Mc- Donough county, April 2, 1850. "Billy," as he was commonly called, was loved by all wlio knew him, was of an intellectual cast, and always had a natural regard for books. In his studies, he was quick of preception, and his ability to solve any problem that came up was marvel- ous. He depended but little on his teachers, and always cultivated a love for the good and beautiful. As an orator, it is said, he would compare with the best speakers of his age. He had an intense relish for composition and writ- ing, snd his essays were pointed and full of meaning, and marked with originality

and thought. He attended, in 1868-69, the normal school at Macomb. Among his most intimate friends, perhaps, the one most loved, was F. M. Martin, now a physician at La Harpe.

Billy knew how to appreciate the Creator. He had a love for natural scenery, and spoke often in his writings of the high hills, lofty mountains and the great ocean; from these his thoughts would go up to the God of Nature who made all things by the word of his power. He was, also, a good bible student; he was industrious at school and on the farm, and despised the loss of time. One day while passing through the field, he pulled up a small willow sprig which he planted in his father's yard next to the public road. He was then eight years old. It was the first set out in the yard and has been grow- ing for 27 years, and is now more than two feet in diameter, and has a large spreading top of more than a hundred branches. This tree which we call Billy's willow, makes a cooling shade for weary passers-by.

One touching incident occurred shortly before his death. He had returned home from the school at Macomb; his oldest .sister from Clinton, Missouri, had re- turned home for the first time in 10 years on a visit. The children were all at home. There was a family re-union. In three days from this time, Billy had a severe attack of lung fefer, and in less than three days more he was taken away from the home circle by the hand of deatlı. He was a strong advocate of tem- perance and was always in his place both in the Good Templars lodge and in Sab- batlı school. He was a member of the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Cumberland Presbyterian church at Ar- gyle. He lived a consistent christian life and died in the triumphs of a living faith; on April 1, 1869. F. M. Martin, J. T. Murray and J. W. Sell, collected a num- ber of his best essays and had them pub- lished in pamphlet form; 200 of these books called the"Youth's Standard,"were gratuitously distributed to his friends.

The following tribute to his memory, written by J. T. Murray, is inserted at the request of admiring friends:

THE CHORD OF LOVE.

Billy sleeps,

Where the weeping willow weeps;

In the church yard sad and lone, Underneath the marble stone.

Yet we love him still the same, No link is severed from the chain; That fond affection wove on earth

And gave to life its golden worth, That chain is love-a jewel bright, That glitters in the realms of light, And reaches down to earth below, To heal its bleeding wounds of woe. . The thought is sweet, that we shall meet

Beyond the shadows and the strife,

When done with time,in heaven's bright clime We'll rest beneath the trees of life

James R. Murray, the youngest of J. B. Murray's children, was born Febru- ary 12th, 1859, in McDonough County, Illinois. He labored on the farm sev- eral years during the summer and at- tended the district school in the winter. His health having failed on account of disease of the lungs, he started in Sep- tember, 1877, in company with Mr. Downing of Industry, to Nebraska. They started through in the wagon, but Riley grew worse, west of Burlington, one day's drive, and was obliged to re- turn home. From this time to the close of his life he was a constant sufferer.

Still in the midst of his afflictions he was cheerful, still hoping for the restor- tion of his health. In August, 1878, he went in company with Albert Graham to one of the northern lakes, near Albert Lea, in Minnesota. There he spent the harvest. On his return home he visited Minneapolis and St. Paul. This visit gave him temporary relief, but it was not lasting. On the following winter he was married to Alice Askaw of Macomb. He returned to Minnesota in the sum- mer of 1879, but returned home without receiving any material benefit. He died February 15th, 1880. His death was most remarkable. Many friends were present who will never forget that day. But we will attempt no further descrip- tion, than to say it was a day of deliver- ance from constant suffering and also one of exulting victory and holy triumph. Riley like Billy made much proficiency in writing; his best productions were read before the Sunday School conven- tions of Hire township. J. B. Murray at the age of seventy-one is still living on his farm in Hire township. He has three children dead and three living. Lucy Bradley, his second daughter, died January 12th, 1878. In just two weeks from this time J. W. Bradley, her husband, died near Knoxville Tennessee. Their three children, Willie, Ollie and Lizzie Bradley live with their grand- father and grandmother on the farm. S. Frances Sell, the youngest daughter of J. B. Murray, lives six miles north of Erie, in Neosho county, Kansas. J. W. Sell, her husband is one of the old set- tlers of Neosho county. He was one of the McDonough county's school teach- ers 22 years ago. He is still teaching in

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Kansas. They have three children, Wata, Willie and Ina.

Eli Murray, son of William and Mar- garet Murray is a native of Kentucky, and born December 14, 1830, coming to Mc- Donough county with his parents in 1848, settling on Spring creek in Emmet township, afterwards removing to Hire township where the father bought eighty acres on section 24, and lived on the same place till the time of his death, from can- cer, January 26, 1855. The date of his birth was January 7, 1785, in North Car- olina. He removed to Kentucky when a young man, and to. Illinois in 1845. His wife, Margaret Bird, was born January 7, 1799, and died November 27, 1862, and are both buried in Argyle cemetery. Both were members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Murray was a man of piety, very sociable, genial, and a man of marked characteristics in respect to honor and uprightness. He raised a family of six- teen children, seven of whom are living in the county, viz: John B., Benjamin F., Reuben, Eli, Allen, Elizabeth, and Milom A. The three living out of the county are, Green B., living in Nelson county, Kentucky; James, in Morgan county, Illinois; Robert. B., in Adair county, Missouri; Eli lives on section 13, Hire township, where he has a beau- tiful home, the improvements all having been made by himself. Besides this home he has 265 acres on Spring creek, in Emmet township. Mr. Murray . has buildings that cost upwards of $3,500. His marriage occurred September 20, 1855, to Elizabeth H. Phelps, a daughter of L. P. Phelps. She was born in Chat- auqua county New York, February 1, 1837. A sketch of Mr. Phelps will be

found below. Mr. and Mrs. Murray haye five living children-Addie N., wife of J. D. Martin; Etta M., a teacher in the county, having been educated in Macomb; Leander P., Eli Franklin and Ermine V. They have buried seven, and their names were as follows: Mattie F., Louisa M., Margaret E., William B., John W., Elsie E., and Ella E. The last two were twins. Mr. Murray, wife and daughters were members of the M. E. church, and he steward and trustee in the same; also school director of dis- trict No. 6.

Saturday, January 13, 1872, Mr. L. P. Phelps was killed while riding to the depot, at Macomb, on a dray, having hired a drayman to draw a load of goods to his residence on East Carroll street. A team, running away, came in contact with the dray wagon, and Mr. Phelps was knocked off the wagon and tram- pled under foot by the running team. Upon a surgical examination being made, two severe wounds were found on the back of the head, a terrible gash over the eye, and the nose mangled and cheek bone mashed in a terrible manner. The wounds on the head were supposed to have been caused by striking on the frozen ground, and those on the face by the sharp hoof of one of the horses, which must have planted his foot squarely in his face when passing over. Mr. Phelps never became conscious, but death relieved him of his sufferings the next day. He was buried on Thursday, January 16th. The deceased was about 61 years of age,at his death, and a promi- nent and highly respected citizen. He emigrated to this state from New York over 30 years ago, and settled in Emmet

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

township, where by industry and energy he amassed quite a handsome fortune. About 14 years ago he removed to the city, to enjoy in his declining years, thẻ fruits of his early days of toil. He left a wife and two daughters (two married) who had the sympathy of the entire community in their sudden and terrible calamity.

William J. Farris made his egress into this world October 6, 1839, and is the oldest son of Nathan Farris, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Coming to McDonough county from Hancock, where he was born, he remained at home until his father's death. At this juncture the responsibility was thrown upon William, and he had the family to care for. Al- though young, he assumed these new duties with the seeming experience of older men, and conducted the financial matters well. Upon his marriage with Leantha D. Foster, December 20, 1860, he left the care of the family to others. She is a native of Michigan, and daugh- ter of George Foster, a native of Vir- ginia; he settled in Hire township,coming from Michigan here, and died at his home January 26, 1868, having lost his wife in 1855, and both lie in Good Hope cemetery. In 1862 Mr. Farris came to his present residence on section 3, own- ing a nice farm here, with good improve- ments, which he made by his own and wife's exertions. His home is about two miles east from Blandinsville, on the main road to Macomb, and is sheltered by fine timber. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living -Walter J., born November 7, 1862; Oscar, born September 12, 1869, and Theodore, born December 31, 1875.

Albert and Louie are deceased, the former born March 7, 1865, and died August 6, 1865, and the latter was born June 5, 1872, living only a short time. They are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Farris is engaged in farming, also in raising English draft horses, owning two fine brood mares, and also some half-blood Normans, which he sells for roadsters and farm use.

John A. F. McCord, one of McDon- ough county's sons, born in Emmet town- ship, on section 30, March 14, 1844, and is the second son of William and Louisa (Scantlin) McCord. He crossed the plains when 20 years old to Idaho city, in search of the precious metal; his stay ·was short, returning to his home in Em- met township. His trip was made over- land with a mule team, paying for his trip $100 for passage. On returning home he followed farming in summer and digging coal in winter. He was mar- ried, November 8, 1866, to Sarah J. McGee, a native of Hancock county, Illi- nois, and daughter of William McGee, who died when his daughter was very young. Since his marriage, Mr. McCord, has lived in Hire township, for five years on section 25, and in 1872, he bought 40 acres on section 36, and owns at present 76 acres of his home place and 25 acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. McCord have had seven children-Robert S., living; Sarah Malinda, deceased; Mary Lucretia, deceased; John A. F., living; William Lee, deceased; Nancy Bernetta, living; and Thomas Roach, deceased. In poli- tics, Mr. McCord is a democrat.

W. W. McCord was born in Overton county, Tennessee, February 12, 1809; lived there until the fall of 1829, when

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

he, with the rest of his father's family,: moved to Morgan county, Illinois, where he lived two years, when he and his father came to this county, remaining until the fall of 1832, when he and his father went back to the state of Tennes- see on business, and where he was mar- ried to Louisa Scantlin, on November 1, 1832, a native of Jackson county, Ten- nessee; remaining there two years, then returned to his home in McDonough county, Illinois, where he remained until the spring of 1849, when he moved to Nauvoo, remaining there two years, then moved back to the old farm in McDon- ough county, where he remained until the spring of 1878, when he moved to Kansas, where his wife died in the fall of the same year. He then returned to Illinois where he remained until the summer of 1870, when he took a trip to Franklin county, Illinois, and married Lucretia Mulkey. He remained there, but losing his second wife in a little over one year from his marriage, did not re- turn to this county until the spring of 1884, where he resided until his death which occurred July 20, 1884, aged 75 years. His occupation was that of a farmer.

Reuben M. Folts, one of the present residents of Hire township, lives on sec- tion 25, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres, which is under a good state of cultivation, with very good improvements and plenty of nice timber near by-in fact, surrounding his buildings. His native state was Ohio, he being born in Butler county, January 15, 1835, and is a son of Reuben and Anna Mary Folts. They removed to Ross county, Ohio, and subsequently to Sangamon county,

Illinois, and later to McDonough county, settling in Hire township. Mr. Folts has a good education, having been a teacher for a number of years, teaching in Sangamon, Cass, Menard, and other counties. In 1862 he crossed the plains, arriving in September in Washington territory, also visiting Oregon. The next January he went to Salmon River mountains, and was engaged in mining mostly all the time. Remaining till 1864, about the middle of the year, he went to British Columbia, at Victoria, and down the coast, stopping at San Francisco, Panama and Aspinwall, re- turning to his home in this county. The trip was fraught with danger while cross- ing the plains. He was sick also on the sea, but in all was successful in accumu- lating a nice little property-more than the usual gold-seeker in the mines of the far west. His wife was Isabel Gra- ham, a daughter of Bedford Graham, a farmer on section 23, Hire township. The ceremony was performed December 21, 1864, and to these people have been born nine children - Cora J., Frank- lin H. and Elice L., deceased, Mary B., Maggie Z., deceased, Clinton G., Fred- erick F., Mattie M., Lena R., born Aug. 21, 1884. Mr. Folts has served on the board of supervisors, and been school director a number of years. In politics he favors the democratic party.

Reuben Folts and Anna Mary Petefish, the parents of Reuben M., were united in marriage in Rockingham county, Vir- ginia. He was one of the best citizens in the county at the time of his death, being a moral, upright man, strictly honest in deal, and beloved by his neighbors and family. They are both

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

interred at Friendship church in Ten- nessee township. They removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, and subse- quently to McDonough county, settling in Hire township on section 25, where their daughter, Christania, now lives, who with her brother J. P. Folts, owns 80 acres, the east one-half of the southeast quarter. She is a native of Butler county, Ohio. She has formerly fol- lowed the occupation of teaching, espe- cially in McDonough county, educating herself in the common schools, and at Macomb; also attending the Methodist female seminary, at Jacksonville, Illi- nois, for two years. Ezra D., commonly called "Doc," lives with her, and is run- ning the farm, and is a native of Sanga- mon county, born near the city of Springfield.

Bedford Graham is a native of Ken- tucky, born and raised in Green county, where he lived until a young man. The date of his birth was April, 1823. His father, Hampton Graham, was a native of Virginia, and Maria, his mother, was a native of North Carolina, who moved to Virginia, where she was married to Hampton Graham, after which they moved to Kentucky, and after raising a large family of children, the father died in Kentucky. March 25th, 1844, was the date of the union of Bedford Gra- ham to Jane Murray, daughter of Wil- liam Murray and Margaret, his wife. - In the same year Bedford moved to Illi- nois, bringing his mother. Settled in McDonough county in thẻ year 1848, in Hire township, where he now resides, his mother having died in the year 1855. Bedford Graham owns 90 acres on the southeast of section 23, all of which is

under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Gra- ham had eight children; three are living and five are dead; those living are-Mary Isabel, Margaret M. and Alfred N. Mrs. Graham died in the year 1860; and Mr. Graham married the second time to Al- media L. Felter. They have eight chil- dren, five living and three dead. Those living are-Lewis H., John A., George W., Sionilli L., Asenath A. Mr. Graham has been justice of the peace for 12 years. He attends the Baptist church. George W. Keithley is a native of In- diana, born in 1831, July 22. He lived at home until he was twenty-five years old. His marriage occurred April 19, 1855, to Abigail R. Lyon, a native of Illinois, and daughter of John Lyon, one of the settlers of 1834, in McDonough county, Tennessee township, who died in Kentucky, while there on business, Sep- tember 27, 1840. Her mother was Mar- garet Mourning, who died in this county in November, 1877. George first settled on section 14, and now owns the east one- half of the north-west quarter. Their children are seven in number-Sarah E., Hannah M., Eliza J., Sanderson P., Clara D., John J., George R. Margaret M., was the oldest child, now deceased. Mr. Keithley is a member of the Masonic order and M. E. churchı, and Mrs. K., is a member of the United Brethren church. This lady has been blind for eighteen years, caused by scrofula at first. Although in this condition, she is a bless- ing to a household, administering com- fort to every one around and having hosts of friends. In church and Sunday school work, our subject has been prom- inent as a teacher and laborer in the good cause.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

James Keithley was born in Harrison county, Indiana, February 11, 1838. · His home was with his parents until his marriage, which took place March 3, 1859. Frances Veal became his wife at that time. She is a native of Missouri, born in Chariton county, a daughter of Sampson Veal. While on a visit to her brother in McDonough county they became acquainted, and after the marriage they lived on the old Keithley homestead for nearly six years. At this time he purchased 40 acres of land which he sold afterwards, and lived in Blandins- ville township a long time. He has always made farming his sole occupation, and now lives in Hire township. Nine children have blessed the union of these -Isabel, Scott, Andrew J., deceased; Elizabeth, William, Eva, George, Fred- die, and Dora E., Mr. Keithley is a member of the A. O. U. W. and Select Knights. In politics he is a republican.

Samuel Pulliam was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, December 18, 1815, and was reared on a farm there. His parents were James and Susan (Greer) Pulliam, both natives of Virginia, and both died in Nelson county, Kentucky. Coming to McDonough county from · Kentucky, Samuel Pulliam rented land for some time. His first actual settlement was on section 27, where he now lives, owning the northwest quarter, which is well cultivated. His marriage occurred in 1837, when he was united in matri- mony with Miss Elizabeth Goff, a native of Kentucky, Spencer county. She died în 1870, and is buried at Tennesee. The family consisted of-Mary, wife of Nicho- las Yager, and living in Missouri; Susan and William, deceased; John T., living

on the homestead; Bettie, deceased; James H., living in Kansas; Kitty, wife of Thomas J. Stookey, and now part owner of the old place; and Martha. Mr. Pul- liam is quite feeble in health and does not attend to business matters, as in times past, leaving that part to his children.

George W. Hainline lives on section 2, where he owns 60 acres, the balance of his farm being on section 11. He was born June 3d, 1825, in Montgomery county, Kentucky, and is the son of Geo. and Flora (Cockerel) Hainline, and came to McDonough county in 1838. He re- mained at home until his marriage, which occurred June 16, 1845, to Mary Jane Keithley, born July 2, 1826, in Indiana, a daughter of Jacob Keithley, who for- merly owned the farm Mr. H. now owns. A sketch of Mr. Keithley will be found in another place. There were 14 chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Hainline -- Nathan T., born October 17, 1847; Susan Mary A., born October 7, 1848; George T., born January 12, 1850; Sarah L., born September 5, 1851; Flora A., born No- vember 4, 1852; John W., born March 25, 1854; Francis M., born March 30, 1855; Jacob E., born November 16, 1856; Seth, born September 1, 1858; James O., born February 19, 1860; Anabel, born Decem- ber 27, 1861; Americus G., born January 2, 1864; William S., born December 29, 1865; Ida M., born October 24, 1869. Su- san, died August 20, 1849; Flora A., died February 14, 1876; John, died October 18, 1854. Mr. Hainline was never much of a politician, but always favored the republican party. He has a nice grove of black walnut timber near his house, the walnuts having been planted by him- self.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Randolph Rodgers, deceased, was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 23, 1820. His parents were John and Mary Rod- gers, the father a native of Virginia, the mother of Pennsylvania. Randolph grew to manhood in Ohio, living on a farm there until about 1854, when he came to McDonough county and settled on sec- tion 36, Hire township, his farm consist- ing of 160 acres. Mr. Rodgers was thrice married, twice in Olio, and the third time to Lineury Carmack, June 20, 1858. She was a native of Tennessee, but came with parents to McDonough county and settled on section 26. Her father was Cornelius Carmack and mother Ingabo (Gore) Carmack, both natives of Over- ton, Tennessee. He died on the old farm in Hire township July 24, 1849. Mrs. Rodgers still lives on 91 acres of sec- tion 36, which was left to her for a life- time dower; the youngest son, Wilson R., carrying it on. He was born in 1860, September 26. The remainder of the farm has passed to the heirs. William B., was born in 1859, March 14, and owns a farm of 72 acres on section 26, all un- der cultivation. The young men are en- terprising and have considerable stock. They have some Durham cattle and some good young horses.

Bainbridge .H. Roberts is a Kentuck- ian by birth, born in Breckenridge county, on a farm, January 2, 1833. Is a son of James E. and Sarah M. (Cox) Roberts. The former a native of Camp- bell county, Tennessee, the latter born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Bain- bridge made his home with his father until of age, and was married February 9, 1858, to Mary E. Williams, a daugh- ter of. John Williams. She was born in

Schuyler county, Illinois, and six chil- dren bless this union-Seymour L., now in Kansas; Jerusha A., Laura A., Oliver J., Sterling E., Harley C. The Roberts family removed to Hancock county, Illi- nois, where they still live, excepting the subject of our sketch, who came to Hire township, McDonough county, in 1865,. where he bought the south half of the northeast quarter of section 30. He has a nice place, under a good state of culti- vation, with excellent timber land sur- rounding his comfortable home. Al- though owning a small farm, he manages to raise a considerable amount of stock, which is the principal feature which en- gages his attention. Before coming to Hire township, Mr. Roberts worked at the carpenter's trade, in Tennessee, hav- ing learned this trade when quite young. Mr. Roberts has served the township as justice of the peace for six years, which capacity he fills at present. He has been township trustee for several terms, and a member of the school board for many years. He favors the democratic party; is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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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 72

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