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 76

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 76

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About the year 1833, Levi Warren came, entering a good farm on section 33, where he resided a number of years. He was an eastern man and served through the Black Hawk war. He raised a large family of children, and afterward re- moved to Mercer county, where he died.

In 1834, Joshua Simmons entered land on the northwest quarter of section 4. He rented at first, but afterward bought 160 acres and added to the place until he

had 210 acres at the time of his death, in 1883.

Joshua Simmons, deceased, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, November 23, 1806, and died Feb. 15,1883. When he was nine years old he removed from his native state and became a resident of Kentucky. In 1834 he came to this county and made a settlement in the northwest quarter of section four. He engaged in farming, first renting, then buying 160 acres on section nine, to which he afterwards made additions, un- til at the time of his death the farm con- tained 210 acres. Mr. Simmons received but a limited education, and came to this county poor. By habits of industry, temperance and economy, he was enabled to succeed. He was married. December 27, 1827, to Mary Webster, a native of Maryland, born April 29, 1810, who yet survives him, in good health and an ap- parent lease of life for years to come. They have had thirteen children-Mary Hardin, born October 7, 1830; Martha E., born March 1, 1832; James D., born August 14, 1834, and died December 15, 1884; Eliza J., born August 10, 1836; Zephaniah B., born September 11, 1838; Thomas M., born in 1840; William W., born August 22, 1843; Sarah Elizabeth, born April 14, 1845; Joel H., born in 1847; Matilda A., born September 9, 1849; William J., born February 24, 1852; John M., born October 27, 1855, and now married; and Mary C. . Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, were members of the Baptist church, and he was one of the honest, straight men of McDonough county.

Thomas M. Simmons, third son of Joshua and Mary (Webster) Simmons, was born in this county, December 29,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

1840. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and August 1863, he was united in marriage with Ruth Collins, who came to this county with her par- ents when quite young. She died April 4, 1865, and July 8, of the following year Mr. Simmons was again married to Nancy R. Barnes, a native of Highland county, Ohio, and daughter of Elias Barnes who settled in Emmet township in 1853, but is now living in Iowa. Mr. Simmons has had by his second mar- riage, five children-Thomas W., born January 6, 1870; Frederick E., born Oct- ober 22, 1871, and died April 7, 1877; Frank L., born December 9, 1875, and died October 13, 1877; and George E., born November 29, 1879. Their only daughter, Pearl, was born November 26, 1868, and died April 15, 1869. Mr. Sim- mons after his first marriage, lived one year in Sciota township, then removed to Emmet township, where he has since been a resident. He purchased a por- tion of his present farm in 1868. He now owns 126 acres of well improved land and has a desirable home. Mr. Sim- mons takes an active interest in politics, and is a member of the republican party. He has held the offices of township su- pervisor, collector and school director. Mrs. Simmons is a woman of fine educa- tion and was formerly a teacher. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1835, Benjamin Naylor, who came to Macomb in 1833, purchased the south- west quarter of section 29, and the north- west quarter of section 32, and erected a log cabin 20 feet square, with two rooms, on the southwest quarter of section 29. He has since died.

Benjamin T. Naylor, formerly a promi- nent citizen, but now deceased, came to McDonough county from Adair county, Kentucky, in the spring of 1833. He was born in March, 1801, and was a son of Benjamin Naylor, who was of Eng- lisn descent. B. T. Naylor was brought up on a farm, and received a fair educa- tion. He was a bright scholar, and par- ticularly apt in mathematics. At the age of 19 he began learning the carpen- ter's trade, at which he became a skilled workman. The first piece of work which won for him the reputation for unusual dexterity, was the railing for a flight of winding stairs at the peniten- tiary in Lexington, Kentucky, for the construction of which he received $600. He intended, on coming to this county, to pursue his trade, and did so for a time. He assisted in the erection of the old court house and other buildings, in the city of Macomb. He also built the first frame house in that city, which is now occupied by the Catholic priest. Mr. Naylor abandoned his trade in 1842, and went on to a farm in Emmet town- rhip. He was married in 1831. to Adel- ine Bailey, a native of Virginia. By this marriage there were six children- John J., William B., George W., Sibian, Martha C. and Albert. His four sons served in the army during the late war. Sibian, John and Martha C. are deceased. Mrs. Naylor died June 26, 1880, and is buried with her deceased children in the old cemetery at Macomb. George W. Naylor now lives in Dakota. B. T. Nay- lor died December 8, 1883, in Hire township. The immediate cause of his death was, injuries which he received in consequence of his horses running

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

wife of Thomas Ballew of Emmet town- ship; Margaret J., one of McDonough county's teachers; George M., Harriett A., Mary E., Martha C., John P., Wil- liam F., and Walter L. Mr. Guy was director in his school district from 1866 to 1884, and is one of the most earnest workers in the cause of christianity, be- ing class leader in the M. E. church near by for years; his wife is also a member, but was formerly a Cumberland Presby- terian. In 1874-75, Mr. Guy was col- lector of taxes in Emmet township. He taught two terms of school.

J. W. Stapp (deceased) was among the really good men of McDonough county. While young he had great respect for re- ligion, and in mature years, feeling him- self called upon to preach, he gave atten- tion to more particular study of the scrip- tures, and eventually became a power in the preaching of the word. He was a self made man, starting out in life with only the advice and protection of a step- mother. Unlike so many boys, who read- ily yield to temptation, he had a fine per- ception of right and wrong, and seemed inclined to lead an upright, honest, chris- tian life, and became a noble christian gentleman, and no name of honor or word of praise can be greater than that. He was always found ready to do his duty, and various communities can tes- tify to his honest presentation of the gos- pel, among them-Industry, Table Grove, Tennessee and Huntsville. He was the last of a family of five brothers and a half sister, and was married on the eighth day of August, 1854, to Mahala T. Guy. But like all the rest, the brightest and best seem born to die, and Mr. Stapp passed away from the scenes of this life,

to a blissful, happy home above, perfectly resigned to the will of God, and sure of an eternal inheritance of joy and love. Thus pleasantly, this good man passed to his reward, leaving a family of seven children-George W., now living in Ma- comb township; Mary A., John G., Eliz- abeth B., wife of G. T. Ledgerwood, liv- ing in Tennessee township; Henry, liv- ing at home; Melvina and William B. His widow still lives on the farm in Em- met township, where she owns 105 acres of good land. Mr. Stapp was a native Kentuckian, and was born in Adair county March 25, 1826. He came to this county in the spring of 1833, and was here a resident until the time of his death. His life seems to have been one of afflic- tion. His mother died while on the jour- ney to Illinois, and his father died two years later. The loss of a mother was indeed a great one, yet he was fortunate in having a pious and good step-mother. She was true and faithful, and Mr. Stapp in a great measure had reason to thank her for his early religious training. He made a profession of religion on the 9th day of September, 1851; joined the Wal- nut Grove congregation of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, March 22, 1852; joined the Rushville Presbytery of the same church in the same month, and two years after was licensed to preach the gospel. In October, 1854, he was se- verely afflicted with sore eyes, almost de- priving him of sight, yet he still contin- ued his regular appointments, and was ordained and set apart for the whole work of the ministry, September 28, 1857, by the Rushville presbytery of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church at Bersheba, in this county.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Jefferson Bayless is a native of Ten- nessee, born in Knox county May 27, 1827, and is the son of Isaac and Betsey Ann (Sumter) Bayless. Both died in Tennessee, and are interred in Knox county, that state. Jefferson grew to manhood in Tennessee, and made his home with his father until his marriage to Luartha Ledgerwood, also a native of Tennessee. Their marriage occurred May, 1851. This lady was not blessed with a long lease of life, her demise oc- curring in April, 1856, and her burial- place in the Atkinson cemetery, on section 31, leaving one child, Isaac, now living in Emmett township. Mr. Bay- less was again married to Miss C. S. Lucy, a daughter of William- and Eve- line Lucy, of Tennessee, the marriage occurring in that state, September 28, 1858. Their children are-Eva L., wife of E. Richardson, living in Nebraska, Bessie A., Jennie H., Willie L., Ida M., Frederick B., John H. and Ray M. When Mr. B. settled on section 19 he bought at first 40 acres, and has since added more, making 140 acres prairie and 20 acres timber land. The im- provements were all made by Mr. Bay- less. He has a house, the main part 18x36, and wing 16x24, with a large barn and shed room for all of his stock. He is making a specialty of horses, raising a number to sell each year. He has held different offices in the township. In politics he favors the republican party.

John Ledgerwood, on coming to Mc- Donough county, settled on section 19, Emmet township, taking eighty acres at first, subsequently removing to section 18. At the time of his death he owned

250 acres, which was divided between his heirs. He improved his land and built a nice house, costing at the time about $1,800, and was financially suc- cessful as a farmer here, coming to the county with only a few dollars in his possession. In his private life he was unassuming, and never sought notoriety, being a religious man and conscientious, never seeking to take advantage of any one. In his faith he was a Cumberland Presbyterian, as was his wife, and they lived up to the doctrines of that society. Both were missed sadly in the commu- nity and among their friends every- where. By business tact, labor, indus- try and good management he accumula- ted considerable property. His child- hood and youthful days were spent in Tennessee, where he was born December 17, 1810. Going to Indiana from Ten- nessee, he spent one year, and pushed on to Hancock county, Illinois, and subsequently to McDonough county, as above stated. His first marriage oc- curred in 1834 to Peggy J. Kelso, and three children blessed the union, two of whom are now living-Mary J., wife of B. F. Guy, and William H., in Kansas. His second marriage was in 1842, when Mrs Nancy Durant, nee McCord, be- came his wife, and four sons were born to them - Elijah and Elisha, twins, John and Samuel, the former dying in his young manhood, and the latter now living in Parsons, Kansas. Mr. Ledger- wood departed this life October 30, 1879, and was interred at Argyle. His wife followed December 1, 1884, and is buried at the same place.

Elijah Ledgerwood is a son of John Ledgerwood, and is now living on the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

old homestead where he was born April 7, 1844. He lived at home, assisting his father and helping to clear up the farm and make the improvements until his marriage, his lady being Cleman- tine Hill, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Thomas Hill, a native of Virginia, and who settled in Emmet township in 1861, on section. 19, where he died. Mr. Ledgerwood lived first in Emmet after his marriage, but removed to Hire township soon after, remaining on his farm there till 1882, when he sold out and removed to his present location, the home formerly owned by his father. Mr. Ledgerwood is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in politics his sympathy is with the democratic party. The following are the children comprising their family- John S., Melvina N. and Joseph S. Mrs. Ledgerwood is a member of the Cedar creek Baptist church.

James D. Griffith came to the county in 1853 and settled on section 7, buying 250 acres of John Gash, seventy acres of this was on 8, but at present Mr. Griffith owns 200 acres in his home place and 110 acres in Lamoine township. . All of the improvements on his place were un- der his guidance and it is one of the best places in the county, having a house which cost $2,500, besides his own labor. The frame was all sawed at his own mill and the lumber purchased in Chicago. Mr. Griffith had about $3,000 in money upon arriving in the county, thereby enabling him to live and do business with greater ease. He has been an enterprising man, building a saw mill in Emmet township thereby filling a want long felt; in another place

will be found a history of that enter- prise. The early life of our subject was spent in Virginia, his native county being Buckingham, where he was born July 20, 1810. In 1829 he went to Highland county Ohio, walking to Charleston, and thence by water. He labored in the construction of the Ohio canal for three years, after which he engaged in farming there till 1853. His marriage was solemnized in 1833. Nancy A. Gillan became his wife, she was a native of Virginia, and daughter of William Gillan a soldier in the war of 1812, whose wife survived lıim, coming to McDonough county with her daughter, and made her home with Mr. Griffith, until her demise, in Jan., 1880. James' father died in Virginia, and mother in Ohio. The names and present residence of the children living, that were born to Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are-Mary J., widow of David Newell, in Emmet; Benj. A., in Sciota township; Henry C., in Blandinsville, James M., and Cary, in Emmet; Virginia A., widow of Joseph Hainline, living in Sciota; William C., in Hire; John A., deceased; Clara E .; Isaac W., wife of Samuel Reister, resid- ing in Walnut Grove; and David C., living on the old farm, and owning eighty acres of land. He is a native of this county and was married October 14th, 1877, to Nannie T. Wooten, a native of Kentucky. One child-Winifred M., blesses this union. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopla church, and in politics, he is a republican. Mr. G., furnished three sons to the cause of the late war. Benjamin, James M., and Cary, all wounded but not disabled. James M. was commissioned 2d lieu-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

tenant, while Cary F. was a non-com- missioned officer and color bearer.

Cary F. Griffith, is a resident farmer of Emmet township, and owns the northwest quarter of section 22, and 80 acres on the southwest quarter of the same section. He occupied this land in - the spring of 1874, and opened up a sheep farm. He made all the improve- ments, building his residence in 1879, and has devoted his time considerably, to raising Cotswold and Southdown sheep, having at times a herd of about 800. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Highland county, December 12, 1841. His parents, James D., and Nancy A. (Gillan) Griffith, are now living in this township. Mr. Griffith served . his country during the late war, enlisting August 12, 1862, in company I, of the 124th Illinois infantry. He was in the service three years, and was mustered out at Chicago, in September, 1865. He enlisted as a private, and was afterwards appointed corporal, then sergeant-also served as color bearer. Among the en- gagements in which he participated, were those at Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Brownsville, Chimky Station, Siege of Vicksburg, and Spanish Fort. After returning from the army, he remained at home one year, then engaged in the grocery business at Blandinsville, where he remained two years. December 7, 1868, he was mar- ried in Chautauqua county, New York, to Alice A. Phelps, who was born in Columbus, Warren county, Pennsylva- nia. She was engaged in teaching school in McDonough county, when he formed her acquaintance. She had been a teacher since the age of 14 years.

By this union there are three children- James D., Lawson F., and Lou Ellen. Mr. Griffith was coroner of the county from 1880 to 1882. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the A. O. U. W., and is politically a republican.

Few men are better known in Emmet township, than John Dunford Hainline, who for a period of more than 40 years has made his home on section 6. His parents were Geo. and Flora ( Cockerel) Hainline, the former a Kentuckian by birth, being born in Fayette county of that state, while the latter was a Tennes- sean, but raised in the same county in Kentucky as her husband. John D., their son, was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the 7th day of September, 1816. His mother for years made all the clothing used by the entire family, while his father endeavored, in his way, to provide for their wants by till- ing the soil. . The implements that he used for this purpose would make the young farmer of this country stare in wonder and amazement. Just think of using a plow made entirely of wood, drawn by a horse wearing a collar made of bark, also of husks of corn ! But such was the way the work was per- formed, and yet all managed to live. John was a great lover of amusements, and would go to as great a length to gratify his desires in this line as any in the land. Coon and possum hunting were among the chief means of diversion, occasionally varied by visiting the pretty girls of the neighborhood. The only educational advantages he received were in attending a school two months each winter, for about seven years, in an old log school house, where, on an old slab

De. B. Sperry

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 677

seat, he was compelled to sit from morn- ing until night. For a window a log was removed, and greased paper placed over the hole made by its removal. The branches taught in this school were "reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic." Not a grammar or geography was ever seen in it. Notwithstanding the love of fun which predominated in young Hainline, he was in youth quite steady, the result of training received from his parents, who were quite strict in their govern- ment. In 1836, when but 20 years old, he led to the hymeneal altar Margaret Ann Douthit, and two years thereafter emi- grated to McDonough county, settling in Emmet township. By her he had 11 children, eight of whom yet live, one son, George L., being killed at Bentonville, N. C., during the late war. This son was a member of the 16th regiment and was among the first to enlist in the de- fense of his country. James Lewis Hainline, a nephew, who was raised by Mr. H., enlisted at the same time, was wounded at Bentonville, and died in Missouri some time in 1866. Mrs. Hain- line died November 3, 1869. About one year after, Mr. Hainline was again mar- ried, this time to Amanda J. Purdy, with whom he yet lives. One hundred acres of the farm of Mr. Hainline, was pur- chased by him on his arrival in the county for the sum of $700. The land was improved, and the price paid was considered very high at that time. Other land adjoining was afterwards purchased for $10 per acre. The farm is now one of the most valuable in Emmet township. In his day Mr. Hainline has been very stout and robust man, and has never, during his entire life, been confined to

his bed by sickness but two weeks. The cares of the world never seem to trouble him in the least; he never worries or complains. Having, by his own indus- try, laid up for himself a sufficient amount of worldly goods to enable him to live comfortably, he pásses along through life in a contented manner. On his land are found veins of excellent coal, which have but recently been dis- covered, and from which, during the past year about 15,000 bushels of coal taken. This being the only coal mine in that section of the country, will eventually make the land very valuable, indeed. In politics Mr. Hainline was origin- ally an old line whig, but when the old party disbanded he affiliated for a time with the American party. In 1858, when Lincoln made his celebrated campaign with Douglas for the senate, a campaign of national importance, he voted the re- publican ticket, and ever since has been an earnest supporter of its men and measures. On the accession of Lincoln to the presidency in 1861, when war was proclaimed, his whole influence was ex- erted in the cause of freedom and union, and two of his sons (all that were old enough ) he sent forth to battle for their . country, one of whom, as previously stated, laid down his life in its defense, the other returning at the close of the war to receive honors from his fellow- citizens. He is one of the editors of the well known Macomb Journal. Mr. Hainline has never made a profes- sion of religion, but has endeavored to live a strictly moral life, although we believe no man would resent an insult quicker than he. Among his acquain- tenances, he is highly respected.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Charles F. Johnson is a native of In- · diana, born in Harrison county, Febru- ary 17, 1846, a son of William F. John- son, a native of North Carolina, born April 8, 1813, who removed from his na- tive state to Mahaska county, Iowa, he did not stay, but came to this county in 1853. He settled on section 12, improving his farm there and raising a family of seven children, four of whom are now living. His death occurred September 23, 1883. Charles lived at home until 1865, when he went to Colorado, and was gone about 18 months prospecting and teaming the most of the time. Again returning to the county, he was married July 5, 1868, to Polly Ferguson, a native of McDon- ough county, born in Emmet township, and a daughter of William and Ellen (Sandusky) Ferguson, who both died in this county. Mr. Johnson bought his present home in 1882, consisting of 118 acres on section 7, the south one-half of the southwest quarter, and enough join- ing to make the above amount. He is principally engaged in stock raising. He has been school director and road com- missioner, and is a member of the An- cient Order of United Workmen, and Select Knights. Six children have been born to Mr and Mrs. Johnson-William E., born June 12, 1869; James S., born March 16, 1871; Clarence D., born April 4, 1873; Orie B., born May 15, 1879; and George L. and Jessie M., twins, born September 24, 1881.

' Samuel Bright was born in Devon- shire, England, in 1837, and came to America in 1854, settling in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he staid one year, and in the spring of 1855 came to McDonough county, following coal dig-

ging at Colchester for two or three years, when he made a trip to California, stop- ping in Eldorado county, in search of gold. In this he was quite successful. After staying one year he came home, where he remained till 1862, and being desirous of visiting the gold fields, went to Oregon, and thence to Idaho, where he staid till the fall of 1865, thence to, Montana, at Diamond city, two years, thence down the Missouri, and again to Colchester, where he remained till he purchased his home on sections 30, 31, and 19, in all owning 175 acres. He has made one trip to California and two to Oregon, and is very favorably impressed with the country. His home is neat and everything betokens thrift and enterprise on the part of Mr. Bright. His marriage occurred May 25, 1871, to Mary A.Fenton, a native of Tennessee, and they have four children living-George E., Louis, Lot- tie M., and Thomas W. Mr. Bright's parents were Thomas and Mary Bright, both born in England. The father is deceased, the mother still lives in her native country. He was a sieve maker there.

Louis Atkinson resides upon the northeast quarter of section 31, Emmet township. He owns a farm of two hun- dred acres, including that quarter, and 40 acres lying in the northwest quarter of the same section. He is engaged in the farming and stock-raising. He is of English descent, his parents being na- tives of England. Louis Atkinson was born in McDonough county in the year 1842, and lived on the homestead farm with his parents, until his marriage, February 11, 1866, to Maria J. Martin, daughter of George Martin, who settled

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

in this county in 1850, but in 1868 re- moved to Henry county, Missouri, where he still lives. After marriage, Mr. At- kinson located upon his present farm, which was then unimproved. He now has a desirable place, with good improve- ments. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson, seven of whom are living-Sarah Frances, Amos A., William C .; Ira L., Ora C., Clara and Thomas J. Alta M. and Cora Jane are deceased. Mr. Atkinson is a republican in politics, and has been for two years director of the school board of this dis- trict.

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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 76

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