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 80

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 80

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His first wife died in December, 1874, and the following August he was married to Telitha E. Venard. He is the father of 14 children by his first wife, eight of whom are now living, one boy and sev- en girls, all of whom are now married. Mr. and Mrs. Hills are members of the Old School Baptist church. Politically he is a democrat.

Barnett Carnahan, a resident of Bethel township, was born in Marion township, Clinton county, Ohio, in March, 1842. He is a son of David C. and Deborah (Thornhill) Carnahan, the former a na- tive of Kentucky, born in 1812, and the latter a native of Ohio, born in 1814. Barnett lived with his parents until 20 years old. He then enlisted in the army, 79th Ohio regiment, Company C., and participated in many engagements. He was mustered out at Camp Denison, June 10, 1865. He was married to Margaret A. Sullivan, December 22, 1869. They have had seven children, all of whom are now living but one-William E., J. M. deceased, Rosker E., Martin H., George E., Mary Debrah, Annie, Luella. Mr. Carnahan has 120 acres of good land on section 11. He is what may be termed a Universalist, and politically a democrat.

Mrs. Lorrin Thompson was born at Shelbyville, Kentucky, in 1825. Her parents were Greenup and Mary (Ma- cumpsey) McClure, who moved from Kentucky, to this county, and here died. Her husband died in January, 1872. Mrs. Thompson has a farm in Bethel town- ship, consisting of 160 acres, 40 acres of it timber, the balance under a good state of cultivation, and well improved, on sec- tion 10. She is the mother of 11 chil-

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dren, four of whom are deceased-Mary E., John T., Charles, George, Samuel G., Rozella, Sarah J., Franklin L., Alice and William. Mrs. Thompson is a mem- ber of the M. E. church.

Thomas H. Wrigley is a farmer of Bethel township, having his residence on section 12. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, in 1840. His parents were John and Rebecca (Homes) Wrigley, both natives of Kentucky; the former is now deceased, and the latter still living. Thomas spent his youth on the farm, and remained at his father's home, until mar- ried to Virginia Jones, of Scotland town- ship, in 1861. She died February 20, 1882. They had seven children, four boys and three girls-James H., Grant, Rosetta, Nora, Thomas L., Wilber and Myrtle.

John C. Robinson was born in the state of Maryland, in 1806, and is a son of James R. and Martha (McMullen ) Rob- inson. John C., remained at home with his parents until 1827, when he was mar- ried to Rebecca Ellit. In 1855, they moved to this county, and he now owns here, 160 acres of land, on section 9. His wife died in 1880, leaving the following children-Martha, Becka, Mary, Thos., John, Samuel, Robert, Benjamin and Nancy.

Joshua Scott is the son of John S. Scott, a native of Ireland, who was born in 1805, and when in his 20th year, left his native land for America, sailing from Londonderry, and was 11 weeks in cross- ing the ocean. He located in Ohio, where he was married to Mary Hendrickson. The subject of this sketch was born in Bethel township, McDonough county, Illinois, March 1, 1848, and has always

been a citizen of this county. Mr. Scott has a fair education which he acquired in the district school. He is the owner of a fine farm of 120 acres located on sec- tion 30, Bethel township, which is a por- tion of the homestead farm formerly owned by his father. Joshua Scott was married January 6, 1879, to Mahala Wear. Seven children have blessed this union, six of whom are now living- Mary E., Philena C., Amos N., Joseph D., and twin sons whose birth occurred February 28, 1885.

James Purdum is a native of this county, born December 29, 1839 in Bethel township. His parents, Samuel and Re- becca (Dull) Purdum, came here in an early day. The former was a native of Maryland, and came to McDonough county in 1837, and the latter of Virginia. In 1850, they removed to Schuyler county and James resided with them until about the year 1847, when he came back to this county and went to work by the month. February 19, 1860, he was married to Sarah E. Foster, who was born in Schuy- ler county, April 30, 1841. They have ever since resided in this county. Mr. Purdum now has 80 acres of valuable land located on section 30, Bethel town- ship. They are the happy parents of the following children-Will R., James W., Luella M., Charles E., Thomas O., Olive .B., Samuel M., Frederick W., Clara M. and Jessie L. Mr. and Mrs. Purdum are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Purdum is a republican politically, and a much respected citizen. He served his country during the late war, being mustered into the service August 6, 1862, into company C, 84th Illinois - infantry, and after a service of three years re-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

turned to this place, and is now living within four miles of the place where he was born. He is a carpenter and joiner by occupation, and lives on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 30, Bethel township. His postoffice is Fan- don.

William Toland, son of William and Jane (Hendrickson) Toland, is a native of Bethel township, McDonough county, born October 30, 1842. William Toland, senior, was born in Pennsylvania, and his wife in Ohio. They were united in marriage in the state of Ohio, and emi- grated to this county in 1840. Botlı are now deceased. The subject of this sketch was married June 25, 1868, to Sarah R. Welborn, who was born January 1, 1843, in this state. They have one child-Nellie, born February 25, 1880. In August, 1862, Mr. Toland enlisted in company A, of the 78th Illinois infantry, and served until February, 1863, when he was mustered out of the service. In February, 1864, he re-enlisted in com- pany E, of the 148th Illinois infantry, and continued in the service until Sep- tember, 1865, when he was discharged with the regiment. He owns a well im- proved farm containing 184 acres, also a large amount of fine stock. Politically, Mr. Toland is a republican.

Solomon Mullen, formerly a resident of Bethel township was a native of the state of Illinois. He was married about the year 1856, in the state of Arkansas, to Alpha Baggett, who was a native of Tennessee. In 1860, they moved to Mc- Donough county, and lived in Macomb until his death, which occurred in 1868. Fifteen years later, the widow was mar- ried to James A. Logan, of Schuyler

county, Illinois. A daughter, Mary, was married, January 8, 1884, to Martin Mullen, also of Schuyler county, where they own 92 acres of good land. Polit- ically, Martin Mullen affiliates with the republican party.

John Kerr was born in the state of Pennsylvania, August 28, 1834, and was a son of John and Jane (Black) Kerr, also natives of Pennsylvania. John Kerr, Jr., resided with his parents un- til he attained his majority. He then came to Illinois, and spent three years, after which he returned to his home in Pennsylvania, and was there married to Martha Thompson, of Butler county, July 4, 1859. They remained in that state eight years, then removed to Mc- Donoughi county, Illinois, locating then in Bethel township, where Mrs. Kerr still lives. He purchased 40 acres of land, about one half of which is still in timber. They had seven children, six of whom are still living-William C., Nancy J., Francis E., Merry A., John R., and George T. Their eldest son died April 8, 1883, aged 21 years, seven months, and 15 days. One of the sons is now living in Kansas.

Rev. Uriah Stoneking, is a son of George and Levina (Piles) Stoneking, natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, George Stoneking was born December 29, 1831, and his wife, June 15, of the same year. They were married in Bethel township, McDonough county, in March, 1851. By this union there were 12 children-David, Uriah, Andrew, George, Solomon, Lucinda, Francis P., Mary Bell, Thomas S., Eliza Agnes, Amanda Jane, and Hiram. The third son, George, was accidentally burned to

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

death at the age of four years. Uriah the second son, was married January 1, 1871, to Mary C. Cary. Eight children have been born to them-Edith Lillian, Phebe Bell, Theda Evalina, Georgetta, Minnie Frances, Ollie May, Winnie Myrtle, and Dollie. Uriah Stoneking is the owner of 80 acres of land, loca- ted in section 33, Bethel township, and which is admirably adapted to the grow- ing of small grains, and stock-raising. Uriah Stoneking, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bethel township, McDonough county, August 8, 1853. In 1879, he was licensed as a preacher of the gospel by the Protestant Meth- odist church. He has since that time been engaged in preaching, three years as a local preacher, and three years upon the circuit. He has assisted at several noted revivals, at one of which, at In- dustry, 120 persons were converted. He has held the office of commissioner of highways three years, and was re- elected in 1885, and holds the office of justice of the peace. Mr. Stoneking is a public spirited citizen, and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community in which he resides.

Charles Willey, a farmer of Bethel township, is a native of Ohio, born in 1820, in Muskingum county. He is a son of Ablisum and Rachel (Lemby) Willey, both natives of Pennsylvania. Charles may properly be classed among the early settlers of this county, as he came here with his parents in 1834, and settled on section 35, Bethel township, where he owns 120 acres of land and has always since lived upon the same. He was married in 1841 to Sarah Frakes. They have had 13 children-Liddie,

Isaac, David, Andy, Stephen, Boyd, Leonard, Noah, Morris, Caroline, Ma- hala, Amanda, and Laurinda. Four of these children are now deceased. Mr. Willey politically, is a republican.

James M. Legg resides upon section 25, Betliel township, where he occupies a fine farm containing 200 acres, owned by his wife's father, Darius Runkle, of Industry township, who purchased the place in 1876. It is well improved and highly cultivated. Mr. Legg is a son of Thomas and Mary (Greenwood) Legg, both natives of Kentucky. In 1832 they removed to Illinois, and settled in Schuyler county. James M. Legg was married October 3, 1867, to Mary A. Runkle, of McDonough county. Their union has been blessed by eight chil- dren, six of whom are now living- Charles I., Lewis L., Clara Y., Nellie C., Anna M. and Gracie L .; Mary F. and an infant son are deceased. Mr. Legg is a republican politically. Mrs. Legg is at the present time one of the board of school directors of district number 6, of Bethel township, and is well fitted for her position, being a lady of much natural ability and energy.

John A. Mills is a son of -Ladsın and Sarah M. (Hill) Mills, natives of North Carolina, who, in 1850, emigrated to Illinois, and settled in Lamoine town- ship, McDonough county. They re- mained in that township three months, then removed to Chalmers, where they resided seven years, at the end of which time they removed to the west half of the northwest quarter of section 2, in Bethel township, where they are yet living. John A. Mills was born in Hen- derson county, North Carolina, in 1845.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

He came west with his parents, with whom he lived until 16 years old. He enlisted then, in company K, of the 25th Wisconsin infantry. At Louisville, Ken- tucky, he was transferred to company C, of the 12th Wisconsin regiment. He served throughout Sherman's campaign, and was mustered out of service at Lou- isville, Kentucky, and discharged at Madison, Wisconsin. After his return from the army he learned the carpenter's trade in Wisconsin, where he remained four years, then returned to Bethel township, this county; he now resides on the east half of the northeast quarter of section 1. He was married December 4, 1869, to Mary E. Daniels. Their union has been blessed with four children- Luna L., Walter S., Ada A. and Silas A. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are, in their religious views, in sympathy with the Christian church. He is a republican, politically.

ORGANIC.

Bethel township assumed official or- ganization in 1856, at the time of the division of the county into townships. It was originally known as Eagle town- ship, but was changed to its present cognomen at the first meeting of the board of supervisors in May, 1857. The first township election was held April 7, 1857, at which time William Twaddle and John Taylor were elected justices of the peace, and John Brundage, con- stable.

The present officers of the township are as follows: Supervisor, G. G. Ven- ard; clerk, W. H. Jackson; assessor, W. F. Berrse; collector, James Purdum; highway commissioner, Uriah Stone- king; justices of the peace, Uriah Stone-

king and George Twaddle; constables, Charles Fawcett and James Mathews; school trustee, Benjamin Robinson.

EDUCATIONAL.

The following, relative to the educa- tional matters of Bethel, is taken from the last annual report of the county super- intendent, for the school year ending June 30, 1884: The estimated value of school property is $5,150, the amount of tax levy for the support of schools being $1,375, with no bonded indebtedness in the district township. The highest wages paid any male teacher is $47.50, and the lowest, $25; while the highest salary for lady teachers is $30, and the lowest $18 per month. There are seven school houses in the township, six of which are frame structures, the other brick. In these schools an average of seven and one-seventh months of school is taught annually. There are 290 pupils enrolled in the several sehools, and 486 children of school age in the township.

One of the pioneer schools of this township was taught by William Holton, Jr., in 1836, in a log building, 12x15, erected on section 30, for church and school purposes.

School district No. 3 was organized in 1845, and a log school house, 18x18 feet in size, was erected on section 29. The first term of school consisted of three months, with an attendance of 15 schol- ars, and was taught by William Shannon. The building used by the district at present was erected in 1879, at a cost of $700, and is located upon the southwest quarter of section 21. West English is the present teacher of the school.

In 1840 the first school house was

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

built in district No. 4. It was constructed of logs, and located on section 22. It was removed to section 14 in 1859, and ten years later a new frame school house was erected on the same site. It is 24x36 feet in size, and cost $1,400. Lenora Foster is the present teacher of this school, and receives $40 per month. She is one of the best teachers in the county.

Mount Zion school house, in district No. 5, is located on section 33, to which place it was removed from section 34, during the year 1874. The building is 22x30 feet in size and stands on a lot which contains one-half an acre. The first teacher in this building was Clem- mnie White, of Schuyler county. This is a union district, part of which lies in Schuyler county. Present teacher, Anna DeGornio.

The house in district No. 6, is situated on section 25, and is known as Victor school house. It was built in 1875, at a cost of $800. The first teacher in the house was Elizabeth Rigg. George Cal- vin, William Gunning and David H. Sterling were the first directors of the district. Mary Smith, of Macomb is the teacher at present.

West Bethel school house is located on the southeast corner of section 8, the ground, which consists of one acre, being purchased of John A. Dunsworth, at a consideration of $50. The first building for educational purposes, was erected on this site in the fall of 1862, at a cost of $200, and was 20x26 feet in size. The first teacher in this building was Emma McGibney. In 1873, the present build- ing was erected in place of the old one, and at a cost of $1,200. It is 26x36 feet in size and was built by William Ewing.

L. Barker taught the first term of school in this house. The first directors of the district were J. M. Dusworth, and Dan- iel Hayes. George W. McDaniels is the present teacher of the district.

The present directors of school district No. 9, are Charles Keesecker, George Thompson and J. E. Sullivan. Samuel Wilson is the present teacher of the school.

POSTOFFICE.

A postoffice was established on section 5, in 1832, and was known for a number of years as Middleton, but has since been changed to Fandon.

CEMETERIES.

Scott's cemetery is located on the southwest quarter of section 30, and con- tains about three acres, including the grounds of the Scott's church, which is also located here. The ground was do- nated for church and cemetery purposes in 1836, by John Scott and William Hol- ton, Jr. The first burial was Olive, wife of William Holton, Sr., whose body was interred October 14, 1836.

A cemetery on section 8, known as the Archer burying ground, contains two acres.

There is a cemetery on section 22, which has been in use for about 50 years, and contains about one acre of ground.

RELIGIOUS.

A church was erected on section 7, on the present farm of S. C. Simpson, in 1845. Rev. Applebee was the first to preach in this house. The building was used for all religious services, regardless of creeds, and school was also held

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

therein. In 1863, it was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt.

In 1835, the first sermon was delivered at the house of Benjamin Matthews, and a Baptist congregation organized there by Revs. Bradley and Owens. A build- ing was afterwards erected on section 10, for church and school purposes, in which the above named gentlemen preached the gospel. The house was 18x20, and con- structed of logs. For a more extended digest of the religious matters of Bethel township, the reader is referred to the Ecclesiastical chapter, of this volume.

HISTORICAL.

The first term of school in the town- ship was taught by John Claybaugh, on section 6, in 1831.

The first marriage was William Ven- ard and Sarah J. McClure. The cere- mony was performed by James Edmund- son, March 29, 1836, at the home of the bride.

The first birth was Joseph, son of John Gibson, in the year 1832.

Father Bradley and Thomas Owens, two Baptist divines, were the first to preach in the township, at the house of Benjamin Matthews, during the year 1835. A congregation was also organ- ized there during that year.

The first justice of the peace was Cavil Archer, and J. H. Dunsworth was the first supervisor.

An early marriage, which was probably the second in the township, occurred November 16, 1836, joining together the hearts and destinies of Thomas Driskell and Sarah Gibson. Jesse Neece, a jus- tice of the peace, performed the mar- riage ceremony.

The first death occurred in the year 1830. During that year four small chil- 'dren were buried on the farm of J. H. Dunsworth, on the northeast quarter of section 7, who belonged to a family of emigrants passing through the country.

. John M. Dunsworth built the first brick residence in the township. It is a fine, large, two-story structure, erected in 1860.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

SCOTLAND TOWNSHIP.

This township is bounded on the north by Macomb, on the east by New Salem, on the south by Industry and on the west by Chalmers. It embraces all of congressional township 5 north, 2 west,

and is one of the banner townships of the county.

Camp creek intersects the southern portion coming in at the line between sections 24 and 25, then running in a

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

south westerly direction through sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 22 and 32, and passing into Industry from the southwest quar- ter of the latter section. Troublesome creek has its headwaters in section 1, and the adjoining section in New Salem township, and, gradually growing in volume, passes with a southwestward trend through sections 1, 2, 4, 10, 9, 16, 17 and 18, passing out of the township on the west, at the line between sections 18 and 19. These streams, together with the rivulets of greater or less size, which are tributary to them, furnish the best watering facilities to the farmer and stock-raiser. The land not imme- diately adjoining the creeks is mostly level, and as it is nearly all in the hands of men who develope its resourses to its fullest capacity, it stands second to no township in the county, in point of agricultural wealth. The citizens are, for the most part, either of Scotch birth, or decendants of that hardy people, and have a natural pride in the advance- ment of everything calculated to add to the improvement and comfort of their homes. Fine country houses and barns dot the plain, and many artificial groves relieve the monotony of growing field and grassy pasture. In July, 1869, a vote was taken on the question of donat- ing $20,000 to the old Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad. This propo- sition was carried; but in September following another election was held, to to vote on the question of adding $15,- 000 to the original grant. This, how- ever, was defeated, and the bonds for the original $20,000 were afterwards destroyed, and the donation never con- summated.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

William Osborn came to this town- ship in the spring of 1828, and camped all summer on what is now the farm of Theophilus Walker, on the banks of Camp creek. This stream took its name from the circumstances of his camping there.

William Henderson, a trapper and hunter, was one of the first who lived in Scotland township. He never made a permanent settlement, but lived in vari- ous places, sometimes in a rude cabin of his own, but often in one he appro- priated. He died in the county, but not in this township. He is remembered as a very tall man, and a great story teller, his talk principally relating to himself and his doings.

The first permanent settlement in Scotland township was made by Joshua Reno and family, in the spring of 1831. They settled in the southern portion of the township, on Camp creek, and near the old Camp creek Presbyterian church. He afterwards sold the farm upon which he settled, to Charles Hays.

The next settlers were Roland Lee and family. John Lee, a son of Roland, also came about the same time with his family. Alexander and James Lee, also sons of Roland, came with John. They were single men, but soon after married and settled down there. Cyrus Walker afterward purchased the land where the Lees settled.

About the same time came Austen Coker, Berry Stockton, Elhannan Lane, Benjamin Rice and Stephen Harp and family.

A man named Huddleston, settled on section 34, in 1831 with his family. He

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

was not regarded as a permanent settler, and was a squatter on the land he oc- cupied. He went away about 1834.

Berry Stockton came to this county in 1832, and located on the northeast quar- ter of section 33, where he cleared 20 acres of land, and built a cabin. He went to Texas in the fall of 1836.

Joseph McCroskey came to Scotland township from Kentucky, in 1832. He afterward was a resident of Industry township, and later removed to the city of Macomb,-where he subsequently died.

Dr. Charles Hays settled on the south- east quarter of section 34, in 1833. He was the first doctor in that portion of the county.

Cyrus Walker, at the same time, made a settlement, purchasing the place par- tially improved by the Lees, as men- tioned before.

Both of these gentlemen have occupied prominent positions in the county, and are noticed under the proper head.

Alexander Lee, who may be said to have been of the squatter class, came to Scotland township, in 1831. He erected his cabin on section 27. That place was bought by John Clark, in 1835.

John Walker, who was a cousin of Cyrus, came to the county in the spring of 1834, and located in Scotland town- ship, on the verge of Industry. He re- sided at that place one year, when he re- moved into Industry township, where he died. He was a native of Virginia.

Hugh McAlary came to Scotland town- ship, from Sangamon county, in the spring of 1834. He had spent the win- ter in the county named, but was origi- nally from Indiana. He took up his loca- tion on section 28, and there resided

until his death, which occurred in De- cember, 1859. He was of Irish decent.

James E. D. Hammer came to this county, from Kentucky, in 1834, and located on · section 24. In 1845, he re- moved to New Salem township, where he now resides.

In the spring of 1835, Joseph Sullivan, . Sr., who settled in Industry township, a year previous, came to Scotland, and en- gaged in farming, about three miles south of the present city of Macomb. He re- mained here until his death, which oc- curred April 7, 1854. Mr. Sullivan was born in Virginia, March 2, 1787, and was a son of Jeremiah Sullivan, also a native of that state. When Joseph was 15 years of age, he went with his parents to Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he came to this county. He was married in Pennsylvania, to Martha Lutton, a native of Maryland. She died in this township, December 25, 1849.

Allen H. Walker came in 1835, settling on the northeast quarter of section 35, where he afterward died. His son, The- ophilus G., now resides upon the old homestead.

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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 80

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