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 82

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 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Robert Binnie, is a son of Andrew Binnie, a native of Scotland. Robert was also born there, March 14, 1842. Early in the forties the family came to America, and settled in Scotland town- ship, McDonough county, Illinois. Here Robert grew to manhood, and received his education. In his youth he assisted his father upon the farm, and in 1863, rented a farm in this township and be- gan business for himself. Four years later he removed to his present location, where he owns 277 acres of well culti-

722

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

vated and desirable land. He owns also, 20 acres of timber land in Industry town- ship. February 25, 1869, he was married to Margaret J. Watson, daughter of James C. Watson, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Binnie are the parents of three children-Mary A., William A., and James R. They are christian people, and members of the Camp creek church. He is one of the substantial citizens of Scotland township.

John V. Haggerty, a well known stock dealer and farmer of Scotland township, is a son of John T. and Sarah (Vance) Haggerty, early settlers in this county. John V. was born in Blandinsville town- ship, McDonough county, Illinois, Oc- tober 2, 1840. He was brought up and received his education in this county. In 1861, he engaged in farming and stock dealing on section 22, Blandins- ville township, where he made his resi- dence six years. He removed to his present farm in 1867; it consists of 160 acres of good and well improved land. He was united in marriage March 17, 1864, with Abigail L. Brewster, a native of Pennsylvania. By their union there were four children-Augustus A., Emma L., Clarence V., and Ellen. Mrs. Hag- gerty died July 2, 1872, and October 23, 1873, Mr. Haggerty was married to Tina A. Pearce, who died May 15, 1877, leaving two children, both of whom are now de- ceased. William L., was born August 28, 1874, and died August 14, 1879. Alta M., was born April 9, 1877, and died June 7, of the same year.

Robertson B. Knowles, the present popular and gentlemanly superintend- ent of the county poor farm, is a native of McDonough county, born December

18, 1839. He is a son of William Knowles, who came to McDonough county from Washington, D. C., in 1838. William Knowles was born in that city and had spent all his life there, pre- vious to coming here. He was married to Lucinda Robinson, and by this union had eight children, of whom Robertson B., was the fifth. He died in Macomb, on the 11th of February, 1877. His wife died September 27, 1875. Robert- son B. Knowles was reared and educa- ted in this county, and has here followed farming and merchandising until March, 1883, when he assumed his present po- sition. He is well fitted for his duties, being of a genial and kindly nature, and possessed of an unlimited amount of patience. He has entire charge of the house, farm and inmates. He was mar- ried September 19, 1865, to Sarah Nunn, a native of Kentucky. They are the parents of six children-Emma E., Mary A., William I., Rebecca L., Dora M., and Gilbert R. In the month of August, 1862, Mr. Knowles enlisted in company H, of the 2d Illinois cavalry, and served in said regiment till the close of the war. He was discharged June 10, 1865. He is now a member of the G. A. R.

Abner Jones, is a son of John Jones, who was born June 1, 1798, in Pennsyl- vania. John Jones, when a young man, went to Hocking county, Ohio, where he lived till 1851. In that year, he re- moved to McDonough county, Illinois, and settled in Chalmers township. In 1856, he came to Scotland township, and settled on section 18. He was married to Rebecca A. DeMoss, a native of Vir- ginia. They had a family of nine chil-

723

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

dren-William.T., Darius, Lewis, Ab- ner, Russell, Samuel, David, Rebecca J., and John. John Jones, died Dec- ember 16, 1865. His widow, Rebecca, survived until August 12, 1881. Abner Jones was born, March 15, 1833, in Hocking county, Ohio. He removed with his parents, to this county, in 1851, remaining with them until 1857. He then went to Linn county, Kansas, where he lived three years, after which he returned to this county. He settled where he now lives, in 1871. He has a desirable farm, containing 80 acres of well improved land. Mr. Jones was married, March 23, 1871, to Mary Blair, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of two children-Walter B,, and Harry A. Mr. Jones is an enterprising far- mer, and a worthy citizen.

Elijah Herndon, is a native of Cass county, Illinois, born November 28,1850. He is a son of Manson Herndon, who came to this county with his family in 1856. Elija was reared and educated in this township, remaining with his par- ents until 1871. At that date he located on the farm where he now resides, but did not purchase the place until 1882. He has 160 acres of well improved land. Mr. Herndon was married March 20, 1873, to Lucinda Clarke, a native of Morgan county, Illinois. They have four children-Wilber A., Howard, Edith and Ivy. He is one of the well-to-do, prosperous farmers of Scotland town- ship, and enjoys · the respect and confi- dence of all those who are happy enough to be well acquainted with him and his character. Such sterling men as he is are a blessing to the community in which he lives, and raises the population in the

estimation of all observant people. Mr. Herndon's place, in its neatness and thrift, manifests his knowledge of his business of farming.

William B. Atherton, located on his present farm on section 36, Scotland township, in October 1872. He has a farm of 125 acres, well improved, and is a successful farmer. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, March 14,1842, and is a son of Joseph Atherton, who came from Ohio. In 1845, the family removed to Stark county, Illinois, where William was reared and educated. He followed farming there until he came to this county. In February, 1864, he en- listed in company C, of the 14th Illinois infantry and served until June 1865, in Sheridan's army. He was united in marriage March 3, 1869, with Amelia Atherton, and by this union has two children-Nellie and Emma.

William F. Jones is a native of Ma- comb, McDonough county, Illinois, born March 26, 1841. His father, Samuel R. Jones, came to this county from Ohio, in 1837, and four years later, became a res- ident of Scotland township, where he re- sided until 1883. He then removed to Nebraska, where he now lives. William F. has spent his entire life, with the ex- ception of three years in the army, in Scotland township, obtaining his educa- tion in the district schools. He enlisted August 7, 1862, in company C, of the 84th Illinois infantry, and served till June, . 1865. He was under command of Gen- eral Thomas at the battles of Stone river Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mis- sion Ridge, Nashville and Franklin, and with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. At the time of his discharge he held the

724

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

rank of second lieutenant. When he re- turned home from the army he engaged in farming on the place where he now lives. His farm is a desirable one and contains 80 acres of well improved land. He was married October 23, 1866, to Jennie Hammer, a daughter of J. E. D. Hammer. of Pennington's Point. They have three children-James E., Lulu G. and Beulah B.

Jerome B. Jones is a son of Samuel R. Jones, and was born September 10, 1845, in Scotland township, where he was reared and educated. In 1867, he engaged in farming on the south- west quarter of section 26, where he re- mained until September, 1883. He then removed to his present farm which con- tains 170 acres, and is located on the same section. He was married Novem- ber 16, 1871, to Mary J. Standard, a na- tive of McDonough county. They have five children-Annie B., Joab, Mabel, Jennie and Martha.

Perry C. Jones was born on section 36, Scotland township, June 12, 1842, and is a son of Samuel R. Jones. Perry_C. was educated and grew to manhood in his native township. In early life he fol- lowed farming. May 24, 1861, he en- listed in company B, of the 16th Illinois infantry, and served until the end of his term. He was in the army of the Cum- berland, and at the battle of Buzzard's Roost, February 25, 1863, and was wounded in the leg and sent to the hos- 'pital at Chattanooga, thence to Nashville, thence to Jeffersonville, Indiana. From the latter place he was sent to Spring- field, where he was discharged. He then returned home and resumed farming on the homestead farm, which was his birth-

place, and is still his home. He owns 80 acres of land and has a desirable farm. He was united in marriage December 28, 1865, with Julia A. Cox, a daughter of Thomas Cox. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of seven children-Iverson E., Samuel L., Minnie M., Nina B., Bes- sie F., Jessie A. and Alta M.

William McMillan, a worthy farmer of Scotland township, is a native of Ire- land, where he was born February 18, 1829. He left Ireland when quite young, and came to America, locating in the state of Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood's estate and remained until 1852. In that year he came west and settled in McDonough county. He en- gaged in farming the land of John D. Walker, near Macomb, remaining on the same place until 1863, when he removed to his present farm. He was married in October, 1851, to Elizabeth Storks. Two children have blessed their union-Mary J. and David H. Mr. McMillan has held the office of commissioner of highways for seven years.

Cyrus Walker, is a son of Cyrus Wal- ker, Sr., the noted lawyer, and was born in Adair county, Kentucky, September 25, 1832. The following year the family moved to McDonough county, Illinois, and located in Scotland township, where the subject of this sketch now resides. He grew to manhood here, and has spent the greater portion of his life upon the homestead farm, of which he took charge, after the death of his father. He owns 180 acres of well improved land, located on section 34. Mr. Walker was married September 11, 1860, to Mary. J. Mc- Gaghey. They have eight children- John C., Flora H., Cynthia A., Arthur,

725

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Guy, Grier, Pitt M., and Nancy. Mr. Walker is a member of the Camp creek Presbyterian church, an upright, honest man and an esteemed citizen. He has, all his life, been identified with the in- terests of this township, and is well · known throughout the county, as an early settler, and a member of the hon- ored family of Walker.

EDUCATIONAL.

According to the last annual report of the county superintendent, for the school year ending June 30, 1884, it is learned that Scotland township has 287 children of school age, 259 of whom are enrolled in ' the nine different schools of the town- ship, the average number of months of school per annum being seven and four- ninths. There were two new school houses erected in the township during the year, making a total at present of nine, all of which are frame. The high- est monthly wages paid any male teacher is $45, and the lowest $35, while the highest wages paid female teachers is $35 and the lowest $22 per month. Scot- land is free from any bonded indebted- ness, except about $75, with an estimated value of school property of $6,650 and a tax levy for the support of her educa- tional institutions of $2,750.

Crown Point, District No. 1 .- This dis- trict was organized April 21, 1856, at a meeting held at the residence of John Upp. A small frame house was erected the same year. The district increased in wealth and population so rapidly that they were compelled to erect a new build- ing, which they did in 1874, on the site of the old one, and at a cost of $1,469. It is located on section 1. The first direc-

tors were Green Lane, S. S. Chapman and F. Laughlin. The first to wield the birch, was Levi W. Elliott. The present teacher is Jennie Bethel.

Maple Grove, District No. 2 .- The building situated on section 4. The dis- trict organized in April, 1856. During the first year, school was held in a log dwelling, on a knoll about a mile west of the present building, called Mount Nebo. In 1857, a good frame building was erected, which, on the 1st of March, 1868, was burned. In the same year, the pres- ent house was erected at a cost of $1,500, and is 24x32 feet in size. The first direc- tors of the district were J. H. Swigart, T. M. Fox and Edmund Palk. T. Mc- Mahan was the first teacher. Those serv- ing the district as directors at present are, John Barclay, Philip Hesh and Chas. Taylor. Laura Gesler is the teacher at present.

District No. 3 .- The school building in this district, is located on the south- east corner of section 6. Is a good frame structure, valued at $600.

District No. 4 .- The school house stands on the northwest corner of section 20. It was erected several years since, and in 1883, a new house was built, and at pres- ent, is valued at about $900.

District No. 5 .- This district has a good frame school house, and is known as "Center school." The building is on the southeast corner of section 16.

Union, District No. 6 .- The district organized and building erected in 1857. The house located on section 13, and was built at a cost of $700. In 1882, the dis- trict erected a new building on the site of the old house, which was purchased by James Rexroat for a tenement house,

726

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

and is situated about one mile north. The new building was completed at a cost of about $1,000.

District No. 7 .- The school building is located on the southeast corner of sec- tion 26, and is valued at $500.

District No. 8 .- The school house stands on the northeast corner of section 33. It was built several years ago, and was repaired and remodeled in 1883. It is valued at present, at about $800.

District No. 9 .- The building is situ- ated on the southwest corner of section 29. The district was organized in April, 1847. A building 18x28 feet was then erected, one-half mile south of the pres- ent one. In 1863 they moved into their new building.

RELIGIOUS.

The first sermon in the township was preached by Rev. William K. Stewart, of Macomb, in December, 1837, at the resi- dence of Cyrus Walker.

The United Brethren have a church building on section 13. The society was organized in 1860. (See Ecclesiastical chapter.

ORGANIZATION.

At the time of the division of the county, in 1857, Scotland township was constituted. The first township election ·was held on the 7th day of April, of that year, and J. H. Swigart and John Clark were elected justices of the peace; F. F. Hatch and Hugh H. McKee, consta- bles. Isaac P. Montfort was chosen to represent the township on the board of supervisors.

The present township officers are as follows: Supervisor, Hugh Watson; clerk, Andrew Binnie; assessor, J. E. Cooper; collector, W. G. Riggins; high- way commissioners, Robert Barclay, James Allison and Duncan McMillan; justices of the peace, J. G. McGaughey and Andrew Binnie; constables, Robert Merrill and T. G. Walker.

The first election was held at the house of Samuel Mitchell, on the farm now owned by W. W. Henderson.

FIRST ITEM.

The first -. death was that of the Rev. Ezekiel Campbell, who died on the south- west quarter of section 34, in 1834. .

CHAPTER XXIX.

INDUSTRY TOWNSHIP.

This township embraces all of con- gressional township 4 north, range 2 west, and is one of the earliest settled in the county. It is bounded on the

north by Scotland, on the east by Eldo- rado, on the south by Schuyler county, and on the west by Bethel. It is one of the timbered townships, though not so

727

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

much so as some of its neighbors, espe- cially those on the west.

In the south part of the township, and probably underlying every square foot of soil in all parts, may be found coal in great abundance, the veins averaging 33 inches. Ebenezer Jones, James A. Vaw- ter, William Dupees and others are work- ing good veins of an excellent quality. About two-fifths of the township was originally timber land, but a portion of this has been brought under cultivation. Grindstone creek (formerly called Tur- key creek) is the principal stream pass- ing through the township, it coming in on section 1 and passing out at section 19. Camp creek passes through a por- tion of sections 5 and 6. Thus, the township is well watered. All things taken into consideration, the division of the township into timber and prairie land, the abundance of coal, stone for building purposes, etc., Industry town- ship may well be said to be favored. Grindstone and Camp creeks and their tributaries afford abundant supplies of water for irrigation, drainage and stock purposes. This township has as yet no railroad passing through it, but the town of Industry affords a good trading point, and a market for their grain is within easy access.

Many interesting events in the early history of the county cluster around the records of the happenings in this town- ship, and reference thereto will be found in more than one chapter of this work.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Previous to 1826, none had inhabited this region save the red man, and when, in the spring of that year, William Car-

ter and Riggs Pennington first set foot within the borders of whatis now Indus- try township, they found the country abandoned by the aborigines, and none, but the wild animals tenants of the soil. They settled in one neighborhood, about one mile southeast of where the town of Industry now stands, and commenced hewing out homes for their families in the wilderness, for like all other pioneers of that day, they preferred to clear their farm land in the timber, rather than to cultivate that already prepared for their use by the hand of nature. The neighborhood was named, in honor of one of its pioneers, Carter's settle- ment. A few years afterward, Mr. Car- ter removed to Missouri. Mr. Penning- ton, probably a year afterward, removed to Knox county, this state. He resided there until the spring of 1837, when he went to Texas, where he died.

Stephen Osborne made a settlement in Industry township, 'near the house of William Carter, in 1826. The next year he left, going to Knox county.

In the fall of 1827, William Stephens built a cabin on section 24, and settled down as an inhabitant of the county. It was in his house that Elder Logan de- livered the first sermon heard in McDon- ough county.

Rev. John Logan made a settlement in this township in 1828, spending the winter in the old log fort, where he took up his residence. In the spring he re- moved into the cabin built by Stephen Osborn, on what is now the Hushaw place. That fall he left, going to Schuy- ler county. He returned to the county later, settling in Hire township. A sketch of him is given elsewhere.

;

728

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

John Wilson settled on section 23, during the year 1828. He was married October 30, 1828, to Martha R. Vance, and the next year built a cabin on his farm into which he removed in 1830. He was born in Jackson county, Tennessee, November 2, 1806. His father, Hugh Wilson, moved to near Vincennes, Indi- ana, and from there to Christian county, Kentucky, thence to Missouri, and in 1825, to Schuyler county, Illinois. In the spring of 1827, he started for Han- cock county, but stopped at the Job set- tlement for a short time, when he moved on westward. John then started for him- self, coming here as above mentioned. He was the father of-Elizabeth A., Mary V., Susannah, Hugh, Sarah V., James V., W. V., Christopher, Lewis R., Rufus R., Martha R., and Margaret R. V., many of whom are still residents of the county.

Isaac Fowler made a settlement in the fall of 1828, or spring of 1829, on section 25, where he resided some years. He has long since left the county.

John Bridges and family came in No- vember, 1829, and located in Industry township. He was born in North Caro- lina in 1797. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Vance, was born in Tennessee in 1800. They were married in the state of Tennessee. in 1816. He died in this township in 1844. On their route from Tennessee to this county, the family stopped in Morgan county from 1823 to 1829. Mrs. Bridges still sur- vives.

Charles Shannon, was one of the pio- neers of this township, settling where the town of Industry, now stands in 1830. Here he lived until 1858, when he died.

William Shannon also appeared as a settler about this time.

Charles R. Shannon is a son of Wm. and Mary (Miller) Shannon, who were natives of Tennessee. The former was born September 12, 1804, and the latter November 25, 1812. They were married January 12, 1832, in Industry township; which event was among the earliest mar- riages of this county. They brought up nine children-Rachel A., deceased;Eliz- abeth A. Nellie E., Charles R., John F., James P., William H., Harvil M., and George G. They were both members of the M. E. church. William, the father, died January 22, 1866, and was buried in the Vance cemetery. He was a man of some prominence in the county; came originally from Knox county, Tennessee, arriving here May 9, 1830. Was justice of the peace here for 20 years. Charles R., the subject of this sketch, was born January 13, 1838, in Bethel township, of this county. He worked for his father upon the farm until death took away the elder Shannon. He was married De- cember 24, 1871, to Alice A. Norton, and his mother is living with them on the old homestead. They have six children -Effie L., Orria B., James K., Beryl M., Mary E., and Roscoe K. Mr. Shan- non owns 111 1-2 acres of good land which is well improved, having good buildings, well fenced, and tile drained. Politically he votes with the democratic party.

Austen Coker and family came to Mc- Donough county in 1830, and took up their location in Industry township. He was a native of Kentucky, and his wife, whose maiden name was Susan Tomber- lin, was a native of Virginia. Their son

729

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

George W. and his family, are still res- idents of the township.

During the summer of 1830, John Rogers erected himself a log house on the prairie, in this township, but the winter coming on, he concluded it would be better for him to move to the timber, which he accordingly did, taking his cabin with him; but the snow beginning to fall before he had finished rebuilding, he enclosed the cabin in a tent, and managed to live in it during the long winter that followed, his only food being hominy, without salt. This so disgusted him, that the next spring he left the county never to return.

A. H. and Sanders Walker and their families removed to the south side of Camp creek, in this township, in the fall of 1831, where they improved farms.

Daniel Sandidge came to this county in the spring of 1832, and located in Industry township. He resided here till the fall of 1833, when he removed to Eldorado township. He died in Oak- land township, Schuyler county, August 5, 1882.

John P. Kinkade and family came in 1832, and located on section 5.

John P. Kinkade, deceased, was a native of Scott county, Kentucky, born in 1810. In the year 1830, hs emigrated to Illinois, settling in Morgan county, where he was, soon after, married to Eliza .D. McClure, who was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, in 1808. He remained in Morgan county, one year, then removed to Rushville, and, one year later, came to Industry town- ship, and located on section 5, where he purchased 160 acres of land. He re- sided here until his death, in 1851. In

1859, his widow, Mrs. Eliza D. Kinkade, was married to Josiah Kirkpatrick, who, in 1870, died, leaving her again a widow. Her death occurred in 1879.

William Kinkade, son of J. P., and Eliza . D. Kinkade, was born December 31, 1839, in Industry township. He remained at home until 21 years old, His childhood and youth were spent upon the farm which furnished him employment dur- ing a greater part of the year. His ed- ucation was obtained by attending the district school, winters. In 1860, he was married to Phebe A. Strader, a daughter of Simeon Strader, of Chal- mers township. They have five chil- dren-Mary A;, William H., Dorcas E., Effie M., and Roscoe E. Mr. Kinkade owns 110 acres of land, located on sec- tions 8 and 17. He lives on section 8, where he has a pleasant residence. He carries on general farming. He is a public spirited man, and a useful citi- zen. He has served as a member of the county board of supervisors, since the year 1876, and still holds that office. He has been school director for the past 14 years, besides holding other offices of minor importance. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has three times been sent as delegate from Indus- try lodge, No. 327, to the Grand Lodge, at Chicago. Politically he is a suppor- ter of the present administration.

Daniel Stockton came to this county in the fall of 1833, and located in Indus- try township, on the Tuggle farm. Af- ter one year's residence there, he re- moved to section 30, Eldorado township, where he lived until his death occurred January 29, 1883. He was born in Ken- tucky, August 17, 1800.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 82

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