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 89

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 89

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moved to this county from Fulton county in 1854. Wesley Cope died in this county, in May, 1865. His widow is still living. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Dodge have taken two children of his brother-Nora E., and Erma Alma. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Dodge located about six miles south of Bushnell, where he re- sided three years, then removed to a farm west of Prairie City. In 1870, he moved into Prairie City, which has since been his residence. He has been located as pastor in several places. In his evangelistic work he has had much assistance from his wife, who.is an earn- est and faithful worker in the cause, Mr. Dodge is a man of untiring zeal and energy and also much ability, to which is due his wonderful success as a revivalist.

Rev. A. Magee was born in Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania, near French- town, March 22, 1807, and is a son of Thomas and Charity (Matthews) Magee. When but six years of age, his parents removed to Lewistown, Miffin county, of the same state. In 1832, the family moved to Cambridge, Ohio. During their residence there, the subject of this sketch began the study of medicine with Dr. John Hull. After a thorough prepa- ration for that profession, he commenced . practice at Claysville, where he con- tinued one year, when he decided to abandon the medical profession, and become a preacher of the gospel. From his early youth, he had ever felt a deep interest in the study of theology, but had no expectation until that time, of pursuing a ministerial career. Before going to Claysville, he had been ap-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

pointed a local preacher by the quar- terly conference, and during his stay in that place, had been preaching quite regularly. In 1840, he joined the Pitts- burg conference, and was assigned to the Norwich circuit, where he labored one year, then two years on the Barnesville circuit, then at New Washington, West- chester, Summerfield, Deerville, Adams- ville, Cambridge, and New Philadelphia, remaining two years at each place. He was then transferred to the Peoria con- ference, with which he united in 1856. His first appointment here, was at Farm- ington, then at Canton, remaining two years in each place. He was then, for two years, elder of Macomb district, then again sent to Farmington, two years later, to Galesburg, where he preached three years, then two years at Peoria, one year at Monmouth, two years at Bushnell, and three years at Prairie City. He then, after this prolonged career of active labor, was superannu- ated, and settled permanently at Prairie City, where he now resides. He has preached alternate Sabbaths here since that time. Thus far, nearly half a cen- tury, has he labored faithfully and ac- ceptably in the cause of the Master. He has been four times elected to the general conference-first in 1852, when he represented the Pittsburg confer- ence, and in 1860-64, representing the Central Illinois conference. He at- tended general conference at the cities of Boston, Buffalo, and Philadelphia. He was elected to attend the same at Chi- cago in 1868, but resigned. Possessed of much ability and talent, of a high order, Mr. Magee has been abundantly blest in his work, and now, in the even-

ing of his life, while resting from his more arduous labors, he may well feel the assurance that his life has not been spent in vain. Mr. Magee was married January 20, 1828, to Elizabeth Fultz, a native of Germantown, Pennsylvania. She died, January 24, 1879. Eight children were born to them-Sarah, de- ceased; Edmund and Charity, deceased; William Thomas, one of the business men of Prairie City; John Andrew, de- ceased; Martha, who died, November 9, 1864, aged 20 years; Susan, wife of W. F. Taylor, of Portsmouthı, Ohio, and Mary, wife of Eugene Durst, of Bush- nell.

A. B. Cooper, of Prairie City, was born in 1812, in the state of Kentucky, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Ken- ner ) Cooper. A. B. Cooper came to Ill- inois in 1854, locating then in Henry county. In 1858, he moved to Abing- don, Knox county, where he lived five years, after which he came to Prairie City, and engaged in hotel keeping one year, then, in merchandizing, which he continued eight years. He then estab- lished his present business, dealing in pictures and frames. Mr. Cooper was married in 1833, to Nancy Rawlings, a daughter of Jonathan Rawlings, of Ken- tucky. Their union has been blessed with nine children-S. Jacob, living in St. Augustine, Illinois; Letha H., wife of James Hanna, of Emporia, Kansas; William F., living in Missouri; Kittie, deceased wife of Marshall Dowdy; Eliza, wife of George Rodecker, living in Missouri; Asa B., living in Lincoln, Nebraska, married to Hattie Barnes, a daughter of Alonzo Barnes; Milton D., and Hickison B., living in California,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

and Charles A., residing with his par- ents. Mr. Cooper is the owner of a dwelling house, a store room and three lots, in Prairie City. He is, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and politically, a democrat.

J. W. Davis came to Illinois in 1837, accompanying his parents, who settled near Fairview, in Fulton county. He came to Prairie City in 1855, since which time he has been a resident here. Mr. Davis was born August 7, 1833, in the state of Pennsylvania, and is a son of Evan and Letitia (Conly) Davis, also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1862, J. W. Davis was married to J. A. Harlan, a daughter of Abner Harlan, of Kentucky. They had four children-May, Willie F., Ella, and Gracie. Mrs. Davis died in June, 1883. All of the children are living with their father in Prairie City, where they have a pleasant home. Mr. Davis is a prominent and public spirited citizen. During the war he was ap- pointed provost marshal, to succeed Randolph. He has also held the office of assessor and collector of the township and was postmaster through the last ad- ministration.

Robert Burden, Jr., is a son of Robert and Eliza (Byng) Burden, natives of New York city, where Robert, Jr., was born in 1856. They came to McDon- ough county in 1864, and settled in Prairie City. Robert Burden, Jr., was ·married in 1882, to Mattie Trumpy, a daughter of Henry Trumpy, of Prairie City. Mr. Burden obtained his educa- tion in this city, and was appointed to his present position, assistant postmas- ter, in 1882, by J. W. Davis. He had previously been engaged as a dry goods

salesman. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically a republican. Rob- ert Burden, Sr., is still a resident of Prairie City.

J. A. Jones settled in Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1851. He remained a resident there until 1866, when he came to Lee, Fulton county, where he lived until 1874, then moved to Prairie City, and for three years followed paint- ing, then in 1877, engaged in his present business, keeping a grocery store. Mr. Jones was born in Kentucky, and is a son of Samuel Jones, a native of Penn- sylvania, He was married April 8, 1869, to Nancy C. Hulick, of Fulton county. By this union there are four children-Isaac A., Jennie F., Nora B., and Emma A. Mr. Jones enlisted in his country's service, in the spring of 1864, serving six months in the 132d Illinois infantry. In February, 1865, he re-enlisted in the 51st Illinois regiment, and served eight months. He is now a member of the G. A. R., Royal Douglas post, of which he was post commander during the year 1884. He also belongs to the order of the Golden Rule. Mr. Jones was left an orphan at the age of eight years, and from that time was obliged to earn his own living, without assistance. He is now in prosperous circumstances, and one of Prairie City's best citizens. He is a republican, polit- ically.

James Skean, a resident of Prairie City township, was born in 1815, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Thatcher) Skean, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New York. James Skean first came to this

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

state in the fall of 1854, and remained one winter at Pekin. The following spring he settled in Prairie City town- ship, where he now resides. He owns a farm of 80 acres, in good cultivation.' He was married in September, 1849, to Eliza Lichtenthaler, a native of Indiana. They have four children-James, living in Prairie City; Mary E., wife of Walter P. Smith, of Quincy, Illinois; Wilbert, living in Prairie City, and Elmer E., in Albia, Iowa. Mr. Skean is a member of the Disciples' church, and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He is, politi- cally, a supporter of the republican party, and a worthy and respected citi- zen.

Robert M. Cox, teacher of vocal and instrumental music, at Prairie City, is a son of William and Mary ( Carver) Cox, and was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1845. He lived in his native state till 1856, then moved with his parents to Lee township, Fulton county, Illinois. Two years later they removed to Knox county, and located near St. Augustine. In 1861, Robert M. Cox en- listed in company K, of the 55th Illinois infantry. He served as a private one year, then was promoted to the rank of. corporal, in which capacity he served three years. He participated in 27 of the 32 battles, in which his regiment was engaged, and was in Sherman's cam- paign, including the grand review, at Washington. At the battle of Kenesaw mountain, in Georgia, he was wounded in the left arm, in consequence of which he was off duty 60 days. He was mar- ried December 13, 1865, to Sarah Bryte, daughter of Nathaniel Bryte, of Prairie City. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have had

seven children born to them-Arminda, Eliza, Jessie, May, Eddie, Charles S., deceased, and Christena. Mr. Cox owns a residence in Prairie City, and is here engaged in teaching music, for which profession he is highly qualified, both by nature and education. He is the pres- ent commander of the post of the G. A. R., at Prairie City. His father, William Cox, died in Knox county, in the spring of 1861.

Daniel C. Ackerman came to McDon- ough county, from New Jersey, in 1866. He had been engaged in New York city. as a commission merchant for six years. He was born May 16, 1822, in Bergen county, New Jersey, and is a son of Cor- nelius and Elizabeth (Yeoman) Acker- man. Mr. Ackerman, on coming to this county, purchased a farm of 160 acres in Prairie City township, on which he lived seven years, then removed to the village of Prairie City, his present residence. He still owns and carries on his farm. He was married in 1855, to Anna Ter- hune, of Passaic county, New Jersey. They have four children-Lizzie, wife of Charles Hamilton, of Prairie City, now living in Iowa; Mary, wife of Walter Tobie, of Prairie City, now living in Illi- nois; Helen and Walter, living with their parents. Mrs. Ackerman is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Acker- man's parents were natives of New Jer- sey, and they came out here in 1855, but both died in Fulton county, Illinois, his father in 1881, and his mother, in 1872. Mr. Ackerman is a democrat, politically, and a good citizen.

Charles S. Harris is a son of Dr. Ralph and Mary P. (Wilson) Harris, and was born March 24, 1852, in Macomb, Mc-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Donough county, Illinois. In 1863, he removed with his parents to Warsaw, Illinois, and remained four years, re- turning then to Macomb, where he re- sided until 1872. In that year he went to Mount Sterling, Brown county, Illi-' nois, and engaged as clerk in a store, re- maining there four years. In 1876 he was married to Addie B. Anderson, a daughter of John S. Anderson, of Mount Sterling. Soon after marriage he re- moved to Du Quoin, Perry county, Illi- nois, where he lived two and a half years engaged in commission business, then returned to this county and. followed school teaching, two years in the country and one and a half years in Blandins- ville. He then followed the same occu- pation at Good Hope one year, after which he came to Prairie City, where he 'now resides. Since coming here he has, for two years, held the position of prin- cipal of the public schools. In August, 1884, he was awarded a teacher's state certificate, having passed the requisite examination before the state board of education. Mr. Harris is a lawyer as well as a professional teacher, having been admitted to the bar by the supreme court of the state, at Ottawa, Illinois, in March 1885. He has fitted himself for the lat- ter profession by studying in a law office .during his vacation for the past four years, and will undoubtedly be eminently successful, possessing as he does, great energy and perseverance, in addition to his natural ability. Mr. and Mrs. Har- ris have two children-Nina and Lillian C. Mr. Harris is a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically, a republican.

Hugh S. Steach, son of Adam and Ju- lia A. (Shaw) Steach, was born in Penn-

sylvania, in 1833. He came to Illinois in 1856, and in the year 1869, settled in Prairie City, where he now resides. He is the owner of real estate in this city, a residence and four lots, also a black- smith shop. He carries on business in the latter, being a blacksmith by trade. He was married in March, 1862, to Celia Vandyke of Greene county, and by this union, has three children-Ida N., wife of W. E. Lewis, of this city; Charles L. and Maud, living with their parents. Mr. Steach resigned the office of city marshal, after holding the same three years. He has been commissioner of roads also, three years. He is a member of the Golden Rule, and politically, a democrat.

The following sketch should have ap- peared in the medical chapter:

· Dr. D. L. Russell, practicing physi- cian of Prairie City, is a native of High- land county, Ohio, born December 4, 1834, and a son of James R. and Sarah (Lincoln) Russell. . In the fall of 1843, his parents moved to Brown county, Illi- nois, where he was reared. He began fitting himself for his profession in 1854, with Dr. Vandeventer, with whom he continued two years, then entered the office of Dr. 'Bond, with whom he studied two years, after which he practiced in partnership with Dr. Bond until the breaking out of the war. He entered the army as an assistant surgeon, in the department of General Sherman. The medical department of this state had an army board in Chicago, of which Dr. Brainard was chief. By this board, Dr. Russell was examined and on receiving his certificate, went into the field and made an engagement with the medical

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

staff, by which he was engaged as sur- geon until the close of the war, thus hav- ing a splendid opportunity for familiar- izing himself with actual practice of medicine and surgery, and which he abundantly improved. At the close of the war, he returned to Brown county, and practiced his profession at Ripley, where he had an extensive practice, until the fall of 1880, when he moved to Mc- Donough county, and located first at Bushnell, where he remained till 1883, then came to Prairie City. Deciding to make this his permanent home, he re- moved his family and opened an office. He lias an extensive and ever increasing practice in Prairie City and vicinity. He was married in Brown county, October 5, 1875, to Rutlı E. Glenn, daughter of William and Polly Glenn, of that county. They have an adopted daughter named- Bertha Frances. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

William C. Rush of Prairie City, is a native of Mercer county, Illinois, born February 1, 1843. His parents were Robert Guy and Mary (Castlebury) Rush. The former died in Mercer county, in June, 1883; the latter is still living. William C., was reared in his native county and there enlisted Septem- ber 21, 1861, in company A, of the 30th Illinois infantry. The regiment rendez- voused at Cairo and were assigned to the 16th army corps, under Gen. John A. McClernand. He was with General Grant in the battle of Belmont, Novem- ber 7, 1861. From there they went down the river, and the next engagement in which they participated, was at Fort Henry, next at Fort Donelson, where Buckner surrendered unconditionally.

At Fort Donelson Mr. Rush received a wound in the right hand, in consequence of which he was discharged at Jackson, Tennessee. He afterwards received an appointment as clerk, in the 11th Illi- nois cavalry. He continued with that regiment till the close of the war. He was mustered out at Springfield in the winter of 1865. He returned from the army to Mercer county, and the follow- . ing spring, came to McDonough county, where he has since resided. On coming here he engaged for a short time, in farming, then began the practice of med- icine, for which profession he had pre- pared himself previous to the war, spend- ing two years in studying in the office of Dr. Clendennon, of Mercer county. He continued his medical practice until about 1877, then engaged in dealing in stock. He now does a general collection business at Prairie City.

Joel 'C. Barnes, a prominent citizen of Prairie City, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, December 27, 1857. The same year his parents, Joel S. and Ambrosia (Cutler ) Barnes, moved to Fulton county and settled at Canton, where the subject of this sketch remained until he came to Prairie City, in 1864. His father was here engaged in the mercantile business for 15 years but in May, 1882, removed to Englewood, Illinois, where he now re- sides. Joel C. has a farm of 60 acres, situated within the corporate limits of Prairie City, where he carries on farm- ing. In March, 1885, he was elected city marshal to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hugh Steach. He was married in August, 1877, to Kate Sanford, who died December 14, 1878. He was married again December 23,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

1879, to Martha Morrow, daughter of Thomas B. Morrow, of Prairie City. They are the parents of two children- Vera and Edith May. Mr. Barnes is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of Prai- rie City, and has been through the chair both in the encampment and the subor- dinate lodge. He was sent as represen- tative to the Grand Lodge session at Springfield, in September, 1883, and to Galesburg in September, 1880. He is a member of the Anti-Horse-Thief society of Prairie City.

Dr. C. H. Pearson, a leading citizen of Prairie City, is a native of New Eng- land, born at Portsmouth, New Hamp- shire, June 26, 1832. His parents were John and Harriet (Carleton) Pearson, of English descent, the latter, a sister of Guy Carleton, and a near relative of Sir Guy Carleton, governor general of Can- ada. Mrs. Pearson died when the sub- ject of this sketch was six years old. When he was 11 years of age, he went with his father to Portland, Maine, where they lived several years, then removed to Newburyport, Massachusetts, Dr. Pearson received an academic and theo- logical education at New Hampton, New Hampshire. On finishing his theologi- cal studies he was ordained and served as pastor a number of years. but inherit- ing from his mother a tendency to pul- monary consumption, failing health com- pelled him to leave the pastorate. His case baffled the skill of the doctors, till against his medical prepossessions, as a dernier resort he consulted Dr. S. M. Gale, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, a graduate of Harvard University, and a learned physician, but who had become a homoeopathischealth in

a singularly short time under the new system, a slumbering penchant for the profession of medicine was revived, and he began its study under the supervision of Dr. Gale, continuing his studies two years more, in the office of Dr. Wm. H. Lougee, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, a graduate of Jefferson medical college, Philadelphia, but then, also a 'homoeo- pathist ofrepute. Early impressed with the conviction that the compounding of medicines was carried to excess, and tended to scientific uncertainty in ad- ministering drugs, he soon began a course of independent research into the pro- perties, powers and affinities of drugs singly administered in varying doses, giving much attention to neglected medi- cinal plants, in which experiments he received invaluable suggestions from Dr. S. M. Allen, a practitioner of the regu- lar school and a medical botanist, whose observations had been turned in the same direction. In this way many bene- ficent and curative agents were dis- covered, which years after were intro- duced into the materia medica as "new remedies." He then took a course of medical lectures at the Philadelphia uni- versity, where he graduated, then took another course at Hahneman medical college, that city, and clinics at Penn- sylvania hospital, Blockley hospital and Hahneman hospital. Besides attend- ing the regular, and a spring course at Hahneman medical college, he received a diploma for a special course, each in practical obstetrics and practical and surgical anatomy. He began the prac- tice of his profession in Philadelphia where he remained for a time. His last practice was at Southington, Connecticut,

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 787

where he resided until he came to Prairie City in May, 1882. He has spent a considerable portion of his life in liter- ary work. He edited the Home Monthly, of Boston, besides contributing editor- als, sketches, etc., to various papers and periodicals there. He is the author of a number of works published by Lee & Sheppard. The Congregational pub- lishing house also published one of his works. When Dr. Pearson left South- ington, Connecticut, he was presented with a written testimonial from 126 of the leading society people of the city, besides testimonials from the physicians, and also from the capitalists, showing the high esteem in which he was held in his New England home, "as a physican, a christian, and a gentleman." He was married in Southington, May 6, 1880, to Julia Hills. Since coming to Prairie City he has devoted the greater portion of his time to literary work. The follow- ing article speaking of his venerable father, is from the pen of the son of Rev. Dr. Withington, of the Newbury- port (Mass.) Herald. "Deacon John Pearson, now at the age of 90 years, is very low in health from structural disease of the heart. The old gentleman retains his faculties of mind to a very remarkable degree. He is of the best New England stock, and he, and his numerous descendents, of the most sub- stantial character, and an honor to any community."

George W. Bird, is a son of James H. and Amanda C. (Tribby ) Bird, and was born in Clinton county, Ohio, April 2, 1857. When he was 14 years of age, his parents removed to Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois, where he completed his

education at Hedding college. In 1875 he entered the railroad office of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy company, for the purpose of learning telegraphy, and in the fall of 1876, was appointed night operator. After serving in that capacity sóme months, he was placed on extra work at a number of different places, on the main line, and branches, then returned to Abingdon, and again served as night operator, for six months, at the end of that time, July, 1880, he was transferred to Prairie City, where he has since had charge of the station as agent and operator. He was married October 20, 1881, to Allie M. Westfall, daughter of Amos P. Westfall. Mr. Bird has, by his genial and accommodating manners, and strict attention to business, won many friends. His father died Octo- ber 17, 1883. His mother 'is living at Abingdon.

James A. Rose, police magistrate, has his court room up stairs, three doors west of the railroad, on the south side of Main street. He was elected in April, 1881, for the term of four years. He attends also to collections. In the same building, down stairs, he makes boots and shoes to order, and does repairing.

IMPROVEMENTS.

The population of Prairie City in 1860 was nearly 1,500. This included, how- ever, nearly 100 students of the academy that was then there. In 1875, the pop- ulation without the academy, was 800. For some time the town was at a stand- still, but it is now progressing again, and gaining in population, while the entire aspect of the place is being changed by

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the erection of new and handsome brick business structures. The building of these new business houses was encour- aged by the liberality of the town au- thorities, who, a few years after the fire, purchased the burnt district and offered 140 feet in depth, with all the frontage desired, to any one erecting a two-story brick building. The first one to take advantage of that offer, was George V. Everly, who erected a handsome struc- ture 22x80 feet in dimensions, with plate- glass front, and of the requisite two stories in height.

SOCIETIES.

· McDonough lodge, No. 205, Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, was organ- ized October 17, 1856. The charter ter members were: Samuel L. Stewart, Alonzo Barnes, Solomon L. Babcock, C. H. Wycoff, Abner E. Barnes, Wm. A. Martin, and Andrew T. Irwin. The first officers were: A. E. Barnes, N. G .; Samuel Stewart, V. G.

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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 89

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