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 91

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 91

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Harris. She now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Hushaw. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have one daughter-Elizabeth Jane, mar- ried to Shelton David.

· John H. Leighty has been a resident of Eldorado township since the fall of 1848, when he settled on section 16. He is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born in 1836, and a son of Daniel and Mary G. (Hamilton) Leighty, "the latter, a daughter of John Hamilton, a native of Ireland. The subject of this sketch was married April 18, 1877, to Rebecca T. Campbell, daughter of Rev. William S. Campbell, from Tennessee. In the fall of 1862, Mr. Leighty, enlisted in company B, of the 84th Illinois infan- try, and served three years as color- bearer. He participated in the engage- ments at Murfreesboro, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Nashville, Franklin and Atlanta. He was a brave and fearless soldier and did gallant ser- vice, until the close of the war. Heis a republican, politically, and has been elected constable, but declined to serve. He has a good farm of 193 acres with excellent improvements and carries on general farming.

J. B. Standard came to McDonough county, in 1836, and settled then, on section 24, Industry township, where he resided until 1851. . He then moved to section 19, which has since been his residence. He was born in Kentucky, June 23, 1824, and is a son of Gideon and Sina (Wyatt) Standard. He came to Illinois when a boy of eight years, and lived in Morgan county until he came here. Mr. Standard is one of the most extensive land owners, and one of the wealthiest farmers of McDonough

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. .

county. He has 1,050 acres of land, all in a high state of cultivation, except 188 acres of timber. His improvements are among the finest in the county, his resi- dence, barn, and other buildings being commodious and substantial. He keeps a large number of cattle, horses, and other stock, and carries on farming on an extensive scale. He began life poor, and his success is an example of what may be accomplished by industry, per- severance, and good management. Mr. Standard was married in 1849, to Jane . Allison, daughter of John Allison, of Pennsylvania. By this union there are seven children-Mary, wife of Jerome Jones, of Scotland township; Margaret, wife of Thomas Jones, of Clay county, Nebraska; Julia, wife of E. F. Wheeler, of Kansas City; Malinda, wife of George 'W. Russell, of Bethel township; Gideon, living in Industry township; John, also in Industry; and George, living at home. Mrs. Standard died September 25, 1876, and was buried in the Vance cemetery, near Industry. In September, 1880, Mr. Standard was married to Mrs. Martha Duncan, widow of Dr. Duncan, and daughter of Morris Merrick. By his second marriage, Mr. Standard has one child-Fannie.

Thomas Lawyer, a prominent citizen of Eldorado township, was born in Fay- ette county, Ohio, December 7, 1826, and is a son of John and Massie (Cooper) Lawyer, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter, of Ohio. In the fall of 1837, Thomas came with his parents to Industry township, McDonough county, Illinois. They resided two years in In- dustry, then removed to the southwest quarter of section 30, Eldorado town-

ship. Thomas remained at home until 1852. He was married January 15, of that year, to Catherine Connor, of Eldo- rado township. By this union there are seven living children-John R., living in Seward county, Nebraska; F. P., now in New York city, where he is fitting himself for the ministry of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church, having pre- viously been ordained; James N., a far- mer of Eldorado township; Joseph F., who has been attending commercial col- lege, at Burlington, Iowa, but now at home; Mary P., wife of William Moore, of Eldorado township; Emma and Charles, living at home. Annie E. died in 1863, aged seven months. Mr. Law- yer owns a most desirable and well- improved farm, containing 146 acres. He is quite extensively engaged in stock raising. He is a democrat politically, and has been a member of the board of county supervisors. He has also served as road .commissioner of this township, for nine years; has been school director 15 years, and school trustee 12 years.

P. M. Leftridge was born in the state of Indiana, in June, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Rachel (Swink) Leftridge. Henry Leftridge removed with his fam- ily to Illinois in 1857, and settled at that time in Eldorado township, where he re- mained five or six years. He then moved to Lincoln county, Missouri, and engaged in farming there one year, thence to Macon county, Missouri, and three years later, to Lawrence county, of the same state, where they lived 18 months, then moved to Monroe county, Missouri, thence, three years later, to Schuyler county, Illinois, where they re- sided nine years. They removed from

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Schuyler to McDonough county, and located on section 7, Eldorado township. October 8, 1868, the subject of this sketch was married to Sarah Jane Brun- ner, daughter of David Brunner, of Eldorado township, and by this union has three children-Rhoda, Maria, and Fannie. Mr. Leftridge is the owner of a good farm of 80 acres, with substantial and comfortable improvements. He is engaged in general farming, but is pre- paring to go into the fine stock business. Mr. and Mrs. Leftridge are members of the West Prairie Cumberland Presby- terian church. He is a republican, and has served as road commissioner. He is a man of much intelligence, and a genial and pleasant gentleman.

Henry Mershon, a worthy and influ- ential citizen of Eldorado township, now deceased, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1817. He was a son of Henry and Ruth (Dilbert) Mer- shon, and was reared a Quaker. He came to Illinois in the fall of 1848, and settled in Vermont. In 1842 he was married to Izella C. Thomas, a native of Gloucester county, now Jersey, and a daughter of James and Amelia Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Mershon had six children born to them-James T., Henry A., liv- ing in Stafford, Kansas; Louisa A, Fan- nie V,, Benjamin G. and Mary A. Mr. Mershon died October 25, 1870, and was laid to rest in Vermont cemetery. He left a large estate to be divided among his children and heirs, including 760 acres of land, together with two houses; one valued at $3,000, upon the home- stead farm in Eldorado, and the other in Vermont, valued at $5,000; property in Macomb, consisting of a house and

two lots; and two store buildings, one valued at $4,500, and a warehouse, in Ver- mont. Mr. Mershon's sons James and Benjamin, reside upon the farm with their mother, and are leading farmers of Eldorado township. They deal largely in stock, feeding and shipping several car-loads of cattle annually. They also keep about forty head of horses. They are shrewd business men, and are con- stantly adding to their already large es- tate.

Elisha Keach, son of E. D. and Ann (Brewer) Keach, was born April 4,

1 1835, in Ohio. His parents were also natives of that state. He remained with his parents, removing with them to Coles county, Illinois, in 1839, and to Fulton county in 1845. He came from thence to McDonough county in 1853, and settled on section 22, Eldorado town- ship, but now resides on section 6, same township. He has 160 acres of land, which is well cultivated and finely im- proved. His residence is large and handsome, and was erected at a cost of $3,000. He makes a business of hand- ling stock, feeding three or four car- loads of cattle annually. Mr. Keach was married in February, 1862, to Eliza- beth Miles, of Eldorado township, and daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Miles. They have nine children-L. M., Ira M., Lizzie May, Ulman R .. Rosa Bell, Amanda Jane, Howard Wells, Sarah Daisy and Hardin H. Mr. Keach is at present, road commissioner of this town- ship. He is a member of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church; also of the Masonic fraternity. He is a strong tem- perance man, and favors the cause of prohibition.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Henry Hushaw settled, with his par- ents, in Eldorado township, in April, 1838. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, September 27, 1828, and was a son of John and Tamar (Conner) Hu- shaw. He grew to manhood in this township, and was married May 3, 1860, to Emily J. Little, of Fulton county. Six children have been born to them- Mary A., Charles R., Athie E., Samuel P., Addie and J. Evert. Mr. Hushaw has a fine farm of 240 acres, with good improvements, and carries on general farming. He is democratic in politics, and has held the office of commissioner of highways and school director. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian church, and his wife, of the Chris- tian church. He is an advocate of tem- perance, and a popular and esteemed citizen.

Samuel Kee, a well-known citizen of Eldorado township, is a son of William and Mary (Fisher) Kee, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania. In Octo- ber, 1853, William Kee removed with his family to Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois, and the following March came · to Eldorado township, and settled on section 30. Three years later he moved to section 17 of the same township, where he died July 10, 1882. He was born January 5, 1806. His widow is still living upon the farm in Eldorado township. Samuel Kee was born March 7, 1847, and resided with his parents until his marriage, March 28, 1876, to Edith E. Marshall, daughter of John S. and Harriet (Craft) Marshall, of Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois. John S. Marshall was born in Ohio, and

his wife in Kentucky. They came to this state in 1834. Mr. Kee owns 160 acres of land, with good improvements, and is an enterprising farmer. He is a democrat, politically, and at present ser- ving as school director of his district. Mr. Kee is a member of the Presbyte- rian church.

James M. Little, son of Patrick S. and Mary A. (Riley) Little, is a native of Fulton county, Illinois, born March 2, 1842. He came with his parents to this county in 1851, and settled upon section . 16, Eldorado township. In 1863, he was married to E. E. Royal, daughter of Rev. Joseph B. Royal, of Vermont, and by this union has five children living- Henry M., Frank P., Joseph B., Myrtie May and Royal E. One son, Irwin, died . December 28, 1879. Mr. Little owns a farm of 100 acres, with 80 acres im- a republican, politically. For the past

proved, and 20 acres of timber. He is 15 years, he has been township clerk, and has served, also, as collector five years, and as assessor, one year. His father, Patrick Little, died in 1869, at the age of 58 years. His mother is still living with her son, the subject of this sketch.

Charles Dennis, a prosperous farmer of Eldorado township, was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, in the year 1844. He is a son of Isaiah and Esther Dennis. Isaiah Dennis was from Ohio, and his wife, from Kentucky. In 1851, they settled in this county on section 26, Eldorado township. Charles made his home with his parents until his marriage in 1871, to Anna Snowden, daughter of John Snowden, of Eldorado township. In 1861, both Charles and his father

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

enlisted in the service of their country, in the 28th Illinois infantry, and each served three years in that regiment, and Charles one more year in the 141st reg- iment. Isaiah Dennis held a commis- sion as first lieutenant of company H, and participated in engagements at Shi- loh, where he was wounded, Corinth, Vicksburg and Hatch's Run. Charles took part in the engagements at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Jackson, where he was wounded in the left foot, July 12, 1863. He returned from, the army to his home in this township. His father now lives in Rocky Ford, Colo- rado. Charles Dennis has a farm of 320 acres, with fine improvements, and is engaged in general farming. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have four children-Sadie, Lillie, Addie and Pearl. Mr. Dennis is a member of the G. A. R., an enterpris- ing farmer, and a popular and esteemed citizen.

Mason Miller, a worthy citizen of El- dorado township, is a son of Richard and Ann (Barrett) Miller, natives of Ohio. Mason Miller was born December 7, 1842. In 1865, he came to Illinois and located on section 34, Eldorado town- ship, McDonough county, where he has continued to reside until the present time. He has a good farm, containing 100 acres, with comfortable improve- ments. August 22, 1862, Mr Miller en- listed in the 122d Ohio volunteer in- fantry, and served 14 months. He was wounded at Winchester, Virginia, June 14, 1863, in consequence of which he was discharged from the service. Mr. Miller was married May 26, 1867, to Sarah Ann Miller, daughter of Stephen Miller, of Fulton county, Illinois, they

have four children-Marion, Elmore, Lucy and Catherine. Mr. Miller is en- gaged in general farming, and is a gen- tleman of much enterprise and intelli- gence. He is a republican, and a mem- ber of the G. A. R.

George Schisler, settled upon the place where he now resides, section 34, Eldorado township, in 1868. He owns 160 acres of land, with 120 under culti -. vation. His farm is a good and desir- able one. Mr. Schisler was born in York county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1832, and is a son of John and Lydia (Shinburger) Schisler. He came to this state in 1853, and has been a resi- dent of Illinois since that time. He was married in 1857, to Sarah Albright, and by this union has three children-Wil- liam A., Sophia and Lucy Ann. Mr. and Mrs. Schisler are members of the Dutch Reformed church. He is a dem- ocrat in politics, and has been road com- missioner five years. He has acted as school director of his district 12 years, and is an enterprising and worthy citizen.

John Snowden, is a native of Brooke county, Virginia, born May 8, 1827. His parents were David and Jane ( Woodrow) Snowden. He came to Illi- nois, in the year 1844, and settled in Fulton county, where he remained until 1852. In that year, he located in Eldo- rado township, McDonough county, where he has ever since resided. March 27, 1852, he was united in marriage with Mary Jane Adams, daughter of Wil- liam Adams, of Ohio. By this union there are 11 children-Annie, wife of Charles Dennis, of Eldorado; Melissa, wife of Thomas Fowler, also of Eldo- rado; Amos, at home; David T., mar-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ried to Elsa Cooney, and living in this township; Woodrow, William E., both of this township; Nancy E., wife of Lewis Swink, of Rocky Ford, Colorado; Cora, wife of Henry Bogne, of Eldorado; Nelson, Lewis, Ray, and Lee, living with their parents. Mr. Snowden car- ries on general farming, and raises fine horses. He is· politically, a democrat, and has served as road commissioner, three years, and school director ten years. His father died in 1876. His mother now resides with him, at the ad- vanced age of 82 years.

Thomas F. Schroder, is a son of Christopher and Louisa (Stockton) Schroder. He was born in Industry -township, McDonough county, Septem- ber 30, 1850, and remained in his native town until November 27, 1880. At that date he was married to Amanda Hill, a daughter of Jesse Hill. Soon after marriage, he located on section 37, El- dorado township, where he still lives. He is engaged in general farming, hav- ing an excellent farm.of 160 acres, with a fine residence and other substantial improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Schroder are the parents of three children-Car- rie I., Louisa Ann, and Nettie Jane. He is politically, a democrat.

Sherod R. Standard, a prosperous farmer of Eldorado township, is a native of Morgan county, Illinois, born in 1833. His parents were Gideon and Sina J. (Wyatt) Standard, natives of Virginia. They removed to Morgan county, in 1832, from Kentucky, and in 1836, came to McDonough county, and settled in In- dustry township, where Sherod R. was reared and educated. He was married in 1859, to Almira Jane Russell, daugh-

ter of James Russell, and soon after located in Eldorado township, where he is now among the leading citizens. He owns 235 acres of land, with fine im- provements, and carries on general farming. He is a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, and politi- cally,a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Stand- ard have three children-Letha Ann, wife of E. Leighty, of Eldorado; Edward E., who is married to Miss Phillips, and Mattie A., at home.

Joshua Sandidge settled where he now resides, on section 20, Eldorado town- ship, in 1844. He is a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, born in 1812. His parents were John and Patience San- didge. Joshua was married in 1834, to Mary Hoag, daughter of Andrew Hoag, who was a soldier in the revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Sandidge are the parents of seven children-Mary A., wife of Jacob Micky, of Bushnell, Illi- nois; Patience, wife of M. Elwell, of Hancock county; William, who died in 1866, leaving a wife and two children; Irvin, of Eldorado township; Pullam, of Schuyler county; Amanda, wife of Samuel McDonald, of this township; and James, living in Nebraska. Mr. San- didge owns a good farm of 80 acres, and carries on farming and stock raising. He is a worthy and respected citizen.

Alexander Adams is a son of Haw- thorn and Mary (Wirts) Adams, and was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1838. In the spring of 1851, he came to Illinois, and settled in Fulton county, where he resided until 1866. In that year he came to McDonough county, and located on section 28, Eldo- rado township, where he still lives. He

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

owns, in company with his brother, 160 acres of desirable land, with comfortable improvements, and is engaged in general farming. In August, 1862, Mr. Adams enlisted in the service of his country, in company F, of the 84th Illinois volun- teer infantry, and was in the service three years. He was wounded in an en- gagement at Elk river, Tennessee. Mr. Adams has accumulated his property without assistance, having begun life in very limited circumstances.

S. J. Price, a prominent citizen of El- dorado township, is a son of John Price, who was born in Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, in 1803, and died in Illinois, in 1867. His widow, the mother of S. J. Price, was Catherine (McElhaney) Price, who survived her husband until 1877. Both are buried in Vermont cemetery. S. J. Price was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to this state in the fall of 1849. They settled in Fulton county, where the subject of this sketch resided until the spring of 1856. At that date he located on section 27, Eldo- rado township, which was his residence until 1879, when he removed to his pres- ent home, on section 20, of the same town. In 1870, he was married to Laura Kennedy, daughter of William Kennedy, of Eldorado township. By this union there are two children -- John W. and Ellen M. Mr. Price owns a farm of 120 acres, with valuable improvements. He has acted as school director six years, and is politically, a democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

George L. Price, of Eldorado town- ship, was born here in the year 1858, and is a son of John and Mary E.

(Breeze) Price. He grew to manhood, and received his education in his native township. In 1883, he was united in marriage with Etta Schroder, daughter of C. Schroder, of this township. Mr. Price is a young man of good habits, en- terprising and energetic, and possessing all the qualifications necessary to insure success in life. He is a democrat in politics.

M. V. Lawyer was born in the state of Ohio, in 1836, and is a son of John and Massie (Cooper) Lawyer. He came to McDonough county in 1857, and located then on his present farm, which is on section 30, Eldorado township. · His farm comprises 290 acres of valuable land. His residence is a substantial and com- fortable structure, and his barn, sheds, etc., commodious and convenient. He is engaged in general farming, also deals quite extensively in cattle of a high grade. Mr. Lawyer was married in 1866, to Sarah Cann, daughter of David Cann, of Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois. They are the parents of four children-Alba, Jesse, Bertha and Blanche. Mr. Lawyer is a prominent citizen of the township where he resides, and much respected. He is a democrat in politics.

James Harris, deceased, was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, in the year 1782. At the age of nine years he removed with his parents to Berkshire county, Massa- chusetts, where he lived eight years. When 17 years old he started west in search of a country better adapted to ag- ricultural pursuits than the rough hills of his native New England. He went first to Canada, where he remained three years, after which he returned to Massa- chusetts, and was there married to Pru-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

dence Harris. After marriage he re- moved to Cayuga county, New York, and, in a few years, to Onondaga county, the same state. They remained in the latter place until 1834, then came to Illinois, the father having come to this county two years before, and located upon the northeast quarter of section 1, Eldorado township, McDonough county, and here resided until their death. Mr. Harris carried on farming and dairying, keeping from 30 to 40 cows, and supplying the home market with butter and cheese. .He was politically, a whig, and in re- ligious belief, a Universalist. Universa- lism was at that time a very unpopular belief, but he did all in his power to fur- ther its peculiar doctrines, and the first Universalist sermon ever preached in this county, was preached at his house by the Rev. Aaron Hinne in the year 1835 or 1836. Mr. Harris was an upright, honest and thoroughly good man, and died much regretted by the entire com- munity.

Jonas Rude Harris; youngest son of James and Prudence Harris, was born April 8, 1831, in Onondaga county New York, and came with his parents to this county. He remained with them until their death, and now owns and resides upon the homestead farm. He is the owner of 640 acres of land, also a furni- ture store and lumber yard in Table Grove. He has been quite an extensive dealer in stock, and is in highly prosper- ous circumstances. Mr. Harris was mar- ried in 1859, to Mary. M. Warner, a na- tive of Onondaga county, New York, born in 1833, taught school five years be- fore her marriage. They have raised two children-Daniel O., son of James

Harris, Jr., born in 1865, whose mother died when he was two years old, and Hat- tie Oakes, whose parents died in 1877.

Gregg Castlo, deceased, was a native of Ireland, and was born in county Galway. He came to America about the year 1832, and made his first stop in Howard county, Missouri, thence he Fulton county, Illinois. He was poor in this world's goods, and upon his ar- rival here, possessed only a pair of will- ing hands and a steady head as capital. With these he went to work at whatever he could find to do, and at such wages as he could get. In August, 1844, he was married to Rachel J. Miller. Her par- ents were Alexander and Katie (Hughes) Miller, who were native Kentuckians, and moved to Indiana, and thence in 1836 to Illinois. After their marriage, Gregg made two crops on the farm of - Robert Carithers, then bought him a team and rented land, farming during the summer and chopping wood and splitting rails in the winter. In 1850, he came to this county, and rented a farm from James Abernathy, where he lived for four years. He then bought 40 acres of the northwest of the north west of section 4, of Eldorado township. Subsequently he he purchased the south half of the north east, of section 32, in New Salem town- ship, and the south half of the west half, of the northwest of section 4, in Eldo- rado township. He also had five acres of timber on section 2, and ten acres in Fulton county. Mr. Castlo, was a hard working, industrious man, and ac- cumulated a competency, making a home for his family, and died February 5, 1880, leaving them in comfortable cir- cumstances. They had born to them

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

nine children-John H., born April 23, 1846, was married to Martha A. Hosford, January 30, 1868, and by that union are five children-Rosa J., born March 11, 1869, and died February 6, 1880; Bertha E., born August 4, 1871; Mary E., born September 25, 1873; and twins, who were born in 1876, but died in infancy. The next child of Mr. and Mrs. Castlo, was Catharine J., born June 12, 1848, she is now the wife of John Stracken, living in Eldorado township; then Anna M., born July 14, 1850, now the wife of Jos- eph Bingham, living at Table Grove; James M., born October 12, 1853, and died August 29, 1863; George W., born January 27, 1855, married to Rosan D. Vancise; Mary E., born September 1, 1857, married to George Phippins; Mar- tha E., born April 1, 1860, is the wife of John Derry; Sarah M., born January 20, 1863, now the wife of J. W. Swartz; and William A., who was born on the 4th of July, 1865.

John H. Costlo, is a native Illinoisian, and was born in Fulton county, April 23, 1846. His parents were Gregg and Rachel (Miller) Costlo. He is of Irish extraction, and lived with his parents until 23 years old. During the great war of the rebellion he enlisted in the union army in February, 1865, in com- pany C, 151st regiment, Illinois volun- teer infantry. He served one year and was then mustered out at Columbus, Georgia. He was paid off and honor- ably discharged at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois. He now owns 40 acres of land all under cultivation, and located on the northwest of the south- east quarter of section 32, New Salem township.

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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 91

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