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 96

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 96

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HOTELS. .

The first hotel building in Bushnell was commenced in 1855, by John Craw- ford, but before its completion, it was purchased by John D. Hail, who at once finished it, and opened it for the accom- modation of the public.

The leading hotel in the town, if not in this portion of the state, is the Hendee house. This edifice was erected in the summer of 1871, by S. A. Hendee, after whom it is named. When it was finished, it was opened by J. S. Clarke & Son, by whom it was run for about two years. After this it passed through several hands, but it is now kept by Boyington & Son, who evidently know "how to keep a hotel," as their house is well known to be the best on this line of road from

Galesburg to Quincy. Mr. Boyington, being an old commercial traveler, knows just the wants of that class of trade, and supplies them.

The Bushnell house is another of the prominent hotels.

S. S. Bradfield, landlord of the Bush- nell house, at Bushnell, Illinois, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylva- nia, February 17, 1828. He lived with his parents until he reached his 21st year. He was then married to Nancy Gardner, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born October 25, 1827. After mar- riage he engaged in farming which occu- pation he followed three years, then re- moved to Fulton county, Illinois, where he resided 15 years upon a farm which he purchased and improved. He next removed to Avon, Fulton county, and there kept hotel and livery stable, four years after which he came to Bushnell, ' McDonough county, and bought the hotel property known as the Bushnell house which he has since owned and kept. His house is well and neatly kept and a favorite stopping place for the traveling public. Mr. Bradfield is a member of the Masonic fraternity and politically, a republican. Mr. and Mrs. Bradfield have had eight children born to them-Zachariah T., married to Alice Sebra, James A., married first to Ella Cole, but now living with a second wife; Esthmareld, wife of Hiram Hunter, of Table Grove, Illinois; Sarah S., wife of R. S. Harris, of Chicago; Margaret, Enala, wife of O. K. Deliker of Omaha, Nebraska; Mary Ella, wife of Charles West, 'of Bushnell; William W. and Charles L., living at home with their parents.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

MILL.

The Excelsior steam flouring mill was erected by Nevious Bros. in 1866, and it was run by them, and by G. A. Nevious, until July, 1881, when it passed into the hands of Chandler & Co. These latter parties operated it until the fall of 1884, when it passed into the hands of the re- ceiver, being involved in the failure of the Farmers National bank, of which Chandler & Co. were the managers. The building is 36x56 feet in ground area, and 36 feet high, with the addition of a capacious boiler and engine room. It is fitted up in a most complete manner with first class machinery and is a fine piece of property, valued at about $14,000. At the time of the trouble it was doing a good business, but now is doing little, if anything.

ROSEVILLE MANUFACTURING COMPANY.

The establishment now owned by the company with the above name, was in- stituted by Pierpont and Tuttle, who put in the plant during the winter of 1873, and the spring of 1874. They engaged in the manufacture of plows until June, 1882, when the present company became the owners, and have continued the same line of manufacture. The building is a two-story brick one, 75x100 feet in ground area, with the addition of a foundry 30x60 feet in size, besides warehouses and lumber sheds. The company have, here, some five acres of ground, and have a capital stock of $40,000. The officers are the following named: Eli Dixson, president; Eli B. Dixson, secretary and manager; Eli Dixson, Eli B. Dixson, A. C. Slens, W. H. Lee, G. W. Malcolm and Seth F. Pratt, directors.

Eli B. Dixson, the manager of the Roseville Manufacturing company of Bushnell, is a native of Greene county, Indiana, and was born on the 17th of October, 1851. When Eli was three years of age, his parents removed to Warren county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. From 1868 to 1873, he attended the Hedding college, at Abingdon, from which institution he graduated. He then engaged in farm- ing, and from 1875 to 1878, was doing a manufacturing business at Roseville, Illinois. From there he went to Mays- ville, Missouri, and engaged in merchan- dising, which he continued until 1881; then returning to Roseville, Illinois, and again becoming connected with the man- ufacturing business. In 1882 the com- pany, of which Mr. Dixson is a member, bought the plant, and removed it to Bushnell, where now it is one of the popular institutions of that city. Besides being the manager of the company, Eli B. is also one of the directors, as well as secretary. Although a resident of Bush- nell but a comparatively short time, he is already acknowledged to be one of the leading business men of that city. He is one of the present city councilmen, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge, of Bush- nell. On the 24th of September, 1873, Eli B. Dixson and Laura Doane were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, and as a result of their union, they are now the parents of three children-Ma- bel, Earl S., and Ethel.

TILE WORKS.

In 1878 a company, styling itself Cleveland, Morton & Company, started

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the Bushnell tile works. They soon took in Mr. Logsdon, and the firm name was changed to Cleveland, Morton, Logsdon & Company. In 1880 the con- cern was incorporated and was known as the Bushnell fire clay, tile and brick works, with a capital stock of $12,000. The first officers chosen were -J. E. Chandler, president; T. B. Morton, sec- retary and vice-president. The present officers are-T. B. Morton, president; C. C. Cummings, secretary; and J. B. Cummings, treasurer. The dimensions of dry rooms are 36x128, two stories in height, with a factory adjoining, 30x40. Drain tile is the principal feature.

BUSHNELL PUMP COMPANY.

The works operated by the above com- pany were established in Bushnell in 1872, by the firm of Nelson, LaTourette & Company. It was run by them for a number of years, when it was changed to a joint stock company, under the above name, with a capital stock of $40,000. They occupy a large frame build- ing opposite the site of the old Wabash depot, and manufacture wooden pumps, wind-mills, croquet sets, ornamental stands and various other pieces of furni- ture. The officers of the company are- James LaTourette, president; and R. W. Wheeler, secretary, treasurer and super- intendent of the works.

A history of the late Farmers' National bank of Bushell is given in the bio- graphical sketch of J. B. Cummings, which here follows:

Prominent among McDonough coun- ty's citizens is John B. Cummings, who settled at Macomb in the fall of 1851, coming from Lawrence county, Penn-

sylvania. He is a native of Maryland, having been born there on the 17th of January, 1824. His father died in that state, and subsequently, when John B. was 12 years of age, his mother removed with her family to Ohio, and, three years later to Pennsylvania, where our subject was engaged as a clerk in Centreville, Butler county, the family residing on a farm. Eleven years later, Mr. Cum- mings removed to Illinois, and in the fall of 1851, came to the county as here- tofore mentioned. On the 3d of March, 1847, he was united in marriage with Evaline W. Pearson, a native of Penn- sylvania. By that union there were six children, five of whom are still living- Clarence B., born December 27, 1847, now engaged as bookkeeper and dealer in real estate, in Rio Grande county, Colorado; Leonidas B., who married Georgie Westgate of Quincy, and now resides at Bushnell; James E., who mar- ried Matilda J. Perrine, and is now a resident of Bushnell, where he conducts a job printing office; Charles C., who resides at home, and is a stockholder and book-keeper for the Bushnell fire clay, tile and brick works; Eva, the wife of C. W. Dickerson, of Chicago, at present cashier for Lord, Owens & Company, wholesale druggists; Minnie, the sixth child, died in infancy. Mrs. Cummings departed this life on the 16th of November, 1862. Mr. Cummings was again married April 19, 1864, to Mrs. Mary E. Parkinson, nee Chambers, a native of Kentucky, and who was born near Lexington. Her parents removed to Sangamon county, Illinois, in Octo- ber, 1844. By her first marriage Mrs. Cummings was the mother of two chil-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

dren, now deceased - Charles Henry and Ann Elizabeth. Her father, William Chambers, was one of the early settlers of Macomb, and a sketch of whom will be found elsewere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings are the parents of one child-William C., who was born on the 16th of January, 1865, and resides at home. On the 19th of April, 1865, Mr. C. removed to Bushnell, bought resi- dence property, and engaged in the pri- vate banking business with Charles Chandler, they doing business under the firm name of Chandler & Cummings. They continued this business until 1871, and then organized as the Farmers' Na- tional bank, with Charles Wilson as president; and Mr. Cummings as cash- ier. Mr. Wilson died in March, 1884, and J. E. Chandler succeeded him as president. Mr. Cummings continued in this business until the present year, when the bank was closed. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accep- ted Masons, as well as of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.

OPERA HOUSE.

' The edifice known as Randall's opera house was erected in 1883, by R. S. Ran- dall, S. Houghton and H. L. Ran- dall. It was commenced in June and finished January 1, 1884. It is one of the. finest and most complete halls of amusement in this part of the state. It is 60x90 feet in ground area, and 60 feet high. Two store rooms are on the ground floor while the opera house proper occupies the second story. The stage is 25x60 feet in dimension and is handsomely fitted up with drop curtain, scenery, stage-fitting, and all other ac-

cessories of a well kept theatre. The building is valued at $22,000. The audi- torium is fitted with opera chairs and everything is arranged for the comfort of the patrons.

BUSHNELL CREAMERY.

In the spring of 1884, a company was incorporated, under the state law, which is known far and wide as the Bushnell creamery association. It commenced with a capital stock of $10,000, and with the following officers: J. E. Chandler, president and treasurer, and H. T. Clark, secretary. They at once invested some $5,000 in buildings and the neces- sary machinery, the latter of which is of the most improved character. It is situated just north of the town, and will prove one of the leading industries of this place. It has a capacity of turning out some 2,500 pounds of butter per day, and from May to December, 1884, the actual output was 80,000 pounds, most of which was exported, the balance sold in the east. They paid out last year, to the farmers for cream, over $15,000.

Henry T. Clark came to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1857, from New York city. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in that state on the 7th day of May, 1836. He was brought up to mercantile pursuits in a small town in his native state, where he re- mained until 1857, at which time he went to New York city. Shortly afterwards he came to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits, as did he also in the dry goods business. He has ever since been engaged in farming and stock- raising, having since disposed of his in-

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY. 845

terest in the dry goods store. He is now the possessor of 400 acres of good land, all of which, with the exception of 20 acres, is located in Fulton county. In addition to farming and stock-raising, he is also interested in the Bushnell creamery. During the year 1879, Henry T. Clark and Susan Livingston, a native of New York state, and who was brought up on the Hudson, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. By this union three children have been born to them, two of whom are living-B. G. and Sallie, now the wife of J. A. Lyons, of Bushnell. Mr. Clark is a very. valuable citizen and is highly prized by all who know him, for his many good qualities. He is still in the prime of life, and bids fair to enjoy many more years of useful- ness.

CEMETERY.

Bushnell cemetery was laid off May 12, 1863, by J. T. Sanders, A. S. Clarke, Stockton West, William Shreeves and E. P. Livingston, trustees. The land which it occupied, six acres in extent, was purchased of Joseph McConnell, the consideration paid being $360, or $60 per acre. This city of the dead was surveyed and platted by David Shreeves, on the 20th of November, 1863. It is located south of the town, on section 34. The first interment was that of Provi- dence, wife of Joseph Wells, who was buried in the spring of 1863, before the survey was made. Four additional acres have been added to the original ceme- tery, the land being purchased of Eman- uel Aller, February 15, 1877, at $125 per acre. This burial place is nicely im- proved, well fenced, and free from debt.

David Kepple is one of the well known early settlers of McDonough county. He was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1815, and was a son of Jacob Kepple. When David wa's a child, his father re- moved to East Tennessee, and from there to McDonough county, in 1832. He lived with his father in Mound township, until 1837, when he was married to a daughter of James King. He then re- moved to section 20, Mound township, on land belonging to his father. A por- tion of his time he spent in working on the farm, and the remainder he occupied in hauling goods to Macomb, from Quincy, St. Louis and Beardstown. He had been engaged in this business to a greater or less extent before his mar- riage, for four years, and continued it for one year after his marriage. By his earnings in this way, he paid for a piece of land, the west half of the northeast quarter of section 36. In 1839, David removed to a farm in Lamoine township, which was given to him by his father- in-law. This farm consisted of 120 acres on section 8. In 1845, he again returned to Mound township, and having bought the south half of section 17, settled on it. He improved this land, and bought other tracts in the vicinity, until he had 700 acres. The first money he ever made was by raising wheat, hauling it to Browning, and shipping it .to St. Louis when the river opened. As soon as he got a little start in this way, he invested it in cattle and hogs, and in 1861, he brought the first shorthorn cattle into the township, which he bought from J. H. Spears, of Menard county. He was very successful in his stock-raising busi- ness. When he left the farm, in 1882,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

he sold $7,000 or $8,000 worth of stock. He then removed to Bushnell, where he and his wife are living a retired life. While in Lamoine township, his home and possessions were destroyed by fire, and as it was butchering day, and they could save nothing from their house, Mr. and Mrs. Kepple lost everything ex- cept the clothes they had on, which were the poorest they possessed.

Edward Dyer came to McDonougli county, in September, 1837, from War- saw, to which place he had removed from Philadelphia the previous April. He is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born on the 8th of February, 1815. His par- ents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Kein) Dyer, resided on a farm in Pennsylva- nia, where they departed this life. At the age of 16 years, Edward was appren- ticed to a wheelwright for five years, but, before the expiration of that time, the master died, and Edward was free. He then worked as a journeyman in his na- tive state, until 1837, then came to Illi- nois, as noted above. Upon coming to this county, he located at Macomb, and opened the first wagon shop in that city, where he also followed the business of a wheelwright. He there continued in business until the spring of 1844, when he improved the farm known as "Dyer's Mound," and the present township of Mound was named in his honor, he hav- ing been one of its first settlers. He bought 75 acres of wild land, improved it, and there followed agricultural pur- suits until about 1852, then selling. He then bought 160 acres of land on section 15, which was partly improved, and con- tinued to live there until 1865, when he removed to Bushnell. Two years later

he removed to Bardolph, and engaged in the hardware business. and seven years later returned to Bushnell, bringing his stock with him. Here he continued the business for three years, then selling, and now leads a retired life. April 18, 1838, Edward Dyer and Jane Kepple were united in marriage. She is a na- tive of Tennessee, and with her parents came to McDonough county, in 1834, and settled in what is now Mound township. They were among the earliest settlers of that township, where they have since died. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer have been the parents of 11 children, three of whom are still living-Jane Maria, now the wife of G. W. Amos, of Kansas; Eliza- beth, the wife of N. H. Jackson, of Bar- dolph, who is engaged in the hotel busi- ness and merchandising; David, who married Amanda McDonough, and now resides in Mound township. The names of the deceased children are as follows: Margaret, Jacob, Susan, Samuel, Ed- ward, Mary Ann, George W. and an in- fant. Mr. and Mrs. Dyer were the first couple married in Mound township, the officiating clergyman being Rev. John P. Richmond, pastor of the M. E. church of Macomb. They are members of that denomination, he having joined the church when 17 years of age, and she when 18. Politically, Mr. Dyer was a democrat up to the time of the repeal of the Missouri compromise, from which time until 1884, he acted with the repub- lican party. On account of the failure of that party to put a prohibition plank in their platform, he now votes with the prohibition party. At the time of Mr. Dyer's settlement in Mound township, he erected a log cabin, 16x18 feet in

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

dimensions. The country was then in a wild state, and from his door he often saw as many as 50 deer grazing in the vicinity.

J. L. Griffith came to McDonough county in the fall of 1864, from Fulton county, and engaged as a clerk with S. C. Haines, with whom, he remained 18 months. He then engaged with S. A. Hendee, subsequently becoming a part- ner in the business, the firm name being Hendee, Griffith & Co. He continued as a member of this firm for a number of years, finally selling his interest to Mr. Hendee. He then engaged in the lumber business with D. F. Chidister. They were also members of the hard- ware firm of Griffith, Amos & Co. The lumber business was sold to Haines and Alexander, some six years later, and, at the same time, Mr Griffith disposed of his interest in the hardware business to Mr. Hoover, who was a clerk for the firm. Mr. Griffith had previously bought a farm of 170 acres on Bushnell township, which he still owns, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He also spec- ulates to a considerable extent in land, south and west, and stock. He is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, having been born in that state on the 25th of March, 1835. When our subject was six years of age his mother died and he was thrown upon his own resources. He remained on a farm until attaining his 17th year, and .. then worked at the carpenter trade for 27 months. His education has been ob- tained chiefly by his own effort, he only being able to attend school for three months out of the year. In 1854, he left Pennsylvania for Canton, Illinois, from which place he removed to Bush-

nell in 1864. On the 2d of August, 1860, J. L. Griffith and Martha E. Heister, a native Pennsylvanian, were united in mar- riage. They have been the parents of four children, three of whom are still . living-Boyd, Leslie., and John; Bennie, the third child, is now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the Bap- tist denomination, while he, is also a member of the . I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W. lodges of Bushnell. He affili- ates with the democratic party, and is a member of the Canton lodge of A. F. & A. M. 'From boyhood up, Mr. Griffith's life has been marked by strict integrity and close attention to business. Conscientious, benevolent, and warm in his affections, he has endeared himself to a large circle of friends, and presents an example of self-culture well worthy of emulation.

Not many genuine examples of sturdy western self-made men come into public notice. Born and raised in indigence and obscurity, they have fought the bat- tles of life so earnestly and well, that they seldom think of congratulating themselves upon their ultimate success, and, in general, they are unwilling to be- lieve that they deserve any considera- ation for the notable examples of hon- est, healthy, and successful life which they have given us. S. J. Alexander, came to McDonough county, in March, 1854, from Ohio. He was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on the 10th of July, 1821. When our subject was one year old, his father died in Wayne county, where the mother has since died, at the advanced age of 84 years. S. J. Alex- ander spent his youth on a farm in his native state, and received a fair common

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

school education. When he attained his 23d year, he removed to New Westfall, Ohio, and engaged in mercantile busi- ness. One year later, found him in the same business in Boston, Wayne county, Indiana .. Here he remained one and a half years, and then went to Darke county, Ohio, where he was engaged in business up to the time of his coming to McDonough county, and.locating near Bardolph. One year later he removed to Walnut Grove township, where he re- sided until the spring of 1863, at which time he came to Bushnell, bought prop- erty, and went into the grocery business. This not being to his liking, one year later he sold out and entered into the lumber trade, in connection with others, having a good yard and doing a very extensive business. January 1, 1880, he retired from the firm, selling his in- terest to E. D. C. Haines, one of the partners. He now owns a fine stock farm of 240 acres in Walnut Grove town- ship, having a tenant on it, and is en- gaged in the stock business. S. J. Al- exander and Hannah Cowgill, a native of Warren county, Ohio, were united in marriage on the 24th of August, 1845. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased. At present, Mr. Alexander is engaged to a consider- able extent in loaning money and in speculation. Politically, he is a repub- lican, having belonged to that organiza- tion since reaching his majority. He is also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

George P. Seibert came to McDon- ough county, in the spring of 1856, from Fulton county. He is a native of Maryland, having been born in Wash-

ington county, on the 17th of April, 1828. His parents were Henry and Catharine (Butterbaugh) Seibert, both of whom departed this life in Maryland. George was brought up on a farm, and received only a limited common school education. . He remained on the old homestead until his 17th. year, when he started out on the voyage of life for himself, engaging in stock buying and various other kinds of business. On the 20th of December, 1849, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Martin, a native of Pennsylvania. After his mar- riage, he again resided on the old farm for some three years, and then removed to Fulton county, Illinois. Here he was engaged at various occupations up to the time of his coming to this county, and settling at Bushnell. He had bought a farm of 60 acres near that city, and at once engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He still owns this land, to which he has since added 100 acres, and has a man running it for him. He managed the farm personally up to a few years ago, since which time he has been engaged in buying grain and stock in Bushnell, to a considerable extent. Mr. and Mrs. Seibert have no children of their own, but have raised two chil- dren-Lou Claybert, who now resides with them, and Maria L. Angel, now the wife of Ira Applegate, of Bushnell .. Mr. Seibert is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, while his wife is a member of the Baptist church. In politics, he is a democrat, but votes for men, not party. The crowning suc- cess of the subject of this biography is, that while as a child he was left to drift upon the tide of society, even to his

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

manhood, without apparently a guiding star, he was never lured to soil his char- acter by the siren song of temptation, but evenly maintained his integrity, and to-day bears an unblemished reputation for honor, and as a gentleman, has high moral purposes of life.

Benjamin M. Coleman, of Bushnell, is a son of Jeremiah and Margaret Coleman, natives of the state of New Jersey, who came to Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1839, and to Bush- nell township, McDonough county, in 1854, and located then, in this township. The subject of this sketch was born in Bushnell township, February 28, 1859. He was brought up in his native county. attending the district schools and sub- sequently, Prairie City academy. · Feb- ruary 13, 1881, he was united in mar- riage with Sarah Campbell, and by this union has two children-Gracie and John Walter. Mr. Coleman is a public spirited young man and a worthy citizen.

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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 96

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