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 98

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 98

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With Mr. Job came his two brothers- in-law, Ephraim Perkins and William Southward. The latter selected a farm on section 9, where he lived for some years. He was the first sheriff of Mc-

Donough county. After the expiration of his term of office, he followed the tide of emigration westward into Missouri. The place is now owned by William Woodside.

In tlie spring of 1826, Jolın Vance made a home in the same vicinity, which was called Job's settlement, a name which adhered to that locality many years after those who first participated in active life had passed away. He put in a crop, returning for his family in the fall, who arrived at the settlement De- cember 24, 1826. Mr. Vance removed to Iowa in 1854, where he died Decem- ber 1, 1866. Mrs. Vance was a. native of Virginia, removing with her parents to Kentucky at an early day, thence to Sangamon county and then to McDon- ough county, as above. She died May 19, 1881, at the residence of J. T. Hag- gerty, in Macomb.

The next settler was Frank Redden, who was a native of Kentucky. He built a cabin and opened up a farm on section 34. He is said to have been a man to whom frontier life had no ter- rors, and adapted himself quite nat- urally to the situation, but soon became dissatisfied and removed to Iowa.

During the years 1828, 1829 and 1830 quite a number were added to this town- ship, among whom was Elijah Bristow, who settled on section 21, a place now owned by Nathaniel Grigsby. Bristow afterward sold out and accompanied by the entire family, except one son, who now resides in Warsaw, Illinois, re- moved to Oregon.

John Woodsides was also among the pioneers of this township. He came from his native state, Virginia, settling

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

on section 16, where he resided about 10 years, when he left the county and state. The place is now owned by the Nathan Mustain estate.

John Bagby, a Virginian, came about the same time as Woodsides and settled on the same section, but soon afterward sold the place. He improved another farm southwest of his first location, but afterward disposed of this also, and re- moved to Hancock county. Not admir- ing the county as well as he had antici- pated, he returned to this township, where he suddenly dropped dead one day, while carrying in an armful of wood at his home.

On the 14th day of March, 1830, John Huston arrived from Morgan county, Illinois, and took up a farm on the north- east quarter of section 3. His family, upon their arrival, consisted of himself and wife and one child, now a practicing physician of Blandinsville. Their pos- sessions in life were few, but they were determined and successful, accumulated considerable property and left a good record. Mr. Huston died July 8, 1854, leaving seven children. Four sons are now living in the county, two are dead, while the daughter is married and liv- ing at Abingdon, Knox county, Illinois. A full and detailed sketch of this emi- nent gentleman appears under the head of members of the general assembly in the chapter entitled "National, State and County . Representation," he having been elected to that office in 1850.

Rigdon Huston, the third son of John Huston, whose biographical sketch ap- pears elsewhere, is among the 'most en- terprising of McDonough county farmers. He is properly and thoroughly a McDon-

ough man, having been born here in the township of Blandinsville, October 26, 1833. He has witnessed the develop- ment of this county, and contributed no small share of brains and muscle in effecting the transformation, from a state of natural wildness, to one of cultivated farms and desirable homes. Mr. Huston has been interested particularly in fine cattle, and has one of the best herds of thoroughbred short horns in the United States, a history of which appears else- where. He was brought up on a farm and continued on the old homestead till December 17, 1857. His education was received in the common schools, subse- quently supplemented by a six months course of instruction at Abingdon acad- emy. His father had but a limited edu- cation, and designed giving Rigdon an opportunity to obtain a good one, but after six months at the academy, where he expected to remain three years, he was suddenly called home by the death of his father, and having a good knowl- edge of the business and condition of his affairs, he and Colonel Berry were made executors of the estate. He was thus appointed by his father's will, but being under age, Colonel Berry was made legal executor, under whose direc- tion Rigdon and he transacted all the business, and was thus practically execu- tor of the estate. He then remained at the old place, managing its affairs, and closing up the business of his father from March, 1854, to March, 1857. He was married to Lucy C. Charter, December 17, 1857, and located on a portion of the old homestead. He there remained until March 4, 1868, when he removed to sec- tion 11, where three years previously he

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

had purchased 160 acres of unimproved land. He improved the place and in 1867, built a large, commodious residence. He now owns a farm there of 740 acres of beautiful land, and the improvements are among the best in the county. In addition to this place he owns 510 acres, detached and under cultivation, except 50 acres of timber. Mr. and Mrs. Hus- ton have had five children, four of whom are now living-Theodore, now living on the home farm and married to Anna B. Burhans; J. Allen, who died February 15, 1876; Charles R., married to Alice Blackhurst, and living in Blandinsville; John H., living at home and Luella. Mr. Huston is among those men of this county who have been successful. In the selection of lands and of stock he has had good judgement, and no man in the county is better qualified to pass judgment upon fine grades of cattle. Everything about his place indicates the thrift and enterprise of its owner and he is ever ready to give hearty welcome to all.

Russell Duncan also came in 1830. He occupied a part of Mr. Huston's house until he had erected one for him- self and family on section 3, which, how- ever, he intended to build on section 4, but by mistake it was put up on the wrong side of the line. He came from Tennessee, and after his cabin was com- pleted, he immediately moved into it. He lived there until the time of his death, which occurred very suddenly in in the spring of 1840. The old home- stead is now owned and occupied by Charles Huston.

Charles Duncan came about the same time. As he was a single man, he took

up a claim with his brother, Russell, with whom he lived until his father came to the township. He afterward removed to Hancock county, but did not remain there a great while, returning to this township: He subsequently removed to California, where he now resides.

Section 32 also received a settler that season in the person of John Scroggins. He here built a cabin, made a few im- provements, and after a short time sold out and left the state.

During the early spring of 1830, John Hardesty came, accompanied by his fam- ily, consisting of his wife and eight chil- dren, and settled on section 9. He there remained, with the exception of four years spent in Missouri, until the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1875. His son, J. V. M. Hardesty, was a resident of the township, living near the village of Blandinsville, until April, 1885, when he sold out, and together with the family, emigrated to Kansas.

William Dickens also came in the spring of 1830. The winter following drove him away, and he hastened to Iowa, where he has since died. The place is now owned by Mrs. McGee, who resides thereon.

The spring of 1830 also brought Enoch Cyrus to the township, who came from his native state, Tennessee. He was a man of considerable education, and taught the first term of school in the township. After a few years he sold out and removed to Missouri. He afterward went to California, where his death oc- curred. Philip George now resides on the place.

Noble Owsley came about the same time, and settled near Cyrus. The "big

HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

861

snow" discouraged him also, and selling out to John Parent, he removed to Iowa.

In the fall of 1830, Joel Duncan came from .Tennessee, and moved into' the cabin with his son Russell, on section 4. He immediately commenced operations for the erection of a cabin for himself and family, but being overtaken in the work before its completion by the great snow storm of 1830-31, he was unable to finish it that fall. As a consequence 13 lived in a cabin 18 feet square, with one door, no windows, and but a loft for the accommodation of the many sleepers. He afterward settled on another place, south of there, where he died.

Jacob Coffman came in 1830, and erected a cabin on section 8. After a few years residence here he sold out and removed to Missouri. John Mustain, Jr., is the present owner of this place. Mr. Coffman subsequently returned to the county where he died.

During the fall of 1830, the Grigsby's came, where the father died in 1874. A number of the children are still residents of the county.

The settlement after this date was very slow for a few years, and then the county filled up rapidly. In the fall of 1831, John Duncan came to the town- ship, and here died.

Thomas B. Duncan is one early set- tler of this county, having come here with his parents, November 2, 1831, and settled on section 18, of Blandinsville township. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in White county; June 18, 1828. He is a son of John and Marga- ret (Wright) Duncan. He continued to make his home on the old farm until the time of his marriage, March 1, 1849,

to Martha Ann Woodside, daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (Robinson) Wood- side. Soon after that important event he moved to the northwest quarter of section 14, and there lived until 1855. He then moved to the southwest quarter of section 8, and there lived in a small frame house until March, 1858. In 1858 he returned to the old homestead, and there remained until 1862, .then moved to Blandinsville village and engaged in blacksmithing until 1864. He then changed his business and went into the drug trade with Dr. J. H. Emery, and continued 18 months, when he sold out to Davis Aldrich. His next move was in the fall of 1865, when he went to sec- tion 8 and built a store house, and en- gaged for a few months in the grocery business, then sold out to C. M. Duncan. He then returned to the village of Bland- insville, and there worked at his trade until the fall of 1869, then moved to his present location on section 8. Meanwhile, " desirous of viewing some other country, he took a trip with a mule team across the plains to Colorado, and to the pres- ent site of Leadville. Thus it appears that Mr. Duncan has had a somewhat varied experience. He has also been in- terested in public affairs, having twice been elected justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are the parents of three children, Alice, born May 22, 1856, and the wife of J. W. Crenshaw, of Hen- derson county, Illinois; Franklin W., born May 2, 1860, now living in Iowa; and Louis H., born July 15, 1872. Mr. D. is now engaged mostly in working at his trade. 'Politically he is a democrat.

Thomas A. Mustain, deceased, third son of John and Elizabeth (Glen) Mus-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

tain, was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, January 13, 1819. He came here with the family, in 1832. He re- sided on section 16, Blandinsville town- ship for many years, but subsequently removed to section 9, of the same town- ship, where he died November 9, 1880. He was married March 15, 1865, to Martha E. Charter, daughter of Jona- than and Nancy ( Ward) Charter. Six children were born to them, four of whom are living-Hattie G., born June 5, 1868; Harry Hardin, born November 29, 1871; Ruby C., born February 5, 1873, and Thomas A., born July 6, 1877. Mr. Mustain owned a large and finely improved farm, containing 720 acres, and a large brick residence, erected in 1873, at a cost of $11,000. His widow, now resides upon, and manages the farm. She is a lady of much energy and good judgment. Thomas A. Mus- tain, participated in the Mormon war in · 1844, serving as lieutenant, under Geo. W. Blandin. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and politically, a democrat. He was a man of fine personal appear- ance, being six feet in height, and weigh- ing more than 200 pounds. He was strictly honest in all his dealings, and in disposition, genial, kindly, and gen- erous. He was much beloved, and died deeply mourned by a large circle of rel- atives and friends.

William D. Mustain, one of the pion- eers of McDonough county, and an old and highly esteemed citizen, came here in the fall of 1832, accompanying his parents, John and Elizabeth (Glen) Mustain. They settled on section 16, Blandinsville township. William D., remained with his parents until his mar-

riage, August 11, 1835, to Jane Wood- side, a daughter of John and Sarah (Bagby) Woodside, who was born Feb- ruary 24, 1817. In the spring of 1837, he moved to Louisa county, Iowa, where he remained until the fall of 1839. At that date he returned to Blandinsville township, and lived for a few months on section 16, then moved to the northeast quarter of section 32, which was his res- idence until 1849. In that year he re- moved to his present home on the north- west quarter of the same section. Upon this place stood a small log cabin, con- taining two rooms, in which the family lived until 1876, when he erected a large and convenient frame house, costing $3,000. Mr. Mustain is a native of Vir- ginia, born in Pittsylvania county, June 21, 1813, and the eldest of a family of nine children. Of his brothers and sis- ters, Daniel C., was born in 1815; Thomas A., in 1817, Nathan G., in 1819; Jane M., in 1821; Elizabeth A., in 1827; James A., in 1829; George W., in 1832; and Gilley G., in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam D. Mustain had a family of ten children-Nancy Elizabeth, born Aug- ust 28, 1836, married to William T. Moss and died May 1, 1863; Sarah Jane, born May 8, 1838, married to John P. Welsh, and died December 25, 1862; Martha Ann, born March 3, 1840, married to J. L. Welsh; John David, born January 21, 1843; Mary A., wife of John Nelson, born August 21, 1845; Gilley L., born April 11, 1848, wife of W. H. Pugh; Margaret V., born July 24, 1850, mar- ried to I. P. Ray, and died June 25, 1879, aged 28 years, 11 months and one day; Wilmuth M., born November 9, 1852, died December 28, 1871, aged 19

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

years and 19 days; Frances A., born September 26, 1855, wife of J. M. Hughes; and Addie D., born October 23, 1858, and married to J. A. Brakey. Mrs. Mustin died January 26, 1862, at the age of 44 years, 11 months and two days. She was for 30 years, a consist- ent member of the Christian church, and a very estimable woman. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Mustain has re- sided with his daughter upon the home-

stead farm. He is a member of the Christian church, and politically, a dem- ocrat. Mr. Mustain was justice of the peace one term, assessor twice, collector , twice and school director of Blandins- ville district about 40 years. The fam- ily were all educated in McDonough county, with the exception of the father and mother, the former receiving five years' schooling in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, and one term in Illinois; the latter was educated in the western coun- try.

John F. Mustain is a son of John and Elizabeth (Glen) Mustain, both 'natives of Virginia. John F. was born in Pitt- sylvania county, of that state, November 15, 1824, and came with the family to . McDonough county, in November, 1832. They settled on section 16, Blandinsville township. The subject of this sketch lived at home until his marriage, on the 22d day of December, 1846, to Elizabeth M. Charter, a daughter of Jonathan and Nancy ( Ward) Charter. She was born November 22, 1829. He then moved to the northeast quarter of section 16, where they resided about 1 year, when they removed to the northwest quarter of section 21, which is his present home. At that time the improvements upon the

place were slight, consisting of a log cabin, and 20 acres broken. They lived in the cabin until the fall of 1853; he then built a small frame house, to which, in 1852, he built a large addition, at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Mustain has been financially prosperous, and is in posses- sion of a competency. This is wholly due to his own industry and persever- ance. He owns 240 acres on section 21, 80 acres on section 20, and 240 acres on section 10, Blandinsville township; also 200 acres in Sciota township. He is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Mustain had eight children-Nathan D., born August 2, 1848; Nancy J., born February 14, 1851; George D., born October 20, 1852; Thomas C., born August 3, 1854; Eliza- beth L., born November 30, 1856; John A., born July 20, 1859; and Carrie I., born January 3, 1861. Mrs. Mustain died July 4, 1871. Mr. Mustain was again married, on the 17th of October, 1872, to Sarah A. Darrah, daughter of Absalom and Minerva A. ( Mealy) Dar- rah, of Ohio. She was born February 25, 1852. By this union there is one child-Ola I., born July 10, 1879. Two of Mr. Mustain's daughters are deceased Nancy J., who was the wife of William T. Hardesty, died February 20, 1873; and Elizabeth, who died in August, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Mustain are members of the Baptist church. He is politically a democrat.

Harrison Hungate came to this county September 27, 1833, and is, therefore, one of the earliest settlers. He was born in Washington county, Kentucky, February 28, 1810, and is a son of John and Mary ( Coffman) Hungate. Harri-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

son, in his youth, learned the miller's trade, which he followed a number of years, after which he engaged in farm- ing in his native state. Soon after com- ing to this county he bought a farm in Blandinsville township and lived upon the same eight years, then removed to the village of Blandinsville where he still resides. He engaged in mercantile business with Silas J. Hopper with whom he continued about six years, after which he was, for a time, in the grocery trade, in partnership with Victor M. Hardin. Since then he has been living a retired life. He was married March 29, 1832, to Susannah Ward.

In 1833, Hugh Connor settled in Blandinsville township. He came from Jefferson county, Tennessee, where he was born in 1809. He afterward died here. His wife still survives him, and is still an occupant of the old homestead on section 2.

In 1834 Joseph Duncan entered land on section 4, where he afterward sud- denly died. The place is now owned by his widow.

OTHER SETTLERS.

After this the township was settled up rapidly and it would be impossible to trace the settlers with any degree of regularity. But we here append a num- ber of the representative citizens of to- day, which will impress the reader with the character of Blandinsville's present inhabitants:

Sewell Leavitt came to this county in 1865, from LaHarpe, Hancock county, Illinois. He settled then on section 14, Blandinsville township, which is still his home. He purchased 160 acres upon which there was some improvement. He

now has a desirable farm of 210 acres, with good improvements. Mr. Leavitt was originally from the state of Maine, and was born February 22, 1831. He left his native state when eight years old, removing in 1839, with his parents, to Hancock county, Illinois, where he was brought up on a farm. He received a limited education in the common school, and remained at home until 1850, when he took a trip to California, and en- gaged in mining about five months. He then returned to his home in LaHarpe, where he lived till 1865, coming then, as before stated, to this county. Mr. Leavitt was married, in 1853, to Jane Blackhurst, a native of England, who died in 1858, leaving him two children, William and Ida. The latter is deceased. In 1862 he was mar- ried to Dorothy Blackhurst, a sister of his former wife. By this union there are two children, Owen and Charles, both living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Leavitt are members of the Chris- tian church. He is, in politics, a repub- lican.

John Gilfrey, deceased, came to Mc- Donough county during the winter of 1835-36, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 20, Blandinsville town- ship. He was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in the city of Phila- delphia, July 1, 1793. He remained there until October, 1828, then removed to Baltimore, Maryland, from whence, in October, 1835, he came. to Illinois, and settled near Canton, Fulton county. By trade he was a brush manufacturer, and worked at that trade up to the time of his coming to this state. On the 2d of February, 1814, he was united in mar-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

riage with Elizabeth B. McHam, who was born September 9, 1793, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They had a family of seven children, four of whom are now living-Henry F .; John T., a resident of Oregon since 1852; Thomas M., of Morris county, Kansas; and Mary A., the wife of Samuel Hen- derson, of Canton, Missouri. The de- ceased children were: Margaret F., who died in Philadelphia on the 9th of Au- gust, 1823; Sarah E., who married John Gill, and died in Delaware, May 3, 1872; and George L., who died in Baltimore, June 30, 1835. Mr. Gilfrey was a soldier in the war of 1812.

Henry F. Gilfrey, the eldest of the above named children, was born Novem- ber 6, 1815, in the city of Philadelphia, within a quarter of a mile of the old In- dependence Hall. He remained with his parents in his native city until his 13th year, when they removed to Balti- more, Maryland. Here he remained un- til the spring of 1836, then coming to McDonough county, Illinois, and settling on the same farm on which he now re- sides. Upon coming here he built the house in which he now resides. He was united in marriage August 16, 1849, with Mary C. Thompson, a native of Scotland. They have been the parents of seven children, all of whom are still living- Sarah E., born June 28, 1850, now the wife of Emory Runkle, of Macomb; Mar- garet E., born September 26, 1852, now the wife of Thomas Lusk, of Macomb; Louis F., born August 24, 1857, married Sarah Haw, and now residing at Wash- ington, Nebraska; Henry H., born Janu- ary 11, 1864, a resident of same place; William R., born January 10, 1867; and

Mary E., born August 23, 1871, both liv- ing with parents. Mr. Gilfrey's princi- pal occupation through life has been that of a farmer, although for some time working at his trade, that of a carpenter and joiner.

Charles Conwell came to McDonough county in 1874, and settled on section 18, of Blandinsville township. He pur- chased 160 acres (the northwest quarter) of N. Hunt, upon which were very slight improvements. In 1881 Conwell erected a commodious residence. His barn and other improvements are also new and first class, and his farm a well cultivated and desirable one. He is engaged in stock-raising. Mr. Conwell was born in Janesville, Washington county, Ohio, March 17, 1843. His father was, by trade, a millwright. When Charles was 12 years old his father moved to a farm in Perry county, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of 1864, then moved to Hancock county, Illinois; lived there until 1874, when he came to McDonough county. He obtained his education in the common schools of that county, and there followed farming until he came here. His parents are yet living in Han- cock county. He was married Septem- ber 25, 1872, to Emma Grigsby, daugh- ter of R. Grigsby. They are the parents of three children-Cora, Arthur and Clifton. Mr. Conwell is a thorough- going and prosperous farmer.

Nathan D. Mustain has always been a resident of this county, and of Blan- dinsville township. He has heeded the old adage, that " a rolling stone gathers no moss " and as a consequence, he now owns 126 acres of land, and is comfort- ably situated. He was born in the town-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

· ship, in August, 1848, and is a son of John T. and Elizabeth (Charter) Mus- tain. His youth was spent on the old homestead with his parents, attending the district school, and assisting his father in the management of the farm. He was married August 29, 1869, to Almeda Foster, a daughter of George H. and Mary (Chandler) Foster. Soon after this important event, he occupied a farm belonging to his father on section · 22, and there remained one year. In the spring of 1871, he moved to the northeast quarter of section 17, and there lived in a small frame house. In 1874, a more commodious structure was erected for him by his father. Mr. and Mrs. Mustain have had seven children, four girls and three boys-Mary E., born February 22, 1871; Mattie I., born November 19, 1872; Ethel M., born Oct- ober 1, 1875; Jesse T., born January 5, 1878, and died on the 28th of December, 1879; Orrin D., born February 19, 1880; Alta E., born May 25, 1882, and Bern- ard F., born September 17, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Mustain are members of the Baptist church. Politically, he is a democrat.

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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 98

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