USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 33
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Station.
Wheat, Ibs.
Corn, Ibs.
Oats, Ibs.
Other grain, Ibs.
Cattle No.
llogs, No.
Flour All other Tonnage in bris. freight. Ibs,
Prairie City ....
818,900 19,110,210
2,695,370
3,283,655
3,227
35,211
718
4,325,630
42,736,995
Bushnell.
2,581,360, 7,708,440
1.656,390
1,799,767
2,334
18,509
2,300 18, 820,895
40,685,502
Bardolph
1,095,040 11, 440,170
1,770,984
962,000
4,477
19,343
2,429
5,903,756
31,442,490
Macomb
5,092,044 8,886,701
4,398,110
2,546,970
8,990
55,348
9,787 16,073,810
62,778,905
Colchester
38,400
1,381,210
594,350
308,070
154
3,126
7,728,761
385,315,541
Tennessee
1,087,575
591,300
529,325
395,730
4,330
27,764
4,058,812
22,129,242
Colmar
499,000
177,720
300,680
324,255
1,782
14,539
3,663,120
10,559,725
11,212,319 49,295, 751 11, 945,209
9,034,297
25,294
173,840 15,234 60,574, 784
595,6-18,400
During the same period there wasshipped eoal from Bushnell. 441, 000 pounds ; from Tennessee, 3,762,500 pounds ; from Colchester, 374,313,850 pounds; which does not include what was carried for use of company, which, with the amount taken by engines, was 120, 000 pounds per day.
Receipts During the Same Period.
Station.
Lumber, Ibs.
Agricul- tural im- plements, Ibs.
Merchan- dise, Ibs.
All other freight, lbs.
Tonnage in lbs.
Prairie City.
7.750,038
128,195
5,007,658
3,123,606
16,009,497
Bushnell.
14,115,535
1,352,075
6,812,895
10,839,387
33,119,892
Bardolph
3,809,520
13,650
1,225,320
10,803,078
15,851,568
Macomb
22,801, 416
635,465
15,316,704
14,490,548|
53,244,133
Colchester
1,946,430
15,910
3,763,777
2,471,687
8,197,834
Tennessee
933,450
11,921
1,078,061
1,479,705
3,503,137
Colmar
759,400
5,900
282,169
309,620
1,357,089
52,115, 789
2,163,146
33,-1$6,584
43,517,631
131,283,150
*Records previous to May 1, 1871, were burned in the great fire of October 9, same year.
A total of 44,740, or an average of 31 cars per day received in and shipped from the county over this road. Mr. McCredie in- forms the writer that there has been a slight falling off, in conse- quence of the opening of the two competing roads, the T., P. & W., and the R., R. I. & St. L. railroads.
Through the kindness of A. L. Hopkins, General Superintendent of the T., P. & W., we give table of shipments over that road. We could not obtain either receipts or shipments over St. Louis Division of the C., B. & Q., but estimating as equal to the T., P. & W., we can see it will require seventy cars per day to import our merchandise and transport our products. A good showing.
315
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
TABLE of Shipments over T., P. and W. R. R. for Six Years Ending December 31, 1875.
Station.
Wheat, lbs.
Corn, lbs.
Oats, Ibs.
Other grain, lbs.
Cattle Cars.
Hogs,
Merehan- dise and Cars. 'Sundries. Ibs.
All other freight. 1bs.
Tonnage in lbs.
Bushnell.
7,115, 865 23, 287,520 6, 705, 154 4, 798, 976
234
397
15,994,066 48,225,030 120,033,057
Scottsburg
318,210
4,678,900
883,530
392,200
40
66
21,590
3,140,000
11,554,430
Good Hope .....
2,565, 165 31, 874, 276 4, 933, 985 3, 784, 945
424
452 394
1,539,325
885,498
49,417,351
Seiota.
1,941,830 49, 819,670 5, 903, 020 4,663, 700
2.12
760,990
777,250
76,586,490
Blandinsville ...
3, 798, 460 16. 742, 550 4, 366, 960 3, 202, 350
479|
1,302
3,798,460
2,458,000
70,000,750
316
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXX.
BIOGRAPIIICAL.
Although MeDonough county may not have furnished as many men eminent in the counsels of the nation as some other locali- ties, yet there are a few names not entirely unknown to fame, some of whom have attained eminence at the bar, some in the sacred desk, proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ, some upon the battle field, yielding up their life's blood in defense of their country ; while still others, as merchants, doctors, lawyers and tillers of the soil, have toiled on, content to remain in obscur- ity, having the love and confidence of their family and those by whom they are or were immediately surrounded. In this connec- tion we give sketches of such of our fellow men as were easily ob- tainable, and who, as a whole, will represent faithfully the spirit and progress of our county.
LARKIN C. BACON.
This gentleman is a son of Joseph B. and Agnes (Couch) Bacon, both of whom were native Tennesseeans. Larkin himself was born in Washington county, that State, on the second day of May, 1818.
The circumstances of the senior Bacon, at the time of Larkin's birth, were good, but through unfortunate speculation in the grain and stock trade, he met with severe reverses and was con- siderably injured in property. Soon thereafter he moved from his native State to Missouri, and, after a four years' residence in that State, came to MeDonough county, Illinois, where he arrived in March, 1834, settling upon section 20, Tennessee township, and where he continued to reside until death called him away.
The subject of this sketch passed his early life upon a farm, having to labor from, the time he became physically able. His
317
IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
education consists in that derived from the common schools of the community in which he lived, and instructions received at the hands of Isaac Holton, who, for a number of years, conducted a high school at Hillsgrove, in this county.
Larkin's general character in youth was excellent. He then possessed moral qualities which have adhered to him ever since, through all the vicissitudes of life. It is said of him that he never uttered an oath-never took the name of his God in vain.
He has always been a farmer, but in addition to the ordinary duties of farm work, has for twenty-five years past been dealing in stock. All the grain that he raises upon his farm is consumed in feeding hogs and cattle for the market. He chose agricultural pursuits because he had been reared to them, and never had any disposition to engage in any other business.
In the cause of education Mr. Bacon has always taken great interest, and has done much to advance its interests in the com- munity in which he resides. For about twenty-five years he has held the office of School Trustee.
He has never changed his place of residence but three times, removing, as previously stated, from Tennessee to Missouri, and from Missouri to Illinois, settling with his parents on section 22, on which a portion of the town of Tennessee now lies, and from thence to his present place of abode on section 20, which latter change occurred in December, 1842.
On the twenty-sixth day of December, 1841, Mr. Bacon was united in marriage to Miss Honore Durbin, who, after a compan- ionship of twenty-three years, departed this life. She was a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years, and died possessing a hope of a future reward. On the twentieth day of October, 1864, Mr. Bacon was again married, the lady being Mrs. Louisa (Latimer) Meck, of Abingdon, Knox county. No family in the community is more universally esteemed than that of Mr. Bacon.
When Mr. Bacon began life for himself he had but little of this world's goods, receiving from the estate of his father, we believe. about forty acres of land; but he had the courage and the will necessary to success, which, combined with extreme caution, has placed him in the front rank of the farmers of MeDonough county. HIe has been successful in business affairs, as is evinced by the well stocked farm on which he resides, one of the best improved and
318
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
carefully managed in the county. He makes few, if any, mistakes, in his business ventures, and usually judges correctly upon every matter requiring an outlay, and if he ever errs, it is on the safe side. In his neighborhood he is regarded as a most excellent financier.
Mr. Bacon has been a professor of the Christian religion from a youth up, having united with the Baptist Church when about nineteen years of age, with which body he retained connection until the congregation where he held membership was broken np in consequence of the removal of its members from the vicinity, when he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1845 or 1846, since which time he has held in that body the offices of trus- tee, class leader, and superintendent of the Sunday School, in which latter capacity he has been very active.
It has always been characteristic of Mr. Bacon to seek retire- ment rather than publicity, and for that reason he has never occu- pied the public positions in life he is so well calculated to fill.
Since writing the foregoing Mr. Bacon has passed from earth, departing this life on the twenty-fourth of October, 1877, leaving a large family and many relatives and friends to sincerely mourn his loss. But he was prepared to go ; death to him had no fears, and now within the limits of the unseen world he awaits the com- ing of other loved ones.
MAJOR THOMAS A. BROOKING.
The genealogy of the Brooking family can be traced back through several generations, those bearing the name filling hon- orable and responsible positions in society for several years. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch on both his father's and mother's side was Colonel in the revolutionary war, while his father, as well as himself, bore an honorable part in the war of 1812.
Thomas Alexander Brooking was the second son of a family of eleven, eight daughters and three sons, and was born in Rich- mond, Nottaway county, Virginia, on the twentieth day of Jan- uary, 1795. His parents were Thomas Vivian and Elizabeth (Sherwin) Brooking, the latter being the daughter of Colonel Samuel Sherwin, of revolutionary fame. But little is known of his early history, save that every opportunity was given him to obtain such education as would fit him for a useful station in life. He attended a good classical school in Chesterfield county, Vir-
319
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
ginia, under charge of Prof. Ferguson, a noted teacher in his day, and afterward under Prof. Smith. He then went to Manchester, Virginia, and entered a school under charge of Prof. O'Reily, one of the best classical scholars in the State. When he completed the prescribed course in this school, he returned to Richmond, Virginia, and entered the law office of Hon. Alexander McRae, one of the most talented lawyers in the city, where he pursued his studies for a sufficient length of time to enable him to pass a satis- factory examination and obtain admittance to the bar. On receiv- ing his diploma, he removed to the State of Kentucky for the purpose of engaging in practice, but for some cause he abandoned the idea of making the legal profession a life business, but the knowledge obtained through his reading was beneficial during life. On the breaking out of the war of 1812 the elder Brooking enlisted as a private, and when cut some months he was recalled home to attend the bedside of a dying sister, the government ac- cepting the services of the son (of whom we write) as a substitute. Though quite young, he performed his duty faithfully in the ser- vice of his country.
A few months before reaching his majority, as previously stated, he removed to Kentucky, and settled in the town of Versailles, where he engaged in the mercantile trade. Here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary Louisa Threshly, which soon termi- nated in love, and the offer of his hand and heart in marriage ; ac- cordingly, on the twenty-fifth day of January, 1816, the young couple were duly married. The tie thus formed remained un- broken until severed by the death of Mr. Brooking in 1858. Thir- teen children were they blessed with, six of whom have passed on to that other shore, seven yet living to fill responsible stations in life. One of the number, Edward Brooking, lost his life in the service of his country, as a member of the 137th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. Of the number now living, William is a large farmer, living north of Macomb; A. V. is a farmer and stock dealer; R. S. is a trader ; Mrs. Jane Randolph, widow of the late William II. Randolph, lives in Macomb ; Mrs. Augusta Palmer lives in Pales- tine, Texas; Mrs. Lucy Suyder lives in Carrollton, Mo .; Mrs. Julia Randolph, wife of J. H. Randolph, of Fort Scott, Kansas.
Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Brooking returned to Rich- mond, Va., where he remained three years, after which he located in Union county, Ky., where he leased the celebrated Sulphur Springs, continuing in its charge five years, when he removed to
320
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Princeton, Caldwell county, remaining there until the fall of 1834, when he made his final removal to MeDonough county, settling in the town of Macomb. By a series of unfortunate ventures in Kentucky he lost his entire fortune, and came to this county a poor man but with a determined will and the intention of retriev- ing all. On his arrival here he engaged as a teacher of a select school, continuing the same until the following spring. For two seasons following he engaged in the manufacture of briek north of town, on the site of Oakwood Cemetery, after which he re- moved to the old farm now owned by his son, William T. Brook- ing, where he remained until the spring of 1850, when he pur- chased the old hotel on the west side of the square, which he carried on for some years.
In 1835 Major Brooking made a profession of religion and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Macomb, with which body he retained connection until death, and was very ac- tive in the cause; indeed, this was his nature; whatever he under- took to do enlisted all his sympathies and all his energies. In his death the church in Macomb lost one of its"most useful members.
In politics, Major Brooking was an old-line Whig as long as the party had an existence. Henry Clay, that honored son of Kentucky, had in him a warm supporter and friend, and every principle of that old party had a response in his breast. With its death he became identified with the Republican party ; although his life was not long spared after its oganization, he yet had the supreme satisfaction of voting for its first candidate for President. Although born in Virginia, and in that State and Kentucky spending the greater part of his life, he yet was an anti-slavery man, and was never afraid to express his sentiments. Save that of Justice of the Peace, he never held public office, preferring the retirement of private life, though often solicited by friends to become a candidate. Contrary to his expressed will he was placed in nomination by the Whigs in 1849 for County Judge, but it being the "off year" of the Whig party he was defeated. Had he been elected, he, no doubt, would have discharged the duties of the office to the satisfaction of his constituents.
Major Thomas A. Brooking was a large portly man, kind hearted and benevolent in the extreme. He was a man who en- joyed life, and whatever may have been the turn in fortune's wheel it made no perceptible change in his deportment. His doors were always open to the poor and needy, and the hospitalities of
321
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
his house were ever extended to his friends, and his kind invita- tions were often accepted. It was his pride to exercise true Vir- ginia hospitality. During his life in MeDonough county he made many warm friends who will ever bear him in grateful remem- brance. On the twenty-fifth of February, 1858, he was called to his long home. But he was prepared to go and could unfalter- ingly say when the dread summons came, "Thy will be done, O, Lord." He was buried on the old homestead, the services being conducted by the Masonie Order of Macomb, of which body he had for many years been a consistent member. His loved companion tarried upon this side of the river for nineteen years when she too, passed away, leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her loss.
A. V. BROOKING.
The father of the subject of our present sketch was Thomas A. Brooking, one of the pioneer settlers of old MIcDonough, who came to the county in the fall of 1835, and here lived, bonored and respected by all, until the day of his death, which occurred in 1858. His mother's maiden name was Mary L. Threshly ; she but recently departed this life at a ripe old age.
Alexander Vivian Brooking was born at Sulphur Springs, Ky., on the 26th day of February, 1829, and with his parents came to this county in 1835, being at that time but six years of age. He, therefore, may well be classed as one of MeDonough county's sons. A short time before they left Kentucky his father met with misfortune, losing his entire property ; and, like many others determining to build up again, sought new fields of labor, and se- lected McDonough county as the basis of his operations, and re- moved here as above stated, arriving with only one span of horses and twenty-six dollars in money. The early life of "Viv.," as he is familiarly called by those who are intimate with him, was pass- ed upon a farm, and in attendance on the common schools of the county. The first school which he attended was taught by T. Lyle Dickey, then a young law student, and now one of the Supreme Judges of the State. On the farm, four miles north of Macomb, he spent twenty-nine years of his life, or until he was thirty-three years of age, when he removed to Macomb, embarking in the livery business. Here he has since remained, engaged in the above business, and also for many years having charge of the well known Randolph Hotel. During this time he has never aban-
322
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
doned the farm, but has continued in charge of it, overseeing the raising of the crops year by year, and improving it greatly. In one thing he has always been especially noted, and that is in his love of fine stock, and in this branch of business he has devoted much time and the expenditure of thousands of dollars. Several of the most noted horses ever in the county were his property. The great improvement manifest to all in this respect is due in a great measure to him. He was the originator of the Stock Asso- ciation of the county, being the first to suggest the idea, and worked hard to bring it to a high standard, succeeding Beyond his ex- pectations.
On the twenty-seventh day of August, 1851, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth II. Randolph, daughter of Benjamin F. Randolph, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living. Mrs. Brooking died on the twenty-ninth day of August, 1862. He again married on the twenty-first day of April, 1864, this time to Miss Elizabeth Butler, of Knox county, Illinois, the fruits of the marriage being five children, one of whom is dead.
In the home circle Mr. Brooking is kind and affectionate, en- joying the confidence and love of his entire family ; in public he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him; in business affairs he calculates closely ; never hastily jumps at a conclusion, generally weighing the matter carefully in his own mind, and when a conclusion is arrived at, he can be depended upon. Strange as it may seem to a man in his walk of life, surrounded by those who view the matter in a different light, he has never taken a dram of liquor in his life, and never voted for license. Ile makes no boast of his temperance principles, however ; does not condemn unmercifully those who differ with him, but always con- sistently practices his belief. It is related of him that on one occasion, when the State fair was held in Chicago, he was on a committee of which Long John Wentworth, General Singleton and others were members, and having a meeting in one of the rooms of a hotel, liquor was brought in, and he was pressed to partake. Declining respectfully, he told them he never had partaken of liquors of any kind, and desired never to do so. Long John, then so full he could hardly stand, staggered across the room, and slapping him on the shoulder, said : "That's right, my boy ; never do." And he never has. Neither has he ever
323
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
used tobacco in any form. A lesson is here offered to young men to follow his example.
EDGAR BOLLES, M. D.
William K. Bolles, the father of the subject of our present sketch, is a " true-blue Yankee," having first seen the light of this world in New London, Connecticut, in the year 1807. His mother, Sarah (West) Bolles, is a native of New York, her birth- place being in Hillsdale, Columbia county. She was also born in 1807, there being only two or three months difference between her age and that of her husband. Their son Edgar, of whom we now write, was born on the twelfth day of January, 1837, in Sandusky county, Ohio, whither his parents had immi- grated some years previous. When he was but six weeks old, desiring to better their condition in life, his parents emigrated to Lagrange county, Indiana, traveling the entire distance in an old- fashioned lumber wagon drawn by oxen. Here they remained for fifteen years, or until 1852, suffering greatly from the chills and fever of that malarious district. They now determined on returning to Mrs. Bolles' native county, which they did, remaining there one year. The mountains and rocks were too much for them, however, and they again decided to try the West, choosing this time the fertile prairies of Illinois. They came direct to this county, and settled in Blandinsville township in 1853, after- ward removing to Emmet, where the old folks yet remain.
The farm has been the great nursery of nearly all the best men of the country, and here Edgar passed his boyhood and youth, acquiring strength of mind and body, which fit him for the dis- charge of the duties of his chosen profession. In spring, summer and fall, from the time he was old enough to be of assistance, he was compelled to labor, and in the winter was allowed to attend the common country school. Thus his life was passed until he reached the age of twenty-one. During all this time there was a growing desire in his heart to occupy a higher position in life. to receive an education that would fit him for future usefulness. As soon as he reached his majority he at once made preparations to attend the Seminary in Blandinsville, an institution at that time of some importance. Ilere he pursued his studies for two years, acquiring a pretty thorough English education, enabling him to pursue the profession of a teacher, which he had chosen as a stepping stone to that which should follow after. For seven
324
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
years thereafter he engaged in this work, teaching in the winter, when a school could be obtained, and elerking in the summer. In this way he obtained means for the principal object he had in view from the first-the study of medicine, which profession he desired to adopt as a life work.
In August, 1853, he first began to read medicine with Drs. IIuston & Hammond, in Macomb. As may well be understood from what is previously written, he could not pursue his studies uninterruptedly for the want of means. In the fall of 1868, he was considered far enough advanced to attend lectures, and hav- ing saved enough from his labors to pay his tuition for the term, we therefore find him in attendance in Long Island Hos- pital College, Brooklyn, New York. Here he remained dur- ing the term, returning home in the spring, and engaging in teaching the next fall. He now determined to enter the Detroit Medical College, Detroit, Michigan, as a more thorough and suit- able institution, which he did, and passing through the prescribed course, received, in the spring of 1870, the degree of "Doctor of Medicine and Surgery." On graduating, he returned home, taught school another term, and returned to Detroit in the fall, and assisted Professors Weber and Jenks during the college term of 1870-71, in the chairs of anatomy and diseases of women and children. At the close of the term he concluded to remain a short time in Detroit, and entered the office of Dr. Jenks as assistant, re- maining with him some months. Becoming somewhat dissatisfied with the practice in that city, he returned to Illinois in the fall of 1860, and located at Pennington's Point, in this county, where he yet remains. During the first year or two of his stay at the Point he engaged in teaching as well as in the practice of his profession. In thus doing, he made enough money on which to live while building up a self-sustaining practice. Something over six years have now elapsed since he entered upon the duties of his profes- sion, and he now enjoys a practice second to but one or two, and probably second to none in the county. Night and day are his services in demand, and his success as a physician has been remark- ably good.
On the fifteenth day of May, 1872, Dr. Bolles led to the mar- riage altar Miss Fannie Penrose, of Macomb, with whom he lives in a pleasant home at the Point. Two children have been born unto them, one of whom soon passed over to the other side of the river of death.
325
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY
In the career of Dr. Bolles there is an excellent lesson for young men. Inheriting not a dollar, and at the age of twenty- one without a penny to begin life, he worked his way for two years through a good high school, obtaining an education to fit himself for a teacher, which profession he adopted as a temporary expedient to enable him to obtain means to pursue a course of study for the medical profession. Entering a medical college, he soon graduated with high honors, and is now recognized as one of the leading physicians in the county. To enable him to accom- plish all this he spent about two thousand dollars, every dollar of which he secured by hard labor. And yet there are hundreds and thousands of young men who utterly bewail their fate, and say they can't advance.
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