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 35
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DAVID CLARKE.
David Clarke, the son of John and Ann (Whitten) Clarke, was born on the 28th day of September, 1799, in Washington County Ky. Here he resided with his parents until after he reached his majority. At four years of age he was sent to one of the com- mon schools of his native county, and continued going at intervals until he was eight, when he was put to work upon the farm by his parents, who were in only moderate circum- stances, and here was kept at hard labor until he reached his ma- jority. At sixteen he was permitted to attend school three weeks, which finished his education. When he reached his majority he placed himself under the instruction of a music teacher for some months, acquiring a pretty thorough knowl-
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
edge of the science of music, as taught in that day. As soon as he finished his course, he adopted the teaching of music as a profession, and for three years he traveled constantly through the State engaged in that work. In early life he connected him- self with the Baptist Church, and when only twenty-two years of age compiled a hymn book which he denominated "Clarke's Hymns." This book was adopted by the Baptists and several other denominations in Kentucky, and continued in use for many years. Two large editions were issued and speedily sold. Many copies are yet in existence, and held as precious heirlooms by their possessors.
On the twenty-fourth day of November, 1825, he was married to Eliza Swink Russell, daughter of Samuel Russell, in Green county, Kentucky. Samuel Russell was well known as one of the pioneers of this county. Twelve children were born unto them, four only of whom are now living, viz: Margaret M., wife of Corydon C. Chapman, Christopher Columbus, Samuel James, and Annie E., wife of Sidney S. Chapman.
In the fall of 1830 he removed with his family to this county, where he has since resided, being well known to nearly every citi- zen, especially the older settlers. For many years in the early day he run a "tavern," which at that time was more of a public resort than the "hotel" of to-day. Here the people for miles around assembled to discuss the news of the time and to indulge in drink For four years he was town constable, and eight years a justice of the peace. During the first four years he was justice he tried over nine hundred cases, a very large docket at that time. He was ever ready to render a decision, and as soon as a case on trial was finished, his judgment was rendered and recorded in his docket. Of all the cases appealed from his decision to the Circuit Court, he never had a judgment reversed. Few justices transact- ing the amount of business done by him can say as much.
David Clarke is full six feet in height, well built, and has an excellent constitution. Ile is also a man of iron will-one that cannot be swerved from that he considers right. When he de- clares his intention of doing anything, if in the range of possibil- ities, it will be done. In the early part of 1841, while under the influence of intoxicating drinks, a habit which, unfortunately, had had grown on him previous to that time, he injured himself somewhat by a fall, when he vowed that he would never drink
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another drop, which vow he has ever kept inviolate from that day to this, not even having partaken of a glass of lemonade-a glass of cider he would no more take than so much deadly poison. He is a radical temperance man, and not ashamed to own the fact. For a number of years he acted as Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch for the State at large, of the Sons of Temperance, and has instituted a goodly number of divisions. In consequence of advanced age he does not now take that active part in the work as formerly, but his heart yet goes out in sympathy with every movement for the success of the temperance cause.
CHIARLES CHANDLER.
History has long since established the fact that our best and greatest men are by no means confined to the ranks of those en- nobled by birth, or surrounded from childhood with every facility for education or moral and social culture. The finest natures are, indisputably, those who override with their latent force and mental power every obstacle, and aim, by virtue of their indomitable wills, to attain that honorable precedence among men, that, if conferred solely by the accident of birth, is far less the merit than the good fortune of its possessor. Charles Chandler, though descending from an illustrious family on both his father's and mother's side, has the pleasure of ascribing whatever good fortune that has been bestowed upon him, not by inheritance, but from his own personal exertions, the exercise of his own indomitable will. Coming to the county at an early day, and with very little means, he seized upon every favorable chance for the accumulation of wealth.
Charles Chandler was born in Alstead, N. II., on the twenty- eighth of August, 1809. His parents were James and Abigail (Vilas) Chandler, the former being a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Massachusetts. Mrs. Chandler died the twenty-ninth of November, 1854, aged seventy-nine years, and three years after, viz, on the eighteenth of November, 1857, Mr. Chandler departed this life, aged eighty-six years. The early life of Charles was spent with his parents upon the farm and in attendance upon the common schools of his native State, the only institution of learning that he was ever permitted to attend. When nineteen years of age he was permitted by his parents to go to Boston, Massachusetts, that he might enter a mercantile establishment, where he remained two years, becoming quite proficient in the sale of goods. At the ex- piration of this time he returned to the farm, and remained there
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one year, when he conceived the idea of coming West ; accordingly he came as far as Cincinnati, where he remained two years, and from thence he came to Macomb, in this county, arriving in the spring of 1834. Those familiar with the county at that date will remember the town of Macomb contained about two hundred inhabitants, that three or four stores did all the business of the place, and that there were no farms upon the prairie at all, it being regarded as so much waste land. A brother of Mr. Chandler (Hon. Thomp- son Chandler) had preceeded him a few months, and was engaged in the mercantile trade in company with Mr. William Richards, under the firm name of Richards & Chandler. Mr. Chandler en- gaged with them as a clerk, continuing that relation for two years, a part of the time being with the firm of Messrs. Simpson & Miller. At the expiration of this time he went into business for himself as a merchant, but only continued one year, when he sold out and engaged in the real estate business, which he fol- lowed for some years with great success. In 1845, in company with Jonathan H. Baker, he again engaged in the mercantile trade, which relation was continued some two or three years, the firm doing a large and profitable business, on the old Campbell corner, Macomb. When he disposed of his interest in this estab- lishment he remained out of any regular business for a year or two, when he again embarked in the real estate trade. It will be remembered that about this time land was very cheap, the best improved in the county not bringing more than five dollars per acre. Although Mr. Chandler probably did not then dream of the county securing a railroad, with all its great advantages, he yet saw in the rich soil and fair climate of the Military Tract an inducement to settlement which in time would be seen and real_ ized by all ; therefore he did not fear to invest his means in the purchase of every quarter that he could obtain. He well knew that in time the land would bring a high price in the market. That he was wise in this conclusion is proven by the result. When the great Northern Cross, now Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, was built, land advanced at a rapid rate, settlers came into the country in great numbers, and his fortune was made. When the T., P & W. railroad was built it found Mr. Chandler the possessor of the greater part of Sciota township, and the rise in the value benefited him thousands of dollars. It cannot be said this gain was the result of luck. Far from it. It was the result of the far-sightedness of the man. Others had the
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same opportunities and the means to purchase all that Mr. Chand- ler secured, but they reached forth no hand to secure the prize. His eyes were open to the main chance and he improved it. In all his real estate operations Mr. Chandler was eminently success- ful. No man was better adapted to the business. While engaged in this line of trade he got up a set of records to facilitate trans- actions in the purchase and sale of lands, which were of great service.
On the fifteenth day of December, 1836, Mr. Chandler was united in marriage to Miss Sarah K. Cheatham, daughter of Sam- uel G. Cheatham, Esq. Seven children were born unto them, three only of whom are now living, the rest, with the loved mother, passing on to the other side of the great river. Mrs. Chandler de- parted this life September, 1866, her loss being deeply felt by the husband and motherless children and by the entire community where she had resided, and endeared herself to so many hearts. She was a most exemplary member of the Church of Christ, in Ma- comb, showing forth in her life the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, and brotherly kind- ness. She died fully trusting in the promises of the Lord, and in the sweet bye-and-bye she now awaits the coming of other loved ones.
Of the children living, Martha Abagail Chandler, the eldest, is now the wife of Henry C. Twyman, Esq., a leading merchant of Macomb, and resides in that city. Charles Vilasco Chandler, the second child, was born January 25, 1843. He is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank, a leading business man of Macomb, and has held the office of City Treasurer for some years, and was two years a member of the Board of Supervisors of the county. He was in the army for the suppression of the rebellion, and was Adjutant of the 78th Regiment Illinois Volunteers. James Edgar Chandler was born March 20, 1850; is now assist- ant cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, of Bushnell, and one of the leading business men of that city, and has held several city offices.
When the old Whig party was in existence, Mr. Chandler gave it allegiance, and on the organization of the Republican party, he embraced its principles, and to the present time he has strenuously advocated them. During the war he took an active part in secur- ing enlistments and sending men into the field, being incapacitated
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on account of age and bodily health from going himself to the front. For the services rendered, Governor Yates commissioned him as Colonel of State Militia, with power to raise a regiment for home service.
Although never aspiring to public office, and the nature of his business being such as to incapacitate him for active political life, Mr. Chandler has frequently been honored by his party and friends with office, having served the county as Coroner for two years, and as County School Commissioner for four years. In the city of Macomb he was Justice of the Peace for many years, Alderman two years, and Mayor of city one term. In each position he dis- charged its duties to the satisfaction of his constituents, bringing to bear upon every part of the work the same careful management that characterized him in the transaction of his own private busi- ness. If, in the management of his own affairs he never took a leap in the dark, and always knew almost to a certainty the result of an investment ; if he was a close calculator and studied economy in his own business, he likewise was governed by these same prin- ciples in public affairs. No man in McDonough county would be more implicitly trusted in the management of its business than Charles Chandler.
In 1858 Mr. Chandler embarked in the banking business in Macomb, and has continued in it to the present day. At this time, it will be remembered, many failures of bankers and other business men were occurring all over the country, yet notwith- standing, the people of the county reposed in him unbounded confidence and trusted him implicitly, depositing with him their means without fear that their trust would be betrayed. Hard times continued until the second year of the war. In 1861 the country was drained of its silver as well as of its gold, and suffi- cient change for the transaction of business could not be obtained. At this juncture Mr. Chandler issued several thousand dollars of "scrip" of the denomination of five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty cents each, which were readily received by the people everywhere, and we doubt not that to-day there is a small quantity of this cur- rency scattered throughout the country and held as a souvenir of the war. As a private banker Mr. Chandler continued until 1865, when a charter was obtained and a company formed for the or- ganization of a National Bank. At ameeting of the stockholders he was unanimously elected its president, which position he yet
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retains. Through careful and judicious management the bank has become one of the strongest in the State in proportion to the capital invested. During this same year of the organization of the First National Bank of Macomb, Mr. Chandler, in company with John B. Cummings, started a banking house in Bushnell under the firm name of Chandler & Cummings. As a private bank this institution was continued until 1870, when it was organ- ized as the Farmers' National Bank, Mr. Chandler becoming one of the largest stockholders and one of its directors. This house likewise maintains an excellent reputation.
For some years the health of Mr. Chandler has not been good which has necessitated his spending considerable time in travel. He has spent several winters in the Southern States, especially in Florida, and made trips to South America, Central America, West India Islands, California, Mexico, and other places, and as might be expected has seen many of the wonders of the world. Even when away for health or pleasure, he has had his eyes open to the main chance and made some fortunate ventures.
A word in regard to the man. If we were writing for the pre- sent generation alone this would be unnecessary, as he is too well known by every citizen of the county. But we write for the fu- ture, for those who live after us, and therefore it becomes necessa- ry to speak of the inner life of those of whom we write, as well as of their public acts, describing each as they exist, that those who read of them may know the men that were instrumental in the organization and material prosperity of our county. Charles Chandler is about five feet six inches in height, and weighs about one hundred and sixty pounds. In personal appearance he is la model of neatness, a face smoothly shaven and wearing apparel always in good taste. In the family circle he was always kind and indulgent to his children and grand children, treating them with a tenderness that begot love in their hearts. In public he pursues the same course, treating all with kind consideration. If approached for a favor he never rudely repulses it he cannot grant the request, but simply refuses in a manner that does not lower the dignity of the one asking it. To one that he considers worthy, he will assist with pleasure; therefore it is not to be wondered that he has many strong friends and few enemies.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
JOHN M. CRABB.
The "Crabb settlement," five miles northeast of Macomb, is well known to every citizen of the county, and the members of the family comprising it, from whom it was named, are each pleasant and agreeable men, good citizens, enjoying the unqualified respect of all. John M. Crabb, the father of those bearing that name in the settlement, was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, September 1, 1792; was the son of Daniel and Frances (Middleton) Crabb, who were both natives of England, but who came to this country prior to the revolutionary war. Mrs. Crabb was a sister of Arthur Middleton, one of the signers of the immortal declara- tion of independence, an instrument which brought freedom to three millions of people then living, and which has been kept in- tact until we now number over forty millions of beings, free in every sense of the word. To sign that instrument required not only patriotism, but courage of a high order, and this patriotism and this conrage we believe has been transmitted to all the lineal descendants of the family.
John M., of whom we now write, was left an orphan at a very early age, his mother dying when he was but two years old, and his father some four years after. Thus, at the age of six, he was bereft of kind parents, the kind love of whom he never experienced.
On the death of his father, he was taken by an uncle, Samuel Crabb, with whom he remained until the breaking out of the war of 1812. This uncle endeavored to do his whole duty by his lone- ly nephew, and doubtless succeeded as well as any but a parent could succeed. His memory was always held in grateful remem- brance by John.
In that early day the school facilities of the country were very limited, and unless possessed of great wealth, few could obtain an education such as is now required of the youth of our land. Mr. Crabb, therefore, was only instructed in those branches taught in the common schools of his native State, but the will, power and determination to do of the man availed him much instead.
When war with Great Britain was proclaimed in 1812, Mr. Crabb, then in his twentieth year, was among the first to enlist. HIe served his country faithfully as a private soldier for two years, proving that he came from good old revolutionary stock. For that service he received eight dollars per month and a land warrant at the close of the war.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
He was married to Miss Ann Fleming by whom he had ten children, five sons, and five daughters, eight of whom remain up- on this side ofthe river of death, two, one son and one daughter, having passed on to the beautiful land beyond the grave. The mother, too, in April, 1851, joined the immortal throng above, dying in the full assurance of faith, having been a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from the time she was fif- teen years of age until the day of her death, a period of 39 years. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, yea, and from hence- forth they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow them." The memory of this excellent woman is revered by all who knew her, especially do her children recall the kind and loving ways of that mother, who, in matters of discipline, was so different from the father, and who always conquered their stub- born wills by the power of love, gently persuading where they could not be driven. O, the power of a mother's love, nothing can equal it, save the Savior's dying love as shown upon the cross.
In 1828 Mr. Crabb with his family, then consisting of a wife and six children, moved from Virginia to Montgomery county, Ohio, thinking to better his fortunes in a newer country. Here they only remained one year, when a change was made to Clin- ton county in the same State, where they continued to reside until the fall of 1836, when another change was made, this time to the regions of MeDonough county, where they arrived on the four- teenth of November, 1837. For a few weeks they lived in the village of Macomb, when, leasing the east half of section 16, Macomb towhship, the family moved on this as soon as a house could be provided. The following spring, buying eighty acres of the same section, Mr. Crabb, with his boys, began to till the soil, which for forty-one years has continued to yield bountiful har- vests. No other business did he ever follow than that of tiller of the soil, an occupation suited to his nature. Although he did not amass wealth, as did many, he added to his possessions from time until he had acquired sufficient means to render him comfortable while life should last. Up to his fifty-fourth year he continued to labor hard, after which time he surrendered the laborious part of the work to his sons, who had grown up around him and who physically were able to endure the burdens and hardships of a farmer's life. When he first settled on his place Abner Walker was the only neighbor he had, he living then about one mile east. The fever and ague was very common in the country at that
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
time and the family all enjoyed a touch of it. We have remarked that Abner Walker was the only neighbor. We might qualify it by saying human neighbor, for all around him were prairie wolves in great numbers, so bold they would come to his very doors and from the yard kill the fowls which he had provided. The annual prairie fires were then very destructive and great care had to be exercised to prevent their crops and even buildings from being destroyed. Mr. Crabb, long before the grass would begin to dry, would have his entire fields plowed around to prevent the spread of the fire when it should come. In this way he saved himself from loss by prairie fires.
John M. Crabb was a man about five feet eleven inches in height, weighing one hundred and sixty five pounds, cleanly shaven face, save for a short time before his death, when he suffered his beard to grow around his throat. He was possessed of great firmness of character, and with his children his word was law ; when he com- manded, obey they must. He was very fond of amusements, especially out door kind, yet never carried his love of the ridicu- lous to excess. He believed there was a time and place for every- thing, and nothing approaching levity should be permitted where sobriety should be the rule. He always attended to his own busi- ness in his own way, neither asking or caring whether he suited others or not, though never doing that which would seem to be done intentionally to wound the feelings of another. For many years he was a consistent member of the M. E. Church, of which body his wife was likewise connected, having united while a citi- zen of Montgomery county, Ohio. The last congregation with which he was connected was the one in Bardolph, this county. Mr. Crabb departed this life on the tenth day of November, 1865, being at the time seventy-three years, two months, and nine days old. He died at the old homestead, surrounded by his children, all of whom had reached man and woman's estate; all of whom were married, save one. Calling them around him, and speaking of his grand children he said, "Bring them up right." These were the last words he ever uttered, showing his great concern for the temporal welfare of cach. He then passed peacefully away, joining his loved companion, who fourteen years previously had been taken from him, and, together with the glorified throng, sing the song of redemption on the evergreen shore. Rev. John Mc- Ginnis, a former pastor, who was intimately acquainted with him,
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preached the funeral sermon, and he was laid quietly away in the home burial ground beside the bodies of other loved ones.
DANIEL M. CRABB.
Daniel M. Crabb, the eldest son of John M. and Ann Crabb, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, on the fourteenth day of November, 1823, and when five years old removed with his pa- rents to Ohio, from which place they came to McDonough county, where they arrived on the thirteenth birth day of the subject of our present sketch. From that time to the present he has been a citizen of this county, living in the well known Crabb Settlement, in Macomb township. His entire life has been that of a farmer, having never engaged in any other occupation.
Previous to his arrival in Macomb he attended the common schools of Ohio, and after his arrival in this county, went for a short time to the old "Prairie school," near the present residence of Pat. Laughlin, Esq., three miles north of Macomb, and about the same distance from his fathers residence.
On the sixth day of March, 1850, Mr. Crabb, was married to Miss Rebecca K. Hampton, with whom he lived ten years, she dy- ing in 1860. Mr. Crabb was again married on the sixth day of March, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Bards, with whom he yet happily lives. Three children blessed the former union, and one the pre- sent, all of whom are yet living.
About the year 1841, Mr. Crabb made a profession of religion and united with the M. E. Church. In 1871, he changed his church relations by uniting with the Evangelical Lutheran church, at present located in the city Macomb, his wife also uniting with that congregation, though she had for several years been a de- voted member of that zealous body of christian people. Mr. C. now occupies the position of Trustee in that church.
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