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 49
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The parents of Captain Fee, Thomas and Sarah (Hastings) Fee, were poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith of the blessed
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
hope of the gospel, being devout members of the M. E. Church, of which body their son united at the early age of fifteen, remain- ing in its connection some seven or eight years. At this time, by a careful study of the Word, his religious convictions underwent a change in some of the points of doctrine, and he sought mem- bership in the Baptist church.
With this branch of God's family he yet retains membership, and has labored in word and doctrine for the advancement of the cause for many years. In 1860 he was ordained as a minister of the gospel in Missouri, since which time he has continued occa- sionally to preach, but never giving himself wholly to the work, and never depending upon it for the means of subsistence. Since reaching man's estate, he has continually engaged in the mercan- tile trade, save for the period while employed in the military ser- vice of his country. In this way he has lived, devoting such time as he could command, or as he conceived he could accomplishi good by the proclamation of the gospel. He has served as pastor for several congregations and also as supply. He is now connected with the congregation at Blandinsville, and is a member of the Salem Association, of which body he has been treasurer for two years.
In youth Captain Fee gave promise of the same traits of char- acter that have distinguished him in latter life. He was a good, steady boy, and no one was afraid to trust him on any occasion or in any way. During the whole period of his life he has never taken a drink of whisky, notwithstanding he has been thrown much in the company of those who have indulged in the practice.
In October, 1852, he led to the marriage altar Miss Lucy M. Parks, daughter of Rev. N. Parks, with whom he has lived a happy and pleasant life to the present time. No children have blessed their union.
Captain Fee is a large, robust looking man, with the appear- ance of being able to enjoy life as well as another. In every good word and work we find him actively engaged. His labors are not confined alone to "our church," and in charity he holds out the hand to the needy on every side. We believe there is little of that selfish nature in his being ; that he is willing "to do good as he may have opportunity, especially to the household of faith." He enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
HARVEY L. ROSS.
The subject of our present sketch was born in Seneca county, New York, on the tenth day of October, 1817, and when but four years of age came with his father, O. M. Ross, to the State of Illi- nois, settling in what is now known as Fulton county, at that time being a part of Pike county. Fulton county was organized some two years after. Its boundary line extended east and west from the Illinois to the Mississippi river, and from the base line near where Rushville now stands to the northern boundary of the State, including the country where Rock Island, Galena, Chicago and Peoria now stand. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and moved upon the land secured by service in that war, lying north of the present town of Lewistown, which town was laid off by him the following year after his arrival, viz. : in 1822. He was the first sheriff of the county elected by the people ; was the first postmaster in the county; raised the first ten acres of corn, and the first crop of wheat and rye. The only settlements within the boundary of the county at this time were one near the present town of Rushville, Lewistown, Canton, Chicago and Fort Clark, now Peoria, Lewistown being the county seat and the larg- est town in the county, and the only place where elections were held. When his father was elected sheriff of the county, in 1823, the excitement ran high, being a contest between North and South Fulton. The voters at that time came from Fort Clark down the Illinois river, a distance of fifty miles, in canoes ; then up Spoon river ten miles ; then on foot through the woods six miles to Lewistown to deposit their ballots, bringing their whisky with them, without which it was thought impossible to travel or to properly exercise the rights of American citizens. Many of those from the south part of the county came a distance of thirty miles.
The elder Ross carried on farming, and was also engaged in the mercantile business in Lewistown up to the year 1829, at which time he removed to where the present town of Havana is, now the county seat of Mason county. The land on which the town now lies was entered by him and by him laid off for the town. Here he built a large hotel, and also owned the first ferry run across the river at that place. He also carried on a large whole- sale and retail mercantile business, and had an extensive trade with the Indians. He died at this point in 1837, his loss being
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deeply felt and regretted by every one. The following year (1838) the widow, with the family, moved to Canton, in Fulton county.
In 1839, Harvey L., of whom we now write, returned to Ha- vana and took charge of the old homestead, continuing the hotel and ferry business, which his father had established, and engaged extensively in other lines of trade. We find him at one time, in addition to carrying on a livery stable, running a stage route from Springfield to Lewistown, making three trips each week, keeping a wood-yard for the accommodation of steamboats, a warehouse in Havana, and two on the opposite side of the river for the storage of goods and produce, carrying on a large farm, acting as post- master, all of which he superintended himself.
In the spring of 1830, Mr. Ross had the pleasure of riding upon the first steamboat that ever ran upon the Illinois river as far as Havana. This boat, the Liberty, was commanded by Captain Sam. Bailey, well known to all pioneers.
When fifteen years of age, Mr. Ross was employed to carry the mail from Springfield to Monmouth, a distance of one hundred and thirty-five miles, making a trip each week. He would often have to swim streams three or four times each day, with the mail bags strapped across his shoulders. At that time there was no direct road between Knoxville and Monmouth, a distance of twenty miles, and not a single house between the two points. His only guide along the route was points of timber. He tells us that he still has a vivid recollection of his hair gently raising one stormy night in January, when in the vicinity of the present town of Galesburg, on hearing a pack of hungry wolves set up a tremen- dous howling a few rods behind him. He lost no time in reaching the end of his journey, The only postoffices on the route were Springfield, Sangamon Town, New Salem, Havana, Lewistown, Canton, Farmington, Knoxville and Monmouth. Abraham Lin- coln, our martyr president, was then postmaster at New Salem, receiving his appointment on the recommendation of Mr. Ross' father, who was one of the oldest postmasters in the country, and the only postmaster at that time within the boundaries of the present county of Mason. After carrying the mail for a length of time over that long, dangerous and desolate route, his father let out a part of it to an unele of Harvey, Malon Winans, the part let being from Lewistown to Monmouth. Winans had a son that he intended to put upon the route, but conchided to go over H-31
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
of land in that county. While farming has occupied the princi- pal part of his time, yet he has engaged, from time to time, in other business. After moving to Vermont, he was for fifteen years engaged in the mercantile trade, buying and shipping grain, and packing pork. He was also appointed agent and had the supervision of the Vermont branch of the Fulton Bank, which was located at Vermont in 1859, and was the first bank estab- lished in the county.
In 1873, he traded a portion of his farm in Fulton county for a farm of two hundred acres near the city of Macomb, selling the balance for twelve thousand dollars, and then removed to Macomb, where he yet resides and where he will doubtless remain until called to join the glorified throng above.
Mr. Ross never had the advantages of any special education, the only instruction ever received was in a log school-house, with puncheon floor, mud chimney, oiled paper window lights, and split logs for benches. Realizing the difficulties under which he has labored, without sufficient knowledge, has caused him always to take a great interestin the cause of education, and no one will do more than he will for the improvement of our public schools.
Not only in educational matters has he taken special interest, but in all matters tending to the public good and the general im- provement of the country. To the first railroad built through Fulton county he donated over three thousand dollars in cash, besides giving the right of way through his farm, together with the ground for a depot at Vermont. He also acted as railroad director for two years while the road was being built, for which service he has never received a dollar by way of compensation, unless it has been in cheap transportatian, though he says he is not exactly clear on that point, as he remembers having to pay $1 40 per hundred for freight from Chicago to Macomb on the C., B. & Q. R. R., while he also remembers the time when the Spring- field merchants, and others through the country, were enabled for a number of years to get their goods hauled about the same dis- tance by ox teams at fifty cents a hundred. He also remembers the time when he was part owner of a steamboat and ran on it as clerk and signing bills of lading carrying freight a much greater distance than from Chicago to Macomb for ten cents per hun- dred.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
For a number of years Mr. Ross has taken a great interest in the cause of temperance, and relates the following incident in this connection. He had gone to Jacksonville, this State, in 1834, to take his oldest brother and sister who were attending school at that place, and, one evening while walking from the college to the town with Richard Yates and some other students, Yates said to him : " Ross, are you going to the temperance meeting to- night ? A lawyer from MeDonough county is to speak." He answered he would go. Yates at this time was a student of great promise in the college and was for three years a room-mate of Lewis W. Ross, brother of Harvey L. The lawyer from Mc- Donough that delivered the address was no less a personage than Hon. Cyrus Walker, frequently spoken of in this work, and one of the best attorneys in the State of Illinois. At the conclusion of the lecture, Richard Yates, "Bill" Carlin and a couple of young ladies were appointed to circulate the pledge. The arguments of Mr. Walker were so convincing that when Yates, who slowly made his way through the crowded room, came to Mr. Ross, he signed it without hesitation and has faithfully kept it to the pre- sent time.
But how has it been with poor "Dick" Yates and "Bill" Carlin, the two young students who circulated the pledge and who grad- uated from the college with high honors? Yates, after filling many responsible positions, among them Governor of the great State of Illinois and United States Senator, died in a third-class hotel in St. Louis, away from home, family, and friends, with only a servant to close his eyes in death ; while Carlin, who was a son of ex-Governor Carlin, and who also filled a number of offices of honor and profit, died an inebriate.
Mr. Ross has never indulged in the use of intoxicating liquors, though raised where it was used constantly and by all classes ; has never taken a chew of tobacco, smoked a cigar, or had a day's sickness in his life, and has never found the boy or man who could beat him rinning or jumping.
In 1843 Mr. Ross made a profession of religion and united with the Presbyterian church in Vermont, with which body he re- mained in connection until his removal to Macomb. For four years previous to his removal to the latter place, he was a ruling elder in the church at Vermont, and now occupies the same posi- tion in the church at Macomb. He takes great interest in the
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Sunday School work, and is an efficient worker in that useful field of labor. He is also a life member of the American Bible Society, and no good word or work but what meets and secures his hearty co-operation. As a man, he enjoys the respect of every one, having few, if indeed, any enemies. He stands about five feet eight inches in height, of slender but well knit proportions, and has an excellent constitution. Ile is a man of great energy, and fulfills the divine injunction " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might."
Unsought, Mr. Ross received the nomination as representative to the legislature for the counties of MeDonough and Warren from the Independent party in 1874, but not having been a resi- dent of the district sufficient time to make him eligible to the office, he therefore withdrew from the canvass. Had he run, he undoubtedly would have been elected.
JOSEPH SHANNON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the twenty-third day of November, 1818. His parents were Thomas and Rebecca (Davis) Shannon, natives of Pennsyl- vania. His father died when he was about two years old, and about twelve years after his mother again married. Boy that he was, Joseph now decided on leaving home and henceforth do for himself. Without aid from any one, he educated himself, attend- ing first the common schools in the winter, and, in due course of time, entering Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. In this institu- tion he spent some time, paying his board and tuition by working for the professors. In this act he showed a trait of character that might well be imitated by many at this day. Many young men at the present time, instead of going forward and by their own exertions acquiring knowledge that would be beneficial to them in after life, and likewise developing in themselves a degree of manhood and independence, wait supinely for some well-endowed institution to give them instruction without money and without price.
Farming has ever been the regular occupation of Mr. Shannon, though for many years he engaged in teaching during the winter months. He now lives on a well-improved farm on section 25, Mound township. Leaving Ohio he came to Fulton county, in this State, where he lived a short time, or until the spring of 1857, when he removed to his present place of residence.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
In politics Mr. Shannon is a Republican. He keeps well read in the political news of the day, and therefore acts understandingly. For six years he has represented his township as a member of the Board of Supervisors and is its present representative. In all his official relations he pursues the same course as in conducting his private business. Bills of doubtful character are never permitted to pass with his sanction, and no member looks more closely to the interests of his constituents.
In 1840 Mr. Shannon was married to Miss Delilia Milner. Six children have blessed their union, five of whom still live, one son dying from the effects of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, in the late rebellion. Mr. Shannon is a man of many good qualities of head and heart, and there is in him much to com- mend.
JOHN WILLIAM SIDERS.
This gentleman is a native of Ohio, having been born in High- land county, of that State, on the 31st day of March, 1839. His father, Henry Siders, was born near Frederiek, Md., but at an early age emigrated to Virginia, the native State of his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Kidd. The young couple were poor in this world's goods, but rich in faith, and with a will and determination to dare and do. Shortly after marriage they moved to Ohio, settling in Highland county, where they made their homes for some years. Mr. Siders was a hard-working man, one that never shirked duty in any respect. It is said of him that he could clear more land of its timber and brush than any man in the whole State. The first recollection of the subject of our present sketch is in living in the timber, gathering together, piling up and burning the brush from the fallen trees. At the age of six years he was sent to the common schools of the county in which he lived, this being continued for four months in each year until he was twelve years of age, since which time he had only forty days' schooling. During this last period duties were placed upon him which the youth of our land at present would doubtless rebel against. With nine others he was classed off two and two, and one day in each week would have to cut the wood and build the fire in the old-fashioned fire-place, which was eight feet wide and which required for one filling a very large amount of wood. The school-house was situated in a valley, and whole
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
trees were dragged down from the top of the high hill and piled around the school house that they might be cut by the oldest boys.
In 1856, with his parents, he came to MeDonough county, set- tling in Emmet township, where he has since resided until within the past year, when he removed to Macomb on his accession to the office of county treasurer to which he had been elected the year previous. All the best years of his life have been spent on a farm, and for nearly twenty years of that time he has worked on the farm in summer and taught school in the winter.
As a teacher he has been eminently successful. Notwithstand- ing the short time spent in the schools of the county, he has at home studied hard to prepare himself for usefulness in life. He is a self-educated and a self-made man in every respect. He is a kind friend and neighbor, enjoying the confidence and respect of all who know him. A strict temperance man, he is known and recognized by all. While a candidate for office, not one cent did he spend for liquor, directly or indirectly. While the Good Tem- plars were in existence in the county, he was a good working men ?- ber and known as such throughout the State.
BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON.
Among the early settlers of Adams county, Ill., were Josiah and Louey (Tibbits) Thompson, the parents of the subject of our pres- ent sketch, who emigrated from Ohio in 1830, the summer before the big snow. Mr. Thompson wasan Ohioan by birth, while Mrs. Thompson first saw the light of day in the State of Maine, but when a small child was taken to Ohio where she was raised, and where she was married. When they arrived in Adams county, and for several years after, they were in very limited circumstances and in consequence suffered more or less, especially during the winter following their arrival.
Benjamin Franklin Thompson was born in Fall Creek town- ship, Adams county, Illinois, on the seventh day of November, 1835, and spent the carly part of his life upon a farm with his parents, and in attending the common schools of the county as the opportunity offered. He was an easy, good-natured boy, full of fun, and extremely fond of practical jokes, which seemed to be an inherent trait in the family.
In order to prepare himself for the profession of a teacher, Mr. Thompson attended Quincy College one term, and Hedding
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Seminary, in Abingdon, for about the same length of time, obtain- ing a pretty thorough knowledge of the English language as well as the sciences. For about nine years thereafter he engaged in teaching some eight or nine months each year, the balance of the time working upon a farm. As a teacher, he met with good suc- cess, it being a profession suited to his nature. While engaged in this work, near Hillsgrove in this county, he first met Miss Mary S. Walker, daughter of one of the old pioneers of MeDon- ough, Andrew J. Walker, of Tennessee township. The meeting resulted in a friendship which ripened into love, and on the second day of April, 1862, the couple were married. Five child- ren have been born unto them, two only of whom remain to bless the hearts of their parents, three having been called to join the happy throng upon the other side, where in the sweet bye-and-bye it is hoped the family will again be united never more to be sepa- rated, and where tears and sorrows never come. The father and mother of Mrs. Thompson departed this life in the winter of 1864, both being carried away by the same disease, diptheria, and within one week of each other. They were a couple well known and res- pected in their neighborhood.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson settled in Adams county, where Mr T. purchased a small tract of land which he endeavored to improve for a permanent home. While on a visit to this county, William M. Latimer, who was running a store in Tennessee, made a proposition to sell the same to him, which, after giving the subject considerable thought, he decided to ac- cept, and in the fall of 1865, he sold his land in Adams county, purchased the store and residence property of Mr. L., and moved bis family to the place, where he has since continued to reside, and where the little "one-horse store" has grown to first class pro- portions, and its trade second to few in the Military tract.
In 1864, Mr. Thompson experienced a change of heart, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which body he yet retains connection, being in Tennessee one of its most active members. In the Christian work he never tires, using the talents the Lord has given him for the advancement of his cause. He has for a number of years, been a District Steward, for the Col- chester Circuit, and also a Trustee of the Church in Tennessee. In the Sunday school work, he has always taken the greatest in- terest, being an active worker in that cause. No sacrifice is too great for him to make for the good of the school, and every Sab-
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bath finds him in his accustomed place, attending to the duties devolving upon him therein. He has held the office of Superin- tendent some time, as well as filled the position of teacher and leader of music. In music, Mr. T., although disclaiming any pro- ficiency in the science, is required to assist in and superintend all concerts and musical entertainments in the place.
The benevolent orders claim a good share of his attention, he bolding membership and fflling important offices in Masonic, Odd Fellows and United Workmen lodges of Tennessee. No good work but what meets with his hearty co-operation.
Although a young man, he has seen considerable of this world. 1n 1856 a party of young men in Adams county made their prepa- tion to go to California, and passing by and dining where Mr. T. was boarding, he agreed to accompany them to Quincy and see them off. While in that city he suddenly made up his mind to be one of the party, and going to the bank, drew out his deposits, and in the evening was on the way, going by way of Chicago to New York by rail, and there taking a vessel by way of Aspinwall and Panama, crossing the Isthmus and thence by steamer to San Francisco. He only remained some three or four months in that Eldorado, when he sailed for home, returning by way of Nicara- gua, where the fillibuster Walker was then engaged in fighting. The cholera broke out on board the vessel on which he returned, and with others he had a severe attack, but fortunately recovered.
Mr. Thompson is about five feet eight inches in height, light, wavy hair, which with his beard, is very thick; blue eyes, and a well developed head, the benevolent faculty being very prominent. He is kind and affectionate in the family, a pleasant neighbor and an agreeable man in every respect.
ELDER J. L. TOWNER.
John L. Towner was born in Steuben county, New York, Au- gust 20, 1820, and was the eldest of eight children, four of whom were boys and four girls. Ilis parents were John K. and Hannah (Loop) Towner, the father a native of New York and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father was a man of marked character, having occupied many positions of honor and trust, bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens; he was likewise a true Christian man, and for the advancement of the cause of Christ he gave his time and means. His mother was a woman of remarkable mind, having an extensive kuowledge of the Scriptures, and her wise
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counsels, and the purity of her life, had much to do in moulding the character and mind of her son. In 1835 the parents removed to this State, settling near the town of Belvidere, Boone county, of which county they have the honor of being the first white set- tlers. Indians were then all around there, and were frequent vis- itors to their cabin. At this time John L. was but a lad of fifteen years of age. After erecting his cabin the elder Towner sent John with a team to Chicago to bring their household goods which had been shipped by lake to that place. The present mighty city was then but a small village of about 1500 inhabitants ; to-day, it numbers more than a half million.
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