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 51
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JOHN G. WOODSIDE.
Another of the old pioneers of Blandinsville, well known dur- ing the first quarter century of our county's history, was John G. Woodside, the son of James and Mary (Gallaher) Woodside, who was born in Washington county, Virginia, on the ninth day of November, 1798, and emigrated to this county in 1833. His par- ents at his birth were in very moderate circumstances, but gave their son all the advantages their means would allow. At an early age he learned the glovemaking trade, and also many years followed the trade of shoemaker, even after coming to this State. In looking over some of his old books and papers were found accounts against many of the early settlers of this county for work done; charges were made for making children's shoes, twelve and a half cents per pair, and men's shoes thirty-seven and a half cents per pair. Think of this, you that complain of low prices of the present day.
Before reaching his majority, Mr. Woodside was married to Miss Jane Woodside, by whom he had eight children, four boys and four girls ; three of the former and two of the latter now living.
Mr. Woodside had the honor of being one of the best educated men in the county when he first came to it, and for several terms taught a select school. In chapter thirty-two will be found an article of agreement between himself and patrons to teach school for the term of six months. The agreement is worth reading.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Mr. Woodside held many of the township and county offices, among which were Justice of the Peace, County Commissioner, etc. He was likewise Postmaster of the old Muddy Lane post- office, which has long since been forgotten except by a few of the older settlers of the county. He was a man that enjoyed the respect and confidence of his friends and associates. Mr. Wood- side died on on the eighteenth day of March, 1853, his loss being deeply felt by the citizens of the county.
Of this family now living, the oldest daughter resides in Jasper county, Iowa ; the other in Henderson county, Illinois. Of the sons, Hugh G. lives in Henderson county, Illinois, James A. and William L. are farmers in Blandinsville township, the latter resid- ing on the old homestead on which his father settled on removing to this county.
JOSEPH E. WYNE.
Kentucky has furnished many prominent citizens of this county, and among the best we regard Joseph E. Wyue, who, in company with Joseph MeCrosky, another old pioneer, who departed this life a few years since, came to this county in 1834, since which time he has been an honored citizen. He was born in Columbia, Adair county, February 12, 1820. His parents were B. F. and Mary A. (Doyle) Wyne, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ireland, but both having emigrated to Kentucky where they formed each other's acquaintance and were married in the town of Winchester. They were poor in this world's goods, and therefore could not give their children such advan- tages as they desired; Joseph E. being only permitted to attend the common subscription schools of his native State, which was all the means of education that he enjoyed ; but natural good sense and a determined will have, in a measure, overcome every deficiency in this respect.
When about fifteen years of age his father died with cholera in Springfield, Kentucky, and his mother dying shortly after, left him without natural protection. He then went to live with Joseph McCrosky, and as previously stated, came with him to this county, and settled on Camp Creek, south of Macomb, where he remained for some four years, when, coming to town, he engaged as clerk for N. P. Tinsley, Esq., continuing for some five years ; when, in company with C. A. Lawson, Esq., he engaged in the mercantile trade for himself. In this trade he continued until
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about the year 1861, when he received the appointment from Abraham Lincoln as postmaster of Macomb, which position he retained until, by accident, Andrew Johnson was made president, when Mr. Wyne's official head was removed-not for any wrong doing on his part or complaints made by the patrons of the office, but in consequence of his failure to approve and cheer the policy of the head of the nation.
Mr. Wyne has always been a man of public spirit, and we find him constantly filling some local office, being willing to sacri- fice time and the comforts of life for the public good. Before the organization of Macomb as a city, he was for several years a member of the town Board of Trustees, and when the change took place he was among the first aldermen elected from his ward, and has since been re-elected several times. He has also been Mayor of the city, Police Magistrate, and for years been a member of the School Board. In the latter office he has devoted much time, always taking great interest in the educational affairs of the city, and the good reputation of our public schools are in a great measure due to him. Although the office is a thankless one, he labors in the discharge of his duties with just as much zeal as though great pecuniary benefit was derived from it.
As a politician, Mr. Wyne first gave adhesion to the old Whig party, and as a follower of Henry Clay, advocated the principles enunciated by the immortal statesman. During the last fight the Whigs ever made in this county, he was their nominee for the office of County Clerk, but was defeated by Isaac Grantham, Democrat. On the organization of the Republican party he es- poused its principles and has ever since been a faithful supporter of its men and measures. In its first campaign he received the nomination for Circuit Clerk, of the county, but, of course was defeated, the opposition to the Democracy being divided between Republicans and Americans. We believe it is due to Mr. Wyne that he shall yet be honored by his political associates. No man has been more faithful, none have been willing to sacrifice more than he for the good of the party. He is honest and capable and will give satisfaction in any position to which he may be called.
Mr. Wyne has been twice married, first with Miss Mary A. Walker, daughter of Joseph M., and Maria W. Walker, in June, 1842. Mrs. W. only lived a few months after her marriage, de- parting this life in March, 1843. His next marriage was in June,
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1845, with Miss Clarinda Hays, daughter of Dr. Chas. Hays, an early settler and successful physician of Macomb. Ten children have been born unto them, eight yet remaining upon this side, six sons and two daughters, two having been called to the upper and better world on high. Under the ministration of Rev. W. K. Stewart, who for sixteen years broke the bread of life to the Presbyterian congregation in Macomb, Mr. Wyne made a pro- fession of religion in 1839, and united with that body, during all the intervening time to the present he has held connection with it, for nearly thirty years serving as ruling elder and for many years as clerk of its session. IIe is an earnest and devoted Christ- ian man, using the talents the Lord has given him for the pro- motion of his cause. In the Sunday School he has been likewise a faithful laborer ever taking an active part in its work. May he continue to do his duty and receive the crown in the end.
Mr. Wyne is a slimly built man about five feet nine inches in height, of good address, pleasant manners, and one who enjoys the respects of all.
JOHN WILEY.
The parents of John Wiley-William and Betsy (Vance) Wiley- were both natives of Pennslvania, and had emigrated to Harrison county, Ohio, about the beginning of the present century, settling upon a farm, on which they continued to reside until death called them away. The farm yet remains in the family, three of the members yet living upon it. One son who had remained there from his birth, died about the year 1875.
John Wiley, the subject of this sketch, was born upon the farm spoken of on the tenth day of November, 1810, and lived thereon with his parents until he reached his majority, when he rented a piece of land and began to farm for himself, continuing in that business for three years. The two following years he en- gaged in no special calling, save for three seasons running a thresh- ing machine. He then concluded to learn a trade, and for that purpose went to Martinsville, Ohio, where he engaged with his brother Thomas in the manufacture of threshing machines, becom- ing quite proficient as a machinist. This brother was well known in McDonough county, having engaged in like business here, and also having established the first foundry here.
After leaving the shop of his brother, Mr. Wiley went to Rip- ley, in the same State, where he engaged in the manufacture of
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
the same machines. From Ripley he came to this county, bring- ing with him twelve of the threshing machines manufactured by his brother, of whom we have previously spoken. These were the first machines of the kind ever imported into the county, and were viewed with considerable wonder and curiosity.
Mr. Wiley arrived in Macomb, in this county, the early part of the winter of 1841, remaining here until the thrilling news was sent out that gold, in large quantities, had been discovered in Cali- fornia, the great Eldorado of the West. In company with about thirty others from this county, he left Macomb on the second day of March, 1849, for the " diggings." This was the first company from the county. The train, after a long and tedious journey, arrived in the mines on the third day of August following. Mr. Wiley at once began to mine along the American and Trinity rivers, remaining there for about two years, meeting with good success. About this time he was called home on business, intend- ing, however, to return to the Pacific slope, but this he never did.
Having made the journey to California overland with an ox team, he concluded he would return by water, and therefore sailed from San Francisco in the ship Louisa, in January, 1857. While on the Pacific ocean their vessel was caught in a severe storm, which lasted about thirty-six hours, and cleared the ship of all her masts, and came near sending her, with her human cargo, to the bottom of the great ocean. In consequence of the damage done the ship he was considerably delayed on the voyage, and compelled to take passage on another vessel. Thinking he would probably never have a better opportunity, he stopped for awhile in Mexico and Central America, viewing the sights and scenes of those tropical countries, arriving in New Orleans in the following March, from which place he came up the Mississippi river, in due time arriving at his home in old MeDonough.
Soon after his return home from California, in company with Joseph Bailey, a son of the late Colonel W. W. Bailey, Mr. Wiley went into the grocery business, continuing in that line of trade some two years. In 1853, while still engaged in the mercantile trade, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, for which he paid eleven hundred dollars. It contains three hundred and twenty acres, and is now considered one of the finest and best improved farms in MeDonough county. When Mr. Wiley became the purchaser, it was raw, unbroken, prairie land. It lies four
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miles east of the city of Macomb, in Macomb township. The well known Wiley School House, district number 8, stands upon the northeast corner of his farm.
In 1842, the year after his first arrival in Macomb, Mr. Wiley formed a partnership with Charles W. Dallam for the purpose of manufacturing threshing machines, reapers, portable saw mills, etc. The firm continued in business some years and gained a wide reputation, especially for threshing machines, a large num- ber of which were made and sold throughout the State. Mr. Wiley not only has the honor of importing the first into the county, but has the honor to be the first to engage in their manu- facture. Previous to this, all grain was threshed and winnowed in the primitive way.
Mr. Wiley is rather above medium height, of good proportion, and evidently in his younger days was quite robust and muscular. Ilis hair is now quite gray, and his beard, which is likewise of the same color, is worn in full. In temperament he is very quiet and unexcitable, allowing nothing to ruffle him in any way. As a man and a citizen he is highly esteemed by every one having the opportunity to know him. In public affairs, although taking no prominent part, he manages to keep posted in all that is being done in the various fields of science, politics and the general news of the day. He has never made a profession of religion, but en- deavors in all his intercourse with his fellow men to live up to the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would others should do unto you."
ISAAC WEAVER.
One of the oldest and most respected citizens of Prairie City is Isaac Weaver, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1819. His parents, William and Polly (Cromwell) Wea- ver, were both natives of the same State. His father was born February, 1791, and still lives upon the farm to which he re- moved in 1835, having purchased it of the widow and heirs of Robert Reeve, one of whom afterwards became the wife of the subject of this sketch. This farm is understood to be the oldest one in the northwestern part of Fulton county, and was first im- proved by Mr. Reeve, who with his family came to this State in 1824, and built the first cabin on the land mentioned the following February. He had previously traded his farm in the State of New York for this land, with the intention of coming to this new country, hoping to better the condition of his family ; but he was
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
only permitted to live a short time, in consequence of which the hardships of the family were very great. Having previously associated with and formed the habits of the more cultivated and wealthy people of the Eastern States, it was difficult for them to accommodate themselves to the association of pioneers, and to make their living by means known only to that class, sometimes- being compelled to grind the corn for their bread by pounding it in a wooden mortar, and to manufacture a part of their clothing out of the bark or lint of wild nettles and buckskin purchased of the Indians ; and being driven from their home by the Indians, and fleeing to the fort for protection.
The mother of Mr. Weaver, as well as the mother of his wife, Mary Adams Reeve, together with their deceased children, all lie buried upon the old farm.
During the boyhood days of Mr. Weaver the opportunities for obtaining an education were limited where his parents resided, and on removing to a new and thinly settled country, and having to improve a new farm at the time he should have been in school, it could not be expected he should obtain a very extensive knowl- edge of books ; but such was his desire to learn, that even after his marriage he attended school for a short time in Fulton county. The knowledge acquired in school has served but as a basis for more extensive private research, in which he has acquired much information in the arts and sciences of the day.
Mr. Weaver for many years of his life lived upon a farm, but in 1857 he came to this county and made his home in the new and flourishing town of Prairie City. Here he engaged in the produce and grain trade, and in company with Ezra Cadwallader and Milton Foster he built the first grain elevator in the place. In this business he continued with varying success for some fifteen years, when, through partnership associations, he met with great losses, which caused his retirement.
In 1865, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace which office he yet retains, being re-elected at every recurring election. This shows that the people of his town repose confi- dence in him. He has also held the office of Town Trustee, Supervisor, Assessor, Commissioner, and other town offices, fre- quently holding more than one at the same time. He also holds the office of Notary Public. In politics he is republican, working at all times for the success of its principles.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
On the thirteenth day of November, 1838, Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Harriet C. Reeve, daughter of Mary and Robert Reeve. Eight children have been born unto them, four of whom have finished life's journey and taken up their abode in the "Sweet bye-aud-bye." Four yet live to bless the hearts of their parents, only one of whom lives at home, three of the num- ber having married and now occupy homes of their own. Two live in Fulton county, and one in the State of Iowa.
In religious views, Mr. Weaver inclines to favor those held by the Society of Friends, though never uniting formally with that body, nor has he ever heard a sermon or attended one of their ser- vices. When but a small boy, he read the life of William Penn, which made a very favorable and lasting impression upon his mind. The views therein set forth, as held by Penn, he has al- ways thought to be more in accord with the teachings of the New Testament than those held or taught by other sects. Taking the Bible as his creed, he is content to abide by its teachings as a rule of life.
Isaac Weaver is five feet ten inches in height and well propor- tioned.
He is a kind friend and neighbor, and enjoys the respect and esteem of every one who has been so fortunate as to make his acquaintance.
DR. BEVERLY R. WESTFALL.
One of the most prominent physicians in McDonough county is the subject of our present sketch, Dr. Beverly R. Westfall, who emigrated to the county in 1846, and, save for one year, has since been a continual resident of it.
Dr. Westfall was born in Troy, Ohio, on the eleventh day of August, 1854. His parents were Cornelius and Sarah (Davis) Westfall, the former being a native of Virginia and the latter of New Jersey, both highly respected and intelligent persons, for many years citizens of the county. Cornelius Westfall, the father, died on his farm near what is known as Wolf Grove, about four miles northeast of Macomb. . The mother also died on the same farm, beloved by all who knew her. The first seven years of the doctor's life was spent in his native town, at the ex- piration of which time he was taken by his parents to Thorn- town, Indiana, which place remained his home until his removal to Illinois, in the year above mentioned. In Thorntown he was
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sent to the public schools, and from thence to the old Thorntown Seminary, at which institution he not only mastered the branches of a common English education, but took a regular course in Latin and Greek. In this place he also entered the office and read medicine with Dr. J. J. Nesbitt, one of the best physicians in the place.
In 1846, Dr. Westfall came to Macomb, arriving here in June of that year, a stranger in a strange place, and with but a five dol- lar gold piece as the extent of his capital, half of which he ex- pended immediately for a pair of shoes, leaving but two dollars and fifty cents with which to begin the world. Securing a school in Macomb, he continued to teach one year, at the expiration of which time believing it "not good for man to be alone," he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Hays, daughter of Dr. Charles Hays, one of the old pioneer citizens and a leading physician of the county. With this estimable lady he yet happily lives. Fif- teen children have blessed their union, nine sons and six daugh- ters, all of whom yet live, save the oldest son and youngest daughter, who have passed on before, and upon the other side await the re-union which will take place by-and-bye.
While engaged in teaching in Macomb, the doctor still con- tinued to pursue his studies in medicine, and on his marriage re- turned to his old home in Thorntown, Indiana, where he engaged in practice for about one year, at the end of which time he returned to Macomb, and, as previously remarked, has made it his home ever since. Upon his return he at once engaged in his chosen profession, and for seven years, or until 1855, continued to practice medicine as an old school physician, in the meantime attending a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, an institution then in its infancy, from which he received a certifi- cate of graduation, diplomas not then being given by it.
In 1855, after having given the subject much thought, and a thorough investigation of the principles governing, the doctor changed his course of treatment, adopting the homeopathic meth- od, which for twenty-two years he has since successfully prac- ticed in this place, securing a practice second to but few in the State, and extending throughout this and adjoining counties. As a physician he has met with remarkably good success, especially since he has adopted the homeopathic method of treatment, and no physician in this part of the State ranks higher in the profes- sion, or among the masses of the people. Having for a number
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of years practiced as an old school physician, he is recognized by that fraternity as one well posted in the science of medicine. Ilis practice has always been that of a general one, confining him- self to no special diseases. In order to perfect himself in the sur- gery and become more thoroughly posted in the great improve- ments being made in the medical world, in 1867 he attended a course of lectures in Hahneman Medical College, Chicago, and from that institution received a diploma of Doctor of Medicine. Although this diploma adds nothing to the skill of the doctor, it yet shows that his knowledge was such as to warrant the con- ferring of this honorary degree upon him by an institution of acknowledged standing.
Dr. Westfall has always taken considerable interest in agricul- tural matters, and for the past twenty-one years has resided upon a farm, though always retaining an office in Mocomb for the prac- tice of his professson. He now resides upon a farm, two miles southeast of the city, which he keeps under the best cultivation. The house in which he resides, together with the entire surround- ings, is in excellent taste, and is greatly admired by all. For the promotion of agricultural and mechanical arts, he has always ad- vocated and worked to sustain a high reputation for our county fairs, believing their success would have a tendency to secure that end. Ile has always been a stockholder and for some years one of the directors of the Stock Association.
Realizing the necessity existing for the improvement of our stock, especially the farm horse, Dr. Westfall was the first from the county to engage in the importation of blooded horses from the Old World. In 1870, he crossed the ocean to France, and in that country, secured four as fine animals as were ever imported into the country. In securing these horses, he experienced the good fortune in having them purchased and placed upon the ves- sel just a day or two before the Emperor Napoleon issued his order forbidding any further exportation, and just before the war occurred which occasioned the overthrow of the empire. Again, in 1873, the doctor returned to Europe, securing three more equally as fine and perfect as those first imported. In this we have the beginning of the importation of fine stock from the old world, and an enterprise which has been taken up by others until McDonough county now ranks among the first in the State, with respect to its blooded stock. Not only in horses, but in fine cat-
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tle, does the doctor delight, and we notice upon his farm a fine herd of Jersey cattle, which it would take a small fortune to purchase.
In school matters, Dr. Westfall has also manifested great inter- est, and no man stands ready to do more for our public and private schools than he. As an illustration, we will say that by right of purchase the old MeDonough College property fell into his hands, and it was earnestly desired by a certain party for res- idence purposes, but on condition that a school of high grade should be held in the building for ten years, the doctor sold it to Professor D. Branch, for five hundred dollars less than he was of- fered for it by the other party. Would that others would thus show their faith by their works.
Dr. Westfall, as a citizen, ranks high in the community in which he has so long lived. He is kind and sympathetic, and enjoys the respect and confidence of all. Every good work he is ready to help on in every conceivable way. He has never held public office of any kind, nor ever desired it, and although strong in his political views, which are those held by the Republican party, he is not yet so bigoted but that he concedes the right of others to differ with him, while at the same time he can call them friends. Religiously, the doctor is identified with the Old School Presbyterian Church, having in his infancy received the waters of baptism. Physically, the doctor would not be regarded as robust, yet he doubtless stands as much exposure as any man in the county. He is above medium height, with light hair, auburn beard, worn full, and with light blue eyes. We trust he may yet live to accomplish much good in various ways.
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