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 52
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HON. E. K. WESTFALL.
Elanthan Kemper Westfall, the second son of Cornelius and Sarah (Davis) Westfall, was born in Thorntown, Boone county, Indiana, on the eighth day of January, 1839, and, in company with his parents, came to this county in the spring of 1854, re- maining for a few months in the city of Macomb, going from thence to a farm about five miles northeast of the city, where he remained some years, or until the breaking out of the war in 1861. On the first call of the President tor troops, he responded, enroll- ed himself as a private in company "B," Sixteenth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, commanded by the lamented Captain D. P. Wells. He was mustered into the service as Orderly Sergeant, on
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the twenty-fourth day of May. On the first of October following, he was promoted Second Lieutenant, and again promoted First Lieutenant, commission bearing date April 7, 1862. While still an Orderly Sergeant, he received a furlough that he might come home and assist in raising a company of Cavalry for the war, but before it was fully completed, he was ordered to rejoin his regi- ment. Returning to the seat of war, he fully expected to receive the promised commission in the cavalry company, but for some cause best known to others, the commission never came. On ac- count of ill health, Lieutenant Westfall was compelled to resign on the twentieth of January, 1862. While in the service he dis- charged his duty faithfully, and had it been his good fortune to continue with his regiment, he doubtless would have distinguished himself and received other meritorions promotions.
Upon his return home, and as soon as his health would permit, Lieutenant Westfall entered the office of his brother, Dr. B. R. Westfall, of Macomb, for the purpose of preparing himself for the medical profession. He continued to pursue his studies with the doctor for some two or three years, and in the winter of 1866- 67 attended a course of lectures in the Hahneman Medical Col- lege, Chicago. In the spring of 1867 he opened an office in Bushnell, where he has since continued to reside, having built up a large and lucrative practice, his success equaling his most san- guine expectations. As a physician he has shown rare skill and good judgment in the discernment and treatment of diseases.
Dr. Westfall is a man of considerable public spirit, and takes great pride in whatever tends to promote the interests of his adopted city and county. He has been honored by his townsmen and fellow citizens quite often since taking up his residence in Bushnell. He has served as a member of the City Council of Bushnell, twice elected member of the Board of Supervisors, and twice a member of the House of Representatives of the Illinois ยท Legislature, first in 1872, and again in 1876. In this latter body he was not what is termed a "brilliant member," but better still a working one, and in the committee room would do service that would be far more beneficial than that of the "windy orator" in the public hall. As a public speaker, he makes no pretensions, but when necessary can speak his sentiments plainly and in unmistaka- ble language. In the session of 1872-3, he was on the Committees on Railroad and Insurance, Penitentiary, and Fees and Salaries, the jatter of which he was Chairman. These committees were all of
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considerable importance. During this session, it will be remem- bered, the entire list of statutes of the State were revised, and therefore a vast amount of extra work had to be accomplished. In the session of 1876-77, he was Chairman of the Committee on Public Charities, and member of the committees on Appropriation and Public Printing. The work performed by the honorable gentleman during both sessions of the Legislature are alike credit- able to himself and his constituents.
On the organization of the 8th regiment, Illinois militia, in 1876, Dr. Westfall was chosen and duly commissioned its Lieu- tenant Colonel. The regiment has been uniformed, duly armed and equipped, and in drill would not suffer by comparison with some of the old . regiments of the war. Colonel Westfall has always been in command.
In politics Colonel Westfall has always been a "Republican of the strictest sect of religion," its principles and its aims ever being dear to his heart, and anything that seems to be an abandonment of them meets his most unqualified condemnation. His zeal for the party that sacrified so much blood and treasure for the salva- tion of the Union is such as to cause him to forget self and give everything for its prosperity. Honoring the party, he has in turn been honored by it in his selection to the responsible public positions which he has held. Being still in the prime of life, by a careful cultivation of the talents which he undoubtedly possesses, a bright future will yet be before him.
Dr. Westfall is rather above medium height, well proportioned, having a good head, and a kind heart, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the community in which he lives. On the fourth day January, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Curl, but was only permitted to enjoy her society a few months, she de- parting this life on the twenty-eighth of October following. Mrs. Westfall was a member of the Presbyterian church and died in the full assurance of faith.
CHARLES WILSON.
We acknowledge a feeling of deep reverence and gratitude to the old pioneers, those who have endured the hardships, the toils and privations incidental to frontier life, those who have made the paths straight, the rough places smooth, and made the country
11-33
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to " blossom as the rose." Few men who figure in these pages have endured more and labored harder to accomplish their ends than Charles Wilson, President of the Farmers' National Bank, Bushnell, Illinois.
Charles Wilson was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the twentieth day of June, 1813. His parents were William S. and Hester (Ramsey) Wilson, the father being Irish by birth and the mother a Pennsylvanian, though of Scottish descent. The elder Wilson came to this country in 1801, taking up his abode in the city of Philadelphia, where he made the acquaintance of the lady whom he afterwards wedded, and with whom he journeyed along the pathway of life for more than half a century. He was a sailor by occupation, and sailed the seas for many years, and made many voyages to this country before he determined on a settlement. He departed this life on the fourth day of May, 1861, aged eighty-four years. His widowed companion survived him some fourteen years, and on the twenty-seventh day of Novem- ber, 1875, she too was called to her reward at the ripe old age of ninety-two. Both were devoted members of the Christian Church, and died in the blessed hope of immortality beyond the grave. Many of the strong traits of character and excellent qualities shown in the subject of this sketch were inherited from this Godly couple.
As soon as endowed with sufficient strength Charles was bound ont to work for a neighboring farmer, and until fifteen years of age, the highest wages received by him was three dollars per month, or thirty-six dollars per year. This sum was collected by the father and went toward the maintenance of the family.
When but of eight years of age, the parents of Charles re- moved from Pennsylvania to the State of Virginia, where they remained four years and from whence they removed to Wayne county, Ohio, remaining there six years, when, believing it for the best to proceed farther west, where land was plenty and cheap, they came to Illinois and settled near the town of Lewistown, Fulton county. This was in 1830-the family arriving in the neighborhood of the town mentioned, on the twenty-eighth day of October, as the cold days of winter was fast approaching. The elder Wilson, with his son Charles, who was now a young man in his eighteenth year, with the strength of one who had reached his majority, commenced to look out a location for their future home.
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But little information could be obtained from settlers with respect to the titles of the land, and it was with difficulty that a selection could be made. Being unable to secure a house in which to live, they built a hut of rails as a temporary abiding place, until they could eut and hew logs for the erection of a more suitable dwell- ing, which they proposed to have built at once.
As soon as they decided upon what quarter section of land to locate, they proceeded to get out the logs and prepare for the erection of their building. They had hauled upon the ground quite enough for their purpose, when snow began to fall, and con- tinuing steadily for several days, or until it laid upon the ground an average depth of between three and four feet, and occasionally in drifts as high as eighteen and twenty feet, obliterating every sign of the location of their proposed new dwelling. Not a log prepared for the purpose could be seen. The family were still in the rail pen-for it could be dignified by no other name-and there they were compelled to remain during the long winter that followed. The snow laid upon the ground for three months. What their sufferings were during that time pen cannot describe, and none but the Great Father can fully know. The cracks be- tween the rails were all open, there being no way by which they could be closed, and as the snow fell, and for days after, while being drifted about by the wind, it would blow into the cabin, covering everything with its icy mantle. On awakening in the morning, the family would find themselves covered with snow from three to six inches in depth.
The family were the possessors of two good horses and several head of cattle, but had not provided food for them for the winter, although arrangements had previously been made with a party living some seven miles north, for a supply of corn for food for themselves and stock. As soon as the snow ceased falling, Mr. Wilson and Charles hitched their team to the wagon and started after corn. The snow being some ten or twelve inches above the hubs of the wagon prevented it from running, and therefore it was dragged along. They soon discovered it would be impossible to get through with the wagon, or even should do so they never could return with grain, therefore, they determined to abandon it and proceed on horseback. They had only with them one sack in which to carry grain, but supposed there would be no trouble in borrowing from some one in the settlement where they were going. One of the two taking the lead, the other followed, and
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after several hours effort, arrived at their destination, but were disappointed in not being able to obtain another saek, and were compelled to return with but their own full of grain. On return- ing, they found their tracks almost obliterated, but arrived at home in due time. The corn secured had to be divided between their stock, and on the next day the father and son were again compelled to return. These journeys were continued in this way during the entire winter, their wagon remaining imbedded in the snow until the following spring. In order to obtain other food for the family, Charles, who was quite handy at all kinds of work, proposed to a neighbor, who was a great hunter, to repair some bottomless chairs for him if he would furnish them with fresh meat. The proposition was gladly accepted on the part of the neighbor, and the Wilson family were fully provided with veni- son, turkeys and other wild game at all times. For bread they made meal from their corn, which they pounded in a mortar. Flour they had none.
Notwithstanding the hardships of their first winter, the family were not discouraged; and when the spring came they built and moved into their new house, and began to lay the foundation for a competency seeured in after years. But it must not be ex- pected that prosperity dawned upon them at once. Far from it. Other toils, other privations, and other hardships had to be en- dured. Some two or three years after their settlement here, the elder Wilson was pressed somewhat on account of debt, and that it might be paid, Charles started on foot for the lead mines of Galena, where he toiled some months for the accomplishment of that end. It must be borne in mind that at that date money was a scarce article, there being no market for anything raised. Galena was then considered the Eldorado of the land.
In 1832 Mr. Wilson enlisted in the Black Hawk war, as a pri- vate in Captain Ball's company, from Fulton county, and in the campaign following he bore an honorable part. The battalion of which his company formed a part was attached to the command of General Stillman.
On the twentieth of March, 1834, Mr. Wilson was united in mar- riage with Miss Susan Harris, daughter of John Harris, one of the pioneers of Fulton county. * Mr. Harris is yet living at the ripe old age of one hundred, though now a helpless invalid, patiently
"While this History was in press, Mr. Harris passed peacefully away to his rest.
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awaiting the summons to join those who have passed on before. The result of the wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been thirteen children, eleven of whom yet live, and all of whom are married and gone from the parental roof, but all residing near their place of birth, save one who resides in Iowa. Of the thir- teen children, five were sons and eight daughters, two of the latter dying when quite young. A short time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wilson moved into Harris township, Fulton county, some six miles from the present flourishing young city of Bushnell, and settled upon section 5, 6 north, 1 east, which place they made their home until the spring of 1868, when they moved into Bush- nell where they now reside.
Charles Wilson is a self made man in every respect. With a very limited education obtained from the common schools, but with a determined will and strong heart and hands, he has pressed forward, overcoming every obstacle that arose in his way. Ilow- ever great the difficulties with which he might be surrounded, he knows no such word as fail, and his example is worthy of emula- tion by the young men of to-day. Without a cent of capital, but through his own individual exertions, he has amassed a sufficient amount of this world's goods to enable him to live at ease until valled away to join the loved ones that have gone before. He has always been a hard working, industrious man, having excellent physical powers and being capable of great endurance. Until the last two or three years, or until his retirement from the more ac- tive duties of life, there seemed to be no limit to his powers of en- durance. The first mill stones used in Fulton county were ob- tained by him from the quarries of Cass township in that county.
Farming has ever been the occupation of Mr. Wilson, and in this work he has been eminently successful. Through hard work and careful management, he has from time to time added to his possessions, until he now owns in the neighborhood of fifteen hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in Fulton and Me- Donough counties. For many years he has devoted considera- ble attention to raising stock for the markets, and in this has met with the same good success as in other operations of the farm. But not only in farm labor has success crowned his efforts, but in the mercantile trade as well. In company with S. A. Hendee, now of Bushnell, he was for several years engaged in business in Marietta, Fulton county.
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As previously remarked, in 1868 Mr. Wilson removed to the city of Bushnell, in this county, where he has since continued to reside. Some two years after, he was quite active in the organi- zation of what is now known as the Farmers' National Bank, of which institution he was by its stockholders unanimously elected President, continuing as such to the present time. In the dis- charge of his duties as President of the concern, he has shown good executive abilities and admirable business management. Herein lies his chief success, the executive abilities displayed and a keen discernment of human nature. Although making no pre- tensions to refinement, he makes himself pleasant and agreeable with every one.
Mr. Wilson is six feet three inches in height ; his hair, which was once dark, is now quite gray ; blue eyes, which are yet full of the fire of youth ; a good head, showing strong will and determination, veneration and benevolence prominent. For more than thirty years he has been a consistent member of the M. E. Church, holding the offices of Steward and Trustee a great part of the time. In the work of the church he manifests consider- able interest, giving of his time and means to advance the Lord's cause. From boyhood he has been an earnest advocate of tem- perance ; the few months' experience in the lead mines having much to do in firmly implanting former convictions upon his mind. As a citizen, friend and neighbor, no man stands higher in the community in which he lives.
HON. C. F. WHEAT.
Crosby F. Wheat was born in Cayuga county, New York, April 11, 1835. Ilis parents are Luther Wheat and Elmira (Marion) Wheat. His carlier education was acquired in the common schools and academies of his native county. He removed to Quincy, Illinois, in 1858, where he read law with Messrs. Warren & Wheat. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and moved to Macomb, MeDonongh county, Illinois, in 1861, where, in 1862, he opened a law office, and has since resided. In 1865 he married Mary A. Chandler, daughter of Thompson Chandler, of Macomb. He was attorney for the city of Macomb for several years, was elected State's Attorney in 1872, and re-elected in 1876. As an attorney he stands at the head of the bar in the county, and was the choice of a large number of his associates in the district for the position of Circuit Judge, on the reorganization of districts during the past year.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
MAJOR STEPHEN YOCUM.
Many of the noble pioneers of MeDonough county have quit the scenes of their labor and gone to their rest. Among the num- ber none were more highly esteemed or beloved than Major Ste- phen Yocum, who was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the seventeenth day of February, 1800. His parents were George and Rebecca (Powell) Yocum, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky before the beginning of the present cen- tury, where they engaged in farming, and also, for a number of years, in the milling business. Their family consisted of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. As might be inferred, Mr. Yocum was raised on a farm, and in the occupation of tilling the soil he labored until called to his rest.
When but a mere boy he was put to work in his father's mill and in that business and assisting upon the farm, varied by a few month's attendance in the common school, his early life was passed. No other educational advantages did he ever enjoy than in those of the select schools of his native state in which only the com- mon branches of an English education were taught. But these, together with rare common sense and good judgment with which he was endowed, enabled him to live an active and successful life.
Mr. Yoeum remained with his parents until after he reached his majority, when he went forth into the wide world, with noth- ing but a brave heart and willing hands, to labor for himself. For two years he remained in Kentucky, making his home with a married sister, when, thinking to better his condition in life, he turned his steps toward the newly-opened Prairie State, and set- tled in Marion county ; where, on the twenty-ninth of September, 1829, he was married to Miss Mary Dorris, daughter of John Dor- ris, who emigrated from Smith county, Tennessee, to Marion county, Illinois, in 1827. About four years after their marriage, the worthy couple came to make their home in MeDonough county, arriving here in the spring of 1833, and settling in New Salem township, on the north side of Camp creek; where, in the edge of the timber, he erected his cabin and commenced to in- prove the land he had entered. They were the first couple to settle upon the north side of the creek and to encroach upon the broad, fertile prairie which is now dotted over with fine farm- houses and barns, being, without doubt, the wealthiest portion of the county. Mr. Yocum settled upon section nineteen, and there
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lived and labored the rest of his life, rearing a large and respected family, and improving one of the best farms in the county. As a farmer he was eminently successful, for, besides accumulating considerable wealth, he gave much to various enterprises, be- nevolent and otherwise. It was well known by all acquainted with the man that Major Yocum never turned away a person in need. He gave liberally to build churches of all denominations. IIe had a heart easily touched and hands that gave liberally. He gave to them whom he had never seen, requiring only to know that they were in need and worthy. Sev- eral years before his death, he received a letter from an aged couple, distant relatives, who he had never seen, and who lived nearly a thousand miles away, asking assistance. The letter told of their poverty and suffering, and as he read, the tears flowed. free- ly, and, handing it to his wife, he said: "How much shall we send?" During the remainder of his life he continued to provide for them, and now that he is gone, they are not forgotten by his loved companion.
While living in the southern part of the State, Mr. Yocum was elected Lieutenant of the State Militia, and afterwards promoted to the Captaincy. When the war against the celebrated Indian chief, Black Hawk, broke out, he was by the Governor, commis- sioned as Major, and as such served faithfully during the war. By the title bestowed upon him he was ever afterward known.
Mr. Yocum was always kind to his children and liberally pro- vided for each. There were in all, eleven children, nine girls and two boys, one of the latter dying in infancy, the other reaching his majority, and enlisting in the service of his country as a mem- ber of Company C, 84th regiment Illinois volunteers. He was made regimental color bearer, and at the battle of Stone River, December 31, 1862, he laid down his life in defense of his country. Unfortunately that part of the field was taken by the enemy soon after he fell, and whether they buried him or his body was interred by others, was never known, as his body was never recovered. This was a sad loss to his loving parents who doted on him as an only son and would have sacrificed anything to give him Chris- tian burial. A beautiful monument has been erected to his mem- ory in the cemetery at Pennington's Point. Of the girls, seven are now living, all occupying the position of wives of loving husbands.
Major Yocum was very jovial in nature, and loved his joke and delighted in playing them upon both his friends and unsuspect-
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ing strangers. To illustrate :- One evening, a little before dark, two men rode up to his cabin and asked the privilege of remain- ing over night. The Major told them he could accommodate them, provided they could live on the same article of diet that his family did-slippery elm bark, at the same time showing them a number of large trees that had lately been stripped of the bark. The strangers hardly knew what to do, as they disliked to impose upon a family reduced to such a stress, but after consult- ing together, and learning the distance was great to another place where they likely would be received, they concluded to remain during the night, even if compelled to eat slippery elm bark. Judge of their surprise when called to supper. They sat down to as good a meal as they ever enjoyed in their lives. Another time, the Major drove over to the town of Vermont, arriving there about time for supper. Driving in front of the hotel he called out to the landlord, who at once responded to the call. " Land- lord," said he, "can you accommodate a man with a night's lodgings who is without money, and who is compelled to leave home to obtain something for wife and children, who for weeks have had nothing to eat but slippery elm bark ?" " Yes," replied the landlord, " drive around to the barn, feed your horses, and then come to the house." After a good night's rest and a warm breakfast, the Major went out to the barn, and getting his team, again drove around to the front of the hotel and called out the landlord. " Landlord," said he, " I am ever so much obliged to you for the favor you have shown me, and it only wife and child- ren could have enjoyed your hospitality, I should be happy. To think of them being compelled to eat slippery elm bark while I was here living on the fat of the land is terrible to think of. But, landlord, I will always remember you, and now I want to know what you will charge me for what I have had. I may have money some day, and would like to pay." The landlord assured him he would take nothing ; he was welcome to what he had ; that he would gladly do something for his wife and children. "But, landlord, I want to know, because I may be able to pay you sometime." The landlord then named a small sum. Pulling a large wallet from an inside pocket, and exhibiting a roll of bills, the Major said : "Well, landlord, I guess I might as well pay now, and then I will have it off my mind." The landlord was afterwards heard enquiring of Joab Mershon, who that crazy man was that talked of living on slippery elm bark and had a pocket full of money.
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