USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 70
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knowing that the spirit of Christ would go wherever his words were uttered. For a number of years his pastoral work through different portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky was product- ive of great good, his sermons were ever marked by strong logic and deep research. After a time, his physical health, never very good, began to fail rapidly and it was deemed best for him to relinquish all taxing mental labor. As the Western fever was then rapidly spreading throughout the East, he decided to emigrate to our Prairie State and subsequently located in MeHenry County, near the village of Huntley, Ill. At this place on Nov. 11, 1847, he was united in marriage to Mary Whittemore, and a combination of various circumstances now decided him to make farming his future vocation. One of his most prominent characteristics was to never procrastinate but ever attend immediately to any duty before him. For many years he was prominently identified with the business and official relations of the village of Huntley and town of Grafton. Here husband and wife amassed a comfortable competence, and resided until 1869 when they moved to Marengo, Ill. After the death of his wife, in 1878, he resided with his only child, Mrs. Ira R. Curtiss, until the grim reaper called for him who was so resigned, so ready, peacefully passing to the other shore in the possession of all his faculties, a mind ripe and plentifully stored with a great diversity of knowledge until those who knew him best referred to him questions of Biblical, literary, or historie interest, and felt that the replies would be nearly as accurate as an encyclopedia. Thus passed to the better land, Aug. 24, 1884, one who always advised and comforted those in affliction, gave strength to the weak, sub- stantial aid to the needy, and charity to all.
Hon. Peter W. Deitz was born near Oneonta, Otsego Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1808. His great-grandfather, Johannies Deitz, with his wife and the wife and four children of his eldest son, were killed by Tories and Indians at the time of the Revolutionary war near Rensselaerville, N. Y. Their house was plundered and then burned to the ground. The son, Captain Deitz, and two Scotch boys who were there at the time were taken prisoners and carried to Canada, and while there Captain Deitz died. James Deitz, our subject's grandfather, was away from home at the time of the mas- sacre and thus escaped the fate of his kindred. He subsequently bought a farm on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, opposite Colliersville, on which was au apple orchard which was planted by
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the Indians. Here William Deitz, father of Peter W. Deitz, was born. Martha (McGuire) Deitz, the mother of our subject, was a daughter of Hugh McGuire, who was pressed into the service of the British army and brought to America at the time of the Rev- olution. He soon joined the American troops, and was loyal till the close of the war. Peter W. Deitz spent the years of his mi- nority with his parents. He attended the common school in the winter, and subsequently entered Cazenovia Seminary. In the fall of 1833 he left his native State for the West, and spent some time in Michigan and Indiana, surveying, teaching school and reading law. He was admitted to the bar by Judge Bigger, at Rushville, Ind., in the spring of 1836, and then returned to his home in New York. In July, 1837, he came to Illinois and set- tled on a farm six miles from the present village of Marengo; In the spring of 1845 he moved to Marengo, where he has since re- sided. Mr. Deitz has been an active worker in the political field. In 1842 he was nominated by the Whigs to represent his district in the State Legislature, and, although he carried his own county, was defeated, the district being largely Democratic. In 1843 he was elected County School Commissioner. In 1847 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. During the war he was a member of the Board of County Supervisors, and was in favor of giving liberal bounties to the soldiers. In the fall of 1868 he was elected by the Republican party a Representative in the State Legislature. His integrity and efficiency as a public officer is evinced by the number of times he has been chosen to fill re- sponsible positions. Mr. Deitz was married in January, 1843, to Lucy Edna Jewett. Her mother was a cousin of Oliver H. Perry, the hero of Lake Erie. His wife died Aug . 16, 1861, leaving four children-Addison J., William P., Franz S. and Lucy Adelaide. June 29, 1868, his daughter, with a young associate, Lucy J. Adams, was accidentally drowned at Crystal Lake. Two of his sons reside in Marengo, and one in the Northwest. Dec. 28, 1868, Mr. Deitz married Sophia Slingerland, of Oneonta, N. Y. She died Aug. 15, 1879.
David L. Fenton was born in Erie County, N. Y., July 20, 1824. His father was a native of Vermont, of Irish and Scotch descent, and his mother of New York, of English descent. He remained with his parents till after his marriage and then lived in Chautauqua County, N. Y., two years. In 1848 he came to Illinois and settled in Marengo Township. April 18, 1852, he
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started for California and reached his destination Sept. 14. He remained in California five years, and in 1857 returned to Illinois and settled on his present farm. Mr. Fenton was married Feb. 1, 1846, to Acta Olcutt, daughter of Roswell and Lydia Olcutt. They have had six children-Fannie A., Emma E., Merritt Orr (deceased), Effie V., Lydia May and Frank A.
Calvin Hills was born in Charlotte, Chittenden Co., Vt., April 11, 1811, a son of Zimri and Malinda (Palmer) Hills. In 1815 his parents moved to Chautauqua County, N. Y., where he remained till 1837, when he came West, and entered a claim in Marengo Township, McHenry Co., Ill. He built a house and in the fall re- turned to New York, and Dec. 31, 1837, was married to Annistine V. Meed, a native of Chautauqua County. The following March he returned to McHenry County, and settled on his frontier farm, where he lived till 1880, when he moved to Marengo and retired from active farm life. He owns a good farm of 105 acres, all well improved. His wife died in the fall of 1876. She was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and . Mrs. Hills were born nine children; seven are living-Francis M., Martin S., Everel J., Ann A., Helen E., Lucian J. and John F. Politically Mr. Hills is a Republican. He is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M.
E. N. Howe was born in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Conn., Feb. 21, 1803, a son of Elisha and Olive (Johnson) Howe, who were natives of Connecticut, of English descent. He remained in his native county with his parents till 1827, and then went to Smith- ville, Chenango Co., N. Y., and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, remaining there till May, when he came to Illinois and loca- ted on the farm where he now lives. He now owns 340 acres of fine land and a good residence and farm buildings, and is sur- rounded with all the comforts of life. He was married in Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 10, 1830, to Miss Sophia Reuel, daughter of Silas Reuel, of Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y. They had six children, three of whom are living-Mary J., Clifton and John P. His wife died July 21, 1843, and Oct. 17, 1844, le mar- ried Harriet Porter, who was born Sept. 15, 1806, a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary Porter. They have had one son-Emery E. Politically Mr. Howe has been an earnest worker in the ranks of the Whig and Republican parties. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
C. W. Ingersoll was born in Erie County, N. Y., in 1829, a son
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of John and Harriet (Tupper) Ingersoll, his father a native of New York, and his mother of Vermont. In 1857 he came to Illinois, and the following winter taught school near Ottawa, La Salle County. In the spring of 1858 he came to Marengo and en- gaged in the grain and lumber business, and in 1860 became interested in the general mercantile business, his partner being E. F. Mckinney. After the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Infantry, and was ap- pointed First Lieutenant of Company F. He served till the close of the war, and after his return home continued in the mercantile business till 1868. He then sold his interest in the dry-goods and grocery trade, and turned his attention to the grain and seed business, together with agricultural implements. His elevator is 30 x 60 feet in size and his warehouse 30 x 40 feet. Mr. Ingersoll was married in 1865 to Martha E. Wenkman, a native of New York City. To them have been born five children; but three are living-Sarah W., James W. and Harriet T. Mr. Ingersoll has served on the Board of Trustees ten or eleven terms. He is a member of Harley Wayne Post, No. 169, G. A. R.
H. B. Keeney, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Manchester, Hartford Co., Conn., Jan. 18, 1813, the seventh of eight children of- and Annie (Franklin) Keeney, the former a native of Connecticut, a grandson of Tell Keeney, who came to America in the Mayflower, and the latter a native of England, came to America with her parents when a child. H. B. Keeney remained in his native county till manhood. In the spring of 1836 he came to Illinois, bought a claim near Elgin and built a log house. In 1854 he sold his farm and moved to McHenry County and bought the farm he has since resided on. He was married Nov. 25, 1835, to Mary Munson, daughter of Horace and Mary (Rogers) Munson. They have had ten children-Martha, Edrick H., Mary A., Don Alphonso, Winfield Scott, Amanda M., Addie M. (deceased,) Germaine, Alice M., Ella M. (deceased). D. A. and Edrick and two sons-in-law, Mark Burton and E. W. Eden, were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion.
Charles E. Kelley was born in Canada in June, 1834, a son of James and Elizabetlı R. Kelley, his father a native of Canada, and his mother of New York. When fourteen years of age he be- gan clerking in a grocery store, and followed that vocation in his native town till the spring of 1861 when he came to Illinois and was employed as clerk in a hardware store in Marengo four years.
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He then began manufacturing pumps, and in 1872 established the Marengo Foundry and Machine Shop. Mr. Kelley was married Sept. 2, 1855, to Sarah Couchiren, a native of Canada, of Irish descent. They have six children-Mary J., Abner W., Martha A., Sarah E., James A. and Mina. Mr. Kelley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
D. W. Lawrence, deceased, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1810, a son of John Lawrence. In 1836 he came West with his brother L. W., and located a claim in Boone County, Ill. He then returned to New York, but the following year came with his father to Illinois and remained a few months. He then returned again to his native State and remaincd till 1844, when he moved liis family to Illinois and settled on his land in Boone County. Five years later he moved to Marengo, and was employed by the North- western Railroad Company to take charge of the station. In 1859 he, with his son, went to California, and remained three years. While there he taught school. Mr. Lawrence was married Nov. 1, 1832, to Precepta Ann Austin, of New York. To them were born five children-Elizabeth, Austin, Emily, Nettie and Narcissa. Their son enlisted in the Second California Cavalry and died in camp. Mr. Lawrence died in March, 1883. He and his wife were members of the Baptist church.
Omar H. Lincoln, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., May 12, 1842, the youngest of seven children of Apollos and Millissa (Waite) Lincoln. In 1846 his parents moved to Illinois and settled in Crystal Lake, and in 1867 moved to Ma- rengo where they died, after having lived together forty-nine years; members of the Baptist church. O. H. Lincoln was rearcd in McHenry County. He received a good education, completing it at the State Normal School, and when nineteen years of age began teaching, and for twenty-two years made that his principal occupa- tion. He has been a very successful teacher, and his services are sought in all parts of the county. He was married March 19, 1872, to Mary Williams, daughter of Judge W. H. Williams, of Putnam County, Ill. Mrs. Lincoln was also a successful teacher and is a member of the Swedenborgian church. Mr. Lincoln is a member of the Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M. Politi- cally he is a Republican.
George R. Page was born in Hancock, N. H., August, 1807, and came to McHenry County, Ill., in 1836, locating in Marengo, where he died Dec. 29, 1853. He was one of the wealthiest and 48
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noblest of the old settlers. He entered several farms for the old settlers, and many of them were left in his hands, but at his death left the property so that each could have liis own. He was mar- ried Nov. 8, 1840, to Mary E. Lillibridge, a native of Connecti- cut, born Nov. 28, 1820. She is now living at Pleasanton, Linn Co., Kas. To them were born four children-William was born in Marengo, Oct. 4, 1842; studied law with Colonel L. S. Churchi, of Woodstock; was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1865, and the following July mnoved to Bates County, Mo. He was married in August, 1873, to Mary O. Slater, of Bates County. George R. was born Dec. 18, 1846. In the fall of 1865 he en- gaged in the hardware business in Harvard, but sold out at the end of a year and returned to Marengo, where he engaged in farming till the spring of 1869, when lie moved to Bates County, Mo., and the following July removed to Pleasanton, Kas., where he is engaged in real estate, mercantile and agricultural pursuits. He was married Oct. 1, 1867, to Amelia M., daughter of O. H. Smith, of Harvard. They have. six children-Mary E., born Nov. 25, 1868; Emma S., Oct. 30, 1871; Genevieve C., Dec. 22, 1873; George R., July 10, 1877; Laura P., Feb. 6, 1879; and Lucina, Feb. 22, 1881. Lucy Jane Page was born May 29, 1850, and died Dec. 23, 1859. Louis F. was born Aug. 5, 1852; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1873; is now engaged in farming in Bates County, Mo. He was married in August, 1880, at Boulder, Col., to Emma Mapes. Mrs. Page's parents, Thomas and Polly (Stanton) Lillibridge, were natives of Tolland, Conn., the former born in June, 1787, and the latter in August, 1791. They were married in 1808 and in 1836 moved to Marengo, Ill, and subse- quently to Belvidere, where the father died in June, 1866, and the mother in November, 1880.
Benjamin S. Parker, banker, Marengo, Ill., is a native of Meigs County, Ohio, born Nov. 8, 1828, the eldest son of Edwin and Ann C. Parker, natives of Ohio, of English descent. When fifteen years of age he began working at the cabinet-maker's trade, and served an apprenticeship of four years. He then went to Cincinnati and worked as a journeyman two years. In 1850 he went to California, and in 1853 came to McHenry County and followed agricultural pursuits two years. In 1855 he located in Marengo and worked at his trade till the breaking out of the Re- bellion. Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, as a private, but was promoted from time to time
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till he rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. He participated in many severe battles-among them Champion Hills, Vicksburg and Nashville. While on the Red River expedition he was wonnded and lay in the hospital some time. After the close of the war lie returned to Marengo and worked at his trade till 1867, when he purchased an interest in a hardware store, which he car- ried on three years. He thien opened a dry-goods store, and in 1874 began a banking business on a small scale in connection with his other business. Since 1878 he has given his exclusive atten- tion to the bank and lias erected a large building for the accommo- dation of his extensive and increasing business. Mr. Parker was married May 4, 1854, to Adelia Mirvin, a native of New York. They have one child-Emma, now Mrs. E. A. Vandervere. Mr. Parker is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M .; Lancing Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M., and Post No. 169, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Fred A. Patrick, of the firm of H. E. & F. A. Patrick, is a native of Marengo, born Nov. 8, 1857, oldest son of R. M. Pat- rick. His early education was obtained in the schools of his na- tive village, and subsequently he graduated from the Ann Arbor, Mich., High School and attended the University of Michigan one year. After leaving school he went into the store of R. M. & F. W. Patrick & Co., and remained there till April 1, 1883, when he and H. E. Patrick formed the new firm and became established in their present place of business under the Opera House. They carry a large stock of dry-goods, clothing and carpets, having one of the finest stocks and business houses in Northern Illinois. Mr. Patrick was married Oct. 18, 1880, to M. Louise Cook, of Marcel- Jus, N. Y. They have one daughter-Rosamond, born Oct. 23, 1882. Mr. Patrick is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M. and Laucing Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M. Politically he is a Republican. He was a delegate to the State Convention at Peoria in 1884. He attends the Presbyterian church of which lie is a Trustee.
Dr. D. E. Peck was born in Oswego County, N. Y., in 1829, a son of Daniel C. and Samantha S. (Curtiss) Peck. He was left an orphan at the age of ten years, and his early educational advantages were limited. After reaching his majority he attended school, and subsequently taught till 1852, when he came West and settled in Marengo, Ill. After teaching in Illinois two years he engaged in the nursery business, devoting a portion of his time to reading
766 HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
medicine, commencing practice about two years later. Since that time he has practiced medicine as a homeopathist, in connection with his other business. For some little time he was well known as a breeder of fine hogs and poultry, in 1873 publishing a small work entitled, " Swine, Poultry and Fruit-Growers' Manual." He was married in 1856 to Eliza J. Crego, daughter of Charles Crego. They have four children-Eliza S., Millia A., Daniel C. and Charles C. Peck. Both daughters are graduates of Halinemann Medical College, Chicago, and are now located in Marengo, Dr. and Mrs. Peck are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.
Thomas W. Porter, one of the most prominent farmers of Ma- rengo Township, is the eldest of nine children of Thomas W. and Charlotte (Lane) Porter. In 1833 Thomas W. Porter, Sr., came with his family to America, and lived on Long Island a year and a half. He then moved to Buffalo, and remained till 1838, when he came to Illinois and entered 160 acres of land in Boone County. He added to his farm from time to time till he owned 520 acres of fine land, all well improved. He followed farming till 1865, when he moved to Belvidere, where he lived till his death, Feb. 22, 1882, aged seventy-nine years. His wife died in 1873. They were mem- bers of the Universalist church. In politics he was in early life a Democrat, but after its organization affiliated with the Republi- can party. Thomas W. Porter, Jr., was born in England in 1826. He remained with his parents till manhood, and in the spring of 1850 went across the plains to California, and remained till 1854. He was successful there, and on his return to Illinois bought the farm where he now resides. He owns 285 acres of fine land. His large stone residence was erected in 1856. He also owns a half section of land in Dakota. He was married Jan. 1, 1856, to Julia Roper, a native of England, daughter of Sion Roper, who came to Illinois in the spring of 1854. They have had six children; five are living-Arthur W., Charles H., Nellie A., Horace R. and Sepha M. Politically Mr. Porter is a Republican. He has been Road Com- missioner of his township fifteen years, and in 1878 served as Supervisor. Mrs. Porter is a member of the Congregationa church.
Patterson Pringle, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Scotland, Oct. 30, 1821, a son of John and Sydney S. (Patterson) Pringle. In 1837 his parents came to the United States, and lived in Ken- tucky till 1840, then moved to Jo Daviess County, Ill., where they
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remained till 1848, when they moved to McHenry County, the pa- rents coming a short time before our subject. The father died at the age of ninety-two years, and the mother at the age of eighty- eight years. They had lived together seventy-one years. Patter- son Pringle worked in the lead mines in Jo Daviess County eight years. After coming to McHenry County hie engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and also dealt extensively in stock. He was married in 1849 to Isabella Donaldson, a native of Canada, a daughter of William Donaldson. They have eight children-Jane I., Flora S., John D., William P., Mary Anna, Sarah S., Rachel E. and Etlicl McD. Mr. Pringle has been Road Supervisor fourteen years. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Re- publican.
Orson P. Rogers .- The ancestry of Mr. Rogers is traced back to 1555. The first to come to America was James Rogers, wlio came in the ship Increase, Robert Lea, Master, and landed April 15, 1635. He settled in New London, Conn., in 1657 or 1660. He was a son of Rev. John Rogers, of Dedham, England, grandson of Noah Rogers, and great-grandson of Rev. John Rogers, the martyr, who was burnt at Smithfield (London), England, Feb. 4, 1555. This is a matter of record in the Rolls office, Chancery Lane, London. James Rogers was born in 1615, and died in 1687. He married Elizabeth Rowland, daughter of Samuel Rowland, of Stamford, Conn. Their children were Samuel, born Dec. 12, 1640, married Mary, daughter of Deacon Thomas Standon, died Dec. 1, 1713; Joseph, born May 14, 1645, married Sarah -, died in 1699; John, born Dec. 1, 1648, died Oct. 12, 1720; James, born Feb. 8, 1652, married Mary Jordan, died Nov. 8, 1713; Bathsheba, married Samuel Morris; Jonathan, born Dec. 3, 1665, married Naomi, daughter of Elder Burdock, and died in 1697. John Rogers married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel Griswold, of Lynn, Conn. She died leaving two children-Elizabeth, who married Stephen Prentis, and John, whose first wife was Bathsheba Smith, and second, Elizabeth Dodge. He afterward married Mary Rans- ford, and to them were born two children -- Gershom, born Feb. 24, 1699, died in 1770, and Mary, married John Hobbs. Gershom Rogers married Sarah -, and to them was born one son-David, born in 1732, and died in 1810. David Rogers was married April 27, 1760, to Elizabeth Sawyer, and to them were born five children -Amos, born Nov. 19, 1763; Wheeler, born April 19, 1766, died Aug. 16, 1767; Betsey, born Nov. 17, 1768, married Augustus
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Button and moved to Guildhall, Vt., where they both died; Desire, born March (19, 1771, died in childhood; Jedediah, born Sept. 7, 1775, died in Coral, Ill., Aug. 2, 1853, and is buried in Marengo Cemetery. Jedediah Rogers was married Jan. 6, 1797, to Sally Jones, a native of Plainfield, Conn., born Aug. 7, 1775, a daughter of Ephraim and Marian Blunt Jones. She died May 8, 1865, aged nearly ninety years, and is buried beside her husband. To them were born seven children-Jedediah, Jr., born Aug. 29, 1800, was married March 8, 1825, to Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Hart, of Chelsea, Vt., and had a family of nine children. He enlisted in the Rebellion in Company F, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry, and died while in the service of his country at Cairo, Ill., Jan. 20, 1863; was buried at Mound City, Ill., section B, No. 19. Anson was born Jan. 6, 1802, and died Sept. 4, 1868. He married Mrs. Rebecca (Hart) Jones, daughter of Jonathan Hart. She sleeps beside her husband in Marengo Cemetery. They left three children. Almira, born March 8, 1804, died Sept. 9, 1871. She married Daniel Graves, also deceased. They are buried in Marengo Cemetery; left six children. Elisha J., born May 27, 1806, died Sept. 17, 1867. He married Mahala T., daughter of Jolin and Theresa Winslow, of Essex, N. Y., a descendant from the Winslow who came over in the Mayflower. He left no children. Sally, born Oct. 8, 1808, is the widow of Reuben Moulton, of Castleton, Vt., and lives in Fairfax, Vt. Ephraim, born Feb. 13, 1811, died Nov. 6, 1867. He married Delilah, daughter of Elisha Lamphere, of To- ronto, Canada, who is now deceased. They had nine children. Orson P., the youngest, and the subject of our sketch, was born in Middletown, Vt., July 21, 1814. In 1835 he came West and taught school two terms in Indiana, the last term in South Bend. In the spring of 1836 he came to Illinois and entered 240 acres of land in Coral Township, McHenry County (near the farm of William Boies). His log cabin was built in the fall of 1835, and was the first one in the township to be occupied by a white woman, John Hamilton and his family living in it while waiting for their own to be built. When he first came to the county, March 16, 1836, but five families lived in the precinct, and as the cabins were in the woods no signs of a white man's work could be seen from his house. He was married June 12, 1838, to Mary Smith, a native of Greenville, N. Y., born March 28, 1817, daughter of Elind and Phoebe (Button) Smith. She was a faithful wife, devoted mother, true friend and a most earnest Christian. She, with her husband,
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