USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 18
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Aud men and angels hail to-day The married and the mated.
The loveliest thing on earth is love, The loveliest and the purest ; The dearest thing on earth is love, The dearest and the surest ; And not alone is heavenly sweet The honey of its kisses :
The very tears of love are sweet, Its very pangs are blisses ; And they who love with love the best. The fondest and the strongest - Love with the loveliest love of all - Are they who love the longest.
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
Ah ! Love's dear veterans well deserve
Our greetings and our praises.
Since where we looked for Winter's snows They point to Spring's sweet daisies : Since, when the sea is smooth and fair.
Or black the tide is flowing.
Through all the voyage of the years They keep their fond hearts glowing :
Since, though the frame may show the trace Of many a blight and fever,
The teeming vineyards of the soul Are fresh and green as ever :
Since, through the long sweet married days Their faith and fervor proving.
They make a noble thing of life. A godlike thing of loving.
Oh, happy, true and honored pair ! Oh. ever leal and loyal !
We pay you willing court to-day. For love has made you royal !
All gentle thoughts and hopes are yours, All wishes sweet and tender -
What richer tributes can we bring. What worthier homage render ?
God's cherubs still your steps attend, His peace your fond hearts strengthen.
As o'er the sky above your heads The evening shadows lengthen ; And when the night comes on, at last, And brings its welcome slumber,
Sweet angels from the wondrous host Which none may name or number. Shall lead your still united souls Through shining arch and portal. To gardens fair and pastures green. Where love shall be immortal !
JEROME A. SWEZY, deceased, was born in Goshen. Orange county, New York, August 15, 1815. He removed to Quincy. Illinois, in an early day, and was there married to Miss Mary J. Atkinson October 12, 1843. He removed to Oquawka in 1846. where he engaged in merchandising till 1850, when he started on an overland trip to Cali- fornia taking with him two four-horse teams and twelve men. He remained in California till the following December. when he started home via the Isthmus, on a passenger steamer. At Grenada. Central America, he was taken down with a severe fever and remained there till the following June. When he reached his home he was still in feeble health. and with a view to improving it. went with his wife
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
to his boyhood home in New York. In 1852. having regained his health. he returned and settled in Keithsburg. During his thirty years residence here. he was in business as 'book-keeper, shipper, lumber and real estate dealer. He died March 26, 1882. His wife and six children survive him. The latter are: Emma, wife of C. T. Combs: Jessie C .; Somerville E., wife of H. C. Cook, whose biography follows : Hattie E .; Georgia A .; and Huber.
HENRY CHALMERS COOK was born in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, February 7. 1856, where he grew to manhood. He served an appren- ticeship of three years in the office of the "Fulton Republican" at McConnellsburg. In 1876 he came to Illinois and for three years worked at his trade of printer at Princeton. In the spring of 1879 he came to Keithsburg, where he engaged as foreman in the "News" office for W. H. Heaton. In June, 1881, he formed a partnership with R. Wolfe and started the "Keithsburg Times." In December follow- ing he sold his interest to his partner and returned to his former place in the "News" office. August 19, 1880. he was united in marriage with Miss Swezy. They have one child, Michael Jerome, born September 14, 1881.
WILLIAM D. REYNOLDS, stock dealer, was born in Pennsylvania, September 14, 1841. His parents, William C. and Catharine A. (Tiger) Reynolds, removed to Mercer county in 1846, and settled in Ohio Grove township, where they early became identified with the affairs of the county. Mr. Reynolds, Sr., remained here till the spring of 1882. when he sold out and went to reside with his daughter in Iowa. Young William received his education at the pioneer schools of this county's early history, as well as a thorough knowledge of farm labor. In 1861 he responded to the President's call for men to pre- serve the honor of their country's flag and became a member of com- pany A, 30th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. During the service he was twice wounded. first at Belmont. Missouri, and afterward at Fort Donelson, and was soon after discharged on account of disability. He was married February 11, 1869, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Lewis and Maria Sponsler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Mercer county in 1860. They are the parents of six children living: Mand E., Clara A., Lora E. (died March 22, 1882). Lewis G., Guss. Glenn. and Lucy. Mr. Reynolds is now a resident of the town of Keithsburg, but expects to remove to his farm of 160 acres in Edwards county, Kansas.
JOHN J. HAWKINS, retired farmer, was born in Bath county. Ken- tucky. September 7, 1829, and is the sou of Thomas and Malinda Hawkins. In 1847 they came to Illinois and settled in Abington town-
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ship, Mercer county, where he engaged in farming. December 1, 1850. he was united in marriage with Miss Maria E., daughter of Russell Wordin. Esq., an early settler of Mercer county. She was born in the State of New York, June 7. 1831. They are the parents of three children. as follows: Lucy, wife of Mr. A. P. Winslow, who is a conductor on the Central Pacific railroad and resides at Ogden, Utah ; Alvis T .. and Albert D., on the farm near Keithsburg. They are both members of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Hawkins is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17. and Gales- burg Commandery, No. S. A few years after his marriage Mr. Hawkins removed to the north part of Henderson county, where he lived till 1878. when he took up his residence in Keithsburg. By hard work and honest industry he has accumulated, besides his town property. 466 acres of farming land.
EDWARD OTT, blacksmith, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, March 23. 1848, and was left an orphan when about eleven years old. In December, 1862. when but a little over fourteen years of age, he enlisted in the war for the Union as a member of the 12th Illinois cavalry and followed the fortunes of war till May, 1866. On returning home he engaged in the butcher business, but soon after turned his attention to learning the trade of blacksmith and permanently located in Keithsburg. February 26. 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Hall. of Henderson county, Illinois. They have two children : Mary C. and William C.
THOMAS MARLATT, retired farmer. was born in Wayne county. Indiana. September 12. 1824. His father was a farmer and reared his children to that hardy and honorable occupation. Mr. Marlatt obtained such an education as the common schools of his boyhood days afforded. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself at farming. In 1849 he came to Mercer county, where he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock raising. February 2. 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Dryden. She was born in Highland county, Ohio. September 4. 1834, and came to Mercer county in 1853. They are the parents of Alta I., Adella V .. Jessie F., and two children deceased. On August 17, 1870, Mr. Marlatt met with a painful mis- fortune. this being no less than the instant loss of his eyesight, caused by a kiek in his face from a mule. The following year he gave up farming and took up his residence in Keithsburg, where he is now (1882) enjoying the comforts of a very pleasant home. Early in life he became a member of the United Brethren church; in 1853 was. licensed to preach, and is now a member of Illinois annual conference.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
His parents are of English and German ancestry, and were born in Burkley county, Virginia. The father, Thomas Marlatt, was born in April. 1792. and the mother, Miss Elizabeth Bellar, in 1799. They reared a family of twelve children : seven sons and five daughters. In 1823 they removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where they resided till the time of their death after a life of industry and usefulness. He died in March. 1877. and she in March. 1875. They were consistent mem- bers of the United Brethren church.
THOMAS S. CUMMINS, justice of the peace, notary, and insurance agent. Keithsburg, was born February 23, 1836, in New Concord, Muskingum county, Ohio, and was the son of David R. and Sarah (Speer) Cummins. In 1851 the family sold their home and embarked at Wheeling. Virginia. and came by river transportation to Keiths- burg. arriving in April. They lived that summer in Ohio Grove township, where Mr. Cummins had an uncle, Richard Cummins, who had emigrated as early as 1836 and was one of the first settlers. Most of the family fell sick of the ague. and getting dissatisfied with the country, returned in the fall to Ohio. They remained there but two weeks, when they turned their faces again to the west and came to Granville. Putnam county, Illinois. Next summer their experience with ague was repeated. and when autumn came they were so much disheartened by the gloomy situation and prospect that they went back again to their old home in Ohio, where they remained till 1854. That year they came to Keithsburg. this time by team, and Mr. Cummins has lived in Mercer county since. Ile was engaged from that time till 1866 as warehouseman and shipping clerk. From that year till 1873 he was constable ; he was then elected justice of the peace and has held the office continuously until this time. He has been notary public since 1874 : township clerk since 1873, excepting in the year 1877, and village clerk the last two years. In 1874 he began doing an insurance business. and now represents the Home company of New York. Ilis marriage with Miss Martha Knight was celebrated September 3. 1857. Their two daughters are Mary Etta and Maggie Belle. The former is the widow of John M. Wade, recently deceased; she and her mother are communicants in the Methodist church. Mr. Cummins has always taken much interest in local politics and is a liberal-minded democrat.
ALVIS HARDIN was born in Mercer county, Illinois. September 20, 1852. He is the son of B. F. and Minerva Hardin. He was married to Miss Nettie Doak January 1, 1882. Mrs. Hardin is the daughter of Matthew and Sarah A. Doak. Mr. Hardin is a farmer.
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
In the fall of 1853 CHARLES J. SIMPSON came from Ohio and perma- nently located in the village of Keithsburg, where he now enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, Feb. ruary 22, 1823. He is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Smith) Simpson, who were natives of New Jersey, and are of Scotch and English ances- try. He was bred a farmer. May 2. 1844, he married Barbara, daughter of John and Dorothea (Mowen) Beaver. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1827. In 1860 Mr. Simp- son began the practice of veterinary surgery in which he has had good success. They have four children, Laura, Daniel A., who has a brilliant war record, William B., and Pauline G. wife of E. Loosley. Mr. Simp- son is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210.
JOHN DUNN, butcher, was born in Pennsylvania February 1, 1844. and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Cameron) Dunn. In 1853 he with his parents embarked on the steamer New York at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Keithsburg, Illinois, and made the entire trip without change. They at once went to Ohio Grove township where they pur- chased a farm and began to make a home for themselves. They first camped out till they could build a cabin. Here John grew up to man- hood with but little means of obtaining an education. In Angust, 1862, he enlisted in company G, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and for the next three years devoted his time in the defense of his country's flag. At the battle of Resacca, Georgia, he was wounded in the hips and was placed in the hospital for treatment, from which he was discharged June 22, 1865, and returned to Keithsburg. March 21, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Maria MePherren, who was born in Suez township, Mercer county, March 1, 1843. They are the parents of Catharine R., Amos D., and Thomas, and three deceased. After his marriage Mr. Dunn en- gaged in farming, but on account of his wound disabling him for farm labor he abandoned farming and bought an interest in a coal mine and . five years later sold out and came to Keithsburg. where he still resides engaged in the butcher business. Ile is a member of the I.O.O.F .. lodge No. 210.
ROBERT C. HUMBERT, merchant, is a son of Emanuel and Frances . (McReynolds) Humbert ; was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. Jan- uary 26. 1831 ; removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana. when about three years of age, where at the age of sixteen he became an apprentice as bricklayer and plasterer. In 1853 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and engaged in working at his trade in Keithsburg till 1857. when he became a merchant in the dry goods line, following the business till 1864. At that time Mr. Humbert arranged to go west as far as Montana. His object was partly speculative but more particularly
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
for the benefit of an invalid brother-in-law, George Gore, who was suf- fering with that dreaded disease consumption, who while there regained his health. On their way out they purchased a stock of goods which they afterward lost. being attacked by Indians and robbed. The next vear Mr. Humbert returned to his home in Keithsburg where he has since had a continuous residence, except three years spent on his farm in Henderson county. November 26, 1857, Mr. Humbert was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Philip Gore, Esq., an early settler of this county. She was born in Maryland, January 31, 1839. They are the parents of seven children: Harry P., George C., Edward E., James F., Fannie D., Bart G., and Robert R. Mr. Humbert is a mem- ber of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandary, No. 8.
JOHN C. HUMPHREY, harness maker, is a native of Columbiana . county, Ohio, and was born February 12, 1827. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his native state. In 1854 he made a trip to California, where he remained nearly three years. Soon after his return home he came to Keithsburg, and in company with Mr. Samuel Evans, engaged in the business he now follows. September 2, 1858, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Jacob Wolf, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who with her parents came to Illinois in 1856. They are the parents of eight children : Mary, Harry W., Willis M., Ida, Ernest L., Mark J., Edward F., and Eva B.
CLARENCE S. FRICK, grain dealer, is a son of Benjamin P. and Annie E. (Stewart) Frick, who are well known and prominently con- nected in this county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1848, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1855, with his parents. His education was principally obtained in Keithsburg, though he attended several terms of high school in Monmouth, Illinois. In 1872 he engaged in merchandising and grain buying in Keithsburg. under the firm name of C. A. Frick & Bros. He was also for a time connected with the Farmers' National Bank, of this place, as book- keeper. In 1881 he began his present business of buying and shipping grain. February 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Ellett, a daughter of Benjamin D. and Orpha (Myers) Ellett, early settlers of Keithsburg. They have one child, George Henry, born February 17, 1879. Mr. Frick is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F.
Captain Wycoff's father was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1793, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was a Miss Susan Peairs. Soon after his marriage he removed to
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
Muskingum county, Ohio, where he reared a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters. He died in 1857, and his old and hon- ored wife is still (1882) living at her old home in Ohio. Our subject. Captain J. P. WycoFF, is eldest son and second child. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 18, 1819, and was reared on the farm with but limited educational advantages. December 23. 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Davis, of the same county. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Geyer) Davis, who were also natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The year after his mar- riage Mr. Wycoff removed to Allen county, near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and settled in the tall timber, and there hewed out for himself a home on land previously entered by his father. In 1855 he bought a farm in Sec. 11, T. 13, R. 5, Keithsburg township, and in 1856 sold his home in Indiana and moved to his new home, which he has since built up to be one of the most pleasant in the county, and contains 260 acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, 102d reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., to which he was at once elected captain, but in December of the same year was forced to resign on account of sickness. Mr. Wycoff has been a member of the Presbyterian church since the age of seventeen and an elder for the past thirty years. He has one son (an only child), Albert R., born January 1, 1842. His means for ob- taining an education were quite limited, but by extensive reading, and being a close observer, he has gained a good business education. October 17, 1861, he was married to Miss Myra, daughter of George and Nancy (Maxfield) Jay. She was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 29, 1843, and is one of this county's literary ladies. They have a family of three interesting children: Earl J., Lura D., and Ethlin Fern. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its affairs.
To the soldier who dared death that a great nation with all its legitimate institutions might live, not only belongs praise, but the gratitude of a whole people. The pages of future history will not shine with examples of generalship alone, but the captain. his subordinates and privates, who fought in the thickest carnage, will lend their light to future heroes. Captain DAVID M. HOLSTED, son of David and Nancy (Allshaver) Holsted, was born in Oneida county, New York. July 10, 1832. He resided on a farm till fifteen years of age, receiving a common school education. He early engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1850 he became foreman of the Cleve- land & Ohio Railroad Construction Company, and soon after became a contractor. In 1856 he came to Illinois. In 1861, when war's ermel tongue called for sokliery, he. in company with Col. R. G.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Ingersoll. recruited the 11th reg. Ill. cavalry, Col. Ingersoll receiving the command. In 1882 Mr. Holsted aided in raising the S5th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf .. whose commander was Col. Moore. Mr. Holsted volun- teered as 1st lieutenant. For heroic conduct at the battle of Stone river. Gov. Yates commissioned him captain. At the battle of Chick- amanga he was wounded. necessitating his resignation. For four months he was unable to feed himself; for one year he was unable to step up six inches high, and disabled for work a year longer. After regaining his health he resumed contracting. this time on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad. In 1873 he came to Keithsburg, and. in company with J. K. Hornish, contracted to build the Keiths- burg & Eastern narrow-gange railroad, which, on account of the financial crash of 1873. is vet unbuilt. In 1857 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and now holds his mem- bership in Mason Lodge, 143. He is also a member of the encamp- ment at Keithsburg, and a member of the Order of the Red Cross organization of Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Holsted was married March 28, 1849, to Miss Eveline L., daughter of Orrin Fenton, Esq., of Cleve- land. Ohio. They have one child living, Miss Lottie.
HUGH SMITH SCOTT, farmer, was born in Washington county, Vir- ginia, July 20, 1807, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Hutton) Scott. He was reared a farmer. His education was received in the pioneer schools of Virginia. September 18, 1828, a few months after obtaining majority he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Clark) Lion, also a native of the same county. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Fountain county, remaining there until 1856. In that year they again removed, this time to find a final resting place in Mercer county, where he settled on a farm previously purchased of Mr. Gayle. While a resident of Indiana, in 1845. Mr. Scott's friends put him forward as a candidate on the democratic ticket for representative in the state legislature, to which office he was elected by a large majority. As an evidence of his popularity, the township in which he resided, that usually gave a democratic majority of about 80, gave him the compliment of 144 majority. He was also twice elected county assessor and once county collector of Fountain county. He has also held numerous other offices of honor and trust, among which have been that of supervisor of Keithsburg township, and also of justice of the peace for eight years. He has been prominently identified with the Methodist church of Keithsburg since his residence here. Of his large family. Samuel, Jane, wife of Robert Campbell, of Fountain county, Indiana. Lilburn
Dennís Muito ~
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KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.
S., Angeline T., Julia C., wife of C. Dryden, Howard and Florilla, wife of William Stewart, are living. Susan is deceased.
SAMUEL SCOTT, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Hugh S. and Sarah (Lion) Scott. He was born in Fountain county. Indiana, November 21, 1829, and was reared principally at farming. He received the best education obtainable in the early schools of his native state. Early in life he made clerking his business for five years, and spent two years in the state auditor's office at Indianapolis. In 1855 he came to Mercer county and engaged in farming. making that his permanent business. October 1. 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of John McH. and Margaret (Cramer) Wilson, a native of Michigan, who came to Mercer county when about six months old. She was born August 26, 1836. They are the parents of five children, viz: Guy C .. Edgar S .. Carrie W., John McH., and Ingh M. Mr. Scott is a member of the masonic fraternity, and holds his membership in Robert Burns Lodge. No. 113. He is a live, energetic business man, and one whom it would be well for our young men to pattern after.
MR. C. S. ORTH, who was born in Lebanon county. Pennsylvania, in 1835, educated at Franklin and Marshall colleges. at Mercersburg, in the same state, emigrated to Iowa City in 1857: came the next year to Keithsburg where he located in general merchandising in com- pany with N. B. Cox. In 1862 the latter was replaced by J. P. Reed, who died in 1866: afterward Mr. Orth continued in the same line of trade with M. A. Weaver as partner, and in 1877 he closed up his business in the place. He is now in trade at Bedford and Clarinda, Iowa, but his family reside in Keithsburg. He has been closely iden- tified with the history and devotedly attached to the interests of this place since he settled here, and a public-spirited supporter of every worthy undertaking. He was president of the town board one year, and for seven years from 1874 was a director of the public school, a position in which he won credit and popularity for very efficient and . acknowledged valuable services. In the railroad questions which have agitated the people of this section, he has taken a full share of interest and exhibited his well-known vigilance and activity. He has some- times directed his influence and energies against these as well as other enterprises, and time has generally confirmed his judgment and fore- sight. His marriage with Miss Fanny M., daughter of Abram B. Sheriff, a pioneer settler of Mercer county, took place in 1863. They are the parents of eight living children.
GEORGE W. WHITING, boot and shoe dealer, was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, September 27, 1834, and was the eldest son of
12
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
William and Sarah (Gothard) Whiting. His father was a native of Hadnam. England, where he was born June 12, 1814, and his mother was born in the same place June 17. 1815. This couple was joined in marriage May 11. 1833. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, in the sailing vessel Neptune, and having settled at Lockport, New York, Mr. Whiting's father began manufacturing boots and shoes in a small way. By close attention to his trade his business grew into a large manufacturing house in which. after a few years, he employed from thirty to forty men. In 1854 he lost his property by fire, and in October of the same year he brought his family to Mercer county, where he arrived on the 23d of the month. He settled in Keithsburg and died in this place September 26, 1879. His wife preceded him to her final rest January 18, 1877. The subject of this notice remained at home with his father and learned the shoe- maker's trade. In March, 1855, he also came to Keithsburg with his newly-married wife, and at once engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he has built up to its present prosperous condition. His marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wilson occurred in Lockport, New York,. September 7, 1854. She was born at Saratoga May 1, 1835. Mr. Whiting ranks with the foremost and most public spirited men of his township, and his family is justly esteemed for their social qualities and literary tastes.
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