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 23
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Among the early settlers of Millersburg is Mr. JAMES VERNON. He made his advent into this county when it was vet almost a wilder- ness. Ilis parents, Joseph and Sarah Vernon, settled in Warren county, Ohio, in 1812, where their son James was born : then moved to Preble county, Ohio, then to Shelby county, Indiana, where they lived out their natural lives. Mr. Joseph Vernon was a native of New Jersey, his wife of South Carolina. James Vernon, disliking the vocation of his father, which was that of mechanic, in early life engaged in farm- ing, which he has pursued successfully till within the past few years, when he sold his land, reserving seventy-three acres for a home, and has virtually retired. ' In 1836 he married Eliza Duncan, native of Virginia, and daughter of Buford and Fanny Duncan, both of Virginia and among the first settlers of Duncan township. This marriage was blessed with three children : Thomas A., Sarah F., and Viola I. He and family are members of the Latter Day Saints church, but very different to the church at Utah. They disapprove of the doctrine of plurality of wives.
EDWARD BRADY, native of the "Buckeye" State. born in 1825. is the son of John, Sr., and Eliza Brady. The former is a native of Ireland, born about 1792, and came to America in 1813. He located in Green county, Ohio, where he remained about twenty-five years, when he came, about 1842, to Mercer county and settled on the farm where his son John now resides, where he lived during the rest of his life. His wife, a native of New Jersey, is yet living, and is seventy- seven years old, hale and hearty for a person of her age. They raised a family of twelve children, five of whom now live in Mercer county. Edward's early literary training was that of the common school. In 1848 he was married to Jane Gingles, native of Pennsylvania, born in 1827. and a daughter of James and Elizabeth Gingles, both of Penn- sylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1839 and settled in Perry- ton township, where he died in 1872. His wife. Elizabeth, is vet living. Edward Brady has by this union five children : James N., Clara E .. Ella M., Nellie J. (deceased), and Eddie G. Ile and wife are Presbyterians and belong to the society at Peniel church. He has held the office of school treasurer in Millersburg township for the past twenty years, and has been severel times elected commissioner of highways. In politics he is a straight out republican. He has a
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well-improved farm of sixty acres, where he has resided since he came to the county. He keeps a good grade of farm stock.
LUCIEN B. HOWE is one of the early settlers of the township and county. He came here when the deer were yet plenty on the prairies of Mercer county. He was born in Vermont, shortly after which his parents. Ezekiel and Louisa. moved to Troy. New York. where he was reared and educated. His parents were natives of Massachusetts. and descendants of the pioneer families. The Howe family at first. in America, consisted of three brothers who came from England to Massachusetts. Among their descendants is the great inventor of the Howe sewing machine. Lucien's father was a carpenter and joiner. He died in 1837. aged sixty-two years. His grandfather Howe fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. The subject of this sketch graduated at Union college, Schenectady, New York. in 1840. at the age of twenty- six, in the classical course. Then read law with J. P. Abertson, at his home in New York ; was admitted to the bar in 1841, and practiced in Troy two years, then he came to Mercer county and located at Millersburg, where he has since resided. He has held the office of
justice of the peace two terms. He is a charter member of the masonic lodge, at Aledo, and formerly a member at New Boston. He was married in 1846, to Martha King, a native of Massachusetts. and daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth King. They have six children. four .of whom are now living: Charlotte A .. Otis M., Calvin K., and David T. He has a farm of seventy acres and pursues his profession. In politics he is an old line democrat.
CHARLES YORK emigrated with his father to Illinois, in the fall of 1843, and located in Keithsburg township, where they remained a short time when they bought a farm in Abington township, which they sold and then went to Henderson county, where his mother died. His father died in October. 1874, aged eighty-two years. Charles York was born in Kentucky, in 1825, and is the eldest of a family of six children. His early educational training was limited. For eighteen years after he came to Illinois he broke prairie. He was married in - 1855 to Mary J. Landreth, native of Mercer county, and daughter of Zacharia and Elenor Landreth, both natives of Virginia and among the early settlers of Mercer county. By this union he has seven children living : Nancy E., Nettie. Alice, Olive. Eva, William L., and Linie Mr. York and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. at Millersburg. He has given his entire attention to farming and stock raising, both of which he has made successful. He now owns three farms in Mercer county, containing 432 acres. He brought with him and still retains the appreciation of a good horse. for which
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Kentucky is so noted. Ile was assessor of Perryton township two years. Few men have been more successful than Mr. York.
Capt. OLIVER A. BRIDGFORD is a native of Ohio, born in 1830. and is the son of W. A. and Nancy (Wakland) Bridgford, whose sketch will appear in the biographical department of this township. Capt. Bridgford was educated in the common school, and came to Mercer county in 1843, one year after his father. His early life. till he. was nineteen years old, was spent on the farm. At that age he went to California on a gold hunt : he went across the plains with a team. remained in California two years, when he returned by way of Cuba and New York, satisfied that gold was cheaper in Illinois than in the gold regions. In 1851 he settled in Millersburg, bought a half interest in his father's store, in which business he remained till 1861. when he raised Company I, 45th Ill. Vol .. and entered the army. having been commissioned captain by Gov. Yates. He was in the battles of Fort Donelson. Fort Henry and Shiloh : was wounded in the last named engagement. Having remained some time in the hospital at Savannah, he was furloughed home, and returned after forty days. At the end of twelve months after he entered the service. he resigned his commission because of disability to discharge the duties of his office, caused by the wound received at Shiloh, and was discharged from the service and returned to his home in Millersburg. In the fall of 1862 he was elected sheriff of Mercer county, and served the full term, and then he returned to his store in Millersburg, where he con- tinned till March, 1878. The following year he moved upon his farm near Joy, where he now resides, since which time he has given his farm his entire attention. Capt. Bridgford was married in February, 1852. to Miss Eliza A. McLain. native of Kentucky, born in 1833, and daughter of Joseph and Susan MeLain. now residents of Millersburg. They have ten children, five living: Medora E .. Clayton W., Minnie L., Archie G., Miles E. He owns a farm of 1. 720 acres of land, all of which except eighty acres is in Mercer county. He raises thorough- bred cattle. Poland china hogs and Leicester sheep. Ile keeps on his farm 100 head of stock cattle. 200 hogs. 150 sheep, and horses to carry on his farm work. He is among. if not the largest. tax payers in Millersburg township. He is a charter member of the I.O.O.F. lodge at Millersburg, only two of whom are now living. Notwithstanding his disability from the wound received at Shiloh, he receives no pen- sion. neither has he made application for one. Politically he is a republican.
The parents of EDWIN GILMORE. Judge Ephraim and Julia A. Gilmore, both of Ohio. came with the first settlers to Millersburg
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township and located near the Peniel church. He was the county surveyor at the time the country was being settled. and held the office of judge. lle raised his family in Millersburg township, and is now a resident of Aledo. Edwin Gilmore was reared and educated on the farm. The advantages for obtaining an education at that early period in the settlement of this part of the county were few. He was born in 1844. on the farm where he now lives, on section 21. In 1862 he enlisted in the service in Company C. 102d Ill. Vol .. and served till the war closed. He was on the skirmish line till he left Chattanooga with Sherman's division on his march to the sea. He was married in 1870 to Miss Mary A. Morrow, native of Pennsylvania, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Kiddoo) Morrow. They have three children : Nellie, Burton, and Newton R. Mr. Gilmore and wife are members of the Presbyterian church at Peniel. He has a fine stock farm of 320 acres, and raises a good grade of cattle, sheep and hogs.
JOHN T. MCGINNIS, came to Mercer county in 1846, and located in Millersburg township. At that time the country was sparsely settled. Like most of the pioneers. he came with small pecuniary means, to seek a home. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born 1821. His parents are William and Elizabeth McGinnis, both natives of Pennsyl- vania, his father of Irish, and his mother of Scotch descent. They followed agriculture for a livelihood, and belonged to the United Presbyterian church. John T. received little literary training in his early life. but was well bred in the characteristics of the people of the Quaker state, namely, energetic industry and honesty. Two years before his coming to Mercer county he was married to Margaret Kid- doo, of Pennsylvania, born in 1824, and daughter of James and Mary Kiddoo, both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. McGinnis's chil- dren are Mary E., Sarah, Emily, William. Alice, Maggie, Charlie E., and Cora S. He was justice of the peace before the township organiza- tion, and has held the office of supervisor fourteen years. He represented Mercer and Knox counties in the legislature during the sessions of 1874 and 1875. Apart from the offices mentioned he has been chosen to till most of the offices of the township. Mr. McGinnis has a beautiful home of 100 acres, located on section 21. Here he lives a quiet farmer's life, while his accumulated capital is employed in other directions. He · has never engaged in speculation, but kept his means employed where reasonable returns were certain. Ile was at one time stock holder in a bank at Keithsburg, and at this time owns an interest in the Farmer's Bank in Aledo, and also in one in Kansas. He and wife are members. of the Peniel Presbyterian church. Politically he is a republican.
JOHN BRADY, Jr .. is the son of John and. Eliza Brady, whose history
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will be found in connection with the sketch written of Edward Brady. John Brady, Jr., was born in Green county, Ohio, in 1838. He came with his parents to Mercer county in 1842. He received no educational training beyond the district school. He was reared to the business of farming, which pursuit he has followed for a livelihood. In 1862, he enlisted in company D, 53d III. Vol .. and served till July. 1865, making his term of service two years and eleven months. He was with the army of the Cumberland, in the second battle fought at Fort Donel- son, and at Franklin, and Lawrenceburg. The remainder of the time he was kept chasing guerrillas. At Fort Donelson he was wounded. He was married in 1861 to Martha C. Gibson, daughter of George and Isreal Gibson, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Ohio. They were among the first to locate in Warren county, Illinois, in 1832. The indians had not quit the country. Among the slain by the Indians of Warren county was a brother to George Gibson. They were mem- bers of the Associate Presbyterian church. John Brady has four children : William, George P., Harry (deceased), and Mary. They hold letters of membership in the Presbyterian church. Ile has a well improved farm of 160 acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. IIe held the office of township clerk for several years, and is now com- missioner of public highways. In politics he is a republican.
The subject of this sketch, WILLIAM KIDDOO, is a native of Lawrence county (now Beaver county), Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1830; came to Mercer county in 1847, and located with his parents, James. and Margaret Kiddoo, where his widow, now Mrs. Bryant, resides. He and wife and parents were members of the Presbyterian .church. He married in 1853 Catharine Vance, native of Pennsylvania, born in 1834, and who came with her parents. William and Rachel (Vannatta) Vance, to Mercer county, and located in Keithsburg in 1836. They were members of the Presbyterian church. The former died in 1867, the latter now resides with her daughter Caroline, and is seventy-eight years old. William Kiddoo had by this marriage seven children : E. Vila, Nancy, Olive, Forbes M., Mary, William M .. and Rachel E. Ile left his family in good circumstances. Like the rest of the Kiddoo family he was a man of exemplary habits, a good citizen, kind husband and father. His widow married in 1871 Frank B. Bryant of Ohio, by whom she has three children: Laura B., Frank (deceased), and Archie H.
JOHN S. KIDDOo, deceased, emigrated from his native state. Pen- sylvania, to Illinois, in 1847, and located in Millersburg township, where he resided till his death in 1866. in the thirty-seventh year of his age. His parents were James and Mary Kiddoo, who emigrated
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to Mercer county at the same time as their son John S. Their remains repose in the cemetery of the old brick church. John S. Kiddoo, was married in 1850 to Eliza Day. of Pennsylvania, born in 1821, and emi- grated with her parents. John and Mary Day, to Iowa, in 1836, and then to Mercer county in 1846, where they still reside. Her father, John Day. in early life was a boatman on the Mississippi river. Ile is a member of the United Brethren church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal church. John S. Kiddoo had by this marriage six children: John. Robert (deceased). Mary (deceased), Alonzo, William (deceased), and Lizzie. John S. Kiddoo and wife were members of the Free Presbyterian church, but both nnited with the Methodist Episcopal church a few years before his death. His wife still remains a member of the church. He began in this county with small means ; when he died left his family a property worth $8.000. Alonzo, son of John S. and Eliza Kiddoo, was born in 1860. near where he now resides, in Millersburg township. His early educational training was that of the common school of the neighborhood. He is by occupation a farmer. He was married in 1881, to Florence Shingledecker, born in 1858, and daughter of James and Caroline Shingledecker, both of Pennsylvania. They came to Mercer county in 1858, and located near Joy, where they have since resided. Both are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Joy. Alonzo Kiddoo and wife are members of the same church. They have a farm of 140 acres well stocked. In politics he votes the republican ticket.
MR. J. H. CRANE located in Millersburg township in 1849. His early education was that of the common school. He began business for himself as a farmer, which he followed ten years, when he opened a store in Joy and engaged in shipping grain, both of which he still carries on. He is the son of Dr. John W. and Ruth Crane, of Ohio, early settlers of Fountain county. Indiana. J. H. Crane was born in 1837. His parents came to Mercer county in 1847. and located on the old Bassett farm, where they died, his father in 1850, aged forty years, his mother in 1841. His parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His father by profession was a doctor, and practiced in Illinois till his death. Mr. Crane was married in 1861 to Sarah A. Griffith, a native of Indiana, and daughter of Charles and Martha Griffith. In 1861 he enlisted in the army of the late war, in company K, 102d Ill. Vol. He was out twelve months, when he was discharged, because of ill health. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres, and is present postmaster at Joy.
Among the oldest citizens now living in Millersburg township is Mr. J. M. GILMORE. In 1840 he located in the village of Millersburg
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and kept hotel for two and a half years, then moved upon his farm east of the village, where he remained till seven years ago when he returned to take up his residence in Millersburg, where he now resides. He came to Mercer county with small means which, com- bined with unabating energy, has made him a successful farmer. He owns a fine farm of 354 acres of plow land and 100 acres of timber. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1814: his father of Pennsyl- vania and his mother of New Jersey. In 1847 they came and settled in Perryton township. Mercer county, where the former died in 1857, aged seventy-two. His wife, who is still living, is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. They raised a family of nine children, all of whom grew up to adult age. Three yet remain in Mercer county. J. M.'s early educational training was such as the common schools of his neighborhood could furnish. He served an apprenticeship to a tanner, and began immediately to raise the material for making leather instead of dressing it. He held the office of county assessor for six years, and also the office of county treasurer for the same time. He was married in 1838 to Margaret Taylor, of Pennsylvania. born in 1815, daughter of Jacob and E. (Hoover) Taylor, both of Pennsylva- nia. By this union Mr. Gilmore had eight children, five of whom are now living: George M. (deceased), Eva C., Catharine (deceased). Taylor, Mary, Richard (deceased). Jannett, and Fanny A. George M. served three years in company E, 9th Ill. Inf .; was veteranized and promoted to steward. He was wounded at Fort Donelson. having his index finger on the left hand carried away by a ball. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and died of disease in the service two months before the war closed. Taylor served three years in the 14th Ill. cavalry, and was commissioned hospital steward. He and wife are ardent supporters of christianity and good morals, and belong to the Presbyterian church at Millersburg. In politics he has always been a democrat.
J. D. THORNTON is'a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and born in 1828, and is a son of Eli and Abagail (Hittle) Thornton. both natives of Pennsylvania. J. D.'s early education was limited to the subscription school of his home. He learned the trade of blacksmith- ing in his father's shop. This he followed ten years, when he left the forge to enlist in the service of his country. He served in the army through the Mexican war. His soldierly qualities were soon recog- nized, and he was appointed to fill the first vacancy in Capt. Pember- ton's company, to which he belonged, which was the office of sergeant. He was with Scott when he made his campaign to the city of Mexico. Then he joined the U. S. marines and went to West Africa to suppress
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the slave trade. In 1862 he again enlisted in the 124th Ill. Vol. Inf., company G, and served three years as sergeant. He was with Grant and in all the rear battles at Vicksburg, the siege of the Spanish Fort, and the taking of Mobile. making in all seven years he has served his country as a soldier. In 1849 he came to Illinois and settled at Millersburg where he has since resided. J. D. Thornton was married in 1855 to Lucy Wharton. a native of Ohio, and daughter of Jacob and Martha Wharton. She died in 1871. He was married a second time to Letticia L. Carver. a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Jesse Carver. a descendant of Gov. Carver, first governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Thornton has been a republican since the organization of the party.
J. W. Wood is a native of Tennessee, born in 1810, and is the son of Isaac and Elenor Wood, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They located in Indiana in 1822, where they died, the former in 1839, aged sixty years ; the latter in 1852, aged eighty-two years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and respected mem- bers of society. Isaac Wood by trade was a wheelwright, by profes- sion a local preacher. J. W. Wood emigrated to Indiana with his parents where he remained till 1842, when he came to Mercer county where he has since lived. He is a carpenter by trade, which he fol- lowed till within the few years past. He was first married in 1832 to Frances Reed, native of Indiana, daughter of Jacob and Mary Reed, of South Carolina. She died in 1869, aged fifty-eight years, leaving nine children. of whom the living are James R., Enos A., and Samuel S. He was married a second time to Mrs. M. C. Robinson, native of England. born in 1830, and daughter of George and Cath- arine Stafford, natives of England. J. W. Wood has held the office of justice of the peace most of the time during his residence in Illinois, is now notary public, and served one term as constable. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Joy. In politics he votes the republican ticket. He keeps the only hotel in Joy.
The subject of this sketch, DAVID A. STEELE, came to Mercer county with his parents, James and Mary Steele, in 1860. They located on section 29 in Millersburg township, where they both died, the former in 1856. at the age of sixty-five years; the latter in 186S. aged seventy-six years. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and successful farmers, and members of the Presbyterian church. David was born in 1832, and reared and educated on the farm of his father in the Quaker state. In 1859 he was married to Matilda Denison, native of Illinois, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah Denison, both of whom were from Ohio. By this union he has ten children. seven of whom
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are living : Elizabeth, William, Walter, Cora, Maud. Fred .. and Ashel. He has a farm of 130 acres, well improved and fairly stocked with a good grade of farm stock. In politics he votes with the republican party. He is a man who takes great interest in supplying his children with literature to feed their minds. He has always lived a quiet life without seeking the notoriety of office.
The subject of this sketch, JAMES E. BAY, is the son of James and Hannah E. Bay, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Ohio at an early period of its settlement. They were farmers. The former was a soldier in the war of 1812, and emigrated to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he died in 1843. aged fifty-two years; the latter died in 1856, aged fifty-six years. J. E. Bay was born in 1829, in Guernsey county, and in 1851 came to Millersburg where he has since lived. He was married in 1860 to Mary Marsh, a native of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and daughter of John B. and Lydia (Porter) Marsh, the former of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. The former was a soldier in the war of 1812. He and family moved in 1848 to Illinois, where he died in 1864, aged seventy-three years ; his · wife in 1834, aged thirty-six years. He was by trade a carriage trim- mer. He first emigrated to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from New Jersey. The Marsh family were formerly from Scotland. J. E. Bay has by this union four children : H. M., John M., Fanny S., and Catharine M. Mr. Bay is a farmer and stock trader. He has several times been chosen by the voters of his township to fill various offices. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church at Millers- burg. Mr. Bay and family are quiet and respectable citizens.
Among the early settlers of this township is RICHARD S. EDGAR. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, and came to Mercer county in 1851 and located in Millersburg township where he has since been a citizen. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, members of the Associate Presbyterian church, and died there. his father, Richard, in 1861 at the age of sixty-five years ; his mother. Margaret, in 1862, aged sixty years. R. S. Edgar was married in 1841 to Elizabeth A. Steele. daughter of James and Mary Steele, of Pennsylvania. They have three children : Margaret, James S., and Mary A. He served three years in the late war as a soldier, in Company A, 30th Ill. Vol. Inf .. during which service he lost his health and now receives a pension. He owns a well improved farm of thirty acres, and keeps a good grade of farm stock. Ile and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Joy. In politics he is a republican.
JACOB BRAUCHT. son of David and Mary Braucht, was born in 1828 and is a native of Pennsylvania, as were his parents. They emigrated
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to Ohio when their son Jacob was a mere child, where they resided the remainder of their lives. They were pioneer settlers of Ohio. Jacob remained in Ohio until he arrived at the age of twenty-three and then came to Mercer county and located on section 19, Millersburg township, where he has since resided. He has pursued the occupation of farming, the vocation of his father. He married, in 1851, Christina Riter. a native of Germany and daughter of John F. and Machdalana Riter, who came to America in 1831 and located in Ohio, and after- ward to Mercer county, locating in Millersburg township. The latter died in 1871, aged seventy years. The former, John F. Riter, resides with his daughter, Christina. He served as a soldier in his native country, Germany. Jacob Braucht has by this marriage six children : Jemima, David W., Lucinda, Sarah (deceased), George, and Catharine. He has a fine farm of 227 acres, well improved and well stocked with the best of farm stock. No better stock farm is to be found in this section. In politics he is a democrat. His parents and also his wife's parents were of the Lutheran faith. His wife's father, John F. Riter, still holds his membership in that church.
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