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 46

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 904

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 46

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN PARKS (deceased) was born in county Armagh, Ireland. He owned a small piece of land there, which he farmed. He was an Orangeman, and was engaged in the war of the Protestants against the Catholics. He was then married to Jane Brown, also a native of

476

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

that green isle. About 1848 they sailed for America, and made their home in Adanis county, Ohio. In 1855 they moved to Warren county, Illinois, and five years later to Mercer county, and settled the place now owned by Alexander Parks. He was a republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont. He died December 11, 1873, leaving a wife who survives him. His children are six : John, James, Samuel (dead), Alexander, Lizzie and Sarah. Samuel was a member of company G., 102d Ill. Vol., under Capt. Wycoff; contracted con- sumption in the army, and died after his discharge. Alexander was born in Ireland, March 17, 1842. He has spent his life on the farm, and owns the old homestead, which he has improved. He was married to Miss Jane Murphy, also a native of Ireland. Their farm is the S. ¿ of S. W. + of Sec. 32, T. 13 N., R. 3. He and. all his brothers are republicans.

DAVID MILLIGAN was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 7, 1806. His father, John Milligan, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1754, and his mother, Jane (Kincaid), in Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, in 1764. John Milligan left Ireland August 6, 1790, and after thirteen weeks' voyage landed at Newcastle. So nearly did the provisions give out that each man's allowance was but one pint of water and two tablespoonfuls of oat meal every twenty-four hours. When they landed all were like skeletons and some ate till they died. John died August 2, 1839. His wife died in 1850. One son (Robert) served in the war of 1812. David Milligan was raised on the farm in Pennsylvania. He was married December 1, 1836, to Miss Rebecca Rollstin. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1818. Her father, James Rollstin, was from Ireland. Mr. Milligan remained in Pennsylvania till 1866, when he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, arriving October 19th. He had learned to farm among the rocks, so found land here easy to cultivate. He became the owner of 479 acres of land in sections 28, 13, and 3, Ohio Grove township. He built three different houses. Thus he has aided in adding wealth to Mercer county. His wife died October 19, 1880, leaving him to mourn the loss of a dear companion. She was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian church for forty-four years. She was the mother of eight children : Nancy, Jane (dead), John F., James R., Warren (dead), Rebecca M., Rachel M. (dead), and Elizabeth E. Mr. Milligan is a republican. He used to be democrat, whig and anti- mason. He has been connected with the United Presbyterian church since 1836. He sent one son to the civil war when the boy was nine- teen years old, viz., John F., who enlisted August 18, 1862, in com- pany C, 22d Penn. Cav., under Capt. G. T. Work and Col. Higgins.

477

OIIIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

He fought at Moorefield, Virginia, Fredericksburg, second battle of Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Laurel Hill, Cedar Creek, and many skir- mishes. He was discharged June 1, 1865.

ALEXANDER MCBRIDE. farmer, was born near Belfast, Ireland, May 28, 1831. His parents, William and Margery (McNeil), were natives of county Down. Ireland. They owned a piece of the land known as the "land forever." Failure on account of being surety for his brother caused William McBride to emigrate to America, which he did about 1850, sailing from Belfast May 1st, and landing in New York June 1st ; soon settled in Muskingum county, Ohio. He died there June 11, 1861. In Ireland he was grand master of the Orange society many years. He was a quiet, inoffensive man, minding his own business, and respected by the community. He is buried at Bloomfield, Ohio. There were eight children : Jane, born in Ireland, Sarah (dead), Mary. Eliza A .. Margery, Rachel, Nancy, and Alexander. They were of the United Presbyterian faith. Alexander (the fourth child) was general manager of home affairs. He was married December 25, 1857, to Sarah J. Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson. She was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, September 10, 1830. Alexander McBride was a hundred-day man in the late war; was in several skirmishes and at the battle of Harper's Ferry, in company B, 160th Ohio home guards. February 4, 1867, he left Ohio for Mercer county, Illinois. He lived a while in Suez township. In 1871 he bought 160 acres, the N. W. Į of Sec. 36, in. Ohio Grove township, on which he lives. He was pathmaster five years. He has a family of five children : Hugh W., Mary L., William T., Samuel H., and David L. IIe always votes for republican principles. He and wife are members of the United Pres- byterian church.

JAMES A. KELLOGG was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1848. He emigrated with his people to Bureau county, Illinois, in 1852, and in the following year his father purchased 160 acres of land now owned by H. N. Chandler. Here James was raised. His people moved to Abington township, where they now reside. James is fairly educated, having lived handy to the school and enjoyed its advantages. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Vance, daughter of James and Sarah Vance, now of Abington township. Mrs. Kellogg is a native of Mercer county. Mr. Kellogg farmed some time in Abington township. In 1874 he occupied his present farm of eighty acres, being the E. ¿ of N. W. 4. Sec. 28, Ohio Grove township. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are members of the Presbyterian church. They have three children : Arthur L., Frank R., and Inis L.

W.M. H. H. SMITH, farmer, a son of William Smith, noticed in the

478

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

history of Ohio Grove township, was born July 2, 1840, in Muskingum county, Ohio. He came with his people to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1847. His father dying William went to live with his cousin, George A. Smith, till ten years of age. He was then bound out to W. M. Miller, with whom he staid till the war broke out. He enlisted August 9, 1861, in company E, 9th Ill. Vol. Inf., and took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Atlanta; was taken sick and sent to Marietta, Georgia, and thence to Nashville, where he remained till the spring of 1865. He then rejoined his command at Pocataligo, North Carolina. He then followed Johnston till the latter surrendered. Mr. Smith then went to Washington, and thence to Louisville, Kentucky, and was mustered ont at Springfield, Illinois, July 25, 1865. He has since spent five years in the west. In 1870 he made his home in Mercer county. In 1881 he bought forty-eight acres of land, and is now settled on it. Mr. Smith was considerably injured in health in the war service. He was married November 30, 1878, to Nancy E., danghter of Stephen Noland. They have two children : Stephen A., and Lura M. Mr. Smith is entirely republican.

JOHN McGEE was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. When five years old he accompanied his parents to Muskingum county, Ohio. He was there raised and educated. He married Miss Margaret Irwin. In 1852 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, settling for a time in Snez township. In 1869 he went to Iowa, then to Oregon, in the years 1874 and 1875. He returned to Iowa, and in the spring of 1881 he made his home in Kansas, with his son, David C. His wife died August 20, 1858, and is buried in the Candor graveyard. She was a member of the United Presbyterian church. In the family are seven children : Richard H., D. C., B. W., Martha J. (died in Ohio), Harriet, Mary Ann, and Sarah E. Richard H. was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, July 12, 1834. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in company E, 102d Ill. Vol. He was sergeant for ten months. He was mostly detailed at headquarters. He was at the battle of Nashville. His time was largely occupied in looking after the trains in the rear. He was discharged June 15, 1865, when he returned to Mercer county. His brother, D. C. McGee, was a member of company C, 50th Ill. Vol., and was wounded severely at Altoona Pass. Also B. W. McGee spent a year in the service. Richard II. was married February 14, 1860, to Jessie C. Spence, of Howard county, Missouri. They have four children : Frank, Lizzie, John, and Clara.

ROBERT C. PARKINSON, farmer, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, November 16, 1837, and is the son of Edward and Margaret (Clements) Parkinson, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio.

479

OHIO GROVE TOWNSHIP.

Mr. Parkinson's parents moved to Warren county, Illinois, in 1856, and in 1859 settled in Mercer county. Edward Parkinson died Febru- ary 13, 1860. He was born April 1, 1791. His wife was born March 5, 1796, and died September 9, 1866. He was in the war of 1812. His father was an Englishman and his mother of Germany. Her father was a native of Ireland and her mother of America. Both are buried at the Porter graveyard in Warren county, Illinois. Robert C. remained with his parents till they died. He received but little educa- tion except that afforded by the farm. He was married June 25, 1863, to Mariah Webster, daughter of Hammond and Louisa Webster. She was born in New York state February 28, 1840. After marriage Mr. Parkinson secured 100 acres of section 28, which he now owns, together with the N. E. { of Sec. 28. He was for three years road commis- sioner. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Webster's parents are noticed in connection with the sketch of Ham- mond Webster. Her mother, Mrs. Louisa Webster, after the death of her husband, was married October 12, 1845, to Joseph Robinson. Mr. Robinson was born in Alleghany county, New York, April 7, 1812. He left home when twenty-two years old, going to Weaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and the same year to Quincy, Illinois. In 1842 he came to Mercer county. He has improved a good farm, and is now one of the county's oldest citizens. He has been school trustee and road commissioner.

LEMUEL GUSTIN, farmer, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Diltz) Gus- tin, was born July 29, 1823. His parents settled in Madison county, Indiana, about 1845, and there died. Lemuel was raised on the farm and inured to all the toils and pleasures incident thereto. He is the oldest of eight children. In 1847 he was married to Catharine Noland, daughter of Stephen Noland. Her father, Stephen Noland, was born in 1801, and raised in Kentucky near Cumberland mountain. He moved in a very early day to Wayne county, Indiana, where he lived on the twelve mile purchase when the Indians were bad. He was on the frontier in the war of 1812, and lived partly in a fort or block- house, traded with the Indians, etc. There is a stream in Indiana called Noland's fork, the name deriving from the Nolands. Mr. Noland and wife, Nancy E. (Adams), a native of Ohio, lived in Madi- son county, Indiana, from 1823 to 1856, when they settled in Mercer county, Illinois. Mrs. Noland died July 20, 1877. In 1856 Mr. and Mrs. Gustin came with the Nolands to Mercer county, Illinois, settling for a time in Eliza township. In 1868 they purchased sixty aeres in section 2, Ohio Grove township, and have lived on it since. Mr. Gustin

480

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

has been justice of the peace; he has been school director six years. He has six children living and two dead.

JAMES FEATHER, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Siggens) Feather. Jacob Feather spoke the German tongue, his father being a native of Germany, who emigrated early and fought in the revolution ; his wife receiving a pension for his services. Jacob died about 1851 in West Virginia. His wife is living at an advanced age. The family are: Susan, Mary (dead), Ezekiel (dead), Jane, James, Sarah E., Sophia (dead). James, the subject of these notes, was born in West Virginia, October 17, 1839. There he was reared in the country and educated in the schools of his day. In 1856, he made his home in Iowa; remaining there three years. IIe worked around by the month in Warren county, Illinois; was in the mercan- tile business in Monmouth four years. In 1868 he went to Missouri. In the meantime he owned the store at Sunbeam for two years. In 1869 he located permanently in Mercer county. Mr. Feather was first married, December 7, 1865, to Miss Martha C. Hayes, daughter of the late Judge Wm. M. Hayes. She died in 1874. Mr. Feather was next married December 26, 1878, to Katy M. Gourley, daughter of Robert Gourley. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Feather has one child by his first wife, Aurie L.

ELIJAH FORSYTHI, son of William and Eleanor Forsyth, was born August 6, 1810, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. When he was four years of age his parents settled in Ohio. There Elijah was educated in the common schools and became a schoolmaster at the age of nineteen years, teaching twenty-two years in Ohio. He was married in Mus- kingum county, to Ann Dawson, daughter of Thomas and Catharine Dawson, and a native of Ohio. In 1855, Mr. Forsyth emigrated over- land to Mercer county, bringing his family of seven children : John,

William, Elijah Jr., David, Mary, Eleanor, and Nancy J. He settled on the S. ¿ of S. E. } Sec. 7, Ohio Grove township, which he purchased. He has since added some timber. For eighteen years he has taught, part of each year, in Mercer county. Reference to the official table will show his interest in public affairs and the trust placed in him by the people. He has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church for over twenty years. His father was a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia ; was in the war of 1812; died in Ohio in 1827. His mother died in 1835. Mr. Forsyth's son, John, was a member of the 102d reg. Ill. Vol. in the civil war, and was promoted captain of a colored company. He served two years when he was discharged on account of sickness.

481

MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY.

CONTRIBUTED BY L. B. DOUGHTY.

Among the public institutions of the county, the Poor Farm and Infirmary are specially worthy of mention, for they are a standing monument, evincing the practical generosity of our citizens. But in our search for material for this chapter, we have found the records so vague, incomplete and unsatisfactory, that we almost despaired of finding sufficient data to make our history of this institution complete or interesting.

From William Wilmerton, Esq., of Preemption township, and Tyler MeWhorter, of Mercer, we have obtained some interesting facts, which will help us to, in some measure, fill the gaps we find in the public records.

For years after the organization of our county, those unable to support themselves, and whose families or friends were unable to sup- port them, were cared for by the overseers of the poor of the several townships, who were appointed by the county commissioners. Some- times they were kept by contract ; sometimes they did what they could for themselves, and were partially provided for by the overseers. In many cases merchants provided them with the necessaries of life, taking their chances of having the bills allowed by the board. In all cases the county was expected to pay the bills for their maintenance, whether kept on contract, furnished by order of the overseer, or through pity (or cupidity) of the merchant.

At each recurring session of the commissioners' court, pauper bills increased in number and grew in magnitude, and more and more care was necessary, and was exercised, to sift out and pay only those which were for the necessaries of life, cutting off and rejecting any and all which bear the least taint of suspicion. For instance, some bills pre- sented would, perhaps, show that sugar enough had been furnished to a pauper in three months' time, to have lasted him or his family, for a year, and this would raise a suspicion in the minds of the commis- sioners, that perhaps something else than sugar had been furnished - an article for which it was known payment would be refused. Investi- gation would follow, which would generally result in the rejection of a part of the bill.

We do not wish to make any invidious references, but esquire Wilmerton related a story to us, the other day, which comes to our mind in recording the above. Some years ago he received a large number of bills from a house in Rock Island, for collection, upon

482

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

parties living in Pre-emption and adjoining townships. One of these particularly attracted his attention, owing to the frequent charges for "headache medicine " by the quart, half gallon and gallon ; this item occurring with alarming regularity, showing each and every visit to the city of the good old farmer against whom it was made. The 'squire was well acquainted with him, and had never known of his being subject to severe attacks of this disease, and his curiosity was aroused to know what this remedy was, and on his first visit to Rock Island he asked the maker of the bill to enlighten him. The dealer laughed, and for answer beckoned him into a back room and silently pointed to a barrel labeled "whisky." "Headache medicine " looked better on the bills ; but like the " sugar " on the pauper bills, it looked suspicious.

Again, most of the adjoining counties had provided poor-houses, and refused longer to support indigent persons unless they would become inmates thereof; and while there were many who were not too proud to receive their entire subsistence from the county, there were few who would willingly "go to the poor-house," as they had a false idea that this course was degrading. Rather than go where they could not only be better cared for, but would have an opportunity to do what they could for their own maintenance, they prepared to emigrate. to some county not possessed of this bugbear, and not a few crossed the borders into our county and soon became a county charge.

Under these circumstances, the commissioners in 1853 (E. Gilmore, Jr., county judge, and William Wilmerton and John Glancey, asso- ciate county justices of the peace), after much deliberation, decided to purchase a farm for the county, upon which might be erected suitable buildings for an infirmary. Mr. Wilmerton soon found what he thought would be a suitable farm, and a special meeting of the com- missioners was held at the court-house in Keithsburg, September 20, 1853, which is the first record we can find relating to the subject of a poor-house. At this meeting they ratified a provisional contract made by Mr. Wilmerton with Jolin I. Clark and Gersham Vannatta, whereby the latter sold to the county 110 acres of land lying in the S. ¿ of Sec. 33, T. 15, and in the N. $ of Sec. 4, T. 14, both in Range 3, W. of the 4th P.M., the latter being timber land. The consideration was $1, 400, and two orders were drawn at this meeting, for $700 each, in favor of Clark and Vannatta. The deed was made September 23, 1853, and acknowledged before W. A. Bridgford, J.P., of Millersburg, and was recorded January 12, 1854, by T. B. Cabeen, Recorder, in Book M of Deeds, pages 307 and 308.

March 8, 1854, the county farm was leased to Joseph G. Gilmore

485

MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY.

for one year, but the terms of the lease are not given in the record. A part of the contract, however, was that he should keep a pauper and his wife, named Goklen ; and we find that at the March session (1855) of the board of supervisors he was allowed $8.50 as balance due him on the contract.

From the minutes of the June session of the board of supervisors (1854), the first session after the adoption of township organization, we copy the following order :

"It is ordered by the board, that Graham Lee, Elisha Miles, and Tyler McWhorter be and are appointed a committee to examine the condition of the county farm and its requirements, with respect to accommodating all the paupers of the county."

In September of the same year, Graham Lee was appointed agent for the county to lease the farm, etc.

In March, 1856, Mr. Gilmore was paid $58.50 as balance due him on contract or lease. At the same term the board unanimously pass a resolution recommending to their successors the urgent necessity of improving the farm, so that it would "accommodate all the panpers in the county," this action being suggested by the large number of pauper claims presented at that session.

At a special term in June, 1856, Graham Lee, Thomas Likely, and Tyler MeWhorter were appointed a committee to prepare and report a plan for a poor-house, and as nearly as possible the cost of the same. They made their report at the same session, which was accepted, and MeWhorter, Lee, and N. P. Partridge were appointed to make a design, advertise for and receive bids, and contract for the erection of the house.

Said commissioners reported at the September meeting that they had received, on the 28th of August, five bids : two for brick and three for stone buildings; that four of the bids had ranged from $4,200, to $4,600; that the fifth was for $3,400 for a stone building; that this latter figure was deemed reasonable, but the bidder, Mr. Ralph Growe, required. partial payment in advance, and it was necessary to provide funds before closing the contract. Accordingly an arrangement was made with the drainage commissioner to borrow money from the swamp land fund. That the first payment had been made, and the work of excavating the cellar commenced ; that owing to the failure of the drainage commissioner to make collections, they were unable to get money for the second payment, whereby the work had been greatly hindered and delayed. They request the board to sanction their action, and to decide upon some definite system of managing the farm in future ; both of which requests we presume were granted, but we can

486

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

find no record of any action beyond receiving and recording their report. This, however, was the last year the farm was leased, as a whole, a steward or superintendent having since been employed.

In March, 1857, Mr. J. G. Gilmore's lease terminated, and this time he owed the county $124.50. The county bought of him fourteen acres of land adjoining the poor-farm for $324.50, getting one year's time on the $200 balance, at ten per cent. They also appropriated $1,300 for prosecuting the work on the infirmary ; authorized the com- missioners to borrow $800 of the swamp land fund, and made provis- ions for the repayment of all sums heretofore borrowed from the fund.

In September, 1858, a committee was appointed to visit the poor- farm and report. They suggested that the "steward " system be abol- ished, and that a competent man be employed to superintend the farm, under the direction of a standing committee in regard to improvements, purchase of stock, etc. This report was adopted, and a committee appointed who made a contract with Humphrey Riddell, at $350 per year, his term commencing March 8, 1859. Mr. Riddell was re-em- ployed from. year to year for nine successive years, which fact attests his eminent fitness for the position, which was recognized by the board in an increase of his salary from time to time until instead of $350 they paid him $500 per year. This was, of course, in addition to the board and keeping of himself and family.

While upon the subject we will give the list of stewards and super- intendents in their order, so far as can be ascertained: Joseph G. Gilmore leased and managed the farm the first three years. It was then placed under the charge of committees, as before mentioned, who employed stewards to care for the inmates, etc. While the building was in progress, Tyler McWhorter, as chairman of the building com- mittee, had the oversight of the farm, and Justus Southwell and Wm. Clark held the stewardship under his administration. Then came Mr. Riddell for nine years; Samuel H. Darbyshire from 1868 to 1875; John W. Dihel from 1875 to 1880; and from February, 1880, to the present time, Mr. J. McWillis, who is now holding the position for the third term. His salary is $600, which is at least $400 less than should be paid.

The building is well arranged and will accommodate comfortably about thirty inmates. A commodious wing accommodates the superin- tendent's family, and a frame kitchen was added to the building some years ago. What is known as the "old house " was put in tolerably decent repair, and is used for sleeping apartments when the main building is overcrowded, but it cannot be so used in extreme cold weather.

487

MERCER COUNTY POOR FARM AND INFIRMARY.

The farm is provided with ample barns, granaries and tool houses ; is well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs; has a large orchard and an abundance of small fruits.

The inmates are all required to perform such labor as they are able or fitted for; the women doing their own cooking, washing, ironing and chamber work, and a part of their own sewing; while the men work in the fields or about the barns. Discipline is necessarily very strict, but is seldom severe. Among them are the weak-minded, idiotie and insane; and for the latter special provisions in the way of cages or barred windows and doors are a necessity.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 904

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 904