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 49
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
508
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
them, two of whom are dead. John is superintending his father's farm and Nicholas resides in Rock Island county. In Germany our subject followed weaving in the winter and farming in the summer. He came to this country May 10, 1857, on board the Palestina, which took fire twice while on the way. During the voyage the provisions ran short, and they were three days without a morsel to eat. They landed in New York, and went direct from there to Rock Island, where he obtained work at fifty cents per day. He soon after bought 150 acres of land, where he now resides at an advanced age. Mr. Leuze stands high among the people of the neighborhood in which he lives as an honest, upright and free-spirited gentleman.
D. S. MAYHEW was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1834. He devoted the first years of his life after obtaining his majority to working on a farm. After leaving his father's house he moved to Washington county, where his parents had formerly resided. There he worked ten months on a farm. In 1856 he came to Mercer county, where he worked by the month, and afterward rented land for two years, after which he was married to Miss Betsie E. Cooper, daughter of Levi Cooper. They have had ten children born to them: Emma (who is now married to George Close, a farmer, residing near his father-in-law's place), Levi, Lester, George, Effie, Tunis, John, Alex- ander, Bertie, Ira, and Eddie. Mr. Mayhew began life empty handed, but by industry and good management had accumulated a capital of $300, with which he made the first payment on 160 acres of choice land in section 15, which he bought in 1866. This he has improved with good fences and a commodious house and barn. His door-yard is shaded by large trees planted by his own hands. Mr. Mayhew's beginning in life, contrasted with the condition of his affairs twenty years later, when living in affluence and comfort, with a well stocked farm, is a striking illustration of the results of well directed energy.
FRED VOLKEL emigrated from Germany with his parents to America at the age of seven. The family first landed in New York, and after a short stay, they went to Ohio, and thence to Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1842, where he remained with his parents until 1845, when he moved to Mercer county. His father died at Johnstown, Ohio, in 1879, and his mother in 1842. Life had been a struggle with him from the first, and his only hopes of a more successful ending lay in his energy, and with this sole assurance he started out in life, after receiving his education in Ohio. Soon after his arrival in the county he purchased land in section 10 of James Hains, and in 1855 was married to Miss Nancy Jane Davis, of Rock Island county, by which union they had five children born to them. Ilis wife died in 1864, and Mr. Volkel was
509
DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.
again married in 1867 to Mrs. Betty McDowell, and by this marriage they had five children. Mr. Volkel now owns an improved farm in Duncan township, and is in such circumstances as to enjoy life. He is a member of the Baptist church, and was among the first to organize that church at Antioch.
Among the many old settlers and prominent gentlemen of Mercer county, who have taken an active part in its development, we mention the name of WILLIAM RETHERFORD (deceased), who was born in the Mo- nongahela river valley, in Pennsylvania. His estimable wife, a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, was born in 1813. Her parents moved to Indiana when she was fifteen years old. Here they were married in 1836 and came to Mercer county in 1838. They first rented land of William Drury for five years, when, by industry and economy, they managed to lay up some money with which they purchased land in section 14, which they improved and added to until the time of Mr. Retherford's death in 1881. He owned 960 acres, all well improved and under the highest state of cultivation. When lie first arrived in the county his whole stock in trade consisted of a wagon, a team of horses and harness. Some of the land which he first bought at fifty cents per acre is now worth $50. Mr. Retherford's family consisted of six children : Madison, Patrick, Sarah E., Delilah, Jane, and James Franklin, with John C., whom Mr. Retherford adopted. At the time of his death it was his request that John C. be an equal heir with his own children. Mr. Retherford was never a politician, but always held decided views upon the leading questions of the day. He was not a republican ; but when the question of supporting the government came up as against the other issues of the rebellion, Mr. Retherford was on the side of the union with his money and influence to assist in filling up the quota of his town. His personal integrity and worth were always recognized by those who lived near and dealt with him. James Retherford, son of the subject, was married to Miss Sarah Collins, soon after which he bought land of his father's estate, upon which he now resides.
LEWIS LANDRETII was born in the State of Indiana in 1844. His father, Zachariah Landreth, was a native of Virginia, and his mother was born in North Carolina. They moved from that state to Indiana in an early day, where they were married and where our subject was born. Lewis came with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1832 and with his father first settled in Perryton township. His father and mother died there and were buried side by side at Millersburg. For many years previous to their death they had been devoted members of the Baptist church, and succeeded in raising their children to lives
.
51(
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
of honesty, industry, and service for the Creator. Soon after our sub- jeet was first married he began farming on section 9. which was partly given to him by his father. This he sold, and bought the Martin Boyd place on section 16, which is finely improved, and where he now resides in peace and comfort.
NICHOLAS ADDIG, was born in Germany, in 1848, and is the young- est child of a family of five children. In 1854 he came to America with his parents, he being then five years old. The family landed in New York, and proceeded thence to Rock Island county, settling in the southwestern part of the county, in what is known as the German settlement. There his father bought and improved a farm, and our subject worked for his father until 1869, when he was joined in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Leonard. Soon after the union he moved on section 1 in Duncan township, where he remained for two years. Being ambitious to obtain more land he moved to Iowa, but not liking the country where he had settled, he returned after an absence of two years to Mercer county. Immediately after his arrival he purchased 160 acres of land of Mr. Conrad Leonard, in section 1, where has since resided. In 1874 he bought eighty acres of James A. Harris, and in 1881 bought an addtional eighty acres of John Boltinghouse. All this he has highly improved, and at present writing is engaged in building one of the largest barns in the county. This barn is designed to contain all the modern improvements, and will be supplied with water by a hydraulie ram. From early childhood his life has been an active one, given almost wholly to the advancement of his business. One would scarcely believe, after admiring his fine farm, that he began empty-handed, yet such is his history. His happy home has been blessed with five girls, all of whom are living. His father was born in Germany in 1811, and his mother in 1812. Her maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Spangler. They are both living and quite active at the time we write.
J. H. COLLINS, farmer and fine stock raiser, was born in 1819, in Washington county, Ohio. There he received his education at Mon- roe academy after which he read law and was admitted to the bar, and for a short time practiced in that county. In 1849 he went to Texas, with a power of attorney by a decree of court, to sell some property which a party there was occupying and falsely owning. He had some difficulty in applying the law, and fell back upon his physi- cal ability, and thus succeeded in accomplishing his object. After this he returned home, and in 1856 came to Illinois, where he staid one year. Coming again next year he began to improve his farm of one- half section of land. In 1858 he was married to Miss Emily Robin-
1
511
DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.
son, of Edgington, Rock Island county. When he first came to this county there were but few houses in the neighborhood, and until the fall of 1858, at the time the Antioch church was built, there had not been a school within five miles, and the country was all unimproved. In 1875 he built one of the finest houses in Duncan township. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, was of English descent, and his mother was born in Ireland. Mr. Collins possesses great determina- tion of character, and indomitable energy and acute ideas. He is of ready and pleasing address, making the humblest feel at home in his house. He is a man who has never sought office, but served his town for twelve consecutive years as justice of the peace, the only office which he would accept.
JOSEPH C. GILMORE came to Mercer county in 1847, and with the exception of a few years spent in the lumber districts of the north, has resided in the county ever since. On his first arrival he made his residence in Perryton township, where he became acquainted with Miss Rebecca Blue, formerly of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and they were married in 1855. His ancestors originated in Wales. Mr. Gilmore is the son of Ephraim and Catharine Gilmore. His great- grandparents, on coming to this country in a very early day, settled on a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where our subject was born and educated. In 1851 he bought his first land in section 35, Dunean township, principally for pasture, and did not improve it until 1857, since which he has built a large, commodious house and barn, and has turned his attention to the fine stock and cattle business. His home has been blessed by four children, of whom one is deceased. He has lived to see the country improved from its wild condition to its present high state of civilization. He has led a quiet and peaceful life of irreproachable honesty, and has never sought office, though often importuned. Politically he is a democrat, with which party he has always acted. Of Mr. Gilmore's father's family eleven children con- stituted the family circle, of whom nine are living. From the time of his removal to Duncan township, he has bought several tracts of land bordering on his original farm, until he now has +55 acres. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Millersburg.
512
IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.
It would be difficult, indeed, to find a spot of earth where human feet have trod for nearly a half century, that has not been the scene of events worthy a place in history ; but it is often a difficult matter to glean such facts as are necessary to a correct record, from the filth and rubbish of tradition. The lack of correct data, owing to the treachery of human memory and a failure to make a correct record of the events as they transpired, make the accurate compilation of them a per- plexing task. A few well substantiated facts are of more value in his- tory than many pages of matter where a large draw on the imagination is indulged in and a mountain of fiction built on a mole-hill of fact. Desiring to be accurate we shall refrain from all superfluities and be brief, for this " soul of wit " is a jewel even in a historian.
Abington township is devoted almost wholly to grain production, though a number of persons residing in the township are extensive stock raisers. The soil is usually very fertile, and the industrious tillers of the soil reap where they sow; and the vast fields are filled with an abundance that makes glad the heart of the husbandman.
The first settlement in the township was made in about 1832 or 1833, and among the first settlers were Joseph Glancey, William T. Jackson, John W. Ditto, Frederick Frick, and Thomas Greer. All these lived to a ripe age, and Mr. Ditto still survives. Joseph Glancey settled in Abington township in July, 1834. He broke the first land in the township on the place now known as the Gates farm.
The first school-house was built in the township about 1839, near the farm of William T. Jackson, and the first teacher was Miss Harriet Wilson, who afterward married Mr. Brooks Beeson. The school- house was a small structure, built of round logs and covered with clap- boards, and contained a puncheon floor. Among the first school teachers who taught in the township were, Warren Shedd (afterward county treasurer of Mercer county, and but recently deceased) ; John Nevius, and Miss Lucy Wilson, now Mrs. T. B. Cabeen ; but the exact date when these different pedagogues wielded the birch and taught the young frontiersmen the art of orthography and penmanship, and the science of mathematics, is a matter involved in a little doubt ; but the period when each of these educators plied their vocation in Abington township, was remote enough for them to enjoy the musical voice of the prowling wolf as he figured and schemed for a raid on the pigs and sheep of the farmers, on which to satiate his keen appetite. As "re- lentless time" has moved on, the fierce beasts of prey have fled before
513
ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.
the vast tide of emigration, and the painted savage has given up his cherished hunting grounds to the pale faces who have caused the wild prairies to bloom as an Eden ; and we stop long enough in the rapid whirl of events to ask where those early school teachers and the chil- dren they taught are, as we make a record of those early events ; and the answer is the only one we could expect. Some are resting in the quiet embrace of the tomb, while others are yet alive with the marks of time visibly and indelibly carved in every feature and movement.
Mr. John W. Ditto informs us that the first marriage of white people in Abington township was that of a couple on their way from Indiana to Iowa. The bride was a widowed daughter of a man who was moving with his family to the young hawkeye state; and the groom was a teamster of the father of the bride. The party halted for a few days in the timber that fringes Pope creek, and the lovers stood on the ice, while a justice of the peace, whose name is forgotten, legalized the contract, and for once, at least, there was love "on ice." The second marriage was probably that of Robert Pence and Eliza Glancey. In every state of society there seems to be a commingling of joy and sor- row ; of pleasure and pain ; of hopes realized and anticipations blasted. While singing and dancing speak the happiness of one, mourning tells of the sorrow of another.
Mrs. Mahala Willits and Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, relate the fol- lowing sad story: In 1835 Mr. William Jack and his wife and a son and daughter were moving from Fayette county, Indiana, to Mercer county, Illinois, by boat. When between Oquawka and New Boston, Mrs. Jack died of cholera. The stricken husband and children landed at New Boston, and the remains of Mrs. Jack were taken to the resi- dence of John Denison (the only family living there at that time, we believe), and were buried where the New Boston cemetery now is; Mrs. Erastus Denison being the only person buried at the place pre- vious to the interment of Mrs. Jack. The bereaved husband and two children went to the residence of Joseph Glancey, who then resided on what is known as the Davis farm, in New Boston township. At ten o'clock on the day following the burial of Mrs. Jack, the son (Samuel), took the cholera and died at four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, and was buried on the bluff where the Davis graveyard now is; he was the first person buried there. There were none to assist in the interment but Joseph Glancey, Achillis and Miles Drury. There was no coffin to be had nearer than from Monmouth, and Mr. Glancey and the Messrs. Drury made a rough box out of the wagon box in which Mr. Glancey and his family came to Illinois, and in that they put the remains and buried them. At this time, Mr. Glancey and the few
. 514
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
other persons in the neighborhood had to get their mail at Monmouth, and there were but one or two houses between Mr. Glancey's residence and Monmouth. It was one unbroken stretch of prairie for twenty- one miles on a "bee line."
The first bridge built across Pope creek was in 1837, a few rods below where Pope mill now stands. Mr. John Rumley had the con- tract, and Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen was the boss carpenter and builder. The hands at work on the bridge boarded at Mr. Rumley's, and Mrs. E. C. Swafford, then a girl of fifteen years, was one of the cooks.
The first saw mill in Abington township was built in 1838 or 1839, by Mr. Isaiah Brown, one mile and a half cast of the Pope mill. Will- iam Willit, now of Keithsburg, ran the mill for a time and then pur- chased it.
Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford owned the first sewing machine that was in Mercer county. It was a Wheeler & Wilson, and was bought in Chicago in 1858, by Theodore Glancey, when he was on his way east to attend school in Jamestown, New York. The machine was a great curiosity in the community, and persons came for miles to see the wonder. Mrs. Swafford says the many questions asked about the machine were really amusing. The first postoffice was at the residence of Frederick Frick.
The following is a list of the citizens of Abington township elected to the office of justice of the peace, according to the record in the office of the county clerk at Aledo and the advice of old and well-informed residents : Frederick Frick, elected August 5, 1839, August 7, 1843, August 2, 1847 ; Orla C. Richardson, November 6, 1849; George Jay, November 6, 1849; S. G. Wright, April 6, 1858; Frederick Frick, April 6, 1858, April 1, 1862, April 3, 1866; William P. Strong, April 2, 1867; M. R. Gushee, April 5, 1870; William Willitt, April 7, 1874; Ernest J. Glancey, April 4, 1876; Lewis Sponsler, April 3, 1877; E. J. Glancey, April 3, 1877, April 5, 1881 ; John W. Landers, April 5, 1881.
Palestine church in Abington township was built in 1866 by the United Brethren denomination. Its original cost was about $2,000. It was dedicated August 12, 1866, Rev. L. S. Chittenden preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building will seat about 300 persons. It is a substantial frame. The society has no great strength in the way of membership, but they maintain a Sunday-school, are out of debt, and have preaching every alternate Sunday. The clergymen who have served the society as pastors are : Revs. Elisha Godfrey, Benjamin Wagoner, O. F. Smith, John Wagoner, A. G. Smith, O. O. Smith, A. Worman, Adam Wolff, and the Revs. Davis, Pease, and Chelser, the given
515
ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.
names of the latter three gentlemen being forgotten. Some of the gentlemen named served the society only one year, while others remained on the charge two years in succession.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JOSEPH GLANCEY was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1794. He learned the trade of carding machine building, and followed the trade for many years. He removed to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1820, and purchased a quarter section of heavy timber land and improved a large farm. He was married in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1818, to Rachel Snevly, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living. The eldest is Mrs. Mahala Willits, widow of Brady Willits, Esq., who died in 1873. Mrs. Willits never married again. She was born December 29, 1818. The second child, Eliza, was born September 28, 1820, and married Robert Pence in 1840. The third child is Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, who was born April 20, 1822, and was married to Mr. Joseph Swafford, March 19, 1844. Mrs. Swafford had the misfortune to lose her husband by death in seven months after their marriage, and being so soon called from the marriage feast to the house of mourning she has ever since her great misfortune remained a widow. Mr. Joseph Glancey, the prin- cipal subject of our sketch, was married four times. By the third wife he had seven children, three now living: Mrs. I. J. Mitchell, Mrs. Thomas J. Moffitt, and Ernest J. An account of the cruel murder of Theodore Glancey, together with his biographical sketch, will be found in the history of Keithsburg township in this volume. Mr. Joseph Glancey's fourth wife was Mrs. Martha Whitaker, widow of Mr. Mar- shall Whitaker, to whom he was married July 18, 1861. She is still living ; and she, Mrs. Mahala Willits, Mrs. Evaline C. Swofford, and Ernest J. Glancey and his wife, all live on the old homestead in a fine, large residence, which shows how strong and bright is the golden chord of affection which binds some families together. Ernest J., the youngest child of Mr. Joseph Glancey, was born May 17, 1848, in Abington township, and has always resided within its borders. IIe received a common school education, and follows farming. He also owns a half interest in Pope mill, built by his father, on Pope creek. He is now holding his third term as justice of the peace. He was married October 31, 187S, to Miss Lillian C., daughter of Anderson and Mary J. (Willits) Kirlin. The Glanceys are all freethinkers, most of them of the spiritualistic type. They were among. the first abolitionists of the country. The younger Glancey, Ernest J., states his creed to be as follows : The immediate payment of the national
516
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
debt ; taxation of all church property, and the abolishment of all chaplaincies in the legislatures, army and navy and state prisons.
SAMUEL, son of Samuel and Mary Knisley, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 9, 1827. His father's family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Samuel was nine years old. Ile was married in 1852 to Minerva, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Seeders. They came to Mercer county, Illinois, soon after their mar- riage and settled in Abington township. They have had born to them nine children, five of whom are living: Henry, Emma M., Lee Roy, Elmer E., and Charles W. Mr. Knisley was one of the most success- ful farmers in his neighborhood, and was a good and well-esteemed citizen ; but for several years he has been afflicted with hallucinations, which unfit him for business. While this misfortune is a sore affliction to the family, Mrs. Knisley and her two sons, Lee Roy and Elmer E., are keeping their beautiful home of 194 acres in excellent shape. Lee Roy received a common school education and attended the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Davenport, Iowa, one term. He had thought of engaging in mercantile business, but circumstances have led him to adopt agriculture as his chief work.
Among the early settlers of Abington township was the family of FREDERICK FRICK. They came from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Mr. Frick was elected a justice of the peace the year follow- ing his settlement in Abington township, and he was elected five times to the same position, being on his fifth term when he died. Mr. Frick was the first postmaster in Abington township, the office being located at the farm-house of Mr. Frick at the Bluff, five miles east of where Keithsburg is now situated. Mr. and Mrs. Frick had eight children : Sarah E. (Mrs. W. A. Willits), George A., Mary C. (Mrs. John E. Willits), Harriet W. (Mrs. James Noble), Rebecca N. (Mrs. Joshna Cabeen), Lucy J. (Mrs. Harvey N. Smith), William W., and Charles P. Mr. Frick died in 1866. George A., the second child, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1826. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, and assisted his father in the work of farming, and has made agriculture his chief business. He was married, March 29, 1848, to Frances, daughter of William and Anna Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have five children living, and one (Harry Norvell) deceased. The living are: Frederick W., Albert A., Warren T., Alice, and Homer W. Mr. Frick is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a democrat politically, and an independent on ques- tions of religion. Mr. Frick has served his township as supervisor three terms, held the office of township collector ten years, and that of town clerk two years. The handsome home of Mr. Frick is near
517
ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.
where his father's family first settled, and consists of 140 acres of land with the necessary appurtenances.
ANDREW J. DOUGLASS was born in Bath county, Virginia, May 18, 1825. IIe is the son of Andrew J. and Nancy A. (Fox) Douglass. When our subject was about ten years old his parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, where young Douglass grew to young man- hood. Hle then turned his face westward and made his first halt in Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved onward toward the setting sun. This move brought him to Mercer county where he has since resided, a period of nearly forty years. It may not be amiss here to mention that the lady who has been Mrs. Douglass for thirty-four years, came with her parents to Mercer county a year previous to Mr. Douglass' turning his steps westward; and when we call to mind the fact that an acquaintance had existed between the two parties in the state of Ohio, it is not difficult to divine the guiding star that directed the feet of Mr. Douglass to the vast, unbro- ken prairies of the "Far West." Mr. Douglass came west without any capital, save his willing hands and unimpeachable character, and for a number of years he occupied only rented land. He then pur- chased the place on which he now lives and improved it ; and he now has a grand farm of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation, well supplied with good buildings of every sort demanded on a farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Douglass has a passion for fine horses, and he can boast of some fine specimens in this line. Mr. Douglas was married April 6, 1848, to Mary J. McIntire, daughter of John and Elizabeth McIntire. . Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been blessed with eight children : Frances E., Mary E., William R., George R., Isaiah H., Charles I., Mina I., and Andrew J. Frances E., the eldest, was married to George W. Braucht, March 21, 1867, and died July 21, 1869, leaving an infant son, Frederick E .; Mary E. is married to James M. Greer. ; William R., to Mary E. Walker, and Isaiah H., to Ida M. Jones. Mr. Douglass is a greenbacker, politically. Hle and Mrs. Douglass are Sabbatarians, or Seventh Day Adventists.
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.