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 62
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at Bridger's Corners. Mr. Mauk died at his residence June 19, 1879, and his departure was mourned by many friends, some of whom had often received favors at the hands of the deceased.
WILLIAM P. MORGAN, son of Sankey and Ann (Brown) Morgan, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1839. He received his early education in a log school-house in Pennsylvania. In 1858 the family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 19. in Suez township. Mr. Morgan was married in 1868 to Miss Martha J. Atchison, a native of Ohio. The fruits of this union are seven children, six sons and one daughter. Hle enlisted August 9, 1862, in company E. 102d Ill. Inf. He was discharged October 18, 1863. at Laverne. Tennessee. Mr. Morgan is a member of the United Presbyterian church with which he united in 1868. Hle is also justice of the peace.
RICHARD C. MCCLELLAN, son of Richard and Susana Mcclellan, was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania. September 25, 1838. Mr. McClellan received his education at what is now known as the Jefferson College. in Washington county. In February. 1865. he enlisted in the 87th Penn. Inf .. and was with the regiment until mustered out. He was married October 26. 1866, to Miss Martha MeCutcheon, a native of Ohio. The fruits of the union are five chil- dren. whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Nathaniel R., Evart S., Clarence R .. Minnie G., and AArmadilla S. Mr. McClel- lan is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1866.
GUS BRUINGTON, son of Alfred and Adeline Bruington, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, Illinois. September 22, 1846. He was married in 1871 to Miss Annie Lafferty. a daughter of William Lafferty, Sr .. one of the earliest settlers of Suez township. Mr. Bruington. although quite young. has surrounded himself by all the luxuries and comforts the country affords, and has before him a bright and prosperous future.
JOSHUA H. BROWN, son of Benjamin and Lucinda Brown. was born in the town of North Henderson, July 6. 1841. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Mercer county. Mr. Brown received his educa- tion in the public school of North Henderson. July 22. 1862. he entered the service of his country in Co. H. 84th Ill. Inf .. and remained in that regiment until June 16. 1865. On January 1. 1867, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary (Dilley) Rodgers, a native of Mercer county. and daughter of William Dilley. of Ohio Grove town- ship. The names of his children. in the order of their ages, are as follows : Vinnie R., Cyrus D., Gus B., and Lucinda M. (deceased in
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
infancy). In August, 1878, Mr. Brown was nominated for sheriff at the republican convention, at Aledo. In the following November he was elected. receiving as many votes as both his greenback and demo- cratic opponents. Mr. Brown is a member of the Universalist church, of Suez.
HENRY T. BRIDGER, son of Henry and Elizabeth Bridger, was born April 28. 1832, in Renssalaer county, New York. In 1836, the family moved to Mercer county. In the fall of 1862, Mr. Bridger enlisted in Co. E, 102d III. Inf. He remained in the service of his country about one year, being discharged on account of disabilities. In December, 1867, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah J. Mclaughlin, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. The fruits of this union are three children : Amy M., William J., and Edna E. The family are attendants at the Methodist Episcopal church.
THOMAS G. BROWN, son of Harison and Martha Brown, was born in North Henderson township, Mercer county, March 25, 1836. Mr. Brown received his early education in a log school-house that stood on section 6, North Henderson township. In December, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E. 102d Ill. Inf., and was with that regiment in every engage- inent until mustered out of service. IIe was discharged June 7, 1865, at Chicago. In February, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Coleman, a native of Ohio. The fruits of this union are two children, Nellie and Peter F. It will be seen that Mr. Brown was one of the first white children born in the county. His father, Harison, spoken of elsewhere in the work, is one of the few surviving pioneers of Mercer.
WILLIAM L., son of James and Jane Stewart, was born in Union county, Indiana, in 1827. In 1835 the family emigrated to Illinois, and his father bought the claim owned by George Blake, in section 21. In 1858 he was married to Miss Harriet Dryden. a native of Ohio, who died in 1859. March 7, 1861, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Caldwell, a native of Shelby county, Ohio. The names of his children in the order of their ages are: Nancy J., Mattie E., Mira L., William J., Mary J., Ettie F., and Earl O. In August, 1862, Mr. Stewart enlisted in Co. E, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and remained with that regi- ment until the close of the war. He is a member of the United Pres- byterian church, with which he united in 1858. In polities he is a republican. His father, James Stewart, now residing in Alexis, was one of the earliest settlers in Suez township, and assisted in preparing some notes for the historical association.
THOMAS J. GREENWOOD, son of John and Catharine (Filony) Green- wood, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, September 23, 1849.
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In 1866 he left the quiet life of the farm and went to Galesburg and attended school at the Lombard university. He remained here one year. In 1881 he was elected justice of the peace for a term of four years. In 1878 he was elected assessor for one term, and in this office. as in all others which he has filled, he gave excellent satis- faction. September 22, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Goddard, a native of Warren county, Illinois. Mr. Greenwood owns a fine farm of 120 acres, on sections 10 and 15, and we predict for him a bright and prosperous future. He is a prominent republican. and takes an active part in political affairs. Mr. Greenwood is a member of I.O.O.F. lodge, 526, at Alexis, with which he united in August, 1880. He has many friends throughout the country, and is highly respected by all.
JOHN DINGWELL was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in March. 1814. At an early age he came to America, and followed the star of empire westward to Illinois, locating in North Henderson township, Mercer county. . In 1840 he bought a farm near Norwood, in Suez township. In 1849 he went to Galesburg and began a course of study in the academy at that place. At the end of two years he returned to Mercer county, and in 1852 was married to Mrs. Mercy Crabtree, a native of England. In the same year he bought land in section 3. in Suez township. The names of his children are : Jennie E., (deceased in her twenty-fourth year). William G. (now residing in Suez town- ship), and John (deceased in infancy). Mr. Dingwell died Nov. +, 1873. The funeral services were performed in the United Presbyterian church, at Viola. In his early life Mr. Dingwell had been a Cove- nanter, but later united with the United Presbyterian denomination.
HENRY W., son of David and Elizabeth (Snyder) Mauk, was born in Harrison county, Indiana, June 14, 1830. When twenty-four years of age he came to Mercer county, and in 1856 purchased land in section 11, in Suez township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E. 102d Ill. Inf., and was with that gallant regiment until June, 1865. He was married January 4. 1871, to Miss Annie Smith, a native of Warren county, Illinois. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are: David R. (deceased), Freddie G. (de- ceased), Ora B., and Alta M., who are twins.
ROBERT CAMPBELL, son of Matthew and Hannah Campbell, was born November 26, 1822, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. In 1848 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and in 1850 he bought land in section 30, in Suez township. His father's family are of Scotch and Irish descent, and his mother was born in the land of freedom. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Morgan, a native of
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Pennsylvania, who died in 1874. In 1875 he was married to Mrs. Amanda M. Cantrall. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Hannah R., Matthew F., Ann E., Frank- lin P., Helen C., Robert I., Martha J., Mary N., Lydia M., Sarah L. (deceased), and Eugene R. ; the last-named is by the second wife. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. He has a farm of 120 acres of excellent land in Suez township.
GEORGE, son of George and Mary Bruington, was born in Breck- enridge county, Kentucky, in 1821. In 1852 he emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and bought land in section 24, Suez township. Mr. Bruington was married in 1842 to Miss Dowel, also a native of Ken- tucky. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Benjamin, James, and Amanda. He is a member of no church, but tries to do his duty toward God and his fellow men.
JAMES H. BROWNLEE, son of William and Catharine (Hutchison) Brownlee, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 1, 1828. His family are of Scotch origin. He received his education in the public schools of his native county. In 1853 the family came to Illinois, and locating in Mercer county, purchased land in section 31, in Suez township. His father now resides in Labette county, Kansas. Mr. Brownlee was married September 20, 1855, to Miss Martha J. Barclay, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. Their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Etha L., Blanch M. (deceased), Elmer F., Ulysses G., Albin B., Ennis R., Nora K., and Roy. In the winter of 1855 he bought land on the N. E. { of Sec. 31, and he is now the possessor of a one-half section of fine land. Mrs. Brownlee is a member of the United Presbyterian church, having united early in life. The family are highly respected by all, and many and true are their friends.
MARTIN PEASE, son of Pelatiah and Nancy Pease, was born in 1824, in Waldo county, Maine. In 1837 the family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 20, in Suez township, the nearest postoffice being Spring Grove. He saw the men building the first school-house in the township, which was of logs, and stood on section 21. In 1847 he was married to Miss Martha A. Pollok, daughter of Robert Pollok, one of Mercer county's pioneers. The fruits of this marriage are seven children : Alonzo U., Nelson S. (de- ceased), Edwin (deceased), Charles R. (deceased), Mary I., Martin A., and May. Mr. and Mrs. Pease are both members of the United Pres- byterian church, with which they united in 1850. In 1850 he bought land in section 20, and now owns a fine farm of 150 acres. On
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SUEZ TOWNSHIP'.
October 24, 1880, his house took fire from a defective flue, and burned to the ground. Loss $200, and no insurance. In 1881 Mr. Pease erected a handsome residence on the same foundation. He has many friends and is respected wherever he is known.
JOSEPH PEASE, son of Pelatiah. and Nancy Pease, was born in Knox county, Maine, February, 5, 1822. The family on his father's side are of English origin. In 1837, the family emigrated to Mercer county, and bought a claim in Suez township. October 14, 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Libby, who died March 15, 1852. January 24, 1853, he married Miss Sarah Stewart, who died Sep- tember 27, 1864. March 15, 1866, he was again married to Miss Christiana Sprowl. The names of his children are: Zorah E. (deceased), Laura G., Nancy F. (deceased), Joseph S., Campbell B., John A., Pelatiah, Ausley, Elizabeth J., Sarah L. (deceased), Mary L., and George W. Mr. Pease is a member of the United Presby- terian church, with which he was united in 1876. He is one of Mercer county's pioneers, and did his part toward paving the way for civil- ization.
JOHN A., son of Joseph and Sarah Pease, was born in Suez town- ship, June 23, 1858. He was married February 14, 1878, to Miss Susan Lafferty, daughter of John Lafferty, of Suez township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church, with which they united in 1879.
A. PEASE, son of Joseph and Sarah Pease, was born in Suez town- ship, Mercer county, May 8, 1859. He was married January 23, 1879, to Miss Maggie A. Wallace, a native of Warren county, Illinois. They have one child, whose name is Guy C. Mr. Pease owns land in sec- tion 16, where he, with his pleasant family, resides.
JAMES H. LAFFERTY, son of John and Grizelle Lafferty, was born in Suez township, Mercer county, May 24, 1844. He remained at home until August 8, 1862, when he entered the service of his country, in Co. E, 102d Ill. Inf., and remained with the regiment until June 9, 1865, when he received his discharge. On February 28, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Porter, a native of Pennsylvania. The fruits of this union are : Frank S., Mattie G., John (deceased), and Guy C. In 1874, Mr. Lafferty engaged in the stock business and keeps on hand from fifty to one hundred head of short horn cattle. While at his farm the writer had the pleasure of being shown some very handsome animals, a few of which were recently imported from England. His farm is admirably adapted to the business, and this fact, together with the enterprise of the proprietor, will. doubtless, render his labors highly successful.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
JOHN L., son of Henry and Jane Mclaughlin, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. His father and mother were both of Irish descent. His mother was a niece of Gen. Potter, of Revolution- ary fame. In 1856, he emigrated to Illinois, and in 1857, bought land in section 2, Suez township. His father died in September, 1881. aged eighty-six, and was buried in the Norwood cemetery. Mr. Mclaughlin was married in 1844 to Miss Martha J. Angelo, also a native of Mercer county. The names of the children born to them are : Sarah J., James H. (deceased), Cassius C., Willis J., Mary M .. and Josephine. Both are members of the United Brethren church, at Suez.
GEORGE W. SEDWICK was boru in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, Ilis father's given name was Washington, and his mother's Elizabeth. When thirteen years of age he went to Williamsport, Ohio, and entered a machine shop, for the purpose of learning the trade. After working here two years he went to Mount Jackson and worked two years more under instruction. At the end of that time he went to New Castle, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1861. In that year he was married to Miss Caroline Peeble, a native of Bavaria. Their children's names are as follows : Willis D., Harry L., and an adopted child. Lillie R. In the spring of 1861, Mr. Sedwick came to Mercer county, Illinois. In 1864 he bought land in section 16, in Suez township. In 1870 he sold his farm and engaged in the mercantile business at Suez. which he continued until 1874, when he closed out his stock and bought a farm in section 9, where he now resides. He and Mrs. Sedwick are both members of the United Brethren church.
The Brownlee family are of Scotch origin. DAVID S., the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 1, 1820. His father's name was David, and his mother's Betsey. In 1839 his father and family emigrated to Warren county, Illinois, and located near Little York. In 1842 the subject of this sketch came to Mercer county, and for about a year was engaged in breaking prairie and threshing. In 1843 he bought land in section 16, Suez township. In 1873 Mr. Brownlee was elected supervisor of Suez township, in which capacity he served for several terms. He was married in 1845 to Miss Margaret Pollok, daughter of Robert Pollok, one of the earliest settlers in Mercer county. His first wife died November 23, 1872, and he was again married January 11, 1877, to Miss Maria Montgomery. May 27, 1881, his second wife died. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Robert B., Addie A., and Ida M. Mr. Brownlee is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1848.
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DR. JAMES F. MOCUTCHAN was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1833. His early life was spent on the farm. When twenty-two years of age he entered college at Washington, Iowa, and graduated from that institution in May, 1861. Immediately after completing his studies he enlisted in Co. II, 2d reg. Iowa Vol. Inf. During his connection with that regiment he became personally acquainted with Gen. James B. Weaver. In the fall of 1863 he was made captain of ('o. D, 9th reg. Iowa Vol. Cav., and acted in that capacity until the close of the war. Previous to his promotion, however, he partici- pated in several engagements with the 2d Iowa, among which was the battle of Fort Donelson, where that regiment won for itself a name that will go down into the pages of history. The doctor was dis- charged in May, and was married in August, 1865, to Miss M. J. S. Graham, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Mary Edna and Sarah Edith (twins), were born November 13, 1866; A. Joseanna, born December 14, 1870; Alma O., born June 12, 1876; and Clara G., born April 2, 1881. In the fall of 1865 he entered the office of Dr. Webster at Monmouth, and was under that gentleman's instructions one year. In the fall of 1866 he became a student at Keokuk, Iowa, and received his diploma in the spring of 1868. In that year he located at Norwood, and since that time has practiced in that vicinity. In conversing with the doctor the writer found him to be a gentlemen of more than ordinary intelligence, fluent in conversa- tion, and progressive in all things.
JAMES M. LEE, son of John and Eliza Lee, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1836. In the spring of 1857 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he worked at carpentering until the spring of 1861. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 102d reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and was with that regiment until the close of the war. He was married November 22, 1866, to Miss Harriet A. Lafferty, daughter of John Lafferty, of Suez township. Their children's names are : John A., Miriam E., Marietta, Lela I., and Ethel A. They are both members of the United Presbyterian church.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
GREENE TOWNSHIP.
GEOLOGY.
CONTRIBUTED BY DR. J. V. FRAZIER, OF VIOLA.
Greene township is traversed throughout its length from east to west by an irregular, broad and elevated plateau or water-shed, the drainings from which on the north bear a north and westerly direction to the Edwards river, while on the south the water courses bear south and westerly to join Pope creek.
The Edwards river, coming from the east, flows just north of and along the northeastern portion of the township, for two and a half miles, when it enters the township about midway of the north line of section 3, running thence nearly west until it passes beyond our town- ship's line on section 6. Pope creek enters the township at near the the southeast corner and passes in a westerly direction entirely through it on its southern border. The Donohue and Skunk runs, as also two or three unnamed deep-cut water-ways, fed here and there by springs. carry the surface waters from the north half of the township into the Edwards river, while North Pope, Collins, or "Nigger" run, with two or three deep ravines, serve to drain the south half into Pope creek.
These streams and water-courses, while furnishing an abundant sup- ply of water, at the same time shape the surface of the country and determine the quality of the soil. Not more than three-fifths of the township is prairie. Along the immediate valleys of the larger streams there is a deep black soil, rich in humus, and in some places covered by heavy growths of timber, while upon the ridges bordering the water-courses are the so called "barrens." The soil of the prai- ries is mostly deep and of a blackish or chocolate colored loam, with a yellow or light brown clay subsoil. The soil of the "barrens" is similar to that of the prairies, only lighter colored and less in depth. becoming of a light brown or yellowish color along the sides and over the tops of the ridges, on account of the character of the sub- soil which comes near the surface.
The surface deposits of the township comprise the ordinary sub- divisions of the quarternary period, alluivium, loess, and drift. The alluivium deposits are mostly confined to narrow belts along the larger streams. Some of this land is so low as to be too much subject to overflow for growing cereals, but affording excellent meadow and grazing grounds.
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GREENE TOWNSHIP.
The loess deposit is found sparingly, capping some of the high points along Pope creek, but not sufficient in quantity to require special notice.
Drift .- The deposits of this subdivision consist of a series of brown and blue clays, mixed here and there with sand, gravel and small peb- bles, which are spread over the entire surface of the township. Quite a number of boulders of igneous or metamorphic rocks lie scattered along the borders of the streams and in the valleys of most of the tem- porary water courses.
Coal Measures .- The stratified rocks exposed in this township all belong to the coal measures and include the lower groups. from coal No. 3 of the Illinois section down to near the base of this formation. They consist of various strata of limestone, sandstone, clay, shale, and coal, and are supposed to reach a thickness of from 100 to 150 feet. A boring on section 14, near Viola, reaches 130 feet without passing entirely through this formation.
There have been three seams of coal found and more or less worked in the township, although No. 3 and No. 1 have been the most exten- sively mined. Coal No. 3 has been found only on sections 31 and 32. The mines of Mr. Martin and Mr. Morrow are on this seam, while about twenty-five feet lower down coal No. 2 was formerly worked by Mr. Martin by a drift into the hill. The discovery of the thicker and more profitable vein No. 3 above caused its abandonment several years ago. Coal No. 3 at Martin's bank varies from three to five feet in thickness, is safely and profitably worked, and affords one of our very best fuel coals.
Coal No. 2 of the Illinois group, in all the exposures thus far made in the township, has shown too thin a vein for profitable mining at present, varying from one and a half to two feet in thickness. This seam has been found at several points, notably on the Gilmore farm. S. W. ¿ of Sec. 23, on the Morey farm, N. E. # of Sec. 27, and at Mar- tin's bank in the S. W. { of Sec. 31. Besides the mining formerly done on this vein on Martin's bank, the openings on the Gilmore farm and on B. F. Morey's old farm afforded a fair quantity of fuel coal, but were never operated except for the use of the owners' families and some of their neighbors. At the two last named farms the coal was mined by stripping the soil, clay and slate overlying it, but the increasing depth of the overlying clay and shale as they neared the higher ground rendered its mining unprofitable by this process, and the promise of a poor " roof" over the coal discouraged the owners from running a drift into the hills.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
From the shales overlying coals No. 3 and No. 2 our amateur geologists have gathered many of the fossils peculiar to the coal measures of this part of the state. Besides several species of bryozora, these sections furnish conularia, haniproartes creuistro, lima retifero, spirifer lunitus, attryrus subtitito, productus nebrascensis, pleurophorus solenifornius, etc. The greater portion of the coal pro- duced, for which our township is somewhat famous, comes from coal No. 1 of the Illinois section. This seam varies in thickness from three and a half to four and a half feet, the general average reaching about four feet. The deposit of this coal seam stretches across the township from east to west, being a part only of the great Edwards river seam. It has been found and extensively mined on sections 2. 3, 4, 5, 6 and the N. W. } of 11. The principal shafts now in operation are N. B. Frazier's, on the S. E. of section 2, Russell Park's and H. Boone's on section 3, Wm. Blaine's. W. P. Collins' and Guthrie's shafts on section +; Bell Brothers' on section 5; Geo. Pinkerton's and Hegg's works on section 6. This vein of coal probably underlies a very considera- ble portion of the township, particularly along the northern half, but will be found at a considerable depth, if found at all, under the higher water shed of the township, all the openings heretofore made being located in the valleys of the streams, fully 150 feet below the plateau upon which Viola stands. This vein shows, in some localities, a peculiarity worthy of mention. Starting from the east side of the township, where we find but little admixture of slate, there is a gradual development of this material westward until we reach section 4, where it constitutes a parting strip of about four inches, about midway of the seam, and from thence west thickens out so rapidly that on section 6 it forms a parting varying in thickness from eighteen to twenty inches. While this layer of shale between the upper and lower coal does not impair its quality seriously, still it renders mining tedious and expen- sive on account of the necesssity of taking care of so much refuse matter.
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