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 75
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DR. EDWARD L. EMERSON was born in Keithsburg township, Mercer county, Illinois, August 18, 1846. His father, William S., and mother, Delilah Hurt Emerson, were both natives of Wayne county, Indiana, and settled in Keithsburg township, in this county, about the year 1842, on the place where they now reside. The family is composed of : Edward L., William A. (married and farming in Nebraska), Albert L. (married and farming near his father's), Thomas H., and Ida May. Edward L. was reared on his father's farm until the sum- mer of. 1862. When sixteen years old he enlisted in Co. C, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and shared in all the trials and helped to win all the glory won by that regiment. In 1863, while the regiment was stationed at Gallatin, Tennessee, he was sent with a squad as guard to a forage train. While on this duty, the squad was attacked by a large partisan
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force of the confederates, and he and William Merritt, of company I of the same regiment, were captured at Epperson Springs, Tennessee, and sent to Libby prison, Richmond, Virginia. They were both ex- changed the latter part of the summer, and Edward L. rejoined his regiment at La Vergne, Tennessee, in September, 1863. From that time until the final mustering ont and discharge of the regiment at the close of the war, he was with the command, sharing in its weary marches and hard fought battles ; and the latter were by no means few, as the old flag at Springfield will attest. After his return from the army he attended school one year at Keithsburg, and then took a special course of nine months at a select school taught in Ohio Grove township, giving three months to grammar, the same time to rhetoric and elocution, and the same to mathematics. In September, 1868, he married Laura Markee, daughter of Jesse Markee, of Ohio Grove township, by whom he has two children: Jesse W. (now thirteen years old), and May F. (nine years old). After his marriage, in 1868, he located on a farm near Millersburg. August 10, 1877, his wife died, and was buried in the cemetery at Aledo. After her death he resolved to fit himself for the practice of medicine. While carrying on his farm, he began a course of reading under Dr. W. B. Artz, of Joy, which he continued for two years, reciting twice each week. During the fall and winter terms of 1879-80, and the spring term of 1880, he attended Rush Medical College, Chicago. The summer of 1880 he spent in the office with Dr. Craig, of Aledo, finishing his course at Rush Medical College during the fall and winter terms of 1880-81, graduating February 22, 1881. He also took a special course under Prof. E. Fletcher Ingalls, on diseases of the throat and chest, and another under Prof. E. L. Holmes, on diseases of the eye and car. March 23, 1881, he married Miss Ella M. Gailey, daughter of S. W. Gailey, of Aledo, and on March 26 located and began the practice of his profession in New Windsor. Is a member of the order of A.F.A.M., and also of the I.O.O.F.
DR. JOHN B. RATHBUN was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1820, and is son of Elilm Rathbun, who was born in the state of New York, September 8, 1794, and Eleanor Beatty, who was a native of Pennsylvania and related to the Darlingtons, of east Penn- sylvania. Mr. Rathbun moved from New York to Pennsylvania in 1816, and there married Miss Beatty. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Sarah Towell, who is a native of Pennsylvania. Dur- ing his residence in Pennsylvania he was engaged in farming and the ministry. In 1835 he came to Illinois, settling in what is now Bowling township, in Rock Island county, but for several years past has resided
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
in Viola, in this county. Mr. Rathbun's children by his first wife were: Adaline (deceased), John B., Margaret E., Bulina A., and Fin- law Darlington (deceased); by his second wife: Fitz W., Homer H. (who enlisted in the 9th Ill. Vol. Cav. and died in Missouri while in the service), Elihn, Phoebe and Isaac (who are twins), and Sarah (wife of T. T. Spicer, now living near Chariton, Iowa). Dr. Rathbun's youth was spent on his father's farm and in attending the common school of that day. He attended Alleghany college two years and then followed Prof. Griffith from that institution to Mercer academy, where he at- tended two years, working at intervals to pay his way. He then went south with Prof. Griffith and taught two years, reading medicine dur- ing the time under Dr. Terrell, of Black Hawk, Mississippi. He after ward completed his medical course at the Eclectic Medical college, Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1847; began the practice of his profes- sion in West Greenville, Pennsylvania, where, on September 17, 1848, he married Emeline J. Waugh, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and a sister of the well known proprietor of Waugh's mill, at Richland Grove, in this county. June 1852 he moved to Rock Island, in this state, and practiced there until the spring of 1857, when he re- moved to Richland Grove, in this county. June 21, 1859, his wife died, leaving two sons, William W., and Frank Darlington. William W. was born in June 1850, and Frank D., in September, 1854. William W. studied law, and graduated at Union College of Law, Chicago. After practicing three years in Rock Island, his health be- came so impaired that he removed to New Windsor, in this county, and is now engaged in the drug business. He married Miss Ella Barge, daughter of William Barge, a leading lawyer of Dixon, her mother being a daughter of John Dixon, the well known pioneer of Lee county and founder of the city of Dixon. Frank D. graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1877, and from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1878, and served one year, after leaving the last named institution, in the Philadelphia hospital. He is now practicing in New Windsor, whither Dr. John B. Rathbun removed from Richland Grove, April 1878, and where he still resides to assist his son in his now large practice.
ISAAC BROOKS was born near Manchester, England, July 4, 1829. Came to the United States in May, 1849, and settled in Carbon county, Pennsylvania. Lived there five years, working in various coal mines. After traveling about the country for two years, he finally settled in this county in 1856. In the spring of 1857 he moved on to the N. E. } of Sec. 2, Rivoli township, since which time he has added to his farm until he now owns 380 acres in this county and eighty acres in
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Henry county. April 9, 1849, just before leaving England, he married Maria Ann Jul, who came to America with him and made him a faith- ful wife and helpmeet until her death, which occurred February 21, 1880, leaving no children. Ilis father died in England when he was an infant, and his mother, who came to this country, died in Ohio. He has one brother. Thomas, living at West Brookfield. Stark county, Ohio, and another, George, who lives in Trego county, Kansas, the latter having a family of nine or ten children. December 21, 1880. he married Emma J. Peterson, who was born in Sweden, December 22, 1862, and came to America in 1874, with her father, Andrew Peterson, of Cable, this county. Mr. Brooks is a Master Mason, a member of Oxford Lodge. No. 367. A. F.A. M. Their only child Mary L .. was born April 22, 1881.
VICTORIA C. M. TRACY was born near Cleveland, Ohio. January 28. 1847, daughter of John and Emeline C. (Hicks) Morris. Her father was born in Somersetshire, England. May 27, 1816, and came to America with his father in 1840, and settled near Cleveland, Ohio. March 1, 1846, he married Emeline C. Hicks, of Zanesville, Ohio, who was born in that state August 20, 1827. Iler father was killed by robbers in Zanesville, leaving a brother (Thomas Hicks) in Kentucky, and a son (John) in Louisville, Kentucky. Her mother was Esther Black, of French descent, her family living near Philadelphia. Mrs. Tracy came to Illinois with her parents in 1851, by the lakes to Chicago, and thence by team to Mercer county, settling near Keithsburg. Five years later they moved to Warren county, and in 1865 returned to Mercer county. Mr. Morris buying a farm in section 9, in Greene town- ship, where he resides now. His father died near Keithsburg in 1856. aged sixty-eight; and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah 'Brewer, died in 1864, aged eighty-one years. April 22, 1869, Miss Victoria married Jonathan Tracy, of Rivoli township, their residence being on S. E. { of Sec. 1. Mrs. Tracy has three children : Ida (born February 28, 1870), Baz. (May 1, 1872), and Fred. (August 13, 1874). May 26. 1878. Mr. Tracy died, since which time Mrs. Tracy has managed the affairs of the farm, consisting of 372 acres, with marked ability, taking high rank among the large and successful farmers of the county. Her business tact caused her neighbors to elect her school director of her district, which office she still holds. In 1871 Mr. Tracy built a large and elegant residence on his farm, where the family now reside, one and one-half miles north of the village of New Windsor. Jonathan Tracy was born in Mason county, Kentucky. November 25, 1830. His father (Vesey Tracy) and mother (Rachel Hayden) were. natives of that state, and were married in 1828. In 1839 his mother
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
died, and his father afterward married Miss Nancy Grenard, by whom he had two sons, George W. and Francis M., who live near Winterset, Iowa. In 1850 he married Miss Mary Dancer, who died a year later. In 1853 he came to Illinois, and purchased land in Henry county. May 21, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth Love, a native of Mercer county. Having sold his farm in Henry county that year, he bought land in the S. E. 4 of Sec. 1, Rivoli township, which forms a part of the present homestead. Here were born : George (December 31, 1857, who died in his sixth year), Rachel (September 22, 1859), Jane (March 3, 1861), Emma (November 8, 1862), Mary (December 7, 1864); and in August, 1868, his second wife died, leaving him with four mother- less children. Mr. Tracy was always engaged in farming, and by industry and energy raised himself from humble beginnings to the position of a well-to-do farmer. He was not a member of any church or society, and in politics adhered to the democratic faith.
NATHAN P. SMITHI was born in Ohio in 1830, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1840, when ten years old. His father (Stephen Smith) was a native of Massachusetts, and emigrated to Ohio when a young man, and there married Anna Belt, who survived him, living with her son Frank on the old homestead in section + in this township. He first came to Illinois in 1838, and entered forty acres of prairie in section 4 and 120 acres of timber land in Richland Grove, also a tract of timber land on Pope creek. Returning to Ohio he brought his family to Illinois in 1840, and settled on the forty acres of prairie he had previously entered in section 4. He died in 1845, leaving eight children, four boys and four girls. Two of these have died since, Lyman and Mattie (formerly wife of T. G. Woodham). Four of the survivors reside in this township: Nathan P., Chauncey, Frank, and Mary (wife of James Durston). Two daughters (married) live, one in Iowa and one at Moline, Illinois. Mr. Smith was a blacksmith, and opened on his place the first blacksmith shop in the township. Nathan P. spent his youth upon the farm, and in the winter of 1847. when seventeen years old, taught his first school in Richland Grove town- ship, agreeing to teach for $12 per month, and was to have $15 if the patrons were suited. When his school closed he made out his bill at $15 per month, and it was paid without question. He afterward taught four winters in Oxford, Henry county, and four winters at the Hopewell district in this township, also taught at Henderson Grove. In 1860 he married Mary Ann Woodham, and built his present resi- dence, and settled in the N. ¿ of the N. E. of Sec. 9, which he had been improving for some years previously. The farm consists of 100 acres of prairie, besides which he has twenty acres of timber. He
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has two children, Minnie (the elder) and Charles. He was supervisor of this township three successive years during war times. In politics he is a republican, but is not very partisan.
TIMOTHY D. MERRYMAN was born in Kennebec county, Maine, Jan- uary 14, 1827, town of Chesterville, now in Monroe county. His father, Timothy Merryman, was born in Brunswick, Maine, November. 16, 1787, and married Elizabeth Dunning January 23, 1813, who was also a native of Maine. He was a ship carpenter by trade, also a farmer, clearing for himself a farm among the pines of his native state. In 1835, with his three oldest sons and eldest daughter he came to Illinois, and, locating in Richland Grove township, sent for the remain- der of the family to come, which they did the next year, 1836, coming all the way with teams. Mrs. Merryman being sick on their arrival at Wheeling, Virginia, took passage on a boat with one of her daughters and came by river to Rock Island. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters, seven of whom survive. The six sons in the order of their ages are : Albert D., Thomas, David D., Joseph M., Timothy D., and Ira. The only surviving daughter, Thirza Ann, is the wife of Robinson Nye and resides in Moline, Illinois. Mrs. Merryman died in October, 1852, aged sixty-four, and Mr. M. died in April, 1873, at the age of eighty-six, their remains resting in the cemetery at Moline. Timothy D. was brought up on the farm, and at the age of twenty-one began his fortune with a capital of $50. He bought an interest in a saw mill that his father and one of his brothers had built in Richland Grove in 1845. While engaged in this mill he made a claim on 160 acres of land in section 9, Rivola township, to which he afterward added eighty acres in the same section and entered it with land warrants in 1850. He had forty acres under improvement when. in 1853. he crossed the plains to California with an ox team. Thus can he boast of having crossed the continent from Maine to California with a team. He was engaged there in mining, farming and teaming until 1863, when he returned to Illinois and settled where he now lives, on the northeast of section 9. December 1. 1864, he married Miss Mary Manning, who was born in Richland Grove township, in this county, July 23, 1840. She was daughter of James Manning, one of Mercer county's pioneers, who settled in that township in 1835. Of six sons and three daughters but two survive, Mrs. Merryman and one brother in Indiana. March 24, 1873, his house was burned, but he replaced it with a fine, spacious residence, surrounded by quite a grove of maples, that have grown from seed planted by himself, and from which he can now make a barrel of syrup annually. He has added to his original farm until he now owns 640 acres, including twenty acres
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
of timber. In 1878 he built on his place the first dairy in the county, which has made large quantities of cheese and butter since that time, but is run exclusively now as a creamery. Mr. and Mrs. Merryman are both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
A. P. SHIROYER was born in this township in 1851. His father, . Henry Shroyer, was born in Indiana in 1815, and in 1842 married Miss Rebecca Hughes, who was born in that state in 1820; and there their oldest son (William) was born in 1846. In 1847 Mr. and Mrs. Shrover came from Indiana to this state, settling on the S. E. } of Sec. 15, in this township, where he lived until his death a few years ago, and where his widow, who survives him, still lives. Besides the above- nanfed children there are : M. L. (born in 1856), Sarah J. (born 1859), and Martha I. (born 1863). January 1, 1869, William married Miss Johanna Powell, daughter of Horatio Powell, an old settler in North Henderson township. A. P. married Miss Donna Meadows November 11, 1875. She was born in Warren county, Illinois, June 12, 1855; daughter of James Meadows. They have three children, all boys. A. P. is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 367, A.F.A.M., and is its secretary at present. IIe and his wife are members of the Christian church, and were connected with the church in New Windsor as long as it was in existence. Ile was formerly in the drug business in New Windsor, but is now engaged in farming. Two years ago he built a very commodious residence on part of the old homestead, where he now resides, and, with his brother (M. L.), carries on the farm, which comprises 280 acres. The family is of German origin, the name having been spelled Schroyer, but with the lapse of time the c has become elided.
T. G. WOODHAMS was born in Albany, New York, October 19, 1837. Ilis father and mother, William and Harriet (Gorham) Woodhams, were both natives of England. Mr. Woodhams came to America first in 1820, but returned again after a short stay. In 1828 he came to AAmerica, to make this his permanent home. He married Harriet Gorham in Albany, New York. In 1838 he came to Illinois and settled on the N. E. } of Sec. 21, this township, where the subject of this sketch was raised and still lives. Mr. Woodhams died October 20, 1844, and was the first person buried in the Woodhams cemetery, the site for which was donated by him for that purpose. Mrs. Wood- hams resides on the place with her oldest son (William), who is a bach- elor and a wheelwright. A younger son (John C.) enlisted in Co. D, 83d reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and died at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Novem- ber 30, 1862. Ilis remains are interred in the Woodhams cemetery. Their daughter (Harriet) is the wife of E. B. David, dentist, and
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COMPANY G, TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
resides in Aledo. The subject of this sketch married February 10, 1867, Miss Martha A. Smith, danghter of Stephen Smith, one of the pioneers of this township, mentioned in the history of this township. She died July 5, 1873, leaving three children : Mary A. (born Decem- ber 1, 1867), Adelbert L. (born March 21, 1870), and John L. (born October 8, 1872). September 16, 1874, he married Mrs. Maria Smith, widow of J. Lyman Smith, and daughter of James Durston, the pioneer. She was born in Rensselaer county, New York, August 19, 1833, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Woodhams are active members of the Wesleyan Methodist church, of Hopewell. By industry and economy Mr. Woodhams has added to the old homestead until his home farm now comprises +80 acres. He raises and feeds cattle and hogs quite largely, and does an extensive business in buying and shipping stock to the Chicago market. At one time he represented this town on the board of supervisors of the county, and for several years he has served on the board of commis- sioners of highways of this town. In politics Mr. Woodhams is a republican.
COMPANY G, TWENTY-SEVENTII REGIMENT.
This company was composed of men from different parts of Mercer county and other counties, but perhaps the largest number was from the vicinity of New Boston. The company was organized August 23, 1861, with Henry R. Southward as captain, Simeon Sheldon, of New Boston, as first lieutenant, and Robert P. Lytle, of New Boston, as second lieutenant. Southward served to the end of his term of enlist- ment, Sheldon was promoted to adjutant, and held the office a few months, and Lytle was promoted to captain of company B. George R. Beardsley succeeded Lytle, but soon resigned, and was succeeded by Hugh M. Love, of Swedonia, who afterward became first lientenant and was killed in battle November 25, 1863.
The regiment was organized at Camp Butler, with seven companies, August 10, 1861, and at once ordered to Jacksonville as a part of John A. McClernand's brigade. About a month later the regiment went to Cairo, where it was joined by three other companies, making the regiment complete. Two months later (November 7) the regiment was engaged, under Gen. McClernand, at Belmont, and bore a promi- nent part and lost heavily.
March 14, 1862, it, with other regiments, was formed into what was known as the Mississippi flotilla, and started down that river and
.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
was at the famous siege of Island No. 10, and was the first to land. After this the regiment was engaged at the siege of Corinth and battle of Farmington, guarding railroads, and finally, after many and long marches, arrived at Nashville September 12, 1862. It was in the battle of Stone River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, and numerous other engagements.
April, 1864, the regiment was ordered to join the Atlanta cam- paign, in which it was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge. Resacca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree creek, and in the skirmishes around Atlanta. After this (August 25) the regiment was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois.
The veterans of the regiment generally went into the ninth regi- ment. During the term of service the regiment lost in killed, or died of wounds or disease, 182, of whom twenty-four were from Mercer county.
COMPANIES A AND G, THIRTIETH REGIMENT.
These two companies were raised almost entirely in Mercer county, and mainly from the eastern portion, from sons and members of some of the oldest and finest families. The names of many adorning the monument at Aledo will be recognized as the same as those mentioned frequently in the pages of this work as pioneers of Ohio Grove, Mercer, Richland Grove, Millersburg, Abington] and Keithsburg. Company A was organized August 28, 1861, by the election of Warren Shedd, of Aledo, as captain ; N. R. Kirkpatrick, Ohio Grove, as first lieutenant ; and F. G. Burnett, of Ohio Grove, as second lieutenant. April 22, 1862, Warren Shedd was promoted to the office of major, and Francis G. Burnett, who had already been promoted to first lieu- tenant became captain. [Burnett resigned September 3, 1862, and was succeeded as captain by Elijah B. David, then of Richland Grove. Capt. David was mustered out October 27, 1864, his term having expired, and Daniel M. Candor was promoted to the captaincy.
N. R. Kirkpatrick, elected first lieutenant on the organization, was killed at Fort Donelson. David W. Park, of Millersberg, and Robert S. Finley, of Ohio Grove, served for a time as first lieutenants, and Samuel McCreight. of Ohio Grove, and Lorenzo D. Hanson, of Millersburg, were second lieutenants.
Company G was organized September 30, 1861, by the election of James Burnett, of Ohio Grove, as captain ; Henry G. Calhoun, of Keithsburg as first lieutenant ; and Orla Richardson, of Keithsburg, as
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THIRTIETHI REGIMENT.
second lieutenant. May 16, 1863, Calhoun having resigned, and Capt. Burnett having been killed, Richardson was promoted to the office of captain, and held the same until his resignation, August 12, 1864. David H. Wolf was then promoted to the captainey, and served until mustered out. July 17, 1865. H. HI. Hurst served a short time as second lientenant, and John McClure was second and then first lieu- tenant. James A. Logan was chosen first lieutenant, September 15, 1864, and retained the office until his muster out, July 17. 1865.
THIRTIETHI REGIMENT.
The Thirtieth Infantry Illinois Volunteers was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois, August 28, 1861, Col. P. B. Fouke, commanding. September 1, 1861, it moved to Cairo, Illinois, and was assigned to Brig .- Gen. John A. McClernand's brigade, Brig .- Gen. Ulysses S. Grant commanding district of Cairo, and Maj .- Gen. John C. Fremont com- manding department of Missouri. October 22, it went on scout into Kentucky, near Columbus. November 7, it was engaged in the battle of Belmont. The regiment did gallant service during this action, and captured the celebrated " Watson's New Orleans battery."
January 10, 1862, the regiment moved from Cairo on a reconnois- sance into Kentucky, and returned on the 22d. February 4, it moved up Tennessee river, and on the 6th was in the attack and taking of Fort Henry, in Col. Oglesby's brigade. It was engaged in the siege and taking of Fort Donelson, 13th, 14th and 15th of February, 1862.
It arrived at Pittsburg Landing April 25th and took part in the siege of Corinth, in Col. Logan's brigade. June 4th and 5th it marched from Corinth to Bethel, and on the Sth occupied Jackson, Tennessee. On the 13th and 14th of August the regiment marched to Estenaula, and on the 31st to Denmark.
September 1, 1862, the regiment marched toward Medan Station, on the Mississippi Central railroad, and about four miles from that place met the enemy's cavalry, 6,000 strong, under Gen. Armstrong, and after four hours' hard fighting drove the enemy from the field, gain- ing a brilliant victory. The Thirtieth was commanded by Maj. Warren Shedd, Col. Dennis, commanding brigade of 20th and 30th Illinois in- fantry, one section Schwartz's Illinois battery, Capt. Forster's com- pany of independent Ohio cavalry, and thirty-four men of the Fourth Illinois cavalry.
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