History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 107

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 107
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 107

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Church he was ordained and installed as pastor of the same on July 24, 1879, and continues the pastorate. He was married to Miss Julia- A. Barnes, of Prairie City, Illinois, on May 10, 1882. It may be in- teresting to note that the lumber with which the Reformed Church was built was sawed in a mill at Holland, Michigan, and was shipped over Lake Michigan to Chicago in a vessel belonging to the pastor's father when the latter was an infant one year old. In 1880 he was appointed as a delegate to the London Centenary Sabbath School Convention, to represent the Henderson County Sabbath School Association. He was absent on a tour of four months, visiting England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, the Rhine country, Belgium and Holland, the native land of his parents. A. A. Pfanstiehl is possessed of a rare combination of excellent qualities, which admirably fit him for the profession in which he is engaged. Careful, though quick in utterance, using cor- rect language, is a good elocutionist, possessing more than ordinary talent. He has a well stored mind and is a deep thinker. As a friend he is social and courteous.

The earliest record known of the SCHENCK family is found on the records of Amsterdam, Holland, dating back to 1153, bearing a mili- tary commission. When the first emigration to America was is not exactly known, but must have been at an early date. The name is found on records at Long Island, and Monmouth and Somerset coun- ties, New Jersey, at dates from 1660 to 1683. The Schenks along the Raritan and Millstone rivers, Somerset county, New Jersey, are de_ scendants from Johannas, or John, who came to Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1683. He had five children, who grew up and married, two sons and three daughters ; their births were from 1691 to 1728; their deaths were from 1729 to 1793. The youngest daughter, Catharine, married her cousin, and raised a family of eight sons and four daughters. One of the sons followed the seas and died young, the other four brothers all settled, or at least lived for a time, along the Raritan and Millstone rivers. They were married and settled in life from 1735 to 1745, and owned mills and stores on the Millstone river, where many of their descendants remain, and many others have moved to other parts. The great-grandfather of Cornelius, William and Silas, the subjects of this sketch, and now of Henderson county, Illi- nois, was William Schenck, who moved from Monmouth county, New Jersey, to Hunterton county, New Jersey, long before the revolutionary war. His wife was Mary Winters, and among his children were Ralph, John and Josiah, all of which were in the American service as soldiers. John was a captain. Ralph was wounded, and after the war drew a pen- sion. Josialı was three years in the service, and was with Gen. Wash-

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ington in crossing the Delaware at Trenton, New Jersey, when he surprised the Hessians at that place, and came near losing his life at that time. After the war he removed to Weston, Somerset county, and bought a farm of Gen. Frederick Frelinghuysen of 300 acres, where he lived and died, and was buried in the cemetery at Millstone, New Jersey. His wife was Alshe Wycoff. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of which are dead except Josiah, who is living at Millstone, New Jersey. Jacob W. was the father of the family now in this country. He purchased the homestead at Weston, where he lived and died. In 1848 he married Ann Brokaw, of the same county. She died in 1854. They are both buried at Millstone, New Jersey. They left six children, five boys and one daughter : Magdaline died 1854, and was buried at Fairview, Fulton county, Illinois ; Josiah died 1857, and was buried at Millstone, New Jersey ; John HI. died at Baird's Point, Missouri, and was buried at Raritan, Illinois. He was a member of Co. L, 7th Ill. Cav. Reg.

WILLIAM J. SCHENCK was born at West Somerset county, New Jersey, April 4, 1833. He married Miss Martha Ann Stryker, of the same county. They removed to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1855, where they have since resided. He was among the earliest settlers of the county in which he lives. He lias taken much interest in educa- tional matters, an active part in the development of the country morals, both in church and state. To them have been born two children, a daughter and a son: Gilroy Anna, who married William Davis, and one son, Jacob W., who is still remaining at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican.

CORNELIU'S SCHENCK was born in Weston, Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1852. He was married to Miss Liddia M. Stryker, of the same county. Three children was the result of this union : Josiah, born September 27, 1857 ; married Miss Elizabeth Gearhart December, 1880 ; Mary, residing at home, was born 1860. On Mr. Schenck's arrival in Henderson county he bought a quarter section of land in Sec. 15, on which there was a small log house. A small portion of the land had been broken up, and fenced with a fence three rails high. He immediately began improving a farm, and in a few years he had transformed the wild prairie into a fine farm. His son Josiah is now living upon the old home place, and Mr. Schenck is spending his de- clining days in Raritan in ease and comfort, the effects of an indus- trious life.

JAMES HAGEMAN, one of the prominent pioneer settlers of Raritan, and proprietor of the Prairie Side Park, was born in Somerset

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county, New Jersey, June 27, 1824. Here he spent his youth at school, and when at the age of twenty-two commenced a course of study with a view to the ministry, and accordingly entered sophomore class of Rutger's College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, in September, 1847. In less than a year failing health compelled the abandonment of mental occupation and a return to the pursuits of agriculture on his father's farm. In November, 1849, he was married to Miss Margarett Kershaw, of the same county. This happy union was blessed by six children being born to them, four sons and two daughters, Sarah Ann (wife of A. W. Van Dyke, editor of the " Bushnell Gleaner,"), Phœbe, Charlotte, Herman and Frank are living ; Gilbert L. K., the eldest son, died in the spring of 1869, in the sixteenth year of his age, at Bushnell ; Charlie, second, died when three years old. The remains of both repose in the cemetery at Raritan. Mr. Hageman's career in life has been an extremely varied one. He removed from his paternal home to New Brunswick in 1854, and embarked in the business of manufacturing and selling clothing and making up goods to order, in partnership with S. R. Walker. In April, 1856, he emigrated to his present location in Illinois and commenced making a home on the then treeless, fenceless, unplowed prairie. The first building in Raritan was then in process of erection, and the few settlers who had first arrived (the previous summer and fall) were finishing their dwellings just enough to make them comfortable. Mr. Hageman commenced at once to cultivate the virgin soil, plant trees, build fences and a dwell- ing, naming his chosen heritage Prairieside, to which the suffix " Park " or farm is of late years appended by the villagers, as the Grove, or, Hageman's Grove. Here are held the pioneers' festivals, 4th of July, harvest home, political meetings, etc. Mr. Hageman removed to Bushnell, McDonough county, Illinois, and commenced the editing and publishing of a newspaper which he named the "Bushnell Weekly Record." He continued the same for four or five years, when declining in health he gave place to A. W. Van Dyke. Since that time he has been an occasional contributor for several county papers. After a residence of six years and a half in Bushnell, Mr. Hageman returned to his Prairieside farm. A few years later he sold twenty acres from the south side for $1,500 cash in hand and commenced the furniture and undertaking business in the village, the latter branch being still con- tinned by him. Mr. Hageman has been closely identified with the rise and progress of the Reformed church in Raritan, and also the Sab- bath school connected therewith, of which he was chosen superinten- dent at the time of its organization, in 1856, and was re-elected three succeeding years and again at a subsequent period. Twenty-five years

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after the organization of the school he delivered, by appointment, a historical address on the occasion of its quarter centennial anniversary. He became somewhat famous as the Prairieside poet through the publi- cation of various essays in rhyme, some of which will be found else- where in this work, among which may be mentioned "Lights and Shadows of Prairie-life in the Early Day," "The Miseries of Drunk- enness," "Retrospection," "Be Happy," "Vain Regrets," "The Old School-house." Mr. Hageman is also a composer of music, and has also some mechanical genius, and among his many business engagements Mr. H. has found time to devote a little study to mechanical skill, hav- ing constructed several violins and a few violoncellos. The last violin which he constructed was made of seventy pieces of wood grown by him on his own farm. He was elected justice of the peace for Bed- ford precinct, Henderson county, in the spring of 1882.

Mr. JOHN G. Cox was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 13, 1821, where he passed the early part of his life. He was joined in marriage with Miss Ellen Voorhees September 21, 1844. In the spring of 1860 our subject moved from New Jersey to Fulton county, Illinois, where he resided until the following October, when he removed to the vicinity of Raritan. Here he located on a farm. where he remained until the time of his death, March 9, 1882. Here Mr. Cox, with commendable integrity, industry, frugality and good busi- ness habits, succeeded in amassing a comfortable competence and sur- rounding himself and family with all the comforts of life. He was an exemplary member of the masonic institution, having been initiated in the mysteries of that order December 8, 1874. He passed to the fellow-craft degree April 11, 1875, and was elevated to the sublime degree of a Master Mason June 1, 1876. He was duly imbued with the noble and elevating and sublime principles of the mystic order. J. T. Cox is a merchant of Raritan.

Among the worthy prominent citizens of Henderson county we mention the name of WALTER HUSTON, deceased, and father of Walter Huston, a retired farmer of Raritan. From his first settlement in Bedford precinct in 1831 to the time of his death, he was identified with all the interests connected therewith, and was widely and favor- ably known throughout the whole neighborhood in which he lived and acted. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, where he spent the early part of his life. He removed to Tennessee at an early day, where he was married to Miss Nancy Bradshaw, of South Carolina. This union resulted in fourteen children being born to them (twelve of whom were born in Illinois), as follows : John, Joel B., Grizie A., Archibald, Mary Ann, Margarett, Mary Ann P., Walter, William,

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Matthew, and Nancy Jane. Those not named died while young. Of this family two only survive : Walter, a successful farmer and fine stock raiser, resides in Raritan ; Mary Ann P., wife of G. W. Penny, resides in Marysville, Missouri.

ZELOTA BRITT, another of Henderson county's old settlers, was born in Cedonia county, Vermont, June 6, 1805, and emigrated to New York in 1810, where he was married to Catharine Haskins, of Herkimer county, that state, April 4, 1833. Four children were born to them. He removed to Kendall county, Illinois, April, 1845, and to Henderson county October, 1855. Here he made a farm and was successful in accumulating property. He was industrious in his habits and esteemed by his friends and acquaintances, and popular in masonic circles, having taken the chapter degrees.

A. DURLING was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1827, and was married in 1851 to Miss Mary A. Allen, of Hunterton county, of the same state. They were residing at Fairview at the time of their marriage, after which they removed to Avon. Here they resided until 1858, when they removed to Henderson county, Illinois. This was the year that Lincoln and Douglas were stumping the state for the presidency. Our subject listened to one of their debates while at Galesburg. Mr. Durling has never associated himself with any of the benevolent or religious institutions, is liberal in his political views, possesses a clear mind and an independent way of thinking. In an earnest manner he stands by the convictions of a clear head and pure purpose in every department of life, and considering this, his success as a farmer has been somewhat singular, for he turns neither to the right nor left, either for man or parties, in pursuance of what he believes to be right. It is generally found that less decided minds succeed best in business. He is a friend to educational development and good morals.

HENRY D. VOORHEES, retired farmer and justice of the peace, of Bedford precinct, was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, 1820, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Nevius in 1842. Eight children was the result of this union, as follows, named in order: Daniel, Joseph, David, Sarah, Elen, John H. and James. His wife having died he was married a second time to Mrs. Elizabeth S. Suydam in 1872. Mr. Voorhees came to Henderson county in 1855, and settled on eighty acres of land on the W. { of the S. W. } of Sec. 1, in Bed- ford precinct. He improved the place and lived upon it until 1858, when he removed to Raritan. An accident, resulting in the loss of his right arm, has been an inconvenience to him, yet he writes a fine hand with his left hand and still works some on his farm near Raritan.

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He was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and with the exception of three years has constantly held the office. IIe has also held the office of school treasurer for nineteen years. They are connected with the Reformed church. Mr. Voorhees was educated in New Jersey, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed at Raritan after coming to this county. He began life poor, and is one of a few who have wrung success out of hard labor and good management. He is of German descent, his grandparents having come from Holland in an early day.

W. O. HUSTON, farmer, of Bedford precinct, and son of Walter Huston, of Raritan, is the youngest child of the family. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, May 18, 1858, and was married Feb- ruary 5, 1880, to Miss Eliza J. Green, of McDonough county. They have one child. Mr. Huston owns his father's old homestead of 160 acres. He is a member of the Mystic Brotherhood of Justice, located at Blandonsville. The object of the institution is to suppress crime and vice and to aid innocent parties in obtaining justice. He is also a member of the Christian church. Though a young man Mr. Huston is well and favorably known throughout the neighborhood. His friendly, courteous manner makes one at home in his society.

J. M. JOHNSON was born in district Fensjo, Sweden, in 1845. He there received a high school education and was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade at the Agricultural Industrial School. He came to America in 1869, landing in Burlington, Iowa. Here he finished his trade and went to La Harpe and spent a part of his time at Roseville. In 1874 he came to Raritan, where he worked for awhile as a jour. for one year or until 1875, when he began business for himself. He was married in Webster county, Iowa, to Miss Annia Josephine Peterson in 1874. This union has been blessed by three children, two boys and one girl. Mr. Johnson's father is deceased, and his mother re- sides in Sweden with her sister. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Masonic order, and a member and deacon in the Swedish church organization of Raritan. In politics he is a republican.

WYETT STANLY ranks among the several prominent gentlemen of Henderson county who have taken an active part in its development. He was born in North Carolina in 1835, where he remained until at the age of eighteen years, when he removed with his father's family to this county. On their first arrival here they rented land the first year, and at the same time bought land on section 4, where they set- tled, but continued to rent for three years after, devoting all their sur- plus time to the improvement of the place which was to be their future home. Our subject began life with nothing but his empty hands, his

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whole stock-in-trade being his indomitable energy and industry. He first began to work by the month, in which way he managed to lay by a small share of his wages with which he bought his first eighty acres of land. From this small beginning he added to his farm until 1882. He controls over 1,000 acres of choice land. In 1876 he built a handsome mansion at a cost of $10,000. This house is three stories high with a gothic tower extending high above the tall trees that sur- round the picturesque place overlooking the surrounding country, with high arched windows, hardwood finish and carved solid stone steps leading to the main entrances, it presents a grand appearance, and one would scarcely believe, not knowing the facts, that the proprietor of this edifice carved this stately heritage out by his own energy. His barn and outbuildings were built at a cost of $8,000. He was married in 1864 to Miss Ellen Veech, a native of Kentucky. The following children bless their happy home: Jesse A., Artie, John, Minnie, Georgie, and Maggie. John Stanley, his father, an Englishman by descent, was born in North Carolina. He left his native state for Fort Dennison, Iowa, but changing his mind landed in Henderson county, Illinois. In his family there were eight children : Sarah, the eldest, married William Robinson. They are both deceased. She died in Henderson county, and he in North Carolina. Mary Jane, wife of Eli Reziner, resides near Biggsville, this county. Hannah married A. E. Stanly and is deceased. James H. died while young, caused by an injury from the kick of a horse. William S. married Miss Ellen McDill; he was killed at Stone River. His widow resides at Biggs- ville, Illinois. George W. married Nancy Woodside. Stephen B: married Isabel Rodden; she died and he married a second time to a Miss Dennison, of McDonough county. Mr. Stanly is a republican in politics.

WINFIELD S. HIXSON was born in Hunterton county, New Jersey, in 1842. When young he came with his father's family to Henderson county, Illinois, in the spring of 1854. They were among the first settlers in the vicinity of Raritan. During the late war he was a mem- ber of Co. D, 13Stlı reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., but was not in any engagements, his regiment having been assigned for garrison duty. On his return home after the war he rented land until 1869, when he bought eighty acres of land south of Raritan. This was raw land, which he improved and erected upon it a substantial house and outbuilding. He was married in Henderson county to Miss Ella Hill, in the fall of 1864. They have four children : Andrew E., Annie Mary, Maggie, and one not named. When Mr. Hixson first came to Henderson county, there

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was but one house in the neighborhood, that of Josiah Bokaw. Peter Tharp came the following spring.

W. H. PENNY was born in Henderson county, and was married in 1860 to Miss Ellen Britt, who was born in New York. Georgie, Annie, Effie, Fannie, Lizzie, Gussie, Percie and Cosie are his children living. Eleven children were born to them; three not named are deceased. His father, George W. Penny, was born in Maryland in 1800, and is still living. He was a soldier during the Black Hawk war, during which he passed through the country in pursuit of the warriors under this illustrions chief. After the war was over he came back to Hen- derson county and bought what is now known as the Allen Voorhees farm. He was married about forty-five years ago to Miss Mary A. Huston. They had eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Penny are living in Mayville, Maryland, at a good old age. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed until he began farming in Henderson county. Before this he did not own a foot of land, but succeeded in accumu- lating several hundred acres of choice farm land. William H. Penny, our subject, is well known throughout the county as a successful and enterprising farmer; his 400-acre farm shows evidences of skill and industry. Mr. Penny is a member of the masonic institution.

ABRAM BROKAW (deceased) was born in New Jersey in 1830, and was married in the same state, in 1853, to Miss Gertrude Striker, of the same county. Soon after his marriage they removed to Henderson county, Illinois, settling on the farm now owned by Mrs. C. A. Cox. Not unlike many of the early pioneer settlers of this precinct, Mr. Brokaw came here a poor man ; but blessed with the riches of hardi- hood and a strong, determined will, he soon improved a farm and made a comfortable home. When he first settled on the now home farm, he began at once to plant trees and shrubbery, and erect new farm buildings, and at the time of his death had just begun to realize the return from his hard labor. He was a prominent member of the Reformed church and much respected by his neighbors. By their marriage they had eight children, as follows : Isaac, John D., Mary G., Vandivier, Isaac, Martha A., John S., Cornelius S. Mrs. Brokaw's father, Isaac Striker, and mother, Gidie Voorhees, were born in New Jersey ; her great-grandfather Striker was a revolutionary soldier.

S. P. NEVIUS was born in New Jersey in 1825, and is the son of Simon and Brachie (Simonson), of German descent, his father having emigrated from Holland to America in an early day; settled in New York, where he was married and raised a large family of children, among whom were David, John, Mary E., Simon P. (our subject), Elizabeth, Dennis, Abram and Garrett. The latter died at Bushnell

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a few years ago ; he was a miller by trade. Our subject was married in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1851, to Miss Sarah Davis. They have had four children born to bless their home : Garrett, Anna, Richard, and Minnie ; Annie is deceased. Of his grandparents but little is . remembered by him, except that his grandfather was in the revolu- tionary war; Mr. Nevius remembers seeing the musket he had carried during that war. Mrs. Nevius' father was Richard Davis, and her mother's maiden name was Sophia Simonson. In this family there were the following: J. S., Sarah, John, L. N., J. V. D., Lawrence W., Frederick, Margrett J., and Anna C. Her brother John was a member of the 7th Ill. Cav. Her father came to Fulton county in 1837, where he died and was buried at Fairview. Mr. and Mrs. Nevius are members of the Reformed church.

PETER GROOM was born in Mercer county, New York, in 1826. On coming to Illinois Mr. Groom first settled in Fulton county. Here he remained until the spring of 1857, when he removed to this county. He settled on the S.E. ¿ of Sec. 5, where he now resides. The only houses near him when he settled in the neighborhood were those of Dennis Foot and Josiah Brokaw. They had lived there years before. The year 1854 was noted for new-comers, among whom were the Stuarts and Bonhams. When Mr. Groom arrived he had but $175, and for the first year lived in a small stable, surrounded by a patch of hazel brush. He now owns 265 acres of choice land, upon which are good buildings, besides 160 acres of land in Kansas. He was married in Hen- derson county in 1850, to Miss Sarah Wilson, a native of New York, who came with her parents to this state in company with Mr. Groom. By this union they had ten children : Crissie C., William H., John W., Nancy C., Emma W., Nathaniel G., Anna L., Ella E. and Peter, be- sides one not named who died while young. Mr. Groom's father moved to Illinois in 1855, where he died about 1871. His mother remained in New Jersey, where she died. His grandfather was English descent, and his grandmother German. They were both born in New Jersey.

JAMES H. BUTLER was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and came with his father's family to Adams county, in the fall 1832. Mr. Butler grew up to manhood, taking such chances for an education as offered in the early times of the country, and connected with which was the old log school-house of that day. Notwithstanding the meager and rude literary facilities with which his early life was surrounded, he secured a very fair business education, and grew up to manhood with a constitution seasoned to ruggedness by the exposure and hardships consequent to a pioneer life. After a residence of eighteen years in

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 107

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424