History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 121

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 121
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 121

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Here, in a home beautifully and richly furnished, happy in his family, Mr. Wallbaum resides, having sole charge of his seventy or eighty workmen, his store, his laying out of work, besides his shipping interests. Mr. Wallbaum was married on October 8, 1854, to Miss Charlotte Whittrock, a lady of excellent family and splendid attain- ments. Of their eight children, five are living. Henry W. is now married, and resides in Galesburg. Edward W. is also married, and is a conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad. Miss Carrie, Miss Lillie and Master Harry are still at home, enjoying every advan- tage which parents' loving hands and wealth can furnish. It has been said by some that a man is made by his circumstances. If so, Mr. Wallbaum would seem an exception to this rule. He has rather risen above his circumstances, making them do his bidding. Few men have come from so humble a station to the point of success Mr. Wallbaum has attained.

JESSE KEMP, farmer, Gladstone, son of John and Nancy Kemp, was born on October 18, 1828, in Warren county, Kentucky. His father, John Kemp, was a native of Waite county, North Carolina, and his mother of the state of Kentucky. In the fall of 1833 his parents, with their nine children, emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, settling on Sec. 33, T. 10, R. 5. At this time there was neither day school nor church advantages in the whole township, which did not have over a dozen men in it. A further idea of the privations of those days may be given by saying that Mr. Kemp was obliged to go to Monmouth for his mail, and paid twenty-five cents each for letters. In the midst of such surroundings the subject of this sketch passed his youth. On March 13, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa F. Fryrean. To them have been born six children, five of whom are living : John H., Edward, Jessie, Edith and Franklin. The second child, Frederic, is dead. As will be seen by reference to another page, Mr. Kemp was wounded in the cele- brated Brooks tragedy. He began life with nothing save a good constitution and an honest will. He has now, with his brother's estate, who is now dead, over 400 acres of land, lying partly in Sections 33 and 34.

SAMUEL W. LYNN (deceased) was born December 20, 1799, in Middlesex county, Connecticut, of which state his parents were natives. Here he lived up to his thirty-fifth year, when he in 1834 emigrated to Henderson county and settled on Sec. 1, T. 10, R. 5. Four years before, January 24, 1830, he was married to Miss Sallie Coe, daughter of Oliver Coe, of Middlesex county, Connecticut. When he came to Henderson county he selected a farm out on the prairie, and here,

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beginning with almost nothing, he labored on steadily for many years, seeking to provide for himself and wife, for they had no children, a competence in their old age. Richly were his labors blessed, and when he died, in July, 1881, he left over a thousand acres of land, besides personal property, behind him. Mr. Lynn was an industrions, persevering and honest man, of real worth to the county, and when he died he left a host of friends to cherish his memory and mourn his loss.

The subject of this sketch, CHARLES H. BRAINARD, son of Asa Brainard, was born on May 1, 1832, in the State of Connecticut. When he was but two years of age came to Henderson county, then known as part of Warren county. Here he passed his early youth and manhood, in the midst of very meagre educational advantages. When he was eighteen years old, in the spring of 1850, attracted by the gold mines of California, he crossed the plains with oxen and struck the mines first at Placerville. After his return to Henderson county he went back to California in 1857, and there remained ten years, going and coming by water routes. Several years after his second return to his childhood's home in 1876, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Minerva Applebee, daughter of James Applebee, of Henderson county. To them have been born two children, named Elmira and Charles.

Prof. JOHN TWEED, a prominent educator of Henderson county, was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 19, 1829. In the same year his father and family removed to Warren county, Indiana, and settled near Attica, where he remained till November, 1841, when he with his wife, Kezia (Hinson) Tweed, and their seven children, emigrated to Henderson county, Illinois, where he lived until his death in 1857. During his lifetime Mr. Tweed was principally engaged in farming. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the party who helped to guard the prisoners taken by Commodore Perry on Lake Erie. Later he served as captain of a company during Indian troubles. John, the subject of these notes, was only about eight years old when a white swelling made its appearance on his left arm and leg, which finally settled in the latter, and has ever since remained incurable, and has for many years caused him great suffering, even now threatening his life. He entered life for himself without fortune but possessed of a great ambition. His early education was necessarily much neg- lected, for during his school life eleven months would cover the entire time of his attendance at school, but at all times and under all circum- stances he was a constant student. On his way to mill he learned a lesson, and while waiting for the grinding of his grist he would learn

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another, and so by continual study he finally became a scholar, and has since the spring of 1851 been closely identified with the educational interests of the county. It is said he taught more terms of school than any other teacher in the state, and all within ten miles of where he began. October 26, 1865, lie married Miss Harriet C. Lynn, a native of this county, born at Gladstone in 1843. In 1858 Mr. Tweed was con- verted and at once joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1864 he received a license to preach. While in Colorado, where he spent about two years for his wife's health, he rode a circuit of 150 miles and preached at seventeen appointments.

JOHN C. McDILL, son of Thomas B. and Martha (McDill), who were natives of South Carolina and of Irish descent, was born Sep- tember 23, in Union county, Indiana, to which state his parents removed in 1818. Some twenty years subsequently, in 1838, they again removed, and settled in Henderson county, in T. 10, R. 5, on the farm where John C. McDill, the subject of this sketch, resides at the present time. Both of his parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church of South Henderson congregation, and educated their children in the doctrines of the United Presbyterian church, of which all of his children, save Robert, were members. Two of his six children died before Mr. McDill's coming to Henderson county, -one in infancy and a second, David, when twelve years old ; three died in manhood,-Samuel, William and Robert F. Of all his children John C. is the sole survivor. His father and mother both died in 1872, the former August 10, the latter August 26. November 12, 1873, Mr. McDill was married to Miss Mary McMillan, daughter of John and Lucinda McMillan. Of this marriage two children, George Wil- bert and Martha Jane, have been born. Mr. McDill now resides on his farm of 240 acres, in Sec. 24, T. 10, R. 5, giving his attention to farming. He has been a member of the South Henderson church for more than thirty years. Mr. McDill is a second cousin of Hon. J. W. McDill congressman from Iowa.

The subject of this sketch, ANDREW MEKEMSON, farmer, Gladstone, son of James and Mary (Brown) Mekemson, was born January 7, 1817, in Fleming county, Kentucky. His ancestry on his father's side were Irish, his mother's Scotch. Mr. Mekemson's great-grand- father, Andrew Mekemson, with his five sons, emigrated from Ireland to America some twenty-five years before the revolutionary war, about 1750. Each of the five fought in the revolutionary war, and it is said , that one or two of the five were killed. When Mr. Mekemson was about two years old his parents removed to St. Clair county, Illinois, where they resided until the spring of 1838, when they removed to

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Henderson county and settled on Sec. 24, T. 10, R. 5. Here his parents, both of whom were members of the South Henderson United Pres- byterian church, died in the summer of 1858. Three years after his parents removed to Henderson county Mr. Mekemson was married, on September 28, 1841, to Miss Eleanor B. McQuown, daughter of John R. and Harriet (McQuown), who were natives of Virginia. In 1842 he joined the United Presbyterian Church of South Henderson, and the next year was elected an elder of this congregation, which position he still (1882) holds. Of his marriage eleven children have been born, one of whom, Mellissa, died when about three years of age. Two of his sons, William B. and John, are married and engaged in farming. Robert N. is just entering upon his profession as a physi- cian in Biggsville, while the youngest son, Flavius, is at home with his parents. Two of his daughters are married : one, Harriet M., is the wife of John T. Porter ; Joanna is the wife of M. H. McCorkle. Four of his danghters, Sarah M., Alda Jane, Eleanor and Idelletta, are at home with their parents. Mr. Mekemson resides now on his farm of 330 acres, giving his attention chiefly to farming, to which duties he has recently added the labors in connection with a creamery (of which an account is given elsewhere), carrying it on with his son, Mr. Mekemson's reputation for integrity and worth has been well carned by his forty-four years of life among the citizens of Henderson county.

JOSEPH SCOTT MEKEMSON (deceased), brother of Andrew Mekemson, was born on April 23, 1812. He was married on May 23, 1837, to Mrs. Sarah L. Williams. Of this marriage no children were born, and some twelve years afterward, on Jime 13, 1849, his wife died. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Mekemson, in company with his step-son, started for California on the overland route. On the way they lost their team and entire outfit costing some $500, and only with great exertions did they reach the Pacific slope enfeebled with toil and sickness. They had but forty cents on arriving at the eamp, and for several weeks were compelled to undergo great hardships in obtaining food and tools. After one and a half years of severe privation and sickness he got fairly to work, and after five years' residence in California returned with some $3,000. Some five years after his return he was married to Miss Mary M. McClinton, daughter of James McClinton, an old resident of Henderson county. She was born on December 30, 1832. Of this marriage four children were born, only two of whom are living. Luna, the eldest, was born Jannary 14, 1866, and united with the United Presbyterian church when thirteen years old. Elvira was born July 23, 1871. On November 5, 1875, Mr. Mekemson died at his residence.

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Here on the old homestead of over 210 acres his widow and two children still reside, being rich in the reputation of integrity which their father and husband bequeathed to them.

ISAAC FORWARD, son of Robert and Mary (Waters) Forward, was born in England, Sussex county, March 23, 1817. When twenty-four years of age he emigrated to America, having been married five days pre- vious to his sailing to Miss S. Johnson, daughter of Wm. Johnson. The parents of Mrs. Forward were members of the church of England, while the parents of Mr. Forward were Calvinists. Two children have been born of this marriage : the eldest is Olive Mary ; the youngest, Charles Robert, is now married to Miss Martha E. Kemp, daughter of Frederic Kemp. Mr. Forward first settled in Madison county, New York, and there he remained from 1841, the year he landed, until 1851, when he emigrated to McHenry county, Illinois. In 1854 he removed to Oquawka. where he lived for eleven years, until 1865. Then he again removed, first to Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, and afterward to Sec. 15 in the same township, where he now resides. Though he began with but little, and had but four sovereigns when he landed, which he lost by lending, he has more than gained the object for which he and his wife came to this country,-to get a little land and found a home. Patient industry has added to his farm until he now has over 1000 acres of land. As Mr. Forward came from a hop country he soon found employment after his arrival in America, in the hop vineyards, as an adept in the business. For the first five years he worked out for one man, and the next five for the same man, having charge of the vineyard. His principal business is in stock raising, though he feeds annually about 100 head of steers. He also pays some attention to the improvement of horses, breeding the heavy draft Clydes- dales. This is far from a complete history of Mr. Forward's life. We have only said that he began in poverty and is now a rich man. When but ten years of age he was taken out of school, and worked for the same man until he was twenty-four. During these fourteen years he never failed to receive his pay every Saturday night, and never had but one holiday a year, this holiday being Christmas, when permission was given him to hunt with the hounds. Such is the difference between the life of the workman in America and the laborer in England.

The subject of this sketch, MR. HENDERSON SLOAN, was born No- vember 26, 1819, in Antrim county, Ireland. Here his parents had resided for generations back. His forefathers were shoemakers by trade, but owned some land. His father's name was James, and mother's Mary (Beck) Sloan. Such educational advantages as those times of- fered were extended to Mr. Sloan, and he received a good practical

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education. On account of the superior advantages offered to a poor man-superior as compared to those of Ireland-Mr. Sloan sailed for America, to try his fortune there, in December of 1850. From New Orleans, where he first touched, he came up the Mississippi to Oquawka and settled in Henderson county. Mr. Sloan began by working for Capt. Hutchinson by the month. From this he took contracts on the old Peoria and Oquawka railroad. In this work of contracting he obtained quite a start, and in 1857 he settled down on his farm of some 400 acres, which lies one mile east of Gladstone, in Sec. 11, T. 10, R. 5. Though Mr. Sloan has never gone actively into politics, he has always believed in and voted with the democratic party. For many years he has given his attention to the raising of stock. Mr. Sloan is one of those of whose coming to America our citizens may always be glad.

The subject of this sketch, WILLIAM II. McCHESNEY, was born on February 2, 1816, in Strasburg township, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania. His ancestry was Irish, his father and mother having emigrated from Tyrone, near Dungannon, the seat of the O'Neils, the kings of Ulster, in 1794. After coming to America Mr. McChesney, who was educated in the grammar schools of his native town, followed the duties of school teacher, and from him our subject received the most of his training. In 1833 his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Trumbull county, where they resided nineteen years, after which, in 1852, two years after the coming of his son, they removed to Hender- son county, Illinois, where they resided up to the time of their death, Mr. McChesney dying in 1856, and his wife eleven years later, in 1867. On September 26, 1861, Mr. McChesney was nnited in mar- riage with Miss Jane Fort, daughter of Jefferson Fort, an old resident of Henderson county. To them were born two children, both of whom are dead, the first having died in infancy, and the second, Nathaniel Macon, in 1873. On April 27, 1868, Mr. McChesney was greatly afflicted in the loss of his wife. who died at the age of thirty-three years. Mr. McChesney came to Henderson county in 1846, and since 1850 has been a permanent resident of the county. During the first four years of his residence here he was occupied in the clerk's office with Dr. Pollock. In 1857 he removed to a farm, which avocation he still follows. During two terms he has filled the office of county sur- veyor. In faith Mr. McChesney was brought up by Presbyterian parents. In politics he is a firm believer in the tenets of the democratic party. Now that he has been bereaved of his family, Mr. McChesney resides in Gladstone, still retaining his two farms of 160 acres each, one lying four miles southwest of Gladstone and the other in Hancock county.

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THORNTON HEDGES, merchant, Gladstone, son of William Hedges, a native of Virginia, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on March 14, 1836. When about three years of age, in 1839, his parents removed to DesMoines county, Iowa, where the family lived till 1867, when they removed to Henderson county, Illinois. In 1847 his father, William Hedges, died in DesMoines county when forty-four years of age. Since that time Mrs. Hedges has resided with her sons. After his removal to Henderson county Mr. Hedges, on December 31, 1868, was united in marriage with Miss Mattie A. Gunter, daughter of E. W. Gunter, then a citizen of Henderson county. Of this marriage, January 26, 1873, one child has been born, who was named by her parents Luella May. Mr. Hedges received his early education in the common schools of Iowa, which were then in their infancy and of a primitive nature. He began life with nothing. In August, 1868, he went into business, some fourteen years ago, during which time he has worked as a druggist, as a general merchant, as a butcher, besides a year spent in grain buying in Iowa. He is now doing a general busi- ness as a merchant in Gladstone.

CYRUS HEDGES, liveryman, also a son of William Hedges, was born on February 27, 1839, in Pickaway county, Ohio. He was educated in the common schools of DesMoines county, Iowa, where his parents removed in 1840. When the call came for volunteers, in the summer of 1862, Mr. Hedges, then in his twenty-third year, enlisted on Angust 9 in Co. C, 30th Iowa Inf., under command of Capt. Roberts. In the grand assault of Gen. Grant upon Vicksburg he was shot twice, once through the left shoulder, and a second time through the left ling. He was entirely helpless for more than two months, and for nine years was compelled to dress his wounds. After returning to his home in Iowa, Mr. Hedges moved to Henderson county, Illinois, and from that time has been engaged in farming and in the livery business, in partnership with his brother, Leonard Hedges, third son of William Hedges, who was born February 18, 1844, in DesMoines county, Iowa. In this county Mr. Hedges passed his childhood and youth, receiving his education in the school near his home. In 1867 he removed to Gladstone, himself and his brothers residing together, their mother being with them. His father having died in 1847, Mr. Hedges is now with his brother in the livery business, at the old stand of R. M. Hall, a name that will be recognized throughout the county.

ROBERT C. BECK, son of John and Ellen (Craig) Beck, was born in the county of Antrim, Ireland, about 1826. His parents were of the old Irish stock, and for centuries previous to their emigration to America they had been a race of farmers. Robert C. Beck in 1847

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was married to Miss Ellen Gibb, who died two years after, leaving one son, Jolin by name. This son was in the late war, and fought in some of the hardest battles of the rebellion. On March 1, 1850, Mr. Beck was married a second time, his wife's maiden name being Margaret Raney, daughter of Hugh Raney, also of Antrim county. On September 1, 1851, they sailed for America, and after touching at New Orleans they ascended the Mississippi river to Oquawka and settled in Henderson county, where they were destined to spend the most of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Beck have been born seven children, six of whom are still living, one daughter having died at the age of twenty-one. Three of his sons are out in life for themselves, while his three daughters are all at home. In politics Mr. Beck is a republican. He resides about two miles southeast of Gladstone on his farm, giving his attention to farming and stock raising.

ALEXANDER MCFARLAND, farmer, Gladstone, was born on May 10, 1818, in Washington county, New York, of which state his parents were natives. In the common schools he obtained his education. When he was nineteen years of age, he, accompanied by his brother, removed to Quincy, Illinois, with teams. This was in 1837. Here he remained for fifteen years, engaging in the prosecution of his trade as blacksmith. When the gold excitement struck the country Mr. MeFarland caught the fever and crossed the plains in a wagon to California. When he reached San Francisco he had crossed the conti- nent in a wagon, as just before leaving home in New York he had driven to Boston in a wagon. He remained in California seven years and then returned to Henderson county, where he purchased a farm on Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5. On March 7, 1859, he was married to Mrs. Mary Dodge. Of this marriage one child, Laura, was born on No- vember 26, 1859, who in June, 1882, graduated at the Baptist College at Burlington, Iowa. Mr. McFarland is one of those who may be rightfully called a self-made man, having been cast out on the world at seven years of age. By diligent labor he has gained a competence, and now owns a farm af 180 acres of land, which he rents. He resides in Gladstone, where he owns a beautiful residence and store building, the last of which is occupied in part by the Freemasons, of which lodge Mr. McFarland is a prominent member.

Among the worthy settlers of modern times are the sons of James and Mary (King) MeMath. Of these RUFUS UDOLPHO was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1853. His parents were Scotch-Irish, his grandfather having emigrated to America about 1790. He settled in Pennsylvania, and on his old homestead James MeMath and his sons were born. In 1855 Mr. McMath emigrated to Hender-

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son county, Illinois, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, on the farm where his son Rufus now resides. In the common schools of Gladstone Rufus received his education and passed his early youth and manhood. On November 13, 1880, he was married to Miss Idella Dunn, daughter of Allen M. Dunn, of Andubon county, Iowa. To them has been born one son, by name Roscoe Allen. Mr. McMath now resides on the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5. He is the owner of some 225 acres of land, upon which he pursues his chosen avocation of farming and stock raising. He is now director of the school district in which he resides. Mr. McMath is a firm believer in the ideas of the repub- lican party, the principles of which his father accepted before him.

The subject of this sketch, ALEXANDER WRIGHT LYNN, son of Ezekiel Wright and Olive (Harvey) Lynn, was born January 29, 1838. His father, who was a native of Hartford, Connecticut, emigrated to Henderson county in the fall of 1832, and settled on Sec. 10, T. 10, R. 5, where Mr. Lynn now resides. Some idea of the disadvantages of those days is given by recalling the fact that at that time there was no house between South Henderson and Ellison. After four years' residence in this county Mr. Lynn, in 1836, returned to his native state, and there on March 14, 1837, he married Miss Olive Harvey, whose descent can be traced back to the celebrated family of Harvey who came over in the Mayflower soon after their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Lynn started for Illinois in a wagon, the journey occupying many weeks. In the edge of the present town of Gladstone, where he afterward laid out the town of Lynn, Mr. Lynn erected his house, at a spot near the Indians' old council house. Here Mr. Lynn died March 4, 1871, his wife having died many years before, on November 21, 1846. Four of their six children are now living, two, Mary Olive and George Huntingdon, having died in infancy. Harriet C. is now wife of Prof. John Tweed, of Gladstone. Olive A. is the wife of Rev. John L. Torpin, of Rock Island. One son, Charles, served three years during the late rebellion, enlisting as a private, coming out as first lieutenant. Alexander Wright Lynn was the eldest of the six children. He was married in Burlington, Iowa, on November 18, 1861, to Miss Sarah Ann Applebey. Of this marriage three chil- dren were born : two, Marietta and Martha Elizabeth, are at home with their parents ; the third, Chauncey Wright, died February 8, 1878. On December 10, 1880, Mrs. Lynn died at her home. Mr. Lynn is a republican in politics; in religious faith he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

HIRAM SYLVESTER TWEED, son of Abram and Susan (Merrill) Tweed, was born May 8, 1837, near the present town of Gladstone, Illinois.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 121

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