History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 18

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 18
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 18

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JACOB WOLFE was born in the State of Maryland, near Harper's Ferry, October 10, 1792. His parents moved to the State of Ohio in 1798 and settled twelve miles south of Dayton, near Germantown. May Yount, his wife, was born in the State of North Carolina May 9, 1797, near the Shallow Ford on the Yadkin river. Her parents removed to Ohio and settled in the same neighborhood. They were married in the State of Ohio in 1814, moved to Indiana in 1822, and raised a family of nine children. The mother died October 19, 1838, and the father August 23, 1861. W. Wolfe, son of the above, was born in the State of Ohio, July 22, 1816, and his wife, Rebecca Marlatt, in the State of Virginia, November 14, 1816. They were married in Wayne county October 19, 1839. In 1844 they moved to Mercer county, Illinois, landing here on the 23d of October. At that time there was but one honse on what was called the Prairie road from Henderson Grove to the bluff, and that was a small frame. There was then only a track where the horses walked, and prairie grass was as high as the horses' backs. There were then only a few families in the bottom, and not a house could be seen from the bluff to Keithsburg. At that time there was not what could be properly called a house where Keithsburg now is. He says the first time he was in town he saw Bill Brewer shooting ducks where now stands the Birch building, owned by T. B. Cabeen and occupied as a drug store. There was then only one small frame house partly finished and sided half way up.

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IHISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

The town improved, and built up smartly in a short time. He recollects being present at the first trial of any importance that was had in the place. The newly-elected justice, by the name of Garner, was the court. The parties to the suit were G. Mossman, plaintiff, and I. Lakey and I. Raynolds, defendants. The attorneys were B. C. Taliaferro, for the plaintiff, and C. M. Harris, of Oquawka, for the defendants. In the course of the trial there was some trouble as to the admissibility of some evidence. The attorneys argued their points before the court. When one of them would get through, the court would admit the evidence. Then the other attorney would make a speech showing the case in a different light, when the court would exclude the evidence. It went on so for some time, when the attorneys as well as the court became much excited and one of the attorneys used some pretty short talk. The court then said "he'd be d-d, if he did not shut up, he'd fine him for contempt." The legal man told the court to "fine and be d-d, for the court wouldn't have sense enough to collect the fine." He says New Boston was a town when he came here. He went over to see the town and the Mississippi. There was quite a crowd there, and every man carried a gun and was followed by one or more dogs. Most of the men wore the coon-skin cap with the tail hanging down the back. After Mr. Wolfe had been here some time he thought he would look around some and see the country. He was anxious to see some timber. These bluffs were com- paratively bare of timber at that time. The first growth had been cut off, and he was told of Sugar Grove, north of Aledo, which was repre- sented as nice timber as heart could wish, so he struck out for the grove. On the road to this settlement were then the cabins of H. Riggs, Eb. Cresswell and N. Edwards. The last named is north of the road and is still standing. Another was unoccupied. At the grove he found the Millers, and they were anxious to sell out. They had the Oregon fever badly, but he did not like the location. Mr. Wolfe finally bought in the bottom where he now lives.

Prominent among the young business men of this town, who have by industry and good management succeeded in making a pleasant home and building up a prosperous business, may be mentioned MR. JOSEPH VENABLE. He was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, April 2, 1843. In 1856, in company with his mother and her family, he em- barked on the sailing vessel New Australia for America. Soon after their arrival they settled in Mercer county, Illinois. At the age of twenty he commenced work as an apprentice with Mr. Charles Clark, in the shop he now owns, and in which he keeps six steady workmen and is turning out a superior class of wagons, carriages and other farm

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machinery. November 16, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Kremer, a native of Pennsylvania. They have a family of three chil- dren, Frederick L., Harry C. and Joseph C. He is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F., and also of the encampment.

THE NOBLE FAMILY .- Mrs. Harriet W. Noble, who is the widow of James A. Noble, was born in Danville, Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, September 22, 1830. She is the daughter of Frederick and Nancy A. Frick. She was married to Mr. Noble June 26, 1849. They had born to them seven children (Alice F. and Harry F. dead). The living are Kate A., Ida J., Hattie N., James L. and M. Adella. Kate, the eldest child, is postmistress at Keithsburg, and has served in that capacity for about twelve years, and it may not be out of place to say, in this connection, that in every particular she has been a model officer. The ability with which Miss Noble has filled her important place of trust proves, beyond the possibility of a doubt. that woman is qualified as well as man to hold positions of responsibility. Hattie has been deputy postmistress for a good many years, and she, also, in connection with another lady, carries on a millinery establishment. The home of Mrs. Noble and family is a pleasant and desirable one. Mr. Noble died March 3, 1862, which placed the responsibility of rearing their family of small children upon the mother, and the result proves that she was equal to the emergency. Mrs. Noble is a member of the Pres- byterian church.

Among the business men of Mercer county none occupies a more truly honorable position than WILLIAM GAYLE. The thoughtless masses bestow hasty credit upon men who have only climbed the hill of fortune; but it may be necessary to pass down the sharp declivity on the other side, in the face of all who know them, to discover the pro- portion of pure gold in their characters. Mr. Gayle is a conspicuous example of that class who have trod the wine-press of business pros- perity and adversity, and whose rugged qualities of integrity and fortitude have been proven by severe trial. He is a native of Frank- fort, Kentucky, where he was born August 16, 1819. of parents descended from purely English ancestry, that settled in this country prior to the Revolution. In the autumn of 1845 he formed a partner- ship with James A. Noble, with whom he had been co-clerk in Louisville, and this firm of Noble & Gayle brought a stock goods at once to Oquawka and opened ont in trade. The following spring they divided their business, and Mr. Gayle came to Keithsburg with half their stock and began selling goods on the first day of May. This shortly proved to be a superior location, and the next fall the senior partner came here from Oquawka and the business was consolidated

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

in this place. Early in 1850 Mr. Noble withdrew, and his place was taken by Mr. Gayle's brother-in-law, R. H. Alvis. of Henderson, Kentucky, who was a partner two years. Before his retirement, B. F. Wilson, who had been clerking in the house a number of years, .was given a small interest and continued with Mr. Gayle until the crash of 1857, when the latter failed with assets five-fold greater than his liabilities. The exceeding stringency of affairs caused his com- plete financial ruin. Declining all offers of assistance, he at once engaged in clerking, first in St. Louis and afterward in Keithsburg, and was so employed until 1871 when he again started in trade on his own account, and is now firmly established and doing a large business in grain, flour, coal, lime and cement. Mr. Gayle was liberally educated, chiefly under the private tuition of his father, George Gayle, who was a scholar of scientific and classical attainments. He is a man who enjoys an unconscious exaltation in being always kind and accommodating to all men. September 7, 1851, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Ungles, who has been the mother of ten children by this marriage, four of whom are living.

ALLEN F. GLOVER. tailor, oldest child of Silas and Mary (Rob- ertson) Glover, is a native of Abbeville, South Carolina, where he was born June 17, 1823. At the age of ten he emigrated with his father's family to Ohio. At Fairhaven he learned the tailor's trade, and in 1842 he left the state and the following year settled at Oqnawka. In the spring of 1846 he removed to Keithsburg, and next year was married to Miss Sarah L., youngest daughter of Jesse and Christinia Brewer. Her birthplace was Wayne county, Indiana, where she was born in 1827. Her parents were originally from North Carolina, and came to this county in 1835 and settled on the farm now owned by Solomon Wolf, northeast of Keithsburg. This wife died withont issue in 1850, and three years afterward he was married a second time to Miss Minerva Catlin, who bore him six children and died in 1873. In 1854 Mr. Glover removed to Wisconsin, staying there two years. During some eighteen years after his return he was tending grocery store as clerk ; since that time he has worked at his trade. About eight years ago he united with the Methodist church and is now one of the stewards. He has been a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210. I.O.O.F. ; he has passed all the chairs and been representative to the grand lodge. In 1864 he was "raised " in Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, A.F.A.M., and has been Secretary of that lodge since. He has been elected to the offices of assessor and justice of the peace ; the latter proving distasteful he resigned it. He affiliates politically with the republicans. His children have been Irene, who died at the

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age of nineeten ; Emma ; Ida, now Mrs. Seth Chandler ; Charlie, George, and Bell (dead).

JOHN HEATON was born at Xenia, Ohio, November 2, 1804. His father was John, son of Jonah Heaton of Bryant's Station, Kentucky, who was from Connecticut, and who, history says, made the first gun ever manufactured in the former state. Jonah's son John was edu- cated by his uncle Daniel, and was a prominent man in his county, holding the office of county commissioner and justice of the peace for twenty-two consecutive years. James Heaton worked at and thor- oughly learned the trade of his father, that of a blacksmith and gun- smith. In the spring of 1826 (May 25), he was married to Miss Nancy Henry, daughter of William Henry, who was a first cousin to Patrick Henry, of Virginia. It may be proper here to state that while Patrick was a democrat of the Jefferson school, William was a federalist and did not sympathize with him as his descendants have done. Mrs. Heaton is a woman of great practical ability and native good sense, who believes that the patent of real royalty belongs to those who do right and live by industry. They have lived a long and useful life. Fifty-six years have they passed together, and in this time reared a large family of children : John, of Red Bluff, California, the eldest, and William Henry, the second child, now of Keithsburg, being the only sons of six born to them now living. George died in Texas at the age of forty-three ; James at the age of eleven ; Channcy, when eight months old ; and his twin brother Oliver at the same age. Their six daughters are all living. These are : Sarah Salisbury, at Red Oak, Iowa ; Maria Adair, in Hutchinson county, Dakota ; Marienne Phares, at Keithsburg (with whom Mr. and Mrs. Heaton make their home) ; Margaret Hanna, at Fort Scott, Kansas; Mattie Hanna, at Oquawka ; and Sippie Wolff, at Clarinda, Iowa. Mr. Heaton was a great lover of stock, and when first married fenced a tract of 3,000 acres on the head of the Little Miami river in Clark county, Ohio, where he kept in pasture several thousand head of cattle. In 1836 he came to Edgar county, Illinois, and engaged in business. In 1842 he moved to the New Purchase in Iowa. In the fall of 1843 he came to Henderson county, Illinois, opposite the then small town of Bur- lington. In the spring of that year he settled on a farm on the Elli- son, in Warren county, and the same season bought the farm where the town of Ellison now stands. In the fall of 1848, wanting better facilities for schooling his children, he came to Keithsburg, where he lived till the spring of 1852, when he moved to Bald Bluff. There he and his boys made a large farm and gratified that old love of stock by raising cattle, hogs and horses. In 1868 William went to Abingdon,

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Knox county, and the next year George went to Texas. It was then that he gave up the farm and moved to Keithsburg, where he now has a pleasant home and varies his exercise every day with a walk down town. He is perhaps the best known man in the county. He has always lived a quiet, unassuming life, has worked hard and aimed to deal fairly with all who have had intercourse with him. He is in religion a predestinarian Baptist, in politics a democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson in 1828, and adhered to that school ever since. Like most of the early settlers, Mr. Heaton's home was the abode of hospitality, and friend or stranger who came his way was alike welcome to share its refreshments. In his old age he still retains his love of society, and enjoys recounting the incidents and adventures of the past. This worthy couple are never happier than when their house is full of their children and grandchildren, of whom they have a great number.

From youth to age this wedded pair Have journeyed on together - Not always gentle was the wind, Nor always bland the weather; Yet few and light have been their cares, And light and few their crosses,

And God has shown his pitying face Amid their griefs and losses. Oh, sore the travel and the toil To reach the roseate present, Had no affection cheered the way And made the journey pleasant.

What if the cheek has lost its bloom, The eye its olden lustre - What if the locks are thinned and blanched Which on the temples cluster - Still hope is fresh and hearts are young, And love is unabated, Aud men and angels hail to-day The married and the mated.

The loveliest thing on earth is love, The loveliest and the purest ; The dearest thing on earth is love, The dearest and the surest ; And not alone is heavenly sweet The honey of its kisses :

The very tears of love are sweet, Its very pangs are blisses ; And they who love with love the best, The fondest and the strongest -- Love with the loveliest love of all - Are they who love the longest.

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KEITIISBURG TOWNSHIP.

Ah ! Love's dear veterans well deserve Our greetings and our praises,

Since where we looked for Winter's snows They point to Spring's sweet daisies ;

Since, when the sea is smooth and fair, Or black the tide is flowing, Through all the voyage of the years They keep their fond hearts glowing ;

Since, though the frame may show the trace Of many a blight and fever,

The teeming vineyards of the soul Are fresh and green as ever ;

Since, through the long sweet married days Their faith and fervor proving,

They make a noble thing of life, A godlike thing of loving.

Oh, happy, true and honored pair ! Oh, ever leal and loyal !

We pay you willing court to-day, For love has made you royal !

All gentle thoughts and hopes are yours, All wishes sweet and tender -

What richer tributes can we bring, What worthier homage render ?

God's cherubs still your steps attend, His peace your fond hearts strengthen,

As o'er the sky above your heads The evening shadows lengthen ; And when the night comes on, at last, And brings its welcome slumber, Sweet angels from the wondrous host Which none may name or number, Shall lead your still united souls Through shining arch and portal, To gardens fair and pastures green, Where love shall be immortal !

JEROME A. SWEZY, deceased, was born in Goshen, Orange county, New York, August 15, 1815. He removed to Quincy, Illinois, in an early day, and was there married to Miss Mary J. Atkinson October 12, 1843. He removed to Oquawka in 1846, where he engaged in merchandising [till 1850, when he started on an overland trip to Cali- fornia taking with him two four-horse teams and twelve men. He remained in California till the following December, when he started home via the Isthmus, on a passenger steamer. At Grenada, Central America, he was taken down with a severe fever and remained there till the following June. When he reached his home he was still in feeble health, and with a view to improving it, went with his wife

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

to his boyhood home in New York. In 1852, having regained his health. he returned and settled in Keithsburg. During his thirty years residence here. he was in business as book-keeper, shipper, lumber and real estate dealer. He died March 26. 1SS2. His wife and six children survive him. The latter are: Emma, wife of C. T. Combs; Jessie C .; Somerville E., wife of H. C. Cook, whose biography follows : Hattie E .; Georgia A. ; and Huber.

HENRY CHALMERS COOK was born in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania, February 7. 1856, where he grew to manhood. He served an appren- ticeship of three years in the office of the "Fulton Republican " at McConnellsburg. In 1876 he came to Illinois and for three years worked at his trade of printer at Princeton. In the spring of 1879 he came to Keithsburg, where he engaged as foreman in the "News" office for W. H. Heaton. In June, 1881, he formed a partnership with R. Wolfe and started the "Keithsburg Times." In December follow- ing he sold his interest to his partner and returned to his former place in the "News" office. August 19, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Swezy. They have one child, Michael Jerome. born September 14, 1SS1.

WILLIAM D. REYNOLDS, stock dealer, was born in Pennsylvania, September 14. 1841. His parents, William C. and Catharine A. (Tiger) Reynolds, removed to Mercer county in 1846, and settled in Ohio Grove township, where they early became identified with the affairs of the county. Mr. Reynolds. Sr., remained here till the spring- of 1882. when he sold out and went to reside with his daughter in Iowa. Young William received his education at the pioneer schools of this county's early history, as well as a thorough knowledge of farm labor. In 1861 he responded to the President's call for men to pre- serve the honor of their country's flag and became a member of com- pany A. 30th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. During the service he was twice wounded, first at Belmont. Missouri, and afterward at Fort Donelson, and was soon after discharged on account of disability. He was married February 11, 1869, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Lewis and Maria Sponsler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Mercer county in 1860. They are the parents of six children living: Mand E., Clara A., Lora E. (died March 22. 1882), Lewis G., Guss. Glenn. and Lucy. Mr. Reynolds is now a resident of the town of Keithsburg, but expects to remove to his farm of 160 acres in Edwards county, Kansas.

JOHN J. HAWKINS, retired farmer, was born in Bath county, Ken- tucky, September 7. 1829. and is the sou of Thomas and Malinda Hawkins. In 1847 they came to Illinois and settled in Abington town-

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ship. Mercer county, where he engaged in farming. December 1, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria E., daughter of Russell Wordin, Esq., an early settler of Mercer county. She was born in the State of New York, June 7, 1831. They are the parents of three children, as follows: Lucy, wife of Mr. A. P. Winslow, who is a conductor on the Central Pacific railroad and resides at Ogden. Utah : Alvis T .. and Albert D., on the farm near Keithsburg. They are both members of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Hawkins is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Gales- burg Commandery, No. S. A few years after his marriage Mr. Hawkins removed to the north part of Henderson county, where he lived till 1878, when he took up his residence in Keithsburg. By hard work and honest industry he has accumulated, besides his town property, 466 acres of farming land.

EDWARD OTT, blacksmith, was born in Henderson county, Illinois, March 23, 1848, and was left an orphan when about eleven years old. In December, 1862, when but a little over fourteen years of age, he enlisted in the war for the Union as a member of the 12th Illinois cavalry and followed the fortunes of war till May, 1866. On returning home he engaged in the butcher business, but soon after turned his attention to learning the trade of blacksmith and permanently located in Keithsburg. February 26, 1875, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Hall, of Henderson county, Illinois. They have two children : Mary C. and William C.

THOMAS MARLATT, retired farmer. was born in Wayne county. Indiana, September 12, 1824. His father was a farmer and reared his children to that hardy and honorable occupation. Mr. Marlatt obtained such an education as the common schools of his boyhood days afforded. At the age of twenty-one he began for himself at farming. In 1849 he came to Mercer county, where he permanently located and engaged in farming and stock raising. February 2, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Dryden. She was born in Highland county, Ohio .. September 4, 1834, and came to Mercer county in 1853. They are the parents of Alta I., Adella V., Jessie F .. and two children deceased. On August 17, 1870, Mr. Marlatt met with a painful mis- fortune, this being no less than the instant loss of his eyesight, caused by a kick in his face from a mule. The following year he gave up farming and took up his residence in Keithsburg, where he is now (1882) enjoying the comforts of a very pleasant home. Early in life he became a member of the United Brethren church; in 1853 was licensed to preach. and is now a member of Illinois annual conference.

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His parents are of English and German ancestry, and were born in Burkley county, Virginia. The father, Thomas Marlatt, was born in April, 1792, and the mother, Miss Elizabeth Bellar, in 1799. They reared a family of twelve children : seven sons and five daughters. In 1823 they removed to Wayne county, Indiana, where they resided till the time of their death after a life of industry and usefulness. He died in March, 1877, and she in March, 1875. They were consistent mem- bers of the United Brethren church.

THOMAS S. CUMMINS, justice of the peace, notary, and insurance agent, Keithsburg, was born February 23, 1836, in New Concord, Muskingum county, Ohio, and was the son of David R. and Sarah (Speer) Cummins. In 1851 the family sold their home and embarked at Wheeling, Virginia, and came by river transportation to Keiths- burg, arriving in April. They lived that summer in Ohio Grove township, where Mr. Cummins had an unele, Richard Cummins, who had emigrated as early as 1836 and was one of the first settlers. Most of the family fell sick of the ague, and getting dissatisfied with the country, returned in the fall to Ohio. They remained there but . two weeks, when they turned their faces again to the west and came to Granville, Putnam county, Illinois. Next summer their experience with agne was repeated, and when autumn came they were so much disheartened by the gloomy situation and prospect that they went back again to their old home in Ohio, where they remained till 1854. That year they came to Keithsburg, this time by team, and Mr. Cummins has lived in Mercer county since. He was engaged from that time till . 1866 as warehouseman and shipping clerk. From that year till 1873 he was constable ; he was then elected justice of the peace and has held the office continuously until this time. He has been notary public since 1874; township clerk since 1873, excepting in the year 1877, and village clerk the last two years. In 1874 he began doing an insurance business, and now represents the Home company of New York. His marriage with Miss Martha Knight was celebrated September 3, 1857. Their two daughters are Mary Etta and Maggie Belle. The former is the widow of John M. Wade, recently deceased ; she and her mother are communicants in the Methodist church. Mr. Cummins has always taken much interest in local politics and is a liberal-minded democrat.

ALVIS HARDIN was born in Mercer county, Illinois. September 20, 1852. He is the son of B. F. and Minerva Hardin. He was married to Miss Nettie Doak January 1, 1882. Mrs. Hardin is the daughter of Matthew and Sarah A. Doak. Mr. Hardin is a farmer.

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KEITHISBERG TOWNSHIP.

In the fall of 1853 CHARLES J. SIMPSON came from Ohio and perma- nently located in the village of Keithsburg, where he now enjoys the comforts of a pleasant home. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, Feb. ruary 22, 1823. He is a son of Aaron and Hannah (Smith) Simpson, who were natives of New Jersey, and are of Scotch and English ances- try. He was bred a farmer. May 2, 1844, he married Barbara, daughter of John and Dorothea (Mowen) Beaver. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1827. In 1860 Mr. Simp- son began the practice of veterinary surgery in which he has had good success. They have four children, Laura, Daniel A., who has a brilliant war record, William B., and Pauline G. wife of E. Loosley. Mr. Simp- son is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 18

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