History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 19

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 19
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 19

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).

, JOHN DUNN, butcher, was born in Pennsylvania February 1, 1844, and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Cameron) Dumn. In 1853 he with his parents embarked on the steamer New York at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for Keithsburg, Illinois, and made the entire trip without change. They at once went to Ohio Grove township where they pur- chased a farm and began to make a home for themselves. They first camped out till they could build a cabin. Here John grew up to man- hood with but little means of obtaining an education. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and for the next three years devoted his time in the defense of his country's flag. At the battle of Resacca, Georgia, he was wounded in the hips and was placed in the hospital for treatment, from which he was discharged June 22, 1865, and returned to Keithsburg. March 21, 1867, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Maria MePherren, who was born in Suez township, Mercer county, March 1, 1843. They are the parents of Catharine R., Amos D., and Thomas, and three deceased. After his marriage Mr. Dunn en- gaged in farming, but on account of his wound disabling him for farm labor he abandoned farming and bought an interest in a coal mine and five years later sold out and came to Keithsburg, where he still resides engaged in the butcher business. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 210.

ROBERT C. HUMBERT, merchant, is a son of Emanuel and Frances (McReynolds) Humbert ; was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Jan- nary 26. 1831 ; removed with his parents to Fountain county, Indiana, when about three years of age, where at the age of sixteen he became an apprentice as bricklayer and plasterer. In 1853 he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and engaged in working at his trade in Keithsburg till 1857. when he became a merchant in the dry goods line, following the business till 1864. At that time Mr. . Humbert arranged to go west as far as Montana. His object was partly speculative but more particularly

192

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

for the benefit of an invalid brother-in-law, George Gore, who was suf- fering with that dreaded disease consumption, who while there regained his health. On their way out they purchased a stock of goods which they afterward lost. being attacked by Indians and robbed. The next year Mr. Humbert returned to his home in Keithsburg where he has since had a continuous residence, except three years spent on his farm in Henderson county. November 26, 1857, Mr. Humbert was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Philip.Gore, Esq., an early settler of this county. She was born in Maryland, January 31, 1839. They are the parents of seven children: Harry P., George C., Edward E., James F., Fannie D., Bart G., and Robert R. Mr. Humbert is a mem- ber of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandary, No. 8.

JOHN C. HUMPHREY, harness maker, is a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was born February 12. 1827. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his native state. In 1854 he made a trip to California, where he remained nearly three years. Soon after his return home he came to Keithsburg, and in company with Mr. Samuel Evans, engaged in the business he now follows. September 2, 1858, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Jacob Wolf, a native of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, who with her parents came to Illinois in 1856. They are the parents of eight children : Mary, Harry W., Willis M., Ida, Ernest L., Mark J., Edward F., and Eva B.

CLARENCE S. FRICK, grain dealer, is a son of Benjamin P. and Annie E. (Stewart) Frick, who are well known and prominently con- nected in this county. He was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1848, and came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1855, with his parents. His education was principally obtained in Keithsburg, though he attended several terms of high school in Monmouth, Illinois. In 1872 he engaged in merchandising and grain buying in Keithsburg under the firm name of C. A. Frick & Bros. He was also for a time . connected with the Farmers' National Bank, of this place, as book- keeper. In 1881 he began his present business of buying and shipping grain. February 2, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Ellett, a daughter of Benjamin D. and Orpha (Myers) Ellett, early settlers of Keithsburg. They have one child, George Henry, born February 17, 1879. Mr. Frick is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F.

Captain Wycoff's father was born in Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1793, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was a Miss Susan Peairs. Soon after his marriage he removed to

193

KEITIISBURG TOWNSHIP.

Muskingum county, Ohio, where he reared a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters. He died in 1857, and his old and hon- ored wife is still (1882) living at her old home in Ohio. Our subject, Captain J. P. WycoFF, is eldest son and second child. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, September 18, 1819, and was reared on the farm with but limited educational advantages. December 23. 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Davis, of the same county. Her parents were Samnel and Mary (Geyer) Davis, who were also natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The year after his mar- riage Mr. Wycoff removed to Allen county, near Fort Wayne, Indiana, and settled in the tall timber, and there hewed out for himself a home on land previously entered by his father. In 1855 he bought a farm in Sec. 11, T. 13, R. 5, Keithsburg township, and in 1856 sold his home in Indiana and moved to his new home, which he has since built up to be one of the most pleasant in the county, and contains 260 acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, 102d reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., to which he was at once elected captain, but in December of the same year was forced to resign on account of sickness. Mr. Wycoff has been a member of the Presbyterian church since the age of seventeen and an elder for the past thirty years. He has one son (an only child), Albert R., born January 1, 1842. His means for ob- taining an education were quite limited, but by extensive reading, and being a close observer, he has gained a good business education. October 17, 1861, he was married to Miss Myra, daughter of George and Nancy (Maxfield) Jay. She was born in Mercer county, Illinois, November 29, 1843, and is one of this county's literary ladies. They have a family of three interesting children : Earl J., Lura D., and Ethlin Fern. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active part in its affairs.

To the soldier who dared death that a great nation with all its legitimate institutions might live, not only belongs praise, but the . gratitude of a whole people. The pages of future history will not shine with examples of generalship alone, but the captain, his subordinates and privates, who fought in the thickest carnage, will lend their light to future heroes. Captain DAVID M. HOLSTED, son of David and Nancy (Allshaver) Holsted, was born in Oneida county, New York, July 10, 1832. He resided on a farm till fifteen years of age, receiving a common school education. He early engaged in the manufacture of brick. In 1850 he became foreman of the Cleve- land & Ohio Railroad Construction Company, and soon after became a contractor. In 1856 he came to Illinois. In 1861, when war's cruel tongue called for soldiery, he, in company with Col. R. G.

194

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

Ingersoll, recruited the 11th reg. Ill. cavalry, Col. Ingersoll receiving the command. In 1882 Mr. Holsted aided in raising the 85th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., whose. commander was Col. Moore. Mr. Holsted volun- teered as 1st lieutenant. For heroic conduct at the battle of Stone river, Gov. Yates commissioned him captain. At the battle of Chick- amauga he was wounded, necessitating his resignation. For four months he was unable to feed himself ; for one year he was unable to step up six inches high, and disabled for work a year longer. After regaining his health he resumed contracting, this time on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railroad. In 1873 he came to Keithsburg, and, in company with J. K. Hornish, contracted to build the Keiths -. burg & Eastern narrow-gauge railroad, which, on account of the financial crash of 1873, is yet unbuilt. In 1857 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows, and now holds his mem- bership in Mason Lodge, 143. He is also a member of the encamp- ment at Keithsburg, and a member of the Order of the Red Cross organization of Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Holsted was married March 28, 1849, to Miss Eveline L., daughter of Orrin Fenton, Esq., of Cleve- land, Ohio. They have one child living, Miss Lottie.

HUGH SMITH SCOTT, farmer, was born in Washington county, Vir- ginia, July 20, 1807, and is the son of Samuel and Jane (Hutton) Scott. He was reared a farmer. His education was received in the pioneer schools of Virginia. September 18, 1828, a few months after obtaining majority he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Clark) Lion, also a native of the same county. Soon after marriage they emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Fountain county, remaining there until 1856. In that year they again removed, this time to find a final resting place in Mercer county, where he settled on a farm previously purchased of Mr. Gayle. While a resident of Indiana, in 1845, Mr. Scott's friends put him forward as a candidate on the democratic ticket for representative in the state legislature, to which office he was elected by a large majority. As an evidence of his popularity, the township in which he resided, that usually gave a democratic majority of about 80, gave him the compliment of 144 majority. He was also twice elected county assessor and once county collector of Fountain county. He has also held numerous other offices of honor and trust, among which have been that of supervisor of Keithsburg township, and also of justice of the peace for eight years. He has been prominently identified with the Methodist church , of Keithsburg since his residence here. Of his large family, Samuel, Jane, wife of Robert Campbell, of Fountain county, Indiana, Lilburn

J. S. BROKAW.

197

KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.

S., Angeline T., Julia C., wife of C. Dryden, Howard and Florilla, wife of William Stewart, are living. Susan is deceased.

SAMUEL SCOTT, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Hugh S. and Sarah (Lion) Scott. He was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 21, 1829, and was reared principally at farming. He received the best education obtainable in the early schools of his native state. Early in life he made clerking his business for five years, and spent two years in the state auditor's office at Indianapolis. In 1855 he came to Mercer county and engaged in farming, making that his permanent business. October 1, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E., daughter of Jolm McHI. and Margaret (Cramer) Wilson, a native of Michigan, who came to Mercer county when,about six months old. She was born August 26, 1836. They are the parents of five children, viz: Guy C., Edgar S., Carrie W., John McH., and Hugh M. Mr. Scott is a member of the masonic fraternity, and holds his membership in Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113. He is a live, energetic business man, and one whom it would be well for our young men to pattern after.

MR. C. S. ORTH, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, educated at Franklin and Marshall colleges, at Mercersburg, in the same state, emigrated to Iowa City in 1857; came the next year to Keithsburg where he located in general merchandising in com- pany with N. B. Cox. In 1862 the latter was replaced by J. P. Reed, who died in 1866; afterward Mr. Orth continued in the same line of trade with M. A. Weaver as partner, and in 1877 he closed up his business in the place. He is now in trade at Bedford and Clarinda, Iowa, but his family reside in Keithsburg. He has been closely iden- , tified with the history and devotedly attached to the interests of this place since he settled here, and a public-spirited supporter of every worthy undertaking. He was president of the town board one year, and for seven years from 1874 was a director of the public school, a position in which he won credit and popularity for very efficient and acknowledged valuable services. In the railroad questions which have agitated the people of this section, he has taken a full share of interest and exhibited his well-known vigilance and activity. He has some- times directed his influence and energies against these as well as other enterprises, and time has generally confirmed his judgment and fore- sight. Ilis marriage with Miss Fanny M., daughter of Abram B. Sheriff, a pioneer settler of Mercer county, took place in 1863. They are the parents of eight living children.

GEORGE W. WHITING, boot and shoe dealer, was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, September 27, 1834, and was the eldest son of

198

IIISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

William and Sarah (Gothard) Whiting. His father was a native of Hadnam, England, where he was born June 12, 1814, and his mother was born in the same place June 17, 1815. This couple was joined in marriage May 11, 1833. In 1837 the family emigrated to the United States, in the sailing vessel Neptune, and having settled at Lockport, New York, Mr. Whiting's father began manufacturing boots and shoes in a small way. By close attention to his trade his business grew into a large manufacturing house in which, after a few years, he employed from thirty to forty men. In 1854 he lost his property by fire, and in October of the same year he brought his family to Mercer county, where he arrived on the 23d of the month .. He settled in Keithsburg and died in this place September 26, 1879. His wife preceded him to her final rest January 18, 1877. The subject of this notice remained at home with his father and learned the shoe- maker's trade. In March, 1855, he also came to Keithsburg with his. newly-married wife, and at once engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he has built up to its present prosperous condition. His. marriage with Miss Sarah A. Wilson occurred in Lockport, New York, September 7. 1854. She was born at Saratoga May 1, 1835. Mr. Whiting ranks with the foremost and most public spirited men of his township, and his family is justly esteemed for their social qualities and literary tastes.

WILLIAM L. RANGE is a son of Christian and Louisa (Block) Range, and was born and reared a Hessian, in what is now a province of Prussia. His father was a baker by trade, and he was reared to that business. His education was principally obtained in the common schools. September 24, 1858, he was married to Miss Caroline Nagle, a native of the same place. On the 4th of October following they left their native home to seek one in America, and after a perilous voyage of three months on the sailing vessel Aristiezer, landed in New York January 4, 1859. During their last four weeks on the sea they were reduced almost to a point of starvation, the ship having gone out of her course during the terrible storms that prevailed in the early part of the voyage. After landing in New York they at. once came on to Rock Island, Illinois, where they remained about one year, when they came to Mercer county, and soon after permanently located in Keithsburg and established a bakery and restaurant, making the same their business through life. They are the parents of five children : Karl A. W. C., Lewis W., Emma A., Eda L., and William F. They are members of the Lutheran Church of Rock Island, where the older ones of the children have been sent to be educated and confirmed.

199

KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.

Mr. Range was born November 24, 1834, and Mrs Range December 19. 1832. He is a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 210, I.O.O.F.

DR. SAMUEL KELLEY, physician and surgeon, is a native of New Jersey, though he was reared in Ohio, his parents moving to Cincinnati when he was quite young. He was born February 17, 1812, and at the age of about twenty began the study of law at Lexington, Ken- tucky, and was admitted to the bar at Lafayette, Indiana, where he had read law for nine months with Hon. John Petit and Hon. Godlove Orth, in 1841. After practicing law a short time he turned his atten- tion to the study of medicine, which he successfully practiced in Ohio and Indiana, the last twelve years prior to 1859 being spent in the latter state. In Fountain county he was united in marriage with Miss Frances E., daughter of Mr. David Parrott, September 6, 1849. In 1859 Dr. Kelley came to Mercer county, Illinois, where he has con- tinued in the practice of his profession, and has been a citizen of Keithsburg, where he is enjoying the society of his many warm friends. He has one son, Wilber, born in Fountain county, Indiana, October 27, 1858. He is a graduate of the Physicians and Surgeons Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa, where he received his diploma February 28, 1882.

According to well authenticated tradition the Campbells were Scotch Highlanders connected with the House of Argyle. During the period of religious persecution they fled to the north of Ireland where John Campbell was born, reared and married, and where to him his children were born. In the spring of 1849 he with his wife Catherine (McKee) emigrated to the United States, sailing in the Gertrude. After landing on the American shores they at once came on to Illinois, settling in Rock Island, where Mr. Campbell died from sun stroke in 1851. Mrs. Campbell died in 1857, leaving a family of eight children. Hugh Campbell, the eldest son, was born in county Down, Ireland, April 7. 1831. Soon after settling in Rock Island he became an apprentice to a wagon and carriage maker. After completing the trade in 1860 he came to Keithsburg with a view of following his trade in this place. which, however, was abandoned at the outbreak of the rebellion in 1861. when he enlisted in company I, 17th Ill. Vol. Inf. After following the fortunes of war three years and going safely through a number of hard fought battles he was honorably discharged and returned to Keithsburg, where he permanently settled and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. October 3, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Mary C. Ball, widow of Lieut. L. T. Ball, of- company H, 84th Ill. Vol. Inf .. killed in the late war December 31, 1862. Mr. Campbell has been for a number of years a member of the city council. and his

200

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

good judement and thorough business principles have won for him many warm friends. Two other sons of John Campbell, John and Will- iam, are extensive farmers of Otoe county, Nebraska, the latter of whom was elected in 1881 state senator on the republican ticket. Samuel was killed at Atlanta, Georgia. Alexander's sketch appears elsewhere in this work. There were also three daughters : Mary, widow of William Collins ; Elizabeth, widow of William Walker, who is now the mother of eight sons; and Jane, wife of Samuel Warnock. The first two are now residents of Nebraska, the last of Kansas. Their father was born August 14, 1799, and their grandfather, Hugh Camp- bell, September 22, 1755.

CHARLES A. MERTZ, lumber dealer, was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, January 30, 1844. His father died when he was four years old, and in 1854 the widowed mother, taking her little family, came to America in the sailing vessel Magdalin, and settled in Rochester, New York. After a short residence there they went to Wisconsin. In 1861 our subject returned to New York, and in January, 1853, enlisted in company G, 159th N. Y. Vols., being a recruit in that regiment. The first considerable battle in which he was a partici- pant was that of the Wilderness; then followed in rapid succession Spottsylvania, the North Anna, Paumunky River, Cold Harbor, and the battle in front of Petersburg, up to August 25th, in all of which he was engaged. On the last date he was captured at Reams' station on the Weldon railroad with 2,600 others. He was confined first at Petersburg, then removed to Libby prison, and from there to Belle Isle. In the last two places he spent three months. He was taken next to Salisbury, where he remained till February, 1865, when there began a general perambulation of prisoners in that region of the Con- federacy on account of the movements of Gen. Sherman's army. From Salisbury he went to Columbia and stayed there two weeks ; then about as much time was passed in Charleston ; a stop of a few days was made in Raleigh ; and then the detatchment went on to Jamestown, North Carolina, where Mr. Mertz and eight others made their successful escape from a camp of 8,000 by wading neck deep in water past the rebel sentinel and swimming the rest of the way for a mile. From thence his progress to the Union lines was a repetition of the experience of every escaped prisoner : he was fed and piloted by negroes, and he hid and wandered about in racking fear and anxiety for three long weeks, and traveled 240 miles when the squad struck the 16th N. Y. cavalry in the neighborhood of Burkesville Junction, Virginia. When Mr. Mertz was captured he weighed 165 pounds ; when he got back into the Union camp his weight was 98 pounds. His prison life forms a chapter

201

KEITHSBURG TOWNSHIP.

of thrilling experiences and terrible sufferings, while he was the helpless witness of the most atrocious diabolism in the treatment of Union prisoners that ever blackened the page of human history. . When the 159th was mustered out in May, 1865, Mr. Mertz was transferred to company H, 10th N. Y. Inf., in which he completed his term of service and was discharged at New York city in August following. He came directly to Mercer county, but shortly after went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and stayed a little while, after which he went west in the employ of the Union Pacific Railway Company. In 1871 he returned to this county and settled in Keithsburg, engaging in the furniture trade with C. C. Wordin, the present gentlemanly clerk of the county court. In May, 1880, he embarked in the lumber business with his brother, their place of trade being on the corner Washington and Third streets. Besides a saw-mill here they have another on the Iowa side above' New Boston. October 27, 1873, he celebrated his nup- tials with Augusta Belle, daughter of H. G. Calhoun. She was born in Keithsburg, November 29, 1862. They have one child, Ora B., born September 13, 1874. Mr. Mertz is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, No. 113, Illinois Chapter, No. 17, and Galesburg Commandery, No. S. Lewis L. Mertz, brother of the above, was born also in Bavaria, February 11, 1847, and emigrated to this country with the rest of the family. On February 1, 1864, he enlisted at Rochester, New York, in Battery L, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery, and served until mustered out at Elmira, June 19, 1865. Beginning with the battle of the Wilderness, he fought throughout the campaign following up to the surrender of Lee. At the age of twelve he entered the Woodbury Engine Works, where he learned the trade of an engineer, which he has followed ,in different places, but particularly in the oil regions of Pennsylvania. In December, 1865, he came to Keithisburg and sold furniture with his brother a short while ; in 1867 he engaged with a surveying party on the Union Pacific railway ; in 1868 he went into the gold mines of Montana, where he remained nearly four years. He was married to Miss Janet, daughter of Daniel Keith, July 6, 1871. She was born in this place in September, 1849. They settled on a farm of 320 acres in Boone county, Iowa, and lived there six years. In May, 1880, Mr. Mertz removed with his family to Keithsburg, where he has since been engaged in the furniture and lumber business. He is a Royal Arch Mason. His four children are : Sibyl J., Jacob R., William B., Elizabeth M. The father of these brothers was named John J. Mertz, and was a native of Bavaria, where he was born in the year 1800. In early life he learned the trade of a cooper, but later he became quite wealthy, and engaged

202

HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

in farming. In the Revolution of 1848, he lost his property by sign- . ing with other men, and in the same year died. The mother, Mather Mina (Watchter), born in 1805. has her home with her children in this place.

DENNIS MURTO, merchant, was born in Sligo county, Ireland, Jan- uary 1, 1882, and is the third son of a family of six children whose father died early in life, leaving them to the care of their widowed mother. who soon after sold out her interest there and went to England, where she remained till August 1860. She then came to America, bringing her three daughters. Dennis, the subject of this notice, left England in a full clipper American sailing vessel. the Martha Greenleaf, and' after a voyage of nineteen weeks arrived in New Orleans April 4, 1858. He at once pushed on up the Missis- sippi river to Davenport, Iowa. but soon returned to Oquawka, Illinois, and hired out to work for Mr. C. W. Harris, beginning at $10 per month, and remained for three years. He was also for a short time engaged in driving stage and carrying the mail from Sage- town to Keithsburg. On August 14, 1862, being refused a place in the ranks of the' army in the war for the Union, he started for California, from where he returned to Keithsburg in October. 1865. and at once engaged as a day laborer. In 1874, in company with his brother, he began the mercantile business in the grocery line. and in 1880 he become sole owner of his present prosperous business. Besides his town property he owns two good farms in Mercer county. December 6, 1865, he married Miss Bridget Gilrain, a native of Ire- land, by whom he has one child, Mary Rose.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 19

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