History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 49

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 49
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 49

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND IIENDERSON COUNTIES.

made the arrangements before his death concerning the same. Ample provisions were made for his wife, who still survives him, and for his daughter, who will receive a dividend of the remaining portion of the estate.

SAMUEL SHEESE, though not an early settler of Duncan township, is nevertheless a good illustration of a limited class of citizens who came early to this township and learned to adapt themselves to the anoma- lous and changing circumstances of early settler life, and who wrung success from hardship and privations of an age when financial derange- ments were common. He was born in the State of Ohio in 1834. At the age of twelve he went with his parents from his native state to Indiana, where he spent his youth in working on a farm. His financial condition of life at that time was a barrier against an educa- tion, there being no free schools. From Indiana, at the age of twenty, he came to Clay county, Illinois, whither he was followed a short time after by his mother and two sisters. In 1857 he came to Mercer county, planted a crop and built a house. He was married to Miss Mary Fender about twenty-eight years ago. By this marriage they have twelve children born to them. Barehanded and without even the advantages of an education, Mr. Sheese began life for himself ; but his 550 acres of well-improved land and fine buildings are a proof of his ability to gain wealth.

CHARLES ELSWORTH LUNN, son of John and Mildred Lunn, was born in Mercer county in 1861. His father was among the oldest settlers of the county. He died while our subject was quite young, and his mother married a second time and moved to Port Royal, where he received a part of his education. On their return he was married, in September, 1881, to Miss Eva, daughter of Charles York, after which he moved upon his father's farm which he had made in 1853.

JONAS FENDER, son of Lewis and Jane Fender, was born in North Carolina, May 16, 1834. His parents and grandparents were also born in that state. His grandfather, Andrew Fender, is now living with him at the golden age of 100, and up to the winter of 1882 was active and worked about the farm. He has been four times married. His last wife is still living at an advanced age. Mr. Fender is the, parent of three generations of children, sixteen in number. He was twice en- rolled for the draft of 1812 but was not chosen. He first moved from North Carolina to Indiana, and to Illinois in 1856. Jonas Fender, the subject of this sketch, moved with his parents from their native state to Indiana, and thence to Illinois in 1853, in which year his father's death occurred. Soon after his arrival in the county he pur- chased a farm containing 302 acres in section 24, which he has

OBecity

(DECEASED)

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improved, and erected upon the same a handsome dwelling-house with all the modern improvements. Ever since he began the improvement of his farm he has been engaged in the coal business, of which his farm contains a fine supply. Mr. Fender is a member of the Wesleyan church, and was one of the founders. It stands just a few rods from his house. He is also an enthusiastic temperance worker. The esteem here placed upon his character is the willing testimony of many who have known him for years.

Among the men of progress in Duncan township there will be found no name more distinctly representative than that of GEORGE VATER (deceased). From early childhood his life had been an active one. To him many owe the advantages of improvement in their stock. This was his study and delight and the principal part of his business. He came to America in company with his brother in an early day, and for the first few years rented land, until 1865, when he bought John Mitchel's interest in 260 acres of land, and subsequently added to it 150 aeres in section 13. To this he added substantial improvements, notwithstanding the fact that when he arrived here he had nothing but his hands to assure this snecess in life. At the time of his death, in 1879, he left his widowed wife with this estate unincumbered. Mr. Vater was born in Germany in 1836. His father having died while he was young left our subject to his own resources. He was married in 1863 to Miss Winegard, of Rock Island county. The result of the marriage was seven children, five girls and two boys.

The subject of this sketch, JOHN BRAUCHIT, who is now passing his declining years on his farm in Duncan township, with all the comforts of life around him, was one among the enterprising first settlers of that township, at a time when industry and energy were requisites to success in life. Mr. Braught was born in Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1821, his parents having also been born in Lancaster county in that state. From there they moved to Dauphin county, and thence to Ohio. In the fall of 1852 Mr. Braucht came with his parents to Mercer county, first settling a few miles south of Aledo, where our sub- ject resided one year, or until 1853, when they bought in Duncan town- ship of James Hartman. On this place he still resides. He has devoted all his energies to improvement, until he has now one of the best improved farms in the township. He was married in Ohio. His wife died in 1881.

The family of JAMES LLOYD originated in Wales, but his more recent ancestors were raised in this country. His parents were Benijah and Elizabeth Lloyd, who moved to Erie county in an early day, where James was born September 3, 1827, and moved with his parents to

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

Mercer county in 1834. His father hired a man and team to bring them to Mercer county, but on arriving at the river Nile he became dis- couraged and would go no farther. Here they took passage on board of a schooner for Chicago, where they happened to meet with some farmers who had brought wheat from Putnam county. With some of these teams they were brought as far as Monmouth, where, after a few days' stay, they engaged a man and team to bring them to Millersburg. This was an eventful trip for the whole family. Shortly after leaving Monmouth their younger brother fell from the wagon in which they were riding and was instantly killed. On arriving at Millersburg they found an Indian camp all along Camp creek, which sight did not add much pleasure to their mother's anticipations of the new country. The Indians would come to their house in squads of twenty or more in quest of potatoes and such other provisions as they had to spare, never taking anything, however, without paying for it. They were treated kindly by the Lloyds, whom they duly appreciated. Mr. Lloyd's mother had been in Mercer county for nearly a year before she saw the face of a white woman. In 1860 Mr. Lloyd made a trip to Pike's Peak, and on this trip he met an old Indian who had many times been at his father's house while they were encamped at Millersburg. They both recognized each other at once. He was quite aged, but still remembered all that had transpired during their encampment at Camp creek, at which time Mr. Lloyd was but a small boy. Mr. Lloyd bought his first land on S. W. Sec. 32, in 1849, of Dr. Samuel West, who had bought the tax title. He did not settle until 1857. He remembers Capt. Kinkade and a party of twelve stopping at his father's house while on their way to Rock Island to make a treaty with Black Hawk. James Lloyd's ancestors on his mother's side were German. His mother died in 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. She will always be remembered by those who knew her on account of her generous hospitality.

EDWARD M. CASTLE was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, July 7, 1838. His grandparents were born in America. Luman Castle, his father, was born in Ontario county, New York, and his mother in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. His father came to Illinois in 1832, where he was married to Miss Catharine Murry, in Tazewell county, about 1837, and moved to Mercer county in 1842. He first settled one mile east of Millersburg, which place he sold to James Wharton, and moved to Nebraska, where his wife died in 1861. The subject of this sketch entered the service of the war of the rebellion as a private in company G., 27th Ill. Inf., and during the time which he served participated in all the battles in which his regiment was

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engaged, Belmont being the first. He returned home after the war and bought land in section 5, which had been owned by one Hatch, of Ohio, and who had traded a hotel property for it. He also bought in section 8, which was formerly owned by Kendall, Specker, and Almen- dinger, who had bought it of I. N. Bassett. Mr. Castle is well and favorably known throughout the section of country in which he lives, having taken an active part in the affairs of the township. He was several times chosen supervisor, assessor and collector. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church and a deacon of the same.'

CALEB VERNON was born thirty miles from Cincinnati, Warren county, Ohio, in 1817, and when fourteen years of age moved with the family to Indiana, where he received a common school education and learned to farm. His father was born in England, and, while young, was left at home with his mother, while his father came to America, but after a few years took ship to return home. The vessel was wrecked and he was never after heard from. For the first few years after Mr. Vernon's arrival in Illinois he followed mining in the lead mines of Galena. He was married in St. Louis, July 6, 1847, to Miss Nancy Walston, whose mother was a native of Kentucky. Vernon's parents came to Illinois when he was but a small child, but he distinctly remembers the wilderness-like appearance of the country at that time. There were but a few houses then in the county. He once left Rock Island for Millersburg, at which time Daniel Mont- gomery's house was the only one between the two places. There he took dinner and started on his journey. Darkness overtook him, and when near Millersburg he lost himself on the hills of Camp ereek. He became bewildered, and made several trips back and forth from Camp creek to Eliza. Wolves were plentiful at that time, and he remembers of them following him while plowing in the fields. He is engaged in farming a small fruit culture. His handsome residence is shaded by large trees of his own planting, consisting of ehestunt, maple, elm, ash and beech.

JOSEPH ANDERSON was born September 13, 1845, his parents being William and Achsah Anderson. His grandparents, on his father's side, were Americans, and on his mother's side, German. The sub- ject of the sketch is the youngest child of a family of four children, and the only son of the family. His oldest sister, Louvenia, married Wal- ter Balfour, and resides in Pocahontas county, Iowa. Annie married Samuel Powell, a resident of Rock Island county. Emmaranda resides in that county, also. Joseph Anderson came with his parents to this county in 1857. Here he received the benefits of a common school

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

education, and was raised to farming, at which he was engaged until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as a private in the 9th Iowa cavalry. IIe served only a few months with his regiment and was detached for special duty as a scout and dispatch carrier, at which duty he served three years, and was mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas, after which he immediately returned home to resume farm- ing and stock raising. He has never sought office, but has been several times elected to fill the various offices in his town, and in 1882 was chosen supervisor. When he first settled in the township he bought his first land of Jacob Almendinger, on the N. } of Sec. 9. He resides, however, on section 4, land owned by his father-in-law, Mr. Isaac Rob- bins, whose daughter, Carrie, he married. Mr. Anderson is a repub- can, and a member of the Aledo masonic lodge.

MILTON BORUFF, son of Valentine and Louvina Boruff, was born in Eliza township in 1843. His father was born in Clay county, Tennes- see, and moved from there to Monroe county, Indiana, and to Mercer county, Illinois; in 1846, settling first on Pope creek, and later moved to Eliza township, where he was married to Miss Louvina Epperly. Milton Boruff was educated at a common school in the township in which he was born, where he was also married in 1865 to Miss Emaline, daughter of Martin Bear. By this marriage, Mr. Boruff and wife have had six children born to them, all of whom are now living at home. Mr. Boruff bought his first land in section 31, in 1865, which he has largely improved by commodious residences and other fine buildings.

MICHAEL MARDOCK was born in Tennessee in 1813, and at the age of eight years moved with his parents to the state of Ohio, and from that state to Indiana. Here he received a liberal education and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed until his removal to this state. His first settlement was in Eliza township where he improved a farm and resided until his removal to section 6, Duncan township. He was joined in marriage in 1839 to Miss Nancy Miller, which happy union was blessed by the birth of five children. From humble beginnings, by industry and good management, Mr. Mardock has acquired a hand- some estate which he lives to enjoy, as well as the respect of his friends about him. He is a democrat in politics, and an honored member of the masonie order.

MICHAEL MADER, son of Adam and Barbara Mader, was born in Germany in 1832. In his father's family were four boys, among whom Michael was the youngest. He came to America in 1859, in company with Michael Vater's family and sister. At this time our subject had barely enough money to pay his passage to New York and Chicago, where he borrowed six dollars of his friend Vater, to bring him to

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Rock Island. Immediately after his arrival he sought and obtained employment as a farm hand, at which he worked faithfully for eight years, at which time he invested the money that he had saved in 160 acres of land in the northeast of section 11. He subsequently bought eighty acres more just across the road in section 2. He has made some handsome buildings upon his place, all of which he has done by hard labor and good cultivation. Mr. Mader is a social gentleman, free in his habits and opinions, and liberally supports the cause of education, good morals and public progress.

LEONARD GARBER was born in Baden, Germany, in 1832, a country which has furnished many of our most prosperous emigrants, as may be seen by viewing their handsome improved farms throughout the township and elsewhere within the borders of Mercer county. Mr. Garber came with his parents to this country at the age of fourteen. The family landed in New York, from which place they immediately proceeded to St. Louis, where for two years our subject worked by days' wages in a brick-yard. He managed to lay up some money in the hands of the company, but the firm failing he lost all. They then moved westward, locating in Rock Island county, near Illinois city, where his father bought a farm and where Mr. Garber spent his youth at work. He here received a liberal education. In 1856 he was married in Rock Island county to Miss Margaret Bower, of the same county. Soon after his marriage he began business for himself. He first bought land in Rock Island county, which in 1862 he sold to George Wise and moved to Mercer county, where he bought 120 acres of partly improved land in section 1. He next bought eighty acres adjoining, of Nicholas Lenze. He next bought eighty acres adjoining, of Owens Tolbert. This he afterward sold. He then bought eighty acres of Mr. Cline, and next 160 acres of William Neff, in section 14, and besides another thirty acres, making in all 470 acres. His farm is well improved and contains more barns and outbuildings than any other farm in the township. His farm is also well adapted to stock-raising, which business occupies his attention. His pleasant home is shaded by large trees of his own planting, and he lives in ease and pleasure among his family of five children : Barbara, Maggie, Emma, Sadie, and John.

. GEORGE LEUZE was born in Baden, Germany, December 26, 1813. His parents were Peter and Margaret Leuze. His father was born on the river Rhine in the year the Russians crossed the river during the Napoleon war. In his father's family there were nine children, five boys and four girls. His father lived to the age of eighty-two and his mother eighty-five. Our subject was married in Germany, in 1841, to Miss Mary Ghist, by which marriage they had four children born to

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them. two of whom are dead. John is superintending his father's farm and Nicholas resides in Rock Island county. In Germany our subject followed weaving in the winter and farming in the summer. He came to this country May 10. 1857, on board the Palestina, which took fire twice while on the way. During the voyage the provisions ran short. and they were three days without a morsel to eat. They landed in New York. and went direct from there to Rock Island, where he obtained work at fifty cents per day. He soon after bought 150 acres of land. where he now resides at an advanced age. Mr. Leuze stands high among the people of the neighborhood in which he lives as an honest. upright and free-spirited gentleman.

D. S. MAYHEW was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, in 1834. He devoted the first years of his life after obtaining his majority to working on a farm. After leaving his father's house he moved to Washington county. where his parents had formerly resided. There he worked ten months on a farm. In 1856 he came to Mercer county. where he worked by the month. and afterward rented land for two years, after which he was married to Miss Betsie E. Cooper, daughter of Levi Cooper. They have had ten children born to them: Emma (who is now married to George Close, a farmer, residing near his father-in-law's place). Levi. Lester. George, Ethie. Tunis. John, Alex- ander. Bertie. Ira. and Eddie. Mr. Mayhew began life empty handed, but by industry and good management had accumulated a capital of $300. with which he made the first payment on 160 acres of choice land in section 15. which he bought in 1866. This he has improved with good fences and a commodious house and barn. His door-vard is shaded by large trees planted. by his own hands. Mr. Mayhew's beginning in life, contrasted with the condition of his affairs twenty years later. when living in affluence and comfort. with a well stocked farm. is a striking illustration of the results of well directed energy.

FRED VOLKEL emigrated from Germany with his parents to America at the age of seven. The family first landed in New York, and after a short stay. they went to Ohio, and thence to Springfield, Illi- nois. in 1842. where he remained with his parents until 1845. when he moved to Mercer county. His father died at Johnstown. Ohio, in 1879, and his mother in 1842. Life had been a struggle with him from the first. and his only hopes of a more successful ending lay in his energy. and with this sole assurance he started out in life. after receiving his education in Ohio. Soon after his arrival in the county he purchased land in section 10 of James Hains, and in 1855 was married to Miss Nancy Jane Davis, of Rock Island county, by which union they had five children born to them. His wife died in 1864, and Mr. Volkel was

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again married in 1867 to Mrs. Betty McDowell, and by this marriage they had five children. Mr. Volkel now owns an improved farm in Duncan township, and is in such circumstances as to enjoy life. He is a member of the Baptist church, and was among the first to organize that church at Antioch.

Among the many old settlers and prominent gentlemen of Mercer county, who have taken an active part in its development, we mention the name of WILLIAM RETHERFORD (deceased), who was born in the Mo- nongahela river valley, in Pennsylvania. His estimable wife, a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, was born in 1813. Her parents moved to Indiana when she was fifteen years old. Here they were married in 1836 and came to Mercer county in 1838. They first rented land of William Drury for five years, when, by industry and economy, they managed to lay up some money with which they purchased land in section 14, which they improved and added to until the time of Mr. Retherford's death in 1881. He owned 960 acres, all well improved and under the highest state of cultivation. When he first arrived in the county his whole stock in trade consisted of a wagon, a team of horses and harness. Some of the land which he first bought at fifty cents per acre is now worth $50. Mr. Retherford's family consisted of six children : Madison, Patrick, Sarah E., Delilah, Jane, and James Franklin, with John C., whom Mr. Retherford adopted. At the time of his death it was his request that John C. be an equal heir with his own children. Mr. Retherford was never a politician, but always held decided views upon the leading questions of the day. He was not a republican ; but when the question of supporting the government came up as against the other issues of the rebellion, Mr. Retherford was on the side of the union with his money and influence to assist in filling up the quota of his town. His personal integrity and worth were always recognized by those who lived near and dealt with him. James Retherford, son of the subject, was married to Miss Sarah Collins, soon after which he bought land of his father's estate, upon which he now resides.

LEWIS LANDRETH was born in the State of Indiana in 1844. His father, Zachariah Landreth, was a native of Virginia, and his mother was born in North Carolina. They moved from that state to Indiana in an early day, where they were married and where our subject was born. Lewis came with his parents to Mercer county, Illinois, about 1832 and with his father first settled in Perryton township. His father and mother died there and were buried side by side at Millersburg. For many years previous to their death they had been devoted members of the Baptist church, and succeeded in raising their children to lives

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of honesty, industry, and service for the Creator. Soon after our sub- ject was first married he began farming on section 9, which was partly given to him by his father. This he sold, and bought the Martin Boyd place on section 16, which is finely improved, and where he now resides in peace and comfort.

NICHOLAS ADDIG, was born in Germany, in 1848, and is the young- est child of a family of five children. In 1854 he came to America with his parents, he being then five years old. The family landed in New York, and proceeded thence to Rock Island county, settling in the southwestern part of the county, in what is known as the German settlement. There his father bought and improved a farm, and our subject worked for his father until 1869, when he was joined in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Leonard. Soon after the union he moved on section 1 in Duncan township, where. he remained for two years. Being ambitious to obtain more land lie moved to Iowa, but not liking the country where he had settled, he returned after an absence of two years to Mercer county. Immediately after his arrival he purchased 160 acres of land of Mr. Conrad Leonard, in section 1, where has since resided. In 1874 he bought eighty acres of James A. Harris, and in 1881 bought an addtional eighty acres of John Boltinghouse. All this he has highly improved, and at present writing is engaged in building one of the largest barns in the county. This barn is designed to contain all the modern improvements, and will be supplied with water by a hydraulic ram. From early childhood his life has been an active one, given almost wholly to the advancement of his business. One would scarcely believe, after admiring his fine farm, that he began empty-handed, yet such is his history. His happy home has been blessed with five girls, all of whom are living. His father was born in Germany in 1811, and his mother in 1812. Her maiden name was Mary Elizabeth Spangler. They are both living and quite active at the time we write.

J. H. COLLINS, farmer and fine stock raiser, was born in 1819, in Washington county, Ohio. There he received his education at Mon- roe academy after which he read law and was admitted to the bar, and for a short time practiced in that county. In 1849 he went to Texas, with a power of attorney by a decree of court, to sell some property which a party there was occupying and falsely owning. He had some difficulty in applying the law, and fell back upon his physi- cal ability, and thus succeeded in accomplishing his object. After this he returned home, and in 1856 came to Illinois, where he staid one year. Coming again next year he began to improve his farm of one- half section of land. In 1858 he was married to Miss Emily Robin-

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 49

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