History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 50

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 50
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 50

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).

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DUNCAN TOWNSHIP.

son, of Edgington, Rock Island county. When he first came to this county there were but few honses in the neighborhood, and until the fall of 1858, at the time the Antioch church was built, there had not been a school within five miles, and the country was all unimproved. In 1875 he built one of the finest houses in Duncan township. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, was of English descent, and his mother was born in Ireland. Mr. Collins possesses great determina- tion of character, and indomitable energy and acnte ideas. He is of ready and pleasing address, making the humblest feel at home in his house. He is a man who has never sought office, but served his town for twelve consecutive years as justice of the peace, the only office which he would accept.

JOSEPH C. GILMORE came to Mercer county in 1847, and with the exception of a few years spent in the lumber districts of the north, has resided in the county ever since. On his first arrival he made his residence in Perryton township, where he became acquainted with Miss Rebecca Blue, formerly of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, and they were married in 1855. His ancestors originated in Wales. Mr. Gilmore is the son of Ephraim and Catharine Gilmore. His great- grandparents, on coming to this country in a very early day, settled on a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where onr subject was born and educated. In 1851 he bought his first land in section 35, Duncan township, principally for pasture, and did not improve it until 1857, since which he has built a large, commodious house and barn, and has turned his attention to the fine stock and cattle business. His home has been blessed by four children, of whom one is deceased. He lias lived to see the country improved from its wild condition to its present high state of civilization. He has led a quiet and peaceful life of irreproachable honesty, and has never sought office, though often importuned. Politically he is a democrat, with which party he has always acted. Of Mr. Gilmore's father's family eleven children con- stituted the family circle, of whom nine are living. From the time of his removal to Duncan township, he has bought several tracts of land bordering on his original farm, until he now has 455 acres. Himself and family are members of the Presbyterian church of Millersburg.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.

It would be difficult, indeed, to find a spot of earth where human feet have trod for nearly a half century, that has not been the scene of events worthy a place in history ; but it is often a difficult matter to glean such facts as are necessary to a correct record, from the filth and rubbish of tradition. The lack of correct data, owing to the treachery of human memory and a failure to make a correct record of the events as they transpired, make the accurate compilation of them a per- plexing task. A few well substantiated facts are of more value in his- tory than many pages of matter where a large draw on the imagination is indulged in and a mountain of fiction built on a mole-hill of fact. Desiring to be accurate we shall refrain from all superfluities and be brief, for this " soul of wit " is a jewel even in a historian.

Abington township is devoted almost wholly to grain production, though a number of persons residing in the township are extensive stock raisers. The soil is usually very fertile, and the industrious tillers of the soil reap where they sow; and the vast fields are filled with an abundance that makes glad the heart of the husbandman.

The first settlement in the township was made in about 1832 or 1833, and among the first settlers were Joseph Glancey, William T. Jackson, John W. Ditto, Frederick Frick, and Thomas Greer. All these lived to a ripe age, and Mr. Ditto still survives. Joseph Glancey settled in Abington township in July, 1834. He broke the first land in the township on the place now known as the Gates farm.

The first school-house was built in the township about 1839, near the farm of William T. Jackson, and the first teacher was Miss Harriet Wilson, who afterward married Mr. Brooks Beeson. The school- house was a small structure, built of round logs and covered with clap- boards, and contained a puncheon floor. Among the first school teachers who taught in the township were, Warren Shedd (afterward county treasurer of Mercer county, and but recently deceased); John Nevius, and Miss Lucy Wilson, now Mrs. T. B. Cabeen ; but the exact date when these different pedagogues wielded the birch and taught the young frontiersmen the art of orthography and penmanship, and the science of mathematics, is a matter involved in a little doubt ; but the period when each of these educators plied their vocation in Abington township, was remote enough for them to enjoy the musical voice of the prowling wolf as he figured and schemed for a raid on the pigs and sheep of the farmers, on which to satiate his keen appetite. As "re- lentless time" has moved on, the fierce beasts of prey have fled before

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ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.

the vast tide of emigration, and the painted savage has given up his cherished hunting grounds to the pale faces who have caused the wild prairies to bloom as an Eden; and we stop long enough in the rapid whirl of events to ask where those early school teachers and the chil- dren they taught are, as we make a record of those early events ; and the answer is the only one we could expect. Some are resting in the quiet embrace of the tomb, while others are yet alive with the marks of time visibly and indelibly carved in every feature and movement.

Mr. John W. Ditto informs us that the first marriage of white people in Abington township was that of a couple on their way from Indiana to Iowa. The bride was a widowed daughter of a man who was moving with his family to the young hawkeye state; and the groom was a teamster of the father of the bride. The party halted for a few days in the timber that fringes Pope creek, and the lovers stood on the ice, while a justice of the peace, whose name is forgotten, legalized the contract, and for once, at least, there was love "on ice." The second marriage was probably that of Robert Pence and Eliza Glancey. In every state of society there seems to be a commingling of joy and sor- row ; of pleasure and pain ; of hopes realized and anticipations blasted. While singing and dancing speak the happiness of one, mourning tells of the sorrow of another.

Mrs. Mahala Willits and Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, relate the fol- lowing sad story: In 1835 Mr. William Jack and his wife and a son and daughter were moving from Fayette county, Indiana, to Mercer county, Illinois, by boat. When between Oquawka and New Boston, Mrs. Jack died of cholera. The stricken husband and children landed at New Boston, and the remains of Mrs. Jack were taken to the resi- dence of John Denison (the only family living there at that time, we believe), and were buried where the New Boston cemetery now is; Mrs. Erastus Denison being the only person buried at the place pre- vious to the interment of Mrs. Jack. The bereaved husband and two children went to the residence of Joseph Glancey, who then resided on what is known as the Davis farm, in New Boston township. At ten o'clock on the day following the burial of Mrs. Jack, the son (Samuel), took the cholera and died at four o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, and was buried on the bluff where the Davis graveyard now is; he was the first person buried there. There were none to assist in the interment but Joseph Glancey, Achillis and Miles Drury. There was no coffin to be had nearer than from Monmouth, and Mr. Glancey and the Messrs. Drury made a rough box out of the wagon box in which Mr. Glancey and his family came to Illinois, and in that they put the remains and buried them. At this time, Mr. Glancey and the few

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

other persons in the neighborhood had to get their mail at Monmouth, and there were but one or two houses between Mr. Glancey's residence and Monmouth. It was one unbroken stretch of prairie for twenty- one miles on a "bee line."

The first bridge built across Pope creek was in 1837, a few rods below where Pope mill now stands. Mr. John Rumley had the con- tract, and Hon. Thomas B. Cabeen was the boss carpenter and builder. The hands at work on the bridge boarded at Mr. Rumley's, and Mrs. E. C. Swafford, then a girl of fifteen years, was one of the cooks.

The first saw mill in Abington township was built in 1838 or 1839, by Mr. Isaiah Brown, one mile and a half east of the Pope mill. Will- iam Willit, now of Keithsburg, ran the mill for a time and then pur- chased it.

Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford owned the first sewing machine that was in Mercer county. It was a Wheeler & Wilson, and was bought in Chicago in 1858, by Theodore Glancey, when he was on his way east to attend school in Jamestown, New York. The machine was a great curiosity in the community, and persons came for miles to see the wonder. Mrs. Swafford says the many questions asked about the machine were really amusing. The first postoffice was at the residence of Frederick Frick.

The following is a list of the citizens of Abington township elected to the office of justice of the peace, according to the record in the office of the county clerk at Aledo and the advice of old and well-informed residents : Frederick Frick, elected August 5, 1839, August 7, 1843, Angust 2, 1847 ; Orla C. Richardson, November 6, 1849 ; George Jay, November 6, 1849; S. G. Wright, April 6, 1858; Frederick Friek, April 6, 1858, April 1, 1862, April 3, 1866; William P. Strong, April 2, 1867; M. R. Gushee, April 5, 1870; William Willitt, April 7, 1874; Ernest J. Glancey, April 4, 1876; Lewis Sponsler, April 3, 1877 ; E. J. Glancey, April 3, 1877, April 5, 1881 ; John W. Landers, April 5, 1881.

Palestine church in Abington township was built in 1866 by the United Brethren denomination. Its original cost was about $2,000. It was dedicated August 12, 1866, Rev. L. S. Chittenden preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building will seat about 300 persons. It is a substantial frame. The society has no great strength in the way of membership, but they maintain a Sunday-school, are out of debt, and have preaching every alternate Sunday. The clergymen who have served the society as pastors are : Revs. Elisha Godfrey, Benjamin Wagoner, O. F. Smith, John Wagoner, A. G. Smith, O. O. Smith, A. Worman, Adam Wolff, and the Revs. Davis, Pease, and Chelser, the given

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ABINGTON TOWNSIIIP.

names of the latter three gentlemen being forgotten. Some of the gentlemen named served the society only one year, while others remained on the charge two years in succession.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOSEPH GLANCEY was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1794. He learned the trade of carding machine building, and followed the trade for many years. He removed to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1820, and purchased a quarter section of heavy timber land and improved a large farm. He was married in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1818, to Rachel Snevly, by whom he had five children, two of whom are now living. The eldest is Mrs. Mahala Willits, widow of Brady Willits, Esq., who died in 1873. Mrs. Willits never married again. She was born December 29, 1818. The second child, Eliza. was born September 28, 1820, and married Robert Pence in 1840. The third child is Mrs. Evaline C. Swafford, who was born April 20, 1822, and was married to Mr. Joseph Swafford, March 19, 1844. Mrs. Swafford had the misfortune to lose her husband by death in seven months after their marriage, and being so soon called from the marriage feast to the house of mourning she has ever since her great misfortune remained a widow. Mr. Joseph Glancey, the prin- cipal subject of our sketch, was married four times. By the third wife lie had seven children, three now living: Mrs. I. J. Mitchell, Mrs. Thomas J. Moffitt, and Ernest J. An account of the cruel murder of Theodore Glancey, together with his biographical sketch, will be found in the history of Keithsburg township in this volume. Mr. Joseph Glancey's fourth wife was Mrs. Martha Whitaker, widow of Mr. Mar- shall Whitaker, to whom he was married July 18, 1861. She is still living ; and she, Mrs. Mahala Willits, Mrs. Evaline C. Swofford, and Ernest J. Glancey and his wife, all live on the old homestead in a fine, large residence, which shows how strong and bright is the golden chord of affection which binds some families together. Ernest J., the youngest child of Mr. Joseph Glancey, was born May 17, 1848, in Abington township, and has always resided within its borders. He received a common school education, and follows farming. He also owns a half interest in Pope mill, built by his father, on Pope creek. He is now holding his third term as justice of the peace. He was married October 31, 187S, to Miss Lillian C., daughter of Anderson and Mary J. (Willits) Kirlin. The Glanceys are all freethinkers, most of them of the spiritualistic type. They were among the first abolitionists of the country. The younger Glancey, Ernest J., states his creed to be as follows : The immediate payment of the national

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

debt ; taxation of all church property, and the abolishment of all chaplaincies in the legislatures, army and navy and state prisons.

SAMUEL, son of Samuel and Mary Knisley, was born in Highland county, Ohio, February 9, 1827. His father's family removed from Ohio to Fountain county, Indiana, when Samuel was nine years old. He was married in 1852 to Minerva, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Seeders. They came to Mercer county, Illinois, soon after their mar- riage and settled in Abington township. They have had born to them nine children, five of whom are living : Henry, Emma M., Lee Roy, Elmer E., and Charles W. Mr. Knisley was one of the most success- ful farmers in his neighborhood, and was a good and well-esteemed citizen ; but for several years he has been afflicted with hallucinations, which unfit him for business. While this misfortune is a sore affliction to the family, Mrs. Knisley and her two sons, Lee Roy and Elmer E., are keeping their beautiful home of 194 acres in excellent shape. Lee Roy received a common school education and attended the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Davenport, Iowa, one term. He had thought of engaging in mercantile business, but circumstances have led him to adopt agriculture as his chief work.

Among the early settlers of Abington township was the family of FREDERICK FRICK. They came from Columbia county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. Mr. Frick was elected a justice of the peace the year follow- ing his settlement in Abington township, and he was elected five times to the same position, being on his fifth term when he died. Mr. Frick was the first postmaster in Abington township, the office being located at the farm-house of Mr. Frick at the Bluff, five miles east of where Keithsburg is now situated. Mr. and Mrs. Frick had eight children : Sarah E. (Mrs. W. A. Willits), George A., Mary C. (Mrs. John E. Willits), Harriet W. (Mrs. James Noble), Rebecca N. (Mrs. Joshua Cabeen), Lucy J. (Mrs. Harvey N. Smith), William W., and Charles P. Mr. Frick died in 1866. George A., the second child, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1826. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, and assisted his father in the work of farming, and has made agriculture his chief business. He was married, March 29, 1848, to Frances, daughter of William and Anna Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Frick have five children living, and one (Harry Norvell) deceased. The living are: Frederick W., Albert A., Warren T., Alice, and Homer W. Mr. Frick is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is a democrat politically, and an independent on ques- tions of religion. Mr. Frick has served his township as supervisor three terms, held the office of township collector ten years, and that of town clerk two years. The handsome home of Mr. Frick is near

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where his father's family first settled, and consists of 140 acres of land with the necessary appurtenances.

ANDREW J. DOUGLASS was born in Bath county, Virginia, May 18, 1825. Ile is the son of Andrew J. and Nancy A. (Fox) Douglass. When our subject was about ten years old his parents removed to Highland county, Ohio, where young Douglass grew to young man- hood. He then turned his face westward and made his first halt in Edgar county, Illinois, where he remained one year, and then moved onward toward the setting sun. This move brought him to Mercer county where he has since resided, a period of nearly forty years. It may not be amiss here to mention that the lady who has been Mrs. Douglass for thirty-four years, came with her parents to Mercer county a year previous to Mr. Douglass' turning his steps westward; and when we call to mind the fact that an acquaintance had existed between the two parties in the state of Ohio, it is not difficult to divine the guiding star that directed the feet of Mr. Douglass to the vast, unbro- ken prairies of the "Far West." Mr. Douglass came west without any capital, save his willing hands and unimpeachable character, and for a number of years he occupied only rented land. IIe then pur- chased the place on which he now lives and improved it ; and he now has a grand farm of 500 acres under a good state of cultivation, well supplied with good buildings of every sort demanded on a farm, and well stocked with cattle, horses, etc. Mr. Douglass has a passion for fine horses, and he can boast of some fine specimens in this line. Mr. Douglas was married April 6, 1848, to Mary J. McIntire, daughter of John and Elizabeth McIntire. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have been blessed with eight children : Frances E., Mary E., William R., George R., Isaiah H., Charles I., Mina I., and Andrew J. Frances E., the eldest, was married to George W. Braucht, March 21, 1867, and died July 21, 1869, leaving an infant son, Frederick E .; Mary E. is married to James M. Greer. ; William R., to Mary E. Walker, and Isaiah H., to Ida M. Jones. Mr. Douglass is a greenbacker, politically. He and Mrs. Douglass are Sabbatarians, or Seventh Day Adventists.

WILLIAM RILEY MAIN was born in Crawford county, Indiana, Sep- tember 3, 1835. He is the son of Riley and Martha Main. He received a fair common school education in the schools of Indiana and Illinois. He came with his father's family to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1852. He was married October 15, 1857, to Sarah M. Fleming. Eleven children have been born to them : Floyd, Olive E., Cora M., John T., Walker B., Alta I., George S., Mand E., Lulu J., Oscar R., and Orin W. Mr. Main is a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns one of the many beautiful farms that "blossom as the rose " in western Illi-

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

nois. His farm consists of 500 acres under a good state of cultiva- tion. IIe has good buildings on his place. He pays a good deal of attention to heavy stock business. Mr. and Mrs. Main are members of the United Brethren church. Politically Mr. Main is a republican. Mr. Main and his family are blessed with an abundance of the world's comforts ; or, in other words, are in excellent circumstances.

MINERVA A. GREER was born in Wayne county, Indiana, December 29, 1829. She is the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harris) Willits. Her parents both died in the spring of 1834, of milk sickness; the mother dying in the evening and the father the following morning. Mrs. Greer came to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1836, with her uncle, Thomas Moore, who settled in New Boston township. The subject of our sketch was married April 15, 1847, to Thomas Greer, a farmer. There were fourteen children born to them : Reuben H., James M., Mary J., Thomas F., Alice A., John E., Samuel I., Arthur, Lewis W., Albert C., Ella F., Dora E., Robert F., and a daughter who died when an infant and before she was named. Three of the other children are dead : Arthur, Dora E., and Lewis. Thomas Greer, the husband of our immediate subject, was born June 10, 1818, in the state of Ohio. He removed to Mercer county, Illinois, as early as 1836, and settled in Abington township, where he resided until his death. He devoted his time to farming and stock raising, and by industry and economy accumulated a large amount of property. Since the death of the hus- band and father, the property has been divided among the heirs, Mrs. Greer retaining the homestead, which consists of 200 acres of land under a good state of cultivation with good buildings and all the necessary improvements to a complete country home. Seven of the children are married and all living within a radius of two and a half miles of the old homestead. Mrs. Greer is a Seventh Day Adventist.

SAMUEL POLLOCK was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, April 26, 1823. IIe is the son of Samuel and Margaret (Caldwell) Pollock. Our subject removed to Peoria county, Illinois, in 1852, and removed to Abington township, Mercer county, Illinois, October, 1854, and set- tled on the farm on which he now resides. He has a farm of 600 acres all improved, with good buildings and other modern improvements. Mr. Pollock is an extensive dealer in stock, especially in cattle. Mr. Pollock's success in life is an index to what industry, economy and genuine pluck will do. He started out in life a poor boy, and now stands in the front rank as a business man and an honorable gentleman. Mr. Pollock was married February 23, 1863, to Mary A. Kinney. They have three children: John K., Maggie A., and Mary I. Mr. Pollock is a member of the old school Presbyterian church. Politi- cally he is a republican.

JOSEPH GLANCY. ( DECEASED)

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ABINGTON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN W. LANDERS was born in Fountain county, Indiana, January 3, 1830. He is the son of Robert H. and Hannah (Stewart) Landers. Mr. Landers learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner and worked at the business for seven years. At the end of that period he engaged in farming and has made it the main business of his life. He was married March 24, 1853, to Miss Mary, daughter of Emanuel and Frances Humbert. They removed from Indiana to Mercer county, Illinois, in October, 1857, and settled in Abington township. In 1874 they removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where they remained for three years, they then returned to Mercer county, and again became citizens of Abington township. They have had seven children, four of whom are living. They are : James R., William H., Charlie B., and Mary E. Mr. Landers was formerly a democrat, but of late years he has been an active, aggressive greenbacker. He has held some minor offices, and at present is a justice of the peace. Religiously he is a liberal. The family have recently sustained a severe loss by the burn- ing of their residence, which was a substantial brick.

JAMES KELLOGG, son of David and Ruth (Miller) Kellogg, was born in Granville, Hampden county, Massachusetts, August 12, 1819. His father's family removed from Massachusetts to Portage county, Ohio, when the subject of this sketch was ten years old. After a residence of nine years in Ohio the family removed to Crawford county, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Kellogg was married in 1846 to Martha A., daughter of James and Orplia (Alexander) Lafferty. Mr. Kellogg removed with his family to Mercer county, Illinois, in the fall of 1852, and settled on section 27, in Ohio Grove township, where they remained until 1867, when they removed to Abington township and settled on the farm on which they now reside. Mr. Kellogg owns an excellent farm of 160 acres, well supplied with living water, and it is in every way a well arranged home, being supplied with good ont-buildings, groves and shrubbery ; and their residence is one of the very best. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have had five children, three of them now living: James A., Mary M., and William E. Mr. Kellogg was formerly a whig, and when that party died he became a democrat ; but of late years he has been an enthusiastic greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are both Presbyterians. William E., the youngest son, has a good farm of eighty acres, but being yet in the enjoyment of single blessedness, makes his home under the paternal roof. He received a common school education only, but enjoys some reputation as a newspaper writer, confining himself in this direction mostly to the local press. Ile is an Odd-Fellow, and a greenbacker.

WESLEY HENRY, the son of Henry A. and Catharine (Shurtz)

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

Henry, was born August 23, 1845, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He came to Mercer county, Illinois, with his father's family when he was six years of age, and has been a resident of Abington most of the time since he came to Illinois. He makes farming his business, and has no other thought than to earn his bread by honest toil. He was married, September 11, 1873, to Lucetta, daughter of William and Margaret Stephenson. They have four children : William A., Mar- garet C., George S., and Orville S. Mr. Henry is a democrat, and says it was born and bred in him.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 50

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