History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 60

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 60
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 60

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).

KENNETH M. WINTHAM was born, September, 1856, in Mercer

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

county. He is the oldest son of Rev. Jos. R. and Elizabeth (McCoy) Whitham. He is a graduate of the Aledo academy, and attended college at Battle Creek, Michigan, for two years, and since returning from that institution has been engaged in teaching in Mercer county. He is at present principal of the grammar department of the public schools of Aledo, and is president of the Mercer County Teachers' Association.

LUKE STRONG, photographer, was born in Clarendon, Rutland county, Vermont, in 1825. His parents were Luke and Esther (Call) Strong. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Indiana and settled near Indianapolis; and in 1839 they again moved westward and settled in Galesburg, Illinois. Mr. Strong graduated from Knox College, Galesburg, in 1850, when he went to Pottsdam, New York, and read law for a year; thence going to Oqnawka, where he taught school for two years. He then embarked in the photograph business at the latter place, where he remained for twenty-one years. In April, 1874, he came to Aledo and engaged in business, building the large gallery which he now occupies. He was married in 1855 to Miss Ann Mckinney, eldest daughter of John McKinney, of Aledo; has two children (boys) living. Fred H. and Geo. McK., who are both gradu- ates of the Aledo high school. Mr. Strong is a member of the masonic fraternity, and politically a republican.

DR. JAMES A. CAMPBELL, dentist, was born in 1855, in Brown county, Ohio, the only son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Williams) Campbell. He spent his boyhood upon the farm of his father, until the year 1873, when for two years he attended the Aledo academy. Ile began the study of dentistry with Dr. E. B. David in 1875, with whom he remained one year, and then went to Philadelphia, where he attended the Philadelphia Dental College three terms. In the spring of 1877 he returned to Aledo and opened a dental office. In Septem- ber, 1878, he removed to Creston, Iowa, where he practiced his profession two years, and again returned to Aledo and opened the office which he occupies at present in his practice. Dr. Campbell was married, November 15, 1880, to Miss Laura E. Mentzor, of Aledo.

GEORGE M. Cool, druggist, was born in Aledo, September 28, 1858, and is the second son of Jacob and Margaret (McEowen) Cool. He received his education in the public schools of Aledo, and in his seven- teenth year commenced learning the drug business with James M. Macy, lately deceased. He has remained ever since in the same situa- tion, Mrs. James M. Macy (sister of Mr. Cool) owning the store, and Mr. Cool doing the business.

JAMES H. RAMSEY, jeweler, was born in Cadiz, Ohio, February 14,

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1847 ; he is the second son of John and Nancy Ramsey. He attended school at Cadiz till his fourteenth year, when he was apprenticed to G. B. Barrett, jeweler, of Cadiz, and served six years, when he went into business for himself. He remained in Cadiz for two years, when he sold out his business and went to Freeport, Pennsylvania, where he remained one year, and then went to Greencastle, Indiana, and was there about one year when he came to Aledo, where he commenced business in May, 1871, and where he now remains. Mr. Ramsey was married February. 29, 1876, to Miss Sallie Willson, eldest daughter of J. M. Willson, Esq., of Aledo, and has two small children.

. JOHN F. McBRIDE, dealer in dry goods, was born November 23, 1853, in Ohio Grove township, Mercer county ; he is the eldest son of J. C. and H. E. (Williams) McBride. He came to Aledo in 1870, and began his business career as clerk in the dry goods house of Poage & Senters, in January, 1871, in which capacity he remained till the year 1877, when he embarked in trade for himself in the dry goods business in partnership with Geo. P. Graham. In the fall of 1880 he bought out his partner's interest and has been since in business for himself. Mr. McBride was married May 13, 1879, to Miss Edna D. Kirlin, of New Boston. He is a member of the masonic fraternity, and by polit- ical faith a republican.

REV. THOMAS B. TURNBULL was born April 27, 1847, in Warren county, Illinois ; his parents were David and Nancy (Mitchell) Turn- bull. His boyhood was passed upon the farm of his father, the man- agement of which devolved upon him at the age of sixteen by reason of the enlistment of his three older brothers in the army at the begin- ning of the war of the rebellion. In 1863 he entered Monmouth College and graduated from that institution in June, 1870. He spent the next three years in studying theology, attending the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Monmouth two years, and the Allegheny City Seminary one year, and was licensed to preach August, 1872. Receiv- ing a call the same year from the United Presbyterian congregation of Aledo, which was accepted, he was ordained and installed pastor thereof in April, 1873; of this church he is the present pastor. Mr. Turnbull was married April 24, 1873, to Miss Jean M. Horne, of Monmouth, Illinois, and has three children living: Willie, David and Susie, aged six years, four years, and eight months, respectively. His eldest child, a daughter, died at the age of seven years.

M. F. FELIX, dealer in dry goods, was born in March, 1828, in eastern Pennsylvania, and is the youngest son of Francis and Rose A. Felix. His boyhood, till his seventeenth year, was passed upon the farm of his father, at which period he was apprenticed to the cabinet

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maker's trade, at which he served his time, and for which services he never received a dollar of pay. Mr. Felix came west about the year 1847, and settled for a time in Iowa City, Iowa, from where he went to Qunicy, Illinois, and worked at his trade a short time, and went to Indiana. He came back to Illinois, and about the year 1850 or 1851, went into the dry goods business in Rock Island county, where he remained till 1876, when he came to Aledo and established himself in his present location and business. Mr. Felix was married in 1854, to Miss Eliza Vanatta, of Illinois City, Rock Island county, Illinois, and has four children : Rose, Benjamin (who is married to Miss Clara Woods, and is in business with his father), Emma, and Lizzie. Mr. Felix belongs to the masonic fraternity, is president of the board of trustees of Aledo, and politically is a republican.

TYLER MCWHORTER was born in Steuben county, New York, August 29, 1815. His parent's names were James and Anna (Parker) Mc Whorter. His ancestry on his father's side was Scotch. The name of Tyler was given him by reason of the fact that his grandmother, whose maiden name was Tyler, was first cousin of president John Tyler, of Virginia. Mr. McWhorter never had the advantage of a regular college course of education, but his leisure hours, both in his early and later life, were devoted to a studious and searching course of reading. At the age of twenty-one he went to Branch county Michi- gan, where he followed school teaching, and during two years had charge of the public school of Coldwater, the county seat of Branch county, Michigan. While engaged in teaching he applied his leisure time to a close study of higher mathematics, and was subsequently elected county surveyor of Branch county. He married his first wife in Michigan, in May, 1842. She was a woman of culture, though of a delicate physical organization. In the spring of 1845 he moved from Michigan to Illinois, and located in Duncan township, Mercer county, three miles west of Millersburg, and engaged in horticulture. His nursery, under the name of "Pome Roy Nursery," became extensively known and patronized. At his Pome Roy place, he raised an exten- sive market orchard, which is the largest in the county. His horticul- tural business afforded an ample field of investigation for the inquir- ing proclivities of his mind. During the early years of his residence in Mercer county, Mr. McWhorter was elected school commissioner of the county, an office which he held for two successive terms. Also, while a resident of Duncan township, he held for twenty years the office of township treasurer. Mr. McWhorter, by his first wife, had three children, all of whom are living in Iowa. He married his pres- ent wife Angust, 1859, her maiden name was Clara M. Luce. Of this

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union there is one child, a boy, Laon A. McWhorter, now twenty years of age, who lives with his parents. In the spring of 1869, Mr. Mc Whorter moved from his Pome Roy place to his present location, one mile south of Aledo. Mr. McW. has been connected with the horticultural societies of the State for nearly thirty years. In 1869, he presided over the State Horticultural Society of Illinois, and in 1873 presided over the northern state society. Mr. McWhorter is continu- ally a student of nature. What time he could spare from secular busi- ness has been devoted to scientific investigation ; allowing himself also some time to travel, he made a trip to Vicksburg during the war, and has since made an extensive tour of the southern states. He has been for eleven years a member of the "American Association for the Advancement of Science," in attending the annual meetings of which he has had occasion to visit various parts of the United States and Canada. He is also a member of the State Natural History Society, of Illinois. Mr. McWhorter, though now in his sixty-eighth year, is in complete possession of all his natural strong faculties of both mind and body, is hale and hearty and thoroughly enjoys life.

MILTON S. BOISE was born in Burgettstown, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1827 ; came west in 1854, and settled in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, and went into the grocery business, which he carried on for some three or four years, when, after spending a year or so looking up a favorable place for business, he came to Aledo, and went into the book and news business, the first house of that character started in the place. This business he carried on for over two years, when he started a soap factory, and also a wholesale grocery, queens- ware and notion store, which business he is now engaged in, running two store rooms in different parts of the town. Mr. Boise was married in 1846 to Miss Rebecca Mitchell, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. They have two children living, Joseph, aged twenty-two, and Horace, fourteen. Mr. Boise is a trustee of the congregational church of Aledo, is a member of the masonic fraternity, and in politics is a member of the democratic party.

DR. E. B. DAVID, dentist, was born in Ontario county, New York, June 8, 1835; his parents were Uri and Catharine David, and they moved to Michigan when he was three years old and settled in Jackson county. The doctor remained in Michigan till the spring of 1858, when he came to Mercer county. In 1853 he began the study of den- tistry with Dr. M. S. Dean, of Marshall, Michigan, now of Chicago. Dr. David entered the union army during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted August 12, 1861, in the 30th Ill. Inf., and served three years and three months. His army experience embraced the engage-

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

ments of Belmont, Fort Donelson, siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson (Mississippi), Champion Ilill, Vicksburg, and siege of Atlanta. He was mustered out at Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 17, 1864, with the rank of captain, in command of company A, 30th Ill. Inf. He then came back to Mercer county and settled in New Windsor, where he owned a farm, working at dentistry part of the time. Here he remained till November, 1873, when he came to Aledo and commenced his practice, and where he now remains, the senior partner of the firm of David & Coulson. Dr. David was a member of the Aledo town board of trustees for four terms, from 1876 to 1880, dur- ing the last two years serving as president of the body. He has been a member of the county agricultural board for nine years, and is a mem- ber of the state board of agriculture. Dr. D. was married September 1, 1862, to Miss Lizzie Woodham, of New Windsor, and has five chil- dren. He is a member of the Baptist church, and by political faith is a republican.

WILLIAM ANDERSON COLE was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1847, and is the son of Aaron and Mary Ellen Cole. He lived in Brown county, Ohio, till he was twenty-two years of age, working on a farm during his boyhood (going to school during the winter), up to the period of his removal. He settled in Viola, Mercer county, in 1871. He was the first colored man who drove the United States mail in the State of Illinois, he being so engaged during the years 1872 and 1873. He came to Aledo and commenced working at the barber trade in 1874, still carrying on the business under the firm name of Cole & Wade. Ile was married in 1872, to Miss Catharine Glasscock, and they have three children living. Mr. Cole puts himself on record as a member of the republican party.

JOHN WEBSTER DILLEY was born in Mercer county in January, 1840. His parents, William and Eliza (Moorehead) Dilley, were among the early settlers of Mercer county. The subject of this sketch spent most of his life upon a farm, and was so engaged upon the breaking out of the war, when, on July 24, 1862, he enlisted in the army in Co. H, 84th Ill. Inf. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Look- out mountain, Mission Ridge, siege of Chattanooga, Ringgold, Georgia, campaign of Atlanta, Franklin, and Nashville, and was mustered out June 8, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1869 he was elected county clerk, and held that office four years ; for a short time after this he was engaged in the grocery business, and again went upon the farm and spent several years, when he finally removed to Aledo. He filled the office of deputy sheriff of the county for two years, after which he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still retains, and is also clerk

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of the town of Aledo. He was married in October, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Rose, and has three children. He is a member of the republican party.

BENJAMIN F. THOMPSON was born in Clinton county, Ohio, March 28, 1829, he being the youngest son of Dr. A. W. and Elizabeth (Scarff) Thompson. When a child his parents moved to Lawrence- burgh, Indiana, where they lived several years, and then moved back to Xenia, Ohio, where his father practiced his profession till his death. When about sixteen years old Mr. Thompson went to Washington C. H., Ohio, and clerked in a dry goods store for six years, when he came west and settled in New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, J. C. Bell, in the dry goods and pork packing business. In this business he continued until 1859, when he sold his interest to his partner. Under the first admin- istration of President Lincoln Mr. Thompson was appointed postmas- ter of New Boston and held the office for about eight years, when he resigned, and in 1871 came to Aledo and went into his present busi- ness of real estate dealer and collector. He has been in Aledo since the above date with the exception of a year's absence in 1875 which he spent in Los Angelos, California. Mr. Thompson was married in 1858 to Miss Josie C. Denison, of New Boston. They have had four children, only one of whom is living, a son eleven years of age. Polit- ically Mr. Thompson is a democrat.

REV. JOHN T. HOYE was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, April 6, 1852; he being the second son of Henry and Elizabeth Hoye. He left Kentucky with his parents when about seven years of age, they settling in northern Missouri, and living there till the close of the war, when they removed to Kansas City. Mr. Hoye had the advantage of the common schools in boyhood and in his twenty-third year entered the William Jewell College, of Liberty, Missouri, with a view of pre- paring himself for the ministry. He attended here for five years, when he entered the Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Ken- tucky, after attending which for two years he began missionary work. in Missouri, where he labored a short time, and after preaching a short time in Reynolds, this state, he was called to preach for his present charge, the Baptist church of Aledo. Mr. Hoye was married June 29, 1881, to Miss Lucy W. DeHoney, of Louisville, Kentucky.

J. M. WILLIS was born in 1849 in Guernsey county, Ohio, and is the son of Robert and Prudence (Spear) Willis. He left Guernsey county when nineteen years of age and went to Cass county, Missouri, where he farmed for six years. He then came to Mercer county and went to farming, at which he continued for five years, when he was

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appointed superintendent of the Mercer county infirmary, which posi- tion he now holds. Mr. Willis was married in 1872 to Miss Mary J. Ashmhurst, of Aledo. He is a member of the masonic order and politically is a republican.

CHARLES W. DETWILER was born and raised in Mercer county. He went to school in Aledo, and began learning the trade of a tinsmith with H. Holmes in 1872, with whom he worked four years, since which time he has been in business with his father and brother. The firm of Detwiler Brothers was formed in 1881. Mr. Detwiler is a member of the Presbyterian church and a member of the citizens' cornet band of Aledo, and is a republican in politics.

LEWIS CASS DETWILER was born June 1, 1860, and is the youngest son of Eli and Martha Detwiler of Aledo. Ile was born in Mercer county and went to the public schools of Aledo, learned his trade of tinsmith with his brother Charles, and entered the firm of Detwiler Brothers as partner in 1881. The firm do a general hardware, stove and tinware trade.

SAMUEL BROWN, retired farmer, was born May 13, 1823, in Breck- inridge county, Kentucky. His parents, Alfred and Mary (Mordock) Brown, were born, raised and married in Kentucky. About 1830 they emigrated, making their homes in Knox county, Illinois, bringing their five children : James N., Samuel, Harmon, Taylor, and William. In Knox county were born : Alfred T., Mary, Sally A., and Abigail. The elder Brown died in 1866. Mr. Brown was for a time in the Black Hawk war, receiving land as a reward. Samuel was reared on the farm, and in the rude log cabin. IIe was educated with his fellows in the log hall of learning. He was married June 1, 1854, to Caroline Greenwood, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Legg) Greenwood. Her parents were early settlers of Suez township, Mer- cer county. Mr. Brown settled in Suez township, purchasing a farm there. After selling and buying, etc., he located in North Henderson, where he became owner of a half-section of good land. He sold and moved into Aledo in the spring of 1882. He is one of the many who have made farming a success, and has aided in reclaiming the soil from its wild state. His children are: Harmon G. (dead), Maxy (now Mrs. George G. Cheney), George E. (an Aledo liveryman), Grant, Mary E., Samuel T., and Katy G. Mr. Brown has property in Aledo.

LOAMMI BROWN, liveryman, is a son of Richard G. and Rebecca (Moore) Brown. Richard Brown was born in Ohio, and his wife in Virginia. He became an carly settler of Iowa. Loammi, the eldest of four children, was born in Iowa Territory, February 22, 1840. He enlisted in the civil war August 11, 1862, in company G, 124th reg.

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Ill. Vol. Inf., Capt. Scudder and Col. Sloan. He took part in many skirmishes and in the engagements of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River, Fort Jackson, et al. He served till July 17, 1865, when he was mustered out at Rock Island. He resumed farming in Mercer county. He has also dealt heavily in stock-raising and trading. In November, 1875, he purchased the John S. Moore livery stables, and has since lived in Aledo, where he has a good property. In politics he is decidedly democratic. Mr. Brown was married November 12, 1865, to Amanda J. Melton, daughter of R. G. and Susan Melton, of Mercer county. She is a native of Rock Island county, Illinois. They have had five children : Susie, Loammi, Jennie, Minnie, and Richard.

SUEZ TOWNSHIP.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The broad domain of Illinois did not afford a more inviting spot to the eye of the early pioneer than the territory embraced within the lines of what is now known as Snez township; consequently that part of Mercer county has kept pace with any part of the state in settle- ment, in thrift, and in religious and educational progress. Along the crystal streams that flow through the township an abundance of timber grew, and, underlying portions of the township, inexhaustible beds of coal are found. Back from the streams a beautiful expanse of fertile prairie greeted the eye of the observer; and, shortly after the close of the Black Hawk war, the snug log cabin began to take the place of the Indian wigwam; the white-topped wagon, the lowing of cattle, and the sound of the axe announced the fact that the day of civilization was dawning. Among the first to cast their lot in Suez township we find the following names: David Williams and George Blake came together from the State of Indiana in 1835, the former locating on the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 22, and the latter on the S. E. ¿ of Sec. 21. In the same year James Stewart and family, Robert Pollock and family, and William Moore and family came from the State of Ohio. Mr. Moore located on the N. E. ¿ of Sec. 5, James Stewart on N. E. ¿ of See. 21, Robert Pollock on the W. ₺ of Sec. 27.

In 1835 Harison Brown, formerly a resident of Kentucky, came and located on the S. E. } of Sec. 1. William Martin came in the same year, and located on the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 5. In 1834 James Baine entered a claim on the N. W. ¿ of Sec. 29.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

The first birth in the township was the daughter of George Blake, who was born in 1835. The first marriage occurred in the same year, the contracting parties being Robert Caldwell and Miss Mary Pollock. The first death was that of Mrs. Preston, daughter of Robert Pollock, which occurred in 1841.

In 1837 Asa Ransom, a native of New York, located on the S. W. ¿ of Sec. 3. In 1838 John Mauk located half a mile north of Suez postoffice. In 1837 the Pease family came and located on section 20. In 1840 John and William Lafferty came from Trumbull county, Ohio, the former locating on section 21 and the latter on section 22. In 1841 John Greenwood bought the claim owned by Henry B. Fleharty and located thereon. The Bridger family were also among the earliest settlers. William Moore was the first blacksmith in the township, . and William Martin the first carpenter.

The only road laid out through the township, at the time of the earliest settlement, was one running from Macomb to Galena, which extended diagonally across it from the southeast to the northwest corner. The first bridge was constructed on North Henderson creek, where the Macomb and Galena road crossed it, in 1838 or 1839. The structure was built of oak logs, which were split and the flat sides turned downward, the hollows on the top being filled with earth.

The first school-house in the township was erected by Robert Pol- lock, James Stewart, Samuel Shaw, and Mr. Pease in 1837, on the S. W. ¿ of Sec, 21. This rude structure was built of logs, with a clap- board roof, doors of the same material, and puncheon floor. In this building the first religious services were held, the sermon being preached by a traveling minister of the Baptist persuasion. The first teacher to wield his hickory within the walls of this antiquated building was R. Caldwell.

The first church built was the Associate Reform, which stood on the N. W. } of Sec. 31, and which was erected in 1841.

The first postoffice was established at the residence of Moses Decker, on the N. E. ¿ of Sec. 3, in 1840. The next one was established on the S. W. { of Sec. 22, and was called North Henderson, Robert Pollock officiating as postmaster. Later the name was changed to Norwood. In 1839 a saw mill was built by Pelatiah Pease on the S. W. } of Sec. 21 on. the banks of North Henderson creek, being propelled by the waters of that stream. In 1873 a steam grist mill was built by C. S. Hart at Norwood.

The first coal mined in the township was taken from section 21 by Mr. Ditto in 1837.

There are at present four stone quarries in the township, located on

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sections, 19, 21, 22, and 29. The rock produced from these quarries is of a good quality, and the supply inexhaustible.

An abundance of timber grows along the banks of North Hender- son creek, oak, hickory, walnut, linn, hard maple and elm being the predominant kinds. An occasional honey locust and coffee tree may be seen. Wild crab apples, gooseberries, plums, grapes, strawberries and blackberries, abounded in early times.

The fences in early times were made exclusively of rails. The first hedge. was grown by John Lafferty.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 60

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