History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 66

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 66
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 66

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ROBERT GUTHRIE, son of AAndrew and Susan Guthrie, was born in Dumbartonshire, Scotland, August 16, 1844. In 1849 the family emi- grated to Canada, where they remained until the fall of 1864, when they removed to Mercer county. Illinois, and settled in the southern part of Preemption township. He was married March 1, 1870, to Miss Isabella Stewart. a native of Scotland. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Jennie S. (deceased), Susie A., Minnie B. (deceased). Andrew W., and Charles S. Mr. Guthrie is a prominent member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1869 at Viola. He owns a fine farm of 350 acres in sections + and 5 in Greene township.

ROBERT M. PINKERTON. son of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1841. In 1850 the family re- moved to Mercer county, and located on section 6 in Greene township. In 1859 Robert was afflicted with a severe attack of the gold fever, and consequently started for Colorado territory, with an ox team : the party, consisting of several wagons and men, arrived at the foot of the Rocky mountains after a long. tedious journey of sixty-three days. Mr. Pinkerton first entered the Gregory mines, forty-four miles west of Denver, and joined in the great struggle for wealth. He remained in the mountains until the fall of 1862. During his stay there he traveled over the ground where Leadville now stands, little dreaming of the

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fabulous wealth hidden under his feet. On returning home he turned his attention to farming and coal mining on his father's farm, which he continued until 1863, when he bought a farm in section 5 and began business for himself. Mr. Pinkerton was married in 1863 to Miss Caroline J. Breckinridge, and is now father of six children : Archie M., Cecil, Guy, Robert C., Allie V., and Maggie Z. In 1877 he removed to Viola, and embarked in the grain and lumber business. Since that time his brother William joined him in business, and the firm pur- chased the elevator formerly owned by E. J. Morgan. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the I.O.O.F., lodge No. 336, at Aledo, with which he recently united, and also a prominent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which he has belonged since 1866. April 4, 1882, he was elected supervisor of the township, and being a man of excellent judgment will make an efficient officer.

MATTHEW B. KENNEDY, butcher, son of John and Margaret Ken- nedy, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1839. When ten years of age, the family emigrated to Morgan county, Ohio, where they resided until the spring of 1856, when they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and bought land in sections 19 and 20 in Greene township. In 1857 the father died, leaving a family of four children, Brice being the eldest. The old gentleman was the first to be buried in the Viola cemetery. Brice remained at home with the family until May 3, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. F, 17th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and was with that regiment at Fort Donelson. Shortly after this battle he was taken sick, and was sent to Cairo, Illinois, where he was detailed at the soldiers' home for a time, and then made provost-guard. He remained here about five months, when he again joined his regi- ment, then at Lake Providence, Louisiana. He went with the regi- ment to Vicksburg, and was again taken ill and sent to Memphis. where he remained about two weeks, when he and a friend stole away, got aboard of a boat and again joined the regiment. IIe was dis- charged November 3, 1863, and returned home and resumed his labors on the farm. He contracted heart-disease while in the service of his country, from which lie has not yet recovered. Mr. Kennedy was married in 1866 to Miss Bell J. Carnahan, a native of . Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and is the father of six children, whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Nannie A., Maggie L .. David C., George M., John C., and Ralph W. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1859.

FRANK E. KITZMILLER was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 19. 1848. When he was five years of age the family emigrated to Williams county, Ohio. Frank remained home with his parents until February

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22, 1863, when he enlisted in Co. B, 38th Ohio Vol. Inf., and was with that regiment in the battles of Mission Ridge, Jonesboro, and Raleigh, also the Atlanta and Carolina campaigns, and the siege of Savannah. Mr. Kitzmiller came to Illinois in 1867, and located in Morris, where he remained until the spring of 1869, when he came to Viola and opened a paint shop. He remained in the painting business until 1879, when he was employed as clerk for the firm of H. B. Fra- zier & Co., in Viola. He was married June 7, 1870, to Miss Lillian Harriott, daughter of V. R. Harriott, of Viola. The names of his children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Leland V. (deceased), Ray, Bert, and Harry. He is a member of the Congregational church with which he united in 1870. Also a member of I.O.O.F., lodge No. 236, at Aledo.

EDWIN T. CROSBY, son of Carlos and Emily Crosby, was born in Peoria, Illinois, October 21, 1847. When Edwin was two years of age the family removed to Pekin, Illinois, where his father was engaged in the drug and jewelry business until 1856, when he removed to Viola, and, in company with his brother, Delos, embarked in the dry goods and grocery business. The firm of Crosby Brothers was one of the first in the village. When Edwin was seventeen years of age his father died, and he was thrown upon his own resources to make his way in the world. He began clerking, and worked for different parties in that capacity until 1870, when he, in company with Martin Phares, now of Galesburg, embarked in the grocery business. He was made postmaster in that year and held the office until 1875. His business career has been one of success and prosperity. Although compelled to contend with many disadvantages, he has gradually worked to the top, and through his financial shrewdness and energy has placed him- self among the foremost business men of the county.

THOMAS LEARY, farmer, son of Dennis and Mary (Downey) Leary, was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1822. When twenty years of age Thomas emigrated to Canada West, where he remained two years, after which he went to New York. After remaining one year in that state. during which time he worked in a brick-yard in Buffalo, he removed to Ohio, where he assisted in laying the track on the Sandusky & Mans- field railroad, which was the first road built in the state. In August, 1845, he turned his face westward and arrived in Chicago in the latter part of that month. At that time the city was but a struggling village. and little did he dream that he would live to see a great city of 600,000 inhabitants rise as if by magie on the ground that was then covered by water, rushes, and prairie grass. Mr. Leary worked three years on the Illinois canal, after which he went to Indiana, and remained about

MARYC. (PEARCE) BROOK.

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ten years. In the fall of 1856 he came to Mercer county, and bought land in section 12, Greene township. Mr. Leary was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Dwyer, a native of Ireland, who died in 1864. The names of the children, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Mary A., Joseph P., Daniel (deceased), Catharine, Cornelius (deceased). John, Bridget, and Ellen. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church, with which he united very early in life. Mr. Leary is one of the leading farmers in the township, and is highly respected by the entire community. He furnishes an example of energy, resolution, and hard labor; of how a young man with nothing but a pair of strong hands and a firm will may carve himself a heritage and a good name.

. WILLIAM M. PINKERTON, dealer in lumber and grain, son of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton, was born near Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1828. When twenty years of age William came to Mercer county. In the winter of 1848-9 he made his home with Judge Gil- more and taught school in that district. In the spring of 1849 he bought land in section 16, in Greene township, and began farming. He was present at the organization of the township in 1854, and remained in the township until 1877, when he removed to Mercer township and located on land he had bought in 1856. Mr. Pinkerton was married October 30, 1850, to Miss Eliza Carnahan. The Carna- han family have been in the United States since 1770, when the grand- father of Mrs. Pinkerton emigrated to the "new world" and located in Adams county, Pennsylvania. He was a soldier in the war of the revolution. Mrs. Pinkerton's father was born February 2, 1792, in Allegheney county, Pennsylvania. The names of Mr. Pinkerton's children, in the order of their ages, are : Willard S., John Ward (deceased), James and Julian (both deceased), Mary L. (deceased). Maria M., Alice M., Abraham L., and Jennie V. Willard married a daughter of Jeremiah Boyer, and the eldest living daughter, Maria, married John Neff, now a resident of Bayard, Iowa. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the Congregational church, with which he united in 1875 in Aledo. In 1862 Mr. Pinkerton enlisted in the 83d Ill. Inf. and was with the regiment when it made the gallant fight in defense of Fort Donelson. The last eighteen months of his service was spent in detached service in a corps of topographical engineers connected with the headquarters of Gen. Thomas, at Nashville. During his absence Mrs. Pinkerton took charge of financial affairs at home and conducted them skillfully and successfully. On his return he entered more largely into stock raising, and success has ever attended his efforts. He has one of the finest farms in Mercer county and is now enjoying

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

the fruits of his toil. In November, 1881, Mr. Pinkerton removed to Viola, where, in company with his brother Robert, he entered the grain and lumber business, having purchased the elevator owned by other parties, and the firm of Pinkerton Brothers are doing an exten- sive grain and lumber business.

Dr. EBENEZER L. McKINNIE, physician, was the son of Ebenezer and Ruhamah MeKinnie, and was born in the village of Cadiz, Harri- son county, Ohio. February 24, 1848. The family resided in that county until 1856, when they emigrated to Ogle county, Illinois, where they remained about nine months, and then removed to Millersburg, Mercer county, where they resided a year and removed to Crawfords- ville, Iowa. Ebenezer received his education in the high school at that place and immediately after completing his studies he began teaching in the adjacent country, which he continued until 1869, when he came to Viola and began a course of medical study in the office of his brother, Dr. P. L. MeKinnie, now of Moline. In 1871 he purchased the stock of drugs owned by Park & McKinnie and embarked in that business. In 18SO he received his diploma from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, and began the practice of medicine at Viola, where he has since had a very lucrative practice. The doctor was married in October, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Moore, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, having united with that society at Crawfordsville, Iowa, in 1865.

OLIVER ELLIS, farmer, son of Manoah and Deidema Ellis was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1808. The family on the father's side are of English origin, his great grandfather having emi- grated from that country at an early day and located on Cape Cod. He had five sons, one of whom was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch who spent his younger days on the sea. When Oliver was six years of age his father emigrated to Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Here Oliver resumed his education in a log school house two miles distant from his father's cabin. Mr. Ellis was married in 1830 to Miss Mary Hill, a native of Pennsylvania. The pair had four children born to them, namely : James, Olive (now Mrs. Wilson), Calkins, Phobe (wife of Jerry Mathews), and Amelia (wife of George Griffin), who re- cently died from injuries sustained from being kicked by a horse. In 1850 Mr. Ellis emigrated to Illinois and bought land in section 12 in Greene township. For many years he performed his labors with oxen. By hard labor and economy he has accumulated a respectable portion of the world's goods to maintain him in his declining years.

RUSSELL PARK, farmer, son of John H., and Elizabeth (Gottshall) Park, was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, October

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23, 1831. His father was born in Pennsylvania August 19, 1803. He and his wife were both members of the old school Presbyterian church and their remains now lie in the cemetery at Farlow's Grove. The old gentleman was at one time a merchant in Milton, Northum- berland county, Pennsylvania, but in 1839 decided to try his fate on the broad prairies of the west. He accordingly loaded his earthly possessions into a country wagon and set out on his journey toward the setting sun, arriving in Mercer county in Angust of that year, and bought a claim near Edwards river for $150, erected a cabin thereon and began the laborious task of improving his farm. By the aid of his sons he had accumulated and was, at the time of his death, the owner of 520 acres of land. The first coal known in the county was discovered on his farm, in 1840, and in 1845 he began to develop a mine. The Farlow's Grove postoffice was removed to his residence in an early day, and he was the first postmaster in Greene township, which position he held until the office was established at Viola. Russell Park when twenty-one years of age purchased eighty acres of land from his father in the S. W. } of Sec. 3. built a house, and was married November 17, 1852, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander and Margaret Henry. They are parents of the following named children : James, Russell, Mary, Elizabeth, Maggie, William A., Joseph D., Mary, Emma, Rachel, William Henry, John Alexander, and Julia E .; of the these William A., John A., Mary E., and Joseph D., are dead. James is married to Miss Agatha Budlier, and Maggie to Stephen Farwell of Preemption township. In 1865 Mr. Park sunk a coal shaft near his house, and in 1873 a second shaft, opening up a four-foot vein of very fine coal, from which he has taken as high as 50,000 bushels per year. Mr. Park has increased the original size of his farm to 300 acres, which he and his son carry on in connection with his coal business. He is a member of the masonic order, and with his wife united with the old school Presbyterian church. Miss Elizabeth Collins was his first school teacher. Without any educational advan- tages more than was afforded by the district school, he has made him- self an intelligent and successful business man. He has been four times elected to the office of supervisor, and was recently appointed to fill the place of the incumbent, who is about to remove. Mr. Park is a man of worth in the community; kind, sociable and fair in his dealings, he is respected by all.

WILLIAM STUART (deceased), the subject of this sketch, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1814. In 1844, he came to America, making the voyage from Liverpool to New Orleans in a sailing vessel. From New Orleans he came up the river to New Boston,

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thence eastward across the country. Being attracted by the fertile prairies of what is now Suez township, he purchased a claim and located on section 19. Mr. Stuart was married in 1846, to Miss Jane Patterson, also a native of county Donegal, Ireland. Three sons were born to the couple, all of whom are living, and whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Joseph, A. C., and Amzi. The subject of this sketch died August 6, 1881, of dropsy of the heart. The funeral ceremonies were performed at his residence, and the remains interred in the Norwood cemetery. The large tract of land accumulated by the deceased, during his industrious life, is now under the supervision of his worthy sons.

GEORGE L. F. ROBINSON, attorney and teacher, son of William C. and Fanny (Bouene) Robinson, was born in Stockbridge, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, September 27th, 1832. His father had, in his younger days, been a teacher by profession, having been a precepter in the Attleboro academy, Massachusetts. He removed from there to Rutland county, Vermont, in about the year 1810, and engaged in the manufacturing business and continued about four years, and subse- quently removed to, and remained in, the birth place of the subject of this sketch, who, having received the advantage of a New England academical education, commenced teaching among the Berkshire hills, when a mere youth, and having had the advantages of parents highly accomplished in both music and literature, and also inheriting a gift of nature in that direction, early sought, with precocious intention, the favored vocations, for which he seems to have been so admirably adapted. Coming to Illinois when the school system of the west was in its infancy, he has for long years been prominently identified with those interests, and having enjoyed first grades from every superin- tendent in the county, also having acquitted himself with great credit in adjoining counties, and although a pioneer teacher, is live, progres- sive, and awake to the advancement that has, and is being. made, in our present admirable school system. When the war broke out, Prof. Robinson, although denied the privilege of becoming a soldier, was none the less active in furthering, by every means in his power, the triumph of right over wrong, as his record fully shows. It is no won- der, when we see his standing on the superintendent's record, that his services are being sought in this and adjoining counties, where he is teaching for the third term with the same success that has ever attended his effort.

JOSEPH PINKERTON, farmer, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1798. His father, William Pinkerton, was also a native of that state. Ilis mother's maiden name was Hannah Kennedy, also of

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Pennsylvania. His grandfather, William, was a native of London- derry, Ireland; his grandmother on his father's side was Elizabeth Criswell, also of Pennsylvania. The maiden name of his grand- mother Kennedy, was Agnes McMahon, a native of Scotland, and his grandfather Kennedy was from Tyrone, Ireland. When the subject of this sketch was twenty-eight years old his parents removed to Trum- bull county, Ohio, and there his father died, at the age of eighty-two, and his mother, in her eightieth year. He purchased a farm in the town of Berzetta, in Trumbull county, and was married in Howland, in March 23, 1827, to Miss Violet Scott, a native of Chester county. Here he had twelve children born to him. Their names, in the order of their ages, are : William M., James S., Hannah L. (wife of Joseph Carnahan), John C., Jane G. (wife of Richard Cabeen), Mary E. (wife of Robert Cabeen), George W., Robert M., Alice L. (wife of Hiram Dunlap), Thirza A. (wife of Newton Dunlap), Margaret R. (deceased in her fourteenth year), and Amanda V. (wife of Otis Morey). All of this number came to Illinois by teams, in 1850, and only the eldest daughter has removed from Mercer county, she being in Kansas. In Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton were connected with the Presbyterian church, and subsequently in Illinois, but that organization becoming extinct, they united with the Methodist church, at Viola. This ven- erable couple are widely known in Mercer county, and possess the respect of all. With them, the shadows of life are lengthening toward the east, and when the hour comes for them to lie down by the wayside, there will be many other mourners besides the sons and daughters they have reared, and to whom they leave a noble example.

JOHN C. PINKERTON, farmer, son of Joseph and Violet. (Scott) Pink- erton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, September 27, 1833. In 1850 the family emigrated to Illinois, and located in Greene township, Mercer county. Mr. Pinkerton received his education in a district school. He remained at home, assisting his father on the farm, until twenty-one years of age, when he began breaking prairie with an ox team, which occupation he followed for about five years. In 1856 he bought eighty acres of land in sections 5 and 8, and began farming for himself. He remained here until 1875, when he purchased the farm , formerly owned by D. Y. Cowden in section 17. By hard labor and good management he has accumulated 200 acres of excellent land and a beautiful home. Mr. Pinkerton was married in the spring of 1859 to Miss Mary J. Jackson, a native of Pennsylvania. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are: Herbert W., Robert G., William J., John S., and Raymond. He is a prominent member of

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1870, having formerly been a Methodist.

JOHN C. GARDNER, farmer, son of Richard and Sarah Gardner, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in March, 1846. When John was seven years of age the family emigrated to Illinois, and located near Oxford, Henry county. He remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until March 23, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. C, 112th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf .. and was sent to join that regiment at Kene- saw mountain. He was with the regiment during the Georgia cam- paign. The regiment moved from Atlanta to Decatur, where they re- mained ten days. when Hood drove the union forces back to Columbus, where they held the rebels in check for a time. He also participated in the terrible conflict at Franklin and also the battle of Nashville. after which they marched to the Tennessee river, driving Hood before them. Here they took transports and went to Cincinnati, thence to Columbus, and thence to Alexandria. Virginia, by way of Washington. They remained eleven days, and were then sent to Fort Fisher, North Carolina. After this Mr. Gardner was with his regiment during the battles of Wilmington. North Carolina, and Fort Anderson. After a series of skirmishes the army arrived at Raleigh, and was there during the review. He was discharged in July, 1865, at Raleigh, with the 65th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., having been transferred to that regiment a short time previous. After his discharge he returned home, and began farming in Mercer. Mr. Gardner was married December 24, 1869, to Miss Rebecca H. Carroll, a native of Milbrook, Mercer county, Penn- sylvania. The names of Mr. Gardner's children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: William W., Edith B., and Harry C. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1869.

Jony G. GILBERT, son of Henry and Sally A. Gilbert, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 12, 1845. In 1856 the family came to Illinois, and bought land in section 35 in Greene township. John remained at home, working on the farm, until seventeen years of age, when he enlisted in Co. F, 140th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and was discharged October 27, 1864. In 1866 he began working at the carpenter trade with E. J. Morgan, with whom he learned the trade. In 1869 he em- barked in business for himself, the first contract being the residence now owned by A. Park. Since that time he has erected buildings in ' Mereer, Warren. Knox. Henry, and Rock Island counties. His supe- rior workmanship is testified to by all who have secured his services. In the winter of 1869-70 he erected a business house on the corner of Shepard and Eighth streets in Viola. Since that time he has con-

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structed extensive additions to the original corner building, and is now the owner of three handsome store-rooms, forming a building 64× 64 feet. In 1878 he erected a handsome residence in the eastern part of the village, where he now resides. Among the silent testimonials of his mechanical skill, are the residences of Robert Park (two miles north of Viola), Mrs. Mauk (at Suez), also those of S. E. Russell, Mrs. Bissell, and the Presbyterian church at Viola; also the school building and two churches at Cable, the former being the finest of its kind in the county. Mr. Gilbert was married in December, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Ramsey, a native of Tennessee, and is the father of two children, Vinnie R. and Harvey B., aged eight and six years. He is a member of the masonic lodge, No. 577, at Viola, with which he united in 1869, also a member of Horeb Chapter, No. 4, at Rio.

JACOB, son of John P. and Christine E. Krause, was born in Baden, Germany, near Munheim, June 3, 1842. In 1844 the family emi- grated to America, and located in Bennington, Wyoming county, New York. Jacob remained at home assisting his father on the farm until the fall of 1861, when he turned his face toward the setting sun and landed in Richland Grove township, where he farmed until August 8, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 102d Ill. Inf., and was with that gal- lant regiment at Resaeca, Cassville, Newhope church, Kenesaw Moun- tain, Chattahoochee Heights, Peachtree creek, and in the Atlanta campaign in all its marches and hardships while defending the integrity of the country's flag. IIe was discharged June 14, 1865, at Chicago. July 4, 1866, Mr. Krause was married to Sarah L. Tenney, a native of Mercer county, by whom he is the father of six children : Millie M., William S. (deceased), Ora L., Jennie L., Mand M., and Clara A. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1869, at Oxford.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 66

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