History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 67

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 67
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 67

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).

SAMUEL E., son of William and Ann (Stuart) Russell, was born in - Trumbull county, Ohio, April 11, 1819. At the age of twenty-three he came to Illinois, and entered land in section 23, Greene township. For fifteen years after locating in Greene township, Mr. Russell worked at wagon making, having erected a shop near the site of his present residence. In 1857 he abandoned that business and commenced im- proving his farm, and since that time has devoted his entire attention to farming and stock raising. Mr. Russell was married in 1844 to Miss Ann Collins, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of John Collins, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. In 1852 his first wife died, and in September, 1854, he was again married to Miss Effie Cabeen, of Ohio Grove township. The fruits of the latter nnion are seven children : Annie C., Maggie J., Mary (deceased in her ninth year),

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Eunice, James E., Richard, and William C. Mr. Russell is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1846, at what is now known as Sunbeam. When the Viola congregation was organized, he united with them and has since been prominently iden- tified with that society, and has been one of the pillars of the church. During the rebellion Mr. Russell used all his influence toward promot- ing the union cause. and has always been a staunch republican. Through economy and industry he has accumulated a respectable por- tion of the world's goods, and is a citizen of worth in all respects. He is not an office seeker, but on the contrary has refused being a candi- date when his numerous friends have urged him so to do. His deeds of good are done in a quiet, nnassuming way, as he does not care to win the approval of the public, but derives his satisfaction from the consciousness of having done his duty.

WILLIAM C., son of James and Hannah Gillespie, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1829. In January, 1853, he came to Illinois and located in Mercer county. In 1854 his father came and bought land in section 12, Mercer township. In the spring of 1860 William went to Colorado where he engaged in the mining business, in Russell's gulch, near Central City. He remained there until December, 1861, when he returned to Moline, Illinois. He desired to enlist but the quota of Illinois being full at that time he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and enlisted in Co. H. Sth Kan. Inf. He remained with that regiment about sixteen months, when he was discharged on account of having very sore eyes. He returned to Illinois, and his eyes becoming better under medical treatment, he again enlisted in the 140th Ill. Inf., and was with that regiment until they were mustered out. Mr. Gillespie was married February 22, 1871, to Miss Sarah M. Decker, a native of Mercer county. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are: Hannah M., John C., and Ida E. He in a member of lodge No. 252, A.F.A.M., with which he united in 1865, at Aledo.

AMMI BISSELL (deceased) was the son of Porter and Margaret Bissell, and was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1833. In 1854 the family, consisting of the father, mother and six children, came to Mercer county. Ammi first bought land of John Geiger in section 1, in Greene township, and began farming for himself. During the war he availed himself of the excellent opportunities the prices then afforded to either make or break, and began dealing in stock. During the remaining years of his life he dealt largely in live stock, and added every year to his large tracts of land. Mr. Bissell was married in May, 1857, to Miss Mary McKennan, and the couple had five children born

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to them, whose names in the order of their ages are: William H., Cleon (deceased), John L. (deceased), Ethelbert, and Frank. Mr. Bissell was an excellent financier, and by shrewd management he accumulated a large amount of property, having at the time of his death nearly 1,100 acres of land. besides a great deal of stock. He was a man who would trade for anything, and, although a close dealer, was never accused of dishonesty, or of taking advantage of the poor. He died from the effects of injuries sustained by being thrown from a horse, and was buried November 26, 1873. His death was deeply mourned by the entire community. Mrs. Bissell now resides in Viola, where she recently erected a handsome residence, and where she has a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM C. BRECKENRIDGE, merchant, Viola, was born in Mahon- ing county, Ohio, February 18, 1843. Here the family resided until William was fifteen years of age. In 1854 his father died, leaving a family of six children, William being the second oldest. In 1858 the family came to Illinois, and bought land of John Geiger in sections 1 and 12, Greene township. In January, 1862, William went to Kansas, and soon after enlisted in a brigade that was being made up to send to New Mexico ; but that expedition being abandoned, they were consoli- dated with the Sth Kansas at Fort Leavenworth. They first went to Fort Riley and then returned to the city of Leavenworth ; thence down the Missouri and Mississippi rivers to Columbus, Kentucky, where they landed and marched to Corinth and joined the main army. This regiment participated in the battles of Murfreesborough, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Franklin, and Nashville. Mr. Breckenridge did excellent service for his country, and was twice wounded. He was discharged in January, 1866, after which he returned to Mercer county and resumed his labors on the farm. He was married in 1868 to Miss Ella Gardner, and is now the father of five children, whose names in the order of their ages are : Frank O., Ina (deceased), Almy, Edna, and Sue. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, with which he united in 1866. In 1877, he began business in Viola, first putting in a stock of groceries, but is now a member of the dry goods firm of H. B. Frazier & Co.

BENJAMIN F., son of Charles F. and Polly Morey, was born in the town of Mckean, Erie county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1822. At tho age of nineteen he came to Warren county, Illinois, where he landed with $4 in money in his pockets, and an old suit of clothes, which constituted his entire stock of worldly possessions. He began working in a brick-yard in Monmouth. While in that city he was present at the trial of the notorious Jo. Smith, who had been arrested

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for being accessory in the murder of Gov. Boggs, of Missouri. He remained in the vicinity of Monmouth about three years, working at various pursuits in the summer and teaching in the winter. He was a member of the first board of supervisors in Warren county in 1854. Mr. Morey was married March 12, 1844, to Miss Philetta Higgins, a native of Vermont. He was a resident of Warren county until the spring of 1861, when he removed to Mercer county and bought land in sections 26 and 27, Greene township. In the spring of 1864 he was elected supervisor of the township, and since that time has acted in that capacity for twelve years, the last two terms being chairman of the board. In the winter of 1864 Mr. Morey was appointed by the town- ship to attend to filling the quota of troops, in order to prevent a draft. He went to Quincy vested with the proper authority and arranged mat- ters so that no draft was made. The names of Mr. Morey's children in the order of their ages are as follows: Otis R. (now a resident of Audubon county, Iowa), Orinda O. (wife of W. L. Smith, deceased in her thirty-fifth year), Ella (wife of Charles Park, now residing in Cloud county, Kansas), Orlin, Oscar, Cornelius, Eunice, Lettie, and Dollie. Mr. Morey is a member of lodge No. 577, A.F.A.M., at Viola, of which institution he was one of the first members. He is a member of no church; but his wife and five of his children belong to the Methodist denomination. During his residence in Mercer county Mr. Morey has taken a prominent part in public affairs, and honesty and integrity have ever characterized his actions.

WILLIAM S., son of John and Martha (Wright) McClannahan, was born in Adams county, Ohio, January 26, 1836. His parents resided in that state until 1855, when they removed to Monmouth, Illinois, where they located a farm part of which was within the corporate limits of the city. William assisted his father on the farm until 1856 when he began a course of study in the Monmouth College, from which institution he graduated in 1860, and in the fall of that year entered the theological seminary at that place. After having attended a term in that institution he was employed as principal of the West ward school. About this time he became convinced that duty called him to another field of action where muskets instead of ferrules were in vogue, and consequently after teaching a week he enlisted in the 17th Ill. Inf., and set out for the theatre of war. He acted as orderly in in that regiment until August, 1863, when he was promoted to second lieutenant. Shortly after his promotion he returned to Monmouth, and resumed his studies in the seminary, which he continued until the spring of 1864, when a company was organized, composed principally of students, and of which Mr. McClannahan was made captain. This

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company entered the 138th Ill. Inf., and were mustered out in Sep- tember of 1864. In the winter of 1864 he again resumed his studies and completed them in the spring of 1865. He was then sent as stated supply to Dayton, Ohio, where he had charge of a congregation one year, when he returned to Grandview, Iowa, where he took charge of two congregations, and for two years was principal of the Grandview Academy. After remaining in Iowa four years, his services were engaged by the United Presbyterian congregation at Viola. He has been pastor of that church since 1870, and during that time has won the love and respect of his entire congregation. Mr. McCannahan was married April 23, 1868, to Miss Mary J. Potter, whose father resides near Wapello, Iowa, and the fruits of the union are six chil- dren, whose names in the order of their ages are : Victor A., Zenis H., May M. (deceased), Enoch Potter (deceased), Amy, and Paul H. It is well to add that four members of the McClannahan family enlisted in the service of their country. The father, Capt. McClannahan, and three sons, the youngest of which was the junior member of a family of seventeen children. The father fell at Fort Donelson, where pre- vious to his death he had conducted himself with heroic bravery, and among all the dead who fell in that terrible conflict under the shadow of the banner they made free, none were more deeply mourned than the gray-haired captain.

JOHN B., son of Edward and Rebecca (Reasoner) Smith, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1818: In 1848 the family removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, where they resided eight years. In 1856 his parents removed to Mercer county and bought land in Mercer town- ship. Mr. Smith was married December 26, 1839, to Miss Margaret Boyle, a native of Knox county, Ohio. The names of his children are : Edward, Nancy Harriet (wife of Henry Nesbitt), Randolph D., Jane (wife of Mark Cannum), John E., Ephriam B., Louisa (wife of David Robb), Perry A .. Henry, William (deceased), Mary Elizabeth (de- ceased). Two of Mr. Smith's sons enlisted in the service of their coun- try, Edward in the early part of 1862 in the SSth Ind. Inf., Randolph D. in 1864 in the 45th Ill. Inf. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1842, and is also a member of the A.F.A.M. lodge, No. 577, at Viola. Mr. Smith has been constable in the different localities where he has resided for the past twenty-five years. He is a citizen of worth, respected by all who know him.

. WALLACE W., son of William and Rachel Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, May 6, 1842. When an infant his father came to Illinois and entered a claim on section 18, in Greene township,

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The subject of this sketch remained at home until the fall of 1856. In 1859 he went to Colorado and engaged in mining in Russell Gulch, near Central City, and remained there until the fall of 1861, when he returned to Illinois, where he farmed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. D, 83 Ill. Inf. Was with the regiment but one year, after which he did detached duty, until the close of the war. In Sep- tember, 1863, he and his three companions rode up to a house in which were hidden seven guerrillas. A skirmish followed in which Mr. Pinkerton was shot in the hand, tearing one finger from the socket. They succeded in dispatching six of them and the company that was coming up behind captured the seventh. Mr. Pinkerton was discharged June 15, 1865, after which he returned to Illinois. During his residence in Illinois he has been engaged in farming and coal min- ing. He was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Carroll, who died in 1875. He was again married in 1878 to Miss Nancy Dilley. He is father of two children, whose names in the order of their ages are : Kate and Myrtle. Mr. Pinkerton is, at the present writing, still a resident of Illinois, but is making preparations to start on a long jour- ney toward the setting sun, and intends to cast his lot among the mountains of the west.

ROSWELL C., son of Roswell and Elizabeth Sexton, was born in Herkimer county, New York, in 1803. His parents resided there until he was nine years of age, when they removed to Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. His father and mother were both natives of Connecticut. During their residence in Meadville his father was the proprietor of a hotel at that place, and it was here that the subject of this sketch received his education. In 1832 he went to Centerville, in the same county, and was married there in 1833 to Miss Mary Peck, a native of New York. He remained in Pennsylvania over twenty years after his marriage. In 1857 he came west and located near Ox- ford, Henry county, where he remained until 1860, when he came to Viola and began keeping hotel in the Perkins building. The names of Mr. Sexton's children, in the order of their ages, are: William H., now county clerk in Warren county; Prior B., who resides on a farm near Viola; Amelia, deceased in her eighteenth year; Dora, wife of H. Southwell, present superintendent of schools in Rock Island county; Theodore F., who resides in Viola; and Dora, wife of L. Menold, also of Viola. Two of Mr. Sexton's sons enlisted in the service of their country, in defense of the principles they ever held dear. William enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. D, 83d Ill. Inf., and Theodore in March, 1865, in the same regiment and company. William was quar- termaster of his regiment, and acted in that capacity until the close of

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the war. The family are all prominent members of the Presbyterian church, with which the father united in 1828. Mr. Sexton and sons are all citizens of great worth, and are universally respected. The old people are well advanced in years, and can look back over the pathway of life with pleasure, and console themselves with the thought that for their sons and daughters they leave as a legacy a noble example, a spotless name.

GEORGE W., son of Joseph and Violet (Scott) Pinkerton, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, January 3, 1839. When eleven years of age his father's family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois. George re- mained at home on the farm until August, 1861, when he enlisted in a company at Rock Island which was attached to the 14th Mo. Inf., and was sent to Lexington. In the battle of that place the company was taken prisoners, and shortly afterward were paroled and sent to St. Louis where they were discharged. Mr. Pinkerton returned home and remained until July, 1862, when he again enlisted in Co. D, 83d Ill. Inf., and was with that regiment until it was mustered ont in July, 1865.

URBAN D., son of Merritt A. and Betsy G. Lathrop, was born in Chenango county, New York, December 5, 1848. When two years of age his parents emigrated to Waukegan, Illinois. After remaining here about three months they removed to Bureau county. Soon after his father began work in the ministry, as a local preacher. in the United Brethren church, and since that time has devoted about twenty- five years of his life to ministerial labor. Urban remained at home on the farm until February 6, 1865, when, although a mere lad, he left school and enlisted in Co. A, 151st Ill. Inf., and was discharged in February of the following year at Springfield, Illinois, after which he returned home and resumed his labors on the farm. The following winter he went to Linn county, Iowa, where he began a course of study in the college at that place. In February, 1872, having received his license from the Wesleyan Methodist church, he took charge of a cir- cuit in Bureau county. In 1878 he received a call from the Hopewell and Hamlet circuit in Mercer county, and he accordingly located in the parsonage at Bethel three miles west of Viola. Mr. Lathrop was married October 15, 1871, to Miss Sarah C. Cartwright, a native of Indiana. The fruits of the union are five children, whose names, in the order of their ages, are as follows : Arme R., Elmer R., Urban C., John M., and Ora E. Mr. Lathrop is president of the Illinois confer- ence, to which he was elected the third term, in the fall of 1881.

JOHN, son of Samuel and Nehusta Griffin, was born in the town of Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, March 29, 1795. He remained at home with his parents until seventeen years of age, when he went

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to Athens, New York, where he was apprenticed to learn the weaving trade. He followed that business until nineteen years old, when he was drafted, and, with a New York regiment, sent to Brooklyn Heights, where he took part in the war of 1812. He was married in 1816 to Miss Mary Hoag, a native Columbia county. The family emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, in the spring of 1841, and bought land in section 13 in Greene township. He lived on his farm until June, 1865, when he was called away, leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his departure. His widow, Mary Griffin, still resides on the old homestead. She was born in Pittstown, New York, June 17, 1798. She united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1821, and has ever adhered to the faith. She states that the family frequently walked to Farlow's Grove, a distance of four miles, to attend religious services. The names of the children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: William H. (deceased), Henry G. (now a resident of Henry county, Illinois), James M. (deceased), Sarah (deceased), Huldah G. (now the wife of Anson Calkins, of Henry county), Mary E. (deceased), Septimus, and George (deceased). The grim harvester has robbed her of many of her loved ones, and she will probably soon follow, leaving a noble example for those who survive her.

CHARLES W., son of John and Elizabeth Southern, was born in Giles county, Virginia, in 1829. When thirteen years of age his father's family emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Mercer county, Illinois, and bought land in section 21, Greene township. Mr. Southern was married in 1851 to Miss Ruth Hoover, a native of Ohio. The names of their children in the order of their ages, are as follows : Catharine E. (now the wife of George Martin), Saralı E. (now the wife of Taylor Ashenhurst, residing in Adair county, Iowa), William L., and Levi M. Mr. Southern devoted his entire attention to farming until March, 1865, when he enlisted in Co. A, 83d Ills. Inf. He was discharged September 11 in the same year. Mr. Southern has served as commissioner of highways six years and is an efficient officer.

WILLIAM, son of Thomas and Hannah Terrey, was born in Smith- town, Long Island, May 17, 1799. In 1808 his father's family removed to New York city. In 1811 William went to Troy and remained one year, after which he went to Vermont, where he remained until the latter part of 1814, when he returned to Troy, and while there wit- nessed the peace celebration that took place in January, 1815. While in that city he was engaged as a clerk in a hardware store, which he continued until the fall of 1836, when, owing to the state of his health he resolved to try a change of climate. Although his physician told

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him he could not live two years he still survives, and for one of his age is hale and hearty. He came to Buffalo by canal and there took a schooner bound for Chicago. When off North Point on Lake Erie a severe storm struck them and all the heavy articles, including a stock of hardware belonging to Mr. Terrey, was thrown overboard. This mishap left him without anything to speak of, and after reaching Chicago he came out to Mercer county and bought a claim in what is now section 36, Greene township, borrowing money at twenty-five per cent with which to make the purchase. Mr. Terrey was married December 12, 1824, to Miss Barbara Vanalstyne, a native of New York, born December 16, 1806. The fruits of the union was four chil- dren, all of whom are dead, and whose names are as follows : Mary E. (deceased February 22, 1826), Isaac B. H. (deceased September 17, 1833), Catharine A. (deceased May 11, 1837), and Emily, (deceased July 24, 1840). James William, adopted shortly after the death of Mary E., was born February 17, 1826. His wife, Barbara, died in August, 1866. He was again married in October, 1868, to Mrs. Chloe H. Burrill, a native of New York. In 1843 Mr. Terrey was elected county assessor, which office he held six terms. In 1849 he was elected county treasurer and served four years in that capacity. When he first assessed Keithsburg there were but three houses in the village.

WARREN L., son of Uriah and Rhoda Smith, was born in Medina county, Ohio, April 27, 1842. The family, consisting of his father, mother and five children, emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, in 1851, and located on section 27, Greene township. His father, in early times, took an active part in public affairs, and was deputy sheriff during the years of 1856, 1857-8. Warren remained at home, assisting his father on the farm until February 15, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. B, 65th Ill. Inf. In 1864, he re-enlisted at Louisville, Kentucky, and was with that regiment during all the terrible battles in which it took part. He was mustered out July 15, 1865, at Greensborough, North Carolina. He was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Orinda Morey, daughter of B. F. Morey, Esq., of Greene township. The fruits of this union are three children, namely : Arthur W., Charles L., and Nellie L. Mrs. Smith died January 25, 1882, in her thirty-fifth year, leaving a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her loss. Mr. Smith is a member of the A.F.A.M. lodge, No. 577, of which he is a charter member, and was the first Senior Deacon. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1867.

GEORGE W., son of John and Emeline Morris, was born September 25, 1853, near Keithsburg, Mercer county, Illinois. In 1879, he pur- chased the farm commonly known as the Cohran farm, in section 16,

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consisting of eighty acres. Previous to that time, he had made his home with his father. IIe was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Anna Johnston, daughter of William H. Johnston, of Preemption township. The names of their children are George L., and Frank. Mr. Morris is a farmer of enterprise and industry, and we predict for him a bright and prosperous future.

EDWIN, son of John and Emeline Morris, was born in Cuyahoga county. Ohio, in 1849. He came west with his father in 1851, and has always devoted his attention to farming and stock raising. He was married December 12, 1877, to Miss Emma J. McFate, daughter of Samuel McFate, of Greene township. Mr. Morris, although quite young, has accumulated 160 acres of excellent land in sections 10 and 15.

LucIT'S E., son of Israel A. and Emma Jane Smith, was born in Medina county, Ohio, December 24. 1844. In the year 1850 the family, consisting of the father, mother, and four children, emigrated to Mercer county, Illinois, and located on section 27, Greene township. Israel, the father, and the mother. Emma J., were members of the United Presbyterian church, with which they united after coming to Illinois. The subject of this sketch remained at home until March, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. I, 83d Ill. Inf., serving with that regi- ment until mustered out, after which he served two months in the 61st, being discharged in September of the same year. Married in April, 1872, to Miss Harriet F. Thompson, a native of Iowa. The names of their children, in the order of their ages, are as follows: Edith, Lyman, and Leonard. Mr. Smith now resides on section 28, in Greene township.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 67

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