History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 95

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 95
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 95

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).

To a soldier who fought and bled for his country, these lines are dedicated. CHARLES W. GREEN was born June 17, 1834, in Herkimer county, New York, and is a son of William R. and Avis (Burlingham) Green. When Charles was very small his parents moved to Indiana, and settled in the woods to make a farm. He, Charles, received his schooling more in hard work than books. In 1848 his people came to Oquawka, Illinois; Charles hired to work on a farm, which business

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he followed several years. January 1, 1857, he was married to Miss Florence Armstrong, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Armstrong, of Oquawka. She was born in Boston August 11, 1840. Mr. Green continued farming till his services were needed in putting down the rebellion. He enlisted, July 21, 1862, in Co. G, 84th Ill. Inf. At the memorable battle of Stone river, December 31, 1862, he was pres- ent. Many remember the snow and rain that fell. Mr. Green, to protect him as much as possible during the night, lay on some rails and under a stretcher. The terrible day of carnage dawned on hostile armies. In battle the boys in blue were lying low that the enemy's fire might pass above them. Soldier Green was leaning his elbow on a rock, aiming and firing accurately. He was shot while in this posi- tion, the ball grazing his nose, passing through the left eye completely destroying it. He reeled and fell. His comrade at once called him to get up or he would be taken. The enemy was then almost upon them. Green replied to his comrade "Leave me alone." then again he exclaimed "Give 'em h-1, Drummond !" He knew nothing more. Drummond was taken prisoner. The rebels rode thick and close to Green's body, whose life was thought to have gone out. He lay three days, declared dead on the field of battle. But signs of life were at last recognized. It was Sunday morning a week after the battle when he distinguished Surgeon McDill's voice, and called him. The snow and rain was a dream to him, and it was said that he first pronounced the last words of the exclamation he addressed to his comrade, Drum- mond, when shot. Mr. Green was discharged February 9, 1863. His eye has given him much trouble, it having been necessary to probe it to remove pieces of bone. After he so far recovered that he could labor, he was employed by John McKinney, of Oquawka, to do what he was able in the store. In March, 1864, he undertook to learn photography and went to Kirkwood, but the business disagreeing with him he returned to Oquawka. He became assistant postmaster. November 5, 1864, he was sworn postmaster, and has deservingly held the office since. In politics Mr. Green was a democrat at the opening of the war, but the rebellion made him a republican. He has a family of two children, George R., and Raymond.

JOHN BIGGS was born in Manchester, England, in 1802. His father was crushed to death by an engine when John was about fourteen years of age, necessitating many severe experiences in the career of the boy. He became ship-boy on the Queen Charlotte, in the British navy, and took part in the battle of Algiers. He visited many parts of the world. About 1820, at the age of eighteen years, he landed in New England. He subsequently secured a situation in a factory in Philadelphia. He

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next spent about ten years in building mills and cotton factories in Texas. In 1843, Mr. Biggs came to Oqnawka, but soon purchased the Robinson and Birdsall flonring mills near what is now Biggsville. The floods soon washed the mill away, and Mr. Biggs erected the present flouring mills of Biggsville. He was an excellent workman. and highly respected. His death occurred December 30, 1852. Biggsville is so named in his honor. His oldest son, William, was killed about two week previous, crushed by the burrs. Of his children. one is buried in Texas, one in Philadelphia, and one in South Hen- derson. Three daughters living, are Mrs. Mary Barton, Mrs. Margaret Jempson, and Caroline. Of his sons, Thomas enlisted in Co. G, 84th Ill. Vol., and died in the hospital near Nashville. Iram is one of the proprietors of the "Galesburg Plaindealer." John is foreman in the "Madisonian " printing office. Mrs. Biggs (Charlotte Ordway), widow of the deceased, John Biggs, resides with the son, Robert, in Oquawka. Robert was born July 24, 1839. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 91st Ill. He was captured by Morgan in 1862. He afterward was engaged at Mobile, Blakely, and Spanish Fort. Since the war closed Robert Biggs has been a faithful clerk of the Moirs.

JAMES O. ANDERSON, sheriff of Henderson county, is a son of Alex- ander and Harriet (Davis) Anderson. He was born August 1, 1845, in Henderson county, Illinois. His youth was spent on the farm. His education was largely derived from public schools, yet he was a student at Monmouth College during the early part of the war. He was too young for service at the outbreak, but as soon as age would allow, he could not restrain the desire to do what he could toward put- ting down the cruel slaughter, so enlisted May 6, 1864, in Co. A, 138th Ill. He was discharged after about four months' service. He then re-enlisted in Co. H, 28th Ill., and served till 1866. In his last term of service he aided in the capture of Mobile. He enlisted a private each time, but in his second service was promoted to sergeant, then orderly sergeant. Was commissioned second lieutenant, but the company be- ing below the number required in order to claim commissioned officers, he could not muster as such. The war over, he returned to his home and engaged in farming till 1876, when he was elected sheriff of Henderson county, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. Mr. Anderson was married March 6, 1867, to Rhoda B. Paul, daughter of Judge M. C. Paul, of Terre Hante, Illinois. She was born in New York, Jefferson county, October 28, 1844. Three children have been born to them : Francis M., Edwin A., and Eva M. Mr. Anderson is prominent in both odd- fellowship and masonry, and a leading member of the Methodist church.

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ASA SMITH, dealer in lumber and staves, has been a resident of Oquawka about thirty-six years, actively engaged in business, or at trade. His parents, Ezra and Lydia (Brooks) Smith, were natives of Connecticut. They moved to Ohio in 1818, and there died. He was a house joiner and miller by trade. Mrs. Smith had been married before, having a family of two children by her first husband. In the second family were three children, of whom Asa Smith is the oldest. He was born January 13, 1812, in Saybrook, Middlesex county, Con- necticut. His early life was mostly rustic. When he was six years old his parents moved to Ohio. The youth enjoyed fair educational advantages, which he improved. He early worked with his father at house-joining, also on a farm. He followed the trade at Cleveland awhile, also farmed. Mr. Smith was married January 1, 1840, to Miss Esther Patterson, daughter of Lewis and Lucy Patterson. She was born in Vermont in 1817. After marriage Mr. Smith farmed till 1846, when he came to Oquawka, bringing his wife and one child, Angeline. Mr. Smith engaged in the daguerreotype business, also kept a book- store in connection with the gallery for a couple of years. In 1857 he engaged exclusively in lumber and stoves, which he continues. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith was born a whig, and with the budding of republicanism he has been true to that party. He has served a number of times as town trustee.

RAUSELDON COOPER, the present state's attorney . for Henderson county, was born December 24, 1845, near Milton, Wayne county, Indiana. His parents were John and Martha Cooper. At the age of two years his mother died, and he was sent to live with his grand- mother, Elizabeth Cooper, and his uncle Moses Cooper, who lived in the vicinity where he was born. In 1852 his uncle Moses came to Henderson County, bringing young Rauseldon with him, and settled in Greenville precinct. He attended school in Aurora district. In 1863 he entered Lombard college, at Galesburg, Illinois, as a student, graduating in 1869 with the degree of B. S. From here he went to his father's, who had married again and was living in Bald Bluff pre- cinct, where he engaged in farming. Growing weary of agricultural pursuits, in 1873 he entered Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, as a student of law, graduating in 1875. He returned to Henderson county and selected it as a field in which to engage in practice, and located at Oquawka. He was elected a justice of the peace in 1877, and secretary of the Oquawka school board in 1879. In 1880 he was elected to his present position. September 14, 1875, he married Miss Susie E., daughter of Opdike Cummins, Esq., of Ann Arbor, Michigan, by whom he has three children.

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LUKE WADLEIGH. It is supposed that all the Wadleighs of the United States are descended from three brothers who emigrated from Scotland to America some 240 years ago. Ephraim Wadleigh was born in New Hampshire. His three brothers were in the revolution. and he heard the guns at Lexington. He married Miss Little. also a native of New Hampshire. They became well-to-do. In 1800 they sought a home in Canada East, settling in the dense forest sixty miles from any place where provisions could be had. Their experience was at times bitter, but contentment recompensed. Mr. Wadleigh placed $400 in the hands of the man of whom he bought his tract of land, for the purpose of securing a charter to the land .. The money was squandered ; the man returned for more money; Mr. Wadleigh pre- vailed upon him to appoint him to go to Quebac to secure the charter. Leaving his family in the dense forest alone, he started for Quebec on foot through forest and over stream. He was detained eighteen days in Quebec. Finally, the charter secured, and anxious to return to his family, he left Quebec at two o'clock in the afternoon, walking at an almost incredible speed till late into the night. then sleeping on the floor of a cabin into which he was admitted by two men who declared he had never walked from Quebec that afternoon. But he proved his story by the date of his charter. Early morning found him on his journey. In little more than three days he arrived home. having walked the distance of about 180 miles, through the wildest country, sometimes swimming streams with his clothes on his back. He be- came wealthy and a prominent man, taking part in all progressive measures. He died June 12. 1852, aged eighty-two years, his wife surviving him till the following February. Both are buried in Canada. Luke, son of the above, was the youngest of eight children. He was born August 10, 1810, in Hatley, Stanstead county, Canada East. His youth was spent in the school of toil, whose book was nature and whose pencil was an ax. Many a hard day's work was done in erasing the old forest figures from the old blackboard, earth. His father gave him a year and a half of his time and settled him on a farm of 160 acres, in Sherbrook county. It was partly improved. Young Wad- leighi went to work clearing, grubbing and tilling. He added land until he owned about 1,150 acres. He furnished great quantities of timbers for railroads. He raised cattle and fine horses, and in every way became successful. He was made school commissioner three years, township counselor three years, then county counselor, serving the public about twelve years. Mr. Wadleigh was married October 30, 1830, to Miss Phebe Rowell, a native of Canada. Four children were born to them : Samuel (now of Burlington, Iowa), Mary (now

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Mrs. P. H. Chapin, of Kansas), Lydia (now Mrs. Charles Blandin, of Blandinsville), and Jennie. In 1856 Mr. Wadleigh made his home in Oquawka, Illinois, where he engaged in the lumber business. He continued this unsuccessfully for a time. Since that he has superin- tended his farms near Oquawka. His son Samuel resided in Oquawka some time. He was active in city affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Wadleigh have been many years members of the Methodist church. Their lives have been active ones, such as the world needs.

ROBERT HODSON, perhaps, does a business more extensive than any other firm in Oquawka at this time. Mr. Hodson's parents, Thomas and Sarah (Atkinson) Hodson, were natives of England. In. 1836 Thomas Hodson sent his wife and children to America, where his wife's people were already settled. He remained to settle his business in England. The family arrived safely at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Word was received by the family that Mr. Hodson would sail at a eer- tain date. This was the last word ever received. The vessel that was to start at that time was lost and it is supposed on good grounds that he was lost with the crew. After residing a year in Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, the family moved, with Mrs. Hodson's brother, to Wellsville, Ohio, remaining there about ten years. Mrs. Hodson then married and came with her husband to Indiana ; then to live near Peoria, where she died. In the family were five children, one of whom is dead: John A., in the grocery business at Peoria ; James, a machinist in Pennsylvania ; Thomas, a farmer in Missouri ; and Robert. Robert Hodson, the third child, was born in Yorkshire, England, April 11, 1832, hence was young when he emigrated and when deprived of his father's guardian care. His school advantages were very meager. At twelve years of age he left home to learn the tinner's trade with his brother at Pittsburg, remaining with him one year. Disliking the business he went to live with a farmer Quaker, Thomas James, with whom he lived and for whom he worked for three years, receiving his board and clothes and three months schooling each year as recompense. He then lived with his mother and step-father in Indiana, working one summer in a brick-yard, then on a farm, when he again made his home with the Quaker farmer in Ohio and attended school one winter. Early the following spring he started to Texas. He journeyed as far as New Orleans, then up the Mississippi river to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1846. He worked nine months for O. Edmunds, then went to the pineries on Black river. There he remained three years lumber- ing. In the fall of 1851 he returned and opened a small store in Sho- kogan. He was then a merchant. In the spring of 1852 he went to California, starting April 20, crossing the plains with ox teams, arriving

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in California August 20th. He engaged in mining with consider- able success until 1856, when he returned and bought the Bake inter- est in the Scott & Bake saw-mill at Oquawka. In 1857 he sold. He soon engaged in the drug and grocery business with Caswell and Bearce, continuing for eight years, when he purchased the interests of his partners. He has enlarged his business since. He has also ship- ped considerable stock for the last four years. He also superintends his farming interests. The official tables of Oquawka indicate a long local public life, significant of the trust the people repose in him. Mr. Hodson was married January 6, 1859, to Adaline Phelps, daughter of Stephen and Phebe (Chase) Phelps. She was born in Oqnawka, November 29, 1838. Her early playmates were the little Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Hodson's children have numbered three. One died in infancy, Arthur when a little boy, and Hattie died at the age of sixteen.

Judge RICHARD W. RICHEY, the first child of Andrew and Polly (West) Richey, was born in Charlton, Saratoga county, New York, November 22, 1802. His father was a native of Cambridge, New York, and his mother of Connecticut. His father dying when he, Richard, was quite young, the lad received but little schooling. How- ever, his spare time at home was well occupied in reading good books. He early worked at tanning and carpentering. When eighteen years old he went to Cambridge, where he engaged in tanning and currying business. In 1823 he married Miss Nellie Green, at Cambridge, and about the year following moved to Lake village, East Greenwich, New York, where he became foreman in a manufacturing estab- lishment. There his wife died. She was the mother of five chil- dren. In 1840 Mr. Richey married Agnes Green in Ohio and that same year emigrated to Henderson county (then Warren county), Illi- nois, and settled at Wahmt Grove. He bought eighty acres of land on which he built a log cabin 18×50, three apartments and a story and a half high. It still stands. He added to his farm and also to his dwelling. It was during the Mormon disturbances at Nanvoo that Mr. Richey was summoned by Gov. Ford, of Illinois, to raise a com- pany to assist in preserving peace. He had already raised and partly drilled a company of militia at Olena. But leaving all, he visited the governor at Nauvoo, who requested him to take command of the militia there, as the officer then commanding wished to be relieved. However, this officer concluding to remain at his duty, Mr. Richey, after witnessing the Mormon atrocities, returned home. In 1854 he was elected county judge. He then made his home in Oquawka, that he might better attend to legal duty. With the exception of four

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years, he held this responsible position till 1875. He was elected squire at his country home and also in Oquawka. He has served on the board of trustees of Oquawka. In 1856 he buried his companion. In 1857 he married Mrs. Cornelia (Day) Moir. Mrs. Richey is a very early resident of Oquawka, having made her home here in 1833, as the wife of Alexis Phelps. Late years Mr. Richey has superintended his farm, but is retired from other business. In politics has been a life long democrat. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian church for many years. His life has been an active one worthy of emulation. His former wives, the Greens, were cousins to the Beveridges, of whom ex-Gov. Beveridge is one.

Dr. CEPHAS PARK, the oldest physician of Henderson county was born in Rutland county, Vermont, November 8, 1819. His parents, John and Sophia (Broughton) Park, were natives of Vermont, but finally emigrated to Essex county, New York ; then to Trumbull county, Ohio. John Park fought in the war of 1812. He yet survives at the age of eighty-six years. His wife died in 1854 and he was again mar- ried. There were five children in his first family and three in his second. His father was an Englishman. Cephas Park, the second child of the first family, was raised on the farm till nineteen years old. To that time he had attended the common schools. He then attended the high school at Warren, Ohio, about two years. He spent three years as assistant in a postoffice. In 1846 he began reading medicine with Dr. E. Blachley, of Niles, Ohio, but finished reading with Dr. T. B. Wood, of Warren, Ohio. The winter of 1848-9 he attended a course of lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, in the medical department of Western Reserve College, and received a recommenda- tion as a practitioner. He started west, and April 1, 1850, arrived in Oquawka. Not being desirous of practicing to any extent till having completed his course of study, and being limited in means, he opened a small drug store. In the winter of 1853-4 he again attended college at Cleveland, graduating. He returned to Oquawka, disposed of his drug business, and gave all his time to practice, which soon became lucrative and successful. In 1852 he was associated with Dr. Snelling, and in 1879 with Dr. Postlewait, but neither partnership continued very long. The doctor is a man schooled by his own efforts and is what is known as a "self-made man." He has accumulated a large farm. Dr. Park was married in Ashtabula county, to Minerva Patter- son, daughter of Lewis and Lucy Patterson, and a native of Ohio. They have one child. Ida.

HARRY F. MCALLISTER, the present efficient circuit clerk, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 27, 1840. His father was

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born near Philadelphia. He was of Scotch descent. For some time prior to and up to his death he was prothonotary of Westmoreland county. Pennsylvania. He died in 1849. ITis wife survives. She is also a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. H. F. McAllister received but a limited education, as his father died when Harry was yet young, leav- ing the family in meager circumstances. At the age of fourteen Harry began clerking in Rock Island, Illinois. He next spent three years in Milwaukee and vicinity, in making abstracts of titles, eminently fitted for such work by his efficiency in penmanship. In the spring of 1861 he came to Oynawka, but soon went to Geneseo, Illinois. He returned in the fall to Oquawka, and became engaged in the circuit clerk's office. He continued Mr. IIngh L. Thomson's deputy circuit clerk until 1868, when he was promoted to the circuit clerkship by the ballot of the peo- ple, and has been re-elected in 1872, 1876, and 1880. In 1866 he was appointed notary public ; in 1872 master in chancery for Henderson county, by Judge A. A. Smith. In 1874 he was elected township treas- urer, all of which offices he still fills with credit. For the past six years he has been a member of the republican state central committee. He is a member of the masonic fraternity. Mr. McAllister was married August 30, 1866, to Miss Esther, daughter of Christian and Sarah (Nye) Root, a native of New York State.

G. F. WILLIAM FROEHLICH, the present efficient county clerk, was born March 21, 1835, in Rheinisch, Prussia, and is the seventh child in a family of thirteen. His parents, Peter and Johanna Froehlich, were natives of Rheinisch, and there died. Peter Froehlich was a tanner by trade, and was a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. G. F. Wm. Froehlich, the subject of these memoirs, was schooled in Prussia, graduating from the high school of Bonn, in preparation for college. IIe relinquished the projected college course, and became a clerk in a chemical factory for one year. In 1852, in May, he set sail at Liver- pool, England, on the vessel Warbler, for America. After fifty-two days' sailing the vessel reached New Orleans. Mr. Froehlich came up the Mississippi to Warsaw, Illinois, but very soon came to Oquawka, and became clerk for Frederick Odendahl. In the spring of 1853 he went to Warsaw where he became an apprentice to the harness trade, working two and a half years. He then followed the trade at different places. In 1859, and part of 1860, he taught a German American school. When war's cruel tongue called for brave men to put down rebellion and slavery, Mr. Froehlich thought of duty to country, for, although he was not American born, he was an American citizen. He enlisted April 22, 1861, in Co. D. 10th Ill. Inf. from Oquawka for the three months' service. When discharged he re-enlisted in Co. G, 10th

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Mo. Inf., of which was made orderly sergeant, and so continued till near the close of the war. The principal battles in which he was engaged were : Corinth, Iuka, second Corinth, Jackson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg; was in the Yazoo Pass expedition, at Mis- sionary Ridge, and much skirmishing. At the battle of Corinth, Octo- ber 4, 1862, he was wounded in the forehead, and at Champion Hills May 16, 1863, was wounded in the right leg. He was discharged Sep- tember 11, 1864, at. Carterville, Georgia. IIe served from 1864 to 1865 in the ordnance department of the service. In 1865 he returned to Oquawka for a permanent home. He engaged as clerk, and served as constable a year. Ile then became deputy sheriff. In 1866 was made deputy assessor, also. In 1868 he became deputy county, and deputy circuit, clerk. In 1877 he was elected county clerk, which office he still holds with ability. Since 1879 he has been town clerk, and has been notary public for a number of years. Mr. Froehlich was married in 1865, to Mrs. Margaret Herbertz, a native of Prussia, and whose family at that time numbered four children. Mr. Froehlich is deeply interested in compiling a soldiers' record, and deserves aid in gathering biographical matter pertaining to those who have fought the battles of the union.

Hon. JAMES PETERSON. member of the state legislature, was born November 19, 1838, in New York City. His education was such as good public schools afford. The larger part of his knowledge is of that practical sort acquired by actual experience in business. His youth was mostly spent behind his father's counter. His father dying, James, at the age of fourteen years, in 1852, came to Oquawka and became a clerk in the store of the Moir Brothers, his uncles. After the death of James and William Moir, Mr. Peterson became a partner in the firm of Robert Moir & Co. He was for a number of years cashier of the Moir Bank. In 1875 he retired. Ilis chief business since has been in loaning funds. Mr. Peterson has devoted a part of his life to public business. He was an alderman when Oquawka was under city government. He has taken an active part in educational affairs. In 1882 he was elected to the state legislature. Among his efforts in that honorable body was a bill to compel the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company to pay taxes on their bridge at Burlington. The bill passed the house but was defeated in the senate. Mr. Peterson also directed the apportionment constituting his own senatorial as well as congressional district. Mr. Peterson is a staunch republican. He is also a prominent Mason, having been worshipful master ten terms. He was married in 1874 to Sadie, daughter of Dr. S. H. Ruple, of Oquawka, and a native of Washington, Pennsylvania.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 95

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