USA > Illinois > Piatt County > History of Piatt County; together with a brief history of Illinois from the discovery of the upper Mississippi to the present time > Part 21
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THE SNOW-BIRDS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
club, a short distance from the cat, it made a spring and lit upon his back. Mr. H. remembers of climbing the river bank "in a hurry." The hound came to the resene and dragged the cat to the ground. It started again for the log. and while there was finally- killed by Mr. H. Mr. H.'s aim was not as good as usual, owing to his unexpected excitement.
Mr. and Mrs. Henline have had seven children-James, Mary JJane, . Peter, Elizabeth, Ann Emily, John and Sarah Harriett. These chil- dren have all married. Two moved to Kansas, one to Missouri and one to Oregon. Peter and Elizabeth are still in this county.
Mr. William Piatt remembers an . act of generosity exhibited by Nathan Heuline's father that might well be inserted here. Mr. Abraham Henline took dinner with Mr. James A. Piatt the day the latter moved into the Hayworth cabin. The children . of the family while at dinner fretted for milk, and Mr. Piatt inquired if Mr. Hen- line had any cows to sell. The latter replied that he had not, as only one of his cows was giving milk. After the incal was over, and when Mr. Henline started to leave, Mr. Piatt invited him to come again. Mr. Henline replied. "Yes, I will be back to-morrow, and will bring you a cow." "Why, ". exclaimed Mr. Piatt, "I thought you had none to sell." "Neither have I." said Mr. Henline ; but the boys and I can do without milk better than sick children can." He brought down the cow the next day and left her with Mr. Piatt for two years.
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Henline still live in sight of Monticello, and with the exception of Mrs. Nancy Ingram are the earliest settlers who are yet living within the limits of Piatt county. Mr. Henline at the present day is a hale and hearty man. His gray hair betokens an age which his activity scarcely warrants. His early friends as well as his friends of- later years characterize him as a man of generosity and of general goodwill toward his fellow beings.
MR. ABRAHAM HENLINE! JR .. in 1834 married Miss Lucy Reynolds, a step-danghter of Mr. Souders. They went to housekeeping near Coon's spring, and lived there for a short time. They moved from this place to the upper part of the county, where they lived for fifteen or twenty years. From here they moved down near Monticello, to the place where Mr. Jim Henline now lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Henline died at this place. They left six children, of whom four are now living: Mary Ann married Henry Gressel, and is now living in the southwestern part of the state. Sarah Ann married John Conan,
15
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
and now lives near Mansfield. Elijah married Mary Spencer, and their present honie is east of Monticello. Two of the sons were lost in the army, one near Shreveport and the other at Little Rock.
MR. JAMES HENLINE, the next to the eldest of the four boys who came with Mr. Abraham Henline to this county in 1824, married Jane Lockwood. They lived for a time near what is now White Heath, and then moved to Iowa.
MR. JACOB HENLINE was the only one of the four Henline brothers who lived through life in "single blessedness." He was a very strong, hard-working man. He was considered by some the strongest man in the county. It was a custom in those days for neighbors to come together from their ofttimes distant homes to assist in " cabin raisings." People were known to travel for twenty miles for this purpose. Mr. Jacob Henline, on account of his superior strength, was always especially welcome at "cabin raisings." One of the early settlers of the county remembers of having seen Jacob Henline carry a log at a cabin raising that would have been a good load for three ordinary men. It is the verdict of some of the early settlers now living, that Mr. Heuline wore himself out by so repeatedly exerting his strength while helping to build cabins. In 1854 he went down into Coles county, this state, where his death occurred.
THE PIATTS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
MR. JAMES A. PIATT, for whom this county was named, was born April 21, 1789, probably in Pennsylvania. His father, Abraham Piatt, moved from New Jersey to Penn's Valley, Pennsylvania, and set- tled on land obtained for surveying for some company. James Piatt was but a small boy when his father died. The family soon inoved to Ohio, reaching Cincinnati when there were but two log cabins in it. They soon settled near Oxford, Ohio. James A., when still quite young, went back to Pennsylvania to settle up his father's estate. Only about six months of his life was spent in school, but he succeeded in giving himself a very fair education. He was a good scribe, and while in Pennsylvania settling up his father's estate, he taught one term of school. Being thrown on his own resources quite early in life, the discipline only served to make him the better prepared for his later life as a pioneer. After returning from Pennsylvania he, on December 21, 1815, was united in marriage to Jemima Ford, who was then in Cincinnati, and who was born in Maryland, January 10, 1792. Jemima, with her sister, Delia Ford, came over the mountains and to
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THE PIATTS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
Cincinnati during the last of the war of 1812. Jemima stayed for a time with Mr. McHenry, of Cincinnati, and while there became acquainted with Mr. Piatt, who had been a contractor in the war of 1812 for his uncle, Mr. John H. Piatt. Delia Ford liad her choice, to be adopted by a lady in Philadelphia or to come west with her sister. She loved her sister too much to leave her, and so, for a number of years, made her home with her. She married Mr. Tompkins, of Cincinnati, and after his death she came, in 1866, to Piatt county, where she now makes her home with William H. Piatt, the eldest son of her beloved sister. Mr. James Piatt, after his marriage, settled at Brookville, Ind., where he merchandised for a time. He then built a mill at the mouth of Little Cedar, on the White Water. He next moved to Elizabethtown, and while living there took live hogs to the island of Cuba. While living in Lawrenceburg lie kept hotel a time and then moved to Indianapolis. While in this city he was a tinner, and while carrying on this business, and when traveling in Illinois in the interest of his business, he first conceived the idea of locating in what is now Piatt county, Illinois. It did not take him long to decide upon the matter, to buy the land, and to move to the present site of Monticello in the spring of 1829. He bought the Haywortlı claim for $150, and paid for it all in tinware, except about $18. Some time after moving to the place he entered more land. He had a cornfield fenced on the present site of Monticello, and William and John Piatt broke up the land for the same. For a number of years le was, prob- ably, the principal man of the new settlement. He entered and bought about 600 acres of land, right in the immediate vicinity of Monticello. Mr. Piatt was a characteristic frontier man ; a number of persons now in the county are ready to affirm that he was an extremist in hospitality and in favoring early settlements. He was a perfect terror to horsethieves, and took many a hard ride in order to bring the thief to punishment ; and he rarely missed his purpose. He once followed two thieves to Indiana, caught them, and brought them to Macon county for trial. About 1837 he and his son, William H. Piatt, followed a thief to Kentucky, and by riding day and night they secured their prize. The result of all this energy was that horsethieves soon learned to steer clear of Piatt county.
The following anecdote will serve to show the amount of work the tax collectors in the county used to liave. The tax collector of Macon county came up to Mr. Piatt's, and thought to enjoy a little hunt while there. After staying a day or two he told Mr. Piatt that his taxes
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HISTORY OF PLATT COUNTY.
amounted to seventy-five cents. "Very well," said Mr. Piatt. "we're even then, for your board will amount to about that much." After thus teasing the man for a time, Mr. Piatt paid his tax and let him go, but the tax collector did not hear the last of the joke for some time.
The following will show one of Mr. Piatt's characteristic ways of obtaining pay for entertaining travelers, if he ever took pay at all. One time a young Methodist minister and wife, in passing through the county, stopped at Mr. Piatt's over night. When he asked his bill in the morning, he was told that it was nothing. They started on their way, but in crossing a creek not far distant the buggy was upset, broken. and the lady was thrown into the water. Mr. Piatt had to go and spend some time in mending the broken buggy. During the day the minister remarked, "You must charge for this." He was assured by Mr. Piatt that he would be charged, and by and by it was announced that in payment the minister must preach them a sermon. The minister agreed to do so if the neighbors were notified. A messenger was sent out, and the one neighbor, Mr. Terry, came, and the sermon -the first Methodist sermon preached within the boundary of Piatt county - was preached in the first house in the county, and to not more than one dozen persons.
MRS. JAMES PIATT died March 16, 1836, of what was called quick consumption. Her seven children survived her. On December 12, 1837, Mr. Piatt married Mahala Oxley. James A. Piatt died of typhoid pneumonia October 22, 1838. In a few months after his death. his wife gave birth to a daughter. Mrs. Piatt died November 16, 1850.
The following are the names of Mr. James A. Piatt's children in the order of their birth : William H., John, James A., Richard F., Anna Belle. Noah N., Jacob, and Mary JJ.
MR. WILLIAM H. PIATT was born near Brookville, Indiana, Octo- ber 23, 1816. He came to what is now Piatt county in the spring of 1829, and that place is still his home. Upon the death of his father in 1838, as he was the eldest one of the family, William had the care of his brothers and sisters until they were of age. He and Clarinda Marquiss were united in marriage April 10, 1838, and went to house- keeping on the site of the present county fair grounds. After living there a few months he moved over the river to what is now Goose Creek township, and in 1840 located on the farm he now lives on. His' present residence was erected in 1864-5. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt have had seven children, six of whom are now living. A. J .. or JJames, the
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THE PLATTS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
eldest of the family, and Emma C., the youngest, are still living at home. A. M. Piatt and Mattie E. Hollis were united in marriage December 20, 1866. After living in Monticello until 1879 they moved to Chicago, where they still reside. Four children, Will H., Edward Scott, Donn and Josephine C., have blessed their union. Frank A. Piatt became the wife of W. E. Lodge. (See his sketch.) C. W. Piatt and Mary Kate Sparks were united in marriage January 12, 1875. They make their home at William H. Piatt's, and C. W. has charge of his own farm as well as his father's home place. E. J. or Mima Piatt married W. E. Smith, of Monticello. (See his sketelı.)
AN ANNIVERSARY RHYME. “ WRITTEN JANUARY 12, 1881.
" Dear grandpa, tell to us a story true." So said a bright-haired girl with eyes of blue. " And more, I'll bring my chair and sit so still, But for my smile so sly you'd think I'm ill."
" All right, my lass," the old man said, "we'll see If you for once as still as a mouse will be. Now list : Last night I dreamed a dream so bright - A dream which not to tell seems hardly right.
"I saw a low, unpainted house; some trees So close their leaves did touch with ev'ry breeze. Beyond these rows of trees the house did stand - Than this no dearer place in all the land.
" A home in ev'ry sense this was I saw, A home where only love laid down the law. Six children in this yard and house had played, Three boys, three girls in cherry trees had swayed.
" Some good I saw in all these children dear, But why my thoughts would turn to one, I fear E'en now I cannot all, nor half make out - My eyes saw him whate'er he was abont.
"The youngest boy he was, I soon could tell ; Abused by all the rest, he knew full well ; Else why must he the wood so oft bring in, Or why the game of ball his brothers win?
"In school quite oft the teacher's wrath he got, Then sure his hand would feel the rod - why not ? His fatal laugh would him in truth betray, Tho' others laughed and first led him astray.
* Printed by special request.
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
" Too bad it was that he should thus be 'bused. He older grew, and all were much amused When he would tell his old-time troubles all - Now trifles, but were then not quite so small.
" To town he went one day, in suit bran new - His 'likeness' he would have; in truth he knew Event so great he ne'er had heard, and thought Such work nor now, nor never, be done for nought.
" And such a picture, sure you ne'er did see. Right prim he sat, as straight as straight could be ; With thumbs in pockets, fingers spread in sight. Think you he thought himself some one? You're right.
He looked the picture o'er from foot to head. " ' I didn't know I was so pretty,' he said. A good opinion of himself you see he had. So frank withal, to us he ne'er seemed bad.
"Much more of him to you I might relate, But I must hastc- c'en now it grows quite late. About his college days you'd like to hear, Of happy times, of friends, of schoolmates dear.
My time's quite short, but I will let you know The place where he from home to work did go. In prairie stood the town, both small and gay. Quite well he thrived, and happy was each day.
"He thrived because he worked. The joy from whence ? Ah, here's the part that I with joy commence. The ' willful god' at last did send his dart Which pierced this lad's, and, too, a maiden's heart.
" That story old, tho' new, again was told. The maiden sweet replied ; and he, made bold, In haste did go the parents both to see, If they for c'er not two but one might be.
"Consent from all was gained, and they for life Were joined ; the husband he, and she the wife. The time wore on apace. Much joy they had. If I the half might tell, I'd be right glad.
.
" At last their home in town no more they made. A country life this time the better paid. His childhood home again his work did need ; And here we find them both content indeed.
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THE PIATTS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
"Now hark! and hear what he to her did say When they together sat at close of day ; And listen to the answer she did make, And showed the while that all was for his sake.
"' And now six years, dear Kate, have passed away ; In all six years since then, our wedding day. Ah, happy, happy were we then, I vow ; But dearer, sweeter happiness we've now.'
"' Yes, husband dear, six years ago to-day Our hands, our hearts, our lives were joined for aye; The clouds, they've gathered oft since then, 'tis true, But scattered, and the bluer seems the blue.'
" And now, my girl, I've done; and you quite well Did list; nor once (lid break your quiet spell. Tell you of whom I spoke? Just think awhile; Ah, now you know - I see by that sweet sınile.
" But late it is, and you to bed must go ; Come here, my child; a loving kiss-just so. For you I wish sometime such joy as they This day have got - for such and more I pray."
The child was gone, the good old man looked 'round, And there his wife and children four he found. The others were in cheerful homes not far ; Their happiness no one nor dared nor cared to mar.
And now, kind friends, a toast let's send to two Whose lives in part the old man told quite true. Let's wish for them their love to last for aye- The love that's theirs, their annivers'ry day.
Mr. JOHN PIATT, farmer, Monticello, was born near Brookville, Indiana, June 13, 1818. He came when a boy with his father, James A. Piatt, to what is now Piatt county, and has remained here ever since. For a number of years he resided on a farm one mile from Monticello, but now his home is six miles east of the town, near the border line of Champaign county. Mr. Piatt assisted in getting this county struck off by carrying petitions, and subsequently became its first sheriff. He has always been interested in the county, and has done his share for its advancement. On the 4th of September, 1846, John Piatt was united in marriage to Eliza Lowry, who was born February 1, 1827. They have had eight children, six of whom are now living. Eleanor is the wife of Dr. James Moffitt, of Monticello.
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
William M. married Penelope Minear, September 22, 1880, has one son, Samuel Milton, and resides on a 320-acre farm, six miles from Monticello. Belle Piatt and William Carnahan were married June 10, 1875, have four children, and live in Champaign city. B. T. Piatt and Sarah Minear were married September 9, 1875, have had four children, two of whom, Laura and Anzaletta, are living, and reside on their fine farm of 320 acres, six miles east of Monticello. Jennie, a graduate of the Monticello High School, and John are still living with their parents. Two of Mr. John Piatt's children, Emeline and Robert, are dead.
Mr. JAMES A. PIATT, JR., was born near Brookville, Indiana, January 7, 1821, and when eight years old came with his parents to the present site of Monticello. With the exception of about five years in California, his entire life was spent in the immediate vicinity of Monticello. On the 18th of January, 1849, he was united in marriage to Katherine Bryden, a native of Nova Scotia, and one of the early school teachers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt, with their oue child, Alice, started overland April 12, 1852, to California, via St. Louis and Kansas City-then Kansas Landing. Mrs. Piatt remarked in speaking of the trip, "I was not in a house from the time we left Kansas Landing until we reached California, and our little party had no company whatever from Humbolt Lake to Honcut. California. We saw plenty of Indians, but they were peaceful." After living there five years Mr. Piatt and family came back by way of the Isthinus of Darien and located on the farm he had previously bought near Monticello. In 1860 he built a nice brick house, which was burned abont sixteen years ago. The house was rebuilt, and a brick barn has since been constructed. Mr. Piatt improved over 1,400 acres of land near Monticello. At the time of his death, April 8, 1873, he was living one mile south of Monticello, where his wife and daughter now reside. Alice Piatt and William H. Kratz were mar- ried January 7, 1875, and have two children, Lanra and James Piatt. Mr. Kratz carries on quite an extensive lumber business in Monti- cello.
MR. RICHARD F. PIATT, of Napa City, California, was born in Elizabethtown, Indiana, March 31. 1823. After coming with his parents to Illinois he made Piatt county his home until near 1850, when he went to California. He returned to Illinois about 1856, and remained until the spring of 1857, when he went back by water to California. On his way there he became acquainted with Miss Fannie
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Peasley, who afterward became his wife. Two of their children, R. H. and Ida, are living. Mr. Piatt has discovered several valu- able mines, and though having never been repaid for his long years of work in that direction, is still mining.
Mr. NOAN NOBLE PIATT was born in Indianapolis, February 24, 1828. He was the babe of the family when Mr. James A. Piatt moved to the Hayworth cabin, on the present site of Monticello. His boyhood and youthful days were spent in Piatt county. In 1855 he married Hannah Philipps, who was making her home at Wm. Piatt's. In 1857 he went to California, where he farmed near Marys- ville until about 1868. His wife died about this time, and Mr. Piatt with his daughters, Mattie, Clara and Kate, and son Willie, returned to Piatt county. After living here a time he married Miss Olive Bryden aud soon went onto his farm, one mile east of Monticello. He sold this farm and went to Kansas about 1879, and now resides in Greenwood county, of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Piatt have three sons, Frank, Phil. and James.
Mr. JACOB PIATT, deceased, was born February 17, 1831, and is recorded as the first male child born within the limits of Piatt county. His entire life was spent in the immediate vicinity of his native place. When but a boy he resolved on being a merchant and began clerking for Daniel Stickel. He went to Cincinnati for the purpose of com- pleting his commercial education, and while there became acquainted with Mary A. Ilnbbell, who became his wife March 1, 1853. During the rest of his life he was a merchant in Monticello. For a number of years previous to his death he was consumptive and an intense sufferer. His death occurred July 4, 1871. Six children survived him, five of whom are living now. Mary is now the wife of Dr. J. H. Carper, a successful physician of Monticello. Ford is successful as an express agent of St. Paul, Minnesota. Silas is a member of the class of 1883 of the Illinois University of Champaign. Jacob is in Monticello, while Will makes his home with his grandfather, Mr. Hubbell, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Jacob Piatt was married in 1877 to Mr. Harvey Benson. Her death occurred in the spring of 1880.
ANNABELLE PLATT. who was born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, May 16, 1825, became the wife of Daniel Stickel. (See his sketch.)
MARY J. PIATT, who was born January 10, 1839, fell heir to a land warrant issued for services rendered by Mr. James A. Piatt during the Black Hawk war. The land is located in Nebraska. On June 5, 1860, she became the wife of Win. Bryden, who for a number of years
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
was a merchant of Monticello. During the last years of his life he was an invalid, and his death occurred February 5, 1866, in Savannah, Georgia. He had gone south for his health and was then on his way home. His last words were, " Peace on earth and good will to all." Mrs. Bryden and her two sons, Charles and Will, are still residing in Monticello.
The following facts relating to the first Piatts in America were ob- tained by Abram Piatt Andrew, Jr., of La Porte, Indiana, from a letter written by an old relative of the Piatts in Watsontown, Pennsylvania.
The first Piatt (Jolin) was originally from France. In the city of Amsterdam, Holland, he married a widow, Mrs. Wycoff, nee Frances Vleet. They settled in New Jersey some years previous to the revolu- tionary war, and in 1760 were living at Six Mile Run, near the city of New Brunswick. This fact is shown by the following letter written by the same Jolin Piatt from the Island of St. Thomas, in the West Indies, to his son in New Jersey.
Letter to John Piatt, addressed "Six Mile Run, New Jersey " :
Dear Son,-I hereby let you know that I am yet alive and when I have said that I have said all I can say, for I am so very low and weak that I can scarcely hold my pen. I therefore only write you two or three lines, to let you know I have not forgot you. I am not able to stir out anywhere to see to getting some trinkets or other to send you by your brother Abraham, which otherwise I would have done. You told me in your letter you intended to come and see me as soon as your time was out. But I would not have you attempt it until you hear from me again, for if I live I shall leave this island very soon in order to recover my health, and if I live till next summer you may depend on seeing me at home. I would therefore advise you to stick close to your business and do the best you can for yourself. As to any further news, your brother Abraham can tell you. Give my love to your mother and all your brothers, and all inquiring friends.
I remain, your affectionate father,
St. Thomas, July 7, 1760. JNO. PIATT.
This letter was probably his last writing, for before it reached New Jersey John and William Piatt, his sons, started for St. Thomas, and on their arrival found their father dead and buried. From another account other than that sent us by Mr. Andrew we understand that this John Piatt was poisoned by his negroes, and that his sons not only found their father dead, but his property all destroyed.
The sons, John, Abraham and William, returned to New Jersey, and John married Jane Williamson, March 27, 1763. In 1791 he was living in Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna river, near Milton. He afterward moved farther up the river, and died at the age of sev-
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THE PIATTS AND THEIR RELATIVES.
enty-nine years and nine months. He had five children, Jane, John, Frances, Willian and Catherine, all born in New Jersey. Jane mar- ried John Sedam, and had five children. Frances married William Mckinney, and in 1818 moved to Wood county, West Virginia, where her descendants now live.
Catherine married Abraham Tenbrook, and moved, in 1818, to Brookville, Indiana, and two of her children, John Tenbrook and Mrs. Ann Houselman, now live in Piatt county, Illinois. John Piatt married Elizabeth Cline, and two of their children are living at Watsontown, Pennsylvnia-Mrs. Elizabeth McCormick, eighty-eight years of age, and Mrs. Jane P. Allen, in her eighty-sec- ond year. William Piatt married Mary Brady, and in 1881 three of their children were living, two at Watsontown, Pennsylvania, and one in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania.
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