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 24
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MR. WILLIAM ANDERSON, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Ohio. In 1856 he moved to Illinois and has lived in the county ever since. He was married in 1854, to Jane Brady, and has had sixteen children, thirteen of whom are living. Joseph is now in Kansas, Charlotte is the wife of Mr. Perry Dewees, of Goose Creek township. The names of the other children are Alice, Melissa, George, Ilenry, Samuel, Martin, Delilah. Peter, William, Sarah and Ollie. Mr. Anderson went to the army, from Piatt county, in Co. A. 107th Ill. reg., and re- mained ten months ; most of this time was spent in the hospital. He was on duty but a short time and never shot off a gun. He stood guard with one ouce which was filled with mud.
MR. R. T. AYRE, of the firm of R. T. Ayre & Bro., butcher, Mon- ticello, is a native of England. He came to America when eight years old and located in Illinois, coming to Piatt county in 1873. At that time he located in Monticello, where he owns a residence, a business house and three acres of ground. He was married in July, 1870, to Delia Ray, aud has had six children: Charles O., Jolm C., Annie, Lizzie, Richard and Golde.
MR. JonN V. AYRE, of the firm R. T. Ayre & Bro., came in Novem- ber 1878, to Monticello. He was married October 8, 1871, to Bettie Ogden, and has one son, Jonas.
MR. WILLIAM, BARNES (deceased) was born in 1792, and in 1813 married Sarah Marquiss, who was born in 1794. In 1833 they, with their family, moved to Piatt county from Ohio, and lived through the first winter in a little cabin uear Monticello. During the winter Mr. Barnes built a cabin northwest of Monticello, on the place where Mr. Woolington now lives, and in the spring of 1834 the family moved onto this farm. Of their children only two are now living in this county. Abraham died at the age of two years. Henry was born in 1816, and in 1840 married Sarah Ann Norris. They had six childreu, two of whom are now living. William Harrison (or "Tip") was married about 1878, to Catharine Hoover and now lives in Monticello. Ann married Hiram Smock. Susan Barnes, who was born in 1817, married Nicholas Devore (see account of Mr. Woolington). Elizabeth married. Mayhew Stewart in 1837. They lived in Willow Branch township for a time and then moved to Sangamon township. Mr. Stewart died there and his widow afterward married Solomon Osburn. She died in the same neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had four
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children, two of whom died when young. Sarah married Frank Brady and moved to Kansas, where she died, leaving two children. Levi Stewart was in Jacksonville when last heard from. Sarah Louisa was born in 1820. She was married to Samuel Morain while he held the office of sheriff. After his term of office ended they moved to what is now the poor farm. Their next move was to Monticello, where Mr. Morain engaged in the mercantile business. After Mr. Morain's death Mrs. Morain lived for several years on Goose Creek, and then moved to Monticello, where she and her one living child, Eva R., now reside. John Marquiss Barnes married Nancy Winsted. He now lives in Neosho county. Kansas, and has three children living. William Mills Barnes married Ellen Tulley, who died leaving five children. He is now living in Kansas. Caroline Barnes married M. P. Winsted and is living in Barton county, Missouri. They have three children, all married. Jemima Barnes died at the age of eighteen.
MR. JOHN BARNES (deceased) was born July 1, 1823, in Ohio. He came to Piatt county in 1833, and on October 15, 1846, was united in marriage to Martha M. Philipps, who was born January 12, 1828. Seven of their eight children are still living. Hannah R. married Mr. John W. Fitzwater December 19, 1867, and one of their three children, Emma M .; is living. Mr. Fitzwater died March 19, 1873. Mary E. was married in September, 1882, to Mr. C. F. Chamberlain. Ellen married James Fitzwater February 25. 1873. George A. Barnes married Sadie A. Hiatt July 4, 1877. They have had two children, Alta J. and Maud M., who died recently. Joseph L. Barnes is now in the railroad office at Mansfield. John G. Barnes is a member of the class of '83 in the Monticello High School. Etta is also in school. We subjoin the following from Mr. Barnes' obituary : "Died, Febru- ary 4, 1871, at his residence near Centerville, Mr. John Barnes, aged forty-eight years. He emigrated to this state when the country was new and sparsely settled. Hence, during his residence here, he became identified with the growing interests of the country, more especially with his immediate locality. Having a progressive spirit. he took an active interest in all measures that pertained to the welfare of the community, and in this particular his counsel was often obtained. As a citizen he was peaceable, and sought to allay all disturbing elements that threatened peace and harmony. - Quiet and unostentatious in his movements, never seeking to make a display, or to gain a conspicuous elevation, and somewhat distrustful of his own powers; yet when the right had to be maintained in opposition to error, he never faltered for
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a moment, but perseveringly pursued the path of duty. In his com- mercial relations he was prompted by the principles of moral upright- ness and integrity of purpose. Among all with whom he mingled he was distinguished by honesty and truthfulness. He was an instance of God's noblest work, 'an honest man.' He cultivated moral senti- ment and was a regular attendant at church and the Sabbath school. Being a man of musical talent he invariably conducted the singing. He took an interest in inviting ministers to his neighborhood, and his home was often their abode during their transient visits. By his per- severing industry he amassed considerable wealtlı, and was liberal with his means. The various objects of charity and the general enterprises of christianity were fully met. He was kind and indulgent to his family, and sought to render the home circle desirable and happy. He had recently built a handsome brick residence, and everything that contributed to make home a loved retreat flowed in uninterrupted harmony. The surroundings were pleasant and highly attractive. To all appearances he had reached the summit of earthly ambitions. But in the midst of this tide of social prosperity he was suddenly called to cross 'death's shadowy valley.' His sickness was of short duration, during which time he gave the future some consideration. When asked by a friend in regard to his preparation for death, he answered : 'That is all settled ; my mind is perfectly clear.' His funeral was attended by the largest assemblage convened here on a like occasion. Mind possesses the mysterious power of assimulation, and may the surviving emulate his virtues, revere his memory, and cherish his rich legacy of an unsullied character.
MR. SAMUEL BENDER, merchant, Monticello, is a native of Ohio, who came to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1842. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bender, with their family, settled in Monticello at this time and lived for awhile in the Piatt cabin. But two of their five children, Samuel and Jerry, are now living. Henry Bender, who married Mary Ann Barnes, died leaving one son, John Bender, now living in Goose Creek township. Harriet, who first married James Campbell and then A. J. Wiley, is now dead. Ann, who married James Jacobs, is also dead. Mr. Samuel Bender owns several hundred acres of land in Goose Creek township, which he has improved himself, and a business residence and five lots in Monticello. He married Elizabeth Marquiss in 1846. She died in six years, leaving one daughter, Effie, who died January 10, 1869, being stricken down in the very bloom of her young womanhood. In 1853 Mr. Bender was united in marriage
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to Rebecca Rea, who died in California in 1877, leaving six children. Of these, Ida is the wife of L. M. Taylor, of Monticello, and has two children, Roy and Ethyl; Bertie is the wife of J. J. Hobson, of California, and has two children. The names of the other children are Will, Dick, Louise B. and S. R. In July, 1882, Mr. Bender and Inez Jamison were united in marriage. Within the last decade Mr. Bender has been to California several times, having lived there in all seven years.
MR. JERRY BENDER, merchant, Monticello, came to this county from Ohio, his native state, in 1842, and has resided here ever since, having been in business at Monticello for at least twenty-four years. He owns his present store building, a residence, and over one block in Monticello. Mr. Bender was married about 1860, to Miss M. J. Moffitt, who died in June, 1872, leaving two children - Charles, now in Idaho, and Annie, who is in Colorado.
Mr. L. J. BOND, Monticello, is a native of West Virginia, from which state he moved to Indiana in 1849. He remained in that state at Wabash and Lafayette until 1854, when he came to Piatt county, and in 1856 located in Monticello, where he still resides, owning 44 acres of land just outside of the city limits, and one of the most attractive residences of the vicinity. He was married October 25, 1849, to Margaret V. Bond, and has had eleven children, six of whom are now living. Lona is the wife of Mr. P. Keenan, of Monticello. Oswick is quite a musician, and has traveled a good deal over the United States. Bert, Ada, Lena and Louis are at home. Alice died at the age of fourteen. Mr. Bond was supervisor of Monticello town- ship ten or twelve years, has held several local offices, was circuit clerk two terms, and was a member of the legislature one term. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, blue lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery, of Decatur. At present Mr. Bond is connected with railroad business, and, though he is from home a great deal, we count him one of our most earnest and worthy citizens.
Mr. JOHN BRITTON (deceased) was a native of Pennsylvania. He married Miss Jane Graham, a native of Ohio, and for ten years, until 1846, made that state his home. They then moved near Monticello, Illinois, on a farm, where they remained until the death of Mr. Britton in 1856. Two children survived him. Wm. J. Britton married Miss Laura Dyer and at present is living in Monti- cello. They have had four children, two of whom, Nellie and Willie, are living. Johnny, the oldest of the family, showed remarkable
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artistic and mechanical talent for one so young. Mr. Britton has been road commissioner of Monticello township for nine years. He is school director at present, and reports the Monticello schools in a good condition, financially. Mr. Britton is a member of the Masonic lodge 58, A. F. and A. M., Markwell chapter 48, R. A. M., Monti- cello council No. 48, and the Urbana commandery No. 16. Miss Ella Britton married Dr. Noecker, a resident physician of Monticello. Mrs. Britton remained a widow until December, 1879, when she married Mr. David P. Bunn, a Universalist minister of Decatur, Illinois. He has been a resident of that city for a number of years. He used to preach quite frequently in this county, and from the time Mr. Britton first settled near Monticello, made his home a stopping płace.
Mr. JOHN A. BRITTENHAM (deceased) was born in Ross county, Ohio. His mother was a native of Maryland. Both parents remained in Ohio until their death. Mr. Brittenham received a common education in Ohio and came to Illinois about 1839 or 1840. He settled near Naples, and while there he entered the Illinois conference and began preaching on the Pontiac circuit. His second circuit included Monticello. During this second appointment he was married, in 1846, to Miss Martha Harshbarger, of Pittsburg, Indiana. After his marriage he traveled on various circuits, including that of McLean and Carlinville, but finally in 1851 located in Monticello, Illinois. While located here he dealt in real estate for a time. He built some fifteen or twenty houses in the town. After dealing for a time in real estate he farmed awhile and then went into merchandise. He had just gone out of this business at the time of his death, May 28, 1872. His death was quite sudden. In the morning of May 28, he had been preparing some horse medicine. Just a little while before he died he went into the kitchen at his home and asked for his sons, remarking that he thought lie was going to die. In spite of all efforts to save him, he died in a very short time. Mr. Brittenham belonged to the I.O.O.F. lodge, and was an honored and respected citizen. His first wife died in 1857. Two of her children are still living. Chas. K. Brittenliam is married, has one child, and is a merchant at or near Pontiac. Win. R. married Ellen Emig in 1880. They have one child. Win. R. Brittenham is living in Monticello and farming. Mr. John Brittenham, the principal subject of this sketch, was married in 1858 to Sarah J. Funk, of Heyworth, McLean county, Illinois. She is still living and at present resides in the same house in Monticello
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
in which she went to housekeeping. She has four children living, John Richard and Thomas L., who are both farming, and Allen O. and Sarah J., who are both at home. His sister, Mrs. Howes, in speaking of Mr. Brittenham, says that he was always of a religious turn of mind and united with the church when about seventeen years old. He was made class-leader in Ohio when eighteen years old, began his work as a local preacher in Illinois about 1839, and in 1843 joined the Illinois conference.
MR. REUBEN BOWMAN'S life began July 4, 1806, in Pennsylvania, in which state he remained until he was ten years of age. His parents, Peter and Christina (Fagley) Bowman, died in Ohio, the one near seventy years of age and the other eighty-eight years old. They had a family of fourteen children, of which Reuben is the youngest and the only one living. Some of the children lived to be ninety years old. His father was in the revolutionary war and three of his brothers were in the war of 1812. He started to the Mexican war, but returned. When the late war began, he went out for over a year, until he was crippled by the falling of his horse. After leaving the army he lost the use of one of his eyes. Major Bowman had three sons and almost a whole company of nephews in the rebellion. Mr. Bowman was married in 1832, to Miss Sarah Bradley, who died in 1874. Their daughter, Samantha, died after her marriage to John Albert. One of their children is now married and living in Champaign county. Julia Bowman married Mr. G. M. Bruffitt and lives in Mansfield. They have three children. Harriet was married to Mr. David Robinson. They have no children. Mary Bowman is still living at home, while George is also at Monticello. Both of his wives are dead. Two of his children are living. John Bowman is married, has four children, and is living in Bates county, Missouri. Milton Bowman died in Piatt county in 1876, while his brother, James K. P., died in Missouri. Harrison Bowman is married, has several children, and is living in Shelby county. Major Reuben Bowman has lately received a pension, and, with at least a portion of this, has purchased property just south of the fair grounds. During the summer of 1881 he put up quite a nice frame residence on the place. The major doubtless expects to take comfort in his old days.
MR. JAMES BROWN (deceased) came from Virginia to Piatt county November 16, 1857, and bought a farm on Goose Creek of Dr. Hull. He lived on the farm at the time of his death, October 22, 1878. He was married in 1844, to Margaret A. Hull, a graduate of the Kalorama
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Seminary in Stanton, Virginia. Several of their children were born in Virginia. Belle was married September 1, 1869, to James A. Shepherd and has one child. Bettie was married July 3, 1873, to Joseplı M. Woolington and has three children. Emma is the wife of Mr. Joseph H. Rankin. Mollie was married November 30, 1880, to Robert Hays. J. Hull Brown was a promising young man who attended school at Lebanon and at Ann Arbor. He taught school for several years in the county. He died January 21, 1879. Lucy was married February 8, 1876, to Rufus C. Gordon. Ada E. was married March 14, 1878, to Ellis Reed. Floyd F., Clara M. and Olive F. are still at home with Mrs. Brown, who now lives in Monticello.
MR. JEREMIAH BAKER, farmer and stock-raiser, Monticello, is a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. His parents were natives of Ohio, and died there. He came directly fromn Ohio to Piatt county in 1843. He immediately entered 700 acres of land, one inile north of Milmine. David Kuns now lives on the place. Mr. Baker improved 400 acres, besides two other farms; 400 acres where Jesse Yoakumn lives, two hundred of which was bought of. Gov. Oglesby, and one which he sold to Samuel Allerton. His nearest neighbors were three miles distant. In 1854 Mr. Baker lodged part of the surveyors of the Wabash road. Deer were quite plenty then, and even after he had been there a year, one morning he counted sixteen walking off his wheat. He moved from where Mr. Kuns lives to where Jesse Yoakum lives, and re- remained there during the war ; then bought the Suver farm, now owned by Mr. Allerton. He traded that for property in Decatur, and moved there for two years, when he came to Monticello, and has recently built a nice house on one of the most desirable lots in town. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic lodge of Decatur. Mrs. Baker nee Jane Ater was born in Ross county, Ohio. Her parents were . natives of that state and she was the eldest of ten children. Mr. Baker's father was in the war of 1812, and the Black Hawk war. While in the war of 1812, was taken sick and brought home in a litter carried by two horses. He never did a day's work afterward, and though he had a pension offered him, would not accept it, some $4,000 coming to him.
MR. HARRISON BARTLEY, a farmer in Monticello township, began his worldly career in 1808, in the State of Ohio. He is of German descent and his parents were from Virginia. He was married in 1835, to Elizabeth Newhouse, who was born in 1816, in Pickaway county, her husband's native county. Her father was a private in the war of
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1812. Mr. and Mrs. Bartley lived in Pickaway county until 1868, when they moved to Piatt county, Illinois. They have six children living and three dead. Edward Bartley married Sarah Fry and is a farmer in Sangamon township. They have six children living : Lucy, Elmer, Clinton, John, Will and Claude. Sarah Bartley married Jolın Hildinger. At the time of his death, they, with their two children, Della and William, were living at Decatur. Mrs. Hild- inger married Mr. R. Williams, and is now living in Monticello town- ship. They have three children : Winnie, Olive, and Maud. Mr. Williams had been married before and had one child, Harry. Catha- rine Bartley married Mr. Jacob McLain, and with her two children, William and Ella May, lives in Monticello township. Louis Bartley married Miss A. Coon, and they, with their children, Charles and Fant , nie, live in Sangamon township. Nelson Bartley married Emma Coon and lives in Monticello township. They have two children, Nellie Myrtle and a babe. Lemuel Bartley is a farmer in Ohio, while his brother Reuben is a farmer at home. Two of Mr. Bartley's family who died reached the age of maturity. Ella married Abraham Long and at her death left four children. William was twenty-four years old when he died. Benjamin died in Ohio.
MR. ALEXANDER GEORGE BOYER, Monticello, was born in Ohio, August 5, 1825. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. 1Iis father kept hotel in Ohio. His mother's death occurred in January, 1875. Mr. A. G. Boyer was married in this county in 1849, to Hannah Duckett, of Butler county, Ohio. They had eight children : Lenora, who died when a babe ; Olive, who is at home ; Frank, dead ; James, living at home : Dolly, Martha and Douglas are dead ; and Berta, who is at home. Mr. Boyer attended business and law college in Chicago, previous to his marriage, and taught-school several terms in this county. At one time he lived on a farm. He belonged to the Masonic lodge of Monticello, and died April 11, 1868.
MR. WILLIAM BARLOW. carpenter. Monticello. is a native of Ver- mont, from which state he moved to New York. From there he moved to Ohio, and in 1854 came to Monticello. He was married in 1842, to Marietta Steeley. They have four children living in the county. Eliza, who married Mr. Norforth, lives in Monticello, and has two children, Frank, Cyrus and Ada are at home. :
MR. JONATHAN BETTS is a native of Ross county, Ohio. He came with teams from Pickaway county, Ohio, to Piatt county, in 1856. After coming to this place, he first worked on a farm for Mr. William
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H. Piatt, and has followed farming most of the time since. He was in the late war from 1862 to June 1865. He went in Co. F, 2d Ill. Cav., and was in the battles of Hollow Springs, Mississippi, and Sabine Cross · Roads. He was wounded in the hand and face, but was never taken prisoner.
DR. EDWARD BLACKSHAW, dentist, is a native of Staffordshire, Eng- land, and came to America about 1852, and was in Wisconsin until 1858, when he moved to Urbana, which has since been his home. He obtained his dental education at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, with Dr. J. R. Cole, has followed this business while in Urbana, and since 1862 has made professional visits monthly to Monticello. At present, and for some time since, these visits have been made the first Monday and Tuesday of each month. For a time he was with Dr. Coleman, but of late years, and in general, has been with Dr. Noecker. Dr. Blackshaw was mar- ried in England in 1852, to Elizabeth Jones, when after three days of married life he came to America, leaving his wife, who followed the next spring. She died May 7, 1881. He recently married a Mrs. Strachan, of Urbana. Dr. Blackshaw's trips to Monticello have been made overland. He used to travel most of the way across. open prai- rie, has several times been mired in the swamps, and once his horse had to swim a slough. At one time he was lost in a rain-storm. It was often his experience to come through severe storms, and all for tlie sake of "teething" people. Dr. Blackshaw was the first dentist in this part of the state to introduce artificial dentures on rubber, the work pre- viously having been done on gold and silver.
MR. D. S. BOND, farmer, is a native of Virginia, and moved from there to Indiana about 1847, then came to Champaign county about 1851, and to Piatt county about 1852. He owns 160 acres of land, which he has improved himself. Mr. Bond was married about 1859, to Mary Gates, and has had ten children, of whom eight are now living: Edwin, Albert, Earnest, Lillie, Florence, Charlie, Irving and Nellie. After traveling in the northi and west, he returned to Piatt county, satis- fied this place is the best for a home. He has held some township offices.
MR. O. P. BUSH, carpenter, Monticello, was born in 1829, in Ohio. He moved from his native state to Illinois in 1836, and on the 24th of January, 1853, located in Monticello; where he now owns one house and two lots. He was married in 1851, to Barbara J. Clark, and has had four children, three of whom are living. Wm. J. married Miss L. J. Kendel, and has one child, Mabel. Maria J. married James
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
Graham, and, with one child, lives in Champaign county. Charles W. Bush is at home.
MR. WILLIAM BEATTIE, Monticello, is a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He was born in 1808, came to Canada in 1827, thence to · New York in 1835, and to Piatt county in 1864. He was married in Canada in 1833, to Jeannet Hudgert, who died in 1874. Mr. Beattie has three children living. Kate, who is the wife of Mr. Brown, a native of Scotland, was married in New York city in 1864, and came to this county with her parents, Mr. Brown following the next year. They moved from Quincy here in May, 1866, and have six children: William, Robert, Nettie, James, Charles and Katie. William Beattie is now in California, and James lives in Piatt county. William Beattie paid a short visit to Scotland in 1879, but had no desire to remain.
MR. J. BOHN, druggist, Monticello, is a native of Germany, and came to America in 1847. In 1860 he came to Illinois and in 1867 located in Monticello. He studied chemistry at the Illinois State Uni- versity and attended a course of medical lectures at Keokuk, Iowa. He went into partnership in drugs with Mr. Van Gundy in 1878, and still remains with him. Mr .. Bohn was lately elected a member of the school board, and already shows himself a proficient worker for the interest of the city schools.
MR. JOHN BECK, harness-maker, Monticello, is a native of Ireland, from which country he came to America in 1847. He moved from Ohio to Monticello in 1875. He was married in 1851, to Lucy M. Bond, who died in Monticello in December, 1881. His daughter May was a music teacher in Monticello for some time. Mr. Beck went to the army from New Jersey in Co. E of the 1st N. J. Lt. Art. He was in the engagements at Drury's Bluff and at Richmond.
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