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 34
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
in marriage in 1880. Grow, the youngest of the family, is living with his inother in Bement.
MR. JOHN F. BENTLEY, farmer, Bement, moved fromn Ohio, his native state, in 1871, to Piatt county, where he owns 120 acres of land, which he has improved himself. He was married March 26, 1870. to Susan Saylor, and has two children, Allie F. and Carrie Pearl.
MR. OLIVER BALL, farmer, Ivesdale, is a native of Indiana, who mnoved from there to Illinois, and in 1868 located in Piatt county. He was married the same year, to Sarah A. Patton, and has had five children, four of whom are living, Marietta, Clara, Flora and Rufus. Mr. Ball went to the army from Indiana in 1862, in Co. K of the 86th reg., and returned in 1865, having participated in battles at Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville, Atlanta and Kenesaw Mountain.
MR. C. H. BRIDGES, merchant, Bement, is a native of Sangamnon county, Illinois, moved from there to Niantic, Macon county, thence to Sangamon county, then to Shelby county, finally locating in Bement in 1882. His father and uncles were among the first settlers in Sangamon county, as there was but one log store building in Spring- field when they moved there. Mr. Bridges has recently erected a frame store building 20×90 feet, which is the largest dry-goods room in Bement. He has been in the mercantile business for sixteen years, and still has a store in Moawequa. Mr. Bridges was married Decein- ber 4, 1862, to Miss Fannie A. Mathews, a native of Christian county, and has four children living, Joseph, Marshall, Montie and Myrtle.
MR. JAMES H. CAMP, Beinent, came from Ohio to Piatt county in 1855. He came for the purpose of putting up houses for Mr. Joseph Bodman for $1.50 a day. He was not out here long, however, until he received $3 per day. After putting up two houses and an office for Mr. Bodman, he went to Monticello, where he worked for a time and then returned to Bement. He remained in the carpenter business until 1873, when he went into a cabinet shop. He was in the army four years, but fortunately escaped all battles. The regiment came near being captured several times, but he escaped each time. Mr. Camp was married June 19, 1866, to Catharine Holm, of Marion, Ohio. They have three children living, Norman H., Jesse Jewel and Edwin.
MR. W.M. M. CAMP, hardware merchant, Bement, came from Ohio to Piatt county June 8, 1858. He was a carpenter at, that time and helped to build Mr. McDowell's hotel and several buildings north of it.
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He remained in Bement two years and then went south until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted at the first call for soldiers. He enlisted as private in Co. K of the 4tlı Ohio Inf., and became suc- cessively corporal, sergeant, orderly-sergeant, 2d lieutenant, 1st lieu- tenant, quarter-master and captain. The principal battles in whichi lie engaged were those of Fredricksburg, Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the siege of the wilderness. At Gettysburg he went out with 100 men in two companies at four o'clock in the evening. By nine o'clock only nineteen of the men were left, the rest having been killed or wounded. The brigade was called the "Gibralter Brigade." At Chancellorsville the men had camped for the night when the word came to prepare for fighting. In three minutes they were ready for work, and in less than fifteen minutes were fighting on the camping ground. Mr. Camp was injured May 10, 1864, while in the " wilder- ness." He was attempting to get a captured gun from the enemy's works when he had three of his ribs broken. He returned to Ohio and was mustered out of service in June, 1864. He was married in October, 1864, to Mary Ellen Peters. He came to Bement and bought out Mr. Jolin Hinkle's hardware store. After remaining alone in the business for four years, Mr. C. F. Tenney became his partner in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Camp have had the following children : Luella, Mary M., Emily A., Willianı, Frederick, Edgar W. and Edwin H. Mr. Camp is one of the leading members of the Presbyterian church of Bement. He has been an elder in the church since 1873. He was member of the board of trustees for four years, and was president of the board for two years.
MR. J. M. CAMP, Bement, was married in 1860, to Sarah M. Holm, who died leaving no children. He was married again in 1875, to Frances P. Kimber, and has two children, Courtland M. and Ringland W. Mr. Camp owns residence and lot in Bement and is in the grain business.
MR. CURTIS CAMP, grain merchant, Bement, is a native of Ohio. After moving to Michigan he finally located in 1874 in Bement. He spent three years in the late war. Mr. Camp was married in 1869, to Orissia Cole. They have no children of their own, but little Maud, their adopted child and Mrs. Camp's brother's daughter, makes their hearts glad.
MR. H. N. CAMP, hardware merchant, Bement, was born in Ohio, and moved from there direct to Illinois in . 1865, first locating on a farm two miles from Bement, then moved into town in 1870. He was
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
in the hardware business with Camp & Tenney for fourteen monthis, and then went into partnership with J. F. Knapp and has been so connected since. He owns his residence and twelve lots. He is a member of the Odd-Fellows lodge. Mr. Camp was married in 1881, to Miss Minnie Bodman, of Massachusetts.
MR. E. C. CAMP, Bement, is a native of New York, from which state he moved to Ohio, where his wife died, about 1863. He camne to Bement about 1865, and still resides here. His daughter Emily and the following sous are living in Beinent, J. M. Camp, James H., William M., C. H., Hanson and Henry N. Mr. Camp was married again, and one daughter, Belle, is the result of the union.
MR. W. G. CLOYD, attorney and county judge, Bement, is a native of Kentucky and "emigrated early" to Missouri. He moved from Missouri to Macon county, Illinois, in 1865, and in September, 1871,. located in Bement, where he says he soon "got so poor he could not get away." He studied law with John R. Eden, at Decatur, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1871, at which time he began prac- ticing law in Piatt county. He was elected county judge June 5, 1879, and again in 1882.
A loyal judge, and in no feeble sense ;
' The widows, orphans, each and all in anxious race, Are asking favors from kind Providence.
He favor; all and turns to each a smiling face.
MR. WILLIAM D. COFFIN, farmer, Bement, moved from Indiana to Piatt county about 1857. His father came out about that time, but died after three years had passed. Mr. Coffin was married in 1866, to Mary Holtz, a native of Indiana. Their children's names are Eva A., Homer and Horace, twins, and Emma A. Mr. Coffin has lived on the present home place in Bement township for about fourteen years. He went to the late war, was wounded twice, and lost the sight of one of his eyes. His health was also injured by exposure in the army.
MR. FRANK CORSER, station and baggage agent, Bement, is a native of New York, and moved from there to Piatt county and to Bement in 1866. He has lived in the county ever since. Mr. Corser was married in 1877, to Emma Hubbell, and has had two children, one of whom, Lulu, is living.
MR. J. B. COOPER, merchant, Bement, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Illinois in 1876. In 1877 he moved to Bemnent and went into partnership with W. A. Godwin, in the store building which Mr. Cooper now occupies. In 1878 Mr. A. Stockwell
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bought Mr. Godwin's interest and the firm became Cooper & Stock- well. . Mr. Stockwell, a native of Virginia, was for years a successful physician holding a diploma as an allopathist as well as a homœopathist. He was a surgeon in the late war. His death occurred in Bement, December 8, 1879. His wife retains his interest in the business with Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper married Miss Mary Stockwell in 1873 and has one daughter, Bessie. Miss Lucy Stockwell has been for two years a teacher in the public schools of Bement. Miss Flora Myers, an adopted member of Mrs. Stockwell's family, is now assisting in Cooper and Stockwell's store. Mr. Cooper was a soldier in the late war. He went out in 1864, in Co. E of the 130th O. V. I. and returned in 1865.
MR. D. S. COLE, boot and shoe merchant, is a native of New Jersey, from whichi state he moved to Illinois in 1856 and settled in McLean county. He moved to Monticello, Piatt county, in 1875, and about 1878 located in Bement. At present he owns a house and lot in the last named place and is a member of the Masonic lodge of Monticello. He was married in 1858, to Leanna Yeamons, and has had eight children, seven of whom are living. Thomas A. married Nellie Sollars and Hattie is the wife of John Gray and the mother of one child, Lelah. The names of the other children are James, Daniel, Ethyl, Joseph and Bertie:
MR. D. A. CORRELL, Bement, is a native of Ohio, and came to Illinois in 1868, when he was nine years old, and has been here ever since. He entered the army from Macon county in Co. E of 145th Ill. Vol. Inf., going first from Fayette county in Co. D of 68th reg., and was in the second Bull Run battle, but not as a soldier. He was hospital steward a part of the time, and remained longer than the regi- ment. At one time he had the pleasure of having the rebels take all the negro drivers from the ambulances. In 1870 Mr. Correll was married to Naomi Harshbarger; has had three children, two living, Laura M. and Wm. G.
MR. THOS. CONNOR, farmer, Bement, moved from Ireland to America in 1857. and to Piatt county in 1861. He was married in 1860, to Mar- garet Conoway, and lives in Bement township, where he owns 60 acres of land.
MR. PATRICK CAIN, farmer, Bement, is a native of Ireland, wlio came to America in 1856, and to Piatt county in 1871. He owns 80 acres of land, which he has improved himself. He was married in 1861, to Bridget Doyan.
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
MR. JOHN DEHART, farmer, Bement, is a native of Rockingham county, Virginia. When he was a year old his parents moved to Ohio. From that state he moved to Indiana, and about 1854 settled in Piatt county, Illinois. After living in Sangamon township until 1869, he moved to Bement, where he owns a house and four acres of land. Mr. Dehart was married in 1837, to Hannah Shomaker, a native of Ross county, Ohio. They have had nine children, two of whom are living. Eliza married Mr. Jessie Clouser, and Mary became the wife of Mr. Adam Spear, who lives on the farm where Mr. Dehart settled in Sangamon township.
MR. DAVID DAWSON, farmer, Bement, is a native of Delaware. He moved from his native state to Scott county, Illinois, and in 1854 set- tled near liis present farm in Bement township. He now owns 160 acres of land, which he has improved himself. It is all under cultiva- tion, is well hedged in 20 and 40-acre fields, and at least 150 trees are growing on it. A fine brick residence of eight rooms was erected in 1874. Mr. Dawson's first wife, Caroline, died, leaving six chil- dren. Of these, Belle married Jos. Medaris, and has two children; George married Emma Ragland, and lives in Bement; Clara is the wife of Geo. Ruby, of Martinsville; Zeb, Kate and Frank E. are at home. Mr. Dawson was married again, to Mrs. Hiram Madden, née Ella Holderman.
MR. EDMUND DAVIS, farmer, Bement, is a native of Shropshire, Eng- land. He came to America about 1841 and settled in Ohio. He went to California for a time, and finally, about 1854 or 1855, settled in Piatt county. He owns 320 acres of land in Bement township, which he entered and has improved. A good house has been built, hedges have been put out, and a good deal of ditching has been done. Mr. Davis has never married. A blind sister, Elizabeth Rose, lives in the county. His brother, William E. Davis, who lived adjoining him, died, but his family still lives there.
MR. ELI DRUM, editor of the "Bement Gazette," is a native of Ohio, and is of German descent. He moved from Ohio direct to Illinois in 1856, and located in Cerro Gordo township. He inoved into the town of Cerro Gordo in 1860, and was a druggist in the place for a number of years previous to moving to Bement in March, 1882. He served one term as assessor of the township, and was post-master at Cerro Gordo from 1874 to 1879. At present he is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 600. He was married in 1868, to Mary E. Stewart, a native of Connecticut, and has five children, Stewart M., F. Lilian,
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Arthur, Hattie and Bennie. In 1862 Mr. Druin went to the army in Co. K of the 107th Ill. Inf. reg., was in fifteen or twenty battles, the . principal of which are Franklin, Nashville and Resaca, and remained until 1865.
MR. THOMAS DUNN (deceased) was a native of Kentucky. He moved from his native state to Moultrie county, and from there, in 1859, to Piatt county. For a number of years, until his health failed, he was in the mercantile business in Bement. At the time of his death, January, 1879, he owned 160 acres of land in Piatt county, 200 acres in Moultrie county, besides a good deal of town property. He improved the 160 acres of land where his son Thomas now lives. At least 200 trees were planted on it. In 1843 the subject of our sketch married Catharine Freeman, a native of Tennessee. She is still living and is in Bement. They had ten children, five of whom are living. Their daughter Sarah died when a young lady. Mr. Thomas A. Dunn was married in 1867, to Jennie Meek, a native of Woodford county. They both received their education at Eureka
College, this state. , One child, Edith. brightens their life. Mr. Dann has taught school for seven years. For a time previous to the year 1877 he was in the mercantile business, but since that date has been living on the farm. While in Woodford county, he held town offices most of the time. Mr. Joel Dunn, a graduate of Eureka College, married Josie Smith. They have one son, Earnest. Mr. Dunn has taught school since his graduation, and at present is principal of the Lovington schools. Miss Bettie and her sister Geneva, graduates of the Bement high school, are both school teachers. Bettie gained a portion of her education at Eureka College, and at Valparaiso, Indiana. Anna, who was next in age to Bettie, married, in 1877, Mr. Thomas Sterling, a graduate of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington. Mr. Sterling was principal of the Bement school for a time, after which he studied law in Springfield, in which place he is now practicing. Mrs. Sterling died in 1881, leaving one child, Cloyd.
MR. GEORGE DAWSON, farmer, Bement, is a native of Delaware, from which state he moved to Scott county, Illinois, 1836. In 1868 he moved on to a farm in Bement township, and in 1882 moved into Beinent, where he owned five lots and has recently built a new six-room residence. He still owns a farm of 120 acres near Bement. He improved this place himself, putting up house and barn, building fences, and planting out some 200 trees. He was married in 1873, to Miss Kate Parks, a native of Illinois. Two of their three children,
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HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
Lucy and Charlie, are living. Mr. Dawson went to the army from Scott county, in Co. D of the 129tli reg., and was out from 1862 to 1865, taking part in the battles of Resaca, Peach-tree Creek, Atlanta, those of the campaign to the sea, and various other battles.
MR. M. E. DUELL, farmer, is a native of New York, and moved to Illinois in 1858, locating in Piatt county in 1859. He was married in 1865, to Hattie Minskey, and four of their six children are living, Nelson, Gertrude, Albert and Guy. He went to the army in August, 1862, in Co. D of the 72d Ill., and was out until 1865, having been slightly wounded at the siege of Vicksburg. Mr. Duell has taught school two terms in the township.
MR. THOMAS DONOHUE, farmer, Ivesdale, came from Ireland, his native country, to America in 1847, and in 1857 moved to Monticello, and has been in Piatt county ever since. He owns 200 acres of land, upon which he lias put all improvements, including the planting of near 200 trees, and the building of a good house and barn. Mr. Donohue was married May 14, 1850, to Nellie Donohue, of Buffalo. She died, leaving one son, who died of age. He next married another Nellie Donohue, who died, leaving three children, Cornelius F., Mat- thew and Julia. Mr. Donohue was married in 1881, to Kate Dimsey.
MISS P. A. DUNCAN, milliner and dress-maker, Bement, is a native of Paris, Edgar county, Illinois. Her mother was born in Kentucky, in 1801. and moved from Indiana to Illinois about 1834, moving to Piatt county about 1869. Mrs. Duncan was a pioneer settler of Indiana and Illinois, and up to the time of her death her memory, which was remarkably good, was rife with scenes of ler pioneer life. She died in Bement, December 18, 1881. Miss Duncan bought the milliner-shop in 1868, and has been in the same business ever since. For three years she had a partner, but since that time has been in business alone. She has lately built a residence of seven rooms on Main street, and uses a part for business room. She also owns a house and two lots in another part of town. Miss Duncan began with little, but business has made an increase since, so that all her property was made in Bement. She taught school two terms in the county.
MRS. A. E. DANIELS, tailoress, Bement, is a native of Virginia, who came to Monticello, Illinois, in 1875. From this place she moved to Bement, where she owns part of a town lot. Three of her four children live in Bement. Alice, the wife of Richard Cresse, lives in Iowa. May is the wife of Mr. Reinhart, and Della and Gertrude are at home.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
MR. A. C. DOUGLAS, druggist, Bement, is a native of Ohio, moved from there to Macon county, Illinois, in 1859, and to Piatt county in 1879, where he immediately opened a drug-store in Bement. He owns the store building, business room, over which is the liall, five lots and a residence. In 1861 he was married to M. E. Robertson, and has eight children, all living : Lulu J., who married Albert Godwin in 1881, Maggie O., Louis, Mollie R., Nancy May, William A., Mattie and George R. Mr. Douglas went to the army from Macon county in 1862, in Co. E, of the 115th Ill., and remained twenty-two months. He enlisted as private, was appointed hospital steward, and afterward made surgeon. Mr. Douglas is also a practicing physician, receiving his medical education at Cincinnati and Chicago, and graduating from the Rush Medical College. He has held no office, nor cares for any.
MR. J. C. EVANS, lumber merchant, Bement, is a native of Ken- tucky. He moved from his native state to Illinois in 1832, and about 1858 located on a farm two and a half miles from Bement. He moved into the town in 1870. Previons to this date, however, he went into the hardware business in Bement, and upon moving into town went into partnership with Mr. D. Vaughan in the lumber business. He owns 160 acres of land in Willow Branch township, which he has improved. He also owns two houses and four lots in Bement. His present residence was built in 1881. While living in Willow Branclı township he was justice of the peace, and has also been supervisor from Bement township. He was married in Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, to Mary E. Hopkins. Nine of their thirteen children are living. Their eldest son, William, is living in Bement. Charles married Jennie Miller, has an infant son, and lives in Bement. Dora, who was recently a student at Eureka, is now at home. The names of the other children are Ella, Oda, Albert, Dolly and Darling (twins), and Gracie.
MR. JAMES A. FORCE, Bement, was married in Charlemont, Mas- sachusetts, November, 1852, to Hannah W .. Booth. At the instigation of Mr. L. B. Wing they came to Illinois in 1855 direct from Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Force stopped in the northern part of the state for a time, and in January, 1856, reached Bement. She got off the train at what is now Bement, in the evening, and went to Monticello for supper. She boarded there a portion of the time until spring, when she went back to Kane county. After settling in Bement, Mrs. Force was counted as a scholar for three years in order that school money might be drawn. Mr. Force is a member of the I.O.O.F. lodge, and
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owns a house and two lots in Bement. Mr. and Mrs. Force have one son, Albert E.
MR. HUGH FISHER, farmer, Bement, moved from Green county to Piatt county about 1856, and settled near Bement. He owns 480 acres of land in Piatt county, and improved the farm he lives on. He has planted out two good-sized orchards and three small walnut groves, and about four years ago he built a good house and barn. He was married in Green county, to L. Jane Rollins, and has had ten children, all of whom are living. Emma, who married Robert Lamb, has three children, John, Rufus and James, and lives in Bement town- ship. Delia is the wife of Joseplı Zorger, of Bement township. William married Lettie Duell, and has one child, Ada, and lives on his father's place in Cerro Gordo township. He lias improved this place. The names of the other children are John Burgess, James, Effie, Charles, Katie, Minnie and Freddie. Mr. Fisher has served his share of time in such offices as trustee, school director and road com- missioner.
MR. CHARLES FISHER, grain and lumber merchant and banker, came to Bement, Piatt county, in 1858, and went into the grain and lumber business, the firm being then Scott & Fisher. About 1870 went into grain, lumber and banking with A. G. Gregory. Was one of the leading business men in Bement for a number of years. About 1875 he moved to Hutchinson, Kansas, and now lives in Newton, Kansas.
MR. JOHN FRY (deceased), farmer and carpenter, Bement, was born in Virginia; moved from there to Ohio, and thence to Piatt county about 1856. . He first made his home on the Savage farm, north- east of Monticello, and moved to Bement township about 1857. Mr. Fry improved the home farm of 160 acres ; built his house, barn, carpenter shop, and planted hedges. At one time he sold corn at five cents a bushel to pay a school board bill for his son in Monticello. Mr. Fry was first married in 1831, to Matilda Dore, who died in 1844. He was married again in 1847, to Margaret H. Conkle, who has one son, William Theodore, now in Colorado mining. Mr. Fry died October 31, 1861. Mrs. Fry still survives him. She owns the farm and a house and two lots in Bement.
MR. ROBERT FISHER, lawyer, Bement, is a native of New York ; moved from there to Illinois, and in 1869 to Piatt county. He located as a farmer, and the next year went into law and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He studied law under William P. Chase, who was after- ward made surrogate of Monroe county, New York, same as county
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judge here. Mr. Fisher has been village attorney for six years, and belongs to a masonic lodge in New York. He owns a house and lot in Bement, and was married in 1871 to Mrs. Ellis née Lou A. Miller, from Knox county, Ohio. She died in 1872, leaving one daughter, Etta M., now keeping house for Mr. Fisher.
MR. ELINU FISHER, farmer, Bement, is a native of Greene county, Illinois. He moved from that county to Piatt county in 1858 and located on 160 acres, a part of his present home farm of 320 acres. The farm is in good condition, an orchard, several hundred trees and three or four miles of hedge are on the place. Mr. Fisher and Lydia J. Rawlins were married in 1851. All of their ten children are living. Emily is the wife of Robert Lamb, Cordelia married Joseph Zorger, and William mar- ried Miss Duell. The names of the other children are John Burgess, James, Effie J., Charles P., Katie B., Minnie E. and Freddie. Mr. Fisher went to the Mexican war in Co. B of the 1st regiment, and was in the battle of Buena Vista.
MR. E. L. FARNSWORTH, carpenter and hotel-keeper, Bement, was born in 1827 in New York. He moved from there to Wisconsin in 1846, and thence to Illinois about 1862, coming to Bement in Septem- ber, 1871. He at once began wagon-making, at which he has worked inost of the time since. He keeps the hotel, which was the first in town, and was built by Mr. Townsend. Mr. Buckley, one hotel- keeper, was killed in the house in 1872. Mr. Farnsworth has been twice married : to Agnes Holland about 1850, and to Mrs. Robert Hunter née Miss T. J. Fletcher about 1864.
MR. JOSEPH FAHRNKOPF, farmer, Bement, is a native of Germany who came to America about 1852. In 1871 he located in Bement township, where he owns one hundred acres of land, which he has partly improved. The farm is in quite good condition, there being on it good hedges, a good orchard and quite a grove of maple trees. Mr. Fahrnkopf was married in 1858, to Anna Offenstein, who died leaving four children. Rudolf, who married Mary Bricker, has one daughter and lives at home. The names of the other children are Joseph, Henry and Annie. In 1877 Mr. Fahrnkopf married Mrs. Charles Young née Josephine Halder. Mr. Young died January 6, 1875, leaving six children, five of whom are living: Annie, the wife of Frank Fahrnkopf, Alfred, Frank and Mable.
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