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 56
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
MR. J. M. WHITE, farmer, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1817. His father, who served in the war of 1812, was born and raised in Virginia, and his mother was a native of Pennsylvania. He is of Scotch and German descent, and is the only surviving child of his father's family. He was married in 1843, to Jane Huffman, wlio after-
593
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ward died, leaving two children, Ophelia J., wife of Thomas Moffitt, and Frank, who went to the army from Ohio, and was married in 1867, to Mary Curl, and is now living in Sangamon township, the father of two boys, Harry and Frank. Mr. J. M. White was again married in 1849, in Pickaway county, Ohio, to Miss Rebecca Williams, a native of that county, and a sister to Mr. Isaac Williams. Their five children are all living : one, Vincent, is mining in Colorado; Benjamin, who married Sallie Seymour, lives in Sangamon township and has three children, Edwin G., Bennie Renick and Bessie; Sadie W., who was educated at St. Mary's, is the wife of Horace Calef; John M. and Mary, who attended school at Sisters of Notre Dame, are both living at home. Mr. White came to this county in 1864, and bought his present home farm of 307 acres, near White Heath, of Aaron and Sylvester Sprague. Game was still very abundant, and many incidents are related of hunting foxes, wolves, shooting chickens, snipe and other wild game. Mr. White relates a rather amusing incident of fox hunting in company with Henry Harris and Mr. Seymour. They scared a fox into a hole and Mr. White followed in pursuit. After coming to first one skunk and then another, he came to the object of his search, and succeeded in cutting off the fox's tail. The fox, how- ever, escaped without further injury, and was known for years as the " bob-tailed fox of Sangamon."
MR. CASPER WACK (deceased) was born June 13, 1812, in New Jersey. He moved from his native state to Fulton county about 1839. From that county he came to Piatt county in 1868. Mr. Wack was quite a public-spirited man and did a great deal to improve his portion of the township. He was a carpenter and put up his own buildings on his place. There are 160 acres in the home-place now, and it is all under cultivation. There are a good many forest trees planted on the place and the fruit is abundant. Mr. Wack was married in Virginia, to Mary Jane Linabery. Of their children, William G. married Emily Sherman, in Henderson county ; they have three children, W. G. and Casper and Isabella (twins), and live in Blue Ridge township; Sarah Ann, who was the wife of Mr. B. Metcalf, died, leaving three children, Letitia, the wife of Olonzo Love, Kate and Anna ; Jacob Wack married Harriet Easterday ; he died in 1880, leaving liis wife and two children ; Caroline died when twenty-eight years old ; Abigail is the wife of John Davis, of Blue Ridge township, and has four children, Jesse, Mary, Margaret and William ; George L. Wack married Letitia Ashley and lives on the home-place ; Casper married
594
HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
Lizzie Ashby, has two children, Garrett J. and Wallace, and lives in Blue Ridge township ; Francis is living in Mansfield. Mr. Casper Wack, the subject of our sketch, was married in 1858, to L. Ann Wyckoff, who survives her husband and is living on the farm. Mr. Wack died March 21, 1881.
MR. HARRISON WOLF, farmer, White Heath, was born in Ohio. His father was from Pennsylvania and his mother from Virginia. He moved from his native state direct to Piatt county in 1851, and settled about one mile from where he now lives. He owns about 230 acres of land, and has resided on his present home farm for nine years. He was married in Ohio, to Catharine Esrey, who died leaving one child, Sarah, who is now the wife of Mr. Tho. Marvin. Mr. Wolf took for his second wife Anna Heath née Porter ; she, too, died, leaving three children. Of these, James, a soldier in the late war, married Rachel Wrench, has one son, James Edward, and makes his home witlı his father ; Taylor married Louisa Wrench, lives in Sangamon township, and has five children, Irwin, Anna Mary, Iowa May, Lizzie and Rachel ; John C., who has been in the county ever since he was two years old, was married in 1874, to Augusta McAfee, and has one son, William Howard.
MR. HENRY C. WILSON, farmer, Monticello, is a native of Olio. He moved from there to Piatt county, Illinois, in 1866. He married Gettis Bowdre, and has three children. He went to the late war from Ohio and was out three years. He was in the second battle of Bull's Run, at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville and was in Libby prison for six weeks. For the first week or two in prison he had nothing to eat each day except a piece of corn bread about the size of a hand. For the rest of the time he liad a smaller piece of bread and some soup made from mule meat. He remarked that he "had to hold his nose while eating the soup." A great many of the prisoners had scrofula terribly. He was paroled and sent back to his regiment. He was wounded at Gettysburg and was sent to the West Philadelphia Pennsyl- vania hospital. He was shot with an ounce ball, which passed between the fourth and fifth rib on the left side, through the body and out at the side of the backbone. In October, 1861, he took down with typhoid fever at Fairfax, Virginia, and did not know anything until April, 1862. He was reported dead at home and at his regiment, but, though when recovered he was reduced from one hundred and fifty to ninety pounds weight, he went on and served his time out.
595
BLUE RIDGE TOWNSHIP.
MR. W. H. ZUMWALT, farmer, Farmer City, is a native of Indiana, from which state he moved to Iroquois county, Illinois. He came to Piatt county in 1879, and is now living on Mr. D. Roberts' place. He was married in 1864, to Mary Little, and has had five children, four of whom are living, Hattie P., Jolin C., Joseph M. and George L. He went to the army from Iroquois county in Co. F of the 25th Ill. reg., and was in battles at Pea Ridge, Corinthi, Stone River and Chicka- mauga. He was wounded at the latter place and now receives a pension.
CHAPTER XXV.
BLUE RIDGE TOWNSHIP.
T HIS township lies in the extreme northern part of the county, and thoughi not containing the amount of timber some of the other townships have, it has a fine location and contains a large amount of rich tillable land. It received its name probably from the fact that a ridge, which in the distance looks blue, extends in the northern and northeastern part of the township. The land in the eastern part drains into Madden's Run, that of the southern part into Goose creek, while Salt creek receives the drainage of the northwestern part of the township.
This township has a great number of artificial groves of trees, whiclı are of great use, and add much beauty to the general appearance of the land. The efforts of the citizens in preparing these groves are certainly praiseworthy.
. Two railroads pass through this township. The Chicago division of the Wabash enters the township about four miles west of the south- west corner of the township, passes toward the northwest and leaves the township about one mile west of its north west corner. The Indian- apolis, Bloomington & Western road crosses the eastern boundary line about two miles north of the southeastern corner of the township, extends northwest and leaves the township a little above the middle of its western boundary line. These roads intersect at the town of Mansfield.
Early settlement .- We could not obtain a great deal of informa- tion in regard to the first settlement of the township. First settlements,
596
HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
however, were made long after those in Monticello township. Among the names of the early settlers, we can mention Wm. Pierce, Richard Webb, Jacob Denning, Joseph Aikens, Noah Coffman, Squire Gilles- pie, LaFayette Cox, James Watson, Mr. Keenan, the Thomas brothers, and Mr. Littleton, besides several others. It is reported to us that Mr. Wm. Pierce began the improvements near Gardner Switch, and that the farin-house near said station is the first house of the township. Isaac Thomas reported that Dulsina Webb, who died about 1850, was the first one who died in the neighborhood of Gardner Switch. The first birth was probably Mary Watson. The first election was held at Stringtown school-house, the first one of the township, and as late as 1858, when the men went to vote they carried stakes to fasten their horses to. The first election after the township organization was held on the Littleton place. The first preaching at the Stringtown school- house was by Minor Chew, while Messrs. Crandall and Stoddard were latter ministers.
Mansfield .- Gen. J. L. Mansfield moved, in 1870, to his farm upon which he laid out the town, which was named in his honor. This gentleman did a very great deal in the way of donations and in using his influence for the advancement of the town. His death was much lamented, and the growth of the town was thereby retarded.
The first birth in the place was that of Josephine Ruch, a daughter of Uriah Ruch. Dr. J. J. Tremble was the first physician, and Dr. Scott came not long after him. The first Sunday school was held October 16, 1870, in Gen. Mansfield's dining-room. After this the Sunday school was held in the depot. In 1871 Mr. Bailey built and opened the first store of the town. Sam'l Alexander opened the second store in 1873. This store was owned by Alexander, Taylor & Co.
Churches .- It was probably through the influence of Mrs Mans- field more than that of any one else that the Episcopal church was erected about 1873 or 1874. 'Tis a neat little chapel, and a credit to the town. In 1870 a minister was obtained from Champaign, and since that time missionary ministers have been employed. Albert E. Wells was the first minister.
The Methodist church was the next one erected, and Horatio S. Beavis was reported as the first Methodist minister of the town.
The United Brethren next began a church building, but about 1879 the Presbyterians bought them out and finished the building in 1880.
The I.O.O.F. lodge was organized in September, 1875, and the
597
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
first meeting was held in the George Harver building. Jno. Bur- ford, T. C. Wrench, Jas. H. Frieze, W. H. French, James Wolf, Levi Wolf and L. Clouser were charter members. The recent place of meeting has been over F. H. Ross' store; there are fifty-eight members, and the society is doing good in helping the poor.
Mansfield to-day is a growing town of over 400 inhabitants, has a good location, and is destined to become quite a town. It contains over a dozen business firms, and several new business houses have been recently erected. Mansfield has the neatest post-office in the county.
Lindsay chapel, in the northern part of Blue Ridge township, was built about 1877. Mr. Wmn. Lindsey donated the land and some money for the building.
Stations .-- Blue Ridge and Van Meter stations are situated above Mansfield, on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad. Both are shipping points for grain. The former station was established in 1877 and the post-office soon after. About 500,000 bushels of grain were shipped from Blue Ridge last year. Van Meter station was named for the Van Meter family.
Gardner station is on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad, and is another good shipping point.
CHAPTER XXVI.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
M R. HIRAM AMES, farmer, Farmer City, is a native of Ver- mont. He moved from that state to Ohio, and from there to Illinois about 1865. In 1870 he settled on his present home-place. He owns 400 acres of land, 360 acres of which lie in Piatt county. The dwelling house is just over the line in De Witt county. He has improved all of the farm which is in Piatt county. Some hedging has been done, 100 trees have been planted, and some open ditches have been made. Mr. Ames was married in Ohio, to Diana Hillbrant, who died, leaving two children: the daughter lives in Farmer City, while the son is in Nebraska. In 1876 Mr. Ames made Elizabeth Tull his second wife.
37
598
HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
MR. D. L. ATHEY, farmer, Farmer City, is of German descent, and was born in Virginia. He moved from there to Piatt county in 1857, and built the second house on Blue Ridge, the Lindsey place, now owned by W. D. Fairbanks & Co. From there he moved to near Farmer City in 1868. His great-grandfather was in the revolutionary war, and his grandfather was in the war of 1812. His father was tlie first township collector of Blue Ridge township. Mr. Athey has eleven children living : Alice is the wife of I. C. Roberts, lives in Louisburg, Kansas, has one child ; H. B. married Ella Green, of Mun- cie, Indiana, lives in Mansfield, and has one daughter, Georgia G. He is a lumber merchant, was member of town board for two years, and elected township collector for one term. He is a member of I.O.O.F. and Knights of Pythias, both of Farmer City. He has a library of at least 100 volumes ; the names of the other children are Frances V., John B., W. C., Sarah, Addy, Louisa, Amy, Geo. B. and Louis.
MR. WM. T. BOWMAN, farmer, Mansfield, is a native of Ohio, from which state he moved to Illinois, stopping in Indiana over winter, and reached Piatt county in 1850. He owns 272 acres of land, part of which lies in Blue Ridge township. Upon this place he has put most of the improvements, including the planting of trees and the making of both tile and open ditches. He was married about 1848, in Ohio, to Sarah Ruckinan, who died in 1880. They had eight children, five of whom are living. Of these, Mary E. is the wife of Charles W. Skeels, of Blue Ridge township, and mother of six children, Laura, Roscoe, Janie, Harry, Alonzo and Thomas. Ancel F. married Jane McMillian and has two children, Bertha and Earnest. The names of the other children are Alonzo, Ella V. and Thomas. Three of Mr. Bowman's children were born at one birth and died at the ages of ten, fifteen and twenty-five days.
MR. GRIFFEN N. BRUFFETT, carpenter and builder, Mansfield, was born in Madison county, Ohio, and moved from there in 1851 to Piatt county, Monticello township, and has since lived in that county except a few months. He now lives in Mansfield, where he expects soon to build a residence. His sons are with a company of carpenters who work in town and in the country. Mr. Bruffett was married in October, 1842, to Susan Freeman, who died in Monticello in 1853, leaving four children. Elam W. married L. M. Anders and lives in Monticello, where his wife has a millinery store. Mr. Elam Bruffet was born September 30, 1846. He was in the late war, enlisting in 1861, when he lacked six days of being fifteen years old. He enlisted
1
-
599
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in Co. D, 3d reg. Cav. Mo. Vols., John H. Reed, captain, and served until December 16, 1864. He re-enlisted March 10, 1865, in Co. B, 7th reg. Cav. Ill. Vols., Stephen A. Forbes, captain, and was mus- tered out November 17th, 1865, the war being ended. He was never wounded or taken prisoner. Ellen married Charles Ramey, lives in Bloomington, and has two children. Daniel married Betty Wright in Jasper county, Missouri, and has four children. Jacob married Susan Wright in the same county and has one child. Mr. Bruffett married for his second wife Julia Bowman and has three children, Milton, Reuben and Grace, all living at home. . Mr. Bruffett went to the army. August 11, 1862, as first lieutenant of Co. E, 107th Ill. Vols. They first captured Morgan, then marched over the Cumberland mountains under Gen. Burnside, landed and captured Loudon, Tennessee, September 2, 1863. They had an engagement with Longstreet's forces in November at Huff's Ferry, another engagement at Campbell Station. At the siege of Knoxville, which lasted two months, they . had scarcely clothes or rations. He was also in the battles of Resaca, Grapevine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, where so many men were lost, and Atlanta and others. They then turned back to Nashville, which was the last fight his regiment had. He was neither wounded or taken prisoner, but had his hat shot and clothes cut.
MR. A. J. BUCHANAN, wagon-maker, Mansfield, is a native of New York and of Scotch descent. He moved from New York to Illinois in 1866 and to Piatt county in 1872, at which time he settled in Mansfield and has been here ever since. He was married in 1857, to Angelina Cappis, who died, leaving three children, Sarah,' Wilbur and Leota. He was married again in 1872, to Mrs. Alice Jones, who had one daughter, Clara, the wife of Mr. Williams, of Mansfield. Mr. Buchanan has been supervisor of Sangamon township, having lived at Centerville when he first came to the county, village trustee for three years and village treasurer for one year. His father was in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, when in the revolutionary war, was captured by the English and swam from an English vessel three miles to the shore.
MR. JOHN BARNHART, farmer, Mansfield, was born in Virginia. He moved to Woodford county, Illinois, in 1856, and after nine years settled in Champaign county. He inoved across the line into Piatt * county in February, 1876. He owns 112 acres of land, upon which he has put all the improvement. He has planted out about 350 trees and.
600
HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
in 1876 built a house. He was married in February, 1851, to Artemecia H. Hurst, a native of Shelby county, Tennessee. They have had ten sons, eight of whom are living. Walton C. married Lizzie Hannah, has two children and lives in Champaign county. Henry J. married Mary Bartlett and lives in Piatt county. William R. married Betty Thomas and lives in Champaign county. Elias P. married Martha Maxwell and lives in Piatt county. John D., Miles G., George E. and Joseph H. are living at home. Mr. Barnhart is a minister in the German Baptist church and preaches in Piatt, Ford and Champaign counties. He is a member of the board of the Brethren's Orphans' Home, situated near Cerro Gordo.
MR. GEORGE CLOUSER, farmer, Mansfield, was born in Ohio in 1802. He moved from his native state to Illinois about 1851, and set- tled in the northeastern part of Sangamon township, in Piatt county. He and his family lived there until they moved into their present home in Blue ridge township. He bought about 400 acres in the original farm, and entered about 200 acres. The home-place now contains about 200 acres. He improved the place lie now lives on. Mr. Clouser was united in marriage to Hannah Coyner, in 1827. She is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1807. They had eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are living. Their son, David, took as his first wife Eliza Parrott, who died, leaving four children, Hannah F., Albert, Jesse and Annic. He next married Elizabeth Toy, and has one child, Beecher. Nelson Clouser went to California before he was twenty years old, married Jemima Norris, and remained seventeen years, but now has eleven children, and lives in Sangamon county : Jemima be- came the wife of Allen Parrott, has seven children, and lives in Cham- paign county ; Jesse Clouser was first married to Ann Boyer, who died, leaving one daughter, Laura, who married Frank Pittman. Mr. Clouser next married Eliza Dehart, and has the following named chil- dren : Ella, Emma, the wife of Jackson Caldwell, Jennie, Alta, May, Emerson, Roy, and an infant. He is now living on his father's old place. John Clouser married Jane Beckett, has two children, and is a physician in Farmer City ; George, who was in the late war, married Maggie Crockett, and is now a real estate agent in Kansas City ; Ly- sander Clouser married Sally Haines, has one son, Willie, and is a stock shipper in Mansfield ; Sarah E. was united in marriage August 28, 1862, to Louis Lanum, a native of Ohio. They have lived in the county ever since 1862, and now have four children, Ida Alma, Mary . Leota, Wilbur F. and Louis V., and live on the home-place with Mr.
601
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and Mrs. Clouser. Jennie and Samuel Reid attended Mr. Lanun and Sarah at their wedding. Those present were very much surprised to see the attendants step forward and be united in marriage (see Mr. Reid's name).
MR. SAMUEL CLOUSER, stock shipper, Mansfield, is a native of Ohio, and came with his father to this county. He moved into Mansfield about 1873, and began stock trading then, and is the only stock ship- per located in Mansfield. He ships principally to eastern markets, the poultry alone amounting to $3,000. Mr. Clouser was married in 1866, to Sarah Haynes, a native of Ohio, and has one son, William Martin. Mr. Clouser is a trustee of the village, and owns his resi- dence, which was built in 1878, and two lots.
MR. LAFAYETTE Cox, farmer, Farmer City, was born in Indiana in 1824. His mother, née Lucinda Sherrill, born in 1800, is living with Mr. Cox. Her people were among the early settlers of Kentucky, and she has been in this county twenty-four years. . Mr. Cox moved from Indiana to Piatt county in 1855, settled on his present home-place, and entered one-half a section of land. He now owns a farm of 480 acres, which is well improved and which has a public road all around it. It is one of the nicest appearing farms in the county. Several groves of trees, about twenty acres, have been planted, and add very much to the appearance of the place. A good-sized and neat looking frame house has been erected, which, with other improvements, impresses one with the idea that this is a genuine home. In 1854 this land, in con- nection with other land, was entered by James M. and Louis Blasdel, Mr. H. Jackson and Mr. Cox, at fifty cents an acre. Fifty dollars an acre would come nearer the worth of the land at the present time. Mr. Cox was married in 1845, to Melissa Blasdel, a native of Indiana. Nine of their thirteen children are living : Nannie M. married Will- iam Shanklin, has four children, and lives in Santa Barbara county, California. Mr. Shanklin was in the late war, and moved to California about eighteen years ago; Thomas William married Sebra Smith, of Indiana, has four children, and lives in Champaign county ; Mary L., was the first wife of J. Richard Robinson. Mr. Robinson next mar- ried Mary A. Mote, and lives in Blue Ridge township ; Eleanor J., the wife of Major Blasdel, a soldier in the army, lias four children, Ora, Ira, Leo and an infant, and lives in Blue Ridge township ; Jolın J. is living at home; Bettie E. married Asa Smith (see his name) ; Frank H. and wife, née Luella Carr, live in Blue Ridge township ; Linnie May is the wife of Ralphı Smith, of the same township ; Lou A., Adelia
602
HISTORY OF PIATT COUNTY.
F. and Emma O. are still at home. Mr. Cox has an interesting and a happy home. The inmates cheerfully perform home duties, and at the same time have a characteristic way of showing hospitality to strangers.
MR. JOHN CAMPBELL, farmer, Farmer City, is a native of Ohio. He moved to Logan county in 1866, and in 1874 he bought a farm of over two hundred acres, which has been his home for the last two years. The place was partially improved when bought, but he has made some improvements and anticipates making more. The place is hedged all around, and about four hundred and forty trees have been planted. Near fifteen thousand tile, about the first in that part of the township, were shipped from Indiana and put into the farm. Mr. Campbell has not yet succumbed to the wiles of Cupid. At the present time Mr. Samuel Dimm, wife and sons, Frank P. and Simon, are living on the place. In December, 1880, Frank Dimm returned from Nebraska in a wagon. He was twenty days on the road, suffering some hardships because of the extreme cold weather. He met his parents in this county, and immediately began to make a home for them. Simon has been teaching since coming to the county.
REV. M. CREWS, Mansfield, is a native of Lauderdale county, Mis- sissippi ; moved from there to Alabama about 1858, thence to Illinois in 1872, locating in McLean county, and in 1878 came to Piatt county and settled on the place where he now lives, near Van Meter Switch. He received his theological education at Greensborough, Alabama; was licensed to preach in 1860, and ordained deacon in 1868. He preached in southern Illinois before going to Heyworth, Mc Lean county. At present he has two appointments, one in Mansfield, the other at Wesley Chapel, which was completed in the fall of 1878, and was built by subscription. Mr. Crews belongs to the Southern Metli- odist church. On March 7, 1882, his friends made a purse of $100 in gold, invited him down to supper, when it was presented to him by the banker. Mr. Crews has a congregation of twenty members belonging to the Southern Methodist Episcopal church. By request he preaches sometimes in the Presbyterian church. While in McLean county he was tax collector for two years. Mr. Crews was married December 24, 1878, to A. R. Van Meter. The Van Meter ancestors came over in some of the vessels which brought the Stuyvesants of New York.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.