USA > Illinois > Pike County > History of Pike County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons and biographies of representative citizens > Part 65
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Mr. Wills now resides on sec. 20, this tp., where he is exten- sively engaged in farming, owning about 820 acres of land. He has turned his attention, especially for the past 6 years, to the rais- ing and breeding of fine stock, such as Short-horn cattle, Cotswold sheep, Berkshire hogs and fancy fowls, selling and shipping them throughout the Western States. At present he has a herd of about 60 Short-horn cattle, all of which are thorough-bred, and some of them imported.
Mr. W. is a Director in the Pike County Agricultural Society, and one of its most active and enterprising members. He is also Director and Treasurer of the Pike County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. It has been in active operation during the past few years, meeting with a fair degree of success, not having cost the policy-holders over 15 cents on the $100 for a period of four years. He is also a Director in the First National Bank of Pittsfield, and in every public enterprise he takes a leading part. He is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' society of Pittsfield, and politically a Republican. As one of the leading citizens of Pike county, we present to our readers the portrait of Mr. Wills.
Barnett J. Willsey, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Pittsfield; was born in the State of New York in 1835; and is the son of Barnett Will- sey. In 1840 he was brought by his parents to this county, who settled on the present estate, now consisting of 240 acres, valued at $50 per acre. Here he has lived ever since, except that from 1854 to 1857 he was in California, in the mining business, in which he
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was successful. At his home his vocation has always been farming, and in this occupation has been prosperous, being now one of the most enterprising and substantial farmers in the community. He also deals in stock to some extent. The past year he erected a fine two-story frame house, with L; also a large frame barn, etc. The im- provements on this place are excelled by few, and the farm itself is in a most fertile district. In 1858 Mr. Willsey married Eliza Jane McClintock, a native of Indiana, and they have 3 children living,- Emily Alice, Charles L. and James O .; one child, Mary E., is de- ceased. We give Mr. Willsey's portrait in this volnme.
James G. Willsey. . The first of the Willsey family who came to this connty was a parent of the subject of this sketch. They were natives of New York and emigrated to Ohio in 1837, where they remained until 1840, when they joined the tide of emigration westward and found a location on sec. 34, Pittsfield tp. Their names were Barnett and Cornelia (Kizer) Willsey. Upon this section they established themselves, where Mr. Willsey lived until his death, which occurred in 1858. He was buried on the old home farm. His widow still resides at the old homestead. James G. was born in the State of New York, Feb. 28, 1830, and was therefore about 10 years of age when his parents came to this county. with whom he remained until about 1851, when he married Miss Melinda Rog- ers; she was born in Greene Co., Ill., in 1830, and was the daughter of David and Fannie Rogers, early settlers in Martinsburg tp. The former died in 1871; his wife two years afterward.
Immediately after James G. Willsey's marriage he settled on 40 acres of land which his father gave him, where he remained until 1854, when he selected and purchased the northwest quarter of sec. 34, Pittsfield tp., which is one of the most fertile sections in this county. At that time this land was in a perfectly wild state ; not an improvement of any kind had been placed upon it by the hand of man. It was a fine, rolling prairie, interspersed here and there with patches of scrub oak and hazel-brush. The first land culti- vated on this farm was in the summer of 1854, when Mr. W. em- ployed a man to break 40 acres, which he did with oxen. This he sowed in wheat that fall. The next season he planted this piece in corn, and broke another 40 acres for wheat. This land, as fast as broken, was surrounded with an eight-rail fence, Mr. W. hauling the rails for the same from the south part of Martinsburg tp., a distance of eight miles. In 1857 he erected a log cabin, on the north part of his farm, 16 feet square. It contained two rooms, one above and one below. Into this cabin he moved his family, and although rather tight quarters during the busiest seasons, found room and accommodations for as many as nine hired hands besides his own family. During the years 1868-9 the balance of the 160 acres was fenced and put under cultivation, with the exception of 50 acres which he has never plowed, but which he set aside for pasture for stock, there being several never-failing springs of pure water on this. Mr. W. ascribes much of his success in the raising
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of stock, especially hogs, to this pasture, and the fact of their always being able to procure pure spring water. He states that during the worst seasons of cholera, when hogs all around him were dying, he lost very few.
In 1860 Mr. W. built his present residence. It is a frame stru c ture, two storie's in height, the main part 18 by 32, L 14 by 28; it is one of the finest farm residences in the county. The out-build- ings are all of the modern construction and first-class in every way. Mr. W. has devoted much attention to floriculture, and has a fine greenhouse in addition to his residence, in which he has hundreds of choice plants, including exotics, etc. Take it all in all, the sur- roundings and improvements of this home farm render it one of the finest and most pleasant in the county.
Seventeen years ago he purchased the southwest quarter of sec. 27. It was partly improved, and he has brought it into a high state of cultivation. The winter of 1879-'80 he erected on this place a very fine residence, which in point of construction and modern conveniences is equaled by few. From the observatory on this dwelling one of the finest views of the surrounding country can be obtained, extending to the west, to Louisiana and Hannibal, a distance of 20 miles, and southeast to a distance of about 24 miles. Mr. W.'s only child and son, William Riley Willsey, who was born in July, 1853, now resides at this place.
As a relaxation from active business, to which he had applied himself with scarcely an intermission since he was a boy, in 1875 Mr. Willsey decided on making a visit to the Pacific slope to see the country and visit numerous relatives, also with some idea of locating there, if the golden shore should prove preferable to his old home. With the above objects in view, in company with his wife and son, he started on this trip, via the Union Pacific R. R. to San Francisco, where several days were agreeably spent in viewing the metropolis of California, when he departed by the steamer "J. L. Stephens " for Portland, Oregon, and from there to Oregon City, where he remained some ten days, and also visited the State Fair at Salem; then took passage up the Columbia river to Wallula, Washington Territory. This river he describes as fur- nishing the most beautiful scenery he ever beheld. From Wallula they took the cars to Walla Walla, where his sister, Mrs. Richard Wells, resided. At this place the party remained some four weeks, visiting and viewing different parts of the country, when they started on their journey homeward, via the Columbia to Portland, where they took the cars to Harrisburg ; they then traveled by rail to Roseburg, then to the northern terminus of the Oregon and Cali- fornia Railroad; from this place they were obliged to travel 270 miles to ĮReading. During this stage trip, which lasted six days and six nights, it rained continuously. On several oocasions the coach was mired down, taking much time and all hands to release it. The fatigue of this journey was so severe that a passenger, an old man, became temporarily insane. Our party, however, arrived
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
safely at Reading, where they took the railroad for San Francisco ; then took the U. P. R. R. for home, where they arrived about four months after they had left. They were thoroughly satisfied with the trip, and also satisfied that they found no better place than at the old. homestead in Pike. They traveled between 5,000 and 6,000 miles, 1,000 of which were on the Pacific Ocean.
Mr. Willsey's portrait will be found in this volume.
William B. Willsey, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Pittsfield; is the owner of 50 acres of land worth $50 per acre; is a native of this county and was born Aug. 24, 1851; was married in this county Aug. 9, 1870, to Miss Loese W. Hoyt, a native of Vermont, and who was born June 11, 1847. They are the parents of 3 children, namely,-Charles II., born May 26, 1571, Ora C., Jan. 2, 1873, and Eva M., Jan. 1. 1876.
William W. Willsey, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Pittsfield; is a son of Barnett and Caroline (Kizer) Willsey, natives of New York; is a native of this county, and was born in 1848. In 1868 he married Frances J. Robinson, also a native of Missouri, and was born in 1848. They have 3 children,-Perry A., Almira M. and Nancy C .; both Mr. and Mrs. W. belong to the Christian Church. Mr. W. owns 80 acres of land worth $60 per acre, and is a Democrat.
Conrad Winand, blacksmith; born in Germany in 1838; came to America in 1854 and settled in New York, where he remained 4 years; came to Pittsfield in 1859; married in this county in 1863 to Hannah Purset, a native of Pike county, born in 1848, and their 3 children are Lewis II., Franklin C. and Bertie E. In 1861 Mr. W. enlisted in Co. K, 2d Reg. Ill. Cav., and served 3 years; was in several hard-fought battles; had a horse shot from under him by a musket ball without injury to himself. He owns one lot with good dwelling and shop; is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Re- publican.
Isaac Winans, farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Pittsfield; was born in Essex, now Union Co., N. J., in 1829. Is a son of Jonas and Sarah (Stiles) Winans, of that State. The family came to this county in 1846, and settled south of Pittsfield, where his mother died in 1858. Ilis respected father lived until 1878. The subject of this sketch was married in 1851 to Miss Sarah Webster, a native of Massachusetts, by whom he has S children: Norman W., William M., John S., Isaac, jr .; Jonas L., Elmer R., Emma P. and Horace G. Mr. W. has a farm of 400 acres valued at $40 per acre, and is one of the enterprising men of Pike county, and a Republican.
Thomas Worthington, M. D., was born near Knoxville, Tenn., June 10, 1808, and is a lineal descendant of the Worthington and Calvert (or Baltimore) families of England and Maryland. His father having died soon after his return from service in the war of 1812, Dr. Worthington removed to Illinois at an early day, and soon afterward saw service in the Black Hawk war. He graduated at the Medical College of Cincinnati, O., and settled in Pittsfield for the practice of his profession, in 1835. His success as a phy-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
sician was very great. In the year 1837 he was married to Amelia J., youngest daughter of Col. Andrew K. Long, of Baltimore, Md. In addition to his professional duties, he has taken an active inter- est in politics, when questions of great public interest were involved, and twice represented his district in the State Senate. In this body he was an earnest advocate of the " two-mill tax," and his ex- ertions largely contributed to save the State from repudiation. From being a "Free-Soil Whig," he became one of the first and most earnest members of the Republican party in Illinois. To the support of its principles, and other causes in which he was inter- ested, he brought powers of eloquence and a breadth of information which have rarely been equaled in the State. Having by great industry accumulated a considerable property, he is enabled to spend the greater part of his time in the invigorating climate of the Rocky Mountains, and in the pursuit of the favorite study of his later years-geology. His investigations upon this subject have been conducted principally in the field, in almost all parts of the United States, and have been of especial value in reference to the " Glacial Period." He contemplates publishing their results in book form. Dr. Worthington has long ranked as one of the most intelligent, upright and respected citizens of his county and State.
Thomas Worthington, jr., a son of the above, was born in Spen- cer, Tenn., June S, 1850; graduated with distinction at Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., in 1873, and at the Union College of Law, Chicago, in 1877. He was admitted to the bar in September of the latter year, and is now practicing his profession in Pitts- field.
Edward Yates, attorney, Pittsfield, was born in Pike county, Sept. 21, 1846. He is a son of George and Maria (Hinman) Yates, the former a native of Kentucky, and born Jan. 17, 1807; he was the second son of Samuel Yates, a native of Virginia, who emi- grated in a very early day to Kentucky. George Yates, who was born in. Barren Co., Ky., in 1807, came to Illinois as early as 1823, and spent one year in Washington Co. From there he inoved to Morgan Co., settling near Naples, which is now in Scott Co. In the spring of 1833 he crossed the Illinois river into Pike Co. and settled on sec. 6, Griggsville tp., where he resided until his death, which occurred at Griggsville, Aug. 13, 1878. When at the age of 18 he started out in life to do for himself. He hired to a gentleman by the name of Thomas Smith for $8 per month, one-half in trade. He worked for 3 months, when he was taken sick. The elder Yates was one of those persons who made of life a success. He was charitable and liberal, yet accumulated considerable property, owning at one time about 1,300 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. His family of children, all of whom are respected for their enterprise, genial and social qualities, were a great comfort when in his declining years. He was a man of Christian integrity, high moral principle, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. He was plain and unostenta-
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tious in his manners, a kind neighbor, a loving father and a faith- ful friend. He was greatly missed and deeply mourned, not only by his family, but by a large circle of friends and neighbors. Especially was he missed by the little Church (Hinman's Chapel) of which he was a member and pillar. His funeral, which took place at this church, was largely attended. The sermon was de- livered by Elder J. P. Dimmitt, and his remains were laid at rest by the side of his wife, who preceded him to the spirit world about ten years.
The children of the elder Yates are, Nancy Catharine, now the wife of Jerome W. Rush, of Fairmount tp .; Wm. H. lives in Griggsville, and in company with his brother Monroe, owns the old homestead. Wm. H. is a Director in the Griggsville Bank; Emeline, the wife of J. W. Fisher, President of the Chil- licothe Savings Bank, and resides at Chillicothe, Mo .; Ellen M., now the wife of Jefferson Orr, Pittsfield. Martha F., who lives at the old homestead, and Edward, the subject of this sketch.
Edward Yates, whose name heads this sketch, attended the Mc- Kendree, Jacksonville and Quincy Colleges, receiving a collegiate education. He chose the legal profession for his life labor, and was admitted to the bar Dec. 29, 1869. He began practice with the late Hon. Jackson Grimshaw, at Quincy. In 1871 he moved to Trenton, Mo., where he practiced until January, 1875, when he returned to his native county and located at Pittsfield. He asso- ciated himself in his profession with Jefferson Orr, present State's attorney. As a criminal pleader and prosecutor Mr. Y., although a young man, has few superiors in Illinois. He is energetic, and possesses the happy faculty of making friends wherever he meets his fellow men.
Barnett I Willsay
PITTSFIELD TP
MARTINSBURG TOWNSHIP.
The surface of this township is generally rolling, and beautifully timbered. From the eminence of some of the knolls in the north- ern part a grand and magnificent view meets the eye from every quarter. For miles either way during the growing season the eye beholds verdant fields dotted over with fine farm residences, school- houses, etc. Before the hand of man had subdued these lands, and when the prairies and woodlands were in their virgin state, the scenery from these eminences must have been supremely charming. With its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, skirted by beautiful and refreshing groves that more definitely mark the boundaries, it must have presented to the eye of the lone traveler or new settler a scene most beautiful and sublimely grand. No doubt Fisher Petty, the first settler of the township, was attracted by the beauty of its scenery, the fine timber, and the high, rolling land and running water. These were important things to be con- sidered by the pioneer in making a selection for a home. When Messrs. Petty and Nicholson came here to look up a location, this land had not yet been offered for sale by Government. They were the very advance of the on-coming westward flight of civilization. Mr. Petty came in 1825 and located on sec. 15. As years passed, the groves received the in-coming settlers until about 1850, when all the timbered farms were being worked. About that time some of the more enterprising pushed out upon the prairies. It is not now remembered who was the first to be so adventurous.
Others of the early pilgrims to this locality were Joseph and Robert Goodin, Wm. Binns, Isaac Hoskins, Win. Butler and Rob- ert Richardson, most of whom were well-known in the early history of the county. Among the older settlers now living are Ira Bris- coe, Moses Conner, Mr. McClintock and others.
The first children born in the township were Wm. Ward and Nancy Shinn. The former went to Texas, where he met his death by hanging, in 1862. He was a loyal Union man, and because he would not join the rebel army, was hanged by a band of outlaws. The first marriage was that of George Williams to Miss Nancy Nicholson, Rev. David Hubbard officiating. The first preaching was done by elder John Garrison, of the Christian denomination, and the first sermon was at the house of Robert Goodin.
41
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
The preachers of the gospel soon sought out and found the pioneers in their new homes, as above mentioned. Nor were they long without the school-house and " master." The former was a rude log cabin, and the latter fully as rude, the refractory pupils thought, and not well versed in our more modern studies. Both school-house and master, however, were well adapted to the times and the then existing surroundings. The first school-building was erected on sec. 7, in 1827, and the first school taught by Mr. Morrow.
The first church structure was erected by the Presbyterians on sec. 18, in 1839. It was known as the Bethel Church.
The township contains two towns, five churches and eight school- houses. The system of education adopted by a majority of the schools of this township is up to the high standard of any part of the county. Of some of the leading teachers we speak in the de- partment of personal sketches given in connection with the his- tory of the township.
Six-Mile creek, with its small and numerous branches, traverses the western part of the township from north to south. There are several small creeks which water the eastern portion. The soil is underlaid with a heavy bed of limestone, and is better adapted to raising wheat and fruit than general farming.
VILLAGES.
Martinsburg .- During the speculative period, when towns sprung up all over the State, this village was ushered into exis- tence among the thousands of others. It was laid out by William Freeman and John Kingsbury, Ang. 24, 1836. It is located on secs. 22 and 27, and at present has a population of about 200. It contains one general store, a blacksmith shop, two churches, a school-house, etc. The churches are of the Christian and Baptist denominations, both of which have been founded for several years, and are in a prosperous condition.
New Hartford .- As a rival to Martinsburg, and at about the same time that that place was founded, this little village was laid ont. It is in the extreme northwestern corner of the township, and in the midst of a fertile and well-improved part of the county. It was founded by Isaac Hoskins, Abner Clark, John Shinn and Nathan Brown. The latter kept the first store, and Mr. Rathburn was the first blacksmith. The first postmaster was Wm. Grimes. It now has two stores, two cooper shops, a black- smith shop, a school-house, and two churches. There is one resi- dent physician. The place contains now about 100 inhabitants.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at New Hartford was organ- ized about 1840, by Rev. Mr. Troy, who was afterward thrown from a horse and killed. There were at first about 15 members. They erected a house of worship in 1850, which is still used by the Society. Services cach alternate Sunday, by Rev. Mr. Drake, Pastor. Present number of communicants about 75.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
The Christian Church at this place was first organized March 19, 1851, with the same number of souls that went into Noah's ark, by Elders James Burbridge and David Roberts. The society built a church in 1856. Since the organization there have been added to the congregation 116 males and 172 females. Present number of communicants, 100. Services each Sunday.
BIOGRAPHIES.
In justice to the pioneers, to those who have opened up and de- veloped this township, and those who have taken a prominent part in the history of this community, we give a department of per- sonal sketches as a portion of the history of the township.
Willard Andrews, deceased, was born in Massachusetts in 1813, the son of Alanson and Phoebe Andrews, natives of the Bay State; received a common-school education; in 1846 he married Cornelia Brockway, who was born in 1825 in New York State. Mr. An- drews came to this county in 1839, settling in Atlas tp., and came into this tp. in 1850. By trade he was a carpenter, but he also carried on farming, on sec. 6. He died Dec. 6, 1872, leaving a widow and children. The youngest son carries on the farm. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church. P. O., New Hartford.
A. F. Barnd, nurseryman, sec. 27; P. O., Martinsburg; was born in Perry county, O., in 1815, and is a son of Christian and Mary Barnd; was educated in the common schools, and in the spring of 1847 emigrated to this State, locating in McLean county, where he resided until 1861; he then came to Pike county, settling in this township, where he practiced medicine a number of years; he has now been in the nursery business for about 10 years. He has a fine nursery, comprising all varieties of fruit trees and plants. The Doctor also still attends to professional calls to some extent.
A. M. Bradburn, farmer, was born in Ohio, Nov. 1, 1827, and is a son of Mark and Mary (Keatley) Bradburn, natives of Ohio; was educated in the commnon schools of Ohio; in 1853 he married Emily Jameson, and all their eight children are living; one daugh- ter is inarried. David N. is a teacher. Mr. Bradburn came to Pike county in 1864. In Missouri he was in the "Shirt-tail" militia, and he lost money while in that State. He has made all he has by hard work since he married, now owning 132 acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat. P. O., Pittsfield.
Ira Briscoe, farmer, sec. 28, where he owns 240 acres of land; P. ()., Martinsburg; was born in Washington county, Ky., in 1798, the son of Edward and Peggy Briscoe; his father was born in Vir- ginia, and his mother in Ireland; he received his education in the subscription schools which were kept in log school-houses in pioneer times in Kentucky, with greased-paper windows, mud-and- stick chimneys, etc. In 1818 he married. Miss Polly Crump, who was born in Virginia in 1799; in 1834 he came to Pike county,
-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
settling on the place where he now lives; he has been a farmer all his life, but is now living in retirement. P. O., Martinsburg.
Jasper Brok ww, agriculturist, sec. 17; was born in Somerset county, N. J., Aug. 12, 1828, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah Brokaw, deceased; he worked with his father in the wood-yard until 18 years of age; came to Eastern Illinois with his parents in 1844, and in 1851 located in Pike county, and this year also he married Miss Martha Maroon, daughter of Wm. Maroon, deceased, and they had 6 children, namely, William, George, John, Sarah, Martha and Charley. Mrs. B. died in March, 1863, and Mr. B. the next year married Mrs. Amelia Toothaker, and they have had 6 children: Liona, Priscilla, Albert, Ehner, Cora A. and Eva V. Mr. B. is a farmer, making wheat-raising a specialty. His brother, Uriah, served over a year in the late war, where he lost his life.
John L. Connon, deceasel, was born in Pittsfield tp., this county, March 31, 1834, and was the son of Ephraim and Dorothy Cannon, dec .; was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. Nov. 9, 1854, he married Margaret A. Goodin, daugh- ter of Hardin Goodin, of Martinsburg tp., and their 4 children were Charles E., Sarah E., William H. and Henry O. Mr. C. was a respected member of the Christian Church for 18 years previous to his death, which occurred at Hot Springs, Ark., Nov. 5, 1877. Hle was a valuable member of society and a kind husband and father; he was a good-natured man, and patient; during his last illness he suffered untold misery and pain, yet he bore it all with Christian fortitude and patience.
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