History of Sangamon 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 159

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon 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 159

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).

Colburn & Smith were the first merchants in the village, and opened a general stock of mer- chandise in 1858. Other firms have commenced business, flourished for a time, and passed away.

POST OFFICE.

A post office was established about half a mile northeast of the village in 1839, known as Lick Creek post office. John Johnson was the first postmaster, and carried the mail from Spring- field. In 1856, the office was changed to Loami, and removed to the village. William Colburn succeeded Mr. Johnson, and served until his death in 1869. W. S. Colburn then received the appointment. Subsequently J. W. Wood was appointed, and was succeeded by Joseph Jones, June, 1878.

CHURCHIES.

The religious element of the place is repre- sented by one church, the Methodist Episcopal, which was organized and known as the Sulphur Springs Methodist Episcopal Church.

COLBURN'S MILL.

The most noted institution in the place is Col- burn's Mill. The first mill was erected by Ebenezer and William Colburn, in 1836. It had two runs of stone and was regarded as an excel- lent mill, and a great improvement on the old horse-mill that had served the purpose of the neighborhood for many years. This mill was burned and another erected on or near the same spot; this met with like fate. Another was im- mediately rebuilt, and strange to say, it too was burnt. Phoenix-like the fourth one arose from its ashes, the present structure, which was erected in 1873. This mill is provided with modern im- proved machinery, and has two runs of stone with a capacity of fifty barrels in a twenty-four hours' run. No mill in the county has probably had a better run of custom than the Loami Mill, its reputation has always been maintained.

RAILROAD.

The village of Loami was without railroad communication until the summer of 1881, when the St. Louis, Jerseyville & Springfield Railroad

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

was completed to the place. The advent of the cars was celebrated by the citizens in a public and very becoming manner.

MASONIC.

Loami Lodge, No. 450, A. F. and A. M., was organized October 4, 1865, with the following named charter members: James E. Dodds, E. D. Sanborn, H. S. Coley, J. M. Turpin, James A. Jacobs, A. M. Browning, Daniel Kinney, J. L. Short, R. R. Roberts, Charles Dodds. The first elective officers were: J. E. Dodds, W. M .; J. D. Sanborn, S. W .; W. E. Joy, J. W. The following named have served as W. M .: J. D. Sanborn, H. S. Coley, J. Jones, S. P. Colburn, Thomas Jarrett, David Van Deren. The Lodge is now in a flourishing condition, with forty- three members, and the following named officers: Joseph Jones, W. M .; W. E. Joy, S. W .; J. C. Stansbury, J. W .; L. O. Coleburn, Secretary; R E. Short, Treasurer; David Staley, S. D .; R. D. Campbell, J. D .; J. B. Davis, Tyler.

Jesse Brown, was born in Eaton, Madison county, New York, February 2, 1804, on a farm where he lived with his father until twenty-three years of age. He then married Miss Rhoda Barber, August 16, 1827, who was born in Eaton township, New York, November 28, 1803. She was a daughter of Eliel Barber, born in Massa- chusetts, who was in the War of 1812, and a member of the Congregational Church; he died May 13, 1838. His wife, Sophia Ellis, was also born in Massachusetts, and a member of the Congregational Church. She was the mother of nine children. The following are living: Eliel Barber, Jr .; Sophia Davis, Marriette Morton, Samuel D. and Rhoda. Mrs. Barber died in 1848. After Mr. Brown was married he farmed in Eaton, New York, until May, 1851, when he came to Illinois, and bought two hundred acres of land in section thirty-three, where he now re- sides. His father, Peleg Brown, was born in Massachusetts. He was in the War of 1812, and died September 20, 1840. His first wife, Han- nah Mason, was born in New York; was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and the mother of five children; one living-the subject of this sketch. She died July 22, 1814. Her husband then married Martha A. Hewes, also born in New York, and a member of the Con- gregational Church. She was the mother of nine children, five living, viz: James, George, Samuel, Sarah Wilcox and Willis. She died in February, 1876.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had nine children, five living, viz: Peleg, Morrison, Mary Holmes,

Daniel and Louisa. Mason and Daniel enlisted in Company B, Thirtieth Illinois Infantry Vol- unteers, in the late Rebellion. Mason contracted a fever at the battle of Fort Donelson, of which he died June 6, 1862. Daniel was wounded in a skirmish at Big Shanty. Ile returned to his company soon after, and was mustered out at the close of the war. Mr. Brown has a farm of two hundred acres, all under good cultivation and well stocked. In politics he is a Republi- can, and a strong supporter of that cause; cast his first vote for John Quincy Adams for Presi- dent.

Addison M. Browning, M. D., was born in Clark county, Kentucky, April 13, 1821, on a farm, where he remained until fifteen years of age; he then went to Lexington, Kentucky, and attended school and medical college. He grad- uated at the medical department of the Transyl- vania University in March, 1842, then came to Illinois and practiced medicine in Old Berlin seven years; was a partner of J. H. Gibson; he then came to Loami, where he still practices. Ile was married to Miss Mary J. Starr, July 2, 1851, who died the same year. James Brown- ing, the father of Doctor Browning, was born in Culpeper, Virginia, and was in the War of 1812; he was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics, an old-line Whig; he died in 1825. His wife, Jane Morrow, born in Clark county, Kentucky, and was of Scotch descent; was also a member of the Baptist Church, and mother of thirteen children; three are living. Dr. Browning is an Episcopalian, and in politics a Republican. He belongs to the regular school, and is the oldest physician of Loami. He enlist- ed in Company C, Eleventh Missouri Volunteers; in July, 1861, and was the Surgeon of his regi- ment.

David S. Burton, was born on a farm in Law- rence county, Ohio, August 22, 1822, where he remained until seventeen years of age; then ran on the river from Pittsburg to New Orleans as a hand and second mate until 1839; went into the swamps of Louisiana, where he followed rafting, boating, and running saw-mills, until 1841; then he returned to Lawrence county, and farmed until October 12, 1843, at which time he married. He then went to St. Louis, Missouri, remaining a short time, then to Brookline, Illinois, (now called East St. Lonis) where he chopped cord- word until 1844. His house was washed away by the overflow of the Mississippi river, and he placed his family on an island fifteen or twenty feet square; stayed there two days, when he found he must swim to the shore. He obtained a boat,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

went back for his family, and took them to St. Louis; then went to Alton, Illinois. He walked from Alton to Lick creek, hired an ox team and sent for his family at Alton. IIe lived in a house of William Shelton, on Lick creek, six months, then followed farming one year, moving to Cal- houn county, and settled on the river bank, where he sold cord-wood to steamboats, and made two hundred and twenty-five thousand staves. He then came to Sangamon county. On August 22, 1862, he entered in Company I, Seventy-third Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and served as Cor- poral and wagon-master, and was made brigade wagon-master in Sheridan's Division. He made his first trip to Mission Ridge with supplies and ammunition just as Bragg left. He saw Joe Hooker go up the mountain, also saw the big siege gun thrown over the bluff, and the sur- render. He was captured at Stephenson, Ala- bama, where he was kept on short rations five days, then ran over the mountain to McMenville and was there paroled; he reported to the Union army at Nashville, where be was kept in the Zollicoffer House eighteen days. He was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he took three hun- dred sick mules up the valley and kept them one winter; was then discharged on account of sick- ness. He returned to Sangamon county, where he remained until 1869, then sold his farm of two hundred and five acres. He is at present living on his farm of two hundred and forty acres.

His wife was born in Cabell county, Virginia; daughter of James Tharp, of the same State. He is a farmer and was in the War of 1812; he is in his ninety-first year, a lively old gentleman. His wife, Elizabeth Jenkins, was the mother of ten children. She was a member of the M. E. Church, and died in 1875.

Isaac Burton, father of D. S., was born in Giles county, Virginia. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was in the War of 1812; was a farmer, and died February 4, 1873. His wife, Ruth Sirten, was born also in Giles county, Vir- ginia. Mr. Burton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics, a Democrat. He and his wife have had ten children, five of whom are living, viz: Mrs. J. A. McCartney, J. W., John D., Louis B., Reuben and E. Burton.

Wm P. Carson, was born on a farm near Chatham, Sangamon county, Illinois, December 25, 1830; moved to Fayette county, Bowling Green, in 1835; lived there until 1844, when his father died. He remained with his mother until 1847, when he came to this county, and worked by the month for William P. Campbell; worked nine months for $6 per month, and took as part

pay a filly for $25; he traded this filly for a three- year-old horse, then gave the horse and a months' pay for a span of mules, and sold the mules for $150. This was the first $100 he ever owned. April 5, 1855, he married Miss Minerva Work- man, born near Loami, October 23, 1833; she was a daughter of David Workman, who was a farmer, a member of the Christian Church; he died in March, 1865. His wife, Lydia Ballou, was born in Overton county, Tennessee; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and mother of fourteen children, nine of whom are living. He bought a farm of eighty-six acres in section twenty-nine, Loami, for $1,800, paying down $600. In 1857, he had his farm paid for; he is still living on this farm. He and his wife had nine children, seven living, viz: David, Sarah, John C., Elizabeth, Lydia A., Lee and Amanda. Mrs. Carson is a member of the Presbyterian Church. John Carson, father of William P., was born in South Carolina, August 8, 1794. He was in the war of 1812, also in the Black Hawk War; he followed farm- ing, and died November 19, 1844. His wife was Margery Parkerson, born in Carter county, Tennessee, October 19, 1799. . She was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and mother of nine children; five are living-three boys and two girls. Mr. Carson has now two hundred and ninety-three acres of land, all under good culti- vation, in Loami; he also has forty acres in Effingham county. He is a Democratin politics, and cast his first vote for Frank Pierce in 1852. His father came to Illinois in 1814, and settled on Shoal creek, in Madison county.

Platt S. Carter, Sr., was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, June 29, 1815. He worked on a farm and attended school until twenty-one years of age, then came to Waverly, Morgan county, Illinois. In the fall of 1836, he worked in Waverly, Illinois, one year, then went to Sangamon county, and entered a farm of two hundred and forty acres, three-fourths of a mile west of Auburn; lived on that farm twelve years, then bought a farm of five hundred and sixty acres in Loami township, where he now resides. Was married to Flora M. Carter, who was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Con- necticut, July 25, 1815. She was a daughter of Adoniram, born in Warren, Connecticut. He was a member of the Congregational Church, a farmer, and in politics an old-line Whig. Died September, 1842. His wife, Arilla Sackett, born in Warren, Connecticut, was a member of the Congregational Church, and was the mother of five children, three living, viz .: Flora M., Patty,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

and Homer S. Carter. The father of Platt S. Carter, Colonel Dan Carter, was born in Warren, Connecticut. He was in the War of 1812. His wife, Lucinda Starr, born in Warren, Connecti- cut, was a descendant of a family who emigrated to the United States in 1668. She was a mem- ber of the Congregational Church, and mother of twelve children, viz .: Mrs. Emily Hopkins, Geo. Carter, Mrs. Jane Starr, Mrs. Lucy Tanner, Platt S. Carter, Dan S. Carter, Darius Carter, Miles Carter, Mrs. Arza Wetton, Fredrick S. Carter, Sarah Carter, and Samuel W. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Platt S. Carter are members of the Congregational Church, at Waverly, Illinois, and have a family of four children, viz .: Adoni- ram, Darius, Lucinda A., and Platt S., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Platt S. Carter were married at War- ren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 25, 1839. Mr. Carter has a farm of five hundred and sixty acres. He was in the standing militia of the country from 1833 to 1836; has been su- pervisor four years and school director eighteen or twenty years. In politics, he is a Republican.

Samuel P. Colburn, was born near where Loami now is, September 15, 1823. He worked in his father's mill until seventeen years of age, when his father sold his mill to David Phelps and Adna Colburn, when he began to work for himself; worked in this mill until October 23, 1845, when he was married to his cousin, Miss Malinda Colburn, October 23, 1845, at Spring- field, Illinois, by Wm. Lavely, Esq .; she was a daughter of Abel Colburn, who was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, September 20, 1790; his wife, Debora Phelps, was born in Hebron, New Hampshire, July 1794; they were married at Hebron, in 1811. After Mr. S. P. Colburn was married, he worked in the mill some two years, then worked for his brother-in-law, Lewis Cotter- man, until February, 1849, when he bought a stone quarry and forty acres of land, a quarter of a mile west of Springfield, Illinois. He sold out and returned to Loami, in 1856, and worked at the carpenter trade somne two years, then began to work in a mill for his brother, Daniel W. Colburn, and H. S. Coley worked in this mill, as miller, for twelve years. His wife, Malinda Colburn, died December 25, 1865; she was the mother of one child, that died in infancy. Mr. Colburn was married to his wife's sister, Mrs. Isabella Lucas, November 14, 1866. Mr. Colburn owns sixteen acres of land, a store-house, and a nice residence in Loami, where he resides. He was appointed treasurer of Loami, in 1857, and has held the office since. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for Winfield Scott.

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He is a Royal Arch Mason, member of Loami Lodge, A. F. and A. M .; was a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Springfield, in 1869, and to Chicago, in 1870.

Ebenezer Colburn was born in Loami, Illinois, April 9, 1833. He worked in his father's mill in this place until twenty years of age, when he married Nancy A. Huffmaster, August 10, 1854. She was a daughter of William Huffmaster ; born in North Carolina, who died in 1861. His wife, Clarissa Smith, born in Kentucky ; a member of the old school Baptist Church, and mother of eleven children, four boys and two girls living. She died in 1869. The father of Ebenezer Colburn, William Colburn, was born in Sterling, Massachusetts, June 3, 1793. He was a member of the Christian Church ; died June 10, 1869. His wife, Achsa Phelps, was born in Hebron, New Hampshire, July 9, 1796. She was a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of fourteen children. She died January 31, 1878. The first wife of Ebenezer, Nancy Huffmaster, died August 10, 1859. She was the mother of two children, viz : Adna P. and Clarissa A. Ebenezer Colburn was married to his present wife, Elizabeth (Davis) Colburn, August, 1861. She was born near Salisbury, Illinois, and was a daughter of Henry Davis, born in Kentucky. He is living near Loami. His wife, Lucy McGlasson, was born in Ken- tucky. The old lady is still hale and hearty. Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Colburn have seven child- ren, viz : Alpha D., Julia A., David W., Henry, Ina, Melvin O. and Ora I. Mrs. Colburn is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Ebenezer Colburn ran a saw-mill from 1854 until six years ago; since that time has run his grist-mill, in Loami. In politics, he is a Republican.

Isaac Colburn, was born near the place where Loami is located, February 22, 1827; he worked in his father's mill and at the carpenter trade until twenty-seven years of age, when he mar- ried Miss Julia A. Ensley, August 17, 1854; she was born in Ohio, June 21, 1834, and was the mother of three children, two are living, Chloe E., and Charles E. She died December 25, 1859. September 20, 1863, Mr. Colburn was married to Miss Maudana Phelps, who was born in East Lebanon, New Hampshire, August 12, 1835; she was a daughter of Adna Phelps, born in Hebron, New Hampshire, April 30, 1792, and Elizabeth Gold, he was a stone-cutter by trade, and died March 6, 1852. His wife, Mary (Col- burn) Phelps, born in Sterling, Massachusetts, February 23, 1792; she died in 1859. William Colburn was born in Sterling, Massachusetts,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

June 3, 1793; he was a member of the Christian Church; he died June 10, 1869. His wife, Achsa Phelps, born in Hebron, New Hampshire, July 9, 1796, was also a member of the Christian Church, and mother of fourteen children; she died January 31, 1878. Mr. Isaac Colburn and wife have had three children, all now dead. Mr. C. has held the offices of city trustee and school director. He has four acres of land and his resi- dence in the southwest part of Loami, where he now resides.

William Craig was born in Williamson county, Tennessee, August 24, 1824. In 1832, he came with his father to Illinois, and settled on Spring creek, Berlin; remained until August 15, 1862, then enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Sixth, Illinois Infantry Volun- teers; remained in the service three years. IIe then returned to the old homestead. His father, William Craig, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, in 1790; was married to Mary P. Swope, April 20, 1821, who was born near Stan- ford, Kentucky, June 20, 1794. They moved to Williamson county, near Franklin, Tennessee, where they had five children. The family moved to this county, and settled in what is now called Island Grove, south of Spring creek; had seven children, three living, viz: William Craig, Jr., Margaret and Mary Chever. William Craig, Sr., was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, Colonel in the War of 1812, and died the fall of 1856. His wife died December 25, 1871.

Charles Harris was born on a farm in Morgan county, Illinois, four miles southwest of Jack- sonville, Angust 25, 1836. When he was thirteen years of age, he moved with his father upon a farm at the head of Indian creek. He lived there until 1852, when he came with his father to Sangamon county, and settled in Loami town- ship. He was married to Miss Susan McLaugh- lin, September 11, 1856; she was born in Mont- gomery county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of David MeLaughlin, also a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in the fall of 1850. He is still living. In politics is a Republican. His wife, Elizabeth, nee Morris, was born in Ken- tucky and during life was a member of the Christian Church, and the mother of ten chil- dren, six of whom are living. The father of Charles Harris, William P. Harris, was born in Kentucky. He is a farmer and a member of the Baptist Church. In politics is a Republican; he is living in Waverly, Illinois; his wife, Malinda (Miller) Harris, was born in Tennessee, she was a member of the M. E. Church, and the mother of nine children; five boys and two girls are

living, viz: Sarah E. Calvert, Nancy McVeigh, Charles, William, Thomas J., James M. and Emberson T.

After Mr. Charles Harris was married he bought forty acres of land in section thirty-one, to which he has added one hundred and sixty acres, on which he now resides. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and had a family of seven children, has five living, viz: Mary E., Wm. D., Charles E., Clara M. and George T. In politics Mr. H. is a Republican. Mr. Harris is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of Waverly Lodge No. 118; is also member of Chapter Lodge A. F. and A. M , at Loami.

James M. Harris was born on a farm near Barr's store, Macoupin county, Illinois, May 22, 11844. When he was seven years of age, he came with his father to this county, and settled on a farm in section twenty-eight, Loami town- ship, where he now lives. When nineteen years of age, he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Illi- nois Cavalry Volunteers, at Springfield, Illinois, September 23, 1863; was captured at the battle of Jonesville, Virginia, and was a prisoner at Andersonville, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia, and Florence, South Carolina, eleven months and three days; was paroled December 6, 1864, and sent to Annapolis, Maryland, and from there to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was discharged by a surgeon's certificate of disability, May 10, 1865. He married Miss Mary E. Sturgis, August 24, 1865; she was born in Jackson county, Illi- nois, September 23, 1845, and was a daughter of Thomas Sturgis, also born in Illinois; he was a farmer. and in politics, a Democrat; he died in 1849. His wife, Margaret (Taylor) Sturgis, was born in Kentucky, and was the mother of three children; two are living, viz: Mrs. Mary Harris and John R. She died March 3, 1854. William P. Harris, father of James M., was born in Ken- tucky, and is a member of the Baptist Church; in politics, he is a Republican. He came to Illinois in the winter of the deep snow, in 1830, and is living at Waverly, Morgan county, Illi- nois, in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, Malinda (Miller) Harris, was born in Kentucky, and was the mother of twelve children; seven are living, viz: Elizabeth Calvert, Nancy McVey, Charles, William H. H., Thomas J., James M., and Emerson T. She died in 1850. After James M. Harris was married, he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section thirty-two, Loami township; sold out some two years after, and bought the place where he now resides. He and his wife have had four children, viz: Josie,

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

William A., Thomas C., and Mabel. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church. He has his farm of one hundred and sixty acres all under good cultivation; is a member of Masonie Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No. 118, at Waverly, Illinois. In politics, is a Re- publican; cast his first vote for A. Lincoln, in the Florence, South Carolina, prison. The soldiers balloted with black and white beans -- black beans for Lincoln, and white for McClelland-the re- sult was a decided majority for Lincoln.

William C. Hodgerson, was born on a farm near Barbersville, the county seat of Cabell county, Virginia, January 22, 1811. When fifteen years of age he came with his father to Illinois, and settled on a farm in this township. He was married to Miss Jane C. Hudson, August 31, 1836, then entered a farm of eighty acres in section seven; remained there forty-two years, then sold his farm and bought the old homestead of one hundred and seventy acres that his father entered in 1825; sold out soon after and bought thirty-three acres in section eight, Loami township, where he now lives. His farm is all under good cultivation and well stocked. His wife, Jane C. (Hudson) Hodger- son, was a daughter of John Hudson, born in Virginia; he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was in the War of 1812; he died in July, 1879. His wife, Margaret (McCray) Hudson, was born in Virginia, and was the mother of eight children; five are living. She died some twenty years ago. John Hodgerson, father of William C., was born in Kildare county, Ireland; came to the United States when six years of age and settled in Virginia; he died in August, 1851. His wife, Elizabeth Martin, was born in Virginia, and was the mother of ten children; five are living, viz: Mary Osberry, Margaret Meacham, Rebecca Buchanan, John and William C .; she died in November, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Hodger- son have had nine children, eight living, viz: Young M., Mary M. Liston, Martha A. Buchan- an, Rachael J. Gregory, George W., William A., James A., and Nancy G. Mr. Hodgerson is a Democrat.

John T. Huggins, was born near Galliopolis, Ohio, April, 16, 1824. In 1841, he came to Illi- nois, and settled on a farm in this county. His father died in October, 1846, and he remained on the farm with his mother, until he was mar- ried, March 4, 1863, to the daughter of Mr. Bartlett, Concord, Morgan county. Her father was born in New York; served in the War of 1812, and died in 1862. His wife, Elain Lozier,

was born in Ohio; she was the mother of six children; she died in 1876. John Huggins, the father of John T., was born in New York, and died in October, 1846. His wife, Jane Haz- lett, was born in North Carolina; she was the mother of eight children, five of whom are living. John T. Huggins and wife have two children, viz: Osee and Valeria. Soon after his mar- riage, Mr. H. moved upon his farm in Loami township, subsequently sold out, and moved to Missouri, where he lived nine years, then re- turned and purchased his present farm. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church; he of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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History of Sangamon 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 159

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084