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 163

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 163

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).

The first resident pastor of this congregation, was Rev. Gustavus Miettinger, who took charge about the beginning of February, 1866. During his attendance, the house now occupied by the teacher, was bought and furnished. He has also died since then.

The second resident pastor was Rev. Francis Schreiber, now located at Bloomington, Illinois, who took charge July 18, 1867. In this year Theodore Kunst donated two acres of ground, three miles northwest of New Berlin, for a Catholic graveyard. The bell now in use in the steeple of the school house was also bought at this time, costing $87. In 1869, the cabinet organ still in use in the school was bought.

In 1870, the congregation had increased to such an extent that the church was much too small. Hence subscriptions were taken up and plans made to build the present elegant brick church. Dimensions of main building, forty-five by eighty feet; height, twenty-eight feet; height of steeple from ground, one hundred and four feet; sanctuary and two vestry rooms, eighteen by thirty-eight feet. Rev. F. Schreiber deserves great credit for his labor and zeal in collecting for, and managing the building of this church. Its cost up to the time he left (October 6, 1872) was about $17,000 of which he succeeded in pay- ing about $11,000, and bought the large bell.

The third resident priest, who is still in charge, is Rev. John F. Mohr, who took charge January 27, 1873. During the first year (1873) he had the church plastered and painted, at an expense of near $1,500, and had a pipe organ placed in it, and a gothic alter, also a number of ad- ditional pews. In the succeeding years three Munich statues were placed in the church, and other improvements made. In 1879, the new pastoral residence was built and paid for, costing $1,300. Dimensions of new pastoral residence: main building, twenty-eight by thirty-two feet; and twenty-two feet high, and an L, (the former addition to old church), fifteen by eighteen feet, used as a kitchen; one front and one side porch, besides a little portico at east side of the residence. During the year

965

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

1880, a picket fence was erected in front of the new residence and school, and furniture for the new residence bought, besides other improve- ments, and at the present time, August 1881, new fencing around the church property are in the course of erection.

From the above short sketch it will be seen that the Catholics belonging to the New Berlin congregation have not been idle, but have, under the guidance of their several pastors, accom- plished much, during the last twenty one years, for the glory of God. Many who formerly lived here, and did their share, have removed from here further West, and not a few have gone to their Eternal reward. The present number of families belonging to the congregation, which was considerably reduced by the formation of new congregations (one at Ashland, north, and another at Waverly, south of New Berlin), is about one hundred and fifteen, perhaps a few less, rather than more. The average number of Catholic children attending the parish school is sixty to sixty-five, taught by a male teacher.

INCORPORATION.

For the better government of the village, it was thought advisable by many to incorporate. Accordingly, on the 12th day of August, 1865, an election was held to learn the will of the citizens. There were cast at this election, for in- corporation, thirty-two votes; against incorpora- tion, nine.

The ordinance describing the boundaries of the town of New Berlin is as follows: "That the boundaries of the town of New Berlin shall commence at the southeast corner of the north quarter of section nineteen, township fifteen, north of range seven west, thence east one mile, thence south one mile, thence west one mile, thence north one mile to place of beginning."

The date of the annual election was fixed for the first Monday of August in each year.

The town, by the act of incorporation, was given all the authority usually given in such cases.

The following comprises a list of the princi- pal officers elected each year since incorporation:

1865 .- Trustees-John Lee, President; L. C. Warren, J. D. Batty, John Foutch, T. D. Smith; Clerk, Frank P. Gillespie; Treasurer, T. D. Smith; Marshal, R. H. Price.

1866 .- Trustees-John Lee, President; T. D. Smith, J. A. Haney, Wm. Maxwell, Thos. Bell; Clerk, H. S. Trigg.

1867 .- Trustees-John Foutch, President; L. C. Warren, Thos. D. Smith, Wm. M. Green, Haws Yates; H. S. Trigg, Clerk.

1868 .- Trustees-M. T. Smith, * President; John Hough, Y. M. Hudson, A. A. Lakin, Wm. M. Green; Clerk, R. W. Price.

1870 .- Trustees-S. B. Matthews, President; T. Berghsnider, Wm. Maxwell, Matt. Ada, Y. M. Hudson; Clerk, E. Batty.

1871 .- Trustees-Same as above, save Max- well, President.

1872-Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; Y. M. Hudson, J. R. Gregory, Matt. Ada, S. B. Matthews; Clerk, Frank M. Brown.

1873 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; Matthew Ada, Y. M. Hudson, John Foutch, Theodore Berghsnider; Clerk, J. D. Rearick.

1874 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; John Foutch, William Gregory, Haws Yates, L. C. Warren; Clerk, J. D. Rearick.

1875 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; John Foutch, Matt. Ada, Y. M. Hudson, Wil- lim Gregory; Clerk, George Lee.

1876 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; George Jarrett, J. V. Thon, Y. M. Hudson, J. C. Farlow; Clerk, George Lee.

1877 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; George Jarrett, J. V. Thon, Y. M. Hudson, William Gregory; Clerk, George Lee.

1878 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; William Gregory, George Jarrett, Fidel Detrick, Haws Yates; Clerk, George Lee.

1879 .- Trustees-Wm. Gregory, President; Y. M. Hudson, W. M. Warren, L. W. Fulton, Haws Yates; Clerk, George Lee.

1880 .- Trustees-Wm. Maxwell, President; William Gregory, John Wagonsetter, Patrick O'Neil, Y. M. Hudson; Clerk, George Lee. t

Thomas F. Bevans, merchant, residence, New Berlin, was born in Island Grove township, June 19, 1843; son of John D. Bevans, who was born in Maryland, October 5, 1813, and Nancy (Foutch) Bevans, born January 23, 1824. They came to this county in 1828, and were married at Island Grove, January 2, 1842. They had eight chil- dren, three sons and five daughters, viz: Thomas F., the subject of this sketch; Mary R., now Mrs. Hawes Yates, of New Berlin; John, of Island Grove; Martha, Rachel, now Mrs. Rev. L. M. Goff, of Morris, Illinois; John D. died January 13, 1858, in Wapello county, Iowa. In an early day they lived in Springfield, where he followed clerking, and remained there until 1837; came to Island Grove after the death of his father and remained there until 1844, then moved to Wapello county, Iowa, where he purchased land

* Resigned, and R. H. Price elected to fill vacancy.

+Resigned, and W. E. Gregory elected to fill vacancy.

966

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

and made a farm and remained until his death. In politics, he was an old line Whig, of the Henry Clay stripe; was a member of the M. E. Church, and also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a common school education. When nineteen years old he commenced clerking for A. W. Cook, of Berlin, and remained with him one and a half years; from there went to New Berlin, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Cook, under the firm name of Cook & Bevans; remained together till 1865, when the partner- ship was dissolved; he then clerked for him nntil he sold ont to Ross, Thon & Co. In 1866, he formed a partnership at Old Berlin with J. D. Batty; remained for eleven and a half years, sold out to W. B. Price & Co., then engaged to Hammon, Merrian & Co., wholesale grocers of Chicago, for a short time. He married Miss Caroline L. Collins, March 27, 1870, at Carbon- dale, daughter of Rev. N. G. Collins, a Baptist clergyman. She was born in Wheeling, Vir- ginia, October 2, 1850. They had one child- Edwin F., born September 12, 1871.

Henry Boston, farmer, post office, New Ber- lin, was born in Hanover, Germany, 1816. In 1844, he left his native country, coming to America in a sailing vessel, being nine weeks in making the trip; landed in New Orleans, and from there went to St. Louis, by steamer, arriv- ing January 6, 1845, where he engaged to drive team. The following March he came to Island Grove township, where he worked on a farm for Captain James Brown, and remained with him four years; rented land of a man by the name of Staley two years; after renting three years of Dr. Brown he purchased eighty acres where he now resides; since that he has bought adjoining land, that he has now in one body six hundred and fifty-six acres, which is valued at $50 per acre. For his first wife he married Miss Char- lotte Vondi, who was born in Germany. They had four children, three of whom are living: Louisa, Hammon H. and Sarah Jane. Mrs. Boston died June 27, 1861, and for his second wife Mr. B. married Mrs. Minnie Salie, October 5, 1871. She was born in Frankfort-on-the- Rhine, Germany, in 1823. In politics, he is a Republican, and a member of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Boston came to the country a poor man, but by hard work and econ- omy has accumulated a fine property, and is one of the large and well-to-do farmers of the town- ship.

J. E. Coons, farmer and stock-raiser, post office, New Berlin; was born in Woodford county,

Kentucky, November 21, 1818; son of Martin and Margaret (Grimsly) Coons, natives of Ken- tucky. They had five sons and three daughters, five of whom are living. In the fall of 1826, his father became dissatisfied with the institu- tion of slavery, and left Kentucky with his family for the far west; came with a spike team, camping out on the way, and arrived in Morgan county about the first of December, locating eight miles north of Jacksonville, on Indian creek. He moved into a log cabin, twelve by fourteen feet, where they remained one year. There were ten in the family. He made a claim, and afterwards sold out and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, made a home, and re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1863. In an early day he used to go to St. Louis for his groceries, taking grain which he exchanged for his goods. Mr. C. came to this country in limited circumstances, having but $17 in his pocket, with a large family, and in a strange country; but with a strong arm and good con- stitution, he pulled through, and accumulated a fine property at his death. In 1844, J. E. mar- ried Miss Lacy Hays, daughter of John Hays, of Ohio; they had two children, John M., and Lucinda. Mrs. Coons died in May, 1847. For his second wife, Mr. C. married Miss Clarissa McDanghlin, who was born in Kentucky, De- cember 18, 1828. There are six children: Mary E., Susan C., Henrietta, William G., David and Edward. In 1847, Mr. Coons came to this county where he rented for one year, then purchased his present home, where they have resided since; has two hundred acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre.

L. W. Fulton, M. D., New Berlin, was born in London county, Virginia, on March 6, 1837; son of William and Mary (Elgin) Fulton. IIe was twice married; by his first wife there were two children: Lee M., and Mary E., who was married to Robert Lynn, of Virginia; she died in 1879. By his second marriage there were three children, viz: William, a physician; Robert, a professor of elocution, of Kansas City, and Arthur. His father was an old line Whig, and at the time of the Democrat organi- zation joined the Democrat party and affilliated with them until his death, which occurred July 17, 1864. In early life Dr. L. W., attended school until he was seventeen years of age, then left his native place and came to Paris, Illinois, where he became acquainted with Dr. Shubal York, and commenced reading medicine; he remained two years, then went to Kentucky,

967

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

where he remained until 1863 or '64; then he attended a course of lectures at Ohio Medical College. The following fall commenced the practice of medicine in New Haven, Kentucky, in company with Dr. J. Gore, where he remained until he came to this State; still pursuing his practice until 1869, when he attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College at Chicago. He graduated there, since which time he has followed his profession in New Berlin. He married Miss Annie E. King, a daughter of David and Sarah King; she was born in Illinois, and they have three children: Annie Lee, Charles R., and Percy K. In politics the Doctor is a Democrat, and Mrs. Fulton is a member of the Baptist Church in New Berlin.

Sigmund Gibhart, farmer and stock raiser; post office, New Berlin; was born in the State of Baden, Germany, April 13, 1836. In 1854, he left his native country and came to America in a sailing vessel, being on the water forty days; landed in New York, where he remained two days; from there he went to Rahway, New Jer- sey, where he worked on a farm and in a black- smith shop. Hearing favorable reports from Illinois, he concluded to try his fortune on its prairies; came to Island Grove township, where he worked by the month most of the time, for Dr. Gibson. In February, 1862, he married Miss Jennie Fisher, born in Germany, in 1843; there were eight children, three of whom are living: John, Martha, and Jacob.

Mr. G. rented land until 1866, when he pur- chased the place where he now lives; has one hundred and twenty acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation; it is valued at $50 per acre; raises about seventy acres of corn, seven- teen acres of wheat, and fourteen acres of oats. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, of New Berlin.

John R. Gregory, liveryman, New Berlin, was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, on the 15th day of October, 1837. Son of William and Sarah (Pierce) Gregory ; father a native of Virginia, and mother of North Carolina. They emigrated to Sangamon county in 1848, where they stopped on the head of Lick creek a short time. Thence went to McDonough county, Illi- nois, where they spent two years, then removed to Sangamon county, wnere they bought land; is at present living in New Berlin. Mrs. Gregory died May, 1869. The subject of this sketch married Miss Minerva L. Reynolds, a daughter of Joseph Reynolds, of New Berlin. She was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1838. The fruits of this marriage was one

child-Wiliam E. Mrs. Minerva L. Gregory died in 1867. He again married Miss Rachel J. Hodgerson, a daughter of William and Jane Hodgerson, of Sangamon county, where she was born, in 1844. By this union there were four children, viz : Lee A., Sarah J., Nellie and Maud. In politics, he is a Democrat. His property in New Berlin is valued at $2,500. Mrs. Gregory is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Gregory has fourteen livery horses, and one carriage, one hack, and seven buggies.

George Hart, farmer and stock raiser, section thirty-three, post office New Berlin, was born in Prussia, Germany, April 1, 1821, where he worked on a farm until 1853; then left his native country and came to the United States. IIe landed in New Orleans; thence by steamer, up the river to St. Louis; then to Jacksonville, where he worked by the month, on a farm, for a man by the name of Richards, one year; rented land until 1865. Bought a farm in Morgan county, where he remained until 1879; then bought his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $50 per acre; has a fine orchard of five acres; raises sixty acres of corn, sixty acres of wheat, and five acres of oats; has one hundred hogs, fifteen cows, and six horses.

Ferdinand Keller, farmer and stock raiser, post office, New Berlin, was born in Baden, Ger- many, May 29, 1831. He followed farming until 1854, when he left his native country for the United States, coming in a sailing vessel; was caught in a storm, and forced to run into Portu- gal for repairs; remained one week; was one hundred and eighteen days in reaching New York. From there he went to Easton, Penn- sylvania, where he was employed in a foundry; remained six weeks, then went to Toledo, Ohio, for a few months, where he was employed by a railroad company in building a depot and track; then came to this township, where he worked six years, by the month. In 1859, he married Miss Frances Deitrich, who was born in Baden, Ger- many, in 1838. They have had seven children, viz .: Thomas, Agnes, Mary, Rosa, Maggie, Jo- sephine, and Annie. After marrying, Mr. K. rented near Old Berlin, where he remained four years; then, in 1863, bought his present place of forty acres, which he has increased, until now he owns two hundred acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and valued at $60 per acre. He came to this country in limited cir- cumstances, commenced at the lower round of the ladder, and by good judgment has accumu- lated a fine property and home, and is one of the

968

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

prosperous farmers of the county. He is a mem- ber of the Roman Catholic Church.

Maurice Lee, farmer and stock raiser, was born in county Limerick, Ireland, in April, 1842. He came to the United States in 1855; landed in New York, where he remained a short time; from there went to New Jersey, where he at- tended school, and remained five years. In August, 1860, he came to Morgan county, Illi- nois, and lived two years; in 1862, came to New Berlin, where he rented until 1865; tlien pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the wild prairie, which he has succeeded in bringing under a high state of cultivation. He married Miss Emeline Campbell, who was born in this county, November 7, 1848. They have bad ten children, seven of whom are living, viz: Johnny, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Barbara E., Annie, and Maurice. In politics, Mr. Lee is a Republican, and was once the nominee of the party for supervisor. He raises one hundred acres of wheat and thirty acres of corn; has fifty hogs, ninety-seven head of stock, and nine horses. Mr. Lee came to the county a poor man, but by hard work and good management, has accummu- lated a fine property.

John Martin, farmer, section thirty-one, post office, New Berlin, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, March 25, 1819; was a son of Thomas M. and Mary (Harrison) Martin, natives of Eng- land, They had eight children, seven of which are living. In 1850, Mr. Martin came to the United States and stopped in Morgan county, where he worked by the month. In 1856, bought his present place, where he has resided ever since; has forty acres of land under a high state of cultivation, valued at $60 per acre. In 1859, he married Miss Nancy Jackson, a native of Indiana; her parents came to the State in 1823, and located in Morgan county; she was born March 25, 1820. They have one child, John William, born in this county, April 1, 1860.

Mrs. Martin died and Mr. Martin married Miss Eliza Wonderlick, born in Germany, January 31, 1819; they have had eight children, four of whom are living, Christ., William, Caroline, and George.

In politics Mr. M. is a Democrat, and a mem- ber of the German Lutheran Church.

John Mc Ginnis, farmer and stock raiser, post office, New Berlin, was born in County Clare, Ireland, June 24, 1824; came to the United States in May 1847, in a sailing vessel; after leaving Liverpool was caught in a storm, and was driven onto the northern part of Ireland, where they were detained one week; then started

out and made the trip in eighteen days, landing in New York, where he remained a short time; then went to Monmouth county, New Jersey, and worked for Dr. Arthur V. Conover about four years on a farm; then came to Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm for six months; was next employed at Mor- gan Mills for six months; afterwards was em- ployed on the farm of Stephen Dunlap; worked for Theodore Stout for two years; rented land until 1863; then bought his first eighty acres of land. He afterwards bought ten acres of tim- ber; in 1866 bought an adjoining eighty, and in 1876, bought his place where he lives, of one hundred and forty-two acres, making in all three hundred and twelve acres, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation, valued at $55 per acre. He raises two hundred acres of corn, forty acres of wheat, thirty acres of oats. Has forty hogs, eleven cows and sixteen horses and mules. In 1850, he married Miss Ann Cain. She was born in Kings county, Ireland, in 1824. There were nine children born, seven of whom are living, viz: Cornelius, Daniel, Mary A., John, Patrick Henry, James and Rosie Ellen. They are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. McGinnis came to the country without money, but with a strong arm and good constitution, and a willingness to work, started at the bottom, and by hard work and good management accumu- lated a fine property.

Rev. John F. Mohr, New Berlin, was born in Ohio, February 2, 1839; son of John and Mary A. Mohr, natives of Bavaria, Germany; father came to this country in 1830, and mother in 1833; they were married in Munster, Ohio, in 1834. There were four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom have passed away except the subject of this sketch. His father died in 1847, and his mother died in 1864. When Rev. John F. Mohr was thirteen years of age, he attended St. Mary's Seminary at the Barrens for two years, then went to St. Thomas' Seminary, Nelson county, Kentucky, where he spent three years, then to St. Frances Seminary, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he finished his course of studies; was ordained at Alton, Illinois, November 24, 1861, by Bishop H. D. Junker. His first charge as pastor was at Prairie Du Long, Illinois, where he remained a short time, then to Red Bud, Randolph county, where he remained six years. During the last eighteen months of that period was Vice-Presi- dent of St. Patrick's College at Ruma; also was President of the same institution for a short time. From there he was transferred to St.

969

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

Peter's and St. Paul's Cathedral at Alton, where he remained three years, then to New Berlin, where he is pursuing his pastoral labors up to the present time.

James R. Morrison, merchant and grain dealer, Bates, Illinois, was born in Butler county, Ohio, November 28, 1827. Son of Wil- liam and Martha (Mathers) Morrison, also natives of Butler county, Ohio, where they were married, about 1824. The family consisted of two sons and two daughters, two of whom are living-James R. and Martha Ann; Mary died in 1852, and William P. in 1848. In 1853, his father came to Sangamon county, and stopped one year in New Berlin ; bought a farm, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in 1878. Mother died in 1876. In 1852, Mr. Morrison married Miss Sarah V. Auld, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Walton) Auld, of Ohio. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 27, 1833. They had six children, five of whom are living, viz : James F., William A., Mary M., Martha V. and Sarah C. B. After coming to this county, he followed farming four years, then was employed as agent, by the Wabash railroad company, at Bates, which position he held up to 1881. In the meantime he handled grain, and various branches of business. In 1879, he handled one hundred and two thousand bushels of corn and twenty thousand bushels of wheat; since that time has shipped about sixty thou- sand bushels per year. Mr. M. says he never cast but two votes in his life, and one of them was for Abraham Lincoln. He has one hundred acres of land, all under a high state of cultiva- tion, valued at $50 per acre. He has just com- menced in the grain business, and carries a stock of $2,000.

Joseph Reynolds, retired, farmer, New Berlin, was born in White county, Tennessee, April 20, 1810; son of Joseph and Mary (Sorrels) Rey - nolds; parents left Tennessee in 1816 for the far West, coming on three packed horses, on which they brought all their worldly goods, wife and two children, and located near Edwardsville. There was only one log cabin north of them in the territory, where a man by the name of Starkey lived. They remained in Madison county but a short time, then went to Greene county, built a cabin north of Macoupin creek, one mile north of where Carrolton now stands; remained nine years; made a farm; sold out and moved to Madison county, one mile west of Franklin; took up government land and made a home, where he remained until his death, which occurred in Sep- tember, 1862. His wife survived him about four

years. Mr. R. was a member of the Dunkard Church, and Mrs. R. of the Baptist. They had six children, five sons and one daughter, viz: Joseph, Samuel, Lewis, Minerva, Abraham- Levi, Joseph and Minerva, now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and received a good education. He remained there until he was twenty-four years of age, when he married Miss Mary W. Clark, September 17, 1833. She was born in December, 1815. They had six sons and three daughters, of whom three are living, viz: Elzina J., James A. and Lewis C. Mrs. Mary Reynolds died January 27, 1854. For his second wife Mr. R. married Mrs. Nancy M. Lankston; she was born in Scott county in 1828. They had six children, only one of whom is living-Jacob T. Mr. R. bas been a farmer till 1871, when he retired. He has held several local offices and has represented the people as their supervisor two terms. He has about six hundred acres of land, which is valued at $30 per acre.

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.

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 163

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