USA > Illinois > Tazewell County > History of Tazewell 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. History of Illinois Digest of state laws > Part 36
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 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
Judge Wm. Don Maus came to Illinois from Pennsylvania and was admitted to the Bar in 1857. He was appointed Master in Chancery by Judge Harriott, and filled that office for ten years, or during the entire term of that Judge on the bench. In 1863 he was elected County Judge, to fill the unexpired term of Wm. Tackaberry, then recently deceased.
Nathaniel W. Green came to Illinois from New Jersey and was admitted to the Bar in 1856. He practiced in Delavan, in this coun- ty, until 1865, when he removed to Pekin and became a member of the firm of Roberts & Green. Although frequently solicited, Mr. Green has refused to accept any official position, and has confined himself exclusively to the practice of the law.
Hon. John B. Cohrs was born in South Carolina, and at an early age removed to New York where he received a collegiate education. He then came to McLean county where he engaged in farming, but shortly afterwards sold his farm, read law in Bloomington, Illinois, and was admitted in 1859, when he came to this county as a mem- ber of the firm of Cohrs & Hanna. In 1864 he was elected to the State Senate. He is now a prominent candidate for the Judgeship in this Circuit.
Hon. Abial B. Sawyer was admitted to the Bar in 1861. He has made a specialty of Real Estate and Collection law. In 1877 he was elected Mayor of Pekin, which he held one term.
Capt. Wilbur F. Henry came from Ohio to Illinois, and was ad-
392
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
mitted to the Bar in 1866; is a graduate of the Ohio State and Union Law College. He served three years in the Army and was Captain of Company "B," 108th Illinois volunteers ; was Master in Chancery from September 1867 to 1873, and was States Attorney for this county from 1872 to 1876.
William S. Kellogg was admitted to the Bar in this county in 1869 and practiced until 1876, when he was appointed Deputy Circuit Clerk, in which capacity he now aets.
Collins J. Elliott was admitted to the Bar in 1862. He has sever- al times filled the office of City Attorney, and is still engaged in the law practice in Pekin.
Henry T. Spoonhoff was born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1834. He came to America and was admitted to the Bar of this county in 1862.
Gurdon T. Saltonstall was admitted to the Bar in 1866, and in 1877 was appointed Master in Chancery for this County by Judge Burns, which position he still holds.
Judge A. W. Rodecker was admitted to the Bar in 1868, and in 1877 was elected County Judge as successor of Judge Kyes. Judge Rodecker was a member of the Board of School Inspectors for 7 years, and to his energy and ability may be attributed much of the excellence of the public schools of Pekin'
John H. Pirkey was born in Virginia and came to Illinois at an early age. In 1862 he enlisted in the Army under the "600,000 call," and served three years. In 1875 he was admitted to the Bar in the State of Missouri. Shortly afterwards he came to Illinois and engaged in school teaching, and in 1879 he was admitted to the Bar in this county. Mr. Pirkey has been principal of the public schools for several years, but contemplates soon to engage in the active practice of his profession.
James Haines, Sr., came to Pekin about 1849 and was admitted to the Bar in 1850. He practiced several years when he engaged in the Banking and Insurance business, and since then he has not resumed the practice of the law.
William T. Stansberry came to this State from Ohio, in 1848, and was admitted to the Bar in 1849. He has engaged but little in the practice, having turned his attention to mercantile pursuits.
Cornelius Mihigan was admitted to the Bar in 1876.
Hon. William R. Hall was first admitted to the Bar in this State in 1871, and went to Missouri but returned to the Bar of this county
393
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
in 1871. He was elected City Attorney for one term, and is a member at present of the House of Representatives from this district.
W. L. Prettyman was admitted to the Bar in 1871, and was elect- ed to the office of States Attorney for this County in 1876.
George C. Rider came from New York to Illinois in 1870, and was admitted to the Bar in 1873. He was first elected to the office of City Attorney in 1873, which office he has filled for 5 years, and has now entered upon his fourth term.
Cesar A. Roberts, Jr., was admitted to the Bar of this State in June, 1878.
The Bar at Delavan is represented by Mr. M. D. Beecher, who was admitted to the Bar in 1869; by W. R. Curran, who came to this county from Livingston county in 1876, and by Edward Reardon, who was admitted to the Bar in 1876, and associated with Mr. W. R. Curran under the name of Curran & Reardon. And at Washington, Illinois, by Matthew Craig, who was admitted to the Bar in 1870; by J. W. Dougherty, who was admitted in 1875 and acted as Master in Chancery in this county for four years, and by Mr. William Dougherty, who was admitted in 1877, but who is now engaged in teaching in the College at Quincy, Illinois.
Thus closes the complete roll, as we believe, of judges and attor- neys who have presided at the courts of Tazewell county or pleaded at its Bar.
COURT DAYS.
Among the notable days in the carly history of the county, was court day. The convening of Court was one of the events of the year. On that day nearly everybody gathered at the county-seat. If a settler happened not to be on a jury, or a witness, or a suitor, he felt it his bounden duty to "go to Court," to see and hear what was going on. It answered the place of the shows and circuses of a later day, and perhaps was as instructive if not as entertaining. When Court was over, in the evening the Judge, lawyers and citi- zens congregated in the bar-rooms of the taverns, where stories were told and the evening spent in conversation. These seasons were accounted the most enjoyable of pioneer life, and when we consider the men who were there to edify and please the crowd, with their stories and anecdotes, we may well consider court days as pos- sessing an interest of no little merit. There was Lincoln and Douglas, two of the greatest statesmen the world has ever known,
394
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
and both of whom possessed an inexhaustible fountain of anecdotes. It is said the immense fund of anecdotes possessed by the late Pres- ident Lincoln was largely derived from collections made while " on the circuit." Then there was Baker, Stewart, Lockwood, Farquhar, the comical Hubbard, Hardin, Treat, Logan and Davis, and others who could relate as good a story as ever was heard. Who would not love to sit at the feet of such men and listen to their arguments, their general conversation and their stories. Abraham Lincoln was attending Court at Tremont, in 1842, when Gen. Shields sent him the challenge to fight their famous duel. Many of the older citizens remember this exciting occurrence.
In speaking of the Circuit Courts in the very earliest settlement of this part of the State, before Tazewell county was organized, Nathan Dillon said: "In those days (1824) when we could not get the store room of Hamlin or Allen, or the dwelling house of John Dixon, we held our courts on the river bank ; not being as wealthy or strong handed as in Sangamon, we had to do without a court- house. Judge Sawyer was our circuit Judge, and it was some time before we could seare up a jury. At that date there was not a cabin on the site of the city of Pekin, and perogues were the only crafts we had to freight our whisky, salt and iron from the State to Peoria."
Nathan Dillon was a Justice of the Peace for many years in the early history of the county, and in an action for debt always ren- dered decision in favor of the plaintiff. He did so on the grounds, as he would say, "that if the defendent had never owed the plaintiff he certainly would not have sued him." That was his logic, which overruled good evidence to the contrary.
'SQUIRE TINNEY AS AN INSTRUCTOR.
At the June term of the County Commissioners' Court the Judges placed "into the hands of a young aspirant of the legal profession the following commendation :
" Whereas, J. Farnham is a gentlemen of respectability, honest, and of good repute ; and, whereas, he is desirous of practicing in Court, therefore, he is recommended to the Justices of the Supreme Court as a man worthy to be admitted to practice in said Court."
Armed with this document Farnham was admitted. No doubt he was a promising young sprig of the law, or else we believe the Commissioners had refused to grant him a recommend. But he
, 395
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
had some practical knowledge to gain, and this essential part of his education 'Squire Wm. A. Tinney undertook to supply. It is true he received but one lesson from the 'Squire, but let us hope that it was so effective, and made so strong an impression upon his mind, that he never needed another.
It was in a suit for debt that Farnham received this lesson. 'Squire Tinney was at the time Sheriff of the county, and had levied upon a fine team and carriage belonging to the defendant in the suit. He proceeded to call a jury of disinterested persons to decide the matter. The defendant had secured the services of Farnham to defend his interests. The latter, being but just admitted to the bar, endeavored to show off his legal knowledge, and consequently was a great stickler to red tape. As might have been expected, he used the privilege of objecting to one of the jurymen. This, of course, delayed the case for several days, for it must be remembered a petit jury could not be gathered so quickly as at the present time. The Sheriff was put to considerable trouble in impaneling another jury, but finally the case was again opened when Farnham objected, as usual. Of course, this was mere pettifogging, and merely done to provoke and harass. A third jury was called, and Farnham began, "I object"-but forbearance could endure no more, and Sheriff Tinney gathered up a chair and laid the legal gentlemen sprawling upon the floor. That trial was ended. Farnham soon thereafter sought the exhilerating atmosphere of Oregon, and was never heard of afterwards by any of the Tazewell county Bar.
.
CHAPTER XIII.
BOYNTON TOWNSHIP.
T HIS township is situated in the southern portion of Tazewell county. In point of acres under cultivation it is not surpassed by neighboring townships, and when we take into consideration the fact that Boynton, but a quarter of a century ago, contained but little tillable land, the result is marvellous. It was attained only through unflagging energy on the part of its enterprizing citizens and an admirable system of tile drainage. The first settlement was made by Joseph Grant on Section 9, in 1839; the first birth, in 1842, was Albert, son of Robert Houston, who settled here about the year 1840. Benjamin Roe also came during that year. G. W. Clamon located 6 years later. Among those who settled prior to 1852, we find Samuel Falor, John Blair, Andrew Kerr, and Wm. Benton. In 1850 Wm. Milner, Charles and Richard Holden and John T. Scates, Wm. and Peyton Alexander, John Jacobus and others. In 1854 the township was organized and the following persons, some of whom are now prominent in the affairs of the township, met at the residence of James Huston as a committee on organization : James Crawford, Wm. Wooters, Daniel Bennett, Ira Judy, Wm. Burton, John T. Scates, John Jacobus, Philip Wade and others were present. The majority of the citizens assem- bled on this occasion declared in favor of township organization. Many were the names suggested with which to christen their town- ship, in consequence of which a ballot was taken. After the lapse of considerable time spent in discussion, it finally received the name of Boynton, in honor of an Eastern gentleman of that name.
There is a post-office kept in the center of the township. Mail is received three times a week. The character of the schools and school-houses are good, and every improvement in the township adds its testimony to the enterprise, thrift and culture of the people. Among the representative farmers of Boynton, those who make its history and mold its destiny, we call attention to the following gentlemen :
FRANCIS IRELAND
CAPT. JOHN REARDAN
.. . .
DANIEL BRENNEMAN
399
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
E. Atkinson, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14; P. O., Boynton. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1844. During the same year his parents moved to Tazewell county, where Mr. A. has since resided, and where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Farmer, a daughter of John H. Farmer of Logan Co., Kentucky. Two children blessed this union- Emma A. and Martha Jane. Mr. Atkinson has witnessed many changes in the beautiful county of Tazewell, wrought by the swift hand of Time. In this Township he has acquired a farm property of 80 acres and few are of a more hospitable disposition than he.
George Beahler was born in Baden, Ger., near the banks of the historic river Rhine, on the 16th of Feb., 1832; turned to farm life from his earliest days. He acquired a good common school educa- tion, and at the age of 25 crossed the ocean ; after a short delay in New York made his way to Chicago, and thence to McLean Co. Ill., and finally to Tazewell Co., where he first procured employment as a farm hand. He worked early and late to procure enough to get a start in life. In 1865 he was married to Miss Delilah Burton, daughter of Wm. Burton, of this township. In 1867 Mr. B. suc- ceeded in purchasing an 80-acre tract of land on sec. 9, which he has improved greatly by tiling. Of his marriage with Miss Burton five children were born, four of whom are living- Esther, John, Emma and William. Post-office address, Boynton.
Christian Bearer, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6; P. O., Delavan. Although not ranking among the original pioneers of this county, Christian Beaver is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born in Adams Co., Ohio, in the year 1808. His father, Michael Beaver, was a native of Penn., and in an early day, at a time when Daniel Boone ruled, in a measure, the destinies of Kentucky, Michael Beaver, then but a youth, accompanied his parents to the then wilds of Kentucky. When we take into consideration the fact that not a steamboat plowed our Western waters, and Kentucky the home of wild beasts and still wilder men, this was indeed a bold step on the part of these daring pioneers. He resided many years in Kentucky, and in 1808 located in Ohio at a time when Ohio was the home of the red men, and was inhabited by few white men, save the hunter and trapper in search of new scenes and inci- dents. During his 19th year the subject of this sketch, with his parents, moved to Fountain Co., Indiana, where the head of the family passed the remainder of his days. We now follow the fortunes of him whose name heads this column and from whom our narrative is obtained. In 1831 he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Heuston, a native of Indiana. Here Mr. Beaver continued to reside until 1862. One year previous Mrs. Beaver was laid at rest in Fountain Co. Of this marriage thirteen chil- dren were born, 6 of whom are living, Daniel, Sarah, Mary, Samuel, Simon, Phoebe, Asa, Ann, Abraham, Jacob, Mahala, Eliza, Ellen. In 1862 Mr. Beaver was married to Miss Phrana Livingood, a
400
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
native of North Carolina. One child blessed this union - Christian. During the year above mentioned Mr. B. located in Boynton town- ship, where he now resides.
John Beezley, farmer and stock raiser, Section 21; P. O., Boynton ; was born in Shelby Co., O., on the 15th of April, 1843. He is the oldest son of William Beezly, a native of Clark Co., O., now a resident of Iowa and a farmer. John came to Illinois-Logan Co .- in 1859, and was quietly pursuing his farm duties when the war broke out. He then enlisted as a private in Co. F., 38th Ill. Infantry. He participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Franklin, Nashville and in Sherman's Atlantic Cam- paign. He was promoted for meritorious conduct, March 23, 1864, to 1st Lieutenant, which he served till he was mustered out April 9, 1866. When Gen. Rosecrans had charge of the army of the Cum- berland he organized a corps of honor to which Mr. B., as a veteran, belonged. After the war he returned to Logan Co. and engaged in farming until he came to Boynton, in 1868. In 1867 he was mar- ried in De Witt Co. to Mattie, daughter of Edward and Margaret Morris, natives of England and Virginia, respectively. Three children were born of this marriage-Jennie May, Margaret A. and Alice G.
L. C. Blair, farmer and stock raiser, Section 18; P. O., Delavan. The subject of this biography is a native of Tazewell Co., where he was born in 1851. His father, J. J. Blair, was a native of New York State ; he was a farmer by occupation, and there married Miss Elizabeth Clark. About 1850 he came West and settled in Taze- well Co., where he followed farming until his decease, which occurred in 1858. Mrs. Blair survived her husband several years, being laid at rest in the Delavan Cemetery in 1866. The survivors of the family are seven in number- Emily, Allie, Winfield, Anna, Bessie, L. C. and Susan. L. C. Blair grew to mature years in this Co., where, in 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Rosa E. Verbryck, by whom he had one child- Warren. The homestead property consists of 120 acres.
Daniel Brenneman, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 3; P. O., Hope- dale. The subject of this sketch is one of the oldest and wealthiest agriculturalists of Boynton township. He was born in Germany, in the year 1804. His father, Jacob Brenneman, was a well-to- do farmer in his native land, and on the old farm homestead young Daniel grew to manhood, and there married Miss Elizabeth Jutzic. In 1832 he first landed in America, and subsequently, for a period of 22 years lived in Warren Co., O., where he resided until the spring of 1854, when he located in McLean Co. In 1855 he settled in Boynton township. By this union they had seven sons and six daughters, namely-Jacob, Mary, Peter, deceased, Eliza, Joseph, Phoebe, deceased, Ella, John, Christian, deceased, Anna, William, Amelia, and Edward. Mr. B. began his agricultural career in poverty, but after a long and successful career he now en-
401
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
joys the fruits of a well spent life. Mr. Brenneman has succeeded, by the characteristic energy of the German people, in acquiring a farm, consisting of 320 acres in Boynton township.
Jacob Brenneman, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 4; P. O., Hope- dale. Jacob Brennaman ranks among the more opulent farmers of Boynton township. He is a native of that portion of Germany ceded to Prussia at the elose of the war of 1866, and was born in 1827. Five years thereafter his parents, whom we shall find occa- sion to mention, concluded to cast their lot in America, and after the usual voyage landed in Baltimore. They remained but a short time when they moved near Cincinnati, where young Jacob received a liberal education. On the 20th of Nov., 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Jacobinia Jutzic. It was during the spring of 1854 that Mr. B. moved farther west, coming to McLean Co., Ill. He remained there until 1855, when he became a permanent resi- dent in Tazewell Co., locating in Boynton. Like nearly all settlers at this time his means were limited : so much so that he did not purchase property till 1856, when he bought 160 acres on Sec. 9. Since this period, when the financial horizon appeared none the brightest, Mr. B. has prospered, even far exceeding his most sanguine hopes of a quarter century ago. At the present writing he is the owner of 520 acres of land unsurpassed in the county. For- tune has smiled bountifully upon him, but it has by no means dwarfed his naturally enterprising spirit of liberality. Of the mar- riage above referred to seven children were born, six of whom are living and whose names are- Maria L., Julia A., Albert I., Amelia E., Minnie S. and Wm. C. Mr. B. represents this township in the Board of Supervisors.
Joseph Brenneman, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 1; P. O., Hope- dale. Although of German parentage, as the name implies, yet he was born in Warren Co., O., Nov. 22, 1833. There he passed his early youth and grew to manhood. The year 1854 found the fami- ly enroute for the fertile prairies of Illinois, where, in Tazewell Co., and this township, they settled on farm property. It was here he embarked in life for himself and has proven himself the possessor of good business ability. He ranks among the liberal and progressive farmers of the county. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ensmann, daughter of Peter Ensmann, of Bureau Co., Ill. In 1865 Mr. B. made his first purchase of farm property, consisting of 160 acres in Boynton, where, and in Hopedale, he now owns 300 acres. The marriage refered to has been blessed with three children-Otitia F., William A., and Sidney.
Wm. M. Burton, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 8; P. O., Delavan. William Burton is a well known agriculturalist of Boynton town- ship, and among the early pioneers of this Co. He was born in Adams Co., Ohio, in March, 1811, where he received, so to speak, a round log-cabin education, and passed his boyhood amid the associ- ations of pioneer life. Hearing many glowing accounts of the
402
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
fertility of Illinois, thither he directed his footsteps in 1837, and first located in Peoria, here, however, he remained but a short time, as the following morning he proceeded on foot to the village of Peru. Shortly after he went to Groveland, where he secured employment as a rail-splitter, where he afterwards married Miss Rebecca Staples, a daughter of Joshua Staples, of New York State. Mr. B. made his first purchase of land in 1850, in Boynton township, consisting of 160 acres.
Robert Collins, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 28; P. O., Boynton. Robert Collins was born in Ohio, April 5, 1841, and spent his boyhood days upon the old farm homestead. His father, Barnabus Collins, was a native of Pennsylvania, and in an early day came to Ohio, where he married Miss Aimee Miller, by whom he had six children, of whom Rob't is the fourth. He came to Boynton in 1865 and first secured employment as a farm hand. He purchased his present farm of 80 acres in 1869. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. B, 106th Ohio Infantry, and was honorably discharg- ed in 1864 and returned to his home in Tazewell.
James Crawford, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 16, P. O., Boynton. Mr. C. is a well known resident and prominent farmer of the town- ship. He was born in Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 29, 1832. He is the third child of David Crawford, a native of Ireland, and who came to America during the autumn of 1830. He was then married, having united his fortunes with Miss Margaret Alexander. He set- tled at Rochester, N. Y., and afterwards moved to Iowa where he died, leaving to the care of his estimable wife five children -Mary A., Margaret, David, Samuel and James. The latter grew to man- hood in the States of Ohio and Indiana, and during the spring of 1851 directed his footsteps to Tazewell Co., where he first worked as a farm hand, receiving therefore 50cts. per day. In 1855 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Falor, of Penn. Of this marriage seven children were born, all of whom are now living. - Margaret J., Emma, Samuel, Eliza A., Byron, Clara and Mary Mr. C. has succeeded well in the agricultural walks of life. In 1876 he served the township as Assessor.
Henry Curtis, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 18; P. O., Boynton. The above named gentleman was born in Fountain Co., Ind., April 26, 1839. He is the oldest son of Henry and Elizabeth Curtis. Henry Curtis, Sr., is a native of New York State and came to Tazewell Co. at an early day, and in 1854 located in this township. Henry, whose name appears at the head of this article, grew to manhood in Boynton township, and on Feb. 11, 1864, was united in marriage with Mary E. Matthews, daughter of Eli W. Matthews, deceased. Their children number four-Ida A., Angie M., Rubie E., and Florence. Mr. C. ranks among the more liberal, progressive farmers of the township, and owns 240 acres of well improved and tilled land. He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church.
Robert W. Darah, farmer and stock raiser, sec. 9; P. O., Delavan.
403
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
He is a native of New Jersey, where he was born August 15th, 1833. His father was born in Pennsylvania; was a stone mason by occupation, who acquired his trade in New Jersey, where he married Miss Martha Severns, of that State. Of eight children born of this marriage the subject of this sketch is the eldest. He lived with his parents in N. J. until he was fourteen, when he went with them to Indiana, where, fourteen months later, the head of the family passed away from earth. Upon Robert, then scarcely sixteen, devolved the support of a mother and a family of eight children. With a resolution beyond his years he rented a farm and for many years "roughed it," living in a log cabin and enduring all the hard- ships of pioneer life. After working hard for 372cts. a day, and board, when the day's labor was done the youth applied himself diligently to his studies, acquiring thereby a liberal education, that subsequently turned to good account. On attaining his majority he secured a school, which he taught for several winters, farming during the summer season. While engaged in the latter the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. F., 52 Ohio Inf. and afterwards to the 53d. He remained until after the battle of Shiloh, where he escaped with a slight wound. When the smoke from the guns of the ever-to-be-remembered Shiloh had cleared away he was discharged, and returned to his home in Indiana, where he was married to Miss Amanda Freeman. In 1864 he moved to Logan Co., Ill., and in 1870 located in this township.
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.