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 41
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
John Hays. This gentleman come to this country from Ireland, (where, in the county of Limerick, in June, 1823, he was born) in 1847. He lived in Saratoga Co., N. Y., for four years, and then came to this county and located at Pekin, where he lived for ten years. He then moved on his farm, sec. 23, where he has since re- sided and been quite successful. His parents were Patrick and Catherine (Mahoney) Hays. On the 15th of April, 1855, he was 28
442
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
married to Margaret Feehan, at Peoria. Miss Feehan was born Oct. 25, 1838, in Kilkenny, Ireland, and was brought to this country by her parents at a very early age. The names of their six children are- Anna, Kate F., Ella M., M. Louisa, Daisey E., Henry (died Oct. 24, 1872), and Edward J. Mr. H. is a member of the Catholic Church ; P. O., Delavan.
Joseph Holmes, farmer, sections 5 and 6; is the son of Joseph Holmes and Charlotte Few, of Cambridgeshire, Eng., where, July 5, 1825, their son Joseph was born. He came to this county in 1848, not until he had married, however; for we find, on the 22d of May, 1842, he was united in marriage with Mary Allgood, also a native of Cambridgeshire, Eng., but at the time of the marriage a resident of Lockport, N. Y. Their children - Alfred was born Jan. 25, 1845, Charles, born April 4, 1855, and Alice J., Mar. 24, 1863. Alfred served three years in the 73d III. Infantry during the Rebellion. Mr. H. is a brother of Richard Holmes, and, like him, is identified with the Republican party. P. O., Delavan.
Richard Holmes, farmer, and Chairman of the Board of Super- visors, was born in Magora county, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1834. His parents, Joseph and Charlotte (Few) Holmes, were natives of Cam- bridgeshire, Eng., and came to this country about the year 1837, and settled at Lockport, Magora county, N. Y., where they lived till 1848, when they came to this county and settled in Delavan town- ship, where they remained till their death. His mother died April 14, 1867, in the 75th year of her age. His father died in April, 1871, at the advanced age of 79. He was elected from the 27th District, in 1874, to the Legislature, and served the last session held in the old State House. In 1869 he was elected Supervisor, and has held the office ever since except 1875. He has served six terms as Chairman of that body. Dec. 6, 1855, at Lyons, Wayne county, he was married to Elenor H. Carr. Their children are-Orville W., Kate E., Oliver, Frank, Laura and Willie. P. O., Delavan.
Philip Humbert, baker, Delavan, was born June 14, 1832, in Alsace, when it belonged to France. He came to this country in 1849, and located at Rochester, N. Y .; came to Henry, Ill., where he remained till 1859, when he went to California overland. In 1861 he enlisted in the 2d Cal. Cavalry, Co. M., and was stationed most of the time at Utah. After his discharge, in Oct., 1864, he re-enlisted in Co. H., 4th Regiment of Hancock's Veteran Corps, organized at Washington, and stationed at Winchester, Md .; then at Washington till the hanging of Mrs. Surratt; then at Columbus till his discharge, Aug. 3, 1866. He was married to Mary Sann, at Delavan, in 1868.
Peter F. Johnson, farmer, was born in Sweden, Sept. 8, 1833. His parents were Jonas and Sarah Johnson. The elder Johnson brought his family to the Bishop Hill Colony, (Henry county, Ill.) in 1846. The privations suffered were great. They walked from Chicago ; their only food potatoes and corn-dodgers. About one-
443
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
half of the colony, which numbered about 360, died. Mr. John- son, after a month's sojourn, then became dissatisfied with the manner of life and the tyranny of Eric Jansen, the leader. He worked one winter for the board of his family, near Victoria, Knox county. His wife died one month after leaving Bishop Hill. His father put out his children to be raised, and Peter fortu- nately fell to the care of Horace Clark, the first Supervisor of Morton township. He remained with him until he was twenty-one. April 13, 1859, he was married to Emily Bowman, who was also raised by Mr. Clark, and under the same circumstances. She died July 18, 1877. Mr. J. was educated in common schools and the Academy of Knox College, Galesburg. His children are Ida E., born Dec. 29, 1862; Arthur L., Aug. 24, 1864; Edith M., July 20, 1869 ; Florence E., Mar. 27, 1872; Leslie H., Aug. 23, 1874. Residence, section 29. Post-office, San Jose.
Elias O. Jones. Esquire Jones is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Berlin, Rensselær Co., of that State, July 21, 1820. He is the oldest son of Elias and Lydia (Sweet) Jones, also natives of New York. During the dark days of the Rebellion, he, with his brother, Dr. James A. Jones, enlisted in the 115th Ill. Inf. His brother was Acting Surgeon of the regiment, when he was mur- dered by guerrillas near Tunnel Hill, Ga., July 11, 1864. After several months in the army Elias O. was obliged to quit the service, on account of disability. He came to Delavan in Dec., 1855. He has for many years held the position of Justice of the Peace. Mar. 13, 1843, he was united in marriage with Mary Brockway. She died Dec. 25, 1872, and in April, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Henrietta Barker, of Peoria, at Monmouth, Ill. He has two children - Henry P., born Mar. 20, 1846, and James O., born July 20, 1847.
Cyrus M. Kingman was born in Deer Creek township, this Co., Sept. 20, 1839. His father, Abel Kingman, came from Mass., and his mother, Mary A. Kingman, came from Baltimore, Md., in 1831. They were married the following year in Elm Grove township. At that time there was but one other family living in the neighborhood, though the Indians were numerous. The elder Kingman served for several years as County Commissioner, and died many years ago. His wife continues to reside on the old homestead, in Deer Creek. In July, 1861, Cyrus M. enlisted in 47th Ill. Inf., and served three and one-half years. He entered the service again as 1st Lieut. of Co. D., 152d Ill. Inf. He participated in 37 engagements, and had a horse shot from under him, being himself slightly wounded. He holds commission of 1st Lieut. in the State militia. In 1867, May 27, he married Lucy Rouse, at Bloomington. Their children number four-one girl dead. Mr. K. is engaged in the hardware business. He has three brothers, all of whom are engaged at differ- ent places in the same business.
William Knott, farmer and stock raiser. His father, Ephriam Knott, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Agnes Knott,
444
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
was born in New York. They settled in Fayette Co., Ind., early in the present century, where in 1821, Dec. 28, was born to them a son, the subject of this sketch. Ephriam Knott took great interest in preserving the Union when it was assailed by traitor hands. Although too old to take up arms, he contributed liberally for the cause. At the age of twenty-one, William was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Margaret Clark, in Randolph Co., Ind. Miss Clark was born in Montgomery Co., O. Their home has been blessed by seven children. The gloom of death has found its way over the threshold, however, and carried away one of the number.
Samuel Lawton, jeweler, Delavan, came to this county in April, 1855. He was born July 12, 1831, in Warren, R. I. His parents, William B. and Sarah (Smith) Lawton, were also natives of Rhode Island. His educational advantages were limited to the common schools. He has acted as Township Treasurer for fifteen years. For many years has been connected with the Methodist Church. In October, 1856, he took unto himself a wife in the person of Albina Briggs, of Delavan. They are parents of four children.
George A. Martin, carpenter, Delavan, was born in Middlesex county, N. J., Nov. 30, 1821. His parents were Henry and Cathe- rine (Strangman) Martin, who were natives of the same county. He was educated in the common schools and at the Semenary, at New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. M. came to this county in October, 1855, from New York city, where he lived five years. Jan. 1, 1850, he was married to Margaret Mundy, at New Brunswick. They have one child living, one dead.
John McKinstry, miller and farmer, is the son of Thomas and Isabella (Huston) Mckinstry, and was born in Franklin Co., Pa., July 22, 1822. In May, 1855, he came to this county, and for nearly a quarter of century has engaged in active life here, winning the respect and esteem of all who know him, and being successful in his business career. He is now actively identified with the business interests of this place. His father was a native of Ireland, and was brought to this country when only four years of age; his mother was born in Franklin Co., Pa. He held at one time a com- mission as Second Lieutenant, under D. R. Porter, in Co. A, 7th Regt., Pa. Vol. This regiment was organized previous to the Rev- olutionary War, and is still in existence. Sept. 12, 1843, he was united in marriage with Anna M. Work, of Pennsylvania. She died April 4, 1861, leaving six children. He was married a second time to Mary Hall, of Gettysburg, Pa., Dec. 21, 1863. Mr. Mc- Kinstry united with the Presbyterian Church in 1842, and has been a consistent, liberal and active member since. His portrait, as a . representative citizen, may be found in this volume.
George Nichols, farmer ; P. O., San Jose; was born at Boston, Mass., Jan. 20, 1825, and is the son of John and Mary (Gordon) Nichols, who were natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Nichols' peo-
445
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
ple came to this county in 1836, and after a little settled in Elm Grove township. They remained here till obout 1854, when they removed to Prairie Creek, just over into Logan county. Here John Nichols died, in 1871, and his wife a few years after, both at a good old age. The family consisted of four boys and four girls, three of whom settled in Kansas; one died 32 years ago, at the age of 11; a sister, the wife of William Jones, lives on the old home- stead next to Mr. Nichols' home. The latter moved to Prairie Creek, in 1856, and he still occupies the same place which he did while in Logan county, is still a part of the original township of Delavan. His home is one of the finest country residences in this section. He owns 330 acres of land in Tazewell county, and 240 in Logan. He was married Feb. 14, 1854, to Caroline, daughter of Thos. Edes, of Elm Grove. He has had six children, five of whom are living, viz: Ella E., born April 6, 1857, died September, 1858; Norman T., born June 23, 1860; Enos R., born Dec. 18, 1863; Clara G., born Oct. 16, 1866; Gertrude E., born Feb. 15, 1871; Jessie M., born Jan. 4, 1879. Mr. Nichols boyhood was spent in this county, when the schools were neither good nor plentiful, and he therefore did not enjoy very fine educational advantage. But he was blessed with good common sense, was energetic and industrious, and has achieved that success in life which those qualities are bound to bring. A portrait of Mr. Nichols appear in our Delavan group.
John L. Orendorff. The family of Orendorffs, since the organi- zation of Tazewell county, have been prominently identified with its history. The name has numerous representatives residing in the county at present, which are, in general, descendants of the old pioneers. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, is a repre- sentative of the earliest pioneers of the county. Enoch and Rosan- na Orendorff came from Kentucky to Tazewell county as early as 1826. While living in Hopedale township, and Sept. 15, .1835, John was born to them. He received a common school education in that township, moved to Delavan, and is now engaged in the jewelry business, in which he has been successful. In July, 1858, at Delavan, he was married to Mary Arnold. One boy and two girls have blessed the union, all of whom are living.
Quintus Orendorff, son of Enoch T. and Rosanna Orendorff, was born in Tazewell Co., Ill., Nov. 10, 1828. His father was one of the earliest pioneers of this Co., having come here in 1826. He died April 2, 1852. The death of his wife occurred April 15, 1851. Quintus received such school training as the common schools afford- ed in pioncer times. He embarked in business life in Delavan. He erected a steam flouring mill here in 1855, which was the first in the town. This proved a financial detriment. He then went to Mason City, Ill., and engaged in the mercantile trade. He remained here for eleven years, when (1866) he returned to Delavan and went into merchandising. He is a live enterprising business man and respected by the whole community. He married Miss
446
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Emma E. Kelley Sept. 24, 1854. This union has been blessed with five children, the names of whom, in the order of their births, are-Oren B., Anna B., Olive B. (deceased), Charles B. and Jesuline B.
George W. Patten. This gentleman was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May. 8, 1836. He is the son of John A. and Betsey E. (Caster) Patten. He received a liberal education in the common schools and Lowville Academy, Lewis Co. He has been engaged in farming during the greater part of his life, and in addition has conducted a hardware store in Delavan for four years. He has, however, disposed of both his store and farm. He served three years in 73d Ill. Inf., enlisting in July, 1862. He is now Captain of Co. K. 7th I. N. G. This company is made up of citizens of Delavan. He led to the marriage altar in 1867, Sept. 10, Lottie J. Holmes. Their children are John A., born Sept. 27, 1868, Maggie B., Nov. 27, 1869, Zeboim C., Sept. 15, 1875, and George H., Oct. 15, 1877.
J. B. Phillips, merchant, is the son of Benoni and Lucy (Fry) Phillips, who were both natives of Rhode Island. He was born in Providence, of that State Nov. 7, 1828. He attended the common schools of his native city and obtained a good education. A few months before he attained the age of eighteen (June, 1846) he came into this county. For a period of twenty-five years thereafter he was engaged in farming on sec. 3, of Delavan township. He then embarked in marcantile business in Delavan, and has been success- ful at both occupations. For several years he has been a member of the Town Board, of Delavan. Jan. 31, 1843, he was united in marriage with Ann Hoghton, in Delavan. Two children, a boy and a girl, bless their home.
James Ryan was born in Limerick Co., Ireland, in 1811, and his parents were John and Johanna (Leyston) Ryan. On Feb. 18, 1842, he married Margaret Hayes, who was born in the same county, Oct., 29, 1825. Mr. Ryan was a poor man, and, though he had a strong affection for "old Ireland" he decided to try his fortune in America. He came to this country in 1851, leaving his wife and four children behind him. Shortly after his arrival he went to Delavan, and after working three years he saved sufficient money to send for his family. After a few years he was able to buy some land, to which he has, from time to time, made additions and he now has a farm of 415 acres with excellent buildings. The names of his children are as follows: Johanna, John, Patrick, Michael, Cath- erine, (died Dec., 1851), James, (died in 1856) Catherine, James, William (now at school at Notre Dame, Ind.) Daniel and Margaret Idella. Besides these they have an adopted daughter, Johanna Dohaney and a grandchild, Margaret Ryan, now living with them. Mr. Ryan is a Catholic, and is one of the principal men in the Church at Delavan. He votes with the Democratic party.
George T. Scott, farmer, son of Simon and Elizabeth (Farish)
447
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Scott, was born in Scotland, Dec. 8, 1797. Mr. Scott came to this country in 1830 and settled in Rhode Island, where he worked at cotton spinning till 1843, when he came to Logan county, Ill., and engaged in farming. In 1854 he made another move and came to Delavan where he has since lived. Sept. 1, 1819, he wes married to Sarah R. Bell, in Scotland. Twelve children were born to them. Mrs. Scott died in July, 1854, at Delavan. He was married again, Ang. 7, 1855, to Mary Pratt. Of Mr. Scott's children five sons and two daughters still live,-Simon lives in Atlanta, Ill., John resides in Delavan, Dr. George, at Sedalia, Mo., William and Nor- man F. at Delavan. One of the daughters is the wife of Harvey Pratt, of Pekin, the other is Mrs. Elizabeth Perrin, who lives in Kansas. Of the dead children, one of the first born died in Scot- land; two died young in Providence, R. I .; a daughter married John Phillips and died in Delavan in 1872; Richard enlisted in the 73rd Illinois Infantry and was wounded in the battle of Franklin, Tenn., in 1864, and died shortly after at Jefferson Barracks, Ind. His body was brought home and buried at Delavan. Mr. S. has for many years been a member of the Christian Church.
John N. Snedeker was born in Mercer county, New Jersey, Feb. 18, 1832, and he is the son of James W. and Ann (Newell) Sned- eker. He learned the trade of harness making in the East, but on coming West, he settled on a farm in Delavan, and later he moved into Boynton. He has always enjoyed the highest esteem of his neighbors, and has represented Boynton in the Board of Supervi- sors. He still owns a farm in Boynton, but is engaged in harness- making in Delavan. He was married Nov. 20, 1853, to Miss Amanda Meranda, of Warren county, O.
Arthur Stubbs, of the firm of Stubbs & Mckinstry, millers, pro- prietors of the Young American Mill. This genteman, who repre- sents one of the important business interests of the county, was born in Sheffield, England, Dec. 11, 1837, and is the son of George and Harriet Stubbs. In 1849, his father crossed the Atlantic to this country, leaving his son, then only twelve years old, in England. He remained only two years, when he too sailed for the United States. His father settled in St. Louis. Arthur was not long in this country before he found his way to Tazewell county, for he arrived at Pekin in 1861. He remained in that city for two years, and then went to Morgan county, but returned to Tazewell in 1866, and two years thereafter moved into Delavan, and, in connection with Mr. Starz, built the Delavan City Mills. Later he sold his interest in that mill and built, in 1870, the Young American Mill, with Mr. Ironmonger and C. L. Booth. In 1873, Mr. Booth sold his interest to Mr. John Mckinstry, and the present firm was organized. In February, 1861, Mr. S. was married to Celia Ann Sanford, of Macoupin Co., Ill. They have seven children living, one dead. Mr. S. is connected with the Presbyterian Church.
Eben C. Teft, farmer, section 9; was born Dec. 24, 1829, at East
448
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Greenwich, R. I. His parents were George and Eliza A. (Clark) Teft. His father came to Delavan, in 1841, and bought a farm and lived there until his death, which occurred Feb. 17, 1874, at the age of 67. In the spring of 1852, the subject of this sketch crossed the plains to California. He remained on the Pacific slope over thirteen years, when he returned to Delavan. He was united in marriage with Jane Rose, of Fulton county, Ill., at Delavan, Nov. 2, 1873. Their children, Eliza and Rosa May, were born, respeet- ively, Aug. 15, 1874 and Nov. 25, 1877. Religiously he is non- sectarian. Post-office, Delavan.
Henry H. Tomm, grain dealer, Delavan ; son of Joachim and Carolina (Nunke) Tomm, was born in Prussia, Germany, Dec. 31, 1839: He came to this country at the time his father's family did. He attended the schools of Prussia and Quincy College, Quincy, Ill. He first entered the dry goods business, but now deals in grain. He served in Co. C, 139th Ill. Infantry, during the late war. He is of the Lutheran faith, religiously.
James H. Upham was born March 26, 1820, at Sand Lake, N. Y. In '49 he went to California at the breaking out of the gold excite- ment. After spending two years there, he decided to try his for- tune in Australia, where he remained nearly two years more. Leaving Australia Mr. U., and George Chase, the companion of his travels, sailed for the western coast of South America. Greatly impaired in health, and with no desire to catch the yellow fever, which was at that time raging there, Mr. U. decided to return home, which he did after an absence of four years. Few men have had so varied an experience as has fallen to the lot of Mr. U. He not only encountered the usual dangers of mining life, but twice narrowly escaped death on the sea. The vessel on which he sailed to Austra- lia was unseaworthy, and as she carried a heavy insurance, there were strong indications that the owner intended that the boat should not reach her ultimate destination, though, as he himself was on board, his plan was to run upon the rocks near the Australian coast. Convinced in his own mind that such were the facts, Mr. Upham and his chum left the vessel at Sidney, with the intention of making the 100 miles to Melbourne afoot. Whether his suspicions were correct or not a typhoon suddenly struck the vessel and she went down with the most of those on board, including the owner. The news of the lost vessel reached America, and Mr. U.'s friends, not receiving any of his letters, mourned him as dead ; nor did they get any information from him till he himself appeared two years later. Again, when sailing for South America, a watery grave seemed to await the entire crew. The vessel was conveying sand ballast, and when in mid-ocean sprang a bad leak. The sand got into the pumps, which, continually clogging, could not be worked to any ad- vantage, whatever. There was no ship-carpenter aboard, and matters became worse and worse. Mr. Upham was lying sick at the time, and knew nothing of the state of affairs till his companion told him
449
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
they had to go down. "Why can't we put in mining pumps ?" said the sick man. Sure enough, why couldn't they? They would pump water, sand, or whatever came in their way. They were both carpenters, and after consulting the captain, who was very glad to receive a suggestion from anybody, a number of pumps were soon in operation and the vessel saved. Some time after reaching Amer- ica Mr. Upham again came to Delavan, where he has since lived, serving, for ten years, in the different capacities of Constable, City Marshal and Deputy Sheriff. He was married, May 20, 1857, to Catherine Mounts, who died Jan. 13, 1861, leaving two children, Ella and Charles ; was again married, Jan. 2, 1866, to Mary Rugg, who was born, Sept. 25, 1834, in Oneida Co., N. Y. One child, George H., has been the result of this union.
Isaac Varney, farmer, sec. 1; P. O., Delavan ; was born in the District of London, Canada, June 4, 1826. His parents were Smith V. and Mary (Johnson) Varney. His father was a native of New Hampshire, and when a young man went to Canada to engage in school teaching. He remained in the Queen's dominion for about fifteen years, and while there married Miss Johnson. After this event of his life he changed his profession for the life of a farmer, and came to this country in 1839, and settled north-east of Washington in what is now Woodford Co. At this time Isaac Varney was about nine years old. His father died in Dec., 1843, and the widowed mother with her family came to Delavan the next year. March 5, 1857, Mr. V. was married to Eliza Allgood, who was born in England, Nov. 2, 1831. She was brought to this country when an infant child They have had born to them four children, two of whom are now living-George E., who was born Oct. 7, 1859, and Flora I., born May 27, 1864. Mr. V. is conncct- ed with the M. E. Church and identified with the Republican party.
William A. Vaughn, farmer, section 9. This gentleman, who has been residing in this county since October, 1851, was born in Coventry, R. I., Nov. 6, 1827. He is the son of Caleb Vaughn, also a native of Rhode Island. He was privileged to attend the common schools of Providence, where he attained a good education, which, with his practical knowledge, has enabled him to meet with success in life. He has held local offices but is no office seeker. In 1855 he united his fortunes with those of Susan Orendorff, of Hopedale. This union has resulted in the birth of three children -one boy and two girls.
Hugh A. Work, farmer and clerk, came to this county in the fall of 1847, and located in Groveland township. In the spring of 1852 he moved into Dillon, and nine years later came into Delavan. During this year the flag of our country was assailed by rebel hands, and in the month of September Hugh enlisted in the 4th Ill. Cav. ; served three years and four months, and in Feb., 1865, re-cnlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps; served till the close of the war. Shortly after Lincoln's assassination this regiment was ordered to
450
HISTORY OF TAZEWELL COUNTY.
Washington, where it remained for three months, and then to Albany for that length of time. He was mustered out that fall, at Elmira. Hugh A. Work was born in Franklin Co., Pa., June 15, 1827. His parents, Henry and Susan C. Work, were also born there. In June, 1852, he was married, in Pekin, to Harriet Hill. Their children number seven, one of whom sleeps in eternity.
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.