USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, together with historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 66
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ยท Capt. G. W. Holloway, Georgetown, general merchandise, was born in what was then known as Berkeley county, Virginia, on the 22d of February, 1823, where he lived until he was twelve years of age. He then, with his parents, came west to Illinois, and settled near George- town. Here he improved a farm and remained until the spring of 1853. He then came to the village of Georgetown and formed a part- nership in general merchandise business with Henderson, Dieken & Co., which soon after changed to Henderson & Holloway, which firm continued until the spring of 1874, since which time Mr. Holloway has conducted the business. On the 6th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the 125th Ill. Reg., he being captain of Co. D. He remained in the service until close of war, taking part in the battles of the regiment. On the 17th of January, 1855, he married Miss Sophia Lyons, a native of Massachusetts.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
William Sheets, deceased, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Washington county, Ohio, on the 7th of October, 1806, and lived there until the spring of 1833, when he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and engaged in farming. In 1835 he moved to Danville township, where he and his brother-in-law built a mill, now known as Kyger's mill, and carried on the same for nine years. He then sold his interest in the mill and bought the present place and moved on the same. He lived here for seven years, when he bought an interest in the mill and again moved to the same, and lived there two years, when he sold his interest and returned to the place which was his home at his death. During his two years' residence at the mill, he, Thomas S. Morgan, and Henry and Daniel Kyger, built the steam mill at George- town; he sold his interest before the mill was run. He married Miss Elizabeth Kyger on the 3d of September, 1829. She was born in Monroe county, Ohio. They had six children, two of whom are now living: Angeline, born on the 29th of July, 1832, and Matthias, born on the 24th of November, 1843. His son, John McH., enlisted in the 73d Reg. Ill. Vol., and died in the hospital on the 26th of De- cember, 1862. Mr. Sheets owned, at his death, two hundred and ninety-five acres of land in this county. He was justice of the peace two terms, supervisor three, and had also held the school and road offices. He had been a member of the M. E. Church thirty-six years, class-leader thirty-four years, steward 33 years, and also superintendent of Sunday school. Mr. Sheets departed this life on the 11th of August, 1879, at 8.35 A.M., after being in ill-health two years. He died of heart disease. Mr. Sheets was one of the early settlers of this county, and his loss is mourned by a large community of sorrowing friends.
Andrew Clifton, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on his present place on the 13th of November, 1836, and lived on the same until he was twelve years old; the family then moved to a farm near by, and he lived there until 1861, when he came back to the present place, having bought it from his father. On the 4th of March, 1857, he married Miss Nancy J. Barnhard. She was born in this county. They had seven children, four of whom are living, viz: Jennie, Frank C., Lucy and Cora. He is no office-seeker .- his only office being connected with the school and road. He owns sixty acres in this county, located four miles east of Georgetown, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
Captain Hiram Yoho, Georgetown, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on the 24th of De- cember, 1836, and has always made his home in the county. He lived
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with his parents until 1861. He then enlisted in the 12th Ill. Inf., and was in service three months; he then enlisted in the 35th Ill. as pri- vate in Co. E, and was in service until the close of the war. He was made second sergeant, and in a few months chosen first lieutenant, and served as such about one year. He was then made captain of Co. E, and was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Nashville and Corinth. He served mostly on detached duty, transporting prisoners, assisting in drafts in New York and Michigan, etc. etc. On the 15th of May, 1865, he mar- ried Miss Nancy A. Ritter. She was born on the present place. They had five children, four living, viz : Marquis R., Ophelia, Thaddeus and Allen B.
James T. White, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 8th of December, 1829, and at the age of two his parents moved to Indiana, near State Line, and lived there five years. They then settled near Georgetown, Illinois, and he has lived in that neighborhood since. In 1852 he began farming on his own account, and in December, 1853, he married Miss Susannah Henderson. She was born in Vermilion connty, Illinois. They had ten children, six of whom are living, viz: Allen A., Nathaniel H., Charles, Moranda, Alonzo and James. Mr. White owns two hundred and fifteen acres of land in this county. His parents, Solomon and Nancy Prather White, were natives of Kentucky. They came to this county as stated, and here both have died.
A. M. C. Hawes, Georgetown, physician, the subject of this sketch, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 9th of February, 1813, where he lived until he was fourteen years of age. He then went to Wil- mington, and apprenticed to the printing trade in the " Argus " office. When the latter was moved to Lafayette, and appeared as the "Lafay- ette Free Press and Tippecanoe Journal," he accompanied it, and was connected with the same until 1835, working at his trade and acting as assistant editor. In the winter of 1830-31 he went to Indianapolis, and set type for the 1st Blackford Reports of Indiana. In 1833 he began to read medicine with Dr. O. L. Clark. In 1835 he went to Ohio, and on the 15th of March, 1836, he came to Georgetown, and has practiced here since. With the exception of one, he has practiced longer in this county than any other physician. On the 15th of May, 1837, he married Miss Wilmoth Walters. She is a native of Barren county, Kentucky. They had twelve children, ten of whom are living: Marquis De La Fayette, Albert S. W., Cassius M. C., Marshal H., Will- iam B., Victor L., Amanda M., Alice M., Lorie O. and Kate.
William J. Terrell, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Clinton county, Ohio. He was born on his father's farm, on the
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
29th of November, 1813, where he lived twenty-three years. At the age of twenty one, he began work at the carpenter and joiner's trade, and in 1836 came west on horse-back, and settled in Georgetown, Illi- nois, working at carpentering for twenty years. He then farmed some land he had previously bought, locating on his present place. He owns two hundred and ten acres in this county, considerable of which adjoins this village, and he has earned the same by his own la- bor and management. On the 20th of December, 1838, he was mar- ried to Miss Artimecia Douglas. She was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on the 10th of July, 1819. They had ten children, five of whom are now living: Luvica M., Cornelia B., Horace G., Florence J. and Olive.
John P. Cook, Westville, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on his present place on the 14th of April, 1837, and has lived here since. He is no office-seeker, his only offices being connected with the school and road. On the 4th of June, 1859, he was married to Miss Minerva J. Downs. She was born in Indiana. They have four children, Harvey J., Sarah A., William and James F. Mr. Cook owns two hundred and twenty acres in this county, located eight miles south of Danville, which he has earned principally by his own labor and management. His pa- rents, James and Susannah Moyer Cook, were born on the 23d of June, 1797, and 2d of December, 1803, respectively, and were married in Clermont county, Ohio, on the 6th of October, 1822. They came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in a wagon, in the fall of 1834, and settled on their present place. They had eleven children, six of whom are now living: Larken, Samnel, Elizabeth, George W., John P. and James M. Mr. Cook died on the 19th of October, 1872; Mrs. Cook is living on the old homestead with her son.
John E. Cooper, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, on the 9th of December, 1821, and lived there four years, when, with his parents, he moved to Greene county, Ohio, where he lived until he was seventeen, then moved to Illinois and settled about three miles north of. Georgetown, and lived there with his parents four years. He then farmed for himself until 1863, when he came to his present place. In 1843 or 1844 he brought to this township a plow that would scour. It was probably the first of the kind, and proved an interesting and valuable curiosity, people coming for miles to see it. On the 10th of August, 1845, he was mar- ried to Miss Lucinda B. Cook. She was born in Indiana. They have had eleven children, nine of whom are living: George B., Jennie, John W., Sallie L., Anna, Charles, Lizzie R., Katie and Quinn L. He
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owns about five hundred acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management, having started with $2.60. He has teamed to Chicago, making his first trip with apples about 1844.
Abraham Campbell, Georgetown, blacksmith and farmer, was born on the present farm on the 29th of January, 1838, and has always lived on the same. In the fall of 1856 he married Miss Elizabeth Henthorn. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois. They have seven children : Elander, Alexander, jr., Alice, Jane, Eliza B., Alfred, and Luey C. He learned his trade with his father. In 1856 he began working on his own account. His father, Alexander Campbell, was born in North Carolina on the 25th of December, 1795, and lived there until he was twenty-one, when, with his parents, he moved to Tennessee, and, in 1833, came to Illinois, and settled on his present place. On the 25th of December, 1819, he married Miss Elander Brown. She was born in Tennessee, and died here in 1852. They had thirteen children, six of whom are now living. He has made many trips to Chicago by team. He owns two hundred acres of land in this county.
George Spronls, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born on his present place on the 2d of June, 1838, where he lived until 1861. He then enlisted in the 35th Ill. Reg., and remained in the service three years and four months, and took part in all the battles of the regiment except one or two. After his service he returned home, and has lived here since, farming the old homestead in company with his brother. On the 22d of February, 1866, he married Miss Hannah J. Davis. She was born in this county. They have eight children : Albert, William, John, Norman, Fannie, Frank, Rosey and Norah.
N. E. Hubbard, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, on the 20th of November, 1814, where he lived one year. Then, with his parents, he moved to Toledo, Ohio, and lived there five years. Then, in 1820, he went to Vermilion county, Indiana, and settled below where Eugene now stands. He lived there until 1833, when he went to Terre Haute and apprenticed to the tanning trade, remaining four years. He then returned home, and lived there until 1840, when he settled in Vermilion county, Illi- nois, and took charge of a saw-mill and some land belonging to William Curtis, and managed this for five years. He then bought a farm, and farmed until 1867, when he came to his present place. On the 20th of August, 1845, he married Miss Catharine Ogdon; she was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 22d of March, 1822. She settled near the present place with her parents in 1825. They have had six children, five of whom are living: Carydon, Cynthia Ann, Azro, Jacob K. and Camelia A.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
Hiram Dye, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, on his father's farm, on the 4th of April, 1825, and lived there until 1841, when, with his parents, he came to Illinois, and settled in Vermilion county. In 1853 he came to his present place. On the 22d of March, 1855, he married Miss Sarah H. Lenman ; she was born in Vermilion county, Illinois. They have three children : Wilson, Mary C. and Martha J. He owns five hundred and twenty acres in this county, which he has earned by his own labor and management. After he became of age he worked eight years for one hundred dollars a year. He has hauled many loads of apples to Chicago by ox team ; he made his first trip about 1844. His parents, Lawrence and Mary Ann (Van Trease) Dye, were natives of Kentucky. They married there, and came here as stated. He is living in Elwood town- ship, this county, but she died about 1867.
James M. Cook, Westville, farmer and stock-raiser, was born on his present place on the 1st of March, 1841. In 1861 he began business on his own account, farming a portion of his father's farm. On the 9th of March, 1862, he married Miss Judith MeCabe. She was born in Indiana, and died on the 22d of May, 1876. They had four children : Minnie, Susie, Mattie and Daisy. In August, 1862, Mr. Cook enlisted in the 125th Ill. Reg., Co. K, of which his brother, George W., was captain. He was in service until the close of the war. He was ap- pointed corporal. then promoted to third sergeant, and afterward to orderly. He was in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Nashville, Jonesboro, and most of the battles of the regiment. On the 19th of January, 1877, he married Miss Eliza Gerrard. She was born in this county. He owns two hundred and thirty-nine acres, located two and one-half miles east of Westville.
Wm. Frazier, Georgetown, dry-goods and general store, is a native of Elwood township, Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on the 4th of December, 1842, and lived there three years. The family then moved to Ashmore Grove, and lived there one year, when they all moved to a farm near Georgetown, and there lived until 1857. They then moved to the village of Georgetown, where Mr. Frazier lived until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the 125th Ill. Inf., and was in the service until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Per- ryville, Chickamauga, Atlanta campaign and in the march to the sea. He was also engaged in the other battles of the regiment. After the war he returned to Georgetown and farmed for two years. He then became connected with the firm of Frazier & Moore, but after two years the firm became A. Frazier & Son, and five years later, A. Fra- zier & Sons. On the 11th of October, 1870, he married Miss Jane F.
Lager
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Alexander. She was born at Eugene, Indiana. They had three chil- dren, one living,- Johnnie. Mr. Frazier's parents, Abner and Mary (Milliean) Frazier, were natives of Tennessee and Indiana. He came to Vermilion county in 1830, and has been prominently identified in the general merchandise business at this point. Mrs. Frazier died on the 22d of Angust, 1868. Mr. Frazier is living here on the old home- stead, which adjoins the village.
Bluford J. Smith, jr., Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is a na- tive of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on his present place, on the 26th of September, 1843. He lived with his parents until he was twenty-four years old, when he went to Missouri and engaged in farm- ing, living there seven years. He then returned to his present place, retaining his farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Jackson county, Missouri. He married Miss Diana Sigler on the 8th of October, 1867. She was born in this county. They have one child,- Elmer M. Mr. Smith and his brothers, James B. and Thomas J., own and farm the old homestead here, which consists of two hundred acres, located four miles east of Georgetown. His father, B. J. Smith, now deceased, was born in Tennessee, on the 6th of July, 1806, and moved from there to Kentucky; thence to Indiana, and to Illinois, entering the present place. He worked on his farm, clearing and improving, during the winters, and in summers he worked in the lead mines at Galena. He married Miss Rachel Pribble. She was born in Ohio. He was in the Black Hawk war, under Captain Sherman. They had eight chil- dren : America, Sarah, Debra, Bluford J., Jackson, Richard, James B. and Thomas J. Mr. Smith died on the 16th of December, 1877, and Mrs. Smith died on the 15th of August, 1870.
S. J. Cook, Georgetown, proprietor " Cook House," is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on the 24th of August, 1843, and has always made his home in this county, with his parents, and assisted in their business. In June, 1861, he enlisted in the 25th Ill. Reg. Inf., and served three years and three months. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Missouri; Stone River, Perryville, Atlanta campaign, etc. On his return from the army he engaged with his father in the harness business. On the 15th of October, 1873, he mar- ried Miss Olive Ashby. She was born in Clark county, Illinois. His parents, Enos and Malinda (Harris) Cook, were natives of Union county, Indiana, and Hamilton county, Ohio, where they were born in 1817 and 1820, respectively. They were married in Louisville, Henry county, Indiana, on the 3d of July, 1839, and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1840, where he carried on farming. He also en- gaged in the harness business, locating in the country and also in
35
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
Georgetown, and did an extensive trade in that line. On the 2d of April, 1868, he sold out his business and engaged in the hotel busi- ness, known as the "Cook House," and continued in the same until his death, on the 11th of September, 1877. He had a family of three children, two of whom are living: Benjamin F. and Sylvester J. The latter has conducted the business since the death of his father. Mrs. Cook is living here with her son.
Matthias Sheets, Georgetown, farmer, was born at Kyger's mill, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 24th of November, 1843, and lived there about ten years, when, with his parents, he moved to his present place, and has lived here since. On the 20th of December, 1866, he married Miss Melvina J. Buchanan. She was born in Vermilion county, Indiana. They have four children : Hortense E., Frederick B., Mahala G. and Jessie M. In 1869 Mr. Sheets moved to his present residence, and engaged in farming on his own account, farm- ing part of his father's farm.
Dr. Geo. T. Richardson, Georgetown, farmer, was born in New Hampshire on the 27th of January, 1827, and lived there until 1831. He then went to Eugene, Indiana, and in 1841 attended Ashbury Uni- versity at Green Castle, and read medicine under Dr. Allen for two years and a half. He then graduated from the Syracuse, New York. Medical College, and came to this neighborhood and practiced medi- eine. He then went to Catlin where he practiced seven years. He subsequently engaged in the drug business at Williamsport, Indiana, where he lived for eight years, and then moved to his present place. In 1847 he married Miss Moranda A. Town. She was born in Massa- chusetts and died here in 1857. They had four children, one of whom is living: Emma F. December, 1858, he married Miss Harriet F. Hall. She was born in Ohio and died in Indiana in 1870. They had three children, two of whom are living: Charles E. and Frank C. On the 25th of December, 1872, he married Miss Isabella Henthorn. She was born in this county. They had four children, three living: Will- iam, Mand and Harriet. Mr. Richardson has been justice of the peace twice in this county, and twice in Warren county. Indiana. He owns fifty acres in this county, three miles east of Georgetown.
J. W. Lockett, Westville, general merchandise, was born in George- town township, Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 23d of June, 1844, on a farm, and lived there until 1862, when he enlisted in the 125th Ill. Inf. Reg., Co. D., and remained in service until the elose of the war. He was in the battles of Perryville, Peach Tree Creek, Kene- saw Mountain and in the Atlanta campaign. On his return from the army he engaged in the Henderson mill, at Danville, where he re-
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mained three years. He then engaged in the bakery business. In 1870 he sold out and engaged in farming for two years. He then en- gaged as superintendent of the Shield's distillery, and in 1877 engaged in his present business in its present location. On the 12th of Octo- ber, 1877, he was appointed postmaster. On the 5th of January, 1870, he was married to Miss Hannah Trimble. She was born in Covington, Indiana. They have two children : Nellie H. and Oliver D.
Pleasant West, Georgetown, hardware, is a native of Georgetown. He was born on the 10th of March, 1844, and lived there until June, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. A. 25th Ill. Reg., and was in the service three years and three months. He was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River and Chickamanga, where he was wounded, because of which he was confined in the hospital about eight months. He then went to Springfield, where he was discharged, after which he returned to Georgetown, and in the winter following went to Danville and attended school until 1866. He then returned to Georgetown, and on the Sth of November, of the same year, he was married to Miss Helen A. Yapp. She was born in Cuba, New York. They have two children : Deralle and Roy O. After his marriage, Mr. West engaged in farming, and continued until 1868, when he engaged in his present business.
Gould Bonton, Perrysville, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Chenango county, New York, on the 19th of December, 1817, and lived there twenty years. He then went to Pennsylvania, and lived there one year, thence to Warren county, Ohio, via New York, and then to Eugene, Indiana. He went to New Orleans by flat-boat, then to West Tennessee ; from there to Eugene, and afterward went again to New Orleans, then to McHenry county, Illinois, and from thence to New York and return ; from there he came to his present place, ar- ranging to buy the same. He then went to New Orleans, returning via McHenry county, Illinois, and has lived here since. He owns one hundred and ten acres, the result of his own labor and management. On the 28th of November, 1845, he was married, and is the father of seven children, six of whom are living : Esther E., James H., Mary E., Alice C., Emma J. and Flora B. Thomas T. enlisted in the 115th Ind., and was in the service six months. He died a few months after his discharge.
W. B. Cowan, Georgetown, grocer, was born in Georgetown, Illinois, on the 21st of December, 1845, and lived there until 1856, when, with his parents, he moved three miles in the country and ear- ried on a saw-mill business for three years. He then attended school in Georgetown. In May, 1862, he enlisted in the 73d Ill. Reg., Co C,
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
as drummer-boy, and remained in service until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Georgetown, and continued his schooling one year. He then clerked in a store in Danville, and after this returned to Georgetown, and on the 7th of November, 1867, he mar- ried Miss Emily Newlin. She was born in Georgetown. They had five children, four living: Jessie, Charles, Ralph and Bertha. Mr. Cowan has been identified in the harness and boot and shoe business for a number of years. In 1878 he engaged in his present business, buying ont Mr. J. G. Redmon.
John Sprouls, Georgetown, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Vermilion county, Illinois. He was born on his present place on the 26th of February, 1845, and has always lived on the same place. The old homestead consists of three hundred and twenty acres, and is owned by him and his brother George. It is located four miles and a half east of Georgetown. On the 26th of May, 1871, he married Miss Sarah Hurst. She was born in Indiana. They have three children : Margaret, Amos B. and Louina A. His parents were James and Mary (Hatha- way) Sprouls. They were natives of, probably, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He was born on the 24th of December, 1799. They were married in Ohio, and came to Vermilion county, Illinois, about 1830. They settled in the present place in 1837. On the 11th of March, 1845, he came to his death by an accident caused by a runaway horse. She is now about seventy-eight years of age, and is living on the old homestead.
W. C. Cowan, Georgetown, druggist, was born in Edinburgh. John- son county, Indiana, on the 9th of November, 1829, where he lived about three years, when, with his parents, he moved to Bloomfield, Edgar county, Illinois, and lived there until 1846. He was principally engaged in farming and conducting a carding-machine. They then came to Georgetown and engaged in wool-carding. He lived here with his parents until the spring of 1857, during which time he finished the wagon-making trade. He then went to Northwest Missouri, where he had a carding-machine and worked at carpentering. In the fall of 1859 he returned to Georgetown and followed the earpentering busi- ness until 1862, when he engaged in his present business. He was connected with the 125th Ill. Reg. for about three months, as sutler. He married Miss Sarah M. Tucker, a native of Crawford county, Indiana. They had six children, five living: Carrie L., Eva L., Minnie B., William A. and Arthur H. His parents, P. and Lurenah Wilson Cowan, were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia. He died on the 4th of September, 1873. She is living here with her daughter.
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