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 96
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
moved to Bement, where it is still published. It was satisfactorily conducted.
FREEMASONS.
The present Marysville lodge of Freemasons was organized as Blue Grass Lodge. No. 407, in 1864. The charter members were: W. M. Tennery, W.M .; W. Griffing, S.W .; W. L. Griffing, Hugh Mulhol- land, J.W .; E. S. Pope, W. H. Brant, J. S. Cole, D. S. French, R. Potter, J. T. Blackburn. It was transferred to Marysville and name changed in 1875. The present officers are: T. J. Haney, W.M .; Dr. Van Dorn, S.W .: Robert Young, J.W .; A. J. Robins, Sec .; D. R. Layton, Treas .; C. Bennett, Tyler; C. Jameson, S.D .; B. Drise, J.D. The lodge numbers twenty-five, and is in a prosperous condition, occu- pying the fine lodge-room over Robins' store.
ARMSTRONG.
Armstrong, on the Havana, Rantoul & Eastern railroad, four miles west of Marysville, was laid out and platted, near the center of sec- tion 1 (21-14), in 1877, on land belonging to Thomas and Henry Armstrong.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Joseph Moss, Potomac, farmer and stock-raiser, section 29, was born near Madison, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1820. When he was but four years of age he came with his parents to this state. His father died when he was but six years old. His mother then married the second time, and he remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen. He was married to Delila Staar on the 17th of April, 1845. She was born in Ohio on the 6th of January, 1828. They have had three children : Sarah A., John B. and an infant now deceased. Mr. Moss is regarded as one of the best citizens of Vermilion county. He has been school director ten years, and commissioner of highways for several years. From fifty to sixty head of cattle are fattened by him yearly. He clearly recollects seeing plenty of wolves and Indians when he came to this county. In his politics he is a republican; in religion, a Methodist.
Jesse L. Partlow, Potomac, farmer, owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also two houses and lots in Marysville, they being among the best in the town. He was born in Nelson county, Ken- tucky, on the 13th of June, 1826, and remained at home with his father until he was twenty-two years of age, working on the farm. When he was but three years of age the family removed to this township, and he is consequently one of Vermilion county's earliest settlers. In 1848 he was married to Rachel Davison, who was born in this county
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in 1829, and died on the 4th of September, 1878. By this union they had nine children, of whom six are still living. They are: Mary E., wife of J. D. Anderson; Anna M., wife of John Rollins; Nancy J., wife of Jesse Merrel : Lilly B., Ida A., Cora R., and Frankie D. John J. and one infant are deceased. Mr. Partlow has held the office of school director fifteen years, and pathmaster five years.
William H. Copeland, Potomac, farmer, section 36, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, on the 15th of April, 1821. His father came to this county, and settled near Danville, in 1829, thus making himself one of its earliest settlers. Mr. Copeland was married to Rachel Stevens, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 21st of Feb- rnary, 1823. They are the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Nancy E., now wife of William H. Duncan, of this township ; Eli H., Andrew, Elisabeth, now wife of John Chambers, of Ross town- ship; George W. and Herman S. The names of the deceased are : Mary M., Almed, Charles G. and John M. Mr. Copeland has held the office of school director twenty years, commissioner of highways three years, and supervisor of township, which office he still holds, five terms, by election, and ten by appointment. He is certainly one of Vermilion county's very best citizens. His parents are still living near Danville, his father, a native of Pennsylvania, being seventy-eight years old. When Mr. Copeland married he had but little property, and, by economy, industry and the help of a faithful wife he now owns one thousand acres of land, worth $25 per acre.
John Wright, Armstrong, farmer, section 13, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 10th of February, 1808. His father died when he was but six years of age, leaving his mother with seven chil- dren. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, helping to support his mother and sisters. In 1829 he came west in a wagon. He was married to Elisabeth Watters on the 10th of April, 1831. She was born in Virginia, near the Potomac River, on the 14th of Septem- ber, 1813, being the youngest of seven children, all of whom are still living. She is now sixty-six years old, and the eldest of the seven, a brother, is eighty-nine. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two children : Silas T. and William W. Mr. Wright has held the office of school director five years, school treasurer five years, and justice of the peace. He is the oldest living settler of Middle Fork township. He distinctly recollects seeing deer, wolves and Indians.
James H. Duncan, Potomac, farmer and stock-dealer, section 33, was born in Gallatin county, Kentucky, on the 12th of February, 1818. He was married to Elisabeth Crabbe, on the 4th of April, 1839. They have had by this nnion ten children, seven of whom are living: Sarah
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
J., now wife of David Partlow, of this township, and Mary E., now wife of B. F. Marple, of State Line City; Margarett E., John J., As- bury, Charles M., William H. The deceased are Asa, Emaline and Frank. Mr. Duncan has held the office of school trustee six years, school director five years. He pastures and fattens from seventy-five to one hundred head of cattle yearly, and raises some hogs, horses and cattle. Corn is his principal crop. In politics he is a republican, and a Methodist in religion.
Ersom French, Potomac, farmer, was born in Knox county, Indi- ana, on the 14th of April, 1811. His father moved to Vigo county, Indiana, when he was but two years old, and remained there twenty years. Mr. French has been twice married : first to Harriet Clem, in 1838. She was born in 1813, and is now deceased. Mr. French was then married to Eliza Carroll, in January, 1850. She was born in North Carolina about 1823. By this marriage Mr. French was made the father of three children, two of whom are living: Truman P., now a practicing physician in Ogden, and Abgy D. The name of the de- ceased is G. W. Mr. French has held the office of school director four- teen years, and road commissioner several years. He owns two hun- dred and nine acres of excellent land. His father was in the war of 1812.
Francis Elliott, Armstrong, farmer, section 20, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1829. His father moved to this state when he was very small. He was married to Cassandia Darry. She was born in Ohio. They had by this marriage eight children, six of whom are living : Hannah M., now wife of A. Kirkhart; Elisabeth E., Charles T., John N., Mary, and one infant unnamed. The deceased are two infants. Mr. Elliott is a republican.
Isaac Creighton, Armstrong, farmer, section 17, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 19th of January, 1828. His parents moved to Indi- ana and stayed four months, when he moved to this state. Mr. Creighton has been twice married : first to Catharine Johnson, on the 15th of February, 1849. She was born in Ohio in 1828, and died in April, 1852. They had two children by this marriage : Mary E., now, wife of Joseph Truax, and Finley. He was then married to Ellen Cary, in November, 1853. She was born in Delaware in 1830. They had by this union eleven children, ten of whom are living: Eli, James R., Sarah C., John W., William T., Nancy J., Samuel H., Charles H., Robert F., Elmer C. The deceased was an infant. Mr. Creighton has held the office of school director twelve years, and pathmaster six years. In politics he is a republican, and in religion a Methodist. Mr. Creigh- ton's parents were natives of Ireland.
DANVILLE.
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M. V. Robins, Potomac, merchant, is one of the prominent men of Marysville. He owns a lot, stock, and store-building on the public square, the hotel known as the Murele House, and now managed by Mr. J. W. Buckingham ; a fine residence in Marysville, three acres in south part of town, used as a feed-yard, and fifteen or sixteen other lots in the village. The maiden name of his wife was Mary J. Baldwin. She was born in New York, on the 11th of May, 1831. They are the parents of two children : John J., born on the 10th of September, 1850, and Mary E., born on the 4th of February, 1856. Mr. Robins has held the office of school direetor ten years, school trustee two terms, supervisor of township four years, and village trustee four years. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Robins were natives of New Jersey.
L. A. Burd, Armstrong, farmer, seetion 2, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 5th of June, 1810. He commenced work- ing in a clothing factory when fourteen years of age; was married on the 5th of November, 1833, to Mariah Hendley, who was born in Morris county, New Jersey. They have had by this union ten children, eight of whom are living : Martha, William, Adrianna, Eli, Elisabeth, Mary, Ester and George. The deceased are Caroline and one infant. Mr. Burd has been a minister of the gospel for several years in the Methodist church. He has held the office of school-director for twelve years, sehool-trustee twelve years, and has been notary publie several years. He has been deacon in the M. E. church for thirty years. He owns one hundred and eighty acres of land, worth $30 per acre.
Jesse Lane, Potomac, lumber-dealer, was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, on the 27th of January, 1831 ; he remained at home on the farm until twenty-one years of age. His father moved to this state, settling in Blount township, Vermilion county, when he was but four years of age ; his chances for an early education were not very good. Mr. Lane has been twice married : first to Delila Smith. She was born in Ohio, and died in 1866. They have had seven children by this marriage : three are living, four dead. The names of the living are Amanda J., Clara B. and Effie D .; of the deceased : John, Mary E., Alice and one infant. Mr. Lane then married Amelia Fouts, in 1867. She was born in Ohio. They have one child by this marriage. Mr. Lane has held the office of school director twelve years. He went into the lumber business with Mr. MeMyrtery in 1877. He owns twelve lots and one house in Ma- rysville, and two hundred and seventy acres of land valued at $30 per acre. His parents were natives of North Carolina.
E. Foster, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, was born in War_ ren county, Indiana, on the 20th of November, 1833, and remained on the farm until he reached the age of twenty-three. On the 24th of
52
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
August, 1856, he was married to Sarah A. Tilldson, who was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 15th of January, 1834. They are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are living: B. T., Stanton M., Zebulon, Mary A., Edward, Theodore T., Lillie and William ; the names of the deceased are Harris G., Caroline, and Lieuella ; the other was an infant. Mr. Foster has held the office of postmaster eight years, school director several years and township treasurer ten years. He fattens quite a number of cattle and hogs yearly, ships some and sells some at home. Mr. Foster is a republican and a Methodist. His father, who was a native of Ohio, was one of the pioneers of Vermilion county, having settled here in 1833.
Andrew G. Copeland, Potomac, section 35, was born in Vermilion county on the 20th of March, 1836 ; he remained at home until twenty- one years of age, and attended Griffeth's school at Danville. He has been twice married : first on the 30th of July, 1855, to Mary M. Ander- son, who was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 12th of October, 1839, and died on the 1st of May, 1875. They had by this marriage six children : Willie G., Emma M. (now wife of C. P. Duncan, of Marys- ville), James E., Lieuella, Effie and Anna. He was then married to Maggie A. Stewart, on the 7th of December, 1875; she was born on the 18th of December, 1849. They have had two children : Adda and Ora. Mr. Copeland is a minister of the gospel in the Methodist Epis- copal, and has no small degree of ability ; he practices what he preaches. He handles from fifty to one hundred head of cattle a year, and sells at home. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, worth $40 per acre. Mr. Copeland is regarded as one of the best citizens of Vermilion county. His father was one of the pioneers of this county ; he is still living in the neighborhood of Danville.
John Smith (English), Potomac, farmer, section 5, was born in Eng- land, in February, 1824; he remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one. He came from England to the state of New York in 1834, and remained there until 1836, when he removed to this state and settled in the township in which he now resides. He was mar- ried to Adaline Moorhead on the 3d of December, 1844; she was born in Virginia on the 12th of December, 1823. They are the par- ents of four children : Martha J., born on the 15th of October, 1850, and now wife of William Knykendam, of Danville; Alvin G., born on the 6th of June, 1855 : Robert H., born on the 22d of May, 1858; Laura J., born on the 4th of March, 1861. When Mr. Smith was married he did not have enough money to pay the preacher for marry- ing them. He now owns three thousand acres of land, worth $30 per acre, his home place containing one thousand four hundred acres of
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well-improved land, and fattens from one hundred to two hundred cattle and from two hundred to three hundred cattle each year. He has never mortgaged a piece of land, nor has he ever been more than three months behind with any payment on land. Mr. Smith does not attribute his success in business altogether to his own exertions, but accords a large degree of his prosperity to the management and labors of his faithful wife, who has always performed her part as a helpmeet well. His parents, both natives of England, died in Middle Fork town- ship. He is a republican and a Methodist.
William Copsairt, Potomac, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 5th of July, 1836. His father died when he was six years of age. He then lived with his mother until she died, which occurred when he was eighteen years old. He was married to Louise A. Smith, on the 15th of August, 1861. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 24th of August, 1843. They are the parents of six children, four of whom are living: William S., Ada S., David S. and Samuel A. The names of the deceased are Emma J. and Anna J. Mr. Copsairt has held the office of school director seven years, is at present treasurer of the board of commissioners, and has held the office of assessor three terms; he is still holding the last-named office.
William O. Payne, Potomac, butcher, proprietor of the butcher-shop on Main street, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 2d of April, 1837. His mother died when he was but ten years of age, and, his father going to Texas, he was turned out to shift for himself. His father was one of the early settlers of the county, being the first to settle on the county farm. Mr. Payne has been twice married : first to Emma Green, in 1857. She was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, and died in 1869. They had by this marriage five children, four boys and one girl; two of these are living and three dead. He was then married to Elizabeth Oliver, in 1871, a native of New York. They had one adopted child. In February, 1866, Mr. Payne enlisted in Co. E, 149th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out by general orders. He owns one lot and butcher-shop in Marysville.
Caleb Albert, Potomac, farmer, was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 5th of June, 1836. His father moved to this state when he was but five years old. The subject of our sketch remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting in farming. He was married to Mary J. Smith, on the 19th of January, 1860. She was; born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1841. They are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Doranthos, Emma, Mary F., John W., Charley O. and Arnett O. The deceased was Harry W. Mr. Albert has held the office of township treasurer five years, supervisor of township one
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
term, constable one term, and school director five years. He owns three hundred and eight acres of land, worth $25 per acre. His par- ents were natives of Pennsylvania.
Silas T. Wright, Armstrong, farmer, was born in Vermilion county, on the 14th of September. 1842. He remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of twenty-one, and on the 23d of July, 1863, was married to Nancy E. French. They had by this marriage eight children, six of whom are living: Irena E., John C., George W., Charles F., Wallace and Oliver M. The deceased are Laura J. and Ella. Mr. Wright was elected to the office of justice of the peace two years ago, and still creditably holds that position. His political views are republican, and he is a member of the Christian church. He owns one hundred and twenty acres of land, worth $30 per acre. His father is a native of Virginia, and his mother of Indiana.
IIugh Wright, Armstrong, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 12th of June, 1820. His parents moved to this state when he was but four years old, settling south of Danville, where they remained one year. They then moved northwest of Danville, staying there ten years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Middle Fork township, where he has since remained. He was married to Manena Payne in 1850. She was born near Buler's Point, in this county, on the 30th of March, 1817. They are the par- ents of six children, five of whom are living: America A., Mary, Pamelia, Clara and Frank; Margarett E. deceased. Mr. Wright relates that when his father first moved near Danville he found some stone- coal, and, not knowing that it would burn, built out of it a fire-place, but soon finding it in a blaze, was of course compelled to remove it. He never raised but one crop of corn, because he was cheated out of nine bushels on the first load. When Mr. Wright was married he owned almost no property; but, by his thrift and economy, now pos- sesses six hundred acres of fine farming land.
William Lefever, Pellsville, farmer, section 22, was born in Ohio county, Virginia, on the 6th of March, 1821. He followed teaming over the mountains to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and other places. He moved to Ohio from Virginia when ten years of age, and remained until 1836, when he moved to this state and settled in Tazewell county. He staid there eight years and then came to Vermilion county, where he has resided ever since. He was married to Eliza Lefever on the 10th of September, 1853. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1830. They are the parents of seven children, two living: John C. and Wells. The deceased are G. A. and four infants. Mr. Lefever has good improvements on his farm, and is well respected by the people of
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his neighborhood. He has held the offices of school director, super- visor of township, and commissioner of highways. Mr. Lefever has practiced the veterinary art, and has no small amount of ability.
Henry S. French, Armstrong, section 18, was born in Vermilion county on the 29th of December, 1845. He worked on his father's farm until twenty-eight years of age, and on the 25th of January, 1872, was married to Sarah Endicott, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are liv- ing : Mary E. and Henry T. Edgar deceased. Mr. French owns now sixty acres of land, worth $30 per acre. His grandfather was one of the very earliest settlers of Vermilion, settling at a very early date near Danville.
J. B. Courtney, Potomac, druggist, was born in what was then Monongalia county, Virginia, on the 2d of March, 1824, and spent his younger days assisting his father on the farm, coming to this state in 1845. He was married in 1848 to Semantha Gruey. She was born in Trumbull county on the 9th of March, 1828. They are the parents of three children : Z. B., C. F. and E. A. Mr. Courtney commenced the drug business in Marysville in 1875. He now has a good stock, and is doing quite a lively business. He is in partnership with Dr. Messner. He has held the office of collector five years, assessor five years, and justice of the peace one term.
John W. Duncan, Potomac, farmer, section 25, was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 16th of June, 1846. His mother died when he was but two years of age, and he then lived with his aunt, and part of the time with his father, until he reached the age of twenty-one. He was married to Nancy A. Price on the 5th of September, 1865. She was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on the 30th of June, 1849. They are the parents of six children : Robert W., Samuel, Albert, Harry, Maggie and Nellie. Mr. Duncan has held the office of school director six years and road commissioner two years. He raises considerable corn, which he feeds at home. His parents were natives of Kentucky : his wife's parents, of Ohio.
O. P. Soper, Armstrong, merchant, was born in Chittenden county, Vermont, on the 5th of April, 1828. His chances for an early educa- tion were good. His father came west in the fall of 1847 and settled in Lake county in this state, remaining three years, when he returned to Vermont. Mr. S. has been twice married : first to Jerusha Avell, in April, 1851. She was born in Franklin county, Vermont, and died in 1867. They had by this marriage two children: Emma J. and H. O. S. He was then married to Lanra E. Harrington in March, 1869. She was born in Franklin county, Vermont. They had by this mar-
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
riage four children : Luella, Idella, Ebbert and Kate. He commenced the grocery business in Armstrong in 1876, and now has about $1.500 invested. He owns the lot and store, and also a good house and lot. He is doing a lively business in his line of trade.
Marion Goodwine, Potomac, farmer, section 1, was born in Warren county, Indiana, on the 26th of Angust, 1846. His father moved to this state when he was but one year old, and settled in this township. Mr. Goodwine remained on the farm until twenty-two years of age, and for three years wes engaged in the mercantile business in Higgins- ville, and was postmaster for the same length of time. On the 1st of September, 1870, he was married to Harriet Selsor. She was born in Madison county, Ohio, on the 1st of May, 1850. They are the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Hattie and Freddie. The deceased was an infant.
John Goodwine, jr., Potomac, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Vermilion county on the 2d of December, 1848. He has been twice married : first, to Mary Alexander, on the 22d of December, 1870. She was born in Vermilion county, and died on the 19th of October, 1872. They had by this marriage one child : Anna, born on the 19th of July, 1872. He was then married to Lidora A. Lane, on the 14th of May, 1874, born in Ohio. They have had two children : John W., living, and one infant, deceased. The land of Mr. Goodwine, a farm of six hundred and forty-five acres, worth $35 per acre, is under excellent cultivation. He feeds and ships a large number of cattle and hogs yearly. He has a fine dwelling-house, it costing him some $2,000.
William Jndy, Blue Grass, farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, was born in Hardy county, Virginia, on the 25th of December, 1837. He remained with his father until twenty-four years of age, engaged in farming, and having but a poor chance for an education. With his father he came to this state in the fall of 1850, and settled in the town- ship in which he still resides. He was married to Nancy Wood on the 27th of March, 1862. She was born in Vermilion county on the 3d of October, 1847. They have had seven children, of whom are living Elizabeth, Frank, Milton, Charley; one infant deceased. Mr. Judy owns three hundred and twenty-five acres of land, worth $30 per acre. He attributes his success in business not alone to his own toil and industry, but also to the faithfulness and encouragement of his enter- prising wife, who is a lady much respected by all with whom she has come in contact.
Isaac Mantle, Pellsville, farmer, section 22, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 8th of April, 1829. His father died when he was but eight years old. He was married to Mary J. Kader in 1850. She
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was born in Perrysville, Indiana. They are the parents of ten chil- dren, seven of whom are living: John, Solomon, Charles, Mary J. (now married), Matilda, Lizzie, Alice. The deceased are : George, Isaac and Ellen. Mr. Mantle has held the office of highway commis- sioner several years. He handles a large number of cattle each year, and raises a good deal of corn which he feeds. His father was a native of Ohio, his mother, of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mantle owns three hun- dred and forty acres of land, worth $40 per acre.
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