History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 69

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 69
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 69

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LEVI M. CISNE, farmer, P. O. Cisne. Prominently identified among the substantial and' respected citizens of Wayne County is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, the necessary brevity of which compels us to note but a few of his many genial and worthy qualities. He came from Monroe County, Ohio (his native county), where he was born December 28, 1830. He is the eldest child of Emanuel and Saralı (Garrett) Cisne, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller by occupation in early life, but gave liis attention more to farming pursuits in later years. During his life, he took active interest in political affairs, and enterprises calculated for the public good. and was for many years a General in the old State militia, and was thereafter pop- nlarly known as Gen. Cisne. Ile served also in an Ohio regiment during the late war. His venerable partner in life sur- vives him, and is still living in Ohio, at the good old age of seventy four. Their wedded life was blessed with nine chil- dren, all of whom were raised to manhood and womanhood, and six are now living -- Levi M., Mary E. Phillips, David A., Nancy J. Crawford, Eunice A. Amos, and Sarah C., wife of Dr. J. P. Walters, of Cisne. Levi M. Cisne, the subject of these lines, obtained

what little education was afforded by the old- fashioned subscription schools of his native State, and he remained there, engaged prin- cipally in farming, and occasionally in steam- boating, until removing to this county in December, 1854. In 1860, the people elect- ed him, as a Republican, member of the County Board from Bedford Township, and he served as such with great ability through- out seven consecutive years. Having the welfare of the people at heart, all enterprises which promised beneficial returns, and those calculated for the lasting good of the masses at large, found in him an able and stubborn advocate, and at the time when the proposi- tion requesting the assistance of the citizens of Wayne County in the building of the pro- posed southeast division of the O. & M. R. R. was under consideration, he wielded a powerful influence in its favor, and the ulti mate building of the road was largely due to his commendable efforts in its behalf, and the village of Cisne now bears his name, in rec ognition of the valuable services he rendered. During the war, Mr. Cisne took a census of the township, preparatory to a draft, ascer- taining thereby the names of those eligible for war service. He also canvassed part of the county. soliciting names to a petition re- questing the Governor of the State to exert his influence in favor of some plan to secure the soldiers' vote at Lincoln's second elec- tion. Mr. Cisne has also given a good deal of attention to church debts, and has within his life been many times instrumental in raising them to the extent of several thou- sands of dollars. He has for many years been a member of the A., F. & A. M., and, with his wife, of the Christian Church. He was married, January 18, 1855, to Jane Ray, born November 8, 1833, a daughter of Maj. B. and Mary (Martin) Ray. The union has been blessed with nine children, of whomll

BIOGRAPHICAL:

there are eight living, as follows: William H. (who is the present general railroad agent at Cisne, and is also a member of the firm of Brock & Cisne, general grain and produce merchants), Mary C. (wife of B. M. Brock), Sarah J. (wife of Allen Stine), Julia A., Ag. nes M., Jonah G., Charles B, Edna P. (de- ceased), and Isaac M. Mr. Cisne has a farm of 320 acres, which is devoted to farm ing in its various branches, but a specialty is made of red top grass, the seed of which Mr. Cisne has annually sold in such large quantities as to give him the name of "Grass Seed Cisne." The presence of such men in any community tends to its higher advance- ment, and to their enterprising efforts is largely if not altogether due the material growth and prosperity of our Western coun- try.

THOMAS D. COLVIN, Postmaster and merchant, Cisne, is a native of Highland Coun- ty, Ohio, born February 12, 1840, a son of Amos and Elizabeth (Holden) Colvin, both Ohioans by birth. The father was a son of Thomas Colvin, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother is now living in Jeffersonville. this county, aged seventy years. Her father, Charles Holden, served in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject were blessed with ten children, of whom there are seven living --- Andrew J., Ann Doan. Thomas D., Solo- mon B., Cyrus, Hannah Simmons and George W. At the age of thirteen years, our subject came with his parents to Rich- land County, Ill., where he lived until 1872, engaged principally in farming. In Sep- tember, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixty sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company I. The regiment's sharpshooters were com- manded by Col. Burke. Mr. Colvin served out his three years of enlistment, but re-en listed in the same company and regiment, and served until the close of the war. He

was engaged throughout the Western cam- paign, and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea. He opened up in the mer- cantile business at Calhoun, Ill., and in 1872 came to Cisne, moving his stock of goods with him, and he has since continued in the same business, and has also had charge of the post office at this point for abont eight years. Mr. Colvin married Elma Comstock, a daughter of Isaac Com- stock, who came from Ohio, and located in 1864, in Richland County, this State. The union has been blessed with seven children, of whom three are living-Charles H., Geor- gie M. and Aden P. Subject is a member of the A., F. & A. M., Johnsonville Lodge, No. 713. Politically, is a Republican.

JESSE L. DYE, farmer, P. O. Cisne, was j born in Monroe County, Ohio, August 25, 1833. He is a son of William and Maria (Mitchell) Dye, the father an Ohioan, and the mother a native of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation. To the parents were given ten children, four of whom alone remain-Matilda J., Jesse L., Thomas and Elizabeth. Our subject ob- tained but a meager schooling, and for sex- eral years, during his early life, was engaged in running a ferry-boat across the Ohio River. In 1851, he came with his parents to Wayne County, and in August, 1854, set- tled where he at present resides, on a farm consisting of 125 acres, having disposed of eighty acres a short time since. Mr. Dye married Achsah Ann Emmons, who died in De- cember, 1869, the mother of nine children, four of whom are living- William F. (de- ceased, was killed by lightning when he was about twenty years of age), Thomas H., Mar- tin, Emma and Roseberry M. Mr. Dye's present wife, Mary A., is a daughter of Jer- emiah Spriggs, who came to Wayne County in 1863. Subject and wife are members of

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the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Dye is a Republican.

JOSEPH S. HARRY, apiarian, P. O. Cisne, came from Pennsylvania, where he was born October 20, 1850. a son of Simon and Cathar- ine (Korp) Harry, both natives of the same State. The father was a cooper by trade, but devoted his time to agricultural pursuits in later years. His wife is still living with onr subject. The parents were blessed with eight children, of whom six survive-John H., Joseph S., Susan, Sophinia, Cedalia and Simon. Joseph S., our subject, moved with his parents, when he was quiet small, to Marshall County, Ind., and thence to Mine- sota, and finally to Wayne County, in 1869, after returning to Indiana again. Since the latter date, he has resided in this county, with the exception of a few years in In- diana. For many years past, he has given his attention to bee culture. The Italian bee has his preference, and he possesses facilities for safely transporting queens of this vari. ety to all parts of the country. He dis- poses of honey in large quantities annually, and at present devotes most of his time to the successful management of his many hives of the busy insect. Mr. Harry married Rebecca S. Flick, a daughter of Arthur Flick. of this county. The union has given one child-Junie M. Mr. Harry is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and, politically, is a Republican.

SANFORD C. JORDAN, farmer, P. O. Rinard, was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., May 15, 1842, to Joshua and Jemima (Hagle) Jordan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was a cooper by trade, but he engaged in farming pursuits during the latter part of his life. He was a son of Samuel Jordan, an old soldier in the Indian wars. To the parents, of whom the mother is still living, were born ten children, only

two of whom survive-S. C., and Mary, wife of Joseph Pittman, of this township. Our subject came to Wayne County in the fall of 1852, and has since resided hero, with the exception of a few months in Edwards County, this State. He taught school some in early life, and September 14, 1861, en- listed in what was called the Engineer Reg. iment of the West, which was afterward re. organized, and was known as the First Mis- souri Engineer Corps He served until dis- charged November 1, 1864. Mr. Jordan married Elizabeth Vail, a daughter of Oliver and Theresa Vail. Seven children have blessed this union, four of whom are living -- Florence, Frank, Dias C. and Roy. Mr. Jordan has a farm of 240 acres, which is given mostly to the raising of stock. He has filled the offices of Assessor and Collector of the township, and in politics is a Repub- lican.

LEWIS J. KEITH, farmer. P. O. Rinard, is one of the substantial farmers of Bedford Township. He was born in Noble County, Ohio, October 8, 1839, to Peter and Mary (Taylor) Keith; he is a Pennsylvanian by birth, and she a native of England. The fathor was a blacksmith by trade, and for many years made bells for farm use, but in later years engaged in farming. He was a son of Peter Keith, who was of German de- scent. Our subject's mother is still living in Ohio, aged eighty-three years. The union of the parents was blessed with thirteen chil- dren, of whom there are eleven now living- Benjamin, Robert. John, Betsey Grimes, Peter, Philip W., Joseph S., Pardon C., Frances A. Culler. Lewis J. and Charles H. Our subject obtained a common school edu- cation, and until becoming. of age, assisted his father on the farm. He was afterward for several years in the milling business, and also farmed in Delaware County, Iowa. He

BIOGRAPHICAL :

came to Wayne County after two years' resi- dence in Iowa, and has since remained here. His present farm property consists of 465 acres of land, mostly in Bedford Township. His residence is in Rinard. He was married to Margaret Taylor, a daughter of William Taylor, deceased. The union has given three children-Wesley E., Mamie A. and Charles E. Mr. and Mrs. Keith are members of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Dem- crat. For the past ten years, Mr. Keith has dealt quite extensively in stock.

JOHN W. KINDLE, farmer, P. O. Ri- nard, is one of Wayne County's largest and most substantial farmers, having farm prop- erty to the amount of 760 acres, which is de- voted principally to the raising of stock. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, June 1, 1828, the eldest son of Joseph and Nancy (Morrow) Kindle, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Ohio. The parents came to Wayne County about 1863, from Johnson County. Ind., whence they had removed from Ohio in 1841. They finally returned to Johnson County, where they both died. Their union was blessed with five children, of whom there are four living --- John W., Eliza J. (widow of James Burget), James M., and Nancy A. (wife of James M. Mullikin. of Bedford Township). The re- maining child-Mary E .- married John White, both now deceased. Our subject ob- tained but a meager education in the old- fashioned schools, and he remained on the farm until twenty-one years of age. He then followed carpentering for several years, but has since given his attention entirely to ag. ricultural pursuits. He was united in mar- riage to Ruth M. Gosney, a daughter of John J. Gosney, a resident of Piatt County, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Kindle have raised two children Catharine and Charles H. Freer, who came from English parents, the former

having been born in England. Their mother was accidentally burned to death. Charles H. has been adopted by Mr. Kindle, and has had his surname accordingly changed. Mr. Kin- dle is a Democrat in politics.

FRANK A KUTZ, stock-dealer, Cisne, was born in Berks County, Penn., November 5, 1840, the only child of Henry and Mary (Adam) Kutz, both natives of the same State. The father was a teacher and farmer by occu - pation, and was a son of Jacob Kutz, also of Pennsylvania. Our subject remained in Pennsylvania, engaged in farming pursuits, until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Illinois, after stopping a season in India-

na. He returned to Pennsylvania for six months, but came West again at the end of that time, and a year later commenced mer- chandising in Wabash County. Ill., where he remained a year. He came to Wayne Coun- ty, and for eight years ran a general store in Enterprise. He removed his stock of goods to Cisne, and continued in business for sev- eral years at this place, being for two years in partnership with J. P. Billington He finally sold out to Archibald & Jordan, who in turn later disposed of the same to Capt. R. F. Davidson, the present proprietor. Mr. Kutz now gives his attention to the raising of stock, principally horses and mules. He has a farm of 344 acres, besides several lots and buildings in the village of Cisne. He was first married to Sarah Johnson, who bore him one child. Mary A. His second marriage was with Mary Sprankle, a danghter of John Sprankle, now a farmer in Colorado. This union has given four children, three of whom are living-Florence O., Elva A. and John C. Mr. Kutz is Democratie in politics.

PATRICK McBRIDE. farmer. P. O. Cis. ne. is a native of County Donegal, Ireland. He was born June 16, 1854, to James and Maggie (Brannon) McBride, both now de.

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ceased. The father was a farmer and a fish- erman by occupation. Our subject came to America in 1871, and after serving a year at marble cutting in New York, came West and located in Knox County, Ind., where ho clerked a year in a general store, after which he was engaged for several years in running a peddler's wagon throughout Indiana and Illinois. In 1879, he came to Wayne Coun- ty, Ill., and purchased 80 acres of land, which, with 20 acres of timber land, consti- tutes his present farm property. He married Mary Quinn, a daughter of Andrew Quinn, of Clay County, Ill. The union has given two children, one of whom, James A .. is liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. McBride are members of the Catholic Church. Politically, Democratic.

WILLIAM H. MIX, general buyer, Cis- ne, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. born April 20. 1829, the eldest child of Charles H. and Belinda P. (Flowers) Mix, he from Connecticut. and she from Kentucky. The parents had seven children, all of whom are living in Wayne County. Our subject engaged in farming in early life, and after- ward for seven years clerked in Cincinnati. Ohio, where he learned the harness trade, at which he works some at present. He came to Wayne County in the spring of 1862. from Hamilton County, III., whonce he had removed from Ohio the previous year. Up to 1873, he gave his attention to farming, and was after- ward in the harness business for four years in Flora, Ill. He shortly afterward came to Cisne, and for the past few years has been engaged in buying and shipping produce and all sorts of marketable stuff. 'He has filled the offices of Assessor and Collector of the township, and in the spring of 1881 was elected Justice of the Peace, and was also appointed Notary Public. He was also Dep nty Mail Agent on the railroad for about six months. He was first married to Elizabeth

Crainer, who died in January, 1872. She was the mother of six children, of whom there are four living-Alice, wife of Charles A. Blake, of Springfield, Ill., Ira and Ida, twins, and Effie. Mr. Mix was married a sec- ond time, to Sarah C. Swift, a daughter of Milton Swift, of Ripley County, Ind. This union has given two children, John M. and Theodore V. Mr. Mix is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Methodist Church. to which latter his wife also belongs. In poli- tics, he votes the Republican ticket.

CASSELMAN ORR, farmer, P. O. Cisne. came to Wayne County in 1853, from Ohio. He was born in Mahoning County, that State, February 17, 1829. He is a son of Russell and Eleanor (Winans) Orr-he of Ohio, and she of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation, and had followed mer- chandising some in early life. He was a son of William Orr, who was a native of Scotland. The union of the parents of our subject was blessed with ten children, nine of whom survive-Eleanor. wife of J. Frank Pearce, of this township. Rodney, Gates, Casselman, Susan, Mary A., Jacintha R., Olive and Russell. Our subject obtained but a meager schooling in Ohio, and he has during his life given his attention almost wholly to farming pursuits. His present farin consists of 200 acres of land, and he has a tine residence which he erected in 1882. Mr. Orr wedded Marietta Willett, a daughter of George Willett, deceased. Seven children have blessed this union, six of whom are living-Orestes O., a lawyer, now residing in California, Emma, Grace, Casselman R .. Addie and George W. Mr. Orr and wife are members of the Christian Church. Po- litically, he is a Republican.

JAMES F. PEARCE, farmer, P. O. Cisne, was born in Trumbull County, now Mahon- ing County, Ohio, August 24, 1820, a son of

BIOGRAPHICAL:

Amos and Ada (James) Pearce-the father a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The father was by occupation a tiller of the soil, and he was a volunteer in the war of 1812, but his services were not required. He was a son of Joseph Pearce, who was of Holland descent. The parents of our subject raised a family of four chil- dren, of whom three survive-Joseph L., James F. and Matilda Hart. Mr. Pearce's father died when he (subject) was about eighteen years old, and the mother married afterward a Mr. William Dean. Mr. Pearce obtained a liberal education, having attended, besides the district schools, two academic institutions, and having secured a teacher's certificate he taught for several years in various States, and also in Wayne County, having come here in 1852. For many years. he was an active member of a debating club, and he was always on hand to participate in its proceedings. In late years, he has been often called upon to publicly speak upon the leading issues of the day, and especially upon questions of prohibition and political economy. His arguments possess a great amount of originality, and are delivered with marked oratorical effect. He was an active member of the Union League during the war, and was also selected by the County Grange as their lecturer-an office requiring abilities possessed by but few. He has been Supervisor of Bedford Township, and also Town Clerk and Collector. He was a candi- date for Presidential Elector on the Greeley ticket, and was also a candidate for the State Senate. Mr. Pearce married Eleanor Orr, a daughter of Russell Orr, and the union has been blessed with six children, of whom five are living-Adelia, Frank H., Ralph, Ollie and Fremont. Mr. Pearce has a farm of 200 acres, to the management of which he gives his present attention.

EDWIN L. PETTIJOHN, farmer, P. O. Rinard, is a native of Brown County, Ohio, born December 25, 1831, the eldest child of Zachariah and Maria (McDaniel) Pettijohn. The father was born in Virginia, and is yet living, at the age of eighty-two. He is a son of James, who was a son of John Petti- john, or Pettyjohn, which latter spelling was formerly used. Zachariah's first wife, Nan- cy, bore him one child, now deceased. His- second wife, our subject's mother, gave him seven children, of whom there are five living -Edwin L., Diana E., James W., Annie E. and Robert S. Our subject came with his parents to Jefferson County, Ill., where they resided three years, returning to Ohio at the end of that time, and remaining there until coming to Wayne County in the fall of 1865. Mr. Pettijohn worked at his trade of wagon and carriage making while resid- ing in Ohio, but has since devoted his time to his farming interests. He has 340 acres of land, given to general farming, and also runs a cane mill upon the place. October 12, 1861, Mr. Pettijobn enlisted in an Ohio cavalry regiment and served three and a half years, within which time he rose from a private to the position of Captain of his company. He was united in marriage to Margaret Tracey, a daughter of Ira Tracey. a wealthy farmer in Brown County, Ohio. The union has given ten children, of whom there are six living-Isadora E., Belle, U. S. G., Sherman, Viola M. and Sheridan. Mr. Pettijohn has served as Collector of Bedford Township, and politically is a Re- publican.

JOHN PETTYJOHN, farmer, P. O. Rin- ard, came to Wayne County in 1838 with his parents, and has since resided here. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, May 9, 1813, the eldest child of Edward and Sarah (Line) Pettyjohn, the father a native of Vir-

BEDFORD TOWNSHIP.

ginia, and the mother of Kentucky. Edward Pettyjohn was a farmer by occupation, and was a volunteer in the war of 1812. He was a son of Jolin Pettyjohn, who was a son of one of three brothers who came to this coun- try from Wales. The parents of our subject were blessed with ten children. of whom four are now living-John; Ruth, wife of J. A. Hays, of McLean County. Ill .; Thomas, a farmer residing in Clay County, this State; and Ann, who lives in Tazewell County, Ill., widow of James Gunson. Francis, now de- ceased, married Marcus Summers, and their only child, Sarah E., is now the wife of Sol- omon Yates, a substantial farmer in Bedford Township. Our subject received only a lim- ited schooling, and during his life has given his attention to farming pursuits. He came to his present place, on which his father had previously located, about 1852. It now con- sists of 240 acres. He has been married three times; first in Ohio to Keziah Shearer, who bore him seven children -three of whom survive-Thomas J., Rowan and Homer S. His second marriage was with Fidelia (Sum- mers) Williams. This union gave two chil- dren, both of whom are deceased. He mar ried his present wife, Catharine Anderson, in November, 1871. She is the daughter of David and Nellie (Miller) Anderson. Her father is at present living in Logan County, Ohio, a farmer by occupation. Mr. Petty- john is among the old settlers of Wayne County, and is highly respected by all who know him. In political affairs, he votes the Republican ticket.

JOHN C. PHILLIPS, blacksmith, Cisne, is a native of Franklin County, Vt., and was born August 26, 1823, to Seth and Nancy (Blake) Phillips, both of whom were natives of New England. The father was a clothier by trade, and was thus engaged during his life principally. He was a son of Amos

Phillips, whose father came from Wales. The parents of our subject were blessed with ten children, all but one are living-Aun E. (wife of Dr. Joel N. Converse), John C., Hannah Converse, Mercy and Mary (twins, the former married first a Mr. Converse, and afterward a Mr. Smith, and the latter married a Mr. Atkinson-both are now widows), Char- lotte Case, Betsey Rodgers, Wealthy Little and Nancy Atkinson. The father of our sub- ject, was married a second time, to Rebecca Tague, by whom he had one child -- Laura, now the wife of Shepherd Miller, of West Liberty, Ohio. At about eight years of age, our subject removed with his parents from his native State to Union County, Ohio, where he resided until 1867. in which year he came to Wayne County, where he has since remained. In early life, Mr. Phillips worked at the same trade as his father, but in 1850 he commenced to learn blacksmithing, and has since been thus mostly engaged. He has a shop in Cisne, and also a residence and some property in and around town. Febru- ary 7, 1850, he wedded Melissa S. Converse, born December 27, 1832, a daughter of Par- ley and Sally (Beach) Converse, who were natives of New England. Both of the par- ents had been previously married. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom there are five now living- Annette (wife of Thomas J. Simpson), Ora (wife of Isaac L. Dobbs, of Cisne, a veteran of the late war. Mr. Dobbs served over three years, the latter part of which he was in the veteran service. He was severely wounded at the battle at Dallas, Ga., from the effects of which he lost his left arm. In 1867, he commenced the study of medicine, and at- tended the Eclectic Medical College, Cincin- nati, and for several years afterward engaged in practice in various parts of Illinois health compelled him to discontinue his 8

BIOGRAPHICAL:

practice, and he has in later years been other- wise engaged), Mary E. (wife of John Ul- rich), Charles W. and Mattie M. Mr. Phil- lips is a man esteemed by all who know him, and he possesses that Yankee energy and en- terprise which makes much out of little, and upon which has depended the material growth and prosperity of our Western coun- try. Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party.

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 69

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704