History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 74

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 74
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 74

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BIOGRAPHICAL:

ents, and was married December 15, 1842, in White County, to Mr. Lemuel Hatch Harris, youngest child of Isaac Harris, one of Wayne County's oldest and most worthy pioneers, who came here in 1814. He first settled in the southern part of Illinois in 1812, but when the war broke out that year, and to the dangers of wild beasts who inhabited the dark forest was added the greater danger from the still wilder men of the woods, the prowling, treacherous Indian, Mr. Isaac Har- ris deemed it best to move back to Kentucky, from where he entered the army as a volun- teer, and participated in many thrilling scenes and famous battles, in what is known in history as the war of 1812. With the return of peace came the longing for pioneer life for which nature had so well endowed him, and having heard of the fertile region on the Wabash, he removed his family to what was afterward called Wayne County. Here he reared his family, and finally passed away to that better land from whose bourn 110 traveler returns. His son. L. H. Harris, who married onr subject, was a farmer by occupation, owning at his death 360 acres of land. He is the father of thirteen children, of whom ten are now living -Mary J. Mur- phy. James L .. Rosan, Indiana S., Lucy P., Wilson B., Sarah I., Emeline D. Simpson, Martha Ida, Eliza E. Mr. Harris died in this county. His memory is cherished by all who came in contact with him. The whole family are members of the Missionary Bap. tist Church.

NATHAN MERITT, farmer. P. O. Burnt Prairie, was born November 6, 1819, in An- derson County, S. C. He is a son of Alfred Meritt, a native of Granville County, N. C., born Angust 7, 1796. He died in 1868 in this county. He participated in the war of 1812, being stationed almost three years at the month of the Savannah River. He farmed

twenty-three years in Tennessee, and followed that vocation in this county, to which he came in 1842 to claim his land claim for serving as a soldier. His father, Steven Meritt, was of Welsh descent, a native of Virginia and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, fighting mostly under Gen. Greene in South Carolina. He was wounded in the battle at Cowpens, but never would draw a pension. He died in West Tennessee. His wife's name was Winnie Rose, born in Gran- ville County, N. C., of Irish descent. The mother of our subject was Susan How- ard, born May 12, 1799, in South Caro- lina. She died here in 1847. She was a danghter of Jonathan and Anna (Gibbs) Howard, natives of North Carolina. She was the mother of nine children. Our sub- ject went to the old-fashioned subscription schools, which were so common in Tennessee, and who were well known, even to the pio- neers of Wayne County. After living twen- ty years in Tennessee, Mr. Meritt emigrated /] to Illinois in 1840, and on November 18, the following year, was married to Mrs. Ferriba McLin, born February 12, 1815, in Union County, Ky. She is yet living. the mother of seven children, of whom fonr are now liv- ing. viz .: William, Winfield. Winston, and Savannah, wife of Alex D. Stewart. Mrs Ferriba Meritt was a daughter of Ephraim Meritt, one of Wayne County's oldest and well-known pioneers, who came here August 3, 1816, a half hour before sundown, as Un. cle George Meritt says, who ought to know, as he is Mrs. Meritt's oldest brother, and was born January 30, 1799. and is probably the oldest living pioneer in the county. Eph- raim Meritt was born in Granville County, N. C., where he married Elizabeth Mickle- john, of English descent. Her father was born in England, and was an officer of high standing in the Episcopalian Church. Our

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LEECH TOWNSHIP.

subject is a self-made man in every respect, and one of the best read men in this part of Wayne County. In 1841, he bought 40 acres, at $3.75 per acre, to which he added from time to time, till he owned 440 acres, which he divided among his four children, who are living around him. He only re- tained the old homestead of 80 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Meritt are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church. He has been in some township or school office pretty much all his life: was Justice of the Peace twenty- four years; was the first Supervisor in the county after it was organized, and has filled several terms since. Politically, he holds with the Republican party.

DR. N. P. MERRIT, physician, Wabash, was born December 20, 1826, in Breckin- ridge County, Ky. His father was the cele- brated Dr. John W. Merrit, a native of Vir. ginia. He died in Sullivan, Ind. He re- ceived his medical education in St. Louis, Mo., in 1831, following his profession in Il- linois, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, Ind. It may be said with truth that Dr. John W. Merrit was one of the most noted physicians in his day, making chronic diseases a special- ty. The grandfather of our subject was Na- thaniel P. Merrit, a native of Sonth Caroli- na, and a farmer by occupation. He died in Seymour, Jackson County, Ind. The great grandfather of Dr. Merrit was Stephen Mer- rit, who emigrated from South Carolina to Tennessee, where he farmed with success. Dr. Merrit's mother was Lucretia (Pyle) Merrit, a native of Maryland. She died in 1839, in Illinois. She was a daughter of Col. William Pyle, a native of Scotland, as was also his wife. Col. Pyle was an officer on George Washington's staff in the Revolu- tionary war. In one of the many engage- ments in which he participated, he had his quene shot off, and for many years the lock

of hair was kept as a relic in the Pyle family. Mrs. Lucretia Pyle was the mother of eight children, of whom onr subject is the only one living. He was educated in Shelbyville, Ky., receiving his medical education in Indianap- olis, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1877. The Doctor followed his profession in Greene County, Ind., and in Wayne County, to which he came in 1871, enjoying a large practice and the esteem of the people in the surrounding counties, espe cially in Edwards County. In the summer of 1864, when the war cloud was hanging over this beautiful country, Dr. Merrit of- fered his services, and was appointed Assist- ant Surgeon, by Gov. Morton, to the Thirty- first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, staying with the regiment till December 8, 1865, when it was mustered out in Victoria. Texas, after which he returned home and re- sumed the practice of his noble profession. having enriched his experience by his army service. The Doctor was married twice. His first wife, Eliza Cheneoworth, died, leaving five children, viz. : Melville, Mary, Susan, Robert, and Grace, deceased. The Doctor's present wife, Nellie (Nicholson) Merritt, born March 27, 1845, in Kentucky, is the daughter of Ludwick and Paulina (Warmouth) Nich- olson. Three children are the result of this happy union, viz. : James F., Morris F. and Franchi Lo Ford. The Doctor is an I. O. O. F., Opell Lodge, No. 99. He is a Repub- lican. and served the people in the capacity of Township Supervisor.

GEORGE W. ODELL. farmer, P. O Burnt Prairie. Among the wide awake young farmers of Wayne County wo class him whose name heads this sketch. He was born October 14. 1852. in this county; his father, Balus O.lell, was a native of Kentucky, where he learnedl the blacksmith trade. It is sup- posed that he made the first steel plow in this

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county, which event was the wonder of the neighborhood for months. He came here be- fore the Black Hawk war, and is yet living in this county, where he at one time owned several hundred acres, for a great part of which he only paid 123 cents per acre. He has some time ago given the land to his children. He is a good example of a self-made man, having carried on his back all his earthly possessions to his new home at his marriage. The mother of our subject was Elizabeth (Carter) Odell, a native of this county, where she also died. She is a daughter of Joseph Carter, and is the mother of thirteen chil. dren, of whom ten are now living-John P. , Joseph D., George W., Calvin, Sally A. Funkhouser, Emeline Short, Nancy E. Hun- singer, Mary J. Colbert, Maggie Hunsinger. Eliza Atteberry. Our subject was educated in the common schools of this county. Here he farmed, and was also married, March 15, 1874, to Miss Alfarata Hunsinger, born No- vember 12. 1857. She is a daughter of Jo- seph and Emily (Kuykendall) Hunsinger, both natives of Illinois. Joseph Hunsinger's father, John Hunsinger, married Nancy Crow- der, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Emily (Kuykendall) Hunsinger's father, named Henry Kuykendall, married Karenhappuch Greathouse, a native of Indiana. She is the only one now living of the grandparents, and although aged threescore and ten, she car- ries her age well, and is quite strong and active for a woman of her age. She is the mother of three children-Anna G., born April 25, 1875; Mary M., born October 31, 1878; and Laura E., born November 9, 1881. Mr. Odell is a member of the A. O. U. W. fraternity, Fairfield Lodge. No. 65. He has a farm of 120 acres, which is well-improved. He has been School Treasurer seven years. Tax Collector three terms and Township Supervisor two terms.

WILLIAM SCOTT, blacksmith, Wabash, was born August 25, 1826, in Albion, Ed- wards County, Ill. He is a son of William Scott., Sr., a native of New York; he was a blacksmith by occupation, and died in this county. He was one of the first settlers of Edwards County, where he lived a number of years before he came to Wayne County. At the age of sixteen, he offered his services as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and fought gallantly for the cause of freedom. The mother of our subject was Jane (Ewing) Scott, a native of Virginia. She died in this county, being the mother of fourteen chil- dren, of whom our subject is the only one living. He was educated in Albion, Ill., where he also learned the blacksmith trade, partly with his father, and partly with George Johns. This occupation he has fol- lowed ever since, and became quite an expert in many branches of his vocation. He lived a good part of his early life alternately in this and Edwards County, but did not settle here permanently till 1857. On the 8th day of June, 1848, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Narcissa Hunt, born September 27, 1832, in Edwards County, Ill .; her father, Thomas Hunt, was a native of Kentucky, while her mother, Mary (Edmonson) Hunt, was a native of Indiana. Five children now living are the result of this happy union-Alfred W., born October 30, 1849, is married to Cynthia Cop- land; Laura, born February 7, 1851, is the wife of John Straup; Emma, wife of Nathan Dempsey, was born December 19, 1853; Mi- netta, wife of Henry T. Skiner, was born January 14, 1856; Francis E., who married Parthenia Copland, was born March 9, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are religiously connected with the Christian Church, and he is a mem- ber of the G. A. R., to which membership he was entitled by his military career, which is as follows: In the spring of 1864, Mr. Scott

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enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty -sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company H, Capt. W. H. Jones. After a six months' serv- ice, he returned home, having been stationed mostly in Columbus, Ky., but also partici- pating in different engagements.

CARL C. A. WINZENBURGER, farmer, P. O. Burnt Prairie, was born June 27, 1821. in Goeppingen, Wurtemberg, Germany; his father, Carl C. Winzenburger, was also a native of Germany, where he died; he was in the employ of the German Treasury De- partment. The mother of our subject was Friederika (Langbein), a native of Ger- many, where she died. She was the mother of three children-Catharina, Friederika and Carl C. A .. our subject, who was educated in Germany, where he carried on a large business, and was also married, in 1850, to Margareta Ziegler, who died there, leaving one son, Edward L. His second wife was

Susannah Ziegler, who died, leaving one daughter, Margareta, wife of Henry Kieser. Our subject's present wife was a Mrs. Jean- nette A. Le Rue, a daughter of Carl Xavier Forstmayer, a native of Fortsheim, Germany. She is yet living; her first husband was of French descent, and she yet talks the French language very fluently; her father, Carl Xavier Forstmayer, was a man of rare talents, and an able business man; he was married to Charlotte L. Marischsall, who was a daughter of a Madame Violoe, whose descendants are heirs of a large fortuno. Mr. Winzenburger came to this country in 1864, and in the sontheast corner of Leech Township bought 320 acres of land, at $10 per acre, which he mainly improved, and keeps in a high state of cultivation. He is a man of good, sound sense, independent in political matters, and believes to do to others as you wish to have them do to you.

MASSILLON TOWNSHIP.

CREWS FAMILY. No family in Wayne County has been more prominently identi- tied with the progress, prosperity and the general welfare of the whole community, from the first settlement to the present time, than the one mentioned at he head of this sketch. Very much might be said in praise if it were necessary, but it is sufficient to say that the older members invariably cast their influence on the side of morality, right, the laws of the land, and, in fact, all that good citizens are expected or required to do. John and Richard Crews, two brothers, came from England, and are supposed to have settled in Virginia in the "long. long ago." Richard had sons-Peter, Richard, John, Jo-

siah and William. Richard, Jr., settled in Kentucky in 1814. Peter's sons were An- drew, James, Jesse, and one other name un. known. Rev. Hooper Crews was the son of James. Andrew was born in Halifax Coun- ty, Va .; removed first to the Cumberland River region in Tennessee, then to Ken- tncky, and finally to Wayne County, III., in 1817. and settled on Section 31, in Massillon Township, in 1818, where he died about 1830, and was buried at the Enoch Beach Cemetery. He is described as a most excel- lent man, affable, pleasant and gentlemanly, with a keen and piercing black eye of great intensity, with that peculiar magnetism about him that would attract and make fast 8

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friends of all who came in contact with him, and a grace and ease of manner that would make the most timid feel comfortable and at home in his presence. Being severely afflict- ed for many weary years previous to his death with rheumatism, and unable to move abont with comfort, he invited the different Christian denominations to worship at his house, and in his dwelling was organized the first Christian society, so far as is now known, in the county. He and his family were Methodists when they came to the country. His children were Matthew, Peter and James (twins), Nancy (Monroe), William and Jesse (twins), and Polly (Farley). Matthew Crews was born in Halifax County, Va., January 13, 1794, and came to Wayne County in 1829. He enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1812. but was debarred from the active field by the early termination of hostilities. On the 14th day of May, 1817, he was married to Mary Blair, in Kentucky, to whom were born William, Andrew, Nancy (Vandeveer), Alexander and James. He was, after the death of Mary, again married, August 19, 1828, to Elizabeth Owen, and to them were born Mary, Tabitha (Lane), Hooper (who died in the army), Caleb, Sarah (Heidinger) and Barton R. In many respects Matthew Crews was a remarkable man. Those who were favored with an intimate acquaintance with him found him to be gentle, kind- hearted, affable and sincere. A true friend. he could be trusted with implicit confidence, and relied upon with a certainty that was never questioned. His stern integrity, ap- plied with such unvarying certainty to his business affairs, was none the less prominent in his moral and religious sentiments; and while fulfilling the law to the very letter himself, he expected others to do the same to the extent of their ability. Among that class of people who consider themselves

" privileged characters," and who aim, as far as possible, to live off the property of honest and industrious citizens so long as they can escape the meshes of the law. he was not liked. How could it be otherwise? The very elements in the make-up of such society " beats" will forever preclude them from en - tertaining just views of men who check them in their petty peculations. Verily, Matthew Crews may be classed as of the "salt of the earth," a race of men never popular with bad men, but who stand, indeed, as fortresses to our moral civilization, and without whom the world would grow worse every day. Very characteristic of the man were his transac- tions in corn, during the memorable year of the great drought, in 1854. When the wealthy came to him for corn, he sent them away with the remark, "There are enough poor people, who cannot go to a distance, to con- sume all the corn I have, and you who are able to go farther must do so." After a very useful life, in which by industry and econ- omy he had amassed a handsome property, this good man passed away. September 2. 1861, honored and esteemed by all good men and regretted as an irreparable loss to the community.

ELIZABETH CREW'S. Among the most prominent and worthy mnatrons with which the past generation has favored the present, may be justly mentioned the one of whom We are now writing, familiarly known as "Aunt Betsey Crews." Although more than fourscore years have winged their unceasing flight into the past since her advent into the world, she is remarkably welt preserved men- tally and physically, remembering events of the past with a certainty that is truly won- derful. Elizabeth, the wife of Mattbew Crews, and daughter of William and Tabitha (Crews) Owen, was born January 25, 1801, in Halifax County, Va .; removed with her

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parents to Barren County, Ky., in 1807, and was married August 19, 1828, and came to Massillon Township, Wayne County, Ill., in 1829. William the son of David Owen, was born in Halifax County, Va., and served as a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary war. He married Tabitha, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Owen) Crews, to whom were born Richard, Sarah (Nation), John, Naney, Polly. David, Elizabeth our subject, Martha (Chapman), James C .. Tabitha (Brown). William's brothers were John, Walter. James and Jesse.

JAMES E. LANE. son of James and Ta- bitha (Crews) Lane, was born in Massillon Township, Wayne County, III., November 14, 1854, and was married, March 26, 1874, to Miss Mary E .. daughter of Zadoe C. and Nancy E. Roberts. James, Sr., was the son of Leven Lane, and the uncle of Gov. Henry C. Warmonth, of Louisiana. (For Robert's family see sketches of Jasper Township.) Subject has had good educational advantages and possesses good business qualifications. He is hy profession a farmer, owning 200 aeres of very fertile land on the Little Wabash bluffs and bottom. 120 of which are in fine state of enltivation. His pleasant home is situated on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 31, in Massil- lon Township, a place evidently noted in aboriginal times. flere, in the remote past, the buffalo had his famous trail, traces of which are still discernible, as it starts on the river bluff, bearing off in a northwesterly direc- tion, along which many bones lay bleaching at the time the dominant race took possession of the country. Here, also, are evidences of an Indian village, where interesting relics in considerable abundance yet remain. In addition to the other natural advantages of this choice farm, eighteen gurgling springs offer up their opulence and wealth of water,

with unfailing certainty in the driest season of the driest year. This place is so situated adjacent to the river bottoms that unlimited pasturage for stock can be had for years to come. Subject is a successful farmer, tak. ing life easy, and certainly has a bright future before him.

CURTIS A. MeLIN, farmer, P. O. Fair- field, son of David P. and Agnes (Wilson) MeLin, was born is Jasper Township, De- cember 3, 1849, and was married, December 16, 1869, to Miss Salina, daughter of John and Pamelia (Price) Borah, and to them were born seven children, six of whom were now living, viz .: Pamelia, February 6, 1871; Agnes E., January 18, 1873; Larkin A., No. vember 13, 1874; Eva E., March 13, 1877; Cara M., March 30. 1879, and Thomas G., April 17, 1882. David P., son of William A., was born in Tennessee, of Scotch-Irish descent, December 30, 1813. Came to Illi- nois about 1825. married, October 19, 1837, and died October 12, 1851. Agnes M., daughter of Thomas Wilson, was born in Kentucky October 20, 1818, and married David P., as above, and to them were born Sarah E., August 9, 1838; married M. H. Crews, in December, 1856; Rachel L., No. vember 11. 1939, married Mr. Shaw, Decem- ber, 1857, and died November 30, 1858; William F., February 13, 1841, and died February 26, 1842; Mary C., December 21, 1842, and died September 14, 1851; Thomas J., a soldier in the late war, born June 16, 1844, and died January 17, 1866; Arabella J., January 17, 1846, died December 11, 1847: Miriam F .. December 19, 1817, mar- ried Rev. John Borah November 1, 1866; Curtis A., as above; Maria A., February 28, 1852, married Mr. King October 8, 1874; John A., June 14, 1854, died March 3, 1855: David L., January 13, 1856, died August 29. 1860: Agnes E., April 6, 1858, died

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April 24, 1858; Jacob H., June 21, 1860, and married March 10, 1880. William A., grandfather of subject, was a Lieutenant under Jackson in the battle of New Orleans. Subject is a farmer by occupation, having 184 acres of good land, 65 of which are in a good state of cultivation. He is also successfully running the largest apple-butter factory in Wayne County, which he finds very profitable, and is strongly solicited to establish a large fac- tory in the county seat, where he can greatly enlarge his business, and add to the resour- ces of the community. Subject has been Highway Commissioner, and is at present Constable, and also Collector for Massillon Township. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party, and in his religious views leans toward the Cumberland Presby- terian Church.

ALBERT SIMMS, farmer, P. O. Elery. Among the most prominent and influential of the citizens in Massillon Township may be classed the gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch. He is the son of James and Mary A. P. (Gill) Simms, and was born in Edwards County, Ill., October 15, 1837; removed with his parents to Wayne County in 1842, where he has resided until the present time. His educational advan- tages were such as the common schools of the country afforded in his youth, but he has im- proved his opportunities to the best of his ability, reading many good books, and keep- ing posted in the current literature of the day. Subject was married, November 11, 1860, to Miss Eliza J. Stinet, and to them were born James M., August 30, 1861; Alice (Bunting), December 24, 1862; Emma J., March 4, 1865; Ulysses S., December 21, 1869; Alfred, October 23, 1872; and Will- iam H., September 6, 1878. May 20, 1880, Eliza died, and subject was again married, June 8, 1881, to Mrs. Katie A. Virgin, to

whom was born Clarence H., July 16, 1883. James, our subject's father, was born in Buckinghamshire, England, September 25, 1813; came to United States, and first settled in Edwards County, Ill. James' father, William Simms, settled in Wayne County, Ill., in an early day. Mary A. P. Gill, the first English child born in Edwards County, first saw the light of day in 1818, and died September 19, 1875. Subject was reared to the occupation of a farmer, which profession he is following at the present time. His home is on the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 36, and he is the owner of 240 acres of valuable land; 115 are in a high state of cultivation, producing abundantly the various crops grown in Southern Illinois. He has always taken a deep interest in edu- cation, having held school offices ever since he, was twenty one years old. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a member of the Christian Church.

SAMUEL J. R. WILSON. Few men in Wayne County have been more prominent for many years than Judge Wilson, the son of Thomas M., an old pioneer, and Rachel (Fulkerson) Wilsou; he was born in Ohio County, Ky .. September 15, 1816; re- moved with his parents to Wayne County, Ill., in 1822, and was married to Elvira, daughter of Enoch and Martha (Magaliard) Beach, October 29, 1839, to whom was born Mary J. (Crews), iu 1840. Subject was again married in May, 1853, to Martha, daughter of Rev. James Crews, and to them were born Martha (Jessup), in 1854, and Thomas M., on February, 1857, when Martha died also. Subject was again married, July IS, 1857, to Ritter, a sister of Martha, and to them were born Maria C., June 15, 1858; Charles B., July 5, 1863; John W., October 15, 1865; Retha B., June 15, 1868; Robert, March 7, 1870; Nathan E., January 26, 1872, and

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 74

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