USA > Illinois > Woodford County > History of Woodford County > Part 16
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Another Matthew Tomb, a cousin of Andrew and Mat- thew Tomb previously referred to, came thru from Ohio in 1855, as was usually the case they made the trip across the states in wagons, and naturally met with many hindrances on the way. Ile was the father of a number of children, who have since become widely known thruout the county. R. D., John and Smith Tomb are sons, while Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Ed. Moore and Mrs. Grant are daughters.
Two other pioneers are Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kennell, each of whom were born in the county. Christian Kennell, the father of Peter, eame to Woodford county from France in 1842, and settled in Worth township. His death occurred in Metamora about 18 years ago. Other members of this family are Christian and Joseph Camp. Mrs. Kennell's father, Debolt Housholter, Sr., came here from the border- land of France, having first stopped in Pittsburg a short time. The family settled in Worth township about 1846. Of the members of this family still residing in Woodford county are Debolt Ilousholter, Jr., Mrs. Joseph Camp and Mrs. Christian Risser.
James Finley came to Woodford county in 1836 and set- tled in what was then known as Walnut Grove. He came to Woodford county from Cecil county, Maryland, and built a log cabin,near the present site of the college campus in Eu- reka. He, together with the Meeks, Radfords, Davidsons, Majors, Dickinsons and Oatmans, was among the early set- tlers of that region. The family later moved to Versailles
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
and finally moved onto a square section on the Mackinaw river, there Shelby M. Cullom broke prairie for them in 1850. The parents of Senator Cullom came to Illinois while it was still a new state and settled near the borders of Woodford county. Here the childhood of the present senator was spent, and he experienced many pioneer hardships. IIc broke a great deal of prairie land, and was employed by Mr. Finley in this task. An ox team was used in breaking the prairies. Samuel Finley, one of his sons, was a well known figure in the county for many years. He grew up with a great love of the woods and was never so happy as when on a hunting trip. He provided game for the table, and made a practice of selling game and furs. During the years when Mr. Finley was an active hunter, he killed more than three hundred deer. In one day he brought down four of these animals. He killed three one morning before break- fast, and on one occasion killed two bucks with one shot from his rifle. He bagged more than three hundred wild turkey the largest of which weighed over thirty poun Is. On one occasion he and his brother got eighty-seven prairie chickens in about eight hours with rifles. Foxes, wolves. raccoons, opossums and many other varieties of game fell before the rifle of this sturdy hunter. Mrs. Samuel Finley also came from a pioneer family, her maiden name being Laytin. The family settled in Tazewell county near the set- tlement made by the Culloms and Smalls. As was custom- ary in those days, she spent many a day in the harvest field, and she was accustomed to spin and weave, as were most of the housewives of pioneer days.
J. C. Finley of Eureka is a grandson of James Finley. the pioneer. Charles Finley is another of the descendants of this settler.
Among other well known names are those of the Bru- bakers of Eureka. In the early days of the development of the county Benjamin Brubaker came here from Ohio. As was customary the journey was made across country in covered wagons, about two months being consumed in the
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trip. They first came to the state with the intention of set- tling in the vicinity of Rockford and Mr. Brubaker started out on horseback to go to that place to select a farm. Before traveling a great distance he came up with a man, who was walking. He dismounted and walked a distance with him, and was told of a farm for sale just west of the present site of Eureka. Instead of continuing his journey, Mr. Brubaker turned back, visited the farm and purchased it. The family retained possession of it until about 1876. It is now known as the II. K. Swisher farm. Seven children came with their parents to this county, and of this number but two remain in the county, Peter and David Brubaker, both of Eureka. Four members of this family enlisted in the Union army, Peter and David being among the number. Among the younger generation are a number of well known men, among them being W. II. Brubaker, a prominent business man of Benson.
Christopher Roth came to America in 1844, and first set- tled in Texas. Ile remained there but a short time and moved north. Ile finally came to Illinois about 1847, and settled in the vicinity of Metamora. But one representative of the family is still a resident of the county : Jacob Roth, for many years a well known business man of the county.
F. F. Briggs, for many years a prominent figure in the business cireles of Metamora, came to Illinois in 1851, and soon embarked in the undertaking business in the county seat. Ile was a man who was very accurate in keeping his books, and he had a record of funerals conducted during a half century of business life. Several members of this family continue to reside in the county.
One of England's contributions to the growth of Wood- ford county was Thomas Whorrall, who came to Metamora at an early date. He was a prominent member of the church and frequently filled the pulpit in various churches of the Methodist denomination of which he was a member. IIe oe- eupied the farm and met with success in his chosen field of
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
labor. A number of years ago he removed to Iowa and set- tled in Grundy county. Other members of the family locat- ed in that state, and they prospered in their new home Since going to Iowa both Mr. and Mrs. Whorrall have died. They have four sons there now, E. E. and Joseph Whorrall, of Beaman; James and William Whorrall, of Conrad. Rev. Charles Whorrall, whose burial recently occurred at Wash- burn, was another son of this estimable couple. Ile was prominent as a minister of the Presbyterian church.
The Hammers family has been identified with the his- tory of the country mow known as Woodford county since A. D. 1835, at which time Jesse Hammers came with his fam- ily from Greene county. Pennsylvania, to what was at that time a part of Tazewell county and settled just west of the present village of Cazenovia, in the edge of the Illinois river timber, the greater part of his farm lying on the prairie ad- joining the timber. His father-in-law, Isaac Buckingham, and kis brother-in-law . James Boys, who was one of the first county commissioners of Woodford county, having come from Pennsylvania and settled in the same neighborhood a year or two prior to his coming.
Jesse Hammers lived on the farm where he first settled all the rest of his life and died there in 1880. He was always interested in the development of the new country and did much personally to advance its agricultural, horticultural and live stock interests. He enconraged the development of the educational and religious interests of the community and did his share towards the establishment of schools and churches. Ile also assisted in the organization of the county fair held for many years at Meta-
that mora and was for some time president of organization. He was the first breeder of Short Horn cattle in the county, a business which his son-in-law, HIon. P. A. Coen, afterwards also carried on very successful- ly. At his death he left surviving him his widow. Ruah Hammers, who has since died, and his children Joseph S.
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Hammers, Morgan B. Hammers. James A. IIammers and William O. Ilammers.
Joseph S. Ilammers came with his father, Jesse Hammers, to the country, afterwards Woodford county, in 1835 when he was but two years of age. In 1856 he was elected county surveyor and served in that capacity four years. In 1857 he settled on a farm in Greene township, upon which farm he resided until his death, which occurred in 1893. Ile was a successful farmer and stockman and a promi- nent breeder of short-horn cattle. He left surviving him his widow, Eleanor Hammers, and his children, Isaac B. Ilam- mers, Laura II. Nelson, Charles II, Hammers, Lewis J. Ham- mers, James R. Hammers and William E. Hammers all of whom still reside in the county except Laura H. Nelson, who resides at Ainsworth, Iowa, and Lewis J. Hammers who is a prominent doctor at Lexington, Illinois.
Isaac B. Hammers is an attorney at ElPaso, Illinois, and represented this senatorial district in the 39th and 40thi General Assemblies.
Morgan B. Hammers settled in Greene township and resided there until his death in 1882. He left surviving him Rosa B. Hammers, his widow and his children, Ella B. IIam- mers, Lillian Hammers, Jesse Hammers, Morgan Hammers and Edna Hammers.
James A. Ilammers at the beginning of the civil war enlisted as a private in the 77th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served three years and re-enlisted and was mistered out as orderly sargeant, his rank having been con- ferred upon him for bravery in action. After the close of the war he settled on a farm which was part of the original homestead of Jesse IIammers where he resided until 1878, in which year he went to Anthony, Kansas, and now resides in Los Angeles, California.
William O. Hammers at the breaking out of the civil war enlisted in the 77th Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- fantry and was chosen Lieutenant of his company. He re-
.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
mained in the active service for about two years when his health failed and he resigned and eame home to recover his health. After some time he re-entered Chicago University and was in due course graduated from that school. Ile lo- cated on the farm where Cazenovia now stands and lived there until 1878. He now resides at Eunice, La.
JOHN LEYS.
About 1850 Joseph
Ilammers, father of
Jesse Hammers and James Hammers, Joseph T. Ilammers and his sis- ter, Mary Myers, with their families came out from Pennsylvania and settled in Greene town- ship in Woodford county, where Joseph Hammers and his wife died. Mary Myers after- wards removed to Pano- la in said county and died there about 1880. -Joseph T. Hammers, James Hammers and Samuel Hammers all re-
moved from the county in 1874 or prior to that date and for many years lived at or near Clearwater, Kansas, at which place the most of their children still reside.
The county has profited by coming in touch with the Ilammers family as they one and all have been good citizens and patriotic. progressive, high-minded men.
The Woodford County Agricultural Association of which Jesse Hammers was one of the organizers was form- ed in 1858. Its object was to hold an annual fair at Meta- mora. The following were the officers: President, Jesse Ilammers; vice-president, Charles Rich ; secretary, H. L. S. Haskell ; treasurer, John W. Page; directors, Horace Hazen,
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George Ray and John J. Perry. While the fair was a great success in other ways, it was not a success financially and was abandoned in 1870.
One of the most familiar figures in connection with of- ficial affairs of the county was that of John Leys. For thirty-one years he was either a deputy or official in the ser- viee of Woodford county, and was as well versed in the duties of the various positions that he filled as any one in this portion of Illinois.
Ile was born. in Burges, Belgium, March 21st, 1837, and his early education was gained while living there. He later attended the Antwerp Naval school and spent some years as a sailor and received a certificate of navigation from the French government. In 1857 he came to Chicago and from there came to Woodford county. Later he removed to Mc- Lean county. Ile enlisted in Company C of the 33rd In- fantry, August 15th, 1861, at Bloomington.
On the day of his return from the war, he was married to Miss Ann Taylor. Six children were born to this union, of whom Edna L. Evey, Anna L. Hodgson, J. H. and J. Albert Leys, still survive.
The newly married couple settled in Kansas township and remained there until 1874, when Mr. Leys was appoint- ed deputy county clerk. He served as deputy until 1886, when he was elected county clerk. After one term he again became deputy, and served until 1894, when he was appoint- ed to fill the unexpired term of T. A. Huxtable. His death occurred at Eureka. December 1st, 1905. having been in the service of the county thirty-one years.
James Shields, Sr., came to Clayton township at an early date in its development and purchased the farm now occupied by his son, John Shields. It was bought from the Illinois Central, which had secured it directly from the gov- ernment as a part of the grant received to aid in the con- struction of the road. Of this family James and John Shields reside in the county. as do also two daughters, Mrs. Charles Iloffman and Mrs. Frank Bentfeld.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Allen Hart was born in Westchester county, New York, in 1803. He came to Hudson, III., in 1836, and moved to what is now the Hart homestead in Palestine township in 1837, having purchased the property from the U. S. govern- ment. Ile was a member of the first jury that ever tried a case in Woodford county. This case was heard at the April term of the circuit court at Ver- sailles, in 1842 and was en- titled : "The People, etc. VS Jos. L Gardner, in- dietment for attempt to do bodily injury." The ver- LOUIS H. VAN ALSTINE. diet was guilty, and Gard- ner was fined $30 and costs. One of the attorneys in the case was Abraham Lincoln. In 1850 when Palestine town- ship (which then included ElPaso township) was organized, Mr. Hart was elected supervisor, which office he held for several terms. He was the first passenger to land at Kappa from a passenger train, having returned from a visit to New York just in time to get on board the first passenger train that ever passed through Kappa, which was in 1854. Mr. Ilart died in 1879 very suddenly of heart disease. He was a pleasant and very popular gentleman and his family are ali highly respected. A son, John Hart, and Mrs. Judge Kennedy and his grand-children, Circuit Clerk Louis Van Alstine and Mrs. Wm. A. VanAlstine, still reside in Wood- ford county. Attorney Harvey Hart and Dr. Ed Hart with their two sisters and mother reside in Bloomington. Wilson A. Ilart is in the banking and abstracting business at La Jaunta, Colorado,
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Mrs. Nancy Kirk one of the oldest residents of Minonk was born in Ireland in 1819. She came to America in 1845 and two years later she was married to William Kirk. She has nine children living; Wmn. Kirk, of Woodford; Mrs. S. A. Hilsabeck, Minonk; Samuel Kirk, Iowa City; Mrs. J. C. Hilsabeck, Hastings, Neb .; Mrs. C. A. Trunk, Chatsworth, Matthew Kirk, Minonk ; Mrs. Anna Kindig, Burlington ; Mrs. M. T. Heath, Chicago, and James S. Kirk, Minonk.
The Oldest Woman.
The oldest woman in the county is Mrs. Volke Uphoff, who was born in Riepe, Germany, in 1811. If she lives until June 4th, 1910, she will have reached her 99th year. She was the wife of Wait Uphoff, whose death occurred a num- ber of years ago. They came to America in 1855 and remained in Peoria two years. They then came to Clayton town- ship and settled on the farm in 1857. The country was then wild and almost unsettled, MRS. NANCY KIRK. while the broad prairies were unbroken. They suffered the usual hardships connect- ed with pioneer life, but in spite of it all they prospered.
Mrs. Uphoff has many descendants, who hope to see her pass the century mark and live far beyond it. The children are B. W., Adam W., J. W., Bartlett W. Uphoff and Mrs. Giles. There are forty-two grand-children and sixty-eight
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
great grand-children. The subject of our sketch now re- sides in Benson, where she enjoys excellent health for one of her advanced age.
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VOLKE UPHOFF.
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The Law.
In the early days of the county, attorneys were rarely seen within its borders, but as the country became more thiekly settled, the demand for the services of the exponents of the law became more and more pressing. It was not, however, until after the organization of the county that a lawyer became a resident within its borders. The attorneys of those days drove great distances to appear before the court, and it was no uncommon occurrence for one to drive from Springfield to plead a cause in Woodford county. The attorneys present at the first session of court at Versailles included a number who afterward gained wide reputations as attorneys and politicians. Among these were Abraham Lincoln, John T. Staurt and Stephen T. Logan. The former had already given promise of future greatness, altho no one foretold for him the great career that he later made. He had been in the state legislature and had made something of a reputation as a public speaker. He was more famous as a story teller at that time than for any other talent. He had just closed his partnership with John T. Staurt, who had been elected in 1837 over Stephen A. Douglas as a member of congress; and had formed partnership with Judge Stephen T. Logan, one of the ablest lawyers in the state. This group of attorneys was alone sufficient to make this session of court famous as a gathering of great men, but there were others there whose names have been justly record- ed in the hearts of the people as truly great men There was the gallant Col. Ed. D. Baker, justly famed as the silver tongued Baker. David Davis, noted for his broad mind and sound judgment, while John J. Harding and A. Gridley were among the others present. There was the greatest spirit of good fellowship among them and there was an absence of that disposition of abuse that is now occasionally witnessed in court. The first licensed attorney was John B. Holland. He became well known in the county, and served as probate justice for several years. Other familiar names
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
among the attorneys of an early day were those of C. II. Chitty, A. E. Stevenson, S. P. Shope, J. A. Briggs, C. H. Rad- ford, B. D. Meek, Robert T. Cassell and others
Medicine.
The first physician in the county was Dr. Hazzard, who settled in Germantown in 1836. There had been others, such as Ben Major, who were skilled in the use of medicine but there were none prior to that time who devoted themselves exclusively to the practice of a physician. Dr. A. Reynolds was a pioneer physician at Bowling Green. J. S. Whitmire came to Metamora in 1847 and was for many years a well known figure among the members of the medical fraternity. Few among the early settlers who were not acquainted with his name, which was a household word among them. Ile associated with him in his practice, Dr. Z. II. Whitmire. An- other well known figure was that of Dr. Tweddale, of Wash- burn, who for many years was a successful practitioner in the county. Dr. Wilcox at Minonk was for many years a leader in the professional and political life of the county. He has been succeeded by his son, who is a very successful phy- sician. Dr. Lichtenberger was another prominent doctor. Ilis son, N. C. Lichtenberger, still resides in Enreka, where his father practiced. Other well known names are Drs. Crawford, Rosenberg, Slemmons, Schiffbauer, Tribbey and John.
In 1870 the Woodford County Medical Association was organized and semi-annual meetings are now held.
Historical Society.
Another organization that has a growing membership is that of the Woodford County Historical Association. It was formed in December, 1903, and holds its meetings semi- annually. The purpose of the society is to collect historical data and to keep it in a manner that will make it of service in supplying a complete record of matters pertaining to the growth and development of the county. The following are officers: President, L. J. Freese; vice-president, Isaac B.
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Church of the Immaculate Conception at Lourds.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
Hammers; secretary, Miss Amanda Jennings; treasurer, Amos Marshall. The association gives promise of great usefulness.
A Sad Accident.
One of the most serious accidents that ever occurred in Eureka was that in which W. E. Wyrick, city marshal, lost his life. It was his custom to look after the pumping for the city water works, and went down to the plant early Tuesday morning, October 12th. Ile had been there but a short time when the muf- fler of the gasoline engine exploded and he was so seriously injured that his death occurred in a short time. Hle succeeded in dragging himself a short distance from the pump- ing station. and attracted the attention of the people W. E. WYRICK. of the vicinity by calling for assistance. Aid was of no avail. He died at 7:15 A. M. lle was born in Pennsylvania, October 12th. 1868, and was married to Miss Minnie Brandt in this city. He was a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen, and had made a splendid record as city marshal.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.353M78H C001 HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY EUREKA
3 0112 025392793
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