Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 72

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760

USA > Illinois > Pike County > Past and present of Pike County, Illinois > Part 72

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dickason has been born one daughter, Helen Louise, whose birth oc- curred August 12, 1905. The family occupy a beautiful home in Barry, where they have resided since 1901. Mr. Dickason and his wife own altogether over two thousand acres of rich bot- tom land in Pike county, also are stockholders in the International Bank at Hull and Samuel M. Dickason is a director of the First National Bank at Barry. Upon his farm stock-raising is carried on quite extensively, his attention being given

to cattle, hogs and, to some extent, horses. He is a capitalist and a man of good business discern- ment, who forms his plans readily and is deter- mined in their execution, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His judgment is seldom is ever at fault in busi- ness matters and his keen insight has enabled him to make judicious investments. ' His business operations are usually attended with a high measure of success and he has thus won a. place among the leading residents of Pike county. His political allegiance is given to the democracy. His wife is a member of the Christian church.

JON PERRY GRUBB.

It has been said of Jon Perry Grubb that "no man knew him but to respect him" and such a man is certainly worthy of representation in the history of the county where he lived and labored, winning success and also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He did not seek to figure prominently in public life, but he performed every duty faithfully and courage- ously and developed a character that is indeed well worthy of emulation. A native of Pennsyl- vania, he was born about four miles from Harris- burg and near Mechanicsburg in Cumberland county on the 7th of October, 1815. His parents were Jonas and Sarah (Wizer) Grubb, in whose family were twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom seven were living at the time of the death of Jon P. Grubb. The father was a stone mason by trade, but the family resided upon a farm which was operated by the sons until 1833. In that year all removed to Saegers- town in Crawford county, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Grubb of this review had attended the public schools and soon after the removal of the family to Saegerstown he went to Meadville, about seven or eight miles from his home and secured employment in a woolen mill, where he remained for a year. The following year, in company with George Wike, afterward a promi- nent citizen of Pike county, he went to Erie, Penn- sylvania, where he completed his trade, master-

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ing all the details of the business of a woolen manufacturer. His arrival in Illinois dates from 1838. He made his way to Quincy, where George Wike was at work at the trade which they had learned, being employed by Colonel Dan Whipple, one of the pioneers of Quincy. After a few weeks Mr. Grubb went to Palmyra, Missouri, where he operated a roll card for John Sallee. In the suc- ceeding winter he returned to Saegerstown and in the spring of 1839 the Grubb family came to Illinois, settling on a farm near Liberty, Adams county. Jon P. Grubb at that time entered the employ of Colonel Whipple, for whom he en- gaged in carding and spinning until 1842, when he assisted George Wike in establishing the Barry Woolen Mills at the present site. At that point there was already in operation a sawmill and an old French buhr for grinding corn, the power being furnished by water from the spring which issues form the cave in the hillside above the mills. Mr. Grubb, however, again entered the employ of Colonel Whipple, with whom he continued until 1844. He afterward spent one year in the service of Captain Garrett at Camp Point, Illinois, and on the expiration of that period formed a partnership with George, Joe and David Wike in the business of carding rolls, manufacturing woolen goods and grinding corn and sawing lum- ber. . The variety of the work done made this one of the important industrial concerns of the county and it drew a patronage from a wide district. There had been great changes wrought in the manufacture of woolen goods, but at that time all weaving was done on hand looms and when a power loom was brought to the Barry mills from Pittsburg it was regarded with the utmost won- der. However, the mills were kept in touch with the uniform progress in that line of manufacture, new and improved machinery being introduced from time to time and the Barry Woolen Mills still maintain a foremost place amid productive industries of this county. Mr Grubb continued his connection with the mills until a few years prior to his death, after which he concentrated his energies upon his farm.

On the 9th of May, 1849, Mr. Grubb was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Stevens and unto them were born three children: John W.,

Emeline and Eva R. The last named became the wife of John M. Shields and died October 25, 1883. Jon W. Grubb married Miss Mary Clay- combe, of Eureka, Kansas, and they reside in Galesburg, Illinois, where he is a professor in Lombard University. Emeline married a Mr. Shields and lives in Ellis, Kansas. They have five children : Eva, Pearl, Mary, Lee and Anna. Mrs. Harriet Grubb departed this life March 5, 1866, and Mr. Grubbafterward wedded Mrs. Beu- lah Nations, nee Beecher, who was born in Liber- ty, Adams county, November 30, 1839. She was a daughter of Hamilton and Jerusha (Stevens) Beecher, who were natives of the state of New York. The father came to Adams county about 1837, being one of its pioneer settlers. He helped to break the prairie and clear away the timber and he owned and operated forty acres of land, on which he built a log cabin. In his family were six children, but only two are now living: John P .; and Mary Jane, the wife of Thomas Boren, who resides near Cowles, Nebraska. The father died about 1846 and the mother was married again to Henry Phillips, a farmer of Adams county, Illinois, who died September 9, 1890, while the mother's death occurred September 9, 1886. Beulah Beecher was first married to John Nations, of Liberty, Adams county, Illinois, and they had two children who yet survive. Norman W. Nations, the elder, married Belle Jones, by whom he has two children, Maud and John, and their home is in Liberty, Illinois. Florence Belle is the wife of L. Jones, a lumberman of Barry, and they have two children, Roscoe and Harry. Mr. Nations enlisted in the Union army on the 7th of August, 1862, as a member of Company E, Seventy-eighth Regiment of Illinois Volun- teers and was killed at Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. His wife was married again in 1866 to Jon P. Grubb and they had three children. George R. married Flora Swan, lives in Bakers- field, California, and has three children: Gladys. Russell and Harriet. Harriet C. married Percy I. Hale, resides in Wisconsin and has three chil- dren : Harry, Alice and Beulah. Oliver married Katie Willer, of New Haven, Connecticut, where they now reside and have one son, Harry.

Mr. Grubb was a devoted member of the Uni-

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versalist church and took an active and helpful part in its work. He was largely instrumental in the erection of the church in Barry in 1858. His political views were in accord with democratic principles and he did all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the party. He was one of the early members of Barry lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., in which at various times he was honored with office and he was ever most loyal to the teachings of the fraternity, exempli- fying in his life its beneficent principles of broth- erly kindness and mutual helpfulness. The cause of education found in him a warm and stalwart friend, who used his aid and influence for the furtherance of the system of public education and he was also a contributor toward the building of Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois. One who knew him well wrote of him, "He was à generous neighbor, a kind husband and a loving father, devoting his last years to his family in their farm life. As a man and citizen he was held in the highest esteem. He was noted for his honesty and integrity, sound judgment and noble traits of character. His word to those who knew him was as good as his bond." He died August 9, 1889, when about seventy-four years of age and. thus closed a most honorable record. He had lived peaceably with all men and his death came as a personal bereavement to the large majority" of those who knew him. Mrs. Grubb occupies a beautiful home that her husband built and is the owner of one hundred and twenty-four acres of fine land situated on section 23, Barry township, and pleasantly and conveniently located about a half-mile from the city of Barry.

CHARLES HILL, SR.

Charles Hill, Sr., one of the native sons of Pike county, is a respected, enterprising and suc- cessful farmer residing in Baylis, while his time and attention are given to the operation of his land which adjoins the town. He was born Sep- tember 14, 1860, and was a son of William and Julia (Farnsworth) Hill. The father was born

in England and the mother also came from Eng- land to the United States, arriving in Pike county about 1840. It was ten years later, however, before the father reached this country, the date of his arrival being October, 1850. He located on section 31, Fairmount township, Pike county, and purchased a tract of raw land which was en- tirely destitute of improvements, but with char- acteristic energy he began the cultivation of this property, doing all of the work upon it. He added more land thereto until he owned four hundred acres, which was the visible evidence of his life of thrift and enterprise. He was classed with the extensive landowners of the community and he not only carefully cultivated his fields and harvested good crops but he also raised stock to a considérable extent and also traded in stock. The principal cereal which he raised was wheat. In politics he was a democrat. His death occurred in 1876 and the county thereby lost one of its representative citizens and prominent business men. He reared a family of six children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Ann M. Birch, of Baylis; Mrs. Julie Ramsey, who is also living in Baylis; Mrs. Mary Grammer, the wife of Weber Grammer, of Baylis; Fred, who is residing upon a farm in this county; and Charles, of this review.

Charles Hill, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, acquired his early education in a brick schoolhouse near his father's home. He aided in the work of the fields through the sum- mer months and after his father's death he re- mained upon the old homestead farm for two years, working for his mother by the year. He afterward took charge of the farm and engaged in the cultivation of the land until his mother's death, when he came into possession of the prop- erty. This was a farm of one hundred and ninety- one acres of good land. He continued as owner until 1901, when he bought eighty-two acres where he now resides. He carries on general farming, his fields being well tilled, and he also raises hogs. He is likewise engaged in the dairy business, keeping ten cows for this purpose.

In 1883 Mr. Hill was married to Miss Nettie McIntyre, of LaSalle county, Illinois, a daughter of John McIntyre, who came to Pike county and

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retained his residence in Baylis up to the time of his death, owning and cultivating a fine farm near the village. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have four children : Myrtle, who is the wife of Fred Stauf- fer and lives upon a farm in New Salem town- ship; Grover, who is the manager of the cream- ery, which is one of the best business enterprises of Baylis, having a trade which amounts to about fifteen thousand dollars a year; Alva and Kline both at home. Mr. Hill is a democrat and is a member of the town board of Baylis. He is a popular citizen with good business qualifications, of energy and enterprise in public affairs and at all times is interested and helpful in promoting the welfare of the community.

THOMAS A. GAY.

Thomas A. Gay, who is engaged in farming and fruit-raising not far from Baylis, is one of Pike county's native sons, who has spent almost his entire life within its borders. He was born May 19, 1860, on the old family homestead, and is a son of John and Sarah (Bowman) Gay. The father came to Pike county at an early day .in company with his father, Simon Gay, and settled where Thomas A. Gay now resides. They took up land from the government which was entirely destitute of improvements and at once began to clear the tract. Later they built a log house in which Thomas A. Gay resided until 1897. It was a large double log house con- taining two immense rooms and a double fire- place. With characteristic energy John Gay con- tinued the work of cultivating and improving his property and spent his remaining days upon the old homestead farm, his death occurring about 1865. In the family were five children, of whom two sons and a daughter are yet living, namely : Thomas A., of this review; Frank, who resides in Hannibal, Missouri; and Mrs. Rebecca Coss, who is living in southwestern Kansas.

Thomas A. Gay is indebted to the public-school system of Pike county for the educational privi- leges he enjoyed. His time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the

playground and the work of the home farm during the period of his boyhood and youth and he has spent the greater part of his life on the old home property although in 1890 and 1891 he was in California and for a time lived in South Dakota. He purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Mitchell, South Dakota, in 1883, and took up a claim there, but having a stronger attachment for the county of his nativity than for his new home he returned to Illinois. He now rents land and engages in farming. He owns forty-one acres of the old homestead which is well improved and he has built thereon a fine residence and substantial barns. The place is also well fenced and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises fruit, which finds a ready sale upon the market because of size, quality and flavor. He also has a few cattle and horses and about fifty head of hogs and for eight years he has en- gaged in the operation of a hay press.

In June, 1882, Mr. Gay was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Mckinney, who was born in New Salem township in 1865 and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Burkhead) Mckinney. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Illinois at an early day when few settlements had been made. He took up land from the gov- ernment and shared in the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life. As the years passed by . he prospered and is now the owner *of two hundred acres of rich farming land. He has now reached the age of eighty-three years. In his family were nine chil- dren, of whom seven are now living.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gay have been born two children, Myrtie, who was born November 20, 1884, married Florence Hill, whose birth occurred March 27, 1885. They have one child, Glenna Hazel, born March 6, 1903. Daisy, born May 25, 1887, died September 18, 1899. The family home is situated upon forty-one acres of the old home- stead property which belonged to Mr. Gay's father. This is a well improved tract of land and he has erected a fine residence which forms one of the attractive features of the landscape. There are also good barns upon the place and the farm is well fenced, while everything is neat and

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thrifty in appearance. He carries on general agri- cultural pursuits and raises fruit and in his busi- ness efforts he has met with a gratifying measure of success. In politics he is a democrat. His wife belongs to the United Brethren church at Baylis and they are people of genuine worth, re- spected and esteemed by all who know them.

MARTIN V. SHIVE.

Martin V. Shive, living on section II, Pleasant Hill township, is one of the practical, progressive and prosperous farmers, of his community, where he owns and operates one hundred and twenty- two acres of land. A native of Cumberland county, Kentucky, he was born August 16, 1839, and is a son of Martin Shive, a native of Ken- tucky, while his grandfather, George Shive, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Martin Shive, Jr., was reared in the state of his nativity. . Mar- tin V. Shive's father died June 7, 1839, three months prior to the birth of his son, and his mother when he was in his third year. He was reared by his grandmother and in his nineteenth year came to Mason county, Illinois, where he worked for his uncle for some time, remaining there for two years .. He next came to Pike county, where he was employed at farm labor for some time and then returned to Mason county. In response to the country's call for aid he en- listed in 1861, joining the boys in blue of Com. pany K, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The troops proceeded to Peoria and were there drilled on the fair grounds. He first enlisted for three months' service, but joined the United States service on the 25th of May, 1861, and went from Peoria to Alton, Illinois. The order then came to proceed to St. Louis, Missouri, after which they went to St. Charles and afterward returned to St. Louis, continuing at the arsenal for a few weeks. Later the regiment joined the Cairo forces and established what was called Fort Holt. Later, however, the company was ordered back to St. Louis and then proceeded to Pilot Knob, from which place they marched to the Mississippi river. They participated in the engagement at

Cape Girardeau, the first battle occurring October 21, 1861, with the troops under Jefferson Thomp- son at Frederickstown, Missouri. The Seven- teenth Illinois was commanded by Colonel Ross and the regiment formed a part of the forces under General Fremont. Later this regiment joined the troops under Commodore Foote at Cairo, Illinois, and with thirty thousand soldiers took up the march along the Tennessee river to Fort Henry. The principal fighting there, however, was done from the gunboats, and the gunboat Tyler ran the blockade and captured the Confederate boats. The engagement was carried on in the midst of a heavy rain and sleet and the Union forces camped on the rebel barracks and held the fort. The next battle in which Mr. Shive participated was at Fort Donelson, where the army under General Grant was victorious, but won the victory at great loss, suffering more there than at any other time during the war. The rebel forces surrendered about seventeen thousand prisoners to General Grant, which was his first victory, General Halleck having been in charge when the other battle was fought at Fort Donelson. Many members of the regiment to which Mr. Shive belonged were killed and the surviving members were attached to the Eighth Illinois Infantry. Mr. Shive was wounded on the second day of the battle at Shiloh and was taken to Mound City Hospital, where he remained for some time and was then granted a furlough about the 25th of April, 1862. He then went to Bath, Illinois, where he spent three months in recovering from his injuries, while later he re- joined his old company at Bolivar, Tennessee, but not being able to resume active field service, was discharged in 1862. He returned to Pike county and as soon as his health permitted re- sumed farming.

Mr. Shive was married on the 18th of December, 1862, in Pleasant Hill township to Miss Carolina L. Ricketts, a native of Kentucky and a daugh- ter of Henry Ricketts, also of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in the early '50s. For a year after his marriage Mr. Shive engaged in cultivat- ing rented land, and then bought his first tract of sixty acres in 1863. While at Shiloh he had been wounded with buck shot and ball shot; and

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one of the shot is still in his lungs. As he had not fully recovered from his injuries, he was ad- vised to go to California, and, accompanied by his wife, he drove across the country to Sacra- mento; but he was not pleased with the Pacific country, and returned to Illinois after two years. On again reaching Pike county, Mr. Shive pur- chased the sixty-acre tract. of land as before stated. He has since added to his property, and has lived thereon since 1869. He has also erected a good two-story residence, a substantial barn and other outbuildings, and altogether has a well improved place. The work of general farming and stock-raising has been carried steadily for- ward; and all the success that he has enjoyed, has been acquired by Mr. Shive through his own well directed efforts. He makes a specialty of raising Hambletonian horses, and takes great pride in this enterprise.

Unto our subject and his wife have been born ten children, of whom two died in infancy, while Bessie died in her twenty-second year, and Henry in his forthieth year. Six of the number are yet living. John South married Miss Daisy Prowl, and they have four children; Caroline Marie, Posy Lee, Charles Pollard and Martin Van Buren. Charles F. Shive married Ardelia Scranton, and has two children: Claude Henry and Maude. Julia P. is the wife of H. Martin Shelby, and they have six children: Elmer Bliss, of Miller county, Missouri; Engle Caro- line; Elsie Edith; Norman; Spencer ; and Rob- ert Van Buren. Nora is the wife of John Zum- walt ; and after losing their only child in infancy, they have adopted a daughter, Amelia, who is now living with them in Pike county, Missouri .- Janie C. is the wife of Bob Nunn. Bliss Blanche is the wife of R. A. Shive, and has two children : Huron Turner and George Buren.

Mr. and Mrs. Shive are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part, Mr. Shive now serving as one of the deacons. The family are all active church workers, and their labors have contributed in substantial measure to the growth of the church and the extension of its influence. Mr. Shive be- longs to the Grand Army post at Nebo, and has been a Master Mason for forty years, passing

through all of the chairs, He is now affiliated with Pleasant Hill lodge, A. F. & A. M., Pitts- field chapter, No. 10, R. A. M., and the council, and commandery, No. 49, K. T. He has served as a delegate to the grand lodge at Chicago, and has several times been a visiting member to the grand lodge. His first presidential vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas, and since that time he has been a stanch republican. He served for several terms as school trustee and coroner, but has never been active in politics as an office seeker, preferring to give his time and attention, to his business affairs, to his children and to his church. He also takes great delight in reading; and in this way is constantly broadening his knowledge, keeping in touch with the current of modern thought and progress.

J. C. BROWN.

J. C. Brown, who is extensively engaged in farming in Pleasant Vale township, resides two and a half miles south of New Canton upon a farm, which in its thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision and practical methods. He was born in this township, February 13, 1855, his parents being Andrew and Nancy (Shewie) Brown. The father came to Pike county at an early day and as the years passed by he won for himself a creditable position in agricultural cir- cles, owning and operating a farm of two hundred acres, whereby he provided a comfortable living for his family. He had four children, of whom only one survives-J. C. of this review. The father was but thirty-two years of age at the time of his death but he is still survived by the mother, who now makes her home with her son, J. C. Brown.

To the public-school system of Pike county Mr. Brown of this review is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which claimed much of his attention during the period of his youth. He was married July 24, 1884, to Miss Rachel Rankin, who was born in New Salem and was a daughter of Hugh and Rachel

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(Stewart) Rankin, of Irish descent. Her par- ents came to America from Ireland in early life and in their family were seven children, of whom five are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have but one child, Andrew Carson, who was born December 5, 1890, and is under the parental roof.

J. C. Brown is the owner of the old home farm which was left to him and his brother and his entire life has been devoted to the tilling to the tilling of the soil and to stock-raising. He owns here three hundred and seventeen acres of land, which is very arable, and the productive fields annually yield rich harvests. The farm is situ- ated on sections 26 and 27, Pleasant Vale town- ship, along the bluff. He raises the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also has con- siderable stock upon his place, raising a large number of hogs and breeding Aberdeen Angus cattle. The farm is well fenced and is divided into fields of convenient size. The buildings are in good repair and furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. He has also erected a beautiful residence, which forms one of the pleasing fea- tures of the landscape in this part of the county. The passerby does not need to inquire concerning the character of the owner of this property for. his sterling qualities are manifested in the fine appearance of his place. In politics he is a democrat and for some years has served as school trustee. His fraternal relations are with the Mod- ern Woodmen camp at New Canton, but the number of his friends is not limited by his mem- bership in this organization, as he is widely and favorably known throughout the county, where his entire life has been passed.

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 72

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 760

Author: Massie, Melville D; Clarke, (S.J.) Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 760