Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 89

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 89

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In his political views Mr. Reed is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as school di- rector but otherwise has held no office, but is never remiss in his duties of citizenship and co- operates in many measures for the general good. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church and they have a wide acquaintance in Pike county, many who know them giving to them warm friendship and high personal regard.

WILLIS BROWN.

Willis Brown, who since 1877 has resided in Pike county, was born in Hardin county, Ken- tucky, on the 2d of September, 1827. He was brought by his parents to this state, the family home being established in Atlas township on a

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farm now owned by Charles Dustin, but which is better known as the old Brown homestead. He is a son of Isaac and Susan (Snodgrass) Brown. The father was born in Virginia and was a planter there. He removed from the Old Domin- ion to Hardin county, Kentucky, where he again conducted a plantation and in the latter state he was married. He lived in Kentucky until there were eight children in the family and he and his wife, with their children, then came to Pike county, Illinois, settling in Atlas township upon what is now the Dustin farm. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits, being identified with the tilling of the soil up to the time of his death, which 'occurred on the old homestead in 1848, while his wife passed away two years later. Their graves were made on the old home farm. In their family were thirteen children, namely: Maria, Mahala, Squire, Owen, Hardin, John, Willis, James, Isaac, Susan, Jane, Benjamin and Norman W. All are now deceased with the ex- ception of four. Isaac died in infancy and was buried by the side of his parents, where also lie the remains of Hardin and John, while Susan, Mahala and Benjamin were buried in California, and Owen near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

Willis Brown received but limited educational privileges as the schools of Atlas township were not in very good condition at that day. He was reared on the old homestead and early became familiar with the labors of field and meadow. After his father's death he took entire manage- ment of the farm, for his brothers had learned trades and had left the old homestead. He then conducted the property for about six years, subse- quent to his mother's death, when it was sold to Charles Dustin and the proceeds of the sale were divided among the heirs. Willis Brown then purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which was covered with forest trees. It was situ- ated on section 25, Atlas township, and here he took up his abode and began to clear and culti- vate the property. He has since made extensive improvements and now has an excellent farm, the fields being rich and productive, so that he annually harvests good crops.

In 1874 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Worley, a daughter of Elias and

Elizabeth Worley, and they have become the parents of eight children, 'Byron, Meyer, Malinda, Guy, Nettie, Sadie, Charley and Bessie. Of these Charley, Sadie, Bessie and Guy are all now sleep- ing in the Ball Bluff cemetery near Atlas. In 1861 Mr. Brown went to California, where he en- gaged in farm work for two years, returning to Pike county in 1863.

In his political affiliation Mr. Brown is a stal- wart republican and has always supported the party. He and his wife still reside upon the home farm in the midst of children and grandchildren. Mr. Brown is a self-made man, owing his success entirely to his own labors and during the years he has wrought earnestly to acquire a competence and provide a good living for his family.

WILLIAM J. AND GEORGE P. LONG.

There is an old historic home in the town of Atlas, Pike county, that is now owned and occu- pied by two brothers, William J. and George P. Long. It is the oldest house of the county, the date of its erection being 1822. It stands on the lot adjoining that which was the site of the old Pike county courthouse and jail and the property where those public buildings then stood is now owned by the gentlemen whose names introduce this review. The Long home is one of the typi- cal pioneer dwellings owned by people of consid- erable means. It is peculiarly constructed, the foundation being of rock, while the superstruc- ture stands upon solid white oak logs, twenty inches in thickness. The floor joists are large timbers nearly one foot thick. Everything is in a wonderful state of preservation, the timbers being perfectly solid and showing no appearance of decay. The large, old-fashioned fireplace, in which a log three feet long can be burned, is still in use and adds to the cheeriness of the living room, for no more attractive feature can be found in any home than the open fire. The walls of the house are built of solid white oak logs and are plastered over. The entire finishing on the in- side is of black walnut. In seeing this house one is impressed and surprised by its state of preser-

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vation. Improvements have been made until to- day this is a home of which any one might be proud and moreover it is attractive as an old landmark of the county, having for more than eight decades been a mute witness of changes which have been wrought here.

The Long family trace their ancestry back to Henry Long, of County Derry, Ireland, the grandfather of William J. and George P. Long. About 1800 he emigrated to America, going to Baltimore, Maryland, where, on the 24th of Au- gust, 1809, he was married to a lady of that state. They became the parents of one child, Henry G., who died September 22, 1850, in the old home in Atlas township, his remains being in- terred in the Long cemetery near Atlas. The wife and mother died August 11, 1812, in the city of Baltimore, where her remains were interred and on the 5th of August, 1822, Mr. Long wedded Emmeline Green. To them were born eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters, as follows: Jesse Green Long was born May 14, 1823. Mary E., born October 2, 1824, was married May I, 1849, to David Skilling and at her death was laid to rest in Oakland, California. Kennedy, born March 4, 1826, died at the old Long home in Atlas, February 3, 1885, and was buried in the Adams and Dustin cemetery. Andrew, born January 31, 1828, died at Exeter, Illinois, and was buried there. George H., born December 24, 1829, died July 29, 1901, and was buried in the West cemetery at Pittsfield. Julianna, born January 31, 1832, was married April 5, 1849, to John G. Wheelock and at her death was bur- ied at Payson, Adams county, Illinois. Emma, born May 24, 1834, became the wife of A. J. Roosa, January 24, 1855, and died the following year, her grave being made at Astoria, Illinois. She left one child, Velpo Roosa. Robert T., born December 3, 1837, died March 24, 1842, and was buried in the Jesse Long graveyard.

Kennedy Long, the father of William J. and George P. Long, was a native of Maryland, born in Baltimore, March 14, 1826. He married Phoebe J. Roosa, who was also a native of Mary- land, born June 27, 1832. Their wedding was celebrated October 13, 1852. Kennedy Long had been reared to the occupation of farming and

throughout his entire life he carried on agricul- tural pursuits. Becoming a resident of this county in pioneer days. he remained at the old Long homestead and died in the residence which is now occupied by his sons in Atlas, February 3, 1885. His parents had come to Pike county at a very early day and had settled on a farm in Atlas township, four miles from what is now known as the old family homestead. In an active and ener- getic business career Kennedy Long was recog- nized as a progressive and prosperous farmer and at the time of his death had accumulated an es- tate of two hundred and twenty-five acres, of which one hundred and forty-five acres was very rich and productive bottom land, while eighty acres was pasture land. In all of his business dealings he was strictly fair and upright, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow- men in any trade transaction, and he enjoyed to the fullest degree the confidence and trust of those with whom he was associated. In politics he was an earnest republican but never aspired to office. There was no man whose death was more de- plored than that of Kennedy Long, for he readily made friends and seldom gave rise to a feeling of enmity and had a host of warm admirers who entertained for him the strongest regard and ven- eration. He passed away February 3, 1885, in the Long residence in Atlas and was laid to rest in the Adams and Dustin cemetery. His wife followed him to the home beyond March 6, 1896, her remains being interred by his side. She was a devout and faithful member of the Congrega- tional church and like her husband departed this life leaving many sorrowing relatives and friends. In their family were five children, all sons : Henry A., born January 21, 1854; William J. and George P., of this review; Leon E., born No- vember 14, 1868 ; and Phil R., born February 13, 1874. The last named died October 1, 1875, and Leon E. departed this life January 25, 1876, both being buried in the Adams and Dustin cemetery.

William J. Long, the second son of the family, was born in Atlas township, Pike county, July 26, 1855, and acquired his education in the district schools. He was reared upon the old home farm and assisted his father in the work of field and meadow until the time of the father's death,

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when he in connection with his brothers, Henry A. and George P., took charge of and managed the home place. Later William J. and George P. Long purchased their brother's interest and have since largely operated the farm, continuing the partnership to the present time. George P. Long was born in the old historic home in Atlas, Octo- ber 5, 1865. A part of his education was obtained in Atlas and later he at- tended McCuen College in Louisiana, Mis- souri, for one term. The brothers are whole- souled young men, of good business capacity and enterprise and in the management of their farm- ing interests are meeting with creditable and well-merited success. They are republicans in politics but are without aspiration for political honors or emoluments. The writer can vouch for the hospitality of their pleasant and attractive home, a warm reception being given to stranger and friend alike. They are widely and favorably known throughout Pike county and are prosper- ous agriculturists, who well deserve mention in this history not only by reason of the fact that they are representatives of one of the oldest fam- ilies but also because of their genuine, personal worth.

JOHN HULL.

Carlisle has said there is no more interesting nor profitable reading than biography, and the truth of this is manifest in the life record of such men as John Hull, men who without special ad- vantages in youth depend upon their own re- sources, mark out their own course in life and per- sistently follow the plans that they have formed until they lead to success. They realize that pros- perity is not the outcome of genius, but results from diligence and clear judgment, from strong purpose and unfaltering industry. These quali- ties have been salient characteristics in the life of John Hull from his early youth to the present time and now in the evening of his days he is the possessor of large property interests which he has gained entirely through his own labors and moreover his business methods have always· been

in keeping with principles of unfaltering integ- rity and business honor.

Mr. Hull is a native of Canandaigua, New York, was born on the Ioth of November, 1817, and is a son of Lot and Chloe (Ross) Hull. His mother was a sister of Colonel Ross, founder of the town of Atlas, Illinois. She was born in Mas- ·sachusetts, where her mother resided during the period o the Revolutionary war. Lot Hull re- mained a resident of the east until the spring of 1818, when he started for Ohio. He built a boat at the head of the Allegheny river and floated down that stream for some distance. When they were among the Indians they ran the boat on a snag and thus lost nearly everything they had, saving only a few of their possessions, which they afterward sold to the red men for two canoes. They had enough clothing to last them for two years and provisions enough for one year, but when the boat was sunk all was lost. After se- curing the canoes they lashed these together and floated down the river to a settlement. There Mr. Hull secured lumber and built a cabin on the canoes, after which he proceeded with his fam- ily in that manner to Marietta, Ohio. He there sold his boats, which netted him seven dollars and a half. He had a family of six children for whom to provide and, as indicated, was almost penniless when he located in Washington county, Ohio. By trade he was a carpenter, but he had lost his tools when his boat was sunk in the Allegheny river. The people of that locality, however, gave him work to do and he was enabled to buy tools on credit, but the confidence reposed in him was not misplaced. He was a man of his word, meet- ing every promise and obligation and no one ever lost anything by placing trust in him or his word. After working for some time he was enabled to make investment in land and purchased two hun- dred and fifty acres, building a barn in order to pay for this property. His children, too, assist- ed by working in different ways in the neigh- borhood. Most of the setttlers in that pioneer community were in limited financial circumstances and money was somewhat difficult to obtain. Mr. Hull would walk nine miles in order to get work, would spend the week at carpenter labor

MR. AND MRS. JOHN HULL

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS.

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and on Saturday night would return home on foot to his family carrying pork and other sup- plies. His little cabin was built of round logs and the structure was only fourteen by sixteen feet, one end of the room being occupied by a large fireplace. As wild game was plentiful it was not difficult for a good shot to furnish meat for the family table. There were many hard- ships, privations and trials to be endured, how- ever, and the Hull family bore their full share of these during the early years of their residence in Ohio. It is almost impossible for the traveler of to-day as he speeds across the country in a pal- ace car to realize the conditions that then exist- ed. The men of the community were obliged to "muster" one day each week. Postage on a let- ter was twenty-five cents and was collected at its destination. On more than one occasion John Hull, of this review, then a young lad, has been put upon a horse with a quarter of mutton (his father having killed a sheep for the purpose) and sent to Marietta, twelve miles away, in order to exchange the meat for money that he might pay postage on a letter that ·perhaps had laid for some time in the postoffice as the necessary money was not forthcoming. The years, however, brought many changes as the comforts and conveniences of an older civilization were introduced. It was no unusual thing for John Hull to start at mid- night with a load of produce for market that he might reach there by break of day. When feed for stock was scarce young trees were cut down that the cattle might eat the leaves and small branches. The father cleared a part of his land and raised some corn.

As indicated, it was necessary that the chil- dren of the household should early provide for their own support and John Hull had little op- portunity for securing an education, but at in- tervals was allowed to attend school, to which he had to walk three miles through the woods. structure supplied with split logs for seats and heated by a large fireplace. The other furnish- ings were also primitive and the methods of in- struction were almost equally so, but he gained some knowledge of reading, writing and arith- metic. When but twelve years of age John Hull worked upon a farm and a part of his duty was

the milking of eight cows. His employer allowed him to plant a piece of ground to potatoes for his own use, and he traded his crop for a colt. Later he was enabled to purchase another colt and when he determined to come to the west he gave this team of colts to his father in order to get his consent and pay for his time, for he had not yet attained his majority. The year 1836 wit- nessed his arrival in Illinois. He had made his way by boat to a point on the river, and on ac- count of lack of money he walked thence for sev- eral miles to Atlas, where he arrived in Novem- ber, 1836, when a young man of nineteen years. On the journey he had been accompanied by his half-brother, William R. Wills. His cash capi- tal at that time consisted of but seventy-five cents. After working for a brief period for a brother he went to Florence, where he, secured a clerkship in a store and in the spring of 1838"he returned to Atlas, where he raised a crop of corn. Through the succeeding seven years he was employed by the month as a practical engineer in Florence. He spent one year on a dredgeboat and considerable time in a sawmill and there he worked his way up- ward. As he advanced in proficiency he was at length given charge of the engine and became an excellent engineer and machinist. He readily mastered anything that he undertook because of his strong determination and close application, and this has been one of the most effective features in his business career. Another element in his success has been the fact that in early life he re- solved to save one-half of his earnings, and to this ·

course he always adhered.

Mr. Hull began farming in 1840. In the early days farm products brought very meagre prices. In 1841 and 1842 wheat when hauled to the river and sold for twenty-five cents per bushel and dressed pork brought only a dollar and a half per hundred pounds. Mr. Hull has sold for twenty cents per bushel corn which he raised by hand, shelled by hand, and then hauled eleven miles to the mar- ket, receiving his pay in store notes. In this way he got a little extra money. At one time he bought corn delivered at the crib for six cents per bushel when no one else could buy it. He did not think anything of walking thirty miles to trade or to see his relations and on more than one occasion

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walked from Florence to Atlas. He never gave mortgage on anything in his life on any kind of business, but made it a rule to meet every financial obligation promptly. With keen foresight, real- izing the profit that might accrue from invest- ment in real estate, he purchased eighty acres of land from Colonel Ross in the vicinity of Pitts- field, on which he made a payment down of one hundred dollars, the purchase price being three hundred and fifty dollars. He still owns this tract, which has been the nucleus of his present extensive possessions, for as the years have gone by he has bought more land from time to time until he is now the owner of thirteen hundred acres in Pike county, most of which is very val- uable and productive. Through the long years of an active business career he carried on the work of the fields and also kept considerable stock, being always ready to buy or sell. He has dis- played excellent judgment in making. his pur- chases and in disposing of his stock and has been rarely, if ever, at fault in his judgment concern- ing the value of any animal. As his financial resources increased he broadened his labors, ex- tending his efforts into other departments of ac- tivity, and from 1858 until 1861 was a partner in a mercantile enterprise in Pittsfield conducted under the firm style of Chapman, Kellogg & Hull. However, he found his operations in land and his farming interests to be more congenial and disposed of his interest in the store, after which he gave undivided attention to agricultural pur- suits until his retirement from farm life. He im- proved his farm, built fences, erected good build- ings and added all modern equipments until his farm property was equal if not superior to any in the county. He raised hogs on an extensive scale, and being a great lover of horses, always kept a number of fine specimens of the noble steed. He continued in his farm work until 1870, when he retired from active business. From 1852 he had been associated with his brother, and after the partnership was formed the latter superintended the farm work, while Mr. Hull, of this review, superintended the business interests of the firm.

On the 28th of March, 1843, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Hull and Miss Elizabeth Roberts, of Illinois. They had ten children, of whom four

are living, Mrs. Anna Mathews, the wife of Ross Mathews, of Pittsfield, who is cashier of the Farm- ers' State Bank; John, living near the county seat ; Mrs. Sarah Jane White, of New Iberia, Lou- isiana, and Mrs. Lucy Green, of Hannibal, Mis- souri. In 1870 Mr. Hull removed from his farm to Pittsfield, taking up his abode in the magnifi- cent residence now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Mathews. There he lived until the death of his

wife in October, 1887, since which time he has boarded, largely spending his winters in the south. For more than a half century Mr. Hull has been a member of Pittsfield lodge, No. 190, A. F. & A. M., and is still one of its most honored and valued representatives. In the even- ing of his days he is able to command all of the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth the living, for steadily he has risen from a very humble position to rank with the wealthy men of Pike county. His record furnishes an example that is indeed worthy of emulation, showing what may be accomplished by firm and unfaltering pur- pose and by untiring effort. He had no assist- ance, but he utilized the gifts of nature and through the development of his latent powers and energies won prosperity. When he started out in life he determined to ask the advice of no man and as he has steadily followed that policy his success has resulted from his own judgment in business affairs. Moreover, his business methods The little "temple of learning" was a small log commended him to theconfidence of all with whom he had relations, and he is no less honored for the splendid qualities of his manhood than for the success that he has achieved. He takes a just pride in being able to say that he has not an en- emy in the world and does not bear enmity to anyone.

GEORGE W. STANDLEY.

George W. Standley, proprietor of a meat mar- ket at Rockport, was born in Pleasant Vale township, Pike county, September 10, 1850, in the little red house that then stood east of the Perry Davis store in New Canton. His parents were Charles and Juliette (Bowen)

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Standley. The father was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born on the 11th of February, 1823, and throughout the greater part of his life fol- lowed the occupation of farming. His parents were James and Mary J. (Ranney) Standley, who joined a party of five hundred colonists who came westward to Illinois in 1823. They settled in 'Atlas township, Pike county, near the old William Dustin farm, upon which Charles Stand- ley was reared. He received practical training in the work of the fields under his father's direc- tion and afterward engaged in farm work for Captain Ross and William Dustin when about fifteen years of age. He was in the employ of those gentlemen for several years, after which he removed with his parents to Pleasant Vale township, Pike county, in the year 1833-the year of the great meteoric shower. At. that time James Standley purchased a farm in Pleasant Vale township and Charles Standley remained upon the old homestead there with his father until his twenty-fifth year. They then sold the Hill farm and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of farm property elsewhere in the same town- ship now known as the John Brammel farm, which he purchased in March, 1849. In 1851 James Standley died of cholera and was buried in the Morey graveyard in Pleasant Vale town- ship. He had been married three times, his sec- ond wife, Mrs. Mary J. Standley, being the grandmother of George Standley of this review. She died prior to her husband's death, passing away in Ohio, where her remains were interred.

The maternal grandfather of George W. Stand- ley was Daniel Bowen, who was born in Ver- mont, June 25, 1800, and died in New Canton, Illinois, June 29, 1880. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Strate, was born in Penn- sylvania and gave her hand in marriage to Daniel Bowen in the Keystone state near Detroit. Dan- iel Bowen was a minister of the gospel and for many years engaged in preaching. Accompanied by his wife and ten children, he emigrated west- ward to Pike county, Illinois, with a company of six hundred others under the leadership of James Smith, the Mormon leader. They started from Clayton, Ohio, in 1843, and reached Pike county in the fall of the same year. After a short time

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Past and present of Pike County, Illinois, Part 89

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