USA > Illinois > Livingston County > Portrait and bigraphical album of Livingston County, Ill. : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies > Part 120
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his regular enlistment he had served with the three- months men.
Mrs. Tredenick by her first marriage became the mother of one child, Frederick William Kingdon. born in 1870, and who now continues at home with his mother. He is a bright and intelligent youth, and is pursuing his studies in the Onarga Seminary.
Mr. Tredenick bears the reputation of a man thoroughly interested in the welfare of his adopted county, and active in those enterprises set on foot for the general welfare of the people. He is no politician, but at the general elections casts his vote with the Republican party. Mrs. T. is a lady highly respected, and prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in this township.
We present on another page of this ALBUM a view of Mr. Tredenick's residence.
C OL. JAMES B. PARSONS. In the making up of communities, some wise influence usually intervenes to give to it specimens of men from, not only different parts of the United States, but frequently different portions of the world. We find in the large and prosperous county of Livingston, a widely diversified race of people, who have mingled harmoniously together and form a delightful community. What one man perhaps has lacked, has been fully supplied by another, and the result is a successful and intelligent combina- tion made up of the industrial and agricultural ele- ments so essential in developing the various re- sources of a new section of country.
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The subject of this biography was born in the town of Glenburn, Penobscot Co .. Me .. Dec. 17. 1842, and is the youngest in a family of four chil- dren, the descendants of a long line of honorable New England ancestry, dating their residence in this country back to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. They located principally in the Pine Tree State. Americans can claim no better ancestry than those noble men and women who first repre- sented the Parsons family on the wild and rugged coast of Maine. Capt. Isaac Parsons, the grand- father of our subject, was one of its most worthy scions, and began life in New Gloucester, Me.
His parents were natives of the same place, and gave to their children an excellent education for that time, instilling into their minds those re- ligious convictions which formed so large a part of the character of the old New Englanders. Isaac married Miss Martha Chandler, a relative of the eminent Boston lawyer, Peleg Chandler. They were both devout members of the Congregational Church, and reared a family of sons and daughters, who grew up imbued with their own ideas, and the principles which constituted them upright and blameless citizens.
Nathan Parsons, son of Capt. Isaac Parsons, the father of our subject, born in New Gloucester, Me., Dec. 28, 1804, went to Glenburn in 1832. Ile was a farmer, and became prominent in his locality as having been one of the pioneers of the town. and as a soldier in the Black Hawk War of 1831-32.
On the 17th of April, 1834, Nathan Parsons mar- ried Nancy Doe, daughter of Samuel and Abigail Doe, of Glenburn, and the household circle was completed by the birth of four children, namely : Martha C., John P., Esther C., and James B., our subject. They are all living, with the exception of Esther, who died in Chicago, Ill., March 4, 1866. Martha C. is the wife of Henry Eldredge, now of Chicago: John P. married Miss Lizzie Fitch, of Bristol, Me., and migrating to the West, is now also living in Dwight.
The father of our subject inherited in a marked degree the integrity of character and the religions instincts of Ins ancestors. In those day- to hold a town office was considered as great an honor as it is now to be a State official, and Nathan Parsons, in his modest official life discharged his 'Inties with conscientious fidelity. Ile was Postmaster of Glen- burn many years, a member of the school commit- tee, and a selectman of the town. Like his father, he was a strict Congregationalist. Ilis death took place at Glenburn, Me., in March, 1873, when he was sixty-nine years of age. The wife and mother had died April 6, 1849, at the age of thirty- nine years. having spent a busy and exemplary Christian life.
The boyhood of our subject was spent on the farm, and after receiving a common-school educa- tion, he left home when fourteen years of age to
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seck his fortune. He was remarkably self-reliant. and proceeded alone to the city of Lowell. Mass. where he engaged in farming, and remained until the spring of Iste. He was then a youth of nine- teen years. He returned home about the time of the outbreak of the late Civil War, and gaining the re- luctant consent of his father. he enlisted in Com- pany 1. 1sth Maine Infantry. He was mustered into the service at Bangor. Aug. 21. 1802, and three days later left with his regiment for Washing- tou. where he joined the forces in defense of the city. Jan. 1. 1sos. his regiment was re-organized, and was afterward known as the Ist Maine Heavy Artillery, and garrisoned Ft. Sumner, Md., until the 15th of May. 1>64.
In the meantime young Parsons had been pro- tooted Corporal. and his regiment was assigned for active duty at the front. and was a part of the Ist Brigade. ad Division. 20 Army Corps. Its first in- portant engagement was at Spottsylvania. Va .. and the day following received a baptism of fire at the Bienaly AAngle, losing in killed and wounded. 476 men. They repulsed the rebels. however, and a congratulatory letter was issued by Gen. Meade. praising the regiment for its bravery. It was now engaged in a series of battles, in nearly all of which young Parsons was present, and June IS found them before Petersburg, where occurred one of the most breastrous undertaking- of the war. It is thus described by an eye witness. Gen. Robert MeAllis- tor. in "The Charge of the First Heavy Artillery." He says: "In all of my army experience no scene of drugge and suffering is so impressed on my mind 's that total charge in: de by this regiment on the Isth of June. 1861 On the morning of this day wowwowel forword on the enemy's works, and car- nhl the first line with little difficulty, as the onemy was retreating to the stronger Ime in the rear. Ar- riving mh front of the latter we found it manned by a Trong force of artillery and infantry. and after a hit! delay I was ordered to advance on the rue ny's veiks. Epon going forward the rebels [ up the bigale a terrific storm of shot. -bell mol mecketry, and my men fell like forest leave- under a habform. Secing the utter impos- -Blity of advancing father we dropped down, planted our -tand nd along the line and kept up the
tire. I sent a messenger to division headquarters and asked for instructions. The orders were to retire from the position. In doing this I lost heav- ily. Upon reporting to Gen. Mott for orders I was instructed to place my brigade on the reserve for action. I asked, .Where is my old brigade?' Gen. Mott replied, "Just going in where you came out.' I exclaimed. . God help them " He asked, Why?' I answered. . They cannot advance on those works; they cannot live: the enfilade fire will cut them down. As I said this an aide from headquarters rode up and said to the General, 'Order the ad- vance at once,' and it was done.
"The brigade moved off, your fine regiment handsomely in the front. You went gallantly-not to meet succes-, that was impossible. In a few min- utes, out of your regiment, which had advanced 900 strong, 632 were laid low on the battle-field, there being left but 268 men out of the number who went into the fight, 115 being killed outright. Darkness soon overspread the field, but the vigilance of the enemy prevented the removal of the wounded. All that night we could distinctly hear their groans and eries for help, but no suceor could be given them on account of the incessant fire. My brigade worked the whole night long to push our works for- ward so that we might rescue them.
"That terrible night at last broke into another day, when the battle continued with renewed vigor. The sun poured down on the dying and wounded, and amid the rattling of musketry and roaring of cannon, we heard our comrades crying .Water! Water" No language can be too strong in its praise of this gallant regiment in that noble and heroic charge, when about three-fourths of your munber fell, fighting for their country."
It is claimed by well-informed men that this regi- ment lost in that fearful onset more men in killed and wounded than any other regiment in any charge during the entire Civil War. On July 30, 1861, occurred the famous mine explosion at Peters- burg. Col. Daniel Chaplin, commanding the regi- ment, was wounded August 17. and expired in Phil- adelphia three days later. Ilis dying message was, "Tell the boys to obey orders and never flinch." The regiment was under constant fire at Ft. Hell, the hottest place on the lines, for forty days, and
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was present at the surrender of Lee's army at Ap- pomattox. While at Ft. HJell Corporal Parsons was promoted Sergeant, and for a time acted as Or- derly Sergeant.
According to Col. C. W. Tilden the State of Maine is said to have furnished more troops for the war than any other State in proportion to its pop- ulation. The Ist Maine Cavalry was in more battles than any other cavalry regiment, and no flag be- longing to a Maine regiment was captured by the enemy during the war. The record shows that this regiment lost more men in battle, in killed and wounded, than any other regiment during the war. but the proud distinction was purchased by the life- blood of hundreds of Maine's bravest men in the flower of their youth. The historian stands appalled at the loss of life in two engagements alone, those at Spottsylvania and before Petersburg, which numbered alone more than a full regiment, 1,108 brave soldiers. In the face of facts like these all fair- minded soldiers will readily admit the Ist Ileavy Artillery of Maine as among the bravest and most gallant regiments in the war.
Sergt. Parsons was with his regiment at the fall of Petersburg and the surrender of Lee at Appomat- tox Court House, and returned with it to the State of Maine, where he was mustered out at Bangor. June 6, 1865. He received his honorable dis- charge, and in August following sought the West for his future field of operations. IIe located at once at Dwight, this eounty, and first engaged in teaming, afterward embarking in the coal and ice trade, and later included building material. Finally he added agricultural implements, and then drifted into general hardware. He has sold out his coal and ice business and gives his entire attention to the large and well-selected stock of articles included in general hardware, stoves and machinery, embrac- ing also firearms, cutlery and sporting goods. His courteous manner and correct methods of doing business have secured for him a large patronage among the best people of Livingston County .-
Our subject, in 1874, organized a company of militia at Dwight, of which he was elected Cap- tain, and which was designated by his comrades as Parsons' Guards. In 1876 he received a commis- sion in the State Militia as Lieutenant Colonel,
commanding the 10th Battalion, Illinois National Guards. The battalion was composed of companies from Pontiac. Wenona, Fairbury, Odell, Joliet, Marseilles, Streator, Bloomington and Dwight. Col. Parsons resigned his commission a few years since, but still retains an interest in military tactics.
Our subject has been quite prominent in the affairs of Dwight and vicinity, representing the township in the County Board of Supervisors, and serving as Village Trustee and Treasurer. Socially he be- longs to Livingston Lodge No. 371, A. F. & A. M., at Dwight; Odell Royal Arch Chapter, Fairbury Commandery, K. T., and is Commander of Dwight Post No. 626, G. A. R.
The marriage of Col. J. B. Parsons and Miss Sarah Isabel Haskell was celebrated at the home of the bride's parents, Dr. L. P. and Sarah E. Hlaskell, in Chicago, Dee. 28, 1880, Rev. B. F. Leavitt, pastor of Lincoln Park Congregational Church. officiating. Of this union there has been born one childl. a daughter, Florence HI .. Nov. 17, 1885. The pleas- ant family residence is located on Mazon avenue. The Colonel and his wife are active members of the Congregational Church, of which our subject has been a Trustee. Politically he is a Republican, and is esteemed by all as the genial companion and kind-hearted neighbor, who is always ready to aid in worthy enterprises and assist the unfortunate. Whether in military or civil life, he has performed his part well, and his success is the result of his own unaided efforts.
IDNEY C. ROGERS, who has been a citizen of Illinois since 1857, and a resi- dent of Livingston County since the year 1870, where he is engaged in farming and stock-breeding on section 25. Pleasant Ridge Township, was born in Harwich, Mass .. on the 4th of December, 1826. He is the son of Mayo and Mercy (Clark) Rogers, who were natives of Massachusetts. The father was born in 1788, and (lied July 2, 1872. The father was a seafaring man, and was engaged in the fishery business around Cape Cod, nearly all his life. The mother was born in 1792, and died in February, 1873; they
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were both members of the Congregational Church, and the last years of their lives were spent in devo- tion to the church. To them were born seven chil- dren, whose names are as follows: Andrew, Sallie, Mayo. Zipporah, Moses. Merey and Sidney.
March 12. 1851. Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Merey R. Nickerson, who was born on the 22d of september. 1832. in South Harwich. Mass. She is the daughter of Abner and Alvira ( Nickerson) Nick- erson. They were natives of the same State, and the father was born on the 21st of January, 1806, and died on the 26th of September. 1860. The mother was born on the 7th of December, 1810, and died on the Isth of May, 1878. They were married on the 26th of January. 1830. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for many years he served in the capacity of Steward. To them were born five children-Albert, Mercy, Abner > .. Jonathan O. and Artemus Il. Albert, the oldest, was drowned at sea. and the others are still living. The father was a sailor until he was twenty-six years of age and later in life a merchant.
Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have had eight children, three of whom are living-Sidney C., Jr., Albert W. and Mary. There are tive deceased-sidney C .. Mercy E., Flora, Arthur H. and Elvira N. Mr. Rogers came to Illinois in the spring of 1857 and located in Lasalle County, where he resided for thirteen year-, during which time he engaged at car- pentering for six years and farming for seven years, lle then located in this county and has followed farming since that time. Ile is the owner of 160 acres of land. twenty-five of which were broken when he became the possessor of it. In the im- provement and cultivation of the farm Mr. Rogers ha- accomplished very much.
From the time he was thirteen years of age until he wa- twenty. Mr. Rogers was engaged in fishing and coasting on the sea coast. At the latter age he abandoned the water and learned the trade of a carpenter. When a boy he received a fair common- school education, to which he materially added by an attendance of four terms at an academy. Earlier in life he engaged in school teaching and altogether taught seven winter terms. Mrs. Rogers received a good education in the common schools. Mr. and Mr -. Roger- are members of the Congre-
gational Church and he has served the congregation in the capacity of a Deacon. In politics Mr. Rogers' Republicanism dates back to the organization of the party in 1856. He has been a faithful and con- sistent adherent of that party ever since, but at present has strong Prohibition proclvities. He has held several offices of trust, including that of Town- ship Collector for one year and School Trustee for nine years. Ile and his family stand well in the estimation of the people of Pleasant Ridge Town- ship, and are active and popular participants in all society matters.
C HARLES A. MCGREGOR. Among the busi- ness men of Pontiac no one is more worthy of representation in this ALBUM than he whose name appears above. Charles A. McGregor, as the name indicates, is of good old Scotch stock. lle was born in Clermont County, Ohio, March 14, 1844, and is the son of John Il. and Mary J. (Bux- ton) McGregor, natives of South Carolina and Ohio respectively. The MeGregors came originally from Scotland, settling in South Carolina many years ago. To John H. and wife were born six children, four sons and two daughters: Elizabeth Laws, deceased; Emma J., of Pontiac: Charles A .; Alonzo 11., of Stanberry, Mo., where he is engaged as train dispatcher; Harry B., of Lovington, III., druggist, and Alexander H., who died in infancy.
In the year 1850 the MeGregors moved from Ohio to Ottawa, Ill., where the elder McGregor en- gaged in the practice of law, in which profes- sion he was eminently successful. Prior to his com- ing to Illinois he was an associate editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal. From Ottawa they came to Pontiac in 1852. For five years Mr. Me- Gregor continued in practice, taking a leading position among attorneys in this part of the State. lle is well remembered by old settlers as being a man of sterling qualities and fine abilities. He died in 1856. Ilis widow still lives in the old homestead in Pontiac.
Charles A. McGregor, after securing a fair com- mon-school education, spent two years in Carlisle, Pa., Dickinson College. This was in 1861-62,
RESIDENCE OF GEO. A. WOODRUFF, PONTIAC.
OFFICE ..
GRAIN OFFICE AND ELEVATOR.
RESIDENCE OF J. H. TAGGART, LONG POINT, LIVING STON CO.
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when the war was raging fiercely. This decided Mr. McGregor in entering the army, which he did by en- listing in the 39th Illinois Infantry. He was made a member of the regimental band, and subsequently that of the brigade. His service was with the Armies of the Potomac and James. After the war Mr. McGregor engaged his services to J. P. Turner. of Pontiac, in general merchandising. In 1867 he opened a book and notion store in Pontiac, and in 1868, in company with Dr. Caldwell, engaged in the drug business, which he has since successfully prosecuted.
In 1869-70 onr subject was Postmaster of Pon- tiac, of which city he has been Alderman. Of the Township he has been Treasurer two or three terms. Nov. 23. 1871, Mr. McGregor was united in mar- riage to Eunice J. Johnson, daughter of Morris and Minerva E. (Ellis) Johnson. Mrs. MeGregor was a native of Virginia, having been born at Johnson's Cross Roads, that State, Oet. 18, 1848. The record of their family is as follows: Bernice E., born May 29, 1875: Ellis J., Sept. 12, 1878; Lewis C., Jan. 19, 1883: Mary E. died in infancy ; Janette died ,June 5, 1886, at the age of two years. Mrs. Mc- Gregor died Dec. 7, 1886, mourned by a large cir- cle of friends.
Socially, Mr. McGregor is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and I. O. O. F. He is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and his wife was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and active in the cause.
Il. TAGGART, a large dealer in grain, lum- ber and live stock at Long Point, has been a resident there six years, and in every re- speet has proved himself a valued factor in the community. By the exercise of his own sound common sense, coupled with industry and energy, he has acquired a fine property, including the build- ings employed for the transaction of his business, and thirty-one lots within the town limits, besides his handsome residence situated on Fourth street. lle has taken a just pride in dealing honestly and uprightly, and enjoys in a marked degree the eon- fidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Although deprived of a thorough education himself, there is
nowhere a stronger advocate for the establishment of schools, and the giving of those advantages to the young which are their inalienable rights, and which are so conducive to their success as worthy and reliable citizens.
Mr. Taggart was born in Belmont County, Ohio, which was also the birthplace of his father, John Taggart. His mother was formerly Miss Nancy Roberts, a native of Canada, who when four years of age, came to the State of Ohio with her parents, who were also natives of Canada. The paternal grandfather of our subject was James Taggart, and the family is of Pennsylvanian ancestry. The chil- dren of John and Nancy ( Roberts) Taggart, seven in number, were named respectively, John, Will- iam, Margaret, Mary, Grace, Sarah and Jane. Of these, John and Margaret are living in Belmont County, Ohio, where John is carrying on farming and stock-raising.
Our subject came to Illinois in December, 1863, landing in Lacon, Marshall County, on the 28th of the month. In 1862 he was married to Miss Jose- phine L., daughter of Isaac and Telitha (Strong) Murdangh, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but subsequently removed to Ohio, where they are now living. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. T. died on the 8th of September, 1887, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Our subject was a resi- dent of hacon five years, and thence removed to a point two miles west of Wenona. lle subsequently took up his residence in Putnam County, where he farmed for eleven years, and thence coming to Liv- ingston in 1881, located at Long Point, where he established his present trade, and is contributing his full quota toward the business interests of the town.
To Mr. and Mrs. Taggart there have been born four children, all living, namely : Luella, Maude. Harry and Frederick. Harry is attending the Nor- mal School at Dixon, and Mande has attended three terms at Eureka. Their father takes an active in- terest in their education, determined that they shall enjoy those privileges of which he himself was to so great an extent deprived.
As representative of the buildings of this section of country, there is shown elsewhere in this work a view of Mr. Taggart's homestead.
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h ON. GEORGE A. WOODRUFF, one of the prominent men in political and business af- fairs of Livingston County, is a native of Watertown. Litchfield Co., Conn., where he was born on the 3d of November. 1839. He is the son of Hon. George P. and Belinda M. (Warren) Woodruff. both of whom were natives of Water- town. where also they began the journey of life to- gether.
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George P. Woodruff remained in Watertown dur- ing his life. and was engaged in manufacturing. His father. Eleazer, died Aug. 30, 1873, at the age of eighty-one. and his mother. Hannah (Prindle) Woodruff. died March 8. 1855. She was the daugh- ter of Samuel Prindle, who was a native of Con- necticut. and engaged in farming. Samuel's father, John Prindle, was born in 1729, and died in 1799; be held the rank of Captain in the Revolutionary War. The parents of Belinda M. Warren were Alanson and Sarah M. (Hickox) Warren, natives of Connecticut, and of English ancestry: the father was engaged in manufacturing and merchandising. George P. Woodruff was a representative of Water- town in the State Legislature for two years, and held various county and township offices. He was one of the wealthy men of that part of the country in that day. and died in 1857. his wife following him to the silent land in 1880. They had a family of two sons, George A., and Charles T., who retired from business at Watertown, Conn., and died Ang. 17. 1887.
George A. Woodruff received his early training in a store, and obtained an academical education at Watertown. Conn. After some time devoted to manufacturing enterprises, he engaged in general farming for a few years, and then for six years kept. the Warren House, a summer resort at Watertown. It was built by the Woodruff and Warren families. and would accommodate 200 guests. He çame to Illinois in 1x80. settling in Pontiac, and in 1881 purchased the farm of 164 acres adjoining the city limits of Pontiac, where he now resides. His home- stead, of which a view is shown elsewhere in this ALBUM. i- one of the most elegant in the county.
On the FIth of June, 1860, our subject was mar- ried to Mi -- Emily A. Humiston, a native of Thomaston, Conn .. and a daughter of Bennet and
Emily (Warner) Ilumiston, who were natives of Plymouth. Conn., where Mr. Il. was largely en- gaged in farming and stock-raising. Bennet's father, Jesse, was a native of Thomaston, Litchfield Co., Conn., and was a farmer by occupation. Emily Warner's parents were Aaron and Mary (Camp) Warner, who were farmers and of English descent. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet IIumiston wore named as follows: Bennet, Morris, Emily A. and Caleb. In 1852 Bennet came with Mr. Camp to this county, and settled in Esmen. He subse- quently married Mr. Camp's daughter, Harriet, and died on the 14th of November, 1883. Morris and Caleb are living in Thomaston, Conn. Bennet Humiston, Sr., died about ten years ago, while Mrs. Humiston is still living, in her eighty-third year.
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