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 94

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208

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 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

James E. Blake, at the time this sketch is written, does not own any land of his own, but with his energy and business habits, seconded by the efforts of his esti- mable wife, he will not be many years in accumulat- ing a competency. They are both deservedly popular with the people among whom they live.

AMES MORTLAND, a piorcer resident of Livingston County, is the owner of a snug home in Newtown Township, where he is now living comparatively retired from active labor, and watched over by the affectionate care of his daughter. Ile learned the trade of a carpenter in early life, and for many years worked at this in connection with farming, and accumulated sufficient means to enable him to pass his declining years in ease and comfort.

Our subject was born in Butler County, Pa., April 20, 1830, and is the son of James and Mary (Van- derlin ) Mortland, also natives of the Keystone State. James Mortland was born May 10, 1798, and de- parted this life at his home in Butler County, Pa .. June 10, 187t. The mother was born about 1799, and died Feb. 12, 1877, in Butler County, Pa. Her father, John Vanderlin, was born and died in Bot- ler County, Pa., where he spent his entire life, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-six years. His son, Stephen, at the age of ninety, finally met an ac- cidental death by a fall on the ice.

The father of our subject was reared to farming pursuits, which he carried on extensively in Butler County, and was a man of much force of character, becoming identified with the political affairs of that section. He was an uncompromising Democrat, politically, and there were few publie enterprises in which he was not prominent. The parental house- hold included ten children, of whom but three are

living: Elias is married, and the father of six chil- dren ; he occupies a part of the old homestead, liv- ing under the same roof where he was born, and, it is believed, the roof under which his father before him first opened his eyes to the light. Stephen lives on another part of the homestead, is married and the father of six children, two deceased.

The subject of this sketch remained at home un- til a youth of eighteen years, and then Icarned the carpenter's trade, serving a three years' apprentice- ship under the instruction of James Griffin, of his native county. The latter is still living, and eighty- five years of age. He came to this county in the spring of 1856. but subsequently returned to his old home in Pennsylvania. Young Mortland worked at his trade five years in his native county, then came to Illinois. locating in Newtown Township in the winter of 1856, where he has since remained. As a boy at school he was fond of his books, and made the most of his opportunities, and was en- gaged as School Trustee for a period of fifteen years. He was soon recognized as a valuable accession to this community, and is now serving his fifth term as Assessor. His genial disposition and upright course in life have secured him the esteem and con- fidence of all who know him.

Mr. Mortland, not long after coming to Living- ston County, made the acquaintance of Miss Mar- garet Lundy, who became his wife Ang. 13, 1857. She was the danghter of Enoch and Delphia (Ilonchin) Lundy, and born in Newtown Township, where she lived with her parents until her marriage. She was a young bride, being little more than six- teen years of age at the time of her marriage, her birth taking place March 14. 1841. The wedding was celebrated at her father's house, and Rev. John Hoobler, who is written of elsewhere in this ALBUM, officiated. The young people lived with friends six months, then commenced housekeeping in a modest dwelling in Newtown Township. In due time they became the parents of seven children : William C., born May 28, 1858, was married to Miss Mattic May Hoobler, Jan. 30, 188t, and is farming in New- town Township; Mary Susannah, born Feb. 1, 1860, became the wife of Jacob Ziegler, Aug. 22, 1881 ; they are also living on a farm in Newtown Town- ship. Rosella Catherine, born May 23, 1861, is the

766

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

wife of Frederick Conner, married Ang. 21, 1881 ; they live in the village of Manville, and Mr. C. is engaged in farming. James Enoch, born Nov. 21, 1863. died April 8, 1865; John Il., born Feb. 1, 1867. died Feb. 10, 1869; Candace Delphia, born Dee. 6, 1870, is the sole companion of her father's home. the wife and mother having departed this life July 26. 1881. The youngest child, Pearl May, was born June 4, 1880, and died Jan. 23, 1884. .

MIrs. Mortland was a lady highly respected in her community, and an active member of the United Brethren Church, in the prosperity of which she took a great interest. Our subjeet has never been very active in politics, but thoroughly believes in Re- publiean principles, which he has supported since the second election of A. Lineoln.

OHN COOMER, a retired eapitalist, and the first resident of Fairbury, is a New En- glander by birth and spent his early years in Glover, Orleans Co., Vt., where his birth took place May 4. 1817. He is the son of John and Sarah (Mason) Coomer, natives respectively of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The father was of French deseent and died in Vermont in 1864; the mother descended from an excellent old English family and preceded her husband to the silent land in 1859. John Coomer, Sr., was a farmer by oeeupation and died a poor man, leaving nothing to his two children, our subjeet and his sister Sarah, who married William Wolcott, and is a resident of Glover, Vt.

Our subject early in life was made acquainted with its eares and responsibilities, and received but a limited education. 'After reaching his majority he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. which he followed about sixteen years. Sub- sequently he engaged in farming, which he continued in Vermont until 1848, when he made a flying trip to the West, and determined upon a permanent settlement in this section of country. He, however, returned to New England, and was detained there seven years, at the expiration of which time he started again for the West, accompanied by his wife and child, and journeyed first to Michigan,

where they took up their abode for a year, when they came to Chenoa, Ill., and lived five months.

In 1857 Mr. Coomer with his family came to Fairbury, arriving on the 31st of December. There was then no sign of a town, and Mr. Coomer was the first to settle upon its present site. It seems, however, that speculators had intended to lay out a town here and rumors to this effeet had been published in the Peoria papers. People soon be- gan to eome, and Mr. Coomer in due time estab- lished a lumber-yard which was quite well patron- ized as the town began building up. Eight years later he sold out, and with the capital accumulated commeneed loaning money and officiating as gen- eral real-estate agent. He seemed well adapted to this voeation and was remarkably fortunate in his investments. lle has now ten houses and lots in the village, and a fine tract of 350 aeres of valua- ble land. He has done more than any other man to build up the town, and is regarded as one of the old landmarks who will be sadly missed when he shall have been gathered to his fathers. He has been a stanch adherent of the Republican party sinee its organization, and served as Assessor for a period of seven years.

Mr. Coomer was first married to Miss Jenette Abbott, who lived only six months after her mar- riage. Ilis present wife, to whom he was married March 18, 1845, was formerly Miss Harriet N. Cheney, who was born June 16, 1821, in Orleans County, Vt. The wedding took place at the home of the bride in Orleans County, Vt., the officiating minister being Rev. Elias Kilby, pastor of the Con- gregational Church. Her parents, Joel and Olive (Hill) Cheney, were natives of New Hampshire, the father of Welsh and the mother of English an- cestry. Mr. Cheney was a farmer of ordinary means, and the parental household included eight children, namely: Oracy, Harriet, Milo, Eleanora, Wealthy W., Augustus G., Hlubert P. and Olevia. The family are all members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Cheney was born in 1791, and de- parted this life in 1857. The mother was born in 1795, and died in the city of Albany, Vt., July 6, 1861. She was a lady highly esteemed and a mem- ber in good standing of the Congregational Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Coomer have two children, a son

767

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

and a daughter-Allen C. and Fanny M. Allen C. was born in Vermont, April 12, 1847, and married Miss Louisa Cox; he is now engaged in conducting a boarding-house in Kansas City. Fanny M. was born March 30, 1863, and remains at home with her parents. Mrs. Coomer is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

W ILLIAM HI. CORNWELL, son of Solomon S. and Emily (Morrison) Cornwell, was born at Princeville, Peoria County, this State, Jan. 14, 1844. He was reared to farm pur- suits, and received a common-school education, and after a service of three years and ten months in the Union army, settled down in Waldo Township, where he has since been one of the most highly re- spected citizens of Livingston County.

The war record of our subject, having formed a most important period of his life, we give in sub- stance as follows: He was but eighteen years of age at the outbreak of the Rebellion, but notwithstand- ing his youth, was admitted to Company D, 11th Illinois Cavalry. He marched with his comrades to the field of conflict, and took part in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka and Corinth, being at the latter place captured by the rebels, but paroled fifteen days afterward. He remained at St. Louis until the fol- lowing February, when he was exchanged and joined his regiment at Jackson, Tenn. He afterward met the enemy in several skirmishes in Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, and thence went with the army of Gen. Sherman from Vicksburg to Meridian, dur- ing which raid his regiment captured a gun from the rebels, and then returned to Vicksburg, where it veteranized and was granted a thirty days' fur- lough.

Young Cornwell, after visiting his friends at home, returned to Vicksburg, and with his regiment was detailed to patrol the river along this point. He afterward took part in the charge at Port Gib- son, where they captured the entire battery of the enemy, and thence going to Memphis, he was as- signed to the command of Gen. Grierson, and as- sisted in cutting off Hood's communication with the main army. In December, 1864, they captured the

troops of Gen. Forest besides a train-load of arms and provisions for Hood's army. On the 28th of the month they seized Egypt Station with about 500 prisoners. Mr. Cornwell was here wonnded by a musket ball which passed entirely through his lip. He was carried off the field, and being left behind, was taken prisoner and sent to Anderson- ville, the horrors of which he endured until after the surrender of Lee. He was then released, and received his honorable discharge in Springfield, Ill., on the 22d of July, 1865. His record, like that of hundreds of others, about whom history has been silent, was one of hardship, danger and privation, but he possessed the same indomitable spirit which sustained his comrades and led them to endure suf- ferings which could not be described by words. He received the commendation of his superior offi- cers, and enjoyed the respect of his comrades, and is one of the brave few who remain to tell the tale of life in a Southern prison.

Upon his retirement from the army, Mr. Corn- well returned to his home in Peoria County, and commenced farming on land belonging to his father. After thus securing a good start in life, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Thomson, of Brimfield, Peoria County, Rev. Samnel Smith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. The wedding took place at the home of the bride Feb. 28, 1867. The young people reinained in Peoria County until the spring of 1870, and then removed to a tract of land which the elder Cornwell had pre- viousły purchased, and which has since been their home. This was deeded to our subject the follow- ing year, and in 1872 he purchased 160 acres ad- ditional on sections I and 12. Here he has carried on farming and stock-raising after the most modern and approved methods, and has embellished the township with one of the handsomest and most pro- (Inctive farms within its limits.

Mr. Cornwell, in 1875, was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has since held, and has also served six years as Commissioner of Highways. lle has been Township Collector, and has repre- sented the township in the County Board of Super- visors most of the time since 1884. He is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and a Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has

768

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

been connected for the last ten years. The fact that he has been a continuous office-holder in a township strongly Democratic, speaks well for bis popularity as a citizen.

Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell are the parents of six chil- dren, all living and born as follows: Albert W., Sept. 27. 1869; Lester P., Nov. 28, 1871; Charles A., Jan, 13. 1876; Hubert, Dec. 20, 1881; Mabel, Jan. 23. 1883. and David. March 16, 1886. Mr. Cornwell was the eldest in a family of four children. His eldest brother, Charles A., is a practicing law- yer of Peoria, Ill .; Julia is the wife of Edwin El- liott, a skillful architect, who is now engaged in farming, and lives at Princeville, having two chil- dren: Addie married HI. W. Crawford, Station Agent at Monica, Ill., and has one child.

Solomon and Emily Cornwell were natives re- spectively of Dutchess County, N. Y., and New Haven, Conn. The former was born in 1812, and the latter about 1815. They are both living, and still residents of Princeville. The paternal great- great-grandfather was a Scotchman by birth and ancestry, while on the mother's side our subject is of English descent. Mrs. Cornwell was born at Brimfield, Peoria Co., Ill., Oct. 24, 1849. She is in all respects the suitable helpmeet of her husband, looking well to the domestic affairs of the home- stead.

AVID S. CRUM. There are sections of Illinois which are almost wholly settled by Pennsylvanians, and it is an invariable rule that where such is the case there can be found thrift, intelligence and morality deeply rooted. It is characteristic of the Pennsylvanian that wherever you find him, no matter what his vo- cation in life may be, you find him a man of parts. If he is a farmer, he is a good farmer; if he is a stockman, he excel- in that line of business, and f he is both farmer and stock-raiser, you will find la man who has reduced these kindred callings al- most to a science. It is not inappropriate to say that this is illustrated in the person of the subject of this sketch, whose stock farm is located on sec- sjon 17, Belle Prairie Township.

David S. Crum was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., on the 8th of December, 1826, and is the son of Cornelius and Margaret (Gray) Crum, natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland respectively. Cor- nelius Crum was born on the 22d of December, 1790, and died on the 29th of August, 1850, in the State of Ohio, where he had moved from Pennsyl- vania in September, 1840; he was a farmer by oc- cupation. The mother was born Oct. 31. 1799, and died in Ohio on the 26th of February, 1853. The were married on the 11th of October, 1811, in Pennsylvania, and were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Crum was Class- Leader, Steward and Exhorter for many years. In 1836-37 he was a member of the convention which revised and remodeled the constitution of the State of Pennsylvania, which has ever since been the or- ganic law of that State, and was also a member of the Ohio State Legislature during the years 1845- 46. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Mary, Catherine, Margaret R., John B., Samuel D .: James S., who died at the age of eight years; David S., William A., Rebecca T. and Sarah S.

David S. Crum spent his boyhood days upon a farm, performing his share of the work during the summer months and attending the district school in winter. While attending school he made the most of the opportunities offered, and received more than an average education. In 1851, at the age of twenty-four years, he was married to Miss Mary A. Walton, and two years thereafter came to the West. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1830, and was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gehman) Wal- ton, who were natives of England, and immigrated to this country at an early day. By this marriage five children were born, two of whom died in in- fancy. The living are: Dwight M., who married Miss Lydia M. Vanpaten; Edwin W., who married Miss Sabra Vanpaten, and Lina E., Mrs. Peter Mc- Donald. Their mother died in 1860. When Mr. Crum located in this county, in 1853, he entered 480 acres of Government land, of which he sold 120 acres, and he has subsequently purchased 160 acres. In 1862 he married Mrs. Mary M. Morgan, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have had two children : Mira A., Mrs. Lorenzo Alford, and Jen- nie F., Mrs. George Il. Bennett. The second wife

RESIDENCE OF R.D. GREGG, SEC. 22 . ROUND GROVETOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF L. F. SHEPHERD , SEC . 29. SAUNEMIN TOWN SHIP.

RESIDENCE OF WM. CHAMINGS, SEC. 2. BELLE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.

771

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

died in 1873. Mr. Crum was a third time married. in 1874, to Miss Jane E. Parmenter, a native of Providence, R. I., who came West when but a child.

Mr. Crum and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Stew- ard and Class-Leader many years. Ile can truly be said to be one of the pillars of the church, and was one of the principal members instrumental in building Fair View Chapel, which is located on his land. Mr. Crum has met with a large measure of snecess in his calling. His farm now consists of 520 acres, perfectly drained by the tile system, and on which he has erected an elegant dwelling-house. While in no sense a politician, he is a strict parti- san of the Republican party, and upon all occasions does what he can to further its interests.

BNER W. CAMP, a descendant of old Revolutionary stock, is a farmer and stock- raiser on section 10, Esmen Township, and was born in Waterbury, New Haven Co., Conn., on the 26th of December, 1827. He was the «klest child of Ephraim and Eliza ( Webster) Camp, natives of Litchfield County, Conn., as were also his grandparents, Ephraim and Sarah (Moss) Camp. The grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, volun- teering twice, and being drafted three times. Ile was sixteen years old when he first entered the army, and served five years. lle was one of the guards around the gallows at the hanging of Maj. Andre, and was at Valley Forge with Washington, where he almost lost his feet from exposure during that terrible winter. He was urged to secure a pen- sion on account of disability incurred in the war but always declined, stating that he did not need it and the Government was too poor to afford it. The maternal grandparents were Tola and Silence (Guernsey) Webster, natives of Litchfield County, Conn. Tola Webster was called to service as Cap- tain of a cavalry company, but never saw active service.

The father of Mr. Camp was a blacksmith by trade, but abandoned that calling early in life for watch and clock making, which occupation he fol-

lowed until 1855, when, to escape the confinement involved he came West, arriving in Livingston County on the 14th day of May of that year. 'Ilis first purchase of land was on section 10, Esmen Township, and here he remained until his death, on the 9th of May, 1877. He secured an excellent little farm which he put under a high state of culti- vation, and erected a blacksmith-shop thereon, in which he followed his old trade at leisure times. Ile was an active politician all his life, and was al- ways greatly interested in the leading topics of the day. lle was an old-line Douglas Democrat. The early life of our subject was spent upon the farm, and his education was obtained in the common schools. When he came to Illinois he was posted on New England farming, but found himself no match for the enterprising "sucker" until he had learned the western methods of agriculture. Ile re- mained at home with his parents until the father's death, and has never left the old homestead.

On the 6th of May, 1855, Mr. Camp married Mary E. Cook, who was born in Cheshire, New Haven Co., Conn., on the 10th of August, 1834, and was the fifth in a family of seven children born to Aaron and Emily ( Hitchcock) Cook, who were na- tives of the same county, where they died, the for- mer on the 23d of February, 1842, and the latter on the 27th of November, 1865. Soon after mar- riage Mr. Camp brought his wife to the West, but all her family remained in the East. They have always lived upon the old home place, where they expect to spend their declining years. Mr. Camp has served the people as Constable eight years, and Justice of the Peace twelve years. Hle also served as Collector in 1861, at a time when the banks went down like straws before the wind, and wildcat money was so plentiful that a day's collections fre- quently would not pay for a dinner. He filled this office two terms.

Mr. and Mrs. Camp are the parents of eight ehil- dren, namely : George A., Emily R .. Henry A., Edward T., Tooty, Bennie, Royal G., and one who died in infancy. George A. was born Dec. 8, 1857; Emily R., Dec. 29, 1859; Hemy A., June 23, 1863: Edward T., July 2, 1867; Tooty. Nov. 22, 1870: Bennie. July 26, 1872, and Royal G., Oct. 24, 187 1. The only survivors are George A., Henry A. and

772

LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Royal G. Mr. Camp takes an active part in poli- tics, and votes with the Independent party.

George A .. the eldest son of Abner W. Camp, was born in Livingston County, Ill., where he has always resided. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of the district. He remained at home until 1884, when, on the 27th of February, he was married to Mary Donohoe, the third in a family of eight children born to Francis and Pleasant (Furr) Donohoe, who were natives of Virginia. When a young man Mrs. Camp's father came to Illinois, and later in life settled in Living- ston County. Mrs. Camp was born in LaSalle County, Ill .. near Ottawa, on the 20th of May, 1864. She came to Livingston County with her parents in 1868, where she married Mr. Camp. They live on a rented farm on section 16, Esmen Township.

ONROE J. BOSWORTHI, the son of a pio- neer of LaSalle County, and now one of the most thrifty farmer, of Livingston County, residing in Sunbury Township, was born in LaSalle County, in what is now known as Miller Township, on the 27th of Angust, 1843. His father, Carr W. Bosworth, was born in Essex County, N. Y., while his grandfather was a farmer and shoemaker who spent his life in that county. The father was left an orphan at twelve years of age, and found a home with strangers till the age of seventeen years, when he went to Genesee County, where he married and lived until 1842, when he came to Illinois and settled in what is now Miller Township, LaSalle County. In making his journey to the West he traveled with teams to Buffalo, N. Y., thence across the Lakes by boat to Chicago, and from Chicago to LaSalle County with teams. Upon arriving at his destination he entered Gov- ernment land. on which he built a house in which our snbjeet was born. He still resides on this farm, which he ha- improved, and erected thereon a good class of buildings. The maiden name of his wife, the mother of the subject of our sketch, was Laura Prescott. She was born in Genesee County, N. Y .. and was the daughter of James and Hannah Prescott, natives of New York. She died on the

homestead in 1872. To them were born three chil- dren-Monroe J., George F. and Oscar F. The lat- ler two live on the old homestead.

The subject of this biography attended the pio- neer schools in the log school-house and assisted his father in the work on the farm. On the 13th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company L, 15th Illi- nois Cavalry, and served until after the close of the war. His company was the escort and body- guard of Gen. Grant at the battle of Corinth, and during his term of service he was in the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. Ile was taken prisoner just before the battle of Corinth, but was paroled two weeks later, and three months afterward was exchanged. He was on detached service in the Government Print- ing-Office from January, 1864, until July, 1865, on the 25th of which month he was discharged and returned home. He lived on the old homestead un- til 1868, and then came to Livingston County and bought his present farm, which at that time was wild land, at $12.50 per acre. At that time there were but few houses within sight of his farm. 1Ie has since erected frame buildings and has all the land improved and under a good state of cultiva- tion.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 94

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 1208

Author: Chapman Brothers (Chicago) publisher
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 1208