USA > Illinois > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 30
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He was born at Weston, in Middlesex Co., Mass., Feb. 9, 1807. Jeremiah Stimson, his father, was a
native of Massachusetts, and belonged to an old and ' well-established family in that State. The maiden name of his mother was Elizabeth Fuller, and she was the daughter of a sister of Benjamin Franklin, the philosopher and statesman. The father of Mr. Stimson died when the latter was in his 11th year, and he was brought up in the care of a family named Brown, at Dedham, Mass. His early life was passed on a farm, and subsequently he became in- terested in the business of a trader. He remained in the East until 1835, when he came to Illinois and at first made a location in Bureau County.
In the year following he came to Henry County. He located on section 15, in the township of Gene- seo, and in 1837 began to make improvements on it. In 1838 he built a log house and barn of substantial character and had 40 acres broken. The house re- ferred to occupied the site where the farm residence now stands. He was the owner of 240 acres, one- third of which was in timber. He continued the purchase and sale of real estate for many years, and at the time of his death he was the possessor of only 96 acres, of which he was the owner originally, and for which he held the Government patent.
Mr. Stimson was married three times. Leah Clark became his wife in Bureau County, Dec. 25, 1837. She died Dec. 10, 1843, leaving two chil- dren,-a son and a daughter. The latter, who was named Elizabeth, was born Nov. 18, 1840, and died Dec. 11, 1843, one day subsequent to the de- mise of the mother. Charles was born Nov. 30, 1843, and died Nov. 4, 1864.
Mr. Stimson married Mrs. Remembrance (Evans) Ogden in 1844. She was a widow and the mother of several children by her first husband. She died Nov. 13, 1862. From the second matrimonial con- nection there is no issue. Mr. Stimson was married again at Rock Island Feb. 13, 1867, to Miss Hannah E. Reynolds. She was born at Berlin, Washington Co., Vt., July 4, 1824, and is the daughter of Elisha P. and Betsey (Stuart) Reynolds. Her father was of English extraction and was a lineal descendant of the celebrated "Sir Joshua Reynolds," the most dis- tinguished painter of his time. Her mother was a " Stuart," and descended from the royal line of Scot- land.
Mrs. Stimson is still the survivor of her husband. She is a lady who preserves the distinctive traits of
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the families in which she had her origin in strength of character, stability of purpose and individuality. She received educational advantages of the best type in the East, and at 18 began the work of a teacher in New England. After some years she went to the State of New York and there continued the pursuit of her occupation. In the winter of 1858-9 she went to Texas to enter upon the duties of a planta- tion teacher at Marshall, in Harrison County. She made a success of the undertaking, and just prior to the culmination of the Southern infatuation and fool- hardiness she transferred her field of operation to the Red River country of Louisiana. The consequences of the rebellion did not affect her position materially until the fall of 1862.
At that time the feeling of sectional bitterness be- gan to penetrate to the remoter rural districts and she prepared to make her way Northward. About a dozen Northern women, who had been in the South on the same business, found it expedient to seek a return to their friends, and Miss Reynolds joined the party. The Governors of Texas and Louisiana had provided them with the credentials necessary to se- cure their immunity from detention in the rebel lines ; and, after a series of adventures that would make a chapter in the history of the experiences of a life, she arrived at Vicksburg. The time was just subsequent to the termination of the second bom- bardment of that historic city. There the party were treated as prisoners of war and were transferred to the Federal authorities by the regular exchange. This method of facilitating their progress to their friends was an act of gentlemanly courtesy on the part of Gen. Kirby Smith, the Confederate com- mander. The ladies were placed on a Federal gun- boat and transferred to transport. The latter belonged to a flotilla of II that were being conveyed by two gun-boats to the upper river. They carried a flag of truce, but it was ineffectual to preserve from rebel attack, and they were fired into twice by the guer- rillas that infested the country on the Mississippi side. One of these occasions was full of intense ex- citement, as there was great danger of an invasion from the shore. The " Yankee schoolma'ams" proved themselves equal to the emergency, and at their own urgent request were supplied with "munitions of war" in the shape of shot-guns, wherewith to take part in the fray if the occasion should demand. The guerrillas held that discretion was, in their cases, the
better part of valor, and deferred their purpose. Whether they knew that the young ladies were on board and desisted from the instinct of their tradi- tional chivalry, or whether they hesitated to risk their precious persons in a double danger, is not certain ; and there may have been a deterring consideration in their susceptible hearts. Nobody knows, but more strange things have happened. The young ladies were landed safely at Cairo and again breathed the air of liberty.
Mr. Stimson was engaged in the business of a farmer and stockman in the township of Geneseo until the time of his demise. That event occurred July 26, 1878. He was a man who commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens from the uprightness of his character and the integrity in which he discharged every known duty in his rela- tions with them. He was a Democrat in his politi- cal relations and views, and was a consistent supporter of the tenets of that party.
R obert L. Pritchard, a farmer on section 30, Alba Township, is a native of the " Green Isle." He was born in County Down, and accompanied his parents to the United States in 1865. A full account of their lives, both in this and in their native country, is given with the sketch of their son, Hugh W., the brother of Mr. Pritchard of this sketch. The latter was born in 1850, and was therefore a well-grown lad when he came to the county where he has since resided. He remained under the pa- rental care and authority until he had passed the years of his minority, attending district schools and working on the farm.
The first eventful act of his life was his marriage to Sarah Fleming. She is the daughter of John Fleming, of Geneseo, who is living in retirement in that city, whither he removed from the township of Cornwall, where he was for many years a prosperous farmer. (See sketch of John Fleming.) Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard have one child, a daughter, born Aug. 16, 1885.
Mr. Pritchard is one of the leading farmers of the township in which he lives. He is the half owner of an undivided tract of land in company with his
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brother who has been named, and they are interested in the management of their joint estate, where each is making a success of the business of stock-rearing on an extensive scale. The herds of Mr. Pritchard consist of full-blooded Short-horn cattle, of which he owns about 200, and he is the possessor of a num- ber of thorough-bred Norman and English Draft horses, also Clydesdales. The swine on the place are of the Poland-China variety.
Mr. Pritchard is a Republican in political connec- tion and belongs to the Congregational Church. He has served in several official capacities in the town- ship.
oseph Weir. One of the prosperous, en- ergetic and respectable farmers of Henry County is Joseph Weir, who resides on section 26, Clover Township. He was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1827, and is a son of Andrew and Ann (Duland) Weir, na- tives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, who were engaged in the occupation of farming until they emigrated West. On arriving in Illinois they came to Clover Township, where he purchased 160 acres on section 36, and resided on the same until his death.
Joseph, our subject, remained at home under the influence of his parents until he reached his legal majority, in the meantime having received a com- mon-school education. After leaving the parental roof-tree he engaged in farming by purchasing 80 acres of land on section 26, and later made another purchase on section 23, of 160 acres. By his ener- getic and industrious labor he has since put the same under the best cultivation, and has erected a beautiful house on section 26, where he resides.
Miss Margaret Davis, a native of Pennsylvania, was the lady chosen to share the joys and sorrows, successes and reverses, of the future with Mr. Weir, in the year 1848. They have become the parents of seven children, six of whom are living, namely : Julia A., James L., Ella, William, Carrie and John W., all of whom are married except the youngest ; Ida is deceased.
Mr. Weir affiliates with the Democratic party, and
with his wife belongs to the Christian Church. He is one of the representative and worthy men of Henry County.
30- bner Wilson is a well-to-do farmer in the township of Geneseo, and is located on section 30. He was born in West Amwell, Hunterdon Co., N. J., May 30, 1824. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Pitcock) Wilson, were both natives of the same State where their son was born.
Until the latter was 16 he remained on the farm, and at that age he entered on an apprenticeship to learn the business of a tanner. After passing four years in the business, and finding it altogether un- congenial, he abandoned the project of making it the pursuit of his life, and again turned his attention to farming. He continued to operate in the capacity of agriculturist until 1845, when he went from his native place to Mercer County, where he rented land and resumed the same business. He passed three years on the place which he had rented, and in 1849 returned to the county in which he was born. In company with his brother William he bought a farm in West Amwell, which they oper- ated in common two years. At the expiration of that time he bought the claim of his brother, and was the resident owner of the place until 1856, when he sold it. He paid at the rate of $27 per acre, and sold it for $50 per acre. At the time he effected the sale his wife was in impaired health, and he thought it best to make a change in the locality of their home. Accordingly, he determined to come West, and located in the county where he has since been a citizen. He first made a purchase of 80 acres on section 32, Geneseo Township, where he made some improvements, and on which he pur- sued his business as a farmer three years. He then sold, and removed to a tract of 80 acres, which he bought in the township of Munson. It was situated on section 6, and was in a wholly unimproved con- dition. He built a franie house, planted trees, and set out hedges. He occupied the place until 1874, when he removed to a farm which he had previ- ously bought in the township of Geneseo, and which has since been his field of operation. At the time
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he took possession the place contained 80 acres, all of which is in excellent condition for prosperous farming. Mr. Wilson has set out fruit and shade trees, and erected two sets of frame buildings. He is interested in the growth of grain and live stock.
He was first married, in the State of New Jersey, to Elizabeth La Rue, who was born in the town of Delaware, in Hunterdon County. They have four children now living, whose record is as follows : Arabella is the wife of Thomas Clark; Rebecca married William Duff; William and Albert are the two younger. The first marriage of Mr. Wilson took place Dec. 18, 1847. His wife died July 11, 1881, and Mr. Wilson was again married in May, 1884, to Amanda, daughter of John D. Barnes, of Geneseo. (See sketch.)
H. Simmons, residing on section 28, Clo- ver Township, where he is engaged in the occupation of a farmer, was born Jan. 4, 1816, in Massachusetts, his parents being Edward and Charity (Daggett) Simmons, natives of Massachusetts, and where the father followed the business of ship-carpenter.
W. H. Simmons was a resident of the parental homestead until 12 years of age, having enjoyed the advantages afforded by the common schools. After leaving home he worked in a brick-yard for four years. On attaining his 16th year he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, to master which he served an apprenticeship for three years. Two years after learning his trade he worked in Massa- chusetts, and then went to Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade for two years longer. His next move was to Ohio, where he remained 12 years, all the time engaged in working at his trade. In 1855 he came to this county and located at Kewanee, where he worked at his trade for five years. He is a skilled mechanic, and during the time that he has been employed in the active prosecution of his trade lie has taken jobs that amounted to $10,ooo, and has had in his employ as many as 40 hands at one time. In 1860 Mr. Simmons came to Clover Town- ship, this county, and located on section 28, where he had purchased 160 acres of land. He located on this land, and by honest, energetic labor, good judg-
ment and economy he has added to his original pur- chases, and now owns 20 acres adjoining his first purchase of 160 ; also 160 acres on section 23, 60 on section 24, 160 on section 20, 160 in Knox County, 320 acres in Kansas, and 240 acres in Iowa. His accumulations of real estate is attributable to his own indomitable energy and good judgment, coupled with the active co-operation of his good helpmeet, to whom he was united in marriage Dec. 9, 1839. Her maiden name was Mary A. Briggs, and she was a native of Massachusetts.
The issue of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sim- mons has been seven children, four of whom are living : M. Eugenia, L. Alice, Evelinda A., and Horace F .; M. Eugenia married Alfred Stickney, and they have one child, Carrie A .; L. Alice mar- ried George A. Wood, at present residing in Boston, Mass. Mr. Simmons, politically, is a supporter of the tenets of the Democratic party. He has held the different offices within the gift of the people of his township, and is one of those gentlemen honored and respected for their straightforward and manly dealings with their fellow men.
aptain Joseph B. Brush, a pioneer of Henry County of 1838, was born in New York city, June 10, 1807, and is the son of Ebenezer Brush. At the age of II he went to sea. The ship on which he sailed was in the merchant service, and he followed a seafaring life for 20 years, gradually rising in his profession until he became the master of a brig. He operated nine years in the merchant service be- tween China and the city of Boston. In 1837 he lost his vessel in the Baltic sea, and therewith closed his connection with the pleasures and perils of a seafaring life.
In the following year he came to Henry County and settled in Morristown, where he became inter- ested in farming. He was also occupied in the prosecution of other business relations, and was the first mail-carrier between Geneseo and Morristown. He was engaged in that capacity two years.
On the first of April, 1836, he became the husband of Naomi, daughter of John Brush, of Long Island. She was born on that historic ground of the early
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career of this country. She is the mother of two children, Henry E. and Naomi; the latter is the wife of William Hall, of Geneseo.
Captain Brush removed to Geneseo in 1856, and has since been a citizen of that place. He was a Whig in his early political relations, and in later years has been independent. He has had an event- ful life, and the detailed account of his adventures by sea and land would fill a volume. He is in ad- vanced life, but is passing his last years in cheerful serenity.
amuel Pritchard, of the township of Alba, became a citizen of Henry County in 1857. He was born in County Down, Ireland, Feb. 18, 1841, and when he was ten years of age he came to the United States with his brother William. They landed at the port of New York and proceeded thence to the city of Phila- delphia, where Samuel entered the employ of a flori- culturist and remained in the same service six years. At the end of that time he came to the township where he is now a resident, and in company with his brother he rented 75 acres of land, which they managed jointly two years.
In the first year of the Civil War Mr. Pritchard en- tered the military service of his adopted country. He enlisted in Co. H, 126th Ill. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Thomas Martin. The regiment, commanded by Col. Richmond, was mustered into service at Alton, Ill., and assigned to the 16th Army Corps, General Hurlburt, Corps Commander. The com- mand was ordered to Tennessee and thence to Vicks- burg. After the successful termination of the siege of that place the regiment was transferred to the command of General Steele, of the Seventh Army Corps, and was concerned in the prominent battles in Arkansas while completing the term of enlistment. Mr. Pritchard enlisted Aug. 9, 1862, and was honor- ably discharged July 12, 1865, after the termination of the war, at Pine Bluff, Ark.
He returned to Alba Township and entered upon the career of a farmer, and has achieved the success due to the quality of his efforts and the degree of his industry. He deserves the reward of the patriot who risks his life to secure the possession of a peace-
ful country, and the broad, well cultivated acres of his beautiful farm show that Providence has approved his course of action as well as the spirit in which he has operated. He owns 440 acres of excellent land, on which has been erected a fine dwelling- house. The other buildings on the place are of a suitable and useful character. In political faith, Mr. Pritchard is a Republican, and has consistently sup- ported the principles of his party. He is serving a term as School Director. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at Annawan, No. 290.
Dec. 3, 1868, he was married to Alice Pritchard, a native of the County of Down, Ireland. Seven chil- dren have been born to them, one of whom has passed to the silence and mystery of the world of the unseen. They were born in the following order : Robert H., Mary J., William John, Elmer (died in infancy), Alice G., David R. and Lizzie A. The parents are connected in membership with the Con- gregational Church.
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acob Smith, merchant at Colona, was born in the county of Northumberland, England, July 17, 1827. He is the oldest son of Thomas and Jane (Robinson) Smith, and they were residents in the colliery district in Eng- land after 1833, when their son was six years of age; they went then to the county of Durham and a year later he went into the coal mines to work. He was but seven years old ; but it is a well-known fact, that in the English mines the smaller the child who is placed there to work the better, in some par- ticulars, as the veins of coal in some places are very narrow. The labor he at first performed was that of a pick-carrier. As he grew older he could do other work and he operated in various capacities until he reached the age of 19. He then commenced the work of a regular miner.
During the earlier years of his life he had attended the evening schools and had acquired a fair educa- tion. He continued to work in the collieries of Durham until 1853. In that year he came to America and went at once to the State of Pennsylvania, where there was an opportunity to obtain employ- ment in the avenue in which he had spent the years of his life thus far. He entered the coal mines at
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Johnstown and was there engaged from September, 1853, until July, 1854. He then came to Illinois and located in the county of Rock Island. He oper- ated as a miner there until Jan. 20, 1856, when he came to Henry County. He engaged in mining in Minersville, in Colona Township, where he continued to work until his removal, in 1858, to the village of Colona. He bought a building for the purpose of engaging in mercantile affairs and put in a stock of goods. He embarked in the enterprise in company with James Bell, and they conducted their interests jointly until they dissolved in 1861. In 1865 he took in George Brown as a partner, who remained with him until 1876. Since that date Mr. Smith has pursued his business as a merchant alone. He keeps a stock suited to the demands of a country trade, and is engaged in a popular and profitable business.
In 1851 he was married to Ann Smith, a native of England.
6
athan B. Huntington, deceased, settled in Henry County in 1854. From the date of his removal hither to the time when fail- ing health compelled his withdrawal from act- ive participation in the affairs of the place, he was a prominent factor in the furtherance of all projects that seemed to bear a promise of permanent benefit to the community with whose interests he was identified.
He was a native of Ashford, Conn., and was born Feb. 22, 1810. His father, Dr. Andrew Huntington, was for a half century a practicing physician of Ash- ford. The family is well known in New England, and is of English Puritan descent. The original pro- genitor on the American Continent was William Huntington, who settled at Salisbury, Mass., in 1640. Mr. Huntington came to the State in 1838, settling in Tazewell Co., where he was engaged in farming un- til his removal to Henry County. He made exten- sive purchases of land, and became interested largely in real estate, in the city and adjacent country. He erected a considerable number of buildings, and platted a tract of land in the southern portion of the city, called " Huntington's Addition." In 1857 he went to Elbridge, in the State of New York, where he
embarked in the wholesale manufacture of furniture and owned a saw-mill. In 1862 Mr. Huntington went from Elbridge to Galesburg, Ill., and passed the next ten years in farming in Knox County. At the expiration of that time he returned to Geneseo to pass the remaining years of his life. He was inter- ested in the real-estate business during the time that he was able to give his personal attention to his af- fairs. His death occurred Aug. 10, 1885.
The character and influence of Mr. Huntington were such in social and religious circles that his death is a common loss. He was prominent in his connection with the Congregational Church, in which he was a Deacon for many years. He was a Re- publican of decided opinions.
On the death of Deacon Huntington, one of the local journals published the following memorial com- ments on his character and influence, which are here reproduced as eminently fitting, as coming from a contemporary : " He strove to exemplify the princi- ples of the Sacred Word in his own life. Careful in arriving at conclusions, he sought always to be just towards others, to find the right, then to maintain it at whatever cost. Upon questions of principle there was never a doubt where he would be found. In business he was thorough, yet strictly honest, seek- ing to observe the golden rule. In benevolence he was large-hearted, having an open hand for every deserving cause. The poor health of his last few years was a great trial to him, in that it prevented his attendance upon the services of the sanctuary and his open participation in Christian labor. Still, his interest in these things never flagged, nor did his contributions thereto diminish."
The first wife of Mr. Huntington, to whom he was joined in marriage May 16, 1833, was Matilda Whiton previous to her union with him. She bore three children-one daughter and two sons. John married Harriet Smead and is a citizen of Sharon, Iowa. Maria is the wife of Cornelius H. Van Nech- ten, of Elbridge, N. Y. The mother died Oct. 1, 1841. Mr. Huntington was a second time married Dec. 9, 1841, to Rebecca Willard, whose death took place May 3, 1849. The third marriage of Mr. Huntington occurred Oct. 6, 1849, when Jane Chare- voy became his wife. She was born Jan. 2, 1805, and died in April, 1870. In 1872 Mr. Huntington was married to Mrs. Dr. R. J. Stough. Mrs. Hunt-
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ington was born at Harwich, Mass., and is the daughter of Josiah and Deborah Smalley. Her an- cestors were Pilgrims and Puritans and the primal ancestor who came to America was on the May- flower. She came West in 1849 to accept a position in Muscatine, Iowa, as tutor in a private family.
illiam Nowers, a farmer of extensive re- lations, residing in the village of Atkinson, came from the State of New York with his parents to Illinois in 1847. His estate is situated on sections 27 and 32, of the town- ship of Atkinson. He was born in the State of New York, June 17, 1838, and is the son of Thomas Nowers, an account of whose life and connection with the business history of this section of Illinois is given on other pages of this work. The son was reared on a farm and has passed his life since he reached the period of his independence as a citizen, in the prosecution of that business. He had only the advantages of the common schools in which to secure an acquaintance with books, but he is natur- ally observant and has at command all the acquisi- tions to be gained from intimate associations with the world of men and business. He is a Democrat in political persuasion.
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