Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 42

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850

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 42

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July 10, 1872, at Ithaca, N. Y., the Doctor mar- ried Miss Grace C. Fairman, a native of Rhode Island, and they have four children, viz. : Fayette C., born Aug. 18, 1873; Harry L., born Oct. 24, 1875 ; Annie G., born April 25, 1881 ; and Dan K., born Feb. 15, 1883.

ohn H. Everett, born Jan. 6, 1832, in Litchfield Co., Conn., is a resident on sec- tion 25, Galva Township. His great-grand- father was Ebenezer Everett, a native of Hebron, Windham Co., Conn., whose ances- tors were of English extraction. He had three sons-Isaiah, Ebe and Eliphalet, the two latter of whom were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Eliphalet Everett was for several years Steward of Washington's military family. He spent the last years of his life in Watertown, N. Y. Isaiah Everett died Aug. 4, 1834, at the age of 82 years, leaving six sons,-Adolphus, Asa, Gamaliel, Russell, William and Roswell. Ebe Everett died Jan. 5, 1840, aged 86 years. He left four sons-Samuel E., Augustus, Elmore, Hovey and John. The latter three are physicians. Adolphus Everett, son of Isaiah, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He married Lydia Studley, who was born in Sharon, Conn., and who died there in 1864, aged 83 years.

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Their children were Thomas A., Ichabod S., Russell A., Ruby, Betsey A., Abby C. and Caroline P., none of whom are living.

Of their children, Thomas A. was the father of our subject. He was born in April, 1806, in Sharon, Conn., and died March 22, 1845, aged 39 years. He was a farmer by occupation and married Mary Ann Hatch, who was born in Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., May 17, 1806, and who died Feb. 12, 1880. She was the daughter of John Hatch, a Revolution- ary soldier and patriot, who died June 5, 1839, aged 88 years. She bore to her husband three children, as follows : Lydia, Elizabeth and John H., the latter of whom is the subject of this sketch and the only one of the three children living.

At the age of 13 years, John H. Everett was orphaned by the death of his father. He worked on farms in his native State until 1868, when he came to Galva Township, this county, where he has con- stantly resided until the present time, engaged in the occupation of farming. He has a farm of 80 acres of improved land and four acres of timber located on section 25, Galva Township, and is meeting with success in its cultivation.

The marriage of Mr. Everett took place March 1, 1879, in this township, and the lady to whom he was united was Miss Elizabeth Gadd, the accom- plished daughter of William and Sarah Gadd, natives of England, who died in Kewanee, this county. Politically, Mr. Everett votes with the Democratic party.

A lanson R. Morgan, Presiding Elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, residing at Orion and engaged in the drug business at that place, was born in McDonough County, this State, Feb. 8, 1844. His father, Joseph Morgan, was a farmer by occupation and also a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, in McDonough County. He was a native of New York, of Welsh descent and extraction, and was born in 1799. His marriage took place in his native county, and the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, his successes and reverses, was Miss Lydia Thomas, a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y. (native county of the father), and the ceremony was solem-

nized in the year 1822. The parents, after living in Dutchess County a few years, came to Illinois in 1832. In the fall of 1833, after the Black Hawk War, they removed to McDonough County, and pur- chased 80 acres of land near the present village of Table Grove. The county at that time was new and undeveloped, and they had to haul their wheat to the city of Chicago, where they realized only 50 cents per bushel, and the journey would require some 20 days. In 1848 the father went to Fulton County, this State, and improved another new farm, on which he resided until 1863, from whence he moved to Bushnell, McDonough County, where he died, April 18, 1877. The mother still survives and is 82 years of age, and resides with her son, Reuben A., in Fulton County, this State.

Alanson R. Morgan, whose name heads this sketch, received a good education at the district schools, and at the schools in Cuba, Fulton County, this State. July 25, 1861, soon after the news had flashed across the continent that rebel guns had poured forth their shot and shell upon Sumter, and the President had called for brave hearts and strong arms to battle in defense of a nation's honor, Mr. Morgan enlisted in Co. F, 8th Ill. Vol. Inf., com- manded by Col. R. J. Oglesby, better known as Uncle Dick, and present Governor of this State. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the West, and participated in the battles of Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Ft. Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, and others of less import, together with many skirmishes. He was, at no time during the in- terval he was engaged in service, wounded. After the expiration of his three years' service, he was hon- orably discharged, July 25, 1864. Returning home, he attended school for a time, and afterward, Jan. 25, 1865, at Cuba, Fulton County, was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Shaw. She was born in Rock Island Co., Ill., Feb. 24, 1847. Her father, Robert Shaw, was at one time Treasurer of Rock Island County, and died there in the year 1858. Mrs. Morgan lived with her mother after the death of her father until her marriage. She and her hus- band are the parents of four children,-Dell E., Arthur C., Robert H. and Harry W.

In the fall of 1865, Mr. Morgan joined the Cen- tral Illinois Conference at Onarga, Iroquois County, this State, and from that time until the present has

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been preaching actively in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1881, he was appointed Presiding El- der at Canton, Ill., for the Rock Island District, and has since filled that position. In 1884, he also en- gaged in the drug business at Orion, and is still conducting that business at that place. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W. and the G. A. R. He is a man gifted with fluent speech and possessing knowledge which is the accumulation of hard study for years; he pre- sents an argument in such a forcible and attractive manner as not only to be convincing, but as to win the respect and esteem of his hearers. His reputa- tion as a public speaker, out of the pulpit as well as in it, together with his rhetoric, is appreciated by the many who have heard him. Politically, he is identified with the interests of the Republican party.

- eander Chilberg, engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising on section 19, Lynn, Township, where he has located his resi- dence, is a native of Sweden, in which country he was born, Dec. 12, 1845. His father, N. M. Chilberg, was also a native of Sweden, and a, shoemaker by trade. He was married in that coun-' try to Margaret E. Bergeson. The family emigrated to the United States when the subject of this notice was but three years of age. They located in Swe- dona, where the parents are at present residing, and where the father was engaged in working at his trade for a period of 16 years. He then purchased the tract of land on which Leander is at present re- siding, but subsequently sold the same to his son, and is now living in retirement at Swedona. He and his family came to this county in 1849, being the first family of his nationality who located in Mercer County. He and his wife are connected with the Swedish Lutheran Church, of which de- nomination he was Trustee for many years.

Leander Chilberg resided at home, alternating his labors on the farm with attendance at the district schools until he attained his majority. One year after that event, when 22 years of age, he was mar- ried to Miss Amanda Kinsey, in Richland Grove Township, Mercer County, the date of the ceremony being Sept. 24, 1867. She was a daughter of War- ner and Ann (French) Kinsey, natives of Pennsyl-

vania and New Jersey respectively, of American parentage and of Welsh and English extraction, and members of the Society of Friends. Her par- ents were married in Bulington Co., N. J., and a few years thereafter came to this State, locating in Mercer County at a time when the same was very meagerly settled, the date thereof being 1841.

They located in Richland Grove Township, and it was there that Mrs. Chilberg was born, Nov. 28, 1 844. She was reared under parental influence, and remained at home attending the district schools, at which she received her education, until her marriage. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and died June 5, 1878 ; and her mother at present resides in the village of Swedona, Mercer County. Mrs. Chil- berg is the third child in order of birth of a family of six children.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg has been blessed by the birth of three children,-Harry W., Anna M. and Charlie K. All reside at home and attend the public schools. After Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg were united in marriage they located on the farm on which they at present reside, which at that time comprised 140 acres. Mr. C. has subse- quently sold 20 acres, and at present is the pro- prietor of 120 acres, which is in a fair state of cultivation. In addition to devoting his time to agriculture, he raises considerable stock of a good quality, and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation, agriculture. He has held the position of Assessor of his township for some time, together with other minor offices. Politically, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party.

rederick A. Hurlbutt, residing in Galva Township, was born in Nov. 9, 1831, in Dalton, Coos Co., N. H. He is the son of Alba and Laura (Osgood) Hurlbutt. His father was born in Canada, and was a physi- cian and farmer. He came West in 1840, and settled in Peoria County, this State, where he rented land, and was engaged in the vocation of farming for three years. He then purchased land in Knox County, on which he resided with his family until his death, which occurred Oct. 1, 1858, while he was in his 64th year, an honored and respected pioneer.

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He was married in New Hampshire, and his wife died in Galva, March 14, 1871, aged 64 years. She bore him eight children,-Hubbard, Edmund, Na- thaniel, Laura, Frederick A., Susan, Frances and Charles.

Frederick A. Hurlbutt was educated in New Hampshire, and Knox County, this State, and has followed the occupation of farming all his life, meet- ing with success in his chosen vocation. Mr. Hurl- butt is, strictly speaking, a self-made man, and what- ever he has accumulated of this world's goods is attributable to his own indomitable energy, good judgment and perseverance. His first purchase of land consisted of 80 acres in Burns township. Suc- cess has crowned his efforts to such an extent that he is now the proprietor of 624 acres of land in this county. This fact, of itself, considering that he started with comparatively nothing, speaks in better and stronger language than any words we can use of the energy and perseverance he possesses, as well as the aid and assistance given him by his wife.

Mr. Hurlbutt was married in Knoxville, Knox County, this State, to Miss Caroline Osgood, Oct. 31, 1860. She was born April 15, 1840, in Littleton, N. H., and is a daughter of Willard and Mary (Perry) Osgood, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbutt are the parents of nine children, namely : Edgar L., born Dec. 20, 1861 ; Elmer E., May 14, 1863; Levi H., Oct. 5, 1865 ; Minnie L., Oct. 24, 1867 ; Jennie M., July 11, 1870; Frederick N., Jan. 2, 1873 ; Zelda D., Aug. 31, 1875 ; Charles H., Dec. II, 1878 ; and Frank Lewis, Dec. 12, 1880.

As a splendid representative of that worthy class, the self-made men,-with whom Mr. Hurlbutt may justly be classed,-the publishers take pleasure in presenting his portrait to the patrons of this ALBUM.

eter Hammond, deceased, formerly a resi- dent of Geneseo, was the oldest citizen in Henry County at the time of his death, and was probably the oldest Mason in the world. He expired at 12 o'clock, noon, April 9, 1878, aged 102 years. He was born April 9, 1776, at Newton, Mass., and was the senior of the United States of America by three months. He survived the centennial anniversary of his country two years.

The detailed history of his ancestors in America would make a most interesting exhibit, from the fact that he came of stock of historic renown in the Colo- nial history of this country in both lines of descent. His father, Samuel Hammond, was a member of the "Tea Party " in Boston Harbor, Dec. 10, 1773. The name of his mother before her marriage was Mary Rogers. Samuel Hammond died in Wards- boro, Vt., in the 95th year of her age.

After Peter's birth his parents went to Windham Co., Vt. The Green Mountain State, or the terri- tory that became such in 1991, was at that time in a tumultuous condition through the disputes of the adjoining States of New York and New Hampshire, and Peter was left at Newton, with his grandparents. When he was but a small lad his mother came from Wardsboro after him, journeying thither on horse- back. The distance was 125 miles, and the son walked the entire distance beside the horse that his mother rode.

He received the training and instruction which it was the custom of those days to bestow on farmers' sons, when agriculture was the common heritage of succeeding generations. He was 26 when he was married to Charlotte, daughter of Col. Holbrook, who had acquired the distinction of a patriot in the troublesome times in which his manhood's prime was passed. The marriage was celebrated in Octo- ber, 1802. The wife died in Troy, N. Y., in 1856. She had borne eight children,-three daughters and five sons : John R. became a lumber merchant of extensive relations in the city of St. Louis, Mo., and died in Illinois in April, 1857 ; Joseph is a resident of Geneseo, and is represented by a personal narra- tion on another page; Martha is now the widow of Alfred Taylor, and resides at Geneseo; Caroline is now the widow of Alphonso Bills, and resides at Troy, N. Y .; Charlotte now resides at Geneseo ; Caroline and Charles were twins.

The Hammond family reached prominence in business affairs in Wardsboro. The location where they operated took their name, and was called Ham- mond's Mills, through the establishment of the rela- tions of Mr. Hammond of this account. The place is now called West Wardsboro. He had a farm, and owned and operated a grist and saw mill. His abilities brought him into prominence in the admin- istration of local affairs, and he held many official positions of honor and trust. He was Postmaster in

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the place where he lived and transacted his busi- ness, and resigned the office after a continuous ser- vice of 18 years. He officiated many years as Jus- tice of the Peace, and in all his dealings in his public or private capacities he was conspicuous for undeviating probity.

On arrival at the period on which he entered on · the privileges of citizenship, he adopted the princi- ples and issues of the Whigs. He kept pace with the march of progress in public opinion, and after the founding and organization of the Republican party, he became its adherent and inflexible sup- porter. He cast his first Presidential vote for the elder Adams.

Mr. Hammond was made a Mason in the fall of 1799. He was one of the moving spirits of the local body at Wardsboro, and officiated a series of years as its Master. During the excitement attending the "Morgan" affair the lodge was disbanded, though he strenuously objected to the action. He was the chief official at the time, and when the organization became defunct he retained his " Master's " jewel. When the order came again into good repute he gladly resumed his obligations, and was ever after- ward in full harmony with its workings. April 9, 1876, he reached his centennial year, and Stewart Lodge at Geneseo commemorated the occasion by presenting him with a beautiful gold-headed cane. The event was made the cause of a special commu- nication in order to take place on the day desig- nated. The inscription on the cane was as follows : " Peter Hammond, from Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., on his rooth birthday. April 9, 1876. Born, 1776; made a Mason, 1799."

All his life he preserved the simplest habits in all things. He never used tobacco in any form, and his strength and physical endurance were continued to a wonderful degree. When he was 100 years old he was in the habit of walking to church. In later life he professed a belief in the vital principles of Chris- tianity, and passed his remaining years in the con- sistent exercise of its views. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

He came to Geneseo in 1856, to visit his son, and after that he divided his time between that place and Vermont. For several years prior to his death he remained with his daughter, Mrs. Taylor, at Gene- seo, and died at her house April 9, 1878. His re- mains were tenderly and reverently borne back to

the scenes of his active life, and he was laid in the family burial-place of the Hammonds, as was suit- able and appropriate. At Geneseo a monument has been raised to his memory, by his son Joseph, in the lovely city of the dead, Oakwood Cemetery.

-C db-

ohn Love, deceased, formerly a resident of Bucks Co., Pa., and a blacksmith by occupation, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, of English parentage and ancestry. He was educated in his native country, and was married there April 30, 1825, to Miss Mary A. Duncan, who was born in the same county, June 18, 1810, the daughter of a farmer of Scotch par- . entage. He had come from Scotland to Ireland on account of religious persecution in his native coun- try, he being of the Presbyterian faith.

The early history of Mr. Love is only that which is characteristic of poor, hard-working and honest people in the North of Ireland, which county had during his day undergone some radical changes in the habits, etc., of the people. His father had be- come a skillful smith in his native country, and after his marriage he lived in his native country until 1849. The family were all born near Belfast, Ire- land, near the channel separating that island from Scotland. The ten children who were born there were Ann, who was born May 24, 1827 ; Eliza, who married John Blair, and died in Millville, N. J., leaving two children, J. B. and Anna L .; the latter is a teacher; the third child in the family above mentioned was Jane W .; the fourth is Mrs. Nancy Watson, now residing in Western Township, this county ; Mrs. Matilda A. Finlay is now a resident of Orion, this county; Mrs. Mary Garrity resides in Philadelphia, Pa .; William is also married and re- sides in Western Township; Maria L. and James ; Alexander is married, and is yet residing at the parental home.

On arrival in America the family located in Bucks Co., Pa., near Trenton, N. J., July 2, 1849. The father died there September 3, following, aged 46. Mr. Love was a Presbyterian in religious principles. After the death of the head of the family the mother and children were obliged to maintain themselves. They secured a farm in Bucks Co., near Trenton,

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consisting of 95 acres, where they made their home until 1871; selling out in that year, they came to Illinois, and purchased the southwest quarter of sec- tion 8, Western Township, where they have since resided, and where they are now enjoying prosperity. They have a good brick residence, and fine out- buildings on the farm. The family were all bap- tized in what is called the " Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland."

illiam Cornell, a retired farmer, residing at Woodhull, was born in Frederick Co., Md., Sept. 14, 1814. His parents were Thomas and Mary (Paxton) Cornell, natives of Maryland. They came to Ohio in 1819, where they purchased land, and where his father engaged in the occupation of farming. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he and his wife resided in Ohio until their death.

William Cornell remained on the old homestead in Ohio, assisting in the labors on the farm and at- tending school, until he attained the age of 24 years. He was the main stay of his parents in their old age, and lived with and cared for them until their deaths. He then sold the farm that they had purchased and bought another of 80 acres in Morgan County, con- sisting of timber. He cleared this land and fenced it and engaged actively and energetically upon its improvement, and continued to reside thereupon for about five years. He then sold it and purchased 200 acres of timber land. This he mostly cleared, and erected two houses upon the same, together with barns, outbuildings, fruit trees, etc., and there resided for ten years. He then sold 100 acres, and subse- quently exchanged the other 100, in 1859, for 320 acres of land in Ioiva.

In 1861 he came to Illinois, and remained one year with his son, William C., who had previously come here, and on his son's entering the army and losing his life in defense of the Union cause, Mr. Cornell concluded to stop in this State. He finally rented land in Henry County, and followed farming in that manner for about four years. He then purchased 80 acres of land located on section 6, Clover Township, on which he resided four years ; then he sold it and purchased 160 acres, on which he resided for five

years more. At the expiration of this time, in 1872, he left the farm, and has since rented it. He has purchased a house and three lots where he is at present residing in Woodhull, and also a house and four lots at that place which he rents.

Mr. Cornell was married in 1837 to Miss Nancy Jeffers, and their union has been blessed with five children,-Mary J., Martha L., Hannah, Cynthia and Joseph -- all married. Mrs. Cornell died Feb. 2, 1856, aged 37 years and ten months. His second wife, Jane Conners, whom he married Oct 20, 1857, died Feb. 19, 1883. He was married again to Mrs. J. Anderson, a daughter of David Patterson, in 1884.

Mr. Cornell, politically, is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

eorge W. Johnson, general manager of the stock company's general store at Orion, was born in Andover, Henry Co., Ill., Oct. 8, 1857. His father, S. P. Johnson, was a farmer, residing on a farm in Lynn and a na- tive of Sweden. When a young man he emi- grated to America, and was united in marriage in Andover Township to Miss Christina Peterson. She was also a native of Sweden, and came to America when a young woman. She became the mother of eight children, five of whom yet survive, and four of whom are sons,-George W. is the oldest of the family and made his home with his parents until his marriage, attending the common schools, where he received a fair education.

At Andover, on the 31st of May, 1882, Mr. John- son was married to Miss Carolina F. Hogg, who was born in Lynn Township, this county, and is the daughter of J. P. and Catherine Hogg, both natives of Sweden. Both were formerly married in Sweden, but after the death of each of their companions, Mr. and Mrs. Hogg were united in marriage in this country. Mr. Hogg died in Lynn Township, 1874, and his widow resides in Andover. Mrs. Johnson was the youngest of their two children. She re- ceived a good education in the common schools of Andover.

After marriage, Mr. Johnson engaged in farming

HENRY COUNTY.

in Lynn Township for two years, upon his farm of 120 acres, which is well improved. In 1884, he connected himself with the stock company, organized for the purpose of carrying on a general mercantile business at Orion, and in June, 1885, became man- ager of the concern. The company carries a very large stock of goods, amounting to about $20,000.

Mr. and Mrs. J. are the parents of two children,- Mabel T. and Morris W. Mr. Johnson has held several minor offices of the township, and politically is a straight-out Republican.

8 uenos Ayers, a retired farmer, resident at Geneseo, was born in Chester, Hampden Co., Mass., Jan. 17, 1810. His parents, Asa and Mary (Wait) Ayers, were both na- tives of the Bay State, and were of English descent. The first of the family in this country were three brothers, who came hither from England in the early part of the 17th century. They settled in the State of Massachusetts, and the fam- ily to which Mr. Ayers belongs traces its descent to Capt. John Ayers, of Brookfield, Mass. The latter removed thence to Ipswich, Mass., in 1662. He settled in the former place in 1648, and lost his life in one of the struggles with the Indians to which the earliest settlers in the East were subjected. His death occurred Aug. 3, 1675. He had two sons : John Ayers, the older, died at Ipswich, Dec. 24, 1685 ; his son Samuel was successively a resident at Newbury and Rowley, in the same State, and married Abigail, daughter of William Fellows, at Ipswich, on the 16th of April, 1677. They had ten children. Their son Joseph resided at Brookfield, but there are no other particulars about him to be obtained. His son Samuel lived at Brookfield, was a weaver, and married Martha Bell, Jan. 21, 1742. They had the regulation number of children, which was ten. Asa, their son, was born June 5, 1761, and married Mary Wait. They had ten children, of whorn the subject of this sketch is the youngest, and he is in the seventh generation from his ancestor of Brookfield memories.

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Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 42

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 850

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 850