Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 45

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 45

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).

393

HENRY COUNTY.

eter Hanna, liveryman at Geneseo, came to Illinois and to Geneseo in 1852. He was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Aug. 8, 1832. His parents, Andrew and Ann (Smith) Hanna, were members of the agricultural class, and he was brought up on a farm, re- ceiving the education and training common in the experience of the sons of farmers. He determined on following another mode of life from that pursued by his father, and when he was 22 he came to Gen- eseo and began to deal in horses. In the spring of 188I he embarked in the business in which he is now interested. He conducts all the lines of traffic common to the business in which he is interested, and also runs the mail routes between Geneseo and Cambridge in Henry County and Prophetstown in Whiteside County. His hacks traverse the routes daily, and facilities for the transportation of travelers are also provided.

In political principle Mr. Hanna is now a Repub- lican. He was formerly a Democrat.

June 29, 1855, he was married, in Phenix Town- ship, to Mary J. Cherry. She was born in Licking Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of James Cherry. They have two children, who are named Eva and Etta. Mr. Hanna and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

iram Crossley, the proprietor of 120 acres of land in Osco Township, and one of its successful farmers, resides upon section 16, where he follows his chosen vocation. The parents of Mr. Crossley were John B. and Elizabeth (Goldtrap) Crossley, and were na- tives of Ohio, where they were married and resided, his father following the occupation of a farmer. In 1850 the parents came to Bureau County, this State, where they resided four years, and then removed to and settled in Atkinson Township, this county, and continued to reside in the same until 1866. During that year they returned to Clermont Co., Ohio, where they are still living. Their children were six in

number, of whom Hiram was the fourth in order of birth.

Mr. Crossley, of whom we write, was born in Cler- mont Co., Ohio, Nov. 4, 1836. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native county, and his years prior to attaining his majority were passed on the home farm assisting his father in the labor thereon. In September, 1862, Mr. Cross- ley enlisted in the 112th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served in defense of his country's flag until March, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. Receiving his discharge, he returned to this county and continued to reside here until 1864, when he again enlisted in the 72d Ill. Vol. Inf., known as the Board of Trade Regiment. He served until Oc- tober, 1865, when, the war having closed, and the soldiers on both sides having doffed their uniforms, laid aside their accoutrements of war, and returned to their peaceful vocations of life, he came home. Mr. C. met with a serious accident in Kentucky prior to his leaving the field of battle. Jan 1, 1863, he was run over by a forage wagon, which was the cause of his receiving his discharge formerly re- ferred to.

On returning from the war, Mr. Crossley again settled in Osco Township, and purchased 80 acres of land on section 16. He erected good buildings on his farm, and entered vigorously and energeti- cally upon the task of its improvement. He has since added to his original purchase, and at present is the proprietor of 120 acres of land in an advanced state of cultivation.

The marriage of Mr. Crossley to Sarah F. Ham- ilton was solemnized in Osco Township, Feb. 13, 1867. She was a daughter of Levi and Mary (Walker) Hamilton, natives of New York and Massa- chusetts respectively. Her parents were married and resided in Massachusetts for a time, and in 1856 came to this county, locating in Osco Township, where her mother died April 7, 1876. Her father still survives, and is a resident of Osco Township. Mrs. Crossley was third in order of birth of a family of ten children, six of whom lived to attain the age of majority, namely: Sarah F., William O., Mary A., Emma W., Henry W. and Lucy J. Mrs. Cross- ley was born in Brookfield, Worcester Co., Mass., March 11, 1839, and has borne her husband two children,-Hattie E. and Harry T.

Mr. Crossley has held the office of Township Col-

394

HENRY COUNTY.

lector, School Director, and Overseer of Highways in his township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Crossley always casts his vote with the Democratic party.

ohn N. Morgan, one of the self-made men of Henry County, and an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 15, Galva Township, is at present representing the township in the Board of Supervisors. He was born at Charidon, Geauga Co., Ohio, July 5, 1 830, a descendant from English and Welsh ancestry. His grandfather was one of several brothers who settled in New England at an early day. His father, Gideon Morgan, was born in Massachusetts in 1788. He came West in an early day and in 1845 died in Exeter, Scott Co., Ill. He was twice married, hav- ing one child by the first marriage, Seymore Morgan, who died on the Mississippi River on his way home from New Orleans. When a young man, Gideon served in the war of 1812 and afterward settled in Geauga County, where for a time he worked at the shoemaker's trade. In 1837, he came to Morgan County, this State, and for a time lived at Jackson- ville, and subsequently in a small village near that city. He finally removed to Scott Co., Ill., where he died. He married Ruth Norris, who was born in Tolland, Conn., Jan. 24, 1790. She died at Farm- ington, Ill., June 12, 1851. She was the mother of five children,-Ann .E., Julianna, Hope, Helen and John N., the subject of the present sketch.

John N. had very limited school advantages, at- tending only the old-fashioned subscription school. Here he received a fair rudimentary education, upon which he has built what is termed a good practical business education. He was reared upon a farm and spent much of his younger days in working out as a farmer. He was brought to Illinois when only eight years of age and passed the years of his child- hood and youth in Scott and Peoria Counties. When a young man of 20 years of age he came into Mar- shall County, where, near the village of Henry, he farmed until the spring of 1852. We next find him among the mountains in the northern part of Cali- fornia, where he had gone in search of gold. For three years he worked hard as a miner in the placer

mines near Placerville, and among the Klamath In- dians, who at the time were quite hostile. His min- ing operations were quite successful, and fortunately he left in due season for the States. The year fol- lowing his departure all the settlers in that locality were either driven off by the Indians or killed. He came home via Panama in the spring of 1855, and after reaching Illinois and on looking for a desirable location, he selected one in Henry County. In the autumn of 1856, we find him locating in Burns Town- ship, where he had purchased 160 acres of land. He subsequently traded this for land in Galva Town- ship, where all of his real estate is now located, hav- ing 560 acres of good land. He has proven himself to be a successful farmer and stock-raiser, and has won the respect and esteem of the people of the town- ship. He has held the various offices of his township, and for the last 13 years has served it as Supervisor. He is at present one of the Directors of the Kewanee Mutual Insurance Company. Politically, he is a thorough Republican, although he took an active part in the late "farmers' movement." He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Morgan was married, May 9, 1853, in Galva, to Miss Mary McKinney, daughter of John and Ann Currant) McKinney, both natives of New Jersey. The record of their eight children is as follows: Blanche J., born Nov. 18, 1864; Fannie E., Aug. 18, 1866; Nor- ris E., Dec. 28, 1869; Jennie B., Nov. 3, 1871; Lo- renzo S., Aug. 15, 1875 ; John W., Dec. 6, 1877, and Harold L., deceased, an infant.

ohn L. Piatt. The late John L. Piatt was for many years one of the leading spirits, not only in Weller Township, but also was well known and highly respected throughout the county. His native place was in Butler Co., Ohio; and the date of his birth, Dec. 9, 1809. Here he was educated, and lived until 24 years of age, when he came West, and stopped in Indiana for about two years. In 1839 he came on to Knox Co., Ill. He stopped one year there, and then pushed on northward into Henry County, and made a settlement in Weller Township, where he soon became largely identified with its interests, and until the day of his death, which occurred in 1881,

395

HENRY COUNTY.

where he was recognized as the leading citizen of the township. His influence was not confined to Weller Township, but it extended throughout Henry County, as well as into Knox. He was the owner of large tracts of land, and for about 18 years represented the township in the Board of Supervisors. Prior to the county being organized under the Township Organization Act, he served as one of the Associate Justices of the county. In political sentiments he was generally independent. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

In 1834, while living in Indiana, Mr. Piatt was first married. Hannah Hileman, who was a native of that State, was the lady he led to the altar, and three children-Wycoff, Esther and Jacob-were born of this marriage; Esther is the wife of William Price, and all reside in Madison Co., Iowa. Mrs. Piatt died at her home in Weller Township, March, 1842. Mr. Piatt was subsequently married in 1844, in Knox County, to Martha McMurtry, a member of one of the prominent pioneer families of Knox County. She was born in Crawford Co., Ind., Jan. II, 1823. The record of the four children born of this union range as follows : Ellen, the eldest, is the wife of Joseph Fezler, a resident of Rock Island ; James resides in Colorado ; Catherine is the wife of Anson W. Bruner; John T. is a prominent farmer of Weller Township, and a sketch of him is given else- where in this book. Mrs. Piatt makes her home with him.

oel Wells, deceased, was a pioneer of West Illinois. He was born Aug. 1, 1775, at Deerfield, Mass, and was reared to man- hood in his native State, where he was married May 8, 1797, to Mary Edwards. Her father, Calvin Edwards, was a lineal descendant of Jonathan Edwards, of historic fame. The daughter was born at Deerfield, Mass., Feb. 9, 1878. Not long after their marriage Mr. Wells removed with his wife to Windham Co., Vt., and they were among the pioneer settlers of the Green Mountain State. A few years later they went to Buffalo, and were residents there at the time of the burning of that city during the progress of the second war with Great Britain. They 'suffered the common loss of home

and household fixtures, and went from the ruined village, as it was then, to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1818 they came thence to Illinois, and located at Shawnee- town, Gallatin Co. . In the same year the State was admitted into the Union. They were there resident until 1827, when they made another transfer of their relations, to Galena. They crossed the Illinois River at the point where the city of Peoria now stands, and where then (1827) stood a solitary log cabin. The party was taken across Rock River at the point where the city of Dixon is now located by an Indian ferryman. Their stay in Galena lasted but a year, and in 1828 they came to Moline. They were the first family to locate there permanently. Mr. Wells died there, Sept. 3, 1838. His wife died Dec. 4, 1847. Four sons and three daughters were living when the family settled in Moline.

ndrew Calhoun, residing on section 5, Galva Township, was born May 1, 1824, near Lisford, County Donegal, Ireland, is of Scotch extraction, and a son of Robert and Mary (Galbraigth) Calhoun. His mother died in Ireland, and his father emigrated to the United States, locating in Galva, this county, where he died, aged 76 years, leaving a family of four children, three sons and one daughter.

Andrew Calhoun was married in Bellendrait Church, Ireland, May 3, 1848, to Miss Mary Gal- braith, born near Londonderry, Ireland, Feb. 13, 1826. She was a daughter of Hugh and Susan (Weir) Galbraith, who were prominent people in that country, and of Scotch extraction, their great-grand- parents having come from Scotland. Mrs. Calhoun had three brothers and five sisters, of whom two of the former and three of the latter are now living. The Calhoun and Galbraith families were Protest- ants, being members of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Three weeks after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun sailed for the United States. After a journey of 45 days on the ocean, they landed at Philadelphia, where they lived for nine years, he working at the business of draying, and having a considerable number of men employed. He came West in March, 1857, and settled in Galva Town- ship, this county, first near Toulon, Stark County,

396

HENRY COUNTY.

and in 1864 purchasing 160 acres of land on section 5, Galva Township, where he at present resides. He is at present the proprietor of 400 acres of land, which he has succeeded in obtaining by his own in- domitable energy, economy and good judgment, and the major portion of which is in an advanced state of cultivation. In 1885, in company with his daugh- ter, Prudence, Mr. Calhoun went to the old country. He arrived in Ireland in June, of this year, visited his relatives and the old landmarks which he re- membered in the days gone by, and, after passing a very pleasant vacation, again returned home to this country, arriving here in the latter part of August of the same year.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun are as fol- lows : Mary A., Margaret J., wife of Thomas W. Patterson; Andrew G., Prudence, Rebecca, wife of James A. Ayers ; Hugh A., William J., deceased ; Susan E., William W., Henry C. and Frederick C. Mrs. Calhoun, together with her daughters, Mary A., Susan E. and Prudence, are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. Calhoun, politically, votes with the Greenback party. He has filled the minor township offices, and has held that of Road Commissioner for seven years.

ohn Taylor, one of the energetic and pro- gressive farmers as well as respected and prominent citizens of Henry County, resid- ing on section 23, Burns Township, was born in Venango Co., Pa., Oct. 28, 1835. Mr. Tay- lor received a common-school education in the district schools of his native county and also at- tended the academy at Utica, his native State, one terni, and likewise passed three terms at the Hills- dale Academy.

He resided on the parental homestead, assisting his father on the farm, until he attained the age of 2 I years, when he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade. He mastered that trade under the instruc- tion of his father, and after attaining his majority fol- lowed the same for several years. In the summer of 1857, Mr. Taylor went to Omaha, Neb., where he spent that season and again returned to his home in Pennsylvania. In 1859 he came to this State and was engaged in teaching school in Warren County one winter. He also taught school during winters

from 1856 to 1861. We next find him in Venango Co., Pa., again, in the spring of 1861, where he re- mained until 1866, when he came to this county and located in Burns Township, and here he has con- tinued to reside until the present time. He is the proprietor of 320 acres of good farm land, and has erected a nice residence thereon. In addition to his landed interests in this county, Mr. Taylor is the owner of 640 acres in Lancaster Co., Neb.

The marriage of Mr. Taylor occurred in Venango Co., Pa., Sept. 14, 1859, and the lady selected for his life partner was Miss Levina Deets, a native of that county, where she was born Dec. 11, 1838. The issue of their union has been five children, -- Alanson O., Robert E , Eldin E., Vadie and Neva. Mr. Tay- lor has held the office of Supervisor of his township three terms, also of Township Clerk, and several school offices. He and his wife are both members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Politically, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advo- cated bp the Republican party.

The parents of Mr. Taylor were David and Sarah (Foster) Taylor, natives of Pennsylvania, where they resided until their death. The parents of Mrs. Tay- lor were Joseph and Sarah (Cousins) Deets, natives of the same State and residents therein until the time of their death. Alanson O. Taylor is a gradu- ate of the State University of Lincoln, Neb., where he resides and is engaged in farming and teaching. He was married in Burns Township, this county, Sept. 4, 1883, to Josie Porter, a daughter of William Porter, of Atkinson Township, and they have one child. Robert E. Taylor is a graduate of Hillsdale College, Michigan.

When Mr. Taylor left home, the residence of his parents in Pennsylvania, he proposed attending school at Hillsdale College, Michigan, and did at- tend that institution for one term. He then went to Omaha, Neb., where he was taken sick with typhoid fever, and his illness was protracted for six weeks. At that time he was the possessor of only $7 in money and a thousand miles from home. As soon as he recovered he began to work at his trade, and saved sufficient to take deck passage to St. Louis. At that place he sold his watch, which, enabled him to obtain means to get to Illinois. On his return he worked about six months at his trade, thereby pro- curing means to enable him to return to Pennsylvania; where, after arriving, on account of poor health and

397

HENRY COUNTY.

lıis limited means, he was compelled to abandon his hopes of passing the entire curriculum of college. During 1858-9, he worked his father's farm; and in the summer of the latter year a heavy frost came in the locality where he was engaged in agriculture, in- juring his crops, and he turned over all he had raised to his father to pay expenses.

Mr. Taylor has made his own way in the world. In fact he is a self-made man, and is regarded as one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Henry County. He has a pleasant home, surrounded by a good acreage of well improved land, and his ac- cumulations of this world's goods is attributable to his own indomitable energy, perseverance and good judgment, combined with the active co-operation of his good help-meet.

ilas Crouch, one of the prosperous and en- ergetic farmers of Henry County, residing on section 16, Osco Township, is a son of John and Margaret (Daly) Crouch, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. Their family consisted of eight children -- Nancy A., Lovilla, Maria, Amanda, Silas, John, Fred and Aaron.

Silas, our subject, was born in Crawford Co., Pa., Aug. 7, 1834, and continued to remain in the State of his nativity until the year 1860, when he learned the cooper's trade and came to Henry County, and for one year lived in Cambridge, en- gaged in carpentering. He then worked a farm on shares for his uncle about a year, and continued to rent land until 1867, when he purchased 80 acres on section 24. He has since increased his landed interests until he has now in his possession 420 acres of good farming land, all tillable. When he came to Henry County, Mr. Crouch had nothing but his own resources to depend upon, and he is, at the present writing, one of the most successful farm- ers of Henry County.

Mr. Crouch was united in marriage in Cambridge, Aug. 10, 1861, the lady being Mary Carothers, daughter of James and Rachel (Skyhonk) Carothers, who are both natives of Ohio. She was their only child, born in Scott Co., Ohio, Feb. 26, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Crouch were the parents of Ir children, nine of whom are living, as follows: Lovilla . J.,

Frank, John, James, Benjamin, Lester, Frederick, George and Ella. Two died in infancy. Mr. Crouch has been honored by the position of School Director in his township, and in politics he is identified with the Republicans.

illiam Weimer, a pioneer of Henry Coun- ty of 1853, was born May 29, 1837, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. He is the son of Jonathan and Susan (Burger) Weimer, and his parents were both natives of the same State, and were of German extraction. They removed in 1850 to Jefferson County, in the same State, and the family were there resident until 1853, when another removal was made to Henry County. Soon after the father was afflicted with rheumatism of a serious nature, which precluded his laboring any more. He died Nov. 26, 1871. The mother sur- vives and lives with her son.

The family included nine children, of whom five are still living. Joseph is a resident in the township of Phenix; Mary married William Ellingworth, and they are living in Geneseo; that place is also the home of William, Samuel and Israel. When the family first came to the county they located in the township of Colona. After a residence of three years they went to Hanna Township.

Mr. Weimer commenced his career in the county as a farm laborer. For his first work he received a compensation of $14 a month, and as he grew familiar with the ways and customs and the value of his services increased, his wages swelled in propor- tion. About the year 1863 he rented some land in the township of Atkinson, and later he was similarly situated in the township of Loraine. In 1865 he made his first purchase of land by buying 160 acres in the township of Geneseo, situated on section 2. The tract was then in its original condition, and had never had a furrow turned on its acres. The quality of the prosperity of the owner may be inferred from the fact that he is now the proprietor of 705 acres. The place is stocked and fitted with farm fixtures of a character in keeping with the dimensions.

Mr. Weimer was married Oct. 30, 1862, to Susan- nah Heller. She died June 13, 1880, leaving seven children, They are named ; Emma C., Albert W.,

398

HENRY COUNTY.

Minnie C., Edith M., Frankie R., Bertha C. and Susie L. The mother was the daughter of David Heller, one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers of the township of Loraine. She was 36 years and two months old at the time of her death. Mr. Weimer contracted a second marriage with Paulina A. Stenzel, in October, 1880. She was born in Germany. The children of the second marriage are Jessie H. and Nellie A.

Kenry Poppy, farmer on section 6, Weller Township, was born near Hanover, Prus- sia, Feb. 5, 1831. Here he lived until about 16 years of age, when his parents decided to emigrate to America. He accompanied them, and in the spring of 1848 we find them prepar- ing a home in Weller Township, this county. Here Henry Poppy has become one of the substantial and influential men of the community. He has an ex- cellent farm of 240 acres of land, provided with good farm buildings and well equipped. Six years of this time he lived at Galva, where he was engaged in gardening.

On the 30th of June, 1858, Mr. Poppy and Lis- settie Neuman were joined in the holy bonds of mat- rimony. Mrs. P. was also a native of Prussia, and was born near Berlin. Six children she bore to her husband before her death, which occurred April 15, 1883. The names of the children are: Henry B., Volly J., Lucy E., Herman G., Julia C. and Clar- ence B. Henry, Lucy and Clarence are dead.

Mr. P. has been given positions of trust and re- sponsibility by the people. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and in politics is identi- fied with the Democratic party.

ohn T. Piatt, one of the leading agricul- turists of Weller Township, and at present its Supervisor, resides on section 7. He is also a native of the township, having been born here May 9, 1848. Here he was reared and educated, with the exception of two years spent in Abingdon College, at Abingdon, Ill., and has long since become one of the influential and representative men of the township. His father,

John L. Piatt, of whom a sketch is also given in this ALBUM, was one of the early and most highly re- spected pioneers of Henry County. John T. owns a fine farm of 480 acres, 400 of which is tillable.

Our subject was married in Knox Co., Ill., Oct. 4, 1874, to Irena Keeler, who was a native of that county, having been born just 18 years prior to the day of her wedding. Her parents were Vincent and Elizabeth (Firkins) Keeler, natives of New York and Illinois respectively. Of their eight children, Irena was the second. Don V. and Roy L. are the names of their two children.

As above stated, Mr. Piatt has been prominent in the affairs of his township and has represented it in the Board of Supervisors. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics is independent. Mrs. P. is connected with the Congregational Church.

rs. Jane McKibbons, the widow of Rob- ert McKibbons, who is engaged in the management of her estate on section 5 in the township of Atkinson, was born in 1828 in Ayrshire, Scotland. Her father, William Mc- Clave, was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and he died in Scotland in 1865. The mother of Mrs. McKibbons is still living, and is 98.

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 biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 45

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