USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Portrait and biographical album of Peoria County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 18
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In 1836, Mr. Richmond came to Illinois and buying abont a section of land in Knox County, used the balance of his capital in stock dealing. He was out in all kinds of weather, driving his herds to Ohio, New York, etc. He lias swam the Illinois River with five hundred head of cattle, the process being to ride into the stream a couple of times for trial, then get hold of some of
the gentler animals, force them into the water, and in that way get the entire herd over. In 1841 he engaged in pork packing at Pekin, and did a large business, but having lost heavily by the failure of some of the banks, was obliged to sell a great deal of his property. Returning again to farm life he retrieved his fortunes to some extent prior to his death, which occurred in Knox County, when he had reached the age of eighty-one years. His brothers were men of prominence and popularity in the East, all accumulating fortunes in profes- sions or merchandising. His father, Edward Rich- mond. a native of Connecticut, was a successful merchant in Washington, but late in life removed to Ohio, where he established several sons in mer- cantile pursuits in various cities. He was a son of Silas Richmond, a native of England, who died in Connecticut.
The mother of our subject was born in Liteh- field County, Conn., February 12, 1816, being the third in a family of eight children. She was two years old when her parents journeyed by a river boat and wagon to .Jackson County, Ohio, where she attended school in a log schoolhouse until twelve years old. From that time until her first marriage, November 9, 1834, she lived in Athens County. She was united with Capt. John Hol- comb, a native of Virginius, Vt., with whom she came to this county with a team, their location being in Hollis Township. Capt. Holcomb owned some four hundred and eighty acres at the present' site of the village of Mapleton, upon which they located, building a log house on a side hill, where they resided until his death, in 1838. Mrs. Ilol- comb then disposed of her dowry and went to live with her father in Knox County, remaining there until her marriage to Mr. Iliggs. While in Knox County she taught school one summer. She had two children by her first marriage: Eliza, who married Benjamin Alward and lives near Canton, Fulton County ; and Charles, who died when four months old. Capt. Holcomb had been in this sec- tion prior to the Black Hawk War, during which he served as Captain of a company in Gen. Still- man's regiment, spending the most of his time in scouting. Ile helped build Ft. Clark.
Our subject was born in this township May 2.
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1850, reared and educated here, learning farming in boyhood and having a natural inclination to- wards stock. of which he made playmates when young. When of age he came into possession of sixty acres, which he began farming for himself, living at home until his marriage, July 25, 1876, to Miss Olive D. Gove. This estimable lady was born in this township, being a daughter of James K. Gove, a native of Maine and an early settler here. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Higgs settled on his father's farm. of which he took the entire charge, doing a successful business. He bas bought land at various times, eighty acres ad- joining the old homestead having cost him $6.000. lle rents some of his land, personally paying his chief attention to the stock business. He feeds two to three cars of hogs and some cattle, and raises hogs, cattle, and horses extensively. He was at one time engaged in raising mules. making money at that business. He has about two bun- dred head of sheep, raising Cottswold and Oxford Downs.
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The home of Mr. Higgs is brightened by the presence of four children-Alice L., Thomas A., IIattie M. and Charles L. He is an active member of the Democratic party and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ATTHEW GRISWOLD. One of the old- est and most prominent men of Peoria is the above named, who is now dealing in real-estate. He has been identified with the business interests of this city for half a century and none stand higher in financial circles than he. llis character is unimpeachable, and the interest which he has taken at all times in public enterprises of an educational or moral value, stamp him as a man of excellent judgment and great intelligence.
John L. Griswold, a brother of our subject, was born in the Empire State, in the year 1808, and came to Peoria in 1889. He first entered into busi- ness with A. G. Curtenius, the connection continu- ing until the death of Mr. Curtenius in 1857. The business was then continued by John and Matthew
Griswold until 1863, when the former sold out and retired. He was connected with the gas company, interested in the building of the bridge, and was for some time Director of the Second National Bank of Peoria. He departed this life January 4, 1883.
The gentleman whose name initiates this sketch, was born in the Empire State, November 20, 1816, being a son of N. L. and Ann (Sickles) Griswold, the former a well-known importer of New York City. Matthew remained in his native city until 1840, when he came to Peoria and entered the business es- tablishment of his brother and Mr. Curtenius. He continued an employe of the house until 1845, when he became a partner. The grocery business was continued by the brothers Griswold for some years after the death of Mr. Curtenius, but finally disposed of by them after they had won a most excellent reputation, and realized a fair degree of profit from their labors.
Our subject had become interested in real estate, and continued in the buying and selling of lands and houses. Ile has added more than one sub- division to the city, and yet retains extensive in- terests in city property. For a long period he was Secretary of the Gas Company, of which he has been Director for over thirty-five years. He was Treasurer of the old Peoria Wagon Bridge Asso- ciation from 1849 until the bridge was sold to a Mr. Cole. He was connected with the old library, of which he was a Director, and President of the Board until it was merged into the City Library. He is now President of the Peoria Public Library, which was organized over ten years ago, and has been active in the building of the block by the Li- brary Association. Ile has no political aspirations, being content to simply deposit his vote, which is a Democratic one. For forty-one years he has been one of the members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. He is now a Warden and a member of the Build. ing Committee for the new edifice which is being erected on the corner of Monroe and Main Streets.
An important step in the life of Mr. Griswold took place November 8, 1849, when he became the husband of Miss Charlotte Young, of Balston Springe, N. Y. This cultured and most estimable lady was called from time to eternity November 30. 1884. She was the mother of four children, three
Josiah Fulton
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of whom survive to mourn the loss of a devoted mother, and console their father in his bereave- ment. They are Mary, wife of A. W. Littleton, of Quincy ; Nathaniel, who married Miss Nellic Ho- gue lives in Peoria, and is engaged in a wholesale cracker business; Louisa, wife of Warren L. Pierce, a coal dealer of Peoria; Charlotte, who married William Larkin, is now deceased. Her death took place at her home in Chicago, August 16, 1890.
OSIAH FULTON. On the opposite page is presented a portrait of this venerable gen- tleman, who is distinguished as being the oldest living pioneer of Peoria County. He was one of the earliest settlers of this county, hav - ing come here seventy-one years ago. For many years he was actively engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Richwood Township, in whose early his- tory he was a prominent figure, locating here when it was scarcely more than a tract of wild prairie. Ilis name is indissolubly associated with its growth not only as a practical farmer, but also on account of the prominent part he took in the administration of its public affairs. He is now an honored inmate of the home of his son George, where he is pleas- antly spending the declining years of an honorable life that has passed the ninetieth mile stone on the path of an eventful existence.
The parents of our subject. James and Jane (Crow) Fulton, were natives of Lancaster County, Pa. In an early day they removed to the wilds of what is now West Virginia, and settled within eight miles of where Wheeling now stands, and where Mr. Fulton was engaged in operating a saw- mill on the banks of the Ohio. He finally built a boat, and in it he and his family floated down the Ohio to Cincinnati, and after remaining in the vi- cinity of that city a short time, again took to the river and started for another settlement. After living in different places, passing through many hardships, and meeting with various fortunes, the family at last arrived at Ft. Clark, on the present site of Peoria. The faithful mother finally suc- cumbed to the trials and privations of pioneer life,
dying in 1828, on the land now occupied by Syl- van Park. The father died in 1827, in Ohio, whither he had gone to transact business, and in his death Peoria County lost a useful and active pioneer. To those worthy people were born four sons and two daughters, Josiah being the third child in order of birth.
He of whom we write was born within eight miles of where Wheeling, W. Va., now stands, February 19, 1800, being the date of his birth in that beauti- ful locality. April 15, 1819, a bold, intrepid, self- reliant youth, our subject and six others started out on the long and, at that time, dangerous jour- ney to the Prairie State, and finally came to where Peoria now stands, which was then the site of a primitive fort called Ft. Clark, garrisoned by a troop of Government soldiers. They had culti- vated about twenty-five acres of the land around the fort and had planted the tract with corn and potatoes, which formed a great addition to their ra- tions. Indians were much more plentiful than white men when our subject first located here, and there were but very few evidences of civilization in the wild, uncultivated country, where the settle- ments were few and scattering, and the pioneers had scarcely entered upon the vast work that they gradually accomplished in the development of the country.
Mr. Fulton has lived to see the results of his fel- low. pioneers' labors, in which he bore an honorable part, and has seen the wonderful transformation that has changed old Ft. Clark from a primitive fortification to a beautiful city. Of the small com- pany of men who made that eventful journey from the little Virginian hamlet to this county, our sub- ject is the only survivor. Notwithstanding that he is upwards of ninety years old and in his pio- neer life here suffered from the lack of many, we might almost say, of all comforts, and of some of the necessarics of life, and had to endure hard- ships of which the present day and generation can know nothing, lie is still hale and healthy, having scarcely ever been sick, and retains his mental faculties to a marked degrce. He has al- ways made his home in Peoria County since com- ing to this State, and his chief occupation has been farming.
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Mr. Fulton was married in the spring of 1832, in Peoria, to Miss Augusta P. Hughes, a native of Georgia. After a peaceful and happy wedded life of more than ordinary duration there passed away from tl e scene of her usefulness the companion and helpmate of our subjeet who for fifty-five years had walked by his side, and had aided him greatly in his life work by her wise counsel and cheerful help. By their marriage they became the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, named as follows: Nancy J., Rebecca, Samuel, Elizabeth, Joseph, Mary, George, Albert, Josiah, Jr., and Ja- eob. Nancy is the wife of William Sammis; Re- beeea is the wife of Edward Mansfield; Samuel is a carpenter ;Elizabeth is the wife of Jacob W.Slough; Joseph married Sarah Henderson; Mary is the wife of John E. McDermott; George married Mary Wahl; Albert married Emma Cartwright; Josiah, Jr., died in 1886. aged forty-two years; Jacob re- sides in Richwood Township.
Mr. Fulton's life record shows him to be a man eminently worthy of all respect and esteem, and these are fully accorded to him by the entire com- munity. He was the first Supervisor of Richwood Township, and held that office several years. He has held the office of Township Treasurer. and has filled most of the important offices of the township with great credit to himself and greatly to the ad- vantage of the township. He was elected Magis- trate for a period of four years, but declined to serve. In his early days he was a Whig in his political views, but after the formation of the Re- publican party he fell into the ranks and has since been its firm supporter.
RTHUR THOMAS BIRKET, a native of Illinois, and a well-known prominent citi- zen of Peoria, is one of the most praeti- cal and wide awake of the intelligent, en- terprising business men of the county, and as an extensive dealer in real estate, building and selling houses etc., he has contributed his quota to the up- building of this city, where he has a beautiful
home. replete with all the modern comforts and conveniences, finely located at No. 1799 Monroe Street.
Mr. Birket was born in Tazewell County, Janu- ary 10, 1843, a son of John and Marjory (Thomas) Birket, natives respectively of Lancashire, England, and Ohio. The mother's parents came from Penn- sylvania. John Birket was one of the early pio- neers of Peoria, coming here in 1826, and be- came prominent in promoting the growth of the city. He entered the land now including the loeation of the Peoria pottery, Gallagher and Birket's first, second and third additions; Lake View Driving Park; the Water Works, in short, all the northeastern part of Peoria. Mr. Birket was practically a carpenter and joiner, but he also followed farming, coal mining and dealt in meat. From 1839 to 1849 he operated a saw-mill near in Washington, Tazewell County. In the latter year he returned to Peoria, embarked in the real-estate business and laid out an addition to the city. To him and his wife were born three children: John Charles, of Peoria; William Armstead of Abbey- ville, Reno County, Kan .; and Arthur Thomas.
The latter of whom we write received excellent educational advantages, and having a natural ap- titude for mathematies and a taste for civil engineer- ing and surveying,he fitted himself for the profes- sion of a civil engineer and in order to pursue his studies to better advantage, went to England in 1862 and studied under the best masters there for a period of little more than two years, and gained a thor- ough, practical knowledge of his calling. Upon his return to his native country he was honored by being appointed Deputy Surveyor of Tazewell County. He held that position three years, when he came to Peoria and accepted the responsible office of Civil Engineer for the city. He acted in that capacity for two years and was then elected to the office of County Surveyor, which position he held the ensuing six years, it having been through the influence of Thomas King, that he en- tered the business of land surveying here. He did the transit work as assistant on the preliminary work for the line of the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad. In 1875 he served the city as Alderman and since then for several terms. He is a
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prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Old Settlers' Society. IIe is a Republican in politics and always was. Since taking up his residence in this city, Mr. Bir- ket, by his honorable, upright course in a busy life, has proved a great addition to the citizenship of the city with whose interests he is so thoroughly identified and in business and social circles he is recognized as one of our best men.
Our subject has been very happy in his domes- tic life as by his marriage with Miss Katie R. Lup- ton in June 1866, he secured the devoted compan- ionship of one who fills in a perfect measure the position of wife, mother and friend. Mrs. Birket is a daughter of Thomas S. Lupton, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Four children complete the home circle of our subject and his estimable wife. Arthur T., who married Nellie Pratt and resides in the city; May Belle, Alonzo L. S .; and Katie R. The three younger children reside at home with their par- ents.
6 HOMAS TALLYN, deceased, was for many years a member of the farming community of this county, owning and managing a fine farm on section 32, Radnor Township, which is still in the possession of his widow and family.
Our subject was a native of Devonshire, Eng- land, where he was born in the month of March, 1820, and there amid its pleasant scenes, the first twenty-seven years of his life were passed. At that age two of the most important events of his life occured, his marriage and his emigration to the United States. The maiden name of the woman of his choice was Elizabeth Fry, she being the daughter of Thomas and Betsey (Snell) Fry, and a sister of Thomas Fry, and of Mrs. John Ford, whose biographies appear in this volume.
Immediately after his marriage our subject came with his bride to America, where they hoped to establish a home for themselves. After land- ing on these shores they came to this county, and nearly a year later located on section 32, Radnor Township. They were among the pioneers of this region and in the busy years that followed our sub-
ject developed and improved a valuable farm where his wife and children have a comfortable substan- tial home.
August 14, 1876, the useful career of our sub- ject was brought to a sudden close by his prema- ture death. Nine days before that he had fallen from a stack of grain, and received mortal injuries. ITis death when it seemed that many years of use- fulness were before him. was a sad blow to his family, to whom he had ever been an affectionate husband and a wise father, and the community was deprived of a valuable citizen whose work had greatly aided in extending the agricultural in- terests of the township.
Mr. Tallyn was happy in his married life, pos- sessing in his wife a companion and helpmate who sought in every way to aid him, and ever looked carefully after the comforts of the household. Their marriage was productive to them of eight chil- dren whom they named, William W., Thomas F., Elizabeth A., Frank H., Lucy P., John A. and Mary B .; one child died in infancy unnamed. Lucy, who was the wife of William Jones, died in Dunlap, May 20, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Tallyn were charter members of the Kickapoo Baptist Church, with whose good work Mrs. Tallyn is still identified.
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G EORGE W. DEMARS, JR., is one of the most enlightened and enterprising farmers and stock- raisers of Logan Township, and is managing his extensive farming interests in that community after the most approved methods. He is a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in Dauphin County, October 5, 1844, and is a son of George W. and Eliza (Rauch) DuMars. His father was born in Ilarrisburg, Pa., February 4, 1805, coming of an honorable lineage, the DuMars family orig. inating in France. The mother of our subject was born in the same county as her husband, Novem- ber 5, 1812. She died in their home in the Key- tone State, December 6, 1850.
George DuMars, Sr., is a son of one John Du Mars. who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, his an- cestors having left France and settled on that
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Island. His wife, Jane Mills, was born in the same county as himself, and they came to the United States in the spring of 1804. being six weeks on the way, and took up their residence in Harrisburg. Pa. He was a weaver by occupation and followed that calling until he was unable to compete with the numerous factories that sprang up in this coun- try several years after he settled in it. Later in life he ran an hotel in Harrisburg. He and his wife were at one time members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but subsequently united with the Presby- terians. He was a Free and Accepted Mason. He was the father of several children, namely, Thomas, George W., William, James, and Mary, wife of Mr. Lambdin. The father of our subject was the only survivor of those children, and was liberally educated in the city schools of Harrisburg and in an academy there. At the age of twenty he adopted the profession of a teacher, and for thirty years pursued it with success. During some period in his life he was a clerk in a general store in Lingles- town, Pa., and for a short time was in business for himself. In the spring of 1855 he started for Illi- nois, traveling by rail to Pittsburg, and thence by boat to this State, being two weeks on the way. IIe lived in Tazewell County until September, when he came to Logan Township, and purchased eighty- seven acres of land on section 7.where he dwelt un- til March. 1889, when he became an inmate of the home of his son George W .. on section 9. In the meantime he had been quite prosperous in bis call- ing and had accumulated one hundred and ninety acres of land. For many years he was active in public and political life. For two years he was Supervisor of the township and also served as As- sessor. He was a man of strong mind, and was firm and outspoken in his views on the issues of the day, and in early life a Whig. joined the ranks of the Republican party after its formation. He has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years.
Mr. DuMars has been twice married, the maiden name of his first wife, the mother of our subject, Was Eliza Rauch, and she was a daughter of John and Catherine Rauch, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. Her father was twice married, and she was the only child of his first union, and by his
second marriage he had four children. Mr. DuMars was the father of nine children by his first marriage as follows: Catherine J., who died in childhood: the second child died in infaney; Mary Eliza, wife of S. S. Graham; John W., who was a member of Company B, Eleventh Cavalry, and was present at the battle of Shiloh, and died at Memphis, Tenn., June 22, 1862; the fifth child died unnamed; Nancy J., the wife of William O. Norvall, of Mc- Cook, Neb .; George W., William T., and Dr. R. A. Mr. DuMars' second wife, to whom he was married March 22, 1863, was Sarah Ainsworth Allen. She was born October 5, 1805, and died September 15, 1869. She was a consistent Christian and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
George W. DuMars, Jr., of whom this sketch is written, was a lad of eleven years when he accom- panicd his father to this State. Ile was educated in the common schools, and afterward pursued a fine course of study at Worthing, Warner & Co.'s College, from which he was graduated with honor. He was thus well equipped for the battle of life, and choosing the calling to which he had been bred he purchased sixty acres of land on section 5, Logan Township. and has ever since been a resident of of this place, with the exception of two years spent in McLean County. He bad a farm in that county which he sold on his return to this township, and he repurchased eighty acres of land, of which he afterward disposed at an advance, and then bought all of the homestead. In the year 1888 he here purchased the eighty-acre tract where he resides on section 9, and is now the proprietor of two hundred and forty-eight acres of land, which is in a fine condition, its well-tilled fields yielding abundant harvests, and its neat substantial build- ings, being an attractive feature of the landscape.
Mr. DuMars has been twice married. April 9, 1868, he was wedded to Sarah E. Shepherd, a native of Logan Township and a daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Rynearson) Shepherd, who were among the earliest settlers of this county, coming here from Pennsylvania at a very early date. He and his wife had a family of three sons and four daugh- ters. The wife of our subject died in the spring of 1871. leaving one son-Charles E.
Mr. DuMars was a second time married, March
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14, 1875, taking as his wife Sarah E. McAlister, who was born in Logan Township December 21, 1853, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Proctor) McAlister. Two children have born of this union-Arthur Eugene and Cecil Ainsworth.
Mr. and Mrs. DuMars are members in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and among the leaders in its charitable and other good works. Their home, the center of true refinement and culture, is an attractive one, and their place in the society of this county is among its best people. Mr. DuMars is a well-read and educated man and holds advanced views on all subjects. paticularly in regard to politics, and since he cast his first vote for a Presidential candidate for Gen. Grant, he has been true to the Republican party.
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