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 31
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The members of the parental family now living are Mrs. Sophia Legassick, of Delaware County, lowa; Thomas, of Mt. Ayr, Iowa; Mrs. Harriet Stride, of Sioux Falls, S. Dak .; our subject; and Mrs. Jennie Herriott, of Brimfield, this county. Mrs. Elizabeth L. Pacey died in Brimfield Township. this county, in 1888. George and llenry gave
their lives in support of the Union flag during the late war. George enlisted in 1861 in an Illinois Regiment and served until he sickened and died in Kentucky. Henry also enlisted in 1861, going from lowa to join the Twenty-first Missouri In- fantry, and dying of disease two years later.
The subject of this notice was born at White Parish, England, January 9. 1818, and reared at his birthplace until he was eight years old. He left London with the other members of the family on the sailing vessel "Palestine" in August, 1856, and after a voyage of six weeks landed at New York, whence they went at once to Cleveland. He re- mained in Cuyahoga County. not far from Cleve- land, with an aunt about a year, after which the children together moved to Dyersville, Delaware County, lowa, and began working out. Our sub- jeet worked on a farm for a cousin, attending school winters and finally engaged in teaching when nineteen years old. He taught winter schools only during the first two years. after which be put in an entire year's time at pedagogy.
In the fall of 1869, young Hayes came to Peo- ria County, III., to follow his profession, his first school here being in Rosefield Township. In 1870, he attended the Peoria County Normal School, in the fall returning to his work as instructor, since which time he has taught each winter and also some summers. Although he has bad a High School position offered him he has not accepted, but continues to labor in the district schools to which he devotes about six months in each year. For a time be devoted the summers to employment for others, but in 1874, was able to buy a small farm. It consisted of forty acres on section 7, Jubilee Township, the price being $1,500.
Locating upon the land he had purchased, Mr. Hayes engaged in farming for himself and has now made a nice place out of his estate. Ile purchased an additional forty aeres, has hedged and tiled the entire acreage, set out a good orebard and groves upon it, and erected a cozy dwelling, adequate barn, granaries, etc. A portion of the estate was grubbed and broken by Mr. Hayes himself. It is watered by a small stream flowing through it and contains a valuable deposit of coal, the bank being " now rented, although operated four years by the
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owner. Mr. Hayes feeds numbers of hogs and cattle, raises graded cattle and swine, and some ex- cellent horses. He has a convenient market, being but two and a quarter miles from Brimfield. His professional labors in the county have included two years in Rosefield and Brimfield Townships, each, the rest of the time having been given to labor in his own township, and as before stated, largely in his own district.
An important step in the life of our subject took place in Jubilee Township, December 28, 1875, it being no less than his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hlindle. This young lady is a daughter of John Ilindle, of England, whose history is incorporated in the sketch of his son, James Hindle, which occu- pies a place in this ALBUM. She was born in Jubi- lee Township, April 7, 1859, is an intelligent, amiable, useful woman, finding her highest enjoy- ment in her home duties and the society of husband and children, but by no means neglecting her many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes have six children hving, viz: Arleigh, Roxanna, Leslie, May, Harry and Jennie A. They lost an infant daughter Edith, who died when but five days old.
R ICHARD GRAHAM. It has been the priv- ilege of this gentleman not only to watch much of the growth of this county, but also to materially aid its advancement as a great agricultural center, and for many years he stood among the foremost farmers and stock-growers of this part of Illinois. He acquired a fortune, and was enabled to retire from active life in 1879, to enjoy his wealth ere old age had overtaken him, and is now living in one of the pleasantest homes of Elmwood City, where he is held in honor as a noble type of the pioneers of the county, whose true, upright lives have contributed to elevate its citizenship.
Our subject was born in Pennsylvania, April 27, 1815, to Robert and Elizabeth (Bevins) Graham, natives respectively of County Down, Ireland, and Pennsylvania. They married and resided in the Keystone State until 1818, when they removed
to Highland County, Ohio, of which they were early pioneers. The father opened up a new farm, which he afterward disposed of, and came with his family to Illinois in 1853. He died in 1854, and his wife in about 1860, and both are peacefully sleeping their last sleep in Pleasant Grove Ceme- tery, Logan Township. Peoria County. To those worthy people twelve children were born, of whom two are now living, our subject and his youngest sister, Mrs. Maria Sherwood, of Logan County.
Mr. Graham was a boy of three years when he accompanied his parents from his native State to Ohio, and as soon as he was large enough he afforde.l his father great assistance in clearing and improv- ing his farm in the primeval forests of that State. At eighteen years of age he left home to learn the trade of a carpenter, and was employed at that four months, but apparently not having a taste for it, he resumed farming, and worked by the month in his father's neighborhood for $8 and $9 per month, continuing so engaged for three years. In 1835, he went to Knox County, Ohio, and worked on a farm there until June of that year, and then drove some sheep to Michigan, going through the famous Black Swamp, where there were plenty of Indians, and three months were consumed in making the trip. He returned to his home in the fall, and worked by the month until September 26, 1837, which was the date of his marriage to Miss Ruth Ruse, a daughter of John Ruse. Her father was a native of North Carolina. and was one of the ear- liest pioneers of Ohio. The family was of Quaker stock, and all now are deceased.
After his marriage Mr. Graham settled in High- land County, and was employed by the month there the ensuing three years. He was ambitions to make more money, as bis finances were very low, and he decided that he could better his condition by com - ing to Illinois, and the year 1810 found him a resi- dent of this State, he having arrived in Elmwood Township. October 12. Here he immediately found work and was employed by the day and month, and carefully saved up his earnings to buy him a piece of land. In 1845 his object was accomplished, and he became the possessor of a forty-acre tract of land on section 36, this township. Heactively en- tered upon its improvement, as it had been but lit-
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tle developed, and. in time purchased forty acres adjoining. There was a small house on the place, weather-boarded and clap-boarded, and in that he made his home. During the four years that he staid there he added many improvements, and then sold it for $700 in the fall of 1819, which was an advance of $400 on the purchase price. In the same season he bought eighty acres of raw prairie land in Logan Township, paying $1.000 for it. Ile put up a house and barn, and moved onto the place December 5, and that winter fenced it, drawing the rails a distance of eight miles. The next summer he broke the prairie sod, and in the fall sowed wheat. Ile was then in debt $2,000, but in two years, so industrious had he been, and so well had his crops turned out, that he was out of debt, and was enabled to buy another tract of forty acres of land adjoining his homestead. He kept that farm one year longer, and at the expiration of that time sold it for 85,800 cash. The next February he bought two hundred and twenty acres of land in the same township, one hundred and sixty acres of which was in its natural state, forty acres were im- proved, and twenty acres of it was in timber. He improved one hundred and eighty acres of that place, and again hauled rails a distance of eight miles to fence it, and at the end of six months sold the whole tract at an advance of $12.50 on an aere.
Mr. Grabam's next move was to Iowa. Ile spent two months in Marion County, but evidently did not like that State well enough to locate there, as he then returned to Illinois, and settled in Trivoli Township, two miles east of Farmington, on the old "Orton farm," one hundred ard twenty acres of which was improved. He stayed there eighteen months, then took advantage of a good opportu- nity to rent it for three years, and subsequently bought his Logan Township farmn. HIe resided thereon seven years, and at the end of that time sold one hundred and forty acres at $65 per acre. lle next became a resident of Elmwood Township, where be purchased five hundred acres of land on sections 27 and 34, paying 840 an acre to its origi- nal owner, Joel Blakesley. It was improved, and he was actively engaged in its cultivation the en- suing five years, and made considerable money by his labors. He then gave and sold some of his farm
to his family, and retired from the cares of his ex- tensive agricultural business in 1879, to his pres- ent home in Elmwood City. He had paid out for land in his neighborhood, Lehigh Prairie, in all $31.100, and during his whole career as a tiller of the soil and a raiser of stock. displayed remark- able foresight. business tact and judgment, which brought him wealth.
After a calm and happy wedded life of fifty years and six months, the wife of our subject, who had cheered and encouraged him in his work by her kindly presence and ever Helpful assistance, was taken from his side to walk with him on earthi no more, and now lies sleeping in Elmwood cemetery. Her death was a severe blow to her husband, but he does not monrn as one without hope, as his per- fect faith and trust in one "who doeth all things well," leads him to believe that they will once more meet where there is no death.
By his marriage, our subject became the father of nine children, of whom six are now living. The names of the members of his family are: Sam- uel S., Nancy .J. (Mrs. McFarland), William, George, Henry, Charles F., Elizabeth, Leander, and Albert, the last three being dead. llis son, William was a brave soldier in the late Civil War, and sacrificed much for his country. He was a member of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and while fighting at the front at the battle of Perrys- ville, was wounded in the arm and sidle, and at Kenesaw Mountain received a second wound, and is now a cripple.
Mr. Graham is emphatically a self-made man, as he began life in comparative poverty, and all that he has and all that he is, is due entirely to his own exertions. His family seem to have inherited his energetic traits of character, and talent for business. and are all rich. and some of them have already retired from active life. In all his dealings, his straightforward honesty and unswerving integrity have been conspicuous, and no man is more thor- oughly trusted than he. He is a man of marked force of character, self-respecting and resolute, and is always found on the right side in any movement in which he interests himself. He has been an in- fluential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty years, and his beloved wife was also
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connected with that denomination. He has been a Class-Leader. Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and is now Trustee, and was very active in help- ing to build the church called Graham Chapel, on Lehigh Prairie, generously contributing one-fourth of the cost of the building, he being a member of the building committee. His eldest son has been the Secretary of the society for years. Onr subject has always been zealous in the cause of education, and has been a strong supporter of the free schools and at different times has been School Director. Ile has interested himself greatly in politics, and at the age of twenty-one years became an enthusiastic Abolitionist. His first vote was cast for Van Buren, the only Democratic candidate that he ever sup- ported, and after that he became a Republican, and is still identified with that party.
W ILLIAM H. TODD. No one of Peoria County's native-born citizens is more worthy of representation in this biograph- ical volume than William Todd, ex-Supervisor of Millbrook Township, who has been a life-long farmer, and has his farm on section 20, nnder fine improvement.
Our subject was born in this county. July 31, 1855, and is a son of the well-known pioneer, Alaxander Todd and his wife Ann (Manes) Todd. His mother is now deceased, having died September 3, 1884, leaving behind her the blessed record of a good and true womanhood.
Alexander Todd was born in the North of Ireland October 31, 1806, and emigrated from that country to this when a young man. Ile sought and found employment in Philadelphia, Pa., being engaged by a banker in making collections. He subsequently learned the trade of a weaver and followed it for a time. He was married in Philadelphia and became the father of eleven children, of whom the follow- ing nine are living : Alexander, in California: Eliza- beth. wife of MI. A. Gardner of this county ; Robert M., in Princeville Township; John in Kansas; Mary, wife of Andrew German of Yates City, III,; Quin- tin, in Western lowa; Archibald in Missouri, and
William H. Three of his sons bore a brave part in the Union army during the late War. James gave up his life for his country, having served in the army about a year before his death. John and Robert were members of the Forty-second Illinois Infantry ; John was out three years and Robert was in the army one year.
In 1840, the father of our subject came to this county, and settled in Timber Township on a new farm, he being one of the first pioneers to locate there. Ilis land was mostly covered with timber and was in abont the same condition that the In- dians had left it. He actively entered on his pio- neer labors of felling trees, elearing the land, and preparing it for cultivation, and in the course of years had it under good improvement. In 1867, he took up his residence in Millbrook Township, on section 20, and has lived here ever since. His farm comprises the southeast quarter of section 20, and in every respect is in a fine condition, with substan- tial buildings, well tilled fields. good fences and a complete system of drainage.
Mr. Todd is now among the oldest pioneers still living in this county, and is held in honor for the substantial part he has taken in promoting the growth of this section of country. He has always been found among those who are active in advance- ing the interests of the community, and he has done good service in a eivie capacity, as an Assessor in both Timber and Millbrook Townships.
William H. Todd, our subject, passed the early years of his life under the influence of the pioneer modes of living that still prevailed in his younger days, and he has done much pioneer labor himself in his character as a practical farmer. He gleaned a good education in the public schools, mostly in Millbrook Township, and is a thoughtful, intelli- gent, well-informed man, having decided opinions of his own. He is quite a politician, has always taken an active interest in political matters, using his influence in favor of the Republican party. For two years he served on the County Board of Supervisors, and his wise caution and straightfor- ward discharge of the duties of his office made him very acceptable as a publie official. We always find him abetting all useful schemes that will in any way enhance the material, social or religious
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progress of the township. Ile is one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church at French Grove, in which he serves as Elder, and his gener- ous aid and liberal contributions encourage the good work his church is carrying on.
September 19, 1878, William I1. Todd and Anna E. Stewart, were united in a marriage that has proved the source of happiness to both of them. Mrs. Todd is a daughter of William and Sarah (Brooks) Stewart,of Logan Township, of which they were early settlers. Our subject and his wife have had six children, five of whom are living, as fol- lows: Charles, Archibald, Lillie, Lois, and Bruce. The death of their son James was a grievous blow to them.
E DWIN HARKNESS. A compendinm of biographies in Peoria County would be sadly incomplete did it lack that of the gentleman whose well-known cognomen is found above, and whose deeds are worthy of record within its pages. As a loyal and gallant soldier during the dark days of the Civil War, as a fear- less ranchman in the western wilds, as a reliable citizen and publie officer, and as a man of honor and trustworthiness, he claims the respect and good-will of his fellow-men. It affords the biog- rapher pleasure therefore, to incorporate in these pages some brief notes regarding his career.
Mr. Harkness is a native of the Keystone State, in which his eyes opened to the light June 24, 1813, and is a twin of Edson Harkness, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this ALBUM. Their parents, Daniel and Eliza (Scott) Harkness, natives of the Old Dominion, lived from childhood in Pennsylvania, and there began their wedded life. In 1846 they removed, to the comparatively un- settled region of Central Illinois, locating upon a farm in Elmwood Township, Peoria County, and here our subject grew toward manhood. Ile ac- quired a common-school education in the township schools, and in addition learned much not to be found in text-books, regarding the various depart- ments of agricultural life and the principles which
should govern one's conduct toward all human- kind.
The breaking out of the Civil War found onr subject about eighteen years of age, full of enthus- iasm in regard to his duty as a loyal citizen, and persuaded in his own mind that his place was at the front. Ile enlisted as at private in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry for a term of eighteen months, went through all the grades to Orderly Sergeant in Company L, and was finally promoted to a Sec- ond Lieutenancy. Ile was enrolled at Chicago. December 12, 1861, and on March 16, 1864, the regiment veteranized. They were finally innstered out in October, 1865, receiving their discharge papers in November.
The regiment when first mustered in was sent to St. Louis, Mo., and thence to Iron Mountain, there put under the command of Gen. Steele and marched to Jacksonport, some skirmishing taking place on the way. Proceeding down the White River to Ilelena. Ark., with Gen. Curtis, the boys endured some terribly hard campaigning, during which they were often obliged to drink swamp water, and had several sharp skirmishes. They also had pitched battles with the enemy at Waddell's and Stewart's plantations, finally, however, reaching their objective point, where they remained until March, 1863, the tedinm of camp life being re- lieved by somewhat frequent skirmishes. Their next expedition was under Gen. C. C. Washburn, his operatious being performed in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn., for abont a year, after which they went to Corinth. The Guntown expedition, the exploits of Gen. A. J. Smith at Tupelo and Hurri- cane Creek, the battles of Salem and Wyatt ( Miss.), Saulsburg (Tenn.), West Point, Okolona, Mt. Ivy. and Coldwater (Miss. ). gave them abundant oppor- tunity to display their bravery and powers of en- durance.
After re-enlisting the regiment marched to Mem- phis, thence going to the North on a thirty-days furlough. At the expiration of that time they re- turned to Memphis, took part in the battle of Abbeyville, Miss., and then pursued the cavalry of Gen. Wheeler. They subsequently took part in the battle of Campbellsville, and that at Franklin, the latter being one of the most bloody conflicts in which
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they bore a part. The more notable affrays and campaigns of their army life are sufficient to indi- cate to all who understand the soldier's duties, and know amid what scenes the battles were fought, that much is left untold of arduous toil, dangerous sallies, and situations in which discretion and stern conrage were demanded.
After the close of the war Mr. Harkness returned to his home in the Prairie State, and with his brother Edson labored on the parental homestead in Elmwood Township, this eonnty, until 1874. He then took up the life of a ranchman near C'hey- enne, Wyo., spending two years in stock-raising, and herding one hundred head of cattle. The In- dians becoming hostile, he finally chose a new lo- cation near Ft. Fetterman, where for two years he carried on operations in stock on a still larger scale than he had previously done. Another year was spent by him in the vicinity of Cheyenne, after which he located on Hat Creek, remaining there until 1883. Space forbids us to detail his exper- ience during the nine years that he spent in the great grazing lands of the Rocky Mountain region. Suffice it to say that a cool head, a keen eye, a firm seat in the saddle, and an intrepid spirit are need- ful to him who would sneceed "on the range" and pass through its scenes in safety.
In 1883 Mr. Harkness determined to join those who were making use of unclaimed land in the In- dian Territory as a range for their cattle, and he therefore made that section of the country the headquarters for his stock business until 1886. He then returned to the family, from whom he had been separated much of the time for over a decade, and prepared to enjoy with them the fruits of his industrious labors. He is not now in active business, finding sufficient to occupy him in a gen- eral oversight of his investments, and the duties of Assessor of Elmwood Township, which he is dis- charging in a capable and satisfactory manner. 1lis political views have been quite conservative, and he gives his allegiance to the Republican party. He is a temperance man both in theory and prac- tice.
Mr. Harkness was fortunate in winning for his wife a woman of more than ordinary intelligence, appreciative nature, and fine, womanly traits of
character. This lady, Miss Sarah Arabella Mettler, was born in New Brunswick, N. J., February 13, 1851, and became his wife November 27, 1879. Her parents, John and Amanda M. (Rea) Mettler, both natives of New Jersey, came to Illinois in 1853, first settling in Fulton County, and later re- moving to Elmwood Township, Peoria County. There the mother died in 1871, and the father in 1879. Mrs. Harkness spent two summers with her husband in Wyoming, and there their eldest child, Erlow M., died. Four fine looking children add to the joys of home the graces of childhood and their ever increasing intelligence. The little fam- ily consists of Enla Belle, Edwin Rea, Mary Lucille and an infant named Willie.
P ETER W. IIAWLEY, the son of a family which was among the early settlers of this section of the State, is himself one of the pioneers of the county and is occupying and managing a large farm, which he entered from the Government more than forty years ago.
The parents of our subject were Truman and Betsey (Younglove) Hawley, natives, respectively, of Vermont and New Jersey .. At some period of their married life, in the year 1815, they removed from their New England home among the hills of Vermont, to New York State and cast in their lot with the pioneers of Oswego County. In 1835 they again became pioneers of a newly settled region, taking up their residence in Medina Township, this county, where their remaining years were passed. Until the father's death they lived on the old homestead, and then the mother made her home with our subject until she died. Mr. Hawley was a well-known and highly-reputed citizen of Medina Township, and was quite prominent there. He was the first Post- master at Mt. Ilolly, and held the position for several years, till his demise. He and his wife were the parents of two sons and three daughters.
Onr subject was the eldest of the family, and was born in the pretty town of Arlington, Vt., Sep- tember 24, 1813. He was two years old when his parents emigrated to the State of New York, and
Mars James Money.
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Jannes Money.
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there he grew to man's estate, In 1835 he ac- companied his parents to this county, and lived with thenr until his marriage. He was bred to the life of a farmer and has always followed that eall- ing, and is still proprietor of the homestead that he purchased from the Government in 1838, which is pleasantly located on section 25, Radnor Township. It comprises three hundred and five acres of well- tilled land, and all the improvements upon it, in- cluding a good set of farm buildings, are the work of his own hand, and he has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished.
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