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 57
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Mr. Roweliffe enlisted in the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, was mustered into service at Peoria Janu- ary 7, 1863, as First Lieutenant of Company M. and sent south to join the army of the Ohio in Ken- tucky. The first three months of his active service was during the Morgan raid and after the cap-
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ture of the noted Southerner at Buffington Isle, his regiment was with Gen. Burnside in the East Ten- nessce country. There the Lieutenant participated in the battle of Walker's Ford, Bean Station and Fair Garden. The command was then sent into Carolina to break up Indian squads, in which two regiments had previously been unsuccessfully en- gaged. Lieut. Rowcliffe was in command of the company most of the time during this service, which was successful, twenty-one of the Indians being taken prisoners.
During the Indian raid the First Lieutenant of Company A was killed, and Lieut. Rowcliffe was detailed to bring his body home. After perform- ing that sad duty he was detailed to take recruits from Springfield to Nicholasville, Ky., where he mounted and drilled them until June 1864. He was next ordered to re-equip and take them to Cleveland, Tenn., having but ten days in which to accomplish that purpose. He had not only to dis- ยท tribute the new stores but to gather up the old un- serviceable ones. After reaching Cleveland and transferring the troops and equipments he rejoined his regiment at Big Shanty. Detailed as an ordi- nance officer on the staff of Col. Capron before the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, he laid there and took care of the wounded until July 27.
We next find Lieut. Rowcliffe fighting in Wheel- er's force during the Stoneman raid to Macon. Ga. At Sunshine Church a battle took place and after accomplishing their purpose of destroying the rail- road and stores, the brigade passed on. During the night the horse of Lieut. Rowcliffe mired, he was obliged to leave the animal and, his comrades hav- ing passed on, to take to the woods alone. It was seventeen days before he reached Atlanta, during which time he was hunted and hounded and spoke with but two persons-one black and one white. He followed the North star for a guide by night, crossing streams on logs and planks, suffering from the lack of food and drenched by the rain which fell during the greater part of the time, but to which he no doubt owed his final escape from the dangers which threatened him. After the second day he had nothing to cat but thirteen ripe peaches which he found on an old plantation, and during the last day of his travel lie several times fainted
from weakness. The first day he was tracked by blood hounds, but having hidden before the dew went off he thus threw them off the scent. The continuous rains and the darkness favored him and he finally rejoined his regiment at Marietta, Ga.
After a time Lieut. Rowcliffe went to Turner's Ferry to guard Sherman while throwing his army about Atlanta. The very next morning Gen. Slo- cum sent to Col. Capron to go to Atlanta and act as advance guard for the Twentieth Corps, as he had no mounted men. Lient. Rowcliffe suggested the raising of a volunteer company of officers to act as privates in this duty, and securing twenty- four recruits he started for Atlanta. The advance guard was near that city when met by the Mayor and officials who announced their readiness to sur- render the place. Lieut. Rowcliffe, whom Gen. Slocum had left in command of the advance, told them to wait for the General who would soon be along, and he with his cavalry dashed on into the town which they were thus the first to enter. At a cross street they met a rebel squad, there was a cross fire, both parties ran, but the rebels soon gave way before the cavalry.
Returning to Nicholasville, Ky., Lieut. Rowcliffe was remounted and then going to Nashville took his place in the left wing of the Union Army. His brigade was the first struck by Hood's right and for two days kept up a running fight while moving toward Columbia. He was then sent to the left upon Duck River to guard forts there. Hood's force having divided and surrounded them they had to cut their way out at night, reaching Frank- lin the day before the battle there, after which they lay in the edge of a field a couple of weeks. Then followed the battle of Nashville, during which Lieut. Rowcliffe had charge of the ambulance corps of the cavalry. The order detailing him for Ambulance Director was issued the day before the battle. The command having followed Hood to Graverly Springs, had their last fight with him on Christmas day.
Our subject gathered up the wounded, took them back to Franklin and then went on down the Ten- nessec River. The division being ordered back to guard the Alabama Railroad at Pulaski, he left it and rejoined the regiment, although Gen. Wilson,
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then in command, wished him to accompany the division. Our subject had no receipt for the sup- plies he had left at Cleveland and was anxious to return there and straighten up matters. After getting the receipt he rejoined the regiment at Nashville, thence accompanied them to Pulaski and there remained on pieket turnpike duty until the elose of the war. Ile was thus engaged wlien the news of the assassination of President Lincoln reached him. Mr. Roweliffe received a Captain's commission from "Diek" Oglesby, but was dis- charged as First Lieutenant. Hle was rarely absent from duty, declaring when the doctor told him to go to the hospital that he preferred to die in battle. He passed through the various dangerous scenes of his army life without receiving a scratch.
During the absence of our subject, the farm had been managed by his wife and the boys,upon whom the work of the place had somewhat gained. He - took hold with a will, and with his more thorough understanding of the work before them to guide their efforts, an improvement soon took place. A small part of the old place has been sold, the pres- ent acreage of the homestead being two hundred and forty acres. It is supplied with commodious barns, a windmill, and everything in the way of buildings and machinery which will expedite the work carried on. The land is fertilized by a creek which flows through it and renders it excellent feeding ground for stock as well as productive of good crops. Mr. Rowcliffe raises a good grade of cattle and sheep, having upwards of a hundred of the latter. Ile also raises many swine and some horses.
The wife of our subject was a native of Devon- shire, England, and daughter of the Rev. James Ford, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who came to America in 1833, settling in lluron County, Ohio. Ile bought three hundred acres of land there with the intention of farming, but died three months after his arrival. His wife, Mary, for whom Mrs. Roweliffe was named, remained on the farm with her children until her death. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowcliffe seven children have been born, whose record is as follows: John W. of the firm of Blaine & Roweliffe, dealers in books and stationery, is lo- cated in Peoria; George is engaged in farming,
owning eighty aeres near his parent; James A. is a pharmacist in Peoria; Charles resides in Kewanee where he is Secretary of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association ; Mary J. married Aaron Moffitt of Princeville and died in 1886, leaving two sons; Bessie A. is the wife of John Smith, a farmer near Princeville, whose sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume; Celeste 1. married A. N. Case, a farmer of Medina Township. All are well educated, George, James and Charles having been students at Abingdon College, and Bessie A. an attendant at the Normal School in Bloomington, Ill. Mrs. Rowcliffe departed this life January 3, 1888, and her remains were deposited in the cemetery at Princeville.
In 1862, Mr. Rowcliffe was Supervisor of the township, and resigning the position when he en- tered the army, was re-elected soon after his return, serving several years. He was a member of the Board when the court house was built in Peoria. He has held the offices of Collector, Assessor, etc. Ile has been School Director for forty years except when in the army and is now discharging the duties of that office. He has been very instrumental in building schoolhouses in this section, one having been erected on his farm. For twenty-four years he has held the office of Justice of the Peace. Nominated and elected to the legislature, on the Republican ticket, he served in the Twenty- ninth session when Elijah llaines was Speaker of the House. Mr. Rowcliffe was a member of several committees, took part in the various discussions and earned the reputation of a man deeply inter- ested in the welfare of his constituency and firmly opposed to everything which savors of bribery or corruption. He is a stanch supporter of the Re- publican party which he has served as member of the Township Central Committee and delegate to the State and county conventions.
Mr. Rowcliffe was formerly identified with the Independent Order of Odd-Fellows. He is & de- vout Christian, for over forty years having been a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, for which he was licensed to preach in 1842. He was instrumental in organizing the Zion congrega- tion in Radnor Township in which he has held the various offices and is still serving as Superintendent
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of the Sunday-school. In erecting their house of worship he bore an important part. It is needless to say that he is held in high esteem by the people and that his excellent views are greatly appreciated by those about him.
ENRY RANDALL, is one of the leading manufacturers of brick, which forms so important an interest in this county. He carries on a large business in Limestone where he has an extensive yard which is well sup- plied with all needed appliances. He is a native of Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, where he was born February 5. 1840. Here he learned the trade of a brick-maker in Sheffield from John Gregory, for whom he worked twenty-one years, becoming one of the most faithful and skillful employes, and gaining a thorough knowledge of the best mode of manufacturing brick. In 1872, he left his native England to take up his residence in this country. After his arrival here he went to Minonk, where he had an unele in the brick business. E. Goodwin, and he labored in his yards for eleven years. In 1883, he eame to Peoria, a stranger and prospected for clay till he found that which suited his purpose on section 26. Limestone Township, his long experi- ence and keen eye showing him quickly the value of this plastie earth as a material for brick. He then leased the land for ten years, and actively entered the business for himself, commeneing with a small capital which he gradually increased till he is now one of the largest manufacturers of brick in the county. His brick are of a superior quality for which he finds a good market, selling to one of the largest contractors in the city, and oftentimes making as many as thirteen hundred thousand per year. He has three kilns and employs from four- teen to fifteen hands in the yards and about seven teams on the road.
Our subjeet was married in England to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Hill, of Leicestershire, England. This devoted wife accompanied him across the waters, and by her cheerful assistance
and kindly counsel has done much to aid him in the upbuilding of their new home. Five of their eleven children are living. Alice is the wife of Robert Ilill, one of the merchants of Bartonville and they have two children; William, is a young man at home, who has acquired the brick-making business; Ada is the wife of John Monroe, a brick manufacturer; Ilerbert is at home; Albert is the youngest of the family.
In our subjeet, this township and county have a valuable addition to their citizenship, as he is in all respects a conscientious, fair dealing, business like man, and is a fine representative of one of the prom- inent industries of Peoria County, which his intelli- gent enterprise,and sound practical knowledge of his calling have greatly furthered. His neighbors and friends, of whom he has many, find him a pleasant associate who is obliging and thoughtful in his in- tercourse with them. Politically the Republican party receives his stanch support. He comes of a good old Methodist family and is himself of a sin- cerely religious nature.
G EORGE L. WEATHERWAX. No factor has been more important in raising this sec- tion of the country to its present condition of solid and enduring prosperity, than the citizen soldiers who fought so bravely and sacrificed so much in the late war, saving the Union from de- struetion, and at the elose of hostilities quietly re- sumed peaceful vocations, and in every walk of life have aided the progress and growth of our great Republic. The subject of this biographical notice is a representative of that element. Though not one of the earliest settlers of Brimfield Town- ship. he is justly considered one of its pioneers, as he has here developed on section 8, a desirable farm comprising one hundred and twenty- five acres of land. which is under excellent cultivation and is provided with substantial improvements.
Mr. Weatherwax is a native of Ohio, born in Holmes County, November 15. 1845. His parents were George and Susan (Craig) Weatherwax, na- tives respectively of New York and West Virginia.
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He is the youngest of a family of ten children, of whom the following survive: John, a resident of Indiana; Andrew, living in Brimfield Township; Catherine, wife of T. l'atterson, who lives near Des Moines, Iowa; Anna M., a resident of Holmes County, Ohio; Jacob, living near Mt. Vernon, Ohio; Abram, of Holmes County; and George L. William and Mary are deceased and one child died in infancy.
Our subject was reared on a farm in his native county, and received his education in the public schools of Ohio, which he did not attend after he was fifteen years old. Although he did not have the advantages afforded the youth of to-day, he has always been fond of reading and is well in- formed. He was still a boy when the war broke out and with the ardor of youth and an inborn pa- triotic love of country, he desired to take part in it, and August 17, 1861, had his name enrolled as a member of Company B, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, which at first formed a part of the Army of the Ohio, and subsequently was assigned to the Thir- teenth Army Corps and later became a part of the Army of the Gulf. Our subject took part in the skirmishing at Cumberland Gap, was present at the battle of Tazewell, Tenn., and with his regi- ment was pursued by Gen. John Morgan in their retreat from Kentucky to the Ohio River, and after that was sent as far as Charlestown, W. Va. From there he and his comrades went to Memphis, and joined Sherman's army, which co-operated with Grant at Vicksburg, and Mr. Weatherwax took part in that memorable siege and was engaged in the battle at Chickasaw Bayou, where Sherman was nearly defeated, and there our subject was taken prisoner, December 29, 1862. IIe was after- wards exchanged and with his corps was transferred to the department of the Gulf, and operated on the Texas Coast, taking an active part in capturing Ft. Esperanza.
Mr. Weatherwax and his regiment were trans- ferred to the Red River, being sent as far as Alex- ander, where they assisted in building the now historie dam, that was erected to raise the water to get the gunboats over the rapids. They subse- quently fought in the battle of Marksville, La., and in numerous skirmishes of minor importance. For
more than three years our subject was in the South and underwent all the varied experiences of military life, proving himself to possess excellent soldierly qualities and faithfully performing his duty while defending the old flag. He was honorably dis- charged October 31, 1861.
After the excitement of life on the battlefield, Mr. Weatherwax returned to his home in Ohio, and in February, 1865, made a new departure, emigrat- ing from there to this county, of which he has been an honored citizen from that time. For some two years he labored as a farm hand. In the spring of 1867, he located on his present farm, where he has ever since made his home.
Our subject was married December 6, 1866, to Mary M. Reed. She was born in West Virginia, January 30, 1816, to William and Margaret (McCoy) Reed, both natives of West Virginia. Her paternal ancestors are said to have been of Scotch-Irish blood, and her maternal progenitors were of Scotch origin. Her father was twice married and by his first wife had the following five children : Louisa, wife of J. C. Coe, of Brimfield Township; Angus, who was a soldier and gave up his life for his country in 1863; Mary M .; Martha, wife of J. HI. Moore, of Millbrook Township; and Rachael, de- ceased. By his second marriage Mr. Reed had four children, namely : Commodore A., of Millbrook Township; James C., of Millbrook Township; Wil- lis J., of Brimfield Township; and Frank W., of Elmwood Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Weatherwax have had six children : Margaretta, William A., Sarah E., Cora B. (de- ceased ), Walter J., and Mary C.
Mr. Weatherwax, ably assisted by his wife, who has wisely counseled him and cheerfully helped him in all his undertakings, has accumulated a desirable competence, and has built up a cozy home replete with all the comforts of life and the center of gen- uine hospitality. A man of Mr. Weatherwax's in- telligence, firmness of character and high principle, necessarily exerts a good influence in his commun- ity, and is potent in its public life. So we find our subject occupying various social and civic posi- tions. In June, 1890, be was elected Secretary of the Old Settler's Association of Brimfield Town- ship, and he is also prominently identified with the
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Agricultural Association of French Grove, this county, which he is ably serving as President, this being his fifth term as an incumbent of that office. Ile is one of the leading members of the G. L. Foot Post, No. 177, G. A. R. at Brimfield, was the first commander of the Post and served as such success- ively five years and to his energetic administration of its affairs, it owes much of its success as an or- ganization. He has been Township School Trustee, and for a number of years has been Justice of the Peacc. He and his wife are honored members of the Presbyterian Church, which he has served as Trustee.
ENRY SHADE. The prosperity of this county is due in no small measure to its active and intelligent agriculturists, who have brought its farming interests to such a high point that it is pre-eminent in that regard. The subject of this biographical review is a worthy member of the farming community of this section of the State, and is the proprietor of a desirable farm on section 18, Millbrook Township.
Mr. Shade was born in Portage County, Ohio, April 25, 1828, his parents, Adam and Mary (Brener) Shade, being numbered among the pio- neers of that region. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother was a Virginian by birth. Two of his father's brothers served in the War of 1812, and he wished to join the army, but he was too young and the war closed before his ambition could be gratified, although he enlisted. In 1841, the elder Mr. Shade emigrated with his family to Stark County in this State, and resided there abont a year and a half, and then joined the pioneers of this county, and bought an eighty-acre tract of wild land in Millbrook Township, which is now occupied by Josiah Jaques. He toiled hard to improve it into a farm, that in years became a very desirable piece of property, and there his useful career was brought to a close September 22, 1872, at a ripe old age. He was the father of a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Rebecca, the widow of Mr. Shaw of this county;
Henry ; William, a resident of Kansas; Jacob liv- ing in Kansas: Mary, wife of Samuel Lambertson of Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of James Tofflemeyer of Kansas.
Our subject was a lad of thirteen years when he came with his parents to their pioncer home in this State. He received the rudiments of his edu- cation in the subscription schools of Ohio and af- terward attended the public schools of this county. With the exception of about four years when he was employed as a carpenter, he has always en- gaged in farming, having gained a thorough train- ing on the old homestead from his father, who was a good, practical farmer. He settled on his home- stead in Millbrook Township in 1856 and has re sided here ever since. He has a farm of one hun- (red and seven acres, and he may well take pride in the fact that its development to its present fine condition is the result of his unremitting and well-directed labors. Its fertile acres yield good harvests in return for the constant care that he ex- pends upon them, and in its well-tilled fields, its neat buildings, and every convenience to operate it to a good advantage, we find one of the best ap- pointed places in the neighborhood.
Mr. Shade was first married to Anne Scogill, their wedding taking place July 10, 1851. She was a daughter of Peter Scogill. By that marriage our subject became the father of one daughter, Elizabeth, who is the wife of Jacob Sneider of Knox County. Mr. Shade was married a second time March 1, 1857, taking as his wife Lucinda Cook, who was born in Switzerland County, Ind., Sep- tember 13, 1839. Iler parents were James and Mary (Cogswell) Cook, natives, respectively, of New England and Kentucky. They were early settlers of the county of her birth, and had four children born to them, of whom Mrs. Shade and her brother Milton, of that county, are the only survivors. The father died in Southern Illinois in 1842, and her mother in Switzerland County, - Ind .. in 1868. Mrs. Shade came to Illinois with her brother-in-law, Henry Gullion, and his family. Mr. Shade has found in her an admirable helpmate and all that a true wife should be. She is a highly esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and takes a prominent part in society work.
George J.Lane.
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She is also one of the leading members of the El- more Ladies' Aid Society, of which she is Presi- ilent.
Mr. Shade is in every respect worthy of the con- sideration accorded to him on all sides, as he is a man of strict probity, is manly, just, and straight- forward in his relations with others, and in the do- mestic circle is a devoted husband and a wise father. He has an intelligent knowledge of politics, and gives sturdy support to Republican principles. He has served with great efficiency as School Di- rector. Hle comes of a patriotic family, and two of his brothers. Jacob and Daniel, were soldiers in the late war.
Onr subject and his wife have been greatly blessed in their wedded life by the birth of thir- tecn children, of whom the following ten are living: Clara, wife of Simon Heller of Yates City; Wil- liam, of this county; Mary, wife of Frank Terry of Knox County; . James, of Elmwood Township; Olive, Ella, Viola, Ida, Elsie and Sylvester.
G EORGE J. LANE, one of the oldest settlers in Trivoli Township, has resided therein since his first year. Although he has passed through many a hard time and received many a hard knock in the battle of life, he has won success in the accumulation of property, and still better, is held in good repute and is well liked by those who know him. His fine estate consists of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, and two hundred and forty acres on section 30, all im- proved except the timber land, and devoted to the purposes of general farming and stock-raising, to the latter of which it is well adapted, being situa- ted at the head of Copperas Creek.
Grandfather Lane, whose given name was James, was the son of an Irishman, and was a farmer and distiller in North Carolina, his native State, until 1814, when he removed to Gallatin County, Tenn. There he devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, holding the office of Sheriff of the county several terms. In 1818 be removed to lIamilton County, Ill., opening up a farm on Gov-
ernment land. and operating it until he retired from active life, and coming to Peoria County, died here at the age of seventy-seven years. Ile was High Sheriff of Hamilton County.
The father of our subject, Thomas Lane, was born in North Carolina April 1, 1807. His early years were spent upon a farm, and when of a suit- able age he began working at trades, having a strong inclination for all mechanical employments, and being occupied at different times in carpenter and cooper work. Ile was married in Hamilton County, this State, and buying a farm, attempted to make a living at agriculture there, but failed. In the fall of 1834 he started for Peoria County with an ox team and covered wagon, bringing his wife and child. He traveled in company with others, camping out by the wayside and reaching his des- tination with twenty-five cents in his pocket. He located on section 30, Trivoli Township, buying forty acres and later adding eighty acres. Ile built a log house, covered with clapboards, and by dint of arduous exertion conquered fortune.
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