Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 19

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794

USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 19

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rs. Jemima Sawtell, residing at Rose- ville, is the widow of the late John Saw- tell, who was born in the State of Maine in 18c7, and came to Illinois in 1842, set- tling in La Harpe, Hancock County, where he remained three years. He then went to Mc- Donough County, where, after a stay of seven years, he came into Warren County and located in Ellison Township, on a tract of 80 acres of land which he had purchased. He increased his landed possessions by a subsequent purchase of 30 acres and lived on the same until 1871, when he came to Roseville village and there bought a lot on Main Street. He erected a fine substantial residence on the same and lived a retired life until his death, which occurred March 23, 1882, during his 75th year. He was also a carpenter and joiner.

Mr. John Sawtell and Mrs. Jemima Johnson, widow of Norman Johnson, were married in 1842. She was a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and her first marriage was celebrated in Michigan in 1835,

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her husband, Mr. Johnson, having been born in 1810. His parents were Nathaniel and Lucy (Smith) John- son, natives of Vermont. Norman Johnson had a farnı of 80 acres in Wayne Co., Mich., which he sold and came to Illinois in 1841, settling in La Harpe, Hancock County. At the latter place he remained until his death, in 1841. Of this union were born two daughters,-Elvira E. and Electa L. Elvira E. married John Talbot in 1856, and they have become the parents of one child, who is living,-Ida A., wife of Charles Pyington, who is book-keeper for Phillips & Co., of Burlington; Mr. Talbot died in February, 1883; and Electa L. married Hiram Huring in 1855, his demise occurring in 1875.

Mrs. Sawtell was born July 10, 1818, and still lives in the village of Roseville. Her parents were Isaac and Electa (Allen) Goodell, natives of Northampton, Mass., and were married in 1812. They came to Wayne Co., Mich., in 1830, and there purchased 1,600 acres of land, remaining there until their death, the father in 1842, and the mother in 1862.

Mr. Sawtell was a member of the Christian Church at the time of his death. Politically, he was a Demo- crat.

zra Cable, one of Warren County's success- ful agriculturists and a gentleman whose success as such is attributable to no leg- acy, but to his own indomitable perseverance, is a resident on section 19, Floyd Township, with postoffice at Berwick. His father was named Henry Cable, was of German extraction, born in New York in 1795, and died in Monmouth, March 8, 1878. His mother, Olive (Kingsley) Cable, was of Scotch extraction, born in 1792, and died at Monmouth, Feb. 23, 1876. Ezra Cable, of whom we write, was born at Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1821. Leaving his native county and State, in the fall of 1835, he came with his father's family to this county, where the senior Cable purchased 200 acres of land, on which he located with his family and where Ezra, the subject of this notice, lived and labored until 1855, in the meantime supplement- ing his education which he had received in the com- mon schools of his native county by an attendance

at the district schools for a period of about three months.

In 1853, Mr. Cable purchased a farm of 80 acres, on which he moved two years later, and has there resided until the present time, engaged in its culti- vation and improvement in which he has met with no small degree of success. By economy and perse- verance he has succeeded in increasing his landed interests until his place at present comprises 200 acres of as good farm land as can be found in the county, and to the, passer-by it presents an ap- pearance indicative of that push and good judg- ment possessed by its proprietor. Mr. Cable has been School Trustee for many years and in his polit- ical views is strictly a Republican.

Mr. Cable formed a matrimonial alliance, April 26, 1854, with Miss Martha J. Latimer, the ceremony being performed in Knox County, this State, by the Rev. J. M. B. Roach. Of their union six children have been born ; the record is as follows : Addie M., born March 9, 1855 ; Clara L., Oct. 15, 1856; Effie M., Nov. 13, 1858; Carl D., June 29, 1860; Grace V., June 5, 1869; Roy E., Oct. 18, 1870. Addie, on the 15th day of January, 1879, became the wife of Alfred A. Phelps. Sept. 13, 1881, Clara married A. T. Brooks. Dec. 27, 1883, Effie united her future life with that of Myron D. Matteson.

Mrs. Ezra Cable was born in Knox Co., Ill., Oct. 13, 1833, and was the accomplished daughter of George G. and Rebecca (Drennan) Latimer. Her father was born in Sumner Co., Tenn., Feb. 28, 1810, and was a prominent and leading citizen of that county, and after his removal to Illinois, became a Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and was one of the leading men of Knox County. The mother of Mrs. Cable was born in Kentucky, Feb. 26, 1814, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction, her husband being of Eng- lish descent.

ames W. Robertson, who is engaged as a farmer on section 32, Lenox Township, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., on the 4th of March, 1822. His parents were John and Margaret Robertson, natives respectively of Scotland and New York State. They first settled in the latter state and then removed to Ash- tabula Co., Ohio, where they resided until their

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deaths. Of this union were born 11 children, the eighth in order of birth being James W., of whom we write.

He remained at home until he attained his ma- jority, in the meantime attending the common schools and assisting in the labors of the farm. At the age of. 21 he came to Warren County, and re- sided at Monmouth for something over three years, being engaged in different occupations. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, belonging to a company known as Capt. Stapp's Cavalry. He remained in the ariny for about a year, when he returned home and has since been a resident of this county. Mr. Robertson is the owner of 158 acres of fine tillable land, upon which he has erected a substantial set of farm buildings.

In Monmouth, on the 4th of January, 1849, the wedding of Mr. James W. Robertson and Miss Eme- line Morgan was celebrated. Mrs. R. is a na- tive of the Empire State and James and Penelope Morgan were her parents. They had a family of four children, the following being the names: Mar- garet J., Ralph J., Harlow C. and Nellie A. Mrs. Robertson died in Lenox Township, April 17, 1868, and Mr. J. W. Robertson was again married on the 8th of September, 1880, at Monmouth, to Mrs. Jen- nie (Wilcox) Clark, daughter of Arom and Mary Ann Wilcox and widow of David Clark: She was born in Rockford, this State, Oct. 1, 1838. Mr. Robertson has held the office of Supervisor one term and also other minor offices in his township. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows and politically is identi- fied with the Republican party.

aniel Bird, engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick at Roseville, was born in Shropshire, England in 1832, and is a son · of an English potter. Daniel Bird, the sub- ject of this sketch, remained at home until he attained the age of 20 years, in the meantime learning the pottery trade of his father, having com- menced to turn the potter's wheel at the age of eight years. After leaving home he engaged in the manu- facture of tile and brick and was thus occupied nntil the fall of 1856, when he emigrated to the United

States, reaching New York in October. He stopped but a short time in that city, when, learning of the fertility and rapid growth of the West, he pushed forward, coming to Illinois and settling in Swan Township, this county, and here engaging at his trade, which occupation he continued for ten years. He subsequently came to Roseville village and en- gaged in his present business, at which he has met with excellent success and is doing a constantly in- creasing business. He employs about 13 men. He has erected fine large buildings, suitable to his oc- cupation, costing him over $10,000. His sons are interested with him in his manufacturing business.

Mr. Bird and Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Jane Barker, were united in marriage in Eng- land, in the year 1856, she being a native of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Bird have become the par- ents of three children,-George, John and William. George is married to Miss Sarah McCammon and they have four children,-Della, Mary, Charles and "Roy. John married Miss Minda McCammon.

Mr. Bird's political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party, and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren.

eorge W. Morey. As early as 1841, Charles Morey with his family came into Warren County and located in what is now Floyd Township. Accompanying him was his son, George W., the subject of this personal sketch. The elder Morey had mar- ried, in his native State, Miss Polly Blair. He died at his home in the winter of 1872, but his wife still survives him. They had a family of 12 chil- dren, of whom George W. was the third. He was born Jan. 18, 1824, in Erie Co., Pa. His early life was passed at home, and when a lad of 17 he ac- companied his parents to this county, which at the time was newly settled, without railroads, and in fact almost a wilderness. Here he has lived for 44 years, and has witnessed a wonderful transformation in the face of the country. About 22 years ago he moved into Lenox Township, where he has been living since. He now owns an excellent farm of 160 acres there on section 14: He has been prominent

LIERRrY OF THE

RESIDENCE.

RESIDENCE OF S. B. CRANE, SEC. 12., ELLISON TOWNSHIP.

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in the affairs of his township, and has served in var- ious official positions for many years. He has been Road Commissioner for 12 years and much of the present good condition of the highways is due to his management. Politically, he is a Republican. He voted twice for Abraham Lincoln, and during the war was a staunch Union man.'

While living in Floyd Township, he was married to Emily Bonnell, their wedding occurring Sept. 20, 1851. His wife was born in Erie Co., Pa., and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Bonnell. Mr. and Mrs. Morey have a family of three children : Mary V., who is the wife of T. W. Russell, and re- sides in Nebraska; William F. married Emma F. Patterson and they live in Monmouth; and Charles H., who lives at home. Besides these, two died in infancy. Mrs. M. is a member of the Methodist Church.

When Mr. M. began life he had nothing but his strong hands to aid him, but with that tenacity of purpose characteristic of the pioneers, he has suc- ceeded in gathering together a comfortable compe- tency for his old age.

S ineus B. Crane. Prominent among the extensive farmers and stock-raisers of War- ren County, may be classed Mr. S. B. Crane, who is residing on section 12, Ellison Township. He was born in Morris Co. N. J., June 3, 1831, and his father, Benjamin Crane, also a farmer, was a native of New Jersey and of English descent. His grandfather, whose name was Norris, was born in New Jersey, and married Jennie Dunham. They both lived, after marriage, in Mor- ris County, where they died. The former was born near Elizabeth, Union Co., N. J., and the latter in Essex County, same State. The father, Benjamin Crane, was married in Morris County to Julia A. Bebout, who was born in the same county, the date of her birth being March 16, 1802, and who died Sept. 7, 1880. She was of New England parentage of Holland Dutch and Scotch descent, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Benjamin Crane had been fairly successful in life and was appointed Lieuten- ant of militia in his native State. The date of his birth was April 16, 1802, and that of his death April

· 8, 1873, when he was aged 71 years. He and his wife were Methodists in the latter years of life.

Sineus B., the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, was the second in order of birth of a family of three children born to his parents, one of whom was a daughter named Sarah J. She was born Sept 18, 1834, and is the wife of Oscar Linds- ley, a resident at Green Village, N. J., ex-State Rep- resentative and quite a prominent man in public life. He is a farmer by vocation. The other member of the family, John O., was born May 23, 1826, and was united in marriage with Miss Mary Searing, who is now deceased. The husband resides in Morris Co., N. J., and is a farmer.

.Sineus B. lived at home with his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred when he was 26 years of age, at the residence of the bride's par- ents in Morris Township, Morris Co, N. J., Dec. 9, 1856, to Miss Caroline M. Mills, daughter of Alfred and Sally (Kinnan) Mills, who was born in Morris Co., N. J., and of English and Scotch extraction. The father was a successful farmer, visiting his chil- dren in Illinois twice since their removal West, and died at his home in Morris Co., N. J., April 28, 1880, at the venerable age of 80 years. The mother still survives and is living with her children in New Jer- sey, aged 82 years. Mrs. C. of this notice was born in Morris Co., N. J., Oct. 6, 1835. She was reared and educated at her father's home, and is the mother of 11 children, one of whom is deceased, namely : Augusta M., born June 1, 1858, resides at home ; Joseph H., born Aug. 25, 1859, married Miss Electa Nutt, resides on a farm in Nodaway Co., Mo., and has a family of two children,-Elizabeth and Mary E .; Alfred B., born Jan. 27, 1862, living with his brother in Missouri, is unmarried ; Frank L., single, born March 4, 1863, died Dec. 11, 1885 ; Eliphalet C., born Nov. 17, 1865, resides at home; Llewella C., born July 3, 1869, also resides at home; Julia, born Oct. 17, 1871, lives at home ; Henry M., born Dec. 27, 1873; Sarah, born March 28, 1876; Sineus B., born Sept. 25, 1878; and Anna I., born May 18, 1881. All that have passed school age have re- ceived a good common-school education. -

After marriage Mr. Crane engaged in farming in Morris Co., N. J., for a short time, but soon began to feel like coming West. This move was made in October, 1859, when he came to Warren County and settled on a rented farm in Berwick Township. His

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first purchase of land was of 60 acres, all improved," which was bought in the spring of 1861. This he owned until April, 1865, when he sold it and bought 160 acres, his present site in Ellison Town- ship, which was then only slightly improved. + He has since made all the necessary improvements, has a splendid farm, fully equipped and all fenced. He owns, in Roseville Township, 1 16 acres of improved land, and 360 acres of land in Nodaway Co., Mo., all of which is under excellent cultivation. In ad- dition to farming, Mr. C. is engaged in stock-raising. · Among his herd is a thoroughbred Short-horn cow, only four years old and yet is the mother of four calves. He also feeds and fattens stock for the market. Of the many splendid farm scenes shown in the view department of this ALBUM, those of Mr. Crane's farm, given in connection with this sketch, are among the most inviting. His comfortable resi- dence, the excellent facilities for caring for his stock and storing grain, the beautifully undulating fields, the splendid specimens of the horses and cattle of the farm, are all shown, which form a pleasing picture.

Mr. C. has been Supervisor of Ellison Township for two terms, and once for Berwick Township. He has also held many of the minor offices of his town- ship. Politically, he is a Democrat.

iram M. Frantz, one of the influential citi- zens as well as progressive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of this county, re_ siding on section 25, Monmouth Township, is a native of Maryland, having been born in that State, March 7, 1844. The father of Mr. Frantz of this notice, was Solomon Frantz. (See sketch of William H. Frantz in another part of this work.) Hiram M. lived in his native State only three years, when his parents removed to Perry Co., Ohio, in which State he continued to reside, liv- ing in the parental household until 16 years of age. At this age in life the country was imperiled by the secession of the Southern States and shot and shell from Rebel guns had been thundered against the walls of Sumter. The President had called for brave hearts and strong arms to put down the Rebellion,

and Hiram Frantz, then but 16 years of age, re- sponded to the call by enlisting in Co. D, 17th Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. L. J. Jackson and Col. J. M. Connell, for 90 days, the date of his enlistment be- ing April 16, 1861. After serving his time of enlist- ment, he re-enlisted in the 31st Ohio Vol. Inf. under Capt. W. H. Free and Col. N. B. Walker, and his company was assigned to the Third Division, 14th Army Corps, of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Frantz, of this notice, participated in the battles of Mill Springs, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, and was also in the Atlanta campaign. Previous to the Atlanta campaign he was in the battle of Chickamauga, and it was in that battle that his regiment and company sustained their heaviest loss during the war. Although Mr. Frantz did his part in each and every battle in which his company was engaged, he was fortunate, never re- ceiving even a wound nor losing a day from duty. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. ' 27, 1865.

After the war was over and the cause for which he fought was victorious, Mr. Frantz went to Perry Co., Ohio, where he resided for two years. In 1868, he came West and two years later, March 30, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora L., the daughter of Benjamin and Melinda (Claycomb) Mur- phy. Her mother was a second time married, her second husband being Benjamin H. Kittering. (See sketch.) Mrs. Frantz, wife of the gentleman whose name heads this notice, was born in Monmouth Township, this county, May 10, 1848. She lived with her parents, who were early settlers in this county, until her marriage. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, two children have been born, Talma J. and Ruth B.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, in the fall of 1870, he purchased 159 acres of land on sec- tion 25, Monmouth Township, where he is at pres- ent residing, and subsequently, by purchase, has increased his landed interests in that township to 289 acres. His home farm presents that appear- ance which is indicative of the push and energy pos- sessed by its proprietor. Mr. Frantz has been a more than ordinarily successful man in his vocation of farming and stock-raising. In the latter depart- ment of his vocation, he has indeed traded to a very large extent, having shipped more than $200,000 of stock and an average of about $12,000 annually.

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Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Frantz are members of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. F. votes with the Republican party, and has held the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township.

con. Daniel D. Parry, dealer in real estate . and insurance agent at Monmouth, was born at Xenia, Greene. Co., Ohio, May 28, 1839, and was the fifth child of Walter and Ann (Dean) Parry, natives of South Wales and of Bath Co .; Ky., respectively. The parents were married in Greene Co., Ohio, where their two sons and six daughters were born. The family came to Warren County in 1862, and here the mother and father spent the remainder of their lives, the old lady dying in 1876, aged 71 years, and Mr. Parry four years later, at the age of 76 years. Walter Parry, the father of our subject, came with his widowed mother to America when he was about 14 years of age and lived in Ohio up to 1862. The Deans came to Ohio in 1813, and occupied a large tract of land in Greene -County, where quite a number of that name yet re- side, and annually meet at what they term the " Dean Picnic."

The Xenia, Ohio, schools afforded the subject of our sketch such opportunities for an education as was practicable before he was 17 years of age, and after clerking in a grocery house, at that place, he" developed at once into a coal oil prospector. April 19, 1861, at Hamilton, Ohio, he enrolled as a private soldier in Co. F, 3d Ohio Vol. Inf. (three-months men), and June 3, following, was mustered into the three-years service in the same company and regiment. His final discharge was dated at Camp Der.nison, March 1, 1863, While in the service he spent his first six months in West Virginia, went South with the Army of the Ohio, and returned with Buell. At Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, a minie ball penetrated his left knee, which led to the amputation of the limb 25 hours later. He landed at Monmouth March 23, 1863, and the next day was given a position as Deputy County Clerk. He held this place about three years, and in November, 1867, was elected County Treasurer, an office he held four terms in succes- sion. In 1870 he was selected as a member of the State Board of Equalization, and for four years dis-

charged the duties of the two offices, and in". 1880 represented Warren County in the Illinois Legisla- ture. His last political venture was his candidacy for the nomination for State Treasurer in 1882, which, however, he failed to get.

Mr. Parry has always been a Republican of the most pronounced type, and his official life has always reflected credit upon that party. He is an active business man ; a man of unswerving integrity ; pure in his private life, unblemished in his public career and fitted intellectually to fill any position to which the people of his district may assign him.

March 24, 1864, he was married at Monmouth, to Miss Mary A. Reed, daughter of Samuel Reed of Huntingdon Co.,- Pa. Their three children are named Nettie A., Walter D. and Jessie M.

ohn A. Nesbit, an energetic and prosperous resident of Lenox Township, residing on section 11, where he is engaged quite ex- tensively in agricultural pursuits, is a son of Fisher and Jeniza (Adams) Nesbit, natives of Pennsylvania, where, in Perry County, they were married and settled. About the year 1836, they removed to Franklin County, their native State, but finally returned to Perry County, there residing until death called them to their eternal home. Their family consisted of six children, three of whom are now living.

John A., whose name is prominent in the affairs of his township, was the eldest of his parents' family .and was born in Perry County, the Keystone State, May 16, 1825. His school privileges were quite limited and he was engaged in farming in the State of his nativity until the year 1869, when, in October of that year, he determined to travel Westward, thinking the facilities were much greater for acquir- ing a competency there than in his native State. He soon found a desirable location in Lenox Township. His success was remarkable in his last move and he has since made this his permanent abode. After laboring quite a while in the State of Pennsylvania, he had accumulated something of this world's goods before his emigration West, which enabled him to purchase a tract of 120 acres of good land. Of

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course this was unimproved, except having been fenced and broken, but Mr. Nesbit entered actively and energetically upon its improvement; and the re- sults of his efforts have been rewarded, for his farm is now under an advanced state of cultivation, a fine residence has been erected thereon, as well as all other suitable outbuildings.

Mr. N. formed a matrimonial alliance on the 18th of September, 1848, in Cumberland Co., Pa., with Miss Hetty A. Hemp, daughter of Adam and Eliza- beth (Bowlar) Hemp, both natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Nesbit was the eldest of a family of four children, and was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1825. Their horne circle has been blessed by the birth of one child,-Addison H., who married Harriet G. Weakley and resides in Lenox Township, this county.

Mr. Nesbit has held the position of School Di- rector, besides other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. N. casts his vote with the Republican party.

rville Capps, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 25, Lenox Township, where he was born Oct. 23, 1857, is a son of Asa and Mary A. (Brooks) Capps. ' (See sketch of T. L. Capps elsewhere in this vol- ume.) Orville remained at home, attending the district schools and assisting in the home duties, until he became the owner of 160 acres of land, which he then engaged in cultivating and improving, and which, as the result of his hard labor and en- ergy, now presents the appearance of thrift and suc- cess. It is all good, tillable land and under an advanced state of cultivation. Besides this, he owns six acres of timber land.

Mr. Orville Capps and Miss Minerva J. Ray were married Jan. 11, 1881, in Roseville Township, she being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Landis) Ray. Of their eight children, Mrs. Capps was the eldest, and was born in Berwick Township, Sept. I, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Capps had one child, Roy, who died when six weeks old.

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Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 19

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 794

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794