Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 20

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 20

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Mr. C. has been School Director in his township,

and politically, affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Capps are members of the Baptist Church.

I. Wickersham, engaged as. a general merchant at Roseville, was born in Hen- derson Co., Ill., in 1845. His parents, Sellers and Adelia (Brown) Wickersham, were natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respect- ively. They were married in 1844, in Illinois, and the subject of this sketch was their only child. He remained at home with his parents until of age, in the meantime receiving a fair English education. After leaving home he engaged to clerk for his uncle, John Edwards, at Oquawka, Henderson County, this State, and remained in his store for about a year and a half. He then formed a partnership, which existed two years, when he bought out the interest of his uncle. He conducted the business himself for a year, when William Stockton was taken in as a part- ner and the firm name became Wickersham & Stock- ton. This continued for only a year, when Mr. Wickersham, being desirous of making a change, sold out to his partner and went to Galesburg. At the latter place he engaged in the occupation of a clerk in the firm of Willard, Hurd & Butler. He remained a year with this firm, and in 187 I came to Roseville and connected himself with a Mr. Janes, under the firm name of Janes & Wickersham, in the merchant-tailoring business, located on the cor- ner where now stands the Roseville Bank. They continued in partnership for two years, when Mr. Wickersham bought out his partner's interest and ran the business one year himself. He then took Ben- jamin Morford as a partner, and the firm name be- came Wickersham & Morford. These relations continued for only two years, when Mr. Wickersham again sold out to his partner, removing to Villisca, Iowa, and engaged in the store of C. C. Lundy, as clerk, remaining there for the short space of six months. He again returned to Roseville, and clerked for E. F. Emans for a year. His first purchase was the lot on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street, where he erected a store building and engaged in business, where he has since remained.

SORRY

Jane's Hlaat

Margaretha Staat

一

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WARREN COUNTY.

In his chosen vocation, that of general merchant, he has been very successful.

Mr. Wickersham was married in October, 1873, to Miss Louisa Pratt, daughter of Abijah and Mary Pratt, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Illinois at an early day and settled in Roseville, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have had their home circle blessed and brightened by the birth of five children,-Ellis B., Mary L., Cora A., Clarence E. and Ella.

enry Staat, one of Warren County's most successful farmers and large land-owners, residing on section 30, Berwick Township, was born in this county, Aug. 7, 1842. He is a son of Francis Staat, a native of Alsace, Ger- many, where he was born May 17, 1813. The father emigrated to America, landing at New York in May, 1832, and there worked at his trade for some years. In 1837 he left the metropolis and journeyed westward. Finding a desirable location in this county, he made a settlement here, and was consequently one of the earliest pioneers of the county. He was an edge-tool maker, and made the first scouring plows used in the county. He settled on Crooked Creek, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing and edge-tool making for one year, when he came a few miles east and located near Greenbush, where he remained until 1849. During the great gold excitement of that period he was one of the thousands who left their homes to seek their fortunes in the far western mountains. He left this county in 1850, reached California after the usual tedious journey common to that day, but re- mained there only ten months, when he realized that the fleeting goddess of fortune was no nearer than when the merry song of toil and labor rang out from the anvil in his rude cabin shop in Warren County. County. Besides, being a man of domestic habits and having strong family ties, the glittering nuggets were too few and too small to compensate for being deprived of the pleasures of the home circle. He accordingly returned to this county, and we shortly afterwards find him engaged in land speculation, In 1856 he moved to the place where his son Henry now lives, which at the time was somewhat improved.

Here he made his home until the spring of 1870, when he retired from the active labors of life and moved to Monmouth, where he was pleasantly lo- cated and lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of an active and well spent life, until robbed of his com- panion by the hand of death, Nov. 19, 1880. He then returned to the old farm homestead, and lived with his son until August [ of the following year, when he was called to join the companion of his earthly life. He was married (March 19, 1855) to Miss Margaret Ehrhardt, who was born in Germany in 1810. Their children were seven in number, namely : Frederick, Francis, Sallie, Elizabeth, Henry, George and Emma. Four died in infancy. Eliza- beth was the wife of Samuel Huston: she died Aug. 19, 1869, leaving no children. Emma is the wife of John Wesley Malcolm. She and Henry are the only survivors of this large family of children.

The elder Staat was not only one of the early pio- neers of Warren County, but one of its . most active and enterprising citizens. He was an energetic, stirring fellow, and was a leading spirit in the affairs of his community. We are pleased to be able to present his portrait in this ALBUM of the portraits of so many of the leading men of the county. As a fitting companion picture to his we present that of the lady who was so long his companion in life. The hardships of pioneer life, the labor and strug- gles of their early years, were alike shared by her. Few of the present day realize what are the hard- ships of those who push ahead into a new and un- settled country, subdue and prepare it for a home for their children and posterity. There were, of course, pleasures, pure, simple, but genuine, which softened the hard experiences and were a shield from the thorny and rocky paths over which they traveled.

Henry Staat formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Cordelia C. Bond, Aug. 12, 1869, at Burling- ton, Iowa. She was born June 2, 1850, in this county, and was the daughter of John C. Bond, a native of Tennessee, where he was born in 1779. Her father came to this county in 1832, and died May 20, 1882. For a further biography, we refer the reader to his sketch in another part of his vol- ume. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Staat, eight children were born, seven of whom are living, namely : Ora A., born Oct. 30, 1870; John F., Nov. 24, 1872; Nellie M., Sept. 30, 1874; Lena, May 4, 1876 ; George, Sept. 21, 1877 ; Eddie J., Sept.

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I, 1881 ; Norris H., Jan. 18, 1885. A twin brother to George died in infancy.

. Mr. Staat is the proprietor of 2,027 acres of land in this county, and on his home farm he has a fine residence, together with a good barn and other necessary outbuildings. His land lies in Berwick, Roseville and Swan Townships. He is probably the largest stock-raiser in Warren County, and ships large quantities direct to the great markets. He is also engaged in raising fine horses and mules, and at the present writing has over 100 head. He is a gentleman noted for his business judgment, strict integrity, and fair and honest dealing with his fellow men, and his success in life is attributable to the energy and good judgment which he always brings to bear in business transactions. In politics, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party.

ohn Caldwell, an influential citizen and successful farmer of Hale Township, resid- ing on section 11, where he owns 200 acres of good farm land, is a native of Cadiz, Ohio, having been born there Dec. 31, 1813. When Mr. Caldwell was eight years of age his father died, and he went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. At that time he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, which he mastered and followed until he was about 35 years of age. He came to this State in 1853, and settled in Sumner Township, this county, where he resided for about one year; when he made a transfer to Hale Township. In the latter township, upon his excel- lent farm, he has erected fine buildings, and by in- cessant labor has placed his land under an advanced state of cultivation, until his farm to day presents an attractive appearance to the passer-by.

The marriage of Mr. Caldwell to Mary A. (Mc- Mehan) Nichol took place in Greene Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1840. She was born in Belmont County, that State, March 26, 1822, and has borne her husband ten children, -- Nancy J., Jackson N., Joseph M., John M., Francis M., James R., Donna M. E., Lelia A., Eva J. and William E. Nancy J. is the wife of Thomas Goudy, of Kansas; Jackson, Joseph and John also reside in Kansas and are all ¿married;

Francis M. is a professor of music at Monmouth, and is also married; James lives at home ; Donna married Henry Runyan, a resident of Iowa; Lelia is the wife of John Shaffer, a farmer in Hale Township; Eva married James T. Nash, who also resides in Hale Township; William E. is likewise a resident of the township last named.

Mr. Caldwell has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace and held other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, Mr. Caldwell votes with the Repub- lican party.

A bsalom Vandeveer. Prominent among the leading agriculturists of Warren County is Absalom Vandeveer, who resides on sec- tion 15, Swan Township. He has long been regarded as one of the enterprising and suc- cessful farmers of the county. He was born Sept. 22, 1822, in Jackson Co., Ind., and is a son of Charles Vandeveer, a native of North Carolina. The father spent the early part of his life prior to his marriage in Kentucky, and was among the early pioneers of Illinois, coming here as early as 1830. He then located in Sangamon County, where he re- mained until 1836, when he removed to this county and here resided until his death, in 1854, at the age of 66 years. He was born in 1788, and had occu- pied the pulpit for over 30 years, preaching the doc- trine of the old-school Baptist. His marriage to Polly Gilbraith took place in 1810. She was born in 1788 and was of Irish parentage, her father hav- ing emigrated to this country in time to take part in the Revolutionary War. She died in March, 1856, in Warren County, after having borne her husband eight children,-Eveline, John, William, Elizabeth, Aaron, Cynthia, Absalom and Polly, only four of whom are yet living, viz. : John, William, Cynthia and Absalom.

Absalom Vandeveer, of whom we write, formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Delila Lieurance, Dec. 14, 1845. She was born Aug. 23, 1827, in Clinton Co., Ohio, and came to Illinois with her par- ents in 1835. Her father still lives in this county,

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at the advanced age of 84 years, having been born in 1801 in Tennessee. He married Miss Anna Wright in 1822. She was born in 1803, and died in 1838, leaving to the care of her husband six chil- dren,-Mary, Delila, Aylett R., Rebecca, Jehu and Amos, the latter two of whom have deceased.

Mr. Vandeveer and his wife have become the par- ents of nine children. The record is as follows : Silas B., born Dec. 8, 1846; Amelia J., Feb. 16, 1848; Abbie, Dec. 16, 1851; Lovell P., Oct. 12, 1852; Mary E., March 10, 1854; George M., Dec. 15, 1855 ; William A., Jan. 8, 1858; Donezell, Nov. 19, 1859; and.Flo N., Oct. 27, 1861. Mr. Vandeveer has 12 grandchildren. Of his own children men- tioned above, George was killed in the memorable tornado, May 22, 1873. He was in the cellar under the house when the tornado took the building from its foundation, and a field roller was blown into the cellar, which was probably the cause of his death, the roller striking him, while in motion, on the back part of his head. His life was thus cut short in the 17th year of his age.

Mr. Vandeveer is an earnest worker in the Baptist Church, of which he is Deacon. He has 280 acres of land in Swan Township, with a fine two-story residence, 30 x 36 feet in dimensions, and a barn 24 × 50 with 20-foot posts. In addition to the cul- tivation of his land, he is also devoting a portion of his time to the breeding of thoroughbred Short- horns, of which he has seven head. In the tornado of 1873 he lost everything save his land, but he had many kind neighbors who contributed to the wants of himself and family until assistance was no longer necessary, and now that he has recovered his losses, and is in a fair way to secure a certain competency, he does not forget the acts of kindness bestowed upon him and his in the hour of need. All of Mr. and Mrs. Vandeveer's children, except Amelia, are living in this county. She became the wife of James M. Crabb, and is now living with him in Mac- pherson Co., Kan. They have seven children, whose names are Leon, Minnie: Rena, Edward, Paul, Mar- lin and Flo Crabb. Mary E. is the wife of Samuel Larkin, a farmer of this county, and they have three children,-D. Alvin, Walter and an infant. Lovell married Ida Lawrence and resides on the home farm : Floss Rose is the name of their only child. Donnie married Robert Beekner, a farmer of Swan

Township, and is the mother of two children,-Lova and Zelma. The entire family are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. V. is identified with the Democratic party.

illiam Patch, who is one of the leading agriculturists and stock-raisers of Ellison Township, was born on the old homestead of his parents, on section 31 of this town- ship, July 11, 1858. His home farm is now on section 30. His father, Mayhew Patch, in early years was engaged at the carpenter's trade, but turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he devoted the remainder of his life. He was · born in New Hampshire, of New England ancestry, and was married in Eaton, his native State, to Miss Susan Snow, a native of that place, where she was also reared. As early as 1855, they came West, and located upon a tract of raw land in Ellison Town- ship. Here he erected a house, made excellent im- provements and with the exception of three years . spent in the city of Monmouth, he passed the re- mainder of his life here. He died at his home July 24, 1880, at the age of 57 years. He was highly es- teemed for his many excellent virtues, and was re- garded as one of the leading citizens in Ellison Township. His widow yet resides on the old home- stead. She is the mother of five children, four of whom are living and all married.

William Patch was the youngest but one of the family mentioned above. He was born, reared, edu- cated and embarked in business for himself in this township. He lived with his mother after the death of his father, working on the home farm until his marriage. This important event of his life occurred June 10, 1885, at the residence of the bride's father in Prairie City, Ill. The lady who joined him at this time was Miss Hattie Jones, daughter of Robert Jones. She is a native of New England, and was only five years of age when her parents came to Prairie City. Here she was reared and educated and lived at home until her marriage For five years previous to this event, however, she had been en- gaged in teaching school. Her mother died in 1881.

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Her father is a blacksmith, residing in Prairie City.

The parents of Mr. Patch were active and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which our subject with his wife is also connected, and he has taken an active part in the labors of the Church. His father was a Democrat in politics, but William is inclined to be more independent in his political views. He has held the minor offices of his township, and is regarded as one of the enterpris- ing young farmers of Warren County.

saac Van Tasell, who is passing the sunset of his life in ease and comfort, having re- tired from active labors of the farm and who is at present residing at Monmouth, is a son of Green and Deborah Van Tasell. The parents of Mr. Van Tasell died in Lyons, Dutchess Co., N. Y., when Isaac was but two years of age. Isaac was born in Dutchess Co., York State, July 3, 1822, and continued to reside there until 1851, when, hoping to better his financial con- dition in life, he came to Kendall County, this State. In the latter county he resided for ten years, follow- ing agricultural pursuits, and in the fall of 1859 came to this county and located in Lenox Township and followed the same occupation there until 1883, when he removed to Monmouth.

· Mr. Van 'T'asell was united in marriage in his na- tive county and State, Sept. 12, 1850, Miss Phebe ' D. Cargill becoming his wife. She was a native of York State and· has borne her husband five children, -Mary E., Julia A., James W., Ella L. and Carrie M. Mary E. became the wife of George Brown, a farmer of Kendall County, this State; Julia A. mar- ried Jacob Ball, and resides in Nebraska; James W. follows farming in Lenox Township (see sketch); Ella L. resides at home; Carrie M. was united in marriage with Ira Sprout, a resident of Kirkwood.

Mr. Van Tasell is the proprietor of 1347/2 acres of land, 120 of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He resides in Monmouth Township, where he is passing the sunset of his life, enjoying the accumulations which toil and economy have

brought him. He has held the office of School Director, and his politics are those of a staunch and unflinching Republican.

ranklin Booth, located on section 18, Swan Township, where he resides and is actively engaged in its cultivation and improvement, which has been the vocation of his life, was born in Cabell Co., Va., Nov. 7, 1829, and is a son of Ferguson Booth, de- ceased, who was born in Virginia, Oct. 10, 1799. The father came to this State in March, 1836, and located in Knox County ; remained there for a time, then moved to this county, where he died, Feb. 14, 1876. He was married to Miss Lucinda Perdue in 1819. She was born in 1804 in Virginia, and still survives, residing in this county. Of the parents' union, these children were born : Sarah J., Burwell, Franklin, Russell, Morris, James W., Leander and Mary A. Marinda was drowned when four years of age while wading across a stream in Virginia. She became bewildered, and falling was unable to re- cover herself, and was thus drowned. Sarah J., wife of Stephen Spordock, died leaving eight chil- dren ; William Lewis, the eldest child, died in his infancy.

Franklin Booth, the subject of this biographical notice, was married to Miss Martha Sargent, March 23, 1854, at Monmouth, Ill. She was born April 3, 1836, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, this State, and is a daughter of John Sargent, born in Ohio, Dec. 15, 1801. Her father came to this State in 1822, and participated in the Black Hawk War. His wife, Mary (Johnson) Sargent, to whom he was mar- ried in 1827, was born in 1809, and died in 1838, her husband surviving her until Sept. 24, 1884. 'Of their union nine children were born,-Elizabeth, Mary A., Sarah, Martha J., Lorinda, Eveline, Thomas B., Tobitha and Mary L.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth are the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: James W., born July 2, 1857 ; Ira S., Jan. 20, 1858; Henry T., March 8, 1859; Nellie, June 23, 1863 ; Allen C., Sept. 27, 1865 ; Nola E., Feb. 20, 1868; Annie M., July 19, 1873. Two of

UNIVERSITI WILLIT ..

RESIDENCE OF JOHN WONDERLY, SEC. 13., LENOX TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF B. F. FORWOOD SEC. 23., SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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the above named are deceased, James and Nellie, the former dying May 17, 1858, and the latter June 3, 1864. Ira S. married Ada Cooper, and resides in Swan Township. All are at home except Ira S. and Henry T. The latter is farming in Swan Township. Mr. Booth and family are pleasantly situated on their magnificent farm of 375 acres, located on sec- tion 18, Swan Township. He owns his land and has the same under an advanced state of cultivation, and since coming to the county, in 1852, he has de- voted his time and attention to its cultivation. In addition to the cultivation of his land; he is to no small extent interesting himself in the breeding of Short-horn cattle, and fattens stock for the purpose of shipping.

Mr. and Mrs. Booth are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Booth is, and has been all his life, a Republican.

ohn H. Lippy, engaged in merchandising at Swan Creek, is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he was born July 31,

- 1841. He came to this State in 1844, landing in Fulton County July 4, of that year. . The father of Mr. Lippy, John Lippy, Sr., was born in Maryland, in 1804, and married Miss Sarah Zepp in 1832. . She was born May 1, 1806, and they be- came the parents of 14 children, nine daughters and five sons,- Mary E., Rebecca, Sarah C., J. H., George W., David E., Susan L., Marinda J., Jane, Edna M., William, and three unnamed who died in infancy.

Mr. Lippy of this notice was married April 12, 1866, to Miss Hulda Luper, who was born Aug. 29, 1846, and has borne her husband four children,- Ida May, S. J., P. H. and Louisa I. Mr. Lippy has a fine stock of goods in Swan Creek, his store room being 22 x 50 feet in dimensions, and is meet- ing with financial success in his business. He car- ries a stock of about $3,500. In July, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster, and still holds that office. In politics, he is an active, working Republican. In 1862 he entered the service of the Union, and June 6 of that year was mustered in at Knoxville, Ill.,

joining Co. D, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., Col. McMurtry commanding. He first did service in Kentucky, " after Bragg," and was in several general engage- ments and 24 skirmishes. He was wounded twice in the left leg while in Mississippi, but is receiving no pension from the Government. Jan. 6, 1865, almost at the close of the war, Mr. Lippy received his discharge at Vicksburg, Miss., and returned home.

In addition to his general mercantile business, Mr. Lippy is engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock. He started his business at Swan Creek March 13, 1876, and by his fair and honest dealings with his patrons has established a good trade. So- cially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He has nine lots and four buildings in Swan Creek.

ohn Wonderly, one of the best known of the many well-to-do farmers of Lenox Township, is the owner of an excellent farm located on section 15, where he is residing. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wolf) Wonderly, natives of Pennsylvania, in which State they also died. John was the third in order of birth of a family of six children. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1822, and received his education in the common schools. His years, prior to his emigration to this county, were passed in farming in his native State, with the exception of about ten months, which were spent in Indiana. He came here in 1855, and after being a short time in Monmouth, located in Lenox Township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 160 acres,

the major portion of which is tillable, and with his family resides on the farm on section 13, Lenox Township; besides, he owns a tract of timber land in Floyd Township on section 8. He has a com- modious and well furnished farm residence, which with its pleasant surroundings are illustrated in the view on page 245.

The marriage of Mr. Wonderly to the lady whom he wooed and won, Miss Margaret Zug, occurred in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1844. She was a native of the county in which she was married and

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has borne her husband nine children. The living are Mary E., Emma C., Daniel Z., John W. Martha J. and Charles A. Those deceased are George W., Ann M. and Clara A. Mary E. became the wife of J. L. Young, a farmer of Lenox Township; Emma C. was united in marriage with Wm. Jewell, who re- sides in Nebraska; Daniel Z. is a resident of Hen- derson County ; John lives in Nebraska; the husband of Martha, Henry Norcross, with his wife resides in Nebraska ; Charles A. lives at home.

In politics, Mr. Wonderly casts his vote with the Democratic party. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director, and is one of the energetic and highly respected farmers of Lenox Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.

ayton A. Vaughn, farmer, residing on sec- tion 20, Greenbush Township, was born in Dinwiddie Co., Va., March 31, 1810, and is the son of John E. Vaughn, a native of that State. - The father married Miss Susan Cotton in 18c8. She was a native of England, and bore her husband five children,-Payton, Nancy, George C., Jane and Emily.

Payton A. Vaughn married Miss Mary A. Dar- neille, July 18, 1834, Rev. Kirkpatrick, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, officiating. She was born Feb. 13, 1820, in Kentucky, and came to this State in 1833 with her mother, and located near Quincy, Adams County. Of their union seven children were born, the following being their names: Elizabeth, Dec. 5, 1835 ; Martha A., June 27, 1838, died March 13, 1843; Barthenia, Jan. 6, 1841 ; James T., May 21, 1843; Mary Z., Nov. 2, 1848; George E., July 10, 1852, and Douglas B., Feb. 14, 1860."

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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 20

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

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