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 24
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ohn R. Graham, one of the oldest settlers in Warren County and a gentleman who has witnessed the wonderful developments the county has made during the last 50 years, and who has shared the privations incident to its early settlement, resides on section 3, Hale Township. He was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1817, and continued to reside in his native State until the fall of r835.
During the year last named, Mr. Graham came to this county and located in Hale Township, where he has since lived. At that time, the hand of civ- ilization had hardly turned a furrow and the land was in its original, natural condition. Having a firm determination in the future development of the county, he " stuck to it," and to-day lives to witness the fulfillment of a prediction made by him 50 years ago, namely, that Warren County would in time to come be one of the garden spots of the great com- monwealth of Illinois. In 1850, he made a trip across the plains to the land of gold and spent 12 months in California and Oregon. The trip was not made for gain, but for health and pleasure, and after returning he located in Hale Township, where he has continued to reside until the present time, a period of almost 50 years from the time he first set-
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tled here. He is the proprietor of 340 acres of land located on section 3, Hale Township, the major por- tion of which is under advanced cultivation; and there, in the sunset of his life, he lives, enjoying the comforts which a life of labor, pluck and persever- ance enabled him to procure.
The marriage of Mr. Graham took place in Hale Township, March 24, 1842, at which time Miss Mary T. Rogers became his wife. She was born in the State of Missouri, Monroe County, Oct. 4, 1823, and has borne her husband II children,-Elizabeth L., born Dec. 17, 1842; William F., Oct 31, 1844; Phebe I., Feb. 8, 1847 ; Andrew R., March 11, 1849; Mary L., Feb. 4, 1852 ; Aleri R. and John A., twins Aug. 24, 1854; Emma A., June 11, 1858 ; Frank E., June 3, 1861; Nannie M., Jan 24, 1864; and Eva J., Jan. 1, 1867. William and Andrew are deceased, Elizabeth L. is the widow of John Balmer, and re- sides in Hale Township with her parents; Phebe is the wife of David Armstrong, a farmer living in Ne- braska; Mary L. married T. B. McCulley, and they reside in Nebraska; John A. is a farmer of Hale Township; Aleri R. is a physician residing at Little York; Emma A. became the wife of George W. Hill, who lives in Nebraska; Frank is a farmer in Hale Township; Nannie became the wife of Joseph W. Dawson, who follows the vocation of farming in Nebraska ; Eva J. lives at home.
Mr. Graham has been Supervisor of Hale Town- ship one year, and has held other offices within the gift of the- people of his township. He is a Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
ohn W. Reynolds, one of the progressive and well known farmers of Warren County, and a resident of section 10 of Hale Town- ship, was born in North Carolina, Aug .~ 14, 1818. He went with his parents to Jackson Co., Ind., when but 12 years of age, and there resided until October, 1836, when he came to War- ren County and settled in Hale Township. He has since made the latter place his permanent home, and is the proprietor of 150 acres of excellent tillable
land. Upon the same he has erected a fine set of buildings, and altogether the farm presents the ap- pearance of thrift and energy.
Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage in Hale Township, Sept. 1, 1846, the lady chosen to become his wife being Miss Jane Campbell, who was born in in Carroll Co., Ohio, June 23, 1826. Of this union ten children were born,-George W., Josiah B., Martha A., William Y., John W., Mary J., Sarah E., Richie C., James W. and Thomas M. George W. and Martha A. are deceased; Josiah, William and John reside in Warren County and are married ; Mary J. - is the wife of F. P. Kilgore and resides in Kirkwood; Sarah E., James and Thomas reside at home ; Richie resides in Spring Grove Township.
Mr. Reynolds has served his township as School Director, and both himself and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
P. Emans, who is accredited with being the oldest merchant of Roseville, having been constantly in business here since 1858, and one of the prominent business men . of Warren County, came to this State from Ohio in 1855. He is a native of the Buckeye State and was born in 1832. - He was left an orphan when quite young and went to live with an uncle, who gave him good educational advantages. He sent him to the common district schools for a time and later to a select school. He then engaged as a clerk for his uncle and remained with him in that capacity until he was 23 years of age. During the meantime he studied book-keeping at Bacon's Com- mercial College at Cincinnati. His health failing, he was obliged to leave the desk and engage in some other calling. For a time lie was interested in the livery business at Camden, Preble Co., Ohio. Here he remained for five years. He came to Illinois in May, 1855, bringing his livery stock, and located at Fairview, Fulton County. He remained here but a short time when he sold and came to Warren County and embarked in the mercantile business at Roseville. Here he has remained and become.
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Jamey A vary
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one of the most widely known merchants in the southern part of the county. From 1870 until 1881, he was engaged in the lumber business and also, in company with William A. Pratt, in the grain business, in which latter business he still con- tinues. He is interested in Roseville village prop- erty and owns several houses which he rents. He does a large business in his store and employs two clerks and a boy.
Mr. Emans, in 1863, was married to Miss Anna Ostrander, a native of New York State, and came to Ohio when young. Her mother is a native of Ohio and came to Illinois in 1855, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Emans. Mrs. Ostrander has three sons, one a dealer in lumber and hardware at Swan Creek, and two others are in Washington Territory engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Emans have two children living,-James H. and Jessie. Mr. Emans is a Republican and at pres- ent is serving as Treasurer of the village.
ames A. Evans, deceased, who was one of Warren County's well known and success- fül farmers, and a resident on section 29, Lenox Township, was born in Virginia, March 1, 1821, and passed his early life in the Buck- eye State and Indiana. He afterward came to Illinois, locating in Henderson County, where he re- mained until his removal to Warren County, about the year 1851. Locating in Lenox Township, he entered land on section 29, where he resided and labored until death. He was the owner at the time of his demise, which occurred April 3, 1875, of 240 acres of some of the best equipped and cultivated land in his township, having fine substantial build- ings and all other necessary appurtenances upon it; but his widow is now the possessor of only 80 acres.
Mr. James A. Evans was married in Henderson County, March 7, 1844, to Miss Lucy C., daughter of Washington and Elizabeth (McChesney) Fort, who was born in Kentucky May 10, 1827. Mr, and Mrs. Evans had become the parents of nine children, six of whom survive, viz .: Emeline, who became
the wife of David Darr, and they are both now de- ceased ; Washington, deceased; John A., who is married and lives in Lenox Township, this county ; Samuel, deceased; Stephen D., who is married and lives in Kansas ; Mary E .; Ida J., now the wife of Thomas Davis and living in Gladstone, Henderson Co., Ill .; James A., who resides in Kansas; and Jesse C. is at home.
Mrs. Evans is a member of the Baptist Church, as was her husband. She is now carrying on the farm with the assistance of her sons. A portrait of her late husband is shown on another page.
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illiam V. Moore, Sr. There is growing class of well-to-do farmers, who have la- bored hard and diligently for years, and now have wisely concluded to spend the autumn years of their lives in comparative ease and retirement. Among this number is William V. Moore, Sr., who is living in the village of Roseville. New Jersey is his native State, and May II, 1825, the date of his birth. Abraham H. Moore, his father, also of New Jersey (Hunterdon County), m'et and married Grace Van Dorne, in 1813. They came west to Ohio in 1839, and purchased a .100- acre farm and followed agricultural pursuits there until 1851, when they made another move westward, coming to Illinois and settling in Fulton County. Here, about three miles east of Prairie City, they purchased 160 acres of land. In 1864 Mr. Moore sold this and bought a farm near Bushnell, McDon- ough County. Here he lived until a few years be- fore his death, when, in 1871, he moved into the city of Bushnell, where he died in 1879, in his 88th year. Mrs. Moore survived her husband and died in Bush- nell, Dec. 18, 1885, aged 90 years and four months.
William B. remained with his parents until he was 26 years old, assisting them, on the farm and in re- turn was given an opportunity to receive a good common-school education. After leaving home he worked out for one summer, when his ambition led led him to try farming on his own hook. He then rented a farm in Butler Co., Ohio, which he kept for two years. At the end of that time, in 1854, he came
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West to Illinois and settled in Fulton County on a rented farm. Here he remained for two years longer, when he found a desirable quarter-section of land on section 3, Point Pleasant Township, in this county, which he was able to purchase. He subse- quently got 15 acres of land in Ellison Township, and in 1873 secured 80 acres additional in the same township. He continued to follow agricultural life with satisfactory results until 1876, when he retired from his farm. moving to the village of Roseville. Here he purchased two and a half acres of land, upon which are a good residence and barn, and the family are living comfortably. He is regarded as one of the most substantial men of Warren County. Politically, he has been a Republican.
In 1851, before coming to Illinois, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Temperance Curtis, who is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and daughter of Daniel and Charlotte Curtis. The latter were natives of Mary- land, but came to Ohio before their marriage. There they lived until their death, which occurred in 1853 and 1854 respectively.
Mr. Moore's brother, Isaac, who was a member of Co. H, 7th Ill. Cavalry, was killed while his regiment was in Missouri, April 2, 1862. Mrs. Van Dyke (his sister) died at her residence in Bushnell, Ill., one week after the death of her mother.
aston Morris, deceased. One of the prom- inent and well-to-do pioneers of Lenox Township of 30 years ago was Easton Morris, who located on section 15. He was born in Wayne County, Southern Illinois, May 26, 1833, and enjoyed but limited advantages for an education, as the days of his boyhood in Illi- nois afforded very meager opportunities for securing any advanced education. He met a violent death while on a visit to Kansas, being killed in Missouri by lightning on the 8th day of Sept. 1866.
Mr. Morris was married in Lenox Township, Jan. 25, 1855, to Rebecca A, Butler. She, like her hus- band, was also born in Illinois, in Warren County, Feb. 28, 1834. She is the mother of three children, -Eva A., Ewing V, and Myron H, Eva is de-
ceased. Mrs. Morris owns 95 acres of excellent til- lable land on section 15, in Lenox Township, and is an excellent business lady. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Ewing V. is married and lives in Galesburg, where he practices medicine. The other son, Myron H., assists his mother in carrying on the home farm.
eonard Hall, a successful and energetic farmer, owning 234 acres of land located on section 31, Greenbush Township, where he resides, and also 50 acres of land in Iowa, was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1819. He came West and located at Mon- mouth, and worked at that place from September, 1845, until the date of his marriage, March 25, 1852. At this time, Miss Susan B. McMahill became his wife. She was born in Sangamon County, this State, and bore her husband six children, namely : Will- iam L., born July 5, 1853 ; Wyatt, July 5, 1855 ; Warren, Feb. 8, 1857 ; Mary M., April 17, 1861 ; Albert P., Jan. 19, 1867 ; Aleta, March 14, 1872. Wm. L. married a Miss Mollie Dilly, and is now a successful farmer in Jewell Co., Kan. Wyatt mar- ried Ann McFetridge. They have two children. Wyatt is also a farmer. Mary M. is the wife of Mr. Wetzvel, a resident of this township.
The father of Mr. Hall, Stephen Hall, was a na- tive of Connecticut, and married Miss Cynthia Leon- ard. They had eight children,-Lester, Sarah Ann, Polly, Leonard, Theophilus, Coridon. Benjamin, Philomen, four of wnom are deceased, namely : Sarah, Polly, Benjamin and Philomen. Mrs. Hall's father, Mr. McMahill, was born in Kentucky in 1806, and died in 1881. He married Miss Mary Snapp in 1827, She was born in 1806 in Kentucky, and they became the parents of 12 children, viz .: George S., Susan B., Sarah S. Nancy J., Elizabeth, John, Maria A., Kentucky A., William H. H., Pink- ney M., Mary and Lucinda. Four of these children are dead.
Mr. Hall, of whom we write, has 235 acres of good farm land, located on section 31, Greenbush Town- ship, under an advanced state of cultivation, and
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also 50 acres of land in Iowa. On his place he has a good residence and barn, the latter being 34 x 40 feet in dimensions. In addition to his farm duties, he is breeding Short-horn cattle and handles English draft horses. He has served as Road Commissioner for some 12 years, and also School Director of his township. In religion, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he votes with the Republican party.
W. Coghill, engaged as an agriculturist on section 28, Roseville Township, is a pros- perous and spirited citizen of Warren County, and a native of Virginia, where he was born Aug. 17, 1830. His parents were Benja- min C. and Millecent (Ellett) Coghill, also na- tives of Virginia. The father came to Illinois in 1836, and settled in Warren County, where he pur- chased land and built a grist and saw mill in the inorthern part of the county, which is known as Cog- hill's Mill. It is now located in Henderson County, .but when it was built, that district was then a part of Warren County. He died in `1880, in Virginia. He was an apponent of the system of slavery as it then existed in the Southern States, and was a slave- owner at the time he lived in Virginia. When he made up his mind to go to the free State of Illinois, the question arose in his mind what to do with his slaves. He gave the matter serious thought and made it the subject of earnest prayer. The tempta- tion to sell them and get the money was strong- the conflict between the devil and the man was bitter and fierce, but, upheld by Divine strength in the hour of weakness, the right, as he understood it, pre- vailed. They were set free, good homes procured for the older ones and the young sent to Liberia. The Coghills are of English descent, the first member of the family, James Coghill, coming to this country in 1664.
J. W. attended the common district schools dur- ing his earlier boyhood, finishing his education at the Galesburg College, at Galesburg. He was 27 years of age before he left home. He was a partner with his father in the milling business from the time
he became of age until he left home. On the 11th of August, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Tucker. She was a native of Warren County, and the daugh- ter of James and Abigail (Long) Tucker, who were among the earliest pioneers of the county. Among the early labors of Mr. Coghill was teaching school in Warren and Henderson Counties. We soon find him comfortably located on a farm of 140 acres in Henderson County. Here he lived for about 12 years, when he sold out and went to Washington Co., Ill., and purchased a farm. He remained there but four years. In the fall of 1874 he returned to War- ren County and found a desirable location on an 80- acre farm on section 20, in Roseville Township. Here he has since lived and is engaged in mixed farming. Politically, Mr. C. is a Democrat, and has served the community as Highway Commissioner and School Director and takes a general interest in the affairs of the township. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Of the seven children born to them, Benjamin C. died in his 17th year and a daughter in infancy: Carrie and James are attending school at Upper Alton, at the pres- ent time.
avid M. Hallam, one of Warren County's wide-awake and energetic citizens as well as successful farmers and stock-raisers, re- siding on section 26, Monmouth Township, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Sabina, Clinton County, that State, Sept. 3, 1837.
The father of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, Samuel Hal- lam, was the son of a Pennsylvania farmer of Eng- lish parentage and extraction, the family having their origin in the United States prior to the Revo- lutionary War, and which consisted of but one branch which came from England. The members of that branch generally followed agricultural pursuits. The grandparents died in Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Samuel, father of David M., was one of a family of four children by his father's first mar- riage, by his second marriage his father having the same number of children. Samuel Hallam was born
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in Washington Co., Pa., where he lived during the early portion of his life. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native county and his years, prior to the age of majority, were passed on the farm. He left the parental roof-tree when about 2 1 years of age and went to Clinton Co., Ohio, where he made a settlement. At that time Clinton County was very sparsely settled, and there he endured the trials and hardships of a pioneer life. It was in that county that he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Mills. She was the daughter of a Clin- ton County farmer who had come to that county and State from Kentucky. After marriage, Samuel pur- chased 80 acres of land, the same being in heavy timber and located in that part of the State. He went to work vigorously and energetically upon the task of clearing and improving his land, and after he had placed the same under an advanced state of cultivation, he sold it and made another purchase of 160 acres, also uncultivated. He im- proved that place and by subsequent purchases in- creased the same to 320 acres, all of which was placed under an advanced state of cultivation, when he disposed of it by sale and in the spring of 1850 came to this State and located on an 80-acre farm in this county (a portion of which is at present within the limits of the city of. Monmouth), which he rented for one year. When Samuel Hallam started West with his family, he intended to go to Iowa, but on reaching Burlington, that State, the condition of the country, and the action of a portion of the citizens with whom he came in contact, were such as to create a desire on the part of his wife and children to return to Ohio, and thither they started ; but on reaching Monmouth and finding a different country, together with a change in the appearance and actions of the people, they rented the farm before referred to and engaged in farming. The residence into which they moved had been occupied by a man who had committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor a few days before their arrival there.
In the spring of 1851, Samuel Hallam purchased 240 acres of land in Monmouth Township, on which he moved with his family, and where he resided more or less until his death. His first wife, who was the mother of the subject of this notice, died in December, 1864, and he was again married, to Mrs. Mary McKay, of Monmouth, by whom he had three children,-Harvey W., Anna S. and Maude F. Af-
ter his second marriage he moved to Monmouth city, in 1873, where he continued to live until his death, which occurred in July, 1879, while he was in his 79th year. His wife still survives and is re- siding in Monmouth.
David M. Hallam, the subject of this notice, was the fourth in order of birth of a family of 11 children by the first wife of his father. He was about 13 years of age when his parents removed to this county, and his education was acquired in the common schools and at the college at Monmouth, which was then under the presidency of David A. Wallace. When a young man of 18 years, he engaged in teach- ing, and for 18 winters he followed that profession, working on the farm during the summer season, his teaching being principally in this and Knox Counties.
The marriage of Mr. Hallam took place March 12, 1861, at the residence of the bride's parents, to Miss Mary C. Murphy. She was born in Warren County, March 12, 1842, and was the daughter of a farmer who died when she was a small child, his- name being John H. Murphy. Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Moore, who was born in Virginia and was first married in this State. Her second marriage was to Samuel T. Shelton, with whom she is at present residing at Cameron, this county. Mrs. Hallam, wife of David M., attained the age of. maturity under the fostering care of her mother and step-father, with whom she resided until her mar- riage. She obtained a good education in the com- mon schools and graduated at Abingdon College, Knox County, and for a short time prior to her mar- riage was engaged in teaching. She has borne her husband seven children, one of whom is deceased. Orline E. is living in Chicago. He was for two years engaged in the Grand Opera House at that place, and also one year at McVicker's, and at present is engaged in the support of McWade, whose reputation throughout the country is so well established that it requires no comment here. Samuel S. resides at home and is engaged in the study of law, prepara- tory to the practice of that profession; Clinnie M. resides at home, as likewise do Frank M., Minnie M. and George M. Charles M. is deceased.
After the marriage of Mr. Hallam, he resided al- ternately in this and Knox Counties until 1873, when he abandoned the profession of teaching and settled on his farm of 183 acres in Monmouth Town- ship and engaged in the vocation of farming. His
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UNIVERSITA WILLIAN ,
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS A. WEAKLEY, SEC. 13. LENOX TOWNSHIP.
RESIDENCE OF JAMES CAMPBELL, SEC. G. HALE TOWNSHIP.
* HILLSDALE FARM." RES.OF HON. H. M. LEWIS, SEC., 19. BERWICK TOWNSHIP.
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place is in a high state of cultivation, and in his vo- cation as a farmer Mr. Hallam is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance, coupled with good judgment, are sure to bring. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of which · denomination Mr. Hallam is Deacon. He was for 20 years Superintendent of the Sunday-school, but recently resigned that position ..
Politically, he is a strong supporter of the princi- ples of the Prohibition party.
on. Henry M. Lewis, one of the land- holders of Berwick Township and a repre- sentative citizen of Warren County, resid- ing upon section 19, Berwick Township, was born in Basking Ridge, N. J., Feb. 21, 1824, the son of Eliphalet C. Lewis, a native of New Jersey, having been born in that State May 11, 1799. He came to Illinois in 1837 and two years later came to this county from Sangamon County, and located in Berwick Township, where he purchased a patent title to the northeast quarter of section 20. He im- mediately went to work to improve his land, and at the same time economized and added to his original purchase until he became the owner of 750 acres in the county.
He was married to Mary Ann Mills, Nov. 21, 1823. She was also born in New Jersey, the date of her birth being July 23, 1806. She bore her hus- band five children, namely : Henry M., Feb. 21, 1824; Phebe A., July 9, 1826; Mary A., in July, 1838; Susan E., in October, 1841, and Thomas P. in 1843, all of whom are yet living. The father died in 1868, aged 69 years, and his widow still survives and is living in this county, aged 79 years, and is enjoy- ing good health.
Henry M. Lewis, of whom we write, formed a matrimonial alliance, Oct. 18, 1849, with Miss Jane Carr, the Rev. Young officiating. She was born Jan. 22, 1827, in Perry Co., Ind., and came with her parents, Absalom and Sarah Carr, to this State, in 1840. Mr. Carr was born in 1801, in Breckinridge Co., Ky., and married Miss Sarah Claycomb in 1824. She was a native of Kentucky also, and was born
there in 1802. Her demise occurred in 1868, in this county, and that of her husband July 4, 1879. Of their union nine children were born, namely: Eli, Jane, James, Lucy, Lewis, Thomas, Hannah, Malinda and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had born to them nine children, eight of whom survive, viz .: Norvel, born July 12, 1850; Mary, Nov. 29, 1852; Jedediah, Nov. 13, 1854; Henry, Dec. 6, 1856 ; Emery, March 31, 1858; Sarah, March 9, 1862 ; Phebe L., Aug. 13, 1864; Effie J., March 23, 1867; Edwin C., Oct. 14, 1873. Henry is deceased, his death occurring March 14, 1857. Norvel is married and is engaged in farming in Nebraska. He has one child. Mary is the wife of John W. Miller, of this county, and the mother of five children. Emery married Miss Nettie Mann and resides in this county. Sarah is the wife of Geo. B. Richmond and lives near Sedalia, Mo.
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