Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 25

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 25

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Mr. Lewis is the owner 895 acres of land in Ber- wick Township, in pasture and under cultivation, and on his farm has a fine residence, together with good barns and necessary outbuildings, which are shown in the view on page 284. In addition to carrying on general farming he is also engaged in dealing in stock. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his township and the county as well. He has been Supervisor of his township for 13 years, and was elected to represent the counties of Warren and McDonough in the State Legislature during its 3Ist session. He was a member of the committees on Agriculture, Militia and Labor, and a busy member too, and represented those who gave him their suf- frages in an able manner, and with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituency. He has also held various minor offices within the gift of the people. In politics, he is a Democrat.

oseph L. Young, a farmer residing on sec- tion 12, Lenox Township, and of which he is Township Clerk, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Bishop) Young, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Maryland respectively. After their marriage the parents settled in Ohio, where the father died, Sept. 2, 1851. In 1865 the mother

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WARREN COUNTY.

came to this county with her children. The chil- dren by her marriage with Mr. Young were seven in number, named Hannah, John L., Jacob, George, Abraham N., Joseph L. and Elizabeth A.

In writing the biography of Joseph L. Young, we record his birth as May 29, 1840, and the place of his nativity Crawford County Ohio. His education was not neglected in his early years, and on attain- ing the age of manhood he was for eight years occu- pied in teaching school in Ohio, and continued to reside in his native State until 1865, when he ac- companied his mother and the remaining children of the family to this county, locating with them in Lenox Township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 30 acres of tillable land and is a gen- tleman of considerable public prominence in his township. In his agricultural pursuits he is meet- ing with fair success, and his accumulations have been acquired solely through his own push and en- ergy.

The marriage of Mr. Young took place in Mon- mouth, Dec. 32, 1868, at which time the accomplish-" ed daughter of John Wonderly, Miss Mary E. Won- „derly, became his wife. Her father's sketch is given in another part of this ALBUM. She was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1845, and has borne her husband one child, Bessie M. Mr. Young has held the office of Township Clerk for six years, and is still the incumbent of that position. He also held the office of Township Collector four years, Justice of the Peace three years, and School Trus- tee three years, and in politics is a Democrat.

charles O. Bradshaw, publisher and pro- 3 prietor of the Kirkwood Leader, was born in Sheffield, Bureau Co., this State, Dec. 30, 1856. The parents of Mr. Bradshaw. of this notice, J. F. and Mary M. Bradshaw, are at present residing in Kirkwood. His father is a native of Kentucky, and was born in that State March 8, 1832, and at present is engaged in the fur- niture business at the place mentioned. The mother's maiden name was Smith, and she was born in Ful- ton County, this State, May 20, 1836.

The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, came to Kirkwood with his parents in the fall of 1865. Here he received a common-school education, at the completion of which he decided to make journalism his lifes pur- . suit. After several years experience as a local re- porter and correspondent, on Jan. Ist, 1882, he purchased a half interest in the Kirkwood Leader, which had been established a few months previous. He took editorial charge of the paper, and in Jan- uary, 1885, became sole proprietor of the same. The paper is at present an eight column folio, independ- ent in politics, and is issued at the small subscription price of $1.50 a year. From being a dubious venture at the start it has come to be considered one of the permanent institutions of the county. A good job printing office is run in connection with the paper, and Mr. Bradshaw is meeting with that success which strict attention to business, push, tact and energy are sure to bring.

ames A. McClannahan is one of the lead- ing physicians of the county, and resides at the village of Kirkwood. In 1854, when the fertile prairies of Warren County were but partly settled, Mr .- Thomas McClannahan with his young wife and small family came from Ohio and located upon 80 acres of land in Hale Township. Here he has since lived, but increased his acreage to 240 acres and has grown to be one of the prominent citizens of the county and for many years has served the people as County Surveyor. He oversees his farm and during the winter teaches school. Before leaving Ohio he met and married Miss Jane Martin, who like himself was a native of the Buckeye State. Before they decided to leave Ohio, their eldest son, James M., was born to them, the date of his birth being March 26, 1850. Besides this son they had born to them seven other children.

Dr. McClannahan received a good English edu- cation, attending both the common schools and the Academy at Monmouth. Until he reached his ma- jority he remained on the home farm, assistingin its cultivation during the time not spent at school. In

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187 t he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J .- P. Clannahan, of Norwood, Mercer County, Illi- nois, and for three years closely applied himself to the study of his profession. He attended the Chi- cago Medical College and from it graduated in 1874, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine. He first located at Berwick, this county, where he practiced with satisfactory success for four years, when he came to Kirkwood. Here he has built up a fine and lucrative practice and has a residence, with an office connected. and is recognized as one of the representative men of the village.

Dr. McClannahan and Miss Anna McClung were married Sept. 20, 1875. Miss McClung was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Charles and Nancy McClung, of that State. Two children, both boys, have been born to them,-Ralph, born Oct. 22, 1876, ,and Harold, born Sept. 25, 1872. The Doctor is a Republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the Pres- byterian Church. He is a member of the Board of Health and has held most of the city offices.

rury B. Boyd, a farmer on section 2, Point Pleasant Township, is the oldest son of Thomas H. and Margaret (Jones) Boyd, who were pioneers of the township and county where their children are now identified with the business community. He was born in Greene Co., Ind., Dec. 12, 1839, and was in the seventh year of his age when the household came to Warren County. He has resided here ever since and was educated in the schools of the township. He was also reared to the calling of a farmer, which he has pursued since the commencement of his act- ive life ..

He resided with his parents until his marriage to Harriet Conklin. which took place Sept. 19, 1861. Mrs. Boyd was born in Clarmont Co., Ohio. After their marriage, they located on the farm on which they have since lived. It is situated on the south- east quarter of section 2.

The children of the household are named Elgie B. 1

and William L. The parents are connected in mem- bership with the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Boyd is a Democrat.

avid Stem, a retired farmer and one of Illi- nois' early pioneers, is a resident of Rose- ville Village, this county, having been born in Mercer Co., Pa., Jan. 13, 1829. His parents were Frederick and Sarah (Harris) Stem, natives respectively of Westmoreland and Fay- ette Counties, Pa. In 1851 they came to the State of Illinois, and located on section 28, this county, where they purchased a 160-acre tract of land and im- mediately began to cultivate and improve the same. Their efforts were fully rewarded, and they had the gratification of seeing their land developed to that high state of excellence which deservedly caused it to take rank among the most valuable in Warren County. They became the parents of 13 children, and died amidst the comforts of their peaceful home- stead.

David Stem, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, remained the companion of his parents until he reached his 25th year, in the meantime assisting in the duties of the farm and alternated his labors thereon by attend- ance at the district schools in the acquirement of an English education. He engaged in farming for him- self in the year 1854, purchased a tract of 80 acres of land and began actively and energetically in the im- provement and cultivation of the same, making his home there for 20 years and interesting himself in general farming. He then purchased, at different times, land in the village of Roseville until he now is the owner of 17 lots, containing 14 acres at the present time being a resident on the same.

Aug. 16, 1854, was the date of one of the most im- portant events in the life of Mr. David Stem, it be- ing his marriage to Miss Sarah Adkinson. She is a native of Kentucky, who came with her parents to Illinois when she was a babe and settled in Warren County. Her parents were Pleasant and Fanny Ad- kinson, and were among the earliest settlers here, drawing the first stick of timber in what is now

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called Monmouth. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stem four children have been born, only two of whom are living-Ida and Patton. The former married William Johnson, a resident of Point Pleasant Town- ship, and a farmer. One daughter-Marilla, blesses their home.

Mr. Stem and his wife are members of the Baptist Church of Roseville village and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party.

R W. McCurdy, a well known and prosper- ous agriculturist, residing on section 20, Roseville Township, was born near Ma- comb, McDonough Co., this State, Oct. 12, 1842, and is the son of James and Hannah (Herring) McCurdy, natives of the Keystone State. On the 16th of July, in the year 1839, Mr .. James McCurdy, the father of the gentleman of this narrative, was united in marriage with his present wife, the mother of R. W. McCurdy. In 1839, they came to Illinois and settled in McDonough County, remaining in the same until 1847, and then moved to Ellison Township, Warren County, and about four years later again removed, this time going to Fulton County. At the latter place the father made a purchase of 80 acres of land, and afterward added to his original acreage by a purchase of a 160 acre tract. Not being perfectly satisfied, he thought he would try another change, and we next find him lo- cated in Roseville Township, Warren County, where he came in 1865. He purchased 120 acres of land located on section 20, and entered energetically and vigorously upon the task of its improvement, and made this his home for ten years, when he moved into Roseville village and retired from the active labors of life.

R. W. McCurdy remained at home until he at- tained the age of 23 years, in the meantime receiving the advantages afforded by the district schools and in his leisure moments assisting his parents in the duties of the farm. After leaving home he rented a farm for two years, it being located about a mile and a half from Roseville village. In 1867, he made a

purchase of an 80-acre tract in Tompkins Township, and upon this he worked hard and arduously for seven years, putting the same in an advanced state of cultivation, when he sold it, and purchased the property where he now resides, being 120 acres. He is engaged in the stock business quite extensively and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation. Besides his present homestead he is the proprietor of 80 acres of land in Ellison Township.

Miss Lydia Pusey, a native of Maryland, and daughter of William and Ann (Watson) Pusey, was the lady chosen by Mr. R. W. McCurdy to be his companion through life. Their married life has been replete with domestic happiness and they are now the proud parents of six children, namely : Louella J., William B., Charles W., Melvin J., Robert R. and Ralph E. Mrs. McCurdy's parents were natives of Delaware and Maryland respectively, and in 1850 the father, Mr. Puscy, came to Cuba, Fulton County, this State, the mother having died in Clear Spring, Maryland, Feb. 6, 1849.

Politically, Mr. McCurdy is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church. Socially, Mr. McCurdy is a member of the Select Knights and the A. O. U. W., and is regarded as a liberal, representative gentleman of Warren County, always willing to help build and improve schools, churches, etc., and lends a helping hand to all worthy objects.

homas A. Weakley, a successful farmer of Lenox Township, residing upon section 13, comes of old Pennsylvania " stock," his parents, James and Priscilla (Foulk) Weakley, having been natives of that State. The elder Weakley died in his native State. His widow, the mother of Mr. Weakley of this notice, came to Warren County to live with her son, Thomas, and died in Lenox Township in 1861. The gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this bio- graphical notice, was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 11, 1826. He received a good education in his native State, the rudimentary portion thereof being attained at the common schools, which was supple- . mented by an attendance at the seminary at Kennet

LINGANY

Games I Gilmore.

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Square, in Chester County, that State. In fact the early life of, Mr. Weakley, prior to his attaining his majority, was passed alternately upon the farm and in attendance at school. He was also engaged in early manhood in the dry-goods business, which he followed for about four years in Cumberland County. Hoping to better his financial condition in life, at least to procure a home for himself and family, in 1854 he came to this county, at first locating in Mon- mouth Township. He lived there for 12 years, fol- lowing the occupation of an agriculturist, when he removed to Lenox Township, where he has resided until the present writing. He owns 125 acres in that township, every acre of which is good tillable land, and in his chosen vocation in life, is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance insure. A view of his home place is shown on page 284.,

Mr. Weakley was united in marriage with Miss Lovinia Kaufman, Sept. 19, 1850. Mrs. W. was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Feb. 18, 1822, and was of highly respected and well-to-do parents of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Weakley have become the parents of seven children, two of whom are de- ceased. The living are: Spangler K., Anna J., Harriet G., Willis F. and Emma L. The deceased are Jane M. and Priscilla F. Anna J. is the wife of Daniel Wonderly, a resident of Henderson County, this State. Harriet G. married Addison Nesbitt and resides in Lenox Township. The remaining chil- dren reside at home. In politics Mr. Weakley is identified with the Democratic party. Mrs. Weakley and their two eldest daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ohn H. Murdock, a retired farmer residing at Berwick, was born in Greene Co., Pa., in 1814. He is a son of John Murdock, who was married to Miss Margaret Hufty, and by her had nine children,-Sarah, Mary, Jane, James, Hofty, Eliza, John H., Daniel and William.

John H. formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Frances Milligan, Nov. 31, 1837. She was born Sept. 15, 1815, in Greene Co., Pa., and has borne

her husband 11 children,-Margaret A., Sept. 3, 1838; Jonas, July 22, 1840 ; Daniel, Aug. 21, 1842 ; John, May 11, 1844 ; Mary J., Jan. 29, 1846; George, June 26, 1848; Permelia, Dec. 26, 1850; Hiram, March 21, 1853; Allen, June 26, 1855 ; Armina B., June 3, 1858; Joseph E., Feb. 2, 1863. Six of the children named are yet living. Mrs. Murdock's father was born in 1776, by name John Milligan, and died in 1846.

Mr. Murdock has an acre of ground within the corporate limits of the village of Berwick, upon which is a good dwelling, where he resides retired from the active labors of life. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, as are likewise all his children except one. Mr. Murdock, although a gentleman not seeking office, has held some of the minor offices of his township, among which are Road Commis- sioner and School Director.

ames T. Gilmore, who was one of the earliest pioneers of Warren County, and one of the very few yet living who came as early as 1833, is the third son of Col. Robert and Maria (Pilgrim) Gilmore. He is in every sense a pioneer of the county, arriving here June 13, 1833, and here he was reared and was edu- cated and has since lived. He was born in Jeffer- son Co., Ohio, June 5, 1823. His father was born in Chester Co., Pa., Feb. 2, 1783, and grew to man- hood in his native county. He learned the trade of a tanner, serving an apprenticeship after he was 21 years of age. After acquiring an understanding of his business, he went to Ohio, and there embarked in the tannery business extensively, especially for that period. He located at Cross Creek, in Jefferson County, and carried on the business until the out- break of the second war with Great Britain. He then enlisted and was made a Colonel of a regiment. He served under Harrison and was one of his staff officers. He was in the military service as long as there was any need of his assistance, and after the close of the contest he returned to his business. He was also the owner of a farm, which he put into the management of a renter. In 1833, he sold all his interests in the Buckeye State and started for Illi-

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nois. His family then consisted of himself, his wife and nine children. They traveled on the rivers, which at that period were the principal means of transfer to the West. One member of the family was stricken with the cholera, which was prevalent in that year, but the attack did not prove fatal.

They landed at Oquawka on the 13th of June, a day made memorable by the trial of the Indians who murdered William Martin the previous year. The eldest son of the family, Ephraim, started for Warren County on foot, and obtained a team, which con- sisted of three yokes of oxen and a wagon, and with its aid the family and household belongings were transported to Warren County. The father took a claim on section 25 of township 12, range 2, or what is now Spring Grove Township. He held his claim until the land came into market, when he made the customary effort to " prove up;" but failing to do so and to secure a clear title, he sold his right, and later bought the southwest quarter of section 24, in the same township. While on . the first clain he built a log house of a good type, then called a double house. It was covered with split clapboards and had a puncheon floor. The chimney was built on the outside of the dwelling and was made of dirt and sticks. After buying the second place, he built a similar structure upon that, and made shingles for the roof and puncheon for the floor. He fenced and otherwise improved more than half the land of the claim and built a stable and a corn-crib. He was a resident on that place until his death, which occurred July 9, 1857. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Collins, who became the mother of six children, as follows: Ephraim, John, Ara- bella, Ann, Joseph C., and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Gilmore died about the year 1821 or 1822. Col. Gilmore's second wife was Maria Pilgrim, and the record of their children is as follows : The eld- est two died in infancy, James T. (our subject), then Thomas, Elizabeth C., Lawrence H., Rachel, George W., Benjamin Franklin and Robert, making 16 chil- dren born to Col. Gilmore. His second wife was born in Germany and came to America in her child- hood. She died Aug. 20, 1840. Ephraim was for many years a resident of Mercer County, and was the first County Clerk of that county, and also County Surveyor for eight or ten years. He after- wards started into the banking business. In 1883 he went to Paoli, Kan. John died in Ohio; Arabella

married Theodore Jennings and they live in Ford Co, Ill .; Ann is the wife of John Ritchie, of Har- rison Co, Ohio; Joseph G. lives in Aledo, Mercer County; James T. and Thomas are the next in order of birth; Elizabeth C. married Sidney Lafferty, of Mercer County; Lawrence H .; Rachel is the wife of John Armstrong, of the same township of which her parents were pioneers ; B. Franklin resides in Hopkins, Mo .; Robert died in Kansas

Mr. Gilmore of this sketch was ten years old when he came with his parents to Illinois, and he grew to the estate of manhood in Warren County. He was reared under all the influences of the pioneer period and was a pupil in the pioneer log school-house. At the age of 25 he commenced his life as an independent man of business, and pur- chased the farm on which he now lives. It had been improved to some extent and included a double log house, a stable and 30 acres of broken farming land. There were 410 acres that had rot been un- der the plow, and the new proprietor inade all possible haste to render his property a profitable in- vestment. He erected a good class of buildings, which are a credit and an ornanient to the farm, and of which a view is given in these pages. Mr. Gilmore is the owner of 330 acres in Warren County and 160 acres in Mercer County. The entire amount of land is in cultivation.

Oct. 26, 1848, his marriage to Mary C. Lair was was celebrated. She was born in Warren Co., Ky., Oct. 29. 1827. She was the daughter of William and Sarah (Wallace) Lair. Her father was a native of Warren Co., Ky., and is said to have been the first white child born in that county. The date of his birth was April 3. 1796. His parents were con- sequently among the earliest pioneers of Ken- tucky. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Gilmore, was also a native of Warren Co., Ky. She was born May 8, 1808, and is of Scotch-Irish parentage. Her husband was of German descent. They were mar- ried in 1826, and removed to Illinois in 1832, and settled on a tract of land now embraced in Kelly Township, this county, where they improved a farm and lived respected and honored members of society. They had born to them a family of 13 children, six of whom are yet living. Mr. Lair died April 7, 187 3. Politically, he was a Democrat, and in his religious connections was a member of the Christian Church. His widow. survives him, and resides with her son

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WARREN COUNTY.

William M., on the old homestead on section 30, Kelly Township, and is also a devoted member of the Christian Church.

Of the five children of whom Mr. and Mrs. Gil- more became the parents, three are now living : Anna is married to John M. Irey, of Spring Grove Township; Ella is the wife of Oliver Stoner : they reside in Mercer County; George W. (married to Mary A. McKelvey) is assisting his father in work- ing the home farm. The mother died March 3, .183r. March 23, 1882, Mr. Gilmore was married to Susan, widow of George Leonard. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was there married to her first husband Feb. 21, 1850. In 1855, they came to Spring Grove/Township, where, in March, 1861, Mr. Leonard died. She had eight children by her first husband, six of whom are still living. Silas is a resident of this township; Bertie resides in Alexis ; Stewart is a citizen of Monmouth ; Ida; Alice lives in Stephenson Co., D. T .; Mary is the youngest.

Mr. Gilmore is a Democrat in political persuasion, and both himself and wife are members of the Chris- tian Church. He is looked upon by his many friends as being one of the best men who ever honored War- ren County with their presence.

A portrait of Mr. Gilmore is exhibited on page 290.

oseph Martin, ex-President of the First National Bank at Monmouth, a gentleman of more than ordinary business ability, re- tired from the active labors of life on a compe- tency acquired by individual effort and good judgment, coupled with economy and perse- verance, resides on section 28, Monmouth Township, near the limits of the city of that name. He was born in the North of Ireland, Aug. 15, 1816, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction His father, William Mar- tin, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and resided there until his death, engaged in the vocation of farming. His death occurred about 1845. His wife, Mary Forbes, was born in the North of Ireland and was likewise of Scotch- Irish extraction, and also died in her native country.

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was

next to the youngest in order of birth of a family of six children, ard he and a brother, James, (who is re- siding in Page County, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming and cattle raising) are the only survivors. Joseph Martin resided with his parents on his native Isle until he reached the age of 19 years, when he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Groves, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Groves. Soon after they were weded, they crossed the briny waters and located in the United States, the date thereof being 1834. His first location was in New Castle, Law- rance Co., Pa., where after residing for a short time, he moved to Mercer Co., Pa., where he purchased land and for 12 years followed agricultural pursuits. Leaving Pennsylvania he came to Galena, this State, and in the neighborhood of that place purchased 200 acres of land, which had been partly worked for lead. He re-opened the mines and succeeded in striking an exceedingly rich vein, which yielded him about $25,000. He continued to operate his mines in that vicinity for about nine years, until 1860, when, in the fall, he came to this county and purchased 160 acres of partly improved land, in Tompkins Township, where he operated only a short time; then rented his land and moved to Monmouth with a view to educating his children. He afterward sold his farm in Tompkins township and purchased other property and cleared $8,000. His success as a speculator has been more than ordinary. In the fall of 1863, he with others, established the First National Bank at Monmouth, with a capital of $50,000, which was later increased to $75,000. The institution at times represented a capital of $500,000, and was doing a good and increasing business until its recent failure. Mr. Martin was a stock holder for about 20 years, and was elected President of the institution some- time previous to its failure, but no word of censure has ever been heard against Mr. Martin on account of the disaster to the bank, it being too well known by every depositor and by the citizens of Warren County, who was the cause of its failure. Mr. Mar- tin has been actively engaged in many financial op- erations, and at present is the proprietor of a 200 acre farm in Page Co., Iowa, which is under an ad- vanced state of cultivation. He owns 22 acres on which he at present resides, and also a large brick store-house, of which the Y. M. C. A. occupy the second story.

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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 25

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

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