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 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
304
WARREN COUNTY.
July 3, 1860, died Aug. II, following, and Lena Leota is, at this writing, November, 1885, the ac- complished companion of her mother.
Mr. Wood was a self-made man, and during his life enjoyed the merited respect and esteem of his neighbors. He was a Republican in politics and a member of no Church or secret Order. He was three times elected Mayor of Monmouth, and also held the office of Township Assessor for several years. For many years before his death, he had been engaged in no particular business, and on his ' demise he left his family a handsome competency. A portrait of Mr. Wood will be found on another page of this work.
ip-
G harles S. Colver, M. D., has been a medical practitioner in Warren County since 1853. He was educated primarily in the common schools of the county in Ohio, where he was born, and at the age of 19 he commenced the study of medicine at Middle- bury, in Logan County, under the instructions of Dr. Walker. Later, he read under the advice of Dr. Davenport, of Woodstock, in Union County. When he was thoroughly grounded in the course of his reading, he repaired to the college at Cincinnati, and at a later date he attended lectures at Starling Medi- cal College in Columbus, Ohio. He was graduated from the latter institution with the degree of M. D. in the same year in which he came to Warren County. A few months prior to finishing his studies at Starling he operated as a physician in Montgomery County, and he went thence to New California, in Union County, where he was engaged at the time he completed his collegiate course. He started for Illi- nois immediately after his graduation. He brought his family with him as far as Hennepin, on the Illi- nois River, whence he came to Little York with a team to decide for himself as to the feasibility of the place for his business. He also made examination of other localities and desided on Little York as a suit- able place for his purpose. He brought his house- hold to that point and it has since been his field of operation. Three years after his removal hither he bought a piece of wild prairie in Mercer County situated eight miles from Little York and his family
removed to it. The doctor continued his practice and hired laborers to effect the work of improvement on his land. After a residence there of about a de- cade he sold out and removed to the farm he now occupies on the northeast quarter of section 20. He has rebuilt the house which was on the place, erected a barn and otherwise improved the farm.
Hadassah Hamilton became his wife in 1848. She is a native of Greene Co., Ohio. She was the daugh- ter of Robert and Hadassah (Gillispie) Hamilton. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish origin. The grand- parents came to this country about 1770 and settled in Pennsylvania. They moved from the above State. in 1812, and settled near Xenia, Ohio. Mrs. C. was born March 11, 1825, she being the oldest of four children born to her parents, viz .: Hadassah T., Hannah M., Mary J. and James G. Two are de- ceased, Hannah M. and Mary J. Dr. and Mrs. Colver have had the following children: Rosa, their first-born, died when about 18 months old; Robert O., married Miss Bessie Watt, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and now resides in Sedgwick Co., Kan .; Mark S. married Jennie Brownlee, a native of Warren County, and lives in Georgetown, Col., and have one child-Pearlie; Charles B. married Mrs .- Libbie Smythe, a native of New York, and they have one child-Hadassah, named after its grandmother. They are now living in Edwards Co., Kan .; Olive, born July 25, 1853, died Sept. 14, 1885 ; Abi H. and Merle D. are the youngest children, and reside at home. The various members of the family of Dr. Colver are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Dr. C. is a believer in and supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.
3-
li C. Johnston, general farmer and stock- grower on section 36, Ellison Township, was born in Daviess Co., Ind., Sept. 20, 1830. The family traditions give the following facts concerning the remote account known to any of the family at present : They are Scotch- Irish descent. John Johnston, a soldier in the Innes- killen Regiment, in the army of William the Third in the battle of Boyne, married Jane Potter about 1692, . and settled as a farmer near the town of Straban, County Tyrone, Ireland. The names of two of their
395
WARREN COUNTY.
children were Christopher and James. Both were born in County Tyrone, Ireland. Christopher came to America some time during the first half of the 18th century and settled in Lancaster Co., Pa .; the other brother, James, remained in Ireland with his parents, who lived to a great age. He, after their de- cease, when about 50 years old, married Rebecca Barnhill. She became the mother of five children known to the family, namely : Christopher, John, Edward, Elizabeth and Jane. The former was a soldier at the battle of Brandywine, afterwards went to Kentucky and was killed by the Indians at Estill's defeat. Jonn went to Georgia and since that eventful time has not been heard of. Elizabeth married William Frame and lived in Pittsburg, Pa., Jane married William Barnhill, who resided some time in Kentucky, and afterward went to Lawrence Co., Ind., where they both died. Edward was born in 1776 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and was about seven years old when he came to America with his father in 1783.
His father died about 1791, and after his death and the settlement of the estate, Edward went to Pitts- burg, Pa., and from there to Kentucky. He was en- gaged in two or three campaigns against the Indians and during the same, marched through the State of Indiana when it was a wild wilderness, full of game of all descriptions. He, Edward, married Jane Miller and in 1797 purchased 200 acres of land, on which he resided until 180t, when he removed to Clark Co., Ind. In 1817, he left that county and went to Lawrence County, same State, where he died in May, 1834. His wife, Jane Miller, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1762, and died in Law- rence Co , Ind., in December, 1833. Their married life lasted for 40 years, and during the time they were man and wife they passed through many hard- ships and privations, common to pioneer life. Of the children born to Edward Johnston, Christopher, the father of the subject of this article, died at Paducah, Ky., while running a flat-boat down the Mississippi River. Christopher married Miss Sarah Dixon, daughter Eli and Rebecca Dixon. She was born in Olio.
Eli C. Johnston, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography, was the youngest child of his parents' family, and is the only survivor. His father died of cholera in Kentucky, as stated, and was buried at Paducah, same State. He was a
pioneer in Lawrence Co., Ind., and by occupation was a flat-boatman on the Mississippi, White and Wabash Rivers. Mr. Johnston, of this notice, was but three years old at the date of his father's demise, and soon thereafter his mother, accompanied by two children, went to Greene Co, Ind., where they located near Worthington. Mr. Johnston continued to reside with his mother until her death, which occurred when he was seven years old. He after- wards lived with and was reared by relatives, with whom he remained until 1860, when he came to this State.
Previous to coming here, Nov. 26, 1857, in Greene County, his native State, he was married to Miss Amanda, danghter of John C. and Charena (Alford) . Andrews, natives of Tennessee. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and was born in Lawrence Co., Tenn., where Mrs. Johnston, wife of the subject of this notice, was born, May 19, 1839. She was four years old when her parents moved to Greene Co., Ind., where they resided until their death, that of the mother occurring in May, 1860, in her 46th year, and that of the father in 1864, when he was 52 years of age. Mrs. Johnston was the oldest but one of her parents' family, which consisted of three sons and three daughters. She was educated at Broom- field College, and resided with her parent, following the vocation of teaching and assisting the mother in the household duties until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have become the parents of five children. Edward C. married Miss Ora Ad- kinson, daughter of William and Lucinda Adkinson, and they reside in Point Pleasant , Township, where he is engaged in farming; William D. married Ida Stem, daughter of David and Sarah Stem, and he is also a farmer of Point Pleasant Township; Blanche C., Minnie and Estella reside at home.
In the fall of 1860 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston came to this State and were for a few months residents at Roseville. Mr. Johnston then rented land in Point Pleasant Township, which he cultivated for two years. In 1863 he purchased 80 acres of partly im- proved land, the same being on section 36, Ellison Township. He and his family at once located there- on, and he began the improvement which developed into the fine farm of 220 acres, on which they are now residing. By energetic labor and united efforts on the part of his wife and children, and economy, Mr. J. has been enabled to increase his landed pos-
-
306
WARREN COUNTY.
sessions in the county until he is at present the pro- prietor 860 acres, all- in a body and all of it in an advanced state of cultivation. He has a good resi- dence on his land, together with substantial out- buildings, and after having passed through the trials of the past he is now enjoying the comforts of life. Since the fall of 1860, Mr. Johnston has not seen the · shining light of day. The toils of life and exposure brought on a cold, which was followed by acute in- flammation, and resulted in totally destroying his sight, and he is now deprived of that greatest of blessings to man. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which denom- . ination Mr. Johnston is an Elder, and has held that position for the past two years. Mrs. Johnston is a consistent Christian, a kind mother and a loving wife. The care she bestows on her blind husband needs no mention in this book,.neither does she desire the encomiums of friends for the performance of a loving duty in taking care of him to whom, 28 years ago, she gave her heart and hand, and we can but say, "well done, thou good and faithful seryant." Politically, Mr. J. is a Democrat.
Ifred Hayes. There lives on section 19, of Roseville Township, Alfred Hayes, who has retired from the active labors of farın life, in which occupation he was successful. He is a native of New York and was born in Cortland County, March 23, 1820. George and Sally (Roberts) Hayes, his parents, were natives of Connecticut, and were farmers by occupation. They had a family of six children, all reaching a mature life, Alfred being the youngest. The names of the others were: Oliver, Sally, Samantha and George W. The three sons are the only mem- bers of the family living.
Alfred received a good common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until he was 24 years of age, when he left home and worked out by the month for 23 years. He came to Illinois, in June, 1857, and stopped in Berwick Township, this county, where he worked until 1859. He then rented a farm in Berwick Township, consisting of 160 acres. He continued to rent and work out until 1863, when he purchased the 171 acres where he
is now living. Here he made all of the improve- ments, erecting a fine dwelling, at a cost of $3,350, and a good barn costing $1,200. He also set out trees and beautified his place in various way, and is now regarded as one of the solid and substantial men of the township. Politically, he is a Republi- can.
Mr. Hayes was married March 19, 1863, to Miss Melissa Hall, a native of Maine and a daughter of Lewis S. Hall. She was born Feb. 13, 1836. Her parents came West in 1855, and her mother died here.
enry C. Giddings, a successful farmer of Warren County, residing on section 28, Floyd Township, was born in Erie Co., Pa., March 20, 1846, and canie to this State with his parents in February, 1855. Moses Gida dings, father of Henry, was born in Lancaster Co., N. H., Nov. 19, 1801, and died at the old home- stead, where Henry now resides, May 7, 1881.
The father of Henry was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Stafford, in 1830. She was born in 1817, in Erie Co., Pa., and died May 11, 1876, in Warren County. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal 'Church. Of their anion 13 children were born: Jesse, Sebastian C., Hannah, Semantha, Eben W., Silas, John W., Marion, Thomas, Henry C., George W., Harriet A. and one who died in infancy. Jesse and Marion are now also deceased.
The subject of this notice formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Ophelia E. Wagner, Nov. 15, 1866. She was born Jan. 11, 1845, in New York, 1 her parents being Henry and Esther (Sherman), Wagoner. Her father was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and came to this State in 1851, locating in this county, where he died June 19, 1881. He was mar- ried to Esther Sherman in 1833, who was born Dec. 29, 1812, in Vermont, and died Jan. 20, 1873, in this county. Of their union seven children were born,- Charles W., Mary S., Anna R., James S., Ophelia E., Fannie A. and J. E.
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman had one child-Cyrus Sherman, born Aug. 23, 1867, and which died in in-
١
LINGAPY (i. THE UNIVERS!I WILLINVIS
.
TENANT HOUSE SEC . 24 ELLISON TP.
NEW HOUSE SEC. 23 ELLISON TP.
PROBERTY ON SEC. 26 ELLISON TP.
.......
RESIDENCE OF W. R. RAYBURN . SEC. 36 ELLISON TP.
309
· WARREN COUNTY.
fancy. Mr. Giddings is the owner of 190 acres of good farm land, which constitutes one of the model farms of Floyd Township. On the place is a good residence 35 X 40 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, and also a good barn 40 X 40 feet. He has a fine imported Clydesdale, eight years old, weighing 2,000 pounds, named King Cole. He is also engaged in breeding thoroughbred Herefords, and high grade Short-horns, having III head of the latter on hand.
Mrs. Giddings is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. G. is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party.
illiam R. Rayburn, one of Warren County's most prominent well-to-do and respected farmers, and a resident of sec- tion 36, Ellison Township, was born near Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Ky., Oct. 18, 1822. His father, George Rayburn, a farmer and native of the same State, was a son of an old Kentucky family who settled there in its early history. He was first married in Montgomery County to Miss White, who died a few years later without issue. After the death of his wife, George Rayburn went into Ripley Co., Ind., where he was again married to Susan Shafer, a native of Virginia, and daughter of farmer and old soldier of the Revo- lutionary War, having enlisted when only 16 years of sge. After marriage, Mr. Rayburn returned to Montgomery County, settling near Mt. Sterling (the county seat) and while residing there the subject of our memoir was born. When but an infant his parents again returned to Ripley Co., Ind., and located upon a farm where William R. was reared, educated and resided until his marriage. His pa- rents died there some years after his marriage.
-
The date of the marriage of William R. Rayburn with Miss Sarah Roberts, daughter of John and Jane (Salyers) Roberts, natives of Kentucky, took place Nov. 17, 1854, in Jefferson Co., Ind., where her pa- rents had moved some time previous. Her parents were very early settlers in Southern Indiana. Her father was a farmer by occupation and had procured Government land at an early date in that State.
They both died there. Mrs. Rayburn remained -at home until her marriage, receiving the advantages afforded by the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of seven children, three of whom are deceased. The living are: 'George W, Frank S., John R. and Charles C .; Ida J., Willie and Eddie are deceased.
About 18 months after marriage, Mr. Rayburn came to Warren County, and the same year, April, 1855, purchased a tax title to 160 acres of unbroken land, on section 36, of Ellison Township. He had some friends here and was attracted by the rich prairies of Illinois, a sight of them convinced him that they were superior for farming purposes to the tender land of Indina. He located on his land, engaged in its improvement, and by laborious toil and economy has added thereto until he is at present the proprie- tor of 560 acres in Ellison Township, the major portion of which is under an advanced state of culti- vation. His farm is one of the best in the township, and his residence, barn and outbuildings are sub- stantial, as the view of the same, which appears in this work, fully demonstrates. Mr. R., in addition to his farm duties and the cultivation of his land, de- votes considerable of his time to the raising of stock, and feeds a large number of cattle and hogs. His wife is an active member in the Baptist Church.' Politically, Mr. Rayburn is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. Although a gentleman not seeking office he has held the position of Supervisor of his township for two years.
eorge W. Beckner, a successful farmer, owning 240 acres of land on section 32, Swan Township, is a native of Bath Co., Ky., where he was born Jan. 13, 1825. The father of the subject of this notice, A. L. Beck- ner, was also a native of Kentucky, having been born in Fleming County, in 1805.
The father moved to Lewis Co., Mo., in 1851, where he spent the remainder of his days and where he died, in September, 1854. He married Miss Eliza- beth Kinkaid in 1822. She was born in Kentucky, in 1806, and died in March, 1856, and was laid to
310
WARRENCOUNTY.
rest in Bond Cemetery, just south of Greenbush, this county. She was of Irish ancestry and bore her husband 11 children, five of whom survive,-George W., born in 1825; Mary A., in 1827; Joanna M., in 1831; Peter T,, in 1845, and H. C., in 1850.
George W., of whom this notice treats, married Miss Deborah Van Kirk, March 7, 1848. She was born Aug. 11, 1826, the issue of their union being 11 children. The living are: Miranda, born May 16, 1849; Robert P., May 7, 1852 ; George, Feb. 25, 1865 ; Susan J., Aug. 31, 1867, and Hattie G., Aug. 17, 1869. The deceased are Mathias, Abraham, An- drew S., Kansadia, Amelia A. and Mary C., all of whom died in infancy. Miranda is the wife W. H. King, to whom she was married Oct. 7, 1869. They are residents of Swan Creek village, and have six children-George T., Iba, William, Albert, John and Hattie. Robert is a farmer in Swan Township, and married Donazett Vandiveer. They have two chil- dren-Lovinia and Virge. George resides in Brown Co., Kan. Susan and Hattie are at home.
The parents of Mrs. Beckner were Mathias and Elizabeth (Wilson) Van Kirk. Her father was born in 1796, in Kentucky, and there died in 1846. Her mother was born in 1802, in Kentucky, and died May 27, 1882, in McDonough Co., Ill. Her remains rest in peace in Bond Cemetery, near Greenbush, this county. Of her parents' union 16 children were born, nine of whom are yet living, namely: John, Henry, Nancy, Deborah, Adelia, Mary K., Ann Eliza and Millie T. Of the children named, John married Johanna Beckner, in 1854; Nancy became the wife of Samuel Painter, in 1844, and Mary, the wifc of Jacob Kines, in 1849; Adelia, the wife of Henry Stoner, in 1879; Ann Eliza, the wife of W. A. Perry, in 1856; and Millie, the wife of Wm. Tracy. Nancy and Mary are living in Kansas. The others are living in Warren and McDonough Counties, this State.
Mr. Beckner and his family are pleasantly situated on their handsome 240-acre farin, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation, and since his coming to this State, in 1851, he has continued to follow the vocation in which he is engaged. His first investment in landed property was in 1852, the year he settled in Warren County. It comprised 160 acres (unimproved). In 1873 he purchased 80 acres which were broken and somewhat improved. These
240 acres now constitute the homestead upon which he expects to remain the balance of his years in this life.
Mr. Beckner belongs to the Order of Masonry, of which organization he has been a member since 1866, and at the present holds fellowship with Lodge No. 387, Youngstown, Ill. He has been Secretary of said Lodge for the last 12 years. He has held the office of Township Supervisor three years, Jus- tice of the Peace 15 years, Assessor 15 years, School Trustee, 18 years. He and his wife are member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Beckner votes with and endorses the principles advocated by the Democratic party.
uther B. Perry, proprietor of 80 acres of land, located on section 30, Swan Town- ship, where he resides, engaged in its cul- ? tivation and improvement, was born May 25, 1841, in this county. His father, J. C. Perry, was born in Vermont in 1801 ; came to this State in 1840, and located in the vicinity Olena, Ill .; lived there one year, when he moved to Swan Township, and there resided until his death, which took place Feb. 19, 1881. The father married . a Miss Phebe M. Dodge, in 1823. She was born in 1807, and died Sept. 6, 1885, in this county. They were the parents of nine children: Elias C. (de- ceased), born Dec. 14, 1824; Melissa M., Feb. 18, 1827; Cordelia O., July 29, 1829; Melvina J. March 12, 1832; Alanson W., Jan. 14, 1834; Mary O., May 24, 1836; Luther B., May 25, 1841; Lorane E. (deceased), Oct. 11, 1844, and Lyman (deceased), March 29, 1849.
Luther B. Pcrry was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Lybarger, July 4, 1872, Judge Nicholas, of Macomb, this State, officiating. Mrs. Luther B. Perry was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1854, and bore her husband four children, three of whom are living, namely: Mina J., born April 9, 1873; Orville L., Dec. 27, 1875; Iva M., Dec. 9, 1878; Rosa D., born May 31, 1884; died Aug. 4, 1885.
The father of Mrs. Perry, Joseph Lybarger, was born in 1807, and died near Marietta, Fulton County, this State, in October, 1879. His wife, Joanna (Ewing) Lybarger, with whom he was united in 1834, died
311
WARREN COUNTY.
Aug. 8, 1885. They were the parents of 11 chil- dren, nine living and two dead, namely : Louis A., born June 24, 1834; Elizabeth F., Feb. 4, 1837; Lilburn W., Dec. 23, 1839; Milton C., June 28, 1842; George H. (deceased), July 23, 1845; Joseph D. (deceased), Oct. 20, 1847; James A., Feb. 1, 1850; Mary A., March 22, 1352; Sarah J., Nov. 20, 1854; Hester E., Dec. 15, 1858, and John R., Oct. 15, 1861.
Mr. Perry is pleasantly located on 80 acres of good farm land, situated on section 30, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. In politics, he votes and endorses the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He is a consistant member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
homas J. Morris, owning more than 400 acres of excellent farm land in Roseville Township, and one of the pushing farmers, as well as a gentleman of more than ordinary business ability, residing on section 12, was_ born in Greene Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1825. The parents of Mr. Morris, Levi and Lucretia (Stephens) Morris, were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jer- sey respectively, and were " old settlers " of the Key- stone State. His father was quite an extensive farmer in that State, and of his marriage 11 children were born, all of whom lived to attain the age of manhood and womanhood. Their names were Mar- garet, Hannah, Louisa, Josephus, Jefferson and Wash- ington (twins), Franklin, Thomas J., James B., Al- pheus and Lucretia .. The twree eldest girls are de- ceased, as are also Jefferson and Alfred. They all left families. The remaind'er are living, married and have families, and all reside in Pennsylvania. Two are engaged in mercantile pursuits, Washington and Franklin, and the others are farmers.
The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice remained at home until he was 35 years old, but since attaining his majority has been doing for himself. He came to this State in the spring of 1865, where he rented a farm on shares, the same adjoining the one on which he is at present residing. He continued to cultivate the rented farm for ten years, until 1875, when he purchased the
place where he is at present living. He is to day the proprietor of a little more than 400 acres of land, and follows the vocation of farming and stock-rais- ing.
The lady to whom Mr. Morris was united in mar- riage on Feb. 22, 1866, was Miss Sarah Way, the accomplished daughter of Gideon Way, of Monon- galia Co., W. Va, where Mrs. Morris was born. She has borne her husband three children,-Charles W., Ella J, and William I. In his politics, Mr. Morris always votes with the Republican party. He has held different offices within the gift of the people of his township, and is a gentleman whose bond is ac- cepted no quicker than his word in the transactions of business. His success is indicative of that push, pluck and good judgment of which he is characteris- tic. The great grandfather of Mr. Morris, on his father's side, Mr. Corbry, was a Baptist preacher and lived in Western Pennsylvania. While on his way with his family to deliver a sermon, they were at- tacked by Indians and three of the children killed. One of the girls of the family hid in a tree-top, and, supposing the Indians had left, raised her head to look around, when one of the red devils saw her and threw his tomahawk at her head, taking off her her scalp. They left her for dead, but she survived, came to herself and lived to become the mother of a family. Mrs. Morris is a member of the Baptist Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.