Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 30

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 30

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).

Of Mr. Patterson's father's family there survive him his only brother, Edwin Patterson, and Mrs. R. N. Allen, of Monmouth, and Mrs. S. S. Phelps, Mrs. Dr. Park, Mrs. Asa Smith, of Oquawka, all of whom were present at the funeral except Mrs. Phelps.

The large throng who were present at the funeral from the town and county and from neighboring places, who met around his coffin to pay their last tribute of love and homage to his memory, but feebly express the veneration in which Azro Patterson was held in this community, where he had spent the prime of his manhood, and had accomplished so much good. His whole life, his noble deeds, are a model for young men, particularly in humble circum- stances, to pattern after and emulate.

In the proper adjustment of estates, in the settle- ment of differences between man and man, and " pulling men through," as it were, who had become cramped and unfortunate in business transactions, he perhaps did more than any other man in the county. His sound judgment and advice was sought by many, yea, scores of men in Monmouth and through- out the county, in their hours of misfortune and trouble, and they never failed of his tender sympathy, his generous heart, his open hand.

He was ever the steadfast friend of the unfortun- ate, the poor and the needy, and to him they went as to a father. He visited the widow and the father- less in their afflictions, he fed the hungry, he clothed the naked, he bound up the wounds of the broken- hearted and disconsolate, he buried the dead, he ac- complished all the good for his fellowmen that he could-what more could mortal man do?

He was very decided in his political and religious views, and entertained them honestly and fearlessly, and though others differed with him on these mat- ters, they honored him for the steadfastness with which he clung to what he thought was right.

In his death this community has suffered a loss that connot be supplied. As a citizen he was inter- ested. in all public affairs, and brought to their con- sideration an intelligence, coupled with a judgment of such native accuracy, as rarely permitted the pos- sibility of error. As a business man his character was integrity itself, and to himself, and to all who knew him, his word was as good as his bond. In matters of public spirit, his heart and purse were open and generous, and enterprises of worth and character never sought his aid in vain. As a bene- factor of the poor and distressed, his reputation is enviable indeed, as many who received his assistance will rejoice to remember.' Not a few who thought . their business affairs hopelessly entangled, and them- selves and families ruined, sought and received his aid, and through his rare business qualities found themselves relieved from embarassment, and the possessors still of home and shelter. All these things he did from pure, charitable motives, and not for re- muneration. As a friend he was true as the needle to the pole; generous, unselfish and abiding. As a husband and father, he was as affectionate and ten- der as a child, and will be missed from his pleasant home beyond words to express.

Mr. Patterson began life a poor boy, but long be-

330

WARREN COUNTY.

fore his death, he was able to retire from active business with a handsome and fixed income. His parents, Lewis P. and Lucy (Bushnell) Patterson de- scended respectively from Irish and Scotch ancestry.' His early education was limited to such as could be acquired at the common schools of his day, but he suffered not from that account. Those who knew him in his mature manhood knew him as an educat- ed man, for from the variety of his opportunity and experience he had learned much.

aul Brent, owning 200 acres of land on section 8, Ellison Township, and one of the successful farmers as well as respected and honored citizens of Warren County, is a native of Virginia, having been born in Lancaster Co., that State, June 5, 1831. The father of Mr. Brent of this notice, Kenner Brent, Sr., was a native of Virginia, where he was engaged in farming, and where he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brent, also a native Virginian. They came West in 1836, and settled in Ellison Township, this county, when the same was in its natural condition and the hand of civilization was hardly visible. He nevertheless procured some land on which he located and at once set about breaking and improving the same, and at one time owned more than 400 acres. He continued to reside in Ellison Township, follow- ing his chosen vocation, until Nov. 27, 1878, when he passed to the land of the hereafter. His wife had preceded him, in 1854.

Paul Brent, the gentleman of whom we write, is one of 14 children born to his parents. He resided with them until his marriage, which occurred in Monmouth, this county, Aug. 13, 1857. The lady who became his wife was Miss Phebe Moore, daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Cleckner) Moore, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was a carpen- ter by trade.

Mrs. Brent was born Oct. 9, 1836, in Ohio, to which State her parents had moved soon after their marriage. They came West in 1842, to Ellison Township, this county, where, a few weeks after ar- rival (Dec. 28, 1842), her father died. Her mother

was a second time married, the name of her hus- band being John Brown, a native of South Carolina, and an uncle of Gen. Burnside. Her step-father and mother lived in Ellison Township until their death, Mrs. Brent, wife of the subject of this notice, living with them. Mr. and Mrs. Brent have become the parents of 12 children, seven of whom are liv- ing. The living are: Ida A., Vesper M., Elias G., Eva G., Jessie C., Paul, Jr. and Harry. The names of the deceased are: Orco E., Marvin M., David L., Minnie and Edwin.

After Mr. and Mrs. Brent were married, they set- tled on a farm of 40 acres of raw prairie land, and by their united labors and economy, they have increased their landed possessions in Ellison Township until they at present own 200 acres of well improved land and ten acres of timber. They are living on their farm, enjoying the sweets of life after having tasted of the bitter during their years of toil in the past. Mr. Brent also devotes considerable of his time to the raising of stock, Poland China hogs and Short- horn cattle. He and his wife, together with some of his children, are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics, Mr. B. casts his vote with the Republican party.

-c -

amuel E. Grooms, a resident of this county since 1855, and the proprietor of 280 acres of as good tillable land as can be found in Lenox Township, where, on section 20, he re- sides, is a son of Brice and Margaret (Jack- son) Grooms, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents died in their native State and the children born of their union were seven in number, namely : Hamilton, Mary M., Samuel E., Martha A., Leroy W., Elizabeth and William H.

Samuel E. Grooms, whose name heads this bio- graphical notice, was born in Greene Co., Pa., July 7, 1835, where he lived until about 20 years of age, in the meantime attending school in the acquisition of an English education and assisting his father on the farm. In the year 1855, Samuel E. came to Warren County, and later, in 1864, removed to Lenox Township, where he has since resided, mak-

LiPsASY UNIVERSIT WILLINGER

RESIDENCE ON SEC. 8.

OLDHOMESTEAD ON SEC. 4

FARM PROPERTY OF D. J. SHAW, SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

1881

RESIDENCE OF J. T. PORTER, SEC. 26., SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP

333

WARREN COUNTY.

ing the same his permanent home. His farm of 280 acres, as stated above, has all been put under excel- ent cultivation, through his energy and industry, and he has erected all the necessary farm buildings thereon, which, in all, presents the appearance of thrift and energy.

Samuel E. Grooms was married to Catherine J. Miller, daughter of Henry and May Miller, on the 9th of October, 1859, the ceremony taking place in Berwick Township. Her parents were natives of Virginia and came to Warren County in 1856, re- siding there until the spring of 1885, when they re- moved to Nebraska. Of their union were born ten children,' the following being their names: George S., Catherine J., James C., Elizabeth H., Henry I., Hiram C., Mary C., John W., Peach S. and Martha V. Catherine J., our subject's " better half," was born in West Virginia, Feb. 5, 1838, and with her husband has become the parent of three children,- Leroy L., Mary A. and William H. Mary A. is the wife of Perry D. White and resides in Lenox Town- ship, having one child,-Lottie M .; Leroy and Will- iam reside at home. Mr. Grooms has been School Director in his township, and with his wife belongs to the United Brethren Church. Politically, his affiliations are with the Republican party.

oshua Porter, now deceased, was a pioneer of Warren County of 1835. He was born in Athens, Windham Co., Vt., in 1803. He was the son of a farmer and passed his youth and grew to manhood in the county where he was born. The years of his boy- hood were spent in the school-room and aiding in the labors of the farm.

He was married there to Mary Tinkham, Dec. 10, 1831, who was also a native of the same county. Mr. Porter, after his marriage, returned, to the State of New York, locating near Schenectady, where he lived until the year in which he became one of the early settlers in this portion of the State of Illinois. He, with his wife, crossed the intervening country with a horse team and brought with them

their only child, Mary C., now the wife of W. J. Miller. Their experiences on the route were similar to those that have been so often related in the accounts of those who set out with all the paraphernalia of housekeeping with them in their wagons and who kept up the routine of domestic duties on the road. Their first year in Warren County was passed at Center Grove, near Kirkwood, and in 1836 they set- tled in the township of Spring Grove, where they made a permanent location. Mr. Porter entered a claim on the southeast quarter of section 26, where he built a log house for the accommodation of his household, which was constructed in the manner common with the settlers in a new country, where all the appurtenances of modern carpentry were lacking. Mr. Porter rived clapboards from logs for covering the roof of his cabin, but in this the family found comfort, health and contentment. Later, when prosperous times warranted, Mr. Porter erected more commodious and convenient buildings for the abode of the household and for farming pur- poses. He improved the entire acreage and lived upon the estate until his death, which event trans- pired Sept. 5, 1874. His wife survived until April 10, 1881. The following is the record of their seven children : Mary C. is the wife of William Jackson Miller, of Spring Grove Township. Ann M. is mar- ried to John Frantz, a sketch of whom is given in another part of this work. William E. lives in Spring Grove Township, as does Thatcher J. M. Constance is the wife of Elias Smith, also of Spring Grove Township. Alice is the wife of Edwin R. Rose, of Kelly Township. Albert resides in Spring Grove Township and is the twin-brother of the sister last named. His residence is on the old Porter homestead. The children are all living and are honored and re- spected members of society.

Thatcher J. the second son of Joshua and Mary (Tinkham) Porter, was born in Spring Grove Tp., July 25, 1841. He grew to manhood in that township and attended the common schools of the neighbor- hood. He was just 20 when the Civil War broke out, and in its second year he entered the service of his country to defend the old flag and the integrity of the Union. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany B, 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., and continued in the military service until March, 1863. He received his discharge on account of disability, and returned to his home. He passed the first year after his return

334

WARREN COUNTY.

in seeking to restore his health, and in 1865 be- gan the work of improvement of the farm upon which he has since lived. It is situated on the north- east quarter of section 26, in the township of Spring Grove. When it became his property a log house had been built on the place and in this his family re- sided a few years, or until time and circumstances permitted the construction of a more suitable and satisfactory structure. The estate of Mr. Porter con- tains 360 acres and is all under improvement and enclosed. It comprises the varieties of land which make a farm in Illinois valuable and desirable, There is a grove of native timber of about 50 acres on the place : most of the place, however, is prairie land. A view of his present residence and farm buildings are shown on page 332.

The marriage of Mr. Porter to Kate E. McCoy took place Dec. 1, 1864. She was born in Washing- ton Co., Pa., and is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Newland) McCoy. Thomas McCoy was a native of Washington Co., Penn., and was born Dec. 6, 1803. He was of Scotch parentage, Angus and Catherine (Monroe) McCoy, his father and mother, both having come from Scotland. They settled in Pennsylvania, where they were married. Thomas McCoy grew to manhood in Washington County, where he was married, and where he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1854, he came to Warren County, first locating in Sumner Town- ship. He remained here, however, but about three months, when he bought a farm on section 27, Spring Grove Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred Sept. 19, 1873. His widow is still living and resides on the old homestead with her son, Angus. They had a family of four children, Mary and John M., the eldest, two both died when they were just blooming into manhood and woman- hood. Angus and Mrs. Porter are the other two. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy, after coming to Warren County, connected themselves with the United Pres- byterian Church. Subsequently, Mrs. McCoy be- came a member of the Christian Church. In politics the elder McCoy was a life-long Democrat.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Porter are three in number and are named Ada F., Alvin A. and T. Lee. The parents are giving their children the benefits of a good education, affording them far greater advantages in this respect than either of them ever enjoyed. Politically, Mr. Porter is a

Democrat. He is an excellent citizen and is con- sidered a leading farmer of the county. His place is justly rated as one of the most valuable in Warren County. 1

rick Thompson, farmer, residing on sec- tion 4, Berwick Township, was born Feb. 21, 1824, in the southern part of Sweden. He emigrated to the " land of possibilities" in 1856, landing in New York Aug. 14, of that year. On arrival in New York city Mr. Thompson looked around and came to the conclu- sion that his opportunities to establish a home in that thriving metropolis with his meager means were not encouraging, and he consequently concluded to push farther west. He, therefore, soon after his ar- rival there, came to Galesburg, Knox Co., this State, from which place he came to Cameron, this county, where he remained until the spring of 1857. He then worked by the month at various occupations for three years.

Dec. 4, 1861, Mr. Thompson enlisted in the War for the Union, joining the 58th Ill. Vol. Inf. under Capt. Fuller, and was mustered into the service at Chicago. He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, was in the three days' fight and at the bat- tle of Pittsburg Landing, April 2, 1862, was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he remained 52 days, when he was taken'to that " hell- hole," Andersonville Prison, and was there confined for ten months and four days. He was detailed while at Andersonville to dig graves for Union soldiers who had died in that horrible den, and in the months of June, July and August, Mr. Thompson as- sisted in digging graves for 8,610 Union soldiers who had died inside the walls of that filthy and inhuman prison. He was taken, in September, 1864, to Flor- ence, S. C., and there confined in another rebel prison, where he remained until the latter part of De- cember, when he was transferred to Charleston, S. C., and the 7th day of February, 1865, he received his discharge and was mustered out at Chicago.

The marriage of Mr. Thompson to Mrs. Phebe Charles took place Oct. 25, 1860. She was born May 6, 1827, in Ohio, and died March 10, 1883. By her former marriage she became the mother of

335

WARREN COUNTY.

four children. Of her union with Mr. Thompson, the following children were born, namely: Hannah E., born Oct. 28, 1861; Almira J., Oct. 3, 1863 ; James A., Nov. 3, 1868 ; Laura M., April 26, 1870. James A. died Nov. 18, 1879.

Mr. Thompson is the proprietor of 58 acres of land where he resides; has a good residence upon his place, and is engaged in general farming, meeting with success in his vocation. He and his family are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Thompson, as long as he remembers the terrible trial he passed through while a prisoner in rebel prisons, will never fail to vote the Republican ticket.

esse Riggs, owning 364 acres of good farm land under excellent cultivation, lo- cated on section 2, Roseville Township, where he resides and is engaged in farming and stock-raising, was born in Tennessee, Jan. 13, 1808, his parents being Reuben and Catherine (Sailing) Riggs, natives of North Carolina. The parents of Mr. Riggs, of this sketch, in 1818, ten years after the birth of Jesse, moved from Ten- nessee to Missouri and there purchased 160 acres of land. They remained on the same for ten years, where his father was engaged in its cultivation. In 1828 his father sold his farm in Missouri and came to this State, locating in Morgan County, where he became owner by purchase of 120 acres, on which he resided for a number of years, when they came to live with their son, the subject of this notice, with whom they resided during the remainder of their lives and were buried in Berwick Seminary. Their family consisted of 12 children, 11 of whom lived to become men and women, and three of whom yet survive.

Jesse Riggs, whose biography we write, is the sixth child in order of birth of his parent's family of 12 children. He remained at home assisting in the maintenance of the family until 28 years of age. From the age of his majority until 28, he took charge of and cultivated his father's farm on shares. After leaving home, Mr. Riggs came to Warren County, in

1834, and for 11 years followed 'farming on rented land. At the expiration of that time he purchased 80 acres in Lenox Township and resided thereon, engaged in its cultivation six years, when, by ad- ditional purchase, he added 50 acres to the same. He then sold the entire tract and purchased 220 acres in Berwick Township. On this tract he moved with his family and engaged in farming until 1864, when he sold it and purchased 160 acres in Lenox Township, which, after working two years, he also sold. He then purchased 174 acres in the same township and lived on that place for six years, when he closed out his landed interests in that section by sale and bought the property on which 'he at present resides, which consists of 364 acres.

Mr. Riggs lost his first two companions. By his first wife he had three children,-Martha E., John T. and Jonathan P. The issue of the second union was four children, who are living, as follows: James O., Mary E., Henry H. and Eliza J. Mr. Riggs married the third time in 1865, the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, successes and reverses, being Miss Emeline Vandeveere, a native of War- ren Co., Ill., and she has borne to, her husband four children,-Frank, Florence H., Bertie M. and Willis.

Mr. Riggs is a Democrat and has held various offices of his township and county, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Riggs is considered one of the solid and substantial nien of Warren County.

illiam H. Cable, engaged as an agricul- turist, residing upon section 29, Floyd Township, was born April 6, 1835, his parents being Henry and Olive (Kingsley) Cable. His father was born Sept. 8, 1795, in Columbia Co., N. Y., and came to Floyd Township, Nov. 1, 1835, where he resided until April, 1867, when he moved to Monmouth, in which place he resided until his death. He was six weeks on the journey from his native State, coming down the Ohio to Cairo, and from that place to St. Louis, finally landing at Yellow Banks, now called Oquawka. At the latter place he started with teams to Monmouth,

336

WARREN COUNTY.

where he found but one frame building in the city. His marriage was celebrated on the 28th of April, 1816, in New York, with Miss Olive Kingsley, mother of our subject, she having been born in Con- necticut, April 16, 1792. To use Mr. Cable's own language (expressed with a pride which reflects credit upon him as a son), his mother was a " genuine Con- necticut Yankee," who " spun the yarn from which his father's wedding suit of clothes were made." Her demise occurred Feb. 23, 1876, at the age of 83 years, Io months and 7 days. Mr. Henry Cable died after a life of hard work, on the 8th of March, 1878. Their family consisted of Mary, born April 1, 1819; Ezra, Feb. 11, 1821; George C., April r, 1823; Chancy M., May 19, 1825 ; Elizabeth A., Dec. 19, 1828, and William H., of whom we write this biographical no- tice.

Miss Mary A. Chaffee was the lady chosen to share the joys and sorrows, successes and reverses of Mr. William H. Cable, their marriage occurring Aug. 25, 1858. She was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 24, 1839, and of her union with Mr. Cable, five children were born, all surviving. Charles H., born July 31, 1860; Francis E., June 17, 1862; Henry G., April 24, 1864; Eddy D., April 6, 1866; Albert B., April 20, 1876. Henry, the third in order of birth, was severely injured when 16 years of age by the bursting of a circular saw operated for the pur- pose of sawing stove wood at his father's door. While the lad stood throwing away the blocks as they fell from the machine, he was struck by a piece of the bursted saw (measuring 16 x 28 inches) at the edge of the hair over the left eye, tearing away a piece from the skull 21/2 x 31/2 inches. The scalp wound was 13 inches in circumference, but the wound healed without any artificial appliance, and to-day he is in a sound physical condition, and with mental faculties unimpaired and of the brightest order. He is now residing in Minneapolis, Minn., holding a posi- tion as Clerk in the Security Bank of Minnesota. He is 21 years of age.

Mr. William H. Cable came to Illinois with his parents when but six months old, in 1835. He has 160 acres of good land under excellent cultivation and improvement. Upon it he has erected a dwel. ling 30 x 34 feet in dimensions, with a fine grove of forest trees surrounding it. He has a herd of about 25 head of Short-horn cattle highly graded, and his horses are of the Hambletonian and Bashaw grades.

He is also the owner of a pair of Clydesdale colts of very fine breed. Mr. Cable is now serving as Jus- tice of the Peace in this township, having served as School Director for 12 or 14 years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having belonged to this denomination for over 31 years. Politically, he is identified with the Republi- can party. The Cable family originated from Ger- many. Their great-grandfather emigrated to this country in the early part of the 17th century.

R obert B. Woodward. One of the exten- sive farmers of Roseville Township and large land-owners of the county, is Mr. R. B. Woodward: He is a native of Pennsyl- vania and was born in Fayette Co., Oct. 14, 1829, his parents being Davis and Mary (Boyd) Woodward, also natives of the Keystone State. By occupation, the father, Davis, was en- gaged in farming. He was married in 1828, and to that union 13 children were born, 12 of whom grew to maturity, and 11 survive their parents. The fam- ily were from Cumberland County and moved West to Fayette County.

Robert B. was the eldest child of his parents' family, receiving at their hands a good common- school education and assisting them whenever it was possible until he attained the age of majority, when he went out to earn his own livelihood, wholly de- pendent upon himself. He rented a farm, which he continued for two years, having had fair success, and March 31, 1853, came to Illinois and located in Roseville Township, this county, where he purchased 187 acres of land upon section 30, 20 acres of which was timber. Upon this tract of land he remained, engaged in its cultivation and improvement, until he has increased his landed interests to 561 acres. He is extensively engaged in the stock business and is meeting with success.

Dec. 5, 1850, the marriage of Mr. Robert B. Woodward and Miss Sarah A. Work, native of Penn- sylvania, was solemnized. She was the daughter of Andrew and Amy (Harris) Work, also natives of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have had their

٠٦ ١٠٣:١ UNIVERSILL WALLINL"

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 30

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

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