Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 31

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 31

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Armas 200

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home circle blessed with the birth of six children, all of whom survive, and of whom the following is a brief memorandum : Mary, Davis A., Andrew D., Seth, Jacob H. and Viola. Mary, wife of Charles Steward, resides in Franklin Co., Kan .; Davis A. married Annie Wilson, a resident of Roseville Township; Andrew D. married Priscilla Boyd, and is a farmer in Point Pleasant Township; Seth married Ida Lippe and is an occupant of the home farm; Jacob H. and Viola are still at home.

Mr. Woodward is a Democrat in political affilia- tion, and, socially, belongs to the Select Knights and is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a director and stockholder in the Roseville Union Bank, and is one of the prominent and substantial men of Warren County. Mrs. Woodward is a member of the Con- gregational Church.

ohn B. Sofield, of the firm of Sofield & Schussler, successors to D. Harvey, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware and agricul- tural implements, at Monmouth, was born at Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Pa., March 26, 1833. His parents, John and Julia A. (Grant) Sofield, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively, and dating their early ancestry back to old England, were married in the State of New York, where two of their children were born. The rest of their four sons and five daughters were born in Pennsylvania. The senior Mr. Sofield, who was for many years in the hardware business at Wellsborough, Pa., died at that place in 1860, aged about 58 years His widow survived him eight years, and died at the age of 63. Their eldest son, Alfred J. Sofield, was a Captain in the Union Army and lost his life at Gettysburg. His Company was attached to the celebrated "Buck Tails," 149th Pa. Vol. Inf.

John B. Sofield was educated at the public schools and at Wellsborough Academy. When between 16 and 17 years of age, he began learning the tinner's trade, and in about a year and a half went into the stove and tinware business at Wellsborough, which he followed nine years. He then removed to Iowa

and a few months later to Osawatomie, Kan., where he spent three years in the hardware business. In 1860 he came to Warren County, where his principal business has been in dealing in hardware, stoves, tinware, etc. He was permanently located 20 years at Kirkwood, coming to Monmouth in 1880. He retained his interest, however, at Kirkwood, until 1883. He was appointed Postmaster at Kirkwood, in 1879, but held the office only a few months, find- ing the position irksome and militating to too great an extent against the interests of his private busi- ness. While at Kirkwood, he was several terms a member of the Common Council of that city, a posi- tion that has also been thrust upon him since coming to Monmouth.

Aside from his mercantile business, Mr. Sofield is largely interested in banking, to which he has given considerable attention. He is eminently a business man, full of energy and activity and possessed of a high order of executive ability.

At Galesburg, this State, Mr. Sofield was married Oct. 18, 1859, to Miss Helen M. Smalley, native of Madison Co., N. Y. They have one child, a daugh- ter. Mr. Sofield is ever an active Republican in politics, but his religion is liberal and broad. Both he and Mrs. Sofield are members of the Universalist Church.

A lexander Hamilton Swain, editor and proprietor of the Monmouth Review, a history of which paper, see elsewhere in this work, was born in Fayette Co., Pa., Oct. 13, 1828. His father was Wilson Swain, a native of Pennsylvania and descended from the German; and his mother was Rebecca Mc- Cracken, daughter of Rev Alex. McCracken, a pion- eer Methodist preacher of Ohio, but a native of Ireland, dating his ancestry back to the Scotch who fled into Ireland at the time of the Romish persecu- tion. Wilson Swain and Miss McCracken were mar- ried in Fayette Co., Pa., where their five sons and one daughter were born, and there the two old peo- ple spent their lives. Mr. Swain died in 1845, aged 60 years, and his widow, in 1852, aged 68 years.

Alexander Hamilton Swain, whose name would in-

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dicate that the senior Swain leaned rather to the Federal than to the Republican party of that time, was the youngest of the five sons. The eldest, John, developed into a river man (Steam-boat Captain), and died in 1845 ; the second son, William T., be- came a merchant and subsequently a soldier. He was Captain of Co. H, 12th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Shiloh; the third son, Andrew J , grew into a preacher in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the fourth son, Wilson, learned to be a blacksmith, and died at Uniontown, Pa., in 1850; the daugher, Rebecca, married a Mr. T. A. Stone, and died in 1864, at Uniontown.

Alexander Swain, subject of this notice, was at Uniontown College when his father died and from that day he had to shift for himself. The Genius of Liberty, a Democratic paper, was established at Uniontown, in 1805, and through all the various changes of eight decades, it has stood by its colors ; demonstrating the appropriateness of its title and is a flourishing Democratic paper, A. D. 1886. In the office of this paper, young Swain began to be a printer, and here he worked for several years. In 1853, he land- ed at Tiskilwa, Bureau County, this State, and there worked about nine months for his merchant brother. He next took employment as a printer on the Knox- ville Journal, coming from there to Monmouth, in 1855. Friday, Dec. 28, 1855, the Monmouth Re- view made its first appearance, and though its editor and proprietor possessed but a very limited cash fund when he struck the town, his paper has ap- peared regularly every Friday, from that day to this -a period covering near a third of a century-each succeeding issue presenting a more promising indica- tion of perpetual existence. That its many readers may know that its Democracy, pure as it is to-day, is but the embodiment of the time honored principles of that great party, untarnished and unchanged by the wear and tear of ages, we reproduce here, the salient points set forth in Mr. Swain's salutatory of over 30 years ago.

" In commencing the Monmouth Review we feel called upon to make a short statement to the pub- lic of our views and intentions in the future publica- tion of this paper. Our movement in the present instance has not been prompted by any spirit of con- tention or desire to assail those who may differ with us in opinion, but from the evident demands of the growth and improvement of the country, and the

party whose principles we wish to advocate. The Democratic party in this section of the State appears to require an organ which should express their views, uphold Democratic principles and seek to extend the influences of Democracy among the people.' How far we shall succeed in performing this oner- ous task it is not for us to say, more than that we shall set ourselves with all our abilities to its per- formance. The Democratic party at this time occu- pies a singular position before the country ; beset by all the different factions and organizations of the day whose policy for the time is to drop minor differences and unite for the defeat of that one party, which has ever maintained its part as a barrier against section- alism on the one hand and lawlessness on the other. In reference to the important and exciting issues which divide and excite the people, we stand on the broad National platform of the Democracy of the whole Union which allows the people of the sev - eral States and Territories to regulate their domestic concerns in their own way, which extends to the- needy of every country and clime the rights and privileges we so bountifully enjoy, irrespective of their religious and political opinion or place of birth."

The files of the Review attest the adherence of its editor to the principles he has honestly thought, right. Though many have differed and will continue to differ with him, none have ever doubted his sin- cerity. His paper has always championed the weak as against the strong, has always advocated the ad- vancement of public. interest and in no instance has it groveled in the slum of personal abuse unaccom- panied by public duty. Mr. Swain was one of the original 12 to organize the Warren County Library and that greatest of all the city's public institutions, owes much of its success to the influences wielded by Editor Swain and his paper. Personally, Mr. Swain has been but little in politics. He was a candidate for Circuit Clerk in 1864, and defeated by methods that would never be tolerated when the country was at peace. In 1869-70, he was Journal Clerk of the Constitutional Convention, and as such wrote the present Constitution of Illinois.

Mr. Swain is a 32d degree Mason ; served 14 years as High Priest in Chapter, and some years as illustrious Grand Master of Council. June 9, 1856. at Knoxville, Ill., Mr. Swain was married to Miss Mary Louisa Brewer, cousin of Dr. Brewer, whose

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biography is presented in another part of this vol- ume. Their only daughter, Mary Rebecca, is mar- ried to E. C. Babcock, of Butte City, M. T.

A portrait of Mr. Swain accompanies this sketch of his life.

ndrew J. Reid is a resident on section 4 of the township of Spring Grove. He was born in the town of Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y., and is the son of Peter and Phebe (Hutchins) Reid. His parents were both born in the same county where their son first saw the light of day. His birth occurred July 9, 1833. Alexander Reid, his paternal grandfather, was also a native of the State of New York and was a Lieu- tenant in the Continental Army. He was a partici- pant in the battle of Hubbardton in Rutland Co., Vt., the only authenticated battlefield of the Revo- lution in the Green Mountain State. John Reid, the great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland, and he was one of the earliest settlers of Washington Co., N. Y., where he settled on a tract of land known as the " Argyle Patent." The maternal grandmother was a native of Nova Scotia. In her girlhood, she was Eunice Campbell. Her father was of the Campbell clan.

The father of Mr. Reid of this sketch was reared on the home farm and became quite famous as a naturalist. He was one of those who classified and arranged the flora of the Empire State. He was well- known through his writings for the Spirit Of The Times. His death took place in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y .. in September, 1878, at the age of 83 years and two months. The mother died in 1878, aged 76. Six of II children of whom they became the parents, are still living. Alexander H. resides in De Kalb Co., Ill .; Andrew J. is the next in order; Jane E. is the wife of John Wellman, of Greenwich, N. Y .; Catherine is married to H. L. Pratt, of Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y .; Margaret is the wife of Edward Orcutt, of Cambridge, Wash- ington Co., N. Y .; Emily A, is married to William T. Creighton, of Harper City, Kan.

Mr. Reid grew to the age and condition of man- hood in the county where he was born, and received

the training of a farmer's son. He obtained a de- gree of learning which enabled him to engage in teaching, and for a time he was occupied in that pursuit. In 1857 he came to Illinois. He passed three years in farming in Mercer County, and in 1860 came to Warren County and followed the same pursuit in the summer seasons and taught school winters until he decided to enter the military service of the United States. He enlisted Sept. 30, 1861, in Co. G, 30th Ill. Vol. Inf., and continued to dis- charge military duty until he received an honorable discharge, Dec. 21, 1862, for disability. He was in the actions at Fort Donelson and Britton's Lane, near Denmark. After his return to Warren County, he located upon the farm where he now resides. It was unimproved at the time, but under his skillful management it was soon placed in proper condition for prosperous agriculture. In 1872 he engaged in mercantile business at Norwood, in which pursuit he continued for seven years, when he again resumed farming. In political relations, he is a Republican.

His marriage to Selinda E. Boggs took place June 3, 1863. She was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., and is the mother of two children,-Gertrude and Eva May.

I. Field. Among the energetic and pros- perous agriculturists of Warren County, is Mr. Field of this notice, who is a resident on section 15, Tompkins Township, and a na- tive of the Buckeye State, having been born there in the year 1819. Jacob and Martha (Inman) Field, the parents of Mr. J. I. Field of this writing; were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio from the latter State in the year 1818. The father, Jacob, resided in Ohio until 1854 (the mothers demise having occurred in 1849), when he came to the State of Illinois, and located in Henderson County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, in 1875.

J. I. Field remained with his parents until he at- tained the age of 30 years, or the year in which the death of his mother occurred. He attended the com- mon schools and at the age of 15 years engaged un- der his father's instruction [to learn the blacksmith's

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trade, at which he worked for 15 years in his father's shop. He then came to this State and purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land in Walnut Grove Town- ship, Henderson County, upon which he moved and engaged in the laborious task of its improvement and cultivation, and to which, by a subsequent pur- chase, he added 80 acres. He continued to reside on this land until 1876, when he sold out and moved into the village of Kirkwood, there purchasing a lot and residence, in which he resided for 18 months. He then sold l.is village property and bought 160 acres of land, located upon sections 10 and 15. On this land he moved his family and once more engag- ed in the vocation of an agriculturist, which he has successfully continned until the present time. He has an excellent farm, with good residence and out- buildings, and its general appearance and actual condition is highly indicative of that thrift and ener- gy which its owner possessses.

In 1857 Mr. Field was married to Miss Jane Math- ews, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and who bore him three children,-Martha J., William E. and Joseph F. The wife and mother, after accompany- ing her husband through the trials of 17 years, pass- ed to the land of the hereafter, her death occurring in 1874. In his political views, Mr. Field coincides with the principles of the Republican party. His religion is the same as that of the United Presbyter- ian Church, of which denomination at Kirkwood, he is a member.

ohn Bennet, who, after the many struggles which he has encountered in his more than four score years, is now able to sit in the midst of peace and plenty, while viewing the the golden sunset of life in the domestic qui- etude of his farm, on section 16, Tompkins Township. He was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., July 13, 1800, his parents being James and Hannah (Sharp) Bennett, natives of South Carolina and New York respectively.

Mr. Bennett of this notice was an inmate of the the parental household until 20 years of age. He re-

ceived such education as was to be acquired at the district schools, and in 1824, after leaving the home of his parents, he purchased a tract of farm land on time, which, however, owing to reverses, he was un- able to pay for. After this first bitter experience with the "ups and downs " of life, he was occupied until 1854 in agricultural pursuits on rented land in his native State. In 1854 Mr. Bennett came to Il- linois and purchased a farm of 80 acres in Warren County, located on section 16, Tompkins Township, on which he established a home for his family, and for eight years he continued to reside thereon, dilli- gently cultivating the soil. In 1865 he sold his 80- acre tract and purchased the farm upon which he has since resided. His improvements are of the best quality and his farm is indicatiue of that push and energy which has characterized the life of Mr. Bennett.

Mr. Bennett has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Lydia Thorp, January, 1821, and by whom he had two children .. Miss Melinda Thorp became his second wife. In politics Mr. Ben- nett is a strong advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party. In religion he and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ugh Martin, deceased, was a pioneer of Warren County and came hither in 1832, in which year he located in that part of the county now included in the township of Sum- ner. He was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa. It is a tradition that his father was an Indian captive 12 years. Mr. Martin was married in his native county to Margaret Brown, who was born in Ireland. She came to this country at the age of 14. On the route the vessel was captured by pirates. Half of the crew from the freebooter was placed on board, and one-half of the captured crew transferred to pirate vessel. In the course of the storm that soon after arose, the vessels became separated and that portion of the captured crew left on board their own ship, mutined (if such a term can properly apply) and retook their ship. They made the port of New York in safety and the owners of the vessel refunded the passage money to the passengers. Mrs. Martin

LINHAAT UNIVERSII I WILL.ItV S

RESIDENCE OF JOHN SIMCOCK, SEC. 14. SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

JOYDOR STUD FARM , OWNED BY JOHN J. IVEY, SEC,33. SUMNER TOWNSHIP. .

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came in company with her brother and they located in Pennsylvania. Seven years later her mother and other members of the family came from the Green Isle to join them.

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Martin went to Mus- kingum Co., Ohio, being one of the earliest of its pioneer population. In 1829, in company with his wife and seven children, he set his face toward Illi- nois. He drove a four-horse team across the many intervening miles and made the trip in the Gipsy fashion. After six weeks travel they arrived in Ful- ton County. Mr. Martin bought a half-section of land for which he paid $200. He rented a few acres of timber which was in the vicinity of his pur- chase, on which a log-cabin had been erected, and the humble structure sheltered the family three years. At the end of that time another removal brought the household to Warren County. This was in the fall of 1832. Mr. Martin pre-empted a claim on section 28, in what became Sumner Township, when the work of county organization was com- pleted. He built a log house on his claim, which was his home until death. He was a hard-working, honest man and was frugal in habits, and judicious in the management of his affairs. Before he died he was the owner of 600 acres of land which was dis- tributed among his children previous to his death. His second son, William, was the first of the family to reach the site of Sumner Township. He was mur- dered by the Indians in August, 1832.

ohn J. Ivey is a farmer and breeder of thoroughbred horses and trotting stock, and resides on section 33, of Sumner Town- ship. He is a native of Tennessee and is a descendant of parents who were born respect- ively in Virginia and Northern Tennessee. His father, David A. Ivey, was a native of Sussex Co., Va .- He was old enough to take a part in the war of 1812, when that struggle broke out, and after- ward married a lady named Mourning Mason. She was the daughter of a "hard-shell" Baptist preacher, and her parents were natives of North Carolina. The marriage took place in Robertson Co., Tenn.,

where they lived about four years. They then went to Logan Co., Ky., where the father purchased a tract of timber three miles from the State line. He lived to clear a farm upon which he died in 1867, his wife following him in 1870. All their lives were passed in the practice of the principles of Chris- tianity, and they were consistent members of the Methodist Church. They left a record which still exerts an influence on those to whom their careers of uprightness and integrity were well known. Six of their children grew to maturity. Carrie, the oldest, remained with her parents until their respective deaths. She now resides with her brother in Sum- ner Township. Virginia is also a member of the household of her brother. James A. is a preacher in the Methodist Church, and is now stationed at New Orleans. Joseph died on the homestead in Kentucky. Ellen is the wife of the Rev .. James A. Lewis, of Kentucky.

Mr. Ivey was born Dec. 6, 1827, in Robertson Co., Tenn. He was but a few-months old when his par- ents removed to Kentucky, where he was brought up on the farm of his father. The residence was in Logan County and the boy passed his time mostly in farm labor, with the exception of the winter seasons which were spent in obtaining an education in the select schools. His first. engagement in active life was as a clerk in a store in Keysburg, where he operated three years and went thence to Clarksville, Tenn. At that place he continued in the same voca- tion in a wholesale and retail establishment, where he continued three years. He then formed a part- nership with R. M. House, whereby he acquired an interest in the oldest grocery house in Clarksville. The relation continued until 1859 when it was ter- minated by the death of Mr: House. . After an ex -_ perience alone, of about the duration of a year, he sold out and went to that part of Steward County, Tennessee, which is now included in Houston County, and there bought a farm and milling prop- erty-the latter including a saw and flour mill. He superintended these interests until interrupted by circumstances growing out of the bitter internecine war. He was a slave-holder and withal a' Union man of decided and declared opinions. Unfortu- nately, his ideas were not those that generally pre- vailed there and he soon found himself in incogenial quarters. His life was unsafe and eventually the fate that overwhelmed all who had the smallest re-

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spect for an integral Union, overtook him. His property was confiscated and he became a fugitive in the woods of the State where he had added to the general prosperity without the privilege of cherishing his own views of his rights as a man. After the fall of Fort Donelson the Union commander removed the family of Mr. Ivey under a guard of protection to the home of his father in Kentucky. The Union forces were under obligations to him for services for which his knowledge of the surrounding country especially fitted, and he acted as a scout and guide for the soldiers. He was chiefly identified with the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf. In consequence of these important ser- vices his interests received special attention at the hands of the victors at Fort Donelson, and 'his family was removed to safe quarters, and provided for. His services to the Union cause, having rendered him peculiarly unpopular among the people of Stewart Co., Tenn., a return to his home in that section, after the close of the war would have been, to say the least, an unwise movement. He therefore con- cluded to cast his_fortunes with that part of the Union whose side he had espoused in the course of the conflict. As many of those with whom he had become acquainted in the army were from War- ren Co., Ill., that fact determined his future and he came hither. He arrived at Oquawka, July 4, 1865, and came directly to Sumner Township. He had al- ready bought 200 acres of land in that township, on sections 29 and 33, and on his arrival he took pos- session of the property. His family removed to a small frame house which had been built previous to his purchase. All the structures on the place, in- cluding the fences, were in a state of dilapidation and he at once set about the work of putting every- thing into presentable conditition. He has erected a fine large farmhouse and an excellent barn, beside other buildings. He has also added 60 acres addi- tional to the farm and the whole place is in the best possible condition for profitable farming. The place is thus thoroughly well adapted to all the uses of agriculture. It is supplied with running water, tim- ber and building stone of a good quality. For a time Mr. Ivey directed his attention to the breeding of mules and operated with success in that line, until 1881, when he commenced to raise thoroughbred Kentucky horses for the track. At present he has eight of them in training, six of the number having made a record at the agricultural exhibitions in the

adjoining counties in the autumn of 1885. An ex- cellent view of Mr. Ivey's fine homestead is presented elsewhere.

Mr. Ivey is a firm adherent of the Republican party in his political views and connections. He is a man of ability and one who is awake to all issues that can affect the general welfare. He is thor- oughly versed in the current news of the day, and abreast of the advancement of the period. He is a thoroughly domestic man with all the excellences of character that mark men of like proclivities. He has served two years as Supervisor of Sumner Town- ship.

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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 31

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

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