Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 33

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 33

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Township, being one of the pioneer settlers of that township as well as one of the pioneers of Warren County. He married Miss Eliza Powers, May 28, 1840. She was born Jan. 19, 1819, near Cincin- nati, the "Buckeye State." Her parents are both de- ceased, having died in Greenbush Township.

The parents of our subject had a family compris- ing four children, as follows: Martha J., born March 28, 1841; Theodore C., of whom we write, Mary C., March 18, 1848, and George T., July I, 1855. Both of the girls are deceased.

Mr. Pearce, of this notice, was united in marriage with Miss Susan Baldwin, who was likewise born in this township, Dec. 13, 1848. Her parents were A. N. Baldwin, born in New York, July 20, 1822,. and Phebe A. (Lewis) Baldwin, `born July 9, 1826. Her father died Dec. 2, 1873. He was married in 1844, and his wife still survives him. Their children were 12 in number,-Mary Ann, Arthur N., Susan A., Aletta A., Sarah E., Mary I., Charles L., Lennettie, Phebe J., John, Minnie A. and Anna G. Five of the above are deceased, namely: Mary A., Arthur N., Aletta A., Sarah E. and John M.

The date of the marriage of Mr. Pearce and Miss Baldwin was Dec. 19, 1866, Rev. F. Smith, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating, and of their union eight children have been born, of which the following is a record,-Alice M., born May 27, 1868; Ida G., July 11, 1870; May A., May 2, 1872 ; Arthur E., Feb. 16, 1874; Eva L., Aug. 11, 1876; Fred G., March 9, 1879 ; Ralph E., June 11, 1881 and Bessie, May 29, 1883, all of whom are living. Mr. Pearce has 160 acres of good farm land in this county, on which is a good dwelling, 66 x 24 feet in dimensions and two stories in height. Its interior is handsomely finished, while its exterior surroundings are of a character which constitute it an exceedingly charming place of residence. His substantial barn is 40 X 42 feet with 18-foot posts, the entire farm being enclosed with a good wire and board fence. His stock is kept in first-class condition and two roadsters which he owns are of a very fine strain.

Socially, Mr. Pearce is a member of the A. F. and A. M., belonging to Cameron Lodge, No. 625, to to which he has belonged for some 15 years, and in which order he has held many of the important offices. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., belong- ing to Lodge No. 185, Abingdon. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episco-

GERLAW CITY. FOUNDED IN 1871 , LOOKING S.E. FROM RESIDENCE.

RESIDENCE OFR. W. GERLAW, SEC. 34, SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

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pal Church. In politics, Mr. Pearce affiliates with the Republican party.

Eliphalet Lewis, the grandfather of Mrs. Pearce, was born in New Jersey, May 11, 1799, and during his early life engaged in the occupation of oyster- fishing near Amboy. He came to Illinois in r837, and for a few years resided near Springfield. He then located in Warren County; and made the first improvements on the farm now occupied by Mr. Pearce, and upon which he continued to reside until his death, June 25, 1867. He married Miss Mary A. Mills, May 24, 1823. She was born July 21, 1806, and bore her husband five children, viz. : Henry, born in February, 1824; Phebe A., July 9, 1826; Mary A., July 3, 1838; Susan E., Oct. 12, 1841, and Thomas P., Aug. 12, r843, all of whom are living.

obert W. Gerlaw, one of the largest land- owners in Warren County and a prominent example of what may be accomplished by a straightforward, energetic and determined man, is the founder of the village of Gerlaw, near where he resides. He is a native of Greene Co., Ohio, where he was born on the 4th of March, r8r7. Adam and Catherine (Haines) Ger- law, his parents, had a family of ten children, of whom Robert W. was the fifth child in order of birth. Adam Gerlaw was born in Washington Co., Md., about the year 1781. His father's name was also Adam, who was a native of Germany. He came to this country and settled in the Colony of South Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. He eli- listed in the service of his adopted country in that heroic conflict for American liberty, and bore an honorable part in aiding to establish our independ- ence and laying the foundations of the splendid in- stitutions that we now enjoy. At the close of that war he removed to Maryland, and about the year 1808, with his family, became pioneers of Greene Co., Ohio. Here he died about 1821. To him is due the credit of establishing this branch of the Ger- law family on American soil. No language can pic- ture the hardships and suffering of the pioneer of

that early period, which was the price paid for the blessings we enjoy to-day in this country. His wife, the grandmother of Robert W., was for a short time a prisoner in the hands of the Indians, but was lib- erated after the treaty of Greenville.

Adam Gerlaw, Jr., as was observed, was born in Maryland, where he was married, and with his father removed to Greene Co., Ohio, and, like the elder Gerlaw, became a prominent pioneer of that section. Here the family cleared a patch of ground, built the accustomed log cabin and engaged in farming in a crude way. They likewise endured such privations . and hardships as were incident to life in a new coun- try of that day. The Gerlaws have always been an energétic and industrious people. - Adam became, for that period, a very successful farmer and stock- raiser. He was a man of a kind heart and sterling character, and greatly beloved by his family. The following incident will illustrate their attachment for him: His first seven children were sons, and they all remained with him, aiding him in his farming and other operations till all of them attained the . years of manhood, and it was in a large measure ow- ing to their united efforts that he acquired his wealth. He continued to own his property, both personal and real, until his death, when it was inherited by his children. He was a soldier in the War of 18r2, and in that struggle nobly did his part in upholding the national honor which his father had fought to attain. Politically, he was a Whig, and always op- posed to the institutions of slavery. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and his wife, Catherine Haines, who was also descended from German parentage, worshiped with him. They had ten children, all of whom reached the years of maturity, and eight of whom are living at this writing (January, 1886). Those deceased are David and Adam. Those living are Jacob, Otho, Robert W., Arthur, Jonathan, Francis Catherine (wife of Benja- min Clark), Henry Harrison, and Jane, wife of Emanuel Hawker. Mrs. Gerlaw, mother of Robert W., died in 1852, at their residence in Greene Co., Ohio. Her husband died while on a vist to his son, Robert W., in this county, in 1857. .

Robert W., the subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the log school house in the neighborhood where his parents resided. Such educational advant- ages, as we might infer, were very meager. He has, however, supplemented them by careful reading and

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study, so that to-day we find him to be a gentlemen well versed on the important questions of the hour. In conversation he is most interesting, with a vein of humor pervading his remarks which makes them piquant and pleasing to listen to. In the autumn of 1850 he came to Warren County, and for about 16 months worked on a farm. He was then married to Mary Jane Black, who was the daughter of Jonathan and Abagail Black, who were both natives of Penn- sylvania and of Irish extraction. The above named union took place March 16, 1852, and the August following they moved upon the farm where they now reside. Mr. G. had previously erected a house there, which is on section 34, Spring- Grove Town- ship.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerlaw have had born to them five children namely : Robert Dayton (deceased), Ella M., Mary Abagail, Sarah and Frank L. Those liv- "ing all reside at home. Mr. Gerlaw has given them the advantages of a good education and many priv- ileges which he did not enjoy. His wife is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

In politics, Mr. Gerlaw was first a Whig, and on . the formation of the Republican party became iden- tified with it, since which time he has been a sup- porter of its principles. He voted both times for Abraham Lincoln, with whom he was well ac- quainted, and twice for Grant. During the late Slave-holders' Rebellion, he was a staunch Union , man. He was elected several terms Supervisor for Spring Grove Township, and during the war acted as agent in selling the township bonds to raise money to pay the bounty for the soldiers required to fill its quota. He also went to Quincy, where he hired a number of substitutes.

Mr. Gerlaw began life with but little of this world's goods, in fact, about all he did possess was his strong arms and abundance of energy, and thus equipped, he set out, with the help of his good wife, to carve out that success which has since crowned their efforts. By dint of good jugment in making in- vestments, he has succeeded in accumulating for himself and family a very handsome competency. Later in life upon the death of his father, lie inher- ited $10,000, which he invested in a judicious man- ner. He also owns- a fine farm of 1,300 acres in Nemaha Co., Neb., which is fenced and well stocked with good graded cattle and supplied with comfort- able buildings.

In May, 1871, Mr. Gerlaw laid out the town which is named in his honor, and which is situated on a portion of the home farm and on the line of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The village is in a growing condition, enjoys considerable trade and is a place from which a great deal of stock is annually shipped. It is well supplied with schools and churches and is quite prosperous. A fine bird's- eye-view of the town, as well as a view of the hand- some residence and surroundings of Mr. Gerlaw's home, is shown by a well executed engraving on an adjoining page. The act of founding this village will cause the name of Robert Gerlaw to be long re- membered by the people of this county, and he de- servedly merits the respect in which he is held by his fellow citizens.

uben Holeman, engaged in farming on sec- tion 32, Roseville Township, was born in Indiana, Jan. 20, 1817. His parents, Isaac and Nancy (Cleghorn) Holeman, were natives of North Carolina, and the mothers's demise occurred while in Jackson Co., Ind. The father came to Illinois in 1848 and settled in Swan Township, where he engaged quite extensively in agricultural pursuits, and became the father of eight children, seven of whom still survive.

Ruben Holeman remained at home assisting his father in the labors on the farm, and alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools until he attained his 21st year. At that age in life he began farming for himself on a rented farm, which he continued for two years, and, in 1847, came to Illinois and settled in Geenbush Township, this county, then, in 1849, removed to Roseville Town- ship and purchased 100 acres on section 32, and lived on the same seven years. He then sold it and purchased 437 acres of land, some of it being located in Swan Township. He now resides on section 32 Roseville Township, where he has erected a fine res- idence, with suitable outbuildings and made all his improvements.

In 1844 he was married to Miss Susanna Crab, a

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native of Indiana and daughter of James and Pau- lina (Thelkeld) Crab, natives of Kentucky, who en- gaged in the occupation of farming in Indiana, where they resided until their death. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Holeman consists of eight children, all of whom are living-John W., Daniel B., Uuriah C., Isaac A., Theodore, Albert A., Orville L. and Eliza Ann. Eliza A. is the wife of Isaac Perkins, and they are the parents of seven children ; Daniel B. married Harriet Smith, and they have become the parents of two children; John W. married Mary, Hosler and they have one child; Uriah C. married Usitta Rowland, and they have a family of two children; Theodore married Ida Carr, and their family consists of two children.ª

Mr. Holeman has held the office of Assessor, Road Commissioner, Collector, and School Trustee. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. £ affiliates with the Democratic party.

Politically he,

S tephen Dixson, deceased, was formerly a resident of the township of Point Pleasant. He was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Dec. 21, 1814, and was the son of Eli and Rebecca (Hart) Dixson. His parents removed to In- diana when he was four years old and he there grew to the estate of manhood. He was trained in the pursuit of agriculture, and was married in the Hoosier State. The lady whom he married was the sister of the wife of his brother, Eli, and was Miss Amanda, the daughter of Drury B. and Rebecca (Hurd) Boyd. In 1854 her parents came from Greene County to Warren County, and located on section 1, in Point Pleasant Township. The husband had previously purchased there a considerable tract of unimproved land, and made it his home until his death, which took place March 1, 1879. His wife died May 3, 1861. He was a man of industri- ous habits, and at the time of his decease was the owner of upwards of 600 acres of valuable farming lands.

Three of their children lived to mature life. Eli

'B. is a resident of Bushnell, McDonough Co., Ill. Margaret was born Oct. 27, 1855, and was the wife of Andrew L. Madison. She died in March, 1879, leaving two children. Elizabeth is the wife of Alex- ander Elston, and they reside in Kansas.

Mr. Dixson was prominent in his defense of mo- rality and temperance and liberal in his religious views. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of MY FPS TY fellowmen in the community of which he was a mem- ber.

LIBRARY ILLINOIS.

rury B. Boyd, a pioneer settler at Point Pleasant Township, was born in the State of Virginia, May 12, 1780. He was the son of George and Jemima (Birge) Boyd, and was early orphaned by their deaths. He was made an apprentice to a trade, and when still young went to the State of Georgia. There he was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd. She was born in Georgia and soon after their marriage they went to Kentucky, where they located in Bath County and the husband utilized his good education in teaching and in the al- ternate seasons he worked at his trade. They lived there until 1822, when they went to Pulaski County, in the same State, and remained there until 1825. They removed thence to Greene Co., Ind., where they were among the earliest of the pioneer element. They located on land which was covered with heavy timber and their two sons were occupied with the work of clearing the farm, while the father worked at his trade. After a time he purchased a saw-mill. His wife died Aug. 14, 1835, and he was again mar- ried, about two years later, to Elizabeth Kelshaw.

The children of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd were Mary, George, Elizabeth and Nancy. Mary was married to Joseph Dixson and died in Greene Co., Ind. George is married and lives in Georgia. Elizabeth was the wife of Drury B. Boyd, subject of this sketch. Nancy became the wife of Sanford Raimy, and they live in Preble Co., Ohio.

While living in Indiana he was twice elected to represent his District and served two terms in the Legislature of that State. After his removal to War- ren County, he located at Ellison and a few years

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later settled on section 2, of Point Pleasant Town- ship, where he died, Sept. 7, 1856. His wife was killed in the tornado at Ellison in 1858. Two of their children are still living. Mrs. Dixson is repre- sented elsewhere in this work, and it is through her interest in the preservation of the records of her fam- ily circle that these sketches of the members of the family haye been obtained. Her only sister is the wife of Elisha Hughen, of Point Pleasant Township, of whom a sketch is given in this work.

Mr. Boyd and his family made the trip from Ken- tucky to Greene County with horse-teams. They settled in a small log house, of the most unpreten- tious style, until the father could clear a place, upon which he erected a double-hewed log house.

errine Holman, a farmer residing on sec- tion 21, Tompkins Township, where he is actively engaged in the labors of his voca- tion, is a native of New Jersey, having been born in that State, Aug. 20, 1819, of parents named Kenneth and Sarah (Jemison) Holman, natives of the same State. Perrine Holman was an inmate of his father's household until he attained the age of 22 years, and received a good education in the common schools. Arriving at the age named, he set out to battle against the trials of life alone, with naught but strong arms and a firm determination to "get on " in the world. He first worked out by the month and was engaged in accumulating in that manner for five years. He then embarked in the oyster trade, and followed that for five years, when he rented a farm, which he cultivated for another period of five years. At the expiration of this time, in 1853, he came to this State and located in Hen- derson County, where he purchased 40 acres of land, on which he moved and was actively and laboriously engaged in its cultivation for four years. He then sold his land in Henderson County and moved to Tompkins Township, this county, where he pur- chased another 40-acre tract on which he moved his family and where he is to-day residing, meeting with success in his vocation.

His first marriage, with Mrs. Elizabeth Meech,

took place in 1844. She was also a native of New Jersey. The second marriage of Mr. Holman was with Mrs. Annett Star, a native of New York State, and took place Oct. 6, 1881. She came West in 1875. By her first marriage with Mr. Star six chil- dren were born, three of whom are living and three are dead. The living children are Emery A., Susan E. and Elmer R. Star, and by the latter union, one child, Alida M. Holman, was born. In politics, Mr. Holman is a Greenbacker, and is one of the success- ful farmers of Tompkins Township.

mery H. Crandall, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, located in Lenox Town- ship, Warren County, is a son of Richard and Sybil (Armstrong) Crandall, natives of 1 New York and Wisconsin respectively. They married and settled in the Keystone State, and in March, 1860, came to Warren County, locating in Lenox Township, but removed to Monmouth in the fall of 1871, where they still reside. Five children were born to them, as follows : Melvina J., Emery H., Martha, Armstrong and Lydia A.

Emery H., of whom this personal sketch is written, was born in Erie Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1843, and re- mained at home, receiving a good common-school education and assisting his father on the farm, thus fully initiating him in the arts of agriculture, and accompanied his parents to Warren County. He has since been a resident of this county with the exception of about ten months spent in the army. He purchased land at different times until he is now the proprietor of 240 acres, which, through his ex- cellent knowledge of improving and cultivating, he has all under an advanced state of cultivation, and it is considered second to none in his township.

July 26, 1862, Mr. Crandall enlisted in Co. C, 83₫ Ill. Vol. Inf., in which he served for about ten months, being discharged at Cairo, this State, on ac- count of disability. He then returned to the more peaceful pursuit of agriculture.

Mr. Emery H. Crandall and Miss Kate Williams were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at Monmouth, on the 22d of November, 1865, she be-

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Caixarein

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ing a native of Crawford Co., Pa., having been born there March 18, 1848. Her parents, Peter and Lamira (Woods) Williams, were both natives of the Keystone State, and in the year 1856, emigrated westward to Warren County, this State, and located in Roseville Township. They afterward removed to Iowa and from there to Kansas, where the father, Mr. Williams, died, March 11, 1880. The mother still survives. They had become the parents of II children, namely : Sarah L., Margaret E., William S., Cyrus, Kate (our subject's wife), Robert, Theo- dore, Alice, Carson, Chester and Estella. Mr. and Mrs. Emery H. Crandall's home has been blessed with the birth of four children, the names of whom are Archie, Minnie E., Francis E. and Maude G.

Mr. Crandall has served his township as School Trustee for six years, also as School Director, and in December, 1884, was appointed to take charge of the County Infirmary in Lenox Township, in which are from 25 to 40 inmates. Mr. Crandall and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in politics, Mr. C. affiliates with the Republican party.

& hancy Hardin. Prominent aniong the names of men who, by their energy, good judgment and perseverance, laid broad and deep in her pioneer days, the foundation for the subsequent growth, development and material prosperity of Warren County, stands the name of Chancy Hardin .* Occupying as he has for the last 45 years, close business relations with the citizens of the county, and being conspicuousous among the few far-sighted men who early appreciated the importance of railroads in promoting the settle- ment of a new country, and the consequent benefits resulting therefrom, it is not, therefore a matter of cominent to find Mr. Hardin one of the trio who were in the van of the railroad builders in this county.

Mr. Hardin of this notice is the second son of Chancy and Anna (Gates) Hardin, and was born Jan. 15, 1815, in Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. He is de- scended from a long line of English ancestry, the

family being transplanted to America by Nathan Hardin, who landed at Cape Cod in the year 1640. His grandson, Chancy Hardin, was born at Middle Haddam, Conn., Jan. 8, 1775, and died at Iowa Falls, Dec. 11, 1876. His first wife, the mother of Chancy, the subject of this sketch, was also born at Middle Haddam, ir years later than her husband, and died at Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 6, 1819, whither they had previously removed. Of their union, there were only two sons who lived to attain the age of maturity, both of whom yet survive, Harry G. and Chancy. Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Hardin married Miss Sally Martin, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1794, and who died at Iowa Falls, Iowa, in April, 1885. By the last marriage, three daughters were born,-Mary Ann, wife of Justin Soule; Fidelia, wife of A. E. Arnold ; Arzelia, wife of S. P. Smith, all of whom are living. The elder Hardin came to Illi- nois in 1858; the next year moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa, where two of the daughters reside, and the other is living in Battle Creek, Mich.

Chancy Hardin spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and his early education was acquired in the common schools of the neighborhood. When about the age of 21, he began clerking in a store in Burlington Flats, Otsego Co., N. Y., and continued in that position about two and a half years. He served the first six months for his board; the second six months for board and $10 per month, after which he received $35 per month for his services. Desir- ing to better his financial condition in life, he con- cluded to come West, and soon started, landing at Monmouth, July 4, 1840. From his home in New York he went to Chicago, via the canal and lakes, and from the latter city his conveyance to this place was by means of a two-horse farm wagon, the time required to make the journey being three weeks. A few months after reaching Monmouth. he was em- ployed in the store of James E. Hogue at a salary of $35 per month.

In August, 1840, Mr. Hardin and wife began housekeeping, and as it may be interesting to the reader of the present day to learn something in re- gard to the inconveniences and privations of the early settlers, we deem it appropos to give something in detail in regard to their early housekeeping. Mr. Hardin relates that their table consisted of a dry- goods box ; dry-goods boxes were used for stools and

** The father of Mr. Hardin used the "g" in his name in the early part of his life, but left it off about the same time as his son Chancy did. The other son, Harry G., retains the " g."

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one for a cupboard, with a curtain in front for doors. This will illustrate to some extent the prudent meth- ods of Mr. Hardin and wife when they began house- keeping. Though he had at that time $800 in currency, the careful economy thus practiced and adhered to through a long life is no doubt the true reason of the success which has attended his efforts. After clerking for a time for Mr. Hogue, he sold out the remnant of the goods ot auction for his employer, after which he accepted the appointment of Deputy Sheriff and Constable for one year.

In the spring of- 1843, Mr. Hardin moved on a farm of 640 acres, located in Tompkins Township, a part of which he had previously purchased and the balance leased. By additional purchases he in- creased his landed interests to 1,000 acres, and con- tinued farming, stock-raising and feeding until 1850, when he sold the land for $12 per acre on ten years' time at six per cent. interest. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Hardin moved to Monmouth, where he has since resided. His business since that time has almost exclusively been devoted to loaning money and dealing in real estate, in which he has been eminently successful.

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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 33

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

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