Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 36

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 36

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Aug. 17, 1885; Sarah J. is single and resides at Pittsburg, Pa., where she is engaged in clerking; William H. is deceased, and formerly resided in Bos- ton, Mass. He followed the occupation of a railroad conductor.

The gentleman whose name heads our sketch, re- ceived a common-school education and resided at home with his parents, assisting in the maintenance of the family, until he attained the age of 28 years. Arrived at that age, he left the parental homestead and came West, his journey terminating in Kansas, which was then the scene of free-soil agitation. He homesteaded 160 acres of land in Anderson County, but owing to the pressure of hard times, he removed to Illinois in July, 1858, and located east of Avon, in ' Fulton County, where he rented a farm and lived on it about three years, and in 1861 rented the farm where he now resides, the old Kendall homestead. He finally disposed `of his interests in Kansas in 1873. His marriage took place in this county, Oct. 17, 1860, the lady who became his wife being Miss Margaret Kendall, the daughter of Robert and Ann (McNair) Kendall, natives of Pennsylvania. They were of Scotch extraction, her father being a farmer who removed to this county when Mrs. Burford was a young lady of 15 years. The parental family at that time consisted of six children, of whom Mrs. Burford was the third. Her parents on coming to this county purchased a partly improved farm of 250 acres, upon which they continued to reside until their death, the demise of the former occurring Jan. 17, 1882, while in his 82d year, and that of the lat- ter Feb. 14, 1871, in her 7 Ist year, both parents hav- ing been born in the first year of the present century.

Mr. and Mrs. Burford are the parents of five chil- dren, two of whom are deceased. Anna J. became the wife of George Williams, to whom she bore two children, and departed this life in Monmouth Town- ship, in February, 1884. Mr. Williams at present resides in Columbus, Kansas, his daughters, Stella and Maggie B., living with their grandparents. Park M., their first born son, lives on the homestead, which he assists in cultivating. William R. and Frank A. are also living at home. The fifth child died in infancy. Upon their union Mr. Burford and his wife settled on the old Kendall homestead, in this county. Our subject first became a landed pro- prietor in 1870, and he has since added to his orig- inal purchase until he is now the owner of 450 acres,

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all lying in the township of Monmouth and under an advanced state of cultivation. There are two good residences on the place and the farm is divided into three parts, each of which is well improved. Mr. Burford, in addition to the cultivation of his large farm, is extensively engaged in the breeding of Nor- man horses and other stock of high grades. He is at present Commissioner of Highways, which office he has held consecutively for 15 years. He has also held the position of Assistant Supervisor, and in pol- itics votes with and advocates the principles of the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, at Gerlaw, in this county. We present a view of the fine home of Mr. Burford on another page.

giss Desire E. Mather, a retired school teacher, residing in Greenbush, was born July 23, 1810, in Brownsville, Jefferson Co., N. Y. She acquired a good education vara in the district schools of her native State; ma- triculated at Belleville College and followed the entire curriculum of that college from which she graduated with honors.

From her native State, Miss Mather moved to Ohio, where, in the vicinity of Sandusky, at the early age of 14 years, she first began the profession which she followed for so many years and with such suc- cess. For 16 years she taught in that section of Ohio, and then removed to Illinois, coming to Green- bush, this county, Sept. 8, 1850, where she taught nine terms of school. She then went to Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa, and there taught three terms. In fact, Miss Mather has spent her life time in the in- terest of education and as late as 1863 followed her profession, two miles west of Greenbush.

Miss Mather is a lineal descendant of the old and highly respected Mather family of the city of London, out of which sprang the Mathers famous in the early - history of this country. Rev. Richard Mather, who was born in 1 596, in Lowton, Lancastershire, England, and whose old residence in that ancient town still re- mains intact, was the first of the name to emigrate to America, coming to Boston in the ship " James," in

1635. Timothy, the son of the Rev. Richard Mather, had a son, Arthur, who in turn had a son named Richard, who was the father of Cotton Mather, of the seventh generation, who died at Bridgewater, where his son, Horace Mather, who was the father of the subject of this notice, Miss Desire Mather, was born in 1775.

Horace Mather was first married in 1803, to Miss Desire Emerson, who, in 1807, passed to the land of the hereafter. Mr. Horace Mather was again mar- ried, Oct. 1, 1809, to Miss Hulda Smith, of Sackett's Harbor. She was born in February, 1786, and died of quick consumption at Sackett's Harbor, in 1836. Mr. Mather died Aug. 2, 1825. Of his two marri- ages, the following named children were born : Thomas M., Feb. 2, 1804; Horace S., July 22, 1805 ; Zylla, May 4, 1807, died May 6, 1807 ; Desire E., born July 23, 1810; Charles W., June 4, 1812; Min- erva, July 25, 1814, died, aged 19 months; Jane, born March 1, 1816; Hulda, April 3, 1818; Sylvia M., Jan. 29, 1820; Dr. David C., April 3, 1823; Sarah Ann, Aug. 2, 1824, died Nov. 4, 1846. Mr. Horace Mather was a man of very superior mental capacity, and, though a farmer by occupation, during the last ten years of life he filled several offices of public trust with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the community at large. There was universal mourning throughout Jefferson Co., N. Y., at his death.

lement Pierce, who is retired from active mercantile pursuits and a pioneer of the county, is a resident of Roseville, at which place he was engaged as a merchant for some years. He was born in Poultney, Rutland Co., Vt. Sept. 24, 1813. Amos and Mary (Sandford) Pierce, his parents, were also natives of the Green Mountain State, and came to Ohio from Vermont, in 1823, and remained there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1834. He then came to this State and purchased with his son, the gentleman whose name heads this personal sketch, 160 acres of land in Greenbush Township, Warren County, upon which he remained, engaged in its cultivation and improvement for nearly three years. He then re-

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turned to Ohio, and brought his wife and family to this State. They settled upon the farm which he had began so hard and industriously to cultivate. Here he remained farming and also blacksmithing until 1864. The death of the father occurred July 20, 1872, and that of the mother Sept. 30, 1845.

Clement remained with his parents until 1834, and received a common-shool education while under the parental roof-tree, also assisted his parents in the duties of the farm. Then leaving home, he came to Illinois and in September, 1834, settled upon a tract of land adjoining that he and his father had purchased. Here he remained improving the farm and engaged in its cultivation until March, 1845, when he purchased the southwest quarter of sec- tion 35, Roseville Township, and moved upon it. Here he followed farming and stock-raising until June, 1864, when he moved into the, then, little hain- Jet of Roseville. Here he, in company with Dr. Ragon, embarked in the mercantile business, in which they continued for a period of two years, when Mr. Pierce, the gentleman of this notice, bought out the Doctor and conducted the business himself for about seven years, when he sold out. At that time, 1873, he retired from active labors, having been suc- cessful, the result of an energetic and progressive life, which enabled him to have a sufficiency laid aside to provide for himself and family in their old age. Mr. Pierce has held several offices within the gift of . the people, for instance, in 1872, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and held that position until 1885, and besides has served in the office of City Council and School Director. He is the owner of 500 acres of land which is in excellent condition and very valuable. He also owns the Pierce Block and several houses at Roseville.

Mr. Pierce and Miss Nancy Farr were united in marriage, in the year 1834, she being a native of Essex Co., N. Y. Of their union five children have been born, all living but one,-Mary M., born Aug. 2, 1835; Laura A., Jan. 26, 1837 ; Amos, Dec. 10, 1843; and. Phebe J., Oct. 10, 1845; Zacharia T., born April 23, 1848, died Sept. 23, 1860. Laura A. married Alexander Bramhall, and resides in Rose- ville Village, and their family consists of seven chil- dren-Nancy E., Mary E., Amos E., Levi A., Linnia B., Emma and Charles W. Amos, the only son of our subject, married Miss Mary J. Baer, and they reside in Belleville, Kan., and have two sons-Har-

ley L. and George C. Phebe J., the youngest daugh- ter married Thomas J. Newbern, and they are residents of Wayne, Kan. Of their union eight chil- dren have been born, namely : Mary, Effa J., Thomas M., Lillia N., Phebe G., Nancy M., Archie C. and Pearly.

Mr. Clement Pierce has five great-grandchildren. He is a Republican in politics and religiously, be- longs to the Universalist Church. He is one of the early pioneers of Warren County as well as substan- tial and solid men.

-W. Huston, a successful fariner, owning 160 acres of land, located on section 23, Tompkins Township, where he resides and is engaged in following the vocation of an ag- riculturist, was born April 25, 1830, in Penn- sylvania, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Weakley) Huston, natives of that State.

The father of Mr. Huston of this notice was a farmer by occupation and followed his chosen voca- tion in Pennsylvania until his death. His son, S. W., of whom we write, was an inmate of the parental household until he became 23 years of age, having in the meantime acquired a fair education in the coinmon schools ._

After leaving home, Mr. Huston, October 12, 1853, came to this State and settled in Hale Town- ship, arriving in Monmouth on the evening of Oct. 12, 1853. Purchasing 80 acres of land, he moved his family on the land and continued to cultivate it until 1865, when he sold the property and made an- other purchase, this time locating in Tompkins . Township, on 120 acres on sections 23 and 24. This he continued to cultivate until he made his residence upon the 160 acres on section 23, which he now occupies as a homestead. The occupation of his life has been that of an agriculturist, and by ener- getically following the same he has met with that success which a life of labor and energy are so sure to bring.

Mr. Huston was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Woods, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1856, and their union has been blessed by the birth of

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three children (still living), whose names are Carrie S., James W. and Robert W. Mr. Huston in his political views coincides with the principles advocated by the Democratic party. In religion, he is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church.

ames P. Firoved. Every village and city has its live, go-ahead and enterprising men, those who do more than all others towards building up and firmly securing the pros- perity of the place. Distinguished among those is Mr. Firoved, of Kirkwood, who, be- sides being interested in various other enterprises, is also engaged as a farmer and stock-dealer. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa. His parents, Simon and Isabella (Sprout) Firoved, were also natives of the Keystone State, and were living there at the time of James' birth, which occurred Nov. 13, 1843. In 1853, the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, and from there to Bloomington, Ill., and in 1856 lo- cated in Monmouth. They soon secured 160 acres of land in Hale Township, where they removed and remained for seven years, when the elder Firoved retired from active labors and removed into the city of Monmouth. He has since lived there and is a highly respected and venerable old gentleman of 75 years of age. His ancestors came from Prussia and settled at Carlisle, Pa., over 120 years ago. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, with an elder brother, who was wounded at Lundy's Lane.

James P. accompanied his parents to Illinois and remained with them until he was 20 years of age, re- ceiving a liberal education. His first business enter- prise, after leaving home, was to engage in the mercantile business at Monmouth. He subsequently moved to Rock Island and later came to Kirkwood, where he entered into the boot and shoe, l.at and cap, and general furnishing goods business, carrying also a line of books and stationery. For ten years he remained one of the leading merchants of this part of the county. He then sold out and engaged in the stock business, feeding and shipping stock ex- tensively. He also purchased 330 acres of land, lying near the village of Kirkwood, and engaged in

farming. This highly improved farm is very valu- able, lying- as it does so near Kirkwood, and also contiguous to the city of Monmouth. Besides this property, he also owns a half interest in the Tre- mont House at Kirkwood, in company with W. K. Gamble; owns an interest in the Kirkwood Mineral Spring Company, of which he is .Vice-President ; and has been a stock-holder and one of the directors in the First National Bank, at Kirkwood, ever since its organization. He has also favored every enterprise that had for its object the welfare of the community and the building up of his town. It is certainly a blessing to any community to have in its midst such men who have also the inclination as well as the ability to work for the interests and welfare of the entire people. He has served the village in differ- ent official positions, always giving eminent satisfac- tion. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, socially, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Jan. 25, 1869, the marriage of Mr. Firoved and Miss Mattie J. Woods occurred. Miss Woods was the daughter of David and Nancy (Ayres) Woods, natives of Indiana, born of parents who were natives of Kentucky. They were among the first settlers of Henderson County, and prominent and representa- tive people of that part of the State. Mrs. Firoved was born Nov. 13, 1849, and has become the mother of two children-M. Mabel, born Nov. 11, 1869; and James Ralph, Nov. 22, 1881.

ugh R. Thomson, one of the successful farmers of Tompkins Township, this county, residing on section 13, and a gentleman possessing more than ordinary push, tact and energy in his vocation, was born in Ohio, Nov. 22, 1838. His parents were John and Rachel (Francis) Thomson, natives of Ohio, who came to this State in 1867, and settled in Warren County, where his father purchased 160 acres of good farm land, on which he is at present residing, leading the contented life of an agriculturist.

The gentleman whose name appears at the begin- ning of this sketch, remained with his parents until 1862, receiving at their hands a good common-school education. During that year he enlisted in Co. H

This. H. Rice.

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126th Ohio Vol. Inf. With his Company he went through the entire "Campaign of the Wilderness," participated in the battles of Shenandoah Valley, under Gen. Sheridan, and in the siege of Petersburg. He was once struck by a fragment of a shell and although numerous shots penetrated his clothing, he came out of the war without any serious wounds, af- ter having served three years, lacking two months. After receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Thom- son returned home, and in 1866 came to this State and taught school at Biggsville, Henderson County, after which he was employed in the Circuit Clerk's office at Oquawka. Prior to teaching school, he had purchased an undivided half interest of 160 acres of land, located on section 13, Tompkins Township, this county, and in 1881 he purchased the remaining half of the same quarter, which constitutes the farm upon which he to-day resides, and where he has been successfully engaged as an agriculturist since locating thereon.

Mr. Thomson and Miss Sarah J. McNary, a native of Ohio, were united in marriage in 1867. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Maxwell) McNary, and bore her husband one child, Jessie L. The wife and mother died Feb. 2, 1882.

Mr. Thomson votes with the Republican party. His religious views coincide with the tenets of the United Presbyterian Church, to which denomi- nation, at Kirkwood, he belongs and is one of its Elders. He has held the office of Road Commis- sioner three years and is rightly regarded as one of the energetic and respected citizens of Tompkins Township.

homas H. Rice, a retired farmer and resi- dent of Monmouth, was born in Greenup County, Ky., Oct. 14, 1810. He was de- scended from a Welsh family, and the first an- cestor upon this continent was named Thomas. He was a wealthy gentleman, and returned to England in a few years for the purpose of collect- ing his property, but was never again heard of. Thomas H., the subject of this sketch, was the son of James and Ann (Hopkins) Rice, who reared five sons and one daughter. James Rice was born in

Rockingham County, Va., and removed to Greenup County in 1807. He was drowned while boating on the Ohio River, in 1814. His wife was of Scotch ancestry and was born in the above county. Two of Mr. Rice's uncles, Thomas and John Hopkins, served in the War of 1812, while Robert Snead, his wife's father, defended the colonies in the Revolutionary War. Thomas H. was the fifth child in order of birth of the family of six children born to his parents, and was brought up to farming and came to Warren County in 1835. The land upon which he located was afterward set off to Henderson County, and he resided there up to his coming to Monmouth, in I 866.

Mr. R. was married in Henderson County, April 12, 1849, to Mrs. Mary I. Ellett, a native of Hanover County, Va., where she was born, April 15, 1814. Her maiden name was Snead, and she died at her home in Monmouth, Feb. 3, 1883, of apoplexy. The morning following her death, a local paper published the following :

"Mary I. Rice was born April 14, 1814, near Rich- mond, Va. She married Mr. Thomas Ellett in 1834, and moved to this county in 1836, boarding, on their arrival, at the old house of Aunt Betty McNeil, on East Broadway, where now stands the residence of John Carr, Esq. Afterward they took up their resi- dence in the building now known as Cowan's black- smith shop, on West Broadway. The family lived in Monmouth only a short time, taking up their resi- dence in Henderson County. Mr. Ellett dying, his widow married Mr. Thomas Rice on April 12, 1849. About 19 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Rice moved to Monmouth, where they have since resided. Of the first union, the deceased mother leaves four. children -one son, Virginius C., living in Denver, Col. ; Thomas F. Ellett, of Red Oak, Iowa; Edwin H. El- lett, of Chicago; and Mrs. Sophia Mills, of Rosetta, Ill. Those named, excepting the first, were present to attend the funeral. Of the second union, the hus- band and two children remain, Mr. William A. Rice, banker at Rockport, Mo., and Miss Annie, at home. The deceased was a communicant in the Baptist Church since 1832." The funeral services were con- ducted from the first Baptist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Rice had born to them five children -James Albert, born Jan. 7, 1850, died June 1, 1856; William A., born Dec. 13, 1851, died at Rock- port, Mo., where he was a bank cashier,-Dec. 5,

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1883; Annie and Minnie were born July 5, 1856, and the latter died June 5, 1864; Jessie Jane was born July 5, 1858, and died May 7, 1859. Mr. R. was for several years engaged in the fruit and nur- sery business. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and since the demise of the old Whig party, has been a Republican. He has always been noted for liis generosity, his integrity and an unerring de- votion to the best interests of society, and as one of the truly representative men of Warren County, the publishers take pleasure in presenting his portrait in this ALBUM, accompanying this sketch.

10 rs. Flora A. Aylsworth, widow of Dr. Homer E. Aylsworth, residing at Rose- ville, is occupied in conducting the busi- ness left by her husband. The latter was born Sept. 8, 1838, in Burlington Green, Otsego Co., N. Y. His parents were Perry and Luna N. (Delong) Aylsworth, natives of Rhode Island. His father was a farmer by occupation and his fam- ily consisted of three children,-Homer E., Henry M. and Nelson O.

The Aylsworths are of English and Welsh ances- try, and came to America in the 17th century, set- tling in Rhode Island, and froin that State emigrated to New York ..

Homer E., husband of the subject of this notice, lived with his parents until he attained the age of 16 years. Previous to his leaving home he was sent to Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he acquired a thor- ough and complete knowledge of music. He then went to Michigan and was engaged in teaching vocal and instrumental music in that State for some time. In 1857 he came to this State and occupied his time by teaching school, after which he returned East and attended the Union College, at Schenectady, and in 1863, after following the entire curriculum of that institution, he graduated. He then returned to Roseville, this county, and, under the instruction of Dr. Bradley, commenced the study of medicine. He was under Dr. Bradley's instruction for three years, during which time he attended medical lectures at Michigan University, Ann Arbor, two years, and re-

ceived his diploma to practive medicine from that institution in 1867. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Roseville, which he fol- "lowed until shortly before his death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1885. He also established a drug store (the first one in the village), in 1868, which he con- tinued to conduct until his death.

Dr. Aylsworth was united in marriage with Mrs. Flora A. Eldridge, a native of Stephentown, Rensse- laer Co., N. Y., June 26, 1867. She is the daughter of Augustus and Maria (Murray) Jones, who were old settlers of New York, and was born Jan. 24, 1845, and bore her husband three children-Murray D., Mabel W. and Ivan S. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Aylsworth has continued to success- fully conduct the drug business which her husband had established. The Doctor in his political belief was a Prohibitionist, and religiously was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was an en- terprising man, of more than ordinary business abil- ity, and a respected citizen of this county. In addi-" tion to his possessions in this county, he was inter- ested in land in Dakota, having purchased 640 acres in Clark County (now a part of Day County), located on what is called Aylsworth Lake. The Doctor left a fine home at Roseville, costing about $4,000, in which his wife and children reside. Prior to his death he was engaged in compiling a biographical history of the Aylsworth family, the completion of which, however, was prevented by his demise.

homas M. Hess, M. D., a practicing physi- cian residing in Berwick village, and a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, was born in New Albany, Ind., Sept. 22, 1819. Dr. Hess read medicine in Westfield, Clark Co., Ill., with Drs. Moore and Briscoe, and then with Dr. Freeman. He entered Stirling Col- lege at Columbus, Ohio, and then settled in Homer, Champaign County, and practiced there for 26 years.

The first marriage of Dr. Hess took place Jan. 24, 1839, to Miss Nancy Button, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 4, 1818. The Doctor was again

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married, June 16, 188r, to Mrs. Martha M. Joyce, who was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1843. Mrs. Hess is the daughter of Benj. F. Allen, a native of Vermont, who was born in 1813, and died in 1865, in Maquon, this State. He was a stock-raiser by oc- cu pation, and married Miss Almira Sweetzer, in 1831. She died in 1845, in Delaware Co., Ohio, after hav- ing borne her husband six children, who were named Sarah E., Ethan, Benton, Mary D., Silas W. and Martha. .

Dr. Hess located in Berwick village in 1881, and has continued to follow his profession there until the present time. He is the father of nine children -Apollos, born Feb. 17, 1840; William H., Jan. 11, 1842; Smith H., Feb. 10, 1844; Theodore, Dec. 23, 185 1, a twin brother to Ferdinand, who died in in- fancy; Allie Belle, Dec. 19, 1853; Theophilus M., Nov. 22, 1857. The above children were by the first marriage of Dr. Hess, to Miss Nancy Button. Of his second union, namely, with Mrs. Joyce, the fol- lowing children were born: Theo Leota, March 23, 1883; Theola M., Jan. 14, 1885. Three of the above named are physicians, namely, William H., Apollos and Smith H.

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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 36

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

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