Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 37

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 37

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The Doctor is a member of the Christian Church, and has preached in the same for nearly 40 years. His wife is also a member of the same denomination. The Doctor joined the Order of Masonry in 1854, and was a charter member of Homer Lodge, No. 199. In politics he is a Douglas Democrat and has always voted that ticket. In 1879 he occupied the pulpit for some four or five meetings in the Christian Church on Western Avenue, Chicago.

ndrew Jackson Ritchey is one of the solid farmers of the township of Spring Grove, where he is the owner of a fine farm, containing 450 acres of excellent land, all of which is in the best possible condition for the purpose to which the owner has de- voted it since it became his property. See page 368. Mr. Ritchey is a settler in Warren County of 1854. He is a native of the State of Indiana, and was born in Decatur County, May 17, 1833. He is the son of

William and Martha (Myers) Ritchey, who were na- tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were pioneers in the county, in which their son was born, and the father was the owner of a farm there which he had cleared from a heavy growth of tim- ber, it being at the time of its purchase in its native state. The senior Ritchey and his family were the occupants of the farm in Indiana until 1858. In that year they came to Warren County and located in the township of Spring Grove. A few years later the fa- ther and mother removed to Mercer County and there were resident for the period of one year. They went thence to Livingston County, and from there to Butler Co., Missouri. There the father died, in 1875, the widow returning to Fairbury, Livingston Co., Ill., where she died, Feb. 22, 1884. The family in- cluded 12 children. Mr. Ritchey was the second son. He was reared under the care of his parents and obtained such education as was possible in the public schools.

In 1854 he severed the ties between himself and his boyhood's home and associations and came to Illinois to seek an opportunity to make his own way in the world unaided. He located in Warren County and engaged in farming in the capacity of an assist- ant in the employ of his uncle, George Myers. He remained with him 18 months, or thereabouts. In 1855 he bought 75 acres of unimproved land on sec- tion 2, of Spring Grove Township, for which he paid at the rate of $6 per acre. In the 'succeeding winter he built a frame house, for which he procured the lumber at Oquawka. In March, 1856, he took pos- session of his farm and new house and prepared to enter at once upon the work of improving the place according to his own plans and ideas. He was prosperous in all his undertakings and is now the owner of the fine acreage that has been mentioned. Mr. Ritchey is occupied in the duties of mixed hus- bandry and devotes much attention to the rearing of stock for market. He exhibits some fine specimens of Durham cattle and full-blooded Poland-China swine. In political persuasion he is a Democrat.

The marriage of Mr. Ritchey and Miss Mary Lowe took place Sept. 13, 1855. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Lowe. Her father was an Englishman by birth, her mother a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ritchey was born in Washing- ton Co., Pa., March 2, 1839. They are the parents of seven children. Their oldest child, John William,

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died at the age of four and one-half years. He was born Sept. 12, 1856, and died May 10, 1861. Charles was born June 1, 1858, and died May 23, 1861. Sarah F., born Sept. 15, 1869, died May 9, 1861. The parents were thus bereft of three children in the space of 14 days, their deaths occurring from a com- bination of measles and typhoid fever. Ida is the wife of William W. Rowe. They reside on a portion of the old homestead in the township in which-her parents reside. Emma - married Sept. 23, 1885, They are also farming on section 12, in this town- ship. Harry and Jessie are the names of the young- er of the surviving children. They reside at home with their parents. The father and the mother are members of the United Brethren Church, in Alexis.

A sahel D. B. Sisson, one of the largest land- owners (considering his acreage in Iowa) in Swan Township, where he resides on section 29, was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Sept. 2, 1813. He is a son of Joseph Sisson, born in Rhode Island, Oct. 20, 1789. 'The father came to this State in 1837, and here resided, engaged in farming, until the date of his death, June 12, 1851. He was married to Floretta Frisbee, in Jan- uary, 1812. She died in 1882, in Iowa, in her 92d year. Of their union ten children were born-Asa- hel D. B., Cyrus F., Emeline, Rufus K., Ann, Augus- tine W., Marcus F., Andrew J., Mary E. and Martin. The latter died in Henderson County, at the age of five years.

Asahel D. B. Sisson came to Swan Township in 1836, being attracted hither by an acquaintance. He had been raised on a farm, and before leaving his native State had been teaching a winter school for some time. After his arrival here he became the pedagogue of the first school established in the town- ship, giving his own labor also in the erection of the building in which he was to instruct the youthful mind. The old log school-house stood on section 17. The next winter he went to Greenbush Town- ship and taught a school for 12 months. He con- tinued school teaching, at different times for about II years. In 1838, he and his brother Cyrus bought a half-section of unimproved land (one-quarter of which was in timber) on section 29, but no building

was erected upon it until 1841, in which year he was married. In the meantime he resided with his father, who had removed here with his entire family in 1837.

Mr. Sisson formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Henrietta Scott, Aug. 22, 1841. She was born in 1819, in the State of Kentucky, her father being Peter Scott. He was born in 1795, in North Caro- lina, and married Miss Nancy Russell in 1814; came to this State in 1824, and first located in Taze- well County. His wife was born Dec. 10, 1793, in Virginia, and died in California, in 1875. He died in Oregon, in 1849. They had six children-James, Artemesia, Henrietta, Lemuel, Norman and Lawson, all of whom are living.

Mr. and Mrs. Sisson of whom we write, had but one child-Lovina C. Sisson, who was born April 10, 1843, and died July 7, 1879. She became the wife of Mr. A. A. Cornell, Oct 16, 1864, and of their union there was no issue. Mr. A. A. Cornell was born March 4, 1836, came to this State in September,1 1857, and is yet living here.

Mr. Sisson devotes his time exclusively to agri- cultural pursuits. He has 280 acres of good land in Swan Township, under an advanced state of cultiva- tion, and is also the owner of 540 acres in Iowa. He was Justice of the Peace four years, and the first Treasurer of Swan Township.

Mr. Sisson voted with the Republican party until 1876, when he joined the Greenback party, and since that time has continued to vote with and work for the principles it advocates.

H. Sexton, County Clerk of Warren Co., Ill., is a native of Pennsylvania, where it appears he was born in 1837. Of his pa- rentage the biographer is unable to write, as like the exact date of his birth, the informa- tion upon that score is not at hand. Shakes- peare says something about some men being “ born great; some achieving greatness, and some having greatness thrust upon them." It would be hardly correct to paraphrase by saying that " some are born to office ; some achieve office, and others have office thrust upon them; " for an encyclopedia of American

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OLD ROCKWELL MILLON CEDAR CREEK, ERECTED 1837.

RESIDENCE AND MILL PROPERTY OF A. H. ROCKWELL, SEC. 35. SUMNER TOWNSHIP.

SCALES

RESIDENCE OF MRS. ANNA C.SYKES, SEC. 9. MONMOUTH TOWNSHIP.

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office-holding would plainly, if honestly compiled, teach· that the second proposition only bore upon truth. But to say that some men are born to " soft, things ;" some achieve "soft things " and others have "soft things " thrust upon them, would seem to be very nearly borne out by the record.

Mr. Sexton entered the army of the United States in the late war as a Quartermaster Sergeant; from this not very hazardous position, he rose in due time to Quartermaster of the regiment; from this position he left the army at the close of the war and came into Warren County to take charge of the office of City Clerk of Monmouth. From City Clerk he rose to Deputy Circuit Clerk, and from that again to Deputy County Clerk and finally to County Clerk. This office he has held on to with great skill ; and as Mr. Sexton has not said anything about abandoning the office, there appears to be very healthy indications that the good people of Warren County need not have their best office become unoccupied for want of a competent office-holder, for at least some consider- able time. We regret that we are unable to say more of Mr. S., but the truth is he has been so busy serving the people by holding their offices, and in- deed. holding them with a skill that approaches the professional-that he has had no time for compiling data for the historian.

apt. Alfred H. Rockwell, a resident on section 35 in the township of Sumner, is the son of one of the earliest pioneers of the county, having come hither in 1832 with his parents. Lovett P. Rockwell, his father, was born in Connecticut, Jan. 31, 1798. Joshua Rockwell, who was the grandfather of Mr. Rockwell of this narrative, was a native of the same State and was born Aug. 19, 1774. The former married Nabbie Partridge, who was born Feb. 27, 1775. They left the land of " wooden nutmegs " for Ohio soon after the War of 1812, and located in Ashtabula County. . They were members of the pioneer element of the Buckeye State and there the mother died, Aug. 10, 1843. The son, Lovett, had come to Warren County in 1832, and after the death

of his wife he joined his children in Illinois. His life terminated in Sumner Township, Aug. 25, 1866. The father of Mr. Rockwell was a very young man when his parents went to Ohio. He was married in Ashtabula County, Dec. 19, 1819, to Mary E. John- son, a native of the State of New York. She was born in Medina in that State, Nov. 23, 1803. Until 1831 the senior Rockwell was variously occupied in Ohio. In that year he made a journey to Warren County on a prospecting tour. He was satisfied with the apparent prospects and bought the north- east quarter of section 25 in township 12. The troubles that culminated in the Black Hawk War were felt in this county, and the terrified settlers had built a fort and block-house for mutual protection in what was afterward Sumner Township. Soon after securing his claim, he returned to Ohio. and in the spring of 1832 sought again the site he had selected for a new home, accompanied by his family. His household included his wife and three children, and they came by the river route to Illinois. They came from the Mississippi River by the Illinois River to Fulton County, and from there to their destination, arriving in June. The dangers from the Indians made it necessary for them to move into the block- house. The property Mr. Rockwell had bought was under some improvements, and a saw-mill with an outfit of burr-stones for grinding corn had been erected on the place. The new proprietor improved the land of which he had become the possessor and operated the mills on it for some years. In 1837 he built a grist-mill, and not long after still further in- creased his business relations by opening a mercan- tile establishment for the sale of general merchandise, such as was required in a pioneer community. His enterprise resulted in the place being made a postal station and he was appointed to manage its connec- tions in behalf of the Government. He conducted the affairs of his several occupations until failing health admonished him that a change was impera- tive. The gold fever afforded a resort and he crossed the plains to the El Dorado of the West, whither he went in 1850. In the year following he bought a ranch in what was known as the Napa Valley. He remained in California a few years, returning in 1853. On his way homeward he was taken sick, and never fully recovered from that illness. He was well enough to resume his business, which he did, and continued to manage his interests two years. In

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1857 he went back to California, but remained there only until the next year. In 1858 he came back, but in no better health than when he went away, and he never again gave his attention to business. His death occurred May 17, .1860. His wife was his survivor until Sept. 15, 1884. She was a mem- ber of the family of her son Alfred as long as she lived after the death of her husband. Six of their eight children lived to mature life,-Albert J., Clar- issa, Alfred H., Maria L., Sarah A. and Edward W. Mary E. and Nancy died young. Only three are now living. Alfred H. is a resident on a part of the homestead property. Maria L. is the survivor of her husband-W. W. Stillwagon, of California. Sarah A. is the widow of Theodore Hofies. She lives in Chicago. Edward W., the_youngest son, was born in Sumner Township, Aug. 4, 1840. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. B, 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., and received a fatal wound at the battle of Fort Donelson, Feb. 3, 1863, from which he died on the 27th of the same month.

Mr. Rockwell was in the first year of his life when his father removed to Warren County with his family. He was born in 1831 in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Until he was large enough to be useful on the farm, he was a pupil in the common schools. After arriving at a suitable age, he acted as assistant in the mill and on the farm until he reached the period of his legal freedom-baring the time he was in California. At the age of 21 his father made him a partner in his business relations and they operated jointly un- til 1857. He then leased the entire property and was its sole manager until 1862. The Civil War was then the engrossing topic, and Mr. Rockwell was too good a patriot to permit the defense of his interests by others altogether, and in August of the second year of the war he enlisted in the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf. He enrolled in Company I, and was in active service from that time until soldiers were no longer a necessity in the United States. He served with the Army of the Tennessee and was discharged with his regiment in June, 1865. On his return he bought the homestead with his older brother (since deceased). The estate contained 720 acres, and when they made their division Mr. Rockwell took 2II acres on sections 35 and 36, including the grist- mill. Heis still managing the mill and farm.

The marriage of Mr. Rockwell took place Nov. 15, 1854, his wife being Martha P. Crawford, the

daughter of James C. and Esther (Sloan) Crawford, who emigrated from Ohio to Mercer Co., Ill., in 1833-theirs being the seventh family to settle in that county. Two years after they moved into War- ren County. The father of Mrs. Rockwell was born in Washington Co., N. Y., and the mother in Blount Co., Tenn., the marriage of the parents occurring Jan. 27, 1831. The mother died May 9, 1882, but the father is still living at this writing (Dec. 22, 1885) in Henry Co., Mo. Mrs. Rockwell was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 20, 1832, being only about one year of age when her parents removed to Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell were born eight children, of whom six are yet living. They are named William Elmer, Frank D., Clara A., Alma E., Mary E. and J. Lovett. Wm. E. married Miss Lou Louis and resides in Omaha. Their other chil- dren reside at home.

His wife is a worthy member of the United Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Rockwell, in politics, votes as he fought, for the precepts of the Republican party.

An excellent view of the old mill and residence of Capt. Rockwell is presented in the accompanying pages.

S. Douty, a well-to-do and respected farm- er of Tompkins Township, where he owns 231 acres of land, located on section 30. Here he resides in the prosecution of his voca- tion. He was born Feb. 16, 1832, in Maine. His parents, Oakesman and Mercy (Coulton) ~ Douty, were natives of Massachusetts.

Mr. Douty of this notice remained under the par- ental roof until he was 16 years of age. . He had the misfortune to lose his father, he having died in 1844, and his mother in 1853. He received a good com- mon-school education in the district schools of his native county, and after leaving home he engaged in the lumber business, which he followed for several years. In 1857 he came to this State, and passed the winter in Galesburg, Knox County. He then rented a farm in Henderson County, and for six years was engaged in farming in that manner, meet- ing with some success. In 1865 he purchased a

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farm near Roseville, consisting of.80 acres, on which- he moved and labored for one year, when he sold it. At that time he purchased 80 acres on section 30, Tompkins Township, and has there resided ever since. Soon after purchasing this land, with his family he located thereon, and, by hard labor and economy on the part of both heads of the family, he has been enabled to add 15 1 acres to his original purchase, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 231 acres, where he lives and is engaged in its cultiva- tion and improvement. In addition to the cultiva- tion of his land, he is engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock raising, and by combining both branches of his avocation in life, he is meeting with success.

The marriage of Mr. Douty to Miss Sarah Stewart, a native of Clinton Co., Pa., took place Sept. 19, 1861. She was the daughter of Michael and Eliza- beth (Hunt) Stewart, who came to this State in 1859 and located in Henderson County, where they both died, her father in 1869, and her mother in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Douty are the parents of two children, -Ida B. and Wilbur. They also have an adopted daughter, Eva (Shriner) Douty.

In politics. Mr. Douty is a Republican. He is also School Director of his district and one of the respected as well as representative citizens of the township.

ames E. Amos, farmer, residing on section II, Greenbush Township, was born in Ver- million Co., Ind., in 1833. He remained with his parents until he attained the age of 21 years, receiving such advantages as were ob- tainable at the common schools, and assisting in the labors in the cabinet shop and finishing the carpenter's trade in Perrysville, Ind. His father, Nathaniel Amos, now deceased, was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1802, and married Miss Jane Evans, in 1824. She was born Feb. 29, 1808, in Pennsyl- vania, and bore her husband eight children, viz .: Benjamin, Joanna, Kittie J. (deceased), James, Wil- liam and George. John W. and an infant unnamed are deceased.

James E. Amos, of whom we write, formed a mat-

rimonial alliance with Miss Nancy M. Baughman, April 22, 1856. The Baughman family were early settlers in Fulton County, this State, her father be- ing among the number. She was born March 21, 1842, and died May 5, 1877. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Of their union five children were born-Amanda J., Nov. 3, 1857 ; Mary E., Feb. 17, 1860; William F., Sept. 15, 1864; Minnie A., Aug. 19, 1869; Iva V., Feb. 16, 1877, all of whom are living.

March 30, 1882, Mr. Amos was again married, to Mrs. Josephine Lloyd. Her first husband's name was John J. Butler, who was a native of Ohio, born in 1836, and died in 1863; they were married. Dec. 29, 1860. The second husband of Mrs. Amos, James R. Lloyd, was born in Kentucky, in 1831, and died Nov. 21, 1879. They were married, Jan. 25, 1866, in this county. Mrs. Amos had two children by her first husband, namely: Mary E., born Oct. 24, 1861, and Isaac L., born Jan. 16, 1863. The latter died in May, same year. By her second mar- riage, five children were born-Eliza L., Nov. 28, 1866; died Nov. 15, 1876; Nellie, born May 31,1 1869; Rosa, April 4, 187 1, and an unnamed infant born Feb. 4, 1875; died May 7, same year, and Joseph R., born Jan. 28, 1878. Mr. Lloyd, second husband of Mrs. Amos, was one of the first settlers in Greenbush Township. His mother was born in 1801, in Albemarle Co., Va., and died Nov. 10, 1884. She once attended a reception, given in honor of Gen. LaFayette. William Lloyd, the father of Mr. James R. Lloyd, was born Dec. 5, 1802; was married to Eliza W. Traulliar in 1825; was the father of six children-Lucinda F., born Sept. 15, 1828; James R., Feb. 16, 1831; Charles W., June 17, 1833 ; Sarah E., Dec. 9, 1836, Martillus, July 14, 1839; Thomas J., Feb. 16, 1841 ; James R. was the only one that was married. Sarah E. is the only one of the children living.

Mr. Amos, of this sketch, and Mrs. Lloyd were married March 30, 1882. They have 200 acres of good land in this county, which is particularly suited for the raising of stock. On their place they have a good dwelling 26 x 36 feet and two stories in height; also a barn 30 × 42 feet, with a basement. Her former husband, Mr. Butler, belonged to the Chris- tian Church, as likewise does her third husband, Mr. Amos. The latter is an ordained minister and has occupied the pulpit in the Christian Church for the

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past 24 years. He is a temperance man and votes with the Prohibition party. He is also President of the Western Illinois Christian Conference and Secre- tary of the Illinois State Conference. In his early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and assisted to build the first house that was erected in the city of Bushnell. He also erected 56 buildings in Fulton County. The father of Mrs. Amos, Joseph L. Park, was born in November, 1810; was a member of the Presbyterian Church; married Miss Mary McDonald in 1833, and died in 1852. She was born in Ken- tucky, in 1816, and is still living, residing in Green- bush village. Of their union seven children were born : William B., who died in the army, was born in 1835; Columbus, in 1837; Josephine, Sept. 17, 1839; John, Jan. 9, 1842; Wallace, June 19, 1844; Marion, Sept. 17, 1849, and Sarah E., May 8, 1852.

ames F. Thomson, an agricuturist of this county, which vocation he has followed the major portion of his life, is a resident of section 10, Tompkins Township. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1844, of pa- / rents who were natives of Ohio, and named re- spectively John and Rachel (Frances) Thomson. They came to this State in 1867, and settled upon the same section where James F., of this sketch, at present resides, and where the father purchased 160 acres of land on which he is at present residing.

The gentleman we name at the commencement of this biography, was an inmate of his parent's family until one year after attaining his majority. His years, prior to that time, were passed in acquiring a rudi- mentary education at the common schools, which he supplemented by a course of study at a Normal school. On attaining the age of 22 years, Mr. Thomson engaged in teaching, and was thus occu- pied for three years, one year in Ohio and two years in Henderson County, this State. In 1870, in com- pany with his brother, he purchased the undivided half interest to 160 acres of land on section 13, Tompkins Township. They jointly cultivated the same until 1881, when Mr. Thomson, of this notice, sold his interest to his brother and purchased the 80

aeres on which he at present resides. He located on his land and began the active labor of an agricul- turist, which he has continued, with success, until the present time. By energetic labor and economy he succeeded in accumulating sufficient to make an additional purchase of 80 acres, and at present is the proprietor of 160 acres of good farming land, all in a body and under an advanced state of cultivation.

Sept. 3, 1873, Mr. Thomson was married to the lady of his choice, Miss Mary E. Norcross. She is a native of this State, and a daughter of Hamlin and Clarinda (Hoge) Norcross. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, whom they named Carl H., Frank N. and Maggie F. The political views of Mr. Thomson coincide with the principles advocated by the Republican party, with which he always casts his vote. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Thomson was a soldier for the Union in the late War, having enlisted in the 157th Ohio Vol. Inf., and served five months, having engaged in no con- flict, but being actively occupied in guarding prison- ers during that time. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1864. He is one of the rep- resentative citizens of Tompkins Township and a successful and progressive follower of his vocation.

B arzillai Parker, deceased, was a pioneer of Warren County, who located in the town- ship of Spring Grove rather what is now known as such, in 1835. He was born at Snow Hill, Worcester Co., Md., April 18, 1808. His home was there until he was nine years of age, when his parents removed to Ken- tucky, in which State he remained until his removal to Warren County, in the year stated. His father died in Kentucky soon after the family removed to that State. Mr. Parker was accompanied to Warren County by his mother and sister. The journey from Ohio was made overland, they bringing with them their household furniture and also what stock they owned. Mr. Parker built a log house and rived the shingles to cover the roof. After making provisions for shelter he commenced improving the land which

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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 37

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

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