Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 40

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 40

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Mrs. James Kelsey, mother of the subject of this notice, remained a widow for three years after the death of her husband, when she was again married to John Blue, a native of Kentucky. Their union proved to be a very unhappy one, on account of his intemperate habits which caused some of her chil- dren, by her former marriage, to leave home, and the society of their mother. John, whose biography we write, was one of these unfortunate ones, and at the age of nine years went to live with his uncle, Ab- salom Vandeveer, with whom he resided until he was 20 years of age. By energy and perseverance he has succeeded in accumulating a goodly share of this world's goods, and is surrounded with a happy family of three children. Socially, Mr. Vandeveer is a member of the A. F. & A. M., at Youngstown, be- longing to Lodge No. 387. He first joined the order in 1853, at Greenbush, this county, and has been Treasurer of the Lodge for 25 years. For four years

John Kelsey was married. to Miss Harriet Day, Oct. 5, 1865, Rev. Whitehead, of the Baptist Church, officiating. She was born in Indiana, June 5, 1849, and has borne her husband five children, two of whoin are deceased. The record is as follows : Delbert, born Oct, 12, 1866; Emory, Feb, 1, 1870, i Mr. Vandeveer was Justice of the Peace, in Swan

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LIBRARY

CRAMER'S-PATCHEN.

RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA W. COATES, SEC. 9, ROSEVILLE TOWNSHIP.

Chinchilla

Boaditta

RedBud, Mother of herd

nannini Ledy & Twins

May bee & Tiuns

Victor

"Constance Duke

Miss Parsons

WALNUT GROVE FARM.RES. OF PARKER R. PARRISH, BREEDER OF THOROUGHBRED SHORT-HORN CATTLE, CLYDESDALE HORSES. & JERSEY RED SWINE, SEC:3 &4. ELLISON TP.

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Township, and we deem it no flattery to say that he is one of the representative class of agriculturists of the county.

arker R. Parrish, a successful farmer in this county, which occupation he has fol- lowed for the major portion of his life, is a tel resident on section 4, Ellison Township. He was born near La Fayette, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., Jan. 19, 1832. The father of Mr. Par- rish of this notice was Henry Parrish, a native of Virginia, who moved with his parents to Ross Co., Ohio, and there resided until his marriage with Eliza Harvey, a native of Maine, who accompanied her parents on their emigration to that county a few years prior to her marriage. After their marriage they resided in Ohio until six children had been born to them, when they moved to Indiana, in 1831, and located near LaFayette, then but a hamlet. The land at that early period was in its natural condition, and the hand of civilization was as yet hardly visible. They entered Government land at a time when the Indian Reserve was but seven miles from their resi- dence, which was located near the battle ground on which Harrison overcame Tecumseh, the afterwards famous Tippecanoe Valley. The parents continued to reside in that beautiful portion of the State, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer, and where they were both finally laid to rest.

The subject of this notice was the first child of his parents born in Indiana, and the seventh in order of birth of the family. He resided at home and got his education in the old log-cabin school-house of the day, these being the primitive educational advant- ages then afforded the community. His years, prior to his majority, were passed on the farm, lending a hand in the maintenance of the family, and attend- ing school. On becoming his own master, Mr. Par- rish worked as a general laborer until his marriage. This event took place April 16, 1855, in this county, when Miss Annaretta Godfrey became his wife. She was born July 4, 1828. After marriage Mr. Parrish with his wife returned to Indiana, where they lived in happy union for seven years, when she passed to the land of the hereafter, the date of her demise be-

ing May 11, 1862. Three children survived her, namely: Gus A., who married Florence Livermore, and is residing on a farm in this township; Willard, who was united in marriage with Mary Cramer and is at present residing at Red Oak, Ia., near which place he is engaged in stock-raising and farming. The third child, Anna, died at the age of seven years.

Mr. Parrish, after the death of his first wife, re- turned to this county, where, in Ellison Township, on Sept. 7, 1863, he was again married, the lady who became his second life-partner being Charlotte Godfrey, a sister of his former wife, and the daughter of Elijah and Ellen (Davis) Godfrey. Her parents were natives of Maryland, prior to whose union the parents of both had removed to Ross Co., Ohio, where Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey first met each other and where they were married. The parents of Mrs. Godfrey removed to Indiana, and afterwards came to this county and located in Ellison Township, where her father died, her mother having preceded him to the spirit-land during their stay in Tippe- canoe Co., Ind. Mrs. Parrish was born in that county, Sept. 30, 1837. She was the seventh in or- der of birth of a family of ten children, which con- sisted of eight daughters and two sons, and resided at home, receiving her education in the district schools and assisting her mother in the household duties, until her marriage with Mr. Parrish. They have become the parents of eight children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are Charles E., John O., Ida, Nora B. and Effie E., and the de- ceased are Frank, Lucilla and Harry.

In 1863, Mr. Parrish purchased 80 acres of land where he is at present residing. Locating on this land, he at once set to work with characteristic en- ergy to establish a home for himself and family, which would afford a comfortable shelter in the de- clining years of their life. By energy and economy, hard work and the exercise of a naturally sound judgment, he was, in 1875, enabled to purchase an additional 160 acres, located on section 3, same township, and a few years afterward added thereto 40 acres of farm land and 28 acres of timber. Mr. Parrish has thus increased his landed interests in this county until he is at present the owner of 308 acres of land, all of which, with the exception of timber, is tillable.

In politics, Mr. P. votes. with. the Democratic

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party. As an aid in spiritual guidance, he and his wife early united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In addition to strictly agricultural pursuits, Mr. P. is somewhat extensively engaged in the breeding and raising of stock. He was the second man in this county to recognize the value of the improve- ment of Short-horn stock, and began breeding in 1871. The first Short-horn heifer purchased by him is yet on his farm, and weighs 1,800 pounds. He is also the proud owner of two full-blood Clydes- dale horses, and part owner of three others. Thus successful has he proved himself as a propagator of improved stock.

In connection with this sketch of the career of a representative agriculturist, we present an excellent view of his homestead, on page 416.

acob Hayden, who is passing the sunset of his life on his farm, on sections 12 and 13, Tompkins Township, where he follows his chosen vocation, that of an agriculturist, was born in Ohio, in 1820. The parents of Mr. Hayden, John and Nancy (Ellis) Hayden,- were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. They moved from the latter State to Ohio in 1816, where the father purchased 160 acres of land, on which he resided with his family, engaged in its cul- tivation until his death. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical notice, lived with his parents until he was 22 years old, receiving at their hands a good common-school education. At that age in life his savings enabled him to purchase 40 acres of land, and after living thereon until 1849, he came to this State and for two years farmed on rented land in this county. In 1850 he purchased 80 acres of land in Ellison Township, and there re- sided for 15 years, until 1865. During that year he moved to Tompkins Township, and there purchased 95 acres, on which he moved and has resided for 20 years, following the vocation of an agriculturist.

Miss Mary A. King, an accomplished young lady, native of the Buckeye State, Jan. 27, 1846, became the wife of the subject of this notice, and has borne

children, namely : Sarah F., George, Charles and Carrie M. In politics, Mr. Hayden casts his vote with the Republican party, and he and his wife are consistent, active workers in the cause of religion, belonging to the Christian Church.

W. Armstrong, a practicing physician, re- siding at Kirkwood, this county, was born in Knox County, East Tennessee, Jan. 22, 1807. The parents of Mr. Armstrong, John and Nancy (Wier) Armstrong, were natives of Tennessee. They moved from that State to Indiana in 1826, where the father followed survey- ing and where he purchased a quantity of land, on which he lived until his death, Oct. 23, 1851, his wife having preceded him to the land beyond the river, July 5, 1818.

A. W. Armstrong, a sketch of whose life we give in this biography, remained with his parents until one year after attaining his majority. At the age named, 22, he took a course of study in the Tennes- see Literary College, at which he matriculated and followed the entire curriculum of that institution, oc- cupying six years of his time. He then taught school for two years in the Male Seminary, at Knox- ville, Tenn., and also taught Latin in the college from which he graduated for one year. In 1833 Dr. Armstrong commenced the study of medicine with Dr. McIntosh, a graduate of Edinburgh Col- lege, Scotland, with whom he remained two years. He then attended a course of lectures at Drake's College, Cincinnati, and subsequently took a course of study at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated, in 1849. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession and actively con- tinued the same until 1873. During that year he took a trip to California, where he remained one year, then returned, resumed his practice and continued the same until 1879. At this date he took another rest from active labor and spent a year in Arkansas, when he returned and has since continued his prac- tice. In 1844 Dr. Armstrong went to Crawfordsville, Ind., where he lived for 12 years. He came to this county in 1858 and settled at Kirkwood, and from that time until the present, with the exception stated,

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has actively followed the practice of his profession there. He is a gentleman whose reputation in the community is such that it requires at our hands no encomiums, and his success in his profession places him among the most prominent men in the county.

Dr. Armstrong wooed and won Miss Mary West- fall, a native of Ohio, and they were married in 1847. Their union has been blessed with the birth of three children-William D., Sarah L. and Mattie. In politics, the Doctor votes with the Democratic party, and, with his wife, belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Armstrong is the oldest physician of Kirkwood, and although in his 78th year, is enjoying good health. William D. Armstrong married Miss Annie Cargill, a native of Warren County, this State. This union has been blessed with seven children, viz .: Alfred C., Clarence, Mary, Edith, Mabel, Wil- liam and an infant, at this writing not named.

Sarah L. married Samuel Allen, a prominent bus- iness man of Kirkwood; to them have been born four children, viz. : Kemper, Wilma, Pearl and Nina. Kemper is now deceased. Mattie is living with her parents and is a teacher in the public school.

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ohn T. McWilliams, engaged in general farming on section 1, Ellison Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1826. His father, Alexander McWilliams, of Irish descent, was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Jane Boyle, in his native State. She was also a na- tive of that State and of Scotch ancestry and descent.

John T., the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice, was about 17 years of age when, in 1844, his parents came to this State, locating in Ellison Township, where two years afterward, in 1 846, the father died, aged 49 years. His mother died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Almira Yoho, in Ellison Township, in 1883, aged 81 years. John T. · was the fourth in order of birth of a family of twelve children, only four of whom are living, two in Illinois and two in Iowa, Mr. McWilliams being the oldest of the children living. He received a limited educa-

tion in the district schools and assisted in the labors of the farm, developing into manhood.

The marriage of Mr. McWilliams took place Aug. 30, 1855, in the State of Missouri, at which time Miss Nancy Sackett, a highly educated, Christian lady, became his wife. She was born in 1839, in St. Clair County, this State, and died at her home in . Ellison Township, Dec. 5, 1867. By their union five children were born-Charles H., a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and who formerly followed the same vocation on the Union Pacific Road ; Frank resides in Cheyenne County, Kansas ; Marion is living at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he is engaged in teaching; Marinda B. became the wife of M. J. Ralston, who lives at Creighton, Neb., where he is following the occupation of a farmer; and Amy is living at home. After the death of his first wife, Mr. McWilliams was again married, March 14, 1869, the Christian lady chosen for his wife being Mrs. Mary Crosier, nee Loftus. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Of her former union with Mr. Crosier, two children were born, and of her latter union with Mr. McWilliams, three children have been born, one- of whom is deceased. The living are A. J. and Archie, who reside at home. Mrs. Mc Williams de-I parted this life Aug. 3, 1879, at her home in Ellison Township.

Mr. McWilliams made his first purchase of land in this county in 1869, the same consisting of 80 acres. He at present has 60 acres under an ad- vanced state of cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. McWilliams enlisted in the Mexican War in an in- dependent company of Illinois Cavalry, and was in active service as a scout, but was in no general en- gagement. He was discharged at the close of the war, in August, 1848. He also enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co. C, 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, where his régiment was under the command of General Thomas. He belonged to a mounted company and participated in no general engagement, but in nu- merous skirmishes. He was finally transferred from the 83d to the 61st Regiment, and received an hon- orable discharge in 1865. In the cyclone that swept away the village of Ellison, May 30, 1858, Mr. Mc- Williams lost two sisters, Mary A. and Harriet, both young ladies, and both killed by the tornado at that

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time. In politics, Mr. McWilliams is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

charles S. Fletcher, a farmer on section 17, Tompkins Township, Warren County, was born in Ferrisburgh, Addison Co., Vt., June 9, 1825. His parents were Samuel and Ida (Cousins) Fletcher, natives of Eng- land and Vermont respectively. Samuel Fletcher was a signal officer at the battle on Lake Champlain under Commodore McDonough, and re- ceived $1,000 as prize money. He was Captain of the Ethan Allen, a vessel on Lake Champlain, and during a heavy storm in 1832 he was swept over- board and drowned. His wife's death occurred in 1829.

Charles S. Fletcher (the subject of this article), who, previous to his father's death, had been placed in the care of Samuel Spafford, came to Ohio with him in 1832. He continued a member of that gen- tleman's family until he was 14 years of age. He remained in the Buckeye State until he attained his 20th year, when he embarked in the show business, and for 15 years traveled with a menagerie and cir- cus, during which period he was with a company ex- hibiting through the West Indies and South America, in which countries he also made a large collection of birds, reptiles and other curiosities. At the age of 35 years, Mr. Fletcher came to Ellison Township, Warren County, where he had previously purchased 160 acres of land, and there remained, cultivating and improving the same for a period of two years, and then sold and purchased another tract of 160 acres, in the same township, being a resident of it for about the same length of time as he was the other. His next move was to his present location, where he has landed possessions to the number of go acres on section 17 and 5 acres on section 6, this township, and 640 acres in Nebraska. In 1876 Mr. F. erected a residence, which cost him in the neigh- borhood of $11,000, which he sold soon after com- pleting. His home farm presents the appearance of thrift and energy, and is in an advanced state of cul-

tivation. He carries on a general farming, and is one of the substantial men of Warren County.

Mr. Fletcher and Miss Sarah E. Wilson, a native of Connecticut, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony Oct. 28, 1860. Her parents were Clark S. and Elizabeth A. (Peck) Wilson, both natives of the State of Connecticut. They came West in the fall of 1861, and are now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. They have become the parents of a fam- ily of eight children, all surviving, except one, as follows: Samnel C., born July 20, 1862; Sidney W., born May 31, 1864; Nina E., born Feb. 1, 1866, Ninette A., born Nov. 6, 1869; Ida May, born May I, 1872; Ethan Allen, born Sept. 9, 1876; and Charles B., born Aug. 26, 1884; and Minerva I., deceased.

Politically, Mr. F. affiliates with the principles of the Republican party.

W. Nisely, one of Warren County's ener- getic and prosperous farmers, resides on section 34, Roseville Township; is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Hawk) Nisely, having been born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. '22, 1818. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and the former came to Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1816, and engaged in the distilling business, and also that of a farmer for some time. They died in Medina, Ohio, the father in 1867 and the mother in 1874.

G. W. Nisely remained at home until he was 25 years of age, spending his time in the common schools and at work for his father. He has a good farm of 130 acres, carries on a general farming busi- ness, and is recognized as one of the solid and sub- stantial men of Warren County.

On the 9th of March, 1853, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah M. Mabry, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of William and Esther (Leurman) Mabry, of Ohio. They have a family of ten children, to whom they have given the following names: Homer, George W., Mary, Jerome, John F., Hester M., Thomas B., Charles E., Albert A. and Kittie M. Mr. Nisely is a Prohibitionist in

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NIVERSIT

Fourth Finbekam

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WARREN COUNTY.

political views, and with his wife, is a member of the Christian Church.

There were 13 children in the family of Mr. Nisely's father, eight of whom are living. Samuel, one of the sons, lives in Iowa. The remainder are all living in Ohio, except the subject of this sketch.

Jacob Nisely, the father, died in Medina County, at the age of 76 years. His wife, and mother of George, died also in that county at the age of 76 years. Mr. Nisely left home in the spring of 1855, and stopped in Peoria County, and the next year went to Knox County. He came to Warren County in 1857 and rented land until 1864, when he pur- chased 80 acres on section 34, of Roseville Township and here has lived to the present.

Thomas Patton, of the firm of Patton & Beedee, dealers in flour, seeds, pumps, ag- ricultural implements, lime, cement, etc., at Monmouth, Ill., was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1831. The parents of Mr. Pat- lon, John S. and Jane (McCague) Patton, reared two sons and two daughters. The senior Mr. Pat- ton was twice married (see biography of R. S. Pat- ton).

The subject of this biographical notice was brought up on his father's farm. Of the children Mr. Patton was the third in order of birth and the second son. At the common schools he acquired a good English education and taught successfully for several years in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Illinois and resided in Peoria County up to 1868, teaching school in the meantime, five or six winters, and car- rying on a farm during the summer. In 1868 he re- moved to Warren County and was engaged in the occupation of an agriculturist, in Hale Township, for about ten years, coming thence to Monmouth, where he has since been engaged in his present business. His first partner was M. A. Gidding; his second, D. C. Goudy ; and the third, Mr. Beedee. Mr. Patton was a successful farmer and is likewise a popular and successful merchant. Before coming to Mon- mouth, he was two years School Trustee, and since residing here he has represented his ward two years in the city council.

Mr. Patton formed a matrimonial alliance with

Miss Esther Stevenson, in Marshall Co., Ill., Oct. 16, 1856. Mrs. Patton died in 1877, leaving four chil- dren-Ella J. (Mrs. R. Miller), Charles, Nannie B. and Alice. Mr. Patton's second marriage occurred at Monmouth, in 1878, the present Mrs. Patton hav- ing been Mrs. Eliza J. Davidson, nee Black. Relig- iously, both Mr. and Mrs. Patton are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

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harles E. Russell. Among the prominent young farmers of Warren County, we have the subject of this personal narrative. He lives on section 14, of Lenox Township, and is a son of Jonathan Russell, a prominent farmer of the county, whose biography is given in this ALBUM. His mother, Lydia, A. (Evans) Rus- sell, was a native of Pennsylvania. Charles was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1859. He received a good education in the schools of this county, his | arents having moved here when he was about a year old. Here he was reared and has since lived. 'He is the owner of 70 acres of good, tillable land in Lenox Township, section 22. He is a mem- ber of the order of the Golden Rule, and in political faith, is a Republican.

Mr. Russell was married at Monmouth, Sept. 4, 1884, to Lonie L. Shaw, daughter of Clarkston Shaw and Melissa J. Codington, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively. Mrs. R. was born in Spring Grove Township, Nov. 1, 1864.

oseph Tinkham, one of the large land- owners of Warren County, living in retire- ment at Kirkwood, where he is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet, in the enjoyment of the comforts which are the re- ward of a life of labor, energy and persever- ance, was born in the Green Mountain State, March 26, 1812.

The parents of Mr. Tinkham were Benjamin and Anna (Gray) Tinkham, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively. His father was a farmer and died in his native State in 1827. Mrs. Tink-

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ham, mother of the subject of this notice, came to this State and resided with her children until her death, in 1861. Of this union, six children were born-Mary, Joseph, Benjamin, Ransom, Erastus and Amerette.

Joseph, the second child, whose name heads this biography, passed the years of his life prior to at- taining his majority, under the care of his parents, receiving at their hands a good education, and as- sisting his father on the farm. On becoming his own master, his ambition to accumulate a compe- tency for himself immediately began to assert itself. He left the parental homestead and worked out for six years. In 1835, when 22 years of age, realizing that better inducements were offered to young men in the undeveloped West, he enigrated to this State, and located in Warren County, where he purchased 160 acres of land. To his original purchase he sub- sequently added 500 acres, upon which he moved with his family and resided until 1881, during which time the land was brought to a high state of cultiva- tion. In the year last mentioned, he retired from the active labors of life and removed to Kirkwood, where he purchased a house and lot and where he has made his place of residence since.

Mr. Tinkham was married in 1841, the lady chosen to be his companion for life being Miss Ann Robinson, a native of the Keystone State, where she was born Dec. 13, 1815. Her parents, William R. and Sarah (Witcher) Robinson, natives of the State of Virginia, came to Illinois, locating in Sangamon County, in 1836, and after a period of four years re- moved to Logan County. At the latter place they · entered on Government land and began to work the same, their farm being under an advanced state of cultivation when the mother died in 1845. The father's death occurred at the residence of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Ann Tinkham, in Kirkwood village, this county, in 1858. They were natives of Virginia, where her father was born in 1779, and her inother in 1795. The grandparents of Mrs. Tinkham were, on the father's side, McKenna Robinson and Eliz- abeth Wamsley, also natives of Virginia. On the mother's side, her ancestors were James Witcher and Mary Kelly, who were likewise Virginians. Of the union of William R. Robinson and Sarah Witcher, 1 2 children were the offspring, viz .: Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann, Mary Ann, Lydia, Jane, Mi- nerva, William, Kittie and Christopher T.

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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 40

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

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