Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 43

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 43

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John Randolph Webster was educated at Macomb, Ill., and at Juniata Academy, in Perry Co., Pa., completing his literary course in 1852-53. He was 22 years of age when he began reading medicine with Dr. D. B. Rice. now of Oregon, as preceptor, and soon after entered Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1858. Returning to Monmouth, he prac- ticed medicine a few years, when he again took to his studies, this time at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. From here he graduated as M. D. in

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1864 and returned to Monmouth, where he has for many years held a high rank as physician and sur- geon. He is a member of the United States Med- ical Society, the Military T'ract Medical Society, State Medical Society, and local medical organiza- tions. In 1862, he received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the 83d Ill. Vol. Inf., but was taken sick at Cairo and compelled to return home.

Though a Republican in faith, he is no politician. He belongs to the Masonic Order: His parents were Quakers, and he leans more to that than any other Church. As a business man he is more than ordinarily brilliant. Beginning life as a poor boy, he has, before reaching the meridian of life, accumu- lated a handsome competency. He was one of the organizers of the Second National Bank, in 1875, and two years later became its Vice-President, a position he has since held.

Dr. Webster was married at Monmouth, Sept. 23, 1858, to Miss Susan Nye, daughter of Mr. Elisha Nye, now of California, and a native of Massachu- setts. The Doctor's children living are Harry B., connected with the Second National Bank; and Ralph W., a student. Frank, his second son, died when about two years of age.

gilliam Laferty, deceased, was born at Northumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 9, 1818, and died at Monmouth, Jan. 5, 1877. His father died while he was but a little child, four years old. His mother lived to the green old age of 98 years, her death occurring in July, 1878. He was taught in early life to earn his own bread by the sweat of his brow. His oppor- tunities for education were limited to the winter terms of the Pennsylvania common schools, and as he was but a mere youth when apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, these were but few.

He came to Monmouth, in 1836, and here worked at his trade about 20 years. In 1856, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds, and filled the two offices for eight consecutive years.

He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and one year later (1865) became its President, a position he held at the time of his death. Prior to his election as Circuit Clerk he held various minor offices, such as Supervisor, Assessor, School Director, etc. He was for several years one of the Trustees of Monmouth College, and held at the same time the positions of Trustee and Treasurer of Warren County Library. He was two years Presi- dent of the Old Settlers' Association of Warren and Henderson Counties and was the Treasurer of that organization at the time of his death. Like most of the pioneers who came to this country at an early day, he had to struggle against the vicissitudes of poverty and obscurity. He landed in Warren County with $60 in money, but being a man of pluck, energy and unyielding integrity, he soon became one of the prominent men of the county and died worth $75,- 000, all of which he left by will to his widow. In all his relations in life, Mr. Laferty was an honest and honorable, a sterling man, a man whose integrity was never questioned. By his large circle of acquaint- ances he was highly esteemed and it may well be said of him that those who know him best, loved him most.

In his death his friends and associates lose a safe and prudent counsellor, the community a valuable citizen, and all public and private enterprises of Monmouth a liberal supporter.

Jan. 5, 1877, the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, of Monmouth, at a meeting called for the purpose, adopted the following resolutions :

WHEREAS, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from our number, by the hand of death, our much esteemed President, William Laferty, who has so faithfully filled the office for the past 12 years, it is but just that a fitting recognitron of his many vir- tues be expressed ;

Resolved, That in his death we lose a friend and companion, a good and faithful officer who was es- teemed by us all; a citizen whose upright, honest and noble life was a standard of emulation for every one.

Resolved, That the heart-felt sympathy of this board of directors be extended to his family in this their deep affliction, and that a copy of these resolu- tions be presented to the family of the deceased.

The Committee of the Warren County Library and Reading Room, upon the same day adopted the sub- joined resolutions in respect to his worthiness :

WHEREAS, Since our last meeting it has pleased

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our common Lord to remove from time to eternity our friend and fellow trustee, William Laferty;

Resolved, That this association, deeply sympathiz- ing with his afflicted widow and relatives, cordially record on our minutes our high sense of his sterling qualities as a man, a husband, a citizen, and of his faithfulness as a member and officer of our Board, who, after years of devotion and liberality for its in- terests, has died respected and lamented by all who knew himn.

Resolved, That the city papers be requested to in- sert the above in their earliest issues.

J. M. JAMIESON, R. C. MATTHEWS, Committee.

At a meeting of the Faculty and Trustees of Mon- mouth College, held Jan. 6, the following action was taken :

WHEREAS, In the Providence of God we are called upon to mourn the loss of our honored friend and fellow-citizen, William Laferty ;

Resolved, That we tender to the widow and family our sympathy in this hour of bereavement; that we unite with this entire community in sorrow over the death of one who was everybody's friend and helper, noble, useful, kind and true; and that we sadly feel how great is the loss of the College in being deprived of his watchful care and counsels.

Mr. Laferty was a Republican in politics, and dur- ing the late war was an active supporter of the Union cause.

He was married in Berwick Township, this county, Jan. 1, 1844, to Miss Sarah Tiffany, who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., July 4, 1817. There were born to them three children, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Laferty was the adopted daughter of Henry and Olive (Kingsley) Cable (her mother having died dur- ing her infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Cable were natives of New England and of German and English extrac- tion. She was educated in New York and taught the first school ever opened in Berwick, Warren County. The large fortune left her by her husband, together with its increase, amounting in all to nearly $100,000, was placed by a trusted agent, John Brown, familiarly known as "Deacon Brown," in the hands of the Cashier of the Bank, of which Mr. L. was so long a time President. The conduct of the Cashier, B. T. O. Hubbard, appears to have been limited only by his opportunities and the whole sum of Mrs. Laferty's money, together with several hun- dred thousands of dollars belonging to other people, was swept away. Suit was brought against both Mr.

Brown and Mr. Hubbard, which, while pending, was compromised by Brown, so far as he was concerned, by his payiug Mrs. Laferty $10,000, and the cost of the suit. Mrs. Laferty, now in good health, with an adopted daughter, resides at the old homestead.

M. Capps, a prosperous agriculturist and stock-raiser on section 15, Roseville Town- ship, is a son of John and Miram (Cole) Capps, and was born in Edmonson Co., Ky., ín 1835. . His parents came to Illinois in 1864, locating in Berwick Township. They remained there but four years, when they removed to Creston, Iowa, where the father is living a retired life in peace and quiet with his estimable companion, who assisted him in all his labors and partook of all his trials. They have a family of eight children living.

I. M. Capps remained at home with his parents until he 'attained the age of 21 years, assisting in the labors on the farm, and received at their hands a good common-school education. After arriving at his majority, he worked out for one year in his native State, and in 1857 came to Illinois, locating in Lenox* Township. During the first summer after his arrival, he hired out by the month, and attended school dur- ing the winter. which course he also followed the ensuing summer and winter, at the end of which time he rented a farm, and worked for four years, solely in his own interest. He then purchased the farm on which he now resides and which contains 275 acres. He has made all of the excellent im- provements with which it is now provided. He is also engaged in the stock business.

March 7, 1861, the marriage of Mr. Capps and Miss Mary S. Dillon was solemnized. Miss Dillon, who was born in Logan Co., Ky., was the daughter of William Dillon, who moved with his family to Illinois and settled in Floyd Township, this county, when Mary was but eight years of age. She became the mother of eight children, namely: John F., Nina C., Edward, Nellie, Winnie, Fannie, Myra and Bertie. The death of Mrs. Capps occurred Oct. 6, 1885. She was a lady of estimable character and

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greatly admired by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. She was a devoted Christian lady and a member of the Baptist Church. She was buried in the Union Cemetery.

Politically, Mr. Capps is a Democrat, and has held many of the official positions of his township. He is at present serving as Justice of the Peace and School Director. He belongs to the Order of A. O. U. W.

ohn T. Reed is a farmer on section 22 in the township of Point Pleasant, who set- tled in Warren County in 1850. He was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Sept. 4, 1832. His father, Burrus Allen Reed, was a native of Kentucky and was born in 1808. He married Matilda Thomas, who was born in 1807 and died Oct. 27, 1881. " After their marriage, about 1828, they emigrated from Kentucky to Morgan Co., Ind., on pack-horses, their culinary outfit being only a coffee-pot and frying-pan, and their only mechanical implement an ax. In Morgan County Mr. Reed purchased a tract of timber land, on which he cleared a farm and of which he was the owner and occupant until 1850, when he sold the property and came to Illinois, with his family, consisting of his wife and II children, making the journey with ox and horse teams and consuming three weeks' time. They stopped first in the township of Greenbush, for two years ; but Mr. R. made his first purchase of land in Swan Township, where he resided until his death, which took place Oct. 1, 1885. His 11 children are all yet living, and all in this State except James L., who resides in Nebraska, and W. B., who is a farmer in Northwestern Iowa. Matilda E. A. is the wife of Edward Campbell, and they reside in McDonough County, this State. The sons are all Democratic in their political views.

Mr. Reed was 18 in the same year in which his parents removed to Illinois. He has a clear remem- brance of the incidents of the journey, which was not particularly distasteful, as he had few of the respon- sibilities resting on him and he was at liberty to en- joy what there was of novelty or interest in the trip.

He obtained employment in Swan Township without any difficulty, and he continued to labor as a farm assistant until 1855. He then began to operate as a renter, and from that time has been independent, carrying on his business in his own interest. He pyssessed energy and good judgment, and conse- quently enjoyed success. In 1858 he became by purchase the owner of the farm on which he has since resided and carried out his plans. The gen- eral appearance and character of his property gives evidence of the quality of the above mentioned char- acteristics. The farm is all enclosed and the por- tion in need of draining has been ditched and tiled, and is in the most valuable condition, as is the case in instances where that process is necessary.

The marriage of Mr. Reed to Sarah E. Jones was celebrated April 17, 1856. She was born in New York, Sept. 9, 1833. Her parents were Edward and Sarah (Hedley) Jones. The oldest of the 11 chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Reed is named George H., and he is a resident of the same township in which his father and mother reside. Albert B., Warren E., Matilda A., Charles T., William C., Chester E., Martha and Mary (twins), Nettie M. and Aquilla are the names of the others.

In his political faith and connections, Mr. Reed is a Democrat. The parents became members of the Methodist Church in their youth.

onathan Russell, who is at present receiv- ing medical treatment at the insane asy- lum at Jacksonville, where he was confined in 1878, on account of sickness, the same hav- ing caused his partial derangement, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., March 5, 1819. He con- tinued to reside in his native State until 1860, when he came to this county and located in Lenox Town- ship, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He followed that occupation until 1878, when a severe case of sickness caused him to become par- tially deranged and he was confined as above stated.

The first marriage of the subject of this notice took place in York State Jan. 1, 1842, Miss Amanda Lyon becoming his wife. Of their union four chil-

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dren were born -- Mary A., Amy J., William D. and Thomas W. Mary A. is the wife of Robert L. Mc- Reynolds, a merchant of Roseville Township; Amy J. married Aaron T. Lewis, a resident of Denver, Col .; William D. was a soldier in the late war, be- ing a member of the 66th Ill. Vol. Inf., and died of lung fever, caused by exposure, after the battle of Resaca, Ga., in June, 1864; Thomas W. resides in Nebraska.

The second marriage of Mr. Russell took place in Warren Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1852, when Miss Lyda A. Evans, daughter of William and Ann (Gallup) Evans, natives of York State, became his wife. Her father died in Pennsylvania and her mother in York State. Their children were six in number, of whom Mrs. Russell was second in order of birth. She was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 23, 1829, and of her union with Mr. Russell six children were born -- Judson B., Amanda C., Charles E. and Myra L. are living; Emma E. and John, who are dead, are buried at Monmouth. Judson B. is a resident of Roseville Township. and a farmer by occupation; Amanda C. became the wife of J. R. Ewan, who is a farmer of Lenox Township; Charles E. also follows the oc- cupation of a farmer in Lenox Township; Myra L. was united in marriage with Oscar H. Ewan, who is engaged in farming in Lenox Township.

Mrs. Russell, wife of the subject of this notice, is a meniber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

athaniel B. Hoornbeek, a practicing phy- sician at Youngstown, Swan Township, is a native of New York, having been born in Ulster County, that State, March 2, 1854. He is a son of Jeremiah Hoornbeek, a prom- inent and well known citizen of the county, who was born May 3. 1824, in Ulster Co., N. Y., and came to this State in 1854, locating in this county. He was married April 2, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth B. Bruyn, also a native of Ulster Co., N. Y., where she was born, Dec. 23, 1827. To them were born seven children-Esther, Nathaniel, Ben- jamin, Adelia, Emeline, John W. and Catherine.

Their son, Nathaniel (Dr. Hoornbeek), formed a matrimonial alliance Dec. 24, 188r, with Miss Jes- sie L. Gilbert, born Sept. 12, 1858. They have three children-Lillian, born Oct. 21, 1882; Edwin J., Jan. 7, 1884 (who died July 26 of the same year) ; and Clyde H., June 27, 1885. The parents of Mrs. Hoornbeek were Edwin A. and Jane H. (Loftis) Gil- bert. Her father was born in 1830, in New York, and her mother in 1836, in Kentucky. They were married Dec. 24, 1854, and had eight children- Edwin, Ella G., Jessie 1., George E., Greely H., Mary B., Harry V., Rose C. and Fannie E.

The subject of this sketch obtained his early edu- cation in the common schools of Warren County, supplemented by a full course at Monmouth College, of which thorough institution he is a graduate of the class of '77, with the degree of A. B. The Doctor graduated second in the classical course.

Dr. Hornbeek commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of Webster and Killgore, at Monmouth, Ill., in 1878. He read with them for about three years, then attended one term at the lowa Medical College, and took a course of lectures at Rush, Medical College, Chicago, receiving his di- ploma from that institution Feb. 22, 1881. Locating at Walnut Grove, McDonough County, the following year (March 9), he hung out his shingle and at once entered upon the practice of his profession, remain- ing there, however, only six months, removing thence to Youngstown, Warren County, in October, 1881, where he purchased a fine residence and established himself in the drug business, in connection with his practice of medicine. By careful attention to a cir- cle of patients, which has constantly increased, he has built up a practice which brings him in an am- ple income, independent of which his drug business has proved very lucrative. In religion, the Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church, his wife be- ing of the Baptist persuasion. Politically, he votes with the Democratic party.

Dr. Hoornbeek is a young and enterprising profes- sional gentleman, with a bright future before him. Aside, however, from being a leading and well-known physician, he has won his way to a prominent and influential position as a citizen of the county in which he was reared from early childhood. He is, perhaps, as well known as any of the oldest prac- titioners of the county, and in presenting his portrait

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in this ALBUM, which we do on the accompanying page, we feel that it is in every way worthy to be classed with those given of the leading men of the county.

esse Catt, a well known fariner located on section 34, Berwick Township, where he is engaged in the occupation of an agricul- turist, was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Aug 27, 1824. He is the son of George Catt, a Pennsylvania farmer, who was born in that State March 5, 1781. The father moved with his parents to Kentucky when a lad, where they re- mained some eight years. The family then removed to Pennsylvania, and resided in that State for some years, when they went to Ohio. From the latter State, George Catt, father of the subject of this notice, moved to Indiana, where he passed the re- mainder of his days, engaged in the vocation of a farmer, and died about 1857, leaving three children. The father's marriage took place about 1808, at which time Miss Mary Smith became his wife. She was born Feb. 6, 1790, in Pennsylvania, and died in 1864. Their children were John, born Oct. 4, 1810; Rebecca, Dec. 23, 1812 ; Mary A., Dec. 2, 1815; Hettie E., June 1, 1822 ; Jesse, Aug. 27, 1824. Re- becca and Hettie are deceased.

Jesse Catt, of whom we write, has followed the vocation of an agriculturist all his life. He is pleas- antly situated on a fine farm of 208 acres, on section 24, Berwick Township, of which he is the owner, and is actively engaged in its cultivation. On his place is a good dwelling and barn, 32 × 32 feet in dimensions, and the appearance of his farm to passers by is indicative of that push and energy characteristic of its proprietor. In their religious associations, Mr. Catt and his wife belong to the Christian Church, and have been consistent members of that denomination for six years. In politics, Mr. Catt belongs to that class of Democrats known as Jacksonians. He has been Road Commissioner three years and Township Assessor eight years.

Mr. Catt formed a matrimonial alliance June 25, 1 846, with Miss Cyrena T'ibbits. She was born Jan. 1, 1827,-in Rush Co., Ind., and has borne her hus-

band ten children-William G., born Oct. 2, 1847 ; Martha A., Dec. 25, 1848 ; George W., Feb. 7, 1850; Mary A., July 18, 1852 ; Sarah E., May 28, 1855 ; James A., Oct. 12, 1856; Henry Lewis, Dec. 24, 1858; Joel B., Dec. 24, 1860; Cyrus D., Nov. 12, 1862; Samuel E., Jan. 7, 1864, all of whom, except James, Henry L. and Joel B., are living.

The parents of Mrs. Catt were Seth and Mary (Tolbert) Tibbets. They were married about 1824. Her father was born in Maine, in 1800, and died on the Ohio River in 1842 of yellow fever. He was a farmer by occupation. The mother of Mrs. Catt was born in 1808, and is still living, residing in Indiana. They have nine children-Missouri A., Cyrena, Frances L., Martha, William R., George, Elizabeth, Sarah E. and Samuel.

R. Nevins, who is passing the sunset of his life in retirement in Roseville, and a gentleman whose success in life is attri- butable to his push, pluck and perseverance, was born in Mercer County, this State, Aug. 21, 1838. The parents of Mr. Nevins, of this no- tice, William I. and Mary A. (Pierce) Nevins, were natives of New Brunswick, N. J., and Clark Co., Ohio, respectively. The former was born Aug. 9, 1801, and was one of the seven children of John W. Nevins. The latter was born Dec. 22, 1774. He has two sisters yet living; Adrianna was -born July 28, 1797, and, though living an advanced age, with- out the aid of glasses, she can make as fine a shirt as' any one a half century younger. She lives in Louisa Co., Iowa. Eliza was born Feb. 15, 1805, and lives in Millersburgh Township, Mercer County, this State. Mr. William I. Nevins was twice married, the first time being in 1821, to Mary A. Curry, by whom he had five children-Nancy E., Sarah A., Hannah M., Rachel A. and James, who died in in- fancy. By his second wife, who was Mary A. Pierce, he had nine children, as follows: Joel F., born April 21, 1831, died Jan. 21, 1833. The family lived at that time, three miles from any other house, and he was taken with the croup after sundown and died before daybreak; Mary E., their second child,

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born Sept. 24, 1833; Rebecca E., Oct. 24, 1835, was the first white child born in Abingdon Township; John R. Aug. 21, 1838; William D., Sept. 21, 1840, who enlisted in Co. E, Ninth Reg. Ill. Vol., and was lost in the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862 ; Henry W., born Jan. 9, 1843. He was drafted and served nine months in the late War; was taken prisoner at Kingston ; marched to Richmond ; was paroled in 18 days and sent to St. Louis, and was mustered out at Springfield as a prisoner of war. From the time he left camp at Springfield, he was not three days in one place until the first of March, when he arrived at New Berne, N. C., nor had he his clothes off, except to change. During these five months he was in 13 different States. David M. was born Feb. 8, 1845, and was drowned at Clarkesville, Tenn., March 6, 1865, while serving in Co. D, 83d Vol. Inf .; Adrianna J., born March 30, 1847 ; Cornelia L .; Jan. 9, 185 1. Ten of these have lived to be married and nine are still living. William I. Nevins lived to see 12 of his children united with the Church, and at the time of his death he had 50 grandchildren and 20 great- grand-children. Two of his daughters have borne twins, as also has one of his granddaughters. Three of his sons volunteered in the late War and the fourth was drafted.

Mr. W. I. Nevins, with his family, came to Illi- nois, Oct. 25, 1832, and "took up " 160 acres of land nine miles north of Monmouth, in Warren County, on which they resided for two years. They were very early settlers here, and when they first came, there were but three houses in Monmouth, one of which still stands on the west side of the square and is used as a blacksmith shop. His wife assisted in digging the first well north of Cedar Creek, turning the windlass in drawing up the dirt. The well was 50 feet deep. When he first came to Illinois, Mr. Nevins had less than $5, one-half of which he gave to building a church at Sugar Tree Grove, Warren County, and at that time had a wife and four children to support and had to walk eight miles to church. He had no stock and money would not buy any. He got his support mainly by working at the carpenter's trade, while his wife attended the crops.

After passing two years on their claim, the elder Nevins sold his interest in it and moved to Abingdon Township, Mercer County, where he rented land for two years. At the expiration of that time he pur- chased 320 acres in Ohio Grove Township, Mercer

County, on which they moved and where the father engaged energetically and vigorously upon its im- provement and continued to reside until his death, which occurred June 9, 1877. He was the father of 14 children, and was a gentleman of considerable property, having accumulated the same through his own industry and energy, and was always ready to assist in any and every good cause that tended to benefit the people. He was Provost Marshal for Mercer County during the War and enrolled that county three times, and was generally know as Col. Wm. I. Nevins. He raised a company to go to the Mexican War in 1846, but which was not accepted. William I. Nevins was a gentleman of more than ordinary ability as a business man and died in the faith of the United Presbyterian Church.

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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 43

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

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