Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 53

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 53

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In the latter year the call was made for brave hearts and strong arms to defend the Union flag, and Joseph B., a very patriotic gentleman, enlisted in the Seventh Regt. of Ill. Vol. Cav., and served two years and four months, having held the position of Sergeant Saddler, but was discharged on account of disability. He then returned to Prairie City and again embarked in business, which he continued until the year 1872, then coming to Roseville and in- teresting himself in his present enterprise, in which he has met with remarkable success and is doing a constantly increasing business. He has gotten up many new improvements in harness that have come into general use. He invented the first pad for a saddle, padding for a saddletree and the roller at- tachment to the "Sensible Combination. Buckle." He is also the inventor of a combination halter, which is not only the best in use but cheap and durable.

In 1841, one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Joseph B. Malony occurred, it being his marriage to Miss -Jane Anderson, and of their union were born four children-Richard A., Joseph C., Willia.n N. and James M. Mrs. Malony's de- mise occurred in 1850, and Mr. M. fornied a sec- ond matrimonial alliance with a sister of his first wife, Miss Catherine Anderson, and they have be- come the parents of five children, only four of

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WARREN COUNTY.

whom survive, as follows: Mary E., Nathaniel L., Margaret J. and Emma. Mrs. Malony died in 1872. Mr. Malony is a Greenbacker in politics. He is a member of the United Brethren Church at Rose- ville.

eorge F. Bruner, a thrifty and well-to-do farmer of Kelly Township, is a resident on section 32. The family from which he is ... a descendant in the paternal line belongs to two ancestral stocks, that located in the early history of this country in the States of Mary- land and Pennsylvania. The grandfather of John Bruner, the father of the subject of this personal nar- rative, was the son of parents who emigrated from Maryland to Breckenridge Co., Ky., where he was born. (The great-grandfather of John Bruner came from Germany). On the maternal side the family is of Scotch origin. He grew up under the influence that prevailed in the days of Daniel Boone, and left a notable record as a hunter. In one year the ac- count of his exploits relates that he shot 300 deer. John Bruner was born in Breckenridge County, in the Blue Grass country, March 1804. He was rear- ed in the same county, and married Susan Prance. She was born near the capital of Virginia. The elder Bruner remained with his family in Kentucky for a long time and in 1846 removed to Warren County. When they made their journey they came by the river route, traveling on the Ohio and Mississippi to Oquawka, whence they came to Monmouth. Mr. Bruner rented land in what is now Cold Brook Town- ship, on which he operated a few years and then bought a place in the same township. He remained there about 30 years and in 1884 located in Kelly Township. The wife and mother was removed by death in 1879, her demise taking place on the old homestead in Cold Brook Township. Three only of their eight children are now living. Anzeler, now deceased, was married to Amon S. Gilbert, and two children mourn her loss. John H. resides in the na- tive county of his parents, in Kentucky; he married Sally Frymire and has one child. Frank is a resi- dent of Salem, Oregon; he married Mary E. Park- er and has five children. Mr. Bruner of this sketch

is the youngest of the survivors. He was born in Breckenridge Co., Ky., Oct. 14, 1844. He was a child of tender years when the family came to War- ren County, and he has known no other home, as his acquaintance with this county began with his exist- ence. He grew up in Cold Brook Township and was educated in the common schools. He resided on the homestead, which he sold in 1863 and re- moved to section 4, in the same township. He was the owner of his property there until 1884, when he placed the farm in the hands of a renter and came to Kelly Township. In that he owns a farm of 126 acres, which, like the farm in Cold Brook Township, is all in good agricultural condition.

The marriageof Mr. Bruner to Miss Mary A. Clay- ton, took place Dec. 24, 1895. She was born in Warren Co., Ky., Oct. 29, 1845, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Pedigo) Clayton. She was the eldest of two children. Her mother died about 1849. Her father was again married to Miss Ceny Mitchell and by the last marriage six children were born. Five , children are now living of both marriages. Mrs. B. came to this county with her parents in the fall of 1855. The names of the children of G. F. Bruner are Harden F., born March 28, 1871; and Clara, born Sept. 14, 1882.

Mr. Bruner is a Democrat in his political proclivi- ties. Mrs. Bruner is a member of the Christian Church.

& oridon D. Day, farmer, residing on sec- tion 34, Berwick Township, was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1819, and is a son of Stephen Day, born in 1785, and who died in Huron Co., Ohio, in 1825. The father of the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Annie Ransom, about 1808, in the State of New York. She was born in 1790, in Vermont, and they moved to Ohio in 1821, where she died in 1860. Of their union eight chil- dren were born-Lucinda, Alzina, Ransom, David R., Electa, Coridon, Hiram and Sarah.

Coridon D. Day married Miss Lorena Louk, in January, 1845, in Fulton County. She was born in New York in 1823, and died in 1852. By their union four children were born-David R., Clara A.

٩٧٧٠٫٠٦ rt UNIVERSITÀ WILLING:4

Wilson Stellen

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(twin sister of David R.), Hannah M. and Jefferson. The wife and mother died and Mr. Day was again married to Mrs. . Lucinda Griffin, nee Bante. She was born July 23, 1839, in Indiana, and bore her husband seven children, namely: Mary S., Lucinda E., Jason, Silas and Sarah (twins), Stephen and Sophronia. The father of Mrs. Day, Jacob Bante, was born in 1802, and died in Kansas in 1880. He was married to Salida Wilder, in 1826. She was born in 1806 and is still living. Of their union 14 children were born-David H., Lucinda, Isaac Jackson, Daniel Jefferson, John B., Mary J., Benoni S., Lurana, Sally Ann, Jacob, Jessie, Minerva, Amelia and Cylinda.

Mr. Day and his family are pleasantly situated on his fine farm of 240 acres on section 24, Berwick Township, and is there actively engaged in the voca- tion of an agriculturist. He has a good residence upon his place, 40 x 40 feet in dimensions; and two stories in height, also a good barn, 24 x 30 feet, of brick. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is to a considerable extent turning his attention to the raising of high grade Short-horn cattle and Nor- man horses, having of the former about 35 head. He also has some 25 sheep upon his place. In pol- itics, he is a Jacksonian Democrat. His father and grandfather were in the Revolutionary War, and his father was also a soldier in the War of 1812.

ilson Sheldon, deceased. The Sheldon family are among the pioneer settlers of Warren County. It is of English ances- try, and the founder of the family in this country settled in Dutchess County, N. Y., where George Sheldon, the paternal grand- father of Wilson, was born, Of his offspring was Wilson Sheldon, the father of the present family. He was born in New York, Feb. 3, 1808, and died in the city of Monmouth, Sept. 13, 1873. He came to Warren Co., in 1837, and settled in Floyd Tp. When Wilson Sheldon came to 'Warren County, in the year stated, it was almost a wilderness ; but little had been done in any part of the county towards its settlement. Here and there, however, on some

points of timber, might be seen the beginning of the labors of some venturesome pioneer. He finally found a suitable location on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 32, in what is now Floyd Township. This he immediately began to improve, and ere long was known far and wide as one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers in all that section.

Mr. Sheldon was the pioneer cattle-feeder of War- ren County, embarking in this department of farming as early as 1840. In the early part of 1846, he took his eldest son, Hiram, and went to where Fairfield, Iowa, now stands, and bought a drove of two-year- old steers, at $7 per head, which they drove to their farm in Warren County, where they were fattened with others. This was the first drove of cattle ever brought east over the Burlington Ferry. After hav- ing put them in a proper condition for the market, he sold them to be driven across the Alleghanies to the Philadelphia or Baltimore market. After Chi- cago had become a market for stock, which was prior to the building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Railroad, he drove his cattle there. His enterprise was again displayed on the opening of that road, for we find him, in company with D. C. Gale of New- burg, N. Y., the first to build loading-pens and also the first to ship stock from Monmouth over the new railroad. The arrangement them constructed for loading was but temporary. He and Mr. Gale con- tinued shipping together until the death of the latter, which occurred several years after their first ship- ment. Mr. Sheldon worked energetically and used all of his influence to have the Quincy division of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad built through Berwick, but was defeated by the Bushnell Land Company.

The subject of this sketch married Sarah Matte- son, Feb. 14, 1830. She was a native of New York, and the daughter of Captain Peleg Matteson, a na- tive of Vermont, where he was born, April 1, 1778. Capt. Matteson married Martha Downer, Jan. 17, 1802, the latter being born March 19, 1779. Peleg Matteson was a Captain in the war of 1812, and commanded a company at the defense of Sackett's Harbor. In 1838 he came with his family to Illinois and settled in Floyd Township, where he died, Feb. 7, 1860. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Sheldon, died Aug. 27, 1857. They were the parents of six chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Sheldon is the only survivor of the original family. She was born Feb. 26, 1811, and

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resides at Monmouth, in company with her daughter, Mary.

There were nine children born to Wilson and Sa- rah Sheldon, six of whom are living. The sketches of Hiram and Burr will be found in another place in this volume. Martha married W. Wiswell, and is the mother of three children. George married Mary Dolph, and they have five children. Seneca M. mar- ried Mary Williams, and they have one child. He was remarried April 6, 1885, to M. E. Balcolm. Alma married David Van Winkle; they have two sons.

It will be seen from the brief, outlined history of the life of Mr. Sheldon, that he was a very impor- tant figure in the history and settlement of Warren County. His enterprising spirit was felt in almost every undertaking that had for its tendency the de- velopment or progress of the county. He acquired considerable property, owning, as much as 1, 100 acres of excellent land, which he divided among his children. In his religious belief, he was a Baptist, and politically, a Democrat. In presenting his por- trait in connection with this sketch, we know that it will be welcomed by our readers and that his mem- ory will be cherished as one of Warren County's most reputable and enterprising citizens.

apt. George C. Rankin, Clerk of the War- ren County Circuit Court, and Recorder of Deeds, was born at Monmouth, Aug. 29, 1850, and is the son of N. A. Rankin, whose biography will be found in another part of this volume. He was about 22 years of age when he graduated from Monmouth College, receiving the A. B. degree, and in due course of time the degree of A. M. He was the poet of his class ; editor of the College Courier from 1870 to 1872; editor of the Beta T'heta P. monthly during 1877-8 ; city editor of the Council Bluffs (Iowa) Daily Tri- bune, in 1873; and city editor of the Monmouth Atlas from 1873 to 1880. In the meantime he held twice (1876-77 and 1879-80) the office of City Clerk of Monmouth. In June, 1880, he was appointed Circuit Cleik of Warren County, to fill out the unex- pired term of J. L. Dryden, resigned ; was elected Circuit Clerk in November following, and re-elected

in 1884, receiving a larger majority than any other candidate on the ticket. Capt. Rankin is Secretary of the Association of Circuit Clerks of Illinois, and Secretary of the Warren County Agricultural Society, having been elected in 1877 and unanimously re- elected annually ever since.

April 29, 1881, he enlisted as a private in Co. H, Sixth Regt. I. N. G .; promoted to Sergeant Aug. 8, 1881 ; elected First Lieutenant Nov. 2, 1882, and commissioned Captain Aug. 16, 1883.

ames Galbraith, a prominent banker and merchant of Warren County, located at Kirkwood, was born in Washington Co., Pa., in 1838. His parents, Robert and Jane (McCrea) Galbraith, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, the latter hav- ing been born in Washington County, where their marriage occurred. In 1840 the elder Galbraith of the family moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1870. He was by occupation a farmer and owned 160 acres of land in Ohio. For some years after his marriage, however, he was engaged in teaching. In 1870, he moved to Johnson Co., Kan., where he purchased land and made his home until his death, which event occurred Dec. 2, 1882, in the 75th year of his age. His widow still resides on the farm, in company with a son and daughter.

At the early age of 13 years, James evinced that love for business life that has since characterized him, for at that period we find him engaged in clerk- ing in a dry-goods store at New Concord, Ohio. Here he remained five years. He had, however, received a liberal education, and was well fitted for business life. At the end of his five years' engage- ment, he enlisted, in 1862, in Co. E, 88th Ohio Inf., and did faithful service until the close of the war. Most of the time he acted as clerk for Regimental and Brigade officers. He was honorably discharged in 1865 and returned to his home. He soon came West to visit a brother who had located in Kirk- wood, Ill., and who at that time was Postmaster. James accepted a position as assistant Postmaster, from which position he was ousted by Andy John-

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son, and has since that time, 1865, been a resident of Kirkwood. During these years he has grown into prominence and influence, until he has long been recognized as one of the leading business men of the place, and, in fact, of the county. After leaving the postoffice, which he did in 1866, he accepted a posi- tion as clerk in the lumber-yard at Kirkwood, where he remained until March, 1875. Afterwards he en- gaged with the firm of Chapin, Houlton & Davis, as clerk in their establishment. He remained in this capacity until 1883, when he and Mr. Carmichael bought out Mr. Davis' interest, and, with Mr. Car- michael, in February, 1885, bought out the interest of Mr. Houlton. The firm is at present known as Chapin, Houlton & Co., and does a general bank- ing and mercantile business.

Mr. Galbraith was married in May, 1869, to Miss Jennie S. Speer, a native of New Concord, Ohio. Mamie J., who was born Feb. 3, 1879, is their only child. Mr. Galbraith is a Republican in his political belief, and, with his wife, belongs to the United Presbyterian Church.

illiam Gallaugher is one of the leading citizens of the township of Spring Grove, yet he came to Warren County with no outfit in life save his manhood's strength and a laudable purpose to carve out a home from the resources that had proved so available in many well-tested instances. He is of foreign birth, and brought from Scotland, his native land, the hardy endurance, perseverance and energy that has made his country the representative of all that is noble and good in the scale of humanity, notwithstanding her political status. The pure, bright record of the Scots gives to all the emigrants from her shores a passport to respectability and position. Mr. Gal- laugher was born in Ayershire, Western Scotland, Jan. 7, 1824. His father, Charles Gallaugher, died when William was but two years old, and before he was nine he was obliged to earn his own living. His mother, Janet (Good) Gallaugher, died in 1855. Young William, at that tender age, was placed in the

mines where there is a variety of work that can only be done by small children, and he became a "pusher." That labor is performed by persons of under size because the coal-veins are so narrow in extent that in some localities mules or horses cannot pass through to do the necessary work. Consequently the small cars conveying the coal must be pushed over the "trams" by children. As soon as Mr. Gal- laugher was sufficiently grown he became a miner in the full sense of the term and wielded a " pick." He followed the same vocation in his native shire until 1852.

In April, 1852, he started from Scotland for America. He took passage on "Zion's Hope," a sail vessel from the river Clyde and crossed the ocean, landing at Philadelphia. He was on the water six weeks and two days, and after landing at the City of Brotherly Love he proceeded to Alleghany Co., Md., to enter upon a situation as a miner. He passed three years in the same locality and went thence to Virginia. He operated as a coal miner there until . 1857, when he came to Warren County. He remained at that time but a few months and went to Mercer County, where he became a coal miner in the town- ship of Greene, He continued in that employ there until 1864, when he invested the money he had saved in 80 acres of land situated half a mile from Nor- wood. There was a vein of coal running through the farm, and he employed laborers to perform the agricultural work while he gave his attention to the business of developing the treasures of the mine. In 187 I he sold the place and removed to the property he now holds. He is the owner of 280 acres of ex- cellent land, which is located on sections 15 and 22. The farm buildings are all of good style and the entire place is in splendid condition, with a sub- stantial and handsome frame residence. He has spent about 4 t years of his life in making a living at coal-mining, but is now prepared to enjoy the fruits of an energetic life.

In his political profession Mr. G. is a Republi- can, and during the late war was a strong Union man.

Mr. Gallaugher was united in marriage with Mar- garet Muir, in Ayershire, Scotland, O.t. 22, 1848, where she was born May r, 1825. She was the daughter of Michael and Janet (Montgom- ery) Muir. The name Muir was of the oldest

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in the county of Ayrshire. They have had ten children. Margaret married Robert Henderson and they settled in Ringgold, Iowa. Janet is the wife of Francis Hogue, who is a citizen of the same place, as is Charles, who married Alice Palmer, the next child and eldest son. Agnes is married to Stewart Leonard, of Monmouth. Michael married Minnie Thompson and is farming in Spring Grove Town- ship. Mary and her husband, Car Harper, live in Ringgold County, Iowa. Isabella, William, James and Anna are the children at home. Besides their own circumstances of comfort the parents have given their children a thorough training in the common schools and now have the satisfaction of seeing their children who are settled in life, in the enjoyment of a reasonable share of the goods of this world.

ohn C. Blayney is a prosperous and prom- inent merchant at Alexis. He has been connected with the business of the place since 1872. He is the son of John and Fannie (Alcorn) Blayney. He is a native of Ireland and was born Oct. 14, 1834, in County Tyrone. He was brought up to the business of a farmer in his native island, as his parents belonged to the agricul- tural class. He also attended the common schools while he remained there, and was but 14 when the family emigrated to America, .in 1848. They set- tled in Wheeling, W. Va., and there young Blayney pursued the same routine of life-attending the pub- lic schools and operating as his father's assistant. He also became clerk in a store, where he obtained familiarity with the details of business. The family remained in Wheeling four years.

In 1853, the son came West, determined to estab- lish himself in a congenial and profitable business. He first stopped in Peoria and there operated as a farm assistant for a year. He then returned to Wheeling and remained there the same length of time. He revisited Illinois and was interested in farming until 1860. In the fall of that year he went to Washington Co., Pa., and opened a store in West

Alexandria. After conducting a general store there a year, he sold his interest and came to Mercer County in this State. He engaged in the purchase of stock for the Chicago market about the space of a year. At the end of that time, associated with G. M. Evans, he went to Norwood in Mercer County and embarked in trade under the style of Evans & Blayney.

The branch establishment at Alexis was instituted in 1872. Mr. Blayney took charge of the new enter- prise and Mr. Evans remained to conduct that at Norwood. Their relations were maintained until 1882, when Mr. Blayney sold his interest at Norwood to his son, Edward D. Blayney, and Mr. J. E. Laff- erty purchased that of Mr. Evans in the store at Alexis. The firm name is now Blayney & Lafferty. However, the individual partnership has been changed by the substitution of the son of the first Mr. Lafferty, Mr. W. A. Lafferty. The house carry a large and well assorted stock of all lines of mer- chandise suited to the demands of their patronage, and are doing a thriving business.

The marriage of Mr. Blayney to Catherine Brown- lee, of Washington Co., Pa, took place in the fall of 1860. She was the daughter of William Hutchison Brownlee. They came to Norwood, Mercer County, in 1851, and Mr. Blayney married his wife there. She is of Scotch descent. They have four children : Edward D. is a merchant at Norwood. Charles C. was born in Mercer County; he received his ele- mentary education in the common schools and later entered the college at Monmouth as a student. He lost his health and died after an illness of 12 months, in his 20th year. Lizzie L. and Fred H. are the names of the younger children.

Mr. Blayney is a Democrat. He has taken a prominent part in local political matters and has served as a member of the Village Board. He acted as the President of that body during the time of his membership. He has also been active in the matter of education and has served as a member of the School Board several years. He has been Super- visor of his town one year.

Mr. and Mrs. Blayney are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

John Blayney, father of the present family, mar- ried Fannie Alcorn, daughter of William and Janet (Patton) Alcorn, all of the County Tyrone, Ireland. They emigrated to America in 1848, and settled in

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Wheeling, West Virginia. He came West about 1857, and remained here until the death of his wife, in 1882. She died in Washington Co., Pa., while on a visit there. Mr. Blayney has since that time made his residence with his daughter, who is the wife of Cadwallerder Blayney. He is now in the 86th year of his age and is yet hale and vigorous and bids fair to live for many years.

ohn S. Spriggs, Jr., pharmacist at Mon- mouth, is a son of James H. and Elea- nor J. (McCune) Spriggs, and was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., April 3, 1850. (See biography of J. H. Spriggs, this volume). He was educated at Monmouth College, and when about 18 years of age began the drug business as clerk in the drug house of his father and uncle, Dr. John S. Spriggs, at Monmouth. At the end of an apprenticeship of four years here, he attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and graduated in 1873.

March 25, 1877, he was married at Chicago to „Miss Annie L. Thorne, the accomplished daughter of Stephen and Lydia Thorne, and a native of St. Johns, N. B. Mrs. Spriggs is a member of the Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Spriggs is a Re- publican.

ohn C. Wallace, proprietor of a fashiona- ble restaurant and fancy grocer, also whole- sale and retail dealer in fruits, vegetables, oils, etc., of Monmouth, was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, July 4, 1848, and was the fifth child in the order of birth of six sons and two daugh- ters of Thomas and Jane (Hutchinson) Wallace, na- tives of the Buckeye State, and descended respect- ively from Scotch and Irish ancestry. The senior Mr. Wallace was by occupation a farmer; emigrated from Ohio to Iowa in 186;, and there died in 1878 or '79, aged 61 or 62 years, surviving his wife proba- bly about three years.

John C. Wallace was brought up as a farmer's boy,

and at the common schools, supplemented by two years' attendance at Monmouth College, acquired a fair English education. After clerking awhile in a grocery house, he, in 1871, bought the interest of Hurdman, of the firm of Wallace & Hurdman, and for three years, or thereabouts, the house existed un- der the style and firm name of Wallace Bros. Since the retirement of his brother, Mr. Wallace has been alone in the business, and that he has been more than ordinarily successful is fully attested by the brief record here published of him. In 1875, after sustaining a severe loss by fire, he built the brick block now occupied by him. He owns one of the finest residences in the city, is a large stock-holder in a banking house at Greely, Colo., and an exten- sive ranch owner in both Texas and Kansas. All this, and more, and yet it is but the product of his individual effort and industry.

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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 53

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

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