Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 73

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 73

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W. Conlee, station agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, at Rose- ville, is one of the leading representative citizens of this village. He is President of the Village Board and of the Board of Education, and is one of the most enterprising and wor- thy men claimed by the town. He was born in Morgan Co., Ill., in 1847. His parents were Josiah and Mary A. (Brown) Conlee, natives of Madison Co., Ill., and Tennessee, respectively. They were by occupation farmers and the father entered the better life in July, 1882. His relict, the mother, still survives him, living in the home of J. W.

The subject of this notice lived under the parental roof until he reached the age of 22 years, receiving a common-school education, and, while at home, showing an interest in the affairs of the farm, work- ing with his father. He afterward learned telegraphy and was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad in the years 1869-70. He went from here into the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, where for 12 years he has held the position of station and express agent.

He deserted the ranks of single blessedness on be- half of Miss Minnie, daughter of John Powell, of Roseville. The event securing his happiness took

place in 1880. One bud has blossomed on the pa- rental stalk, a soh, Grover C., and the little home circle is a pleasant and attractive one.

Mr. Conlee is a man of keen foresight and logical common-sense. He feels an interest in public af- fairs and is Democratic in political sentiment. He is Master Mason in the lodge of that order, an Odd Fellow of the encampment at Bushnell, as well as one of the Select Knights, A O. U. W. He owns a pleasant residence, on the corner of Gossett and Chamberlain Streets, and is desirably situated and filling a wide sphere of usefulness. By religious pro- fession he is a Baptist and an active worker in all philanthropic and worthy enterprises, and may truth- fully be called " good," in its worthiest sense.

C asper Galloway is a resident of Little York and a native of Ohio, being born in Green County, Feb, 29, 1844. He is the son of Anthony and Catherine (Junkin) Gal- loway. His father also was born in Ohio, and his mother came from the State of Penn- sylvania. When Casper was nine years of age, his parents came to Illinois and located in Warren County, where they lived for two years, and remov- ing from this place went to Henderson County, where his father bought a farm, in Green Bush Township, close to the Biggsville line. He, how- ever, enjoyed. his new home but a short time, being snatched away by death in the prime of manhood, in the year 1856. Following his death, his wife bought a farm over the line in Biggsville Township, which property she still occupies as a home

Mr. Galloway of this narrative grew up in the home of his mother, remaining with the bereaved widow until 1864, and proving a valuable assistant and confidant. At this date he entered Monmouth College, from which institution he graduated with the degree of A. M. in 1870. Soon after graduation he went to Washington, D C., where he received an appointment as clerk in the Census Bureau, in which position he labored for one year and from which he came back to Warren County, en- gaging as a teacher, in which profession he continued until 1878, when he formed a business association with G. B. Harvey as partner. This was located at Alexis, and he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1882, at which time he sold out and for about a year was idle. He next took a trip to the West for the purpose of seeing the country, with which he was pleased, so much so that in 1883, he came to Little York, and bought a building then in process of construction. On the completion of the same he formed a business connection with Charles Rogers as associate partner, and the two opened a general

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store. This firm continued with a large and gratify- ing trade until May, 1884, at which date Mr. Gallo- way sold out to his partner.

In the year 1873, April 24, he espoused Miss Re- becca A. Wakefield, who was born in Miffland Co., Pa., Dec. 3, 1844, and to them have been given five children, as follows : Horace C., Mary C., Edith, Jennie and Chester A. Mr. and Mrs. Galloway are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, which religious denomination they strongly support. He is a member of Lodge No. 702, Alexis, A. F. &. A. M., and of Little York Lodge, No. 153, I. O. O. F., and is in politics a Republican.

D. Patch. Standing prominent among the leading merchants of Roseville, and identi- fied as proprietor of the Commercial House, is the gentleman of whom this brief personal sketch is written. The hotel which he con- ducts has been in active working order since 1873, at which time it was erected.

Mr. Patch was born in Eaton, Carroll Co., N. H., and his parents, originally from Maine, were Dennis and Susan (Drew) Patch. While yet young, Dennis learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked for a number of years, then, in 1857, with his wife and little family, removed to the State of Illinois. Here he settled in Ellison Township, purchasing 80 acres of land, to which he afterwards added 40 acres. Making one or two changes into different parts of the township, he eventually settled down and there remained until his death. Their family was un- usually large, consisting of 14 children, of whom 12 grew to manhood and womanhood, nine still sur- viving.

Mr. Patch came to Illinois in 1856, and stopping in Ellison Township, began a teacher's life in the schools of Warren County. At this profession he continued, teaching a large share of the time until 1868, when he bought a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. To this, with native thrift, he added work at his trade as a carpenter, until, in 1869, he went to Kewanee, Henry County, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits. Following this for three years, he closed his labors in this direction, and, coming to Roseville, bought a lot and erected the present Commercial Hotel. In 1878, he en- gaged as clerk in the Grange store and in this busi- ness he continued until 1882, when he purchased the entire stock from the company and has since been sole proprietor. To the original goods he has added agricultural implements, reapers, mowers, plows, wagons, etc. He purchased on the corner of Main and Walnut Streets, the Grange store and four

lots. His stock includes dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and also groceries. In 1865, Sept. 21, he entered into conjugal relations with Miss Sarah E. Morford, native of Mercer Co., Pa., and daughter of Benjamin Morford of Roseville, now de- ceased.

The family of Mr. Patch consists of four children -Grace D., Flora M., Fred. G. and Gertrude, one child having been lost by death, a son, named Ralph. Grace and Flora are in attendance at the Hillsdale College, of Michigan. This is their second scholas- tic year, they expecting to graduate in three years from the date of their entrance to the institution. Mr. Patch is an active worker in public affairs. He is a Greenbacker in political sentiment, and belongs to tlie A. O. U. W. Lodge, and is well known as a citizen who has at heart the best interests of his home town.

avid Graham, a citizen of Monmouth, was born in Todd Co., Ky., April 12, 1821. Wo His parents, Matthew and Janette Gra- ham, were of Scotch descent and moved from South Carolina, their native State, to Kentucky, about the year 1804, where there were born to" them ten children, eight sons and two daughters. The eldest, Martha Graham McDill, was born in 1805 and died in 1841 ; Andrew, born in 1807, died in 1848; John W., born in 1809; Robert C., born ill 18II, died in 1878; William M., born in 1814, died in 1863; Margaret Graham Porter, born in 1816, died in 1861 ; Wilson M., born in 1818, died in 1871 ; James H., born in 1823; A. Y., born in 1826, died in 1876.

In 1828, the entire family moved from Kentucky to Preble Co., Ohio. The father died in 1857 and the mother in 1843.

David Graham came with his father to Henderson County in 1836, where he was brought up to the vocation of farming, which he has pursued all his life. He removed to Monmouth in 1867, where he has resided ever since. Coming froni the old Whig party into the Republican ranks, the latter has been the recipient of his unqualified support ever since, though at no time has he been known as a politician. He was married Nov. 3, 1846, in Warren County, to Miss Elizabeth Brown, daughter of the late Hon. John Brown, of this county. She was born July 8, 1826. They have had born to them six children- Elizabeth (Mrs. G. H. Cowden), Clara (Mrs. A. G. McCoy), James A., Mary L. (Mrs. W. B. Bryson), Fannie, M., and Ralph W., who died in 1861. The family are communicants of the United Presbyterian Church.

HISTORICAL

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INTRODUCTORY.

IME is ever moving on. The deeds and actions of to-day form the subject of history to-morrow. From the rec -. ord of these deeds men form opinions, and their actions in the present and future are gov- erned thereby. Warren County fur- nishes the world a record that is of great interest, a record that tells of heroic deeds of its pioneers, how that vast territory was se- cured from savage tribes and made the home of civilized man. In Rock Island County originated the troubles, and from this county nearly every movement was made, in the Black Hawk War, and here the chiefs gath- ered together in council, and treaties were made re- sulting in lasting peace. Upon the lovely island and magnificent bluffs that overlook the river, the red men were wont to stray, and many beautiful and touching legends are told of their presence here. The white men came, and that country so lovely in nature has been greatly changed, but it can never be robbed of its great beauty. The island and the bluffs still exist, and the valleys are transformed into fields of waving grain. The trails of the hunters and the wily red man have given place to railroads and broad thoroughfares, school-houses, churches, mills, postoffices, manufactories and elegant dwelling-hous- es are now to be seen upon every hand. The rec-

ord of the marvelous change is history, and the most important that can be written.

It is but little more than half a century since the white men came to this beautiful land for the pur- pose of securing homes, but in that time what great and startling events have transpired! Monarchies since then have crumbled into dust and republics have been reared upon their ruins. Inventions that have revolutionized labor have been given to the world, and in much of what has been done the peo- ple of Warren County have borne a leading part.

The question is often asked, why men leave the comforts and pleasures of civilized lands and strike out into a new and almost unknown country, bearing the toils and privations which are unavoidable. Not more from choice than necessity did the old pioneers bid farewell to the play-grounds of their childhood and the graves of their fathers. One generation after another had worn themselves out in the service of avaricious landlords, or to eke out a miserable existence upon barren or worn-out land, which they called their own. From the first flashes of the morn- ing light until the last glimmer of the setting sun they had toiled unceasingly on from father to son, carry- ing home each day upon their aching shoulders the precious proceeds of their daily labor. Money, pride and power were handed down in the line of succession from the rich father to his son, while un- ceasing work, continuous poverty and everlasting obscurity were the heritage of the working man and his children. For the sons and daughters of the

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poor man to remain there was to follow and never to lead-to be poor forever.

Without money, prestige or friends, the old pioneers drifted along seeking the garden spot, the place where he might establish a home, where he might ed- ucate his sons and daughters, giving them privileges he never enjoyed himself. The broad prairie and beautiful groves of Warren County in that early day were indeed inviting to those seeking a home in a more favored land, and here planted their stakes, many of whom the present generation have rea- son to rise up and call blessed. To secure and adorn the homes desired by the pioneers, more than ordinary ambition was required, greater than ordina- nary endurance demanded. How well they have succeeded, let the broad, cultivated fields and fruit- bearing orchards, the flocks and the herds, the pa- latial residences, the places of business, the spacious halls, the clattering car-wheels and ponderous en- gines all testify:

There was a time when pioneers waded through deep snows, across bridgeless rivers and through bot- tomless sloughs, more than a score .of miles to mill or market, and when more time was required to reach and return from market than is now required to cross the continent or Atlantic Ocean. These were the times when their palaces were constructed of logs and covered with "shakes " riven from forest trees. These were the times when children were stowed away during the nights in the low, dark attics, amongst the horns of the elk and the deer, and where through the chinks in the " shakes " they could count the twinkling stars. These were the times when chairs and bedsteads were hewn from the for- est trees, and tables and bureaus constructed from the boxes in which goods were brought. These were the days when all were required to work six days in the week and all the hours in a day from sunrise to sunset. Now all is changed. In viewing the bless- ings which now surround us, we should reverence those that made them possible, and ever fondly cher- ish in memory the sturdy old pioneer and his log cabin.

Generation after generation comes and goes like the

leaves of autumn. Nations have been born, have had their rise and fall, and then passed away, leav- ing scarcely a riffle on the great ocean of time to show that they ever existed, so imperfect and muta- ble has been the means to perpetuate their achieve- ments. It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of per- petuating this history ; immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent, and perpetual in its action ; and this is through the art of printing. Nations may be- come disintegrated and pass away, monuments and statues may crumble into dust, but books will live. This art has been rapidly advancing from its first in- ception until now it would seem that there were no longer any further grounds for improvement. This is pre-eminently an age of printing, an age of books.

To the present generation, however, are we indebt- ed for the introduction of the admirable system of local history and local biography By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history through the coming ages ; so alike has every community.

We come now to the work before us: To our pat- rons, we say, that the scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left; the monument which his children or friends may erect to his mem- ory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away ; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by this book through coming ages. Shakespeare has said :

The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.

Our aim in this work has been only to preserve the good. We have sought to gather from the best sources of information obtainable, the conditions and incidents of early pioneer life, and to present them together with the present development of the county. Many of the pioneers came into this beautiful coun- ty without a dollar in their pockets, but with the unflinching determination to carve out their fortunes and build up a community. With undaunted hearts and a courage equal to that of the great heroes of our country, they began life.

WARREN COUNTY.

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arly Bettlement.

Y way of preface to the history of Warren County, a brief account of the settlement and organization of the State of Illinois is essential to the proper understanding of the condition of the country in this part of the State prior to its settlement. The terri- tory now embraced by this State at one time belonged to the Aborigines. The time of their settlement here has never been definitely fixed by history. They have never, however, been treated by historians in other than a nomadic sense ; never having been recognized as citizens, or even occupants of this continent. Therefore, we will make our bow to the illustrious precedence that has been es- tablished by historians, and pass on. We will say, then, that this territory was originally a part of Flor- ida and belonged to the Spanish Government; that the Spanish chevalier, Fernando de Soto, with his band of followers, was the first to discover this beau- tiful land. This was as early as 1541. The Span- ish, however, never took possession of it and it was first occupied by the French, who, after having planted settlements along the St. Lawrence and in Canada, fitted out one of their Jesuit missionaries and sent him westward up the St. Lawrence. From thence he was to take the Mississippi and follow its course. This explorer was the famous Father Marquette. He

reached the great " Father of Waters " in the spring of 1673, hoisted the sails on his little bark canoes, and, with his companions and two Indian guides, with joy unspeakable, floated down the majestic river between the broad plains of Illinois and Iowa. While descending the Mississippi, he discovered an Indian trail and immediately moored his boats and took the trail. After walking about six miles, they came to an Indian village, when the inhabitants advanced to meet them, and through their calumets, the pipe of peace was smoked. In saluting Father Marquette, they addressed him in a language familiar to him. " We are Illinois, " they said. "How beautiful is the son, O Frenchman, when thou comest to see us Our village awaits thee, thou shalt enter in peace all dwellings." He remained with these hospitable people a few days and then descended the Missis- sippi River until he was satisfied that it entered into the Gulf of Mexico, when he returned and reaching the 39th degree of north latitude, entered the Illinois River and followed it to its source. He was cor- dially invited by the Illinois Indians to occupy its banks and remain with them. Desiring, however, to continue his travels, he declined their generous offer and was conducted by one of the chiefs, accompan- ied by several of his warriors, to a point near Chicago, if not that point, where he remained to preach the gospel to the Miamis, sending his companions back to Quebec to announce his discoveries. This may be said to be the inception of the settlement of Illi- nois by the Caucasian race.

Father Marquette's discoveries and his fame

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thrilled the hearts of many adventurers in France, and among these was Robert Cavalier de la Salle. La Salle came to this country, remained awhile, and then returned to France. He sought an interview at once with Louis XIV, whom he inspired with his own enthusiasm and from whom he received a commission to explore the valley of the Mississippi. He returned with a number of mechanics, military stores, merchandise, etc., in the year 1678. After leaving the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers and crossing Lake Erie, he reached Green Bay, and next entered St. Joseph River. At these places he es- tablished trading posts. He then descended the Il- linois River as far as Lake Peoria, where he was met by a large party of Illinois Indians, who offered him the calumet and with whom he formed an alliance. He was received with great joy and when they learned that he was to establish a colony among them, their happiness knew no bounds. Thus began the first white settlement in this fair Territory.

A long war arose between England and France over the possession of this country. Peace was con- cluded between these two countries, Feb. 10, 1763, by virtue of which France ceded to England the Canadas, Nova Scotia, Louisiana (east of the Miss- issippi) and her possessions on the Mississippi and Ohio, which included the Territory of Illinois. At this time the white population numbered about 3,000 souls. These resided along the Mississippi and Illi- nois Rivers, the largest towns being Kaskaskia and Cahokia.

Although Illinois was ceded in 1863, it was not taken possession of by England until 1765, when Capt. Sterling, sent by Gen. Gage, then Comman- der-in-Chief of the British forces in America, as- sumed control in the name of Great Britain. Illi- nois remained in the possession of the British until 1778, when Col. Rogers Clarke was secretly fitted out by the Commonwealth of Virginia with seven companies, money, arms, ammunition and military stores, and clothcd with all the authority he could wish. After a brief resistance, he took possession in the name of Virginia. Reporting his signal triumph to the Governor of that State, the Legislature passed an act in October, 1778, establishing " As the County of Illinois, all that part of Virginia west of the Ohio " (which surpassed in dimensions the whole of Great Britain), and appointed Col. John Todd Civil Com- mander and Lieutenant Colonel of that county. After

establishing garrisons at Kaskaskia, Cahokia and at the falls of the Ohio (on the site of Louisville), Col. Clarke exerted his great influence to bring about a good feeling between the Indians and the Americans.

After the close of the Revolutionary War and the surrender of Cornwallis with his whole army, Oct. 19, 1781, to the Americans, a treaty of peace was signed between England and the United Colonies, by virtue of which the independence of the latter was recognized and all the land East of the Missis- sippi and south of the lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior and the Lake of the Woods, which included Illinois, was ceded to the Americans. All this terri- tory, by virtue of the conquest through that renowned soldier, Col. Rogers Clarke, was claimed by Virginia ; in part, it was also claimed by New York, Massa- chusetts and Connecticut, but having in view the all- paramount object, a Union among the States of the Confederacy and the establishment of a permanent Government, the people of these States, through their patriotic influence, ceded all their rights to this territory, which was called the Northwestern Terri- tory, to the Federal Government. Subsequently Congress, in the summer of 1787, passed a general law for the government of the Territories of the United States. This law provided for a Governor, a Secretary, a Court of three Judges, Representatives, and a legislative Council, which was to be appointed by Congress. The legislature was authorized to elect by joint ballot a delegate to Congress. Gen. Arthur St. Claire, a distinguished officer of the Revolution- ary Army, was appointed to the Governorship (which was the first to be appointed to the Northwestern Territory), and Commander-in-chief of the Territory. The new Government, however, was not destined to remain in peace, for the Indians again commenced hostilities, incited by English gold and also by the hope of recovering their favorite hunting grounds. St. Clair being feeble in health and unable to prop- erly command his troops, was disastrously defeated by the Indians. To remove the disgrace of this de- feat and retrieve the credit of the American arms, the gallant Gen. Wayne was sent out, who com- pletely routed the Indians and once more restored peace.

In 1803 a new Territory was formed, called the Territory of Indiana, which enibraced the whole of the Northwestern Territory, with the exception of that part from which Ohio was formed, and William

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H. Harrison was appointed Governor. This Gov- ernment remained until 1809, when another change was made and Illinois was erected into an independ- ent Territory, with Ninian Edwards as Governor. Peace had been made and the whole people com- menced again their agricultural pursuits on ground which had been occupied by the red men. This con- dition remained until the second conflict with Eng- land, known as the War of 1812. A bold, daring chief, Tecumseh by name, taking advantage of this war between the two countries, incited his people again to battle and joined the British forces, who again occupied a part of this Territory. This war was carried on chiefly in the Northwestern Territory, and Gen. Harrison was one of the chief actors. The con- flict was hot and decisive, and the Americans were again victorious. The defeat of the British by Com- modore Perry, on Lake Erie, and on land at the bat- tle of the Thames by Gen. Harrison and the gallant Colonel Johnson (in which battle Black Hawk took part), the killing of Tecumseh and the rout and slaughter of his warriors, terminated this conflict in the Northwestern Territory, which was once more united to the Republic, never again to be separated.

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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 73

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

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