USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 53
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > Records of the olden time; or, Fifty years on the prairies. Embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country, the organization of the counties of Putnam and Marshall, biographies of citizens, portraits and illustrations > Part 53
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"I told them they ought to give me something to eat, and that" I would talk with them afterward, but no, they insisted that I should tell them about Donner's money. I asked them who they were, and where hey came from, but they replied by threatening to kill me if I did not
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SAD STORY OF THE GRAVES FAMILY.
give up the money. They threatened to hang or shoot me, and at last I told them I had promised Mrs. Donner that I would carry her money to her children, and I proposed to do so unless shown. some authority by which they had a better claim. This so exasperated them that they acted as though they were going to kill me.' I offered to let them bind me as a prisoner, and take me before the Alcalde at Sutter's Fort, and I prom- ised that I would tell all I knew about the money. They would listen to nothing, however, and finally to save my life, I told them where they would find the silver buried, and gave them the gold. After I had done this, they showed me a document from Alcalde Sinclair by which they were to receive a certain proportion of all moneys and property which · they rescued."
"These men treated me with the greatest unkindness. Mr. Tucker was the only one who took my part or befriended me. When they started over the mountains, each man carried two bales of goods. They had silks, calicos and delaines from the Donners, and other articles of great value. Each man would carry one bundle a little way, lay it down and come back and get the other bundle. In this way they passed over the snow three times. I could not keep up with them because I was so weak, but man- aged to come up to their camp every night. One day I was dragging my- self slowly along behind the party, when I came to a place which had evidently been used as a camping ground by some of the previous parties. Feeling very tired, I thought it would be a good place to make some coffee. Kindling a fire, I filled my coffee-pot with fresh snow and sat waiting for it to melt and get hot- Happening to cast my eyes carelessly around, I discovered a little piece of calico protruding from the snow. Half thoughtlessly, half out of idle curiosity, I caught hold of the cloth, and finding it did not come readily, I gave it a strong pull. I had in my hands the body of my dead child Ada! She had been buried in the snow, which melting down had disclosed a portion of her clothing. I thought I should go frantic! It was the first intimation I had of her death, and it came with such a shock!
"Just as we were getting out of the snow, I happened to be sitting in camp, alone, one afternoon. The men were hunting, or attending to their goods. I was congratulating myself upon my escape from the momtains, when I was startled by a snuffing, growling noise, and looking up, I saw a large grizzly bear only a few feet away. I knew I was too weak to at- tempt to escape, and so remained where I sat, expecting every moment he
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
would devour me. Suddenly there was the report of a gun, and the bear fell dead. Mr. Foster had discovered the animal, and slipping up close to camp had killed it.
"I have been born under an evil star! Fate, misfortune, bad luck, com- pelled me to remain at Donner Lake. If God would decree that I should again pass through such an ordeal, I could not do otherwise than I did. My conscience is free from reproach. Yet that camp has been the one burden of my life. Wherever I have gone, people have cried, 'Stone him!' Even the little children in the streets have mocked me and thrown stones at me as I passed. Only a man conscious of his innocence, and clear in the sight of God, would not have succumbed to the terrible things which have been said of me-would not have committed suicide! Morti- fication, disgrace, disaster and unheard-of misfortune, have followed and overwhelmed me. I often think that the Almighty has singled me out, among all the men on the face of the earth, in order to see how much hardship, suffering and misery a human being can bear !
"Soon after my arrival at the Fort, I took charge of the schooner Sac- ramento, and conveyed wheat from Sacramento to San Francisco, in pay- ment for Captain Sutter's purchase of his possessions. I worked seven months for Sutter, but, although he was kind to me I did not get my money. I then went to Sonoma and and worked about the same length of time for Gen. Vallejo. I had a good position and good pros- pects, but left for the gold mines. Soon afterward I was taken sick, and for eight months was an invalid. I then went to Sutter's Fort and started a boarding-house. I made money rapidly. After a time I built a house, south of the Fort, which cost ten thousand dollars. In 1851 I purchased the Lady Adams Hotel, in Sacramento. It was a valuable property, and I finally sold it at auction for a large sum of money. This money was to be paid next day. The deeds had already passed. That night the terrible fire of 1852 occurred, and not only swept away the hotel, but ruined the purchaser, so that I could not collect one cent. I went back to Sutter's Fort and started the Phoenix Brewery. I succeeded, and acquired consid- erable property. I finally sold out for fifty thousand dollars. I had concluded to take this money, go back to Germany, and live quietly the rest of my days. The purchaser went to San Francisco to draw the money. The sale was effected eight days be.ore the great flood of 1861-2. The flood came, and I lost everything."
After reaching the settlements himself and wife were reunited and
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SAD STORY OF THE GRAVES FAMILY.
lived together until Jan. 30th, 1877, when she died. Eleven children were born to them, four of whom survive. One is married and lives in Sacramento, another is a widow and lives at San Rafael. Two are with their father at Brighton, Sacramento county, both hopelessly idiotic. Augusta is 15 and weighs 205; Ruth is 27 and never spoke an intelligible word. They are subject to violent epelitic fits and need constant attention. Should Bertha fall into the fire she has not sufficient intelligence to withdraw her hand from the flames. He is very poor and their shrieks and violence are so great that no hired help will attend them. The legislature will not give him aid, they scream so he can not live near others and so he lives isolated from all others and has to personally look after and care for them. He is the saddest, loneliest, most pitiable creature on the face of the earth and traces all his misfortunes to the camp at Donner Lake.
Let the God to whom he appeals be his judge. If guilty of all the crimes charged, his subsequent misfortunes and present lot, it would seem, ought to atone.
The story of this dreadful tragedy is nearly finished. Of the ninety persons composing the party forty-eight survived and with varying inci- dents and episodes all reached Sutter's Fort. Twenty-six or twenty-eight were living July 30th, 1879. As this history mainly concerns the Graves family only theirs will be continued.
Mary A. Graves married Edward Pile in May, 1847, two months after her rescue. He was murdered by a Spaniard the succeeding year, and the perpetrator was the first person hanged in California under the laws of the United States. In 1851 or 1852 she wedded I. J. Clark to whom were born seven children, five of whom survive. Her address is White River, Tulare County, Cal.
Eleanor Graves married William McDonnell in Sept., 1879, and had ten children, seven of whom are living. She lives in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, and her address is Calistoga.
Lovina Graves married John Cyrus, June 5th, 1857. They have five children and their address is Calistoga.
Nancy Graves married R. W. Williamson in 1855. They have five children, one of whom is teaching school and another is an artist in Vir- ginia City. Their address is Los Gatos, Santa Clara County.
William C. Graves is a blacksmith and lives at Calistoga.
In the little work from which most of our information is derived the subsequent history of Sarah, formerly Mrs. Fosdick, is not given, and we
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have been unable to gather it from other sources. The Murphys settled about three miles above Marysville and the town of Marysville was named in honor of their daughter Mary. Simon T. Murphy served in the Union army during the war. Wm. M. Foster gave his name to Foster's Bar on the Yuba river. He died in 1879.
The Reeds settled at San Jose, and the Breens at South San Juan. The orphan children of Mrs. Donner obtained an education, married and did well.
This sketch should not close without some mention of brave old Capt. Sutter who furnished the first supplies to the fugitives and aided them unstintedly. The first gold in the state was found on his place. He be- came wealthy and noted, and finally lost his property and returned to Lancaster County, Pa., where it is said he still lives.
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
PUTNAM COUNTY.
HENNEPIN TOWNSHIP.
AMOS T. PURVIANCE.
The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1823, and removed to Illinois in 1847, loca- ting in Hennepin. He learned the printing trade when young, but after coming to this State worked at farming, teaciung school winters. In 1845 he married Mary M. Ong, their nnion being blessed with two children, Retta and Frank O .. hoth born in Putnam Connty. Is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; was elected Sheriff in 1854. and Connty Clerk in 1857, which office he has since held. His place, known as "Hartzella," covers the site of the old trading house erected in 1817. It is a natural grove of twenty-two acres, beautifully situated on the bank of the Illinois River, one mile above Hennepin, and contains specimens of every native tree in Northern Illinois.
H. C. PIERCE.
H. O. Pierce, farmer, was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1829, and came to Illinois with his parents in 1832. landing in Crow Meadow. Indians being troublesome at the time, they returned to Pekin, and remained until the spring of 1833. when they came to Hennepin Township, and have since remained here. In 1846 he married Mary Lansberry, who was born in Orange county, New York, in 1832. She died in 1874, leaving three children-Charles, Joseph H., and Benjamin F. In 1877 he was married again to Sarah Pierce. They are members of the M. E. church, in which he has been steward since 1865. Is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Pierce has a vivid recol- lection of the Indians, and the good old times of early life in Putnam county.
LELAND BROADDUS.
Mr. Broaddus is a farmer living on sectton 23. He was born in Caroline connty, Va., in 1826. In 1835 he, with his parents, Jucated in Marshall co., and in 1849 removed to Putnam. In 1851 he married Harriet Crane, who died in 1858, leaving two children, Lundsford T. and Hervey E. He married Susan Case, a native of Indiana, and his present wife, in 1859, three children being the result of this nnion. John L., Irving, and Clara. Mr. B. is a member of the Baptist church and a school trustee. He owns 320 acres, mostly nnder cultivation, with good improve- ments.
HENRY CHILDS.
Mr. Childs is a farmer living on section 2, Hennepin Township. He was born in Lorraine, Germany, in 1829, and came to this country twenty years later, remaining a short time in New York State. "In 1857 he married Mary Gashran, who was born in Summerhill, County Meath, Ireland, in 1837, and came to this country in 1856. They have five children-James, George H., Charles A., William and Mary J. Is a member of the Catholic church of Hennepin, owns 200 acres of land, with brick dwelling, and good improvements.
JAMES SHIELDS.
Mr. Shields is a farmer, living on section 24. He was born in Morgan county, Indiana, February 8. 1825, and came to this connty along with his father when eight years old. The Shields family is one of the oldest in the county, and well known. In 1847 he married Mary Stateler, and to them two children were born, William Henry, and Catharine, who afterward became Mrs. Hiltabrand. Mr. Shields is a member of the Masonic order, and owns 215 acres of land, 120 of which is under cultivation.
NELSON SHEPHERD.
Mr. Shepherd is a retired farmer, living on section 31, who was born in Adams connty, Ohio, December 6th, 1804 He came to Putnam connty in 1829, and located on the place on which he still lives. Along with his brother, who had previously visited the country, he started from Ripley, Ohio, coming by steamboat to St. Louis. No steamers navigated the Illinois then ; and transportation being carried on by means of keel boats, pro-
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
pelled by man power, he struck ont for Bond county, where he had some friends, who furnished him with a horse, upon which he mounted, and, accompanied by a man named McCord, turned northward.
The first day they encountered a heavy rain, and the second suffered much from thirst. Seeing a cabin, they rode up and asked for a drink, to which the proprietor responded by giving them a gourd full dipped from a stagnant pool in the yard. They drank but little, but it made them deathly sick. Making for the timber. they lay down, McCord going into a heavy sleep. Shepherd presently recovered and strove some time vainly to waken McCord. Finally he opened his eyes, looking so ill that S. thought be would die. After some exertion he got him on his horse and they rode on. At Jacksonville they separated.
From here he had a Frenchman for a companion, with whom he traveled two days, reaching a place called the Rapids for breakfast. Enquiring how far it was to the next house he was told it was thirty miles. A deer path across the prairie was pointed out and his horse being tired he dismounted and drove it before him, reaching Jesse Roberts' place at sundown. His brother, who embarked on a keelboat, soon after arrived with his wife and goods. That winter all lived in a cabin together.
They all got the ague and suffered greatly, Their provisions gave ont, and as they were too sick to go after more they had to subsist on potatoes and milk. Soon after he started to return to Ohio. where he married Miss Mary Beard, September 8, 1831. She was a native of Lincoln county, North Carolina On their return they traveled in wagons, meeting with many mishaps and adventure- incident to a new country. On his arrival he built a cabin, and has resided there ever since, the primitive dwelling giving way to a fine modernized residence, and the bleak prairie to a well cultivated farm.
They have five children living, and five who were born to them have passed over the river. The living are Lyle, Albert, John B., J. Harvey, and Austin M. Mr. Shepherd has served his township as supervisor, township trustee and road commissioner. Himself and wife have long been inembers of the Presbyterian church, and bon- ored and respected members of society. He has a large farm and his old age is blessed with an abundance of this world's goods,
JOHN BOSST.
The subject this sketch is a farmer, born in Germany in 1820, and emigrated to this country in 1864, settling in Putnam county. His wife was formerly Miss Lucy Trierweiler. She also was born in Germany. They have two children, Theodore and Nicholas and own a good farm of 80 acres, well improved. Are members of the Cath- olic church, of Hennepin.
PETER SCHITZ.
Mr. Schitz is a farmer, and was born in Germany in 1814, emigrating to this country in 1864, and lo- cating in Putnam county. His wife's maiden name was Karley, and she likewise came from Germany. Tro children were born to them, Margaret and Herbert. She died in 1870. Mr. Schitz has since wedded Mary Scharts, a member of the Catholic church. ,
ANTHONY REAVY.
This gentleman, who is a thrifty farmer living on section 2, was born in this county in 1847. In 1869 he married Miss Catherine Mateer, also a native of the county, They have five children. Frank, George, Edward, Caroline and Mary. Both Mr. Reavy ahd his wife are members of the Catholic church. Mr. R. is treasurer of the school board. He owns 605 acres of land, 240 of which is under cultivation, and his residence is one of the most comfortable and home-like in the county.
FREDERICK SEBOLD.
Mr. Sebold is a farmer living on section 14. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1823, and came to the United States in 1849, first locating in Butler co., Ohio, whence he moved to this county in 1854. In 1849 be mar- ried Christiana Souft, also a native of Bavaria. They have six children-Barbara, Margaret, Conrad, Christi- ana, Eliza and Frederick. Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic order, was school director 16 years and road com- missioner six years. He owns 280 acres, all in good state of cultivation, with very good improvements.
G. W. POOL.
.
This gentleman, now deceased, was born in Marietta, Ohio, in 1800, and died in 1857, leaving ten children. Henry died in a rebel prison in Cahoba, Alabama. Aaron was also in the army His remaining children were George, Belle, Franklin, Sidney, Sarah, Edward, Charles, Lucy. Four children were born to him by a former mar- riage-viz., Mary, William, Albert and Charlotte. Mrs. Pool's maiden name was Sophronia Bascons; she was born in Courtland county, N Y., and married in 1838. Her estate comprises 380 acres. The farm is carried on by her son.
DAVID J. LEECH.
Mr. D. J. Leech is a dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery in Hennepin. He was born in Pennsylvania, but brought up in Ohio, where he lived until twenty-one, when he removed to Illinois, arriving in Hennepin in 1849, and went to farming. In this he was successful, and continued to follow it to 1877, when he turned it over to his sons and took up his present business. In 1851 he married Miss Sarah A. Corson, also a native of Pennsylvania. Four children were born to them, Mary C., Harvey H., Ella S., and John W. M1. Leech is an ex- tensive dealer in farm machinery, buying his stock from twenty-three different establishments. His long experi- ence as a farmer enables him to know just what is required, and he seldom makes a mistake. He has done much
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
to introduce the cultivation of sorghum, having raised it for many years and proved its value. He was personally acquainted with Shaubena, and has many ornaments, etc., obtained by himself from the grave of Shaubena's father, who was buried on the present site of the town. Mr. Leech's life has been long and useful, and he is a respected member of society.
L. B. SKEEL.
Mr. Skeel is afarmer, was born in New York state, March 28, 1811. and located in this connty in 1830. Oct. 19, 1819, he married Miss Minerva Payne, a native of Indiana. who died March 27th, 1847, leaving three children- Albert M., Mary E. (Fisher), and Carrie (Cotting). Nov. 25th, 1847, he married Miss Flora Morrison, his present wife, who was born in Argyle, Scotland, in 1824. Five children have blessed their union,-Nathan, Olive (Folley). Wil- liam L .. John F, and Flora M. They are members of the Congregational clinrch. Mr. Skeel owns 244 acres of land, under perfect cultivation and thoroughly fenced, principally with hedges. His mother died in October, 1879, at the advanced age of 91 years. His father built and introduced the first threshing machine in this section, tak- ing his material from the logs of an old cabin at Pekin, the only thoroughly seasoned timber procurable.
PETER HOLLERICH.
.
Mr. Hollerich, a resident of the city of Hennepin, was born in Luxembourg, Germany, in 1846. In 1871 he came to the United States, and located in Hennepin shortly after his arrival in this country. In 1877 Mr. Hollerich married Miss Mary Sontag, a native of Mendota, Ill. They have two children, Colonel and William. Mr. H. and his wife are members of the Catholic church.
EDWIN R. SPENCER.
This gentleman, a livery proprietor and U. S. mail contractor, was born in Duchess county, N. Y., in 1832. He came West in 1845, lo ating first in Terre Haute, Ind., but finally iu this county. In 1874 he married Miss N. Jane Hailey, a native of Missouri. They have one child, Edwin, born in 1877. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Masonic order. He has been a mail conractor for many years. Mr. Thomas Hailey, father of Mrs. Spencer, moved to Ox Bow in 1829.
HENRIETTA THIEL.
Mrs. Henrietta Thiel, widow, is a successful farmer living on section 13. She was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1857, soon after her marriage. Her husband. Frederick Thiel, was also a native of Ger- many born in Saxony. He died December 10th, 1877, leaving six children. Frederick, Ludwick, Minnie, Henrietta, George and William. Mrs. ['hiel's farm embraces 123 acres of land, in a good state of cultivation. She is an esti- mable woman, hard working and industrious, and is raising her children in a manner creditable to herself and calculated to fit them for a life of usefulness.
JOSEPH ETSCHEID.
This gentleman is a farmer living on section 26, Hennepin township, and was born in Prussia in 1881, He came to this county in 1856. He was married to Catherine Kolf in 1856. She died July 3d, 1866, leaving two children, Margaret and Peter, Afterward he married Mary Apel. He owns 520 acres of land of which 300 are nnder cultivation. Is a member of the Catholic church, road commissoner, etc. He is one of the most successful farmers in the township and a hard worker.
DR. A. M. VANDERSLICE.
The subject of this sketch is a physician and surgeon, likewise a farmer, living on section 32. He was born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1833, obtaining his education in that state and gradnating with honors at the medical institute of Philadeldhia in 1860. He practiced two years in his native place and then moved to Florid in 1862, where he has since resided in the active prosecution of his profession. Of late years he gives more attention to farming. Before leaving his native place he married Rebecca Roach, who has bronght him nine children, anna M., John J., Frank R., Augustus M., James M., W. Hoyle, E. Rauk, Ellen J., and Roy. He owns 180 acres of land, highly improved.
JOHN H. DININGER.
Mr. Dininger is a highly successful farmer living on Section 36. He was born in Lebanon county, Penn- sylvania, in 1827, and settled in Putnam county in 1859. In 1850 he married Caroline Zimmerman, also a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and to them have been born ten children, still living, viz: Emma, Sarah, Ellen, Augustus, Kate, Lizzie, John S., Lincoln, Adam and William. He owns a fine farm of one hundred acres, under excellent cultivation, with first class improvements.
JUDGE AUGUSTUS CASSELL.
Augustus Cassell, ex-connty judge, is a comfortable farmer and mechanic living on section 1, He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1813 coming west in 1836, and settling in Putnam county. His wife was formerly Miss Mary Bear, to whom he was married November 14 1833, she being also a native of Lebanon. They have seven children living, viz: John H., William B., Sarah A., Alson K., Rufus L., Mary Ellen and Isadore. Both himself and wife are respected members of the Methodist church. Mr. Cassell was a cabinet maker by trade, and very ingenious in the use of tools. For several years he owned and ran a steam mill, and was once in the mer can-
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
tile business at Florid. During the war he sent three sons to the army: one of whom-John H .- ran the Vicks- burg blockade, served as a scout and spy for nine months visiting the rebel cumps as a spy. He served three years, and then re-enlisted and remained until the close of the war. He was in the Twentieth Illinois cavalry. Mr. Cassel was elected county judge in 1872 and again in 1876, and was instice of the peace for twenty-seven years. His life has been long, honored and useful.
ROBERT LEECH.
Mr. Leech is a farmer living on section 19. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio. in 1814. removed with his parents to Pecria in 1832 and to Hennepin one year later. Has ever since resided on his present home- stead. John Leech, his father, died in 1839, leaving nine children. His mother still lives, and is eighty-six years old. Mr. Leech never married, having dutifully remained with his parents, giving all his care to them. He has one of the finest farms in the township, containinz 330 acres. bis house occupying a beautiful location, skirted by a belt of timber on the north-west, interspersed with old oaks and other native trees.
W. S. BOSLEY.
Mr, Bosley, farmer and postmaster at "Cottage Hill." was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pa., in 1833, and located in Patnam county, April 5, 1851. October 31 1858, he married Miss Mary D. Nesmith, a native of the same county in Pennsylvania as himself. They have seven children, Thomas N., Nannie H., Lizzie M .. Rebecca S., Minnie May, James Harry and Carl Edwin. Himself and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder since 1860. He is secretary of the Magnolia Township Insurance Company, Vice President of the County Musical association, and Road Commissioner. He is an extensive stock dealer, and "Cottage Hill" is a delightful residence, complete in all its appartenances.
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