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 56
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 56
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RICHARD BENTLEY.
Mr. Bentley is a barber and hair dresser in the city of Hennepin, where he was born in 1855. He has been en- gaged in business for himself since 1877 In 1876 he married Carrie Kessling, a native of Harrisburg, Pa. They have two children, Mary and Della, Mr. Bentleylis a son of William and Cerena Bentley, who came to Hennepin in 1851 He is an industrious and enterprising young business man.
L. M. G. NOYES.
Mr. Noyes is a painter residing in the city of Hennepin. He was born in Minott. Maine, in 1820, but in the same year his parents moved to Baltimore, Md., where he resided until 1-33, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. to attend school. In 1838 he went to St. Louis, remained there until 1843, and then located in Hennepin, which has since been his home. In 1845 he married Mary E. Brumfield, a native of Wayne county, Ind. They have one child, Augustus T. For seventeen years Mr. Noves was engaged in steamboating on the western and southwestern rivers. Mrs. Noyes' with her parents, resided in Putnam county during the Indian wars, and found refuge in the block house at Ottawa during those tronblesome times. Her father moved to Putnam county and located his farm in 1833. Her mother is still living.
AUGUST NEY & Co.
Photographers. These gentlemen came to Hennepin and established their present business in 1879, coming from Galesburg where they run a similar business. Mr. Ney, the principal operator, has very few equals in his profession, being an artist of rare merit whose work readily commends itself. They possess the only gallery in Hennepin, where pictures in the latest styles can be had, and have received a liberal patronage. Prices for cabinet size $5 per dozen, and small size $2.
JOHN GOWDEY.
Mr. Gowdey is a dealer in boots and shoes in Hennepin. He was born in Orange county, New York, in 1816, moved to Newark, New Jersey, in 1829, and to Hennepin in 1855. He followed farming for about fifteen years, realizing a net profit in that time of about $15,000 over all expenses. He then in 1870 retired with a comfortable income, but like thousands of others he tried his luck on the grain board in Chicago, and lost his $15.000 in a short time, not t rough lack of judgment, but by the trickery of the prof. ssional operators. He took his loss like a phil- osopher, and went to work at his trade, at which he has worked steadily since 1871. He married Miss M. V. Russell in 1836, who is a native of New Jersey. Their children are James H., John B., Sarah E., and Jane A. His oldest son. Russell, was killed in the late war in Georgia, after re-enlisting as a veteran, having been in twenty-three bat- tles. His two younger sons also served in the army. as well as Mr. Gowday himself, who enlisted in the First Illi- nois Cavalry, July 3, 1861, furnishing his own horse and equipments. He was captured at Lexington, Mo., under Colonel Mulligan, and was robbed of all his clothing except his underclothes, in which condition he was sent to procure transportation for the sick and wounded after the capture and parole. He met an old negro woman, who was very anxious to find one of Price's rebel officers, for whom she had a basket of clean clothes. She asked Mr. Gowdy if he knew the officer. Ile replied, "Oh, of course Ido. I will take these clothes to him. How much do you want ? He paid her seventy-five cents, and got a suit of clothes and a good supply of clean linen, worth about $40,00. He returned to camp so dressed up that his Colonel did not know him. He was discharged at St. Louis in 1862. Mr. Gowdey discovered and assisted to capture the burglar Holbrook, an account of which is given in full in this work. His family are members ot the M, E. church, is a Good Templar, a man of more than ordinary infor- mation, and qualified for a more prominent position in the ranks of humanity.
PATRICK DORE.
Mr. Dore is a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and came to Hennepin in 1850, having walked from Chicago to Peru, and traveled thence by stage. His destination was Peoria, but meeting with a chance for an engagement with John Ware, proprietor of the hotel, he engaged at $8.00 per month, which was soon after raised to $10.00, and finally to $13.00. Though the wages were small, he was economical and saved his earnings, thereby laying the foundation of the very comfortable independence he now enjoys. After leaving there he engaged with Minihan &
Mrs Avilla Howe
WENONA, ILL.
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Simpson, lumber and grain dealers, with whom he stayed over four years. In 1858 he began business in a small way for himself, first familiarizing himself with its details and the wants of the public, and increasing it as his means allowed and the public demanded. His business to-day is second to none in Putnam county, and his great success is due to strict integrity, inflexible honesty with the public, square dealing and meeting his obligations promptly. His large store and warehouse are filled from cellar to garret with seasonable goods, one floor being devoted exclu- sively to the wholesale and retail sale of clothing; the main floor to dry goods, groceries and notions, and the base- ment to boots and shoes. In the decoration of his store Mr, Dore is unexcelled, his fine 100m setting off his rich goods to great advantage. His stock of clothing is not excelled west of Chicago. He owns 720 acres of land in th.s county, most of it under cultivation ; 160 acres in Iowa, and city.property in Nebraska. In 1857 he wedded Margaret Rooney, and they have four surviving children, John, Thomas, Margaret, and Ellen. Mr. Dore and wife are mem- bers of the Catholic Church, and he is a respectable, public spirited citizen.
ANDREW C. NOXON.
Mr. Noxon was born in New York City in 1840, and came west when thirteen years old, making his home in Hennepin. By profession he is a civil engineer, and his services as a surveyor are often in demand, He embarked in the drug trade in 1867, and has built up a fine paying business. In 1875 he was elected surveyor, and has since filled the position. He is thoroughly competent, and well up in the theory and practice of civil engineering.
SAMUEL H. SMITH.
Mr. Smith is an attorney at law and lumber dealer in Hennepin. Ile was born in Trenton, N. J., in 1835, and with his parents came to Putnam county the same year. In 1858 he married Mary J. Schooler, a native of this county, and daughter of Hugh N. Schooler, one of the first settlers. They have four children, Collins D., Mary L., Collie S. and Hugh N. Mr. S. was admitted to the bar in 1869, since which time he has been engaged n the practice of his profession. Commenced the lumber business in 1876. Is a member of the Masonic order.
M. SCHILZ.
A manufacturer of boots and shoes and dealer in ready-made clothing, in Hennepin. Was born in Prussia, in 1824, came to the United States in 1850, and located in Hennepin in 1851. He worked at his trade as a journey- man until 1853, when he started in business for himself. In 1853 he married Agnes Waggoner, a native of Bavaria. They have four children, George, Mary E., Modasta T. and Josephine. Are members of the Catholic church.
J. G. BELL.
This gentleman, senior member of the firm of Bell & Son, millers, of Hennepin, was born in Chester connty, Pa., in 1829. He located in this county in 1856, followed farming one year, and then moved to Ottawa, where he engaged in the milling business until the spring of 1879, when he and his son took the Union Mill of Hennepin, put it in thorough repair, and are now successfully running, with a capacity of sixty barrels per day. In 1854 Mr. Bell married Mary Henning, a native of Ireland. They have six children, Alfred, Ada, Georze, Anna, Cora and Jane. Mr. B. is a member of the Lutheran church.
GEO. C. READ.
Mr. Read was born in the town of Strong, in the State of Maine, in 1838, and came to Putnam county in 1845. By trade he is a painter, which business he followed up to 1861, when he threw down the brush and took up the saber, enlisting in Company E., Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and was detailed as musician, in which capacity be served until mustered out. Returning to Putnim county, he married Lizzie Bowman in 1870, who was born in Virginia, and has two children, Bessie and Willie. Mr. Read was elected Sheriff in 1876, and still holds the position. making an energetic and reliable public officer.
C. B. GREINER.
Mr. Greiner was born in the province of Alsace, France, though his native place now is a component part of the great German empire. Wishing to become a citizen of the United States, he embarked for this country in 1852, and engaged in business in Hennepin in 1856. In the same year he married Sophia Ehmler, who is a native of Prussia, and to them six children have been bor .. , Annie Charles C., Jennie, Ida, Charlotte and George. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and belongs to the Masonic order.
ADAM DECK.
Mr. Deck is a watchmaker and jeweler. born in Pennsylvania, and brought here by his parents in 1851, He was educated here, and likewise learned his trade, establishing himself in business in 1875. Few men are more competent to handle and repair fine watches and jewelry. He is conscientious in business, and personally attends to all matters. He carries a large stock of goods, is prompt, energetic, and will win success if any man can.
W. H. BENTLY.
Mr. Bently was born in Bond county, Ill., in 1845, and came here in 1850. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. H. Twentieth Illinois Volunteers. and served until the end of the war; was wounded at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, and sent to the hospital. When he recovered he rejoined his command at Raleigh, N. C .; was mustered out at Louisville and paid off at Chicago. After the war he returned to Hennepin, and married Jennie
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
Campbell in 1867. She died in January, 1869. He established his present business in March, 1879, and has been very successful thus far, proving that good soldiers usually win success in whatever they undertake. It should te stated that Mr. Bently enlisted when but eighteen years of age.
E. UNTHANK.
Mr. Unthank is a native of Guilford, North Carolina, where he was born in 1814. He came to Indiana in 1829, and to Hennepin in 1855-6 and established himself in business. In 1837 he married Catherine Curtis, born in Ohio. They have two children, William C. and Bartlett B. Both are members of the Congregationalist Church of Hen- nepin. He is a thorough master of the trade and a careful workman, making his own harness, saddles, etc. His only daughter wedded P. B. Durley, postmaster of Hennepin. and died in 1876.
H. B. STOCKDALE.
Mr. Stockdale was born in Philadelphia in 1852 and comes from a family of more than average ability. His father was a noted educator and for several years presided over the public schools of Peru. He gave his sons a thor- ough business education and through them controls a larger grain business than any firm along the Illinois river, having houses at Hennepin, Bureau Junction, Peru, and elsewhere. They own several boats running npon the river and canal and have very favorable connections east. While often selling in the Chicago and Peoria markets their princpal shipments are to the seaboard and to Europe direct. Mr. Stockdale was married in 1879 to Minnie L. Eddy, of Hennepin. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM H. CASSON.
Mr. Casson is a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Brownsville, Fayette county, in 1^38. Since 1848 he has been a citizen of Putnam county where he obtained his education. He is a lawyer by profession, having been ad- mitted to the bar in 1871. In 1862 he married Mary McMahon and to them have been born two children, Margaret L. and Robert O. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1864 he was elected circuit clerk and served two terms, In 1872 was clected State's attorney for four years and re-elected in 1876. He is a lawyer of acknowledged ability, a good counsellor and has a patronage that is constantly increasing.
DR. J. H. SEATON.
A physician and druggist of Hennepin, was born in Indiana in 1836, and educated at the Wabash college. August 18th, 1862, he enlisted in the 6th Indiana Cavalry and served until the close of the war, two years of which time he occupied the position of hospital steward. In 1866 he married Ardelia Zenor, a native of this county, adopted Hennepin as his permanent location. and started in his present business. They have four children, Nellie, Alice, Annie aud Ida. Dr. S. is a member of the 1. O. O. F. is superintendent of schools, and a member of the board of town trustees.
HENRY DECK.
A prosperous merchant of Hennepin. Was born in Burke county, Pa., in 1838, and located in this county in 1852. He commenced business for himself in 1867. In 1866 he married Annie Ahmler, a native of Germany. They have one child, Minnie L. Mrs. Deck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He carries a full stock of groceries and qncensware and is one of the successful business men of Hennepin.
WILLIAM SMITHI.
Mr. Smith, of Smith & McCormick hardware dealers in Hennepin, was born at Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in 1832. He came to the United States in 1849 and located in this county in 1858. He followed the avocation of a clerk nntil 1877, when he went into business for himself as a member of the firm of Markley & Smith, which connection continued one year, at the expiration of which time he formed a partnership with Mr. McCormick. Iu 1862 he en- listed in company E. 124th 111. Volunteer Infantry and served nntil the close of the war, most of the time as a non- commissioned officer. In 1856 Mr. Smith married Caroline Wire, a native of Pennsylvania, though raised in Ohio, They have four children. Jennie E. (now a teacher Abingdon), Philip A., Mary B. and Carrie Irene. Mr. S. is a member of the M. E. church and Mrs. S. of Congregational church. He is now general dealer in stoves, tinware and glass
BENJAMIN F. WHITAKER.
Mr. Whitaker is a farmer. living on section 35, and was born in Magnolia township in 1830, His parents are numbered among the earliest residents of old Putnam. In 1859 he married Nancy J. Peterson. also a native of Pntnam. They have four children living, Frances L., Mary E., Grace A. and Ruth J. Five children have died. Mr. Whitaker served one term as assessor. He owns a well improved farm of one hundred acres, with good dwelling, etc .. and is comfortably fixed so far as this world goes. His father - Aaron Whitaker, was one of the first settlers in the county, coming in 1829, and serving in the Black Hawk war.
CAPT. JEFF DURLEY.
Captain Durley was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, December 7, 1822, and came to Putnam county in 1844, where two years later he married Eleanor Seaton, a native of Kentucky. Her parents died while she was young, and she fell to the care of an uncle, who moved to Indiana and subsequently to Illinois. They have five children, Leslie. Rosalie, Francis A., Helena and Annie. When the war broke ont he was in the far west, but finding his ser-
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
vices were demanded he came home, shouldered his musket, and eulisted as a private in the 139th Illinois volun- teers. He was chosen captain, and his command designated as company B. The 139th was a "short time" regi- ment, and the term of enlistment having expired it was mustered ont. Captain Durley next organized company I of the 47th regiment and was elected its captain. With this command he served until the close of the war, doing good service. They were mustered out at Demopolis, Alabama. In 1876 he was chosen circuit clerk, which he still rethins. Mr Durley is oue of the solid men of the township. and is withal genial, obliging and popular.
JAMES N. DURLEY.
Mr. Durley belongs to a family prominent in the history of Putnam county for enterprise and patriotism. He was born in 1837 and in 1864 enlisted in the Forty-seventh Illinois volunteer infantry, was captured at Gay's Land- ing on the Alabama River, and was mustered ont at the close of the war. His present business was established in 1861. In 1871 he married Lucy Eddy, of Vermont, and they have one child, Mabel, born in 1875. In business he is both energetic and conservative, pushing his enterprise, but keeping it well under control. Such men rarely fail.
A .. H. TURNER.
Mr. Turner is a farmer and mechanic of Hennepin. Was born in Oxford county, Maine, January 9, 1810. He went to Aroostook county in 1831 where he had charge of the farm department and issnance of all supplies for the contractor of the military road in that county, which position he held three years, when he rer igned and came west. He located in Putnam county in 1845, and engaged in farming. He married Ann Law in Sept., 1837. She WAS A native of Frederick, New Brunswick. She died in 1847 leaving five children. Hamblin, Laura. Mary Salome, and bevail. He married Elizabeth Nash, his present wife, on August 26th, 1848. She was born in Albany, N. Y. The fruits of this marriage are Daniel B., Cornelia, Henry, Frank, Lizzie and Warfield. They are members of the Presbyterian church. He was coroner one term, overseer of the poor two terms and school director some 24 years. lle is a natural mechahic having studied ont nearly all the mechanical arts and is proficient in many.
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
MAGNOLIA TOWNSHIP.
JUDGE JOHN W. LAUGHLIN.
A Justice of the Peace at Mount Palatine. Ile was born in Bond county. Ill., in 1820, moved to this county with his parents when only ten years of age, and in 1845 married Miss Jane W. Reid, who moved with her parents to Brown connty, Ill., when a child. With the exception of about three years' residence in Versailles, they have lived in this conzty since their marriage and in Monnt Palatine twenty-four years. They have four children living,-Henry R., Fannie C., Mary E. and Ebert H. They are members of the Congregational church. Mr. L. has been justice of the peace about twelve Years. He has 220 acres of land in his home farm. and also a farm of 160 acres in La Salle county.
GEORGE GALL.
Mr. Gall is a farmer, living on section 6. Magnolia township. He was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1822, and located in Putnam county in 1867. In 1847 he married Mary Ward, who was born in the same state. They have six children, l'homas R., Anna B., William McLelland, Mary M,, Andrew, and Jessie. Mr. G. and wife are members of the M. E. church. He owns seventy-ninc acres of land, mostly under good cultivation.
T. F. LASH.
Mr. Lash is a merchant, living in Magnolia., He was born in Belmont connty, Ohio, in 1846, and located in Magnolia in 1865. He has been in the mercantile business since 1876. He was married to Miss Sarah C. Wabel in 1873. Mr. L. is a member of the Masonic order, and is also a member of the Retail Jewelers Association of Illinois. He enlisted in the 170th Ohio Volunteers in May. 1864, and was discharged in the fall of the same year. He came to Magnolia with less than $10.00, and has now a general stock of goods worth about $2 000, besides 160 acres of land in Nebraska and 480 acres in Missouri, also his store. He owns a residence, and another honse and lot in Mag- nolia, and has been a member of the Town Board for two years.
ELZY DOWNEY.
Mr. Downey is a farmer, living in Magnolia township. He was born in Greenbrier connty, Va., in 1810, and moved to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1814, thence to LaSalle county, near Ottawa, in 1832, locating in Putnam county in 1838. He married Mrs. Nancy Johnson in 1838, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1814. Mr. D. has one child by a former marriage, Robert; and Mrs. Downey one by a former marriage, Sarah J., (Bowman). They are mem- bers of the Methodist church. Mr. D. is a man of diversified ability; is engaged in butchering part of the time, and has also rnn a cider mill for several years past; and was constable for two terms.
J. H. TAGGART. .
Mr. Taggart is a farmer, living in Marshall connty, near Magnolia. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1840, and located in Marshall county in 1863. He married Miss Josephine Murdough the same year, who is a native of Monnt Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, and is a lady of refinement and good education. They have four chil- dren, Lewella H, Maud R., Harry M., and Fred S. Mr. Taggart is extensively engaged in stock raising, is an encr- getic business man, a deep reader, and well posted on the general topics of the day.
MRS. ELIZABETH HILTABRAND.
This lady, widow of George Hiltabrand. one of the pioneers of Putnam county, was born in Caswell connty, N. C., in 1801. She was married in 1824. and in 1829 moved with her husband to the then almost unbroken prairie of this section. They located a claim on section 20, upon which Mrs. H. still resides Mr. Hiltabrand died October 20, 1870, leaving ten children, viz .: Jerusha Simeon C., Henry H .. Edward C., Josephus. George W., Emily E., Benjamin F., Ella J. and Melissa A. Mrs. H. bas heen a member of the old school Baptist church since she was fourteen years of age. Her homestead farm comprises 340 acres of land. Her post office address in Caledonia.
WILLIAM HAWES.
Mr. Hawes has the honor of being the earliest living resident of the two connties, He was born Seut. 23. 1800, in Orange county, Va., and with his parents moved to Warren county, Ohio in 1805, two years later to Clinton connty and thence to Sangamon. Ill., where he followed driving team until 1826, when he visited the lead mines at Galena, passing on horseback through Putnam Co.,And selecting the place he afterward made his home. The next year he returned, built a cabin and broke a piece of land and put in a crop of corn. James D. Willis was the next
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
man to locate in the neighborhood and Lewis Bailey the third, When the Indians discovered Hawes' presence they warned him to leave, making dire threats of what the consequences would be in case he did not, but he refused to desert his property and was not molested. In 1823 he married Lucinda Southwick. a native of New York, who came to Sangamon county, in 1816. She died July 4th, 1867. In 1868 he married Mrs, Louisa Moffitt and to them were born, viz: Andrew, Lillian, Mary. Clifford and Joel. When the Black Hawk war broke out he was chosen captain of a com- pany of rangers who did scout duty bnt saw no real fighting. He has led a long and active life and at the age of eighty is smart and active like a man of forty. In his younger years he was a great traveler, having dug lead in Galena, gold in California, and silver in Mexico. He owns nearly two thousand acres of land in Putnam and Mar- shall counties and a half section in Minnesota, most of it under cultivation The father of Mrs. H. came to Putnam county in 1848. She married Mr. Moffit in 1861 and he died the following year from wounds received in the army.
F
TOWNSEND G. FYFFE.
This gentleman, formerly a resident of this county, now deceased, was born in Mason county, Kentucky. in 1800. He located in Putnam county in 1829. He filled the positions of county commissioner and supervisor several terms and was also elected to other important local offices. In 1832 he married Zella Boyle, also a native of Kon- tucky. They had nine children, seven of whom are living .- J. D., Ara. Mary B., Franklin, Martha, Emma and Helen. Mrs. Fyffe is still living. J. D. is a member of the Masonic order.
JOEL HAWES.
Joel Hawes is a farmer residing on section 22. and one of the carly settlers of Pntnam county. He was born in Madison county, Va .. Angust 15, 1796, moved with his parents to Clinton county, Ill .. in 1805, and thence to Putnam county in 1838. In 1824 he married Elizabeth Gibson, a native of Kentucky. Their children are Mary A .. Thomas. Elizabeth (deceased), William. John, Sarah, Eunice, George and asa. Mrs. Hawes died in Jannary, 1874. He owns 193 acres of land part of which he entered in 1835. A portion of this is located in Roberts Tp., Marshall county, in section 3, range 1. west of the third principal meridian. In 1864 he married Mrs. Maud Gustav Otto, by whom he has five children, James, Helen, William, Maud and Grace,
HENRY C. MORRIS.
Mr. Morris is a farmer living on section 6, Magnolia township. He was born in Union Town, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1817. and came to Putnam in 1815. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Mclaughlin, born in West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pa., and to them have been given two children, Hervy R. and Fannie L .; are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a firm friend to education, and has served as director for thirty years; was also supervisor of his township, road director, etc. He has a well cultivated farm of 167 acres, and 36 acres of timber, good dwe'ling and pleasant sunoundings.
S. C. MORRELL.
Mr. Morrell, merchant, was born in Caledonia county, Vt., in 1828, and located in Hennepin in the fall of 1837; came to Magnolia in 184), and engaged in the mercantile business in 1857. He married Mary Baker in 1854, who was born in Vermont. l'hey have three children living, Ella L., Mary F. and Josephine. Mr. Morrill is a member of the M. E. church. He was township collector in 1864-5. He carries a full stock of goods suitable to bis trade.
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