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 68
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 68
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
KENDALL E. RICH, M. D.
Dr. Rich was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1824, came to Michigan and stopped one year and then re- moved to Adams county. Ill .. in 1845. where he hegan the study of medicine with Dr. G. O. Pond. He accom- panied the army to Mexico in 1847 and was made hospital steward at Vera Cruz, served in the same capacity after the war. After this he came back to Adams county, completed his studies and graduated at the Missonri Medical College in 1850. and in the fall removed to Magnolia, Ill., where he commenced practice. During the war he served as assistant surgeon of the 73d Ill. Volunteers, and at its close located in Wenona, where he has since remained. In 1851 he married Julia Baker and their children are Mary, Charles E. and Kate. The doctor was present at the first administration of chloroform in the U. S army, has been examining surgeon since his retiracy from the service and has a large and lucrative practice.
JOHN TAYLOR.
Mr. Taylor is a machinist living in Wenona. He was born in Fayette county, Pa . in 1817, and came west in 1842, locating on a farm in Putnam county, which he cultivated until 1860, when he sold ont, moved to Wenona and established a machine shop, in which business he has since remained, though latterly devoting a portion of his time to the cultivation of a farm. In 1844 he married Mary A. Mills, born in Washington county, Pa, They have six children- Albert R., Joseph N., Isabella A .. John F., Sarah M. and William H. They are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder since 1843. He has been an earnest advocate of tem- perance all his life, being an active member of the Gord Templars, in which he occupied the position of Worthy Chief for many years, has been president of the Red Ribbon club, and belongs to the Sons of Temperence,
THOS. B. HINMAN, Wagon Manufacturer.
Mr. Hinman was born in New Milford, Lichfield county, Conn., in 1817. He went to Binghampton, N. Y., when only 16 years old, where he commenced to learn the trade with two older brothers .. Worked there until 1838, when they moved to Tazewell county. Ill., where his brothers established business and he served out his time, five years. He then moved to Canton Fulton county, and after working at jour work for a while, went into part- nership with his employer, whom he soon after bonght out and run the business there about eight years. He then sold out and purchased a farm and worked it until 1851, when he sold out all his interests in Fulton county and moved to Marshall county. purchasing 200 acres in Bennington township. He lived upon this about eleven years, then sold out and move t into Wenona, where he built and established his present business in 1865. He married
712
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
Martha A, Sherwood in 1845, a native of N. Y. They have five children-Hanford II., Eliza A., Sarah E., Ada E. and Benton E. They are members of the Presbyterian church. He was school trustee and director, road commissioner, and justice of the peace in Bennington township. He was one of the first aldermen in Canton, Fulton county He is a finished mechanic and has facilities to turn out all kinds of carriages, buggies and wagons to order on short notice,
MRS. JANE MCCALL.
Mrs. McCall was born in Montgomery, Franklin county. Ohio, and married Marshall McCall in 1852. He was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1807. He died in 1872, leaving three sons and two daughters bv a former mar- riage. Mrs. McCall has one daughter by a former marriage, Henrietta G. (Dent). They are members of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. McCall was for years a leading citizen of the township. He was a man of liberal views. well read on national affairs and a deep thinker. He was the first president of the Wenona fair, and his son, John A. served one term in the Legislature, was a long time supervisor of his township and president and chief owner of the Wenona Bank.
GEORGE W. MCADAM.
Mr. McAdam was born in Ohio in 1811 and came west in 1857 locating in Roberts township where he followed farming np to 1865, when he moved to Wenona and went into. the mercantile business. In 1858 he sold out and went to farming in La Salle connty where he lived nntil 1871. Went to town again and stai l two years, and went on to thd farm again and remained nntil 1876. Moved to town for two years, and in 1878 he purchased 52 acres adjoining the town where he has since lived. In 1840 he married Ann J. Moore, who died in 1865, leaving six children- George G., James, William A., Annie, Maggie and Mary. John, another son, died in the army. In 1867 he married Mrs. Mary Gill (Mercer) and they have one child, Eddie. Mr. Mc Adam has lived a long and useful life and is now reaping the reward of his industry.
JOHN YEUK.
Was born in Nassau, Germany, in 1844. He came to the United States in 1869 and located at Caroline Mills Rhode Island. In 1870 he came to Mineral Point, Wis., and worked on a farm. Went to La Salle in 1871 and worked in the zinc works until 1875, when he came to Wenona, purchased property and established a carriage manufactory. Married Katie Bretz in 1874, born in Germany. They have three children - Jobn, Frank and Bertha. He is a member of the Catholic church. The name of the firm is Yeuk & Monk and they make all kinds of car- riages, buggies, and spring wagons and do all kinds of repairing.
J. S. HUNT.
Mr. Hnnt was born in Licking connty, Ohio, in 1825, came west in the fall of 1830, and located in Putnam connty. He moved to this county in the fall of 1832, and to Wenona in 1859. He is a carpenter and bnilder by trade, and has steadily followed this vocation since arriving at man's estate. In 1848 he married Mary A. Myers, born in Pennsylvania. They have six children,-Jacob A., Clara J .. Salathiel M., Frank P., George and Mary J. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which his father, John 8. Hunt, was the organizer in this county. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been constable and township collector two terms each.
RUFUS DGUGLAS.
Mr. Douglas was born in Cumberland county, Maine. and came west in 1857, first locating in Nashville, Wash- ington connty, Ill., whence he moved to Wenona in 1860 and embarked in the carriage business. which he continned until 1874, and then retired. In 1843 he married Menella A. Nickerson, born in Massachusetts. They had one boy. Henry Clay, who enlisted in Co. I, 104th Ill. Vols .. and was killed in the battle of Mission Ridge. Mr. Donglas went to California in 1849, returning in 1856. He has been a member of the masonic order over thirty years.
L. J. HODGE.
This gentleman, a member of the firm of Howe, Hodge & Ralston, bankers, of Wenona, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1841, and came west with his parents in 1852, locating in Putnam county. He came to Wenona in 1855, and in 1866 embarked in the Inmber business, which he followed unfil 1877, when he became identified with the above firm. In 1864 he married Harriet E. Howe, a native of this state. They have two children, George O. and John G. Are members of the M. E. Church.
S. G. ALLEN.
Mr. Allen was born in Sangamon county, Ili,, in 1828, and came to this county in 1857. He married Miss Emily C. Cnndiff, in 1853. She was born in Virginia. They have four children -O. G .. Bertha F., Hattic E. and Dora. Mrs. Allen is a member of the M. E. church. He is a member of the state grange, and owns 210 acres of land in Evans township, in a good state of cultivation.
JAMAS T. RALSTON.
Mr. Ralston is a member of the banking firm of Howe, Hodge & Ralston, and was for several years with J. A. McCall & Co, He was born in Washington county, Pa .. in 1845, and came west in 1864, locating in Washington, Iowa, where he lived three years, and then accepted a position in the Wenona bank and came here. He remained
713
. BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
with it until the present firm became its successors, in the spring of 1878. He was married in 1871 to Julia McClana- han, born in Brown county, Ohio, and two children have blessed their nnion, Hattie N. and Amelia F. They are members of the M E. church. He has served as treasurer of the Wenona Union Fair, and takes much interest in its prosperity. As a banker Mr. Ralston stands well with the community, and the institution over which he pre- sides has a deservedly good reputation.
PETER HOWE, Banker. (With portrait.)
Mr. Howe was born in Windsor county. Vermont, in 1816. and when seventeen years old left his native place and went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he learned his trade of brick making. This was in the year 1833. He visited Putnam connty and remained one year, after which he worked in various places. taking care of his money and stor- ing his mind with information. He spent the year 1840 in Alton; then he went up to Galena, where he passed the winter of 1841-2. His wife was formerly Miss A. C. Parks. and they have five children-Marion A .. Harriet E., Je- rome, Charles and Ida. Mr. Howe is one of the wealthiest farmers in Evans township, and his money was bonestly come by. There was no Credit Mobilier for him, no orphans were detrauded, nor were his gains the result of a fortunate gambling speculation on the Chicago board of trade. Himself and wife live in their comfortable home, and looking back along their busy lives see little to regret and less of duty that remains undone. In the year 1878 he established the Wenona Bank, in connection with Messrs. Hodge and Ralston, but it is understood the most of its capital was furnished by him. In religion Mr. Howe and his wife are Baptists, to the snpport of which denom- ination they largely contribute.
FRANK H. BRANT.
Mr. Brant is a native of Illinois, born Fedruary 11th, 1855. He learned the trade of a watchmaker and jeweler in Fairbury, Livingston county, worked about five months in Henry, and then located in Varna, starting in business for himself in 1876, and serving as assistant postmaster a portion of the time during his residence in Varna. In October of 1879 he moved to Wenona, where he has since carried on his business. He keeps constantly on hand a stock of goods suitaple to his trade.
ABRAHAM C. MILLER.
Mr. Miller was born in Pennsylvania in 1804. He came west in 1821 and located in Tuscarawas county. Ohio. where he lived nntil 1846, when he came to Illinois and located in LaSalle, where he lived until 1856. In that year he moved to Wenona and followed the carpenter business. In 1836 he married Jane Porter, who was born in Wash- ington county, Md., and they have three children - Andrew F .. Hannah F. (Mrs. Turner) and Richard P. Are mem- bers af the M. E. church. In 1834 Mr. Miller walked in fourteen days from Carrollton, Ohio. to Little York and back. a total distance of 600 miles, stopping over night on the return trip at the same places he had stopped at in going.
JOSEPH R. FOSTER.
Mr. Foster was born in Burlington county, N. J., in 1810, and moved to Preble county, Ohio. in 1846, and engaged in farming. In 1849 he married Margaret Pelan, a native of England, born in 1623. They have two children, John P. and Mattie A. (Mrs. Wells.) Are members of the M. E. church. John P. is a member of the I, O, O. F. Mr. Foster owns 160 acres of land nnder cultivation. John P. married Miss Lovina Clark in 1875, a native of Ohio. She died in August, 1879, leaving one boy, Perley, born in 1876.
C. RIEDT.
Mr. Riedt was born in Wurtemburg. Germany. in 1836, and came to the United States in 1854. He first located in LaSalle, Ill., and worked at shoemaking there. He married Theresa Goetzel in 1862. She was born in Austria. They have seven children - Lena. Anna, Amelia, William, Adolph, Delia and Gerrett. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has been in business for himself since 1864, carries a good stock of boots and shoes, and makes to order at short notice.
DR. FRANKLIN POTTS, Physician and Surgeon.
Dr. Potts was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1829. He moved to Putnam connty, Ill., with his parents in 1840, where they remained two years. thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he went to school. In 1856 he removed to Iowa, and returned to Chicago in 1857. He studied medicine in Richmond, Ind., with his brother, Dr. Albert Potts, and commenced practice in Chicago in 1857. He married Miss Jennie Rench in 1852. She is a native of Baltimore, Md. They have fonr children,-Wilber II., Clarence S., Edward F. and Noble F. He is a member of the Masonic order. He has been practicing in Wenona since 1868, from which he has seenred a handsome ineome. He practiced one year in Magnolia, Putnam connty, and three years in Mendota, finally locating permanently in Wenona.
A. COHN.
Mr. Cohn was born in Germany, and came to the United States in 1853, locating in New York city. He moved to Chicago in 1857, and to Peoria in 1859, where he established a restanrant, He moved to Lacon in 1851 and went into the manufacture of cigars, and in 1862 moved to LaSalle. where he carried on the cigar business for two years, and the turning business-which is his trade-for four years, and in 1867 located in Wenona in a saloon, which he sold out in 1869 and started a grocery. In '71 he moved to Troy Grove, where he.carried on a grocery and dry goods
714
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME. 7
business one year, then went to Chicago, and back to LaSalle, returning to Wenona in 1874, when he started in the saloon again, which he discontinued in 1878, and opened a restaurant. He married Mary E. Gerlach in 1869. She was born Germany. They have five children-Amelia, Rosetta, Hermena, Jennetta and Betta. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
MILTON BAYNE.
Mr. Bayne (of Bayne & Son) was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1831, came west and located in Woodford connty in 1854, then to LaSalle, near Tonica, the following spring, and to Low Point, in Livingston county, in 1862, where he followed farming, and in 1866 went to LaSalle county, near Wenona. He moved into the village about 1872. He married Miss Nancy A. Carson in 1851, who was born in Adams county, Ohio. They have fonr chil- dren- James L., William M., Lonis M. and Charlie D. He has been identified with the Canton Wronght Iron Bridge Co. since 1869. He sold over 65 spans in LaSalle county, valued at about $180.000, and in Livingston connty about 50 spans, valned at about $40,000, besides other counties, which would amount in valuation to $100,000, or $320,000 on all. He is energetic in the pursuit of business, and the bridges he puts up are of the most substantial kind, He is a genial companion and a good talker, as well as just the man for the place.
A. H. FOWLER.
Mr. Fowler was born in Worcester county, Mass .. in 1832. He came west in 1850, and located in Putnam county, then moved to Buchanan, Iowa, and returned to Illinois in 1857, and located in Wenona. Hc enlisted in Co. H, 104th III. Vol., and was promoted to commissary sargeant in 1862, and served to the close of the war. He made the march with Sherman to the sea, mustered out in Chicago, and returned to Wenona in 1865, when he commenced his present business. He married Sarah K. Mulkins in 1865. She was born in Otsego county. N. Y. They have three children-Emma S .. Orie E. and Pauline E. He has been in the grain business since 1865. His place is at Garfield, LaSalle county, where he has an elevator of 25,000 bushels capacity, and one in Wenona of 15,000 capacity. He handles 200.000 bnshels annnally, and likewise deals in coal.
WILLIAM HUWALD.
Mr. Hnwald was born in Halstine, Germany, in 1845, came to the United States in 1865, located at Chicago and worked at his trade until 1867. He then moved to Ottawa and lived there until 1877, when he located at Wenona and established his present business, that of a wagon and carriage maker and blacksmith shop. He married Johan- na Seppel in 1871, born in Saxony. Germany, and they have two children-Charlie and Edward. He is a member of the I, O. O. F. He manufactures all kinds of carriages, bnggies, and wagons. and does a general blacksmithing and repairing business.
NATHANIEL MOORE.
Mr. Moore was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1819. His father was a merchant and moved to Preble county, when he was only a few months old, where he lived some six years, and then moved to Kokomo, Ind., where he lo- cated in 1851. In 1853 he moved back to Preble county, and engaged in farming. which he continued until 1855, when he moved to Wenona and opened a general store with a Mr. Newbern, as Moore & Newbern. He engaged also in shipping grain. At the end of a year he sold to 8. J. Taylor his interest in the store, bnt continned in the grain trade, He owned a conple of farms. upon one of which he moved in the spring of 1857, and farmed it some six years. He then purchased his fine farm of 200 acres, adjoining Wenona, which he improved and moved to in the spring of 1863. This is his home farm, to which he has added good home-like buildings, his residence being the very picture of comfort, snugly hid away in the midst ofa fine grove of trees of his own planting. His barns and ont buildings are in accordance with the general appearance of the rest of the group. Then the towering wheel of the wind-mill which supplies water to his house and farm, with its well defined form peeping ont over- the tree tops, gives the whole place a rich and romantic appearance. He married Julia Banta in the fall of 1843, born in Preble county, Ohio. They have six children living-George H., J. M. W .. Edward E., Mary Francis, A. B. and Willis, Mrs. Moore is a member of the M. E. crurch, He was elected sheriff in 1864 and served two years. He was supervisor of the tewnship several years, and was a member of the 28th and 29th General Assemblies of the Ill. legislature. He was chosen executor in the settlement of the estate of Solomon Wise in 1862, and assignee of J, A. McCall & Co., banker«, in 1878, He is still engaged in the latter. He is school director, and has filled nearly all the local offices of his district. His father, David Moore, now in his 92d year, finds a comfortable home at his house.
FRANCIS M. MYERS.
Mr. Myers is a well known fruit grower and breeder of short horn cattle, and son of David Mycrs. He was born in Roberts township in. 1835, obtained his education at the University of Galesburg, taught school in varions places, and took charge of his father's nnrsrey. Mr. Myers, sr., planted the first nursery pnt ont in the connty and is well known all over this part of the state, The subject of this sketch was married to Celia McMorris in 1860, a native of Zanesville, Ohio. They have one daughter. a promising young lady. their only living child. He pur- chased the nucleus of his present farm, 40 acres, in 1860 and commenced improvements, moving on to it in 1862. His first planting was fiye bushels of apple seeds, gathered by himself, and now grown into fine orchards. Soon after he added to his farm nntil he has, in the immediate vicinity of Wenona, a well equipped stock and fruit farm of nearly 200 acres. He is gradually drifting out of the nursery business into the more profitable and con- genial business, to him, of raising fine stock and fruits. He has 8 acres in strawberries and 25 acres in orchard,
715
BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
with some 45 varieties of apples, besides pears, cherries, etc. He took the first preminm for the greatest variety of apples exhibited by one exhibitor at the fair of Wenona. Also other preminms, including the sweepstakes for the greatest variety of fruits exhibited. The total value of the prizes was over $50. He has taken these prizes for the last three years. He also took the first premium, of $100, for the best grass herd exhibited at the fair. He has now 26 head of short horn cattle on his farm besides other stock. Mr Myers has been a local preacher in the M. E. church since 1867, and was regularly ordained by Bishop Ayers, deacon, Sept., 1875. He is a pleasant, genial gen- tleman, sociable and entertaining, and takes pride in his occupation. Mrs. M. is equally endowed with the quali- fications necessary to fulfill her part in the circle in which she moves.
JOHNSON BROWN.
Mr. Brown was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1822 and came to Putnam county in 1842, and to Wenona in 1855. He married Miss Augusta A. Reniff in 1853, born in Massachusetts. Their children are Clarence H., Lillian E .. Joslin and Sherman J. They are members of the Presbyterian church. His oldest son, Clarence J .. was the first white child born in Wenona. and he himself was the first justice of the peace, which position he filled abont 8 years, and served as assessor and collector two years of each. His wife has kept a millinery establishment since 1864. S. Brown, his brother. who keeps a livery stable in Wenona, served in the army in company H. 104th III. Volunteers, having enlisted in 1862, and served to the close of the war. He is alderman in the 2d ward. Is serving his second term.
MRS. MARY SIMONSON.
Mrs. Simonson is the widow of the late Jesse Simonson, who died in 1877. Both were natives of Preble coun - ty. Ohio, and were married in 1860. Mr. S. was brought up a farmer and followed that occupation here. Five children were given them-William C., Sarah E., Laura F., David M. and Jesse, They are members of the M. E. church. Mrs. Simonson owns 160 acres of land under good cultivation.
J. N. WOOD.
Mr. Wood has long been known as a keeper of one of the most popular hotels in the country. He was born in Weston, Pa., 1818 and moved to La Salle county in 1852, to Putnam county 1853 and to Marshall county in 1854. He lived in the township when there was but six houses between the village and his farm, six miles away. In the vil- lage there was but a few shanties and the railroad buildings. In 1840 he married Sarah J. Gray, and four chil- dren have been born to them-Frances (Mrs. Clark), William. Nathaniel, Anna M. (Mrs. Decker), and J. Franklin. Has been in the hotel business here since 1869. During the rebellion he enlisted in the 104th and was elected lieu- tenant in company H. His oldest son served in the 44th until the close of the war. Mr. Wood has served as al- derman and filled other positions. He is genial and gentlemanly, and keeps a first-class house.
WILLIAM C. DECKER.
Mr. Decker is a furniture dealer and undertaker, born in Orange county, New York, in 1848. He removed west in 1871, stopping first at Morris, where he had an uncle living. From there he went to Aurora and came to Wenona in 1873 where he succeeded R. A. Moore and purchased the establishment he has since run. He married Annic Wood in 1874. Their children are Maud W. and Jesse. He keeps a fine stock of furniture and gives particu- lar attention to undertaking in all its branches.
HUTCHISON CROFT. (With portrait.)
Mr. Croft was of English parentage on his father's side, and was born in Bucks county, Pa .. Sept. 7th, 1828 When about seven years old, his father moved to Clinton county, Ohio, and lived there until 1844. Hutchison showed when a small boy a strong inclination to deal in and handle stock. and for a boy his judgment was remark- ably good. the faculty seeming inborn. In 1844 his father and family moved to the east end of Marshall county. Young Croft was then about 16 years old. They first lived in Evans township, bnt afterward located in Roberts. The family was poor, and when he arrived at the age of manhood he had nothing to begin life with, and a poor edu- cation; but good judgment and an indomitable will enabled him to contend successfully with the disadvantages of poverty. When about 21 years old he married Miss Euphemia Beckwith, Dec. 22d, 1849. They went to housekeep- ing in the old log cabin on the Beckwith farm, where his wife had been raised from infancy. Hc first took a lease on the widow's dower in the farm, and after accumulating some property he bought the heirs out, and finally ac- quired full possession of the farm. This place seemed to be headquarters for all his trading operations. After he had been in business a few years, farming and raising stock, he went in partnership with John A. McCall and David Adams in buying and shipping stock to Chicago. Mr. Croft perhaps bought and shipped more stock to Chicago than any other man in this part of the state, as the firm always relied on his superior judgment In after years, when business accumulated to such an extent that it was necessary to establish a bank, the firm established the old bank of J. A. McCall & Co., which did a safe business as long as Mr. Croft remained one of the firm. He accumulated wealth and bought farm after farm until at his death he had the Dent, Becpelle, Loyd, Phillip, and the McCall farms, near Magnolia, in all 1,200 or 1,400 acres of valuable land. Of his children. Samnel, the oldest son, married a dangh- ter of Peter Forbes, and lives on the Beepelle farm; Mary Lovina died Sept. 1st, 1861, and was buried in Cumberland cemetery; Emma married John Kirkpatrick, and is still living on the farm; Julia lately married Clark Sinclair, and is also living on the farm; James, the youngest son, lives with Samuel. After Mr. Croft had accumulated a handsome property, and in the prime of life, he was taken down with the spinal disease, which rendered him
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.