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 69
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 69
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
helpless and a great sufferer. He was first taken down in June, 1874, and became paralyzed below his vital parts. He had a stretcher constructed. covered with an air bed and mounted on a wagon, and with a driver he traveled in this conveyance about the country, buying stock and doing considerable trading. After he became an invalid he sold out all interest in the back and dissolved his long-existing partnership with Messrs. McCall and Adams; his friendships grew stronger for his neighbors, and under the ministrations of Rev. Robert Taylor, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, he attached himself to that church, receiving the rites at his own home. He attended services in his invalid wagon, which he would have hauled up to the church window. where he could see and hear the preacher. A short time before he died he sent for his old friend Thomas Judd and had him draw up his last will and testament dividing his property between his wife and children to the satisfaction of all. He died March 7th, 1878. His remains were enclosed in a metallic case and buried in Cumberland cemetery, on Sandy, where a splendid monument stands to mark the last resting place of a good man.
BINGMAN SHEPLEY.
Mr. Shepley was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, in 1830, and came west in 1931 with his parents, and located in Indiana. He came to Marshall county, Il., in 1849, when he purchased the north-east 14 section of the county of Marshall, and married Miss Jane Hunt in 1853. She was born in Evans township. They have seven chil- dren-Frank. William, Isabella and Arabella (twins). Abraham, Maggie and Jennie. Are members of the Cumber- land Presbyterian church. He has been school director twelve years, is a member of the local protection company, and was oversecr of the roads eight years.
J. M. TUTTLE.
Mr. Tuttle is a farmer, living on section 12. He was born in Fayette connty, Pa . in 1848, came west in 1866, and settled in Evans township, Marshall county. Two years later he married Miss Eliza Patterson, likewise born in Fayette county. Pa. Their three children are Rolla. Wilbert and Goldie. He served in the army as teamster at . tached to the 9th Maryland, when only seventeen years of age, and saw much of the " pomp and circumstance," as Shakespeare says, "of glorious war."
M. WHITE.
Mr. White is a farmer, living on section 1 in Evans township, with P. O. at Wenona. He was born in Butler county, Pa .. in 1829, came west and located in Magnolia, Putnam county. in 1855, and moved on to his present loca- tion in Osage township, section 6, LaSalle county, in 1866. He married Miss Sarah Mariner in 1865. She was born West Virginia. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and Mrs. White of the Christian church. He is school director, and has been for the last six years.
WILLIAM DILLMAN.
Mr. Dillman was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1828, and came to LaSalle county, in Hope township, in 1845, along with his father. He settled in Evans township in 1849, and married Miss Ann M. Griffin the same year. She was born in Fayette county, Pa. They have eight children living-Fannie, Mary, Ida, Sadie, John, David. (Eva, Ella), Effie and Gertrude. Are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He owns 189 acres, all nnder cultivation. He enlisted in Co. H, 104th Ill. Vol .. in 1862, and was discharged in 1863, through disability. He was captured at Hartsville, Tenn., in 1862, and paroled and exchanged in March, 1883.
LEE ROY JUDD.
Mr. Judd is a farmer, living on section 5. Postoffice. Wenona. He was born in Evans township, Marshall county, in 1849, and married Miss Lonisa Wilson in 1867. She was born in Ohio. They have three children-Ellet. Delbert and Roy. He owns half of 145 acres, all nnder cultivation.
ISAAC SPRINGER.
The subject of this sketch, son of John and Rebecca Springer, was born in the State of Maryland, May 7, A. . D. 1798. When about two years of age he with his parents moved to West Virginia and settled on a farm on Grove Creek Hill, and there remained a few years. He then with his parents moved to Maskingnm connty, Ohio, and settled near Zanesville. Here he grew up to manhood and learned his trade. He married Miss Elizabeth Cowan in 1822, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. The son died in infancy, and the daughter, Mary Ann, is still living and resides in Ohio. He buried his wite in February. 1823. He married Miss Charlotte Ijams, of Muskingham county, Ohio in the spring of 1826, by whom he had twelve children, viz., Creighton, Caleb, Martha E., Lewis, Harriet, Milton C., Sarah E,, Amelia R., Helen L,, Adelia A., William Melville and Clara Emma. Calcb died in childhood, and Martha E. died in January, 1866. leaving a family behind her. All the others are still living and reside in this State. In the fall of 1834 he emigrated to Illinois, and spent the first winter in a cabin where Magnolia is situated, and in the following spring moved on a farm owned by Mr. Parks, east of Captain Haws', and remained in Putnam county about three years, and then settled in Marshall county, where he resided most of the time until his death, which occurred March 17. A. D. 1853. He was a carpenter by trade and a first-class me- chanic. He built several of the largest edifices erected in the county in his time, among which were Fisher's Pack- ing House in Lacon, and Livingston Roberts' barn at Robert's Point. He was a man of more than ordinary intel- lect, and endowed with a wonderful memory, so that notwithstanding his early educational advantages were quite limited, he made considerable progress in literary pursuits. He was a good historian, and well read on all the gen-
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT. .
eral questions of the day. He was one of the finest mathematicians in the county, being able to solve mentally, almost an incredible short time, all the practicable problems he met with. He obtained an extensive knowledge of law, and was considered superior counsel by those who knew him best. He took a deep interest in the political affairs of the country, and was an ardent whig nntil the agitation of the question of freesoil, which became one of increasing interest to him until his death. he was a public spirited man, always advocating internal improve- mente, and willing to bear his full share in pushing forward any laudable enterprise. From the early settlement of this State he foresaw in it the grandest commonwealth of the Union, but passed away as he was entering upon the realization of his fond hopes.
JOHN A. COLESON.
Mr. Coleson was born in Woodford county, Ill., in 1857, and is a son of Caleb Coleson. now a resident of Eure ka, Ill. In 1878 he married Amelia Clark, likewise born in Woodford county. They have one child, Frank Oscar, and are members of the Christian church. He rents 160 acres of land from his father, which he cultivates. He is a promising young farmer, with an unusual amount of perseverance, and with good health is sure to succeed.
H. C. WOOLF.
Mr. Woolf was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1828, and moved to Marshall county in 1856, when he located in Evans township. In 1856 he married Clara J. Knowles, born in Perry county, Ohio. They have four children-Moe, Lucie, Annie and Charlie. They are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Woolf is road commissioner and treasurer of the board; is also school director. He owns 130 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation. He is now engaged in raising thoroughbred cotswold sheep, having a number now on hand. Mr. Woolf sees the sheep interest of the west is going to be very largely developed, and by making a specialty of this fine breed has laid the foundation of a fortune for himself.
SAMUEL KREIDER.
Mr Kreider was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1816, and moved west with his parents in 1835. They set- tled in Fulton county, where he lived until 1847, whence he moved to Putnam county in 1849, and to Marshall, where he now resides, on the last of December, 1857. In 1844 he married Katherine Reed. She was born in Park county, Ind., and died May 26th, 1879. leaving four children-John R., George W., James A. and Wilson E. Mrs. Kreider's parents came to Knox county in 1836. Mr. Kreider has been school director 16 years and path master two years. Hle owns 120 acres of land, and is one of the prosperous farmers of his neighborhood. He feels that he has done his share of hard work, and having secured plenty of means, has concluded to retire from farming and lead an easier life.
SAMUEL . HAMILTON.
Mr. Hamilton was born in Licking connty, Ohio, in 1814, and came to the west in 1853, purchasing the Burns farm, in Roberts township, which he sold to his son-in-law. Mr. Myers, in 1866, and moved to Wenona. In 1835 be married Nancy McMorris, born in Loudon county, Va., in 1811. She died in 1866. Seven children were born to them-Celia in 1837, William in 1840. Lizzie in 1844, John in 1847, Oscar (dead), Frank in 1852, and Roe in 1857. In 1866 he married Mrs. Harriet Gray (Rodman), born in Ohio in 1822. They are members of the U. P. church. His son John is state senator from McLean county, and Frank is a teacher.
S. C. BARRETT.
Mr Barrett is a professor of vocal music and agent for musical merchandise. He was born in Windham Co., Vermont. in 1825, came west in 1854 and located in Putnam county, and in Wenona in 1867. In 1852 he married Miss M. A. Glasier, a native of the same county as himself. They have four children,-Mary E., Mattie A., Cora E, and Newton G. They are members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Barrett belongs to the Masonic order. He has been engaged in teaching vocal music since 1848, has taught all over this part of the country, and thousands of the sing- ers of this state have been trained under him.
NORMAN B. JUDD.
Mr Judd was born in Evans township in 1851, and in 1871 married Charlotte Stratton, a native of Indiana. They have two children, William O. and Ethel May. He is a member of the State Grange and of the local protec- tion society, and is one of those whole-souled gentlemen who make it pleasant for all around them. He has a most interesting family. Mrs. Judd is a lady of rare qualifications, possessing great social worth.
SAMUEL, D. CLIFFORD.
Mr Clifford is a farmer by occupation, and resides on section 11. He was born in Harrison connty, Ohio. Dec. 21st, 1834, and located in Marshall county in 1853. October 29th. 1863, he married Sarah E. Hoyt, who was born in this county.' They have four children-Laslie, Anita, Hoyt and James 8. Mr. Clifford is school director. He owns 80 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, and has comfortable improvements. He is a pleasant and sociable gentleman.
J. B. SKINNER.
This gentleman, a member of the firm of Skinner & Co., tile manufacturers, of Wenona, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1833, and came to Wenona in 1877. In 1866 he married Susan Felton, who was also born in Ohio.
718
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
They have one child, Anderson. Mrs. Skinner is a member of the M. E. church. He has been in the tile business since 1877. They manufacture all sizes necessary, and keep them on hand at all times. They are now selling-
2% inch,
$12 per 1,000 15
3 $6
18 6% 4 .6 20 .. 5 .6 30
66 6
40 66
Few farmers fully appreciate the advantage of under drainage. It will pay for all the expenses of tile and labor in the increase of crops, besides rendering the swamp land the most productive.
ISAAC P. HOWARD.
Mr. Howard is a farmer, living on section 12, Evans township. Postoffice, Wenona. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1824. and moved to Putnam county in 1851. Ile married Hiss Rebecca Wilson in 1853. She was born in Belmont county, Ohio. They have six children - Mary Ida. Lewella J., Hattie R., Henry W., John M. and Delbert J. Are members of the Quaker church. Mr. Howard has been school director several years. He owns 160 acres of land, all under cultivation, with good improvements. He possesses a generous nature and is a good farmer.
W. M. SPRINGER.
Mr. Springer comes from a noted family, and was born in Marshall county in 1849. He married Miss Mary Angeline Feece in 1877. She was born in Knox county. Ill. They have one child, Frederick R .. born May 28, 1878. Mrs. S. is a member of the Congregational church. He is township trustee. He cultivates 250 acres of land, and is a son of the late Isaac Springer, one of the oldest settlers of this county. an extended notice of whom is given else- where. He is engaged in breeding short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs.
JACOB KEMP.
Mr. Kemp was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1821, and came to Marshall connty in 1856. He married Miss Sarah Parnell in 1843. She died in 1852, leaving four children living-Nicholas M .. Sarah M., Mariam E. and Thomas. He married Miss Catherine Brown in 1853. She died in 1867, leaving three children-James B., Laura and Jarette. He married Miss Sarah Dillinner in 1869. She was born in Green county, Pa. They have four children- Ambrose, Auna Bell. Jacob Ecra and Emma. They are members of the M. E. church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the temperance society. He owns 80 acres in a good state of cultivation. He was township col- lector one year, and served as school director twelve years. Never served as a juror, nor gave evidence as a witness, which shows him to be a man of peace.
WILLIAM EVANS.
Mr. Evans was born in Licking county, Ohio, December 31st, 1817, and came to this county (then Tazewell) with his parents in the fall of 1830. In 1849 he married Martha Springer, who was born in Muskingum county. O., and four children have been given them. viz .: Elizabeth, Douglas, John F. and Lucy. Mrs. Evaus died in 1866. Are members of M. E. church. He was justice of the peace some seven years. served as school trustee somc 25 years, and filled other local offices. Hle owns 320 acres of land. all improved, with good buildings. He is the oldest living settler in the township of Evans. A more extended notice of the family is given elsewhere.
MICHAEL MARTIN.
Mr. Martin was born in County Cavan, Ireland. in 1826, and came to the United States in 1847. IIe marricd Miss Bridget McDonald in 1857. She was born in the same county in Ireland. They have no children. Are mein- bers of the Catholic church. He owns 160 acres of land in a good state of cultivation and good improvements; is hard-working and knows how to make money.
J. FRAZEE.
Farmer. Section 27. Postoffice, Wenona.
RICHARD BURROUGHS.
Mr. Burroughs was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland. in 1820. came to the United States in 1852, and located in the New York, where he lived eleven years. In 1861 he determined to go west, and came to Marshall county Il- linois. He married Johanna Quinn in 1846. She was a native of the same place. She died March 27, 1879. leaving three children-Margaret. Edward and Mary Ann. They are Catholics. He owns 160 acres of land, and is a good substantial farmer. Mr. B. is indebted to his own industry for his success. He has raised a family of intelligent boys and girls. is proud of his adopted conntry, and deserves his good fortune.
ZERA P. BECKWITH.
Mr. Beckwith was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1815. He came to Indiana with his parents the following year, and lived there until 1835, helping to clear up and open a farm. In the year above named he came to Marshall connty, and in 1837 married Mary A. Gaylord. a native of Pennsylvania. They have tive children,-Putnam, Albert, . Orin, Emma (Ball), and Clara. They are members of the Christian church. Mr. Beckwith was justice of the peace
719
BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
four years, school director and constable eight years. He owns 170 acres, all under cultivation. Ile enlisted in Co. H. 104th Ill. Inf. in 1862, as musician, and served until 1863. when he was mustered out, owing to disability contract- ed in the service. He lost one son, Leoudias, who died of disease in the army. His oldest living son, Putnam, serv- ed until the close of the war. Was wounded at Lexington, Mo., in 1861, and captured there with Col. James A. Mul- ligan. When exchanged he re-entered the service.
ROBERT HENRY.
Mr. Henry is a large farmer, living on section 29, Evans township. Postoffice, Wenona. He was born in Westmoreland county, Pa , in 1816, and moved to Ohio with his parents in 1820. They located in Harrison county, where he lived until 1843, and then went back to Washington county, Pa. He came to Marshall county, Ill., Dec., 1851. Ile married Mary Hathaway in 1863, a native of Kentucky. She had two children by a former marriage- David L. And William A. Smith. Mr. Henry is a member of the U. P. church. She is a member of the Christian church. He was assessor and road commissioner several years. He owns 166 acres of land, all in a good state of cultivation.
JOSEPH REYNOLDS.
Mr. Reynolds was born in Franklin county, Mass., in 1834, and located in Putnam county, Ill,, in 1845. He moved to Marshall connty in 1858. and married Miss Emily Anderson the same year. She was born also in Franklin county, Mass, They have two children-Charles A., 16; and Ella May, 8. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is engaged in the purchase and sale of grain, hogs, cattle, etc., of which he handles large quantities. His elevator at Evans has a capacity of 8.000 bushels. Shipments are made to Chicago.
ANDREW J. BISHOP.
Mr. Bishop was born in Washington county, Pa., in 1830, and came west in 1853, locating first in Putnam Co., where he married Eliza J Champ the same year. She was born in Hennepin. They have 4 children-Charles W., Mary E., Lydia L. and Lyman II. They are members of M. E. church. He has been school director some eight years, and owns eighty acres of land under good cultivation, and with good improvements.
EDWARD CLIFFORD.
Mr. Clifford was born in Brook county, Virginia, in 1806. Ile moved to Harrison county. Ohio, with his par- ents in 1811, and married Miss Rebecca Dunlap in 1831. She was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1807. They have six children living-Sarah (Mrs. Phillip). Nancy, Samnel D., Martha J. (Mrs, Dunlap), Margaret and Susan (Mrs. Hamilton). Are members of the U. P. church. He was road commissioner six years. He owns 336 acres in his homestead, all improved. Mr. Clifford was an early settler in the township, and by his own exertions has grown to wealth and the possessorship of one of the finest farms in the township.
JOHN ALGOE.
Mr. Algoe is a farmer living on section 32. He was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in 1826, and came to the United States in 1846. locating in Marshall conntv. He married Miss Ann Boyd in 1856, a native of the same county in Ireland as himself. They have two children, George and Martha J. They are members of the U. P. church. Ile owns 80 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, and is a public-spirited, liberal man.
F. H. HOLETON.
Mr. Holeton was born in Muskingum county. Ohio, in 1819, and located in this connty in 1857. He married Hannah Cockerel previous to coming to this county. She was born in London county Va. They have two children, James W. and George H. Are members of the M. E. church. He has been road commissioner and school trustee, and was postmaster at Evans station nearly two years. Mr. Holeton owns a very fine property near the station, and his farm is one of the best on the prairie. He is well posted in all the affairs of the day, has a plenty of this world's goods, and takes the world easy. One of his sons is publisher of the Chillicothe REVIEW.
JOSHUA EVANS.
Mr. Evans was born in London county, Virginia, Jan. 5th, 1793. When he was about eight years old, his father Thomas Evans, died, leaving his mother, Rhoda, a widow with eight children six sons and two daughters, the eldest of whom was not over sixteen years old. A tract of land was owned by the family, but very little had been done in the way of clearing off the heavy timber that covered it, and when cleared the soil was sterile. In 1803 the wid- ow abandoned the Virginia home, not having been able to effect any sale, and removed with her family to Licking county, Ohio. At the age of 19 Joshua enlisted in the army and served in the war of 1812-13. He belonged to the regiment commanded by Lewis Cass and during the latter part of the war served as quartermaster. He was among the unfortunate victims of Gen, Ifull's treacherous and cowardly surrender, and could never refer to that incident of the war without expressing his indignation In 1816 he was married to Elizabeth Radcliff, by whom he had three sons and six daughters. His three sons, William, Albert and Rev. J. G., are still living, and now reside in Evans township. Three of the danghters grew to womanhood and are still living. The eldest, Mrs Alexander, resides in Magnolia, Putnam county, one in Nebraska, and the third in Michigan. In 1824 Mr. Evans joined the M. E. church of which he remained a member until his death, and most of the time held some official relation in the church. In 1830 he removed to Illinois and settled at Cherry Point, then in La Salle county. His undoubted and unques-
720
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
tionable veracity won the confidence of his neighbors among whom he always maintained a high standing. He had no advantages for an education. his entire school privilegey extending through only a part of one winter. He was, however, a man of very sound judgement and was very accurate in his business. Ilis memory was unusually good, and he read men so readily that he was not often deceived. He was industrious and economical, and was among the best of the early farmers in Evans township. He settled at Cherry Point because he thought the prai- ries around the grove would not be settled for many generations and his descendents could have ample range for their stock, but he lived to see every quarter section for many miles from his residence occupied. He was very accomdating to those who he thought deserved help, and determined that question wholly by the answer to two iogni- ries. Is he honest? Will he work? If he thought a man to be lazy or dishonest he would give him neither sym- pathy nor assistance in any way, but if he believed him honest and industrious he was always ready to accommodate. He was for many years before his death the oldest settler in the township and was honored as such by his neigh. bors. In 1850 when the township organizatior in Marshall county was effected, the people at a public meeting. chose the name of Evans for the town as a compliment to him In politics he was an ardent whig and usually took an active interest in the political campaigns. He was one of the delegates from Marshall county to the senatorial convention at which Robert Boal was nominated for the state senate. When the Whig party was abandoned he became a Republican and voted that ticket until his death, He was widely and favorably known among the early settlers of this and surrounding counties. In 1853 Mr. Evans married Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, by whom he had one child, now Mrs. Brown, a resident of this township. He died January 15th, 1869.
WILLIAM TRIMBLE.
Mr. Trimble is a well to do farmer, who was born in Fayette county, Pa,, in 1839. He came to this county less than one year ago and commenced housekeeping. having just married Dalinda Hill. She was born in Pennsylva- nia. He owns 80 acres of excellent farming land.
WILLIAM S. WOOD,
Farmer, La Salle connty, postoffice, Wenona, Ill.
LEVI M. QUAINTANCE.
Mr. Quaintance is a farmer living on section 2. Postoffice, Wenona. He was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1818, came west in 1854 and located first in Magnolia. Putnam connty, and in this county in 1861. In 1844 he married Catherine Bren, born in Maryland. They have three children living-'l bomas D., Sarah J. and Levi watson, and two deceased. They are members of the M. E. church. He was school director eight years. He owns 113 acres of land, all nnder cultivation.
EDWIN GANTS.
Mr. Gants is a son of Nathanieland Nancy Gants, The latter is a sister of the well known Jndd Bros .. of Evans township. Nathaniel Gants was born in Pennsylvaria Jan. 17th, 1820, came to Illinois in 1844, and was mar- ried Dec. 31st, 1847. They have four children- I homas, born May 19, 1849 Edwin, born Nov. 19, 1852. Emma, born March 19, 1854, and Preston, born July 29. 1856. Edwin lives in Evans township, and in April, 1879, married May Disosway, born in Virginia. They have one child. Mark Edwin. Mr, Gants isa member of the Masonic order, and owns 100 acres of land.
WILLIAM H. PARKINSON.
Mr. Parkinson was born in Licking connty, O., in 1841. He came to La Salle county, Il] .. in 1856, and to Mar- shall county in 1864. Ile married Isabella Gibson, born in Marshall county, in 1865, They have four chilren-Lucy J., James W., Edgar and Mary. Mr. Parkinson isa fair representative of the gentleman farmer class of Marshall and Putnam counties, both in appearance and intelligence, which is above the average of other states. He owns 160 acres of land, all under cultivation.
BENJAMIN WILSON.
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