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 72
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 72
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BİOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
Illinois, embarking on board the steamer Paul Jones, and paying $18 for a cabin passage to Columbia (Lacon). This was in 1836. He found board with Dr. Effner, who lived in a log cabin north of John Hoffrichter's, and after looking about some time purchased a claim east of Lacon from a man named Burnhart, where he has ever since re- sided. That year he married Miss Elizabeth Orr, and after more than 40 years of wedded life has never regretted his choice. She was born in Cecil connty, Md., and their children are James W., William E., Andrew R. and Ira Fenn. Are members of the Presbyterian church. He has filled the office of supervisor, assessor and other positions, has often been chosen to settle estates and the confidence of the public in his honesty and integrity has been shown in various ways. Mr. Hancock has been successful in business and secured an ample competence for the fu- ture. His children have grown to man's estate and developed traits of character that shows they do not belie their training, and proved themselves worthy descendants of good parents. One event darkens their lives, the loss of their favorite and only daughter, bnt her place is filled by a grand daughter, Nellie, who remains with them.
GEORGE MYERS.
Mr. Myers is a farmer, and lives on section 33, Hopewell township. Postoffice, Lacon. Was born in Green county, Ohio, in 1847. Located in this state in 1864, and in this county in 1874. Married Miss Alice Hunt in 1869. She was born in Fulton county, Ill. They have three children, Otto M., Lulu V. and Andrew P. He cultivates 120 acres.
JAMES W. HANCOCK.
Mr. Hancock is a son of William Hancock, one of the early settlers of Hopewell, and belongs to a family bear- ing a deservedly high record. He was born in Hopewell township, November 26. 1842, and married Margaret J. Bull- man, daughter of Lot and Ann Bullman, January 25, 1863. They have three children-Bruce, Blanche and Pearl. Mr. Hancock is an industrious farmer, who minds his own business, and knows how to make money. He served one term as sheriff, performing his duties conscientiously and well. and is much respected in the community.
JOHN JOHNSON.
Mr. Johnson is a farmer of Hopewell township, who was born March 6, 1837, and came to Marshall county in 1867. He married Mrs. Pearson in 1858, a native of Ohio, born in 1838. They have four children-Mary E., John L., Ella D. and Rossie. Mr. Johnson is a good farmer and cultivates 120 acres.
WILLIAM W. FEAZLE.
Mr. Feazle is a farmer by occupation, and cultivates 120 acres on section 36 of Hopewell township. He was born in Ohio, June 6, 1830 and came to Marshall county in 1845. He was married in 1842, and his wife died Jan- uary 11, 1879, leaving fonr children-Eliza C., Melford F., George W. and Andrew J. He comes from a family well known in Marshall county. as energetic, pushing and money-making. He is a good farmer, keeps his premises in good condition, drives a good team, and likes his friends.
CHRISTIAN PONTOW.
Mr. Pontow is a farmer, living on section 35 in Hopewell township. He was born in Prussia in 1815. He came to America in 1864, finding a home in Marshall county. He married Augustina Dagander in 1859. She was born in the same place. They have three children-Hennstein, Gustav and Albert. Are members of the Evangel- ical church. He rents 160 acres of land, which he has under good cultivation.
JOHN MCNEEL.
The subject of this sketch was born October 15, 1838, and was a son of William McNeel, one of the oldest citi- zens of the county, an account of whose brutal murder in his own honse in the fall of 1862 is given elsewhere in this book. The subject of this sketch married Miss Malinda Davis, born in 1850, and by her he has two children- Merty I. and William H. He is a good farmer, and cultivates 50 acres of land.
HENRY E. ROWLEY.
Mr, Rowley was born in Columbia county, New York, in 1841, and came to Bloomington, Ill., in 1865. He came to Lacon the following year, and has established with his brother one of the finest nurseries in the county. They are largely engaged in the cultivation and sale of small fruits, supplying the home market, and sending large sup- plies abroad. Mr. Rowley served throughout the war in the 89th New York, making a good record as a soldier. At its close he came west and married Margaret E. Bell, born in Zanesville, Ohio, March 9, 1846.
DANIEL WINTER.
Mr. Winter lives in Hopewell township, and cultivates 150 acres. He was born in Pennsylvania, February 15. 1836, and came to Illinois in 1856, finding a home in Whiteside connty. He married Martha S. McNeal. April 10th, 1862, born in Marshall county in 1840. They have six children,-William C., John, Araminta, Nellie, Viola and Daniel E. One child, Franklin, died in 1872.
DANIEL FOWLER.
Mr. Fowler was born in Butler county Ohio, in 1834, and located in this connty in 1852. He married Miss Lucy A. McWhinney February 27, 1855. She was born in the same connty in Ohio. They have four children- James E., Alice, William and Frederick. They are members of the Baptist church. He is collector of his township.
732
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
He was one of Illinois' gallant soldiers, with the scars of battle on his person, and will carry them to his grave He enlisted in Co, D, 77th Ill Vol. Inf., in 1862, and served actively until wounded at the battle of Arkansas Post, January 11. 1863. He then went to the hospital, and when convalescent was transferred to the Invalid Corps at St. Louis, where he remained nntil 1865, when he was mustered out at St. Louis. He is pleasant sociable, gentle, kind and hospitable, a loving husband, kind father and a good neighbor, as he was a faithful soldier of his country.
WILLIAM BOYS (deceased).
Mr. Boys was born in Monroe county, Pa., February 23d, 1805, and married Leuticia Morgan, a native of the same county, born June 8th, 1808. They came to Marshall county in 1834, settling in Hopewell township, where Mrs. Boys died in 1880. Six children were born to them, of whom three are still living, -Charles, Ellen, Emily (Mrs. Ramsey); and John, Mary (Mrs. Norton) and Morgan, deceased. Mr. Boys died October 2d, 1869. He left a beantifnl residence and a fine farm of 160 acres.
JAMES ANTRIM.
Mr. Antrim was born in New Jersey, July 21st. 1808, and came to Marshall county in 1853. He married Jane Hinds in 1840, born in Ohio, February 11th, 1821. They have nine children,-Elizabeth A., Francis, John A., Aman- da, Mary, Thomas, James H., Minard and Richard. Mr. Antrim lives on section 26, and has 80 acres of land under good cultivation.
MARY ROCHE.
Hopewell.
ENOCH SAWYER.
Farmer, Hopewell township.
H. F. STONER.
Mr. Stoner is a native of Ohio, where he was born October 27. 1854. He came weet in 1877, and found a home in Marshall county, Illinois, where he has nnder fine cultivation eighty acres of land. He married Miss N. A. Owen, March 13, 1879, born in Ohio in 1853.
D. F. SUNDERLAND.
Mr. Sunderland is a native of Putnam county, Illinois, and was born July 18th, 1847. His occupation is that of a liveryman, and he has a good stock of horses and carriages for hire at all times. His wife was formerly Jennie A. Read, born in Hennepin, September 24th, 1852, and they have one child, Walter, born February 23d, 1876.
LEMUEL RUSSELL.
I was born in North Carolina, February 11, 1800. and set out for the west by sea by the way of Savannah, Mo- bile, and New Orleans in 1829. I worked some months as a carpenter in Mobile, went west to Vicksburg, Miss., and from there in 1830 I came to Louisville, Ky. ; from there to Vincennes, on the Wabash, in Indiana. . Went north to Honey Creek, Otter Creen, Fort Harrison, Terre Haute, north near Lafayette, west or north-west 80 or 90 miles to a place called Amboy. I was pleased with the trip, and traveled back that fall by the way of New Orleans and Charleston. My step-father and mother and the family of Jesse Sawyer were getting ready to move, and we set ont with wagons and teams for Illinois. Atter a long and tiresome travel arrived in Putnam county in October, 1831. My parents settled on the north side of Ronnd Prairie. I helped build two log houses. The country looked gloomy ; no roads, no mills, not much to eat but Irish potatoes. I visited the site where Lacon now is, There was no build- ing in it, but saw a few Indian graves and an Indian trail up and down the river. The beautiful grass was unmo- lested till Colonel Strawn hauled a log through the village to designate where the streets should be, and made a Bale of lots. I bought two lots. So little was doing here that I went down to Pekin, and got employment for the winter on a boat for Yazoo or Vicksburg. The previous summer was wet and cold. There was no good seed corn. Seed bronght from the Ohio River sold as high as $3.00 per bushel. I brought seed from New Madrid, Mo., got sugar and corn and some dried fruit at St. Louis, bought plows at Naples, and the boat brought my freight to Peoria and put it ont. I found a man in Peoria that had a large sailboat, which I chartered to bring my freight to Columbia landing. We could not obtain a loaf of bread, and matches were not in use, so we rowed the boat, for we had a head wind, all the way, and eat sngar for 36 hours. By watching the way we found the entrance to the lower basin. Mine was the first freight landed that I knew of where Lacon now is, in April 31, though there had been trips made to Hennepin. Hennepin had a few honses when I came. After I got back the Black Hawk war commenced, and I went out as a ranger on the frontiers, drew rashions, got a land title and drew wages, and at the close of the war I entered some land three miles east of Lacon. I married February 23, 1833. My wife was born in Davis connty, Ky., 1809. Her name was Sarah Ann Edwards. We raised eight children-Willis Russell, Margaret Ann, Love, Sarah Cathrine, Lemuel, Mary, Amanda Emma, E. Russell. Four survive, and four have passed from here.
My occupation has been farming. Of late years I have tried to preach, because I thought I could point out to man the plan of salvation. I belong to no visible church. I believe in the church built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesns Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. Where the Bible speaks we speak; where it is silent we are silent. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but
733
BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
by Him. The gospel teaches that God's children should speak the same things. We cannot nnite only by the gos- pel; we cannot walk together except we are agreed. I would like to be a peace-maker. Offences will arise, hnt wo unto him hy whom they come. I do not permit myself to be called "reverend," because it don't belong to man; reverend and holy is His name, meaning God. Of late I have traveled extensively, north, south, east and west. LEMUEL RUSSELL,
JOHN WIER.
Mr. Wier comes from a Scotch ancestry, and his father was a British soldier in the war of the Revolution, who came to this country about 1777 and served during the war, the regiment to which he belonged being stationed at Castine. Maine. After the close of his term of service, he was granted a tract of land in the province of New Brunswick, but the cold, inhospitable climate prevented its acceptance, and he went down into Maine and hought a piece of heavy timbered land near what is now Montville, where with the help of his sons he cleared a large farm. Here the subject of this sketch was horn and grew to manhood. When 19 years old the war of 1812 was raging, and wishing to enlist, he obtained the signature of his father, and writing ahove it permission, presented it and was accepted. He served one year. When 21 years old he walked to Wheeling, Va., and worked by the week until he earned $500, when through the rascality of a man from whom it was due, he became involved in a suit for the value of a negro who had ran away, and was obliged to pay $1 000. He stayed here 20 years, and accumulated . $3,000, which he brought to Illinois. He reached here in the year 1830, paid $500 for 160 acres, entered another quarter beside it, and went to work. While living in Virginia he married Catherine Byrne, and two children were horn to them, Henry and Benjamin. the latter of whom was accidentally killed after coming to Illinois. Daniel B. was born here. Mr. Wier was a hard worker and took good care of his earnings, which he invested in land. He never profited by the necessities of the poor, nor speculated on the rise and fall of grain, though his ready means gave ample opportunity. He planted large orchards, raised large numbers of cattle and hogs, putting his surplus into land. At the time of his death he owned some 1200 acres, and his estate was valued at from $60,000 to $75,000. Besides his own family he raised and educated six or seven orphan children, caring for them as he did for his own, and dealing by them with justice and liberalitv. No man was more generally and justly esteemed for his many virtues than " Uncle Johnny." by which term he was universally known, and the noblest and highest tribute that conld be paid him is the simple inscription upon his monument. " He was a friend to the poor."
Henry Wier, a son of the above, succeeded to the home estate, which he still retains, He is an extensive farmer and manufacturer, raising an average of 4500 bushels of apples annually. In 1877 he hegan the mannfac- ture of vinegar, with a capacity for turning out 3,000 barrels annually. I= 1.Iso an extensive stock raiser and ship- per. He was twice married. his first wife being Caroline Broaddus. who bore him one child. Susan; and the second time to Adelia Mckinney, hy whom he had two children. Mr, Wier is perhaps the largest land-holder in the county, owning 1540 acres.
ENOCH STRAWN.
Mr. Strawn was horn in Perry county, Ohio, January 18th, 1822, and moved to what is now Marshall county in September 1829 His father was the first settler in western Marshall connty, and when he came the Indians were in full possession. The subject of this sketch, although hut ten years old, has a very distinct recollection of events, and being an active, ambitious lad, had opportunities of seeing and observing not accorded to many. He had many notahle hunting experiences, saw much of Indian life, and at one time joined a party of young fellows in a canoe trip to Peoria, then having hut very few white inhabitants. He obtained a hounty for services in the Black Hawk war. He married, April 7th, 1853, Hester Ann Buskirk, who brought him two daughters. one of whom is married and lives in Iowa. and the other is Hessa, reared hy Mrs. McManigle. She died January 10th, 1857, and he married Juliette Gore, June 14th, 1858, to whom were born ten sons and daughters, -Addy, Cora ( dead), Euoch Landon, Clara Alice, George W., Milan (dead), Marian, Glenn, Levicy, Julia (Pearl), and Matilda. His wife died in January, 1880, Mr. Strawn has 360 acres of land under cultivation, a good house and barn, and a fine display of stock, etc. His daughter Addy married Mr. Myers, and died in a few weeks after marriage. He has served many years as justice of the peace and filled other public offices. Is a man looked up to in the community, and "well to do."
734
RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
ROBERTS TOWNSHIP.
JULIA A. MALONE.
Mrs. Malone, widow of Hartley Malone, deceased, was born in Bntler connty, Ohio, in 1810, her maiden name being Trout. She was married in 1831 to Hartley Malone, born in Indiana, and came to this county in 1836 along with Henry L. Crane. The first Methodist meeting in Lacon was held at their cabin, and of the original M. E. class first formed here Mrs. Malone is the sole survivor, For several years Mr. M. worked for Jabez Fisher and then moved to Roberts township where he opened a large farm and was noted for his disinterested hospitality. For many years he was justice of the peace and was the first postmaster of Varna. He was an earnest Christian all his life. served as class leader and superintendent of Sabbath schools, was a man of peace and averse to litigation. He died of cancer in the face. They had two children-William S. and Emily E., married to Albert Davis, Mrs. Malone lives at her home in Varna.
PHEBE MAYES.
Mrs. Mayes, whose maiden name was Wright, was born in Ohio, March 18th, 1826, and came to Marshall county in 1844, where she married Benjamin Mooney Sept, 12, of that year. . He was born in Jackson county, Ohio, July 1, 1818. and died January 17.1864. One child, Anna S., was born to them, married to H. C. Little. She married George Mayes, October 3, 1869. He had six children by a former marriage-Franklin, Laura, Helen, Wilmer, Isabel and George D. Mr. Mayes died January 29, 1875.
G. F. SWANSON.
Mr. Swanson is a butcher in Varna and was born in Sweden, Aug. 7th, 1851, He came to Illinois in 1869, set- tling in Marshall county. He keeps a good supply of meats and attends closely to his business.
ABEL TIDMARSH.
Mr. Tidmarsh was born in England, December 27, 1821, and married Elizabeth Witts, in Jannary, 1856, and came to the United States in 1865, locating in Whitefield township. After living there four years they removed to Roberts township, which has since been their home. They have four children-Sarah E. Rowe, Emma W., Clara J. Henry W. They also reared and educated two children named Day, Mr. Tidmarsh has a fine farm under a high state of cultivation, and has one of the best residences in the township.
ALEXANDER WRIGHT.
Mr. Wright is by occupation a farmer, and lives on section 18 of Roberts township, He was born in Madison county, Ohio, in 1821, came to Marshall county in 1844, and married Sarah Jane Myers, January 1, 1846. She was born in the city of Philadelphia, November 23. 1824. They have two children-John B., born October 11, 1856, and Daniel, born July 17, 1859. Mr. Wright is a successful farmer and stock raiser, and owns a very pleasant home. Hc is a Democrat in politics, has filled numerous offices of trust and responsibility, and been honored by his party with a nomination to the legislature, but the Republicans being in the ascendancy he was not elected. He is much respected by his townsmen.
ENOCH SAWYER.
Hopewell, Ill. Postoffice, Henry.
H. V. CROSSLAND.
Mr. Crossland is a farmer and school teacher residing on section 16. He is a native of Marshall county, born April 29, 1848. April6, 1876, he married Cynthia L. Broaddus, who was born in this township, May 6, 1847, They have one child, George M., born July 11, 1878. Mr. Crossland owns 320 acres of land, snd has filled various local offices with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the community.
MRS. MINERVA BROADDUS, Widow.
Mrs. Broaddus was born in Ohio, January 25, 1828, being the eldest daughter of James Hall, one of the pio- neers of Marshall county, and came to this state with her parents in 1831. She was married to Christopher Broad- dus, who was born September 20, 1819, and died July 19, 1871. Their children were Cynthia L., Helen M., Jesica II., Lucy J., Florence E., Marshall HI., Alice V., James H. and Almedia. Mr. Broaddus left his family in excellent cir- cumstances, owning some 1500 acres of land at the time of his death, and the delightful residence now occupied by
735
BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
Mrs. Broaddus is one of the most desirable in the connty. After her husband's death, Mrs. B, assumed control of the large estate, and has managed it with skill and profit. Ste has considerably improved the grounds, and the old home has been rebuilt at a cost of $2,000. Her children have married well, and to her the clouds of the future have a silver lining.
JOHN A. PETERSON.
-
Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden, January 31, 1849, being one in a family of six children, of A. P. Peterson, who was born in Sweden in 1817, married Mary C. Isaacs in 1845, and immigrated with his family to the United States, locating in Marshall county in 1870. The 'other children are Charles August, Andrew, William, Clara C. and Augusta C. Mr. Peterson is a farmer by occupation, and cultivates 190 acres of land in this township. His parents are still living.
W. H. OLIN.
Mr. Olin is a farmer by occupation, born in Ohio, August 7, 1842. August 7, 1865, he married Miss Ann Helm, and three children have blessed their union, viz, : Frank, born April 24, 1868; Grace, born August 13, 1872; and Aaron, born June 4, 1875.
S. M. GLENN.
Er. Glenn belongs to a family that settled in early times in Putnam county, where his father died and several of his brothers still live. He was born in Crawford county, Indiana, May 22, 1822, moved to McLean county in 1857, remained there two years, went to Schuyler county in 1848, and came to Marshall in 1859. He married Caroline Conrad in 1843, born in Indiana in 1829. They have four children-Mary Roberts, Jnlis Disosway, Charles W. and George J. Mr. Glenn has been supervisor three years, and assessor eight years. He is a good farmer, and the best bee-keeper in the county. He is generous to his friends, just to his enemies, and liked by all whose friendship is worth having.
WM. L. FISHER.
Mr. Fisher is a carpenter by occupation, living in Varna. He was born in Fulton county, Indiana, April 12, 1843, and came to Marshall county in October. 1849. April 7, 1864, he married Sarah A. Bowers, born in West Vir- ginia in 1847. They have three children,-Alonzo U., born September 22, 1866; Mary Medrith, born December 20, 1868; Bertha, born October 5, 1871.
HIRAM MYERS.
Mr, Myers is a farmer, whose fine homestead of 300 acres is in section 16 of Roberts township. He was born here in 1833, and it has since been his home. His residence. one of the finest ou the prairie, is surrounded by ever- greens and fruit trees, and embellished without and within with evidence of wealth and good taste. His wife, for- merly Celia H. Hamilton, was born June 8th, 1858, and their four children are named Leonora, born July 14, 1861, David Samuel, Dec. 4, 1869, Alvira, April 21, 1869, and Iva Dell, March 11, 1875. Mr. Myers is one of the live men of his township, and comes from a family noted for thrift and enterprisc, and likewise for being the oldest and must extensive nurserymen in this part of the state. -
JOHN WALLACE.
Mr. Wallace is by trade a harness-maker, which he abandoned for the more profitable occupation of selling and putting up pumps of all kinds, but specially the celebrated rubber pump for which he is agent. He was born in Ireland in 1838, and came to the United States in 1859, and married Mary Dillon in New York City, her native place. They have an adopted daughter, Nellie, born October 3. 1864. Mr. Wallace is an energetic agent, truthful in his statements and successful in his business.
JOHN MCCLUSKEY.
Mr. Mccluskey was born in West Virginia, November 25th, 1838. and came to Putnam county in January, 1864. He married Miss Lucinda Steward. February 25th, 1867, born in Putnam county May 22, 1847. They have six chil- dren, - Mary L., Frances S., Jobn, Frank B,, Virginia, and one daughter not named. Mr. McC. has served one term as collector and filled other offices.
REUBEN BROADDUS.
Mr. Broaddus is a large farmer, owning 940 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, and one of the finest residences on the prairie. He is an extensive stock grower likewise, and is credited with sending to Chicago the best herd of fat cattle ever shipped from the county, He was born in Fayette county, Indiana. July 6th, 1831, came to Marshall county in 1834, and married Miss Mary J. Forbes, Nov. 21, 1855. She was born in Hopewell township, Sept. 12, 1835. Thev have five children,-Lawrence W., Minnie A., Warren A., Mary H. and Andrew R.
JAHU BUCKINGHAM.
Mr. Buckingham was born in Woodford county, Dec. 20, 1840, and is a son of Judge Buckingham, one of the early settlers and large land-holders of Woodford county. After completing his education he enlisted in the 77th regiment Illinois volunteers, and did his full share of fighting, never shirking duty and never hesitating to follow
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
where any dared to lead. In 1863 he wedded Miss Carrie M. Jenkins, of Cayuga county, New York, born May 7th, 1840. She was highly educated and a very successful teacher, eminent for her social worth and many virtues. They have four children living and three are dead, The living are William F., Benjamin J., Frank I. and. Ada E. Since his return from the army Mr. Buckingham has been in the stock business.
MARTIN KING,
Varna, Ill.
LA FAYETTE BROWN, Varna, Ill.
MRS. E. B. NEVILLE.
Mrs. Neville is a well known teacher of the piano and organ, She is daughter of George H. Shaw, one of the first settlers in the county, and widely respected. She married E. B. Neville, January 19, 1862, a graduate of Eureka college, and attorney at law. They reside on the old homestead. Mrs. N. is sister of the Hon. T. M. Shaw and the talented Mrs. Dr. Tesmer, of Sparland, and is widely respected and beloved.
F. F. MYERS,
Varna, Ill.
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