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 74
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 74
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THOMAS KELLER.
Mr. Keller was born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1806, and married Mercena Minor in 1837. She was born in Connecticut. Mr, Keller died in 1866, leaving six children-C. Martin, Emma R., Mary E. (Rathburn), Jane (Frary) Harriet E. and Sarah F. Are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Keller was an exhorter in the church for several years previous to his death. His widow survives him, and owns 80 acres of land in a high state of cultivation, Miss Emma taught school cight years in the 4th district; Miss Harrict has taught nine terms in one district: Jane also taught five terms up to the time she was married.
G. W. MCLAUGHLIN.
Mr. Mclaughlin was born in Marshall county, Ill., in 1850, and has lived here ever since, with the exception of two years which he spent in Streator and Kewanee. He married Miss Relief Bonham in 1871. She was born in this county, and is a daughter of William Bonham, one of the oldest residents of the county. They have three children living-Oscar M., Minnie E, and Albert Lerov-and three are dead. He is school director of his district. He rents from his father 112 acres of land which he cultivates. Mr. McL. comes from "good stock" and is a hard working and successful citizen.
JOHN CURRIE.
Mr. Currie was born in Northumberland, England, in 1812, and came to the United States in 1851 locating in Marshall county. He married Mary Thompson in 1831, born in the same place. They have four children living- Robert, Hannah, Mary (Mrs. Fleming), and Jamcs. He owns a farm in Ford county. Hannah married John Scoon in 1866. He was born in Scotland. They have four living children-Robert A., Mary E., John Currie, and Minnie J. They are members of the C. P. church. He owns 160 acres of land, and is school director and tax collector of the township. Mrs. Currie died in 1877. His son, Robert, lives in Ford county. Although classically educated and possessing the ability to succeed in any of the professions, hc prefers the quiet content of a farmer to the turmoil of political life.
ROBERT PRINGLE.
Mr. Pringle is a farmer, living on section 29, and was born in Roxboroughshire, Scotland, in 1821. He came to the United States in 1848, and settled York state, where he remained 41/2 years. then came to Marshall county, where he has lived ever since. Married Miss Jeannette Turnbull in 1852, born in the same place as himself. They have six children,-Lizzie, John, Andrew, Mary, Adam and Jcanette. He owns 300 acres of land, all in cultivation, with good improvements.
RICHARD B. FRARY.
Mr. Frary was born in Stenben county, New York, in 1817, and moved with his parents to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, at the age of nine years, In 1838 he went to Peckatoaica, Ill., lived there about eighteen months, and re- turned to Ohio. Again in 1841 moved to Illinois, locating in Peoria county, where he staid four years. From here he moved to Green county, and remained four years, returned to Peoria, and after two years sojourn in that county,
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located in Marshall in 1850. He married Miss Catherine J, Lowman in 1852, born in Indiana county, Pa., March 7, 1823.' They have four children-Rebecca J., Merritt, Sarah W., James N., and two deceased. Mrs. F. and Rebecca are members of the U. P. church. He owns 180 acres of land. Mrs. Frary is a danghter of Andrew and Nancy Low- man. Her mother's maiden name was Hindman, also a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lowman died at 86 in Penn- sylvania. Mr. Frary is a son of John and Rebecca Frary, his grandfather was a William Hendricas, which is as far back as he can trace his family; and his grandmother's name was Ball. Hc has in his possession an old Queen Ann gun over 200 years old, brought from England by some of the early emigrants, The barrel is about eight feet long, is in a perfect state of preservation, and will kill a deer at eighty rods-will carry either ball or shot. Mr. Frary is a practical inventor, having invented the only gang plow extant-really practical, which he expects soon to begin manufacturing.
ARCHIBALD RIDDELL.
Mr. Riddell is a farmer, living on section 25. Postoffice, Sparland. He was born in Scotland, come to the United States when a young man, and located first in Chillicothe, where he embarked in merchandising, until his removal to Marshall county. where he engaged in farming. His first wife was Miss Jennette Davidson. born also in Scotland. Three of their children are living-George D., William and Archibald, and two dead. Mr. Riddle has bcen school treasurer, trustee and director, and held other local offices. Ile owns 320 acres of land He is a man of liberal views, well posted in the political history of the day. and a firm lover of American institutions. To him more than any other is due the success of the Lacon Woolen Manufacturing Company. He first invested $10.00, and when this was exhausted and more was needed, voluntarily came forward with $10,000 morc. He has always been a director, and much of the time has served as president of the company.
JOSEPHI J. CALDER.
Mr. Calder was born in Albany connty, New York, in 1806. He came to Illinois in 1851, and located on the farm where he has ever since resided, He married Sarah Deddrick in 1830. She was born in Queen's county, New York. They have nine children living-Marion W., Alexander, Isaac D., James, Naoma, Anna Amelia (Powell), Marshall J., Hellen C. (Stowell), and two deceased. Are members of the M, E church. He has held several of the local offices of his district. He owns 120 acres in Marshall county. Ill., also a tract of land in Iowa. Few families are better known or so generally respected as that of Mr. C. He has heen a prominent temperance advocate all his life, and taken deep interest in Sabbath schools.
ELIJAH STOWELL.
Mr. Stowell was born in Chenango county, New York, in 1817, and went to Potter county, Pa., in 1847. Here he married Miss Louisa Sherman in 1847, and six years later removed to Marshall county, Ill. She was born in Cay- uga county, New York, but her parents removing to Potter county, Pa., soon after, she was reared and educated there, Her father was a surveyor and executed important contracts in surveying for the Government. Mr. Stowell owns and cultivates a good farm, he belongs to a family well known and well thought of, and is a man of more than ordinary ability.
CHARLES STONE.
Mr. Stone was born in Franklin county, Vermont, in 1813, where he lived until 1832, when he went to Troy. N. Y., staid there six years, and thence to Pittsfield, Mass. He came to Illinois in 1845, locating in Marshall county, where he has since resided. He purchased his present farm of 320 acres from a company with which he was iden- tified. He married Miss Margaret McElroy in 1836. She was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. They have three children-Charles H., Julia M. and Frank E. The latter is now engaged successfully in the manufacture of cheese on his father's farm, where he has a capacity of trom 300 to F00 cows. They are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Stone is one of the oldest residents of LaPrairie township, a liberal, generous man, a good neighbor and citizens.
CALVIN STOWELL.
The subject of this sketch was born in Chenango couuty, N. Y., in 1837, and located with his parents in Peoria county, Ill., abont three miles from his present farm, in 1843. He married Miss Precilla Greenhalgh in 1864, born in Lancashire, England. They have five children, -Mary A., Laura A., Annie M., Nellie May and Edith P. They are members of the Congregational church, of which his father and mother were two of the original six members who formed the organization. Mr. Stowell served as supervisor ot his township from 1870 to 1875, as well as in several of the minor offices of the township. He is well read on the leading topics of the day, and a successful farmer, with a pleasant, entertaining family. He takes a deep interest in all reforms of the day, is well posted in current events, does his own thinking, and forms opinions from what he secs and hears rather than from what he is told.
ROBERT TURNBULL.
Mr. Turnbull belongs to the numerous company of Scotch emigrants hailing from Roxboroughshire, Scotland, who settled in this township. He was born in 1827, and came to the United States in 1851. He first settled in Gene- va, N. Y., and three years later came to Illinois. His wife was a Miss Mary Smith, born in Scotland, whom he wed- ded in 1854. They have five children, -Mina, John, Robert, Beatrice and Willie. Are members of the U. P. church. He owns 333 acres of well improved land, has served his town in several local offices, is a man of sound judgement and clear-headed. The name of Turnbull is derived from a well authenticated incident in the reign of Robert
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
Bruce. The king was one day hunting in the forest of Callender, when he encountered an enraged bison or wild bull, an animal of great courage and ferocity. It charged npon the party, the most of whom took to their heels, leaving the king nearly alone and defencelese. At this juncture a forester or native of the place, whose name was "Rule," a man of great personal strength, threw himself before the enraged animal and with his battle axe en- conntered and slew hini single-handed. The grateful king, in recognition of the service, gave him a large tract of land and bestowed the name of Turnbull-that is, "the man that turned the bull." The old coat-of-arms borne by the family in ancient times shows the legend.
ADAM DAVIDSON.
Mr. Davidson was born in Roxboronghshire. Scotland, in 1833, and came to the United States in 1850, locating in Marshall county. He married Miss Jane Rae in 1872, also born in Scotland. They have two children, Nellie and Maggie M. He owns 320 acres of choice land, in a most perfect state of cultivation. He is a type of a large and in- fluential class of Americanized Scotchmen in this country, who, to the intelligence and thrift of the fatherland have joined the enterprise and push of the Yankee character. Mr. Davidson is a successful man, and owes it under Providence to himself alone.
C. W. DODGE.
Mr Dodge was born in Sullivan county, town of Claremont, New Hampshire, in 1830. When he came west he first settled in Wisconsin, and in Marshall county in 1866, and has been postmaster at Lawr. Ridge since 1873. Mar- ried a Miss Dennison in 1853, who was born in Renssclear county, New York. They have three children,- Alice, Florence and James E. He has been in business. for himself since 1851. He is a boot and shoe maker by trade, working steadily at his business and making money. Mrs. Dodge has a decided love for flowers, and her home ex- hibits much taste and elegance.
MELCHI GROVE.
Mr. Grove was born in Union county, Pa., May 6, 1820, and moved to the western reserve with his father when 4 years of age. He lived there until Feb. 8, 1842, when he married Miss Amelia Clemmer, born in Hottan. Upper Canada, in 1821. They have six children living,-John E., Henry A .. Reuben M .- who enlisted in the army and died from hardship and exposure at the age of 22, -Clara B. (Lapslay), Rosabella, Shirley Ann and Shindon. They are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Grove himself is a disciple of Alexander Campbell. He is a lover of his country, and proved his devotion to it by himself and three sons (the youngest being under age) enlisting in the army during the rebellion. He moved from Ohio in 1848 in a two-horse wagon, containing himself, wife and tour children, and all his worldly goods. They stopped at Trivola, Peoria county, until 1850, when he moved to his present farm. At that time there was but one house in view from it. He served as first lieutenant in company E, 86 Ill. Vols., nntil incapacited by disease contracted in the service, when he resigned, and is since an invalid and , always will be. Although suffering from the effects of his service in his country's canse, he does not regret the sacrifice. He is the same nnyielding, staunch, ontspoken lover of his country that he has always been, and always hopes to be while he is on earth. He has been always prominent in the local councils of the Republican party, and has filled the position of delegate to many important conventions.
ALDEN HULL. (With portrait.)
Mr. Hall is a retired farmer, born in Cheshire, N. H., in 1793. Hle left with his parents when ten years old and moved to Essex connty, N. Y., and located in Illinois soon after. He staid one winter in Jacksonville and then moved to Pekin where he lived ten years. He then moved to Peoria connty and remained until 1851, when he io- cated in Marshall county where has lived ever since. Mr. Hnll represented the connty of Tazewell in the legislature three sessions, was justice of the peace, and also a county commissioner under the old law. He was a member of the legislature when it met at Vandalia, and during his term the scat of government was changed to Springfield. Ile was justice of the peace in Peoria connty. He was supervisor and town treasurer 12 years, Since 1860 he has re- tired from activo business, but retains full control of his affairs. He has been an active influential citizen, always laboring for the best interests of the community, and his life would do well to pattern after. By industry and frn- gality he has amassed a large property. Mr. Hull was never married.
JOHN MARTIN.
Mr. Martin was born in Parish of Kirkmoho, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, in 1814. Ile came to the United States in 1849, and located first at Peoria, where he worked at his trade as stone mason, some five or six years, at the same time improving his present farm. He married Margaret Anderson in 1839, born in Scotland. They have three children Jiving-Samnel, Thomas and Mary (Anderson). Are members of the U. P. church. He owns 600 acres of land in Marshall connty. One of his sons married a daughter of Richard Gell. of Lacon, and is a minister of the M. E. church. Mr Martin has been very successful and accumulated a large property. Mrs. M. died in April, 1880,
WILLIAM STARLING.
Mr. Starling was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1834, and came to Peoria connty in 1854. He married Eliza Rulison in 1853. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. B. B. Hallock, of Mohawk, N. Y., who lost his life in the railroad disaster on the New York and Erie railway, having become fastened in the wreck, and although not injured he could not release himself and was slowly burned to death. A coincident in connection herewith is that Mr. Starling afterward moved to the town of Hallock, in Peoria county, and was postmaster there. When the
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BIOGRAPHICAL DEPARTMENT.
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war broke out he went into the army and served nnder Gen. Hallack. Mrs. Starling is a native of Parish, Lewis county, N. Y. They have seven children-George, Charles, Martin, Edgar. Emma, Rollin and Julia A. Mr. Starling enlisted in company K. 57th Ill. Volunteers. Oct., 1861, He was promoted to 1st lieutenant June 20, 1862, and served until Dec., 1864. He was mustered out at Savannah, Ga., returned home via New York, and located in Mar hall county, Ill. He was engaged at Fort Donaldson, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth Ist and 21 battles. He is an ingenious mechanic, having invented a sulky plow which he is having manufactured. It carried off the highest honors at the Colmnbus (Mo.) Agricultural college, in 1878, at a test trial of plows, and the first prize at the State Fair of Iowa in 1875. He has just invented a most simple ye' ingenious machine for planting and digging potatoes.
ADAM CRAWFORD.
Mr. Crawford was born in Ayrshire, Parish of Kirkmichael, Scotland, in 1806, and came to the United States in 1854, selecting and purchasing his present farm. He married Agnes Shearer in 1834. born in Wictonshire, Scot- land. Eight children have been born to them-Margaret, James, Adam. John William. Agnes Matthew A. and David R. Are members of the Congregational church, Matthew is a clergyman of much promise. Adam was a soldier for three years, and now holds a responsible position with an agricultural firm in Omaha. Mr. Crawford owns One of the best farms in the township and has been very successful in his business.
JESSE W. HURD.
Mr. Hurd is a farmer, and was born in Sullivan county. New Hampshire, in 1824. He moved to Monroe county, N. Y., in 1836, went to Wisconsin in 1842, to Trivoli, Peoria connty, in 1844, and located in Marshall county in 1848. He married Pnœbe E. Porter in 1849, & native of Chenango connty, New York. They have two children living, Mary E, and Elbert C., and are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Hnrd owns 80 acres of land in a prosperous state of cultivation, with good improvements. He has been supervisor for the last ten years. has been largely identified with the township in which his home is, and bas taken a leading part in all the moral enterprises of the day. He is a strong temperance man, a Sabbath school worker, and a friend to religion. It is to such men as he that society and Christianity are indebted for steady, successful progress.
C. S. VINCENT.
Mr. Vincent was born in Albany county, N. Y., in 1810, and moved to Madison county in 1811, where he lived for over twenty years, coming to Marshall county in the fall of 1863. He married Sarah Witdack in 1841, a native of New York. She died in 1866, leaving two children-Mary (Calder), and Gertrude (Palmer). now in Iowa; and three-children by a former marriage -Archibald. Moses. the latter resides in Michigan. Another son. Amos. en- listed in the army in 1862, and served to the end of the war. He was wounded in the hand and disabled for work. He died in 1868. Mr. Vincent owns 160 acres of land, which he cultivates.
GEORGE AITCHISON.
Mr. Atchison was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1833. and came to the United States with his brother in 1855, and located first in McHenry connty, and afterward in Marshall. He worked by the month for some time, and then purchased his present farm. He married Miss Elizabeth Shearer, March 28, 1873. She was born in Ayr- shire, Scotland. For children have been given them-George F., Jane E., John H and William A. He owns 80 acies of land in a high state of cultivation, with good improvements.
DANIEL WEAN.
Mr. Wean was born in Mahoming county, Ohio, in 1825, and with his parents moved to Hillsdale connty. Mich- igan, where they lived until 1867, when he came to Marshall county. where he has lived since. He married Miss Harriet Clemmer in 1866. She was born in Medina county, Ohio. Their children are Gordon C., Elsey A., Leota M. and Harriet. Mr. Wean enlisted in Co. B, 4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry in 1864, and served to the close of the war. Was mustered out in Detroit in 1865, having done his duty and seen his country saved from all her foes.
RICHARD DAVIDSON.
Mr. Davidson was born in Roxboroughshire, Scotland, in 1830, and emigrated to the U. S. 1850, locating in Marshall county. He married Miss Mary Scott in 1857, born in the same place in Scotland, and they have been blessed with six children-James a., Thomas S., John, William H., Richard G. and Mary S. Mr, Davidson is serv- ing as Justice of the Peace, has been commissioner of highways, assessor, collector and school director. He is pop- nlar everywhere and has many friends in the county, He owns 320 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. which in fact may be said of nearly the entire township.
. LEONARD KITTREDGE.
Mr. Kittredge was born in the town of Bedford, Hillsboro' county. New Hampshire, in 1812. He came to Illi- nois in 1860 and purchased his present farm. In November, 1838, he married Mary Hurd, a native of Newport, New Hampshire. They have one child, Samantha. Mrs. Kittredge is a member of the Congregational church. At a re- union of Mrs. K.'s family which was held at the Kittredge mansion on the 2nd of January, 1880, being the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of Owen, the youngest child of the late Stephen Hurd. there were seventy-two members present. They had an enjoyable time, as might be expected upon such an occasion. Eating, singing, friendly dis- cussion and a general exchange of views on all topics interesting to the assembly was the order of the day. Able
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RECORDS OF THE OLDEN TIME.
addresses by the Rev. Hall, Congregational minister. Mr. George M. Lock aad others wonnd np the business and pleasures of the day. The evening was spent at the Congregational church, where a social reunion of the members was held and a large amount of musical talent displaycd, to the enjoyment of all present. Mr. Kittridge owns a farm in Stark county, immediately adjoining his residence, which, with its gronnds, comprising some ten acres. is located in Marshall county.
ROBERT SCOON.
Mr. Scoon was born in Roxboroughshire, Scotland, in 1812, and came to the United States in 1853. He lived one year in New York. moved to Michigan, where he remained five years, then moved to Marshall county in 1859. Ile married Mary Nichol in 1837. She was born in the same place in Scotland, They have ten children-Margaret, Jane, John, Jessie, James. William. Charlie, Minnic, Elizabeth and Robert. They are members of the U. P. church. He owns 160 acres of land handsomely located. Mr. Scoon is a hard worker and a shrewd manager, the two elements leading to success For several years few men have made money so rapidly by legitimate farming. He has a large force of boys, all working in unison, and each striving for the general good. Besides raising grain, he is largely engaged in stock raising.
DAVID AITCHISON.
Mr. Aitchison was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in 1833. He came to the United States in 1855, and located in McHenry county, Ill., and moved to Marshall county in 1863. Ho married Miss Agnes Shearer in 1869, born in Ayrshire, Scotland. Their children are Elizabeth, David S., Mary. Gracie. Kate and Henry. They are members of the U. P. church. He has served as path-master and school director, and owns 80 acres of land, which he has sub- stantially and tastefully improved, with good buildings handsomely located. Like most of his conntrymen in La Prairie, he is energetic and indefatiguable in the prosecution of his business, hence successful. He is a pleasant gentleman and a good citizen.
L. H. WETMORE.
Mr. Wetmore was born in Oneida connty, N. Y., in 1824, and moved to Marshall county, Ill., in 1849. He mar- ried Miss Geneva Hill in 1850, also a native of New York. Their children are Francis, Carrie and Lillie. They are members of the Congregational church, of which Mr. Wetmore is deacon and trustee, and has been for the last 18 years. His daughter Francis is the wife of a native Grecian missionary, and is now in that country assisting her husband in the duties of his mission. They sailed from the United States February 4, 1879. Mrs. Wetmore died in 1874. He married his present wife, Cornelia Sanford, in 1876. She was also born in Oneida county, N. Y. Mr. Wet- inore owns 173 acres of land with good improvements.
NATHANIAL P. GREEN.
Mr. Grecn is a prosperous farmer, and was born in Albany county. New York, in 1826. He came west and lo- cated on his present farm in 1851, and married Miss Hannah Powell in 1854. She was born in Green county, N. Y. They have two children,-John W. and Ann E. They are members of the M. E. church. Mr. Green is also a mem- ber of the Masonic order. He has served as road commissioner and school director, and is trustee in the church. He owns 280 acres of land, with fine improvements. Mrs. Green's father and mother reside with her. Henry Smith their oldest child, died when two years old.
· X. C. WILMOT.
Mr. Wilmot was born in Cattarangus county, New York, in 1827, and came west with his parents in 1845. first lo- cating in Adams connty, where they remained one year, then !removed to Peoria county, from whence lie came to his present farm in 1847. He married Miss Mary E. Waughop in April. 1868, a native of Tazewell county, Ill. They have three children,-Rosa May, Arthur X. and John A. He has two children by a former marriage,-Vestula Ann and Stephen D. Mr. Wilmot is a member of the Masonic order, and his wife belongs to the M. E. church. He has served as assessor and filled other positions. He owns 160 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, and one of the most pleasant residences in the county, on either side the approach to it being bordered with cvergreens artis- tically and tastefully arranged, affording shelter and a most pleasing effect .
MICHAEL DODD.
Mr. Dodd was born in the connty of Durham, in England, in 1824, and came to the United States in 1853, and to Marshall county in 1854. He married Matilda Arkless in 1852, born in England, in 1829. They have nine children living,-Thomas, Hannah (Currie), Edward, Ellen, Frederick F .. James C., Robert W., Walter H. and Wallace H. He owns 160 acres in his home farm, with first class brick honse, and 320 acres in Ford county, all improved. He owns the only brick residence in the township, of any pretensions, which was erected in 1858, and is as substantial now as then.
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