USA > Illinois > Bureau County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 78
USA > Illinois > Marshall County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 78
USA > Illinois > Putnam County > The Biographical record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois > Part 78
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Indians were still quite numerous in the locality, and the family endured all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. Our subject well remembers of a time when there was no bread in the house for three days, and they were obliged to live on potatoes.
In Indiana was celebrated the marriage of Isaac D. Glenn and Sarah Allen, a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Archibald Allen, who came to Illinois in 1838 and died at the home of her son- in-law. To Mr. and Mrs. Glenn were born six children who grew to maturity. The parents were both earnest members of the Baptist church, of which the father served as deacon for a num- ber of years, and in politics he was first a demo- crat and later a free soiler. He died in 1850, and was interred by the side of his wife in Cale- donia cemetery.
In McLean county, Illinois, Young A. Glenn was born November 18, 1828, and was therefore quite small when brought by his parents to Put- nam county, where he was reared upon his pres- ent farm and educated in the schools of Cale- donia. Since his father's death he has operated the farm which has been his home for the long period of sixty-four years. On taking possession only thirty acres of the original one hundred sixty had been cleared and cultivated, but he now has five hundred twenty acres of valuable land in Magnolia township, four hundred eighty of which is highly improved. The old frame house was replaced by his present comfortable residence in 1873, and good and substantial outbuildings also add to the neat and thrifty appearance of the place. In connection with general farming he has also been a stock dealer and feeder for thirty years, and has met with excellent success in this line of endeavor.
In 1854, Mr. Glenn led to the marriage altar Miss Elizabeth L. German, who was born Decem- ber II, 1832, in Ohio, and accompanied her par- ents to Putnam county when quite young. In the schools of Magnolia she was educated. Of the seven children born of this union, five are still liv- ing, namely: Isaac Dawson, of Magnolia town- ship, who married Helen Otto and has two chil-
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dren. Murray and Dawson ; Cordelia, wife of H. E. Broaddus, of Roberts township, whose sketch is given on another page of this work; Clara Ellen, wife of Robert Wilson, of Hennepin township, Putnam county, by whom she has two children, Marshall and Young; Annie, wife of Marshall Broaddus of Roberts township, by whom she has one child, Elizabeth Minerva; and Young Sherman, who married Clara Golden and lives in Caledonia.
When nineteen years of age, Mr. Glenn was thrown from a horse and has since had to use crutches, but although handicapped in this way he is self-reliant and energetic and has met with remarkable success in his undertakings. His sup- port is ever given the men and measures of the democratic party, and before attaining his ma- jority was made school director of district No. 4, which office he most creditably filled for a quarter of a century.
E LI RALEY MILLS was numbered among the carly settlers of Putnam county and al- though he fell asleep in Jesus many years ago his memory is treasured by all who were so fortunate as to know him in this life. He was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, born July 18, 1814, and was a son of Joseph and Sarah (Raley) Mills, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia, both of whom were mem- bers of the Society of Friends, and were quite influential in the church as well as in the com- munity in which they lived.
The early life of Eli was spent upon a farm, and he was from childhood inured to hard work. His educational advantages were limited to the subscription schools of the first part of the pres- ent century before the free school system was adopted. He was quite a student, however, and made the most of his opportunities and by read- ing and reflection became quite well posted in general literature as well as in the current events of the day. Reared as a member of the Society of Friends, he was well posted in the literature of that body and clung tenaciously to its views. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade,
which he followed for a time, but later engaged in boating on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers.
On the 22d of September, 1830, Mr. Mills was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kimber, a daughter of Abram and Susanna (Hoag) Kim- ber, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Her moth- er was reared a member of the Society of Friends, while her father made no profession. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania, and the former of Ohio. Immediately after their marriage, the young couple located at Bridgeport, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and there remained until the spring of 1843, when they removed to Put- nam county, Illinois, where they resided during the remainder of their lives.
The first year after their removal to Putnam county, the family made their home with a broth- er of Mrs. Mills, Isaac R. Kimber, who was liv- ing upon a farm six miles southeast of Henne- pin. While residing there Mr. Mills secured a tract of land a mile and a half northwest of Mag- nolia, and erected a house into which the fam- ily moved in the spring of 1844. For some years he had been engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers, and after his removal to Putnam county still continued in that business, commanding boats and enjoying a very profitable trade. Before the introduction of rail- roads in the west, the river traffic was very large and Captain Mills at all times secured his full share. From the profits derived from his busi- ness on the river he was enabled to invest quite extensively in land, and also to materially assist every one of his brothers and sisters to a home. Nor did he confine his assistance to his own household, but aided many worthy and honest people at a time when such assistance was great- ly needed, putting them on the road to prosper- ity. He believed that as God had blessed him, so it was his duty to be a blessing to others.
In early times Mr. Mills was a Henry Clay whig, being a great admirer of that eminent statesman and a firm believer in the views which he advocated upon the political issues of the day. He was, however, strongly opposed to slavery,
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and in later life advocated the principles that found expression in the republican platform on that party coming into existence. He was not a politician in the current use of that term, but in its true meaning he took that interest in govern- mental affairs that all worthy citizens should do.
Captain Mills followed the river until impaired health compelled him to desist, when he retired to his farm, which had been ably managed by his wife during his absence. But he was not long for this world and in the prime of life he was called, his death occurring August 18, 1855, at the age of forty-one years and one month. His loving wife and faithful helpmeet soon followed him, dying September 22, 1855, aged thirty-eight years ten months and nineteen days, and together they were laid away to rest, side by side, in the Friends' cemetery on Clear creek.
Eli R. Mills was a consistent member of the Society of Friends, in which he had a deep and abiding interest. His sense of justice toward all with whom he came in contact was of the highest type. He was dignified and courteous in man- ner, never deigning to do a little or mean thing. The influence of his life and character was felt wherever he moved, at home or abroad.
To Eli R. Mills and wife nine children were born. Susan K. is the wife of Robert N. West, by whom she has five living children and three deceased; Joseph, deceased, wedded Mary E. Merritt, by whom he had six children; Thomas K., deceased, married Amanda Bell, and has three living children and two deceased; Herman is also deceased: Sarah M. is the widow of Phi- lonzo Given, by whom she has one living child and two deceased; Henry C. is represented else- where in this work: Andrew H., assistant state's attorney, living in Decatur, Illinois, married Elizabeth Bell, and they have five children; Isaac R., who for eight years has served as state's at- torney at Decatur, first married Mattie Mahan- nah, by whom he had four children, and after her deatlı he married Matie Hackenburg, by whom he has two children; and Eli is deceased.
On the death of the parents the family were kept together and remained in the old home un-
til they went out one by one to found homes of their own. This was made possible by Miss Mary Johnson, who when quite young was taken into the family and who consented to remain and act as housekepeer and as far as possible a mother to the orphaned ones. The five living children are now scattered, but all are living uscful lives and are well respected citizens, an honor to their noble father and well beloved mother.
H [ARRISON T. IRELAND, who represents Richland township as a member of the board of supervisors of Marshall county, enjoys the reputation of being one of the most enterpris- ing, though conservative, citizens of the county, one who never courts popularity, but one whom his friends and neighbors are pleased to honor with their respect and highest confidence. His . residence is on section 35, Richland township, where he has lived as a boy and man for nearly forty years, not always upon the same farm, how- ever, but on one of two farms on that section. He is a native of La Porte county, Indiana, born October 2, 1848, and is a son of Pleasant and Ma- tilda B. (Newell) Ireland, the former a native of Preble county, Ohio, born January 23, 1813, and the latter of Kentucky, born December 11, 18II. She was the daughter of John Newell, who came to Lacon about 1856, and later returned to La Porte, Indiana, where he died.
Pleasant Ireland was the son of James Ireland, who lived in Ohio, but late in life removed to In- diana, where his last days were spent. The boy- hood and youth of Pleasant were spent in Ohio, where he grew to manhood on a farm, and his education was received in the pioneer schools of his native state. He removed to Indiana with his parents, and was there married to Matilda B. Newell, in 1833. Until 1855 he made La Porte county, Indiana, his home, and during that time was engaged in farming. Coming to Marshall county, Illinois, at that time, he resided for two years in the city of Lacon, then settled on a farm on section 35. Richland township. On this sec- tion the parents resided until their death, the mcther dying November 15, 1890, and the father
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September 1, 1892. They were the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy. Three are still living, who are as follows: Frank N., a banker of Washburn, Illinois; Harriet, wife of Isaac Wikoff, residing in Winfield, Kansas, and our subject. Frank N. was a member of the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and discharged his duties faithfully and well dur- ing the dark days of the civil war.
Pleasant Ireland and his wife were members of the Christian church, having united with that body at an early day, and both were well ground- ed in the faith. He was a close student of the Bible and well versed in theological discussions of the times, able to hold his own with any op- posed to his views. For some years he served as deacon in his local church. Politically, he was a republican from the organization of the party, and in his political views was as strong as in his religion. He cared nothing for the honors of office, we believe served in no official capacity save that of township assessor.
Mr. Ireland, whose name introduces this sketch, was but seven years of age when he came with his parents to Marshall county, Illinois, and here his entire life has since been spent. His educa- tion was received in the district schools, and, like most farmer boys, he was early trained to work, and taught that he must do his part in the cul- tivation of the home farm. He continued to re- side at home, assisting his parents until he reached his majority, when he began life for him- self, and his active career has made him one of the foremost citizens of the county of his adop- tion.
In 1869 Mr. Ireland was united in marriage with Miss Elizabetli M. Owen, a native of Rich- land township, Marshall county, born July 16, 1849, and a daughter of Walter Owen, an early settler of this locality, but who now resides near Lexington Illinois. She grew to womanhood in this township, and received her education in the district schools. By this union four children have been born, three of whom are now living- Frank B., a medical student; Walter O., now re- siding in Washburn, Illinois; Zylphia Ludell, at
home. Each of these children have had good educational advantages, such as to prepare them for useful lives.
Mr. Ireland has always been a farmer and suc- cess has crowned his efforts. From time to time he has added to his possessions until he now owns one thousand and sixty-four acres of well im- proved land, his home farm being well stocked and all the buildings of a most substantial char- acter. He is thorough and systematic in all his work and gives personal attention to every de- tail
Religiously, Mr. Ireland is a member of the Christian church, of which body his wife is also an active member, both taking an active interest in the work of the church, aiding the cause in every way possible. For some years he has held official position in the church. Politically, he is a stanch republican, and has taken an active part in the councils of the party. He has been town- ship clerk, township collector, school treasurer of his township for the past sixteen years, and for two years has been a member of the board of supervisors, re-elected second term of two years and chosen chairman of the board in 1896. In every position held he has been faithful to the trust reposed in him, and no man enjoys the con- fidence and respect of his fellow citizens to a greater extent.
H ENRY C. MILLS, a wide-awake and enter- prising farmer, residing on section 23, Mag- nolia township, Putnam county, was born in that township on the 21st of March, 1849, and is the son of Eli Raley and Elizabeth H.(Kimber) Mills, the former a native of Washington county, Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume. The family came to Putnam county in 1843, and in the spring of 1844 settled on a farm on section 22, Magnolia township, then in its primitive condition. This land was improved and a good brick residence and brick barn erected thereon. Here the parents resided until their deaths, which occurred in 1855.
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Our subject was but six years of age when his parents died, but the family was kept together and on the home farm he grew to manhood, and as he passed from childhood to youth he assisted in the farm work, faithfully discharging the duties devolving upon him. In the common schools of the neighborhood of his home he received his primary education, which was supplemented by a course at Lincoln university and the State Nor- mal university, although he never graduated.
Leaving school, Mr. Mills settled down to the life of a farmer, which he proposed to follow and one in which he felt himself especially adapted. He remained upon the home farm until twenty- eight years of age, assisting in its cultivation and preparing himself for the active duties of life. Some time before this he formed the acquaintance of Miss Hattie A. Badgley, a native of Auglaize county, Ohio, who was visiting relatives and friends in Putnam county. The result of this was a trip to Ohio on the part of Mr. Mills, where at St. Mary's, on the 2d of January, 1877, the couple were united in marriage at the home of the bride's mother. Mrs. Mills is the daughter of George and Martha (Watkins) Badgley, both of whom were also natives of Ohio, the father born at Gal- lipolis, and the mother at St. Mary's. Her father died in 1857, when she was but an infant, and she therefore never knew a father's love and tender care. He was a consistent member of the Bap- tist church, and died in the full assurance of faithi. Her mother is also a member of the same church, and has always taken an abiding interest in the work of the Master.
Mrs. Mills grew to womanhood in her native county, and at St. Mary's received her education. She remained at home until her marriage with Mr. Mills.
Immediately after that event was consum- miated the couple returned to Putnam coun- ty, and in the spring of that year located on their present farm on section 23, Magnolia township. The land was then partially improved, but many improvements have since been made until to-day we see a model farm of two hundred and forty acres, supplied with all the latest labor-saving
implements, both for the farm and housework. The present fine, comfortable residence was erected in 1887, and the large barn two years previously. Everything about the place shows the good taste of its occupants, and the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mills is a most hospitable one. In connection with his general farm work for the past two years Mr. Mills has been engaged in buying and shipping horses, a business for which lie is well adapted, being a good judge of that noble animal, which is well attested by his own fine stock.
Mr. Mills and his estimable wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and socially he affiliates with Magnolia lodge, No. 103, F. & A. M., in which he has held office, while politically he is an ardent republican, and has served as township school treasurer. No couple in all Putnam county are held in higher estecm than Mr. and Mrs. Mills.
E RASTUS COLEMAN ROOT, deceased, for sixty years resided on the Marshall county line, but his house was just across the line in Peoria county, while his farmi extended on either side. He was a man as well known in Marshall as in Peoria county. He was born in Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, July 26, 1805, and was the son of Jeriel and Saralı (Coleman) Root, both of whom were natives of Coventry, Connecticut, but who in an early day removed to Dutchess county, New York, and later to Delaware county in the same state. Here the family lived in proximity to Jason Gould of Gould's Hollow, relatives of the cele- brated Jay Gould of latter day fame. In 1817. he concluded they could better their fortunes by going farther west, and we find them en route to Ohio, with two covered wagons, one drawn by horses, and the other by oxen. In due time they reached Richmond, Ross county, Ohio, where they made their home for thirteen years. Our subject was twelve years of age when the family moved to Ohio, and it may well be surmised that his educational advantages were not of the best, but he made the most of
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his opportunities, and while his school life was of short duration, by reading and reflection he became a well-informed man.
In 1830 the family once more set its face west- ward, this time for the prairies of Illinois, of which much had been heard, and where land was cheap and very productive. The Roots were accompanied by Aaron Reed, Joel Hicks, Samuel Reed, Thomas Miner and George Leigh. Reaching Peoria county, they made their first camp on the east side of the Illinois river at Peoria. The river was very low at the time and quite a number of Indians forded it and visited the new settlers. The company separated at this point, Jeriel Root and his family locating on La Salle prairie in Hallock township, on the north- cast quarter of section 24, township II, north of range 8 cast. The mother died here soon afterward, and the father subsequently married Sarah Marks. He died some years later at the residence of our subject at the age of seventy- seven years. His second wife also died there.
The settlement in Illinois, as stated, was in 1830. The winter following was one never to be forgotten by those old enough to realize or re- member anything. It has always since been spoken of as "the winter of the deep snow," and many stories are told of the hardships and sufferings of those residing in Illinois. Snow began to fall early in December and fell to a depth of three feet on the level and never passed away until the following spring. Wild game of all kinds perished with hunger and cold. With the aid of snow shoes men would walk on top of the crust, and many nimble footed deer were knocked in the head with axes in the hands of the settlers.
The subject of this sketch had reached his twenty-fifth year when the family settled in Illi- nois. At that time he was a bachelor, but soon after he became a benedict, being united in mar- riage with Miss Barbara A. Reed, December 16, 1830. She was the daughter of Samuel Reed, a native of Middletown, Delaware county, New York, born September 15, 1811, and a sister of Simon Reed, one of the emigrants who came
with the party. Erastus C. Root was third in a family of ten children, of whom but two are now living-Alfred, of Chenoa, Illinois, and his twin sister, Alma, now the wife of Timothy Atwood, of Fremont. Nebraska.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Root commenced their domestic life on a farm near that of her brother, Simon Reed. There they lived until September, 1831, when Mr. Root built a log cabin on his father's farm, to which they removed. One year later the cabin was taken down and rebuilt at a point on the river bank, the present site of the village of Chillicothe. I11 speaking of their residence at this point, Mr. Root said: "For nine months, my wife, myself and little son, constituted the entire population of Chillicothe. Not a house but one between Rome and the Hammett place." In 1832 there occurred the Black Hawk war, and a stockade was built at Simon Reed's but Mr. Root sent his wife to Mackinaw for safety. In 1832 he en- tered the land upon which he resided. At that time there was a burr oak near by which had the bodies of three Indian children suspended in the branches, and beneath were found beads, brooches and bones fallen from other bodies that had been disposed of in a similar manner. In 1833 he fenced and broke twenty acres of land. In that year Samuel T. McKean, who was the second settler at Chillicothe, built a cabin on section 28, and laid out two blocks of the town. In 1835 Mr. Root sold his farm for one thousand dollars to Mr. Bird, who later sold it to Temple & Jamison, who laid it out in town lots.
After disposing of the Chillicothe tract, Mr. Root, with the proceeds of the sale, purchased the tract on which he spent the remainder of his life. This land is seven miles northwest of Chillicothe on the line between Peoria and Mar- sl:all counties, and lies within both counties. His first house was a log cabin, thirteen feet square, where he lived two years, when he erected a cabin eighteen feet square, one and a half stories in height. This was the home of the family until 1851, when the present residence
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was erected. On this place the family of nine children were reared, and all now reside within a few miles of the old homestead, and all well settled in life. The children living are J. Perry, who married Nancy Booth; James L., who married Harriet Montgomery; Cyrus, who mar- ried Mary Stowell; William, who married Mary Ann Caldwell; Alonzo, who married Lillian Ellsworth; Charles, who married Ella Clem- mer; Erastus, single; Lovina, who married Loren Wilson, and Eliza, who married Newell Nurs.
Mr. Root departed this life January 22, 1896. For about eight years he had been totally blind, but he bore up cheerfully under the affliction, and never lost his interest in the current news of the day, which he would have read to him by some member of the family. Even upon his death bed he inquired the news, especially the actions of congress, desiring to know what ac- tion was being taken by that body. In religious belief he was a Universalist, having strong faith in the love and compassion of the Heavenly Father for the children of men. At the request of the family, his funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Thomas Martin, of the Presbyterian church, who was an old neighbor and knew well the life and character of the deceased. His sons acted as pall bearers and the worn out body was laid to rest in Blue Ridge cemetery, the oldest burying ground in Peoria county. Mrs. Root preceded her husband to her heavenly home, having died October 6, 1881. She was a woman of strong character and sterling wortli, greatly esteemed by all.
Politically, Mr. Root was a stanch and un- compromising republican and always liked to discuss political and religious subjects. A strong temperance man, he was for some years actively engaged in temperance work as a mem- ber of the order of Sons of Temperance, and represented that body in its grand lodge on one or more occasions. A member of the Old Set- tlers' association, he loved to dwell on past events, and had a very retentive memory of the scenes of pioneer life in Ohio and Illinois. The
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