The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 95

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848

USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 95
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

E. H. BIGELOW, grain-dealer, Kilbourne. Prominent among the business men of this township is Mr. Bigelow, who came to this township the day previous to its birth as a town, and has since been a resident and identified with its interests ; he was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1834 ; son of Henry Bigelow ; his grandfather par- ticipated in the battles of the Revolution; at the age of 10, E. H. moved with his parents to Indiana and remained there a few years, afterward moving to Wisconsin ; then he spent several years traveling; was all through the Southwest and journeyed the the entire length of Texas astride a mule; in 1868, he came to this State, and, in 1870, to this township, the day previous to the sale of the town lots. March 31, 1876, he married Miss Sarah Marshall, who was born June 19, 1843 ; she is a native of Birming- . ham, England ; they have three children-Emma, Fannie and Charles. Since the railroad has been built, he has been the company's agent and an energetie and thorough business man; he is a member of Havana Lodge and Chapter.

WILLIAM BRENT, farmer; P. O. Havana ; was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. 31, 1842 ; the son of Robert Brent, who came to this country in October, 1864, and, like many others, lodged in Mason Co., where he has been a resident ever sinee. In January, 1870, he married Mrs. Martha Hanline ; two children have been born from this union-Harry, Nov. 16, 1871; Stella, April 29, 1874. He is engaged in farming and always has been, and is striving to make an honest living and hopes by attention to his business and exercising economy to attain a competency for his deelining years.

BARNEY BOYLE, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne. Among the representatives of the Emerald Isle who have located in this county and have attained success and are self-made, is the name of Barney Boyle, who elaims County Antrim, Ireland, as his birthplace, and 1828 as the year of his birth ; in 1849, he emigrated to America, and, / later, made his way to Jersey Co., and then to Whitehall, Greene Co., where he worked as a farm hand for several years ; in 1850, he made his way to this county and worked by the month until 1854, when he rented land, and, in April, 1859, married Frances Raymond ; they have had nine children, seven now living-Harry, Katie, Fannie, Barney, Lizzie, John and Frank. In 1878, he bought out John Lee, who had a well- improved farm, and he is now the sole possessor of 576 aeres of land, all of which he has obtained by the sweat of his brow and by the exercise of frugality and rigid economy.

BENJAMIN BRENT, fariner; P. O. Kilbourne ; born in Yorkshire, England ; son of Robert Brent; they emigrated to this State in 1866; and, in his 20th year, set out for himself and began work on a farm by the month. Nov. 9, 1872, he was united in matrimony with Caroline Pulling; born in this county Feb. 19, 1850 ; daughter of Charles Pulling, a native of England; one child has been born to them-Robert, born Aug. 1, 1873. Mr. Brent has begun life with a determination to make something of himself, is hard-working and attentive to his business.

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JOHN BLAKELY, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; born in this county and town- ship Aug. 20, 1842; son of James Blakely and Hannah . Scott, who were natives of New Jersey, and among the early pioneers in this county ; his father died. John was 25 . years of age when he left home, and was married to Rachel Anderson Dec. 10, 1867; they had two children-Orley C. and Harry L. His wife died Jan. 24, 1875. He was married to Martha Mowder, daughter of Joseph Mowder; she was born Jan. 13, 1844; their marriage took place Dec. 22, 1875 ; they have had two children-Alice M. and Ettie. After his marriage, he made a trip to Nebraska, but not being suited, he returned to Mason Co., and has since remained here. March 13, 1877, he bought 160 acres of land, and is a successful farmer ; his father died in 1870.

HENRY BECKWITH, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; born in Crawford Co., Ind., April 25, 1841 ; son of Elijah Beckwith and Evaline Ceny ; his great-grandfather par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war. The Beckwiths are a long-lived race ; his grand- father lived to the age of 84, and then met his death by accident-his horse running away. Henry moved to this county with his parents, first locating near Havana, and remaining there until 1864, when they moved to the section he now resides upon. Nov. 30, 1866, he married Sarah Heston, born in Chester Co., Penn., April 29, 1845 ; they have four children-Lizzie E., Bertie H., Howard P. and Charles F.

DANIEL COFFEY, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; was born in Kerry Co., Ireland, about the year 1837 ; he was the only child of his parents, whose names were Timothy Coffey and Mary Sullivan ; they dying when he was about 14 years old, he was left to " shirk " for himself; he was one year on a vessel plying along the coast ; then worked among the farmers until 1857, when he embarked for America, landing at New York ; he worked some time on the O. & M. Railroad, and P., P. & J. Railroad ; he then came up the river to Bath, and hired out to Charles Thompson, working for him four years. Aug. 15, 1862, he married Ann Burke, a native of the same county as himself ; they have four children-John, Eilen, Catharine and Bridget. After his marriage, he rented land for four years on the ground now owned by Messrs. Cragg & Boyle; he then rented land of Stephen Dolben for eight years. In 1877, he bought ninety acres, and is now farming successfully. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM L. COBB, farmer, ; P. O. Kilbourne; is a native of St. Clair Co .; born May 11, 1833. His father, William, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1804, and died in 1877; he came to this State as early as 1830. Jane Reid, his wife, was born in Missouri, in 1807, and is still living in St. Clair Co. William, at the age of 18, embarked for himself, and worked by the month as farm hand, until he attained his 25th year, when he was married to Nancy Ware. The date of her birth is Sept. 8, 1841. Nine children now gather around the festive board-James, Mary, John, Flora, Serilda, Dora, Ada, George and Norman. He was a renter up to the year 1872, when he bought eighty acres where he now lives. Mr. Cobb came to this county in 1864, and lived on Crane Creek seven years. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church at New Lebanon, and are trying to honor their profession.

MRS. ANN M. CRANE, farmer, P. O. Kilbourne; is a native of the Empire State, born in Orleans Co., Oct. 17, 1829. Her father's name was Ezra San- ford, and her mother's was Almira Chamberlain, both natives of Vermont. Mrs. Crane moved to Michigan at an early age, and was married Jan. 7, 1846, to Amzi G. Crane, a native of New Jersey. In 1849, they moved to Aurora, Dearborn Co., Ind., remaining there until 1865, when they moved to Havana, and in 1869, moved to Crane Creek Township. While there, he associated with Mr. Cobb, under the firm name of Crane & Cobb, which partnership continued until the death of Mr. Crane, Sept. 6, 1871. Mr. Crane, during his life, was an active business man, and an enthusiastic worker in the Church. They had six children, but two now living-Jennie and George. Jennie is an efficient teacher in Havana Public School. Mrs. Crane now resides in Kilbourne Precinct, and, in conjunction with her son, is engaged in farming.

WILLIAM CRAGGS, farmer, P. O. Kilbourne; brother of Charles Craggs, of this township, was born March 22, 1823, in Yorkshire, England, and during his 6th year,

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KILBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

came across the briny deep in company with his parents, to cast their lot in the land across the sea ; the family located west of Jacksonville, Morgan Co., at what is now known as Lynnville, where a colony, or a number of English, from Yorkshire, had settled, and the Craggs were among the number. They were eight weeks on the ocean, and the crew come very near running out of both water and supplies, and were, for a time, allowanced. In the spring of 1845, the family moved to this township, and William's first purchase was eighty acres of land, at $3 per acre, $12 down, balance at 6 per cent interest. 'He put in a crop, and intended to marry the following year, and was engaged to be married; but that season there came a severe hail-storm, and almost entirely destroyed his crop, and the prospects for assuming his matrimonial obligations were almost disheartening, but he finally mustered up courage, and borrowed of a neighbor, Frederick Shirtliff, money to buy the license and a shirt to be married in. Mr. Crane has now 520 acres, and has become identified with the interests of the county as one of its valued citizens. He was first married to Jane Williamson, a native of Kentucky ; four children, Mary A., Henry B., William A. and John, were the off- spring ; she died January 8, 1855. Oct. 14, 1857, he married Frances Folley, also a native of Kentucky ; they had seven children, five now living-Isabel, Charles F., Amelia J., Jessie, Wesley and Caroline. Oct. 7, 1878, his wife died ; since her demise, his daughters have been keeping house. He has always been a man of true Christian principle and of generous impulse, and has given much in charity, and there is no better man in Mason Co.

R. A CURRY, farmer; P. O. Kilbourne; is a native of Albany Co., in the Empire State, where he was born April 26, 1845, the fourth of a family of five children by his father's second marriage. His father's name was E. R. Curry, and his mother's Harriet Jones-both of them natives of New York. At the age of 9 he moved to this county, and first located in Bath, in company with his parents, in the year 1854. When but 16, he enlisted in the service of his country, in Co. M, 2d I. V. C., and served three years and four months. Upon his return to peaceful pursuits he began farming and finally bought 160 acres of land which he farmed until the spring of 1879, when he was compelled to abandon it on account of poor health, occasioned by chronic diarrhea contracted during his term of service. Jan. 1, 1866, he married Mary E. Conklin, born in Batlı Township April 10, 1848, a daughter of John Conklin. They have three children-John T., born Nov. 30, 1867 ; Ollie May, Aug. 15, 1872 ; Leona F., Feb. 20, 1875.

J. B. CONOVER, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; is one of Mason Co.'s enterprising young business men, and was born in Cass Co., Sept. 28, 1844; son of William Conover ; his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Hopkins ; his parents died when Joseph was quite young and he was left to fight life's battles alone. July 13, 1862, at the age of 18, he enlisted in Co. D, 85th I. V. I., and participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain and lastly at Peach Tree Creek, Ala., where he lost his right arm; at this battle, he was taken pris- oner, and, while suffering extreme pain from the amputation of his arm, was confined several months in Andersonville Prison, where he suffered untold misery at the hands of those in charge ; Nov. 20, 1864, he received his parole at Savannah, and in February, 1865, obtained his discharge. Upon his return home, he attended school two years in Havana and one year at the Soldier's College at Whiteside Co. Upon his return home he engaged in stock-trading. Dec. 26, 1869, he married Charlotte Coggshall, who was born Oct. 9, 1849; daughter of William H. Coggshall; they have had three boys- Marshall O., born Oct. 20, 1870; Leonard, Aug. 12, 1873 ; and an infant, Nov. 19, 1878. In 1869, Mr. Conover was elected County Treasurer, which office he filled two years ; he then moved to the place he now lives on and has since been engaged in farm- ing and stock-trading; he has 800 acres of land, and though deprived of the use of his right arm, yet he accomplishes more manual labor than most men with two.

GEORGE W. COGGSHALL, farmer; P. O. Kilbourne; was born in Wash- ington Co., Ohio, Sept. 14, 1830 ; the son of Job Coggshall, who was born in Mari- etta, Olio; his mother was a Weatherby and a native of Pennsylvania. Jolin left the

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State when he attained the age of manhood and came to this county and began work by the month ; he worked two years and then began for himself; he was in business for a time at Bath; kept a livery stable for a time, and March 2, 1864, married Frances Edwards ; they have two children-James L., born Oct. 22, 1865, and Myrtia, born April 10, 1868. Soon after his marriage, he bought land and located in the suburbs of Kilbourne, and has a snug farm gotten by his own labor and by patient industry.

W. H. CALDWELL, farmer ; P. O. Havana; was born in Washington Co., Md., Sept. 29, 1828; the son of William Caldwell. William, in early life, had a desire to learn the carpenter's trade, which he partly learned before he came West; his father was a potter by trade, and died when W. H. was in his infancy. In 1843, in company with his mother, he came to Ohio and there remained until 1855. July 5, 1852, he married Ava A. Lathom ; they have four children-Adclia, Henry B., Will- iam and Elmer E; his wife died in 1862. After coming to this State, he located in Havana, where he engaged at his trade and built several of the best buildings now in the town. He was elected City Marshal, and was at one time nominated for the office of Sheriff on the Republican side. In 1865, he was married to Harriet L. Russell ; they have had four children, but one now living. He has been a member of the Masonic body for several years.

WILLIAM A. CRAGGS, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; son of William Craggs, an old settler in this county, who is of English birth. Was born in Bath Township Jan. 28, 1851. At the age of 19, he began for himself. March 3, 1872, he married Nancy Ketcham, 'daughter of Lemon Ketcham, of this township. She was born in 1854. Names of their children are Nellie M., born May 12, 1875 ; John, July 29, 1877, and an infant, unnamed, June 6, 1879. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church.

JOHN CRAGGS, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Kilbourne ; son of William Craggs, and was born in Bath Township June 25, 1852. Not wishing to pattern after the example set by the many bachelors in the township, he, on becoming of age, took a wife to him- self, in the person of Miss Orinda Jackson, daughter of Elias Jackson, who was born May 9, 1852. They were united in wedlock Sept. 28, 1873, and have two children- Mary J., born Dec. 19, 1875 ; William E., Oct. 31, 1878. After his marriage, he located on land of his father's, and remained two years. He then went to Iowa, and remained about one year, and the country not meeting his expectations, he returned to Mason Co., where he has since remained.

CHARLES CRAGGS, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne. Prominent among the stanch and self-made men of this county is Charles Craggs, who was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Dec. 22, 1821 ; son of William Craggs and Isabel (Making). He came to Morgan Co. when he was 8 years of age, in company with his parents. They were among the pioneers of that county, there being no settlements between Lynnville and Jacksonville at that time. During his 24th year, he moved to this county, located on Field's Prairie, on the land now owned by James M. Hardin, and bought eighty acres, at $3 per acre, paying $12 down, and the balance at 6 per cent interest. He married Phoebe Pratt, daughter of David Pratt. She was born Dec. 12, 1829. Eight children have crowned this union, five of whom are now living-William H., George T., Emily, Sarah and Bessie. In 1855, he sold out and went to Bath, where he, in company with his brother, went into the milling business, and afterward sold or traded his interest for a farm, where he now lives, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Notwithstanding the unfavorable circum- stances in which he began life, he is to-day one of the wealthiest men in this part of the county.

JOHN CONKLIN, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; was born in Washington Co., Ohio, April 5, 1829 ; son of Henry Conklin, a native of Chemung Co., N. Y., and Eliza (Nott) Conklin, a native of Ohio. At the age of 7, John moved with his par- ents to this State and located in Fulton Co., remaining there about seven years; Mr. Conklin's early educational advantages were very limited indced ; in the spring of 1843, the family moved to Section 5. Bath Township, where they opened up a farm ; John

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remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of 18 years, when he married Catherine Daniels ; she was born March 15, 1830; she was a daughter of Washington Daniels ; their marriage occurred Jan. 10, 1849; they have had fifteen children, eleven of whom are now living-Mary E., Thomas J., William H., Sallie Ann, John C., James S., Charles E., George M., Martha J., Carrie E. and Ella C .; Mr. Conklin's occupation has been farming, and, by his industry, he has acquired 800 acres of land ; politically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party ; a man of quiet demeanor, just and upright and a good citizen.

CHARLES E. CONKLIN, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; a native of Bath Town- ship, Mason Co., and marks the date of his advent to that locality Sept. 1, 1857 ; with his parents, he came to this township when quite young. He married, March 5, 1877, Miss Mary J. Clotfelter, also a native of Bath Township and a daughter of Michael Clotfelter ; she was born March 5, 1856; a child-Justice V., was born to them Feb. 17, 1879. Mr. Conklin and wife are both members of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Since his marriage, he has been engaged in farming on Section 6.

WILLIAM H. CONKLIN, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; born in Bath Township, June 6, 1851 ; second son and fourth child of John and Catharine Conklin, well-known residents of this township; William remained with his parents till his 22d year, when he married Jennie E. Gore, daughter of Mrs. Jane Gore, of this county ; their marriage took place March 11, 1874 ; they have had two children-Nellie G. and Jessie. After his marriage, he located on the section of land which he now occupies and is engaged in farming.

STEPHEN DOLBIN, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; born in North Wales May 7, 1812 ; his father's name was John and his mother's name was Jane Williams ; in early life Mr. Dolbin, having heard glowing accounts of this country, resolved that he would visit it, and if satisfactory, settle, and, during the fall of the election of James Buchanan, Mr. D. and his wife arrived in this country ; they spent four years in Schuyl- kill Co., Penn .; at the solicitation of a friend, he moved to this State and located on Sand Prairie, where he had purchased some land ; the snow covered the ground, and, it being so highly recommended by his friend, he bought it-but it proved to be a bad bargain ; he paid $1,000, but was glad to realize $300 for it .; then he bought where he now lives and has labored hard and now owns 493 acres, attained by his own industry. May 18, 1838, he married Mary Huck, born Dec. 21, 1810; but two children are living- Robert and William. Mr. D. has always lived in peace with his neighbors and never had a law-suit.

FRENCH DAVIS, farmer ; P. O. Havana; was born in Mercer Co., W. Va., Sept. 13, 1830 ; his father's name was Jeremiah L. Davis, who married Elizabeth Bolin, both natives of Virginia, but of German descent; at the age of 23, he came to this State, and Havana was his first stopping-place. Oct. 7, 1854, he married Cath- arine Pulling, who was born March 6, 1837; she is a daughter of Thomas Pulling; they have five children-Lavega, born May 4, 1859; Frank, Nov. 11, 1862; James H., Nov. 9, 1864; William, Oct. 5, 1872; Julia, March 25, 1875; since his marriage, he has been engaged in farming; during the fall months, he carries on a molasses factory.

ROBERT EATON, farmer; P. O. Havana ; a native of Kent, Eng .; was born Dec. 12, 1841 ; son of Thomas Eaton and Elizabeth Newman; he came to this county in company with his parents ; his father died in 1861, and his mother in 1852. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 2d I. V. C., and served three years ; he then went into Co. A, 10th I. V. I., in which he served until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge ; upon his return to peaceful pursuits, he began farming. Oct. 11, 1865, he married Anna E. Crater, born March 12, 1845, a daughter of Joshua Cra- ter, of Fulton Co. ; they had six children, four now living-Katie V., Ernest E., Bertha M. and Willard F .; same year he bought 115 acres of improved land ; he has now good buildings on the same, and the land under excellent state of cultivation ; he is a good farmer, and a man of enterprise, and is attaining what might be termed a suc- cessful career. He is a member of the Baptist Church, at New Lebanon.

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C. C. FAGER, farmer; P. O. Havana; was born in Harrisburg, Penn., Jan. 24, 1837 ; he is a son of Samuel Fager, who died when Charles was quite young; in the year 1848, he moved West with his mother, and first landed in Havana; he lived in the country three years, and then worked at house carpentry for two years, then he returned to Havana, where he worked with the trowel for several years, and assisted in building of nearly all the structures in the town. June 13, 1861, he was married ; his wife was born in April, 1840; they have five children-Emma, Mary F., May, Charles H. and John Bertram ; in the spring of 1877, he moved to the country, where he bought 200 acres of land, and has now turned his attention to farming exclusively. Emma graduated at the High School at Havana, and is preparing to teach. Mr. Fager is a member of Old Time Lodge, A., F. & A. M., since consolidated with No. 88; also a member of Havana Chapter, No. 86, and Damascus Commandery, No. 42.

ALGERNON E. FEILD, merchant, Kilbourne. Prominent among the stanch and upright men in this township, whose interests have long been identified with the county, is A. E. Feild, who was born in Mobile, Ala., March 6, 1823; son of D. S. Feild, a native of old Virginia, and came to this State in 1836, and entered land south of Kilbourne; during his life, he was a very successful practitioner of medicine, and died in 1838; Algernon was 14 years of age when he came to this county, and had but limited educational advantages ; he was a pupil, for a short time, of the lamented Douglas; Mr. Feild has always been engaged in farming pursuits, until recently ; in 1872, he embarked in the mercantile business in the town, and has since continued it ; he still carries on his farm with the assistance of his boys. He was married, Dec. 10, 1845, to Bessie Craggs, who was born in Pontefract, Eng., May 2, 1827 ; seven children have blessed this union, but four of whom are living-Drury T., Mary Frances, Charles A. and Henry. Mr. Feild has always remained true to the principles of the Democ- racy, and, in the earlier part of his life, advocated the same upon the stump ; he was a rcady and fluent speaker ; he also served as Justice of the Peace several years.

MRS. JANE GORE, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; was born July 5, 1820, in County Antrim, Ireland ; she is the daughter of Alexander Thompson, and her mother's maiden name was Jane Stewart. Mrs. Gore, in her 14th year, came to this country with hcr parents, locating near Carrolton, Greene Co., this State. While in this locality, she was married to Edwin Gore, who was born Nov. 21, 1816. They were married Jan. 26, 1843. Nine children are the result of this union-Frances A., Charles A., William R., Thomas E., John W., Jennie, Mollie, James H. and Mattie M. In 1845, they moved to this county and built them a log cabin, near the place she now lives on. They cooked one summer out of doors, and the cabin they lived in for some time had no doors or win- dows to close the openings. She has been a member of the M. E. Church since 1841. Mr. Gore died April 16, 1866. He was an honest and upright man, and died lamented by all who knew him.

MRS. MELISSA HUNLEY, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; is a native of Mason Co., where she was born April 15, 1843; daughter of William Nevil, of Barren Co., Ky., who came to this State at an early day, and located in this county. At the age of 17, she married James J. Hunley, born in Metcalf Co., Ky., Nov. 27, 1834. This mar- riage took place Oct. 4, 1860. They then located on the land occupied by Mrs. Hun - ley, and after ten years of great happiness, he passed away, and his remains now rest in the quiet retreat of New Lebanon burial ground. His death occurred Nov. 23, 1870. He was an active and zealous worker in the church of which he was a member. Since his death, Mrs. Hunley has remained on the farm, which she still carries on with the assistance of her two boys-George W., born Nov. 1, 1863; James R., born March 7, 1866.

JAMES M. HARDIN, farmer; P. O. Kilbourne. Prominent among the old settlers in this township, and whose interests have long been identified with those of the county, is James M. Hardin, who was born in Talbot Co., Md., Dec. 12, 1817; the son of Henry and Ann (Chambers) Hardin. The family are of Scotch and Irish descent. James' parents died when he was quite young, and he was thrown upon his own resources. At the age of 21, he started for the great West, staging it to Wheeling, and

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 95

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 848

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 848