The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 99

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 99
USA > Illinois > Menard County > The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 99

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).

J. H. HUGHES, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Harry Hughes, of Scotland, who was awhile in Pennsylvania a physician and overseer of iron-works. His wife was Hannah Penchion, daughter of John Penchion, of Ireland. She was born in Pennsylvania. He died about 1849, and his wife some time afterward came to Ohio, where she died in 1871. They were both strict church members. The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 5, 1841, on a farm in Franklin Co., Penn., and there remained till 21, when he enlisted in the 21st P. V. C., and served nearly two years ; was a Corporal, and was wounded in the thigh at the battle of Bunker Hill, Va. On his return from the war, he engaged in teaching and teaming, in Noble Co., Ind., for about two years. In the spring of 1865, he left Indiana, with but little means, and came to Mason Co., Ill., having on his arrival at Havana only $13.60 ; he engaged at work in a livery stable for Joseph Taylor, of Havana, for three months, when having saved his means, he engaged in partnership with Taylor, and was thus connected for three years, when Mr. Taylor drew out and the firm changed to Hughes & Ranould, and continued such until :869, when they sold to Taylor, and Mr. Hughes engaged in farming on 40 acres of land, near Mason City, which he owned; he was also renting in addition ; he continued his farming at said place for two years, during which time he added 80 acres, and then traded his . 120 acres for the present farm of 250 acres to which he has since added, until he now has 450 acres, which have been obtained entirely by his own labor, and which he has improved and made of fine quality, and well adapted to cattle raising, which he makes a specialty. Mr. Hughes was married, in 1867, to Georgiana Taylor, daughter of Joseph Taylor, one of the early settlers of Mason Co., and once Mr. Hughes' partner in the livery business ; Mr. Taylor's wife's name was Honchin ; she was born in Kentucky, and is still living ; she had six chil- dren. Mr. Hughes has been no office-seeker, but has been connected with the schools. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Ebenezer. Their marriage blessed them with three children, all living-Cleggitt, born April 28, 1869 ; Ethiel G., July 31, 1871 ; Lulia B., Nov. 7, 1875.

CONRAD HEINHORST, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Bishop's Station ; son of William and Louisa Heinhorst of Germany ; the former was born in 1811 ; the lat- ter in 1811, also; her name before marriage was Miller, daughter of Fred Miller ; they came to this country in 1854. The subject of this sketch was born in 1837, on a farm in Germany, and remained there until 17 years old, when he came with the family to Illinois, settling near Chicago and remaining there two years ; while there, three of the family died with cholera. They next moved to Mason Co., and settled at Long Point, near Bishop's Station, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, 38th I. V. I., and was four and a half years in the war, and was Corporal. On his return, he married Mary Himmel, daughter of John Himmel. They at once settled on the present farm of 160 acres, 120 of which was inherited by his marriage, and 40 he has made by his own labor and management. They have five children-Emma, Lula, Katie, Clara, and an infant deceased. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Bishop's Station, and have been since 1866 ; he is now Trustee in the Church and Secretary in the Sabbath school; he has been School Director six years, and is now ; he also held the office of Roadmaster.

CONRAD HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Topeka; son of Adam Himmel, whose genealogy is given in the sketch of his son, T. F. Himmel, which appears in this work ; was born May 28, 1843, on a farm in Germany; when 3 years

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QUIVER TOWNSHIP.

old, he came with his parents to Mason Co., Ill., and settled on the farm where his father now lives, and remained there until 1867, at which time he made his home on the present farm of 300 acres, about one-half of which he has made by his own labor and management, and by his improvements, has transformed into a farm which ranks among the very best. In 1867, he was married to Elizabeth Bishop, of Illinois- daughter of Henry Bishop, of Mason Co., Ill .; . she was born in 1844; they began life together, on their new farm, which was but little improved, and by frugality, have made a happy home for their six children, five of whom are living-Mary M., Evaline, Clara, Emmit B. and Lewis W .; one deceased-Conrad. Mr. Himmel united with the Evan- gelical Church at the age of 14, in which he still continues; his wife is also a member. He has held the office of Church Trustee, and is now Steward, and has also been Superintendent of Sabbath school.

T. F. HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Topeka; son of Adam Himmel, who was born in 1803, and came with his family to Illinois in 1848. Being one of the early settlers of this county, he early engaged in improving the raw prairie, and by the assist- ance of his industrious companion, whose maiden name was Wise, they had gathered a portion of this world's goods ere their allotted threescore years had passed. This accu- mulation has been handed down to their nine children. They were both church mem- bers of the Evangelical Association, in which communion she died in 1866. She was born in 1804, and of course did not reach the allotted span of life, as has her companion who is now 76 years old, with a prospect of adding yet more years to a ripe old age. The subject of this sketch was born April 17, 1851, on a farm in Mason Co., Ill., where he remained with his father, until married, June 6, 1871, to Elmira Yunker, daughter of Lawrence Yunker, of Germany. She was born May 16, 1854, and came with her people to Illinois, in 1860; they now live in Peoria Co. After marriage they settled on the old homestead of their father, of 190 acres, half of which he has made by his own labor and management, and the rest was inherited ; his aged father, of whom we have spoken, makes his home with him. Their marriage blessed them with four children-Annie, Frank, Liddie and Elmira ; he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church at Bishop's Station, in which association's Sabbath school, he has held the offices of Libra- rian and Treasurer. Mr. Himmel makes a specialty of shelling corn for the public. He is agent for Smith's American and the Mendota Organ Companies, and takes quite an interest in music, an enthusiasm which began in 1870, during which year, he attend- ed the North western College, at Plainfield, Will Co., Ill.

JOHN W. HIMMEL, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. O. Topeka; son of Adam Himmel, of Germany, who came to Illinois in 1846, and is still living in Quiver Town- ship. Mr. Himmel's mother's maiden name was Weiss, daughter of Henry Weiss, of Ger- many, a teacher and musician. The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 12, 1830, in Ger- many, and remained there until 16, occupied with going to school at Weinheim; in 1846, he came to New Orleans, and shortly afterward to St. Louis, Mo., and was engaged in the Arsenal, making cartridges for the Mexican war, continuing for five years, when he came to Mason Co., Ill., and engaged in working on a farm for his uncle George Himmel for four years; he then went to making rails ; in 1854, he began farm- ing for himself, on a farm now owned by J. Shrine, and remained there four years; in 1858, he bought the present farm of 160 acres, which he has made one of fine quality ; he has added largely to his land, owning also quite an amount in Iowa. His marriage with Elizabeth Pfeit, daughter of John Pfeit, of Germany, was celebrated in 1854; nine children were the fruit of this union. . In 1851, Mr. Himmel experienced relig- ion in the Evangelical Association, in which work he throws his whole soul, and has been a local minister since 1858; his wife and part of the children are members of the same denomination ; he has held offices in the church, and was Township Collector for sev- eral years, and is, at present, Township Treasurer and Assessor, and has been for ten years ; he is also Treasurer of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, of Mason Co .; he prides himself on securing for his children valuable literature; to record, here, what friends and neighbors have said to us of him would appear too much of flattery for these pages.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

J. W. KELLEY, farmer ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Samucl and Anna Kelley ; the former was born in Delaware in 1773, and was a farmer and millwright; his wife was born about 1788, in Delaware ; her maiden name was Needles. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 8, 1819, in Delaware, where he remained until 1829, when the family moved by team to Ohio, settling near Dayton, and engaged in farming (or rather, the subject of sketch, some time, subsequently, engaged in blacksmithing); during the time they were there, Mr. Kelley's father dicd, thus leaving his son in care of a widowed mother, who came with him to Illinois in 1854, and settled on the farm where they now reside; this farm, of 305 acres, was, at that time, raw prairie, but now, by his labor, has become finc, arable land ; the means by which Mr. Kelley acquired and improved this farm were entirely the fruits of his own labor. His marriage with Clarissa Benham, daughter of R. Benham, of Miami Co., Ohio, was celebrated in 1843; seven children were the fruit of this union-three are deceased -Joseph, Cassie and William ; four living-Clarence .(who taught school and gradu- ated at Lincoln University in 1879, and is now reading law with Dearborn & Camp- bell, at Havana), Mollie, Frank and Charlie. Mr. Kelley has filled a full share of those humble, but important and useful positions in the schools, and as Township Trustee, and is now a member of the Board of Supervisors, elected in 1873, and has been an active member ever since.

DAVID KEPFORD, farmer; P. O. Topeka ; son of David Kepford, of Penn- sylvania ; born in 1803, and was a farmer, plasterer, stone and brick mason and car- penter. His mother's maiden name was Bartel-daughter of Mr. Bartcl-who died when she was quite young; David Kepford was born Jan. 29, 1836, on a farm in Ohio, and remained there until 7 years old, when the family moved by team to Indiana and settled in Noble Co., where they engaged in farming, plastering, brick and stone work and carpentering; in 1857, he came to Illinois and settled on the present farm of 120 acres, earned mostly by their own management. He married, in 1858, Hannah Colwell, daughter of William Colwell, a local minister of the M. E. Church. He died in 1861. His wife still survives, and makes her home near Bloomington, Ill., with her daughter ; they have six children-Mary A., Luella G., Emma, Charlotte, Claretta, and one not named; he has held school offiees. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church, of Topeka, in which he has held offiee as Steward, and is, at present, a Director of same.

MRS. JANE LITTELL, farmer ; P. O. Topeka ; daughter of Stephen Brown, a farmer of New Jersey ; her mother's maiden name was Bishop, daughter of James Bishop. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 9, 1815, on a farm in New Jersey ; remained there until married, in 1833, to Aaron Littell, of New Jersey. They settled in New Jersey for four or five years, and, in 1840, they came to Illinois, and settled in Greene Co., and there engaged in farming, renting for three years, when they came to Mason Co., Ill., and soon entered 80 acres of land, which they settled on, and which has since been their home. They have increased this to 240 acres, and have made it a fine farm. Mr. Aaron Littell was son of Nathaniel Littell, whose wife's maiden name · was Cosner ; he has held the office of Supervisor of Quiver Township, and was pur- chasing agent for the Grangers, which he held up to the time of his death, in 1875. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church of Mt. Bethcl, N. Y .; their union blessed them with ten children, three now dead-Sophy, William, Carrie, wife of Ver Bryck ; the living are Stephen, Harriet M., George W. C., Nathaniel, Kate, Esther and Libbie.

C. T. LESOURD, farmer ; P. O. Topeka; son of Joseph and Rachel Lesourd. The former was born in 1809, in Ohio, and was a farmer of that State ; his wife's name was Gossard, daughter of Charles Gossard, of Maryland ; she is still living with her husband, in Topeka, Ill. C. T. Lesourd was born Feb. 4, 1843, on a farm in Butler Co., Ohio, and remained there until 24, engaged in farming and horse-dealing. He 'commenced working for himself when about 19, on his father's farm, in partnership with Wm. G. Lesourd. In 1867, he came to Mason Co., Ill., settling and engaging in farm- ing; he rented of Caleb Slade, two years; in 1867, he bought the present farm, but did

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not settle on it until 1869 ; he rented the farm to J. C. Newlin. In 1870, he married Vallora Curtis, daughter of A. W. Curtis, a farmer of Butler Co., Ohio; she was born in 1844, attended school at Oxford, Ohio, and has taught school ten years. They have two children, Elvyn and Alfred. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church at Topeka. He has held offices connected with the schools and roads, and was elected Constable in 1876, which he still holds. He has 100 acres of land under finc improvement.

J. C. LEMASTERS, wagon-maker and carpenter, Topeka ; son of P. W. Lemaster, of Kentucky, who was of French desecnt, a farmer, and an early scttler of Hancock Co., Ill .; he came to Mason Co. in 1869, and is now in Nebraska ; his wife's maiden name was Crabb, daughter of Vincent Crabb, of Ohio; she died in 1865, in Illinois. J. C. Lemasters was born April 4, 1846, on a farm in Brown Co., Ohio, and remained there until 2 years old, when he came with the family to Hancock Co., Ill., and there remaincd until 1863, when he came to Fulton Co., Ill., and engaged in work- ing by the month for three months, afterward returning to Ohio and working on a farm for his unele, V. M. Crabb, and soon after removed to Fulton Co., and engaged on a farm for Miles & Warner for two years. In 1867, he came to Mason County, and engaged in teaching at Ebenezer, afterward teaching at the Bishop Schoolhouse, and in Topeka. He then engaged in merchandising, in partnership with T. J. Metzler, for six months ; Mr. Metzler then withdrew, and Lemaster continued the business for six months, and then moved the stock to Lone Trec, Neb., where he continued in mer- cantile business for six months, and then engaged in farming for four years. In 18733, he returned to Mason Co., and soon engaged in carpentering and wagon-making at Topeka, in which he still continues. He was married, in 1870, to Libby Todd, daugh- ter of Joseph Todd, and sister of, Thomas and George Todd, whose sketches appear elsewhere; she was born Aug. 15, 1845. They have two children-Lena M. and Clara R. Mr. Lemaster has held the office of Town Clerk, and is at present Clerk ; he was School Director in Nebraska. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Topeka, of which he is Steward; he is also Vice President of the Sabbath schools of Quiver Township, and is also a Sunday-school teacher at Topcka.

J. M. McREYNOLDS, farmer ; P. O. Topeka ; son of Robert McReynolds, who was born April 13, 1791, and was a turnpike builder, railroad contractor, eanal digger, distiller and farmer ; he came to Illinois in 1838; was a farmer during his career in Illinois, except while in the office of County Judge and Assessor. He married Susanna Moyer, daughter of John Moyer, of German descent ; she was born Nov. 14, 1801, in Pennsylvania; they had nine children, six of whom survive. Robert McReynolds died Nov. 15, 1872. J. M. McReynolds was born Sept. 8, 1822, in Columbia Co., Penn. In 1838, the family came by team and rail to Peoria, Ill .; shortly afterward, his father bought and settled on some land in what is now Havana Township, where J. M. remained until 1847. January 22, 1846, he was married by Rev. T. C. Lapas, of the M. E. Church, to Catharine A. Dentler ; their children were Robert H., Lemuel W., Eliza J. (who has taught school), Eugenc, Ely, Fannie A. and Willis D. His wife died Dec. 18, 1855 ; she was a member of the M. E. Church. He was married, Feb. 2, 1860, to Mary Cadwalader ; by this marriage he was blessed with seven 'children- Clara C., Adelbert C., Luclla M., Oscar R., an infant, deceased, John C. and Ralph B. Mr. McReynolds has held the office of Supervisor for two terms and has been con- nected with the sehools as Trustce and Director ; he was once Assessor of what was then Mason Plains Township. They are members of the M. E. Church at Topeka, Ill. Mr. McReynolds settled on his present farm of 230 acres in 1847, obtaincd entirely by his own labor and management. He is devoted to the Church and to his family, who cherish him as a faithful and loving father.

H. C. MCINTIRE, farmer and dealer in stock, Havana ; son of William McIn- tire, who was born in Ireland, and came to Philadelphia, Penn., when quite young, and learned street-paving; he died in 1854, being killed by horses running away. His mother's maiden name was Wilson, daughter of William Wilson, of Danish and Ger- man descent, and an early settler of New Jersey. H. C. McIntire was born May 12, 1824, in Philadelphia, and remained there until 16, when they moved to New Jersey.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

and were there until 1840, at which time they moved to Illinois by team, as was cus- tomary in those days, and settled in Jersey Co., Ill., on a farm which they bought, and engaged in farming and running a threshing machine. His wages on the farm during part of this time were $9 per month. In the winter of 1845-46, he made two trips to New Orleans, driving cattle for Robbins & Hayes, of St. Louis. In March, 1846, he began farming, renting of-Russell, of Jersey Co., Ill., for two years; he afterward ran a machine in connection with his farming .. Mr. McIntire worked with the first thresh- ing machine and cleaner that ever ran in Illinois, which was in 1841; in 1850, he bought a machine in partnership with C. S. Thompson, one year afterward buying him out. In 1851, he moved to Mason Co., settling in Havana Township, and, in the fall of 1851, he bought the present farm of 80 acres, and, in the spring of 1863, they set- tled on the same. Nov. 28, 1852, he was married to Lucy T. Wheeler, daughter of John P. Wheeler, of Maryland; he was a farmer, miller and tavern-keeper. Her mother's name was Payne, a cousin of Zachary Taylor, the President; also cousin of Col. Richard M. Johnson ; she was born Dec. 12, 1833, in Kentucky, and came to Illinois when quite young. Ten children were the fruit' of this marriage-William (deceased), Fannie M., Emma (deceased), Lizzie, Mary (deceased), Susan and Johnny (twins, both deceased), Deborah, Hudson, Freddie (deceased). Mr. McIntire makes a specialty of fine fruits, and is at present breeding fine horses. He has been no office- seeker, but was Vice President of the first Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Mason Co .; was Corresponding Secretary and Secretary of the same.

GEORGE W. TODD, farmer; P. O. Topeka; is a son of Joseph Todd, and brother of Thomas, Todd, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. The subject of these notes was born in December, 1848, in Ohio; when quite young, he came with the family to Mason Co., Ill., where they made their future home; when 20 years old, he began farming, which he still continues. In 1870, he was married to Kate Atwater, a daughter of William Atwater; she was born April 7, 1849, in Mason Co., Ill. ; . they settled on a part of the old homestead of his father, and soon afterward sold it to his sister and moved to Nebraska, where he farmed on a claim of 160 acres ; they were there nearly two years, and then returned to Illinois, and soon afterward bought eighty acres of the old homestead, which is his present abode ; he has made good improve- ments. Mr. Todd has been no office-seeker, and hence has confined his whole attention to farming and stock-raising; they have two children-Lillie and Emma.

THOMAS H. TODD, farmer ; P. O. Topeka; is a son of Joseph Todd, of Mary- land, who was born about 1800, and died in 1870, and was a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Mason Co., Ill. His wife's maiden name was Nancy De Witt, daughter of Peter DeWitt, a farmer of Pennsylvania; she was born Oct. 1, 1812, in Penn- sylvania, and died May 6, 1860. The subject of this sketch was born Nov. 23, 1841, in Ohio; when 12 years old, he came with the family to Illinois, and settled with them on Fisk's farm in Mason Co., for one year ; they then farmed for Coon until 1854, when they moved upon the present farm of 240 acres, which is now of fine quality ; the old homestead contains 400 acres ; their father remained there until death, at which time the farm was divided among the children, and Mr. Todd bought out some of the heirs, and has now 240 acres. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 28th I. V. I., and was there until the close; he was Sergeant. On his return from the war, he engaged in farming, which he still continues. In 1872, he was married, by Rev. Henry E. Decker, to Martha J. Duncan, daughter of John Duncan, of Pennsylvania ; her mother's maiden name was Greer. Mrs. Todd was born Feb. 2, 1844, in Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1862 ; her father is dead ; her mother is still living; they have three chil- dren-Joseph C., born Nov. 12, 1874; Annie E., Nov. 20, 1876, and Johnny, Feb. 14, 1879. He has held offices of schools and roads, and is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry ; he and wife are members of M. E. Church at Topeka.

A. W. VER BRYCK, farmer and teacher ; P. O. Topeka ; is the son of Richard VerBryck, who was born in 1873, in New Jersey, and was, in his younger days, a cab- inct-maker, afterward a sailor and ship-carpenter until he was about 33, when he began painting portraits and general miniature paintings; this he continued until his death,

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MANITO TOWNSHIP.

which occurred in 1867. The people of Indiana well remember this fine artist, and will long continue to praise his works. His companion (Miss Whitenack) was a daugh- ter of Andrew Whitenack, of New Jersey ; she was born in 1809 and died in 1861. The subject of this sketch was born Nov. 25, 1846, in Warren Co., Ohio, near Leb- anon, the seat of the National Normal School; at the age of 10, he came, with the family, to Johnson Co., Ind., where his father and mother departed from him ; he there attended school at the Hopewell Academy, preparatory to attending the State Univer- sity at Indianapolis, Ind., which he entered in 1862, and failed to complete the course on account of a disease of the eyes ; in 1865, he completed a course in the Commercial Department at Indianapolis; in 1871, he came to Champaign Co., Ill., and farmed one year ; afterward came to Mason Co., Ill., and bought and settled eighty acres of land three and one-half miles from Mason City, which he farms during the summer; in the winter of 1872, he began teaching, and has taught every winter since but one; hc taught two terms at Topeka, Ill .; he is engaged for the winter term at the Walker Dis- trict, Mason Co. He was married, in 1871, to Caroline Littell, of Mason Co., daughter of Aaron Littell, a farmer, one of the early settlers of Mason Co. This marriage of Mr. Ver Bryck to Miss Littell blessed them with one child-Walter O. He has held the office of Town Clerk.

MANITO TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE BLACK, hotel, Manito ; was born in Blair Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 1810, and remained there until 1857, engaged in farming and teaming; his first efforts in farming were in 1841, at which time he rented of Hawkins for two years, and next of A. R. Bell six years ; he next moved to Mr. Bell's brother's farm for five years, moving next to Tazewell Co., Ill., remaining there two years; he next rented a farm of H. Alwood for two years, afterward renting of Alexander Trent two years, and then of Mrs. Whitehead four years, after which he bought the present hotel in Manito, Ill .; moving there in 1865, and has recently improved it very much ; it is the only hotel in town, and has a very good patronage. He was married, in 1834, to Rebecca Manley, a daughter of a worthy tailor by trade; she was born in Lancaster Co., Penn. ; they had eleven children. Mr. Black is now 69 years old, and but one year of his allotted three- score and ten remains ; yct he bids fair for a few more sunny days to ripen his good old . age.

JOSEPH DAILY, farmer; P. O. Manito; was born in 1829, in Ireland, and remained there until 15 years old, when he went, with his mother, to England, and engaged in driving stage-coaches ; in 1854, he came to New York and worked for Pres- ident Fillmore for seven months ; he then mincd coal in Virginia for three months ; he then came to St. Louis and remained somc time, when he went to Kingston, Ill., and engaged in mining ; he next started a coal mine for himself near Peoria, in 1856, and some time afterward, started. another at or near Pekin, where he succeeded very well ; he hauled his coal to Mason City and exchanged it for corn, which he hauled back and sold at Pekin ; in 1859, he started another mine ncar Lancaster Landing, in partnership with Joseph Steward, and continued one winter ; he then lived in Pekin for six years, t aming; he then moved to Manito, Ill., and engaged in lumbering and buying grain ; in 1864, he bought eighty acres in Manito Township ; in 1867, he settled on it and has increased it to 640 acres; when Mr. Daily began business at Pekin, he had just five cents. Was married, in 1860, to Mary Fox, of Ireland ; they have had two children- Joseph, who died in 1865, and Joseph, born in 1866. He has property in Manito worth $1,000, and in Pekin $2,000, also 160 acres of land in Tazewell Co. ; he has held the office of Highway Commissioner and Roadmaster.

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The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois, Part 99

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