'°"-- ' ' ,> '■':. 4 1 -^-z. '- ^ x-^-' ^^^ .'■-::■ '■:%". .xV-'.^:- fe * . - \ o^^-«,3^*— ^'•'^' •^3 0^ % -:;^\^;'K^-^^>^ oV ^ '', 'r ■•^^, x°°- *■>. ■^o^ ■^<^' .X* v)> . "^ ? q,. ^^ 3^: ^ O C >^" ■ <' >. ■> 'J : .s^'-^. -6"' .r.^ m *t Y f ,6?-.S- -"^f^ s-t -<< ir ; : iMC 1' 'OT^^ ?^ , /■'T^ r,.B) M :'V>, OF WARREN GOCKTY, lUINOIS, coiTTAimiifo Full [Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, TOCrETHER 'WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS AND OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES. Also €ontfiininf/ A Histoftf of tlut County, from its Eai-tiest Settlement U2* to the Present Time. 4 CHICAGO : CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1886. ■X ' ■ ' r -r >i- V . ■»> i^af^^ W5^ ■c-^» — »• — H^ 4 'E have completed our labors in writing and compiling the Portrait and Bio- iiGRAPHiCAL Album of this county, and wish, in presenting it to our patrons, to speak briefly of the importance of local works of this nature. It is certainly the duty of tlie present to commemorate the past, to perpetuatethe names of the pioneers, to furnish a record of their early settlement, and to relate the story of their progress. le civilization of our day, the enlightenment of the age, and this solemn duty which men of the present time owe to their ancestors, to themselves and to their posterity. demand that a record of their lives and deeds should be made. In local history is found a power to instruct man by precedent, to enliven the mental faculties, andto waft down the river of time a safe vessel in which the names and actions of the people who contributed to raise this region from its primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly the noble men, who in their vigor and prime came early to the county and claimed the virgin soil as their heritage, are passing to their graves. The number remaining who can relate the history of the first days of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an actual necessity exists for the collection and preservation of his- torical matter without delay, before the settlers of the wilderness are cut down by time. Not only is it of the greatest importance to render history of pioneer times full and accurate, but it is also essen- tial that the history of the county, from its settlement to the present day, should be treated through its various phases, so that- a record, complete and impartial, may be handed down to the future. The present the age of progress, is reviewed, standing out in bold relief over the quiet, unostentatious olden times; it is a brilliant record, which is destined to live in the future; the good works of men, their magnificent enterprises, theii lives, whether commercial or military, do not sink into oblivion, but, on the contrary, grow brighter with age, and contribute to build up a record which carries with it precedents and principles that will 1 e advanced and observed when the acts of soulless men will be forgotten and their very names hidden in obscurity. In the preparation of the personal sketches contained in this volume, unusual care and pains were taken to have them accurate, even in the smallest detail. Indeed, nothing was passed lightly over or treated indifferently ; and we flatter ourselves that it is one of the most accurate works of its nature ever published. As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of numerous represent- ative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of to-day, as well as the pioneers, represented in this department; and we congratulate ourselves on the uniformly high character of the gentlemen whose portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men, and are selected from all the call- ings and professions worthy to be given. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with those given; but of course it was impossible for us to give portraits of all the leading men and pioneers of the county. We are under great obligation to many of the noble and generous people of this county for kindly and material assistance in the preparation of this Album. Chicago, March, i886. CHAPMAN BROTHERS. :rje -X 4^ rv^ --H^ ir -t* ^.— ^ ^(^ ■■-HH>; *£i\?/fe^t OF THE y mm ML V5^ ii'Wi r¥ \ 'ii\i^ ^iTi <^" li '9^ AND OF THE ^^- _ u r',0 5: "^-^ii >i-^ VJ ^i --^ OF TN£; 4 ^^ TT -STATE'S '^ "^•t)""*/? >• ^i^V-* •J^ '^ HlvH^ COPYRIGHTED J^ 1 11 V ri T^ ■ cJ » •T -e4^ FIRST PRESIDENT. ^^ 19 .,«.sy^ 01V-' ^rU'tni'iai'rVJiV^i ;'■;'■ ■, vi^iss'iiiyi ;='i;?.':a:«.; >' ; 1' .■ 1' ; 1' , .■ V.*S(^V^<^^)^^ HE Father of our Country was % born in Westmorland Co., Va., a Feb. 22, 1732. His parents ji were Augustine and Mary (Ball) Washington. The family to which he belonged has not been satisfactorily traced in England. His great-grand- father, John Washington, em- igrated to Virginia about 1657, and became a prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence and John. The former married Mildred Warner and had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. Augus- tine, the father of George, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached maturity. Of si.v children by his second marriage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred. Augustine Washington, the father of George, died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on the Patomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, and to George he left the parental residence. George received only such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a short time after he left school, when he received private instruction in mathematics. His spelling was rather defective. I zr:-J^r- Remarkable stories are told of his great physical strength and development at an early age. He was an acknowledged leader among his companions, and was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- ness and veracity which characterized his whole life. When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, but through the opposition of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two years later he was appointed surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business he spent three years in a rough frontier life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very essential to him. In 175 t, though only 19 years of age, he was aiipointed adjutant with the rank of major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for active service against the French and Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter who did not long survive him. On her demise the estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- cepted, which others had refused. This was to pro- ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey was to be made without military escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The r •"-^ GEORGE WASHINGTON. trip was a perilous one, and several limes lie came near losinj^ his lite, yet he returned iit s.itety and furnished a full and useful report ot liis exitedilion. A regiment of 300 nien was raised in Virginia and put in com- mand of Col. Joshua J'lv, and Major AVashinglon was (Xinimissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was then begun against the French and Indians, in which Washington took a most inijxjrtant part. In the memorable event of Jidy 9, 1755, known as Brad- dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer of disiinctior. who escajied from the calamities of the day with life and lionor. The other aids of liraddock were disabled early in the action, and Washington alone was left in that cai)acity on the field. In a letter to his brother he says : "1 had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, though death was levelin", my companions on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit him. .Vfter having been five years in the military service, and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he look advantage uf the fall of Fort Dutiuesne and the expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, to resign his commission. .Soon after he entered the Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an active and imixjrtant part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis. When the British Parliament had closed llie port of Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." It was then, at the suggestion of \'irginia, that a Con- gress of all the colonies was called to meet at Phila- delphia,Se|)t. 5, 1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of England were jjlainly apparent. The battles of Con- cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the first acts of this Congress was the election of a com- mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and responsiljlc office was conferred upon Washington, who was still a memlier of the Congress. He accepted it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he receive no salary. He would keej) an exact account of expenses and expect Congress 10 pav them and nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to trace the military acts of Washington, to whom the fortunes and liberties of the people of this country were so long confided, 'i'he war was conducted by him under every possible disadvantage, and while his forces often inet with reverses, yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. On Dec. 23, 17S3, Washington, in a parting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army to to the Continental Congress sitting at AnnaiKilis. He retired immediately to Mount \ernon and resumed his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning all connection wilh public life. In February, 1789, Washington was unanimously elected I'resiileiit. In his presidential career ht was subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new government ; trials from lack of confidence on the pari of other governments; trials from want of hamiony between the different sections of our own country; trials from the impoverished condition of the country, owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His clear judgujeiit could discern the golden mean; and while perhaps tlfis alone kept our government from sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to attacks from both sides, which were ofien bitter and very annoying. At the expiration of his first term he was unani- mously re-elected. At the end of this term many were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there his few remaining yeais free from the annoyances of ]Hililic life. Later in the year, however, his reiKise j seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. *J .\t the prospect of such a war he was again urged to | take command of the armies. He chose his sub- ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- ters in the field, which he superinter.ded from his. home. In accepting the command he made the reservation that he was not to be in the field until it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2, he took a seveie cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling in Irs throat, ])roduced inflammation, and terminated fatally on the night of llie fourteenth. On the eigh- teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its final resting place, and interred in the family vault at Mount Vernon. Of the character of Washington it is impossible to speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- miration. The more we see of the operations of our government, and the more deeply we feel the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, the more highly we must estimate the force i)f his tal- ent and character, which have been able to challenge the reverence of all jjarties, and principles, and na- tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will be as lasting as the existence of man. The person of Washington was unusally tall, erect and well |)roiX)rtioned. His muscular strength was great. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. He commanded respect without any appearance of haughtiness, and ever serious without being dull. *% r :/ 'om , 4(/a,/r/j ^•fi*f Krnms*wt r.*iMIHH 4^ SECOND PRESIDENT. m » .f„* ,t. * **,44*.A.:A .t* .ts * A * * *>* * * A A, .t. 4 A 44A.44ife-4A«A«44444i44 .44<8Mi ^ <«« .(^^ OHN ADAMS, the second , President and the first Vice- ' President of the United States, was born in Braintree ( now Quincy ),Mass., and about ten ""^ miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1640, with a family of eight sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, to which he added the bus- iness of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical educa- tion at Harvard College. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed liimself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the lowii. He had thought seriously of the clerical profession but seems to have been turned from this by wliat he termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- cils, of diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,"' of tlie oper.itions of which he had been a witness in his native town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceii- tive powers. He gradually gained practice, and in 1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage, (1765), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- tion turned him from law to politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- ^'W^P^i tions he offered on the subject became very popular throughout the Provnice, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos- ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous and prominent advocatesof the jxipular cause, and was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- lislature) in 1770. Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegates from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguislied himself by his capacity for business and for deljate, and ad- vocated the movement for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies should assume tlie duties of self-government. He was a prominent member of the committee of five apix)inted June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through Congress in a three days debate. On the day after the Declaration of Independence was passed, while his soul was yet warm with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in .America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, ' that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- pendent states.' The day is passed. The fourth of July, 1776, will lie a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celel>rated by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with iwmp, showsi ^ V ^ 4* 24 r^ 4 JOHN ADAMS. games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these States; yet, tlirough all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which 1 hope we shall not." In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was ajjpointed a delegate to France and to co-operate with Benijamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French Government. This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- posed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- ers, who were seeking him. He left France June 17, 1779. In Septeuiljer of the same year he was again cliosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet might l)e found willing to listen to such i)ioposels. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to H )lland, where he negotiated im[iortant loans and formed important commercial treaties Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. .Adams had passed threw him into a fevei. After suffering from a con- tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to goto England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping ancfdespond- ing, he received dispatches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trij). February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face to face the King of England, who had so long re- garded him as a traitor. .\s England did not condescend to appoint a minister to the United States, and as Mr. .\dams fell that he was accom- plishing but little, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June, 17 88. When Washington was first chosen President, John Adams, rendered illustiions by his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice President, .\gain at the second election of W^ishington as President, Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was elet ted President, though not without nuich opposition. S>,'rving in this office four vears,he was succeeded by Mr. JeTerson, his opponent in politics. While Mr. Adams was Vice President the great • K F'rench Revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the F'rench people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-government, and he utterly abhored the classof atheist philosojihers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand Jefl'erson's sympathies were strongly enlisted i)i beh.iif of the French people. Hence or- iginated the alienation between these distinguished men, and two jxiwerful ])arties were thus soon organ- ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England and Jefferson led the other in sympathy with France. The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling had died away, and he had begun to receive that just ajiiueciation which, to most men, is not accorded till after death. No one could look ujion his venerable form, and think of what he had done and suffered, and huw he had given up all the prime and strength of his life to the public good, without the deepest emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar -good fortune to witness the complete success of the institution which he had been so active in creating and su[)porting. In 1824, his cup of ha|)piness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people. The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left uiKin the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly iiilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- DErKNnK.NcK. FORKVER," When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was.' He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- ious founh of July — God bless it — God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were, "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- signed his spiiit into the hands of his God. The personal apjiearance and manners of Mr. .Adams were not jjarticulaily prepossessing. His face, as his ]iortrait manifests.was intellectual ard ex]>res- sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were freub- lic, and all that time had been employed in offices of the greatest trust and responsibility. Having thus de- voted the best part of his life to the service of his country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his declining years required, and Ujwn the organization of the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio. Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole families came in their coaches with their horses, — fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and nurses, — and remained three and even six months. (,ife at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a fashionable walerinc- place. The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- sary of the Declaration of American Independence, great preparations were made in every part of the Union for its celebration, as the nation's Jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity ot the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer, and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- tion, to |)articipate in their festivities. But an ill- ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and had been continually increasing, comjjelled him to decline the invitation. On the second of July, the disease under which he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced state that his medical attendants, entertained no hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the next day, which was Monday, he asked of those around him, the day of the month, and on being told it was the third of July, he expressed the earnest wisii that he might be permitted to breathe tie airof the fiftieth anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, whose dawn was hailed with such rajjlure through our land, burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- ever. And what a noble coi.summation of a noble life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,-- • the day which his own name and his own act had rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole nation, who looked up to him, . as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, "^ was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. • Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear j him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and animated their desponding countrymen; for half a century they had labored together for tne good of the country; and now hand in hand they depart. In their lives they had been united in the same great cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not divided. In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes were light, his hair originally red, in afterlife became white and silvery ; his compk'xion was fair, his fore- head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great fortitude of mind as well as personal courage ; and his command of tem- per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends never recollected to have seen him in a jiassion. His manners, though dignified, were sim[)le and un- affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- sation he was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and his language was remarkably pure and corret t. He was a finished classical scholar, and in his writings is discernable the care with which he formed his style upon the best models of antiquity. -^ ^€4::::?: :)('. FOURTH PRESIDENT. 3' ^priQES n]:aDisoi]. ^ AMES MADISON, "Father of the Constitution," and fourth President of the United States, was born March i6, 1757, and died at his home in Virginia, *^ June 28, 1836. The name of James Madison is inseparabl)- con- nected with most of the important events in that heroic period of our country during which the founda- tions of this great repubUc were laid. He was the last of the founders of the Constitution of the United States to be called to his eternal reward. The-Madison family were among the early emigrants to the New World, landing upon the shores of the Chesa- peake but 15 years after the settle- ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison was an opulent planter, residing uix)n a very fine es- tate called "Montpelier," Orange Co., Va. The mansion was situated in the midst of scenery highly pictur- esque and romantic, on the west side of South-west Mountain, at the foot of Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and political attachment existed between these illustrious men, from their early youth until death. The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. Here he applied himself to study with the most i"' prudent zeal ; allowing himself, for months, but- three hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so seriously impaired that he never recovered any vigor of constitution. He graduated in 177 i, with a feeble body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning which embellished and gave proficiency to his subsr ■ , quent career. Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of law and a course of e.xtensive and systematic reading. This educational course, the spirit of the times in which he lived, and the society with which he asso- ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of mind, and his frail health leading him to think that his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mmd suigularly free from passion and prejudice, and with almost unequalled powers of reasoning, he weighed all the arguments for and against revealed religion, until his faith became so established as never to be shaken. In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to frame the constitution of the State. The next year (1777), he was a candidate for the General Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and consequently lost his election ; but those who had witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to the E.\ecutive Council. Botli Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained member of the Council ; and their ai)preciation of his *% A -*-^ 32 JAMES MADISON. intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 1 7 80, he was elected a member of the Continental Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of the most consjjicuous positions among them. For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- gress, one of its most active and influential members. In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was elected a n)ember of the Virginia Legislature. No man felt more deeiily than Mr. Madison the utter inethcicncy of the old confederacy, with no na- tional government, with no power to form treaties which would be binding, or to enforce law. There was not any State more prominent than Virginia in the declaration, that an etificient national government must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison carried a resolution through the General Assembly of Virginia, inviting the other States to ajjpoint commis- sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss this subject. Five States only were re[)resented. The convention, however, issued another call, drawn up by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their delegates to Phitadelpliia, in May, 1787, to draft a Constitution for the United States, to take the place of that Confederate League. The delegates met at the time appointed. Kvery State but Rhode Island 'was represented. (George Washington was chosen president of the convention; and the present Consti- tution of the United States was then and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- tive in framing this immortal document than the mind and the pen of James Madison. The Constitution, adopted by a vote 81 to 79, was to be presented to the several States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected we should be left but a conglomeration of independent States, with but little ix)wer at home and little respect abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- tion to draw up an address to the people of the United States, expounding the princiiiles of the Constitution, and urging its adoption. There was great opposition to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and went into effect in 1789. Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Rei)re- sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the avowed leader of the Republican party. While in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs, Todd, a young widow of remarkable jxjwer of fascination, whom he married. She was in person and character - r # \ \ ^^^^^'^^^^^^^^ ^^-z__ i- , — ^ir:=:; — FIFTH PRESIDENT. 35 PEQES n]01]^0B. *f* \ AMES MONROE, the fifth S>- Presidentof The United States, was born in Westmoreland Co., Va., April 28, 1758. His early life was passed at the place of nativity. His ancestors had for many years resided in the prov- ince in which he was born. When, at 17 years of age, in the process of .completing his education at William and Mary College, the Co- lonial Congress assembled at Phila- delphia to deliberate upon the un- just and manifold oppressions of Great Britian, declared the separa- tion of the Colonies, and promul- gated the Declaration of Indepen- dence. Had he been born ten years before it is highly probable that he would have been one of the signers of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left school and enlisted among the patriots. He joined the army when everything looked hope- less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased from day to day. The invading armies came pouring in; and the tories not only favored the cause of the mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- tending with an enemy whom they had been taught to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through difficulty and danger, the United States owe their political emancipation. The young cadet joined the ranks, and espoused the cause of his injured country, with a firm determination to live or die with her strife ■ ■ A • for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and White Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled before its foes through New Jersey. In four months after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots had been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the leffj.l shoulder. «c As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy- wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued aid-de-canip; but becoming desirous to regain his position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed owing to the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun- teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. In 1782, he was elected from King George county, a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the Executive Council. He was thus honored with the confidence of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having at this early period displayed some of that ability and aptitude for legislation, which were afterwards employed with unremitting energy for the public good. 36 JAMES MONROE. -^^^^ 4 he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of the Congress of the United States. Deeplyas Mr. Monroe felt the im|)erfei tionsof theold Confederacy, he was opposed totlie new Constitution, thinking, with many others of the Republican party, that it gave too much powt-r to the Central Government, and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm supj)orters, and who, notwithstanding his ojiposition secured its adoption. In 1789, he became a member of the United States Senate; which office he held for four years. Every month the line of distinction be- tween the two great parties which divided the nation, the Federal and the Republican, was growing more distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- arated them were, that the Re[)alilican party was in sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a strict construction of the Constitution as to give the Central (jovernment as little power, and the State Governments as much iwwer, as the Constitution would warrant. The Federalists symjjathized with England, and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- stitution, which would give as much power to the Central Government as that document could possibly authorize. The leading Federalists and Republicans were alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the good of the nation. Two more honest men or more pure i)atriots than John Adams the Federalist, and James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In building up this majestic nation, which is destined to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- bination of their antagonism was needed to create the light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- nounced as almost a demon. Washington was then President. England had es- poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn into the conllict. We were feeble and far away. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- tween these contending powers. France had helped us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now combined to prevent the French from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that which we had endured Col. Monroe, more magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at whatever hazard, we should hel|i our old allies in their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous and noble nature. He violently opposed the I'res- ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in magnanimity. Washington, who could appreciate such a character, developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, by appointing that very James Monroe, who was de- nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. Mon- roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the office for three yeais. He was again sent to trance to co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining the vast territory then known as the Province of Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were suc- cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and district of Louisiana were added to the United States. This was i)robably the largest transfer of real estate which was ever made in all the history of the world From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- tain from that country some recognition of our rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those odious impressments of our seamen. but Eng- land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- land on the same mission, but could receive no redress. He returned to his home and was again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned to accept the position of Secretary of State under Madison. While in this office war with England was declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during these trying times, the duties of the War Department were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient business man in his cabinet. L^jion the return of peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec- tion held the jjrevious autumn Mr. Monroe himself had been chosen President with but little opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years later he was elected for a second term. Among the important measures of his Presidency were the cession of Florida to the L'nited States; the Missouri Compromise, and the " Monroe doctrine.'' This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1S23. At that time the United States had recognized the independ- ence of the South American slates, and did not wish to have European powers longer attempting to std)- due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine is as follows: "That we sliouUl consider any attempt on the part of European ])owers to extend their sys- tem to any portion of this heniisijhere as dangerous to our peace and safety," and "that we could not view any interposition for the pur]K)se of oppressing or controlling American governments or provinces in any other light than as a manifestation by European I)owers of an unfriendly dis|)osition toward the United States." This doctrine immediatelv affected the course of foreign governments, and has become the ap[)roved sentiment of the United States. At the end of his second term Mr. Monroe retired to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, when he went to New York to live with his son-in- law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831. la: V !^H- SIXTH PRESIDENT. 39 (^■'K^, .gte^'/L^!^\jLL^a. '^■^,°(^ WTi^iC^'^io* •sP'^f^'^'^J*^*^ ^*i<^ *P ^*!s». Hp^°^" sP ^viv^'Si' *'A'^ 'S* -vi\> •a* *vi v^*^^yi^» 'S^ ^/i^t(* ^/?v^ •S* ^/^^ tP 30511 QUIRGY ^D^EQS. 7R '''*"^,.<- ^,.,^ -»,«- -,.,, ^,.^^ ^..«- -,-..,-ji^..<- ^..-^ -...-^ ^v-^ -,.«- ^,..^ ~,^ -,v.-^ -...-,'''* OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth President of the United ^Slates, was born in the rural home of his honored father, John Adams, in Quincy, Mass., on the I I th of July, 1767. His mother, a woman of exalted worth, watched over his childhood during the almost constant ab- sence of his father. When but eight years of age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, listen- ing to the booming of the great bat- tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on upon the smoke and flames billow- ing up from the conflagration of Charlestown. When but eleven years old he took a tearful adieu of his mother, to sail with his fattier for Europe, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. The bright, animated boy spent a year and a half in Paris, where his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as minister plenipotentiary. His intelligence attracted ihe notice of these distinguished men, and he received from them flattering marks of attention. Mr. Jolin Adams had scarcely returned to this country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. Again John Quincy" accompanied his father. At Paris he applied himself with great diligence, for six months, to study; then accom pained his father to Holland, where he entered, first a school in Amsterdam, then the University at Leyden. About a year from this time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- ister to the Russian court, as his private secretary. In this school of incessant labor and of enobling culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned to Holland through Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and Bremen. Tliis long journey he took alone, in the winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed his studies, under a private tutor, at Hague. Thence, *% in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father to Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming acquaintance with the most distinguished men on the Continent; examining arctiitectural remains, galleries of paintings, and all renowned works of art. At Paris he again became associated with the most illustrious men of all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal themes which can engross the human mind. After a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, when he returned to America. To a brilliant young man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, and who was familiar with the etiquette of courts, a residence with his father in London, under such cir- cumstances, must have been extremely attractive; Init with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- ferred to return to America to complete his education in an American college. He wished then to study law, that with an honorable profession, he might be able to obtain an independent support. Upon leaving Harvard College, at the age of twenty, he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- pointed by Washington, resident minister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached London in October, where he was immediately admit- ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, assisting them in negotiating a commercial treaty with Gieat Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight in London, he proceeded to the Hague. In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as minister plenipotentiary. On his way to Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but requesting him to remain in London until he should receive his instructions. ■\\"hile waiting he was married to an American lady to whom he. had been previously en- gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughter of Mr. Joshua Johnson, American consul in London; a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- plishment which eminently fitted her to move in the elevated sphere for which she was destined. LA J -< r ■^-^ 40 /OZ/JV QUINCY ADAMS. 4 He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; wiiere he reuuiincd until July, 1799, when, having ful- filled all the purix)ses of his mission, he solicited his recall. Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to the Senate of Massachusetts, from Boston, and then was elected Senator of the United States for six years, from the 4th of March, 1S04. His reputation, his ability and his experience, placed him immediately among the most prominent and influential memliers of that l)ody. Especially did he sustain the Ciovern- ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- ments of England, destroying our commerce and in- sulting our flag. There was no man in America more familiar with the arrogance of the Britisli court upon these points, and no one more resolved to present a firm resistance. In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- idential chair, and he immediately nominated John Qiiincy Adams minister to St. Petersburg. Resign- ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked at Boston, in August, 1809. While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- dent. He devoted his attention to the language and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to the European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to the climate and astronomical observations ; wliile he kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the universities of Euroiie, a more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. All tlirough life the Bible constituted an important part of his studies. It was his rule to read five chapters every day. On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the Presidential chair, and immediately apiwinted Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- erous friends in public and private life in Eurojie, he sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. f)n the i8th of August, he again crossed the threshold of his home in (Juincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary of State. Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second term of office, new candidates began to be presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. .\dams brought forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. Party s[)irit was never more bitter. Two luindred and sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- ceived ninety nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; William H. Crawford, forty -one; Henry Clay, thirty- seven. As there was no choice by the people, the question wei-.t to the House of Representatives. Mr. Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and he was elected. The friends of all the disappointed candidates now combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon Mr. ,\(l:ims. There is nothing more disgraceful in the past history of our country than the abuse which was jxjured in one uninterrupted stream, u[X)n this high-minded, upright, patriotic man. There never was an administration more pure in principles, more con- scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- try, than that of John Quincy Adams ; and never, per- haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- lously and outrageously assailed. Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising early, and taking much exercise. \\'hen at his home in Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast, seven miles to Boston. In W'ashington, it was said that he was the first man up in the city, lighting his own fire and applying himself to work in his library often long before dawn. On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- dent. The slavery question now began to assume jxjrtentous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to Quincy and to his studies, wliich he pursued with un- abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was elected representative to Congress. For seventeen years, until his death, he occu|)iedthe jxjst as repre- sentative, towering above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle' for freedom, and winning the title of "the old man eloquent." Uj^n taking his seat in the House, he announced that he should hold him- self bound to no party. Probably there never was a member more devoted to his duties. He was usually the first in his place in the morning, and the last to leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could be brought fi)rward and escape his scrutiny. The battle whiih Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime in Its moral daring and lieroism. For persisting in presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, with expulsion from the House, with assassination ; but no tlireats could intimidate him, and his final triumph was complete. It has been said of President Adams, that when liis body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of fourscore yeais, yielding to the simple faith of a little child, he was accustomed torei)eat every night, before he slept, the jjrajer which his mother taught him in his infant years. On the 2istof February, 1848, he rose on the floor of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by paraly- sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and said " This is tin- endof carlli ."then after a moment's ))ause he added, '' I am conUnt" These were the last words of the grand " C)ld Man Eloquent." < lA: r #■ -a. S£ VENTH PRESIDENT. !?^-¥^ 43 L> -^4lL?ill2.^ S5-7<6~='»T55 5551FT-s^2i|^-jjjf;r»N„ : b- NDREW JACKSON, the seventh President of the 'f United States, was born in Waxhaw settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few days after his father's death. His parents were poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their abode in Waxhaw set- tlement, where they lived in deepest jMverty. Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His features were coarse, his form un- gainly; and there was but very little in his character, made visible, which was at- tractive. When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. The brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate blow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- ful gashes, — one on the hand and the other upon the head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert with the same demand. He also refused, and re- ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite diiabled him, and which probably soon after caused his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and were finally stricken with the small-pox. Their mother was successful in obtaining their exchange, and took her sick boys home. After a long illness Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother soon left him entirely friendless. Andrew supported himself in various ways, such as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, gave more attention to the wild amusements of the times than to his studies. In 1788, he was appointed solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of which Tennessee was then a part. This involved many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish with the Sharp Knife. In 17 9 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who supposed herself divorced from her former husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson into disfavor. During these years he worked hard at his profes- sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand,' one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- ially disgraceful. In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson was one of the delegates. The new State was entitled to but one member in the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack- son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he rode to Philedclphia, where Congress then held its *x tiXi ■ > ^e4-^ ^^^ 44 ANDRE IV JACKSON. 1, sessions, — a distance of about eight luindred miles. Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- cratic pirty. Jefferson was his idol. He admired Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. Jaikson took his seat. Gen. Washington, wliose second term of oflice was then expiring, delivered his last s|)eech to Congress. A committee drew Lip a complimentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson did not approve of the address, and was one of the twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. Washington's adminstration had been " wise, firm and patriotic." Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the Supreme Court of his Slate, which position he held fjr si.x years. WIk'u the war of 181 2 witii Great Britian com- menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. Aaron Burr sent word to the President that there was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who would do credit to a commission if one were con- ferred uixsn him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson offered his services and those of twenty-five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, and the troops were assenil)led at Nashville. As the British were hourly expected to make an at- tack I'.pon New Orleans, where Gen. \Vilkinson was in command, he was ordered to descend tlie river with fifteen hundred troops to aid Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, the men were ordered back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jackson had displayed, and his entire devotion to the comrfort of his soldiers, won him golden opinions; and he became the most popular man in the State. It was in this ex[)edition that his toughness gave him the nickname of " Old Hickory." Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip Col. Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- tlers, were commiiting the most awful ravages. De- cisive action becanie necessary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Alabama. The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on one of the bendsof the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Strother. With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven days. He reached their fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th of March. 1814. The bend of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with an ample suply of arms were assembled. The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When bleeding and dying, they would fight those who en- deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- rios were killed .\ few probably, in the night, swam the river and escaped. 'Phis ended the war. 'Phe [lower of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold plunge into the wilderness, with its terriffic slaughter, so a|)palled the savages, that the haggard remnants of the bands came to the camp, begging for peace. This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will than (ien. Jackson could have conducted this Indian campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he was appointed major-general. Late in .\ugust, with an army of two thousand men, on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson came to Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed a force ui)on the beach, anchored near tlie little fort, and from both ship and shore commenced a furious assault The battle was long and doubtful. .\l length one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, .\nd the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, was in reality a very arduous campaign. 'Phis won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his troops, which numbered about four thousand men, won a signal victory over the British army of about nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, successful in the election of 1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins of the government, he met with the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of her death he never recovered. His administration was one of the most memorable in the annals of our country; applauded by one party, condemned by the other. No man had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. .Xt the expiration of his two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- son's life wew that of a devoted Christian man. N^ V ^^--t?: EIGHTH PRESIDENT. =t* 47 m^ W\\M ARTIN VAN BUREN, the eighth President of the United States, was born at Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1782. He died at the same [)lace, July 24, 1862. His body rests in the cemetery at Kinderhook. Above it is a [ilain granite shaft fifteen feet high, bearing a simple inscription about half way up on one face. The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded by shrub or flower. There is but little in the life of Martin Van Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many signal victories, his days passed uneventful in those incidents which give zest to biography. His an- cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- ligence and e.xemplary piety. He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies in his native village, and commenced the study of law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven years of study in a law-office were required of him before he could be admitted to the bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and conscious of his powers, he pur- sued his studies with indefatigable industry. After spending six years in an office in his native village, he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the seventh year. In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- lage. The great conflict between the Federal and Republican party was then at its height. Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politician. He had, perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the many discussions which had been carried on in his father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with ' Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- eral party held the supremacy both in his town and State. His success and increasing ruputation led him, after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, the county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years, constantly gaining strength by co'ntending in the courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned the bar of his State. Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short years she sank into the grave, the victim of consump- tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep over her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer. The record of those years is barren in items of public interest. In T 81 2, when thirty years of age, he was chosen to the State Senate, and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's adminstration. In 1815, he was ap- pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved to Albany, the capital of the State. While he was acknowledged as one of the most prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had "T rAj ^ 1 48 I . ■ YTZ: . MARTIN VAN BUREN. %* the moral courage to avow lliat true democracy did not reciuire that " universal suffrage " which admits the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right of governing the State. In true consistency with his democratic principles, he contended that, while the jiath leading to the privilege of voting should be open to every man without distinction, no one should be invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue and some property interests in the welfare of the State. In 1 82 I he was elected a member of the United States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat in the convention to revise the constitution of his native State. His course in this convention secured the approval of men of all parties. No one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the interests of all classes in the community. In the Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a conspicuous position as anactiveand useful legislator. In I.S27, John Quincy Adams being then in the Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to the Senate. He had lieen from the beginning a de- termined opposer of the Administration, adopting the "State Rights" view in opposition to what was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. . Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United States contributed so much towards ejecting John (). Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- garded throughout the United States as one of the most skillful, sagacious and cunning of politicians. It was supjxjsed that no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all the wires to put his machinery in motion ; and how to organize a jwlitical army which would, secretly and stealthily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these powers it is said tliat lie outv/itted Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and secured results which few thought then could be accomplished. When Andrew Jackson was elected President he apix.inted Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This IK)sition he resigned in 1831, and was immediately appointed Minister to England, where he went the same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, refused to ratify the nomination, and he returned home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson ; and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he took his place at the head of that Senate which had refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of President Jackson in liehalf of his repudiated favor- ite ; and this, probably more than any other cause, secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu- tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United States. He was elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the retiring President. " Leaving New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton, "the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred upon him the power to appoint a successor." His administration was filled with exciting events. 'I'he insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- volve this country in war with England, the agitation of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- cial panic which spread over tTie country, all were trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- tributed to the management of the Democratic party, and brought the President into such disfavor that he failed of re-election. With the exception of being nominated for the Presidency by the " F'ree Soil" Democrats, in 1848, Mr. Van Buren lived tjuietly upon- his estate until his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, and living within his income, had now fortunately a competence for his declining years. His unblemished character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he had occupied in the government of our country, se- cured to him not only the homage of his party, but the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from the presidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he still exerted a powerful influence ujxjn the politics of the country. From this time until his death, on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of culture and of wealth; enjoying in a healthy old age, probably far more happiness than he had before experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. +-1- ^ V y^ M/^Ci^i^^-^^^>^ 'M^-t-''^"~-^~Htfrff-i^iT^'-^ir^™~-'-™^-^'^"^' -e4U^ =—- . ^y. . NINTH PRESIDENT. ^^ 51 ^i=^ ^ I ILLIAM HENRY HARRI- SON, the ninth President of the United Stales, was born at Berkeley, Va., Feb. g, 1773. His father, Benjamin Harri- son, was in comparatively op- ulent circumstances, and was one of the most distinguished men of his day. He was an intimate friend of George Washington, w as early elected a member of the Continental Congress, and was conspicuous among the patriots of Virginia in resisting the encroachments of the British crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- rison and John Hancock were both candidates for the office of speaker. Mr Harrison was subsequently chosen Governor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His son, i William Henry, of course enjoyed in childhood all the advantages which wealth and intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- ing received a thorough common-school education, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated with honor soon after the death of his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia tostudy medicine under the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, signers of the Declaration of Independence. Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- withstanding the remonstrances of his friends, he abandoned his medical studies and entered the army, having obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- *t dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. From that time lie passed gradually upward in rank until he became aid to General Wayne, after whose death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This Territory was then entitled to but one member in Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that position. In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory was divided by Congress into two portions. The eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced in the State of Ohio, was called '" The Territory north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which included' what is now called Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil- liam Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap- pointed by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as extensive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- vested with powers nearly dictatorial over the now rapidly increasing white population. The ability and fidelity with which he discharged these responsible duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four times appointed to this office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- dent Madison. When he began his adminstration there were but three white settlements in that almost boundless region, now crowded with cities and resounding with all the tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly opposite Louisville; one at Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the thiid a French settlement. The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. About \ r WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. \ the year 1806, two extraordinary mer, twin brothers, of the Shawnese tribe, rose among thcni. Or.e ot these was called Teciunseh, or " The Crouching I'anther;" the other, Olliwacheca, or "'I"he Hropliet. " Tecuniseh was not only an Indian warrior, Init a man 111 great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- able perseverance in any enterprise ni which he might engage. He was inspired with the higiiest enthusiasm, and had long regarded with dread and with hatred the encroachment of the whites iqion the liunting- grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was anorator, who could sway the feelings of llie untutored Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which they dwelt. But the I'rophet was not merely an orator: lie was, in the superstitious minds of the Indians, invested with the suiierhunian dignity of a medicine-man or a magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went from tril)e to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent ijy the Great Spirit. (jov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Ti[)pe- canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. October 2S, 1812, his army began its inarch. When near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made their ai)pearance and inquired why Gov. Harriion was approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a short conference, arrangements were made for a meet- ing the next day, to agree upon terms of [)cace. But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with the Indian character to be deceived by suih protes- tations Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- campment, he took every precaution against surprise. His troops were (wsted in a hollow square, and slept upon their arms. The troo|js threw themselves upon the ground for rtst; but every man iiad his accourtrements on, his loaded musket by his side, and his bajonet fixed. The wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the Indians had crept as near as possi- ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all the desperation whicli superstition and passion most highly inflamed could give, u))on the left flank of the little army. The savages had been anqjly provided with guns and ammunition by the English. Their war-whoop was acconi pained by a shower of bullets. The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- ous yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubting a speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous charge witli the bayonet, and swept every thing be- fore them, and completely routing the foe. (jov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked to the utmost. The British descending troni tire Can- ' adas, were ot themselves a very forniidal)le force ; but with their savage allies, rusliing like wolves from the forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- ing, i)lundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into a state of consternation which even the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive, i The war-whoop was resounding everywhere in the ; forest. The horizon was illuminated with tlie conflagra- ' tionofthe cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. Under these despairing circumstances. Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madison commander-in- ' chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man in a situation demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but ■ Cleneral Harrison was found ecjual to the position, ' and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- I sponsibilities. \ He won the love of his soldiers by al.vays sharing • with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, while pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket^ lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five British otticers, his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. The only fare he could give them was lieef roasted before the lire, without bread or salt. In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member the National House of Representatives, to represe the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an, active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with force of reason and power of elo{|uence, which arrested the attention of all the members. In 1S19, Harrison was elected to the Senate of Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the [>residential electors of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The same year he was chosen to the United .States Senate. In 1836, the friends of t>en. Harrison brought him forward as a candidate for the Presidency against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the close of iMr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nomipated by his |)arty, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler tor the A'ice Presidency. The contest was very animated. Gen Jackson gave all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but his triunqjh was signal. The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most brilliant with which any President had ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- istration more flattering, or the hopes of the country more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and joyous prospects. Gen. Harrison was seized by a pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- ness, died on the 4th of .\pril ; just one month after his, inauguration as President of the United States. ;ed 1 int V ♦T I u =^H- TENTH PRESIDENT. SS I OHN TYLER, the tenth Presidentof the United States. He was born in Charles-city Co., Va., March 29, 1790. He was the favored child of af- fluence and liigh social po- sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered William and Mary College and grad- uated with much honor when but seventeen years old. .\fter graduating, he devoted him- self witli great assiduity to the study of law, partly with his father and partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the most distin- guished lawyers of Virginia. At nineteen years of age, ne ' !j-jj commenced the practice of law. His success was rapid and aston- ishing. It is said that three months had not elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the dock- et of the court in which he was not retained. When but twenty-one vears of age, he was almost unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the unanimous vote or his county. When but twenty-si.x yeais of age, he was elected a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and ably with the Democratic party, opposing a national jbank, internal improvements by the General Govern- -^ ment, a protective tariff, and advocatmg a strict con- struction of the Constitution, and the most careful vigilance over State rights. His labors in C'ongress Avere so arduous that before the close of his second term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, however, soon after consented to take his seat in the State Legislature, where his influence was powerful in promoting public works of great utility. With a reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his native State. His administration was signally a suc- cessful one. His popularity secured his re-election. Jolm Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed man, thtn represented Virginia in the Senate of the United States. .A portion of the Democratic party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, and brought forward John Tyler as his opponent, considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. Tyler was the victor. In accordance with his professions, upon taking his seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- ing all projects of internal improvements by the (Jen- eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. Jackson, by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned the piinciples of the Democratic party. Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a record in perfect accordance with the principles which he had always avowed. Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of his profession. There was a split in the Democratic A • ■ ■' ' . „ "v ^ 4 ~ TZ . yONA' TYLER. !?-4-> party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jct- fersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- ments upon him. He had now attained the age of forly-si.x. His career had been very brilliant. In con- seijnence of his devotion to public business, his pri- vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; and it was not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice of law, and devoted himself to the culture of his plan- tation. Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for the better education of his children ; and he again took, his seat in the Legislature of N'irginia. By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national convention at Harrisburg to non)inate a President in 1839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- ident. It was well known tliat he was not in sympa- thy with the Whig party in theNoith: but the Vice President has but very little power in the Govern- ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a Democratic Vice President were chosen. In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- dent of the United States. In one short month from that time, President Harri.^on died, and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own surprise and that of the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential chair. This was a new test of the stability of our institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler was at home in Williamsburg when he received the une.xpected tidings of tiie death of President Harri- son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of April was inaugurated to the high and responsible ofHce. He was placed in a position of exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been opposed to the main jirinciples of tlie party which had brought him into power. He had ever been a con- sistent, honest man, with an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig caljinet. Should he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own.' or, on the other hand, should he turn against the ])arty which had elected him and select a cabinet in har- mony with himself, and which would oppose all those views which the ^V'higs deemed essential to the pub- lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- vited the cabinet which President Harrison had selected to retain their seats. He reccomnunded a day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and bless us. The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United States. The President, after ten days' delay, returned it with his veto. He suggested, however, that he would approve of a bill drawn uj) uix)n such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. Botls, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely touched the pride of the President. The opi)osition now exultingly received the Presi- dent into their arms. The party which elected him denounced him bitterly. All the members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. 'The Whigs of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued an address to the people of the United States, proclaiming that all political alliance between the VVhigs and President Tyler were at an end. Still the President attempted to conciliate. He appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, forced out by the jjiessure of his Whig friends. 'Thus the four years of Mr. 'Tyler's unfortunate administra- tion passed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The ' land was filled with murmurs and vitu])eration. ^^'higs and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, however, he brought himself into sympathy with his old friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his term, he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. Polk, the Democratie candidate for his suc«essor. On the 4tii of March, 1845, he retired from the harassments of office, to the regret of neither pnrty, and probably to his own unspeakable lelief. His first wife, Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; and in June, 1844, President Tylci was again married, at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a young l.ady of many personal and intellectual .accomplishments. The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly in retirement at his beautiful home, — Slicrwood For- est, Charles city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in his manners, richly furnished wilh information from books and experience in the world, and |X)ssessing brilliant ])owers of conversation, his family circle was the scene of unusual attractions. \\'ith sufficient means for the exeix:ise of a generous hospitality, he might have enjoved a serene old age with the few friends who gathered around him, were it not for the storms of civil war which his own principles and lX)licy had heliied to introduce. When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- rights and nullifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; and while engaged in active measures (o destroy, by force of arms, the Government over wlii( h he had once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. LAJ -t^ ■^r-x^ ELE VENTH PRESIDENT. 59 ^. ents liaPresident of the United States, was born in Mecklenburg Co., N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the former a son ' of Col. Thomas Polk, who located at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 1735. In the.year i3o6, with his wife and children, ar.d soon after fol- lowed by most of the members of the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- grated some two or three hundred miles farther west, to the rich valley of the Duck River. Here in the midst of the wilderness, in a region which was subsequently called Mau- ry Co., they reared their log huts, and established their homes. In the hard toil of a new farm in the wil- derness, James K. I'olk spent the early years of his childhood and youth. His father, adding the pur- suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, gradually increased in wealth until he became one of the leading men of the region. His mother was a superior woman, of strong common sense and earnest piety. Very early in life, James developed a taste for reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain a liberal education. His mother's training had made him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty pririciples of morality. His health was frail ; and his father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the counter, hoyjing to fit him for commercial pursuits. This was to James a bitter disappointment. He had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore class in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious service. He graduated in 1818, with the highest honors, be- ing deemed the liest scholar of his class, both in mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this time much impaired by the assiduity with which he had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance with Andrew Jackson, who resided on his plantation, the Hermitage, but a few miles from Nashville. They had probably been slightly acquainted before. Mr. Polk's fatlier was a Jeffersonian Republican, and James K. Polk ever adliered to the same politi- cal faith. He was a pofnilar public speaker, and was constantly called upon to address the meetings of his party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and V" -4 JAMES K. POLK. ^, courteous in his bearing, and with that sympathetic nature in the jo) s and griefs of others whicli ever gave hiin troops of friends. In 1S23, Mr. Polk was elected to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his strong influence towards the election of his friend, Mr. Jackson, to the Presidency of the United States. In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah Childress, of Rutherford Co., 'I'enn. His bride was altogether worthy of him, — a la I // '7/:x^cA'<:^i^-^y/ Vcxyy- 1 I iT_ i _ . ^^r;^=; TWELFTH PRESIDENT. T^ I^ES^i ;^4^f j^^ii^f f^l^^f 1^. ^ ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth President of the United States, was born on the 24th of Nov., 1784, in Orange Co., Va. His father. Colonel Taylor, was a Virginian of note, and a dis- *^^ tinguished patriot and soldier of the Revolution. When Zachary was an infant, his father with his wife and two children, emigrated to Kentucky, where he settled in the pathless wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In this front- ier home, away from civilization and all its refinements, young Zachary could enjoy but few social and educational advan- tages. When six years of age he attended a common school, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- acter He was strong, fearless and self-reliant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the uneventful years of his childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. In iSoS, his father succeeded in obtaining for him the commission of lieutenant in the United States army ; and lie joined the troops which were stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady from one of the first families of Maryland. Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- land, in i8i2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- ness by Gen. Harrison, on his march to Tippecanoe. It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, and in large numbers, moved upon the fort. Their approach was first indicated by the murder of two soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to meet the antici- pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their chief would come to have a talk' with him. It was evident that their object was merely to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept them at a distance. The sun went down ; the savages disappeared, the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before midnight the war-whoop burst from a thousand lips in the forest around, followed by the discharge of musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his post. Eveiy man knew that defeat was not merely death, but in the case of cap- ture, death by the most agonizing and prolonged tor- ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict continued. The savages then, baffled at every point, and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the rank of major by brevet. Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed in such situations that he saw but little more of active service. He was sent far away into the depths of the wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fox River, which empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 4; ^ 64 ZACHARY TAYLOR. r tellectual stiinulus. Thus with him the uneventful years rolled on Ciradually lie rose to the rank of colonel. In the IJlack-Hawk war, which resulted in the capture of that renowned chieftain, Col Taylor took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. For twenty-four years Col. 'I'aylor was engaged in the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in employments so obscure, that his name was unknown beyond tire limits of his own immediate acquaintance. in the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, had promised they should do. The services rendered here secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of the Cloverninent; and as a reward, he was elevated to the rank of brigadier-general by brevetT and soon after, in May, 1838, was aiipointed to the chief com- mand of the United States troops in Florida. After two years of sucli wearisome employment amidst the everglades of the peninsula, Gen. 'Faylor obtained, at his own request, a change of command, and was stationed over the Department of the South- west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama andCeorgia. Establishing his headtjuarters at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. Here he remained for ^^•■I'i years, buried, as it were, from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty imposed upon him. In 1S46, Oen. Taylor was sent to guard tlie land between the Nueces and Rio (irande, the latter river being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed by the United States. Soon the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo .Alto and Resaca de la Palma, (ien. Taylor won brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over forces much larger than he commanded. His careless habits of dress and his unaffected simplicity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, \.\\z sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' The tidings of the linlliant victory of Buena Vista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. The name of (ien. Taylor was on every one's lips. The ^Vhig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- ful popularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- nouncement, and for a time would not listen toil; de- claring that he was not at all qualified for such an office. So little interest had he taken in jwlitics that, for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen who had been long years in the jjublic service found their claims set aside in behalf of one whose name had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It IS said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- marked, " it is a nomination not fit to be made." Gen. Taylor was not an eloipient speaker nor a fine writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- pared such few communications as it was needful should be presented to the public. The popularity of the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- umijhantly elected over two opjwsing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably tended to hasten his death. 'I'he pro-slavery party was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- tions were fitting out to cai)ture Cuba ; California was pleading for admission to the Union, wliile slavery stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington to be far more trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or Indians. In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of but little over five days, died on the Qih of July, 1850. His last woids were, " I am not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the affections of the people ; and the Nation bitteriy la- mented his death. Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acipiainted with Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful description of his character: — " With a good store of common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- ipienco. The frontiers and small military posts had been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his rank, and (piite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- plicity was child-like, and with innumerable preju- dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his hat a little on one side of his head ; or an officer to leave a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- side [locket, — in any such case, this critic held the offender to be a coxcomb (perhaps something worse), whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 'touch with a pair of tongs.' "Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. In short, few men have ever had a more comfortable, labor- saving contempt for learning of every kind," "t" 1^ -hU= Xi^ THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 67 T ^' — s-sr I ^'MILLflRn FILLMnHE.^4 I ILLARD FILLMORE, thir- teenth President of the United ^" States, was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on the 7th of January, iSoo. His y father was a farmer, and ow- ing to misfortune, in humble cir- cumstances. Of his mother, the daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she [Xjssessed an intellect ofveryliigh order, united with much personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- position, graceful manners and ex- quisite sensibilities. She died in 1831 ; having lived to see her son a young man of distinguished prom- ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high dignity which he finally attained. In consequence of the secluded home and limited means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- vantages for education in his early years. The com- mon schools, u'hich he occasionally attended were very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- acter to indicate the brilliant career upon which he was about to enter. He was a plain fanner's boy ; intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid the foundations of an upright character. When fourteen years of age, his father sent him some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. Near the mill there was a small villiage, where some ^ •JVL enterprising man had commenced the collection of a village library. This proved an inestimable blessing to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate; and the selections which he made were continually more elevating and instructive. He read history, biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- kindled in his heart a desire to be something more than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, educated man. The young clothier had now attained the age of nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so happened that there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter ^\'ood, — who was struck with the jirepossessing ap- pearance of young Fillmore. He made his acquaint- ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and attainments that he advised him to abandon his trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The young man replied, that he had no means of his own, r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to take him into his own office, and to loan him such money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous offer was accepted. There is in many minds a strange delusion about a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- lege. But many a boy loiters through university halls and then enters a law office, who is by no means as !j 4» 68 MILLARD FILLMORE. "l^ well prepared to i)rosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fillmore when he graduated at the clothing- mill at tlie end of four years of manual labor, during which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- tense mental culture. Ill 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was admitted to the Court of Co-umon Pleas. He then went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, his practice of course was limited, and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in foitune or in fame. Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. His elevation of character, his untiring industry, his legal acqiiiremenls, and his skill as an advocate, gradually attracted attention ; and he was invited to enter into partnership under highly advantageous circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in Buffalo. *Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the State of New York, as a representative from Erie County. Thougli he had never taken a very active part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, and lie found himself in a helpless minority in the Legislature, still the testimony comes from all parties, that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very unusual degn e the resiiect of his associates. In tlie autumn of t832, he was elected to a seat in the United .States Congress He entered that troubled arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our national history. The great conflict respecting the national bank and the removal of the deposits, was then raging. His term of two years closed ; and he returned to his profession, which he pursued with increasing re|)- utation and success. After a lapse of two years he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- rience as a representative gave him strength and confidence. The first term of service in Congress to any man can be but little more tiian an introduction. He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- gies were brought to bear uixin the public good. Every measure received his impress. Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and his iwpularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, he was elected Comptroller of the State. Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- siderable fame. The Whigs were casting alxaut to find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be proclaimed in tiunipet-tones all over the land. But it was necessary to associate with him on the same ticket some man of reputation as a statesman. Under the influence of these considerations, the namesofZachary Taylor ar.d Millard Fillmore became tlie rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was signally triumphant. C^n the 4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. t)n the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but about one year and four months after his inaugura-"| tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi-I dent. He api)ointed a very able cabinet, of which" the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. i Mr. Fillniore had very serious difficulties to contend with, since the ojiposition had a majority in both- Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate the South : but the i)ro-slavery party in the South felt theinadeiiuacyof all measuresof transient conciliation. The population of the free States was so rapidly in- creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- evitable that the power of the (}overnment should soon pass into the hands of the free States. The famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. Fillmore's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- more, having served one term, retired. In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten by Mr. Buchanan, .\fter that Mr. Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, he was mostly silent. It was generally supixised that his sympathies were rather with those who were en- deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old age, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. t— •- 'mz^ . .v- . FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. Xj- RANKLIN PIERCE, the fourteenth President of the United States, was born in Hillsborongh, N. H., Nov. 23, 1804. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, who, with his own strong arm, hewed out a home in the wilderness. He was a man of infle.xible integrity; of strong, though uncultivated mind, and an uncompromis- ing Democrat. The mother of Franklin Pierce was all that a son could desire,— an intelligent, pru- dent, affectionate, Christian wom- an. Franklin was the sixth of eight children. Frankhn was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the love of old and young. The boys on the play ground loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors looked upon him with pride and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman; always speaking kind words, doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in bodv, in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, he entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was one of the most popular young men in the college. The purity of his moral character, the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. There was something very peculiarly winning in his address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- .gree studied : it was the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous and loving nature. Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of the State, and a man of great private worth. The eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, and the brilliant political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- nating yet perilous path of political life. With all the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent the town in the State Legislature. Here he served for four years. The last two years he was chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected a member of Congress. Without taking an active part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom he was associatad. In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, he was elected to the Senate of the United States; taking his seat just as Mr. Van Buren commenced his administration. He was the youngest member in the Senate. In the year 1S34, he married Miss Jane Means .^ppleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every station with wliich her husband was honoied. Of the ¥ -f^-^ 72 ^ — FRANKLIN FIERCE. ^ ^ three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with their parents in the grave. In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous professional engagements at home, and the precariuos state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the same time declined the nomination for governor by the Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. He took an important part in tliis war, ])roving him- self a brave and true soldier. When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo-. . cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- nents. -He resumed the practice of his profession, ver) fretjuently taking an active part in political ques- ; tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic party. The compromise measures met cordially with his approval; and he strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- guished as a "Northern man with Southern principles.'' The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- quently regarded him as a man whom they could safely trust in office to carry out their plans. On the i2th of June, 1852, the Uemocratic conven- tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the Presidency. For four days they continued in session, and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation brought forward his name. There were fourteen more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he received two hundred and eighty-two votes, and all otlier candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce was therefore inaugurated Tresident of the United States on the 4th of March, 1853. His administration proved one of the most stormy our country had ever experienced. The controversy be- tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its culminating point. It liecame evident that there was an " irrepressible conflict " between them, and that this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate the South ; but it w-as all in vain. The conflict every year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution of the Union were borne to the Nortli on every South- ern breeze. Such was the condition of affairs when President Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term of office. The North had become thorouglily alien- ated from him. The anti-slavery sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- cated those measures of Government which they ap- proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped him, and nominated James Buchanan to succeed him. On the 4tli of March, 1857, President Pierce re- tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two had died, and his only surviving child had been killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left alone in the world, without wife or ciiild. When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until the time of his death, which occurred in October, i86g. He was one of the most genial and social of men, an honored communicant of the Kpiscopal Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- erous to a fault, he contiibuted liberally for the al- leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- people were often gladened by his material bounty. ■< V i T _jL t^.^.jS'tsa'ta5'.^ta?'«as'(^ij^i^t^t^«»^ca.' ^'^t^'^tgSi'^'gSit^'^'^l':^' -• i' : rv: FIFTEENTH PRESIDENT. ^ 7-; '.^ '^ji'^':^'^'^! ^^■Sga«^'^T»^ t^, ^M^?IP« •:i>i:S.i.^t^.iS3tg^i^^>gi3<^ii^(^(^(%^^ -7»^^ AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- .teenth President of the United ^y States, was born in a small V®] l/J frontier town, at the foot of the ^■^ eastern ridge of the Allegha- nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 3 the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the humble cabin of his father stood was called Stony a/EIma - Batter. It was a wild and ro- mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- tains, with towering summits rising grandly all around. His father was a r;ative of the north of Ireland ; a poor man, who had emigrated in 1783, with little property save his own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- ness, staked jiis claim, reared his log-hut, opened a clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- form his obscure part in the drama of life. In this se- cluded liome, where James was born, he remained for eight years, enjoying but few social or intellectual advantages. When James was eight yeaisof age, his father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, and commenced a course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His jirogress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he entered Dickinson College, at Carlisle. Here he de veloped remarkable talent, and took his stand among tlie first scliolars in the institution. His application to study was intense, antl yet bis native powers en- abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with facility. In the year iSog, he graduated witli tlie highest honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately commenced the study of law in the city of Lancaster, and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was but twenty -one years of age. Very rapidly he rose in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand with the ablest law)ers of the State. When but twentv-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- cessfully defended before the State Senate 01 e of the judges of tlie State, who was tried upon articles of impeachment. .\t the age of thirty it was generally admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- crative practice. In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for ten years he remained a member of the Lower House, During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally tried some important case. In 1831, he retired altogether from the toils of his ])rofession, having ac- quired an ample fortune. Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presidency, appointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The duties of his mission he performed with ability, which gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, Clay, Wright ar.d Calhoun. He advocated the meas- ures proposed by President Jackson, of making repri- )\- 4 ^6 JAMES BUCHANAN. ^ sals against France, to enforce the payment of our claims against that country; and defended the course of the President in liis unprecedented and wholesale removal from otifice of tliose who were not the sup- porters of his administration. Upon tlris question he was brought into direct collision with Henry Clay. He also, witii voice and vote, advocated ex|)unging from tlie journal of the Senate tiie vote of censure against Gen. Jackson for removing the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, and urged the prohibition of the circulation of anti-slavery documents liy the United States mails. As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- cated that they should be respectfully received; and tliat the rei)ly sliould l)e returned, that Congress had no power to legislate ui)on tlie sul)ject. " Congress," said he, "might as well undertake to interfere with slavery under a foreign government as in any of the States where it now e.xists." Upon .Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as such, took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration : of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the account of tlie course our Government pursued in that movement Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with tlie party devoted to the perpetuation and extension of slavery, and brought all tlie energies of his raind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. He gave his cordial approval to the compromise measures of 1S50, which included the fugitive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the I'residency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mission to Kngland. In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The political conflict was one of the most severe in which our country has ever engaged. All the friends of slavery were on one side ; all the advocates of its re- striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- ceived 114 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 174, and was elected. The poindar vote stood 1,340,618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4th, 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four years were wanting to fill up his tlireescore years «lnd ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been allied in political principles and action for years, were seeking the destruction of the Government, that they might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- wildered. He could not, with his long-avowed prin- ciples, consistently opix)se the State-rights party in tlieir assumptions. As President of the United States, bound by his oath faitlifuUy to administer the laws, lie could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- lic. He tlierefore did nothing. The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration nominaied Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer in the next I'residential canvass. The pro-slavery party declared, that if he were elected, and the con- trol of the Government were thus taken from their hands, they would secede from the Union, taking with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at Wasliington, and the lion's share of the territory of the United States. Mr. Buchanan's sympatliy with the pro-slaver)- party was such, that he had been willing to offerthem far more tlian they had ventured to claim. All the South had [irofessed to ask of the North was non- intervention ufxDn the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- chanan had been ready to offer them the active co- operation of tiie Government to defend and extend the institution. As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- ing that Congress liad no power to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions of •governmental im- becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He declared tliat Congress had no power to enforce its laws in any State which had ■ withdrawn, or which was attempting to withdraw from the Union. Tiiis was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand upon his sword hilt, he exclaimed, " The Union must and shall be preserved!" South Carolina seceded in December, i860; nearly three montiis before the inauguration of President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in Charleston ■ FortSumpter was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by the rebels. The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. Tiie administration of President Buchanan was certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with jileasure. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, that in that dreadful conflict wliicli rolled its billows of flame and blood over our whole land, no word came from his lips to indicate his wish that our countrv's banner should trium|)li over the flag of the rebellion. He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. t-'A^LjW^t^TzJ^ -6-?^^ i* SIXTEENTH PRESIDEa\'T. 79 aa5:^5ugs2S3a^^^f^^^53sa ABRAHAM > #>#€& < LINCOLN. > I BRAHAM LINCOLN, the sixteenth President of the reunited States, was horn in Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1 809. About the year 1 7 80, a man by the name of Abraham "^ Lincohi left Virginia with his family and moved into the tlien wilds of Kentucky. Only two years after this emigration, still a young man, while working one day in a field, was stealthily approached by an Indian and shot dead. His widow was left in extreme poverty with five little children, three boys and two girls. Thomas, the youngest of the boys, was four years of age at his father's death. This Thomas was the father of Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States whose name must henceforth forever be enrolled with the most [)rominent in the annals of our world. Of course no record has been kept of the life of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. Education he had none; he could never either read or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- less, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a laborer in the fields of others. When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the daughter of anoliier family of poor Kentucky emi- grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their second child was .\bralxim Lincoln, the subject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. "All that I am, or hope to be," exclaims the grate- ful son "I owe to my angel-mother. When he was eight years of age, his father sold his cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana. Where two years later his mother died. Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated community around him. He could not have had a better school than this to teach him to put thoughts into words. He also became an eager reader. The books he could. obtain were few ; but these he read and re-read until they were almost committed to memory. As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family was the usual lot of humanity. There were joys and_ griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. -^ Thomas Lincoln sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when he announced to his father his intention to leave home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of education, and was intensely earnest to improve his mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin which ardent spirits were causing, and became strictly temperate ; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in God's word, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ;" and a profane expression he was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a single vice. Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired laborer amoftg the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down the Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mis- sissippT- ior was the son of a carpenter." In the Charleston- Baltimore convention of i860, he was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the .Presidency. In i86r, when the purpose of the South- ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he established the most stringent military rule. His numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, A|)ril 15, 1865, became President. In a speech two days later he said, " The American people must be taught, if they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and must be punished; that the Government will not always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not only to protect, but to punish. * * The people must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole administration, the history of which is so well known, was in utter inconsistency with, and the most violent opiX)sition to, the principles laid down in that speech. In his loose policy of reconstruction and general amnesty, he was opposed by Congress ; and he char- acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In the beginning of 1868, on account of "high crimes and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three months. A test article of the impeachment was at length submitted to the court for its action. It was certain that as the court voted ujxjn that article so would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against him. The change of one vote from the not guilly side would have sustained the impeachment. The President, for the remainder of his term, was but little regarded. He continued, though impotently, his conflict with Congress. His own party did not think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- alleled since the days of Washington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- nessee, United States .Senator in the forty-fourth Con- gress, and took his seat in that body, at tlie special session convened by President Grant, on the 5th of March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- ing the residence of his child the following day, was stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 2 A. M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, with every demonstration of respect. "T* V \ :/- % .: il-K**:^ t ^2.*^*^^ ■ rT_jL ^r- EIGHTEENTH PRESIDENT. j_ T > 87 * ^ w k LYSSES S. GRANT, the ,^ eighteenth President of the '■"'United States, was born on the 29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in a liumble vi ••'.iI.;,L'i-4^7 home, at Point Pleasant, on the banks of the Ohio. Shortly after his father moved to George- town, Brown Co., O. In this re- mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of seven- teen, in the year 1839, he entered the Military Academy at West I'oint. Here he was regarded as a solid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- souri Territory. Two years he past in these dreary solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating Indians. The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was sent with his regiment to Corpus Christi. His first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here for the exhiliition of either skill or heroism, nor at Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that he performed a signal service of daring and skillful horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging upon one side of the animal, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, to aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In preparation for the march to the city of Mexico, he was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- pultepec. At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- turned witli his regiment to New York, and was again sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The discovery of gold in California causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. Grant resigned his commission and returned to the States; and having married, entered upon the cultiva- tion of a small farm near St. Louis, Mo. He had but little skill as a farmer. Finding his toil not re- munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings of the rebels firing on Fort Sunipter reached the ears of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — "Uncle Sam has educated me for the army; though I have served him through one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and see Uncle Sam through this war too." He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, the capital of the State, where their services were offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed liy the zeal and straightforward executive ability of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the volunteer organization that was being formed in the State in behalf of the Government. On the isth of -lAJ \ r iT_i^ ^t-4-3- 88 UL YSSES S. GRA NT. ^ June, 1 86 1, Capt. Grant received a commission as Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- General and was placed in command at Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- peared in the breeze ere Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and stripes were unfurled in its stead. He entered the service with great determination and immediately began active duty. This was the be- ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond he was ever pushing tlie enemy with great vigor and effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the ' victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately made a Major-General, and the military district of Tennessee was assigned to him. Like all great captains. Gen. Grant knew well how to secure the results of victory. He immediately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. Gen. Crrant was next ordered to co-operate with Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of strategic and technical meas- ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels were routed with great loss. 'I'his won for liim un- bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials and enter upon tlie duties of his new office. LA Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of the army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- stroy the rebel amiies which would be promptly as- sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole continent seemed to tremble under the trampof these majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains were burdened with closely packed thousands. His plans were comprehensive and involved a series of campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- render of Lee, April 9, 1865. The war was ended. The Union was saved. The almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered the country brought him conspicuously forward as the Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, May 21, 186S, he was unanimously nominated for the Presidency, and at the autumn election received a majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 electoral votes. The National Convention of the Republican party which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 electoral votes being cast for him. Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. Grant started upon his famous trip around the world. He visited almost every country of the civilized world, and was everywhere received with such ovations and demonstrations of respect and honor, private as well as public and official, as were never before bestowed uix)n any citizen of the United States. He was the most prominent candidate before the Republican National Convention in uSSo for a re- nomination for President. He went to New York and embarked in the brokerage business under the firm nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, wrecked (Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to the penitentiary. The General was attacked with cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as General of the .Army and retired by Congress. The cancer soon finislied its deadly work, and July 23,. 1SS5, the nation went in mourning over the death of the ill ustrious General. V I S, i'U^.&^^JL '(^ ..-.V .E:-iii:-.r».ir •^v;"JA.:jSfifc*K3,_ ■- ^.'i.iCTgti>»;- js^-ataL ■i T _ L NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. ■^^^Sr¥ 91 4 .^^4 1 H^TKHmrorHD Be H^TES. * l^^'^'^'^'^^^'.;l^;.^l^^;^l^;l^;'^^^l' T;.^'^.>i:ts^ti^ii^i:;u'ia-.u;.u;^ UTHERFORD B. HAYES, ^ the nineteenth President of "" the United States, was born in Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- most three months after the /"^ death of his father, Rutherford '■^ Hayes. His ancestry on both the paternal and maternal sides, was of the most honorable char- acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 1280, when Hayes and Rutherford were two Scottish chief- tains, fighting side by side with Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive estates, and had a large following. Misfor- tune overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- land in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son George was born in Windsor, and remained there during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- ried Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of his mar- riage until his death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- turer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- erford Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was born. He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- grated thither from Connecticut, they having been among the wealthiest and best famlies of Norwich. Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The father of President Hayes was an industrious, frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a stock- ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to undertake. He was a member of the Church, active in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- ducted his business on Christian principles. After the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexpHcable to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day, when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayes deter- mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived in 1817. He died July 22, T822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three months before the birth of the son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- reavement, found the support she so much needed in her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the household from the day of its departure from Ver- mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted some time before as an act of charity. Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the < -t-t?! 92 RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. f subject of this sketch was so feeble at birtli that he was not expected to live beyond a mouth or two at most. As the mouths went by he grew weaker and weaker, so lliat the neighbors were in tiie habit of in- quiring from time to time '' if Mrs. Hayes' baby died last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of him, said in a bantering way, '" That's right! Stick to him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't wonder if he wo.ild really come to something yet." "You need not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You wait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him President of the United States yet." The boy lived, in spite of the universal i)redictions of his speedy death; and when, in 1825, his older brother was drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his mother. The boy was seven years old before he went to school. His education, however, was not neglected. He probably learned as much from his mother and sister as he would have done at school. His sports were almost wholly within doors, his playmates being his sister and her associates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings of others, which are marked traits of his character. His uncle Sardis Birciiard took the dee|)est interest in his education ; and as the boy's health had im- proved, and he was making good progress in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- paration commenced with a tutor at home; bit he was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the \Vesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- tered Kenyon College in 1838,3! the age of sixteen, and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. Immediately after liis graduation he began the study of law in the office of Thouias Sparrow, Esq., in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter the Law School at Cambridge, Mass., where he re- mained two years. In 1 845, after graduating at the Law School, he was admitted to the bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly afterward went into practice as an attoruey-at-law with Ralph V. Buckland, of Fremont. Here he re- mained three years, acciuiring but a limited i)ractice, and apiiarently unambitious of distinction in his pro- fession. In 1849 he moved to Cincinnati, where his ambi- tion found a new stimulus. For several years, how- ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at this period, had a powerful influence u|)on his subse- quent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its members such men as Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase, Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many others hardly less distinguished in after life. The marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did more than she to reflect honor ujjon American woman- hood. The Literary Club brought Mr. Hayes into constant association with young men of high char- acter and noble aims, and lured him to display the qualities so long hidden by his bashfulness and modesty. In 1S56 he was nominated to the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to ac- cept the nomination. Two years later, the ofitice of city solicitor becoming vacant, the City Council elected him for the unexpired term. In i86i, when the Rebellion broke out, he was at the zenith of his professional life. His rank at the bar was among the the first. But the news of the attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take up arms for the defense of his country. His military record was bright ard illustrious. In October, 186 1, he was made Lieulenanl-Colonel, and in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 79th Ohio' regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle^ of South Mountain he received a wound, and while- faint and bleeding displayed courage and fortitude that won admiration from all. Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, afterJ his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, and jilaced in command of the celebrated Kanawha division, and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General. He was also brevetted Major-General, "forgnllani and distil guislud services during the campaigns of 1864, in West Virginia." In the course of his arduous services, four horses were shot from under him, and he was wounded four times. In 1864, (ien. Hayes was elected to Congress, from the Second Ohio District, wliich had long been Dem- ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, and after his election was inqiortuned to resign his commission in the army ; but he finally declared, "I shall never come to Washington until I can come by the way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1866. In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, over Hon. ,'\llen G. Thurman, a popular Democrat. In 1869 was re-elected over George II. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the third term in 1875. In 1876 he was the standard bearer of the Repub- lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a hard long contest was chosen President, and was in augurated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his full term, not, h-wever, with satisfaction to his party, but his adiniinstration was an average one *x V ^^ rir: TiVENTIETH PRESIDENT. )^m^ *$;;g#*;:S-^$;:S-^$;:S'^*-;C$'^;;S-'s»*: . •■ A AMES A. GARt'IELD, twen- tieth President of the United States, was born Nov. 19, I S3 1, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga Co., O His par- ents were Abrani and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, both of New England ancestry and from fami- lies well known in the early his- tory of that section of our coun- try, but had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- ment. The house in which James A. was born was not unlike the houses of poor Ohio farmers of that day. It was about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- tween the logs filled with clay. His father was a hard working farmer, and he soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built. The household comprised the father and mother and their four children — Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and James. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- tracted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At this time James was about eighteen months old, and Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, can tell how much James was indebted to his biother's toil and self sacrifice during tlie twenty years suc- ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- ters live in Solon, O., near their birthplace. The early educational advantages young Garfield enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid his widowed mother in her struggles to keep the little family to- ^H- 95 gelher. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- gling childhood, youth and manhood, neitiier did they ever forget him. When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, modest gentleman. The highest ambition of young Garfield until he was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious to go aboard a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with the understanding, however, that he should try to obtain some other kind of employment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. 'I'his was his first visit to the city. After making many applications for work, and trying to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- mained at this work but a short time when he went home, and attended the seminary at Chester for about three years, when he entered Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in the meantime, and doing other work. This school was started by the Disciples of Christ in 1850, of which church he was then a member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way. He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon " exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which he graduated in 1856, taking one of the liighest hon- ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram College as its President. As above slated, he early united with the Christian or Diciples Church at Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous mem- ber, often preaching in its pulpit and places where he happened to be. Dr. Noah Porter, President of Yale College, says of him in reference to his religion : A ' . < ¥ ■ cT_ » _ r^-X^ 96 JAMES A. GARFIELD. i: " President Garfield was more than a man of strong moral and religious convictions. His whole history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to man and lo God, and devotion to Christ and life and faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs of his being, and lo a more than usual degree. In my judgment there is no more interesting feature of his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of Christians in which he was trained, and the fervent syiripathy which Jie ever sliovved in their Chnstian communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to the less stately and cultured Christian communions in which they have been reared. Too often it is true that as they step ujjward in social and political sig- nificance they step upward from one degree to another in some of the many types of fashionable Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the church of his mother, the church in which he was trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- tarian charity for all 'wlio loveour Lord in sincerity.'" Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and mourned. To them were born seven children, five of whom are still living, four boys and one girl. Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, and in r86i was admitted to the bar. The great Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted lo defend the old flag. He re- ceived liis commission as Lieut. -Colonel of the Forty- second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 14, 1861. He was inunediately put into active ser- vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was placed in command of four regiments of infantry and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the work of driving out of his native State the officer (Humphrey M'.rsl-all) reputed to be the ablest of those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- ident Lincoln, on his success connnissioned him Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now he was the youngest General in the army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its operations around Corinth and its march through Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the General Coutt-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John Porter. He was tlien ordered to report lo Ger,. Rose- crans, and was assiL;ned to the "(,'hief of Staff." The military history of Gen, Garfield closed with his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won the stars of tiie Major-General. Without an effort on his part Gen. Garfield was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 fiom the Nineteentli District of Ohio. This section of Ohio iiad been represented in Congress for sixty years mainly by two men — Elisha \\ hittlesey and Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he resigned his place in the army At the time he en- tered Congress he was the youngest member in that body. There he remained by successive re- elections until he was elected President in 1880. Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Since the year 1864 you cannot think of a question which has been debated in Congress, or discussed before a tribunel of the American people, in regard to which you will not find, if you wish mstruclion, the argu- ment on one side stated, in almost every instance better than by anybody else, in some speech made in the House of Representatives or on the hustings by Mr. Garfield." Upon Jan. 14, 18S0, Gen. Garfield was elected to the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the same year, was nominated as the candidate of his party for President at the great Chicago Convention. He was elected in the following November, and on March 4, 1S81, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- ministration ever opened its existence under brighter auspices than that of President Gaifield, and every day it grew in favo; willi the people, and by the first of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- liminary work of his administration and was prepar- ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Williams College. While on his way a 'd at the depot, in com- pany with Secretary lilaine, a man stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. The President tottered and fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the left coat sleeve of his victim, but inf.icting no farther injury. It has been very truthfully said iliat this was " the shot that was heard roinid the world " Never before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- curred which so nearly froze the blood of the people for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and was at the summit of his jiower and hope. Fur eighty days, all during the hot months of July and .August, he' lingered and suffered. He, however, remained master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent bearing was teaching the country and the world the noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. ig, 1S83, at Ell>eron, N. J , on the very bank of the ocean, where he had been taken shortly jirevious. The world wept at his death, as it never had done on the death of any other man who had overlived upon it. The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- cuted, in one year after he committed the foul deed. < T / r WENTY-FIRS T PRESIDENT. -^^^-^ 99 'f. *t HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first President of the United States, was born in Franklin County, Vermont, on the fifthof October, 1830, andis the oldest of a family of two sons and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who emigrated to this counti-)' from the county Antrim, Ireland, in his i8th year, and died in 1875, in Newtonville, near Albany, after a long and successful ministry. Young Arthur was educated at Union College, Schenectady, where he excelled in all his studies. Af- ter his graduation he taught school in Vermont for two years, and at the expiration cf that time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket, and entered the office of ex-Judge E. D. Culver as student. After being admitted to the bar he formed a partnership with his intimate friend and room-mate, Henry D. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing in the West, and for three months they roamed about ill the Western States in search of an eligible site, but in the end returned to New York, where they hung out their shingle, and entered upon a success- ful career almost from the start. General Arthur soon afterward married the daughter of Lieutenant ■ • )Kl H Hefndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthur's nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving twi: children. Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebritj in his first great case, the famous Lemmon sui brought to recover possession of eight slaves who hac been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superioi Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided that they could not be held by the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the Attorney General of that State to assist in an appeal. Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to represent the People, and they won their case, which then went to the Supreme Court of the United States. Charles O'Conor here espoused the cause of the slave-holders, but he too was beaten by Messrs, Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward the emancipation of the black race. Another great service was rendered by General Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jennings, a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had [laid her fare. General Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next day the compa- ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride on their cars, and the other car companies quickly ^T __L :±^^rH- CHESTER A. ARTHUR. followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- nue Com|)iUiy ran a few special cars for colored jjer- sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. (ieneral Arthur was a delegate to the Convention at Saratoga that founded the Repul)lican party. Previous to tlie war he was Judge- Advocate of the Second Brigade of the State of New \ork., and Gov- ernor Morgan, oi that State, apjwinted hun Knginecr- in-Chief of iiis staff. In 1861, he was made inspec- tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered great service to tlie Government during the war. At the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then Mr. Plielps, the District .\ttorney of New Yoik, was added to the firm. The legal prac- tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if not indeed one of national extent. He always took a leading part in State and city politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of New York liy President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 20, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential ticket, witli (ien. James A. Garfield, at tiie famous National Republican Convention held at Chicago in June, 1 880. This was perhaps the greatest political convention tiiat ever assembled on the continent. It was composed of the leading ix)liticians of the Re- publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their respective candidates that were before the conven- tion for the nomination. Kinally Gen. Garfield re- ceived the nomination for President and Gen. .\rthur for Vice-President. The campaign which followed was one of the most animated known in the histor\ of our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of the Democratic part), was a popular man, and his party made a valiant fight for his election. Finally the election came and the country's choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated March 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of anxiotis suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- tions were throbbing in unison, longing^ for the re- covery of tlie noble, the good President. The remark- 1 able ijalience that he manifested daring those hours : and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 1 fering man has often been called upon to endure, was seemingly more than human. It was certainly fiod- like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was watched, and l)e it said to his credit that his every action displayed only an earnest desire that the suffering (iarfield might recover, to serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested in deed or look of this man, even though the most honored position in the world was at any moment likely to fall to him. At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- field from further suffering, and the world, as never ' before in its history over the death of any other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of ; the Vice President to assume the responsibilities of | the high office, and he took the oath in New York, " Sept. 20, 1881. The position was an embarrassing one to him, made doubly so from the facts that all eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, "^ what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been greatly neglected during the President's long illness, and many important measures were to be immediately decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he did not fail to realize under what circumstances he became President, and knew the feelings of many on this point, lender these trying circinnstances President Arthur took the reins of the (Government in his own hands ; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so wisely that but few criticised his administration. He served the nation well and faithfully, until the close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate before his party for a second term. His name was ably presented before the con- vention at Chicago, and was received with great favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity of one of the opposing candidates, he would have been selected as the standard-bearer of his party for another campaign. He retired to private life car- rying with him the best wishes of the American peo- ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory to them and with credit to himself. T /y^^r^tz^^ C/€.^y(^//l^(yi.^£/ 4- TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. ?— <^ 103 g*^tg^g;S«>feT^^;;ic'#-s"$<#e;;S^i;:s«i.$;;s*$;:S.j^;rg4^ig-#^^ I it a ocx> - 000 TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- LAND, thetwenty-second Pres- ident of the United States, was born in 1837, in the obscure town of Caldwell, Essex Co., N. J., and in a little two-and-a- half-story white house which is still standing, characteristically to mark the humble birth-place of one of America's great men in striking con- trast with the Old World, where all men high in office must be high in origin and born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject of this sketch was three years of age, his father, who was a Presbyterian min- ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most straggling of country villages, about five miles from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. At the last mentioned place young Grover com- menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned way," and presumably distinguished himself after the manner of all village boys, in doing the things he ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the capacity of the village school and expressed a most emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this his father decidedly objected. Academies in those days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to become self-supix)rting by the quickest possible means, and this at that time in Fayetteville seemed to be a position in a country store, where his father and the large family on his hands had considerable intluence. Grover was to be paid $50 for his services the first year, andif he proved trustworthy he was to receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- menced his career as salesman, and in two years he had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness that his employers desired to retain him for an in- definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. But instead of remaining witli this firm in Fayette- ville, he went with the family in their removal to Clinton, wliere he had an opportunity of attending a high school. Here he industriously pursued his studies until the family removed with him to a |X)int on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two years, and although he obtained a good reputation in this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his IZ^J t^ -tJ— ^?-^ 104 5. GROVER CLEVELAND. 4 calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some chanu in that name for him ; but before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to ask the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not speak entluisiastically. " What is it you want to do, my boy?" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study law," was the reply. " Good gracious ! " remarked the old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put that into your head.? How much money have you got.?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I haven't got n any. After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a year, while he could " look around." One day soon afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told them what he wanted. A number of young men were already en- iaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and e was finally permitted to come as an office boy and ave the use of the law library, for the nominal sum >f $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his board and washing. The walk to and from his uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although I the first winter was a memorably severe one, his shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. On the first day of his service here, his senior em- ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him ; with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's \ where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 1 circle of clerks and students, as they thought that I was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; I but indue time he mastered that cumbersome volume. \ Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleveland ! exhibited a talent for executiveness rather than for chasing principles through all their metaphysical j possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do it," was practically his motto. The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was elected was tliat of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punishment ujjon two criminals. In 1881 he was elected Mayor of the City of Buff.ilo, on the Democratic ticket, with es- pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms in the administration of the municipal affairs of that city. In this office, as well as that of SherifT, his performance of duty has generally been considered fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- reted out and magnified during the last Presidential campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for plain speech, and my objection to your action shall be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of a mos'; bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme to betray the interests of the people and to worse than squander the people's money." The New York Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, and his administration of the affairs of State was generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if any, were made very public throughout the nation after he was nominated for President of the United States. For this high office he was nominated July II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he was elected by the people, by a majority of about a thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- land resigned his office as Governor of New York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as the Chief Executive of the United States, in which capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William V. Vilas, of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, .\. H. Garland, of .Arkansas. The silver question precipitated a controversy be- tween those who were in favor of the continuance of silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his inauguration. i ¥ e ? r^i-^zr: ^~T^ 4 ^ -s4-^ ^^^^tyt:::: 1 i i2Q 'll. &^'»: ^S'®. ns. l! "T^ -^ "r f > i GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. A__ 6 3 ' 111 HADRACH BOND, the first Governor of Illinois after its organization as a State, serving from 1818 to 1822, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in the year 1773, and was raised a farmer on his father's plantation, receiving only a plain English education. He emigrated to this State in 1794, when it was a part of the "Northwest Territory," continuing in the vocation in whiclr he had been brought up in his native State, in the " New Design," near Eagle Creek, in what is now Monroe County. He served several terms as a member of the General Assembly of Indiana Territory, after it was organized as such, and in 1812-14 he was a Delegate to the Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses, taking his seat Dec. 3. 181 2, and serving until Oct. 3, [814. These were the times, the reader will recollect, when this Gov- ernment had its last struggle with Great Britain. The year 1812 is also noted in the history of this State as that in which the first Territorial Legislature was held. It convened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, and adjourned Dec. 26, following. While serving as Delegate to Congress, Mr. Bond was instrumental in procuring the right of pre-emp- tion on the public domain. On the expiration of his term at Washington he was appointed Receiver of Public Moneys at Kaskaskia, then the capital of tli-e Territory. In company with John G. Comyges, Thomas H. Harris, Charles Slade, Michael Jones, Warren Brown, Edward Humphries and Charles W. Hunter, he became a proprietor of the site of the initial city of Cairo, whicli they hoped, from its favor- able location at the juncrion of the two great rivers near the center of the Great West, would rapidly develop into a metropolis. To aid the enter- prise, they obtained a special charter from the Legis- lature, incorporating both the City and the Bank of Cairo. In 1 8 18 Mr. Bond was elected the first Governor of the State of Illinois, being inaugurated Oct. 6, that year, which was several weeks before Illinois was actually admitted. The facts are these: In January, i8i8, the Territorial Legislature sent a ped- tion to Congress for the admission of Illinois as a State, Nathaniel Pope being then Delegate. The petition was granted, fixing the northern line of the State on the latitude of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan; but the bill was afterward so amend- ed as to extend this line to its present latitude. In July a convention was called at Kaskaskia to draft a constitution, which, however, was not submitted to the people. By its provisions, supreme judges, pros- ecuting attorneys, county and circuit judges, record- ers and justices of the peace were all to be appointed by the Governor or elected by the Legislature. This constitution was accepted by Congress Dec. 30. At that time Illinois comprised but eleven counties, namely, Randolph, Madison, Gallatin, Johnson, Pope, Jackson, Crawford, Bond, Union, Washington and Franklin, the northern portion of the State be- ing mainly in Madison County. Thus it appears that Mr. Bond was honored by the naming of a LAJ *i^ ^ 4 i SHADRACH BOND. county l>efore he was elected Governcr. The present county of Bond is of small limitations, about 60 to 80 miles south of Springfield. For Lieutenant Governor the people chose Pierre Menard, a prominent and worthy Frenchman, after whom a county in this State is named. In this election there were no opposition candidates, as the jxipularity of these men had made their promotion to the chief offices of the Siate, even before the constitution was drafted, a foregone con- clusion. The principal points that excited the people in reference to political issues at this period were local or "internal improvements," as they were called. State banks, location of the capital, slavery and the personal characteristics of the proposed candidates. Mr. Bond represented the " Convention party," for introducing slavery into the State, supported by Elias Ke It Kane, his Secretary of State, and Jolin Mc- Lean, while Nathaniel Pope and John P. Cook led the anti-slavery element. The people, however, did not become_ very much excited over this issue until 1820, when the famous Missouri Compromise was adopted by Congress, limiting slavery to the south of the parallel of 36° 30' except in Missouri. While this measure settled the great slavery controversy, so far as the average public sentiment was tempor- arily concerned, until 1854, when it was repealed under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas, the issue as considered locally in this State was not decided until 1824, after a most furious campaign. (See sketch of Gov. Coles.) The ticket of 18 18 was a compromise one, Bond representing (moderately) the pro-slavery sentiment and Menard the anti-slavery. An awkward element in the State government under Gov. Bond's administration, was the imperfec- tion of the State constitution. The Convention wished to have Elijah C. Berry for the first Auditor of Public Accounts, but, as it was believed tliat the new Governor would not appoint him to the office, the Convention declared in a schedule that " an auditor of public accounts, an attorney general and such other officers of the State as may be necessary, may be apix)inted by the General Assembly." The Constitution, as it stood, vested a very large apiwint- ing power in the Governor; but for the purjwse of getting one man into office, a total change was made, and the power vested in the Legislature. Of this provision the Legislature took advantage, and de- _. -"- A' clared that State's attorneys, canal commissioners, bank directors, etc., were all " officers of the State " and must therefore be appointed by itself independ- ently of the Governor. During Gov. Bond's administration a general law was passed for the incorporation of academies and towns, and one authorizing lotteries. The session of 1822 authorized the Governor to appoint commis- sioners, to act in conjunction with like commissioners appointed by the State of Indiana, to report on the practicability and expediency of improving the navi- gation of the Wabash River; also inland navigation generally. Many improvements were recommended, some of which have been feebly worked at even till the present day, those along the Wabash being of no value. Also, during Gov. Bond's term of office, the capital of the State was removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. In 1820 a law was passed by Congress authorizing this State to open a canal through the public lands. The State appointed commissioners ' 10 explore the route and prepare the necessary sur- veys and estimates, preparatory to its execution j but, being unable out of its own resources to defray the expenses of the undertaking, it was abandoned until some time after Congress made the grant of land for the purpose of its construction. On the whole. Gov. Bond's administration was fairly good, not being open to severe criticism from any party. In 1824, two years after the expiration of his term of office, he was brought out as a candi- date for Congress against the formidable John P. Cook, but received only 41374 votes to 7,460 for the latter. Gov. Bond was no orator, but had made many fast friends by a judicious bestowment of his gubernatorial patronage, and these worked zealously for him in the campaign. In 1827 ex-Gov. Bond was appointed by the Leg- islature, with Wm. P. McKee and Dr. Gershom Jayne, as Commissioners to locate a site for a peni- tentiary on the Mississippi at or near Alton. Mr. Bond was of a benevolent and convivial dis- position, a man of shrewd observation and clear ap- preciation of events. His person was erect, stand- ing six feet in height, and after tniddle life became [Kjrtly, weighing 200 pounds. His features were strongly masculine, complexion dark, hair jet and eyes hazel ; was a favorite with the ladies. He died April 1 1, 1830, in peace and contentment. t^ i l^lurtiJ^ {^,'i^^ GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. ^^-¥ "5 l£t)war6 Coles* r DWARD COLES, second Governor of Illinois, 1823- 6, was born Dec. 15, 1786, in Albemarle Co., Va., on the old family estate called " Enniscorthy," on the Green Mountain. His fath- er, John Coles, was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Having been fit- ted for college by private tutors, he was sent to Hampden Sidney, where he remained until the autumn of 1805, when he was removed to William and Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. This college he left in the summer of 1807, a short time before the final and graduating examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wni. S. Archer, United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The President of the latter college. Bishop Madison, was a cousin of President James Madison, and that cir- cumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming personally acquainted with the President and re- ceiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15. The family of Coles was a prominent one in Vir- ginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old- fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the age of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plant- ation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever since his earlier college days his attention had been drawn to the question of slavery. He read every- -< thing on the subject that came in his way, and listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration "that all men are born free and equal " with the practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove his residence to a free State. One reason which de- termined him to accept the appointment as private ^ secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed that through the acquaintances he could make at Washington he could better determine in what part of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would prefer to settle. The relations between Mr. Coles and President Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished men, were of a very friendly character, arising from the similarity of their views on the question of slavery and their sympathy for each other in holding doc- trines so much at variance with the prevailing senti- ment in their own State. In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a portion of the following autumn in exploring the Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a lo- cation and purchasing lands on which to settle his negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with an extra man and horse for emergencies, through many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, however, a misunderstanding arose between our " Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bear- ing important papers concerning the matter at issue. The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alex- 'J\l Cj^ 4 ■«— tj- ii6 EDIVARD COLES. ander) of the error committed by his minister at Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles visited other parts of Europe, especially F'aris, where he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette. In the spring of iSig, he removed with all his negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, 111 , with the intention of giving them their liberty. He did not make known to them his intention until one beautiful morning in .\pril, as they were descending the Ohio River. He lashed all the boats together and called all the negroes on deck and made them a short ad- dress, concluding his remarks by so expressing him- self that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in the shortest and fullest manner that they were no longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleas- ure. A description of the effect uiion the negroes is best desciibed in his own language : "The effect uixin them was electrical. They stared at me and then at each other, as if doubting the ac- curacy or reality of what they heard. In breathless >ilencc they stood before me, unai>le to utter a word, l)Ut with countenances beaming with expression which no words could convey, and which no language can describe. As they began to see the truth of what they had heard, and realize their situation, there came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to their gratitude and implored the blessing of God on me." Before landmg he gave them a general certificate of freedom, and afterward conformed more particu- larly with the law of this State requiring that each individual should have a certificate. This act of Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding him, has challenged the admiration of every philan- thropist of modern times. March 5, 1819, President .Monroe appointed Mr. Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsville, at that time one of the principal land offices in the State. While acting in this capacity and gaining many friends by his ixjliteness and general intelli- gence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in Illinois on the slavery question culminated in the furious contest characterizing the campaigns and elections of 1822-4. '" the summer of 1823, when a new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, putting forward for the executive office Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Mil- itia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. (.'oles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plural- ity over Judge Phillijis was only 59 in a total vote of over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech was marked l)y calmness, deliberation and such a wise expiession of appropriate suggestions as to elicit the sanction of all judicious ix)liticians. But he com|Jiomised not with evil. In his message to the Legislature, the seat of Government being then at Vandulia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the modified form of slavery which then existed in this State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His posi- tion on this suljject seems the more remarkable, when it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the population of Illinois being at that time almost ex- clusively from slave-holding States and by a large majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course, a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of mob, or " shiveree" party, who visited the residence of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled and groaned and spat fire. The Constitution, not establishing or permitting slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be defective by the slavery ]X)liticians, and they desired a State Convention to be elected, to devise and sub- mit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Conven- tion." Both parties issued addresses to the people. Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address . published by the latter party. This address revealed the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly man- ner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to esti- mate the critical and extremely delicate situation in which the Governor was placed at that time. Our hero maintained himself honorably and with supreme dignity throughout his administration, and in his honor a county in this State is named. He was truly a great man, and those who lived in this State during his sojourn here, like those who live at the base of the mountain, were too nearto see and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them. Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestrv, who cami to this country with \Vm. Penn in 1682. After the expiration of his term of service. Gov. Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, sup- erintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agri- cultural society in the Stale. On account of ill health, however, and having no family to tie him down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadel- phia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at Woodland, near that city. *t +* O f^^^^t> » — o i:OHN REYNOLDS, Governor r83i- 4, was born in Montgomery Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, Feb. 26, 1788. His father, Robert Reynolds and his mother, nee Margaret Moore, were both natives of Ireland, from which country they emigrated to the United States in 1785, land- ing at Philadelphia. The senior Reynolds entertained an undying hostility to the British Govern- ment. When the subject of this sketch was about six months old, his parents emigrated with him to Tennessee, where many of their relatives had already located, at the base of the Copper Ridge Mountain, about 14 miles northeast of the present city of Knoxville. There they were e.x- posed to Indian depredations, and were much molest- ed by them. In 1794 they moved into the interior of the State. They were poor, and brought up their children to habits of manual industry. In 1800 the family removed to Kaskaskia, 111., with eight horses and two wagons, encountering many hardships on the way. Here young Reynolds passed the most of his childhood, while his character began to develop, the most prominent traits of which were ambition and energy. He also adopted the principle and practice of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors. In 1807 the family made another removal, this time to the '' Goshen Settlement," at the foot of the Mississippi bluffs three or four miles southwest of Edwardsville. On arriving at his 20th year, Mr. Reynolds, seeing tiiat he must look about for his own livelihood and not yet having determined what calling to pursue, concluded first to attend college, and he accordingly went to such an institution of learning, near Knox- ville, Tenn., where he had relatives. Imagine his diffidence, when, after passing the first 20 years of his life without ever having seen a carpet, a papered wall or a Windsor chair, and never having lived in a shingle-roofed house, he suddenly ushered himself into the society of the wealtliy in the vicinity of Knoxville ! He attended college nearly two years, going through the principal Latin authors; but it seems that he, like the rest of the world in modern times, had but very little use for his Latin in after life. He always failed, indeed, to exhibit any good degree of literary discipline. He commenced the study of law in Knoxville; but a pulmonary trouble came on and compelled him to change his mode of life. Accordingly he returned home and re- cuperated, and in 1812 resumed his college and law studies at Knoxville. In the fall of 18 12 he was admitted to the Bar at Kaskaskia. About this time he also learned the French language, which he practiced with pleasure in conversation with his family for many years. He regarded this language as being superior to all others for social intercourse. \ r ■*tr^ 124 /OJ/AT REYNOLDS. n, 4 From his services in the West, in the war of 181 2, he obtained the sobriquet of the " Old Ranger." He was Orderly Sergeant, then Judge Advocate. Mr. Reynolds opened his first law office in the winter and spring of 18 14, in the French village of Cahokia, then the capital of St. Clair County. In the fall of 1818 he was elected an Associate Justice \.\\p\\ the Supreme Bench by the General Assembly. In 1825 he entered more earnestly than ever into the practice of law, and the very next year was elected a member of the Legislature, where he acted independently of all clicjues and private inter- ests. In 1828 the Whigs and Democrats were for the first time distinctively organized as such in Illi- nois, and the usual party bitterness grew up and raged on all sides, while Mr. Reynolds preserved a judicial calmness and moderation. The real animus of the campaign was " Jackson " and " anti-Jackson," the former party carrying the State. In August, 1830, Mr. Reynolds was elected Gov- ernor, amid great excitement. Installed in office, he did all within his power to advance the cause of edu- cation, internal improvements, the Illinois & Mich- igan Canal, the harbor at Chicago, settling the coun- try, etc.; also reccmmended the winding up of the State Bank, as its affairs had become dangerously coni|)licated. In his national politics, he was a ^moderate supporter of General Jackson. But the most celebrated event of his gubernatorial admin- istration was the Black Hawk War, which occurred in 1832. He called out the militia and prosecuted the contest with commendable diligence, appearing in person on the battle-grounds during the most critical periods. He was recognized by the President as Major-General, and authorized by him to make treaties with the Indians. By the assistance of the general Ciovernmcnt the war was terminated without much bloodshed, but after many serious fights. This w.ir, as well as everything else, was materially re- tarded by the occurrence of Asiatic cholera in the West. This was its first appearance here, and was the next event in prominence during Gov. Reynolds' term. South Carolina nullification coming up at this time, it was heartily condemned by both President Jackson and Gov. Reynolds, who took precisely the same grounds as the Unionists in the last war. On the termination of his gubernatorial term in 1834, Gov. Reynolds was elected a Member of Con- gress, still considering himself a backwoodsman, as he had scarcely been outside of the State since he became of age, and had spent nearly all his youthful days in the wildest region of the frontier. His first move in Congress was to ado))! a resolution that in all elections made by the House for officers the votes should be given viva voce, each member in his place naming aloud the person for whom he votes. This created considerable heated discussion, but was es- sentially adopted, and remained the controlling prin- ciple for many years. The ex-Governor was scarcely absent from his seat a single day, during ei^ht ses- sions of Congress, covering a period of seven years, and he never vacillated in a party vote; but he failed to get the Democratic ]mrty to foster his " National Road" scheme. He says, in " My Own Times " (a large autobiography he published), that it was only by rigid economy tliat he avoided insolvency while in \Vashington. During his sojourn in that city he was married, to a lady of the place. In 1837, while out of Congress, and in company with a few others, he built the first railroad in the Mississippi Valley, namely, one about six miles long, leading from his coal mine in the Mississippi bluff to the bank of the river opposite St. Louis. Having not the means to purchase a locomotive, they operated it by horse-power. The next spring, however, the com- l)any sold out, at great sacrifice. In 1S39 the ex-Governor was apixsinted one of the Canal Commissioners, and authorized to borrow money to prosecute the enterprise. Accord' ngly, he repaired to Philadelphia and succeeding in obtaining a million dollars, which, however, was only a fourth of what was wanted. The same year he and his wife made at our of Europe. This year, also, .Mr. Reynolds had the rather awkward little responsibility of introducing to President Van Buren the noted Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, as a " Latter-Day Saint! " In 1846 Gov. Reynolds was elected a member of the Legislature from St. Clair County, more particu- larly for the purpose of obtaining a feasible charter for a macadamized road from Belleville to St. Louis, a distance of nearly 14 miles. This was immediately built, and was the first road of the kind in the State. He was again elected tothe Legislature in 1852, when he was chosen Speaker of the House. In i860, aged and infirm, he attended the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, S. C, as an anti-Douglas Delegate, wliere he received more attention from the Southern Delegates than any other member. He supported Breckenridge for the Presidency. After the October elections foreshadowed the success of Lincoln, he published an address urging the Demo- crats to rally to the support of Douglas. Immedi- ately preceding and dtiring the late war, his corre- spondence evinced a clear sympathy for the Southern secession, and about the first of March, i86i, he urged upon the Buchanan officials the seizure of the treasure and arms in the custom-house and arsenal at St. Louis. Mr. Reynolds was a rather talkative man, and apt in all the Western phrases and catch- words that ever gained currency, besides m.tny cun- ning and odd ones of his own manufacture. He was married twice, but had 110 children. He died in Belleville, in May, 1865, just after the close of the war. "r §4^ :^r-^>^ 1 GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 127 * .LIAM LEE D. EVVING, Governor of Illinois Nov. 3 p to 17, 1834, was a native of Kentucky, and probably of Scotch ancestry. He had . fine education, was a gentle- lan of polished manners and ed sentiment. In 1830 John Rey- s was elected Governor of the State, Zadok Casey Lieutenant Governor, (or the principal events that followed, the characteristics of the times, see ;h of Gov. Reynolds. The first we in history concerning Mr. Ewing, in- s us that he was a Receiver of Public Moneys at Vandalia soon after the organization of this State, and that the public moneys in his hands were deposited in various banks, as they are usually at the present day. In 1823 the State Bank was robbed, by which disaster Mr. Ewing lost a thousand- dollar deposit. The subject of this sketch had a commission as Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and in emergencies he acted also as Major. In the summer of r832, when it was rumored among the whites that Black Hawk and his men had encamped somewhere on Rock River, Gen. Henry was sent on a tour of reconnoisance, and with orders to drive the Indians from the State. After some opposition from his subordinate officers, Henry resolved to proceed up Rock River in search of the enemy. On the 19th of July, early in the morning, five baggage wagons, ' -A camp equipage and all heavy and cumbersome arti- cles were piled up and left, so that the army might make speedy and forced marches. For some miles the travel was exceedingly bad, crossing swamps and the worst thickets; but the large, fresh trail gave life and animation to the Americans. Gen. Dodge and Col. Ewing were both actnig as Majors, and composed the " spy corps " or vanguard of the*< army. It is supposed the army marched nearly 50 miles this day, and the Indian trail they followed became fresher, and was strewed with much property, and trinkets of the red-skin'5 that they had lost or thrown away to hasten their march. During the following night there was a terrific thunder-storm, and the soldiery, with all their appurtenances, were thor- oughly drenched. On approaching nearer the Indians the next day. Gen. Dodge and Major Ewing, each commanding a battalion of men, were placed in front to bring on the battle, but the savages were not overtaken this day Forced marches were continued until they reached. Wisconsin River, where a veritable battle ensued, resulting in the death of about 68 of Black Hawk's men. The next day they continued the chase, and as soon as he discovered the trail of the Indians leading toward the Mississippi, Maj. Ewing formed his battalion in order of battle and awaited the order of Gen. Henry. The latter soon appeared on the ground and ordered a charge, wiiich directly resulted in chasing the red warriors across the great river. Maj. Ewing and his command proved particularly efficient in war, as it seems they were the chief actors in driving the main body of the Sacs and Foxes, in- r -e-J— ■ 128 WILLIAM L. D. EWING. eluding Black Hawk himself, across the Mississippi, while Gen. Atkinson, commander-in-chief of the ex- pedition, with a body of the army, was hunting for them in another direction. In the above affair Maj. Ewing is often referred to as a " General," which title he had derived from his connection with the militia. It was in the latter part of the same year (1832) that Lieutenant Governor Casey was elected to Con- gress and Gen. Ewing, who had been elected to tlie Senate, was cliosen to preside over that body. At the August election of 1S34, Gov. Reynolds was also elected to Congress, more than a year ahead of the time at which he could actually take his seat, as was then tiie law. His predecessor, Charles Slade, had just died of Asiatic cholera, soon after the elec- tion, and Gov. Reynolds was chosen to serve out his unexpired term. Accordingly he set out for Wash- ington in November of that year to take his seat in Congress, and Gen. Ewing, by virtue of his office as President of the Senate, became Governor of the State of Illinois, his term covering only a period of ' 15 days, namely, from the 3d to the 17th days, in- • elusive, of November. On the 17th the Legislature I met, and Gov. Ewing transmitted to that body his I message, giving a statement of the condition of the affairs of the State at that time, and urging a contin- uance of the policy adopted by his predecessor; and on the same day Governor elect Joseph Duncan was sworn into office, thus relieving Mr. Ewing from the responsible situation. This is the only time that such a juncture has happened in the history of Illi- nois. On the 29th of December, 1835, Gen. Ewing was elected a United States Senator to serve out the unexpired term of Elias Kent Kane, deceased. The latter gentleman was a very prominent figure in the early politics of Illinois, and a county in this State is named in his honor. The election of (}en. Ewing to the Senate was a protracted struggle. His competi- tors were James Semple, who afterwards held several important offices in tiiis State, and Richard M. Young, afterward a United States Senator and a Supreme Judge and a man of vast influence. On the first ballot Mr. Semple had 25 votes, Young 19 and Ewing 18. On the eighth ballot Young was dropped ; the ninth and tenth stood a tie ; but on the 1 2th Ewing received 40, to Semple 37, and was accordingly declared elected. In 1837 Mr. Ewing received some votes for a continuance of his term in Congress, when Mr. Young, just referred to, was elected. In 1842 Mr. Ewing was elected State Auditor on the ticket with Gov. Ford. Gen. Ewing was a gentleman of culture, a lawyer by profession, and was much in public life. In person he was above medium height and of heavy build, with auburn hair, blue eyes, large-sized head and short face. He was genial, social, friendly and affable, with fair talent, though of no high degree of originality. He died March 25, 1846. ^ ^*' I -e4:^ GO VERNORS OF ILLTNOFS. i* 131 M¥. ^\^ OSEPH DUNCAN, Governor 1834-8, was born at Paris, Ky., Feb. 23, 1794. At the tender age of 19 years he en- Usted in the war against Great Britain, and as a soldier he acquitted himself with credit. He was an Ensign under the daunt- iki,-:-t^' less Croghan at Lower .Sandusky, \K^ o'' Fort Stephenson. In Illinois he first appeared in a public capa- city as Major-General of the Militia, a position which his military fame had procured him. Subsequently he became a State Senator from Jackson County, and is honorably mentioned for introducing the first bill providing for a free-school system. In 1826, when the redoubt- able John P. Cook, who had previously beaten such men as John McLean, Elias Kent Kane and ex- Gov. Bond, came up for the fourth time for Congress, Mr. Duncan was brought forward against him by his friends, greatly to the surprise of all the politicians. As yet he was but little known in the State. He was an original Jackson man at that time, being attached to his political fortune in admiration of the glory of his military achievements. His chances of success against Cook were generally regarded as hopeless, but he entered upon the campaign undaunted. His speeches, though short and devoid of ornament, were full of good sense. He made a diligent canvass of the State, Mr. Cook being hindered by the condition of his health. The most that was expected of Mr. Duncan, under the circumstances, was that he would obtain a respectable vote, but without defeating Mr. Cook. The result of the campaign, however, was a source of surprise and amazement to both friends and foes, as Mr. Duncan came out 641 votes ahead! He received 6,321 votes, and Mr. Cook 5,680. Un- , til this denouement, the violence of party feeling smoldering in the breasts of the people on account of the defeat of Jackson, was not duly appreciated. Aside from the great convention struggle of 1824, no . other than mere local and pergonal considerations, had ever before controlled an election in Illinois. From the above date Mr, Duncan retained his seat in Congress until his election as Governor in .\ugust, 1834. The first and bloodless year of the Black Hawk War he was appointed by Gov. Rey- nolds to the position of Brigadier-General of the volunteers, and he conducted his brigade to Rock Island. But he was absent from the State, in Wash- ington, during the gubernatorial campaign, and did not personally participate in it, but addressed circu- lars to his constituents. His election was, indeed, attributed to the circumstance of his absence, be- cause his estrangement from Jackson, formerly his political idol, and also from the Democracy, largely in ascendency in the State, was complete ; but while his defection was well known to his Whig frier.ds, and even to the leading Jackson men of this Stale, the latter were unable to carry conviction of that fact to the masses, as mail and newspaper facilities at that day were far inferior to those of the present time. Of course the Governor was much abused afterward by the fossilized Jackson men who re- garded party ties and affiliations as above all other issues that could arise; but he was doubtless \K: T 4 i3« JOSEPH DUNCAN. f sincere in his opposition to the old hero, as the latter had vetoed several important western measures vk'hich were dear to Mr. Duncan. In his inaugural message he threw off the mask and took a bold stand against the course of the President. The measures he recommended in his message, however, were so desirable that the Legislature, although by a large majority consisting of Jackson men, could not refrain from endorsing them. These measures related mainly to banks and internal improvements. It was while Mr. r)uncan was Governor that the people of Illinois went whirling on with bank and in- ternal improvement schemes that well nigli bank- rupted the State. The liard times of 1837 came on, and the disasters that attended the inauguration of these plans and the operation of the banks were mu- tually charged upon the two political parties. Had any one man autocratic power to introduce and carry on any one of these measures, he would proba- bly have succeeded to the satisfaction of the public; but as many jealous men had hold of the same plow handle, no success followed and each blamed the other for the failure. In this great vortex Gov. Duncan "* was carried along, suffering the like derogation of character with his fellow citizens. At tlie height of the excitement the Legislature " provided for " railroads from Galena to Cairo, Alton to Shawneetown, Alton to Mount Carmel, Alton to the eastern boundary of tlie State in the direction of Terre Haute, Quincy via Springfield to the VVabasli, Bloomington to Pekin, and Peoria to Warsaw, — in all about 1,300 miles of road. It also provided for the improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia, Illinois, Great and Little Wabash and Rock Rivers ; also as a placebo, $200,000 in money were to be dis- tributed to the various counties wherein no improve- ments were ordered to be made as above. The estimate for the expenses for all these projects was placed at a little over $10,000,000, which was not more than half enough! That would now be equal to saddling upon the State a debt of 8225,000,000 ! It was sufficient to bankrupt the State several times over, even counting all the possible benefits. One of the most exciting events that ever occurred in this fair State was the murder of Elijah P. Love- joy in the fall of 1837, at Alton, during Mr. Duncan's term as Governor. Lovejoy was an " Abolitionist," editing the Observer at that place, and the pro- slavery slums there formed themselves into a mob, and after destroying successively three presses be- longing to Mr. Ix)vejoy, surrounded the warehouse where the fourth j)ress was stored away, endeavoring to destroy it, and where Lovejoy and his friends were entrenching themselves, and shot and killed the brave reformer! About this time, also, the question of removing the State capital again came up, as the 20 years' limit for its existence at Vandalia was drawing to a close, i'here was, of course, considerable excitement over the matter, the two main points competing for it be- ing Springfield and Peoria. The jealousy of the lat- ter place is not even yet, 45 years afterward, fully allayed. Gov. Duncan's term expired in 1838. In 1842 he was again pro]X)sed as a candidate for the Execu- tive chair, this time by the Whig party, against Adam W. Snyder, of St. Clair County, the nominee of the Democrats. Charles W. Hunter was a third candi- date for the same position. Mr. Snyder, however, died before the campaign had advanced very far, and his party substituted Thomas Ford, who was elected, receiving 46,901 votes, to 38,584 for Duncan, and 909 for Hunter. The cause of Democraric success "^ at this time is mainly attributed to the temjxsrary support of the Mormons which they enjoyed, and the want of any knowledge, on the part of the masses, that Mr. Ford was opposed to any given ]X)licy en- tertained in the respective localities. Gov. Duncan was a man of rather limited educa- tion, but with naturally fine abilities he profited greatly by his various public services, and gathered a store of knowledge regarding public affairs which served him a ready purpose. He possessed a clear judgment, decision, confidence in himself and moral courage to carry out his convictions of right. In his deportment he was well adapted to gain the admira- tion of the people. His intercourse with them was both affable and dignified. His jwrtrait at the Gov- ernor's mansion, from which tlie accompanying was made, represents him as having a swarthy complex- ion, high cheek bones, broad forehead, piercing black eyes and straight black hair. He was a liberal patron of the Illinois College at Jacksonville, a member of its Board of Trustees, and died, after a sliort illness, Jan. 15, 1844, a devoted member of the Presbyterian Churcli, leaving a wife but no children. Two children, born to them, had died in infancy. *% V .» ' €-T— ^ GO VERNORrS OF ILLINOIS. '35 hH- JliBli^^HllilBllilSlI T rHOMAS CARLIN, tlie sixth Governor of the State of Illinois, serving from 1838 to 1842, was also a Ken- tuckian, being b6rn near Frankfort, that State, July 18, 1789, of Irish paternity. The opportunities for an education being very meager in his native place, he, on approaching years of jiid'-ment and maturity, applied himself to those branches of learn- ing that seemed most important, and thus became a self-made man ; and his taste for reading and study remained with him through life. In t8o3 his father removed to Missouri, then a part of " New Spain," where he died in 1810. Ill [Sr2 young Carlin came to Illinois and partici- pated in all the "ranging" service incident to the war of that period, proving himself a soldier of un- daunted bravery. In 1814 he married Rebecca Huitt, and lived for four years on the bank of the Mississippi River, opposite the mouth of the Mis- souri, where he followed farming, and then removed to Greene County. He located the town site of Car- roUton, in that county, and in 1825 made a liberal donation of land for county building purposes. He was the first Sheriff of that county after its separate organization, and afterward was twice elected, as a Jackson Democrat, to the Illinois Senate. In the Black Hawk War he commanded a spy battalion, a pobt of considerable danger. In t834 he was ap- pointed by President Jackson to the position of Receiver of Public Moneys, and to fulfill the office more conveniently he removed to the city of Quincy. While, in r838, the unwieldy internal improvement system of the State was in full operation, with all its expensive machinery, amidst bank suspensions throughout the United States, a great stringency in the money market everywhere, and Illinois bonds forced to sale at a heavy discount, and the " hardest limes " existing that the people of the Prairie State ever saw, the general election of State officers was approaching. Discreet men who had cherished the hope of a speedy subsidence of the public infatua- tion, met with disappointment. A Governor and Legislature were to be elected, and these were now looked forward to for a repeal of the ruinous State policy. But the grand scheme had not yet lost its dazzling influence upon the minds of the people, rime and experience had not yet fully demonstrated its utter absurdity. Hence the question of arresting its career of profligate expenditures did not become a leading one with the dominant party during the campaign, and most of the old members of the Leg- islature were returned at this election. Under these circumstances the Democrats, in State Convention assembled, nominated Mr. Carlin for the office of Governor, and S. H. .\nderson for Lieuten- ant Governor, while the Whigs nominated Cyrus Ed- wards, brother of Ninian Edwards, formerly Governor, and W. H. Davidson. Edwards came out strongly for a continuance of the State policy, while Carlin remained non-committal. This was the first time that the two main political parties in this State were unembarrassed by any third party in the field. The result of the election was : Carlin, 35,573 ; Ander- son, 30,335; Edwards, 29,629; and Davidson, 28,- 7I.S- Upon the meeting of the subsequent Legislature (1839), the retiring Governor (Duncan) in his mes- y '->-— t A '36 'f> 4 ^" . . .v. THOMAS CARLTN. ■*--^ sage s[»ke in emphatic terms of the impolicy of the internal improvement system, presaging the evils threatened, and uiged that body to do their utmost to correct the great error; yet, on the contrary, the Legislature not only decided to continue the policy but also added to its burden by voting more appro- priations and ordering more improvements. Although the money market was still stringent, a further loan of $4,000,000 was ordered for the Illinois & Mich- igan Canal alone. Cft'cago at that time began to loom up and promise to be an important city, even the great emporium of the West, as it has since in- deed came to be. Ex-Gov. Reynolds, an incompe- tent financier, was commissioned to effect the loan, and accordingly hastened to the East on this respons- ible errand, and negotiated the loans, at considera- ble sacrifice to the State. Besides this embarrassment to Carlin's administnilion, the Legislature also de- clared that he had no authority to appoint a Secretary of State until a vacancy existed, and A. P. Field, a Whig, who had already held the post by appointment through three administrations, was determined to keep the place a while longer, in spite of Gov. Car- lin's preferences. The course of the Legislature in this regard, however, was finally sustained by the Supreme Court, in a quo warranto case brought up before it by Jchn A. McClernand, whom the Gov- ernor had nominated for the office. Thereupon that dignified body was denounced as a "Whig Court!" endeavoring to establish the princii)le of life-tenure of office. A new law was adopted re-organizing the Judici- ary, and under it five additional Supreme Judges were elected by the Legislature, namely, Thomas Ford (afterward Governor), Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scates, Samuel H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — all Democrats. It was during Gov. Carlin's administration that the noisy campaign of "Tippecanoe and Tyler too " oc- curred, resulting in a Whig victory. This, however, did not affect Illinois jxilitics very seriously. Another prominent event in the West during Gov. Carlin's term of office was the excitement caused by the Mormons and their removal from Independence, .Mo, to Nauvoo, 111., in 1840. At the same time they began to figure somewhat in State politics. On account of their believing — as they thought, accord- ing to the New Testament — that they sliould have " all things common," and that consequently " all the earth " and all that is uix)n it were the" Lord's " and therefore the property of his " saints," they were suspected, and correctly, too, of committing many of the deeds of larceny, robbery, etc., that were so rife throughout this country in those days. Hence a feeling of violence grew up between the Mormons and "anti-Mormons." In the State of Missouri the Mormons always supfxarted the Dem- ocracy until they were driven out by the Democratic government, when they turned their support to the Whigs. They were becoming numerous, and in the Legislature of 1840-1, therefore, it became a matter of great interest with both parties to conciliate these people. Through the agency of one John C. Ben- nett, a scamp, the Mormons succeeded in rushing through the Legislature (both parties not daring to oppose) a charter for the city of Nauvoo which vir- tually erected a hierarchy co-ordinate with the Fed- eral Government itself In the fall of 1841 the Governor of Missouri made a demand uixjn Gov. ' Carlin for the body of Joe Smith, the Mormon leader, as a fugitive from justice. Gov. Carlin issued the writ, but for some reason it was returned unserved. It was again issued in 1842, and Smith was arrested, but was either rescued by his followers or discharged by the municipal court on a writ of habeas corpus. In December, 1841, the Democratic Convention nominated Adam W. Snyder, of Belleville, for Gov- ernor. As he had been, as a member of the Legisla- ture, rather friendly to the Mormons, the latter naturally turned their support to the Democratic party. The next spring the Whigs nominated Ex- Gov. Duncan for the same office. In the meantime the Mormons began to grow more odious to the masses of the people, and the comparative prospects of the respective parties for success became very problematical. Mr. Snyder died in May, and Thomas Ford, a Supreme Judge, was substituted as a candidate, and was elected. At the close of his gubernatorial term, Mr. Carlin removed back to his old home at CarroiUon, where he spent the remainder of his life, as before his ele- vation to office, in agricultural pursuits. In r84g he served out the unexpired term of J. D. Fry in the Illinois House of Representatives, and died Feb. 4, 1852, at his residence at Carrollton, leaving a wife and seven childien. ■^ ^A-t-^-t^^SL-/ ^. ■ t T ■ _ r GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. «39 f gfegffiSata^ -^-iSS^ IHOMAS ford, Governor from 1842 to 1S46, and au- thor of a very interesting history of lUinois, was born at Uniontown, Pa., in the year 1 800. His mother, after the death of her first hus- band (Mr. Forquer), married Rob- ert Ford, who was killed in 1802, by the Indians in the mountains of Pennsylvania. She was conse- quently left in indigent circum- stances, with a large family, mostly girls. With a view to better her condition, she, in 1804, removed to Missouri, where it had been cus- tomary by the Spanish Govern- ment to give land to actual settlers; but upon her arrival at St. Louis she found the country ceded to the United States, and the liberal policy toward set- tlers changed by the new ownership. After some sickness to herself and family, she finally removed to Illinois, and settled some three miles south of Water- loo, but the following year moved nearer the Missis- sippi bluffs. Here young Ford received his first — .._ X ' schooling, under the instructions of a Mr. Humphrey, for which he had to walk three miles. His mother, though lacking a thorough education, was a woman of superior mental endowments, joined to energy and determination of cliaracter. She inculcated in her children those high-toned principles which dis- tinguished her sons in public life. She exercised a rigid economy to provide her children an education; but George Forquer, her oldest son (six years older than Thomas Ford), at an early age had to quit school to aid by his labor in the support of the family. He afterward became an eminent man in Illinois affairs, and but for his early death would probably have been elected to the United States Senate. Young Ford, with somewhat better opportunities, received a better education, though limited to the curriculum of the common school of those pioneer times. His mind gave early promise of superior en- dowments, with an inclination for mathematics. His proficiency attracted the attention of Hon. Daniel P. Cook, who became his efficient patron and friend. The latter gentleman was an eminent Illijiois states- man who, as a Member of Congress, obtained a grant of 300,000 acres of land to aid in completing the Illinois & Michigan Canal, and after whom the county of Cook was named. Through the advice of ^ 140 THOMAS FORD. this geiuleman, Mr. Ford turned his attention to the study of law; l)ut Forquer, then merchandising, re- garding his education defective, sent him to Transyl- vania University, where, however, he remained but one term, owing to Forquer's failure in business. On his return he aUernaled his law reading with teach- ing school for support. In 1829 Gov. Edwards appointed him Prosecuting Attorney, and in 1831 he was re-appointed by Gov. Reynolds, and after that he was four times elected a Judge by the Legislature, without opposition, twice a Circuit Judge, once a Judge of Chicago, and as As- sociate Judge of the Supreme Court, when, in 1841, the latter tribunal was re-organized by the addition of five Judges, all Democrats. Ford was assigned to the Ninth Judicial Circuit, and while in this capacity lie was holding Court in Ogle County he received a notice of his nomination by the Democratic Conven- tion for the office of Governor. He immediately re- signed his place and entered upon the canvass. In .August, 1842, he was elected, and on the 8th of De- cember following he was inaugurated. All the offices which he had held were unsolicited by him. He received them upon the true Jefferson- ian -principle, — Never to ask .md never to refuse office. Both as a lawyer and as a Judge he stood de-icrvedly high, but his cast of intellect fitted him rather for a writer upon law than a practicing advo- cate in the courts. In the latter capacity he was void of the moving power of eloquence, so necessary to success with juries. As a Judge his opinions were sound, lucid and able expositions of the law. In praCiice, he was a stranger to the tact, skill and in- sinuating address of the politician, but he saw through the arts of demagogues as well as any man. He was plain in his demeanor, so much so, indeed, that at one time after the expiration of his term of office, during a session of thij Legislature, he was taken by a stranger to be a seeker for the position of door- keeper, and was waited upon at his hotel near mid- night by a knot of small office-seekers with the view of effecting a " combination ! " Mr. Ford had not the "brass" of the ordinary politician, nor that impetuosity which characterizes a political leader. He cared little for money, and hardly enough for a decent support. In person he was of small stature, slender, of dark complexion, with black hair, sharp features, deep-set eyes, a pointed, aquiline nose having a decided twist to one side, and a small mouth. The three most important events in Gov. Ford's administration were the establishment of the high financial credit of the State, the '" Mormon War "and the Mexican War. In the first of these the Governor proved himself to be eminently wise. On coming into office he found the State badly paralyzed by the ruinous effects of the notorious "internal improvement " schemes of the preceding decade, with scarcely anything to show by w-ay of "improvement." The enterprise , that seemed to be getting ahead more than all the | rest was the Illinois & Michigan Canal. As this promised to be the most important thoroughfare, feasible to the people, it was well under headway in 1 its construction. Therefore the State policy was j almost concentrated upon it, in order to rush it on to ' com|)letion. The bonded indebtedness of the State 1 was growing so large as to frighten the people, and ' they were about ready to entertain a proposition for repudiation. But the Governor had the foresight to recommend such measures as would maintain the ' public credit, for which every citizen to-day feels thankful. But perhaps the Governor is remembered more for his connection with the Mormon troubles than for anything else; for it was during his term of office that the " Latter- Day Saints " became so strong at Nauvoo, built their temple there, increased their num- bers throughout the country, committed misdemean- ors, taught dangerous doctrines, suffered the loss of their leader, Jo Smith, by a violent death, were driven out of Nauvoo to the far West, etc. Having been a , Judge for so many years previously, Mr. Ford of! course was non-committal concerning Mormon affairs, and was therefore claimed by both parties and also ^ accused by each of sympathizing too greatly with the ]^ other side. Moimonism claiming to be a system of' religion, the Governor no doubt was "between two ] i fires," and felt compelled to touch the matter rather 1 1 " gingerly," and doubtless felt greatly relieved when • . that pestilential people left the State. Such compli- ( cated matters, especially when religion is mixed up with them, expose every person participating in them to criticism from all parties. The Mexican War was begun in the spring of 1845, and was continued into the gubernatorial term of Mr. Ford's successor. The Governor's connection with this war, however, was not conspicuous, as it was only administrative, commissioning officers, etc. Ford's " History of Illinois " is a very readable and entertaining work, of 450 small octavo pages, and is destined to increase in value with the lapse of time. It exhibits a natur.il flow of compact and forcible thought, never failing to convey the nicest sense. In tracing with his trenchaiit pen the devious operations of the professional politician, in which he is inimit- able, his account is open, perhaps, to the objection that all his contemporaries are treated as mere place- seekers, while many of them have since been judged by the people to be worthy statesmen. His writings seem slightly open to the criticism that they exhibit a little splenetic partiality against those of his con- temporaries who were prominent during his term of office as Governor. The death of Gov. Ford took place at Peoria, 111., Nov. 2, 1850. *X V < ^^.^'^-^^^^^.f-'^ GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. u 143 r usttm C. Frenek. m}^y N^ ^ tiS^^i''^^ *^^ ^^7/ ^^ U G U S T U S C. FRENCH, Governor of Illinois from 1846 to 1852, was born in the town of Hill, in the State of New Hampshire, Aug. 2, 1808. He was a descendant in the fourth generation ot Nathaniel French, who emigrated from England in 1687 and settled in Say bury, Mass. In early life young French lost his father, but continued to receive in- struction from an exemplary and Christian mother until he was 19 years old, when she also died, confiding to his care and trust four younger broth- ers and one sister. He discharged his trust with parental devotion. His education in early life was such mainly as a common school afforded. For a brief period he attended Dartmouth College, but from pecuniary causes and the care of his brothers and sister, he did not graduate. He subsequently read law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1831, and shortly afterward removed to Illinois, settling first at Albion, Edwards County, where he established him- self in the practice of law. The following year he removed to Paris, Edgar County. Here he attained eminence in his profession, and entered public life by representing that county in the Legislature. A strong attachment sprang up between him and Ste- phen A. Douglas. In 1839, Mr. French was appomted Receiver of the United States Land Office at Palestine, Craw- ford County, at which place he was a resident when elevated to the 'gubernatorial chair. In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector, and as such he voted for JaiTies K. Polk, The Democratic State Convention of 1846, meet- ing at Springfield Feb. 10, nominated Mr. French for Governor. Other Democratic candidates were Lyman Trumbull, John Calhoun (subsequently of Lecompton Constitution notoriety), Walter B. Scates, Richard M. Young and A. W. Cavarly,— an array of ^ very able and prominent names. Trumbull was per- haps defeated in the Convention hythe tumor that he was opposed to the Illinois and Michigan Canal, as he had been a year previously. For Lieutenant Governor J. B. Wells was chosen, while other candi- dates were Lewis Ross, Wm. McMurlry,. Newton Cloud, J. B- Hamilton and W. W. Thompson. The resolutions declared strongly against the resuscita- tion of the old State Banks. The Whigs, who were in a hopeless minority, held their convention June 8, at Peoria, and selected Thomas M. Kilpatrick, of Scott County, for Governor, and Gen. Nathaniel G. Wilcox, of Schuyler, for Lieutenant Governor. In the campaign the latter expos(=;d Mr. French's record and connection with the passage of the in- ternal improvement system, urging it against his election; but in the meantime the war with Mexico broke out, regarding whicli the Whig record was un- popular in this State. The war was the absorbing and dominating question of the period, sweeping every other political issue in its course. The elec- tion in August gave Mr. French 5^,700 votes, and Kilpatrick only 36,775. Richard Eells, Abolitionist candidate for the same office, received 5,152 votes. *v -^ i T __« . -—^ 4 144 AUGUSTUS C. FRENCH. By the new Constitution of 1848, a new election for State officers was ordered in Novembei of that year, before Gov. French's term was half out, and he was re-elected for the term of four years. He was there- fore the incumbent for six consecutive years, the only Governor of this State who has ever served in that capacity so long at one time. As there was no organized opposition to his election, he received 67,- 453 votes, to 5,639 for Pierre Menard (son of the first Lieutenant Governor), 4,748 for Charles V. Dyer, 3,834 for W. L. D. Morrison, and 1,361 for James L. D. Morrison. But Wm. McMurtry, of Knox County, was elected Lieutenant Governor, in place of Joseph B. Wells, who was before elected and did not run again. Governor French was inaugurated info office dur- ing the progress of the Me.xican War, which closed during the summer of 1847, although the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was not made until Feb. 2, . 1848. The policy of Gov. French's party was com- mitted to that war, but in connection with that affair he was, of course, only an administrative officer. During his term of office, Feb. 19, 1847, 'he Legisla- ture, by sjjecial perniissioti of Congress, declared that all Government lands sold to settlers should be im- mediately subject to State taxation; before this they were exempt for five years after sale. By this ar- rangem.ent the revenue was materially increased. About the same time, the distribution of Government land vv.irrants among the Mexican soldiers as bounty threw upon the market a great quantity of good lands, and this enhanced the settlement of the State. The same Legislature authorized, with the recom- mendation of the Governor, the sale of the Northern Cross Railroad (from Springfield to Meredosia, tlie first in the State and now a section of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific) It sold for $100,000 in bonds, although it iiad cost the State not less tiian a million. The salt wells and canal lands in the Saline reserve in (rallatin County, granted by the general Govern- ment to the State, were also authorized by the Governor to he sold, to apply on the State debt. In 1850, for the first lime since 1839, the accruing State revenue, exclusive of specific appropriations, was sufficient to meet the current demands upon the treasury^ The aggregate taxable property of the State at this time was over $100,000,000, and the population 851,470. In 1849 the Legislature adopted the township or- ganization law, which, however, proved defective, and was properly amended in 1851. At its session in the latter year, the General Assembly also passed a law to exempt homesteads from sale on executions. This beneficent measure had been repeatedly urged upon that body by Gov. French. In 1850 some business men in St. Louis com- menced to build a dike opposite the lower part of their city on the Illinois side, to keep the Mississippi in its channel near St. Louis, instead of breaking away from them as it sometimes threatened to do. This they undertook without permission from the Legislature or Executive authority of this State ; and as many of the inhabitants there complained that the scheme would inundate and ruin much valuable land, there was a slight conflict of jurisdictions, re- sulting in favor of the St. Louis project ; and since then a good site has existed there for a city (East St. Louis), and now a score of railroads center there. It was in September, 1850, that Congress granted to this State nearly 3,000,000 acres of land in aid of the completion of the Illinois Central Railroad, which constituted the most important ejx)ch in the railroad — we might say internal improvement — his- tory of the State. The road was rushed on to com- pletion, which accelerated the settlement of the in- terior of the State by a good class of industrious citi- zens, and by the charter a good income to the State Treasury is paid in from the earnings of the road. In 185 I the Legislature passed a law autliorizing free stock banks, which was the source of much leg- islative discussion for a number of years. But we have not space further to particularize concerning legislation. Gov. Frencli's administra- tion was not marked by any feature to be criticised, while the country was settling up as never before. In stature. Gov. French was of medium height. squarely built, light complexioned, with ruddy face and pleasant countenance. In manners he was plain and agreeable. By nature he was somewhat diffident, but he was often very outspoken in his con- victions of duty. In public speech he was not an orator, but was chaste, earnest and persuasive. In business he was accurate and methodical, and in his administration he kept up the credit of the State. He died in 1865, at his home in Lebanon, St. Clair Co., 111. •JKl -e4^ GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 4^ H7 =^-a$^(iB>^s>^ ''|()EL A. MATTESON, Governor ' lfe«« 1853-6, was born Aug. 8, 1808, in Jeffersoa County, New York, to which place his father had re- moved from Vermont three years before. His father was a farmer in fair circumstances, but a com- mon English education was all thathisonly son received. Young Joel first tempted fortune as a small tradesman in Prescott, Canada, before he was of age. He returned from that place to his home, entered an academy, taught school, visited the prin- cipal Eastern cities. Improved a farm his father had given him, made a tour in the South, worked there in building railroads, experienced a storm on the Gulf of Mexico, visited the gold diggings of Northern Georgia, and returned via Nashville to St. Louis and through Illinois to his father's home, when he mar- ried. In 1833, having sold his farm, he removed, with his wife and one child, to Illinois, and entered a claim on Government land near the head of Au Sable River, in what is now Kendall County. At that time there were not more than two neighbors within a range of ten miles of his place, and only three or four houses between him and Chicago. He opened a large farm. His family was boarded 12 miles away while he erected a house on his claim, sleeping, during this time, under a rude pole shed. Here his life was once placed in imminent peril by a huge prairie rattlesnake sharing his bed. In r835 he bought largely at the Government land sales. During the speculative real-estate mania which broke out in Chicago in 1836 and spread over the State, he sold his lands under the inflation of that period and removed to Joliet. In 1838 he became a heavy contractor on the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Upon the completion of his job in 1841, when hard times prevailed, business at a stand, contracts paid in State scrip; when all the public works except the canal were abandoned, the State offered for sale 700 tons of railroad iron, which was purchased by Mr. Mat- teson at a bargain. This he accepted, shipped and sold at Detroit, realizing a very handsome profit, enough to pay off" all his canal debts and leave him a surplus of several thousand dollars. His enterprise next prompted him to start a woolen mill at Joliet, in which he prospered, and which, after successive enlargements, became an enormous establishment. In 1842 he was first elected a State Senator, but, by a bungling apportionment, John Pearson, a Senator holding over, was found to be in the same district, and decided to be entitled to represent it. Mat- teson's seat was declared vacant. Pearson, however. with a nobleness difficult to appreciate in this day of M *t- •*-X^ 148 /OEZ A. MATTE SON. 4 greed for office, unwilling to represent his district under the circumstances, immediately resigned his unexpired term of two years. A bill was passed in a few hours ordering a new election, and in ten days' time Mr. Matteson was returned re-elected and took his seat as Senator. From his well-known capacity as a business man, he was made Chairman of the Committee on Finance, a position he held during this half and two full succeeding Senatorial terms, discharging its im|X)rtant duties with ability and faith- fulness. Besides his extensive woolen-mill interest, when work was resumed on the canal under the new loan of $1,600,000 he again became a heavy con- tractor, and also subsequently operated largely in building railroads. Thus he showed himself a most energetic and thorougii business man. He was nominated for Governor by the Demo- cratic State Convention which met at Springfield April 20, 1852. Other candidates before the Con- vention were D. L. Gregg and F. C. Sherman, of Cook ; John Dement, of Lee ; Thomas L. Harris, of Menard; Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton ; and D. P. Bush, of Pike. Gustavus Koerner, of St. Clair, was nom- inated for Lieutenant Governor. For the same offices the Whigs nominated Edwin B. Webb and Dexter A. Knowlton. Mr. Matteson received 80,645 votes at the election, while Mr. Webb received 64,408. Mat- teson's forte was not on the stump; he had not cul- tivated the art of oily flattery, or the faculty of being all things to all men. His intellectual qualities took rather the direction of efficient executive ability. His turn consisted not so much in the adroit manage- ment of party, or the powerful advocacy of great gov- ernmental principles, as in those more solid and enduring operations which cause the physical devel- opment and advancement of a State, — of commerce and business enterprise, into which he labored with success to lead the people. As a politician he was just and liberal in his views, and both in official and private life he then stood untainted and free from blemish. As a man, in active benevolence, social rirtues and all the amiable qualities of neighbor or citizen, he had few su])eriors. His messages present a perspicuous array of facts as to the condition of the State, and are often couched in forcible and elegant diction. The greatest excitement during his term of office was the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, by Con- gress, under the leadership of Stephen A. Douglas in 1854, when the bill was passed organizing the Terri- tory of Kansas and Nebraska. A large jwrtion of the Whig party of the North, through their bitter op- lX)sition to tlie Democratic party, naturally drifted into the doctrine of anti-slavery, and thus led to what was temporarily called the "Anti-Nebraska" party, while the followers of Douglas were known as " Ne- braska or Douglas Democrats." It was during this embryo stage of the Republican party that Abraham Lincoln was brought forward as the "Anti-Nebraska" candidate for the United States Senatorship, while Gen. James Shields, the incumbent, was re-nom- inated by the Democrats. But after a few ballotings in the legislature (1855), these men were dropped, and Lyman Trumbull, an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, was brought up by the former, and Mr. Matteson, then Governor, by the latter. On the nth ballot Mr. Trumbull obtained one majority, and was ac- cordingly declared elected. Before Gov. Matteson's term expired, the Republicans were fully organized ' as a national party, and in r856 put into the field a full national and State ticket, carrying the State, but not the nation. ° The Legislature of 1855 passed two very import- 1 ant measures, — the present free-school system and a I submission of the Maine liquor law to a vote of the people. The latter was defeated by a small majority of the popular vote. During the four years of Gov. Matteson's admin- istration the taxable wealth of the State was about trebled, from $137,818,079 to $349,95 r, 272 ; the pub- lic debt was reduced from $17,398,985 to $12,843,- 144; taxation was at the same time reduced, and the State resumed paying interest on its debt in New York as fast as it fell due; railroads were increased in their mileage from something less than 400 to about 3,000 ; and the ]i()[)ulation of Chicago was nearly doubled, and its commerce more than quad- rupled. Before closing this account, we regret that we have to say that Mr. Matteson, in all other respects an upright man and a good Governor, was implicated in a false re-issue of redeemed canal scrip, amount- ing to $224,r82.66. By a suit in the Sangamon Cir- cuit Court the State recovered the principal and all the interest excepting $27,500. He died in the winter of 1872-3, at Chicago. ^ f GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. -^^^ iSi [ LLIAM H. BISSELL, Gov- ernor 1857-60, was born April 25, i8u, in the State of New York, near Painted Post, Yates County. His parents were obscure, honest. God-fearing people, " 1k) reared their children under the daily example of industry and frugality, accord- ing to the custom of that class of Eastern society. Mr. Bissell received a respecta- lile but not thorough academical education. By assiduous application he acquired a knowledge of medicine, and in his early manhood came West and located in Mon- roe County, this State, where he engaged in the practice of that profession. But he was not enam- ored of his calling: he was swayed by a broader ambition, to such an extent that the mysteries of the healing art and its arduous duties failed to yield him further any charms. In a few years he discovered his choice of a profession to be a mistake, and when he approached the age of 30 he sought to begin anew. Dr. Bissell, no doubt unexpectedly to him- self, discovered a singular facility and charm of speech, the exercise of which acquired for him a ready local notoriety. It soon came to be under- stood that he desired to abandon his profession and take up that of the law. During terms of Court he would spend his time at the county seat among the members of the Bar, who extended to him a ready welcome. It was not strange, therefore, that he should drift into public life. In 1840 he was elected as a Dem- ocrat to the Legislature from Monroe County, and was an efficient member of that body. On his re- turn home he qualified himself for admission to the Bar and speedily rose to the front rank as an advo- cate. His powers of oratory were captivating. With a pure diction, charming and inimitable gestures, clearness of statement, and a remarkable vein of sly humor, his efforts before a jury told with irresistible effect. He was chosen by the Legislature Prosecut- ing Attorney for the Circuit in which he lived, and in that position he fully discharged his duty to the State, gained the esteem of the Bar, and seldom failed to convict the offender of the law. In stature he was somewhat tall and slender, and with a straight, military bearing, he presented a dis- tinguished appearance. His complexion was dark, his head well poised, though not large, his address pleasant and manner winning. He was exemplar)' in his habits, a devoted husband and kind parent. He was twice married, the first time to Miss James, =ia: ¥ »s« WILLIAM H. BISSELL. of Monroe County, by whom he had two children, both daughters. She died soon after the year 1840, and Mr. B. married for his second wife a daugliter of Elias K. Kane, previously a United States Senator from this State. She survived him but a short time, and died without issue. When the war with Mexico was declared in 1 846, Mr. Bissell enlisted and was elected Colonel of his regiment, over Hon. Don Morrison, by an almost unanimous vote, — 807 to 6. Considering the limited opportunities he had had, he evinced a high order of military talent. On the bloody field of Buena Vista he acquitted himself with intrepid and distinguished ability, contributing with his regiment, the Second Illinois, in no small degree toward saving the waver- ing fortunes of our arms during that long and fiercely contested battle. After his return home, at the close of the war, lie was elected to Congress, his opponents being the Hons. P. B. Fouke and Joseph Gillespie. He served two terms in Congress. He was an ardent politician. During the great contest of 1850 he voted in favor of the adjustment measures; but in 1854 he opposed the repeal of the Missouri Compromise act and therefore the Kansas-Nebraska bill of Douglas, and thus became identified with the nascent Republican party. During his first Congressional term, while the Southern members were following their old practice of intimidating the North by bullying language, and claiming most of the credit for victories in the Mexican War, and Jefferson Davis claiming for the Mississippi troops all the credit for success at Buena Vista, Mr. Bissell bravely defended the Norther* troops; whereupon Davis challenged Bissell to a duel, which was accepted. This matter was brought up against Bissell when he was candidate for Governor and during his term of office, as the Constitution of this State forbade any duelist from holding a State office. In 1856, when the Republican party first put forth a candidate, John C. Fremont, for President of the United States, the same party nominated Mr. Bissell for Governor of Illinois, and John Wood, of Quincy, for Lieutenant Governor, while the Democrats nomi- nated Hon. W. A. Richardson, of Adams County, for (Governor, and Col. R. J. Hamilton, of Cook County, for Lieutenant Governor. The result of the f election was a plurality of 4,729 votes over Richard- son. The American, or Know-Nothing, party had a ticket in the field. The Legislature was nearly bal- anced, but was politically opposed to the Governor. His message to the Legislature was short and rather ordinary, and was criticised for expressing the sup- posed obligations of the people to the incorporators of the Illinois Central Railroad Company and for re- opening the slavery question by allusions to the Kansas troubles. Late in the session an apportion- ment bill, based upon the State census of 1855, was passed, amid much partisan strife. The Governor at first signed tiie bill and then vetoed it. A furious debate followed, and the question whether the Gov- ernor had the authority to recall a signature was referred to the Courts, that of last resort deciding in favor of the Governor. Two years afterward another outrageous attempt was made for a re-apportionment and to gerrymander the State, but the Legislature failed to pass the bill over the veto of the Governor. It was during Gov. Bissell's administration that the notorious canal scrip fraud was brought to light, implicating ex-Gov. Matteson and other prominent State officials. The principal and interest, aggregat- ing $255,500, was all recovered by the State except- ing $27,500. (See sketch of Gov. Matteson.) In 1859 an attempt was discovered to fraudu- lently refund the Macalister and Stebbins bonds and thus rob the State Treasury of nearly a quarter of a million dollars. The State Government was impli- cated in this affair, and to this day remains unex- plained or unatoned for. For the above, and other matters previously mentioned. Gov. Bissell has been severely criticised, and he has also been most shame- fully libelled and slandered. On account of ex[)osure in the army, the remote cause of a nervous form of disease gained entrance into his system and eventually developed paraplegia, affecting his lower extremities, which, while it left his body in comparative health, deprived him of loco- motion except by the aid of crutches. While he was generally hopeful of ultimate recovery, this myste- rious disease pursued him, without once relaxing its stealthy hold, to t!ie close of his life, Marcli 18, i860, over nine months before the expiration of his gubernatorial term, at the early age of 48 years. He died in the faith of the Roman C'atholic t'hurch, of which he had been a member since 1854. T" -e^— i- r- — 1( . . GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. =?!^4^ n^ :::()HN WOOD, Governor i86o-i,and the first settler of Quincy, 111., was born in the town of Sempro- nius (now Moravia), Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 20, 1798. He was the second child and only son of Dr. Daniel Wood. His mother, nee Catherine Crause, was of German parentage, and died while he was an infant. Dr. Wood was a learned and skillful physician, of classical attain- ments and proficient in several modern lai.guages, who, after serving throughout the Revolu- tionary War as a Surgeon, settled on the land granted him by the Government, and resided there a re- spected and leading influence in his section until his death, at the ripe age of 92 years. The subject of this sketch, impelled by the spirit of Western adventure then pervading everywhere, left his home, Nov. 2, 1818, and passed the succeed- ing winter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The following sum- mer he pushed on to Illinois, landing at Shawneetown, and spent the fall and following winter in Calhoun County. In 1820, in company with Willard Keyes, he settled in Pike County, about 30 miles southeast of Quincy, where for the next two years he pursued farming. In 1821 he visited "the Bluffs" (as the present site of Quincy was called, then uninhabited) and, pleased with its prospects, soon after purchased a quarter-section of land near by, and in the follow- ing fall (1822) erected near the river a small cabin, ^ - -,-^ • •> ■■ 18 X 20 feet, the first building in Quincy, of which he then became the first and for some months the only occupant. About this time he visited his old friends in Pike County, chief of wliom was William Ross, the lead- ing man in building up the village of Atlas, of that j county, which was thought then to be the possible commencement of a city. One day they and others were traveling together over the country between the . two points named, making observations on the com- j parative merits of the respective localities. On ap- ! proaching the Mississippi near Mr. Wood's place, the latter told his companions to follow him and he would show them where he was going to build a city. They went about a mile off the main trail, to a high point, from which the view in every direction was most magnificent, as it had been for ages and as yet untouched by the hand of man. Before them swept by the majestic Father of Waters, yet unburdened by navigation. After Mr. Wood had expatiated at length on the advantages of the situation, Mr. Ross replied, " But it's too near Atlas ever to amount to anything!" Atlas is still a cultivated farm, and Quincy is a city of over 30,000 population. In 1824 Mr. Wood gave a newspaper notice, as the law then prescribed, of his intention to apply to the General Assembly for the formation of a new county. This was done the following winter, result- ing in the establishment of the present Adams County. During the next summer Quincy was se- lected as the county seat, it and the vicinity then containing but four adult male residents and half 4- A 156 JOHN WOOD. \ I that number of females. Siiioe that period Mr. Wood resided at the place of his early adoption un- til his death, and far more than any other man was he identified with every measure of its progress and history, and almost continuously kept in public posi- tions. He was one of the early town Trustees, and after the place became a city he was often a member of the City Council, many times elected Mayor, in the face of a constant large opposition political majority. In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1856, on the organization of the Republican party, he was chosen Lieutenant Governor of the State, on the ticket with Wm. H. Bissell for Governor, and on the death of the latter, March 18, i860, he succeeded to the Chief Executive chair, which he occupied until Gov. Yates was inaugurated neariy ten months after- ward. Nothing very marked characterized the adminis- tration of Gov. Wood. The great anti-slavery cam- paign of i860, resulting in the election of the honest lUinoisan, Abraham Lincoln, to the Presidency of the United States, occurred during the short period while Mr. Wood was Governor, and tne excitement and issues of that straggle dominated over every other consideration, — indeed, supplanted them in a great measure. The people of Illinois, during all that time, were passing the comparatively petty strifes under Bissell's administration to the overwhelming issue of preserving tjie whole nation from destruction. In 1 86 1 ex-Gov. Wood was one of the five Dele- gates from Illinois to the " Peace Convention " at Washingtoii, and in April of the same year, on the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was appointed Quartermaster-Xieneral of the State, which position he held throughout the war. In 1864 he took com- mand as Colonel of the 137th 111. Vol. Inf., with wliom he served until the period of enlistment ex- pired. Politically, Gov. Wood was always actively identi- fied with the Whig and Republican parties. Few men have in personal experience comprehended so many surprising and advancing local changes as vested in the more than half century recollections of Gov. Wood. Sixty-four years ago a solitary settler on the "Bluffs," with no family, and no neighbor within a score of miles, the world of civilization away behind him, and the strolling red-man almost his only visitant, he lived to see growing around him, and under his auspices and aid, overspreading the wild hills and scraggy forest a teaming city, second only in size in the State, and surpassed nowhere in beauty, prosperity and promise ; whose people recog- nize as with a single voice the proverbial honor and liberality that attach to the name and lengthened life of their pioneer settler, "the old Governor." Gov. Wood was twice married, — -first in January, 1826, to Ann M. Streeter, daughter of Joshua Streeter, formerly of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. They had eight children. Mrs. W. died Oct. 8, 1863, and in June, 1865, Gov. Wood married Mrs. Mary A., widow of Rev. Joseph T. Holmes. Gov. Wood died June 4, 1880, at his residence in Quincy. Four of his eight children are now living, namely: Ann E., wife of Gen. John Tillson; Daniel C, who married Mary J. Abernethy; John, Jr., who married Josepliine Skinner, .md Joshua S., who married Annie Bradley. The last mentioned now resides at Atchison, Kansas, and all the rest are still at Quincy. T ■c T _L .v^ GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. I^^H- 159 4 UCHARD YATES, the "War Governor," 1861-4, was born Jan. 18, 1818, on the banks of the Ohio River, at Warsaw, Gallatin Co., Ky. His father ^ moved in 1831 to Illinois, and after stopping for a time in Springfield, settled at Island Grove, Sangamon County. Here, after attending school, Richard joined the family. Subsequently he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, where, in 1837, he graduated with first honors. He chose for his pro- fession the law, the Hon. J. J. Har- din being his instructor. After ad- mission to the Bar he soon rose to distinction as an advocate. Gifted with a fluent and ready oratory, he soon appeared in the political hustings, and, being a passionate admirer of the great Whig leader of the West, Henry Clay, he joined his political fortunes to the party of his idol. In 1840 he engaged with great ardor in the exciting " hard cider " campaign for Harrison. Two years later he was elected to the Legislature from Morgan County, a Democratic stronghold. He served three or four terms in the Legislature, and such was the fascination of his ora- tory that by 1850 his large Congressional District, extending from Morgan and Sangamon Counties north to include LaSalle, unanimously tendered him the Whig nomination for Congress. His Democratic opponent was Maj. Thomas L. Harris, a very pop- ular man who had won distinction at the battle of Cerro Gordo, in the Mexican War, and who had beaten Hon. Stephen T. Logan for the same position, _. , • -A two years before, by a large majority. Yates was elected. Two years later he was re-elected, over John Calhoun. It was during Yates' second term in Congress that the great question of the repeal of the Missouri Com- promise was agitated, and the bars laid down for re- opening the dreaded anti-slavery question. He took strong grounds against the repeal, and thus became identified with the rising Republican party. Conse- quently he fell into the minority in his district, which was pro-slavery. Even then, in a third contest, he fell behind Major Harris only zoo votes, after the district had two years before given Pierce 2,000 majority for President. The Republican State Convention of i860 met at Decatur May 9, and nominated for the office of Gov- ernor Mr. Yates, in preference to Hon. Norman B. Judd, of Chicago, and Leonard Swett, of Blooming- ton, two of the ablest men of the State, who were also candidates before the Convention. Francis A. Hoffman, of DuPage County, was nominated for Lieutenant Governor. This was the year when Mr. Lincoln was a candidate for President, a period re- membered as characterized by the great whirlpool which precipitated the bloody War of the Rebellion. The Douglas Democrats nominated J. C. Allen of Crawford County, for Governor, and Lewis W. Ross, of Fulton County, for Lieutenant Governor. The Breckenridge Democrats and the Bell-Everett party had also full tickets in the field. After a most fear- ful campaign, the result of the election gave Mr. Yates 172,196 votes, and Mr. Allen 159,253. Mr. Yates received over a thousand more votes than did Mr. Lincoln himself. Gov. Yates occupied the chair of State during the V ^ 1 60 RICHARD YATES. most critical period of our country's history. In the fate of the nation was involved that of each State. The life struggle of the former derived its sustenance from the loyalty of the latter; and Gov. Yates seemed to realize the situation, and proved himself both loyal and wise in upholding the Government. He had a deep hold upon the affections of the people, won by his moving eloquence and genial manners. Erect and symmetrical in person, of pre- possessing api)earance, with a winning address and a magnetic power, few men possessed more of the ele- ments of popularity. His oratory was scholarly and I captivating, his hearers hardly knowing why they were transported. He was social and convivial. In the latter respect he was ultimately carried too far. The very creditable military efforts of this State during the War of the Rebellion, in patting into the field the enormous number of about 200,000 soldiers, were ever promptly and ably seconded by his excel- . lency ; and the was ambitious to deserve the title of "the soldier's friend." Immediately after the battleof Shiloh he repaired to the field of carnage to look ■ after the wounded, and his appeals for aid were promptly responded to by the people. His procla- mations calling for volunteers were impassionate appeals, urging upon the people the duties and re- . quirements of patriotism; and his special message in 1863 to the Democratic Legislature of this Stale pleading for material aid for the sick and wounded soldiers of Illinois regiments, breathes a deep fervor of noble sentiment and feeling rarely equaled in beauty or felicity of expression. Generally his mes- sages on political and civil affairs were able and com- prehensive. During his administration, however, there were no civil events of an engrossing character, although two years of his time were replete with partisan quarrels of great bitterness. Military ar- rests. Knights of the Golden Circle, riot in Fulton County, attempted suppression of the Chicago Times and the usurping State Constitutional Convention of 1862, were the chief local topics that were exciting during the Governor's term. This Convention assem- bled Jan. 7, and at once took the high position that the law calling it was no longer binding, and that it had supreme jxjwer; that it represented a virtu.-il assemblage of the whole people of the State, and was sovereign in the exercise of all power necessary to effect a peaceable revolution of the State Government and to the re-establishment of one for the "happiness, prosperity and freedom of the citizens," limited only by the Federal Constitution. Notwithstanding the law calling the Convention required its members to take an oath to sup[X)rt the Constitution of the State as well as that of the general Government, they utterly refused to take such oath. They also as- sumed legislative powers and passed several imixjrt- ant "laws!" Interfering with the (then) present executive duties, Gov. Yates was provoked to tell them plainly that " he did not acknowledge the right of the Convention to instruct him in the performance of his duty." In 1863 tlie Governor astonished the Democrats by " proroguing " their Legislature. This body, after a recess, met June 2, that year, and soon began to waste time upon various partisan resolutions ; and, while the two houses were disagreeing upon the question of adjourning sine die, the Governor, having the authority in such cases, surprised them all by adjourning them " to the Saturday next preceding the first Monday in January, 1865 ! " This led to great excitement and confusion, and to a reference of the Governor's act to the Supreme Court, who decided in liis favor. Then it was the Court's turn to receive abuse for weeks and months afterward. During the autumn of 1864 a conspiracy was de- tected at Chicago which had for its object the liber- ation of tlie prisoners of war at Camp Douglas, the burning of tlie city and the inauguration of rebellion in the North. Gen. Sweet, who had charge of tlie camp at the time, first liad his suspicions of danger aroused by a number of enigmatically worded letters which passed through the Camp postoflSce. A de- tective afterward discovered that the rebel Gen. Marniaduke was in the city, under an assumed name, and he, with other rebel officers — Grenfell, Morgan, Cantrell, Buckner Morris, and Chades Walsh — was arrested, most of whom were convicted by a court-martial at Cincinnati and sentenced to imprisonment, — Grenfell to be hung. Tlie sentence of the latter was afterward commuted to imprison- ment for life, and all the others, after nine months' imprisonment, were pardoned. In March, 1873, Gov. Yates was appointed a Gov- ernment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in which office he continued until his decease, at St. Louis, Mo., on the 27th of November following. *% ffjOAi O: GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 163 -^ ■M^ Midiard J. Ogles ^^ -{— I ^xICHARD J. OGLESBY, Gov- ernor 1865-8, and re-elected in 1872 and 1884, was born July 25, 1824, in Oldham Co., Ky., — the State which might be considered the " mother of Illinois Governors." Bereft of his parents at the tender age of eight years, his early education was neglected. When 12 years of age, and after he had worked a year and a half at the carpenter's trade, he removed with an uncle, Willis Oglesby, into whose care he had been committed, to Decatur, this State, where he continued his ap- prenticeship as a mechanic, working si.\ months for Hon. E. O. Smith. In 1844 he commenced studying law at Spring- field, with Judge Silas Robbins, and read with him one year. He was admitted to the Bar in 1845, and commenced the practice of his chosen profession at Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County. The next year the war with Mexico was com- menced, and in June, 1S46, Mr. Oglesby volunteered, was elected First Lieutenant of Co. C, Fourth Illinois Regiment of Volunteers, and participated in the bat- tles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. On his return he sought to perfect his law studies by attending a course of lectures at Louisville, but on the breaking out of the California "gold fever " in 1849, he crossed the plains and mountains to the new Eldorado, driving a six-mule team, with a com- pany of eight men, Henry Prather being the leader. In 1852 he returned home to Macon County, and was placed that year by the Whig party on the ticket of Presidential Electors. In 1856 he visited Europe, Asia and Africa, being absent 20 months. On his return home he resumed the practice of law, as a member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait &c Oglesby. In 1858 he was the Republican noninee for the Lower House of Congress, but was defeated by the Hon. James C. Robinson, Democrat. In i860 he was elected to the Illinois State Senate ; and on the evening the returns of this election were coming in, Mr. Oglesby had a fisticufif encounter with " Cerro Gordo Williams," in which he came out victorious, and which was regarded as " the first fight of the Rebellion." The following spring, when the war had commenced in earnest, his ardent nature quickly responded to the demands of patriotism and he enlisted. The extra session of the Legislature elected him Colonel of the Eighth Illinois Infantry, the second one in the State raised to suppress the great Rebellion. He w is shortly entrusted with important com- mands. For a time he was stationed at Bird's Point and Cairo; in April he was promoted Brigadier Gen- eral ; at Fort Donelson his brigade was in the van, being stationed on the right of General Grant's army and the first brigade to be attacked. He lost 500 men before re-inforcements arrived. Many of these men were from Macon County. He was engaged in the battle of Corinth, and, in a brave charge at this place, was shot in the left lung with an ounce ball, and was carried from the field in expectation of im- 4^ ^. 164 RICHARD J. OGLESBY. mediate death. That rebel ball he carries to this day. 0\\ his partial recovery he was promoted as Major General, for g lUaiitry, his commissioa to rank from November, 1862. In the spring of 1863 he was assigned to the command of the i6th Army Corps, but, owing to inability from the effects of his wound, he relinquished this command in July, that year. Gen. Grant, however, refused to accept his resignation, and he was detailed, in December follow- ing, to court-martial and try the Surgeon General of the Army at Washington, where he remamed until May, 1864, when he returned home. The Republican, or Union, State Convention of 1864 was held at Springfield, May 25, when Mr. Oglesby was nominated for the office of Governor, while other candidates before the Convention were Allen C. Fuller, of Boone, Jesse K. Dubois, of Sanga- mon, and John M. Palmer, of Macoupin. Wm. Bross, of Chicago, was nominated for Lieutenant Governor. On the Democratic State ticket were James C. Robinson, of Clark, for Governor, and S. Corning Judd, of Fulton, for Lieutenant Governor. The general election gave Gen. Oglesby a majority of about 31,000 votes. The Republicans had also a majority in both the Legislature and in the repre- sentation in Congress. Gov. Oglesby was duly inaugurated Jan. 17, 1865. The day before the first time set for his installation death visited his home at Decatur, and look from it his only son, an intelligent and sprightly lad of si.\ years, a great favorite of the bereaved parents. This caused the inauguration to be post|xined a week. The political events of the Legislative session of 1865 were the election of ex-Gov. Yates to tlie United States Senate, and the ratification of the 13th amendment to tlie Constitution of the United States, abolishing slavery. This session also signalized itself by repealing the notorious " black laws," part of which, although a dead letter, had held their place upon the statute books since 1819. Also, laws re- quiring the registration of voters, and establishing a State Board of Eciualization, were passed by this Leg- islature. But the same body evinced tiiat it was cor- ruptly influenced by a mercenary lobby, as it adopted some bad legislation, over the Governor's veto, nota- bly an amendment to a charter for a Chicago horse railway, granted in 1859 for 25 years, and now sought to be extended 99 years. As this measure was promptly passed over his veto by both branches of the Legislaturij, he deemed it useless further to attempt to check their headlong career. At this session no law of a general useful character or public interest was perfected, unless we count such the turning over of the canal to Chicago to be deepened. The session of 1867 was still more productive of private and s])ecial acts. Many omnibus i)ills were ptoixjsed, and some passed. The contests over the location of the Industrial College, the Capital, the Southern Penitentiary, and the canal enlargement and Illinois River improvement, dominated every thing else. During the year 1872, it became evident that if the Republicans could re-elect Mr. Oglesby to the office of Governor, they could also elect him to the United States Senate, which they desired to do. Accordingly they re-nominated him for the Execu- tive chair, and placed upon the ticket witli him for Lieutenant Governor, John L. Beveridge, of Cook County. On the other side the Democrats put into the field Gustavus Koerner for Governor and John C. Black for Lieutenant Governor. The election gave the Republican ticket majorities ranging from 35,334 to 56,174, — the Democratic defection being caused mainly by their having an old-time Wliig and Abolitionist, Horace Greeley, on tlie national ticket for President. According to the general understand- ing had beforehand, as soon as the Legislature met it elected Gov. Oglesby to the United States Senate, whereupon Mr. Beveridge became Governor. Sena- tor Oglesby 's term expired March 4, 1879, having served his party faithfully and exhibited an order of statesmanship beyond criticism. During the campaign of 1884 Mr. Oglesby was ' nominated for a "third term" as Executive of the State of Illinois, against Carter H. Harrison, Mayor of Chicago, nominated by the Democrats. Both , gentlemen '.'stumped " the State, and while the peo- ple elected a Legislature which was a tie on a joint liallot, as between the two parties, they gave the jovial " Dick" Oglesby a majority of 15,018 for Gov- ■ ernor, and he was inaugurated Jan. 30, 1885. The Legislature did not fully organize until this date, on account of its equal division between the two main parties and the consequent desperate tactics of each party to checkmate the latter in the organization of the House. Gov. Oglesby is a fine-appearing, affable man, with regular, well detined features and rotund face. In stature he is a little above medium height, of a large frame and somewhat fleshy. His physical a[)pear- ance is striking and prepossessing, while his straight- out, not to say blufif, manner and speech are well calculated favorably to impress the average masses. Ardent in feeling and strongly committed to the ]X)1- icies of his party, he intensifies Republicanism among Republicans, while at the same lime his jovial and liberal manner prevents those of the opposite party from hating him. He is quite an effective stump orator. With vehe- ment, passionate and scornful tone and gestures, tremendous physical power, which in s|)eaking he exercises to the utmost ; with frequent descents to the grotesque; and with abundant homely compari- sons or frontier figures, expressed in the broadest vernacular and enforced with stentorian emphasis, he dehghts a promiscuous audience beyond measure. *v :^ ^i^-^^ ?^ -fr> A^\ IL^^^-^^u^ c T ■ ,Y. . GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 1^ I *>-«i John M. Palmer ->J-*— o^Mii*-^" — 9— M" ^|OHN Mc AULEY PALMER, Gov- ernor 1869-72, was bom on Eagle Creek, Scott Co., Ky., Sept. 13, 1817. During his in- fancy, his father, who had been a soldier in the war of 181 2, re- moved to Christian Co., Ky., where lands were cheap. Here the future Governor of the great Prairie State spent his childhood and received such meager school- ing as the new and sparsely set- tled country afforded. To this he added materially by diligent reading, for which he evinced an early aptitude. His father, an ardent Jackson man, was also noted for his anti-slavery sentiments, which he thoroughly impressed upon his children. In 1831 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Madison County. Here the labor of improving a farm was pursued for about two years, when the death of Mr. Palmer's mother broke up the family. About this time Alton College was opened, on the "manual labor " system, and in the spring of 1834 young Palmer, with his elder brother, Elihu, entered this school and remained 18 months. Next, for over three years, he tried variously coopering, peddling and school-teaching. During the summer of 1838 he formed the ac- quaintance of Stephen A. Douglas, then making his first canvass for Congress. Young, eloquent and in political accord with Mr. Palmer, he won his confi-' dence, fired his ambition and fixed his purpose. The following winter, while teaching near Canton, he be- gan to devote his spare time to a desultory reading"' of law, and in the spring entered a law office at Car- linville, making his home with his elder brother, Elihu. (The latter was a learned clergyman, of con- siderable orginality of thought and doctrine.) On the next meeting of the Supreme Court he was ad- mitted to the Bar, Douglas being one of his examiners. He was not immediately successful in his profession, and would have located elsewhere than Carlinville had he the requisite means. Thus his early poverty was a blessing in disguise, for to it he now attributes the success of his life. From 1839 on, while he diligently pursued his profession, he participated more or less in local politics. In 1843 he became Probate Judge. In 1847 he was elected to the State Constitutional Con- vention, where he took a leading part. In 1852 he was elected to the State Senate, and at the special session of February, 1854, true to the anti-slavery sentiments bred in him, he took a firm stand in op- position to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise; and when the Nebraska question became a party issue he refused to receive a re-nomination for the Senatorship at the hands of the Democracy, issuing a circular to that effect. A few weeks afterward, "^ -d i68 JOHN MC AULEY PALMER. however, hesitating to break with his party, he par- ticipated in a Congressional Convention which nonii- T. L. Harris against Richard Yates, and which unqualifiedly approved the principles of the Kansas- Nebraska act. But later in the campaign he made the plunge, ran for the Senate as an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, and was elected. The following winter he put in nomination for the United States Senate Mr. Trumbull, and vvas one of the five steadfast men who voted for him until all the Whigs came to their support and elected their man. In 1856 he was Chairman of the Republican State Convention at Bloomington. He ran for Congress in 1859, but was defeated. In i860 he was Republican Presidential Elector for the State at large. In 1861 he was appointed one of the five Delegates (all Re- publicans) sent by Illinois to the peace congress at Washington. When the civil conflict broke out, he offered his services to his country, and was elected Colonel of the 14th 111. Vol. Inf , and participated in the engagements at Island No. 10 ; at Farmington, where he skillfully jj extricated his command from a dangerous position ; at Stone River, where his division for several hours, Dec. 31, 1862, held the advance and stood like a rock, and for his gallantry there he was made Major General; at Chickamauga, where his and Van Cleve's divisions for two hours maintained their position when they were cut off by overpowering numbers. Under Gen. Sherman, he was assigned to the 14th Army Corps and participated in the Atlanta campaign. At Peach-Tree Creek his prudence did much to avert disaster. In February, 1865, Gen. Palmer was as- signed to the military administration of Kentucky, which was a delicate post. That State was about half rebel and half Union, and those of the latter element were daily fretted by the loss of their slaves. He, who liad been bred to the rules of common law, trembled at the contemplation of his extraordinary power over the persons and property of his fellow men, with which lie was vested in his capacity as military Governor ; and he exhibited great caution in the execution of the duties of his post. Gen. Palmer wns nominated for Governor of Illi- nois by the Republican State Convention whicii met at Peoria May 6, 1868, and his nomination would probably have been made by acclamation liad he not persistently declared that he could not accept a can- didature for the office. The result of the ensuing election gave Mr. Palmer a majority of 44,707 over John R. Eden, the Democratic nominee. On the meeting of the Legislature in January, 1869, the first thing to arrest public attention was th.it portion of the Governor's message which took broad State's rights ground. This and some minor points, which were more in keeping with the Demo- cratic sentiment, constituted the entering wedge f )r the criticisms and reproofs he afterward received from the Republican party, and ultiraitely resulted in his entire aleniation from the latter element. The Legislature just referred to was noted for the intro- duction of numerous bills in the interest of private parties, which were embarrassing to the Governor. Among the public acts passed was that which limited railroad charges for passenger travel to a maximum of three cents per mile ; and it was passed over the Governor's veto. Also, they passed, over his veto, the "tax-grabbing law" to pay railroad subscriptions, the Chicago Lake Front bill, etc. The new State Constitution of 1 87 o, far superior to the old, was a peaceful " revolution" which took place during Gov. Palmer's term of office. The suffering caused by the great Chicago Fire of October, 1871, was greatly alleviated by the prompt responses of his excellency. Since the expiration of Gov. Palmers 's term, he has been somewhat prominent in Illinois politics, and has been talked of by many, especially in the Dem- ocratic party, as the best man in the State for a United States Senator. His business during life has been that of the law. Few excel him in an accurate appreciation of the depth and scope of its principles- The great number of his able veto messages abun- dantly testify not only this but also a rare capacity to point them out. He is a logical and cogent reasoner and an interesting, forcible and convincing speaker, though not fluent or ornate. Without brilliancy, his dealings are rather with facts and ideas than with appeals to passions and prejudices. He is a patriot and a statesman of very high order. Physically he is above the medium height, of robust frame, ruddy complexion and sanguine-nervous temperament. He has a large cranial development, is vivacious, social in disposition, easy of ajjproach, unostentatious in his habits of life, democratic in his habits and manners and is a true American in his fundamental principles of statesraanihiD. N^ -y- CTT-^Ct^ oL^ /22^^/z^<^^-«^'A/ A t* GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 171 A OHN LOWRiE BEVER- IDGE, Governor 1 87 3-6, was born in the town of Green- wich, Washington Co., N. Y., July 6, 1824. His parents were George and Ann Bever- idge. His father's parents, An- drew and Isabel Beveridge, be- fore their marriage emigrated from Scotland just before the Revolutionary War, settling in Washington County. His father was the eldest of eight brothers, the youngest of whom was 60 years of age when the first one of the num- ber died. His mother's parents, James and Agnes Hoy, emigrated from Scotland at the close of the Revolutionary War, settling also in Washington Co., N. Y., with their first-born, whose " native land " was the wild ocean. His parents and grandparents lived beyond the time allotted to man, their average age being over 80 years. They belonged to the " Asso- ciate Church," a seceding Presbyterian body of America from the old Scotch school ; and so rigid ^ was the training of young Beveridge that he never heard a sermon from any other minister except that of his own denomination until he was in his 19th year. Later in life he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which relation he still holds. Mr. Beveridge received a good common-school ed- ucation, but his parents, who could obtain a livelihood only by rigid economy and industry, could not send him away to college. He was raised upon a farm, and was in his i8th year when the family removed to De Kalb County, this State, when that section was very sparsely settled. Chicago had less than 7,000 inhabitants. In this wild West he continued as a farm laborer, teaching school during the winter months to supply the means of an education. In the fall of 1842 he attended one term at the academy at Granville, Putnam Co., 111., and subsequently several terms at the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, Ogle Co., 111., completing the academic course. At this time, the fall of 1845, his parents and brothers were anxious to have him go to college, even though he had not money sufficient; but, njt willing to bur- den the family, he packed his trunk and with only $40 in money started South to seek his fortune. !Ar: V ■e T _!_ 172 . -Y- . JOHI^ L. BEVERIDGE. ^^^ Poor, alone, without friends and influence, he thus entered upon the battle of life. First, he taught school in Wilson, Overton and Jackson Cos., Tenn., in which experience he under- went considerable mental drill, both in book studies and in the ways of the world. He read law and was admitted to the Bar, in the South, but did not learn to love the institution of slavery, although he ad- mired many features of Southern character. In De- cember, 1847, he returned North, and Jan. 20, 1848, he married Miss Helen M. Judson, in the old Clark- Street M. E. church in Chicago, her father at that time being Pastor of the society there. In the spring of 1848 he returned with his wife to Tennessee, where his two children, Alia May and Philo Judson, were born. In the fall of 1S49, through the mismanagement of an associate, he lost what little he had accumu- lated and was left in debt. He soon managed to earn means to pay his debts, returned to De Kalb Co., 111., and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at Sycamore, the county seat. On arrival from the South he had but one-quarter of a dollar in money, and scanty clothing and bedding for himself and family. He borrowed a little money, practiced law, worked in public offices, kcj)! books for some of the business men of the town, and some railroad en- gineering, till the spring of 1854, when he removed to Evanston, 1 2 miles north of Chicago, a place then but recently laid out, under the supervision of the Northwestern University, a Methodist institution. Of the latter his father-in-law was then financial agent and business manager. Here Mr. Beveridge prospered, and the next year (1855) opened a law office in Chicago, where he found the battle some- what hard; but he persevered with encouragement and increasing success. Aug. 12, 1861, his law jiartner. Gen. John F. Farnsworth, secured authority to raise a regiment of cavalry, and authorized Mr. Beveridge to raise a company for it. He succeeded in a few days in rais- ing the company, of course enlisting himself along with it. The regiment rendezvoused at St. Charles, 111., was mustered in Sept. 18, and on its organiza- tion Mr. B. was elected Second Major. It was at- tached, Oct. II, to the Eighth Cavalry and to the Army of the Potomac. He served with the regiment until November, 1863, participating in some 40 bat- tles and skirmishes : was at Fair Oaks, the seven days' fight around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg. He commanded the regirnent thegreaterpartofthesummerof 1863, andit was while lying in camp this year that he originated the policy of encouraging recruits as well as the fighting capac- ity of the soldiery, by the wholesale furlough system. It worked so well that many other officers adopted it. In the fall of this year he recruited another com- pany, against heavy odds, in January, 1864, was commissioned Colonel of the 17 th 111. Cav., and skirmished around in Missouri, concluding with the reception of the surrender of Gen. Kirby Smiths army in Arkansas. In 1865 he commanded various sub-districts in the Southwest. He was mustered out Feb. 6, 1866, safe from the casualties of war and a stouter man than when he first enlisted. His men idolized him. He then returned to Chicago, to practice law, with no library and no clientage, and no political experi- ence except to help others into office. In the fall of" 1866 he was elected Sheriff of Cook County, serving one term; next, until November, 1870, he practiced law and closed up the unfinished business of his office. He was then elected State Senator; in No- vember, 187 I, he was elected Congressman at large; in November, 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Gov-' ernor on the ticket with Gov. Oglesby; the latter be- ing elected to the U. S. Senate, Mr. Beveridge became Governor, Jan. 21, 1873. Thus, inside of a few weeks, he was Congressman at large. Lieutenant Governor and Governor. The principal events oc- curring during Gov. Beveridgc's administration were: The completion of the revision of the statutes, begun in 1869; the partial success of the "farmers' move- me"nt;" "Haines' Legislature " and Illinois' exhibit at the Centennial. Since tlie close of his gubernatorial term ex-Gov. Beveridge has been a member of the firm of Bever- idge & Dewey, bankers and dealers in commercial paper at 7 1 Dearborn Street (McCormick Block), Chicago, and since November, 188 1, he has also been Assistant United States Treasurer: office in the Government Building. His residence is still at Ev- anston. He has a brother and two sisters yet residing in De Kalb County — James H. Beveridge, Mrs. Jennet Henry and Mrs. Isabel French. A GO VERNORS OF ILLINOIS. J75 8relb> y M. Cullom, I ap HELBY M. CULLOM, Gover- nor 1877-83,13 the sixth child of the late Richard N. CuUom, and was born Nov. 22, 1829,111 Wayne Co., Ky., where his fa- ther then resided, and whence both the Illinois and Tennessee branches of the family originated. In the following year the family emi- grated to the vicinity of Washington, Tazewell Co., 111., when that section was very sparsely settled. They lo- cated on Deer Creek, in a grove at the time occupied by a party of In- dians, attracted there by the superior hunting and fishing afforded in that vicinity. The following winter was known as the " hard winter," the snow 'being very deep and lasting and the weather severely cold; and the family had to subsist mainly on boiled corn or hominy, and some wild game, for several weeks. In the course of time Mr. R. N. Culloni became a prom- inent citizen and was several times elected to the Legislature, both before and after the removal of the capital from Vandalia to Springfield. He died about '873- Until about 19 years of age young Culloni grew up to agricultural pursuits, attending school as he had opportunity during the winter. Within this time, however, he spent several months teaching school. and in the following summer he "broke prairie "with an ox team for the neighbors. With the money ob- tained by these various ventures, he undertook a course of study at the Rock River Seminary, a Methodist institution at Mt. Morris, Ogle County; but the sudden change to the in-door life of a stu- dent told severely upon his health, and he was taken home, being considered in a hopeless condition. While at Mt. Morris he heard Hon. E. B. Washburne make his first speech. On recovering health, Mr. Culloni concluded to study law, under the instruction of Abraham Lincoln, at Springfield, who had by this time attained some notoriety as an able lawyer; but the latter, being ab- sent from his office most of the time, advised Mr. CuUom to enter the office of Stuart & Edwards. After about a year of study there, however, his health failed again, and he was obliged to return once more to out-door life. Accordingly he bought hogs for packing, for A. G. Tyng, in I'eoria, and while he re- gained his health he gained in purse, netting $400 in a few weeks. Having been admitted to the Bar, he went to Springfield, where he was soon elected City Attorney, on the .\nti-Nebraska ticket. In 1856 he ran on tiie Fillmore ticket as a Presi- dential Elector, and, although failing to be elected as such, he was at the same time elected a Representa- tive in the Legislature from Sangamon County, by a local coalition of the American and Republican par- ties. On the organization of the House, he received the vote of the Fillmore men for Speaker. Practicing i^ 41 176 SHELB Y M. CULLOM. 4 law until i860, he was again elected to the Legisla- ture, as a Republican, while the county went Demo- cratic on the Presidential ticket. In January follow- ing he was elected Speaker, probably the youngest man who had ever presided over an Illinois Legis- lature. After the session of 186 1, he was a candidate for the State Constitutional Convention called for that year, but was defeated, and thus escaped tlie disgrace of being connected with that abortive party scheme to revolutionize the State Government. In 1862 he was a candidate for the State Senate, but was defeated. The same year, however, he was ap- pointed by President Lincoln on a Government Commission, in company with Gov. Boutwell of Massachusetts and Cnarles A. Dana, since of the New York Sun, to investigate the affairs of the Quartermaster's and Commissary Departments at Cairo. He devoted several months to this duty. In 1S64 he entered upon a larger political field, being nominated as the Republican candidate for Congress from the Eighth (Springfield) District, in opposition to the incumbent, JohnT. Stuart, who had been elected in 1862 by about 1,500 majority over Leonard Swett, the.n of Bloomington, now of Chicago. The result was the election of Mr. CuUom in Novem- ber following by a majority of 1,785. In 1866 he ''was re-elected to Congress, over Dr. E. S. Fowler, by the magnificent majority of 4,103! In 1868 he was again a candidate, defeating the Hon. B. S. Edwards, another of his old preceptors, by 2,884 votes. During his first term in Congress he served on the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Expenditures in the Treasury Department; in his second term, on the Committees on Foreign .Affairs and on Territories ; and in his third term he succeeded Mr. Ashley, of Ohio, to the Chairmanship of the latter. He intro- duced a bill in the House, to aid in the execution of law in Utah, which caused more consternation among the Mormons than any measure had previously, but which, tliough it passed the House, failed to pass tlie Senate. The Republican Convention which met May 25, 1876, nominated Mr. Cullom for Governor, while the other contestant was Gov. Be veridge. For Lieuten- ant-Governor they nominated Andrew Shuman, editor of the Chicago Journal. For the same offices the Democrats, combining with the Anti-Monoix)lists, placed in nomination Lewis .Steward, a wealthy farmer and manufacturer, and A. A. Glenn. The result of the election was rather close, Mr. Cullom obtaining only 6,800 majority. He was inaugurated Jan. 8, 1877. Great depression prevailed in financial circles at this time, as a consequence of the heavy failures of 1873 and afterward, the effect of which had seemed to gather force from that time to the end of Gov. Cullom's first administration. Tliis unspeculative period was not calculated to call forth any new issues, but the Governor's energies were at one time put to task to quell a spirit of insubordination that had been begun in Pittsburg, Pa., among the laboring classes, and transferred to Illinois at Chicago, East St. Louis and Braidwood, at which places laboring men for a short time refused to work or allow others to work. These disturbances were soon quelled and the wheels of industry again set in motion. In May, i88o. Gov. Cullom was re-nominated by the Republicans, against Lyman Trumbull, by the Democrats; and altliough the former party was some- what handicapped in the campaign by a zealous faction oiiposed to Grant for President and to Grant men for office generally, Mr. Cullom was re-elected by about 314,565, to 277,532 for the Democratic State ticket. The Greenback vote at the same time was about 27,000. Both Houses of the Legislature again , became Republican, and no representative of the Greenback or Socialist parties were elected. Gov. Cullom was inaugurated Jan. 10, 1S81. In his mes- s.ige he announced that the last dollar of the State debt had been provided for. March 4, 18S3, the term of David Davis as United States Senator from Illinois expired, and Gov. Cul- lom was chosen to succeed him. This promoted Lieutenant-Governor Jolin M. Hamilton to the Gov- ernorship. Senator Cullom's term in the United States Senate will expire March 4, i88g. As a practitioner oflaw Mr. C. has been a member of the firm of Cullom, Scholes & Mather, at Spring- field; and he has also b-'en President of the State National Bank. He has been married twice, — the firrt time Dec. 12, 1855, to Miss Hannah Fisher, by whom he had two daughters; and the second time May 5, 1863, to Julia Fisher. Mrs. (' is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, witli which religious body Mr. C. is also in sympathy. i •-KL t I GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. « ^ T 179 h/^>^:^ 1^^ ''** A **J'^d f (0||,H ft. s-:$«?»S;g^^;!s-^^;:&^ ri w m pu^oii. 4 "i^ ■ tT_ > L JU ir- ^Y^ "J^ mmm.-^ (r-'^X) "^ims® j^l^^ (^-sS\ GWJ •(JK .?^ feSsi-JvTir^ V^ ©~^§ Tj - izr 'L — 'y?^i ^^^ m % •An ^ =;:ry^ ^?Jh^ 5 > t. It was L-ft tn mndiTii ages V) establish an intelli- gent, undjcaying, immutable method of perpetuating a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- limited in ex'ent and perpetual in its action; and this is through the art of printing. To the present generation, liowever, we are in- debted for the introduction of the admirable system of local biography. By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, through the coming ages. The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left. The monument which his chil- dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by a record of this kind. To preserve the lineaments of our companions we engrave their [jortraits, for the same reason we col- lect the attainable facts of tlieir history. Nor do we think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to wait until they are dead, or until those who know them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to publish to the world the history of those whose lives are unworthy of public record. t 4- ■ )a — WARREN COUNTY. ^^A^:^9:-:$r^^-S^^KS:^^Xl:'^('^}:^^=SX^:^^>^»^>:S^^A^^^:{^^^X^:'^^"^:^^-:~^^<^ if ' _ _ si': ■«>f-«- . John C. Bond, for nearly half a century one of llie 3/ most prominent and valued citizens of Warren County, was born in Knox Co., Tenn , Dec. 25, 1799. Here he was reaied and educated and, in 1818, was married to Miss Polly Grimsley, of the same county. To them were born five children — Susannah Johnson, widow of Walter Johnson, deceased; W. G. Bond, ex-Sheriff of this county; Jesse W. Bond, a prominent citizen of Lenox Township; Ruby L. Cay- ton, wife of A. J. Cayton, of S.van Township; and Anna Bond, all of whom are living except the latter, who died wlien quite young. Sketches of the former may be found elsewhere in this volume. Maj. Bond removed from Tennessee to Alabama, and from there to Morgan County this State, in 1826, in which county his wife died. In May, 1829, he was married the second time, to Miss Mary Singleton, of Morgan County, and by her had three children — Fielding, Mary and Eveline, all of whom are deceased. Fielding was elected School Com- missioner of Warren County in 1861 or 1862, but died shortly after liis election. He was a young man of brilliant promise ; graduated from Lom- bard University with honors in 1857 ; shortly after f wa was admitted to the Bar, but died April 19, 1862, when only 28 years of age. Mrs. Bond died in September, 1842, and in January, 1844, Maj. Bond was married to Mrs. Nancy Terry, by whom he had two children — Canzada S., the wife of Mathew Campbell, of Stella, Neb ; and Cordelia, the wife of Henry Staat, of Berwick Township. (See sketch.) Maj. Bond was the father of ten children, six of whom survived him, and all of whom were present at his funeral. He lived to behold his fourth gen- eration of children. His funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Greenbush, Sunday afternoon. May 21, 1882, and were conducted by Elder Van Meter, a well known minister of the Regular Baptist Church, of McDonough County. It was attended by an immense concourse of old set- tlers from the south part of the county, who knew the venerable and esteemed man so long, so inti- mately and so well. He was buried in the grave- yard laid out by his father on the old home farm many long years ago. Maj. Bond played an important part in the early history of Warren County. He was one of the Com- missioners of the county in 1839, when the affairs of the county were conducted by three men, and in 1853, together with Samuel Hallam and Robert Gil- more, was appointed to divide the county into Town- ships, which they did as they now exist. After the adoption of the township organization system, he was the first Supervisor elected from Greenbush, and served for 14 successive years, and until he became so deaf and bending with age he asked his fellow citizens of Greenbush to relieve him of further dis- charge of his arduous duties. He served the county ty jl -4. ;t* >' 190 WARREN COUNTY. ^ on the Board long and well, and his judgment and excellent good sense, as well as public spirit, per- vaded the affairs of the county for many years. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the south part of the county, to which position lie was elected in 1835, and appointed his own constable to conduct his court and serve his papers. His first court was held in a smoke-house, and the trial was over a steer belonging to some Indianaian. Being his first term and the occasion an important one, he ordered his sons to clean out the smoke-house, and set the " court-room " in order. While carrying out the order, they performed some tricks not proper to docket, for which the 'squire fined them " for con- tempt of court,' and they paid the penalty. In 1844, Maj. Bond was candidate for the Legis- lature, and was beaten by only three votes. He was Assessor for his township for a number of years. In 1828, he went to Galena and worked in the lead mines. He passed through this county on his way and camped for the first time in the edge of the tim- ber two miles west of what became liis own home. At that time, as he surveyed the broad, open prairie, that stretclied out for miles before him, he was en- raptured with the high roiling mound where the old homestead now stands. He remarked to his com- panion that " there was where he would settle." He received his title as Major under the old mil- itia law of Illinois, and was Major of tlie regiment of this section of the country, of which John Butler, deceased, of Greenbush, was Colonel. In 1834, Maj. Bond settled on the old homestead where he died. The land was entercil by his fatiier, and after his deatli Maj. Bond purchased from the other heirs their interest in the farm. As a neighbor and friend, he was a most genial and companionable man, and just as true as the needle to the pole. His integrity was as unbending as the oak, and no man more heartily despised a dishonorable action than he. His heart and purse were ever open to the needy, unfortunate and op- pressed, and no one was ever turned hungry from his door. His home and its hospitalities were often shared by the early settlers who sought locations in this county, and they never forgot the genuine friend- shij) they received from John C. Bond, and many are the silent tears that will be shed to his memory by those who bore the trials and vicissitudes of the years long gone by in the settlement of the county. Having well and faithfully performed the task set before him, and more than filled out the measure of his four score years with a firm and abiding faith in the mercies of a true and just God, he peacefully closed his eyes and rests from the long journey of life. Thus, on the 20th day of May, 1882, passed away John C. Bond, as good and true a man as ever resided in Warren County, leaving to his descend- ants a priceless heritage — a spotless name. His widow is still living and now resides with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Campbell, at Stella, Nebraska. His grand- son, J. C. Bond, lives on the old farm in Greenbush. We are pleased to present the portrait of Major Bond in connection with this sketch. II R. Houlton, a member of the well known banking and mercantile firm of Chapin, Houlton & Co., Kirkwood, was born in i Maine, in 1833. His father, Joseph Hpulton,. j y-^ was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother, | I Almira (Ray) Houlton, was born in New I 1 Hampshire. They came to Illinois in 1852 andset-^^ tied on a farm in Ellison Township, Warren County. Here the elder Houlton passed his life in the quiet pursuit he had selected 31 years before his death. In 1850 Mr. F. R. Houlton set out with a few otliers to cross the plains to California. For four years and a half, he was interested in gold mining on the Pacific Coast. Returning to Illinois, we find him in 1858, entering Kirkwood. He secured an en- gagement as clerk for Knowles, Ray & Chapin, with whom he remained one year, when he bought out the interest of Mr. Knowles, and became a partner in the new firm, and from that date, 1859, until the present, he has been connected with the firm and there have been but two changes in it. Besides his interest in the business carried on by Chapin, Houl- ton & Co., our subject owns about 700 acres of land in Warren and Henderson Counties, the cultivation of wliii h he su|)erintends himself. Politically he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. Houlton was married Jan. 22, 1862, to Miss L. J. Calkins, who was a native of Maine. She was born June 18, 1836. To this union two children have been born, Blanche L. and Fred. N. ; Fred. N. died in infancy. Blanche L. was born Sept. 7, 1863. Mrs. Houlton died April i, 1885. 4^ ^^ ft; . f- r^i -^ r,-.v^ •'. -vi; -v..^ /; imunn rnmnnmi kH nm X in z o H I h O S z a S o bl (0 N h- Z tt 5i o y ir a. o K Q. WARREN COUNTY. T' * i* ^95 o ^ coo ; illiam Harrison Frantz, one of Warren County's most prominent and highly re- spected citizens, who has met with success in his chosen vocation of Hfe, resides on section 27, Monmouth Township. He is a Director in the Monmouth National Bank and one of the leading general farmers and stock- raisers of this section of Illinois. He is a native of Maryland, and was born in Alleghany County, that State, April 10, 1829. His father, Solomon Frantz, was born in the same county. His par- ents were John and Catherine Frantz. They were early settlers in the State and their grand- parents were the first who settled in the United States by that name, having located in Bedford Co., Pa., at an early day. A few years previous to their demise the grandparents removed to Alleghany County, where they resided until their death, and where, previous to that event, they followed the vocation of farming. The father of Mr. Frantz, of this biographical notice, was married in Alleghany County to Jane McElroy, a lady of Scotch-Irish ex- traction and American parentage. After their mar- riage they resided in Alleghany County until 1849, when they moved to Perry Co., Ohio, and there be- came large land-owners and successful farmers, carrying on agricultural pursuits until about 187 1. During that year they came to this State and settled on a part of the farm belonging to William H., in this county. Here the father died in March, 1882, aged 79 years. He was a strong temperance man and was one of the first to sign the total abstinence pledge in the State of Maryland, vi^hich he scrupulously kept the remainder of his life. In fact, the family were noted for their strong temperance views and their lives were passed in strict accordance with their opinions. The mother yet survives and re- sides with her son, H. M. Frantz, and although at the venerable age of 8 1 years, is enjoying the best of health. She and her hfusband were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were respected and honored citizens of the com- munity in which they resided. Their children were nine in number, two of whom have passed to the land of the hereafter. The following is a record of their family : Lucinda, who married Alfred Thayer, and resides at Tuscola, Douglas County, this State. Mr. Thayer is a stock dealer and farmer, but has re- tired from the active labors of life, enjoying the accumulations of the past. Andrew J. who married Virginia Johnson, and resides in the city of Bran- don, Mississippi, is editor of the Brandon Re- publican ; William H. was the next in order of birth; Isabella was united in marriage with O. P. Wilson, who follows the occupation of a farmer in Monmouth Township, this county ; Elizabeth mar- ried Thomas Bushfield. She died in Ohio, in Octo- ber, 1855; John H. (see sketch) married Anna Porter and resides on a farm in Spring Grove Town- ship; Catherine became the wife of J. W. Free, who is a resident of New Lexington, Perry Co., Ohio, where he is following the profession of the law. He was also Major of a regiment of Ohio Volunteers dur- ing the late Rebellion; Mrs. Free died in 1864;' Nannie E. was married twice, her first husband be- ing J. D. Mackey, after whose demise she became the wife of S. K. Cramer, who is a resident of Wap-= ello Co., Iowa; H. M. formed a matrimonial alliance with Flora Murphy, and is a farmer and stock ship- per, residing in Monmouth Township (see sketch). Our subject received all the advantages in the way of an education afforded by the common schools of his native county, and when disengaged, assisted his father in the duties of the farm until he attained his 19th year, when his parents removed to New Lexing- ton, Perry Co., Ohio. Remaining at the latter place three years, his next move was in the year 1853, when he came to Warren County and located in Monmouth Township. Here our subject rented land for about four years. He then purchased a tract of 80 acres, all of which was improved, but soon sold this and bought 180 acres, a portion of which is included in his present homestead. April 2, 1857, Mr. Frantz was united in the holy bonds of matrimony at the residence of the bride's parents at Monmouth, to Miss Mary A. Lucas, daughter of Marsham and Elizabeth (Deweese) Lucas, natives of Kentucky. Her mother was first married in her native State to William Davidson, by whom she had four children, only one of whom sur- vives. Her marriage to Mr. Lucas was celebrated in Monmouth Township, this county, and to them •Al ¥ -e4^ 196 WARREN COUNTY. i* "T have been born six children, of whom four survive. Mrs. F., our subject's wife, is the eldest. Next in order of birth was John T., his death occurring when a young man of 20 years ; William B., tlie third, formed a matrinionial alliance with Melissa John- son, and follows the vocation of farming near Ash- land, Neb. ; Charles is also married, his wife's maiden name being Lidia 'I'aylor. He is a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, and re- sides at Galesburg ; Benedict N. is a resident of Ore- gon, and is engaged in farming; Cassias died in early life. The parents of Mrs. Frantz are yet living and reside at Abingdon, Knox County, this State, where they are living in retirement. Her father was one of the first settlers in this county, coming here as early as 1830. He helped to locate the county road and lay out the city of Monmouth, and exten- sively operated here for nearly half a century. He was here when the Indians were numerous and en- dured all the privations incident to the settlement of a new country. At that early date Chicago was their trading post, and thither they were compelled to go to do all their marketing. He is now in his 85th year, and his wife, the mother of Mrs. Frantz, in her 7Sth year, and both are enjoying extremely good health for that age in life, and are among the best known and most highly respected pioneers of this part of Illinois. Mrs. Frantz enjoyed only such cducaiiunal advan- tages as the common schools — such as they were in an early day — afforded. She is, however, re- garded t>) her many friends as a lady of rare cul- ture and refinement. She is one of the leading spirits in every circle in which she moves. The most excellent judgment which she possesses, and the qualities of both mind and heart with which she is giftt-d, eminently fit her for a wider sphere than the home circle. However, in this divinely endowed sphere, that of the home, she is a wife and mother of the most admirable type. She continued to reside with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Frantz. Of their union seven children have been born, namely : Delavan C, who chose for his life partner, Mary E. I'aine, and is engaged in farming in Mon- mouth Township. They have had one child, — Harrison Paine; Kate married Charles Sickmon, who is also a farmer of Monmouth Township; Sina became the wife of Philo Kettering, a farmer by occu- pation, and she also lives near her old home; Pearl, Ella J. and Mary L. reside at home. The demise of Georgie V. occurred in infancy. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, they located on the homestead which Mr. F. had previ- ously purchased, and where he was for a few years engaged in farming, afterwards going extensively into the stock business, ( buying, breeding and ship- ping stock ) in which business he is still engaged at the present time. Mr. F. is one of the heaviest land-owners in this county, owning nearly r,ooo acres, all joining, and having three good residences and eight houses on his land. His land is all under an advanced state of cultivation and he is one of the most successfvil fiirmers of Warren County. His ac- cumulations of this world's goods is indicative of that energy, perseverance and good judgment which he possesses. During the last four years he has been engaged in the breeding of fine stock. In July of 1882, he visited England, Scotland and France, where he made purchases of some of the purest-blooded stock I to be found in those countries. Among the animals ; he bought were King Cole, Knight of Athloe, Prin- 1 cess of Wales, Princess Beatrice and Maggie Wilson. ' These are the names by which these splendid animals were known in the herd books of Great Britain and America. They were pure-blooded' Clydesdales, and rank among the best horses ever brought to Illinois. Princess of Wales has taken the first ijremiums at the Chicago State Fair, State Fairs at Peoria, at Cedar Ka|)ids, Iowa, and at the great fair at St. Louis. These magnificent specimens of this excellent breed of horses were bought by Mr. Frantz for the purpose of improving the char- acter of the horses throughout his section of the county. The results have been most gratifying, and he should be commended for his enterprise and receive the gratitude of farmers and those interested in raising this noble animal in Warren County. Not only has Mr. Frantz exhibited rare enter- prise in his desire to develop the horse in this sec- tion of the State, but has carried the same spirit into his plans to better the grade of cattle. This is shown by his purchase of several head of pure Gal- loway cattle from some of the famous herds of Scotland, which he added to his already extensive herd on his fine stock farm, near Monmouth. Among those secured from Scotland were North Star, Rock ford, Bonnie Lass and Bonnie Perle. 4. ■4^ WARREN COUNTY. 197 The publishers of this Album are not only pleased to be able to present Mr. Frantz's property as show- ing one of the most beautiful country residences and splendid set of farm buildings in the Military Tract, but to show some of the magnificent specimens of both horses and cattle above mentioned. Mrs. Frantz and some of her children are mem- bers of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. F. is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held the posiiion of Road Commissioner, School Trustee and Director in his township, and is a gentleman whose word in a financial point of view is considered equal to his bond. His portrait, as one of the truly representa- tive men of this county, is given in connection with this sketch. j.yrus J. Wood, associate editor of the Vy any of tlie disciples of Blackstone. -f3- -^^ -e*- eorge Abbey, engaged in the livery busi- ness at Kirkwood, is a native of New York, having been born in Steuben County, in 1844. He is a son of Newman and Harriet (Van Wagoner) Abbey, natives of Ulster Co., N. Y. The father came to this State in 1857, and at first located on section 3, Tompkins Town- ship, where, on rented land, he was engaged in farming for one year. He then moved into the vil- lage of Kirkwood and embarked in the drug business with Mr. L. Howard, the original firm continuing to exist for three years. .\t the e.xpiration of that time he took into the business his son, Horatio, and the partnership continued until the death of the father, Sept. r, 1885. The gentleman whose name we place at the head of this notice was an inmate of his father's household until he reached the age of 17 years, receiving at his hands and in the common schools of the county a good English education. At that young age in life, George Abbey enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Company A, 83d III. Vol. Inf., as a private, and served in defense of his country's flag for two years and eleven months. He participated in the second battle of Fort Donelson, and engaged in many skirmishes with the guerrillas and was in between 20 and 30 engagements with them. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received an honorable discharge, came home and once more entered upon the peaceful pursuits of life. He rented land and for two years was engaged in farming. In 1867 he embarked in the livery business, with which he com- bined that of a feed and sale stable at Kirkwood and has since continued in the same, meeting with that y^ I •4 iqS . . Y . . "^ WARREN COUNTY. success which almost universally comes to a man possessed of that push and energy which has char- acterized Mr. Abbey's career in life. In addition to his extensive stables, located contiguous to the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, Mr. Abbey has a fine residence and two lots in the vil- lage. He is also the owner of 80 acres of land in Kansas, which he is rapidly bringing under a high state of cultivation. The marriage of Mr. Abbey was solemnized in 187 1, at which time Miss Helen Barnum, a native of this State, became liis wife. Mr. Abbey votes the Republican ticket, and socially is a member of the G. A. R. He is eminently worthy to be classed as one of the representative business men of the thriv- ing little village of Kirkwood. ^^ 4 ■ saac B. Kirby, engaged as a general farmer on section 34, Ellison Township, was liorn in Greene Co., Pa., June 25, 1825, his father being Joseph H Kirby, a farmer by occupation, ;it present residing in Berwick Township, this county. Of a family of four sons and three daughters, our subject was the eldest. Isaac B. lived at home until he attained the age of 25 years, when he was married, on the 7th of July, 1850, in Greene County, to Miss Eliza A. Bailey, a native of the same county. She was the daughter of a Pennsylvania farmer, and lived at home until her marriage. Her parents died some time ago in the Keystone State. Mrs. Kirby was the youngest child of a family of nine children, and of her union with Isaac B. Kirby, she has become the mother of eight children, all of whom are now living. Three sons and one daughter, of the above mentioned eight children, are married. In the fall after marriage, Mr. Kirby came to Illinois, and rented land for two years in Peoria County, after which time he removed to Warren County and in the latter county purchased an 80- acre tract of land where he now resides. He has improved his farm and added to his original purchase until he is now the possessor of 200 acres in this township, and 240 acres in Iowa, where two of his sons now reside. Mr. Kirby has been a very suc- cessful agriculturist, which is attributable to his in- domitable energy, economy and perseverance, with the assistance of his good helpmeet. Religiously, Mr. Kirby and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. K. has filled the position of Township Trustee and has also held several of the minor township offices, creditably dis- charging the duties of each. Politically, he is iden- tified with the Democratic party. o^^^ajfr-^'o ames F. Arthurs is a pioneer of Warren County of 1836 and resides on section 18. Kelly Township. He was born in the southern section of the United States, and was reared there. The death of his father when he was three years old left a heavy burden on the mother, as there were eight children of whom she was sole guardian. In 1831, a removal of the family to Putnam Co., Ind., was effected, and in 1836 another change brought the widow and her children to Illinois. Mr. Arthurs was born Dec. 29, 1807, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine (Wingfield) Arthurs. Mr. Arthurs was 19 when he came to this county, where he has since been identified with its develop- ment and general well-being. The journey was made hither in the manner common in those days, with horses and oxen, and the domestic affairs were managed while the party were en route as nearly as possible as in the home they had left. Mr. Arthurs lived with his brother-in-law for a few months after reaching Illinois, and meanwhile bought the land in- cluded in the farm which he now owns. He erected a log house and split clapboards for the roof and puncheons for the floor. The place now presents a modernized appearance, as the cabin of that early period has given place to farm-structures that are in every way suitable to the change in the circum- stances of the proprietor and to the times. The union in marriage of Mr. .\rthurs and Miss Elizabeth A. Carmichael, took place in 1835. She was born in the District of Newbury, South Carolina, July 5, 1817. Five of their children are now living. Two sons enlisted in Co. C, 36th 111. Vol. Inf Will- *i ■ •V- . WARREN COUNTY. 199 iam T. was killed in the action at Stone River, Tenn. Abraham Y. died a few weeks after liis return to his home. Mr. Arthurs is a member of the United Brethren Church. He is a man whom his fellow citizens re- spect and esteem. #^ 1 ' Di ohn P. Campbell is the present Township ^ Clerk of Spring Grove. He was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., Aug. 6, 1853. He is a member of the fourth generation from his earliest known ancestor in this country, being of Scotch-Irish extraction. John A. Camp- bell, his father, was born in 1807, in the same coun- ty in Pennsylvania where the son was born. He was 'bred a farmer, that having been the calling of his race for many generations. He was married in the Keystone State to Mary J. Wray, who was also born in Huntingdon County, Oct. 16, 18 17. After his marriage the senior Campbell bought a farm in Bra- dy Township, seven miles from the county-seat, which remained the home of the family until 1865, when the property was sold and a removal to Illi- nois effected. A farm was rented in Suez Township, in Mercer County, where they resided one year, dur- ing which time the father was engaged in prospect- ing for a suitable location for a permanent homestead. In company with his eldest son, he bought a farm on section 9, in the township of Spring Grove, which, in the spring of 1866, he took possession of and made it the family residence until the death of the father, which took place in 1873. His widow now resides in Norwood, Mercer County. They were the parents of II children, of whom eight are still living. Mr. Campbell is the fourth child. He was 12 years old when his father's family removed to Illi- nois. He had obtained a fair education before com- ing to this State, but after removal hither he contin- ued his studies in the common schools of Spring Grove Township. In the interims of school he en- gaged in the duties of farming. He obtained a ])rac- tical education, and in 1874 he commenced teaching. He made his first engagement as a pedagogue in District No. 5, of the same township in which he now -^ ■ -x lives. In July, 1877, he bought an interest in the dry-goods establishment of G. B. Hardy, at Alexis, and carried on a commercial business for 14 months. He sold out at the end of that time and resumed teaching, to which profession he has since devoted himself exclusively, having been engaged for nearly eight years in the schools of Alexis. Politically, Mr. Campbell is a Democrat. He has officiated as Collector in his township and is serving a second term in his present official position. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Ida Mc- Bride, Oct. 11, 1877. She was born in Monmouth, and is the daughter of Abisha and Parmelia (Alley) McBride. Their children are Freddie H. and Stan- ley Vergne. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Presbyterian Church and he is one of the El- ders of his congregation. — «»• oseph S. Gowdy, engaged as an agricultur- ist on section 24, Hale Township, was born in Clarke Co., Ohio, June 29, 1831. He lived at the place of his nativity until he was about 20 years of age, when he decided to come Westward, deeming the facilities better there for acquiring a competency than in the East. He has, since 185 1, made his residence in Warren County, with the exception of two years spent in Henderson County. He purchased 70 acres of land, which, by his careful judgment and energy, has been put in an advanced state of cultivation, and is second to none in the township in its appearance to-day. Mr. Gowdy was united in marriage in Hale Town- ship, Oct. 24, i860, with Eliza Hess, who was born in Clarke Co., Ohio, Feb. 8, 1840. Of their union, four children have been born, their names being as follows : Lunetta B., Henry C, Meda A. and Nan- nie L. Mr. Gowdy has been School Director, and himself and wife are members of the United Presby- terian Church. Politically, Mr. Gowdy is a Repub- lican. The parents, John and Ann (Steele) Gowdy, were natives respectively of Ohio and Kentucky. They came to Warren County before the days of railroads, locating in Hale Township as early as 185 i. Here T^ ^ WARREN COUNTY. they lived for over a iiuarter of a century, becoming well known and highly respected people of that com- munity. The elder Gowdy died Oct. iz, 1864, his wife dying March S, 1880. The parents of Mrs. Gowdy were Christian and Nancy (Sellburger) Hess. They were both born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Hess came to Warren County the year before the elder Gowdy, being in the spring of 1850. His wife died ill Ohio, in May, 1845. He lives at Kirkwood, 111. saac Jenkins, a retired farmer residing in I t Berwick village, was born in Clermont Co., MffT Ohio, Aug. 20, 1 81 4, and is a son of Zeph- ~jr^ aniah Jenkins, who was born Aug. 9, 1789, in New Jersey, and who moved with his parents to Ohio in 1805, where he remained until his death, which took place Dec. i, 1854. Zephaniah Jenkins was married Jan. 16, 181 2, to Miss South, who was born in New Jersey, in 1789, and died in Ohio, in 1844. Their children were four in num- ber, — John S., Isaac, Frances M. and Elijah. Isaac Jenkins, the subject of this biographical notice, worked on his father's farm and attended the common school, developing into manhood. He also passed a portion of his time in clerking in his native State before coming to this county. He came here March 25, 1853, and engaged in agricultural pur- suits, which he continued until the time he removed to Berwick village. Mr. Jenkins was married to Miss Caroline Kellum, March 4, 1841, in Ohio, Rev. Fife, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. She was born Sept. 19, 1 8 17, in New Jersey, her parents moving to Ohio when she was but one year old. Her father, James Kellum, was born May i, 1792, and died May 30, 1878, in Berwick. He was married to Ann Albert- son, in 1816, who died Oct. 20, 1880. The issue of their union was nine children, — Caroline, wife of the subject of this sketch ; Elizabeth, born April 30, 1819; Maria, July, 26, 1821; Rebecca, Dec. 13, 1823; James, Sept. 20, 1826; Josiah, Aug. 13, 1829; John M., March 20, 1832; Edward M., Nov. 30, 1834; Sanford VV., March 21, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds have had born to them five children, three of whom are deceased. The record is as follows: Annie, born Dec. 3, 1841 ; John, April i, 1844, died May 19, 1866; Amanda, born Nov. 23, 1847, "^'sd Nov. 19, 1848; Dean F., born Oct. ii, 1850, died the same year; Belle, born March 15, 1857. Mr. Jenkins has 76J4 acres of good farm land on section 8, Berwick Township, and also 2}^ acres inside the corporate limits of Berwick village, on which he has a good residence and there resides re- tired from the active labors of life. Socially, he is a member of the Order of Good Templars and also of the I. O. O. F., to which latter organization he has belonged for 36 years. He at present is a member of Lodge No. 84, Abingdon. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church located at Berwick, and politically, he votes with the Re- publican party. The grandfather of Mrs. Jenkins, James Kellum, was born Jan. 18, 1758, and died April 26, 1817, and his wife, Elizabeth Kellum, was born Feb. n, 1759, ■ and died in 1819. Their children were, Gilbert, born April 8, 1780, died May 19, 1844; Ziba, born Feb. 18, 1782, died May 12, 1832; John, born April ■ 23. 1785; Lovisa, born Aug. 12, 1787; Rebecca, Dec. 23, 1789; James, May i, 1792; Elizabeth, Jan. 17, 1795; William, birth unknown ; Aaron, born . June 6, 1800. -«-5- 31 ark S. Douglas, manager of the Star Livery, _ Sale and Feed Stables, of Monmouth, is a '*** native of that city, having been born Sept. 13, 1847. He is the son of Samuel Douglas, whose biography will be found elsewhere in the pages of this work. Hark S. was educated at the Monmouth schools and studied law some time with Mr. Almon Kidder, but the " turf" was always more attractive to him than were the pages of Coke or Blackstone, so we find him in 1880 engaged in the livery business, to the management of which he has since devoted himself with an assiduity that fully betokens his eminent fitness for that particular sphere in life. And, in [xjint of fact, aside from a horse show or a horse race, his present business affords him IT" 4> WARREN COUNTY. 20I more real pleasure than anything else that he could possibly engage in. He was too young for a soldier and too honest for a politician, so the name of Hark Douglas will prob- ably continue for some time to be found among the plain, every-day people, though it is not likely that as a rule the class named will have quite as much fun as he will. In politics, the Republicans claim him, but as he boasts of being a " Mugwump," it is evident that his great love for the old land-marks of that party did not include a certain " plumed knight." Mr. D. was married at Abingdon, 111., Feb. 15, 1872, to Miss Lidie Reynolds, a native of Warren County, 111. They have two children, a girl and boy, bearing the names of Leota and S. Leonard. illis Pruit is an old settler of Warren County and is a farmer on section 25, Kelly Township. He was born Aug. 3, > 1 810, in Henderson Co., Ky., and is the son of Doakes and Milly (Hanks) Pruit. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and were among the earliest pioneers of the county in Kentucky where their son was born. They both died there. Mr. Pruit received the bringing up and education of a farmer's son, and in 1829 he went to Brecken- ridge County, in his native State, where he liyed four years. While there, in 1832, he was married to Jane Moredock. She was a native of the county where she was married, and was born Dec. 24, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Pruit left that county in the year in which they were married and returned thither in 1834. Mr. Pruit engaged in farming until the struggle between Texas and Mexico gave opportunity to see the world, and he enlisted in the service of the Mexican govern- ment. He was in service there three years and was in the action at San Jacinto under Santa Anna. He remained a year in Henderson County after his re- turn to Kentucky, and went thence to New Madrid Co., Mo., where he operated as a farmer two years. In 1845, he came to Warren County. He ob- tained the ownership of the farm on which he has resided for forty years and on which there had been __* ^=:r_A. a few acres of prairie broken. He erected a log cabin, and when the structure burned three years later he erected the frame house in which his family have since lived. Mrs. Pruit died in 1879. They had five children. William is a resident of Furness Co., Neb. ; Lucy is Mrs. S. G. Heflin, of Shelby Co., Iowa; Abby is married to Mr. E. Guernsey, of Pot- tawatomie Co., Iowa ; Alfred G. lives in York Co., Neb. ; Jennie is the wife of Homer Guernsey, and they are the managers of the Pruit homestead. ••o4o*' eorge W. Robinson, the owner of 250 acres of good farm land located on sec- "*■ tions 5, 6 and 17, Berwick Township, and which he is actively engaged in cultivating, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1842. He is a son of William Robinson, also a native of York State, born there in 18 12, and who died in his native State in 1876. The father mar- ried a Miss Ruah Newman in 1834. She was born in 1815, in New Jersey, and died in 1878. They were the parents of four children, born in the follow- ing order: Lydia M., Oct. 28, 1836 ; Cordelia, Nov. 7, 1838; William W., Nov. 28, 1840; George W., Dec. 5, 1842. George W. Robinson formed a matrimonial alli- ance Oct. 24, 1867, with Miss Anna Jenkins, who was born in the Buckeye State, Dec. 3, 1841. Her father, Isaac Jenkins, was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, in 1815. He married Miss Caroline Kellum (born Sept. 19, 1 818,) March 4, 1841, and came to Illinois in 1853. They are the parents of five children and are both yet living, passing the sunset of their lives in peace and quiet in the village of Berwick. Their chil- dren are Anna, wife of the subject of this notice; John, born April i, 1844; Amanda died in infancy; Dean, who also died in infancy ; and Belle, born in 1857- The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson of this notice are John W., born May 4, 1869; Edith, Dec. 9, 1873; Claude, June 7, 1875; Zaida Belle, May 6, 1879 ; and Arthur Garfield, Oct. 8, 1881. Mr. Robinson enlisted in the War for the Union, joining Co. C, 83d 111. Vol. Inf , Aug. 9, 1862, and was mustered into the service at Monmouth, 111, =t* i: WARREN COUNTY. _i T > He accompanied his regiment to Cairo, 111., where it remained some two weeks. He was first in active service at Forts Henry and Hindman ; was then ordered to Fort nonelson, and participated in the battle of Feb. 3, 1863 ; then went to Clarksville, Tenn., at which point he remained until he was mustered out, July 5, 1865. He was once wounded (in the back of the neck), but it was not sufficiently serious to prevent him from participating in every battle in which his company was engaged up to the time of being mustered out of service. On receiving his discharge, he returned to this county and again engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life. On his fine farm of 250 acres he has a good residence and barn, and is meeting with that success in life which is duly merited by a man of his energy and perseverance. Socially, he is a member of the G. A. R., Post, No. 239, at Monmouth, and, in his politics, votes as he shot, with the Republican party. ®5 *^^ V7>®^^ ^ i- ^1 lonzo Sperry, formerly an agriculturist of gj^t this county, but who at present is passing '^ the sunset of his life in quiet retirement, residing on section 10, Hale Township, was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Nov. 22, 1822. He continued to reside in his native State un- til about 1849, when he went to Jefferson Co., Wis., and there lived until i860. During that year he came to this county and became a citizen of Mon- mouth Township, from whence he moved to Lenox Township, and then, in 1874, made another removal, locating in Hale Township, where for tlie past 1 1 years he has continued to reside. He has disposed of his real estate and now lives a retired life in Hale Township. The marriage of Alonzo Sperry to Miss Julia Heath, occurred Nov. 15, 1844, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. She was born in the county in which she was married, Aug. 2, 1826, and has borne her husband three children, — Aura E., George VV. and Plin R. Aura was married to George Lynch Jan. 31, 1863, l)Ut is now residing with her brother in Hale Town- ship; George W. is a mechanic living at Monmouth; and Plin R. is engaged in farnung, living in Hale Township„where he is the owner of 90 acres of land, the major iwrtion of which is tillable. In politics, Mr. Sperry endorses the principles ad- vocated by the Democratic party. evi B. Cowick, farmer and stock-raiser, ra- ti \^^M. siding in Larchland, and owning 240 acres piv^T of improved and well equipped farm land, 66^ in Lenox Township, is the second child in or- X der of birth of his parent's family. He was born Sept. 2, 1846, in Cumberland Co., Pa. John and Hannah (Bixler) Cowick, his parents, were na- tives of the Keystone State, coming to Warren Co., 111., in 1854, \vhen they settled in Monmouth. They now reside in Lenox Township. Their children were Mary, Levi B. and Samuel R. Mary and Samuel R. reside in Kansas. Levi B. Cowick, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, was but a child of eight . years when his parents removed to Warren County, and of which he has since been a resident. Mr. Cowick was among the many who with brave hearts , and strong arms successfully defended the Union flag in the struggle against treason. He enlisted in May, 1864, in the 138th 111. Vol. Inf., and served , until the October following, when he returned to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming also quite an extensive stock dealer. He has endeavored hard and earnestly to put his land under the best cultivation possible and has succeed- ed, for at present his farm of 240 acres, entirely fenced and improved with all necessary farm build- ings, farming implements, machinery, etc., is second to none in the township. The marriage of Satah O. Jones and Levi B. Cow- ick occurred in Tompkins Township, this county, on Feb. 22, 1872, she being a daughter of Calvin and Rebecca (McQuown) Jones, who were natives of Virginia. They came to Warren County about the year 1854, and settled in Tompkins Township, mak- ing it their permanent home. Of their union were born four children, — John, Furney, Parker and Sa- rah O., our subject's wife, who was born Oct. 10, 1850, in the State of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Cow- ick have had two children, — Arthur G. and Frank B. Mr. C. has been Justice of the Peace for ten years, and in politics is identified with the Republican party. W- ^ 1 ■f- 4-- •Fv^ WARREN COUNTY. 4 0.55~ '|j|Wf| hilip J. Karns, a farmer residing on sec- flisi ''°" 3^' Berwick Township, was born in i||l^5^ the Province of Baden, Germany, Oct. 22, ijwj iS'5' ^"'^ came to the United States in 1828, jli^ with his uncle, Jacob Sackman. He landed " at New York city after a voyage of 52 days on a sailing vessel, and was one of three persons out of 360 that was not affected by what is known as sea- sickness. Soon after landing he accompanied his uncle to Lancaster, Ohio, where he remained until 1842, when he removed to Morgan Co., Ind. In that county he remained some five years, engaged in fanning, when he came to Greenbush Township, this county, and there followed his chosen vocation, that of agriculture, until 1870, when he moved one-half mile north into Berwick Township, where, on section 32, he had purchased 467 acres of land, and which he has increased by subsequent purchases to 700 acres. He has a fine residence on his place, cover- ing 166 feet of ground, two stories in height, with a cellar under tlie entire bnildirg. and it is said to be one of the most splendid farm dwellings in Warren County. It was erected at a cost of $7,000. Not alone to agriculture does Mr. Karns attribute his financial success. He is and has been engaged to a considerable extent in the breeding of Norman horses, and also lias a fine lot of mules. He has one span of roadsters on the farm which are " beauties," and is also e.xtensively engaged in raising Poland-China hogs and Short-horn cattle. His herd of cattle are seven-eighths full blood. Mr. Karns formed a matrimonial alliance Aug. 20, 1837, in Ohio, with Miss Anna EUinger, the cere- mony being performed by George W. Sanders, Justice of the Peace. She was born Nov. 15, 1817, in Fair- field Co., Ohio, and has borne her husband II chil- dren, six of whoiii are deceased. The living are : Catherine, born July 3, 1838; Margaret A., Oct. 27, 1842; Jacob, Aug.'20, 1854 ; William H., Nov. 24, 1858; Joseph L., Jan. 5, 1S63. Catherine married Riley Adams, and now resides in Hardin Co., Iowa, and is tlie mother of eight ^children. Margarette is fhe wife of George Emerick ; tliey live in Bourbon Co., Kan., and are the parents of nine children. Jacob married Amanda Johnson, and they live upon the home farm, and are the parents of three children. Samuel L married Edwina Bond; he died Nov. i, 1873, and left two children, Nora and Hulda May. His widow married Dr. William Randall. John Henry married Clara Nier. He died when about 30 years of age, leaving two children, nowdeceased. His widow married Charles Thomas. Thefatherof Mrs. Karns, Joseph EUinger, was born Dec. 30, 1785, in Pennsylvania. He married Miss Nancy Bowman, Feb. r4, 1815, who was born Dec. 10. 1787, and died March 30, 1862, her husband having preceded her. to the land of the hereafter Oct. 6, 1853. Their children were seven in number, and named as fol- lows : Catherine, born April 4, 1816; Ann, Nov. 15, 1819: Samuel L., Jan. 17, 1820; Mary, June 20, 1823; Elizabeth, July 30, 1826; John E., twin brother to Elizabeth; and Barbara, Nov. 30, 1828. Catherine and Ann still survive, at the venerable ages of 79 and 76 respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Karns have 22 grandciiildren, and are passing the sunset of their lives in peace and quiet on their homestead, enjoy- ing their accumulations of the past. On the cele- bration of Mr. Karns' 70th birth-day, his children and grandchildren, friends and relatives to the num- ber of 90 assembled to do honor to tlie old gen- tleman. Mr. Karns is a member of the Lutlieran Church and his wife of the Baptist Church. In 1836 he cast his first vote, which was for Harrison. In 1856, upon the formation of tiie Republican party, he joined it, and from tliat time to the present has remained a firm, staunch and liberal supporter of the principles of that party. ->^^ I — 4- illiam H. Brooks, one of the representa- tive men and respected citizens of Warren County, is engaged in farming and stock- ;> raising on sections 9 and 10, Roseville Town- ship, where he ha's always resided. The date of his birth is Jan. i, 1846, and he is the son of Thompson and Harriet E. (Ray) Brooks, who are natives of Kentucky and who came to Illinois with their parents before their marriage and were among the early settlers of the State. Their mar- rnAj 4^ 4 i* 206 WARREN COUNTY. riage occurred May i8, 1840. They had three sons, of whom W. H. is the only survivor. After coming to Illinois, they purchased 80 acres of land in Rose- ville Township, and afterward added to ihcir landed interests 520 acres. Heie they lived until their deaths, the father's occurring April 23, i87[, and the mother's March 22, 1878. William H., whose name heads this biographical notice, remained on the homestead with his parents until their death. Since these sad events he has had possession of the estate, and has added to the original homestead until at present he is the pos- sessor of 700 acres, which is well slocked with cattle, horses and swine. VVe are jileased to give a full- page view of his residence and farm buildings, which may be seen on the preceding page. Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Amanda E. Fort, March 4, 1866. Like her husband, Mrs. Brooks is also a native of Illinois. She is a daughter of Wash- ington Fort, of Henderson Co., 111. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and prominent settlers of Henderson County. Mrs. Brooks has borne to her husband five children, namely : Effa, George T., ^ John F., Jessie and Harriet. Mr. Brooks has held the office of Road Commis- sioner of his township, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Brooks is one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. Politically, he is identified with the Democratic party. -»- -e*- '^^^fflii arren B. Jenks, tlie owner and manager fliS^liil? of 100 acres of excellent improved land )yj^" and 16 acres of timber, residing on section 26 of Lenox Township, is the son of Eras- T"" lus and Polly F". (Wilber) Jenks, natives of the Empire State. They were married and set- tled in Warren County, where, in Lenox Township, they have since made their home. Their fainly con- sists of five children, — Alice P., Warien H., .'\nn H., Genie and Flora G. Gertie is deceased. Warren B. Jenks, of whom we write, was horn in Lenox Township on the tgth day of September, 1846, and received a fair English education and has al- ways made this his place of residence. When a young man he had accumulated sufficient of his earn- ings to procure a good farm of 100 acres, which op- portunity he took advantage of, and now is the proprietor of as nice a farm as there is in his town- ship. The appearance of the s.ime presents that thrift and hard labor characteristic of our subject, and his farm is now cultivated to a high degree, with a fine residence and all the necessary and suitable farm buildings erected thereon. Mr. Jenks was married on the 7th of February, 1875, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Asa Capps (see sketch of F. L Capps). 'i'he ceremony was per- formed in Lenox Township. Mrs. Jenks was born there, Oct. 15, 1855. Of this union were born four children, — Mabel L., Wilber B., Edna F. and Chester G. Mr. Jenks has served his township as I School Director, besides having held other minor offices, and with his wile is a member of the Baptist Church. In political opinion he is identified with the Republican party. ^^^cM. lorance K. Morris, M. D., practicing illp physician residing at Berwick, was born in < Greene Co., Pa., April 18, 1849, and is the son of James B. Morris, a native of Mt. Mor- ^K,, lis. Pa., where he was born in 1827. The father was a miller by trade, and soon after the breaking out of the late Civil War, enlisted in the cause for the Union, joining a regiment of infantry, and was selected as Captain of Co. F, and served in that position for two years. At the expiration of that time, he was commissioned Major in the 7th W. Va. Inf. and served until his discharge in 1864. He participated in several hotly contested engagements while in the service. The father was married in 1848 to Miss Kezia Way, a native of West Virginia, where she was born in 1825. They are both living, and have been blessed by the birth of seven children : Florance, the subject of this notice ; Sturgis W. was born Aug. 8, 1850; Josephine S., April 8, 1852; Mar\ J., September, 1854; Arabella, April 28, 1856; Emma L., Dec. 15, 1858; George T., October, i860. Dr. Florance K. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Kelley, June 22, 1876, in West Vir- ginia. She was born in that State in 1851, and has borne her husband three children, namely: Lena > 4^ -8-?-^ . . ¥ . . ' WARREN COUNTY. «o7 (► ^ May, born April 9, 1877 ; Mary M., March 28, 1879; and Emma B., Oct. 11, 1882. Dr. Morris com- menced the study of medicine at Mt. Morris, his na- tive State; there lie read one year under the instruc- tion of Dr. Spencer Morris and two years under Dr. Leander McMillan. He then attended Jefferson Medical College, a: Philadelphia, followed the cuiric- ulum of that institution two years and graduated thereat with honors March 11, 1876, receiving his diploma. In April of the same year, he engaged in the practice of his profession in his native State, and then, in April, 1884, came to Berwick village, and has since followed his practice at that place. By carefully diagnosing his cases and bringing his e.x- perience and study directly to bear upon tiiem, to- gether with his close api^licalion to each and every case he has in hand, the doctor has built up a fine practice, both in medicine and surgery. That he might be sure of pure drugs, which to use with his practice and which are so essential in the treat., ent of cases, he engaged in the drug business at Berwick, which he is at present conducting in connection with his practice. In politics he is a Republican. JOOOfe !.oseph M. White, a well-to-do and suc- j^ cessful farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 27, Monmouth Township, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in It Honey Brook, Chester County, that State, April 12, 18.33. The father of Mr. White, of this notice, Thomas White, was a native of the same State as his son, his father also having been born in that State. Thomas was of Irish descent and in early life learned the trade of blacksmith, which, in the sunset of his years, he abandoned to follow the vocation of a farmer. The parents of Thomas White always resided in their native State until their death. Thomas was the third child in order of birth of a family of five sons and one daughter. He was married in Cliester Co., Pa., to Catherine Mar- pie, who was a native of the same county and State in which she-was married, and was the only daugh- ter in a family of four children by her father's first marriage, the issue of his second marriage being two children. The gentleman whose name heads this biographi- cal notice was the oldest and only son of his father's family, the remaining child being a daughter, Mary J., who attained the age of majority and became the wife of George Brown, a merchant in Fayette Co., Pa. The early education of Mr. White was ac- quired in the common schools, after which he at- tended college at Meadville, Crawford County, his native Slate. He continued 10 reside on the old family homestead until he attained the age of man- hood, in the meantime engaged in teaching. On at- taining his majority he set forth upon the road of adversity to fight the battles of life single-handed and alone, and engaged in farming. His marriage occurred in Fayette Co., Pa., where his parents had removed when he was two years old, March 18, 1858, when Miss Sarah J. Rankin, the daughter of James and' Rachel (Hill) Rankin, natives of Penn- sylvania, became his wife. Her father and mother were both children of Pennsylvania farmers and were of Irish extraction and American parentage. Her father's family consisted of seven children, of , whom Mrs. White was next to the oldest. She was born in Fayette County, Nov. 20, 1834. Her father died in Pennsylvania about 1875, aged 67 years, and her mother is yet living and resides on the old homestead in that State. Mrs. White was educated in the common schools at the college at Waynes- burg. Greene County, her native State. She lives at home, and for a pjrtion of her time prior to her mar- riage was engaged in the occupation of a teacher. Mr. and Mrs. White have become the parents of three children, one of whom is deceased. Thomas is a resident of Lenox Township; Lncian resides at home, and Roclanea is deceased. After Mr. and Mrs. White were united in marriage they continued to reside in Pennsylvania for a short time, when in the fall of 1858 they came West and located on a farm of lor acres, which was partly im- proved. Mr. White has since devoted his time to that pursuit in life. In 1869, in company with A. M. Black, Mr. White leased r,4oo acres of land in Monmouth Township, which embraced the present site of the Monmouth Mming Manufacturing Com- pany. This company was first organized by Joseph M. White and A. M. Black. They bored for coal at an expense of about $[,ooo, and found a coal vein of two feet; but the most important discovery was fire-clay. The first vein of fire-clay is about three -ZJ'-. -t4— ?! 208 r 4 — .¥•:=: — WARREN COUNTY. JU feet thick. Going still farther down, they found su- | perior quality, a vein of fire-clay, eight to ten feet | thick. As the coal could not be economically worked, I and the fire-clay being found of great value, they | turned their attention to the full development of that 1 discovery. In order to do that successfully, a stock company was organized by Messrs. White & Black for the purpose of manufacturing sewer-pipe, fire- brick, etc. The stock was $50,000. The capital stock was subsequently raised to $100,000. Mr. White was a director in the first board, and a stockholder until the fall of 1884. The establish- ment now is among tlie largest of its kind in the State; and much credit is due to Mr. White for his energy in aiding to establish this great en- terprise. He has done his full share in building up the city of Monmouth. Mr. White' continued his connection with it until recently. At present he is the owner, in Monmouth Township, of 182 J^ acres, and 40 acres in Lenox Township. He has a fine, we might say magnificent, residence on his place, and is meeting with that success in life which his energy, perseverance and good judgment have brought him. He and his wife are active mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination Mr. W. is at present Trustee. In poli- tics Mr. White is classified as a " true blue " Repub- lican. ^iTIS'pfixa'jrs. Mary C. Klingingsmith is the widow .'itkl^'iaf, of Philip Klingingsmith, one of the pio- fJi^ " neers of Roseville Township, and for "* \ many years a prominent and influential ■V" business man of ihc village. He was born in I 1820, in Pennsylvania, and came to Illinois in 1855, selecting a quarter of a section of land in Roseville Township. Here for over 20 years, until 1877, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Dur- ing that year he moved into the village of Roseville and purchased the Roseville Flouring-Mill. This he continued to run until his death, which occurred Nov. 27, 1884. Besides his mill he owned six dwell- ing-houses, and 160 acres of land lying three miles northeast of Roseville, all of which he managed him- self. He was an enterprising man and a valuable citizen to any village, and in his death Roseville lost one of her most esteemed citizens. Mr. Klingingsmith was married to Mrs. Mary C. Rogers, widow of John Rogers, Sept. 25, 1875. She was a native of Virginia and the daughter of James and Elizabeth Jane (Robinson) Clemmer. Her par- ents were natives of Fayette Co., Pa., came to Illinois in 1862 and settled upon a farm in Berwick Town- ship, this county, where they lived until 1879, when they removed to Iowa, and in 1884 removed to Ne- braska. Mrs. Klingingsmith, who was born in 1847, resides in Roseville and has one daughter living with her, Emily U. Rogers, who was a child by her former husband. Mr. Rogers was a native of Missouri and a resi- dent of Berwick Township at the time of his mar- riage to Miss Mary C. Clemmer. He died in 1868, in Quincy. Mrs. Klingingsmith was raised in Dod- dridge Co., Va., and remained there until she was 14 years of age, when her parents caine to Illinois and to Berwick Township. He also owns the flour-- ing-mill. 'osephus Kirby, a successful farmer and respected citizen of Warren County, resid- ing on section 7, Berwick Township, was born in Greene Co., Pa., Dec. 26, 1834, and is a son of Joseph H. Kirby, who was born in the same county and State, Feb. 21, r8o2. Joseph H. Kirby was married Oct. 26, 1824. Mr. Kirby of this sketch traces his ancestry in this country back to Richard and Anna Kirby, who had a son, Joseph, who was born Oct. 18, 1731. Joseph Kirby was married and had a son, Isaac, who was born Sept. 23, 1756 Isaac was married and had a son, Joseph H. Kitby, the father of the subject of this notice. Joseph H. Kirby came to this State in 1853, and located in Berwick Township, this county, where he purchased 270 acres of land, on which he located with his family and engaged vigorously upon the task of its impravement. Of their union nine children were born, whose names are Isaac B., born June 25, 1825; Emily, Jan. 23, 1827; John M., Dec. 24, 1830; Margaret, Feb. 5, 1833; Josephus, subject of this sketch, Dec. 26 ¥ 7\r. WARREN COUNTY. 209 1834; Phebe A., July 22, 1S37; Sarah J., Sept. 11, 1839; Mary E., Oct. 26, 1842; and George \V., April 24, 1847. Of the nine children, three only are now living, — John M., Isaac B. and Josephus. Joseph H. made his trip to this county overland with wagons and teams, and was occupied 27 days in the journey. Since coming here he has devoted his time exclusively to agricultural pursuits, and yet survives, at the venerable age of 84 years. In pol- itics, he is an adherent of the Democratic party, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Prot- estant Church. Josephus Kirby, subject of this biographical notice, has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He received such edacation as was to be acquired in the common schools and worked on his father's farm in Pennsylvania until his parents emigrated to this county, when he emigrated with them, and has here continued to follow the vocation which he had learned in early life. He was united in marriage to Fannie E. Townsend in 1862, Rev. P. P. Sirley officiating. Miss Townsend was born April 19, 1843, in New York and has borne her husband si.x chil- dren, — Jennie S., born June 29, 1863; Nellie A., Jan. 24, 1865; Leeny F., Aug. 26, 1869; Harry T., Aug. 29, 1871; Ross J., Aug. 13, 1874; and Ralph, June ■ 3, 1880. Mr. ICirby, in addition to the cultivation of- his land, is devoting considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, in which he is meeting with success. He belongs to_the Order of Good Tem- plars, and religiously, he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. "otaaer®-^* '^^%(um». \Yf%W\V^i^va. P. Speakman, raiser of su^ar cane i^^^Jj and manufacturer of sorghum, and also a Jj^^f^ general farmer, residing on section 31, ■M^\ Monmouth Township, was born in New Lin, Cliester Co., Pa., June 29, 1836. Jacob Speakman, father of the gentleman whose name heads this notice, was a native of the same county and State as his son, and was of English descent and .American parentage. He was married in Chester Co., Pa., 10 Miss Hannah Mitchner, a native of the county and State where she was married. After their » . . - ■ X marriage they continued to reside in Pennsylvania, where Jacob Speakman was engaged in farming and operating a grist-rnill until 1854. During that year they came West and settled in Tompkins Township, this county, where they purchased and improved a tract of uncultivated land, on which they resided until 1864. Jacob then moved to Monmouth Town- ship, where, near the city limits of Monmouth, he purchased 36 acres of improved land. On this land he and his family moved and there resided until the death of the mother, which occurred in 1879, in her 69thyear. Jacob is now in his 8rst year. In his politics he is a strong adherent to the principles of the Republican party, and has always taken an act- ive part in local politics. After the parents of William P. had moved to this county, the subject of this notice continued to reside with them until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he and his brother, Henry C, enlisted in the 83d 111. Vol Inf , Co. A, the date of their enlistment being Aug. 2, 1862. His regiment was assigned to' the Army of the Cumberland and was under com- mand of Gen. Thomas. It participated in the bat-j tie of Fort Donelson in February, 1863, in that of" Pulaski in 1864; also the battle of Athens, Tenn.,1 and many skirmishes. The two brothers were in all i the engagements in which the regiment participated,^ and both received an honorable discharge in Chicago, in 1865. After his discharge Mr. Speakman returned to his home, and two weeks later was married, on the 2ist of July, 1865, to Miss Parnee L. Harroun. She was born near Meadville, Crawford Co , Pa,, June It, 1839. Her father, J. E. Harroun, was Captain of a militia company and engaged in the various Indian troubles on the Pennsylvania frontier, near Erie. His life occupation was varied, and he died when Mrs. Speakman was but seven years old. She then went to Wisconsin with her motVer, Lucinda (Hastings) Harroun, and there resided for seven years, when her mother died After the death of her mother, Mrs. Speakman resided with relatives until her marriage. Of lier union with Mr. S. six children have been born, three of whom are deceased. Hur- bert G., Rutherna and Fannie are living, and El- wood, Mary and Ruth are deceased. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. S. located on the farm and followed that vocation in life for a while, when Mr. Speakman purchased eight acres, on which he is at present residing and engaged in his present occupa- t aio WARREN COUNTY. f tion of manufacturing sorghum. He has a mill on his place with a capacity of 25,000 gallons for the season, and he is at present making about 20,000 gallons annually. The mill is owned by himself and brothers, who raise sugar cane for their own manu- facture and also manufacture sorghum for the neigh- borhood. In politics Mr. Speakman is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. udolph A. Beck, a member of the mercan- \, tile firm of Beck & Lewis, at Berwick, was '^Jt^'" born in Ehingen, Wuitemburg, Germany, y\V? Aug. 18, 1834, his parents being Henry and Anna Beck. He received his education in the public schools of his native country, at- tending them until he was nine years of age, when he entered college and there remained until he was 14. The father of our subject, Henry Beck, died Dec. 21, 1S48, aged 42 years. Rudolph, after this sad event, was sent by his mother to a friend of his '>' father's, at Morger, to learn the confe<;tioner's trade. He lived in that beautiful country for some six months, and on returning home he stopped at Berne and fell in with Sigel's German insurgents, with whom he remained for awhile and'-then returned to Germany. After his return he was sent to Hoch- ingen to finish his apprenticeship, and there remained for two and a half years. He then again went to France, from there to Switzerland and then back to his native land, Germany, .\fter staying at home six weeks, in 1853, he emigrated to the United States via Liverpool, Eng. After a voyage of 30 days, he landed in New York, where he remained for about one and a half years, and then went to Lancaster, Pa., on foot, and from there to Wheeling, W. Va., and then to Sabina, Ohio. In the latter place he worked some six months, at the enormous salary of $5 per month ! Leaving Ohio, 1855, Mr. Beck came to Illinois, where he found work on a farm near Berwick village. During the spring of 1861 the war for the Union be- gan, and Mr. Beck enlisted in October following in Co. E, 13th III. Cav., under Capt. Rolland. After participating in several skirmishes in Arkansas and Missouri, he was sent to JeflTerson Barracks Hospital, Missouri, where he was discharged. He was mus- tered into the service at Chicago, and from there his company went to Pilot Knob, Mo., and from there to Arkansas, on the White River, where they were en- gaged in the battle of Cotton Plant, after which they went to Helena, Ark., where Mr. Beck remained for some three days, and from which place, as stated, he was sent to the hospital, the occasion of which being the falling of his horse upon him in the last battle in which he participated, and from which he has never fully recovered. He received his discharge at Jefferson Barracks, Oct. 9, 1862. Returning home, Mr. Beck remained in the vicinity of Berwick, endeavoring to regain his health, until the 22d day of May, 1863, when he started for his native home. On arriving in that country and after remaining there some three or four months, he was united in marriage with Miss .Anna Mederle, Sept. 21, 1863, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Fulgey. She was born July 24, 1846. He started back to the United States with his bride in October of the same year of their marriage, and arrived here in No- vember following. Mr. and Mrs. Beck are the parents of four chil- dren, — Ida T., born July 8, 1866; Cora A., Oct. 17, ' 1868; (irace A., Jan. \i, 1873; Irma K., July 30, 1875. Mr. Beck ha-s a fine residence in the village of Berwick, 36 x 36 feet in dimensions, and two • stories in height. In politics, he is a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Lodge No. 619, at Cameron, and, religiously, he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. The present firm of Beck & Lewis, at Berwick vil- lage, carry an average stock of $3,000. They handle a general stock of dry goods, hardware, groceries, and in fact everything that pertains to tlieir business, and by f.iir and honest dealings with their patrons have built up a good and constantly increasing trade. Mr. Beck has held the office of Postmaster at Ber- wick for the last 25 years, and still acts in that ca- pa<:ity. '" '*' '" S. Henderson. One of the progressive and energetic farmers of Warren County is Mr. S. S. Henderson. He was born in Fayette Co., Pa., on the 27th of May, 1848, and is a son ol Harvey and Eliza (Harris) Henderson, who were natives of Pennsylvania and had a family consisting of 13 children, five of *% r WARREN COUNTY. (T whom are living. Mrs. Henderson died in Pennsyl- vania, March 12, 187c. The father is still a resi- dent of Fayelte Co., Pa. The subject of tliis notice remained at home until he attained his majority, and while there assisted in the farm duties and also attended the district schools. He afterwards took charge of his father's farm, on shares, for six years, which proved very successful, and our subject managed to accumulate sufficient to enable him to emigrate West, arriving in Larchland, this county, in the spring of 1875, and in the fall made a purchase of 160 acres, where lie now resides, and owns 240 acres all together. On this land he is engaged extensively in general farming. About the year 1881 he was very unfortunate, having his house and other buildings burnt, but since has replaced them by an elegant residence costing $2,000, and good, substantial outbuildings. The most ini] ortant event in the life of Mr. Hen- derson occurred on the 5th of November, 1868, when * he was married to Miss E. J. M'oodward, a native of j Pennsylvania and a daughter of Davis and Mary I (Boyd) Woodward. They were farmers and the parents of 13 children, all of whom are living (except one who died in infancy) and had married and raised families of children before the father's death, vi'hich , • occurred in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are the ' parents of seven children, — Mary, Harvey, Davis, Amanda, Joseph O., Iran I. and Elizabeth. Mr. Henderson belongs to the Order of Masons, Monmouth Lodge, No. 37, and Odd Fellows, Warren Lodge, No. 160, at Monmouth. He has held the offices of School Director and Constable of his town- ship, and is considered one of the substantial men of Warren County. Politically, Mr. H. is identified with the Republican party. u^iM^s -^^w-^ ***Q ij^ 1 ' I * .._.,„, J Jim iron G. Parker, the junior member of ' ^MW i the mercantile firm of Foster & Parker, ;it , ^° " Gerlaw, is a native of the county in which ^^j}ja he is a business man, having been born in the township of Cold Brook, ISlarch 28, 1849. He is the oldest son of Barton S. and Margaret (Rowe) Parker, who were pioneers of that part of Warren County. The father was a farmer and the son was brought up oh the family homestead, He obtained only education in the common schools, and all he needed, as he possesses the intelligence neces- sary to the management of such business projects as he sejs fit to engage in ; and contact with the world at large is, to a man of his proclivities, equivalent to the advantages afforded by extended intimacy with the schools; and it is an open question if the more practical course does not the better subserve the idea of education. Li the spring of 1875 he made his first acquaintance with the com.-nercial world, and engaged in the capacity of merchant at Cameron, where he operated as such until 188 1. Li that year he formed his present business relation at th-; point where he is at present located. He has pursued the varied avenues of its connection without inter- mission ever since. His union in marriage to Hulda Jewel took place in February, 1870. Mrs. Parker was born in Logan Co., Ohio, and in their family five children have been born, and Harry, Bertha, Arnold, Alva and Charles are their names. The father and mother ■ are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Parker is a Democrat in political persuasion. ^ -^^- ^ V^avid W. Rhinehart, proprietor of a quar- ter-section of land located on section 34, Hale Township, where he resides and where he is engaged in the active labors of an agriculturist, is a nat've of New York State, having been born in Ulster County, Oct. 14, 1824. The parents of Mr. Rhinehart were William and Maria (Jansen) Rhinehart, they both being natives of Ulster Co., N. Y. The father died in October, 1S83. The mother still survives and lives in New York. They were of the old Huguenot stock, coming to this country at an early day. Mr. Rhinehart continued to reside in his native county until he attained the age of 29 years, receiving the education afforded by the common schools and pass- ing the major portion of his time until that age on the farm. hi 1853, David VV. Rhinehart emigrated from New York to this county, and for two years was engaged in farming on rented land. He then purchased a quarter-section of land on section 34, Hale Town- ship, and at once entered actively and vigorously , *t* 4 212 IVA^REN COUNTY. :?~5-3- ^ upon its improvement and cultivation. He erected a good residence, barn and outbuildings and to-day has the entire quarter-section in an advanced state of cultivation, and the place is indicative of that ability which he possesses in the vocation which he has chosen for a life-time pursuit. Miss Maria Bruyn, sister of Mrs. Jeremiah Hoorn- beck, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this volume, on the 17th of November, 1853, in the busy and en- terprising little city of Monmouth, became the wife of the subject of this notice. She was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., March 18, 1832, and during their 32 years of married life eight children have been born to ihem, whose names are: William, Nathaniel B., Lefever, Headley, John, Cornelia, Laura E. and Charles J. William resides in Missouri; Nathaniel lives in Iowa, and the remaining children live at home. Mr. Rhinehart, although a gentleman who has no craving for public office, preferring to attend strictly to the business of his farm life, has held the office of Overseer of Highways. He and his wife are strict Presbyterians, and in politics Mr. R. votes with and indorses the platform of the Democratic parly. —Hi jfrthur G. Seymour, owning 160 acres of ff good farm land, under an advanced system of cultivation, on section 2, Ellison Town- '■jilfiP ship, was born in Fulton, Oswego Co., N. Y., Nov. 23, 1S33. Rodney Seymour, father of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was also born in Oswego Co., N. Y., and was the first white male born in that county. His father and two other families moved to that county before the hand of civilization had improved an acre of ground, and when the same was one dense wilder- ness. Rodney was reared at home in Oswego County, and the necessity which compelled him to assist in the maintenance of the family, and the absence of common schools in the community in which he re- sided, deterred him from receiving an education other than that given by parental instruction. He assisted his father in " tree-cutting " and clearing his land, and e.xperienced all the trials and privations incident to the settlement of a new country. He was married to .Amy K. Peabody, a native of Oswego County, where she had resided with her parents until her marriage. They were also early settlers of that county, and continued to reside there until her death, which occurred some years ago. The parents of Arthur G. had three children, of whom the subject of this notice was the eldest. He continued to reside on the parental homestead until he was 20 years of age, when, in March, i860, in company with his two sisters. Celesta and Emeline, he came to tliis State, and located in the southeast corner of Berwick Township, this county. He rented land there and for two years was occupied in its cultivation, when he removed to Tompkins Town- shij), and was there similarly engaged in the culti- vation of rented land for another two years. He afterward rented land in Ellison Township and oc- cupied his time one year in raising a crop thereon. During his residence in that township, Mr. Seymour was united in marriage with Mary M. Abdill, daugh- ter of Isaac and Mary M. (Bissett) Abdill, natives of Delaware and New Jersey respectively, the date of their union being Dec. 30, 1864. Her parents were married in New Jersey and came West in 1858, and located at Keithsburg, 111., having lived in Kentucky for some years after their marriage, from which State they came here. Her f ither was a molder and millwright, and died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Seymour, in Ellison Township, March 6, 1875, and his wife, mother of Mrs. Seymour, died at Mon- mouth, Jan. 20, 1875. Mrs. Seymour was born in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1836. She acquired her education in the district schools and resided with her parents until her marriage. In 1865, Mr. Seymour purchased 160 acres of land in this county, the same being his farm upon which he at present resides. At the time at which he purchased it, it was an unbroken tract of prairie land. He located upon it, and by laborious toil has succeeded in placing it under the advanced state of cultivation in which it is at present. He has a good residence on his farm, built some years ago, and the place is well supplied with a good barn and neces- sary outbuildings. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Seymour, one of whom is deceased, — Florence, who became the wife of William Galbrith, who is a farmer residing in Ellison Township ; Jes- sie M., Willard L,, Neljie M., Arlena A., Mamie G., 4* 1;^ — ^ Joshua W. Barber, a resident on section 11^ 30, Lenox Township, engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, is a son of Aaron W. and Ann C. (Hill) Barber, natives of New Jersey iT and Ohio respectively. They had a family consisting of six children, of whom J. VV. Bar- ber was the second-in order of birth. He was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 183 1, and lived at home with his parents until 1846, when he came to Knox County, this State, and there resided until 1857. We next find him in Warren County, where he located in Lenox Township, and has been a resident of this place ever since. In October, 1S64, he enlisted in the 30th 111. Vol. Inf., and served for about nine months, and, on re- ceiving an honorable discharge, he returned to his liome in this county and again engaged in the peace- ful pursuits of life. His farm comprises 85 acres of giod tillable land, which, by his industry and econ- omy has been all improved. Joshua W. was married in Knox County, this State, on the r5th of November, 1855, the lady chosen to be h's companion in life being Mary A. Woodmansee, who was a native of Ohio. Albert F., who is a conductor on the Rock Island & St. Louis :r/._ Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road ; and Edith V., the wife of Wm. K. Kittering, a resident of Monmouth Township, are the two chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua W. Barber. Mr. B. has served his township as Clerk and School Director, and politically he is a Republican, and a St. John man in temperance. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of tlie Methodist Protestant Church. -f3= athaniel A. Rankin, general farmer and iK; fruit-grower, on section 31, Monmouth "^ Township, was born in Henderson Co., Ky., Feb. i, 1S09. His father, Adam, was a doctor by profession and a native of Pennsyl- vania, and of Scotch descent. He was married in Kentucky, near Danville, to a Miss Speed, who afterward died, leaving five children. Before the death of his wife he had moved to Henderson County, in another part of the State, and there foimed "^ his second mntrimonial alliance, the lady being Miss Susan Roan Anderson, who was born in Virginia, and was a daughter of a farmer and came to Kentucky"' when quite )oung. Of the latter union five children were born, of whom our subject, Nathaniel A., is the eldest and the only survivor. His brother, James E , was shot by a band of marauders while in his store in Henderson County, because he was a Union sympathizer. He was a prominent merchant and member of the Presbyterian Church. Nathaniel .\. Rankin, of whom we write, resided with his parents until the death of his father, liv- ing with his mother afterward until his marriage. He has been twice married, — the first time to Miss Ann Louisa Holloway, third child of George Hollo- way, of Bourbon Co., Ky. The acquaintance which led to this union was formed while she was on a visit to her relatives in Henderson Co., Ky., and was celebrated at that place March 29, 1831. She lived only a little over two years after her marriage, her demise occurring Dec. 18, 1833. His second mar- riage was celebrated near Paris, Bourbon Count)-, Ky., on Christmas day, in the year 1834, the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, successes and "v -64-^ ■^^^^ 2l6 WARREN COUNTY. reverses, being Miss Martha Holloway, a daugliter of George Holloway and sister of Hon. Robert Holloway (see sketch). Sbe was born in Bourbon County, Dec. 7, 1816, and was reared in her native county, remaining at home with her parents until her marriage. They were farmers, and father died in Bourbon County. The mother's demise occurred at the home of one of her sisters, the wife of Gen. VV. F. Thornton, of Shelbyville, 111. Mrs. Rankin was the fourth chikl of her fatlier's family of seven children, and she has become the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living; William H. is married and engaged as a furniture dealer in Mon- mouth, where he resides; Adam is also married and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Johnson Co., Kan.; Anna is the wife of D. E. Thompson, a stock speculator, and resides in I-os Angeles, Cal. ; Mary married William H. Irwin, who is engaged in the real- estate business in Dawson Co., Neb. ; George C. is Clerk of the Circuit Court of Warren County ; Belle and Robert reside at home, the latter operating the homestead. Three of Mr. Rankin's children died in infancy. Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rankin came to Illinois, locating at Springfield, where Mr. R. had established himself about 12 months prior to his marriage in the mercantile business. After mar- riage he lived there for about nine years, doing a successful business in his line. He went thence to Shelbyville, III., and embarked in the same business and remained for about three years. In 1845, '^^ caine to Warren County, and settled in Monmouth, where he carried on an extensive business in pro- duce and general merchandise. He was thus occu- pied until 1 86 1, when he came to his present farm, which consists of 80 acres of land, and which is under an excellent state of cultivaiion. As a fruit- grower he has done exceedingly well, and at the annual fairs he represents his products, which always take away a share of the laurels. Gra[)es and straw- berries are his specialty. Mr. Rankin has ever taken an active and prcmiin- ent part in every enterprise having for its object the advancement of the public interest. He has always been found associated with the best and most prom- inent people in the county in laboring for the i)ublic good. He has been called upon to fill many public positions, which he always did with a high degree of satisfaction to all concerned. He was one of the first Aldermen of Monmouth, and during the years 1859-60 was Mayor of the city. He was United States Internal Revenue Assessor of his district for six years — from 1862 to 1868. He served as Super- visor for two years and Justice of the Peace for eight years. In 1864 the Warren County Agricul- tural Society elected him President, and re-elected him the following year. In 1868, when the War- ren County Reading Room was first organized, he was chosen President of the Board of Directors, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the War- ren County Library from 1870 to 1879, the lat- ter institution growing out of the Reading Room. Thus it will be seen, as above stated, that he has been both an active and a leading spirit in the affairs of Monmouth and Warren County for years. He never has pushed himself into ])osilion, but being recognized as the man best fitted for the work in hand was selected without opposition. Politically, Mr. R. is a Republican, and takes a prominent part in politics. Mr. Rankin, wife and daughter Belle are active members of the Chris- tian Church, and he has been Elder of his con- gregation for nearly 40 years, which position he is filling at the present time. We are pleased to present to our patrons the por- trait of Mr. Rankin, which we do in connection with this sketch. It will be gladly received by iiis many friends all over the county wlio have so long and favorably known him. ; fS-ff, W. Meacham, spending tiie sunset of liis 1 -s life in ease and comfort at Roseville, was horn in Kentucky, July 26, 1830, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabetli (Jones) Meacham^ ■^f^v natives respectively of North Carolina and Ken- i tucky. They came to Illinois in 1838 and lo- cated in Sangamon County, where they purchased 120 acres of land and remained for two years; the elder Meacham then sold out tiiere and came to Warren County and made a purchase of a farm where the village of Ellison now stands. Here he remained for four years. He next located three miles west of Roseville, on a tract of 80 acres of land. He subsequently went to New Lancaster, where he was engaged in the dry-goods and grocery i WARREN COUNTY. 217 f business for a number of years. After selliiig his interest in the latter enterprise he purchased 80 acres in the southeast part of ElUson Township, upon which he resided until his death, in 1878, the death of his wife occurring a year later. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are living, — Miles G., Lavina, Frances W., Etna and Achilles. F. W. Meacham, the gentleman whose name heads this personal narrative, remained the compan- ion of his parents until he reached the age of 20 years, in the meantime receiving a good common- school education. After leaving home, he rented a farm for the first year, and in 185 1 made a purchase of 80 acres, located on section 34, Ellison Township, and upon this he resided for 20 years, entering act- ively and energetically upon the task of its im- provement and cultivation, adding by subsequent purchases 269 acres. He, in the year 1870, pur- chased a house and five acres of land at Roseville, where he resides. This he has since increased by a ten-acre tract. Mr. F. W. Meacham was married in 1851 to Miss Harriet Herring, a native of Pennsylvania. She has borne him seven children, as follows: Edward, Nora, George, Casa, Luther, Oscar (deceased) and Flora, who died when 12 years old. Edward mar- ried Miss Mary Bragg, and they have a family consisting of four children, — Frederick, William, Clara and Angle. Nora married William Buckley, and George is in partnership with the last named gentleman in the hardware business at Roseville. Mr. Meacham is a Republican and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. #-#- CO I < i diti ^osiah C. Lucas, one of the largest land- owners in Warren County and also one of her most successful farmers and respected citizens, resides on section 18, Cold Brook Township. He has been a resident of this county during his entire life, having been born in Monmouth Township, July 30, 1S32, and has consequently witnessed the development of the county to the present magnificent agricultural con- dition wliich it presents to-day. The father of Mr. Lucas of this sketch, Marsham Lucas, was a native of Hart Co., Ky., and a farmer by occupation. He was married in his native county to Miss Cynthia .'^nn \\'hitman, likewise a native of that county and State. They emigrated to this State in 1829, locating in Morgan County, and after a resi- dence there of some time, came to this county, in 1 83 1, where Marsham Lucas purchased land from the Government, located on section 31, Monmouth Township, and where the parents continued to re- side until the death of the mother, which occurred in October, 1837. Marsham Lucas, by his first mar- riage, had five sons and two daughters. In order of birth they were, Thomas H., now a resident of Ore- gon ; Christopher W., wlio died in 1880; Albert W., also a resident of Oregon ; Sarah E. became the wife of Elijah D. Butler : they moved to Oregon, where they both died ; Josiah C. was next in order of birth ; Emily J. became the wife of James M. Ellis, and they live in Palmyra, Mo. ; and Samuel C, a resi- dent of Lidiana. The gentleman whose name heads this article was a child of five years at the date of his mother's death. He was the youngest but two of his parents' children, ' and afier the death of his mother, his father was a ' second time married, when Mrs. Elizabeth Davidson, nee Deweese, became his wife, with whom Mr. Lucas of this sketch continued to reside until four years after attaining his majority. Li 1865 his father and step-mother moved to Abingdon, where they are at present living, retired from the active labors of life and enjoying tlieir accumulations of the past. Josiah C. Lucas resided with his parents until he was 24 years old, at which time he was married in the township of his nativity to Hannah J. Townsend: She was a native of Putnam Co., N. Y., born March 22, 1833, and came to Illinois with her parents when a young lady. She resided at home, acquiring an education in the common schools and assisting her mother in the household labors, until her mar- riage to Mr. Lucas. Her parents are both de- ceased. They were James and Polly (Baldwin) Townsend. They became residents of this county in 1855 and were farmers and members of the Bap- tist Church, and Mr. Townsend, in politics, was a Democrat. Our subject and wife have had born to them eight children, namely : Berry, who married Katie B, Jam- M 4r WARREN COUNTY. ison : they live near Abingdon, Knox Co., Ill , where he is engaged in farming and tlie breeding of Polled Angus cattle; Guy is deceased; Ola A. is now a student of law at ihe Chicago Union College of Law : he is a graduate of Knox College ; James L., Jessie E., Rosa J., Harry C"., and a daughter who died in infancy, are the names i,'f the other members of tlie fannly. After Mr. and Mrs. Lucas were united in marriage, Mr. Lucas made his fust purchase of land in Cold Brook Town5lii|), consisting of So acres, on which he located and engaged actively and energetically in its improvement. He has subsequently, by his energy, good judgment and perseverance, added to his orig- inal purchase of land in this county at different times until he is at present the proprietor of i, 800 acres of good farm land, the same being located in Cold Brook, Floyd and Monmouth Townships, and some in Knox County. The landed interests of Mr. Lucas have been acquired through that indomitable energy and perseverance of which he is character- istic. He is a gentleman possessed of far more than ordinary ability as a business man, and is regarded as one of the successful farmers of Warren County. He is also engaged in breeding thorougbred Polled Angus cattle. A view of his home is shown on ' another page of this Album. Mr. Lucas and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr Lucas is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. imothy Thomas, an energetic and success- ful agriculturist of Lenox Township, War- ren County, is a son of Reuben and Lucy (Sprague) Thomas, and a native of Ohio, hav- ing been born in Clermont County in August, i8j{o. His parents were natives of New Jer- sey and New HamiJ^hire respectively, and of their union four children were born, — Zuba, Alonzo, Tim- othy and Alice. Zuba is deceased. Timothy Thomas, the suiiject of this biographical sketch, remained at home, working on the farm and attending school when opportunity presented itself. until he attained the age of majority, at which age he came to Warren County and worked out by the month for two years. At the expiration of that time he rented land and improved and cultivated it for three years, when he engaged in working with his father. After thus being Inisily engaged for several years, he accumulated sufficient to enable him to purchase a tract of 120 acres of land, of which he is now tlie possessor. Having entered actively and energetically upon its improvement, he has it now under an advanced stale of cultivation, with a good residence and other necessary buildings upon it. July 7, 1870, in Knox County, this State, occurred one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Thomas, it being his marriage to Miss Leannah Neff, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Shoemaker) NeflT, natives of Virginia Jonathan, Jackson, Sally, Catherine, Rebecca, Melvina, Leannah, Susan, Jo- seph, Mary and Elias are the names of the 1 1 chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Neff. Leannali, now the wife of Timothy Thomas, our subject, was born in Virginia, March 28, 1840, and with her husband has become the parent of four children, — Mary V., Asa, Charles and Lucy B., all residing at home with their l^ parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the Baptist Church, and politically Mr. T. casts his vote with the Republican party. > '¥ raper Babcock, the leading dry-goods \^MS\. merchant of Monmouth, was born in (For a his- j|fr(^ ^' Wales, Mass., Dec. i, 1827 tory of the parents, see sketch of E. C. Bab /^ cock in this volume.) Draper accompanied liis parents to Monmouth in 1842, and has here since been engaged in mercantile pursuits. He be- came a partner with his fatlier in 1852, and assumed full control of the business in 1864. From 1859 to 1865, Mr. Babcock of this notice held the office of County Treasurer, and during the late Civil War was Deputy United States Revenue Collector under Grimshaw. In 1873, the Temper- ance element elected him Mayor of the city, and he has represented his ward in the City Council for many years. For sev<;r.il years he was connected LAJ "T^ Residence of J. C.Lucas, Sec, 18, Cold Brook Township A WARREN COUNTY. rf with Monmoutli College as Trustee, and he has filled a similar capacity on the Public Library Board since its organization. He was one of the organizers of the unfortunate First National Bank, and was one of it; Directors up to the time of its collapse. Leaving the old Whig party, Mr. Babcock united with the Republicans, and while no politician, he has served his party in various ways effectively. In popularity as a business man and citizen, it is stating mildly a truth that has passed into a proverb, to say that he is the peer of any man in Warren County. He is not rich in worldly possessions, perhaps, but is opulent in good name. Mr. Babcock was niairicd at Monmouth, Dec. 22, 1852, to Miss Mary E. Elliott, daughter of the late Rev, Joseph Elliott, of the Baptist Church, and of his three sons and one daughter we have the follow- ing brief memoranda : Edward C, brought up to mercantile pursuits, was quite successfully engaged in business at Leadville, Col., for some years: he is ■ now (October, 1885,) in Butte City, Montana; How- ard resides at Galesburg, 111. ; and Lucius A. makes his home with his parents. Probably the most pop- ular young lady in Monmouth was Miss Jennie O. Babcock. She is now the wife of A. B. Seaman, a prominent young attorney of Denver, Col. Like his father, Mr. Babcock is a consistent mem- ber of the Baptist Church, to which he devotes much of his time and money. c=t;=i ^- %^^' ^S- and died at Monmouth, 11 i Feb ■^i»lija'li Coddington Babcock, deceased, ®™'-' was born in Wales, Hampden Co., Mass., Jan. 16, 1803, where he lived until 1841, from paralysis, 13, 1885. He was a son of James and J Phila Babcock, who were descendants of that Puritan stock of which Americans are so proud. In early boyhood he manifested a taste for the mercan- tile business and entered a store at the age of 14 years. His thrift and enterprise enabled him to ac- cumulate the means with which he purchased an in- terest in the establishment, which he afterwards bought entire. On Dec. 17, 1823, Mr. Babcock was married to Miss Cynthia Weld, of Brimfield, Mass. The result of the union was two sons and three daughters, viz.: Mrs. Persis W. Stapp, now deceased; John Babcock, of Denver, Col.; Draper, of Monmouth (see sketch) ; Mrs. Mary Patterson, also of Monmouth, and Mrs. A. H. Holt, of Washington, D. C. In the early part of 1842 Mr. Babcock decided to come West, and some time in April of that year, in company with his brother George, reached St. Louis. Being informed by merchants of that city that there was a splendid prospect for the mercantile business in the locality of Oquawka on the upper Mississippi, they came up the river, but on reaching Oquawka were not pleased with the prospect. They started for Monmouth, riding as far as Olmstead's Mill with Uncle William Hopper and walking the rest of the way. The next day the fortune-seekers rented a room in the building which stood where the Mon- mouth National Bank building now stands, which be- longed to Daniel McNiel, Geo'ge Babcock being a silent partner. It was not long until they were doing an extensive business, having a stock of general mer- chandise, comprising everything that satisfied the demand of early settlers. In 185 i George Babcock retired and the deceased gave his two sons, John and Draper, interests in the establishment. Mr. Babcock 's strict honesty and correct business prin- ciples won for the establishment a reputation for fairness and upright dealing that extended for many miles around Monmouth. He was noted for the correctness of his accounts, but his great trouble was selling on credit. At the time of the great fire on May 9, 1871, his business house was entirely de- stroyed and he sustained heavy losses. He did not again re-open business, but was engaged in the store of his son. Draper. In the year 1841 the Baptist Church was organized in Monmouth, to which the deceased largely contrib- uted. Mrs. Babcock joined the organization by let- ter in 1843, and Mr. Babcock became a member by baptism during the pastorate of Rev. Miner in 1846. His membership in the Church abounds with liberal contributions and unrelenting interest in its behalf. He often bore half of the expenses of the Church and was the head and shoulders of the con- gregation. He was elected to the ofifice of Deacon years ago, the duties of which he performed until the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock celebrated the 50th anni- versary of their marriage on Dec. 17, 1873. Mrs. JVJ v 4 i* 222 WARREN COUNTY. 4 t Babcock died Sept. 29, 1878. After a long life of Christian usefulness she sank gently to her rest, bowed under the weight of years. She was a faith- ful and constant member of the Baptist Church for over 40 years. Her last days were soothed by the loving ministrations of her children and friends. The Rev. Mr. Watson, in his funeral sermon, paid the deceased the following tribute: We have been called together to-day to pay a last grateful tribute to the memory of one long known and felt in your community. Coming to tliis city in 1842, the de- ceased has l)een identified with the progress and prosperity of Monmouth during a very important period of its history. Felt in all the enterprises of our growth, he has given his special energies toward the establishing of the Baptist Church of this place. Uniting with the Church in 1846, he ever after took a deep interest in all her struggles. It was owing very largely to his untiring efforts and large-hearted liberality, that this building was ever erected. The regularity of the enterprise manifested in his busi- ness relations was but the exponent of his habits in reference to spiritual matters. Seldom heard in meetings of any kind, he was always seen in his place no matter how fierce the storm ; and his beaming eye and hearty grasp of hand, spoke louder than words of his devotion and interest. The encouragement wliich he gave to the Pastor in his labor by his devoted attendance and earnest co-oper- ation, was worth more than the most eloquent words of some. To show liow his heart yearned for the prosperity of Zion during his late suffering, whenever one entered the room hi enquired about the meetings and longed to be there. Such as he, when they are called hence, leave a vacancy which we can not fill. We shall miss him sadly from our midst, but his influence shall abide; and may it prove a lasting incentive to us all, to quicken us and prompt us to greater diligence in every good work, while it is day. His sufferings, which were so severe, are already passed away forever; and he has joined the in- numerable throng of redeemed ones around the throne. One more added to the treasures in heaven, who shall await your coming with the King. The Savior, who has called him from his labors into rest, stands by your side and whispers, " Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in God, believe also in me." "Peace I leave with you ; my peace I give unto you," and remember that " The Lord will not cast off His people, neither will he forsake his in- heritance." I'ut your confidence and trust in Him. James ISabcock, the first known ancestor of our subject, came from England in 1663, and settled in Rhode Island. His youngest son, Jeremiah, was born at Westerly, R. I., in t679, and became quite renowned as a soldier. In Monmoutli, the Babcocks erected and conducted the first grain elevator. They were also the first pork-packers in this part of the country. E. C. Babcock led a life which, though quiet, was full of kindness and good words. Poverty and sick- ness found in him a friend. He was a good friend, a good citizen and a good Christian, always openly avowing his convictions yet careful of the feelings of others. His demise was deeply felt throughout the county. «»• ?;l''Mif eorge W. Palmer, anotlier of Warren •"l lsJll County's farmers, who by his energy and tjp" "^ economy has succeeded in obtaining a ^ good title to t35 acres of good tillable land, T located on sectio.i 7, Hale Township, where f lie is actively engaged in the labors of an agriculturist, is a son of Wilkinson and Nancy (Hurd) Palmer, natives of Brighton, Canada West. The parents came from the latter province to White- side County, in 1844, from whence they removed to Hancock County, and soon after became residents of this county, having settled in Monmouth. They lived in the latter city for one year, when they lo- cated in what is now Hale Township, where they lived until their death. The mother died in 1863, and the father in 1878. Their children were ti in number. George W. Palmer was the eighth child in order of birth of his parents' family. He was born in Canada, Aug. 15, 1838, and was about six years old when his parents came to this State, and is conse- quently a pioneer settler here. He came with his parents to this county and engaged in the active la- bors on the farm, and has continued to reside here until the present time, having, during the meantime, become the proprietor of 135 acres of good, tillable trA: V ^€■4=^ . ■ Y ^. . WARREN COUNTY. 223 land, on whicli he resides and is there engaged in the vocation which he has followed the major portion of his life, — agriculture. In Henderson County, this State, Oct. 25, 1859, the ceremony was performed which united for life the subject of this notice with Miss Sarah Haines, the accomplished daughter of Amos and Catherine (Miller) Haines, natives of Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Palmer had si.\ children, of whom she was the second in order of birth. She was born near Colum- bus, Ohio, March, iS, 1842, and has borne her hus- band seven children, — Flora E., James C, Ida M., Emma J., Laura P., Maud A. and Nettie C. James C. died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Palmer is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Christian Church. -^-S- n^,olby Matteson. Among the leading ag- K riculturists of Lenox Township and War- ier?" ""^ ren County is the subject of this sketch. 4 He is a son of Norman and Emeline (Matte- son) Matteson, who were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Norman Mat- teson was a son of the Rev. Isaiah Matteson, and was born at Shaftsbury, Vt., June 15, 1806. At the age of 17 he was converted, and baptized by his father, and was, up to the time of his death, an act- ive member of the Baptist Church. When 21 years years old, he went to Western, New York, where, iii 1829, he was married to Mahala Beckwiih. One child, a girl, was born to them, but mother and child died in 1833. In 1835 he was married to Emeline Matteson, wlio died in 1856, the mother of six chil- dren. Their names were Colby, Adelbert, Abner, Caroline, Avery and Florence. Abner, Caroline and Avery are deceased ; Florence became the wife of George Best, now residing in Floyd Township; Adel- bert is single and lives in Portland, Oregon. He served in the Union army during the late Rebellion, as a member of the 83d Regt. 111. Vol., and partici- pated in several of the important battles of the war, in one of which^Fort Donelson — he was wounded in the arm. This being serious, he was honorably discharged. After his marriage in 1835, Norman Matteson and wife settled in Avon, N. Y., where tliey lived for a time, then removed to Western, and subsequently to Floyd, N. Y„ and from there to Berwick, 111., in 1838. The elder Matteson was therefore one of the pioneers of this section of the country. From Ber- wick they removed to Roseville Township, but af- terward removed to Floyd Township, where they remained for several years. They tlien moved to Lenox Township, and in r865 he made another re- moval, this time locating in the village of Betwick, where he continued to reside, retired from the active labors of life, until his death. His second wife died in Lenox Township, Dec. 25, 1856. In r857 he married Miss Elizabeth Schuessler, at Berwick. She is a native of Hamburg, Germany, is a woman of many excellent qualities, and proved to be a devoted wife and a good mother to his children. His death occurred Oct. 17, 1881. His widow still survives, and now lives in Floyd Township, and is highly es- teemed by her neighbors and friends. Colby Matteson was born in Avon, Livingston Co., N. Y., June 27, 1837, and came to this county with his parents, and has continued to reside here ever since. He acquired a good education in the common schools of this county, and during the sev- eral years which have elapsed, he has been a careful observer and reader of the current literature of the day, and at this writing we find him to be a man of practical views on the many important questions of the times. His vocation is that of a farmer, agri- ricultural pursuits and stock-raising having not only afforded him a pleasing but a profitable occupation. His farm now comprises 240 acres, on section 36, Lenox Township, and is one of the handsomest and best improved farms in the township. His carefully kept lawn, well appointed house, within and without, neat and substantial barn and outbuildings, and well ordered fences and hedges, all combine to show where thrift, enterprise and energy dwell. We in- vite the reader's attention to another page of this work, on which is shown an elegant view of the resi- dence and farm property of Mr. Matteson. In his chosen vocation of life Mr. Matteson is meeting with that success which his energetic disposition, push and tact are sure to bring. He was married in Roseville Township, this ±1/V -^4- ^i"» 224 WARREN COUNTY. county, Jan. 24, 1865, to Miss Harriet A. Dillon. She was the daughter of William and Lavina Dillon, and was born Sept. 8, 1845, in Kentucky. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Matteson, four children, — Harvey N., Flora E., Alfred and Ida, — have been born to them and are now residing at home. Mrs. Matteson died at her home in Lenox Township, May 1 2, 1883. She was a member of the Baptist Church, as is likewise Mr. Matteson. During the late Rebellion he was a staunch Union man. In politics, he is a supporter of the prir.ciples of the Republican party. illiam W. Wilson, a general farmer and 1, stock-raiser, residing on section 16, Mon- mouth Township, was born in Perry Co., Ohio, on the 19th of August, 1837. His father, James J., was a farmer and a native of Pennsylvania and of Scotch descent. He was a young man when he accompanied his jjarents to Perry County, the Buckeye State, and while there married a Miss Elizabeth Williams, who was a na- tive of Washington Co , Pa. She was a daughter of a Pennsylvania farmer named William Williams, who came to Perry Co., Ohio, when that county and even all that portion (.f the State was but little set- tled. Tliey located in the woods of Perry County, where her father engaged actively and energetically in tlie severe task of clearing and improving a farm. James J. Wilson, the father of the subject of our sketch, aliO resided with his family in Perry County, and it was there that his children were born. His family comprised nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom William W. is the seventh child. Six of the children are still living, three sons and three daughters. All are married and have reared families, and all but one live in Illinois; four reside in Warren County. James J. Wilson also rei)re- sented his county in the Ohio Legislature for two terms. In politics he was a Democrat and took an active interest in public aflfairs. He and his wife were both members of the United Presbyterian Church. He died in December, 1856, and his widow survived him till Apiil, 1863. Mr. Wilson, of this notice, was about 18 years of age when his father died, and afterwards lived with, and was the princijial support of, his mother until her death, which look place when he was 27 years old. He afterwards began to learn the trade of tin- ner and purchased a hardware and tin-sliop, which he CO -.ducted for some eight years in New Lexing- ton, his native county. He was united in marriage, Dec. 4, 1869, in New Lexington, to Miss Sarah Kelley, who was born in Perry Co., Ohio, March 5, 1831, and was the daugh- ter of Riley and Jane (Jones) Kelley. Her parents were married in Perry County, where her father was for some time engaged in the hotel business and later in life followed the occupation of farmer, and where he died in 1861. Her mother is yet living, in Lex- ington, Perry Co., Ohio, and is about 75 years of age. Mrs. Wilson is the eldest in order of birth of a family of nine childr-en, and of her union with Mr. W. two children have been born, one of whom is de- ceased. Jessie M. is the surviving child and Victor ' is deceased. After Mr. and Mrs. \Vilson were united in marri- age, they continued to reside in New Lexington,; Perry Co., Ohio, for one year. At the expiration of"^ that time they came to McDonough County, this' State, where Mr. Wilson followed his trade one year. They then came to Warren County in 1871, and' three years later, in 1874, located on a farm of 95 acres of improved land, which belonged to his brother, O. P. Wilson, and on which Mr. Wilson, of this sketcli, has since resided. Politically, Mr. W. is a strong adherent to the principles of the Democratic part). fhomas L. Capps, owning 170 acres of goad, tillable land in Lenox Township, and residing on section 24, is a son of .\sa and Mary (Brooks) Capps, natives of Kentucky. The parents were married and settled in this county, where the father was an agriculturist until his death, which occurred Dec. 6, 1878. His widow still survives The issue of their union was nine children, named Thomas L., Nancy E., John L., Sarah J , Lewis M , Lucy C, Orville and Edwin R. Mary E. died when she was about ten years old. The genilcman whose life's sketch we write, is a *i ~v *t WARREN COUNTY. :^H^ ^^^ native of this county, having been born in Rose- ville Township, June 6, 1843. From childhood his inclination was to become a successful and inde- pendent farmer, and his younger days were passed principally on the farm, alternating his labors thereon with attendance at the common schools, and sup- plementing his education gained here by a five months' course of study at Abingdon College. He is at present the proprietor of a fine and well im- proved farm, and a gentleman possessed of sound, practical knowledge of the vocation of an agricultur- ist, in the following of which occupation he is meet- ing with success. The lady whom Mr. Capps wooed and won and who, on Sept. 16, 1866, became his wife, Miss Mary Jewell, is a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Johnson) Jewell, natives of New York State and Virginia, respectively. Mrs. Capps was born in this county, March 5, 1844, and was the second in order of birth of a family of 1 1 children. Her parents, on coming to this county, settled in Berwick Township, where they resided until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Capps have become the parents of four children, — Minnie J., Nettie B , Ada C. and Orton A. The head of the houseliold has held the office of Supervisor of Lenox Township two years and also the offices of School Director, Trustee and Tax Collector. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in religious matters he and his wife both believe in the doctrines of the Baptist Church, to which denomination they belong. In politics Mr. Capps votes with the Democratic (larty. ^~ ^^ 4 "enjamin F. rorwood is one of the well- known and prominent pioneers of Warren County. He settled in the township of Spring Grove as early as 1839. He was born in Hartford Co., Md., Dec. 18, 18 16. His father, William W. Forwood, was a na- tive of Lycoming Co., Pa., and was a descendant of Irish ancestry. The father of the Mr. Forwood last named was also a native of the State where his son was born, and was a member of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. All the early generations of the family belonged to the same fraternity. The grandfather removed with his family to Maryland and there bought a farm, upon which Williain was reared and attained to the estate of manhood, and served his country in the War of i8t2. Here he was married to Sarah T. Gilbert. She was a native of Maryland and was of English descent. In 1822 he bought a farm in Hartford County, upon which there were all the facilities for the manufacture of lum- ber. They consisted of a saw-mill and an excellent water-power. He built a small factory on the stream which furnished the motive power for the saw-mill already in order of business. He managed his varied business projects, including a good-sized farm, until 1837, when he sold the place and in the year succeeding set out for the West. He came by the water route from Maryland to St. Louis, where the family passed the winter. In the spring, the father, mother and seven chil- dren once iriore took passage on the river and landed at Oquawka. In company with a man named Joseph Plum, Mr. Forwood entered 640 acres of land on sec- tions 15 and 22, in what is now the township of Spring Grove There was a vacant log house on section 23 and, although not owning the land, the family took possession and it was their abode until the father could erect a stone house, better suited to tlieir needs, which he located on the northwest quarter of section 22. He was assisted in the improvement of the farm by his sons, and was the occup.mt and owner of the place until 1850, when he went to ("alifornia, ac- companied by his sons, Philip G. and Shadrach R. They operated for a time as miners and afterwards built a saw-mill at a point known as Yankee Jim's, in Placer County. They carried on a profitable lumber business until the death of the father, which occurred July 9, 1853. His wife died in April, 1859, at the residence of her son, the subject of this i)er- sonal narration, in S|)ring (irove Township. The latter is the"oldest child of his parents. The family record reads as follows : Hannah R. is the wife of L A. Cunningham, of Oquawka; Cordelia Ann is the widow of R. P. Tinkham and resides in Kirk- wood, Warren County; Philip is a resident of Wash- ington Territory ; Shadrach lives in Nevada ; Sarah J. married L. H. Gilmore, of this township: Harriet married R. P. Barnes, of Spring Grove Township, and is his survivor. Mr. Forwood resided with his parents until the 'JU: r -H- 328 , . \ . . WARREN COUNTY. year in which his father went to California. He then took possession of the farm and assumed the entire charge. In the year 1840 he bought the southeast quarter of section 23, which was then un- improved, and it is now his place of abode and field of operations. The usual improvements have been made and the place, which consists of 168 acres of fine land, is in excellent order for successful cultiva- tion. His other property, however, increases his entire acreage to 369 acres. The proprietor is en- gaged in mixed farming. The buildings on the farm are of the necessary type on a farm of advanced im- provement. A view of them is given in this vol- ume. In political connection, Mr. Forwood is independ- ent. He commonly finds the best man to receive his vote in the Democratic party, but is untram- meled in opinion. He has held the position of Township Treasurer of Schools since 1846. He was the second Clerk in the township and has also served as Supervisor. He is a member of Mon- mouth Lodge, No. 37, A. F. & A. M., Warren Chapter No. 30, and Council No. 14, of the same order. Mr. Forwood's |X)rtrait appears on another page of this work. It is given as that of one of the representative men of the county. As a pioneer he was known here nearly half a century ago, and is also regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of his township. 4 ^enry Teare, a farmer, owning 80 acres of good land on section 22, Lenox Township, where he has resided since 1858, is a son of Charles and Ann (Cane) Teare, natives of the T Isle of Man, where they resided until their I death. The parents' children were six in num- ber, named Charles, John, Robert, Thomas, Eliza- beth and Henry. The latter is the youngest of the family, and was born on the Isle of Man, Feb. 17, 1839. He lived on his native isle until 18 years of his life was passed, when, hearing of the glowing ac- counts of a country across the waters called the United States, and hoping to better his financial con- dition in life, he immediately set sail for that land of promise. Soon after landing at an Eastern seaport, he came to Peoria County, this State, where he re- sided for one year. In 1858, he came to this county and located in Lenox Township, and since that time has been engaged in agticultural pursuits. His farm is well cultivated and improved, and re- flects credit upon its owner. Mr. Teare was married in Lenox Township, Jan. I, 1868, to Elvira A., daughter of Chambers and Catherine (Foster) Wick, natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Warren County in 1858 and first set- tled in Lenox Township. Here Mr. Wick died. His widow, the mother of Mrs. Teare, still survives and resides in Stark County. They had a family of eight children, — Theo. F., Elvira A., Nancy E., Thos. J., James M., William R., Belle, Curtis R. Elvira A., wife of our subject, was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., April 23, 1847. and her home circle was blessed with the birth of two children, Cora E. and Flora B. The former died Jan. 14, 1884, at the age of 16 years. Mr. and Mrs. Teare are members of the Methodist Church, and, socially, he belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows. In politics, he affiliates with the Republi- can party. --H ft%^— TB. Jemima Sawtell, residing at Rose- ville, is the widow of the late Joiin Saw- tell, who was born in Ihe State of Maine in 1807, and came to Illinois in 1842, set- tling in La Harpe, Hancock County, wliere he remained three years. He then went to Mc- Donough County, where, after a stay of seven years, he came into Warren County and located in Ellison Township, on a tract of 80 acres of land which he had purchased. He increased his landed possessions by a subsequent purchase of 30 acres and lived on the same until 1871, when he came to Roseville village and there bought a lot on Main Street. He erected a fine substantial residence on the same and lived a retired life until his death, which occurred March 23, 1882, during his 7sth year. He was also a carpenter and joiner. Mr. John Sawtell and Mrs. Jemima Johnson, widow of Norman Johnson, were married in 1842. She was a native of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and her first marriage was celebrated in Michigan in 1835, %- 4 WARREN COUNTY. 119 her husband, Mr. Johnson, having been born in 1810. His parents were Nathaniel and Lucy (Smith) John- son, natives of Vermont. Norman Johnson had a farm of 80 acres in Wayne Co., Mich., which he sold and came to Illinois in 1841, settling in La Harpe, Hancock County. At the latter place he remained until his death, in 184 1. Of this union were born two daughters, — Elvira E. and Electa L. Elvira E. married John Talbot in 1856, and they have become the parents of one child, who is living, — Ida A., wife of Charles Pyington, who is book-keeper for Phillips & Co., of Burlington; Mr. Talbot died in February, 1883; and Electa L. married Hiram Muring in 1855, his demise occurring in 1875. Mrs. Sawtell was born July 10, 1818, and still lives in the village of Roseville. Her parents were Isaac and Electa (Allen) Goodell, natives of Northampton, Mass., and were married in 181 2. They came to Wayne Co., Mich., in 1830, and there purchased 1 ,600 acres of land, remaining there until their death, the father in 1842, and the mother in 1862. Mr. Sawtell was a member of the Christian Church at the time of his death. Politically, he was a Demo- crat. ^ B^zra Cable, one of Warren County's success- 1^ 5 ful agriculturists and a gentleman whose 1^^°^ success as such is attributable to no leg- 5C acy, but to his own indomitable perseverance, is a resident on section 19, Floyd Township, with postoffice at Berwick. His father was named Henry Cable, was of German extraction, born in New York in 1795, and died in Monmouth, March 8, 1878. His mother, Olive (Kingsley) Cable, was of Scotch extraction, born in 1792, and died at Monmouth, Feb. 23, 1876. Ezra Cable, of whom we write, was born at Floyd, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1821. Leaving his native county and Stale, in the fall of 1835, he came with his father's family to this county, where the senior Cable purchased 200 acres of land, on which he located with his family and where Ezra, the subject of this notice, lived and labored until 1855, in the meantime supplement- ing his education which he had received in the com- mon schools of his native county by an attendance at the district schools for a period of about three months. In 1853, Mr. Cable purchased a farm of 80 acres, on which he moved two years later, and has there resided until the present time, engaged in its culti- vation and improvement in which he has met with no small degree of success. By economy and perse- verance he has succeeded in increasing his landed interests until his place at present comprises 200 acres of as good farm land as can be found in the county, and to the passer-by it presents an ap- pearance indicative of that push and good judg- ment possessed by its proprietor. Mr. Cable has been School Trustee for many years and in his polit- ical views is strictly a Republican. Mr. Cable formed a matrimonial alliance, April j6, 1854, with Miss Martha J. Latimer, the ceremony being performed in Knox County, this Slate, by the Rev. J. M. B. Roach. Of their union six children have been born ; the record is as follows : Addie M., . born March 9, 1855; Clara L., Oct. 15, 1856; Effie • M., Nov. 13, 1858; Carl D., June 29, i860; Grace v., June 5, 1869; Roy E., Oct. 18, 1870. Addie, on ■ the isth day of January, 1879, became the wife of = Alfred A. Phelps. Sept. 13, 1881, Clara married A. T. Brooks. Dec. 27, 1883, Effie united her future life with that of Myron D. Matteson. Mrs. Ezra Cable was born in Knox Co., 111., Oct. 13, 1833, and was the accomplished daughter of George G. and Rebecca (Drennan) Latimer. Her father was born in Sumner Co., Tenn., Feb. 28, 1810, and was a prominent and leading citizen of that county, and after his removal to Illinois, became a Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and was one of the leading men of Knox County. The mother of Mrs. Cable was born in Kentucky, Feb. 26, 1814, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction, her husband being of Eng- lish descent. ..o^*. ames W. Robertson, who is engaged as a farmer on section 32, Lenox Township, was born in Washington Co., N. Y., on the 4th of March, 1822. His parents were John and Margaret Robertson, natives respectively of Scotland and New York State. They first settled in the latter state and then removed to Ash- tabula Co., Ohio, where they resided until their ~-t* 4 'S" ' "'.'• ' ■ v. , . WARREN COUNTY. — ^ deaths. Of this union were born i i children, the eighth in order of birth being James \\., of whom we write. He remained al iiome until lie attained his ma- jority, in the meantime attending the common schools and assisting in the labors of the farm. At the age of 21 lie ( ame to Warren County, and re- sided at Monmouth for something over tiiree years, being engaged in different occupations. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, belonging to a company known as Capt. Stapp's Cavalry. He remained in the army for about a year, wlien he returned home and has since been a resident of this county. Mr. Robertson is the owner of 158 acres of fine tillable land, upon which he has erected a substantial set of farm buildings. In Monmouth, on tiie 4tli of January, 1849, the wedding of Mr. James W. Robertson .md Miss Eme- line Morgan was celebrated. Mrs. R. is a na- tive of the Empire State and James and Penelope Morgan were her parents. They had a family of four children, tlie following being the names: Mar- garet J., Ralph J., Harlow C. and Nellie A. Mrs. *J Robertson died in Lenox Township, April 17, r868, and Mr. J. W. Robertson was again married on the 8th of September, 1880, at Monmoutli, to Mrs. Jen- nie (Wilcox) Clark, daughter of Arom and Mary Ann Wilcox and widow of David Clark. .She was born in Rockford, this State, Oct. i, (838. Mr. Robertson has held the office of Supervisor one term and also other minor offices in his township. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows and politically is identi- fied with the Republican party. aniel Bird, engaged in the manufacture of tile and brick at Roseville, was born in Shropshire, England in 1832, and is a son j^.» of an English potter. Daniel Bird, the sub- l^ ject of this sketch, remained at home until lie attained the age of 20 years, in the meantime learning the ix)ttery trade of his father, having com- menced to turn the potter's wheel at the age of eight years. After leaving home he engaged in the manu- facture of tile and brick and was thus occupied until the fall of 1856, when he emigrated to the United States, reaching New York in October. He stopped but a short time in that city, when, learning of the fertility and rapid growth of the \\ est, he pushed forward, coming to Illinois and settling in Swan Townshijj, this county, and here engaging at his trade, which occupation he continued for ten years. He subsequently came to Roseville village and en- gaged in his present business, at which he has met with excellent success and is doing a constantly in- creasing business. He employs about 13 men. He has erected fine large buildings, suitable to his oc- cupation, costing him over $10,000. His sons are interested with him in his manufacturing business. Mr. Bird and Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Joseph and Jane Barker, were united in marriage in Eng- land, in the year 1856, she being a native of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Bird have become the par- ents of three children, — George, John and William. George is married to Miss Sarah McCammon and they have four children, — Delia, Mary, Charles and Roy. John married Miss Minda McCammon. Mr. Bird's political affiliations are with the Repub- lican party, and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren. eorge W. Morey. As early as 1841, C'hailes Morey with his family came into Warren County and located in what is >^' now Floyd Township. .\ccompanying him was his son, George W., the subject of this personal sketch. The elder Morey had mar- ried, in his native State, Miss Polly Blair. He died at his home in the winter of 1872, but his wife still survives him. They had a family of 12 chil- dren, of whom George W. was the third. He was born Jan. 18, 1824, in Erie Co., Pa. His early life was passed at home, and when a lad of 17 he ac- companied his parents to this county, which at the time was newly settled, without railroads, and in fact almost a wilderness. Here he has lived for 44 years, and has witnessed a wonderful transformation in the face of the country. .Vbout 22 years ago he moved into Lenox Townshi[), where he has been living since. He now owns an e.xcellent farm of 160 acres there on section 14, ^e has^ Ijeen prominent *t^ ^€-?=?! WARREN COUNTY. ^7,1 "> in the affairs of his township, and has served in var- ious official positions for many years. He has been Road Commissioner for 1 2 years and much of the present good condition of the highways is due to his management. Politically, he is a Republican. He voted twice for Abraham Lincoln, and during the war was a staunch Union man. While living in Floyd Township, he was married to Emily Bonnell, their wedding occurring Sept. 20, 1851. His wife was born in Erie Co., Pa., and is the daughter of William and Elizabeth Bonnell. Mr. and Mrs. Morey have a family of three children : Mary V., who is the wife of T. W. Russell, and re- sides in Nebraska; William F. married Emma F. Patterson and they live in Monmouth; and Charles H., who lives at home. Besides these, two died in infancy. Mrs. M. is a member of the Methodist Church. When Mr. M. began life he had nothing but his strong hands to aid him, but with that tenacity of purpose characteristic of the pioneers, he has suc- ceeded in gathering together a comfortable compe- tency for his old age. ^ineus B. Crane. Prominent among the extensive farmers and stock-raisers of War- iK"^ ren County, may be classed Mr. S. B. V, Crane, who is residing on section 12, Ellison Township. He was born in Morris Co. N. J., June 3, 1831, and his father, Benjamin Crane, also a farmer, was a native of New Jersey and of English descent. His grandfather, whose name was Norris, was born in New Jersey, and married Jennie Dunham. They both lived, after marriage, in Mor- ris County, where they died. The former was born near Elizabeth, Union Co., N. J., and the latter in Essex County, same State. The father, Benjamin Crane, was married in Morris County to Julia A. Bebout, who was born in the same county, the date of her birth being March r6, 1802, and who died Sept. 7, 1880. She was of New England parentage of Holland Dutch and Scotch descent, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Benjamin Crane had been fairly successful in life and was appointed Lieuten- ant of militia in his native State. The dale of his birth was April 16, 1802, and that of his death April ^ 8, 1873, when he was aged 71 years. He and his wife were Methodists in the latter years of life. Sineus B., the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, was the second in order of birth of a family of three children born to his parents, one of whom was a daughter named Sarah J. She was born Sept 18, 1834, and is the wife of Oscar Linds- ley, a resident at Green Village, N. J., e.x-State Rep- resentative and quite a prominent man in public life. He is a farmer by vocation. The other member of the family, John O., was born May 23, 1826, and was united in marriage with Miss Mary Searing, who is now deceased. The husband resides in Morns Co., N. J., and is a farmer. Sineus B. lived at home with his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred when he was 36 years of age, at the residence of the bride's par- ents in Morris Township, Morris Co , N. J., Dec. 9, 1856, to Miss Caroline M. Mills, daughter of Alfred and Sally (Kinnan) Mills, who was born in Morris Co., N. J., and of English and Scotch extraction. The father was a successful farmer, visiting his chil- dren in Illinois twice since their removal West, and died at his home in Morris Co., N. J., April 28, 1880, at the venerable age of 80 years. The mother still survives and is living with her children in New Jer- sey, aged 82 years. Mrs. C. of this notice was born in Morris Co., N. J., Oct. 6, 1835. She was reared and educated at her father's home, and is the mother of 1 1 children, one of whom is deceased, namely : Augusta M., born June i, 1858, resides at home- Joseph H., born Aug. 25, 1859, married Miss Electa Nutt, resides on a farm in Nodaway Co., Mo., and has a family of two children, — Elizabeth and Mary E. ; Alfred B., born Jan. 27, 1862, living with his brother in Missouri, is unmarried; Frank L., single, born March 4, 1863, died Dec. 11, 1885; Eliphalet C, born Nov. 17, 1865, resides at home; Llewella C, born July 3, 1869, also resides at home; Julia, born Oct. 17, 1871, lives at home; Henry M., born Dec. 27, 1873; Sarah, born March 28, 1876; Sineus B., born Sept. 25, 1878; and Anna L, born May 18, 1881. All that have passed school age have re- ceived a good common -school education. After marriage Mr. Crane engaged in farming in Morris Co., N. J., for a short time, but soon began to feel like coming West. This move was made in October, 1859, when he came to Warren County and settled on a rented farm in Berwick Township. His *+ ¥ f«' ^^^-^ '34 WARREN COUNTY. first purchase of land was of 60 acres, all improved, which was bought in the spring of 1861. This he owned until April, 1865, when he sold it and bought 160 acres, his present site in Ellison Town- ship, which was then only slightly improved. He has since made all the necessary improvements, has a splendid farm, fully equipped and all fenced. He owns, in Roseville Township, 1 16 acres of improved land, and 360 acres of land in Nodaway Co., Mo., all of which is under excellent cultivation. In ad- dition to farming, Mr. C. is engaged in stock-raising. Among his herd is a thoroughbred Short-horn cow, only four years old and yet is the mother of four calves. He also feeds and fattens stock for the market. Of the many splendid farm scenes shown in the view department of this Album, those of Mr. Crane's farm, given in connection with this sketch, are among the most inviting. His comfortable resi- dence, the excellent facilities for caring for his stock and storing grain, the beautifully undulating fields, the splendid specimens of the horses and cattle of the farm, are all shown, which form a pleasing picture. Mr. C. has been Supervisor of Ellison Township for two terms, and once for Berwick Township. He has also held many of the minor offices of his town- ship. Politically, he is a Democrat. ■«ia27©-^-'— {§1 -,.^k%(!nnn>- jlfriram M. Frantz, one of the influential citi- zens as well as progressive and successful farmers and stock-raisers of this county, re. siding on section 25, Monmouth Township, is a native of Maryland, having been burn in that State, March 7, 1844. The father of Mr. Frantz of this notice, was Solomon Frantz. (See sketch of William H. Frantz in another part of this work.) Hiram M lived in iiis native State only three years, when his parents removed to Perry Co., Ohio, in which State he continued to reside, liv- ing in the parental household until 16 years of age. At this age in life the country was imperiled by the secession of the Southern States and shot and shell from Rebel guns had been thundered against the walls of Sumter. The President had called for brave hearts and strong arms to put down the Rebellion, and Hiram Frantz, then but 16 years of age, re- sponded to the call by enlisting in Co. D, 17th Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. L. J. Jackson and Col. J. M. Connell, for 90 days, the date of his enlistment be- ing April 16, 1861. After serving his time of enlist- ment, he re-enlisted in the 31st Ohio Vol. Inf. under Capt. \V. H. Free and Col. N. B. Walker, and his company was assigned to the Third Division, 14th Army Corps, of the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Frantz, of this notice, participated in the battles of Mill Springs, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Dallon, Kenesaw Mountain, and was also in the Atlanta campaign. Previous to the Atlanta campaign he was in the battle of Chickamauga, and it was in that battle that his regiment and company sustained their heaviest loss during the war. Although Mr. Frantz did his part in each and every battle in which his company was engaged, he was fortunate, never re- ceiving even a wound nor losing a day from duty. He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1865. After the war was over and the cause for which he fought was victorious, Mr. Frantz went to Perry Co., Ohio, where he resided for two years. In 1868, he came West and two years later, March 30, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Flora L., the daughter of Benjamin and Melinda (Claycomb) Mur- phy. Her mother was a second time married, her second husband being Benjamin H. Kittering. (See sketch.) Mrs. Frantz, wife of the gentleman whose name heads this notice, was born in Monmouth Township, this county, May to, 1848. She lived with her parents, who were early settlers in this county, until her marriage. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, two children have been born, Talma J. and Ruth B. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Frantz, in the fall of 1870, he purchased 159 acres of land on sec- tion 25, Monmouth Township, where he is at pres- ent residing, and subsequently, by purchase, has increased his landed interests in that township to 289 acres. His home farm presents that appear- ance which is indicative of the push and energy pos- sessed by its proprietor. Mr. Frantz has been a more than ordinarily successful man in his vocation of farming and stock-raising. In the latter depart- ment of his vocation, he has indeed traded to a very large extent, having shipped more than $200,000 of stock and an average of about $12,000 annually. LAr t* WARREN COUNTY. 235 Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Frantz are members of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. F. votes with the Republican party, and has held the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. ton. Daniel D. Parry, dealer in real estate jiia^as and insurance agent at Monmouth, was ^S^^ born at Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, May 28, i^ 1839, and was the fifth child of Walter and Ann ( (Dean) Parry, natives of South Wales and of Bath Co., Ky., respectively. The parents were married in Greene Co., Ohio, where their two sons and six daughters were born. The family came to Warren County in 1862, and here the mother and father spent the remainder of their lives, the old lady dying in 1876, aged 71 years, and Mr. Parry four years later, at the age of 76 years. Walter Parry, the father of our subject, came with his widowed mother to America when he was about 14 years of age and Uived in Ohio up to 1862. The Deans came to Ohio in 1813, and occupied a large tract of land in Greene County, where quite a number of that name yet re- side, and annually meet at what they term the" Dean . Picnic." The Xenia, Ohio, schools afforded the subject of our sketch such opportunities for an education as was practicable before he was 17 years of age, and after clerking in a grocery house, at that place, he developed at once into a coal oil prospector. April 19, 1861, at Hamilton, Ohio, he enrolled as a private soldier in Co. F, 3d Ohio Vol. Inf. (three-months men), and June 3, following, was mustered into the three-years service in the same company and regiment. His final discharge was dated at Camp Dennison, Marcli I, 1863, While in the service he spent his first six months in West Virginia, went South with the Army of the Ohio, and returned with Buell. At Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862, a minie ball penetrated his left knee, which led to the amputation of the limb 25 hours later. He landed at Monmouth March 23, 1863, and the next day was given a position as Deputy County Clerk. He held this place about three years, and in November, 1867, was elected County Treasurer, an office he held four terms in succes- sion. In 1870 he was selected as a member of the State Board of Equalization, and for four years dis- charged the duties of the two offices, and in*'i88o represented Warren County in the Illinois Legisla- ture. His last political venture was his candidacy for the nomination for State Treasurer in 1882, which, however, he failed to get. Mr. Parry has always been a Republican of the most pronounced type, and his official life has always reflected credit upon that party. He is an active business man ; a man of unswerving integrity ; pure in his private life, unblemished in his public career and fitted intellectually to fill any position to which the people of his district may assign him. March 24, 1864, he was married at Monmouth, to Miss Mary A. Reed, daugliter of Samuel Reed of Huntingdon Co., Pa. Their three children are named Nettie A.. Walter D. and Jessie M. ohn A. Nesbit, an energetic and prosperous resident of Lenox Township, residing on section 11, where he is engaged quite ex- tensively in agricultural pursuits, is a son of jL Fisher and Jeniza (Adams) Nesbit, natives of Pennsylvania, where, in Perry County, they were married and settled. About the year 1836, they removed to Franklin County, their native State, but finally returned to Perry County, there residing until death called them to their eternal home. Their family consisted of six children, three of whom are now living. John A., whose name is prominent in the affairs of his township, was the eldest of his parents' family and was born in Perry County, the Keystone State, May 16, 1825. His school privileges were quite limited and he was engaged in farming in the State of his nativity until the year 1869, when, in October of that year, he determined to travel Westward, thinking the facilities were much greater for acquir- ing a competency there than in his native State. He soon found a desirable location in Lenox Township. His success was remarkable in his last move and he has since made this his permanent abode. After laboring quite a while in the State of Pennsylvania, he had accumulated something of this world's goods before his emigration West, which enabled him to purchase a tract of 120 acres of good land. Of 4^ ^ *^^ «36 WARREN COUNTY. course this was unimproved, except having been fenced "and, broken, but Mr. Nesbit entered actively and energetically upon its improvement; and the re- sults of his efforts have been rewarded, for his farm is now under an advanced state of cultivation, a fine residence has been erected thereon, as well as all other suitable outbuildings. Mr. N. formed a matrimonial alliance on the i8th of September, 1848, in Cumberland Co., Pa., with Miss Hetty A. Hemp, daughter of Adam and Eliza- beth (Bowlar) Hemp, both natives of the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Nesbit was the eldest of a family of four children, and >vas born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 14, 1825. Their home circle has been blessed by the birth of one child, — Addison H., who married Harriet G. Weakley and resides in Lenox Township, this county. Mr. Nesbit has held the position of School Di- rector, besides other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township, and he and his wife are |- members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. N. casts his vote with the Republican party. f rville Capps, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 25, Lenox Township, where he was born Oct. 23, 1857, is a sion of Asa and Mary A. (Brooks) Capps. (See sketch of T. L. Capps elsewhere in this vol- ume.) Orville remained at home, attending the district schools and assisting in the home duties, until he became the owner of 160 acres of land, which he then engaged in cultivating and improving, and which, as the result of his hard labor and en- ergy, now presents the appearance of thrift and suc- cess. It is all good, tillable land and under an advanced state of cultivation. Besides this, he owns six acres of timber land. Mr. Orville Capps and Miss Minerva J. Ray were married Jan. 11, i88r, in Roseville Township, she being a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Landis) Ray. Of their eight children, Mrs. Capps was the eldest, and was born in Berwick Township, Sept. 1, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Capps had one child, Roy, who died when six weeks old. Mr. C. has been School Director in his township. and politically, affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. and Mrs. Capps are members of the Baptist Church. "1^ I. Wickersham, engaged as a general ^^ merchant at Roseville, was born in Hen- ,^^SJ derson Co., 111., in 1845. His parents, iC Sellers and Adelia (Brown) Wickersham, were I natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana respect- j ively. They were married in 1844, in Illinois, and the subject of this sketch was their only child. He remained at home with his parents until of age, in the meantime receiving a fair English education. After leaving home he engaged to clerk for his uncle, John Edwards, at Oquawka, Henderson County, this State, and remained in his store for about a year and a half He then formed a partnership, which existed two years, when he bought out the Interest of his uncle. He conducted the business himself for a year, when William Stockton was taken in as a part- • ner and the firm name became Wickersham & Stock- . ton. This continued for only a year, when Mr. Wickersham, being desirous of making a change, , sold out to his partner and went to Galesburg. At the latter place he engaged in the occupation of a clerk in the firm of Willard, Hurd & Butler. He remained a year with this firm, and in 187 1 came to Roseville and connected himself with a Mr. Janes, under the firm name of Janes & Wickersham, in the merchant-tailoring business, located on the cor- ner where now stands the Roseville Bank. They continued in partnership for two years, when Mr. Wickersham bought out his partner's interest and ran the business one year himself He then took Ben- jamin Morford as a partner, and the firm name be- came Wickersham & Morford. These relations continued for only two years, when Mr. Wickersham again sold out to his partner, removing to Villisca, Iowa, and engaged in the store of C. C. Lundy, as clerk, remaining there for the short space of six months. He again returned to Roseville, and clerked for E. F. Emans for a year. His first purchase was the lot on the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Market Street, where he erected a store building and engaged in business, where he has since remained. *t eiypt-t^-^ WARREN COUNTY. *r In his chosen vocation, that of general merchant, he has been very successful. Mr. Wickersham was married in October, 1873, to Miss Louisa Pratt, daughter of Abijah and Mary Pratt, natives of Massachusetts, who came to Illinois at an early day and settled m Roseville, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wickersham have had their home circle blessed and brightened by the birth of five children, — Ellis B., Mary L., Cora A., Clarence E. and Ella. - - >t # — i>-«iMiiiM«>o — » ; <■ — . ^^a|,enry Staat, one of Warren County's most yi successful farmers and large'land-owners, residing on section 30, Berwick Township, was born in this county, Aug. 7, 1842. He is a son of Francis Staat, a native of Alsace, Ger- many, where he was born May 17, 1813. The father emigrated to America, landing at New York in May, 1832, and there worked at his trade for some years. In T837 he left the metropolis and I, journeyed westward. Finding a desirable location in this county, he made a settlement here, and wjs consequently one of tlie earliest pioneers of the county. He was an edge-tool maker, and made the first scouring plows used in the county. He settled on Crooked Creek, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing and edge-tool making for one year, when he came a few miles east and located near Greenbush, where he remained until 1849. During the great gold e.\citement of that period he was one of the thousands who left their homes to seek their fortunes in the far western mountains. He left this county in 1850, reached California after the usual tedious journey common to that day, but re- mained there only ten months, when he realized that the fleeting goddess of fortune was no nearer than when the merry song of toil and labor rang out from the anvil in his rude cabin sliop in Warren County. County. Besides, being a man of domestic habits and having strong family ties, the glittering nuggets were too few and too small to compensate for being deprived of the pleasures of the home circle. He accordingly returned to this county, and we, shortly afterwards find him engaged in land speculation. In 1856 he moved to the place where his son Henry n9^v lives, which at the time was somewhat improved. Here lie made his home until the spring of 1870, when he retired from the active labors of life and moved to Monmouth, where he was pleasantly lo- cated and lived in the enjoyment of the fruits of an active and well spent life, until robbed of his com- panion by the hand of death, Nov. 19, 1880. He then returned to the old farm liomestead, and lived with his son until August i of the following year, when he was called to join the companion of his earthly life. He was married (March 19, 1855) to Miss Margaret Ehrhardt, who was born in Germany in 1810. Their children were seven in number, namely: Frederick, Francis, Sallie, Elizabeth, Henry, George and Emma. Four died in infancy. Eliza- beth was the wife of Samuel Huston : she died Aug. 19, 1869, leaving no children. Emma is the wife of John Wesley Malcolm. She and Henry are the only iiurvivors of this large family of children. The elder Staat was not only one of the early pio- neers of Warren County, but one of its most active and enterprising citizens. He was an energetic, stirring fellow, and was a leading spirit in the affairs of his community. We are pleased to be able to - present his portrait in this Album of the portraits of >< so many of the leading men of the county. As a fitting companion picture to his we present that of the lady who was so long his companion in life. The hardships of pioneer life, tlie labor and strug- gles of tlieir early years, were alike shared by her. Few of the present day realize what are the hard- ships of those who push ahead into a new and un- settled country, subdue and prepare it for a home for their children and posterity. There were, of course, pleasures, pure, simple, but genuine, which softened the hard experiences and were a shield from the thorny and rocky paths over which they traveled. Henry Staat formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Cordelia C. Bond, Aug. 12, 1869, at Burhng- ton, Iowa. She was born June 2, 1850, in this county, and was the daughter of John C. Bond, a native of Tennessee, where he was born in 1779. Her father came to this county in 1832, and died May 20, 1882. For a further biography, we refer the reader to liis sketch in another part of his vol- ume. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Staat, eight children were born, seven of whom are living, namely: Ora A., born Oct. 30, 1870; John F., Nov. 24, 1872; Nellie M., Sept. 30, 1874; Lena, May 4, 1876; George, Sept. 21, 187^ ; Eddie J., Sept, 'J^ V I J42 . ^Vt:=:; warren county. -rrd^ r, 1881 ; Norris H., Jan. 18, 1885. A twin brother to George died in infancy. Mr. Staat is the proprietor of 2,027 acres of land in this county, and on his home farm he has a fine residence, together with a good barn and other necessary outbuildings. His land lies in Berwick, Roseville and Swan Townsliips. He is probably the largest stock-raiser in Warren County, and ships large quantities direct to the great markets. He is also engaged in raising fine horses and mules, and at the present writing has over 100 head. He is a gentleman noted for his business judgment, strict integrity, and fair and honest dealing with his fellow men, and his success in life is attributable to the energy and good judgment which he always brings to bear in business transactions. In politics, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. i?^|j^l|^ohn Caldwell, an influential citizen and successful farmer of Hale Township, resid- ing on section 1 1, where he owns 200 acres of good farm land, is a native of Cadiz, Ohio, having been born there Dec. 31, 1813. When Mr. Caldwell was eight years of age his father died, and he went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until he attained his majority. At that time he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, which he mastered and followed until he was about 35 years of age. He came to this State in 1853, and settled in Sumner Township, this county, where he resided for about one year, when he made a transfer to Hale Township. In the latter township, upon his excel- lent farm, he has erected fine buildings, and by in- cessant labor has placed his land under an .idvanced state of cultivation, until his farm today pr^sentf an attractive appearance to the passer-by. The marriage of Mr. Caldwell to Mary A. (Mc- Mehan) Nichol took place in Greene Co., Ohio, Nov. 5. 1840. She was born in Belmont County, that State, March 26, 1822, and has borne her husband ten children, — Nancy J., Jackson N, Joseph M., John M., Francis M., James R., Donna M. E., Lelia A., Eva J. and William E. Nancy J. is the wife of Thomas Goudy, of Kansas, ; Jackson, Joseph and John also reside in Kansas and are alljmarried; Francis M. is a professor of music at Monmouth, and is also married; James lives at home; Donna married Henry Runyan, a resident of Iowa; Lelia is the wife of John Shaffer, a farmer in Hale Township; Eva married James T. Nash, who also resides in Hale Township; William E. is likewise a resident of the township last named. Mr. Caldwell has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace and held other minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, Mr. Caldwell votes with the Repub- lican party. T" ~^jfo^§l(bsalom Vandeveer. Prominent among the S^^^jf leading agriculturists of Warren County is ^IIM" *" Absalom Vandeveer, who resides on sec- 5,^}jft tion 15, Swan Township. He has long been |i regarded as one of the enterprising and suc- 1 cessful farmers of the county. He was born Sept. 22, 1822, in Jackson Co., Ind., and is a son of Charles Vandeveer, a native of North Carolina. The father spent the early part of his life prior to his marriage in Kentucky, and was among the early pioneers of Illinois, coming here as early as 1830. He then located in Sangamon County, where he re- mained until 1836, when he removed to this county and here resided until his death, in 1854, at the age of 66 years. He was born in 1788, and had occu- pied the pulpit for over 30 years, preaching the doc- trine of the old-school Baptist. His marriage to Polly Gilbraith took place in r8io. She was born in 1788 and was of Irish parentage, her father hav- ing emigrated to this country in time to take part in the Revolutionary War. She died in March, 1856, in Warren County, after having borne her husband eight cliildren, — Eveline, John, William, Elizabeth, Aaron, Cynthia, Absalom and Polly, only four of I whom are yet living, viz. : John, William, Cynthia I and .Absalom. j .Absalom Vandeveer, of whom we write, formed a I matrimonial alliance with Miss Delila Lieurance, Dec. 14, 1845. She was born .Aug. 23, 1827, in I Clinton Co., Oliio, and came to Illinois with her par- I ents ill 1S35. Her father still lives in this county, •A - . 1 i V JU WARREN COUNTY. 243 at the advanced age of 84 years, having been horn in 1801 in Tennessee. He married Miss Anna Wright in 1822. She was born in 1803, and died in 1838, leaving to the care of her husband six chil- dren, — -Mary, Delila, Aylett R., Rebecca, Jehu and Amos, the latter two of whom have deceased. Mr. Vandeveer and his wife have become the par- ents of nine children. The record is as follows : Silas B., born Dec. 8, 1846; Amelia J., Feb. 16, 1848; Abbie, Dec. 16, 185 1; Lovell P., Oct. 12, 1852; Mary E., March ro, 1854; George M., Dec. 15, 1855 ; William A., Jan. 8, 1858; Donezell, Nov. 19,1859; and Flo N., Oct. 27, 1861. Mr. Vandeveer has 12 grandchildren. Of his own children men- tioned above, George was killed in the memorable tornado, May ^2, r873. He was in the cellar under the house when the tornado took the building from its foundation, and a field roller was blown into the cellar, which was probably tlie cause of his death, the roller striking him, while in motion, on the back part of his head. His life was thus cut short in the 17th year of his age. Mr. Vandeveer is an earnest worker in the Baptist Church, of which he is Deacon. He has 280 acres of land in Swan Township, with a fine two-story residence, 30 x 36 feet in dimensions, and a barn 24 X 50 with 20-foot posts. In addition to the cul- tivation of his land, he is also devoting a portion of his time to the breeding of thoroughbred Short- horns, of which he has seven head. In the tornado of 1873 he lo.it everything save his land, but he had many kind neighbors who contributed to tiie wants of himself and family until assistance was no longer necessary, and now that he has recovered his losses, and is in a fair way to secure a certain competency, he does not forget the acts of kindness bestowed upon him and his in the hour of need All of Mr. and Mrs. Vandeveer's children, except Amelia, are living in this county. She became the wife of James M. Crabb, and is now living with him in Mac- pherson Co., Kan. They have seven children, whose names are Leon, Minnie, Rena, Edward, Paul, Mar- lin and Flo Crabb. Mary E. is the wife of Samuel Larkin, a farmer of this county, and they have three children, — D. Alvin, Walter and an infant. Lovell married Ida Lawrence and resides on the home farm ; Floss Rose is the name of their only child. Donnie married Robert Beekner, a farmer of Swan Township, and is the mother of two children, — Lova and Zelma. The entire family are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. V. is identified with the Democratic party. — -86?- -^91— illiam Patch, who is one of the leading agriculturist!: and stockrraisers of Ellison ^\^P^>f' ' Township, was born on the old homestead ">!> of his parents, on section 31 of this town- ship, July II, 1858. His home farm is now on section 30. His father, Mayhew Patch, in early years was engaged at the carpenter's trade, but turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he devoted the remainder of his life. He was born in New Hampshire, of New England ancestry, and was married in Eaton, his native State, to Miss Susan Snow, a native of that place, where she was also reared. As early as 1 855, they came West, and located upon a tract of raw land in Ellison Town- snip. Here he erected a house, made excellent im- provements and with the exception of three years spent in llie city of Monmouth, he passed the re- mainder of his life here. He died at his home July 24, 1880, at the age of 57 years. He was highly es- teemed for his many excellent virtues, and was re- garded as one of the leading citizens in Ellison Township. His widow yet resides on the old home- stead. She is the mother of five children, four of whom are living and all married. William Patch was the youngest but one of the family mentioned above. He was born, reared, edu- cated and embarked in lousiness for himself in this township. He lived with his mother after the death of his father, working on the home farm until his marriage. This important event of his life occurred June 10, 1885, at the residence of the bride's father in Prairie City, III. The lady who joined him at this time was Miss Hattie Jones, daughter of Robert Jone?. She is a native of New England, and was only five years of age wlien her parents came to Prairie City. Here she was reared and educated and lived at home until her marriage For five years previous to this event, however, she had been en- gaged in teaching school. Her mother died in 1881. T -f4--± 244 . .v. . WARREN COUNTY. — -T4- Her father is a blacksmith, residing in Prairie City. The parents of Mr. Patch were active and zealous members of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, to which our subject with his wife is also connected, and he has taken an active part in the labors of the Church. His father was a Democrat in [lolitics, but William is inclined to be more independent in his political views. He has held the minor offices of his township, and is regarded as one of the enterpris- ing young farmers of Warren County. *t U^saac Van Tasell, who is passmg the sunset of his life in ease and comfort, having re- tired from active labors of the farm and who is at present residing at Monmouth, is a son of Green and Deborah Van Tasell. The parents of Mr. Van Tasell died in Lyons, Dutchess Co., N. Y., when Isaac was but two years of age. Isaac was born in Dutchess Co., York State, July 3, 1822, and continued to reside there until 1851, when, hoping to better his financial con- dition in life, he came to Kendall County, this Slate. In the latter county he resided for ten years, follow- ing agricultural pursuits, and in tlie fall of 1859 came to this county and located in Lenox Township and followed the same occupation there until 1883, when he removed to Monmouth. Mr. Van Tasell was united in marriage in his na- tive county and State, Sept. 12, 1850, Miss Phebe D. Cargill becoming his wife. She was a native of York State and has borne her husband five children, — Mary E., Julia A., Jam-;s W., Ella L. and Carrie M. Mary E, became the wife of George Brown, a farmer of Kendall County, this State; Julia A. mar- ried Jacob Ball, and resides in Nebraska; James W. follows farming in Leno.\ Township (see sketch); Ella L. resides at home; Carrie M. was united in marriage with Ira Sprout, a resident of Kirkwood. Mr. Van Tasell is the proprietor of 134}^ acres of land, 120 of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He resides in Monmouth Township, where he is passing the sunset of his life, enjoying the accumulations which toil and economy have brought him. He has held the office of School Director, and his politics are those of a staunch and unflinching Republican. ,■ (^ ;(^i ranklin Booth, located on section 18, ;^ |^£, I Swan Township, where he resides and is '^^^^ ''• actively engaged in its cultivation and ^j^ improvement, which has been the vocation of 4^> his life, was born in Cabell Co., Va., Nov. 7, I, 1829, and is a son of Ferguson Booth, de- ceased, who was born in Virginia, Oct. 10, 1799. The father came to this State in March, 1836, and located in Kno.x County; remained there for a time, then moved to this county, where he died, Feb. 14, 1876. He was married to Miss Lucinda Perdue in 1819. She was born in 1804 in Virginia, and still survives, residing in this county. Of the parents' union, these children were born : Sarah J., Burwell, Franklin, Russell, Morris, James W., Leander and Mary A. Marinda was drowned when four years of age while wading across a stream in Virginia. She became bewildered, and falling was unable to re- cover herself, and was thus drowned. Sarah J., wife of Stephen Spoidock, died leaving eight chil- dren; William Lewis, the eldest child, died in his infancy. Franklin Booth, the subject of this biographical notice, was married to Miss Martha Sargent, March 23, 1854, at Monmouth, 111. She was born April 3, 1836, in Jacksonville, Morgan County, this Slate, and is a daughter of John Sargent, born in Ohio, Dec. 15, 1801. Her father came to this State in 1822, and participated in the Black Hawk War. His wife, Mary (Johnson) Sargent, to whom he was mar- ried in 1827, was born in 1809, and died in 1838, her husband surviving her until Sept. 24, 1884. Of their union nine children were born, — Elizabeth, Mary A., Sarah, Martha J., Lorinda, Eveline, Thomas B., Tobitha and Mary L. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: James W., born July 2, 1857; Ira S., Jan. 20, 1858; Henry T., March 8, 1859; Nellie, June 23, 1863; Allen C, Sept. 27, 1865 ; Nola E., Feb. 20, 1868; Annie M., July 19, 1873. Two of J^^M Residence OF JuHiNt VVoi^^qerly. 5ec. 13., Lenox Township Residence of 8. r. Forwood Sec. 23., Spring Grove Township. WARREN COUNTY. ^?=j-^ 247 the above named are deceased, James and Nellie, the former dying May 17, 1858, and the latter June 3, 1864. Ira S. married Ada Cooper, and resides in Swan Township. All are at home except Ira S. and Henry T. The latter is farming in Swan Township. Mr. Booth and family are pleasantly situated on their magnificent farm of 375 acres, located on sec- tion 18, Swan Township. He owns his land and has the same under an advanced state of cultivation, and since coming to the county, in 1852, lie has de- voted his time and attention to its cultivation. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is to no small extent interesting himself in the breeding of Short-horn cattle, and fattens stock for the purpose of shipping. Mr. and Mrs. Booth are Consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Booth is, and has been all his life, a Republican. rri=f— ohn H. Lippy, engaged in merchandising at Swan Creek, is a native of Hamilton Co., Ohio, where he was born July 31, „,„ 1841. He came to this State in 1844, landing 1£ in Fulton County July 4, of that year. The father of Mr. Lippy, John Lippy, Sr., was born in Maryland, in 1804, and married Miss Sarah Zepp in 1832. She was born May i, i8o6, and they be- came the parents of 14 children, nine daughters and five sons,— Mary E., Rebecca, Sarah C, J. H., George W., David E., Susan L., Marinda J., Jane, Edna M., William, and three unnamed who died in infancy. Mr. Lippy of this notice was married April 12, 1866, to Miss Hulda Luper, who was born Aug 29, 1846, and has borne her husband four children,— Ida May, S. J., P. H. and Louisa L Mr. Lippy has a fine stock of goods in Swan Creek, his store room being 22 x 50 feet in dimensions, and is meet- ing with financial success in his business. He car- ries a stock of about $3,500. In July, 1877, he was appointed Postmaster, and still holds that office. In politics, he is an active, working Republican. In 1862 he entered the service of the Union, and June 6 of that year was mustered in at Knoxville, 111., joining Co. D, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., Col. McMurtry commanding. He first did service in Kentucky, " after Bragg," and was in several general engage- ments and 24 skirmishes. He was wounded twice in the left leg while in Mississippi, but is receiving no pension from the Government. Jan. 6, 1865, almost at the close of the war, Mr. Lippy received his discharge at Vicksburg, Miss., and returned home. In addition to his general mercantile business, Mr. Lippy is engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock. He started his business at Swan Creek Marcli 13, 1876, and by his fair and honest dealings with his patrons has established a good trade. So- cially, he is a member of the G. A. R. He has nine lots and four buildings in Swan Creek. ohn Wonderly, one of the best known of t the many well-to-do farmers of Lenox '* Township, is the owner of an excellent farm located on section 15, where he is residing. He is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wolf) Wonderly, natives of Pennsylvania, in which State they also died. John was the third in order of birth of a family of six children. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 20, 1822, and received his education in the common scliools. His years, prior to his emigration to this county, were passed in farming in his native State, with the exception of about ten months, which were spent in Indiana. He came here in 1855, and after being a short time in Monmouth, located in Lenox Township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 160 acres, the major portion of which is tillable, and with his family resides on the farm on section 13, Lenox Township; besides, he owns a tract of timber land in Floyd Township on section 8. He has a com- modious and well furnished farm residence, which with its pleasant surroundings are illustrated in the view on page 245. The marriage of Mr. Wonderly to the lady whom he wooed and won. Miss Margaret Zug, occurred in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1844. She was a native of the county in which she was married and 1 ^ V -e4r-^ >- ■48 WARREN COUNTY. ¥ has borne her husband nine children. The Hving are Mary E., Emma C, Daniel Z., John W. Martha J. and Charles A. Those deceased are George W., Ann M. and Clara A. Mary E. became the wife of J. L. Young, a farmer of Lenox Township; Emma C. was united in marriage with Wm. Jewell, who re- sides in Nebraska ; Daniel Z. is a resident of Hen- derson County; John lives in Nebraska; the husband of Martha, Henry Norcross, with his wife resides in Nebraska ; Charles A. lives at home. In politics, Mr. VVonderly casts his vote with the Democratic party. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director, and is one of the energetic and highly respected farmers of Lenox Township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. ^*hJh«^ ayton A. Vaughn, farmer, residing on sec- -. - , lion 20, Greenbush Township, was born in Jl^ Dinwiddie Co., Va., March 31, 1810, and i||jt J is tlie son of John E. Vaughn, a native of that y|^ State. The father married Miss Susan Cotton in i8c8. She was a native of England, and bore her husband five cliildren, — Payton, Nancy, George C, Jane and Emily. Payton A. Vaughn married Miss Mary A. Dar- neille, July 18, 1834, Rev. Kirkpatrick, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, officiating. She was born Feb. 13, 1820, in Kentucky, and came to this State in 1833 with her mother, and located near Quincy, Adams County. Of their union seven children were born, the following being their names: Elizabeth, Dec. 5, 1835 ; Martha A., June 27, 1838, died March 13, 1843; Barthenia, Jan. 6, 1841; James T., May 21,1843; Mary Z., Nov. 2, 1848; George E., July 10, 1852, and Douglas B., Feb. 14, i860. Mr. Vaughn, of this sketch, owns 370 acres of good farm land, located on section 20, Greenbush Township, and is there engaged in farming and rais- ing graded stock. He has some very fine Norman horses, and also a fine half-blooded Clydesdale four- year-old, and in both branches of his vocation is "meeting with financial success. He has served as Road Commissioner and School Trustee. In politics, *t he is a believer in and supporter of the principles ad- vocated by the Democratic party. Mr. Vaughn and and wife are both members of the Methodist Episco- p.il Church. ^^ rs. Rebecca Morford, residing at Rose- ville, is the widow of Benjamin Morford, who was born in Mercer Co., Pa., March , 1813. The parentsof Mr. Morford were ^* Joseph and Elizabeth (Fell) Morford, natives of New Jersey. The family of the parents consisted of teui children, seven of whom grew to the age of manhood and womanhood. Benjamin Morford, husband of the subject of this sketch, assisted his father on the farm and_ attended the common schools, developing into manhood. Four years after he attained his majority, when 25 years of age, his father gave him a farm, on which he lo- cated and at once engaged in the vocation in which he had received instruction at hojne up to that time, i — farming; and on this place he remained and continued to cultivate the same for 14 years. He tlien sold his farm and came to this State, in 1851, and settled at Roseville, purchasing 80 acres of land on the east and one acre on tlie west side of Main Street. On this land he erected a residence and there made his home until the date of his death, which occurred Jan. 14, 1875. He platted a part of his farm, and since his death tlie remainder, with the exception of a few acres, has been incorporated within the present limits of tlie village of Roseville. Mr. Morford was united in marriage to Miss Re- becca Stem in 1838. Slie was a native of Pennsyl- vania, her parents being Frederick and Sarah (Harris) Stem, natives of Maryland and Pennsyl- vania respectively. Her father came with his family to this State in 1861, and settled one and a half miles east of Roseville, where he purchased 160 acres of land, and by his economy and perseverance increased his landed interests in the county to 400 acres. He and his wife continued to reside on the old homestead until their deaths, that of the former occurring June 9, 1875, and the latter Jan. 14, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Morford became the parents of ten V 4 ■ Y WARREN COUNTY. j __ T > 249 children, six of whom are still living, — Sarah E. Patch, Zilpah A. Lewis, Nelson A., Ross C, Cora D. and George E. Mrs. Morford still continues to reside on the old homestead, with her daughter Cora and son George. She is a member of the Baptist Church, to which denomination he also belonged. Mr. Morford was the first Postmaster in Roseville, and held the office for some lo or 12 years. He also held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner, and was one of the respected and honored pioneers of the village of Roseville. T^ i3 li^hester Brooks, a prosperous and ener- 1^ getic farmer and stock-raiser, on section W^ 16, Ellison Township, was born in Ni- agara Co., N. Y., on the 27th of December, 1817. His father, Noah Brooks, a farmer and mechanic by occupation, was a native of Con- ^ necticut, of New England parentage and Welsh de- ' scent. He formed a matrimonial alliance in Ulster Co., N. Y., with Miss Maria Russell, also a native , of Connecticut, and of similar ancestry and descent. Before the war of 181 2, the parents settled in Gene- see Co., York State, where they remained for some years. Mr. Noah Brooks, during the War of 1812, held the position of a militia soldier, and after his re- turn moved to Orleans Co., the same State. When our subject, Chester Brooks, was but a small child of about 12 years of age, and while living near his birth- place, Noah Brooks, his father, died. The mother afterward lived with her daughter in Wisconsin and Ohio, dying at the former place at an advanced age. Chester, after the death of his father, went to live with a Mr. William Jackson, of Orleans Co., Empire State. Here he remained, making that his home until he reached the age of 26 years, having attended the high schools of Orleans and Niagara Counties in the meantime. In the fall of 1844 he came to Illinois, and began teaching in the common schools and also teaching music in Cass County, and later worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner, which he had learned in his native State. While in Cass County he was united in marriage, in 1847, to Miss Elizabeth V. Beard, daughter of Alex, and Lucy (Yates) Be^rd, the latter a cousin to Governor Yates. Mrs. Brooks was born in Cass County, this State, Nov. 26, 1830, and her parents were successful farmers and natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. After Mr. Beard's first marriage, he came to Illinois, but re- turned to Kentucky after the demise of liis wife, and married the second time. He again returned to this State and here both he and his wife died. Mrs. Brooks was well educated in the public schools and lived at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have became the parents of five children, of whom the following is a brief record : WiUiam mar- ried Jennie Reynolds and they reside on a farm in Hardin Co., Iowa; Edwin C. is the husband of Sarah, nee Baldwin, and is engaged in stock-raising at Centralia, Nemaha Co., Kan.; Lucy A., wife of B. F. Graham, lives on a farm in Grundy Co., Iowa; George A. resides at home, as likewise does Emma E. After marriage Mr. Brooks resided in Cass County, this State, for 10 years, where he was engaged in in farming. In October, 1864, he came to this county and purchased 137 acres of land, all of which was improved, with good buildings, etc. Since that time he has added 40 acres to his purchase and now has 177 acres of good farm land. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk and also School Trustee, which latter office he has held for 15 years and is the present incumbent. He has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party, and is an active and e.iergetic worker in support of its principles. ames B. Reynolds is a farmer on section 24 in the township of Sumner, where he has resided since 1865. At the time he suc- ceeded to its ownersliip a small frame house was on the place, which, with the other appur- tenances of the site, was in a dilapidated con- dition. He has erected a good set of buildings and put the place under improvements second to none in the county. The residence and its surroundings are beautiful, the former being of much more than ordin- ary style for a farm house, and the well planned and beautified grounds adding greatly to its attractive I^^Zl 4= JU »So IVARREN COUNTY. V. appearance. The ornamental trees include Scotch pine, European larch and others of equal rarity and beauty. It is but justice to stale that the estate is one of the most attractive and valuable in Warren County. The location is on a southern slope, and from the liuildings, which are placed on the height of the land, the spires of Monmoutli are plainly vis- ible. Mr. Reynolds has been a Democrat until later issues engaged his attention, and now adopts the views of the Prohibitionists. He was born in the township of Hale in Warren County, Feb. i8, 1838. Tiiomas Reynolds, his father, was a pioneer of the county, of 1836. He was born Oct. t5, 1782, in North Carolina, and was of Scotch-Irish origin. He passed all the earlier years of his life in his native State, where he was married to Eleanor McClanahan. She was born in North Carolina, March 10, 1803. In addition to the business of farmer the senior Reynolds was a practical miller, and he followed the combined relations of his two callings in his na- tive State tnitil 1834. About that time the spirit of progress seemed to take possession of the people in a manner then un- common, and Mr Reynolds yielded to it and to the belief that he could secure for himself and his in- creasing family the advantages of a broader field of operation. Accordingly, in the year named, he set out with his household for Indiana. The country between North Carolina and the point of destination in the Hoosier State was traversed with a team and a covered wagon ; and the same conveyance carried the goods of the household; and the cooking and domestic arrangements generally were conducted on the way much after the same pattern as in the de- serted home in the South. They stayed their steps in White Co., Ind., and resided there two years. In 1836 they took up their line of march to the west- ward and came in the same manner in which they had made their former journey, to Illinois. The father made a location at Sugar Grove, in Hale Township, in this county. He rented land for a time to give himself an opportunity to look about and de- termine on the best plan to pursue and where was the best place to make a jiermanent settlement. lie decided to go to Henderson County. He bought a tract of land in the timber in the vicinity of Hollings- worth's mill, and proceeded to arrange his aflfairs on the accepted plan of the pioneers. He erected a log cabin for a temporary home and cleared 40 acres of land. There he remained about 14 years. On sell- ing out, he bought a prairie farm two miles from Biggsville and was its owner and occupant until 1866. That was the year in which he made his final removal to Sumner Township. He settled on the farm which his son had bought in that township and his life continued only a few years after. He died June 12, 1869. The wife and mother lived until Aug 15, 1881. Of their seven children only two survive. Mr. Reynolds has a younger sister — Mar- tha E., the wife of R. W. Wiley, of Sumner Town- ship. Mr. Reynolds was ten years of age when his par- ents removed to Henderson County. He was brought up to the calling of his forefathers and was a pupil in the public school. Later he attended the High School at Oquawka, and finally finished his educa- tion with three years' attendance at Monmouth Col- lege. Feb. 18, 1868, he was married to Araminta C. McCrery, and they have two children. Mabel is pursuing a course of study at Monmouth College. Bertha A. is the younger, Mrs. Reynolds was born in Monmouth, June 25, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds are members of the United Presbyterian Church, as is their oldest daughter. illiam K. Stewart attorney at law, Mon- ^^3? mouth, was born in McDonough County, J^T* this State, Dec. 3, 1845. He spent his ' '^i> youth largely at school, and graduated from Monmouth College in the class of 1867, He began the study of law at once under his father and was admitted to the Bar in April, 1868, and be- gan practice at Oquawka the following fall. (For parentage, etc., see biography of Hon. J. H. Stewart, this volume.) In 1873 he came to Monmouth from Oquawka and became the junior of the firm of ^Stewart, Phelps & Stewart, probably the strongest law firm in the city. At the end of two years the firm dissolved, and Mr. Stewart repaired to Burling- ton, Iowa, and was there two years. Returning tQ lAj ¥ ■ ^ e ^^ ^/^ ^^^-^ -e^^ WARREN COUNTY. •S3 f Monmouth in 1877, he was at once appointed City Attorney, and in 1878 was elected Police Magistrate, which he resigned at the end of three years to be- come a member of the firm of Stewart & Grier. Since 1883, this firm has been Stewart & Stewart, and is composed of Hon. J. H. Stewart and the sub- ject of this sketch. At the spring election of 1885, Mr. Stewart was elected City Attorney, and is the present incumbent of that office. He was married in McDonough County, this State, April 16, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Mariner, and has tliree children. -0-&- acob Byers, a sturdy tiller of the soil, which vocation he has followed the major portion of his life, resides on section 18, Hale Township. He is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Lawver) Byers, natives of Pennsyl- vania. The father died in Darke Co., Ohio, 12, 1862, aged 80, and the mother in Franklin Co., Pa., Aug. 4, 1842, aged 63. The parents of the elder Byers were of Girman and Irish ancestry re- spectively. The record of the elder Jacob Byers' family of seven children is as follows : David, Re- becca, Elizabeth, Joseph, Solomon, Rosana and Jacob. David married Miss Eve Stake, of Frank- lin Co., Pa., and they had one son : the father and son are deceased. Rebecca married George Ens- menger, of Cumberland Co., Pa., and a large family blessed this union : the mother is deceased. Eliza- beth married Isaac Basehore, of Franklin Co., Pa., and became the mother of two children, one of whom, with the mother, is deceased. Joseph mar- ried Rebecca Rafesnyder, of the same county, and had a family of two boys and three girls. Solomon married Sarah A. Bitner and had 15 children, five of whom are deceased : the father died in 1884. Ro- sanna married Samuel Railing, of Cumberland Co., Pa., and had a family of seven children, four of whom are deceased. Jacob Byers was the youngest of a family of seven children born to his parents, all growing to attain the age of their majority. He was born June 16, i3?{, and during his early boyhood attended the common schools, receiving a fair education. At the age of 15 years he went forth in the cold, unfriendly world to dj for himself His first occupation after leaving the parental roof was that of an agriculturist, which he followed for two years, receiving remuneration for his services, at the expiration of which time, when he was 17 years of age, he appren'icad himself to learn the blacksmith's trade. This he mastered and continued to follow as a means of livelihood for sev- eral years, and even after coming to this county he was thus engaged in connection with his farm duties for about seven years. He came to Warren County in 1853, and for about three and a half years lived in Monmouth, where he followed his trade. He moved to Hale Township in 1857, and settled on section iS, where he became the owner of 88 acres of good tillable land, and on which he has lived and labored until ths present time. By his energy and economy he has succeeded in making additions to his original purchase until he is at present the pro- prietor of 208 acres of land in Hale Township and a farm of 69 acres in Henderson County. Mr. Byers vvas wedded to Harriet E. Bitner, in Franklin Co., Pa., June 20, 1845. She was the daughter of Michael and Jane (Goodman) Bitner, the former of whom died in Franklin Co., Pa., and the latter in Monmouth. Mr. and Mrs. Byers have become the parents of eight children, whom they have named PrisciUa J., Catherine E., John F., William E., Jacob M., Lyd a B., David I. and Grace E PrisciUa is the wife of Henry Cooper aad re- sides in Henderson County; Catherine E. married Ralpli Ostrander, a resident of St. Louis, Mo. ; John F. lives in (iejrgetown. Col. ; William E. is engaged in teaching in Iowa; Jacob lives at home; Lydia B. married Nicholas Resenei', who is a resident of Gris- wold, Iowa; Davil I. lives in St. Louis, Mo.; and Grace E. is deceased. Mrs. Byers died in Hale Township, March 28 1879, and Mr. Byers was the second time married, in that township. The date of this marriage was Dec. 21, 1882, at which time Miss Hannah Stevenson became his wife. They lived together as man and wife but three short months, when, March 4, 1883, she passed to the land of the hereafter. Mr. Byers has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director in his township, and his political views coincide with the principles advocated by the -H- y^ -e4^ — -^ '54 WARREN COUNTY. Republican party. He has attained no little prom- inence as a man of energy and honor in the com- munity, and his accompanying portrait gives addi- tional interest to this volume. -J-«-i«§<^^>^>^- ( ichard Henry Shultz, deceased, was born at Maysville, Mason Co., Ky., June 7, ^,'iS^ 1829, and died at Monmouth, May 21, ^V^ 1883. His parents were Christian and Char- lotte (l.ec) .Shultz. The former was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent, while the latter was a native of Kentucky and of Englisli extraction. The Siuillz family was of the sturdy old Pennsylvania Dutch stock, which was noted for liabits of economy and industry, combined with a strict regard for the rights of others, and formed the elemetits of a superior citizenship, while the Lees combined with all these elements the blue blood of the patrician, which infused itself with no stock but to better it, assimilating with none to the exclusion of its inherent potency, and displaying itself ever and anon in tiie very highest order of manhood. Men, eminent in Slate craft and in war; distinguished in belles-lett) es and in song; men who have adorned the Bench and the Bur; men whose eloquence . have swayed tlie asseini:)lage from the pulpit, the rostrum and forum, — aye, tliese are the men whose names will ever he found in the biog- raphy of the Lees. The mother of Richard H. Shultz was a cousin of Gen. Robeit K. Lee and (ien. " Stonewall " Jackson. Thus in our own great Re- public alone can the combinations of these elements be found possible; and when in the fullness of time the best |)eo[)le of all the laces of the earth shall have brought each his own peculiar superiority, whatever that virtue may y the Creator destined. The partial effect of this com- bination of race may be noticed d.iily by the student of human nature. Short biographical sketches of men who have been identified with the growth, progress and welfare q{ a single county, often dis- *% closes the important fact, though insignificant as it may appear, that the great design of nature was in these good men being partially carried out. Read the biographical sketches in the Warren County Albu.m, note there the history of the lives of the best people that live and have lived within its province, and by tracing their ancestry the true secret of the route to greatness, can be seen, though not in wealth. Wealth is not greatness; in fact it is seldom an integral part of it. So with Mr. Shultz: his greatness consisted in a superior citizenship, and its essential (.[ualities are largely traceable to his an- cestry. Mr. Shultz was educated in Kentucky, and em- barked in business while yet a young man. June 7, 1853, he was married, at Maysville, to Miss Lizzie Mcllvain, daughter of William Mcllvain, who was 30 years a banker in that city. Soon after his mar- riage, Mr. Shultz removed to Cincinnati, where he was for about three years engaged in a commission business. From there he emigrated to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming up to the time of his coming to Warren County, in 1861. Here he purchased a farm in Lenox Township and occupied it two or three years, when he removed to Mon- mouth. Here he purchased an interest in the drug firm of Brewer & McGrew, and later on bought the interest of Mr. McGrew and changed the firm to Brewer & Shultz, which continued for a few years. He then purchased Mr. Brewer's interest and es- tablished his two sons in the store, under the firm name of W. M. Shultz & Co.. Subsequently one of the sons, C. Shultz, became the owner. He was one of the projectors of the Monmouth Opera House, pressed the enterprise to completion and subse- quentl) became its sole owner. It is a magnificent structure, and a fitting monument to his public- spiritedness and enterprise while a citizen of the county. In all his undertakings he was successful and died the possessor of a handsome competency. Of Mr. and Mrs. Shultz's four children, William M. is a nromising young physician at Buena Vista, Col.; Crit is the sole successor to the drug business of W. M. Shultz & Co., and manager and one-fourth owner of the Opera House; Lottie and Lewis are the names of the younger members of the household. Mr. Shultz was an ardent Democrat and a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, and, though identified with no particular Church, was a liberal giver to all. "-•- WARREN COUNTY. "4* »55 k The day succeeding his death, a local paper con- tained the following handsome tribute to his memory : " Mr. Shultz was an open, generous, enterpris- ing and public-spirited man, always ready with his purse and influence to further every enterprise for the growth and advancement of Monmouth. Asa neighbor and friend he was possessed of that gen- uine Kentucky hospitality and frankness that made his home one of the most pleasant and attractive in the city, and none were more earnest in entertaining friends and company than he. To those with whom he vvas intimate, he was a fast and abiding friend, tried and true, and with them was most deservedly popular. The death of no citizen could be more universally regretted." . ames Kelsay, formerly a resident of Swan Township, was born in Kentucky in rSoc. ^'•''' He came to Ilhnois when he was a young man and located in the southern portion of Sangamon County which, by a later divi- S" sion, was set off to Christian County. He oc- cupied his time in farming, and, in 1834, was married to Elizabeth Vandervere, who was born in Indi- ana in 1815. They continued to reside in the county in which they were married until the fall of the year succeeding In that season they removed to Warren County. They passed the first year in Hoyd Township and then fixed their residence in Swan Township. They bought land there and the hus- band erected a log house. He lost no time in mak- ing the improvements customary in a prairie country and tlie work was far advanced at the time of his deatii. That event occurred in August, 1844. His widow was his survivor 28 years, her demise occur- ring Aug. 28, 1872. Their children numbered six and there are five still living. Mary J. is the wife of Israel Jared and they are living in Point Pleasant Township. Margaret A. is married to James Jared and they live in Swan Township. John A. is a citi- zen of the township. William resides in the State of Missouri. S.inmel B. lives in the township where his father and mother resided. Mrs. Kelsay was married in 1847 to John Blue. They had three children. Cynthia is married to Benjamin Kidder and they also reside in Swan Township. Absalom V. is a citizen of Shenandoah, Iowa. Bailey R. lives in Nebraska. The parents were both members of the Baptist Church. illiam Spencer Almond, now deceased, was formerly a resident in the township of Point Pleasant. He was born Oct. 1 r, > ■ i8ri,in Louisa Co., Va. His parents re- \' moved in his youth to Kentucky and were pioneers of Warren County, that State. Wyatt Almond, his father, was a man of superior abilities and education and was a soldier in the service of the United States in the War of 1812. He followed the profession of teacher in Kentucky and was a resident of that State after his removal there until the time of his death. The name of the lady wlio became his wife was Susannah Ware previous to her marriage to him. After his death she came to Illi- nois and married Thomas Gunter, and finally died in Swan Township, this county. Five of her chil- dren are her survivors. A daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Watkiiis, resides in Shenandoah, Iowa. Thomas lives in Point Pleasant Township. William S. was the next in order of birth. Mrs. Emma Wade lives in this county. Mrs. Susan Collier resides in Ar- kansas. Zachariah D. is a citizen of Union Mills, Mahaska Co., Iowa. Mr. Almond, of this sketch, was brought up in the county in which he was born. He was married in Kentucky, to Miss Nancy Spradling, who was a na- tive of th.Tt State, and died there in 1852. She left six children: William Allen lives in Union Mills, Iowa. Martha J. is the wife of Joseph Johnson, of Point Pleasant Township Thomas |. is a farmer in the same. James W. was a soldier in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Fort Donelson. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Almond was married to Sarah A. Hawkins. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Warren Co., Ky., March 3, 1818. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Meyers) Haw- kins. Mr. H. was an Englishman by birth and liis wife was a native of Virginia. They both died in Edmonson Co., Ky. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. ¥ -e-^ 256 WARREN COUNTY. JU Almond took place about the year 1854. She, by a former marriage, to Mitchell Spradliog, had four chil- dren : Mary F.,\vife of George Ewing, a resident of Mills Co., Iowa. James K. lives in Kansas. Re- becca, wife of L. VV. Simmons, and lives in Califor- nia. Angeline, wife of Weldon Worrell, and a resident of Mills Co., Iowa. The family removed to Illinois in 1852. They traveled with ox-teams and brought with them all their household belongings, and they lived in the gipsey fashion while on the road. Mr. Almond made a location in the township of Swan, where he bought 50 acres of land on section 34, on which he lived four years. At the end of that time he sold the prop- erty there and removed to Point Pleasant Township, where he bought 160 acres of wild land, on section 34. This was the homestead until the death of the father, which occurred May 12, 1884. All the prop- erty was under improvement, and the proprietor had increased his acreage until he was the owner of 320 acres in that township and another considerable tract in Iowa. Mr. Almond had built farm structuies of a character suited to the farm. He was a quiet man and good neighbor, a member of tlie Methodist Church, and in political sentiment a Democrat. Of the second marriage which lias been mentioned there were three children, of whom two are living. They are named Andrew S. and Jesse E. The lat- ter was born April 30, 1859. He received his edu- cation in the public schools, and was married to Lydia J. Larkins, June 13, 1880. Mrs. Almond was born in Warren County, Jan. 22, i860, and is the daughter of Sa;nuel and Mary (Smith) Larkins. Wernie C. is the only surviving child of Mr. and Mrs. Almond. Their first child was named Ora Dell, and she died wh?n les, than nine months old. Mr. Isaac N. Almond, the youngest son by the former marriage, was in his second year when his mother died, and he was brought to Illinois by his father. He was trained and educated in the manner common to the sons of farmers, and the first import- ant event of his life was his marriage to Mary E. Waters, which took place April 23, 1876. She was born in Ohio, Aug. 5, 1855. Her death occurred March 16, i88r. In September, 1882, Mr. Almond was again married to Eita C. Prather. She is a native of Abingdon, Knox Co., III. Two children were born of the first marriage. Their names are Elvin Walter and Eva J. George C. is the name of the only child of the second marriage. -i-€#f-^ ■ ames Smith, an agriculturist prosecuting ^|t- his vocation on section 16, Benvick Town- '■'^'^ ship, was born in Greene Co., Ohio, near Xenia, Sept. 15, 1841, and is a son of James Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and died about 1850, in Ohio, and whose father, Joseph Smith, died at Jeffersonville, Ind., about 1841, the year in which the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day. James Smith, at the date of his father's death, was but nine years of age, and accompanied his grand- father on his mother's side, by the name of Broad- stone, to this State. His grandfather came from 1 Wales to this country, and to this State in 1850, and" located in Crawford County and there died. Some 1 \ three years later, in the spring of 1856, James, the] I subject, came here and located near Monmouth. "^ He enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co, C, 83d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf , under Capt. L. B. Cutler, of Monmouth, and was mustered into the service in J that city. His regiment was ordered to Fort Henry, Ky., where it remained for some 25 days, and was then ordered to Fort Donelson, some 12 miles dis- tant. He participated in the fight of Fort Donelson, Feb. 3, 1863, and after that battle he was stationed at the fort until June, 1865, when he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., receiving his final discharge and pay at Chicago, July 5, 1865, whereuiwn he immediately started upon the train for his hoine in Monmouth Township, Warren County. Mr. Smith, of this notice, was united in marriage with Al)bie S. Pike, March 25, 1879. She was born June 5, 1850, in Stoughton, Mass. Her father Augustus H. Pike, was a native of Maine, and died while in the Union army, in 1861, some six months after he had enlisted. He married Miss Mary T. Soutiiworth, of the literary family of Southworths, who was born in Bostoi, Mass., in 1023, and died in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1855. Mrs. Smith was a resident of Galesburg, Knox Co., III., at the time of her mar- riage, where her western relatives live. To Mr. and Mrs. Pike three children were born, — Abbie S. , ia: 'EvERGREEnUaV/n;'ResIDENce OF SCHUYLER PALMER.SEC/15 SPRING GROVE VIEW OF BUILDINGS r R O M NORTH . M3'=K^^^^^ Maple Grove^ Residence of John h .Frantz,Sec.22,Sprim8 fiROVE. WARREN COUNTY. U 259 Jan. 5, 1850; Mary A., Feb. 10, 1852; and Ozro, who died when two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Smith of this notice are the parents of three chil- dren, — Wallace R., born Dec. 31, 1880; Winihrop G., Dec. 29, 1882; and Glen D., March 12, 1885. Mr. Smith moved on the place where he now resides in March, 1884. This place he had purchased the year previous. He is there actively engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, meeting with success. In 'politics, he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republic.xn party. 4 -f3- -£S- ^chuyler Palmer, a resident on section 15 of Spring Grove Township, is a pioneer of Warren County of 1845. He is one of the leading farmers of the township and has reached prominence through the extensive business relations he has established in the county. He was born Nov. 24, 1831, in the province of Ontario, Canada, and is the son of Wilkinson and Nancy (Hurd) Palmer. His parents were born in the same portion of the country as himself. The father was born of parents of New York origin and those of the mother were originally from the State of Vermont. The ancestors of the latter were orig- inally from Connecticut and later from New Jersey, and later still from New York. The father of Mr. Palmer removed with his wife and children to White- side Co., 111., in 1842. Here they made their home in the vicinity of Prophetstown until the year named as that in which their removal to Warren County was effected. On coming to this county they located in Hale Township, where the father rented land un- til 185 I, when a tract of 80 acres of land was pur- chased. It was wholly unbroken and the first move made was to build a house for the accommo- dation of the family. It was made of logs and was occupied for the purpose for which it was constructed three or four years. The family then took posses- sion of a new frame house which the father built on the homestead. Prosperity attended him in his busi- ness relations, and he was soon enabled to make other purchases until he became the owner of 200 acres of land, a portion of which was located in Henderson County. His death occurred in July J., 1878, and that of his wife some years previous. Eight of their 1 1 children are now living. Sarah is the wife of Jeremiah Young. They are residents of Ida Co., Iowa. Ira A. lives in Ringgold Co., Iowa Minard resides in the same State, in the county of Harrison. George W. is a farmer in Hale Town- ship. Manada A. is married to B. C. Darrah, of Henderson Co., Iowa. Eliza lives in Pottawatomie County, in that State. William is a resident of Otoe Co., Neb. Until he became himself the head of a family by marriage, Mr. Palmer was a member of the house- hold of his father and mother. His marriage to Lucy A. Mills took place Dec. 25, 1856. She was born in Henderson County and is the daughter of William H. and Lucretia (Morris) Mills, who were early settlers in the county where their daughter was born. Williain H. Mills, the father of Mrs. Palmer, was a native of New Jersey, but when five years of age his parents removed to Dearborn Co., Ind., lo- cating near Lawrenceburg, where he became a farmer, William H. there grew to manhood, and, in 1836, married Lucretia Morris. Three years later he moved 1 to Henderson Co., 111., and settled upon a farm in"' Greenville Township, where they now reside. Here Mrs. Palmer was reared, and received her education in the neighboring district school. She was born in a' log cabin two miles west of where her parents now reside. Her mother was a native of Eastern Penn- sylvania, and is of Scotch parentage. Her mother's p.xrents were Amos and Johanna Morris. William H. Mills' parents, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Palmer, were Cyrus and Nancy Mills. About the time of his marriage Mr. Palmer bought the northeast quarter of section i of Spring Grove Township, which is now the site of that part of Alexis that is in Warren County. It had never been cultivated in any sense, being still in its orig- inal condition of wild prairie land. He built a house on the north line of the county and made the first improvement on the place in the spring of 1856. This was previous to his marriage. He bought the farm in the fall preceding. He made the usual im- provements, and that place was his home and field ' of operation until his removal to the farm on wliicli he has lived since the spring of 1867. At that lime he sold the place of which he was the first owner and has since occupied the property on sections 10 and 15. There was already a good house on the ^ 4 26o . T. Y. ■ "~ WARREN COUNTY. --4^ southwest of the section first named and this was the family abode until the fall of the same year in which they took possession of it, when it was destroyed by fire. They moved to another house which had been erected on the farm, which they occupied until 1871, when Mr. Palmer built the frame house in which they now live and which is situated on section 15. He has also increased the value and appearance of his estate by building other suitable and excellent farm structures, which are without doubt the most substantial in .Sprinu; Grove Township, and among the finest in Warren County. We are pleased to be able to present a view of these on page 258. He is the owner of 400 acres of land, and, in addition to the common business of farming, is engaged in raising Durham cattle of extra grade. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have 1 1 children. Mary E. is the oldest. Alice J. is the wife of Charles Gal- laugher, who is a resident of Ringgold Co., Iowa. Lillian married Fred L. Gilmore, who lives on sec- tion 9, Spring Grove Township. A sketch of the parents of Mr. Gilmore may be found on another page of this work. Effie A. is married to Robert Armstrong, of Spring Grove Township. The younger and unmarried children are named Henry W., Myron G., Mattie, Lura, Eva, Kate and George W. Mr. Palmer is a Democrat in his political views, and has held the office of Road Commissioner for 17 years. Mrs. Palmer became a member of the Bap- tist Church at the age of 13 years, and in 1869 Mr. Palmer also became a member of the same Church. Three of their eldest daughters are connected with the Baptist Church, while the next three younger are members of the Church of God. ^^ ■ ohn Wingate, a well-known and highly re- j^' spected farmer of Greenbush Township, who is actively engaged in the cultivation of his excellent farm, was born Feb. i, 18 15, in Maine, and is the son of Edmund Wingate, a native of that State. His father was united in marriage with Rebecca VVhitney, also a native of Maine, and they had four children, — Hannah, Daniel, John and Lydia. John Wingate, subject of this biographical notice, came to this State in the fall of 1838. He was married to Miss Annis Dibble, March 5, 1844. She was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., March i, 1820. Her father, John Dibble, was a soldier in the war of [812. In 18 19 he married Martha Brown, who was born in New York in 1801. Of her parents' union five children, Annis, Eliza- beth, Erastus P., Laura A. and Thomas, were born. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wingate of this notice, five children have been born, namely: John J. (deceased), Ann Eliza (deceased), Arthur L., Ella and Eva. Mr. Wingate, with his wife and children, are pleas- antly situated on their fine farm of 250 acres, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town- ship Cerk, Assessor and Treasurer of the School Board for 39 years. In pi)litics he votes with the Deirfocratic party. What he has of this world's goods, he has accumulated with his own strong hands and the active co-operation of his good help- meet, and is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet at his pleasant home on section 20. ^«8-^^ illiam T. Boyd, a farmer on section 1 1, in __ i»jjo ''is township of Point Pleasant, is a na-' ^^^^ ' five of the State of Indiana. He was born 1' in Jefferson Township in Greene County, Oct. 7, 1845. Thomas H. Boyd, his father, was born in Kentucky. The place of the birth of the latter was Baih County and the occurrence was dated June 4, 18 1 2. He was the eldest son of Drury B. and Elizabeth (Hurd) Boyd, of whom a sketch is presented elsewhere in this work. His pa- rents removed to Greene Co., Ind., when he was 13, and there he passed the years that intervened be- tween that period and his removal to Warren Co., 111. His father was a carpenter by trade and he worked with him both at that Ijusiness and as an assistant in the clearing of the farm. April 3, r838, he was married to Margaret Jones. She was born in New Berry District, in the State of South Carolina, Jan. 17, r8i8, and was the daughter of Benson and Pris- cilla (O'Neil) Jones. The families of her parents were both of the same Slate in which the daughter was born. In 1819 they removed to Indiana and were early settlers in Greene County. Their home r ■c T _L . .Y. WARREN COUNTY. !?—«- 36t if was there until 1847, when they made another trans- fer of their interests to Illinois. They came to War- ren County to seek a place lor a peimanent home and at the time their family included three children. They came from iheir abode in the Hoosier State with oxen and horse teams and three wagons. They were in fair circumstances and they brought with them their household belongings. After a journey of three weeks duration they halted in Henderson County, where they remained three months. At the expiration of that time they removed to Ellison^ where they rented land and resided until the year which has been mentioned as that in which they removed to the township in which their son re- sides. The senior Boyd bought a tract of unim- proved prairie land on what was then " town 8,'' and now bears its present " Pleasant " name. The father erected a small frame house in which the family could find shelter until he should be able to build such a structure as their necessities demanded. He Tat once proceeded to the work of improving the place and put it in excellent condition. He added to and .rebuilt the house, and erected a frame barn. The = place was well supplied with trees of the varie- ' ties common to the locality and was all enclosed. Mr. Boyd lived to see his township fully developed. ■His demise occurred on his farm, March i, 1877. His widow is still his survivor and is the occupant of the homestead. Drnry B., John J., William T. and Gary are the names of their sons. Priscilla, the only daughter, is the wife of Andrew Woodward and they are residing on the homestead with their mother. When his parents came to Illinois, Mr. Boyd, of this sketch, was an infant of 18 months. Conse- quently, he is to all purposes a native citizen of the township of which he is now a resident and in which he has been a continuous inhabitant ever since. He was trained in the profession of a farmer and was a pupil in the common schools during the early years in which he was busy in obtaining his education. Later, he was a student at Cherry Grove Seininary at Abingdon, where he attended three terms. At the age of 19 he engaged in teaching and filled his first terra of school in District No. 6, in the same town- ship where he was brought up. He also taught one term in addition and that was the extent of his oper- ations as a pedagogue. He has passed the remainder of his life of activity in the pursuit of a farnrer. Oct. I, 1868, he was joined in marriage to Sqsan F. Dean. She was born in Levifistown, Fulton Co., III., Sept. I, 1849, and is the daughter of Michael and Susan (Cummings) Dean. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother was a native of Scot- land. They were pioneers of Fulton County and are now living in Warren County. Mr. Boyd located on the farm on which he is now residing at the time of his marriage. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the section which has been mentioned. One child — Jennie May, has been born to the household. Mrs. Boyd is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He was Supervisor for three terms. #^<- .^^ M ehu Bailey came to Illinois in 1855. In JI^Shk' the same year he located in Warren Coun- •^^ ty, and has therefore lived within the same 1',^ municipality 30 years. He was born in York V Co., Pa., Feb. 14, 1823. Charles Bailey, his i father, was also a native citizen of the Key- stone State. The family name of the mother of Mr. Bailey was Davis. He was deprived of her care when he was about four years of age and from that time was the charge of an older sister. She was the manager of the domestic affairs of the household un- til she was married, which event transpired about four years after the removal of their mother by death He lived with his sister until he was 14, when he undertook the solution of the problem of self-main- tenance. He learned the trades of cooper and plasterer, which he followed winters and summers alternately in Cumberland Co., Pa., for some years. He was there married to Frances Swiler, Dec. 25, 1846. She was born in the same county Feb. 22, 1827. They lived thereuntil 1850, when they re- moved to Ohio and were residents in Hancock County until the year in which they came to Illinois. While there, Mr. Bailey was engaged in the business of plasterer and he also operated as a farmer. In the fall of 1855 he set out with his family for an overland trip to the West, journeying in the common manner. They passed 2 1 days on the road between Ohio and Warren County. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Bailey bought 160 acres of land on section ri in the safpe township in which he is now a property A ' . t* -t4-r:?! JU 362 WARREN COUNTY. holder. It had been previously occupied, and there was a log house for the accommodation of the family and 20 acres of the land had been broken. Mr. Bailey continued the purchase of land until he was at one time the owner of more than 400 acres. The buildings and stock on the place are of excellent type. In political faith Mr. Bailey is a Republican. In former days he was a Whig, and passed through the phases of the changes between that party and the one to which he at present belongs. He has been Assessor and Collector of Spring Grove Township. He and his wife are members of the Church of God. and he is an Elder in the local organization. The record of the children of the family is as fol- lows : Ira, the oldest son, is a farmer in Nemaha Co., Kan. Agnes is the wife of William I'ostlewait, of Spring Grove Township. Jacob and Lincoln re- side in the same township and are married. Harry lives at home with his parents. 4 ^^ fruman Eldridg, one of the pioneer settlers of Warren County, and a gentleman possess- ing more tlian ordinary ability as a busi- ness man, with a large amount of practical knowledge obtained by actual experience, who at present resides at Roseville, is a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Hancock, Berkshire Co., that State, April 24, 1808. The pa- rents of Mr. Eldridg, Thomas and Rachel (Hall) Eldridg, were natives of Massachusetts. Thomas Eldridg, Sr., together with his wife, the grandparents, moved from Rhode Island to Massachusetts at an early day. They made their way thither on horse- back by means of blazed trees wiiich were marked to indicate the road. Thomas, Sr., followed the voca- tion of a farmer, and, with his wife, continued to re- side there until their death. Thomas Eldridg, Jr., the son of Thomas, Sr., and wife, lived in Berkshire Co., Mass., until about 1845, when they moved and located in Rensselaer County, he following the oc- cupation of a farmer in that county until his death. His wife also died in that county. They were the parents of nine children, six sons and three daugh- ters, all of whom grew to attain the age of manhopd and womanhood. Their names were Heman, James H., Thomas B., Truman, Norman A., Nathaniel A., Thyerressa G., Elvira S. and Mary. Three of them, Truman, Norman and Nathaniel are yet living. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice was the fourth in order of birth of his father's family. He remained at home until 21 years old, alternating his labors on the farm with attendance at the common schools. After leaving the parental roof-tree he worked out, laying stone walls and taking such jobs as he could pro- cure to obtain a livelihood. At 20 years of age, be- fore leaving the old homstead, he commenced teach- ing school during winters, and was occupied in that vocation for five seasons. He then engaged in part- nership with a gentleman in a country store, his partner being Erastus Brojvn, at North Stephentown, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., which partnership existed for three years, when Mr. Eldridg sold his interest and, in 1836, came to this State and county. On ar- rival here he " took up " 240 acres of land near Hat Grove, on which he remained for about three months. He then returned to South Willianistown, Berkshire Co., Mass., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for about two years, until the first of September, 1838. He then returned to this county determined to make it his permanent abiding place, and during the winter of i8'38 stopped at Swan Creek. He went into the woods, cut down his tim- ber and hewed and framed the same, preparatory to the erection of a residence. lie then hauled it four miles to his prairie farm and the 2d day of April, 1839, raised the then palace residence of Warren County. It was 24 X 24 feet in dimensions and one and a half stories in height, and was at that time con- sidered a most magnificent residence for the then undeveloped portion of Warren County. Mr. Eld- ridg at once engaged actively and energetically upon the task of improving his farm, determined to make it his permanent abiding place for all time to come, and improve and beautify it until it became one of the most pleasant homes, as it has, in this part of the county. When Mr. Eldridg came here in 1839 tiie country was new and undeveloped, at one point of the compass his nearest neighbor being three miles and the other 12 miles. He nevertheless had great faith in the future development of the country and resolved to " stick it out," which he did, and by so doing succeeded in accumulating a competency, ■±1A1 ¥ r7r.J-. 'K^ a^^ym2^o^(:^G^4^ 4 WARREN COUNTY. 367 %¥ In this, the sunset of his life, while his hair is streaked with silver threads of years past and gone, he looks back to those pioneer days with no small degree of pleasure. The marriage of Mr. Eldridg to Miss Alma Jones, occurred Jan. 12, 1839. She was a native of Rens- selaer Co., N. Y., having been born in that State, April 2, 1808, the same year as her husband ; and be it said to her credit that during the trials of the past and tlie privations incident to the early settlement of a new country, she bore her part with that womanly fortitude of which she is characteristic. Of their union o;ie child was born, — Irene E., who became the wife of Edwin R. Smith, of Monmouth. He died in 1867, leaving one daughter, — Edna B; Mr. and Mrs. Eldridg adopted Flora A. Jones, who became the wife of Dr. H. E. Aylsworth, and by him she had three children, — Murray, Mabel and Iran. Dr. Aylsworth died in 1865. Mr. aiid Mrs. Eldridg are members of the Baptist Church, as are likewise both of their daughters. Mr. Eldridg was the the first Postmaster in the village of Roseville, which was originally called Hat Grove. )*■ In politics he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has held offices within the gift of the citizens of his township. He has been the owner since he came to this county of three quarter-sections of land, a portion of which he has sold, and a portion has been incorporated within the limits of the village of Roseville. illiam P. Sykes, deceased, formerly a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section '->-) 9, Monmouth Township, was born in the '' city of Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 11, 1805. Mr. Sykes was the son of Henry Sykes, a native of England, who emigrated to the United States in company with two brothers some years previous to his marriage. He was accidentally killed by falling from the top of a house in Philadelphia, which accident occurred when William P. was but a small child. The mother of the subject of this notice died in Philadelphia, Aug. 29, 1835. Tlie gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, was the youngest in order of birth of his parents' five children. After the death of his father, which, as stated, occurred when he was quite young, William P. lived with his mother, attend- ing the common schools and assisting in her mainten- ance, until his marriage. In his early years he had learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, at which he worked, obtaining remuneration sufficient to enable him to procure the necessities of life and support his mother, and amass a property worth $3,000. At his death he had property valued at $40,000 He was married in Lancaster Co., Pa., to Jane Ramble, daughter of a respected and wealthy miller of Lancaster County. Some 15 months after his marriage and after one child had been born to them, Mrs. Sykes died, the date thereof being 1828, her child having preceded her to the land of the here- after. Mr. Sykes had learned his trade with a Mr. Eagle in Lancaster Co., Pa., and about 1825 engaged in the business of undertaker, which he followed for some years, meeting with success. Eight years after the death of his first wife, Mr. Sykes was again mar- ried in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., Pa., the date in which he formed a union with Miss Anna C. Linville being Dec. 29, 1836. She was a daughter of Arthur and Elizabeth (Haines) Linville, who re-, sided in Lancaster County the major portion of their lives, and where her father was engaged in the voca- tion of farming. Her father was appointed Justice of the Peace for Lancaster County by Gov. Rittner. He died in this county Nov. 29, 1857, aged 65 years; his wife dying in Logan Co., Ohio, Sept. |ii, 1846, aged 50 years. Mrs. Sykes' brother, Jacob H. Lin- ville, of Philadelphia, is one of the celebrated civil engineers of the present day, having assisted to con- struct the St. Louis and Brooklyn bridges. He is now President of the Keystone Bridge Company. Mrs. Sykes, wife of the subject of this notice, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Aug. 25, 1819. She re- ceived a good education in the common schools, and was brought up under the influence of the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, to which denomination her parents belong. Mrs. S. was the eldest child but one in order of birth of a family of 11 children. About one year after the birth of their first child, William A., who was born Oct. 16, 1837, and died in Warren County in 1853, at the age of 16 years, they carne West, settling upon a farm of 1 60 acres, wl>ic|> 'XL -^ *t t68 WARREN COUNTY. i* h;\d formerly belonged to General Harding. On this place, Mr. .Sykes at once went to work with a view to makhig it an abiding place for himself and family for all lime to come. He added to his landed pos- sessions but disposed subsequently of his additional purchases and at the time of his death was the owner of 160 acres of g)od farm land. Mrs. Sykes, since the death of her husband, has increased her acreage ii\ the county by purchasing 87 acres on section 17, the same township, which is also under a high state ol cultivation, and she is also the owner of 240 acres of well improved land in Nebraska. The homestead farii) on which she resides is under an advanced stale of cultivation and has a good residence, to- gether with substantial outbuildings \.\\>ox\ it. Mr. S. .while living, was honored with all the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township, and politically, was a supporter of the principles ad- vocated by the Republican party. He was a well- respected and honored citizen 0/ Warren County, and like his wife, who then as she is still, was an active member in support of the Presbyterian ("luirch. His death occurred Dec. 13, 1875. A second child was born of their union — Charles L., the date of his birth being Jan. 17, 1855. His demise occurred Dec. 16, 1871. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Sykes and a view of their homestead are shown on other pages of this work. -«Cg>:4- It k lof Bengtson, deceased, of the township of M| Spring Grove, was a native of Sweden, and !^J^ was born in Christianstadt, Dec. 5, 1823. He a;is reared a farmer and was well educated in the common schools t)f the province where he was born. The town was several miles distant liom the farm on which he was born and brought up, and wjien he was 17 he succeeded to the entire charge of the homestead estate. Soon afier entering upon the duties of the position, he opened a store and sup[)lied the adjoining commun- ity with groceries. He continued this line of traffic as long as he remained in the land of his birth. In 1853 he left his native land to come to the .\merican Continent. He sailed thence »nd after a *x voyage of seven weeks he landed at the port of New York. He made no tarry there but came directly to Illinois. He made a stay of a few months in Knox County and came thence to Monmouth. He con- tinued in that place until 1856, when he bought 160 acres of land on section 11 in Spring Grove Town- ship. It was in a wholly unimproved condition, and he at on< e built a shanty for a shelter and proceeded to the work of putting the land in a satisfactory con- dition. He was at the time a single man, and as long as he remained such he discharged the duties of his domestic establishment after a pattern of his own. He was married May 3, 1857. to .Anna Rem, daughter of Nils and Caroline Rem. She is a native of the eastern part of Sweden, where she was born in 1837. She came to this country in 1855. Im- mediately after their union in marriage they com- menced their house-keeping in the board house which had been the home of the husband during the days of his bachelorhood, and which they occupied eight years. Meanwhile Mr. Bengtson had bought the northwest quarter of section 14 in the same township, and at the expiration of the time named he moved his family there. He improved all the land he had at first purchased and fenced it. He erected a good frame house on the land he bought secondarily, and that was his home until his death, which transpired July 18, 1885. He was one of the most successful farmers in the township and accu- mulated territory until he was the owner of 5 15 acres of land, which was all situated in the same township where he at first became a land-holder. He was from first to last engaged in mixed farming. Polit- ically, he was a radical Republican, ai.d after be- coming a citizen of this State he was fearless in the advocacy of his principles and always acted con- sistently with his convictions. To him and his surviving wife six children were born, four of whom lived to realize the condition of the fatherless. Minnie is married to Nels A. Hol- mer. Her husband is a native of Christianstadt, Sweden, and was born March 13, 1862. He con- tinued to reside in his native country until he had reached manhood, and in 1880 he came to America. He set out from home March 10, and celebrated his birthday on the North Sea. After landing at New York he came immediately to \Varren County. He was married .Aug 22, 1884. Their children are I Anna and Alma. They reside with the widowed A • ¥ 4 WARREN COUNTY. A_ T > 269 mother on the Beiigtson homestead. Edward, Carrie and Harry are the names of the remaining children who are the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Hohner. ^ll)fl|tsrael Jared, of Point Pleasant Township, is If one of the leading agriculturists of Warren T County. He is the owner of a consider- able tract of land in the township in which he is a resident, and also of a considerable acre- age in Swan Township. His residence is on section 23. Mr. Jared was born in Bedford Co., Va., Aug. 5, 1829. His father, John Jared, was born in the same county, in 1795. The latter grew to the age and ambitions of manhood in the county where he was born, and where he was married, to Elizabeth Bandy. She was born in the same county, in 1800, and was therefore but 14 when she became a wife in 1814. They remained in the "old Dominion" until 1830, when they emigrated to Kentucky. They resided in Breckenridge County, in that State, until 1835, when they came to Morgan Co., 111. They passed a year there and at the end of a twelvemonth they came to Warren County, landing May 6, 1836. They settled on a tract of land in Swan Township, which was designated " patent " land. It was situated on sec- tion 5, and they also purchased a piece of limber on section 8. On the former a log house was built, which had clapboards for a roof and a puncheon floor. The chimney was built outside and was con- structed of earth and sticks of wood. The death of John Jared occurred in the pioneer home, in May, 1844. His widow was the occupant of the place until hei death, .April 1, 1879. Of their family of 13 children nine are still living. Ruth is married to John Simmons and they are located in Nodaway Co., Mo.; Joseph resides in Hamilton, same State; John lives in Allen Co., Kan. ; Thomas is located in Rose- ville. 111.; Mr. Jared, of this sketch, is next in order of birth; Benjamin F, who was Second Lieutenant in the late war, lives in Wayne Co., Iowa; James is a farmer in Swan Townshi]); Elizabeth married A. L. Bair, of Allen Co., Kan.; and Miriam L. is the wife of Caleb Bair, of Roseville, 111. The children of John Jared- who are deceased, were: William, who died in 1873, in his 69th year, leaving four chil- dren; George, who died in his 12th year: Polly Ann, wife of James C. Kinerick, who died in r868, in her 40th year, leaving six children; and Agnes, wife of Thomas Bair, who died Aug. 8, i87i,in her 34111 year, leaving four children. Mr. Jared was a child in his mother's arms and was only six months old when the removal to Ken- tucky was made. He was but six years of age when the family came to VVarren County, and was 15 when his father died. He has consequently been a resi- dent of Warren County since 1836. He remained in the family of his mother until he went to Califor- nia, in 1852. On the i6th of April of that year he set out for the land of gold and crossed the plains with an ox team, carrying a load of provisions and camping on the ronte. The company comprised Joseph Jared, D. K. Michael, Wm. Roger.s, the sub- ject of this sketch and B. F. Jared. Wm. Rogers died on the plains, from cholera, and was buried there. Cholera made its appearance among them and many of the company lost their lives. After four months of travel the remainder of the party arrived at Placer-*; ville, which then rejoiced in the significant name ofl 1 Hangtown. Mr. Jared remained there six years andj ' passed the first four vears in mining and the nextj two in the business of a farmer. In 1858 he returned . to the East, via the Isthmus of Panama and thence to New York and then home. He resumed farming as soon as he was fairly at home in Warren County, locating von land he had bought before leaving for California. After a resi- dence on it of about 16 years, he sold out and lo- cated on the farm which he has since occupied in the township of Point Pleasant. He bought the property in 1862, and at that lime it consisted of wild prairie and timber. 'The farm is all improved, and is well supplied with good buildings. He is the owner of 470 acres in the township where he resides and of I [5 acres in Swan Township, of which he has retained the ownership since it became his property. His marriage to Mary J. Kelsey took place Dec. 15, 1859. The sketch of the parents of Mrs. Jared is given in full on another page, and the credit of its appearance in this work is due to Mr. Jared, who has presented the items relating to the family of his wife. The latter was born in Sangamon Co., 111., Oct. I, 1835. Their five children are named Leenora r !?-4-^ »7« WARREN COUNTY. A., Allen E., George B., Israel K. and Roy L. James Albert died in his second year, Leon H. died in childhood, and Lilborn E. died in his fourth year. The parents are members of the Universalist So- ciety at Swan Creek, and Mr. Jared is a Democrat in his political sentiments. ^^ awrence H. Gilmore is a resident on sec- tion 34, Spring Grove Township, and has been a citizen of Warren County since 1833. In that year his parents. Col. Robert rS and Maria (Pilgrim) Gilmore (see sketch of Col. Robert Gilmore in biography of J. T. Gil- more), removed from Jefferson Co., Ohio, to Warren . Co., 111. The son was born in the former county April II, 1830, and was but three years of age when the family of which he was a small member located in the township where he is now a part of the busi- ness element. Mr. Gilmore had only the advantages of the pio- neer home and log scliool-house, and attained to ihe age of independent manhood in Warren County. He was born in a log house, schooled in a log house and lived in a log house until he built his present resi- dence in 1S54. His initial business enterprise on his own responsibility was the securing of a pre-emption claim in Spring Grove Township in 1851. It is the same on which he is now situated, on section 34. He had little available means, and lie was obliged to borrow the balance of the purchase money beyond the amount of his small savings. In 1854 he built a small frame house on his property and at the same time commenced the work of improvement. He was until that year a member of the family of his father. From the little beginning made by Mr. Gilmore in 1854 his possessions have swelled until his real es- tate comprises more than 1,000 acres of land, all in advanced agricultural condition, 840 acres of which is in Spring Grove Township and 160 acres in Lenox Township. The acreage is divided into several farms, which are managed by himself and his sons. In 1857 Mr. Gilmore commenced to raise stock and since that date has operated in all the avenues of mixed farming. He raises grain and stock, the lat- ter including horses, hogs and cattle. Politically, Mr. Gilmore adheres to the faith of the Democratic party. He served his township as Super- visor for II or 12 years, and it is said of him that he made a very excellent officer and did much to pro- mote the welfare of his township. Nov. 9, 1854, he was joined in marriage to Sarah A. Forwood, who was born July 19, 1 831, in Harvard Co., Md., and is the daughter of William W. For- wood. (See sketch of him in the biography of his son, Benjamin F., on another page.) The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore, six in number, are named Clarence M., Frederick L., Frank E., George F., Rosa L. and Sarah B. They all reside at home ex- cept Clarence M., and Frederick L., the second son, who is married to Lillian, daughter of Schuyler Palmer, of Spring Grove Township. Her parents were pioneers of this county and are represented by a sketch in another part of this volume. He became a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Mon- mouth in 1856, his wife having been a member since 1852. For many years he has been a Trustee of the congregation and for the last five years has < held the responsible position of Elder. He has ever ' been ready to advance the cause of religion and morality in his section of the country. Three of his children are also members of the Presbyterian Church. ^iFwflfe-asper M. Dull, farmer, residing upon sec- JI^^SlT tion 8, Hale Township, i.s a native of eJjIjpV' " ■•■' •'" ' • 1^ — " K«-.. ;.. M:fln;., hiu ,v. r.- o.._. _g22^ When Mr. Dull was life Co., Pa., Sept. 4, I ^ five years old and a * nir»lVi(*r ninu^rl fn after his father's death, his mother moved to Greene Co., Ohio, where Casper M. resided until 1851, being engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. His years prior to attaining his majority were passed on the farm and in attend- ance at the common schools. In 1851 Mr. Dull came to this county and joined with the farmers of Hale Township in their efforts to establish a permanent home for themselves and family. ■ He became a citizen of that township by the purchase of 160 acres of land and by moving his family upon the same. ^ ■Y. . ' WARREN COUNTY. -^r^^ «73 He at once engaged actively upon its cultivation and improvement, and has there resided until the present time, having developed his land until the major portion thereof is in an advanced State of cultivation. June 5, 1861, in Greene Co., Ohio, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Stevenson, who was a native of the same county and State in which she was married, having been born there Dec. 25, 1832. Of their marriage, two children, a son and a daughter, have been born, — Florence J. and Calvin M., who reside at home. In politics, Mr. Dull is independent. The parents of Casper M. Dull were Benjamin and Nancy (Junkiu) Dull, natives of the Keystone State. They married and settled in that State, where his father died, his mother afterwards remov- ing to Greene Co., Ohio, from which State she came to this county- with the subject of this notice, and here died, at the age of 74, in February, 1876. She was the daughter of Major John and Catharine (Kirkpatrick) Stevenson. The Major was a native of Virginia and a soldier in the War of 181 2. He went with his parents to Kentucky, where he grew up and was married about 1809 or 1810. They were mar- ried in their native State and immediately afterwards moved to Ohio, where he was a farmer and resided until his death. He had 12 children, of whom Mrs. Dull was the youngest. '^^'^+-*'*^ ^N ■ > w*^ Ife^harles Torrance, one of the leading and llF well known farmers of the township of K>"*" Point Pleasant, came to Warren County fe) in 1868, and settled in that township. He is *"W the owner of 320 acres of excellent farm land and is closely identified with the development of the agricultural resources of the county. Mr, Torrance was born in the town of Jay, Essex Co., N. Y., Nov. 17, 1834. Riley Torrance, his father, was a native of Bennington, Vt., and was born May 13, 1801, only 13 years after the admis- sion of that State to the Union. John Torrance, the father of the latter, removed from Bennington, Vt., to Essex Co., N. Y., in 1808, and was one of the earliest of the white settlers there. He purchased a large tract of timber land, upon which he cleared a farm. He was a resident there when the War of r8i2 was declared, and lie enlisted in the service to protect what had cost the colonists so much to se- cure. He remained on the Essex County farm' until his death. The name of the lady he married was Ruth Hurd. They had nine children, eight of the number living to become the heads of families. The father of Mr. Torrance of this sketch was but seven years of age when his parents removed to the northern portion of the Empire State, and he was reared there on the farm of his father. He married I.ydia Foulton, who was born at Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1804, a place where some of the stirring scenes of the War of 1812 were enacted. Her father had died previous to that war. Her mother was the only woman that refused to leave the place at the time of the battle of Plattsburg. She said she was needed there and would remain and render all the assistance in her power. And she carried out her resolution. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Torrance settled on a portion of the land which his father had pur- . chased in the town of Jay and continued its occu-; pant until 1865. In that year he removed to Illinois, accompanied by his wife, and they passed the re-' mainder of their lives in the household of their son Charles. They were not long separated in their deaths, as that of the mother occurred Oct. 27, 1873, and the father died May 28, 1874, following the wife of his youth to the grave seven months after she had been placed within that retreat of peace and rest. They were the parents of 16 children, and of that number 13 grew to mature years, nine of whom are still living. While in his early youth, Mr. Torrance of this sketch attended the common schools in the winter and operated as the assistant of his father in the summer. He remained in Essex County until 1858, when he turned toward the setting sun to seek a place where there was a reasonable prospect of win- ning the smiles of the fickle goddess, fortune. He came to Warren County and obtained a position as a farm hand. In the spring of 1859, accompanied by a party who pjjsessed similar intentions, he set out for what was just then the land of promise — Pike's Peak. The company made their way across the plains with ox teams. They found, before they ' X — «74 WARREN COUNTY. 4* arrived at their destination, that the stories that had lured ihem away from their homes were rather mytliical, and as they received positive proof of the futiHty of the hopes that incit^ tliem, they turned their faces again toward the land of certainties. They arrived in Henderson County in the fall of the same year. Mr. Torrance rented land there and continued to operate it in that m.mner until 1868, when he came to the township of Point Pleasant. He bought land on section 17 and made a perma- nent location thereon. He has since been eminently successful and his farm is justly ranked, in propor- tion to its value, as one of the most desirable and best managed in tiie toivnship. We present a view of his residence with its pleasant surroundings on page 272. Mr. Torrance is a stanch Republican in his polit- ical relations, and has always been consistent in his actions. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was united in marriage to Margaret Hindman, May 18, 1871. She was born in Green Co!, Ind., and is the daughter of Joshua and Lucinda (Hughen) Hindman. Four daughters are now included in the household. Their respective names are Bertha, Carrie, Laura and Hallie. ^1 his demise, which his widow is controlling at the present time. She has erected a fine residence and all other necessary outbuildings on her farm, and to- day it presents the appearance of thrift and energy. Mrs. Teare and family are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. i obert Teare, deceased, was born on the Isle of Man, Feb. 3, 1828, and there lived until about 25 years of age, when he emi- V\\j\ grated to Australia for the purpose of engag- ing in mining, and there remained about five years. He came to America, and in the spring of i860 came to Warren County and located in Lenox Township, where he died Feb. 20, 1866. His marriage to Martha Killey, who was also a native of the Isle of Man, having been born tiiere March 5, 1840, was celebrated in their native coun- try on the ist of March, i860. Slie was the daugh- ter of John and Catherine (Quayle) Killey, and of her union with Mr. Teare were born three children, — John K., Kate A. and Lizzie R.; all reside at home. Mr. Teare was the possessor and owner of 240 acres of excellent improved land at the time of taae?©^* 1^4—— ^<2)/33OT>. gff^Slereules Roney, a well to-do farmer, resid- f^^^lklt '"g o" section 21, Hale Township, and y^ clerk of that township, was born in this A county, and in the township in which he now i resides, Feb. 10, 1845. He received a com- i mon-school education, which he supplemented by a course of study at a commercial college at Day- ton, Ohio. He has been a resident of this county, , with the exception of tliree years, spent at Dayton,, and has devoted his time exclusively to tiie vocation of an agriculturist. He is at present tlie owner ofj 90 acres of land, 80 of which is under an advanced!' state of cultivation. On his farm he has erected a' good set of buildings and his place presents an at- tractive appearance to the passers-by. A view of, his residence and farm buildingo is given on page . 272. Hercules Roney was married to Miss Mary A. Munima, Feb. 11, 1869, at D.iyton, Oiiio. She was born in Montgomery County, that State, .Aug. 2, 1847, and has borne her husband one child, — Mary E. Mrs. Roney is the daughter of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Solenberger) Mumma, who resiile at Dayton. Mr. Roney has held tlie offices of Commissioner of Highways and Township Clerk, of which latter (Kisi- tion he is the present incumbent. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, Mr. Roney votes with the Republican party and endorses tlie principles advocated by it. The parents of Mr. Roney of this sketch, Hamil- ton and Elizabeth (McReynolds) Roney, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father was an early settler of this county, coming here at the early day of 1836. His first marriage took place five years previous to his emigration to this county, j his wife's maiden name being Miss Margaret Mackey, —P- 4 4 -A^ JL^T » WARREN COUNTY. »7S by wlioin he had five children. She died in 1841, and in 1842 he married Elizabeth McReynolds, at her home near Dayton, Ohio. She was a daughter of Joseph McReynolds. Hamilton Roney, in early life; was a blacksmith, and carried on that business in Monmouth for about five years. There his first wife died, and he continued to reside there a short time after his second marriage, when he removed to the farm. As a farmer lie vv'as eminently successful and became the owner of 700 acres of land, some of which was the finest farm land in the township. This is now divided among his sons and daughters, to whom, at his death, he left a comfortable com- petency. He followed the vocation of an agricultur- ist until 1863, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, and there, on the 3d day of March, 1884, departed this life. His wife survives him and resides in Dayton, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Hercules Roney had a family of nine children, of whom Mrs. R. was the second in r order of binli. ^__|t^i^<^. ulius T. Lathrop, a retired farmer, resid- ing in Roseville, Warren ("ounty, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y.,in the year 1818. He is a son of Colby and Polly (Terry) La- throp, natives respectively of New York and New Hampshire. Coming to Ohio in an early day, he, the fatlier of our subject, purchased land there and remained until his demise, which occurred March 12, 1857, his wife dying m 1874 in Michigan. Julius T. assisted liis father on the farm, attended the district sciiools and remained under the influ- ence of his parents until lie was 25 years of age. In 1846, after leavi'ig home, he engaged in carpentering in a ship-yard in the Buckeye State, but not follow- ing that trade long, he emigrated West the same year, and settled in Greenbush Township, this county and State. Here he invested some money in the purchase of 120 acres of prairie land, which he engaged la- boriously in cultivating, and remained there for about 24 years, when he removed to Roseville vil- lage and bought a lot, on which he erected a build- ing and has since lived therein, engaging in carpen- tering and wagon making a part of the time. Feb. 22, 1843, he was married to Miss Almira Light, a native of New York, and they have one child living,— Sarah Sheppard, who resides in Iowa. Mrs. Lathrop died in 1874, and Mr. Lathrop took for his second wife a Mrs. Vurlinder T. Byarlay, a native of Indiana and daughter of Joseph and Su- sanna (TurnbuU) Grain, natives of Indiana and Ken- tucky respectively. They lived in Indiana until their death, the father's occurring April, 1844, and the mother in March of the same year. Mr. Lathrop is the proprietor of a fine farm in Kansas, consisting of 120 acres. He is a member of the Christian Church and is one of the representative men of his village, and politically is identified with the Repub- lican party. -{3 J, i_ "r~r et- *% ohn R. Graham, one of the oldest settlers in Warren County and a gentleman who has witnessed the wonderful developments the county has made during the last 50 years, jt and who has shared the privations incident to its early settlement, resides on section 3, Hale Township. He was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Jan. 31, 1817, and continued to reside in his native State until the fall of 1835. During the year last named, Mr. Graham came to this county and located in Hale Township, where he has since lived. At that time, the hand of civ- ilization had hardly turned a furrow and the land was in its original, natural condition. Having a firm determination in the future development of the county, he " stuck to it," and to-day lives to witness the fulfillment of a prediction made by him 50 years ago, namely, that Warren County would in time to come be one of the garden spots of the great com- monwealth of Illinois. In 1850, he made a trip across the plains to the land of gold and spent £2 months in California and Oregon. The trip was not made for gain, but for health and pleasure, and after returning he located in Hale Township, where he has continued to reside until the present time, a period of almost 50 years from the time he first set' ¥ A JU 376 WARREN COUNTY. }■ tied here. He is the proprietor of 340 acres of land located on section 3, Hale Township, the major por- tion of which is under advanced cultivation; and there, in the sunset of his life, he lives, enjoying the comforts which a life of labor, pluck and persever- ance enabled him to procure. The marriage of Mr. Graham took place in Hale Township, March 24, r842, at which time Miss Mary T. Rogers became his wife. She was born in the State of Missouri, Monroe County, Oct. 4, 1823, and has borne her husband 1 1 children, — Elizabeth L., born Dec. 17, 1842; William F., Oct 31, 1844; Phebe I., Feb. 8, 1847 ; Andrew R., March 11, 1849; Mary L., Feb. 4, 1852: Aleri R. and John A., twins Auj;. 24, 1854; Emma A., June ii, 1858; Frank E., June 3, 1861; Nannie M., Jan 24, 1864; and Eva J., Jan. I, 1867. William and Andrew are deceased, Elizabeth L. is the widow of John Balmer, and re- sides in Hale Township with her parents; Phebe is the wife of David Armstrong, a farmer living in Ne- braska ; Mary L. married T. B. McCuUey, and they reside in Nebraska; John A. is a farmer of Hale Township ; Aleri R. is a physician residing at Little York ; Emma A. became the wife of George \V. Hill, who lives in Nebraska ; Frank is a farmer in Hale Township; Nannie became the wife of Joseph W. Dawson, who follows the vocation of farming in Nebraska; Eva J. lives at home. Mr. Graham has been Supervisor of Hale Town- ship one year, and has held other offices within the gift of the people of his township. He is a Demo- crat in his political affiliations, and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. -4— HG ohn W. Reynolds, one of the progressive p|j£ and well known farmers of Warren County, and a resident of section 10 of Hale Town- ship, was born in North Carolina, Aug. 14, 1818. He went with his parents to Jackson Co., Ind., when but 12 years of age, and there resided until October, 1836, when he came to War- ren County and settled in Hale Township. He has since made the latter place his permanent home, and is the proprietor of 150 acres of e;(cellent tillable *f land. Upon the same he has erected a fine set of buildings, and altogether the farm presents the ap- pearance of thrift and energy. Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage in Hale Township, Se|)t. r, 1846, the lady chosen to become his wife being Miss Jane Campbell, who was born in in Carroll Co., Ohio, June 23, 1826. Of this unioti ten children were born, — George W., Josiah B., Martha A., William Y., John W., Mary J., Sarah E., Richie C, James W. and Thomas M. George W. and Martha A. are deceased ; Josiah, \\'illiam and John reside in Warren County and are married ; Mary J. is the wife of F. P. Kilgore and resides in Kirkwood ; Sarah E., James and Thomas reside at home; Richie resides in Spring Giove Townshij). Mr. Reynolds has served his township as School Director, and both himself and n ife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. jfri^cr 1 p. Emans, who is accredited with being the oldest merchant of Roseville, having , been constantly in business here since ^^ 1858, and one of the prominent business men of Warren County, caine to this State from Ohio in 1855. He is a naiive of the Buckeye State and was born in 1832. He was left an orphan when quite young and went to live with an uncle, who gave him good educational advantages. He sent him to the common district schools for a time and later to a select school. He then engaged as a clerk for his uncle and remained with him in that capacity until he was 23 years of age. During the meaniime he studied book-keeping at Bacon's Com- mercial College at Cincinnati. His health failing, he was obliged to leave the desk and engage in some other calling. For a time he was interested in the livery business at Camden, Preble Co., Ohio. Here lie remained for five years. He came to Illinois in May, 1855, bringing his livery stock, and located at Fairview, Fulton County. He remained here but a short time when he sold and came to Warren County and embarked in the mercantile business at Roseville. Here he has remained and become nM V ■ tT ■ WARREN COUNTY. -X^ «79 one of the most widely known merchants in the southern part of the county. From 1870 until 1881, he was engaged in the lumber business and also, in company with William A. Pratt, in the grain business, in which latter business he still con- tinues. He is interested in Roseville village prop- erty and owns several houses which he rents. He does a large business in his store and employs two clerks and a boy. Mr. Emans, in 1863, was married to Miss Anna Oslrander, a native of New York State, and came to Ohio when young. Her mother is a native of Ohio and came to Illinois in 1855, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Emans. .Mrs. Ostrander has three sons, one a dealer in lumber and hardware at Swan Creek, and two others are in Washington Territory engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Emans have two children living, — James H. and Jessie. Mr. Emans is a Republican and at pres- ent is serving as Treasurer of the village. r Raines A. Evans, deceased, who was one of ^ Warren County's well known and success- '■^'^ ful farmers, and a resident on section 29, Lenox Township, was born in Virginia, March I, r82i, and passed his early life in the Buck- eye State and Indiana. He afterward came to Illinois, locating in Henderson County, where he re- mained until his removal to Warren County, about the year 185 1. Locating in Lenox Township, he entered land on section 29, where he resided and labored until death. He was the owner at the time of his demise, which occurred April 3, 1875, of 240 acres of some of the best equipped and cultivated land in his township, having fine substantial build- ings and all other necessary appurtenances upon it; but his widow is now the possessor of only 80 acres. Mr. James A. Evans was married in Henderson County, March 7, 1844, to Miss Lucy C, daughter of Washington and Elizabeth (McChesney) Fort, who was born in Kentucky May 10, 1827. Mr, and Mrs. Evans had become the parents of nine children, six of whom survive, viz. ; Emeline, who became the wife of David Darr, and they are both now de- ceased ; Washington, deceased ; John A., who is married and lives in Lenox Township, this county; Samuel, deceased; Stephen D., who is married and lives in Kansas ; Mary E. ; Ida J., now the wife of Thomas Davis and living in Gladstone, Henderson Co., 111.; James A., who resides in Kansas; and Jesse C. is at home. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Baptist Church, as was her husband. She is now carrying on the farm with the assistance of her sons. A portrait of her late husband is shown on another page. illiam V. Moore, Sr. There is growing class of well-to-do farmers, who have la- '^^Sr bored hard and diligently for years, and i> now have wisely concluded to spend the autumn years of their lives in comparative j , ease and retirement. Among this number is I William V. Moore, Sr., who is living in the village of j Roseville. New Jersey is his native State, and May 1 I I T, 1825, the date of his birth. Abraham H. Moore, J ' his father, also of New Jersey (Hunterdon County), I met and married Grace Van Dome, in 18 13. They ' came west to Ohio in 1839, and purchased a 100- acre farm and followed agricultural pursuits there ; until 185 I, when they made another move westward, coming to Illinois and settling in Fulton County. Here, about three miles east of Prairie City, they purchased 160 acres of land. In r864 Mr. Moore sold this and bought a farm near Bushnell, McDon- ough County. Here he lived until a few years be- fore his death, when, in 1871, he moved into the city of Bushnell, where he died in 1879, in his 88th year. Mrs. Moore survived her husband and died in Bush- nell, Dec. 18, 1885, aged 90 years and four months. William B. remained with his parents until he was 26 years old, assisting them, on the farm and in re- turn was given an opportunity to receive a good common-school education. After leaving home he worked out for one summer, when his ambition led led him to try farming on his own hook. He then rented a farm in Butler Co., Ohio, which he kept for two years. At the end of that time, in 1854, he came ^ 28o WARREN COUNTY. f West to Illinois and settled in Fulton County on a rented farm. Here he remained for two years longer, when he found a desirable quarter-section of land on section 3, Point Pleasant Township, in this county, which he was able to purchase. He subse- quently got 15 acres of land in Ellison Township, and in 1873 secured 80 acres additional in the same township. He continued to follow agricultural life with satisfactory results until 1876, when he retired from his farm, moving to the village of Roseville. Here he purchased two and a half acres of land, upon which are a good residence and barn, arid the family are living comfortably. He is regarded as one of the most substantial men of Warren County. Politically, he has been a Republican. In 185 I, before coming to Illinois, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Temperance Curtis, who is a native of Butler County, Ohio, and daughter of Daniel and Charlotte Curtis. The latter were natives of Mary- land, but came to Oiiio before their marriage. There they lived until their death, which occurred in 1853 and 1854 respectively. Mr. Moore's brother, Isaac, who was a member of Co. H, 7th 111. Cavalry, was killed while his regiment was in Missouri, April 2, 1862. Mrs. Van Dyke (his sister) died at her residence in Bushnell, 111., one week after the death of her mother. ^aston Morris, deceased. One of the prom- inent and well-to-do pioneers of Lenox ^P^ Township of 30 years ago was Easton "C Morris, who located on section (5. He was born in Wayne County, Southern Illinois, May 26, 1833, and enjoyed but limited advantages for an education, us the days of his boyhood in Illi- nois afforded very meager opportunities for securing any advanced education. He met a violent death while on a visit to Kansas, being killed in Missouri hy lightning on ihe 8th day of Sept. 1866. Mr. Morris was married in Lenox Township, Jan. 25, 1855, to Rebecca A, Butler. She, like her hus- band, was also born in Illinois, in Warren County, Feb. 28, 1834. She is the mother of three children, — Eva A.. Ewing V. and Myron H. Eva is de- ceased. Mrs. Morris owns 95 acres of excellent til- lable land on section 15, in Lenox Township, and is an excellent business lady. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Ewing V. is married and lives in Galesburg, where he practices medicine. The other son, Myron H., assists his mother in carrying on the home farm. -^^ -»— eonard Hall, a successful and energetic farmer, owning 234 acres of land located on section 31, Greenbush Township, where Wjy he resides, and also 50 acres of land in Iowa, l^ was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1819. He came West and located at Mon- mouth, and worked at that place from September, 1845, until the date of his marriage, March 25, 1852. .\t this time, Miss Susan B. MpMahill became his wife. She was born in Sangamon County, this State, and bore her husband six children, namely : Will- iam L., burn July 5, 1853; Wyatt, Julys, '855; I; Warren, Feb. 8, 1857; Mary M., .\pril i-j, 1861 ; .\lbert P., Jan. 19, 1867; Aleta, March 14, 1872. Wm. L. married a Miss Mollie Dilly, and is now a successful farmer in Jewell Co., Kan. Wyatt mar- ried .\x\n .McFetridge. They have two children. Wyatt is also a fanner. Mary M. is the wife of Mr. Wetzvel, a resident of this township. The father of Mr. Hall, Stephen Hall, was a na- tive of Connecticut, and married Miss Cynthia Leon- ard. They had eight children, — Lester, Sarah .\nn, Polly, Leonard, Theophilus, Coridon. Benjamin, Philomen, four of wnom are deceased, namely: Sarah, Polly, Benj^imin and Philomen. Mrs. Hall's father, Mr. McMahill, was born in Kentucky in 1 806, and died in 1881. He married Miss Mary Sna]))) in 1827, She was born in 1806 in Kentucky, and they became the parents of 12 children, viz.: George S., Susan B., Sarah S. Nancy J., Elizabeth, John, Maria \., Kentucky A., William H. H., Pink- ney M., Mary and Lucinda. Four of these children are dead. Mr. Hall, of whom we write, has 235 acres of good farm land, located on section 31, Greenbush Town- .=hip, under an advanced state of cultivation, and V \ 1 WARREN COUNTY. ^?^H- *8i , , also 50 acres of land in Iowa. On his place he has a good residence and barn, the latter being 34 x 40 feet in dimensions. In addition to his farm duties, he is breeding Short-horn cattle and handles English draft horses. He has served as Road Commissioner for some 12 years, and also School Director of his township. In religion, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Cnurch. Politically, he votes with the Republican party. W. Coghill, engaged as an agriculturist on section 28, Roseville Township, is a pros- perous and spirited citizen of Warren County, and a native of Virginia, where he was It born Aug. 17, 1830. His parents were Benja- min C. and Millecent (EUett) Coghill, also na- tives of Virginia. The father came to Illinois in 1836, and settled in Warren County, where he pur- chased land and built a grist and saw mill in the northern part of the county, which is known as Cog- hill's Mill. It is now located in Henderson County, but when it was built, that district was then a part of Warren County. He died in 1880, in Virginia. He was an apponent of the system of slavery as it then existed in the Southern States, and was a slave- owner at the time he lived in Virginia. When he made up his mind to go to the free State of Illinois, the question arose in his mind what to do with his slaves. He gave the matter serious thought and made it the subject of earnest prayer. The tempta- tion to sell them and get the money was strongs the conflict l:)et ween thedevii and the man was hitter and fierce, but, upheld by Divine strength in the hour of weakness, the right, as he understood it, pre- vailed. They were set free, good homes procured foi the older ones and the young sent to Liberia. The Coghills are of English descent, the first member of the family, James Coghill, coming to this country in 1664. J. W. attended the common district schools dur- ing his earlier boyhood, finishing his education at the Galesburg College, at Galesburg. He was 27 years of age before he left home. He was a partner with his father in the milling business from the time he became of age until he left home. On the nth of August, 1858, he was married to Elizabeth Tucker. She was a native of Warren County, and the daugh- ter of James and Abigail (Long) Tucker, who were among the earliest pioneers of the county. Among the early labors of Mr. Coghill was teaching school in Warren and Henderson Counties. We soon find him comfortably located on a farm of 140 acres in Henderson County. Here he lived for about 12 years, when he sold out and went to Washington Co., 111., and purchased a farm. He remained there but four years. In the fall of 1874 he returned to War- ren County and found a desirable location on an 80- acre farm on section 20, in Roseville Township. Here he has since lived and is engaged in mixed farming. Politically, Mr. C. is a Democrat, and has served the community as Highway Commissioner and School Director and takes a general interest in the affairs of the township. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Of the seven children born to them, Benjamin C. died in his 17th year and a daughter in infancy. Carrie and James are attending school at LTpper Alton, at the pres- ent time. U -ra- -e»- ^avid M. Hallam, one of Warren County's |, wide-awake and energetic citizens as well Jjlf'^'^ "^ as successful farmers and stock-raisers, re- siding on section 26, Monmouth Township, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Sabina, Clinton County, that State, Sept. 3, 1837. The father of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, Samuel Hal- lam, was the son of a Pennsylvania farmer of Eng- lish parentage and extraction, the family having their origin in the United States prior to the Revo- lutionary War, and which consisted of but one branch which came from England. The members of that branch generally followed agricultural pursuits. The grandparents died in Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. Samuel, father of David M., was one of a family of four children by his father's first mar- riage, by his second marriage his father having the same number of children. Samuel Hallam was born i T j L I z82 . V WARREN COUNTY. ^ in Washington Co., Pa., where he lived during the early portion of his life. His education was acquired in the common schools of his native county and his years, prior to the age of majority, were passed on the farm. He left the parental roof-tree when about 2 1 years of age and went to Clinton Co., Ohio, where he made a settlement. At that time Clinton County was very sparsely settled, and there he endured the trials and hardships of a pioneer life. It was in that county that he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Mills. She was the daughter of a Clin- ton County farmer who had come to that county and State from Kentucky. After marriage, Samuel pur- chased 80 acres of land, the same being in heavy timber and located in that part of the State. He went to work vigorously and energetically upon the task of clearing and improving his land, and after he had placed the same under an advanced state of cultivation, he sold it and made another purchase of 160 acres, also uncultivated. He im- proved that place and by subsequent purchases in- creased the same to 320 acres, all of which was placed under an advanced state of cultivation, when he disposed of it by sale and in the spring of 1850 came to this State and located on an 80-acre farm in this county (a portion of which is at present within the limits of the city of Monmouth), which he rented for one year. When Samuel Hallam started West with his family, he intended to go to Iowa, but on reaching Burlington, that State, the condition of tlie country, and the action of a portion of the citizens with whom he came in contact, were such as to create a desire on the part of his wife and children to return to Ohio, and thither they started; but on reaching Monmouth and finding a different country, together with a change in the appearance and actions of the people, they rented the farm before referred to and engaged in farming. The residence into which they moved had been occupied by a man who had committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor a few days before their arrival there. In the spring of 1851, Samuel Hallam purchased 240 acres of land in Monmouth Township, on which he moved will) his family, and where he resided more or less until his death. His first wife, who was the motlier of the subject of this notice, died in December, 1864, and he was again married, to Mrs. Mary McKay, of Monmouth, by whom he had three children, — Harvey W., Anna S. and Maude F. Af- ter his second marriage he moved to Monmouth city, in 1873, where he continued to live until his death, which occurred in July, 1879, while he was in his 79th year. His wife still survives and is re- siding in Monmouth. David M. Hallam, the subject of this notice, was the fourth in order of birth of a family of ) i children by the first wife of his father. He was about 13 years of age when his parents removed to this county, and his education was acquired iji the common schools and at the college at Monmouth, which was then under the presidency of David A. Wallace. When a young man of 18 years, he engaged in teach- ing, and for 18 winters he followed that profession, working on the farm during the summer season, his teaching being principally in this and Knox Counties. The marriage of Mr. Hallam took place March 12, 1861, at the residence of the bride's parents, to Miss Mary C. Murphy. She was born in Warren County, March 12, 1842, and was the daughter of a farmer who died when she was a small child, his ' name being Jolin H. Murphy. Her mother's maiden name was Eliza Moore, who was born in Virginia and was first married in this State. Her second marriage was to Samuel T. Shelton, with whom she is at present residing at Cameron, this county. Mrs. Hallam, wife of David M., attained the age of • maturity under the fostering care of her mother and step-father, with whom she resided until her mar- riage. She obtained a good education in the com- mon schools and graduated at Abingdon College, Knox County, and for a short time prior to her mar- riage was engaged in teaching. She has borne her husband seven children, one of whom is deceased. Orline E. is living in Chicago. He was for two years engaged in the Grand Opera House at that place, and also one year at McVicker's, and at present is engaged in the support of McWade, whose reputation throughout the country is so well established that it requires no comment here. Samuel S. resides at home and is engaged in the study of law, prepara- tory to the practice of that profession; Clinnie M. resides at home, as likewise do Frank M., Minnie M. and George M. Charles M. is deceased. After the marriage of Mr. Hallam, he resided al- ternately in this and Knox Counties until 1873, when he abandoned the profession of teaching and settled on his farm of 183 acres in Monmouth Town- ship and engaged in the vocation of farming. His *\ r Ke^id£mc£ Of Thomas A. Weakley. 5ec. 13. Lei-iox Townsh i p. Residence of James Campbell, Sec. 6. HaleTownshi p. " Hillsdale Tarm' Res.of Hon. H.M. Lewis, Sec. 19. Berwick Township. i T^_j_ —4^ WARREN COUNTY. 285 place is in a high state of cultivation, and in his vo- cation as a farmer Mr. Hallam is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance, coupled with good judgment, are sure to bring. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of which denomination Mr. Hallam is Deacon. He was for 20 years Superintendent of the Sunday-school, but recently resigned that position. Politically, he is a strong supporter of the princi- ples of the Prohibition party. _=P3_ ,on. Henry M. Lewis, one of the land- holders of Berwick Townslnp and a repre- sentative citizen of Warren County, resid- ing upon section 19, Berwick Township, was j born in Basking Ridge, N. J., Feb. 21, 1824, the 1 son of Eliphalet C. Lewis, a native of New Jersey, having been born in that State May 11, 1799. He came to Illinois in 1837 and two years later came to this county from Sangamon County, and located in Berwick Township, where he purchased a patent title to the northeast quarter of section 20. He im- mediately went to work to improve his land, and at the same time economized and added to his original purchase until he became the owner of 750 acres in the county. He was married to Mary Ann Mills, Nov. 21, 1823. She was also born in New Jersey, the d^te of her birth being July 23, 1806. She bore her hus- band five children, namely: Henry M., Feb. 21, 1824; Phebe A., July 9, 1826; Mary A., in July, 1838; Susan E., in October, 1841, and Thomas P. in 1843, all of whom are yet living. The father died in 1868, aged 69 years, and his widow still survives and is living in this county, aged 79 years, and is enjoy- ing good health. Henry M. Lewis, of whom we write, formed a matrimonial alliance, Oct. 18, 1849, with Miss Jane Carr, the Rev. Young officiating. 'She was born Jan. 22, 1827, in Perry Co., Lid., and came with her parents, Absalom and Sarah Carr, to this State, in 1840. Mr, Carr was born in i8oi, in Breckinridge Co., Ky.,and married Miss Sarah Claycomb in 1824. She was a native of Kentucky also, and was born there in 1802. Her demise occurred in 1868, in this county, and that of her husband July 4, 1879. Of their union nine children were born, namely : Eli, Jane, James, Lucy, Lewis, Thomas, Hannah, Malinda and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had born to them nine children, eight of whom survive, viz.: Norvel, born July 12, 1850; Mary, Nov. 29, r852; Jedediah, Nov. 13, 1854; Henry, Dec. 6, 1856; Emery, March 31, 1858; Sarah, March 9, 1862; Phebe L., Aug. 13, 1864; Effie J., March 23, 1867! Edwin C, Oct. 14, 1873. Henry is deceased, his death occurring March 14, 1857. Norvel is married and is engaged in farming in Nebraska. He has one child. Mary is the wife of John W. Miller, of this county, and the mother of five children. Emery married Miss Nettie Mann and resides in this county. Sarah is the wife of Geo. B. Richmond and lives near Sedalia, Mo. Mr. Lewis is the owner 895 acres of land in Ber- wick Township, in pasture and under cultivation, and on his farm has a fine residence, together with good barns and necessary outbuildings, which are shown in the view on page 284. In addition to carrying on general farming he is also engaged in dealing in "S stock. He has taken a prominent part in the affairs of his township and the county as well. He has been Supervisor of his township for 13 years, and was elected to represent the counties of Warren and McDonough in the State Legislature during its 3rst session. He was a member of the committees on Agriculture, Militia and Labor, and a busy member too, and represented those who gave him their suf- frages in an able manner, and with credit to him- self and satisfaction to his constituency. He has also held various minor offices within the gift of the people. In politics, he is a Democrat. --^M «->-— i?;£;^|l oseph L. Young, a farmer residing on sec- tion 12, Lenox Township, and of which he ' is Township Clerk, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Bishop) Young, natives of Pennsyl- jf vania and Maryland respectively. After their marriage the parents settled in Ohio, where the father died, Sept. 2, 1851. In 1865 the mother V 4= r" 86 WARREN COUNTY. came to tliis county with her children. Tlie chil- dren by her marriage with Mr. Young were seven in number, named Hannah, John L., Jacob, George, Abraham N., Joseph L. and Elizabeth A. In writing the biography of Joseph L. Young, we record his birth as May 29, 1840, and the place of his nativity Crawford County Ohio. His education was not neglected in his early years, and on attain- ing the age of manhood he was for eight yjars occu- pied in teaching scliool in Ohio, and continued to reside in his native State until 1865, when he ac- companied his mother and the remaining children of the family to this county, locating with them in Lenox Township, where he has since resided. He is the owner of 30 acres of tillable land and is a gen- tleman of considerable public prominence in his township. In his agricultural pursuits he is meet- ing with fair success, and. his accumulations have been acquired solely through his own push and en- ergy. The marriage of Mr. Young took place in Mon- mouth, Dec. 32, 1868, at which time the accomplish- ed daughter of John VVonderly, Miss Mary E. VVon- derly, became his wife. Her father's sketch is given in another part of this Albu.m. She was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1845, and has borne her husband one child, Bessie M. Mr. Young has held the office of Township Clerk for six years, and is still the incumbent of that position. He also held the office of Township Collector four years. Justice of the Peace three years, and School Trus- tee three years, and in politics is a Democrat. — * «»- 4^ ■Xiharles O. Bradshaw, publisher and pro- ?3-s^ prielorof the ICirkwjod Leader, was born »j,>y in Sheffield, Bureau Co., this State, Dec. 30, ^\^ 1856. The parents of Mr. Bradshaw of this (jv notice, J. F. and Mary M. Bradshaw, are at present residing in Kirkwood. His father is a native of Kentucky, and was born in that State March 8, 1832, and at present is engaged in the fur- niture business at the place mentioned. The mother's maiden name was Smith, and she was born in Ful- ton County, this State, May 20, 1836. .\: The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, came to Kirkwood with his parents in the fall of 1865. Here he received a common-school education, at the completion of which he decided to make journalism his lifes pur- suit. After several years experience as a local re- porter and correspondent, on Jan. ist, 1882, he purchased a half interest in the Kirkwood Leader, which had been established a few months previous. He took editorial charge of the paper, and in Jan- uary, 1885, became sole proprietor of the same. The paper is at present an eight column folio, independ- ent in politics, and is issued at the small subscription price of $1.50 a year. From being a dubious venture at the start it has come to be considered one of the permanent institutions of the county. K good job printing office is run in connection with tlie paper, and Mr. Bradshaw is meeting with that success which strict attention to business, push, tact and energy are sure to bring. "^•^w ames A. McClannahan is one of the lead-_ ("- ing physicians of the county, and resides at the village of Kirkwood. In 1854, when the fertile prairies of Warren County were but partly settled, Mr. Thomas McClannahan with his young wife and small family came from Ohio and located upon 80 acres of land in Hale Township. Here he has since lived, but increased his acreage to 240 acres and has grown to be one of the prominent citizens ol tlie county and for many years has served tlie people as County Surveyor. He oversees his farm and during the winter teaches school. Before leaving Ohio he met and married Miss Jane Martin, who like himself was a native of the Buckeye State. Before they decided to leave Ohio, their eldest son, James M., was born to them, the date of his birth being March 26, 1850. Besides this son they had born to them seven other children. Dr. McClannahan received a good English edu- cation, attending both the common schools and the Academy at Monmouth. Until he reached his ma- jority he remained on the home farm, assisting in its cultivation during the time not spent at school. In r ^ .- irTmrr; — WARREN COUNTY. 287 187 I he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. P. Clannahan, of Norwood, Mercer County, Illi- nois, and for three years closely applied himself to the study of his profession. He attended the Chi- cago Medical College and from it graduated in 1874, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine. He first located at Berwick, this county, where he practiced with satisfactory success for four years, when he came to Kirkwood. Here he has built up a fine and lucrative practice and has a residence, with an office connected, and is recognized as one of the representative men of the village. Dr. McClannahan and Miss Anna McClung were married Sept. 20, 1875. Miss McClung was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Charles and Nancy McClung, of that State. Two children, both boys, have been born to them, — Ralph, born Oct. 22, 1876, and Harold, born Sept. 25, 1872. The Doctor is a Republican, and, with his wife, belongs to the Pres- fbyterian Church. He is a member of the Board of Health and has held most of the city offices. r ■E*- T^ rury B. Boyd, a fanner on section 2, Point ,^ Pleasant Township, is the oldest son of '^ Thomas H. and Margaret (Jones) Boyd, who were pioneers of the township and county where their children are now identified with the business community. He was born in Greene Co., Ind., Dec. 12, 1839, and was in the seventh year of his age when the household came to Warren County. He has resided here ever since and was educated in the schools of the township. He was also reared to the calling of a farmer, which he has pursued since the commencement of his act- ive life. He resided with his parents until his marriage to Harriet Conklin. which took place Sept. 19, 1861. Mrs. Boyd was born in Claimont Co., Ohio. After their marriage, they located on the farm on which they have since lived. It is situated on the south- east quarter of section 2. The children of the household are named Elgie B. and William L. The parents are connected in mem- bership with the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Boyd is a Democrat. |ww||^^avid Stem, a retired farmer and one of Illi- li^^jl, nois' early pioneers, is a resident of Rose- • jt^ ^ ^'"^ Village, this county, having been CTV born in Mercer Co., Pa., Jan. 13, 1829. His parents were Frederick and Sarah (Harris) Stem, natives respectively of Westmoreland and Fay- ette Counties, Pa. In 1851 they came to the State of Illinois, and located on section 28, this county, where they purchased a [6o-acre tract of land and im- mediately began to cultivate and improve the same. Their efforts were fully rewarded, and they had the gratification of seeing their land developed to that high state of excellence which deservedly caused it to take rank among the most valuable in Warren County. They became the parents of 13 children, and died amidst the comforts of their peaceful home- stead. David Stem, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, remained the companion of his parents until he reached his 25th year, in the meantime assisting in the duties of the farm and alternated his labors thereon by attend- ance at the district schools in the acquirement of an English education. He engaged in farming for him- self in the year 1854, purchased a tract of 80 acres of land and began actively and energetically in the im- provement and cultivation of the same, making his home there for 20 years and interesting himself in general farming. He then purchased, at different times, land in the village of Roseville until he now is the owner of 17 lots, containing 14 acres at the present time being a resident on the same. Aug. 16, 1854, was the date of one of the most im- portant events in the life of Mr. David Stem, it be- ing his marriage to Miss Sarah Adkinson. She is a native of Kentucky, who came with her parents to Illinois when she was a babe and settled m Warren County Her parents were Pleasant and Fanny Ad- kinson, and were among the earliest settlers here, drawing the first stick of timber in what is now •Ji^ -t4-^ 388 r 4 , ^ Y ■ . . WARREN COUNTY. :^r4-§^ called Monmouth. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Stem four children have been born, only two of whom are living — Ida and Patton. The former married William Johnson, a resident of Point Pleasant Town- ship, and a farmer. One daughter — MariUa, blesses their home. Mr. Stem and his wife are members of the Baptist Church of Roseville village and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. Politically, he affiiliates with the Republican party. ^$*-h{h»^ State. W. McCurdy, a well known and prosper- ous agriculturist, residing on section 20, Roseville Township, was born near Ma- comb, McDonough Co., this Slate, Oct. 12, 1842, and is the son of James and Hannah (Herring) McCurdy, natives of the Keystone On the i6th of July, in the year 1839, Mr. James McCurdy, the father of the gentleman of this narrative, was united in marriage with his present wife, the mother of R. W. McCurdy. In 1839, they came to Illinois and settled in McDonough County, remaining in the same until 1847, and then moved to Ellison Township, Warren County, and about four years later again removed, this time going to Fulton County. At the latter place the father made a purchase of 80 acres of land, and afterward added to his original acreage by a purchase of a 160 acre tract. Not being perfectly satisfied, he thought he would try another change, and we next find him lo- cated in Roseville Township, Warren County, where he came in 1865. He purchased r20 acres of land located on section 20, and entered energetically and vigorously upon the task of its improvement, and made this his home for ten years, when he moved into Roseville village and retired from the active labors of life. R. W. McCurdy remained at home until he at- tained the age of 23 years, in the meantime receiving the advantages aflforded by the district schools and in his leisure moments assisting his parents in the duties of the farm. After leaving home he rented a farm for two years, it being located about a mile and a half from Roseville village. In 1867, he made a purchase of an 80-acre tract in Tompkins Township, and upon this he worked hard and arduously for seven years, putting the same in an advanced state of cultivation, when he sold it, and purchased the property where he now resides, being 120 acres. He is engaged in the stock business quite extensively and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation. Besides his present homestead he is the proprietor of 80 acres of land in Ellison Township. Miss Lydia Pusey, a native of Maryland, and daughter of William and Ann (Watson) Pusey, was the lady chosen by Mr. R. W. McCurdy to be his companion through life. Their married life has been replete with domestic happiness and they are now the ptoud parents of six children, namely : Louella J., William B., Charles W., Melvin J., Robert R. and Ralph E. Mrs. McCurdy's parents were natives of Delaware and Maryland respectively, and in 1850 the father, Mr. Pus:y, came to Cuba, Fulton County, this State, the mother having died in Clear Spring, Maryland, Feb. 6, 1849. Politically, Mr. McCurdy is a Democrat, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church. Socially, Mr. McCurdy is a member of the Select Knights and the A. O. U. W., and is regarded as a liberal, representative gentleman of Warren County, always willing to help build and improve schools, churches, etc., and lends a helping hand to all worthy objects. ^^ homas A. Weakley, a successful farmer of Leno.x Township, residing upon section 13, comes of old Pennsylvania " stock," his parents, James and Priscilla (Foulk) Weakley, having been natives of that State. The elder Weakley died in his native State. His widow, the mother of Mr. Weakley of this notice, came to Warren County to live with her son, Thomas, and died in Lenox Township in i86i. The gentleman whose name appears at the beginning of this bio- graphical notice, was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Nov. II, 1826. He received a good education in his native State, the rudimentary portion thereof being attained at the common schools, which was supple- mented by an attendance at the seminary at Kennet 9?^ ^-^i ca/yn^ ?r:4-5- 4 WARREN COUNTY. 291 Square, in Chester County, that State. In fact the early life of Mr. Weakley, prior to his attaining his majority, was passed alternately upon the farm and in attendance at school. He was also engaged in early manhood in the dry-goods business, which he followed for about four years in Cumberland County. Hoping to better his financial condition in life, at least to procure a home for himself and family, in 1854 he came to this county, at first locating in Mon- mouth Township. He lived there for 12 years, fol- lowing the occupation of an agriculturist, when he removed to Lenox Township, where he has resided until the present writing. He owns 125 acres in that township, every acre of which is good tillable land, and in his cliosen vocation in life, is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance insure. A view of his home place is shown on page 284. Mr. Weakley was united in marriage with Miss Lovinia Kaufman, Sept. 19, 1850. Mrs. W. was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Feb. 18, 1822, and was of highly respected and well-to-do parents of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Weakley have become the parents of seven children, two of whom are de- ceased. The living are: Spangler K., Anna J., Harriet G., Willis F. and Emma L. The deceased are Jane M. and Priscilla F. Anna J. is the wife of Daniel Wonderly, a resident of Henderson County, this State. Harriet G. married Addison Nesbitt and resides in Lenox Township. The remaining chil- dren reside at home. In politics Mr. Weakley is identified witli the Democratic party. Mrs. Weakley and their two eldest daughters are members of the Presbyterian Church. ^^ ohn H. Murdock, a retired farmer residing at Berwick, was born in Greene Co., Pa., in 1814. He is a son of John Murdock, ^^ who was married to Miss Margaret Hufty, and by her had nine children, — Sarah, Mary, Jane, James, Hofty, Eliza, John H., Daniel and William. John H. foimed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Frances Milligan, Nov. 31, 1837. She was born Sept. 15, 1815, in Greene Co., Pa., and has borne her husband 11 children, — Margaret A., Sept. 3, 1838; Jonas, July 22, 1840; Daniel, Aug. 21, 1842; John, May 1 1, 1844 ; Mary J., Jan. 29, 1846 ; George, June 26, 1848; Permelia, Dec. 26, 1850; Hiram, March 2\, 1853; Allen, June 26, 1855 ; Armina B., June 3, 1858; Joseph E., Feb. 2, 1863. Six of the children named are yet living. Mrs. Murdock's father was born in T776, by name John Milligan, and died in 1846. Mr. Murdock has an acre of ground within the corporate limits of the village of Berwick, upon which is a good dwelling, where he resides retired from the active labors of life. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, as are likewise all his children except one. Mr. Murdock, although a gentleman not seeking office, has held some of the minor offices of his township, among which are Road Commis- sioner and School Director. ames T. Gilmore, who was one of the-s^ '■r earliest pioneers of Warren County, and one of the very few yet living who came as 'JKl early as 1833, is the third son of Col. Robert and Maria (Pilgrim) Gilmore. He is in every sense a pioneer of the county, arriving here June 13, 1833, and here he was reared and was edu- cated and has since lived. He was born in Jeffer- son Co., Ohio, June 5, 1823. His father was born in Chester Co., Pa., Feb. 2, 1783, and grew to man- hood in his native county. He learned the trade of a tanner, serving an apprenticeship after he was 21 years of age. After acquiring an understanding of his business, he went to Ohio, and there embarked in the tannery business extensively, especially for that period. He located at Cross Creek, in Jefferson County, and carried on the business until the out- break of the second war with Great Britain. He then enlisted and was made a Colonel of a regiment. He served under Harrison and was one of his staff officers. He was in the military service as long as there was any need of his assistance, and after the close of tlie contest he returned to his business. He was also the owner of a farm, which he put into the management of a renter. In 1833, he sold all his interests in the Buckeye State and started for lUi- ^ A 392 WARREN COUNTY. i* *X nois. His family then consisted of himself, his wife and nine children. They traveled on the rivers, which at that period were the principal means of I transfer to the West. One member of the family , was stricken with the cholera, which was prevalent ; in that year, but the attack did not prove fatal. They landed at Oipi.iwka on the 13111 of lime, a - day made memorable by the trial of the Indians who '< murdered Williaui Martin the previous year. The ! eldest son of the family, Ephraim, started for Warren ' County on foot, and obtained a team, which con- sisted of three yokes of oxen and a wagon, and with its aid the family and household belongings were transported to Warren County. The father took a claim on section 25 of township 12, ranj^e 2, or what is now Spring Grove I'ownship. He held his claim until the land came into market, wlieu he made the customary effort to " prove up;" but failing to do so and to secure a cle.ir title, he sold his right, and later bought the southwest quarter of section 24, in the same township. While on the lirsl claim he built a log house of a good ty|)e, then called a double house. It was covered with split clapboards and had a puncheon floor. The chimney was built on the outside of ihc dwelling and was made of dirt and sticks. After buying the second place, he built a similar structure upon that, and made shingles for the roof and puncheon for the floor. He fenced and otherwise improved more than half the land of the claim and built a stable and a cmn-cril) He was a resident on that pla. as being one of the best men who ever honored War- j I ren County with their presence. A portrait of Mr. Gilmore is exhibited on page ; I I 290. } 'oseph Martin, ex-President of the First K^ National Bank al Monmouth, a gentleman *-'-'''* 'y of more than ordinary business ability, re- tired from the active labors of life on a compe- tency acquired by individual effort and good judgineni, coupled with economy and perse- verance, resides on section 28, Monmouth Township, near the limits of the city of that name. He was born in '.he North of Ireland, Aug. 15, 1816, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction His father, William Mar- tin, was a native of the Emerald Isle, and resided there until his death, engaged in the vocation of farming. His death occurred about 1845. His wife, Mary Forbes, was born in the North of Ireland and was likewise of Scotch- Iiish extraction, and also died in her native country. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch, was next to the youngest in-order ofbirth of a family of six children, ard he and a brother, James, (who is re- siding in Page County, Iowa, where he is engaged in farming and cattle raising) are the only survivors. Joseph Martin resided with his parents on his native Isle nnlil he reached the age of 19 years, when he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Groves, a daughter of Joseph and Jane Groves. Soon . after they were weded, they crossed the briny waters and located in the United States, the date thereof being 1834. His first location was in New Castle, Law- rance Co., I'a., where after residing for a short time, he moved to Mercer Co., Pa., where he purchased land and for 12 years followed agricultural pursuits. Leaving Pennsylvania he came to Galena, this State, and in the neighborhood of that place purchased 200 acres of land, whi^li had been partly worked for lead. He re-opened the mines and succeeded in striki.ig an exceedingly rich vein, which yielded him about $25,000. He continued to operate his mines in that vicinity for about nine years, until r86o, when, in the fall, he came to this county and purchased 160 acres of partly improved land, in Tompkins Township, where he operated only a short time; then rented his land and moved to Monmouth with a view to educating his children. He afterward sold his farm in Tompkins township and purchased other property and cleared $8,000. His success as a speculator has been more than ordinary. In the fall of 1863, he with others, established the First National Bank at Monmouth, with a capital of $50,000, which was later increased to $75,000. The institution at times re|)resented a capital of $500,000, and was doing a good and increasing business until its recent failure. Mr. Martin was a stock holder for about 20 years, and was elected President of the institution some- time previous to its failure, but no word of censure has ever been heard against Mr. Martin on account of the disaster to the bank, it being tioo well known by every depositor and by the citizens of Warren County, who was the cause of its failure. Mr. Mar- tin has been actively engaged in many financial op- erations, and at present is the proprietor ot a 200 acre farm in Page Co., Iowa, which is under an ad- vanced state of cultivation. He owns 22 acres on which he at present resides, and also a largi brick store-house, of which the Y. M. C. K. occupy the second story. The first wife of Mr. Martin died in Monmouth < M •94 WARREN COUNTY. \ in 187 I. He was again married in that city to Mrs. Jennie Patton, nee Lee, widow of Rev. Samuel Pat- ton, of Detroit, and daughter of Judge Thomas and Nancy (Wilson) Lee, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively, of American parentage and Scotch descent. She was born in Cadiz, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1830. Her father was formerly a farmer by occupation, but later in life engaged in the business of a tanner, and still later was connected with politics, being almost continuously the incumbent of an official position thereafter until his death, which occurred in Cadiz, Ohio, in 1853, during his 57th year. Her mother died Sept. 20, 1885, at the venerable age of 87 years. Mrs. Martin lias borne her husband one cliild, — Nan- nie L., born June 12, 1872. Seven children were born to Mr. Martin by his first union, — William W., is married and lives in Salem, Oregon, the maiden name of his wife being Belle Myers ; James is also married and is likewise a resident of Salem, Oregon; the other five children are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Monmouth, to the building of which Mr. Martin contributed $2,000. He is present trustee and member of the session. In politics he is a staunch supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party, having always opposed the institution of slavery, and during the late Civil War was a strong and unswerving Union man. -— ^' «— #j|eiijamin P. Matteson, a farmer residing on section 30, Floyd Township, was born 4 in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 10, 1836, and Mj5 came to this State in 1838 with his parents. The father of Mr. Matteson (Myron Matte- son) was born in New York, in 1810, and died in 1849, in tliis county, whither he removed and settled in Floyd Township. He married Maria Davis, in 1830. She was born in 1808, in Oneida County, New York, and is still living. Of their union six children were born, — Geraldine, Juliet, Benja- min P., Christian, Joann and Myron D. Benjamin P. was married to Miss Margaret Mur- dock, Oct. 2, 1858. She was born Sept. 3, 1838, and is a daughter of John Murdock, born Feb. 9, 1807, in Greene County, Pa., and who came to this State in 185 1, and located in this county. He married Miss Fannie Milligan, Nov. 14, 1830. She was born Oct. 15, 1810, in Pennsylva- nia, and bore her husband 1 1 children, four of whom are deceased. The names of the children are: Mar- garet, Jonas, Mary, Daniel, John, George, Millie, Hiram, Allen, Armenia and Edgar. Mr. and Mrs. Matteson of this notice are the par- ents of two children, — Mabel, born Dec. 26, 1862, and Dora, March 31, 1864. The former is the wife of Dr. William McClannahan, a prominent physician of West Jersey, Stark Co., 111. They have one son. Miss Dora still resides with lier parents. Mr. Matteson is the proprietor of 80 acres of well improved land, located on section 30, Floyd Town- ship. He has a fine residence on his place, 22 x 35 feet in dimensions, with a barn, 32x36 feet. His cattle are of a high grade and his place presents an appearance to the passer-by indicative of that energy which its proprietor possesses. Mr. Matteson is a member of the Anti-Horse-Thief Society. In relig- ion, he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of which denomination he is a Deacon. In •<; politics, he affiliates with the Republican party, and during the late war was a strong Union man. ohn D. Grigg, proprietor of 130 acres of ilE^^lt" agricultural land under an advanced state y^^ of cultivation, located on section 32, Swan Township, is a native of Kentucky, and was there born May 26, 1841. He came to this State in 1864 with his parents, and for six years resided with them in McDonough County. The father of John D., Joseph W. Grigg, was born in 1802, in Virginia, his parents moving to Kentucky when he was but a lad. He there grew to manhood, receiving such education as was to be acquired in the district school, and married Miss Delila Mc- Cullougii. Sept. 5, 1822. She was born in Vir- ginia in 1806, and died in this Slate in 1877. Josepli W., the father, is still living with his son (John D., subject of this notice), at the venerable age of 83 years. John D. Grigg was united in marriage. Sept 10, V Residence OF A.J.Sisson, Sec. 28, Swan Township. WARREN COUNTY. "^^^r^ *97 1874, with Miss Anna B. Cline. This estimable lady, who by her well cultivated intellect, consistent course in life as a member of the Methodist Church and amiable qualities in general, had won the es- teem of all who knew lier, died July ^6, 1875, in the 24th year of her age (having been born Jan. 3, 1852), leaving an only child, — Joseph H., born June 11, 187s,— who followed the mother to the eternal home on the 2Sth of August of the same year (1875). Mr. Grigg formed a second matrimonial alliance, Oct. 30, 1877, with Miss Florence C Shoop. She was born Nov. 4, 1855, and is the daughter of W. VV. Shoop, a native of Maryland, who at present resides in McDonough County. Mr. and Mrs. Grigg have three children, namely : Iva L., born Aug. 19, 1878; Mina L., Dec. 6, 1880; Flora P., Oct. 31, 1884. Mr. Grigg has two brothers and two sisters living, — James W. and R. C, Susan and America, and two sisters, Sally and Minerva, deceased. Mrs. Grigg T has four sisters and five brothers, namely : Lydia ' [■ A., William H., Alva, Emma Catharine, Freddie, , George E. and Maggie M., and Mary E. and John [ W., deceased. ?" Mr. Grigg is pleasantly situated on his home farm of 130 acres on section 32, Swan Township, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. ^ He is breeding high grades of Short-horn cattle, and handles the Poland China hogs. He has a pair of mares on his place weighing 1,500 pounds each. In politics Mr. Grigg votes with the Republican party. He was reared under the influences of the Methodist Church, and .although not a member of that denomination, in his religious principles he is inclined towards their doctrines. Ij^^^l'ndrew J. Sisson, an energetic representa- ^^,, tive of the agricultural class of Warren ii3j< e-a Qgyjity, residing upon section 28, Swan Township, was born Sept. 5, 1828, in Rens- selaerville, Albany Co., N. Y. He is a son of Joseph Sissen, a native of Rock Island, but who became a resident of New York State when one year old. The father of Mr. Sisson married Miss Floretta Frisbie in 18(2. She was born in 1790 and he in 1789. They emigrated to Illinois in 1837 and lo- cated in Swan Township, Warren County, where the husband, and father of this notice, died June 12, 1 85 1. The wife and mother survived him until June, 1882, when she passed to the land of the here- after. Of their union ten children were born, namely: Asahel B., C^yrus, Emeline, Rufus, Ann, Augustine W., Marcus F., Andrew J., Mary E. and Martin V. His father was a pioneer settler in this county, a farmer by occupation and one of the re- spected and honored citizens of the coinmunity in which he resided and died. Andrew J. Sisson was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Jane McMahill, Jan. 19, 1854. Of their union there was no issue, but they have raised to manhood and womanhood, two children, — Nellie M. Brooks, who, when she came under their care, was three years old. She was born in 1859, received a good education at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Sis- son, and resided with them until her marriage to Joseph Thorn, in January, 1S85. They reside on a farm in Swan Township. The name of their other adopted child is William H. Canfield, born Feb. 8, 1858, who also received a liberal education at the < hands of Mr. and Mrs. Sisson, and became the , head of family. May g, 1881, by marriage with Miss Alice Watson. At present he is a farmer in Seward , Co., Neb. The father of Mrs. Sisson, Mr. William McMahill, was born in Bourbon Co., Ky., in 1806. He was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, his ancestors settling in Vir- ginia and from there moved to Kentucky. Mr. Mc- Mahill emigrated to Illinois, in 1829; was married to Miss Mary Snapp in 1828. His wife was born in 1806, in Nicholas Co., Ky.,and died Aug. 31, 1877. Their union was blessed with the birth of 12 chil- dren, whom they named George, Susan, Sarah, Nancy Jane, Elizabeth, John, Ann Maria, Kentucky America, William H., Pinckney, Mary E., and Lu- cinda, four of whom are deceased, namely : Elizabeth, Mary, Lucinda and Ky America. Mr. Sisson, of whom we write, is pleasantly lo- cated with his family on his fine farm of 250 acres, on section 28, Swan Township, and has the entire place improved. In 1884, he erected a fine residence on his farm, 33 X36 feet in dimensions and two story with basement. His house is one of the best, if not the best, in Swan Township, and its inside appear- ance is almost as fine as its outside, it being fur- •J^l 298 ~" . .V. WARREN COUNTY. U nished in the best possible manner, with all necessary apparatus for lightening the labors of the female portion of the household. He is engaged in gen- eral farming and he and his wife are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Sisson being Superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics, he is independent. A view of his home- stead appears in this volume. -w=4=4 eorge Gossett, retired farmer, enjoying the sunset of his life in ease and comfort at * Roseville, was born in Randolph Co., N. C, March 31, 1807, his parents being William- son and Rebecca (Stalker) Gossett, natives of North Carolina and of English descent. The parents of Mr. Gossett came to Indiana in 18 15, the father purchased land in that State, on which he lo- cated and was laboriously occupied in its cultivation until he became too old to follow the active labors of life, when he retired, and continued to reside there until his death, which occurred in 1863. George Gossett received a good education in the common schools of his native county, and worked on his father's farm until he was 19 years old. He then worked out by the month and continued to labor in that manner until he attained the age of 23 years. At that age in life he rented a farm on shares, but as he was poor he was unable to buy a team and he cultivated his land i)y working for others and receiv- ing compensation therefor by their loaning him a team. Under these trying circumstances he contin- ued to cultivate rented land for two years, when, by the closest economy he was enable to buy a team. He continued to save his earnings until 1850, when he had accumulated sufficient to purchase a farm of 74 acres in Indiana, whither his parents had removed. He raised two crops on this land, then sold it, making $600 by the sale. In 1852, Mr. Gossett came to Pike County, this State, where he cultivated rented land for one year. In February, 1854, he came to this county, where he had previously purchased 152 acres of land on sec- tion 4 Swan Township, and subsequently added 80 acres to the same, making in all 232 acres. He lo- cated on this land and worked the same for 13 years, and then, in 1867, came to Roseville, purchased prop- erty and erected a residence thereon, and then sold the saiTie to William Moore. He then built on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets, where he has continued to reside since 1876. Mr. Gossett rents his farm and at present is living a retired life, en- joying the accumulations which a life of energetic effort and economy have brought him. Mr. Gossett was married in January, 1829, to Miss VurlinderT. Turnbull, a native of Virginia, and the daughter of John and Mary P. (Tannihill) Turn- bull, natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, and of Scotch descent. The issue of their union is six children, only two of whom survive, — Rebecca R. Davis and William T. Gossett. The latter is the present postmaster at Roseville. In politics Mr. Gossett is a staunch Republican. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church and have been since 1839, of which denomination, Mr. Gossett is trustee and has been steward and class leader. Mr. and Mr. Gossett on the first day of January, 1879, celebrated their golden wedding, having passed 50 years of wedded life together. On that occasion they received many valuable presents from their host of relatives and friends. -o— <}- -G— - ''k?>s^|^ athaniel Kidder, a farmer residing on section 28, Swan Township, was born in this county, July 31, 1845, and is a son of Larnard Kidder, a native of Mansfield, Conn., where he was born in 1806. The father came to Illinois about 1837, and located in Swan Township, where he died Sept. 24, 1864. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Hoisington, March 22, 1837. She was born April 5. 1809, in Windsor, Vt., and of her union with Mr. Kidder, seven chil- dren were born, — Almon, Feb. 27, 1838; William O., Aug. 13, 1839; Henry H., May 25, 1841 ; Benjamin H., April 7, 1843; Nathaniel, July 31, 1845 ; Olive M., July 3, 1847, and Eliza A., Aug. 5. 1849. The grandparents of Mr. Kidder, of this notice, Abishi and Lucinda (Hastings) Hoisington, on his mother's side. His grandfather was born in 1769, r >• YZ WARREN COUNTY. 4-^ BQ9 and his grandmother, in 177 i. The former died March 16, 1859, and the latter Sept. 13, 1825, and of their union nine children were born, — Betsey, Olive, Sabrina, Harriet, Maria, John, Mary Ann, Eleanor D., and William \V. Nathaniel Kidder formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mattie Meredith, Dec, 18, 1872. She was born May 14, 1849, and has borne her husband two children, — Minnie I., Dec. 3, 1873, and Harriet G , July 27, 1876. The parents of Mrs. Kidder were James and Elizabeth (Thompson) Meredith. Her father was born Feb. 22, 1808, and is still living, re- siding in Nebraska. Her mother was born Sept. 1 1 , 1823, and bore her husband eight children, namely: Sarah E., born May 22, 1847 ; Mattie, May 14, 1849; James VV., Feb. 18, 1851 ; George R., July 9, 1853; Lucius M., Dec. 18, 1855; Philinda, Dec. 5, 1857; John M., Sept. 9, 1859; Bruce, Feb. 21, 1861. Mr. Kidder is one of the substantial farmers and land owners in Swan Township, owing 156 acres. He has a fine residence on his place, two stories in height, erected in 1882. The first residence built on this site was 23 years ago. He is engaged, in addition to the cultivation of his land, in the raising of high grade short-horn cattle, and in his vocation as an agriculturist is one of the leading representatives, not only in Swan Township, but in Warren County. Mr. Kidder entered the service in the war for the Union, joining Co. C, 128th III. Vol. Inf , May 7, 1864. He was on guard duty at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan , and there remained five and a half months, when, Oct. 18, 1864, he was mustered out at Springfield and honorably dis- charged. \ INe\^ lien S. Phillips, one of the large land-own- ers of Swan Township, is an energetic suc- cessful farmer of Warren Co., residing upon section 33, who was born in Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Jan. 10, 1832. He is the son of Scuiber Phillips, born in Greenbush, N. Y., Aug. 16, 1802, and who died June 16, 1873. He was mar- ried to Miss Sophronia Da\is, Sept. 19, 1822, in New York. She was born Nov. 16, 1803, in Oris- kany Falls, Oneida Co., N. Y., and is still living in that State. Their children were six in number, — John N., Allen S., Cordelia J., Melissa D., Alonzo, James H., the latter dying in infancy. Allen S Phillips, subject of this notice, was united in marriage with Miss Anna M. McMahill, Jan. 26, 1868, Rev. M. Sperlock, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. Of their union, six children have been born, one of whom is deceased: Emma, born March 14, 1870, and died May 14, 1877 ; Mary S., born March 22, 1872; Wilbur, Nov. 29, 1875; Burtis, Sept. I, 1877; Windle, Nov. 21, 1881; and Guy E., Aug. II, 1884. Tiie father of Mrs. Phillips. William McMahill, was born Nov. 26, 1806, in Ken- tucky, and died June 7, 1881, in this State. He was married to Miss Mary Snapp in 1828. She was born Feb. 22, 1806, and died Aug. 31, 1877. Of their union 12 children were born, viz.: George, Susan, Sarah, Nancy Jane, Elizabeth, John, Ann M., America Ky., William H., Pinkney, Mary E. and Lucinda A. The deceased are Elizabeth, Amer- ica, Mary and Lucinda. Mr. Phillips with his fainily are pleasantly situated on their large farm of 300 acres on section 33, Swan-^ Township, and has all his land under an advanced state of cultivation. He has a fine thoroughbred bull, two years old, and 14 head of high grade cattle, on his place, and also handles the Clydesdale breed of horses. He is Highway Commissioner of his township, and, in politics, votes with the Greenback party. His worthy wife is highly esteemed as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in social circles generally. I « rson G. Chapman, Postmaster at Alexis, is a descendant of two families of New Eng- land origin. His father Orson C. Chap- man, was a native of that part of the United States, and his mother, nee Rebecca Gifford, I was born in the State of New York. They belonged to the agricultural class and reared their son to the same calling. The latter was born Feb. 26, 1843, in OswegoCc, N. Y. He was a pupil in the common schools in his boyhood and he remained in Oswego County until 1866, when became to Warren County and en- gaged in farming in Spring Grove Township, in com- lat: *i^ 3°° 4 WARREN COUNTY. u pany with his brother, Alexander Chapman. In one year thereafter he went to Kansas, where he also became interested in farming in Doniphan County, remaining two years, and then returned to Spring Grove, where he again resumed fanning, which oc- cupation he continued until 1870. In the autumn of that year he embarked in the grocery business, and was the first to establish an enterprise of that character at Alexis. In January, 187 i, he received the appointment of Postmaster, and has managed the postal affairs of the Government at that place without intermission ever since. In the fall of 1872 he closed the sale of groceries, and has since conducted the sale of sta- tioners' goods and jewelry. He is a Republican in political sentiment. In August, 1872, lie was married to Adeline Gar- rett. They have two children. Wade and Ava. Mrs. Chapman was born in Breckenridge, Ky. \ ,,arbard M. Hogan, a citizen of Kelly Town- ship, residing on section 35, came to War- ren County with his parents when he was nine years of age. He was born in Harri- son County, Ind., and is the son of Harmon and Elizabetli (Miles) Hogan. His father was born Oct. 30, 1792, in Montgomery County, Va. He married Margaret Elliott in 1814, and soon after that event he located in Indiana. He lived in Dearborn County three years, and went thence to Harrison County. The days of his removal to Indiana were the days of the pioneer period, and in both the coun- ties in which he was a resident he was among the first of the settlers. In the latter he bought a tract of land covered with primeval forest, cleared a small space and buill a log house. His wife died I here in 1820. In April, 1823, he married Elizabeth Miles. She was born April 20, 1800, in Breckenridge Co., Ky. After their marriage they went to live in the native county of the wife, where they were residents until the year in which they came to Illinois. They started for the West October 9th, with teams of horses, and arrived in Warren Cohnty after 20 days of travel across the country. M. Hogan bought a tax title or. section 35, in Township 12, range r which was his field of operation until his death, which transpired Sept. 19, 1864. His wife survived him until Nov. 22, 1875. ^^ ^^^^ ''''^ father of 12 children. William C. lives in the township of Hen- derson, in Knox County. Nancy is the wife of Har- mojT Brown, of the same township in which her brother lives These two were the children of the first wife. The second wife became the mother of ten children, three of whom survive. Mr. Hogan of this sketch is the oldest. Mary E. is the wife of R. A. Sinclair, of Nebraska. Jane is married to O. E. Beswick, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Mr. Hogan has lived in Kelly Township from the time of the removal of his father hither to the fall of 1840, when he went to Missouri, remaining in that State two months. The business in which he had interested himself was that of an assistant in a fac- tory for the manufacture of fanning-mills. He went thence to Madison, Indiana, and was similarly occu- pied while there. He remained in Indiana until March, 1850. He then came back to Warren County and engaged in the same business in the township of Cold Brook. After a period of two years passed as a craftsman there, he located on a farm, on whicli he passed a year. After that he was occu- pied a season as a lightning-rod agent, and then op- erated as a collector. Meanwhile, in company with a brother, he made a purcha'^e of the farm which he now owns and occupies. Durmg the years 1853-4 he was engaged in the management of his interests on the farm. In the autumn of the year last named he went to Galesburg and was an assistant in build- ing the first brick business block ever erected in that place. From that date he has been occupied in the pursuit of the business of a carpenter during the greater part of the time. He was married Dec. 30, 1862, to Miss Ida A. Thompson. They have nine children. Their names ate Jennie B., Emma, Harmon B., H. Eva, L. Maud, Willie, Orrin E., Frank M. and Ralph. In political connection and faith, Mr. Hogan is a Republican. He adheres to the faith of the Uni- versalists. He has officiated in various township official positions, among which are Collector of Taxes, Treasurer of the school fund and Clerk. July 7, 1857, he was appointed Postmaster of Utah postal station by President Buchanan. He resigned to enter the military service and on his return was re-ap- < lA: T S- \> ':4i ^^Cn— / /Oy,^^ ^. WARREN CO UNT Y. -k^ 303 pointed by President Lincoln. He held the office until 1878, when he resigned. Mr. Hogan was one of the earliest to respond to the call of President Lincoln for troops, and he en- listed in April, 1861, in Company E, 17th 111. Vol. Inf., for three months. He was sworn into service and continued to discharge the duties of a soldier during that time. In 1862 he went to Ind.ana, ac- companied by his wife, and while there that part of the State was raided by Morgan and his guerrillas. The inhabitants armed for defense and Mr. Hogan joined them. He was captured by the Third Louis- iana Cavalry and after a brief bondage was released, after being robbed of his money and clothing. He went a little later to Vicksburg, where he was em- ployed in a bakery, and after a short service in that capacity he obtained a pass from Gen. John A. Lo- gan and went to New Orleans. After a stay in the Crescent City of five weeks he returned to Warren County. '^ eorge W. Fish, engaged in agriculture on section 4, Berwick Township, was born in He is Oneida Co., N. Y., July 28, 1820. son of William A. Fish, a native of Connecti- cut, in which State he was born April r, 1788. Mr. Fish, father of the subject of this notice, is one of the pioneer settlers of this county, coming herein 1836, and purchasing 71 acres of land on section 4, Berwick Township. Previous to his com- ing to this State and county, he had followed his trade, that of a carpenter, in Oneida Co., N. Y. On arrival in this county, he located on his land and there res'ded actively engaged in its cultivation until his death. May 4, 1845. He was an industrious man, kind-hearted and generous, and took an active interest in any and all measures that were calculated to benefit the community in which he resided. He was married to Miss Lydia S.Allen, Feb. 4, r8i6. She was born Sept. 25, 1798, in Oneida Co., N. Y., and died March 23, r885. Of their union four chil- dren were born, — Helen, June 22, 1820; George, July 28, 1822; Allen, Jan. 2r, 1828, and Albert, April 4, 1831. Two children are deceased. George W. Fish came to this State with his pa- rents, and located with them on the old homestead in Berwick Township, this county. He has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and at present is en- gaged in the same occupation on the identical land on which his parents first located when they came to the county. Mr. Fish has never enjoyed the "bless- ings " of double blessedness, but has a most amiable and intelligent housekeeper in the person of his sis- ter. She was born in 1820; was never married, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also her mother. In politics, Mr. Fish votes with the Democratic party. jlon. Samuel Wood, deceased, formerly a I5' resident of Monmouth, was born at Blue Hill, Maine, June 12, 18 11, and died at Monmauth, Dec. 21, 1881. His parents, Sam- uel and Frances (Coburn) Wood, were natives respectively of the States of Maine and Massa- chusetts, and descendants from old English stock. They reared two sons and four daughters, of whom the subject of our sketch was the youngest. The senior Mr. Wood was a farmer during his lifetime, but the subject of this notice, early in life, learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for about 20 years. He received liis education at the Blue Hill (Me.) Academy, and in 1838 came to Monmouth, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was married at Monmouth, Sept. i, 1840, by the Rev. Samuel Wilson, to Miss Mary Ann Hogue, a native of Tennessee. She died April 28, 1856. Their first born, Almira Jane, died Jan. r, 1854, aged about ii years ; Clarinda, now Mrs. William Mitchell ; Chades P., who died Jan. i, 1854, aged about six years, and Alice, who died Dec. 22, 1853, when lit- tle more than a year old. On Jan. 21, 1858, Mr. Wood was again married at Monmouth, to Miss Martha E. Mitchener, of Chester Co., Pa., the daugh- ter of William and Rachel Mitchener. Her father's family came over with William Penn to America. Mrs. Wood, nee Mitchener, was born April 23, 1825. Her parents came to Monmouth in 1854, where her father died in i860, at the age of 82 years. His widow survived him about six years, finally passing away in the 85th year of her age. Of the two chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Wood, the eldest. Lulu, born \ "T" JU ■n^ t 304 WARREN COUNTY. f T^ July 3, i860, died Aug. 11, following, and Lena Leota is, at this writing, November, 1885, the ac- complished companion of her mother. Mr. Wood was a self-made man, and during his life enjoyed the merited respect and esteem of his neighbors. He was a Republican in politics and a member of no Church or secret Order. He was three times elected Mayor of Monmoutli, and also held the office of Township Assessor for several years. For many years before his death, he had been engaged in no particular business, and on his demise he left his family a handsome competency. A portrait of Mr. Wood will be found on anotiier page of this work. j^f^3|.kharle8 S. Colver, M. D., has been a ^I ^Sii T medical practitioner in Warren County ■ Gl'^*' since 1853. He was educated primarily $N ill the common schools of the county in Ohio, f\^ where he was born, and at the age of 19 he 1 commenced liic study of medicine at Middle- bury, in Logan County, under the instructions of Dr. Walker. Later, he read under the advice of Dr. Davenport, of Woodstock, in Union County. When he was thoroughly grounded in the course of his reading, he repaired to the college at Cincinnati, and at a later date he attended lectures at Starling Medi- cal College in Columbus, Ohio. He was graduated from the latter institution with the degree of M. 1). in the same year in which he came to Warren County. A few months prior to finishing his studies at Starling he operated as a physician in Montgomery County, and he went thence to New California, in Union County, wliere he was engaged at the time he completed his collegiate course. He started for Illi- nois immediately after his graduation. He brought his family with him as far as Hennepin, on the Illi- nois River, whence he came to Little York wiih a team to decide for himself as to the feasibility of the place for his business. He also made examination of other localities and desided on Little York as a suit- able place for his purpose. He brought his house- hold to that point and it has since been his field of operation. Three years after his removal hither he bought a piece of wild prairie in Mercer County situated eight miles from Little York and his family removed to it. The doctor continued his practice and hired laborers to effect the work of improvement on his land, .\fter a residence there of about a de- cade he sold out and removed to the farm he now occupies on the northeast quarter of section 20. He has rebuilt the liouse which was on the place, erected a barn and otherwise improved the farm. Hadassah Hamilton became his wife in 1848. She is a native of Greene Co., Oliio. She was the daugh- ter of Robert and Hadassah (Gillispie) Hamilton. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish origin. The grand- parents came to this country about 1770 and settled in Pennsylvania. They moved from the above State in 1812, and settled near Xenia, Ohio. Mrs. C. was born March 11, 1825, she being the oldest of four children born to her parents, viz. ; Hadassah T., Hannah M., Mary J. and James G. Two are de- ceased, Hannah M. and Mary J. Dr. and Mrs. Colver have had the following children: Rosa, their first-born, died when about 18 months old; Robert O., married Miss Bessie Watt, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and now resides in Sedgwick Co., Kan. ; Mark S. married Jennie Brownlee, a native of Warren County, and lives in Georgetown, Col., and have one child — Pearlie; Charles B married Mrs. Libbie Smythe, a native of New York, and they have one child — Hadassah, named after its grandmother. They are now living in Edwards Co, Kan.; Olive, born July 25, 1853, died Sept. 14, 1885 ; Abi H. and Merle 1). are the youngest children, and reside at home. The various members of the family of Dr. Colver are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Dr. C. is a believer in and supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. -^•^.^/^.^£ j'W~-.-f- %l^ iJ^li C. Johnston, general farmer and stock- grower on section 36, Ellison Township, was born in Daviess Co., Ind., Sept. 20, 1830. The family traditions give the following facts concerning the remote account known to any of the family at present: They are Scotch- Irish descent. John Jolinston, a soldier in the Innes- killen Regiment, in the army of William the Third in the battle of Boyne, married Jane Potter about 1692, and settled as a farmer near the town of Straban, County Tyrone, Ireland. The names of two of their r -4 . -Y. WARREN COUNTY. 305 children were Christopher and James. Both were born in County Tyrone, Ireland. Christopher came to America some time during the first half of the i8th century and settled in Lancaster Co., Pa.; the other brother, James, remained in Ireland with his parents, who lived to a great age. He, after their de- cease, when about 50 years old, married Rebecca Barnhill. She became the mother of five children known to the family, namely ; Christopher, John, Edward, Elizabeth and Jane. The former was a soldier at the battle of Brandywine, afterwards went to Kentucky and was killed by the Indians at Estill's defeat. Jonn went to Georgia and since that eventful lime has not been heard of Elizabeth married William Frame and lived in Piitsburg, Pa., Jane married William Barnhill, who resided some time in Kentucky, and afterward went to Lawrence Co., Ind., where they both died. Edward was born in 1776 in County Tyrone, Ireland, and was about seven years old when lie came to America with his [father in 1783. His father died about 1791, and after his de;ith and . the settlement of the estate, Edward went to Pitts- 't burg. Pa , and from there to Kentucky. He was en- gaged in two or three campaigns against the Indians and during the same, marched through the State of Indiana when it was a wild wilderness, full of game of all descriptions. He, Edward, married Jane Miller and in 1797 purchased 200 acres of land, on which he resided until i8oi,when he removed to Clark Co., Ind. In i8i7,he left that county and went to Lawrence County, same State, where he died in May, 1834. His wife, Jane Miller, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1762, and died in Law- rence Co , Ind., in December, 1833. Their married life lasted for 40 years, and during the time they were man and wife they passed through many hard- ships and privations, common to pioneer life. Of the children born to Edward Johnston, Christopher, the father of the subject of this article, died at Paducah, Ky., while running a flat-boat down the Mississippi River. Christopher married Miss Sarah Dixon, daughter Eli and Rebecca Di.xon. .She was barn in Ohio. Eli C. Johnston, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography, was the youngest child of his parents' family, and is the only survivor. His father died of cholera in Kentucky, as stated, and was buried at Paducah, same State. He was a pioneer in Lawrence Co., Ind., and by occupation was a flat-boatman on the Mississippi, WHiite and Wabash Rivers. Mr. Johnston, of this notice, was but three years old at the date of his father's demise, and soon thereafter his mother, accompanied by two children, went to Greene Co , Ind., where they locaied ne.ir Worthington. Mr. Johnston continued to reside with his mother until her death, which occurred when he was seven years old. He after- waids lived with and was reared by relatives, with whom he remained until [860, when he came to this State. Previous to coming here, Nov. 26, 1857, in Greene County, his native State, he was married to Miss Amanda, daughter of John C. and Charena (Alford) Andrews, natives of Tennessee. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and was born in Lawrence Co., Tenn., where Mrs. Johnston, wife of the subject of this notice, was born, May 19, 1839. She was four years old when her parents moved to Greene Co., Ind., where-they resided until their death, that of the mother occurring in May, i860, in her 46th year, and that of the father in 1S64, when he was 52 years of age. Mrs. Johnston was the oldest but one of her parents' family, which consisted of three sons and three daughters. She was educated at Broom- field College, and resided with her parent, following the vocation of teaching and assisting the mother in the household duties until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have become the parents of five cliildren. Edward C. married Miss Ora Ad- kinson, daughter of William and Lucinda Adkinson, and they reside in Point Pleasant Township, where he is engaged in farming; William D. married Ida Stem, daughter of David and Sarah Stem, and he is also a farmer of Point Pleasant 'I'ownship; Blanche C, Minnie and Estella reside at home. In the fall of i860 Mr. and Mrs. Johnston came to this State and were for a few months residents at Roseville. Mr. Johnston then rented land in Point Pleasant Township, which he cultivated for two years. In 1863 he purchased 80 acres of partly im- proved land, the same being on section 36, Ellison Township. He and his familv at once located there- on, and he began the improvement which developed into the fine farm of 220 acres, on which they are now residing. By energetic labor and united efforts on the part of his wife and children, and economy, Mr. J. has been enabled to increase his landed pos- T" 3o6 ^ :\ WARREN COUNTY. ^ sessions in the county until he is at present the pro- prietor 860 acres, all in a body and all of it in an advanced state of cultivation. He has a good resi- dence on his land, together with substantial out- buildings, and after having passed through the trials of the past he is now enjoying the comforts of life. Since the fall of i860, Mr. Jolinston has not seen the shining light of day. The toils of life and exposure brought on a cold, which was followed by acute in- flammation, and resulted in totally destroying his sight, and he is now deprived of that greatest of blessings to man. His wife is a member of tlie Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which denom- ination Mr. Jolinston is an Elder, and lias held that position for the past two years. Mrs. Johnston is a consistent Christian, a kind mother and a loving wife. The care she bestows on her blind husband needs no mention in this book, neither does she desire the encomiums of friends for the performance of a loving duty in taking care of him to whom, 28 years ago, she gave her heart and hand, and we can but say, "well done, thou good and faithful seryant." Politically, Mr. J. is a Democrat. ^Wlfred Hayes. There lives on section 19, of Roseville Township, Alfred Hayes, who has retired from the active labors of farm life, in which occupation he was successful. He is a native of New York and was born in Cortland County, March 23, 1820. George and Sally (Roberts) Hayes, his parents, were natives of Connecticut, and were farmers by occupation. They had a family of six children, all reaching a mature life, Alfred being the youngest. The names of the others were: Oliver, Sally, Samantha and George W. The three sons are the only mem- bers of the family living. Alfred received a good common-school education and assisted his father on the farm until he was 24 years of age, when he left home and worked out by the month for 23 years. He came to Illinois, in June, 1857, and stopped in Berwick Township, this county, where he worked until 1859. He then rented a farm in Berwick Township, consisting of 160 acres. He continued to rent and work out until 1863, when he purchased the 171 acres where he Co., is now living. Here he made all of the improve- ments, erecting a fine dwelling, at a cost of $3,350, and a good barn costing $1,200. He also set out trees and beautified his place in various way, and is now regarded as one of the solid and substantial men of the township. Politically, he is a Republi- can. Mr. Hayes was married March 19, 1863, to Miss Melissa Hall, a native of Maine and a daughter of Lewis S. Hall. She was born Feb. 13, 1836. Her parents came West in 1855, and her mother died here. enry C Giddings, a successful farmer of Warren County, residing on section 28, Floyd Township, was born in Erie Co., Pa., March 20, 1846, and came to this State with his parents in February, 1855. Moses Gid-- dings, father of Henry, was born in Lancaster N. H., Nov. 19, 1801, and died at the old home- stead, wliere Henry now resides, May 7, 188 1. The father of Henry was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Stafford, in 1830. She was born in 1817, in Erie Co., Pa., and died May 11, 1876, in. Warren County. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Of their union t3 children were born: Jesse, Sebastian C, Hannah, Semantha, Eben W., Silas, John W., Marion, Thomas, Henry C., George W., Harriet A. and one who died in infancy. Jesse and Marion are now also deceased. The subject of this notice formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Ophelia E. Wagner, Nov. 15, 1866. She was born Jan. ti, 1845, in New York, her parents being Henry and Esther (Sherman) Wagoner. Her father was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y.,and came to this State in 1851, locating in this county, wliere he died June 19, 18S1. He was mar- ried to Esther Sherman in 1833, who was born Dec. 29, 1812, in Vermont, and died Jan. 20, 1873, in this county. Of their union seven children were born, — Charles W., Mary S., Anna R., James S., Ophelia E., Fannie A. and J. E. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman iiad one child — Cyrus Sherman, born Aug. 23, 1867, and which died in in- V ^ ::— ?-^ WARREN COUNTY. .^°9 fancy. Mr. Giddings is the owner of 190 acres of good farm land, which constitutes one of the model farms of Floyd Township. On the place is a good residence 35 x 40 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, and also a good barn 40 x 40 feet. He has a fine imported Clydesdale, eight years old, weighing 2,000 pounds, named King Cole. He is also engaged in breeding thoroughbred Herefords, and high grade Short-horns, having 1 1 1 head of the latter on hand. Mrs. Giddings is a member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. G. is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. viss^®^^ ■^^-~-^^i0tnnv. , iUiam R. Rayburn, one of Warren County's most prominent well-to-do and respected farmers, and a resident of sec- tion 36, Ellison Township, was born near Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., Ky., Oct. 18, 1822. His father, George Rayburn, a farmer and native of the same State, was a son of an old Kentucky family who settled there in its early history. He was first married in Montgomery County to Miss White, who died a few years later without issue. After the death of his wife, George Rayburn vi'ent into Ripley Co., Ind., where he was again married to Susan Shafer, a native of Virginia, and daughter of farmer and old soldier of the Revo- lutionary War, having enlisted when only 16 years of sge. After marriage, Mr. Rayburn returned to Montgomery County, settling near Mt. Sterling (the county seat) and while residing there the subject of our memoir was born. When but an infant his parents again returned to Ripley Co., Ind., and located upon a farm where William R. was reared, educated and resided until his marriage. His pa- rents died there some years after his marriage. The date of the marriage of William R. Rayburn with Miss Sarah Roberts, daughter of John and Jane (Salyers) Roberts, natives of Kentucky, took place Nov. 17, 1854, in Jefferson Co., Ind., where her pa- rents had moved some time previous. Her parents were very early settlers in Southern Indiana. Her father was a farmer by occupation and had procured Government land at an early date in that State. They both died there. Mrs. Rayburn remained at home until her marriage, receiving the advantages afforded by the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of seven children, three of whom are deceased. The living are: George W, Frank S., John R. and Charles C; Ida J., Willie and Eddie are deceased. About 18 months after marriage, Mr. Rayburn came to Warren County, and the same year, April, 1855, purchased a tax title to 160 acres of unbroken land, on section 36, of Ellison Township. He had some friends here and was attracted by the rich prairies of Illinois, a. sight of them convinced him that they were superior for farming purposes to the tender land of Indina. He located on his land, engaged in its improvement, and by laborious toil and economy has added thereto until he is at present the proprie- tor of 560 acres in Ellison Township, the major portion of which is under an advanced state of culti- vation. His farm is one of the best in the township, and his residence, barn and outbuildings are sub-' stantial, as the view of the same, vvhich appears in this work, fully demonstrates. Mr. R., in addition, to his farm duties and the cultivation of his land, de-" votes considerable of his time to the raising of stock, and feeds a large number of cattle and hogs. His wife is an active member in the Baptist Church. ^ Politically, Mr. Rayburn is a believer in and a sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. Although a gentleman not seeking office he has held the position of Supervisor of his township for two years. -0-5- -Q>—o- '■('>'- eorge W. Beekner, a successful farmer, jj l^j;!) owning 240 acres of land on section 32, '^I's^ "^ Swan Township, is a native of Bath Co., "/f * Ky., where he was born Jan. 13, 1825. The ;: father of the subject of this notice, A. L. Beek- ner, was also a native of Kentucky, having been born in Fleming County, in 1805. - The father moved to Lewis Co., Mo., in 1851, where he spent the remainder of his days and where he died, in September, 1854. He married Miss Eliza- beth Kinkaid in 1822. Slie was born in Kentucky, in 1806, and died in March, 1856, and* was laid to *r" ^ •e4r^ 310 , ,.Yt:= — . WARREN COUNTY. .^JX-3* *t rest in Bond Cemetery, just south of Greenbush, this county. Slie was of Irish ancestry and bore her liusband 1 1 children, five of whom survive, — George W., born in 1825 ; Mary A., in 1827 ; Joanna M., in 183 I ; Peter T„ in 1845, and H. C, in 1850. George W., of whom this notice treats, married Miss Deborah Van Kirk, March 7, 1848. She was born Aug. 11, 1826, the issue of their union being 11 children. The living are: Miranda, born May 16, 1849; Robert P., May 7, 1852; George, Feb. 25, 1865 ; Susan J., Aug. 31, 1867, and Hattie G., Aug. 17, 1869. The deceased are Mathias, Abraham, An- drew S., Kansadia, Amelia A. and Mary. C, all of whom died in infancy. Miranda is the wife W. H. King, to whom she was married Oct. 7, 1869. They are residents of Swan Creek village, and liave six children — George T., Iba, William, Albert, John and Hattie. Robert is a farmer in Swan Township, and married Donazett Vandiveer. They have two chil- , dren — Lovinia and Virge. George resides in Brown Co., Kan. Susan and Hattie are at lionie. The parents of Mrs. Beckner were Mathias and Elizabeth (Wilson) Van Kirk. Her father was born I in 1796, in Kentucky, and there died in 1846. Her ] mother was born in 1802, in Kentucky, and died L May 27, 1882, in McDonough Co., 111. Her remains rest in peace in Bond Cemetery, near Greenbush, this county. Of her jiarents' union 16 children were born, nine of whom are yet living, namely: John, Henry, Nancy, Deborah, Adelia, Mary K., Ann Eliza and Millie T. Of the children named, John married Johanna Beckner, in 1854; Nancy became the wife of Samuel Painter, in 1844, and Mary, the wife of Jacob Kines, in 1849; Adelia, the wife of Henry Stoner, in 1879; Ann Eliza, the wife of W. A. Perry, in 1856; and Millie, the wife of Wm. Tracy. Nancy and Mary are living in Kansas. The others are living in Warren and McDonough Counties, this State. Mr. Beckner and his family are pleasantly situated on their handsome 240-acre farm, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation, and since his coming to this State, in 1851, he has continued to follow the vocation in which he is engaged. His first investment ia landed property was in 1852, tiie year he settled in Warren County. It comprised 160 acres (unimproved). In 1873 lie purchased 80 acres which were.broken and somewhat improved. Tliese 240 acres now constitute the homestead upon which he expects to remain the balance of his years in this life. Mr. Beckner belongs to the Order of Masonry, of which organization he has been a member since 1866, and at the present holds fellowship with Lodge No. 387, Youngstown, 111. He has been Secretary of said Lodge for the last 12 years. He has held the office of Township Supervisor three years, Jus- tice of the Peace 15 years, Assessor 15 years, School Trustee, 18 years. He and his wife are member of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Beckner votes with and endorses the principles advocated by the Democratic party. ^^*hH^ uther B. Perry, proprietor of 80 acres of land, located on section 30, Swan Town- ship, where lie resides, engaged in its cul- tivation and improvement, was born May 25, 1841, in this county. His father, J. C. Perry, was born in Vermont in 1801 ; came to this State in 1840, and located in the vicinity Olena, 111.; lived there one year, wiien lie moved to Swan Township, and there resided until his death, which took place Feb 19, 1881. The father married a Miss Phebe M. Dodge, in 1823. She was born in 1807, and died Sept. 6, 1885, in this county. They were the parents of nine children: Elias C. (de- ceased), born Dec. 14, 1824; Melissa M., Feb. 18, 1827; Cordelia O., July 29, 1829; Melvina J. March 12, 1832; Alanson W., Jan. 14, 1834; Mary O., May 24, 1836; Luiher B., May 25, 1841 ; Lorane E. (deceased), Oct. tr, 1844, and Lyman (deceased), March 29, 1849. Luther B. Perry was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Lybarger, July 4, 1872, Judge Nicholas, of Macomb, this State, officiating. Mrs. Luther B. Perry was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1854, and bore her husband four children, three of whom are living, namely : Mina J., born April 9, 1873; Orville L., Dec. 27, 1875; Iva M., Dec. 9, 1878; Rosa D., born May 31, 1884; died Aug. 4, 1885. The father of Mrs. Perry, Joseph Lybarger, was born in 1807, and died near Marietta, Fulton County, this State, in October, 1879. His wife, Joanna (Ewing) Lybarger, with whom he was united in 1834, died LAJ V" ■ cT « . y . WARREN COUNTY. ^^-H^ 311 Aug. 8, 1885. They were the parents of it chil- dren, nine living and two dead, namely : Louis A , born June 24, 1834; Elizabeth F., Feb. 4, 1837; Lilburn W., Dec. 23, 1839; Milton C, June 28, 1842; George H. (deceased). July 23, 1845; Joseph D. (deceased), Oct. 20, 1847; James A., Feb. i, 1850; Mary A., March 22, 1852; Sarah J., Nov. 20, 1854; Hester E., Dec. 15, 1858, and John R., Oct. 15, 1861. Mr. Perry is pleasantly located on 80 acres of good farm land, situated on section 30, all of which is under an advanced state of cultivation. In politics, he votes and endorses the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He is a consistanl member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 4 ^^ : homas J. Morris, owning more than 400 acres of excellent farm land in Roseville P* Township, and one of the pushing farmers, as well as a gentleman of more than ordinary business ability, residing on section 12, was born in Greene Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1825. The parents of Mr. Morris, Levi and Lucretia (Stephens) Morris, were natives of Pennsylvania and New Jer- sey respectively, and were " old settlers " of the Key- stone State. His father was quite an extensive farmer in that State, and of his marriage 1 1 children were born, all of whom lived to attain the age of manhood and womanhood. Their names were Mar- garet, Hannah, Louisa, Josephus, Jefferson and Wash- ington (twins), Franklin, Thomas J., James B., Al- pheus and Lucretia. The twree eldest girls are de- ceased, as are also Jefferson and Alfred. They all left families. The remainder are living, married and have families, and all reside in Pennsylvania. Two are engaged in mercantile pursuits, Washington and Franklin, and the others are farmers. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice remained at home until he was 35 years old, but since attaining his majority has been doing for himself He came to this State in the spring of 1865, where he rented a farm on shares, the same adjoining the one on which he is at present residing. He continued to cultivate the rented farm for ten years, until 1875, when he purchased the place where he is at present living. He is to day the proprietor of a little more than 400 acres of land, and follows the vocation of farming and stock-rais- ing. The lady to whom Mr. Morris was united in mar- riage on Feb. 22, 1866, was Miss Sarah Way, the accomplished daughter of Gideon Way, of Monon- galia Co., W. Va , where Mrs. Morris was born. She has borne her husband three children, — Charles W., Ella J , and William \. In his politics, Mr. Morris always votes with the Republican |)arty. He has held different offices within the gift of the people of his township, and is a gentleman whose bond is ac- cepted no quicker than his word in the transactions of business. His success is indicative of that push, pluck and good judgment of which he is characteris- tic. The great grandfather of Mr. Morris, on his father's side, Mr. Corbry, was a Baptist preacher and lived in Western Pennsylvania. While on his way with his family to deliver a sermon, they were at- tacked by Indians and three of the children killed. One of the girls of the family hid in a tree-top, and, supposing the Indians had left, raised her head to look around, when one of the red devils saw her and threw his tomahawk at her head, taking off her her scalp. They left her for dead, but she survived, came to herself and lived to become the mother of a family. Mrs. Morris is a member of the Baptist Church. 'jfjl f ;■ illiain O. Kidder, residing on his farm of 117 acres on section 21, Swan Township, 'i/Z"' was born in this county, Aug. 13, 1839, > and is a son of Larnard Kidder, born in Mansfield, Conn., March n, 1806, and who died Sept. 24, 1864, in this county (having em- igrated to Illinois in 1837), his remains being placed at rest in the Hammond Cemetery. The father was married to Miss Mary Ann Hois- ington, March 22, 1837, in Champaign Co., Ohio. She was born at Windsor, Vt., April 5, 1809, and was the daughter of Abisha and Lucinda (Hastings) Hoisington. Mary A., the mother of the subject of this notice, is at present (January, 1886) enjoying good health in her venerable old age. William O. Kidder, the subject of this biographical =S ^ *4^ 3" WARREN COUNTY. notice, married Miss Mary C. Perry, Dec. 20, 1865. She was born Jan. 20, 1847, and was the daughter of Charles Perry, who was born in 1815, and married Miss Ehzabeth Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Kidder are the the parents of three children, — Nellie G., born Oct. 3, 1866; Grant L., Sept. 2, i868; and Ross L., July 30, 1885. Mr. Kidder has 117 acres of land in this count\', all well improved, on which he has a good dwelling and barn, 24 x 36 feet in dimensions, with 16 feet posts. In addition to tlie cultivation of his land, he is engaged in the raising of stock of a high grade. Wm. O. Kidder's early education was acquired in the common schools, and was supplemented by a course of study at Lombard University, at which in- stitution he passed three winters. In 1861, he en- listed for the cause for the Union at Macomb, Mc- Donougli Co., this State, in Co. H, ad 111. Vol. Cav., and was mustered in at Springfield, Aug. 12, 1861. The first general engagement was at Union City, 'Tenn. ; then at Jackson, La Grange, Memphis, St. Joseph, Baker's Creek and Vicksburg. Mr. Kidder 'escaped the casualities of the war without receiving -' any wounds. He was on the Teche and Red River campaigns, under Gen. Banks, and was discharged at Baton Rouge, La., just three years after his en- '•listment. In politics, he is a Republican. 4 ~vw vxtacjz/tS'jg^^ >«*.®|.S'Z'OT»\~'%/w^ avid Van Gilder, the present Assessor of ,u, the township of Point Pleasant, was born in Hancock Co., Ind., Jan. 26,1824. He was 12 years of age when his parents emi- grated to Illinois and became pioneers of Knox County. The family removed hither with o.x- teams and brought all their personal property with them. They drove their stock and camped and cooked in the style of gipsies. The journey was lone; and tedious and was made across the trackless country that intervened, and when they were beyond the limits of civilization the streams were destitute of bridges and all the annoyances increased in pro- portion. To the unaccustomed people of the East the sloughs were something terrible. The father bought land in Knox County ai;d the family resided some time in Knoxville, until the head of it could get out the timber necessary to build a house and make things comfortable for them. The first dwelling was a log house and was covered with clapboards or "shakes." It had also a puncheon floor according to the fashion of those days. The furniture of the house was made by the father from hewed timber. The parents resided in that county until their deaths, the father in September, {857, and the mother about 1870. Mr. Van Gilder resided with his parents until he was 22, when he was married to Nancy L. Maxey. They lived the following year on the farm of the father-in-law in Knox Township, whence they re- moved to the northeast portion of the same county and bought a farm in the vicinity of La Fayette> Stark Co., 111. Mr. Van Gilder retained the posses- sion of that place 18 months and then sold out. He returned to the township of Knox, where he bought a farm and there resided until 1865. He again sold out and came thence to Warren County, where he located in what seemed to him the best township in the county. He established himself permanently by uniting his interests with those of the general public, buying land and proceeding to add his quota to the develop nent of the resources of his property. His farm is situated on the northwest quarter of section 22, Point Pleasant Township, and is in advanced cultivation. The owner has planted a grove of shade- trees and a valuable orchard. The buildings are in every way suited to the piuii ).se5 of general farming and the place is well enclosed with hedges and is cross-fenced. The entire property is in a condition to compare favorably with the best farms in the county. The first wife of Mr. Van Gilder died in 1853, leaving four children. James M. lives in Point Pleasant Township. S. Annie is married to Alex- ander Strickler, of this township. Jonathan S. mar- ried and left one child, and Mary A. and Ellen are now dead. In 1858 Mr. Van Gilder was again married, to Mary L. Smith. Siiedied in 1864 and left one child, who was named Smith Van Gilder. He is a resident of Fremont Co., Iowa. In 1865 the subject of this sketch was a third time married, to Jennie Axtell, a native of Pennsylvania, but was a resident of War- ren County at the time of her marriage. She was the daughter of Joseph Axtell, who died while on his way here in 1840. Mrs. Axtell died here. Mr. and J \ -4: WARREN COUNTY. 315 Mrs. Van Gilder have four cliildren — Myitie, Charlie E., Nellie and Ray M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Gilder are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican. " ' pr; eremiah Hoornbeek, residing "on section 35, Hale Township, where he is engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist and stock-raiser, is a son of Benjamin and Esther (Wilkins) Hoornbeek, natives of New York. They were of Holland and English ancestry respectively. Mr. H. traces his family back to the 1 6th century. His father (who was born in Ulster County) died Jan. ig, 1841, and ,his mother (born in Orange County) died Aug. 7, 1854. Jeremiah was also born in Ulster County, May 3, f 1824. He received a common-school education in his native State and their resided until 1855. In December, of that year, Mr. Hoornbeek came to this State and located in Hale Township, this county, on a farm which he had purchased, consisting of 160 acres. He at once engaged actively and energetic- ally in the improvement and development of his land. To-day he has it under an advanced state of cultivation^and enhanced in value by the erection of good, substantial buildings, and where ^he still con- tinues to follow the vocation of his life. The marriage'of Mr. Hoornbeek took place in Ulster County, N. Y., April 2, 185 1, at which time Miss Elizabeth Bruyn became his wife. She was a daughter of Nathaniel and Cornelia(LeFevre) Bruyn. The Bruyn family are of Norwegian descent. Ja- cobus Bruyn was the first of that name in this coun- try, lie came from jNorway and settled in New York about 1660. The LeFevres are of French ex- traction and came to this "country about 1670 and settled in Ulster County, New York. She was born in Ulster County, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1827, and of the children she has borne Mr. Hoorn- beek si.x are living, namely : Esther, Nathaniel B., Adelia C, Emeline D., John W. and Catherine B. Esther is the wife of Ira Dean, a resident of Nebras- ka, and they , have two ^children, Ralph S. and Ho- mer H. Nathaniel B. is a physician, engaged in practice at Youngstown, this county. He has two ^ -A children, viz. : Lillian and Clyde. The other chil- _ dren reside at home. Mr. Hoornbeek has held the office of School Di- rector and Overseer of Highways, and he and his wife and children are members of the Presbyterian Church. The parents of Mr. Hoornbeek both died in Ulster County. The parents of Mrs. H. came to this county in 1853, and are at present residing in Tompkins Township. In politics, Mr. Hoornbeek affiliates with the Democratic party. Mr. Hoornbeek is a raiser of fine Durham cattle, and has one of the finest herds in the State. Victor, recorded in vol. 24, Short-horn Record, is at the head of the herd. He took first premium at the War- ren County Fair. Fannie Snowden stands at the head in the cow line. She is recorded in vol. 13, page 591, Short-horn Herd Book, and has taken the sweepstakes premium for a number of years. The herd took premiums at the Warren County Fair in the years 1884-5. An excellent view of Mr. Hoorn- beek 's farm residence and fine stock, and also Mr. ' Hoornbeek 's portrait, accompanies this sketch. keWitt Phelps, w ho is the possessor of a JIL clear title 10400 acres of good farm land, IfifV- located on section 26, Tompkins Town- Y^ ship (and the adjoining section) and where ^ he resides, following the vocation of an agricul- S turist, was born Jan. 6, 1836, in New York. The parents of Mr. Phelps, Porter and Mary (Reese) Phelps, were natives of the same State in which their son, DeWitt, was born. They moved therefrom to Knox County, III, in 1836, but in 1837 settled in Roseville Township, Warren County, and were con- sequently among the pioneer settlers who laid the corner-stone of the grandest commonwealth that now reflects the brilliancy of our Union's diadem. The father there purchased 80 acres of land, which he af- terwards increased to 320 acres, residing upon the same, engaged in its improvement and cultivation for 10 years. He then sold his land and moved to Len- ox Township, where he purchased 320 acres, on which he moved with his family and has since re- sided there, following his avocation as a farn.er until the present time with satisfactory success. rr ^ 316 WARREN COUNTY. t* The gentleman whose name we phice at the head of this notice was an inmate of his father's family for 25 years. His younger years were spent in acquir- ing an education at the common schools and in labor on the farm. After attaining the age mentioned, he went to California and was there engaged in mining and farming for five years. While a resident in the far West, he also visited Idalto, and was engaged in the livery business. He returned to this Stale in 1867, and the following year purchased 240 acres of unimprovetl prairie land, on section 26, Tompkins Township, where he has resided until the present time. He is engaged in stock raising and general farming, and in his chosen vocation is meeting with success. He has a fine residence on his farm, to- gether with good barns, fences, etc., and the place is greatly beautified by the numerous fruit and orna- mental trees which have been made to flourish under his careful husbandry. The marriage of Mr. I'helps with Miss Mary .\. f Lewis, a native of this State, was solemnized in r 872, and of tlieir union four children, Kathrine L., Mary ^P., Hennelh G., a\\-in 1837 they settled in Ellison Township, where they made a purchase of 160 acres of land. Both died in this county. Mr. and Mis. Carr have had their home bright- ened by tlie birth of five children, three daughters and two sons, as follows: Fannelia N., Nettie L. and William O. James K. and Mary E. are at home. Mr. Carr is a Democrat in political opinion, and with his wife and two daughters belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Carr is one of the substan- tial and representative men of Warren County. ^'Hl, mos B. Billings. Among the well known ^^.W, and prosperous farmers, wlio in their early ^(^^ years entered actively and energetically ,j(}}ik in the [jursuit of tilling the soil, and thereby 1^ accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to I enable them to spend the sunset of their lives in peace and comfort, is Mr. Amos B. Billings. He is a resident of Kirkwood and is a son of Justis and .Sarah (Alice) Billings, and was born in Lewis County, the Empire State, Jan. 10, 181 1. His l)arents were natives of (Connecticut, and in the year 1804 moved to New York and located in Lewis County, where they remained, having purchased land, until their death, occurring respectively on the last day of July and the i ith of August, in the year 1847. • Amos B. made the liome of his ])arents his abid- ing place until he reached majority, then worked out by the month for six years, at the expiration of which time he again resided on his father's farm and took charge of the same, also caring for his parents until the hand of death severed them. During his early life he had acquired a good English education and when op))ortunity presented itself, his father hadhiin assist in the duties of the farm, so our subject was thoroughly initiated in the life of an agriculturist when left to earn his own living. He was, there- fore, well prepared for entering upon the task of the improvement of his farm of 160 acres, which he had purchased in Illinois, having sold his father's home- stead in 1864, and emigrated westward. His tract was located on section 1 1, Tompkins Township, his present site, and upon this he has erected all neces- sary farm outbuildings and improved the same until at the present time it is in an advanced state of cul- tivation. He resided there until 1879, when he re- tired from his farm and bought a house and lot in Kirkwood village, where he has since resided. Miss Eleanor Mott, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Elias and Lucretia (Shear) Molt, was married to Mr. Amos B. Billings in 1840. Her parents were natives of New Jersey and Massachu- setts respectively. Mr. and Mrs. B.'s family comprise the following named children : Amelia A. was born March 16, 1841 ; Ellen J., born Sept. 4, 1842 ; Em- ily L., born .Xug. 10, 1844; Mary L., born Dec. 15,, 1845 ; Tiieodore J., born Aug. 13, 1847; Alfred E., born June 7, 1853. Emily L. is now deceased, hav- ing died Feb 8, 1880. Amelia A. married William" Starr, Marcli 16, 1864. Six cliildren was tlie result of this marriage, — Emory, Susan E. and Elmer. Ma- tilda E., Chaney A. and Harriet are deceased. Mr. Starr died Nov. 14, 1874. Mrs. .S, was again mar- ried Oct. 6, 1 88 1, to Ferine Holman. One child has blessed this union, .\lida. Mr. and Mrs. H. are now living in this township. Ellen J. married James L. Perkins, Dec. 24, 1862, and is now living in Gales- burg. Emily L. married Jesse E. Lamphere, Dec. 14, 1865. They had two children, Ralph and Grant. 1^ Residence of JACOB SHAWLER .SEC. 12 , LENOX TOWNSHIP. U I C T O K B EHUXV fmnnie: snowden CLEVELrtNO Residence of Jeremiah Hoornbee k Sec, 35, hale Township, ■4 ■y. WARREN COUNTY. -^^^r^ 321 Mary L. married Peter Burns, March 14, 1872, and is now living at Monmouth. Theodore J. married Sophrona Lampherej Oct. 6, 1870. One child has been the result of this marriage, Minnie. Alfred E. married Emma Yeomans, Jan. 11, 1877. Two chil- dren have been born to them, Jennie and Cliarles. Jennie is now deceased. Mr. B. with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is regarded as one of the leading and substantial men of Warren County. In his political affiliations, he is a Republican. -..:;j,^|j^acob Shawler. Among the early settlers of Warren County, having come here in the year 1847, is Mr. Jacob Shawler, an energetic, prosperous and representative citizen of this county, where, on section 12, Lenox Township, he is engaged extensively in agri- cultural pursuits. The date of his birth is Dec. 16, ,1826, and he is a native of Edmonson Co., Ky. James B. and Eva (Duvall) Shawler, his parents, were natives of Kentucky, where his mother died. ,To them five children were born, all of whom reached the age of maturity. All are now deceased except Jacob and one sister. His father afterward removed to Warren County and settled in Floyd Township, having re-marridd before he left Kentucky. His second union was blessed with a family of 11 chil- dren, six of whom are now living. He subsequently removed to Swan Township, where he died. Jacob was the second of a family of five children, and came to this county in the autumn of 1847. Fo"" three years he made his home in Floyd Township, when he sold his property there and moved into Lenox Township, where he has since remained and is one of the most highly respected and influential men in the township. In his business enterprises he has experienced an unusual degree of prosperity, and to-day owns 500 acres of land in Warren County and 200 acres in Kansas. He has erected upon the home farm an excellent class of buildings specially adapted to agricultural pursuits. The barn is a very commodious structure and a model building of its kind. On March i, 1852, after Mr. Shawler had moved into Lenox Township, he was married there to Julia A. Ray, who was also a native of Kentucky, where she was born June .30, 1833. Five sons have risen to bless their home, all of whom are living. Thomp- son B., married, resides in Lenox Township; John O. and Algernon S. H. live in Swan Township; Philemon and Jesse are with their parents. Both Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Baptist Church at Union. In his political belief, Mr. S. is a holder of independent views. <')ur subject now ranks among the large stock raisers and feeders of the township. When he first settled in this county he could claim but little of this world's goods, and he is able to point with pride to his present possessions as the result of well applied industry and sound judgment. He to-day enjoys a very comfortable competence and is properly recog- nized as one of the public-spirited citizens of the community. A view of his elegant and commodious homestead is one of our i)ictorial features, and will be found page 320. K. K. Cummings, retired from a life of mer- ^F cantile pursuits, and spending the closing yeais of his life in peace and quiet at Kirk- wood, is a native of Scotland, having been born in that country July 4, 1813. The parents of Mr. Cimimings, Israel W. and Susanna (Kerr) Cummings, were natives of Massachusetts and Scot- land respectively. The father was a sailor in his younger years, and from his native country he went to Scotland, where he was married and ivhere the subject of this notice was born. In 1S28, the father with his family came to the United States, and for a time resided in the father's native State, Massa- chusetts. He then moved his family to Maine, where for ten years he was engaged in farming. In 1837, the father sold his landed possessions in the latter State and with his family came to this State, locating in Fulton County, where the father pur- chased 192 acres of land. He moved on the land with his family and at once engaged in the laborious task of improving it, by cultivation, the erection of a residence, the setting out of trees, etc., and if there I 1 4^ —>" 322 WARREN COUNTY. continued to reside until iiis death, which event took place in 1854. The gentleman whose name we give at the begin- ning of this biographical notice, was an inmate of the parental household until. he attained the age of 20 years, having received a fair education in tlie district schools. At this age in life he engaged to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he served ap- prenticeship of three years, fully and completely mastering the same, after which he followed iiis trade in Fulton County from 1838 to 1856, a period of 18 years. Mr. Cummings came to Warren County in 1855 and in 1856 moved to Kirkwood. In 1859, he en- gaged in the grocery business at that place, and was thus occupied for 12 years. He then sold out and began the hardware business and followed that for five years, wh»;n, in 1878, he sold the same, and since that time has lived a life of comparative retire- ment, doing nothing except a little insurance busi- ness. He is the proprietor of a farm of 162 acres, one mile and a lialf from Kirkwood, and is enjoying the comforts which a life of business activity coupled with energy has acquired. In 1836, Mr. Cummings married Miss Mary Eve- leth in Kennebec Co., Maine, she being tlie daughter of Joseph and Eunice (Jennings) Eveleth, four chil- dren being the result of this union, — Susan Jane and James H., Melissa E. and Eunice A., who are de- ceased. Mrs. C. died in the year of 1878. Mr. Cummings again formed a matrimonial alliance witli Miss Eliza Bowen in 1879, a native of Ohio. In politics, Mr. Cummings votes with the Repub- lican party. He has held the offices of Assessor and Collector of Tompkins Township, and is one of the honored and respected citizens of Warren County. 9e fames W. Van Tasell, farmer on section 13, ^- of Lenox Townsliij), is a son of Isaac and --^*^ Phebe D. (Corgill) Van Tasell. (See sketch of Isaac Van Tasell in this volume.) James W. was born in Kendall Co., Ill, Nov. 6, 1855. He received a good common-school education and has all his life been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He was about four years of age when his par ents came to Warren County. His marriage occurred in Lenox Township, Sept. 9, 1880, to Catherine Ball. She is the daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Wurgler) Ball, natives of Germany. The family emigrated to Canada, where the father died. His widow survives. Mrs. Van Tasell was the third of a family of five children born to them. She was born in Canada, Apiil 4, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. VanTasell are the parents of one child, Loui I. Mr. Van Tasell in political affairs is a Republican. .arrison Meachum, a farmer pursuing his vocation on section 33, Berwick Township, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 23, 1818, and is a son of Calvin Meachum, who was likewise born in York State, in 1790, and I who received his death from being thrown from a spirited horse. He lived some 24 hours after the- accident, and at the date of his demise was 40 years old. The father was united in marriage to Miss- Sally Huntley in 181 2. She was born in New York ' in 1792, and died in 1876, in Livingston Co., N. Y.' They were the parents of eiglit children, four sons and four daughters, and who were named Enos,. Porter, Harrison, George, Sally, Hannah, Mary and Eliza. The latter married Mr. Ferris, a resident of Kansas City, and died at Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1078. Harrison Meachum, the subject of this sketch, came to this State in 1854, and located in Floyd Township, this county, where he remained for four years, until 1858, when he removed to Berwick Township and there bought 112 acres of good land, with a number of small improvements upon the same. He located upon his land and at once en- gaged upon the arduous task of its improvement and cultivation, and liy energy and economy has added to his original [Kircliase until lie is the proprietor of 260 acres. The life of Mr. Meachum has been one of activity and he now has his fine farm under an advanced state of cultivation, and is also devoting considerable of his time to the raising of stock. He has some 40 head of cattle on his place, with room for 60 head, and makes the Jerseys a specialty. The marriage of Mr. Meachum to Miss Cornelia *+* V -e-?-^ . ^ ]! ^ . . WARREN CO UNT Y. -— ^ 323 Lando.i, took place April i, 1840. She was born May r6, i82i,in New Jersey, and moved to York State in 1831, where she resided until her marriage. The issue of their union has been six children, — John, William, Harrison S., Mary, Lydia and Bertie. Lydia became the wife of Andy Willard, and died in 1875; Bertie married Martin Simmons, and died in 1881 ; Mary was married to Harry Murphy, who re- sides in Avon. Ebenezer Landon, father of Mrs. Meachum, vvas born in New York in 1793, and died in 1877. He married Miss Lettie Rich, a native of Halifa.v, in 1816. She was born in 1800 and came to the State of New York when quite small. The father of Eb- enezer Landon, John Landon, served in the War of 1812. Mrs. Meachum's mother is still living, and resides in Berwick village. Her parents' family con- sisted of six children, namely. Henry, Joseph, Frederick, John, Lettie and Martha, and of her ' marriage with Ebenezer Landon nine children were •born as follows : Cornelia, Mary, Martin, Susan, John, Martha, Thomas, Isaac and Elizabeth, only ■four of whom are at present living. '^ Mr. and Mrs. Meachum have the following grand- children : Frederick, John Riley, Perly, Lucina, Laura Belle, John, Allie, Cornelia, Cloy and John I Willard. ' Mr. Meacham, in his political opinions, favors the principles advocated by the Greenback party. In days past he belonged to the old line Whig, then voted with the Republican party, but since the former party sprung into existence, has voted with it. ^^ f^jltenjamin T. Kettering, a resident of this county since 1853 and one of the large land-owners of Monmouth Township, re- sides on section 27. He was born in Cum- berland Co., Pa., April 16, 1820. The father of Mr. Kettering was a native of the same .State as his son and was of German parentage. He was married in his native State to Mary Thompson, a lady of American parentage and Scotch descent. After their marriage, they resided in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Pa., for a time, when they moved to Cumberland County, that State. Their family con- sisted of eight children. Mr. Kettering was ne.xt to the youngest in order of his parents' children. He lived on the parental homestead, attending the common schools and work- ing on the farm, thereby assisting in the mainten- ance of his family and acquiring a fair English education, until he attained the age of 24 years. In 1853, he came West and located in Warren County, since which time he has continued to reside here. The parents came to this county soon after^vard and remained until their death. On arriving in this county, Mr. Kettering, of this sketch, first began to work as a general laborer. His capital at the time amounted to the sum of $2.50, and he was con- sequently compelled to engage in work for a living. Prior to attaining his majority Mr. K. had learned the trade of his father, that of shoemaking, but on coming to this State and county, he chose a differ- ent vocation, that of farming, which he has followed until the present time. Feb. 8, 1858, five years after his arrival in this county, Mr. Kettering was united in marriage to Mrs. Melinda Murphy, «^d' Clacomb. She was a na- tive of Kentucky, in which State she was born Dec. 5, 1825, and came herewith her mother and brother, her father having died in Kentucky. She continued to reside with her mother in this county, assisting her in the household duties and attending the com- mon schools, until her marriage to Mr. Murphy. He died a few years after that event, leaving two children to the care of his wife, both of whom have since died, namely : T. Frantz Murphy and Ella O., whose demise occurred when she was a young lady. Of the later union, three children have been born: Hattie B.; Milton A., who resides o-. a farm near Kirkwood, this county; Philo E. was married to Sina Frantz, and follows the occupation of farming in this township. After tlieir marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kettering lo- cated on the homestead which Mrs. Kettering owned previous to their marriage, consisting of a little more than 100 acres, on which they are residing at the present time. Mr. Kettering, by energetic labor and economy, coupled with good judgment and perseverance, has since added to the original homestead until at pres- ent the same consists of 400 acres of as good farm land as can be found in Warren County. It is all adjoined and has thereon a good residence, barn and substantial outbuildings, and is regarded as one of the best farms, not only in Monmouth Township, but -< *t 'ZIJM r 4- A T > 324 WARREN COUNTY. in the county. In his chosen vocation, agriculture, Mr. Kettering has met with more than ordinary suc- cess, and the same is attributable to his indomitable energy and perseverance, coupled with the active co- operation of his good helpmeet. Ill addition to the cultivation of his land he has been and is devoting considerable time to the raising of stock, in which department of his vocation he is also meeting with success. He and his wife are consistent and active members of the Christian Church. Mr. K. is a Trustee and Deacon of that Church at Momouth, and has been Treasurer of it for some time. In a political sense, Mr. Kettering votes with, and believes in the principles advocated by, the Republican party. Jl^yrus G. Rankin, one of the large lantl- I owners of Tompkins Townsliip, as well as sW^ successful farmers of Henderson County, fe residing in retirement at his home on section ft* 25, Tompkins Township, is a native of Sulli- van Co., Ind., where he was born in 1S32. William and Elizabeth (Gross) Rankin, liis parents, were natives of Pennsylvania and South Carolina respectively. After their marriage, in 1830, they emigrated to this State and located in Henderson County, where the father purchased r, 000 acres of land, and resided on the same for 40 years. He then moved to Monmouth, Warren County, and there passed his remaining days in ])eace and quiet, retired from the active labors of life, and where he died in t873. Three years later his beloved wife, who had accompanied him through all the trials of the past, followed him to tliat better land, lier de- mise occurring in 1876. The gentleman whose name stands at the begin- ning of this biographical notice, remained with his parents until he attained his majority, in the mean- time receiving an education in the common schools. On becoming his own man, he began to trade in stock and land, and was thus occupied until he be- came 24 years of age, wlien he was united in mar- riage with Miss M. T. Reynolds, a native of Oliio. Before his marriage, he purchased 240 acres of land in Olena Township, Henderson County, on which he moved with his family and was occupied in its im- provement and cultivation for 17 years. During these years, by hard labor and economy, he accum- ulated sufficient to enable him to add 620 acres to his original purchase. He then, in 1873, came to this county and for two years resided at Monmouth, where he had purchased a residence and lot. In 1S74, he purchased 480 acres of land in Tompkins Townshij), where he removed in 1875, and has re- sided on the same until the present time. He has a $5, 000 residence on his farm, together with three barns and good, substantial outbuildings, and the farm presents an appearance indicative of energy and perseverance on the part of its proprietor. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rankin, five in number, are named Elizabeth A., born July 27, 1857 ; Reynolds P., Aug. 10, 1863; Elijah A., Oct. 22, 1865 ; Minnie A., Feb. 18, 1869; Edith O., Feb. 13, 1878. Elizabeth was united in marriage with K. D. Bridenthal, and they have become the parents of one child — -Cyrus W. Elijah A. married Miss Ada Beers, and they have one son, named Earl. Mr. Rankin is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In religious be- lief, he and his wife both endorse the tenets of the United Presbyterian Church, to which denomination *^ they belong. Mr. Rankin, truly speaking, is one of the leading representative men of his line of busi- ness in Warren County, and his success as an agri- culturist and trader is indicative of his own good good judgment and energy. -■^HJ- -S«- avid S. Billingsley, owning 80 acres of land in Berwick Township, ami residing at ii^iS& ' Berwick village, where he is engaged in *$v hotel business, and also to some extent in dealing in fine horses and roadsters. He was born in Monongalia Co., W. Va., Sept. 28, 181 2, and is a son of Samuel Billingsley, who was born near Baltimore, Md., in 1778. The latter moved to Virginia, when he was 12 years of age, and there, in Monongalia County, resided, follow- ing the vocation of an agriculturist until his death, which occurred in 1850. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Snider, a native of Virginia. She bore her husband 13 children, whose names were John, Sias, Tobitha, Maria, Samuel, David, Thornton, Louisa, *+ ^ *t - . .Y. . WARREN COUNTY. ^^--X> 327 Warren, Eugene, Malinda, Mary and Morgan. The wife and mother died in her native State, in 1862. David KilHngsley, of whom we write, came West April II, 1855, and located in Warren County. He was married to Elizabeth Barrick, March 16, 1836, in Virginia, Rev. Wood, of the Baptist Church, oflfi- ciating. She was born Sept. 8, 18 14, in Hampshire Co., and bore her husband nine children, four of whom are living. The record of tlieir births are as follows: Eliza Ann, born Feb. 15, 1837; Louisa, born April 15, 1839; Henry F., April 15, 1841 ; David Lutlier, Oct. 23, 1843; Mary, Jan. 14, 1845; Martha, June 9, 1847; Samuel, in August, 1840; Louisa, in 1852; Jane, June 27, 1855. The father of Mrs. Billingsley, Henry Barrick, was born in Hancock Co., Va , in 1787, and married Miss Catherine Wetzel about 1812. She was born in 1795, in Maryland, and she and her husband were both of German descent. Their family comprised ten children^Elizabeth M., Anna, Peter S.,' Henry, ■ Isaiah, James M., John W., George and Mary. The father died in 1865, in Virginia, and tlie mother in . October, 1868. ^ Mr. Billingsley is engaged in the hotel business at Berwick village, as above stated. He is an admirer of fine horses, and has done much to develop this noble animal in this part of the county. He also cultivates his farm, and as a business man and genial landlord, is regarded as one of the foremost men not only in Berwick village but also of the county. ^ ohn C. Turnbull, a retired farmer, pass- f ing the declining years of his life in quiet ease and retirement at Roseville, this county, is a native of Maryland, having been born near Baltimore, Nov. 18, 1812. Mr. Turnbull removed with his parents to New Albany, Ind., wlien about six years of age (or in 1818). His father, John Turnbull, was born in Maryland, Dec. j;, 1780, and died in Jackson Co., Ind., March 28, 1840, in his 60th year. His mother, Mary (Tonahill) Turnbull, was horn in Virginia, Jan. 14, 1777, and died March 29, 1820, near New Al- bany, Floyd Co., Ind. They were married July 12, 1801, and of their union five children were born, only two of wliom at present survive, — Mrs. Gossett and John C, the subject of this notice. The gentleman, whose life's history is herein briefly summarized, was an inmate of the parental household until 17 years of age, having received what education he acquired in the common schools. After leaving home he worked out by the day and month until the spring of 1835. He then rented a farm in Jackson Co., Ind., which he cultivated until 1850, when he purchased 7io acres of land and was engaged in its cultivation until Sept. 19, 1865. At this date he came to Illinois and located in Warren County, where he purchased 480 acres of land on sections 20 and 21, Roseville Township, and con- tinued to reside upon the same until 1872. He then moved into Roseville, and purchased a lot, erecting there on a fine residence, in which he has since continued to reside. In politics, Mr. Turnbull is a Republican. Reli- giously, he and his wife belong to the Baptist Church. He is a gentleman wliose accumulation of this world's goods has been ac([uired through his own energy, perseverance and good judgment, and is one ■ of the respected and influential citizens of Warren County. Mr. Turnbull has been sadly unfortunate in his married relations, having lost by death two companions. The maiden name of his present wife was Elizabeth Crane, a native of Jackson Co., Ind., their marriage occurring Oct. 19, 1865. His first , wife, to whom he was married in Jackson Co., Ind., Jan. ri, 1835, was a Miss Rhoda Ann K. Crane, a native of New York State. She died in July, 1859. By this wife he became the father of an only son, John C, born Aug. 29, 1841, in Jackson Co., Ind., who, in 1870, married Susan Gordley, of Brown Co., 111., by whom he has two children — Warren and Franklin. -1^.- JlE^^p-arah J. Chatterton, owning 120 acres of ^^L good farm land, located on section 25, illVn ' Greenbush Township, where she resides, is the widow of Lewis R. Chatterton, who was born in New York, .\pril 30, 1827, and came to this State in 1836 with his parents and lo- cated with them two miles east of Avon, in Fulton County. He was the son of Cornelius and Lucy (Ball) Chatterton, natives of New York, but of English extraction. The father was a farmer by occupation. Lewis B. was educated at the common schools of ¥ -e4U: .V8 WARREN COUNTY. ^ ^ Galesburg, 111. When the " California gold fever " became epidemic, he was one of the first to yield to its seductive influence, and forthwith hastened to tiiat auriferous country, where he remained five years. A portion of his time while there was occupied in farming. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. W'ellS; Aug. 20, 1857, Rev. Reed, of Peoria, officiating. She was born Nov. 25, 1838, in Fulton County, 111., (near Avon), being the daughter of James a. d Roxanna (Stowell) Wells, natives of New- York. Mrs. Chatterton's parents died while she was was very young. Siie bore unto her husband nine children, namely: Freddie, born Sept. 20, 1859; Chester J., born Feb. 16, 1861 ; Bessie E., June 2, 1863; Harry L., Nov. 2, 1865; George W., Aug. 25, 1877; Willie, June 10, 1870; Carrie L., Oct. 25, 1871; Henry K., July 25, 1884; Clarence O., Dec. 5, 1876. Bessie E. married J. W. Kinross. They are living in Avon, Fulton County, tliis Slate, and are the parents of one child, Nealy W. Kinross. Mrs. Chatterton, since the death of her husband, continues to reside on the home farm, which is under an advanced state of cultivation, and with the as- sistance of her children, is conducting the same with marked ability and with well merited success. Her place is well supplied with good farm iiuildings, and last year she disposed of $1,000 worth of stock. Her husband was a Republican in politics, and in relig- ion, a member of the Universalist Ciiurch, as is likewise Mrs. Chatterton. Her husband died May 19, 1884, on the old homestead. A portrait of Mr. Chatterton appears on page 326. |>=f=f=Ci- on. Azro Patterson, deceased. The Mon- mouth Weekly Review on Friday morning, June 30, 1782, contained the following fit- A ting obituary of one who was for many years ^ one of the most highly esteemed citizens of this county: "Azro Patterson died at his residence in this city, of Bright's disease of the kidneys, Satur- day evening, June 24, t882, at 7:15 o'clock, aged 63 years, 5 months." No death has occurred in Monmouth in the last quarter of a century that has caused such universal sorrow among all classes of citizens — high and low, rich and poor, young and old — as the decease of Azro Patterson, and none will be more keenly missed from our midst, particularly by the poor and unfortunate, whose fast friend he was at all times and under all circumstances. Mr. Patterson was born in Stowe, Vt., Feb. 11, 1819. At the age of six years, with his father's family, he moved from Vermont to Ashtabula, Ohio, where he resided till he was 19 years old, when, in company with a young man named Williams, and about the same age, he started for the West to work out his own fortunes and way through the world. He reached Monmouth in 1837, and as there was no railroad and but few facilities for travel in this coun- try at that early day, he walked all the way from Ashtabula to Monmouth, carrying his scanty pos- sessions in a bundle on his back, and stopped with his brother-in-law, R. N. Allen, who lived in an old log house where his present residence stands. Dur- ing the winter of 1837 he clerked in a dry goods store in a little frame house on the northwest corner of the square, under what was known as the " old Cottonwood tree," for General McAUe.i. The next summer he worked in a brick-yard for Erastus Rice, whom the early settlers well remember, and helped make the brick of which our old court house is built., Then he taught school at " Allen's Grove," in Ber- wick township, and was very popular as a teacher among the scholars and old settlers. In 1839 he went into tlie employ of S. S. Phelps, of Oquawka, and had charge of the Indian trading store not far from Iowa City, Iowa, and remained in the employ of Mr. Phelps for a number of years. In 1845 he was married to Miss Harriet Strong, at Ashtabula, Ohio, and returned to Monmouth with his bride. Her health failing her here, he started back to her home with her, but she died at Beaver, Pa., on the journey. She lived only seven months after their marriage. In 1848, and while residing at Oquawka, he was elected State Senator from the 17th district. Gilbert TurnbuU, of Henderson, and A. C. Harding, of War- ren, were the members of the lower house. In 1850 he was elected a member of the lower house of the Illinois Legislature from Henderson and Warren Counties. He was elected on the Democratic ticket, the contest being between Democrats and Whigs. He was never a candidate for any public position A ■ V WARREN COUNTY. ^^^^ 329 "T" after thai, although entreated times without number by his political and personal friends to allow the use of his name for important public trusts. In October, 1849, ''^ was married to the accom- plished Christian lady. Miss Mary Babcock, daugh- ter of an old and valued citizen, E. C. Babcock (see sketch). To Azro and Mary Patterson four children were born — three of whom died in infancy — and but one son, Henry, survives. He is endowed with the ster- ling qualities of his parents. After serving in the legislature, Mr. P. located per- manently in Monmouth, and formed a partnership with C. L. Armsby and Jerry Massie in the dry goods trade. They occupied the old frame building that stood north of the Monmouth National Bank building, and afterwards moved to the building now occupied by George Babcock, which was built by Mr. Massie. In 1853 lie formed a partnership with his brother- in-law, R. N. Allen, in the dry goods trade, which continued two years. Mr. Allen then retired from business, and Mr. Patterson continued the trade in a frame building that stood on the corner of Broadway and East streets, where the Second National Bank now stands. Some time after Mr. Patterson sold his stock of goods to Major Holt, who continued the business a short time. He again formed a partner- ship with N. A. Rankin and L. S. Wallace, arid car- ried on the dry goods trade in the building now oc- cupied by the Spriggs Bros., as a dt;ug store, on the south side of the square. This partnership continued some time, when Mr. Patterson permanently retired from the dry goods trade, and devoted himself more particularly to real estate transactions. Of Mr. Patterson's father's family there survive him his only brother, Edwin Patterson, and Mrs. R. N. Allen, of Monmouth, and Mrs. S. S. Phelps, Mrs. Dr. Park, Mrs. Asa Smith, of Oquawka, all of whom were present at the funeral except Mrs. Phelps. The large throng who were present at the funeral from the town and county and from neighboring places, who met around his coffin to pay their last tribute of love and homage to his memory, but feebly express the veneration in which Azro Patterson was held in this community, where he liad spent the prime of his manhood, and had accomplished so much good. His whole life, his noble deeds, are a model for young men, particularly in humble circum- stances, to pattern after and emulate. k ■ 'A In the proper adjustment of estates, in the settle- ment of differences between man and man, and " pulling men through," as it were, who had become cramped and unfortunate in business transactions, he perhaps did more than any other man in the county. His sound judgment and advice was sought by many, yea, scores of men in Monmouth and through- out the county, in their hours of misfortune and trouble, and they never failed of his tender sympathy, his generous heart, his open hand. He was ever the steadfast friend of the unfortun- ate, the poor and the needy, and to him they went as to a father. He visited the widow and the father- less in their afflictions, he fed the hungry, he clothed the naked, he bound up the wounds of the broken- hearted and disconsolate, he buried the dead, he ac- complished all the good for his fellowmen that he could— what more could mortal man do.' He was very decided in his political and religious views, and entertained them honestly and fearlessly, and though others differed with him on these mat- ters, they honored him for the steadfastness with which he clung to what he thought was right. In his death this community has suffered a loss that connot be supplied. As a citizen he was inter- ested in all public affairs, and brought to their con- sideration an intelligence, coupled with a judgment of such native accuracy, as rarely permitted the pos- sibility of error. As a business man his character was integrity itself, and to himself, and to all who knew him, his word was as good as his bond. In matters of public spirit, his heart and purse were open and generous, and enterprises of worth and character never sought his aid in vain. As a bene- factor of the poor and distressed, his reputation is enviable indeed, as many who received his assistance will rejoice to remember. Not a few who thought their business affairs hopelessly entangled, and them- selves and fatiiilies ruined, sought and received his aid, and through his rare business qualities found themselves relieved from embarassment, and the possessors still of home and shelter. All these things he did from pure, charitable motives, and not for re- muneration. .\s a friend he was true as the needle to the pole; generous, unselfish and abiding. As a husband and father, he was as affectionate and ten- der as a child, and will be missed from his pleasant home beyond words to express. Mr. Patterson began life a poor boy, but long be- ^ *4u 33° , ^Y . WARREN COUNTY. — ^ fore his death, lie was able to retire from active business with a handsome and fixed income. His parents, Lewis P. and Lucy (Bushiiell) Patterson de- scended respectively from Irish and Scotch ancestry. His early education was limited to such as could be acquired at the common schools of his day, but he suffer*d not from that account. Those who knew him in his mature manhood knew hiui as an educat- ed man, for from the variety of his opportunity and experience he had learned much. ~^/v^- -\*S5-S''Z'OT»\.~'w\^ *ii^i'° ^^ Brent, owning 200 acres of land on ll EJai l: section 8, Ellison Township, and one of the ll^ successful farmers as well as respected and ijb J honored citizens of Warren County, is a native yiv ^^ Virginia, having been burn in Lancaster Co., that State, June 5, 1831. The father of Mr. Brent of this notice, Kenner Brent, Sr., was a native of Virginia, where he was engaged in farming, and where he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Brent, also a native Virginian. They came West in 1836, and settled in Ellison Townshii), this county, when the same was in its natural condition and the hand of civilization was hardly visible. He nevertheless procured some land on which lie located and at once set about breaking and improving the same, and at one time owned more than 400 a( les. He continued to reside in Ellison I'ownship, follow- ing his chosen vocation, until Nov. 27, rSyS, when he passed to the land of the hereafter. His wife had preceded him, in 1854. Paul Brent, the gentleman of u liom He write, is one of 14 children born to his parents. He resided with thein until his marriage, which occurred in Monmouth, this county, Aug. 13, 1857. The lady who became his wife was Miss Phebe Moore, daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Cleckner) Moore, natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was a carpen- ter by trade. Mrs. Brent was born Oct. 9, 1836, in Ohio, to which State her parents had moved soon after their marriage. They came West in 1842, to Ellison Township, this county, where, a few weeks after ar- rival (Dec, j8, 1842), her father died. Her mother was a second time married, the name of her hus- band being John Brown, a native of South Carolina, and an uncle of (ien. Burnside. Her step-father and mother lived in Ellison Township until their death, Mrs. Brenl, wife of the subject of this notice, living with them. Mr. and Mrs. Brenthave become the parents of 12 children, seven of whom are liv- ing. The living are: Ida A., Vesper M., Elias G., Eva G., Jessie C, Paul, Jr. and Harry. The names of the deceased are: Oreo E., Marvin M., David L., Minnie and Edwin. After Mr. and Mrs. Brent were married, they set- tled on a farm of 40 acres of raw prairie land, and by their united labors and economy, they have increased their landed possessions in Ellison Township until they at present own 200 acres of well improved land and ten acres of timber. They are living on their farm, enjoying the sweets of life after having tasted of the bitter during their years of toil in the past. Mr. Brent also devotes considerable of his tiirie to the raising of stock, Poland China hogs and Short- I horn cattle. He and his wife, together with some of I , his children, are members of the Methodist Epis- 1 copal Church. In politics, Mr. B. casts his vote with IJ the Republican party. J ' -{G= \ i &r- TT .amuel E. Grooms, a resident of this county since 1855, and the proprietor of 280 acres of as good tillable land as can be found in Lenox Township, where, on section 20, he re- sides, is a son of Brice and Margaret (Jack- son) Grooms, natives of Pennsylvania. The parents died in their native State and the children born of their union were seven in number, namely: Hamilton, Mary M., Samuel E., Martha A., Leroy W., Elizabeth and William H. Samuel E. Grooms, whose name heads this bio- grai)hical notice, was born in Greene Co., Pa., July 7, 1835, where he lived until about 20 years of age, in the meantime attending school in the acquisition of an English education and assisting his father on the farm. In the year 1855-, Samuel E. came to Warren County, and later, in 1864, removed to Lenox Township, where he has since resided, mak- ¥ Farivi property of d. J. Shaw, Spring GroveTownsmip. Residence OF J. T. Porter, Sec. 26., Spring GroveTownship ■ cT_i , -Y. . WARREN COUNTY. ±^H- 333 ing the same his permanent home. His farm of 280 acres, as stated above, has all been put under excel- ent cultivation, through his energy and industry, and he has erected all the necessary farm buildings thereon, which, in all, presents the appearance of thrift and energy. Samuel E. Grooms was married to Catherine J. Miller, daughter of Henry and May Miller, on the 9th of October, 1859, the ceremony taking place in Berwick Township. Her parents were natives of Virginia and came to Warren County in 1856, re- siding there until the spring of 1885, when tliey re- moved to Nebraska. Of their union were born ten children, the following being their names: George S., Catherine J., James C, Elizabeth H., Henry I., Hiram C, Mary C, John W., Peach S. and Martha V. Catherine J., our subject's " better half," was born in West Virginia, Feb. 5, 1838, and with her husband has become the parent of three children, — Leroy L., Mary A. and William H. Mary A. is the • wife of Perry D. White and resides in Lenox Town- ship, having one child, — Lottie M. ; Leroy and Will- iam reside at home. Mr. Grooms has been School ^ Director in his township, and witli his wife belongs \ to the United Brethren Church. Politically, his affiliations are with the Republican party. oshua Porter, now deceased, was a pioneer of Warren County of 1835. He was born in Athens, Windham Co., Vt., in 1803. He was the son of a farmer and passed his 1^ youth and grew to manhood in the county i where he was born. The years of his boy- hood were spent in the school-room and aiding in the labors of the farm. He was married there to Mary Tinkham, Dec. 10, 183 1, who was also a native of the same county. Mr. Porter, after his marriage, returned, to the State of New York, locating near Schenectady, where he lived until the year in which he became one of the early settlers in this portion of the State of Illinois. He, with his wife, crossed the intervening country with a horse team and brought with them their only child, Mary C, now the wife of W. J. Miller. Their experiences on the route were similar to those that have been so often related in the accounts of those who set out with all the paraphernalia of housekeeping with them in their wagons and who kept up the routine of domestic duties on the road. Their first year in Warren County was passed at Center Grove, near Kirk wood, and in 1836 they set- tled in the township of Spring Grove, where they made a permanent location. Mr. Porter entered a claim on the southeast quarter of section 26, where he built a log house for the accommodation of his household, which was constructed in the manner common with the settlers in a new country, where all the appurtenances of modern carpentry were lacking. Mr. Porter rived clapboards from logs for covering the roof of his cabin, but in this the family found comfort, health and contentment. Later, when prosperous times warranted, Mr. Porter erected more commodious and convenient buildings for the abode of the household and for farming pur- " poses. He improved the entire acreage and lived upon the estate until his death, which event trans- pired Sept. 5, 1874. His wife survived until April ' 10, 1881. The following is the record of their seven children : Mary C. is the wife of William Jackson Miller, of Spring Grcve Township. Ann M. is mar- • ried to John Frantz, a sketch of whom is given in another part of this work. William E. lives in Spring Grove Township, as does Thatcher J. M. Constance is the wife of Elias Smith, also of Spring Grove Township. AHce is the wife of Edwin R. Rose, of Kelly Township. Albert resides in Spring Grove Township and is the twin-brother of the sister last named. His residence is on the old Porter homestead. The children are all living and are honored and re- spected members of society. Thatcher J. the second son of Joshua and Mary (Tinkham) Porter, was born in Spring Grove Tp., July 25, 1 84 1. He grew to manhood in that township and attended the common schools of the neighbor- hood. He was just 20 when the Civil War broke out, and in its second year he entered the service of his country to defend the old flag and the integrity of the Union. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany B, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., and continued in the military service until March, 1863. He received his discharge on account of disability, and returned to his home. He passed the first year after his return ^ lA^ h ^*--t?: 334 ■ rzz=:, — WARREN COUNTY. •*r^h-^ in seeking to restore his health, and in 1865 be- gan the work of improvement of the farm upon which he has since lived. It is situated on the north- east quarter of section 26, in the township of Spring Grove. When it became his property a log house had been built on the place and in this his family re- sided a few years, or until time and circumstances permitted the construction of a more suitable and satisfactory structure. The estate of Mr. Porter con- tains 360 acres and is all under improvement and enclosed. It comprises the varieties of land which make a farm in Illinois valuable and desirable. There is a grove of native timber of about 50 acres on the place; most of the place, however, is prairie land. A view of his present residence and farm buildings are siiown on page 332. The marriage of Mr. Porter to Kate E. McCoy took place Dec. i, 1864. She was born in Washing- ton Co., Pa., and is the daughter of Thomas and ' Margaret (Newlaiid) McCoy. Thomas McCoy was I r a native of Washington CJo., Penn., and was born j Dec. 6, 1803. He was of Scotch parentage, Angus ^. and Catherine (Monroe) McCoy, his fatiier and (^ mother, both having come from Scotland. They I settled in Pennsylvania, where tliey were married. Thomas McCoy grew to manhood in Washington County, where he was married, and where he was engaged in farming. In the spring of 1854, he came to Warren County, first locating in Sumner 'I'own- ship. He remained here, however, but about three months, when he bought a" farm on section 27, Spring Grove Township, where he lived until liis de.ith, which occurred Sept. 19, 1873. His widow is still living and resides on the old homestead with her son, Angus. They had a family of four children, Mary and John M., the eldest, two both died when they were just blooming into manhood and woman- hood. Angus and Mrs. Porter are the other two. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy, after coming to Warren County, connected themselves witii the United Pres- byterian Church. Subsetpiently, Mrs. McCoy be- came a member of tiie Christian Ciuirch. In politics the elder McCoy was a life-long Democrat. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Porter arc three in number and are named Ada F., Alvin A. and T. Lee. The parents are giving their children the benefits of a good education, affording them far greater advantages in this respect than either of them ever enjoyed. Politically, Mr. Porter is a Democrat. He is an excellent citizen and is con- sidered a leading farmer of the county. His i^lace is justly rated as one of the most valuable in Warren County. ^*H^^I^^ rick Thompson, farmer, residing on sec- tion 4, Berwick Township, was born Feb. 21, 1824, in the southern part of Sweden. He emigrated to the " land of possibilities" in I 1856, landing in New York Aug. 14, of that { year. On arrival in New York city Mr* Thompson looked around and came to the conclu- sion that his opportunities to establish a home in that thriving metropolis with his meager means were not encouraging, and he consequently concluded to push farther west. He, therefore, soon after his ar- rival there, came to Galesburg, Knox Co., this State, from which place he came to Cameron, this county, ■ where he remained until the spring of 1857. He then worked by the month at various occupations for three years. Dec. 4, 1 86 1, Mr. Thompson enlisted in the War / for the Union, joining the 58th 111. Vol. Inf. under Capt. Fuller, and was mustered into the service at . Chicago. He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, was in the three days' fight and at the bat- tle of Pittsburg Landing, April 2, 1862, was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he remained 52 days, when he was taken to that " hell- hole," Andersonville Prison, and was there confined for ten months and four days. He was detailed while at Andersonville to dig graves for Union soldiers who had died in that horrible den, and in the months of June, July and August, Mr. Thompson as- sisted in digging graves for 8,610 Union soldiers who had died inside the walls of that filthy and inhuman prison. He was taken, in September, 1864, to Flor- ence, S. C, and there confined in another rebel prison, where lie remained until the latter part of De- cember, when he was transferred to Charleston, S. C, and the 7th day of February, 1865, he received his discharge and was mustered out at Chicago. The marriage of Mr. Thompson to Mrs. Phebe Charles took place Oct. 25, i860. She was born May 6, 1827, in Ohio, and died March 10, 1883. By her former marriage she became the mother of V -t-X-^ WARREN COUNTY. 335 f four children. Of her union with Mr. Thompson, the following children were born, namely : Hannah E., born Oct. 28, 1861; Almira J., Oct. 3, 1863; James A., Nov. 3, 1868; Laura M., April 26, 1870. James A. died Nov. 18, 1879. Mr. Thompson is the proprietor of 58 acres of land where he resides; has a good residence upon his place, and is engaged in general farming, meeting with success in his vocation. He and his family are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Thompson, as long as he remembers the terrible trial he passed through while a prisoner in rebel prisons, will never fail to vote the Republican ticket. ->^. ■ esse Riggs, owning 364 acres of good farm land under excellent cultivation, lo- cated on section 2, Roseville Township, where he resides and is engaged in farming jU and stock-raising, was born in Tennessee, Jan. 13, 1808, his parents being Reuben and Catherine (Sailing) Riggs, natives of North CaroHna. The parents of Mr. Riggs, of this sketch, in 1818, ten years after the birth of Jesse, moved from Ten- nessee to Missouri and there purchased 160 acres of land. They remained on the same for ten years, where his father was engaE;ed in its cultivation. In 1828 his father sold his farm in Missouri and came to this State, locating in Morgan County, where he became owner by purchase of 120 acres, on which he resided for a number of years, when they came to live with their son, the subject of this notice, with whom they resided during the remainder of their lives and were buried in Berwick Seminary. Their family consisted of 12 children, 11 of whom lived to become men and women, and three of whom yet survive. Jesse Riggs, whose biography we write, is the sixth child in order of birth of his parent's family of 12 children. He remained at home assisting in the maintenance of the family until 28 years of age. From the age of his majority until 28, he took charge of and cultivated his father's farm on shares. After leaving home, Mr. Riggs came to Warren County, in 1834, and for TT years followed farming on rented land. At the expiration of that time he purchased 80 acres in Lenox Township and resided thereon, engaged in its cultivation six years, when, by ad- ditional purchase, he added 50 acres to the same. He then sold the entire tract and purchased 220 acres in Berwick Township. On this tract he moved with his family and engaged in farming until 1864, when he sold it and purchased 1 60 acres in Lenox Township, which, after working two years, he also sold. He then purchased 174 acres in the same township and lived on that place for six years, when he closed out his landed interests in that section by sale and bought the property on which he at present resides, which consists of 364 acres. Mr. Riggs lost his first two companions. By his first wife he had three children, — Martha E., John T. and Jonathan P. The issue of the second union was four children, who are living, as follows: James O., Mary E., Henry H. and Eliza J. Mr. Riggs married the third time in 1865, the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, successes and reverses, being Miss Emeline Vandeveere, a native of War-_ ren Co., 111., and she has borne to her husband four^ children, — Frank, Florence H., Bertie M. and Willis. Mr. Riggs is a Democrat and has held various offices of his township and county, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Riggs is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. «£C;©^' K4— x'^^J'SZTOv* f?'f*fli^ illiam H. Cable, engaged as an aericul- ^^^|i^ tunst, residmg upon section 29, Floyd 'i^i''^'" Township, was born April 6, 1835, his V parents being Henry and Olive (Kingsley) Cable. His father was born Sept. 8, 1795 in Columbia Co., N. Y., and came to Floyd Township, Nov. i, 1835, where he resided until April, 1867, when he moved to Monmouth, in which place he resided until his death. He was six weeks on the journey from his native State, coming down the Ohio to Cairo, and from that place to St. Louis, finally landing at Yellow Banks, now called Oquawka. At the latter place he started with teams to Monmouth, *+ — y^ i36 WARREN COUNTY. where he found but one frame building in the city. His marriage was celebrated on the 28th of April, 1816, in New York, with Miss Olive Kingsley, mother of our subject, she having been born in Con- necticut, April 16, 1792. To use Mr. Cable's own language (expressed with a pride which reflects credit upon him as a son), his mother was a " genuine Con- necticut Yankee," who " spun the yarn from which his father's wedding suit of clothes were made." Her demise occurred Feb. 23, 1876, at the age of 83 years, 10 months and 7 days. Mr. Henry Cable died after a life of hard work, on the 8th of March, 1878. Their family consisted of Mary, born April i, 1819; Ezra, Feb. II, 1821; George C, April i, 1823; Chancy M., May 19, 1825 ; Elizabeth A , Dec. 19, 1828, and William H., of whom we write this biographical no- tice. Miss Mary A. Chaffee was the lady chosen to share the joys and sorrows, successes and reverses of Mr. William H. Cable, their marriage occurring Aug. • 25, 1858. She was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 24, 1839, and of her union with Mr. Cable, five children were born, all surviving. Charles H., born .July 31, i860; Francis E., June 17, 1862; Henry G., April 24, 1864; Eddy L)., April 6, 1866; Albert B., April 20, 187O. Henry, the third in order of .birth, was severely injured when 16 years of age by the bursting of a circular saw operated for the pur- pose of sawing stove wood at his father's door. While the lad stood throwing away the blocks as they fell from the machine, he was struck by a piece of the bursted saw (measuring 16 x 28 inches) at the edge of the hair over the left eye, tearing away a piece from the skull 2^ x 3J4 inches. The scalp wound was 13 inches in circumference, but the wound healed without any artificial appliance, and to-day he is in a sound physical condition, and with mental faculties unimpaired and of the brightest order. He is now residing in Minneapolis, Minn,, holding a posi- tion as Clerk in the Security Bank of Minnesota. He is 2 1 years of age. Mr. William H. Cable came lo Illinois with his parents wh:n but six months old, in 1835. He has 160 acres of good land under excellent cultivation and improvement. Upon it he has erected a dwel- ling 30 X 34 feet in dimensions, with a fine grove of forest trees surrounding it. He has a herd of about 25 head of Short-horn cattle highly graded, and his horses are of the Hambletonian and Bashaw grades. He is also the owner of a pair of Clydesdale colts of very fine breed. Mr. Cable is now serving as Jus- tice of the Peace in this township, having served as School Director for 12 or 14 years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having belonged to this denomination for over 31 years. Politically, he is identified with the Republi- can party. The Cable family originated from Ger- many. Their great-grandfather emigrated to this country in the early part of the 17 th century. ww^ \\ obert B. Woodward. One of the exten- sive farmers of Roseville Township and /JKSa'^' ^^''g^ land-owners of the county, is Mr. R. JINteT B. Woodward. He is a native of Pennsyl- vania and was born in Fayette Co., Oct. 14, 1829, his parents being Davis and Mary (Boyd) Woodward, also natives of the Keystone State. By occupation, the father, Davis, was en- gaged ill farming. He was married in 1828, and to that union 13 children were born, 12 of whom grew to maturity, and 1 1 survive their parents. The fam- ily were from Cumberland County and moved West to Fayette County. Robert B. was the eldest child of his parents' family, receiving at their hands a good common- school education and assisting them whenever it was possible until he attained the age of majority, when he went out to earn his own livelihood, wholly de- pendent upon himself. He rented a farm, which he continued for two years, having had fair success, and March 31, 1853, came to Illinois and located in Roseville Township, this county, where he purciiased 187 acres of land uixdu section 30, 20 acres of which was timber. Upon this tract of land he remained, engaged in its cultivation and improvement, until he has increased his landed interests to 561 acres. He is extensively engaged in the stock business and is meeting with success. Dec. 5, 1850, tlie marriage of Mr. Robert B. Woodward and Miss Sarah A. Work, native of Penn- sylvania, was solemnized. She was the daughter of Andrew and Amy (Harris) Work, also natives of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have had their -^ . V~ . WARREN COUNTY. !?-r?-3^ 339 -> home circle blessed with the birth of six children, all of whom survive, and of whom the following is a brief memorandum: Mary, Davis A., Andrew D., Seth, Jacob H. and Viola. Mary, wife of Charles Steward, resides in Franklin Co., Kan. ; Davis A. married Annie Wilson, a resident of Roseville Township; Andrew D. married Priscilla Boyd, and is a farmer in Point Pleasant Township ; Seth married Ida Lippe and is an occupant of the home farm ; Jacob H. and Viola are still at home. Mr. Woodward is a Democrat in political affilia- tion, and, socially, belongs to the Select Knights and is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a director and stockholder in the Roseville Union Bank, and is one of the prominent and substantial men of Warren County. Mrs. Woodward is a member of the Con- gregational Church. -0-5- -Ej-o- ■^ ohn B. Sofield, of the firm of Sofield & '~ Schussler, successors to D. Harvey, dealer '* in hardware, stoves, tinware and agricul- tural implements, at Monmouth, was born at If Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Pa., March 26, 1833. His parents, John and Julia A. (Grant) Sofield, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut respectively, and dating their early ancestry back to old England, were married in the State of New York, where two of their childrei were born. The rest of their four sons and five daughters were born in Pennsylvania. The senior Mr. Sofield, who was for many years in the hardware business at Wellsborough, Pa., died at that place in x86o, aged about 58 years His widow survived him eight years, and died at the age of ()t,. Their eldest son, Alfred J. Sofield, was a Captain in the Union Army and lost his life at Gettysburg. His Company was attached to the celel)rated " Buck Tails," 149th Pa. Vol. Inf. John B. Sofield was educated at the public schools and at Wellsborough Academy. When between 16 and 17 years of age, he began learning the tinner's trade, and in about a year and a half went into the stove and tinware business at Wellsborough, which he followed nine years. He then removed to Iowa and a few months later to Osawatomie, Kan., where he spent three years in the hardware business. In i860 he came to Warren County, where his principal business has been in dealing in hardware, stoves, tinware, etc. He was permanently located 20 years at Kirkwood, coming to Monmouth in 1880. He retained his interest, however, at Kirkwood, until 1883. He was appointed Postmaster at Kirkwood, in 1879, but held the office only a few months, find- ing the position irksome and militating to too great an extent against the interests of his private busi- ness. While at Kirkwood, he was several terms a member of the Common Council of that city, a posi- tion that has also been thrust upon him since coming to Monmouth. Aside from his mercantile business, Mr. Sofield is largely interested in banking, to which he has given considerable attention. He is emmently a business man, full of energy and activity and possessed of a high order of e.vecutive ability. At Galesburg, this State, Mr. Sofield was married Oct. 18, 1859, to Miss Helen M. Smalley, native of Madison Co., N. Y. They have one child, a daugh- ter. Mr. Sofield is ever an active Republican in politics, but his religion is liberal and broad. Both he and Mrs. Sofield are members of the Universalist Church. ii^s^^- . "WW lexander Hamilton Swain, editor and _,^^^ , proprietor of the Monmouth Review., a ■y'^^ history of which paper, see elsewhere in ^jlW this work, was born in Fayette Co., Pa., Oct. !i^ 13, 1828. His father was Wilson Swain, a I native of Pennsylvania and descended from the German ; and his mother was Rebecca Mc- Cracken, daughter of Rev Alex. McCracken, a pion- eer Methodist preacher of Ohio, but a native of Ireland, dating his ancestry back to the Scotch who fled into Ireland at the time of the Romish persecu- tion. Wilson Swain and Miss McCracken were mar- ried in Fayette Co., Pa., where their five sons and one daughter were born, and there the two old peo- ple spent their lives. Mr. Swain died in 1845, aged 60 years, and his widow, in 1852, aged 68 years. Alexander Hamilton Swain, whose name would in- i/_: i- -t4-:!?^ 34® .v^ ; — WARREN COUNTY. •^-^ dicate that the senior Swain leaned rather to the Federal than to the Republican party of that time, was the youngest of the five sons. The eldest, John, developed into a river man (Steam-boat Captain), and died in 1845 ; the second son, William T., be- came a merchant and subsequently a soldier. He was Captain of Co. H, 12th 111. Vol. Inf., and was killed at Shiloh; the third son, Andrew J , grew into a preacher in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and tiie fourth son, Wilson, learned to be a blacksmith, and died at Uniontown, Pa., in 1850; the daugher, Rebecca, married a Mr. T. A. Stone, and died in 1864, at Uniontown. Alexander Swain, subject of this notice, was at Uniontown College when his father died and from that day he had to shift for himself. The Gftiius of Liberty, a Democratic paper, was established at Uniontown, in 1805, and through all the various changes of eight decades, it has stood by its colors; demonstrating the appropriateness of its title and is a flourishing Democratic paper, a. d. 1886. In the office of this paper, young Swain began to be a printer, and here he worked for several years. In 1853, lie land- ed at Tiskilwa, Bureau County, this Sta'.e, and there worked about nine months for his mercliant brother. He next took employment as a printer on the Knox- ■■ ville Journal, coming from there to Monmouth, in 1855. Friday, Dec. 28, 1855, the Monmouth Re- 7'iew made its first appearance, and though its editor and proprietor possessed but a very limited cash fund when he struck the town, his paper has ap- l)eared regularly every Friday, from that day to this — a period covering near a third of a century — each succeeding issue presenting a more promising indica- tion of perpetual existence. That its many readers may know that its Democracy, pure as it is to-day, is but the embodiment of the time honored principles of that great party, untarnished and unchanged by the wear and tear of ages, we reproduce here, the salient points set forth in Mr. Swain's salutatory of over 30 years ago. " In commencing the Monmouth Review we feel called ujjon to make a short statement to the pub- lic of our views and intentions in the future publica- tion of this pajjer. Our movement in the present instance has not been promised by any spirit of con- tention or desire to assail those who may differ with us in opinion, but from the evident demands of the growth and improvement of the country, and the party whose principles we wish to advocate. The Democratic party in this section of the .State appears to require an organ which should express their views, uphold Democratic principles and seek to extend the influences of Democracy among the people. How far we shall succeed in performing this oner- ous task il is not for us to say, more than that we shall set ourselves with all our abilities to its per- formance. The Democratic party at this time occu- pies a singular position before the country ; beset by all the difTerent factions and organizations of the day whose policy for the time is to drop minor differences and unite for the defeat of that one party, which has ever maintained its part as a barrier against section- alism on the one hand and lawlessness on the other. In reference to the important and exciting issues which divide and excite the people, we stand on the broad National pliilform of tlie Democracy of the whole Union which allows the people of the sev- eral States and Territories to regulate their domestic concerns in their own way, which extends to the . needy of every country and clime the rights and privileges we so bountifully enjoy, irrespective of their religious and political opinion or place of 1^ birth." The files of the Review attest the adherence of its editor to the principles he has honestly thought right. Though many have differed and will continue to differ witii him, none have ever doubted his sin- cerity. His paper has always championed the weak as against the strong, has always advocated the ad- vancement of public interest and in no instance has it groveled in the slum of personal abuse unaccom- panied by public duty. Mr. Swain was one of the original 12 to organize the Warren County Library and that greatest of all the city's public institutions, owes much of its success to the influences wielded by Editor Swain and his paper. Personally, Mr. Swain has been but little in politics. He was a candidate for Circuit Clerk in 1864, and defeated by methods that woukl never be tolerated when the country was at peace. In 1869-70, he was Journal Clerk of the Constitutional Convention, and as such wrote the present Constitution of Illinois. Mr. Swain is a 32d degree Mason ; served 14 years as High Priest in Chapter, and some years as illustrious (}rand Master of Council. June 9, 1856, at Knoxville, III., Mr. .Swain was married to Miss Mary Louisa Brewer, cousin of Dr. Brewer, whose ■e 4 ^± X *T WARREN COUNTY. 341 biography is presented in another part of this vol- ume. Their only daughter, Mary Rebecca, is mar- ried to E. C. Babcock, of Butte City, M. T. A portrait of Mr. Swain accompanies this sketch of his life. Ifndrew J. Reid is a resident on section 4 ____J [ of the township of Spring'Grove. He was iJK^ " born in the town of Greenwich, Washington Co , N. Y., and is the son of Peter'and Phebe (Hutchins) Reid. His parents were both born in the same county where their son first saw the light of day. His birth occurred July 9, 1833. Alexander Reid, his paternal grandfather, was also a native of the State of New York and was a Lieu- tenant in the Continental Army. He was a partici- pant in the battle of Hubbardton in Rutland Co., Vt., the only authenticated'battlefield of the Revo- lution in the Green Mountain State. John Reid, the great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland, and he was one of the earliest settlers of Washington Co., N. Y., where he settled on a tract of land known as the " Argyle Patent." The maternal grandmother was a native of Nova Scotia. In her girlhood, she was Eunice Campbell. Her father was of the Campbell clan. The father of Mr. Reid of this sketch was reared on the home farm and became quite famous as a naturalist. He was one of those who classified and arranged the flora of the Empire State. He was well known through his writings for the Spirit 0/ The Times. His death took place in Greenwich, Washington Co., N. Y.. in September, 1878, at the age of 83 years and two months. The mother died in 1878, aged 76. Si.\ of 11 children of whom they became the parents, are still living. Alexander H. resides in De Kalb Co., 111. ; Andrew J. is the next in order; Jane E. is the wife of John Wellman, of Greenwich, N. Y. ; Catherine is married to H. L. Pratt, of Westfield, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; Margaret is the wife of Edward Orcutt, of Cambridge, Wash- ington Co., N. Y. ; Emily A, is married to William T. Creighton, of Harper City, Kan. Mr. Reid grew to the age and condition of man- hood in the county where he was born, and received the training of a farmer's son. He obtained a de- gree of learning which enabled him to engage in teaching, and for a time he vvas occupied in that pursuit. In 1857 he came to Illinois. He passed three years in farming in Mercer County, and in i860 came to Warren County and followed the same pursuit in the summer seasons and taught school winters until he decided to enter the military service of the United States. He enlisted Sept. 30, 1861, in Co. G, 30th 111. Vol. Inf , and continued to dis- charge military duty until he received an honorable discharge, Dec. 21, 1862, for disability. He was in the actions at Fort Donelson and Britton's Lane, near Denmark. After his return to Warren County, he located upon the farm where he now resides. It was unimproved at the time, but under his skillful management it was soon placed in proper condition for prosperous agriculture. In 1872 he engaged in mercantile business at Norwood, in which pursuit he continued for seven years, when he again resumed farming. In political relations, he is a Republican. His marriage to Selinda E. Boggs took place June 3, 1863. She was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., and is the mother of two children,— Gertrude and Eva May. 4— I. Field. Among the energetic and pros- perous agriculturists of Warren County, is Mr. Field of this notice, who is a resident on section 15, Tompkins Township, and a na- '%Z tive of the Buckeye State, having been born ! there in the year 1819. Jacob and Martha (Inman) Field, the parents of Mr. J. I. Field of this writing, were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, coming to Ohio from the latter State in the year 18 18. The father, Jacob, resided in Ohio until 1854 (the mothers demise having occurred in 1849), when he came to the State of Illinois, and located in Henderson County, where he purchased land and engaged in farming until his death, in 1875. J. I. Field remained with his parents until he at- tained the age of 30 years, or the year in which the death of his mother occurred. He attended the com- mon schools and at the age of 15 years engaged un- der his father's instruction ]to learn the blacksmith's ^ •JKl -y- -€-^ t* 342 WARREN COUNTY. trade, at which he worked for 15 years in his father's shop. He then came to tiiis State and purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land in Wahuit drove Town- shi|j, Henderson CoLinty, upon whicli he moved and engaged in the laborious task of its miprovement and cultivation, and to which, by a subsequent pur- chase, he added 80 acres. He continued to reside on this land until 1876, when he sold out and moved into the village of Kirk«ood, there purchasing a lot and residence, in which he resided for 18 months. He then sold 1 is village property and bought [60 acres of land, located upon sections 10 and 15- On this land he moved his family and once more engag- ed in the vocation of an agriculturist, whicli he has successfully continued until the present time. He has an excellent farm, with good residence and out- buildings, and its general appearance and actual condition is highly indicative of that thrift and ener- gy which its owner possessses. In 1857 Mr. Field was married to Miss Jane Math- ews, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, and who bore him three children, — Martha J., William E.and Joseph F. The wife and mother, after accompany- ing her husband through the trials of 17 years, pass- ed to the land of the hereafter, her death occurring in 1874. In his political views, Mr. Field coincides with the principles of the Republican party. His religion is the same as that of the United Presbyter- ian Church, of which denomination at Kirkwood, he is a member. -f3=f==f=— J- 44- ■ ohn J. Ivey is a farmer and breeder of thoroughbred horses and trotting stock, and resides on section 33, of Sumner Town- _ ship. He is a native of Tennessee and is a yi descendant of parents who were born respect- ively in Virginia and Northern Tennessee. His father, David A. Ivey, was a native of Sussex Co., Va. He was old enough to take a part in the war of 1812, when that struggle broke out, and after- ward married a lady named Mourning Mason. She was the daughter of a "hard-shell" Baptist preacher, and her parents were natives of North Carolina. The marriage took place in Robertson Co., Tenn., where they lived about four years. They then went to Logan Co., Ky., where the father purchased a tract of timber three miles from the State line. He lived to clear a farm upon which he died in 1867, his wife following him in 1870. All their lives were passed in the prac'ice of the principles of Chris- tianity, and they were consistent members of the Methodist Church. They left a record which still exerts an influence on those to whom their careers of uprightness and integrity were well known. Six of their children grew to maturity. Carrie, the oldest, remained with her parents until their respective deaths. She now resides with her brother in Sum- ner Township. Virginia is also a member of the household of her brother. James A. is a preacher in the Methodist Church, and is now stationed at New Orleans. Joseph died on the homestead in Kentucky. Ellen is the wife of the Rev. James A. Lewis, of Kentucky. Mr. Ivey was born Dec. 6, 1827, in Robertson Co., Tenn. He was but a few months old when his par- ents removed to Kentucky, where he was brought up on the farm of his father. The residence was in Logan County and the boy passed his time inostly in farm labor, with the exception of the winter seasons which were spent in obtaining an education in the select schools. His first engagement in active life was as a clerk in a store in Keysburg, where he operated three years and went thence to Clarksville, Tenn. At that place he continued in the same voca- tion in a wholesale and rei3.il establishment, where he continued three years. He then formed a part- nership vifith R. M. House, whereby he acquired an interest in the oldest grocery house in Clarksville. The relation continued until 1859 when it was ter- minated by the death of Mr. House. After an ex- perience alone, of about the duration of a year, he sold out and went to that part of Steward County, Tennessee, which is now included in Houston County, and there bought a farm and milling prop- erty — the latter including a saw and flour mill. He superintended these interests until interrupted by circumstances growing out of the bitter internecine war. He was a slave-holder and withal a Union man of decided and declared opinions. Unfortu- nately, his ideas were not ihose that generally pre- vailed theieand he soon found himself in incoaenial quarters. His life was unsafe and eventually the fate that overwhelmed all who had the smallest re- V 346 WARREN COUNTY. 4 spect for an integral Union, overtook him. His property was confiscated and lie became a fugitive in the woods of the State where he had added to the general prosperity without the privilege of cherishing his own views of his rights as a man. After the fall of Fort Donelson the Union commander removed the family of Mr. Ivey under a guard of protection to the home of his father in Kentucky. The Union forces were under obligations to him for services for which his knowledge of the surrounding country especially fitted, and he acted as a scout and guide for tl".e I soldiers. He was chiefly identified with tlic 83d 111. Vol. Inf. In consequence of these important ser- vices his interests received special attention at the hands of the victors at Fort Donelson, and his family was removed to safe quarters, and provided for. His services to the Union cause, having rendered him peculiarly unpopular among the people of Stewart Co., Tenn., a return to his home in that section, I after the close of the war would have been, to say r the least, an unwise movement. He therefore con- , eluded to cast his fortunes with that part of the Union whose side he had espoused in the course of r- the conflict. As many of those with whom he had become acquainted in^ the army were from War- ren Co., 111., tliat fact determined his future and he ■ came hither. He arrived at Oquawka, July 4, 1865, and came directly to Sumner Township. He had al- ready Iwught 200 acres of land in that township, or. sections 29 and t,-x„ and on his arrival he took pos- session of the property. His family removed to a small frame house wliich had been built previous to his purchase. All the structures on the place, in- cluding the fences, were in a state of dilapidation and he at once set about the work of jnitting every- thing into presentable conditition. He has erected a fine large farmhouse and an excellent barn, beside other buildings. He has also added 60 acres addi- tional to the farm and the whole place is in the best possible condition for profitable fanning. The place is thus thoroughly well adapted to all the uses of agriculture. It is supplied with running water, tim- ber and building stone of a good quality. For a time Mr. Ivey directed his attention to the breeding of mules and operated with success in that line, until 1 881, when he commenced to raise thoroughbred Kentucky horses for the track. At present he has eight of them in training, six of the number having made a reconl at the agricultural exhibitions in the adjoining counties in tiie autumn of 1885. An ex- cellent view of Mr. Ivey's fine homestead is presented elsewhere. Mr. Ivey is a firm adherent of the Republican [)arty in his political views and connections. He is a man of ability and one who is awake to all issues that can affect the general welfare. He is thor- oughly versed in the current news of the day, and abreast of the advancement of tlie period. He is a thoroughly domestic man with all the excellences of character that mark men of like proclivities. He has served two years as Supervisor of Sumner Town- ship. His marriage to Miss Columbia House took place Aug. 26, 1856. She is the daughter of Robert M. and Mary R. (Barnes) House, and was born in Wdliamson Co., Tenn., and was of German descent, his ancestors having been early settlers in Virginia. Her mother is of Scotch descent. The first whole- sale grocery business established at Clarksville, was started by her father. He died Feb. i, 1859, leaving . I to a family of five children, a priceless heritage, a | good name. j Mr. and Mrs. Ivey have only two children living. I- They are daughters and are named Mary Virginia ] and Emma F. Their first born was a daughter who died in infancy. John J., the only son was born in J , Stewart Co., in 1862, and died in Dallas, Texas, Nov. I 23, 1883. Jh- arvin Perry, a farmer ofTompkins Town- ship residing on sec. 25, was born in Put- nam Valley, Putnam Co., N. Y., Oct. 3, 1830, his parents being Reuben and l.,orin- da (Pratt) Perry, natives of New York and Con- necticut respectively. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice lived with his parents until he attained the age of 20 years, receiving at their hands a good, common- school education. Leaving home at that age of life, he worked at various occupations by the month for several years. In 1857 he came to Warren County, this State, and settled near Cameron, where for three years he followed the vocation of an agriculturist on rented land. In 1861, when the news flashedacross LAr iT_i. !?^!^4-*^ WARREN COUNTY. M7 the country tliat the Southern States had seceded and Rebel shot and shell were being thundered against the walls of Sumter, Mr. Perry was one of the first to respond to the call of our martyred Pres- ident for brave hearts and strong arms to defend the country's flag. He enlisted in Co. H, 45th 111. Vol. Inf., and served for three years. He was Corporal and then promoted Sergeant, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, and many others of smaller import. After being a member of the 45th Regi- ment for a year and a half, he received an honorable discharge, by special order, and immediately enlisted in the Mississippi River Marine Brigade, and served in the same until he received an honorable discharge by reason of the disbandment of the Brigade. Re- turning home, he again rented land for three years and engaged in his former occupation. At the expi- ration of that time, he purchased 70 acres of land, where he at present resides, engaging actively and energetically in its improvement and cultivation. Mr. Perry was united in marriage with Miss Eliz- abeth F. Brown, a native of Indiana, Feb. 22, 1865, and of their union two children. Villa May and Lo- rinda D., have been born. In politics, Mr. Perry is a strong supporter and active worker for the princi- ples advocated by the Prohibition party. In religion, he and his \vife are members of the Protestant Meth- odist Church. -^m^m* ohn Simcock, one of the highly esteemed citizens of the township of Spring Grove, where he has resided for many years, is a j^ native of England and was born in Stafford- t shire Dec. 27, 1829. He was a son of a miner and, according to the custom in England, pre- pared to follow the vocation of his ancestors. When he was seven years of age he entered the mines to assist in the variety of labor that can be performed by the children of the miners, and which is in many instances quite important, as tlie maintenance of the family is thereby much enhanced. He was engaged in the capacity of a door-tender and his duty was to open the doors leading to various portions of the mine before the passage of the cars which contained the results of the labors of those who worked the veins of coal. As he grew older he was | romoted to other kinds of labor of a more advanced character until he could wield all the tools of a bona-fide miner. He continued 10 reside in his native country until 185 r. In that year, during the month of May, he left Liverpool on a sailing vessel for the United States, and landed at the port of New York after an ocean passage of six weeks and three days. He pro- ceeded to Mahoning Co., Ohio, and was occupied in the mines there until the month of October fol- lowing. During the month last mentioned he came to Illinois, and after a delay of a short time in LaSalle County he came, in the spring of 1852, to Warren County. He engaged in his old vocation here until the spring of 1853, when he returned to the land of his birth. He passed a year on his native island and in the spring of 1855 he returned to the home of his adoption. He then went to the same county in the Buckeye State where he had at first found employment on coming to America, and in the fall of the same year came again to La Salle County. He passed a year in the mines there and then went to St. Louis. A year was passed in the State of Mis- souri and in 1856 he came again to Warren County with the intent to pass his remaining life within its limits. He then first entered into the business of a farmer in good earnest, and rejited land in the township of Spring Grove. He operated there a few years and then became an independent landholder in the town- ship of Cold Brook. The tract contained coal and he opened the hidden treasures and operated as a miner until 1861. In tlie fall of that year he went thence to Pike's Peak. He drove an ox team and passed two months on the way to his destination in the mountains. .'Vfter reacliing there he engaged in gold-mining two months, and, not finding the results of his labors satisfactory, he returned to Warren County. He passed the first year after his return in the township of Cold Brook and then rented a coal- bank on section 14, SpringS^rove Township. In 1864 he bouglit a tract of land situated on the northeast quarter of section 14, and, as it contained a vein of coal, he proceeded to open it for the pur- pose of carrying on the same business with which he was familiar. It did not prove a sjccess, and not Jljr::. -<; i> 348 WARREN COUNTY. long after he exchanged the land for the same quan- tity on the southeast ciuarter of the same section. There he opened a coal-bank, whicii he has since continued to operate with success. In 1872 lie put in the shaft and it is the only one in the township. The output of the bank is between 40,000 and 60,- 000 bushels annually. A view of Mr. Simcock's residence and coal-bank is given on page 344. Mr. Simcock was married April 26, 1859, to Jiinet McKelvie. She was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, April 16, 1842, and is the mother of 13 children, 12 of whom are living. Elizabeth is the wife of Enoch Wilson, of Spring (irove Township; Matilda married Lincoln Bailey of the same townshi|). Those who are unmarried are Margaret J., John, Janet, Thomas, Aaron, Annie, Kdiih, Bertha, Charles and Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Simcock are members of the Church of God, at Spring Grove. In politics, he has always been a strong supporter of the principles of the Re- publican party. ■vwv-.»«jiijei2/©t@^-^^fe>''^^l'^'3Tr'^ illiam Crosby became a citizen of wliat is now Kelly Township in 1848. He was ^^^' '^°''" '" 1815, in Augusta County, Va., and Jj^^^l. is the son of George Oosby, a native of Pennsylvania. The latter was born in 1862, and settled in the "Old Djminion " in 1804. He bought a farm in Augusta County and was its owner and occupant tnrough the remainder of his life. He was by trade a blacksmith, and during the second contest with Great Britain he made horse- shoes for the use of the soldiers of the .\merican army. His wife was a nalive of the county where her son was born. He was reared on the farm and was a pupil in wh.it was called the "subscription school." He gre.v to the age of manhood in Virginia and married Maria Wagner, in September, 1839. She was born in Augusta County, in 1817. For the next eight years Mr. and Mrs. Crosby re- mained on the homestead of his father and in 1847 started to find a home in the West. They traveled to Harrison County, Ind., with two horses and a wagon, and lived there about a year. In March, 1848, they again turned their faces toward the set- ting sun, setting out on the i6th of that month with the same outfit as that with which they had left Vir- ginia the year previous. Tiiey arrived in Warren County on the ad day of April, and took possession of a claim which the father had secured the fall pre- v ous. It consisted of 80 acres, and after a few years it was found that the title was defective and Mr. Crosby was obliged to pay for the property a second time. Since he secured himself in its ownership he has been a continuous resident on the place. He is at present tlte owner also of 80 acres on section i, in the same township, and 21 acres of timber on section 13. He and his wife liave nine children living, — Ruth, May, Elizabeth, C>eorge, Sally, John, Benja- min, Melinda and Augustus. Mr. Crosby has been a life-long ndherent of the Democratic party. , iram IngersoU, a pioneer of Warren County, I' of 1835, was born Feb. 7, 1812, in Cortland Co,N. Y. His father, David IngersoU, ■ was a native of Massachusetts and the mother was born in Ireland. Her name before her marriage was Jane McCoy. The elder Inger- soU located with his family in Broome Co., N. Y., when his son was i 2 years of age. He was there resident until the fall of the year named, in which he determined to seek a home in the " far West." He removed from his home in tlie Empire State as far as Syracuse, where he took passage on a canal-boat for Buffalo. He crossed the lakes from that jilace to Chicago, and there hired a team wiiich brought him to Peoria. He came thence to Warren County on foot. His father liad settled in Kelly Township in 1833, and in tiic fall of r335 Mr. IngersoU joined the family there. He engaged in farming on his fa- ther's estate. Ill the spring following he went to Knoxville and passed two months there working at his trade of carpentry. He returned to the home of his fatiier and pursued the same occupation in War- ren Count). In the spring of 1838 he went back to the State of his nativity and remained there about a year and a half In the autumn of 1839 he again came to Kelly Towns'iip, and lived wiiii the family of his father until the succeeding spring. In the course of that season he built a liouse for his father n- =f* !^-44- 4 WARREN COUNTY. 35 1 and got out the timber preparatory to the construc- tion of a saw-mill. He continued to follow the trade of carpentry for some years, as he had opportunity. In 1846 he was married, and bought a farm on sec- tion 22 of the same township in which his parents resided, and passing the intervening years between that time and 1875 in farming and working at his trade. In the year last mentioned he retired from the cares and responsibilities of active life and bought the place where he has since resided in that part of Alexis which is included in Henderson Township, in Mercer County. Jan. r, 1846, he was married to Cecilia Potter. She was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, March 14, 1826, and is the daughter of Chester and Eliza (Cas- tle) Potter. Her parents were natives of Litchfield, Conn., and came to Fulton Co., 111., in 1831. After passing a winter there they came, in the spring of 1832, to Warren County. They located at RockweU's Mills, where they resided at the time of the Black Hawk War. The family was in the block-house in the fort at the time of the murder of William Martin, . in 1832. An account of this affair will be found in •", various parts of this work in connection with the I sketches of those who were witnesses of the flight of I the savages with the scalp of their victim. In 1833 Mr. Potter removed to Kelly Township, and in the same year he erected a grist-mill on Main Hender- son Creek. Soon after he built a saw-mill in con- nection with the mill already standing. Mr. and Mrs. Potter lived in Kelly Township until the events of their death. Mr. and Mrs. Ingersoll had one child, which died at the age of nine months. =1 javid J. Shaw is one of the prominent farm- ■'- ers in the township of Spring Grove. His home farm is located on section 8, where he is the owner of 210 acres of excellent land in the best possible condition. He also owns a quarter section of the old homestead farm on section 4, Spring Grove Township. Mr. Shaw was born June 22, 1840. in Brown Co., Ohio. He is the oldest son of Robert and Lucinda (Stewart) Shaw. His father was a native of the State of Kentucky, but reared in Ohio, to which State his parents moved during his early childhood, they being among the first permanent settlers in Brown County. Robert Shaw was twice married, and of the four children left motherless by the death of his first wife, one only is now living, Ezra, who is a resident of the city of Chicago. Lucinda Stewart, the second wife and the mother of the gentleman who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Ohio and was of English extraction. On the paternal side, the family is of Scotch origin. From the second marriage were born 12 children, of whom only six are now living. Ehzabeth removed to Toledo, Tama Co., Iowa; James is married and is a citizen of Dav- enport, in that State; John lives in the city of Chi- cago ; Catherine is the wife of Herman Loveridge, of Galesburg, 111.; Laura is living in Toledo, Tama Co., Iowa, with her sister. Mr. Shaw was 16 years of age when his parents came to Warren County. They located on section 4, in Spring Grove Township, his father purchasing • a farm which contained 240 acres. The claim upon which the property was situated, was first settled by a man named Stewart, who was one of a body of 14 pioneers who made the first settlement in the county. The original owner had placed 100 acres under cul- tivation, and there was a convenient and fairly good ' log house and stable on the place. The senior Shaw made a further purchase of 40 acres on section 7, and was resident thereon for the remainder of his life, with the exception of two years passed in Mon- mouth. His death took place in September, 1874, his wife' following him in April, 1879. Mr. Shaw remained at home with his parents until his marriage. That event took place Oct. 3, 186 1, when he became the husband of Nancy Armstrong. She was born in Indiana Co., Pa., and was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Johnson) Armstrong. Mr. Shaw and his wife located in Mercer County soon after their union, and one year later took pos- session of the place on which they are now living, where he is engaged in mixed husbandry. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are the parents of six children — R. Thomas, Mary L., William, Clarence, Delia and George. Their eldest son occupies the old home- stead farm located on section 4. Mary L. is mar- ried to Alex. Pease, a farmer of Mercer County. Mrs. Shaw has for 25 years been a communicant of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shaw is a Repub rrAj 4^ 4; t* 3S« WARREN COUNTY. lican in his political views and connections, and cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Two of the brothers of the subject of our sketch, Martin Luther and James, were soldiers in the late Rebellion. The former was a member of Co. F, 17th Rpgt. 111. Vol. Inf. He took an active part in many engagements, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Fort Donelson and Vicksburg, among others, and during his service of three years was present at all the engagements in which his regiment took part. On his return home, he was appointed Deputy In- ternal Revenue Collector, continuing to fill that im- portant position until he received the appointment of ticket agent at Monmouth for the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, on the completion of the line. About three weeks thereafter he was killed at the depot by a train. His death occurred in 1872, a wife and two children surviving him, who are now living in Wilber, Neb. James Shaw was a member of the i02d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf. Going out during the latter part of the war, he served until the close of the great contest. Upon his return home, he engaged in farming, sub- sequently becoming a merchant at Alexis. He after- ward moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he is employed in the mercantile business. He is mar- ried and the father of several children. We present in this connection a portrait of David J. Shaw. There will also be found, on page 332, a view of his residence, and of the original Shaw homestead established by his father. eorge W. McMahill, farmer, residing on section 31, Greenbush Township, was born in 1826, in Kentufky, and is a son of John McMahill, a native of the Keystone State. The grandfallier of Mr. McMahill, of this notice, John McMahill, was kidnapped when a small lad by a Captain of a sailing vessel from off the coast of Ireland, and was brought to this country and settled in Philadelphia, where he remained until he was killed by the falling of a tree. George VV., of whom we write, was married to Miss Martha Jane McMahill, May 8, 1848, in Illinois. She was born in 1833. They have had no children. Mr. McMahill is the owner of some 3,000 acres of land, some of it being located in Missouri, some' in Iowa, and the remainder in McDonough and Warren Counties, this State. He is engaged in breeding full-blood Short-horn cattle, of which he has some 40 head. He also has one Holstein cow. His horses are of the Norman and Clydesdale breed. In religion, he and his wife are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, and in politics, Mr. McMa- hill always votes the Democratic ticket. ^•^ ^ illiam J. Nieol, a well-to-do farmer of Sumner Township, residing on section „- 8, has been all his life an inhabitant of V Illinois, and a resident of Warren County since five years of age. He was born Sept. 18, 1847, in Edgington Township, Rock Island Co., 111. James Nicol, his father, is a native of Preble, Co., Ohio, and came to Warren Co. before he was married. He passed a few years in Rock Isl- and County, where he was one of the first settlers. He bought land in the township which has been named as the one in which his son was born, but at that time it was designated by the number which was to be found on the charts of the surveyors. He remained there until 1852. In that year he removed to Warren County and settled in Spring Grove Township. After a residence there of five years, he sold the farm on which he had lived, and located in the township of Sumner. He became a landholder on sections 18 and 19 and continued the manage- ment of his property there until his decease, which transpired March 4, 1861. His wife, Susan (Giles) Nicol, was a native of Ohio, and died in 1869. They were the parents of four children, and the son who is the subject of this personal narration is the only survivor. It can justly be said of him that he has grown up with Warren County. He lived with his parents until their death. In 1883, Mr. Nicol was married to Sarah A. Mc- Cracken. She is the daughter of Frederick and Mary J. McCracken, and is a native of the county in which she lives. She was born Jan. 21, 1862. ■< tp r -e^-*. WARREN COUNTY. !?=^4- 353 The young people located on the Nicol homestead, which is the property of the husband. In 1884, Mr. Nicol bought the farm which he now owns on section 12, in the same township, which contains 160 acres. The homestead includes 175 acres, and the estate on section 19 comprises 105 acres, a total of 440 acres. Mr. Nicol is engaged in mixed husbandry. He and his wife are the parents of one child, Will- iam Ira. ^1 ||p§^[ H. Black, a gentleman of push and en- l[ ergy among the numerous citizens of his " vocation, that of a farmer, resides on sec- tion 14, Tompkins Township. He was born in Greene Co., Ohio, June 16, 1823, his par- ents being William and Elizabeth (George) Black, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect- ively. The parents were married in Greene County, Ohio, and there the father followed the occupation of a farmer until 1838, when he came to this State and located at Monmouth, this county, and where he re- mained for about three years. He was consequently a pioneer of this county, and was here to see the broad and uncultivated prairie lands in their or- iginal condition. He remained at Monmouth for the time stated and then moved to Henderson County, where, near Olena, he purchased 80 acres of land. Here he located with his family and was engaged in his chosen vocation until his death, which occurred in 1858. His wife survived him until 1885. Their family comprised nine children, five sons and four daughters. A. H. Black, whose name stands at the head of this notice, was the second in order of birth of his parents' children, and remained on the old home- stead, assisting his father in the labors of the farm, until he attained his 28th year. At this age in life, he left the parental roof-tree and went forth to bat- tle against the trials of life alone, hoping to procure a competency. He at first rented land, and for three years was engaged in farming in that manner, when he purchased a farm of his own, consisting of 80 acres, in close proximity to the village of Olena. On this land he located and passed his years in labor until 1864. He then sold it and came to Kirkwood, and purchased a lot and residence there, where he resided for two years, when he sold his village prop- erty and bought 60 acres on section 14, Tompkins Township, on which he removed and there resided until 1880. During this year he rented his farm and again moved into Kirkwood, where he lived four years. At the expiration of that time he moved back on his farm and has resided there ever since. He is engaged in general farming, having been brought up to that calling, and following it the major portion of his life is consequently possessed of that knowledge of agriculture which enables him to make a success of it. The marriage of Mr. Black to Miss Martha Ran- kin took place Jan. 16, 185 1. She was a native of Indiana, where she was born, May 27, 1832. Her parents were Joseph and Lutitia (Brown) Rankin, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. They came to this State in 1837 and purchased land in Henderson County, and lived there until the latter's death, in 1847. Mr. Rankin went to Kansas after his wife's death, and was there engaged in farming until Nov. 1, 1878, when he crossed the river to meet his companion in the land of the hereafter. In politics, Mr. Black is a strong advocate of the principles of the Republican party, with which party he always casts his vote. He and his wife are the parents of one child — Melissa, who is the wife of James Riggs, and by whom she has had four chil- dren, who have been named, Cora, Edna, Hugh O. and Albert G. Mrs. Black is a member of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, with which she united at the age of 18 years, and has since been a consistent member in good standing. She first united with that branch of the Church known as Seceders, but joined with the union of the Seceders and Associate Reformed when they united. ''flfnH il^*°^ Stark, one of the leading business ' I^Mlr men of Kirkwood and who is engaged in IJ j^Sfe-," the drug trade, is a native of Scotland. ^^ His father, James Stark, came to America in 1835, and settled in Hancock Co., 111., where he died the following year. His mother^ Mary (Drown) Stark, died in Scotland. Williatn re- *X ~T' ^T > !?J^ 3S4 WARREN COUNTY. mained with his parents until their death, wiien, in company with his brother, and sister, he moved on the farm in Hancock County, where they lived until 1849. At that time William engaged as a clerk in his brother's store at Augusta, 111., where he re- mained until 1856, when he went to Plymoutli, and clerked for three years. He then returned to the farm where he remained for two years longer, when we again find him in his brother's store at Augusta. He remained tiiere until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. K, 1 19th 111. Vol. Inf , and served for 14 months, most of which time was spent in a Rebel prison. He was captured at Rutherford, Tenn., and remained a prisoner nine months, when he was exchanged, and being sick, was honorably discharged. He returned to his home in Augusta, where he remained until 1867, when he came to Kirkwood and embarked in the drug business, and is now recognized as one of the most prominent business men and influential citizens of the place. He owns a fine brick store on Kirk street and carries the largest stock of drugs in the village. In 1866, the marriage of Mr. Stark and Miss Ellen > Douglass occurred. She is a native of Kentucky, and a daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Eckels) Douglass. One child blessed this union, which died in infancy. Mr. Stark is a Republican in political faith and a member of the Christian Church, and also belongs to the G. A. R. —-«*•= I heodore C. Pearce, a farmer, residing on section 20, Berwick Township, was born in the same township of which he is at pres- ent a resident, March 9, 1843. He remained with his parents until he was 23 years old, working on his father's farm, attending the dis- trict schools and supplementing his education by an attendance of one year at Monmouth College, and a course of two years at Knox College. He is the son of Andrew G. Pearce, a native of Ohio, having been born in Champaign County, that State, Nov. 16, 1816. The father came to this State in 1830, and located at Pekin, 111., where he remained one year, then came to this county, and located in Berwick Township, being one of the pioneer settlers of that township as well as one of the pioneers of Warren County. He married Miss Eliza Powers, May 28, 1840. She was born Jan. 19, 1819, near Cincin- nati, the "Buckeye State." Her parents are both de- ceased, having died in Greenbush Township. The parents of our subject had a family compris- ing four children, as follows: Martha J., born March 28, 1841; Theodore C, of whom we write, Mary C, March 18, 1848, and (icorge T., July i, 1855. Both of the girls are deceased. Mr. Pearce, of this notice, was united in marriage with Miss Susan Baldwin, who was likewise born in this township, Dec. 13, 1848. Her parents were A. N. Baldwin, born in New York, July 20, 1822, and Phebe A. (Lewis) Baldwin, born July 9, 1826. Her father died Dec. 2, 1873. He was married in 1844, and his wife still survives him. Their children were 12 in number, — Mary Ann, Arthur N., Susan A., Aletta A., Sarah E., Mary I., Charles L., Lennettie, Phebe J., John, Minnie A. and Anna G. Five of the above are deceased, namely: Mary A., Arthur N., Aletta A., Sarah E. and John M. The date of the marriage of Mr. Pearce and Miss 'J Baldwin was Dec. 19, 1866, Rev. F. Smith, of the J Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating, and of their union eight children have been horn, of which the following is a record,— Alice M., born May 27, 1868; Ida G., July 1 1, 1870; May A., May 2, 1872 ; Arthur E., Feb. 16, 1874; Eva L., Aug. 11, 1876; Fred G., March 9, 1879; Ralph E., June 11, i88i and Bessie, May 29, 1883, all of whom are living. Mr. Pearce has 160 acres of good farm land in this county, on which is a good dwelling, 66 x 24 feet in dimensions and two stories in height. Its interior is handsomely finished, while its exterior surroundings are of a character which constitute it an exceedingly charming place of residence. His substantial barn is 40 X 42 feet with 18-foot posts, the entire farm being enclosed with a good wire and board fence. His stock is kept in first-class condition and two roadsters which he owns are of a very fine strain. Socially, Mr. Pearce is a member of the A. F. and A. M., belonging to ('ameron Lodge, No. 625, to to which he has belonged for some 15 years, and in which order he has held many of the important offices. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., belong- ing to Lodge No. 185, Abingdon. Religiously, he and Iris wife are members of the Methodist Episco- *% v" -^4: . ^ Y , , ' WARREN COUNTY. ^±Jf^ 357 pal Church. In polilics, Mr. Pearce affiliates with the Republican party. Eliphalet Lewis, the grandfather of Mrs. Pearce, was born in New Jersey, May ii, 1799, and during his early life engaged in the occupation of oyster- fishing near Amboy. He came to Illinois in 1837, and for a few years resided near Springfield. He then located in Warren County, and made the first improvements on the farm now occupied by Mr. Pearce, and upon which he continued to reside until his death, June 25, 1867. He married Miss Mary A. Mills, May 24, 1823. She was born July 21, 1806, and bore her husband five children, viz.: Henry, born in February, 1824; Phebe A., July 9, 1826; Mary A., July 3, 1838; Susan E., Oct. 12, 1841, and Thomas P., Aug. 12, 1843, all of whom are living. -.^-S- -G-^- : obert W. Gerlaw, one of the largest land- _>":R^i^ owners in Warren County and a prominent ^< example of what may be accomplished by (. ' iW ^ straightforward, energetic and determined man, is the founder of the village of Gerlaw, near where he resides. He is a native of Greene Co., Ohio, where he was born on the 4th of March, 1817. Adam and Catherine (Haines) Ger- law, his parents, had a family of ten children, of whom Robert W. was the fifth child in order of birth. Adam Gerlaw was born in Washington Co., Md., about the year 1781. His father's name was also Adam, who was a native of Germany. He caine to this country and settled in the Colony of South Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. He eii- listed in the service of his adopted country in that heroic conflict for American liberty, and bore an honorable part in aiding to establish our independ- ence and laying the foundations of the splendid in- stitutions that we now enjoy. At the close of that war he removed to Maryland, and about the year 1808, with his family, became pioneers of Greene Co., Ohio. Here he died about 182 1. To him is due the credit of establishing this branch of the Ger- law family on American soil. No language can pic- ture the hardships and suffering of the pioneer of that early period, which was the price paid for the blessings we enjoy to-day in this country. His wife, the grandmother of Robert W., was for a short time a prisoner in the hands of the Indians, but was lib- erated after the treaty of Greenville. Adam Gerlaw, Jr., as was observed, was born in Maryland, where he was married, and with his father removed to Greene Co., Ohio, and, like the elder Gerlaw, became a prominent pioneer of that section. Here the family cleared a patch of ground, built the accustomed log cabin and engaged in farming in a crude way. They likewise endured such privations and hardships as were incident to life in a new coun- try of that day. The Gerlaws have always been an energetic and industrious people. Adam became, for that period, a very successful farmer and stock- raiser. He was a man of a kind heart and sterling character, and greatly beloved by his family. The following incident will illustrate their attachment for him: His first seven children were sons, and they all remained with him, aiding him in his farming and other operations till all of them attained the years of manhood, and it was in a large measure ow- ing to their united efforts that he acquired his wealth. He continued to own his property, both personal and real, until his death, when it was inherited by his children. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in that struggle nobly did his part in upholding the national honor which his father had fought to attain. Politically, he was a Whig, and always op- posed to the institutions of slavery. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church, and his wife, Catherine Haines, who was also descended from German parentage, worshiped with him. They had ten children, all of whom reached the years of maturity, and eight of whom are living at this writing (January, 1886). Those deceased are David and Adam. Those living are Jacob, Otho, Robert W., Arthur, Jonathan, Francis- Catherine (wife of Benja- min Clark), Henry Harrison, and Jane, wife of Emanuel Hawker. Mrs. Gerlaw, mother of Robert W., died in 1852, at their residence in Greene Co., Ohio. Her husband died while on a vist to his son, Robert W., in this county, in 1857. Robert W., the subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the log school house in the neighborhood where his parents resided. Such educational advant- ages, as we might infer, were very meager. He has, however, supplemented them by careful reading and la: f -f^ 358 WARREN COUNTY. i* study, so that to-day we find him to be a gentlemen well versed on the important questions of the hour. In conversation he is most interesting, with a vein of humor pervading his remarks which makes them piquant and pleasing to listen to. In the autumn of 1850 he came to Warren County, and for about 16 months worked on a farm. He was then married to Marj' Jane Black, who was the daughter of Jonathan and Abagail Black, who were both natives of Penn sylvania and of Irish extraction. The above named union took place March 16, 1852, and the August following they moved upon the farm where they now reside. Mr. G. had previously erected a house there, which is on section 34, Spring Grove Town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Gerlaw have had born to them five children namely: Robert Dayton (deceased), Ella M., Mary Abagail, Sarah and Frank L. Those liv- ing all reside at home. Mr. Gerlaw lias given them the advantages of a good education and many priv- ileges which he did not enjoy. His wife is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Gerlaw was first a Whig, and on the formation of the Republican party became iden- tified with it, since which time he has been a sup- porter of its principles. He voted both times for Abraham Lincoln, with whom he was well ac- quainted, and twice for Grant. During the late Slave-holders' Rebellion, he was a staunch Union man. He was elected several terms Supervisor for Spring Grove Township, and during the war acted as agent in selling the township bonds to raise money to pay the bounty for the soldiers required to fill its quota. He also went to Quincy, where he hired a number of substitutes. Mr. Gerlaw began life with but little of this world's goods, in fact, about all he did possess was his strong arms and abundance of energy, and thus equipped, he set out, witJi the help of his good wife, to carve out that success which has since crowned their efforts. By dint of good jugment in making in- vestments, he has succeeded in accumulating for himself and family a very handsome competency. Later in life upon the death of his father, he inher- ited $10,000, which he invested in a judicious man- ner. He also owns a fine farm of 1,300 acres in Nemaha Co., Neb., which is fenced and well stocked with good graded cattle and supplied with comfort- able buildings. 'In May, 187 i, Mr. Gerlaw laid out the town which is named in his honor, and which is situated on a portion of the home farm and on the line of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad, now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The village is in a growing condition, enjoys considerable trade and is a place from which a great deal of slock is annually shipped. It is well supplied with schools and churches and is quite prosperous. A fine bird's- eye-view of the town, as well as a view of the hand- some residence and surroundings of Mr. Gerlaw's home, is shown by a well executed engraving on an adjoining page. The act of founding this village will cause the name of Robert Gerlaw to be long re- membered by the people of this county, and he de- servedly merits the respect in which he is held by his fellow citizens. -K- -€3- uben Holeman, engaged in farming on sec- tion 32, Roseville Township, was born in ■ Indiana, Jan. 20, 1817. His parents, Isaac }y^ and Nancy (Cleghorn) Holeman, were natives e? of North Carolina, and the mothers 's demise occurred while in Jackson Co., Ind. The father came to Illinois in 1848 and settled in Swan Township, where he engaged ([uite extensively in agricultural pursuits, and became the father of eight children, seven of whom still survive. Ruben Holeman remained at home assisting his father in the labors on the farm, and alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools until he attained his 2 ist year. .\t that age in life he began farming for himself on a rented farm, which he continued for two years, and, in 1847, came to Illinois and settled in Geenbush Township, this county, then, in 1849, removed to Roseville Town- ship and purchased too acres on section 32, and lived on the same seven years. He then sold it and purchased 437 acres of land, some of it being located in Swan Township. He now resides on section 32 Roseville Township, where he has erected a fine res- idence, with suitable outbuildings and made all his improvements. In 1844 he was married to Miss Susanna Crab, a *% V < T ■ ^?-:¥-^ WARREN COUNTY. 359 native of Indiana and daughter of James and Pau- lina (Thelkeld) Crab, natives of Kentucky, who en- gaged in the occupation of farming in Indiana, where they resided until their death. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Holeman consists of eight children, all of whom are Jiving — John W., Daniel B., Uuriah C, Isaac A., Theodore, Albert A., Orville L. and Eliza Ann. Eliza A. is the wife of Isaac Perkins, and they are the parents of seven children ; Daniel B. married Harriet Smith, and they have become the parents of two children; John W. married Mary, Hosier and they have one child ; Uriah C. married Usitta Rowland, and they have a family of two children; Theodore married Ida Carr, and their family consists of two children.' Mr. Holeman has held the office of Assessor, Road Commissioner, Collector, and School Trustee. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is considered one of the solid and substantial men of Warren County. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party. ^^ |l|tephen Dixson, deceased, was formerly a resident of the township of Point Pleasant. He was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Dec. 21, 1 814, and was the son of Eli and Rebecca (Hart) Dixson. His parents removed to In- diana when he was four years old and he there grew to the estate of manhood. He was trained in the pursuit of agriculture, and was married in the Hoosier State. The lady whom he married was the sister of the wife of his brother, Eli, and was Miss Amanda, the daughter of Drury B. and Rebecca (Hurd) Boyd. In 1854 her parents came from Greene County to Warren County, and located on section i, in Point Pleasant Township. The husband had previously purchased there a considerable tract of unimproved land, and made it his home until his death, which took place March i, 1879. His wife died May 3, 186 1. He was a man of industri- ous habits, and at the time of his decease was the owner of upwards of 600 acres of valuable farming lands. Three of their children lived to mature life. Eli B. is a resident of Bushnell, McDonough Co., 111. Margaret was born Oct. 27, 1855, and was the wife of Andrew L. Madison. She died in March, 1879, leaving two children. Elizabeth is the wife of Alex- ander Elston, and they reside in Kansas. Mr. Dixson was prominent in his defense of mo- rality and temperance and liberal in his religious views. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellowmen in the community of which he was a mem- ber. .^VS*{— . > > — *s^«. ^ JlJ ^rury B. Boyd, a pioneer settler at Point , Pleasant Township, was born in the State IcS?-"^ of Virginia, May 12, 1780. He was the jM»x son of George and Jemima (Birge) Boyd, and ^ was early orphaned by their deaths. He was S made an apprentice to a trade, and when still young went to the State of Georgia. There he was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd. She was born in Georgia and soon after their marriage they weiit to Kentucky, where they located in Bath County and the husband utilized his good education in teaching and in the al- ternate seasons he worked at his trade. They lived there until 1822, when they went to Pulaski County, in the same State, and remained there until 1825. They removed thence to Greene Co., Ind., where they were among the earliest of the pioneer element. They located on land which was covered with heavy timber and their two sons were occupied with the work of clearing the farm, while the father worked at his trade. After a time he purchased a saw-mill. His wife died Aug. 14, 1835, and he was again mar- ried, about two years later, to Elizabeth Kelshaw. The children of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd were Mary, George, Elizabeth and Nancy. Mary was married to Joseph Dixson and died in Greene Co., Ind. George is married and lives in Georgia. Elizabeth was the wife of Drury B. Boyd, subject of this sketch. Nancy became the wife of Sanford Raimy, and they live in Preble Co., Ohio. While living in Indiana he was twice elected to represent his District and served two terms in the Legislature of that State. After his removal to War- ren County, he located at Ellison and a few years V 360 *t . , . Y • . . ' WARREN COUNTY. ^ later settled on section 2, of Point Pleasant Town- ship, where he died, Sept. 7, 1856. His wife was killed in the tornado at Ellison in 1858. Two of their children are still living. Mrs. Dixson is repre- sented elsewhere in this work, and it is through her interest in the preservation of the records of her fam- ily circle that these sketches of the members of the family haye been obtained. Her only sister is the wife of Elisha Hughen, of Point Pleasant Township, of whom a sketch is given in this work. Mr. Boyd and his family made the trip from Ken- tucky to Greene County with horse-teams. They settled in a small log house, of the most unpreten- tious style, until the father could clear a jilace, upon which he erected a double-hewed log house. P errine Holman, a farmer residing on sec- tion 2 [, Tompkins Township, where he is lif^'^ actively engaged in the labors of his voca- Wd ''°"' '^ '^ native of New Jersey, having been Jfl^ born in that State, Aug. 20, 181 9, of parents ' named Kenneth and Sarah (Jamison) Holman, natives of the same State. Perrine Holman was an inmate of his father's household until he attained the age of 22 years, and received a good education in the common schools. Arriving at the age named, he set out to battle against the trials of life alone, with naught but strong arms and a firm determination to " get on " in the world. He first worked out by the month and was engaged in accumulating in that manner for five years. He then embarked in the oyster trade, and followed that for five years, when he rented a farm, which he cultivated for another period of five years. At the expiration of this time, in 1853, he came to this State and located in Hen- derson County, where he purchased 40 acres of land, on which he moved and was actively and laboriously engaged in its cultivation for four years. He then sold his land in Henderson County and moved to Tompkins Township, this county, where he pur- chased another 40-acre tract on which he moved his family and where lie is to-day residing, meeting with success in his vocation. His first marriage, with Mrs. Elizabeth Meech, took place in 1844. She was also a native of New Jersey. The second marriage of Mr. Holman was with Mrs. Annett Star, a native of New York State, and took place Oct. 6, 1881. She came West in 1875. By her first marriage with Mr. Star six chil- dren were born, three of whom are living and three are dead. The living children are Emery A., Susan E. and Ehner R. Star, and by the latter union, one child, Alida M. Holman, was born. In politics, Mr. Holman is a Greenbacker, and isoneof the success- ful farmers of Tompkins Township. ^OOOfe Vfl'^ (Jgi'^inery H. Crandall, Superintendent of the ;t t^lj io' County Infirmary, located in Lenox Town- 's J 1. 11^'"^ ship, Warren County, is a son of Richard t st^^ and Sybil (Armstrong) Crandall, natives of • New York and Wisconsin respectively. They married and settled in the Keystone State, and ■ in March, i860, came to Warren County, locating in " Lenox Township, but removed to Monmouth in the • fall of 187 I, where they still reside. Five children were born to them, as follows : Melvina J., Emery ' H., Martlia, Armstrong and Lydia A. Emery H., of whom this personal sketch is written, was born in Erie Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1843, and re- mained at home, receiving a good common-school education and assisting his father on the farm, thus fully initiating him in the arts of agriculture, and accompanied his parents to Warren County. He has since been a resident of this county with the exception of about ten months spent in the army. He purchased land at different times until he is now the proprietor of 240 acres, which, through his ex- cellent knowledge of improving and cultivating, he has all under an advanced state of cultivation, and it is considered second to none in his township. July 26, 1862, Mr. Crandall enlisted in Co. C, 83d 111. Vol. Inf., in which he served for about ten months, being discharged at Cairo, this State, on ac- , count of disability. He then returned to the more ! peaceful pursuit of agriculture. 1 Mr. Emery H. Crandall and Miss Kate Williams | were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at I Monmouth, on the 22d of November, 1865, she be- r .^ WARREN COUNTY. 363 inga native of Crawford Co., Pa., having been born there March 18, 1848. Her parents, Peter and Lamira (Woods) Williams, were both natives of the JCeystone State, and in the year 1856, emigrated westward to Warren County, this State, and located in Roseville Township. They afterward removed to Iowa and from there to Kansas, where the father, Mr. Williams, died, March 11, 1880. The mother still survives. They had become the parents of 11 children, namely : Sarah L., Margaret E., William S., Cyrus, Kate (our subject's wife), Robert, Theo- dore, Alice, Carson, Chester and Estella. Mr. and Mrs. Emery H. Crandall's home has been blessed with the birth of four children, the names of whom are Archie, Minnie E., Francis E. and Maude G. Mr. Crandall has served his township as School Trustee for six years, also as School Director, and in December, 1884, was appointed to take charge of the County Infirmary in Lenox Township, in which are from 25 to 40 inmates. Mr. Crandall and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, in politics, Mr. C. affiliates with the Republican party. i^hancy Hardin. Promment among the 111' names of men who, by their energy, good •gyj ^ judgment and perseverance, laid broad Jp) and deep in her pioneer days, the foundation ^ for the subsequent growth, development and material prosperity of Warren County, stands the name of Chancy Hardin.* Occupying as he has for the last 45 years, close business relations with the citizens of the county, and being conspicuouous among the few far-sighted men who early appreciated the importance of railroads in promoting the settle- ment of a new country, and the consequent benefits resulting therefrom, it is not, therefore a matter of comment to find Mr. Hardin one of the trio who were in the van of the railroad builders in this county. Mr. Hardin of this notice is the second son of Chancy and Anna (Gates) Hardin, and was born Jan. 15, 1815, in Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y. He is de- scended from a long line of English ancestry, the *The father of Mr. Hardin used the "' g " in his name in the early part of hii? life, but left it off about the same time as his son Chancy did. The other son, Harry 6.. retains the " g." family being transplanted to America by Nathan Hardin, who landed at Cape Cod in the year 1640. His grandson, Chancy Hardin, was born at Middle Haddam, Conn., Jan. 8, 1775, and died at Iowa Falls, Dec. 11, 1876. His first wife, the mother of Chancy, the subject of this sketch, was also born at Middle Haddam, 1 1 years later than her husband, and died at Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 6, 1819, whither they had previously removed. Of their union, there were only two sons who lived to attain the age of maturity, both of whom yet survive, Harry G. and Chancy. Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. Hardin married Miss Sally Martin, who was born in Olsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1794, and who died at Iowa Falls, Iowa, in April, 1885. By the last marriage, three daughters were born, — Mary Ann, wife of Justin Soule ; Fidelia, wife of A. E. Arnold ; Arzelia, wife of S. P. Smith, all of « honi are living. The elder Hardin came to Illi- nois in 1858; the next year moved to Iowa Falls, Iowa, where two of the daughters reside, and the other is living in Battle Creek, Mich. Chancy Hardin spent his boyhood days on his f.ither's farm, and his early education was acquired " in the common schools of the neighborhood. When about the age of 21, he began clerking in a store in Burlington Flats, Otsego Co., N. Y., and continued in that position about two and a half years. He served the first six months for his board; the second six months for board and $10 per month, after which he received $35 per month for his services. Desir- ing to better his financial condition in life, he con- cluded to come West, and soon started, landing at Monmouth, July 4, 1840. From his home in New York he went to Chicago, via the canal and lakes, and from the latter city his conveyance to this place was by means of a two-horse farm wagon, the time required to make the journey being three weeks. A few months after reaching Monmouth, he was em- ployed in the store of James E. Hogue at a salary of $35 per month. In August, 1840, Mr. Hardin and wife began housekeeping, and as it may be interesting to the reader of the present day to learn something in re- gard to the inconveniences and privations of the early settlers, we deem it appropos to give something in detail in regsrd to their early housekeeping. Mr. Hardin relates that their table consisted of a dry- goods box ; dry-goods boxes were used for stools and 'T" 4^ 4 3^4 WARREN COUNTY. ^?=rJ^ one for a cupboard, with a curlain in front for doors. This will illustrate to some extent the prudent meth- ods of Mr. Hardin and wife when they began house- keeping. Though he had at tliat time $800 in currency, the careful economy tlius practiced and adhered to through a long life is no doubt the true reason of the success which has attended his efforts. After clerking for a time for Mr. Hogue, he sold out the remnant of the goods ot auction for his employer, after which he accepted the appointment of Deputy Sheriff and Constable for one year. In the spring of 1843, Mr. Hardin moved on a farm of 640 acres, located in Tompkins Township, a part of which he had previously purchased and the balance leased. By additional purchases lie in- creased his landed interests to 1,000 acres, and con- tinued farming, stock-raising and feeding until 1850, when he sold the land for $12 per acre on ten years' time at si-\ per cent, interest. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Hardin moved to Monmouth, where he has since resided. His business since that time iias almost e.xclusively been devoted to loaning money and dealing in real estate, in which he has been eminently successful. In 1853, in company with Gen. A. C. Harding and Judge Ivory Quinby, Mr. Hardin built the rail- road from Burlington to Kno.wille, and, after com- pleting and operating it for about six months, they sold it to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company. They took the contract originally to build and equip the road, that is, to make the bed, bridges, tie and iron it and to put in side-tracks, for $13,500 per mile. They carried out the contract, which seems a remarkably low figure, but the rail- road company failing to furnish the money to them as per estimates agreed upon, a second arrangement was entered into, by which the railroad company furnished the iron at the rate of $5,000 per mile, ex- cept the bottom division of seven and a half miles, which the contractors built at a cost of $18,400 per mile. Messrs. Hardin & Co.. knowing the route be- forehand that the road would take, purchased such tracts of land as were desircdjle for town sites, and thereby made considerable money by the laying out of towns and the sale of lots, and also on the land they owned lying adjacent to the town. They laid out the South .Addition to liie cil) of .Monmoutii, and were also the founders of the to«'ns of Kirkwood and Riggsville. The above comprises the railroad experience of Mr. Hardin, which important enter- prise gave to the county its first eastern and western outlet. In i860, Mr. Hardin and sons purchased a large hardware stock in Monmouth, and engaged in mer- chandising, which, under the firm style of C. Hardin & Sons, they conducted for seven years. After that Mr. Hardin established three banks, one at Dodge Center, one at VVasseca, Minn., in 1873, and the other at Eldora, Iowa, in 1877. The business of the banks was carried on by his sons and sons-in-law. Mr. Hardin has recently sold the bank at Dodge Center, and his sons liave returned to this county to assist in looking after their father's interests. The other banks are managed by J. D. K. Smith and A. P. Jamison, his sons-in-law. Mr. Hardin was one of the organizers of the Monmouth National Bank, in 1870; was Vice-President and Director until the bank was sold to George F. Harding and others, in 1874. In January, 1875, Mr. H., with his brother Harry G., and others, organized the Second National ■ Bank of Monmouth. With this bank he has since been identified as President and Director. Almost immediately upon its organization, the bank attained ■ prominence in financial circles, which it has ever ' maintained. This is largely due to the liberal yet conservative manner in which its business is trans- . acted. In addition to his other large enter[)rises, Mr. Hardin has for many years carried on farming upon an extensive scale, and at this writing he farms over 2,000 acres in this county, besides 3,000 acres in Iowa and 3,000 acres in Minnesota. Tlie principal part of his farming is devoted to stock raising and feeding. It may be here stated, however, that the foundation of his fortune was laid i)y judicious in- vesf.nents in real estate. He has borne an honora- ble part in aiding to build up the city of Monmouth, aid several handsome and substantial blocks owe tl'eir erection to his enterprise. Since the founda- tion of Monmouth College, he has been a member of the Board of Trustees, and has been actively and liiominenlly identified with its success and growth. Mr. Hardin was married in the city of Chicago, Aug. 27, 1840, to Miss Harriet A. Gordon, a native of Richfield Springs, Otsego Co., N. Y. She was a daughter of Samuel S. and Rebecca (Lee) Gordon. Her father was a native of Connecticut, where he was born Dec. 13, 1783. His grandparents, Alex- ^ V -t4-^ rt^A^ WARREN COUNTY. 3«5 ander Gordon, and Jane, his wife, left Ireland and arrived in Boston, Mass.. in r7i9. They subse- quently settled in the colony of Connecticut. They were both of Scotch-Irish parentage, and brought with them to this country five children. To them belong the credit of establishing that branch of the family in the United States and which has since be- come quite numerous. In religious belief, they were Presbyterians. The wife and mother, Jane Gordon, died May 14, 1774, and Alexander Gordon, the pioneer, died July 27, 1774, at the advanced age of 103 years, both of their deaths taking place at their home in Connecticut. One of the sons of Al- exander, John Gordon, was married to Janet Carr, March 30, 1732, and they had a family of four chil- dren, of whom Samuel S. was the second child. His father, John Gordon, died in 1797, and his widow survived until her 82d year. Samuel S. Gordon, father of Mrs. Hardin, the wife of the subject of this notice, was by trade a clothier, and when he grew to manhood he moved to and settled in Otsego Co., N. Y. There he became acquainted with and married Rebecca Lee, their wedding taking place about 1807. She was of Eng- lish descent. Her parents were John and Anna Lee, and they were also residents in early life of Connecticut; afterwards removed to Otsego Co., N. Y., where Mrs. Gordon resided until her death, which took place about the year 1853. Mr. Gordon scbsequently came to this county and lived with Mr. and Mrs. Hardin, at whose home he died, Dec. i, r873, at the venerable age of 90 years. Two other children of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon had previously moved to this State, — -John L. Gordon and N. Maria, wife of Brainard Root. They are dead and both buried at Monmouth. Mary Ann, the other child, died in Michigan, and is also buried at Monmouth. This branch of the Lee family first settled in East- ern New York, and subsequently removed to the western part of the same State. Mr. and Mrs. Gor- don had a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom Mrs. Hardin was the fifth child in order of birth, and the only children now living are Mrs. Hardin and a brother, Daniel B. Gordon, of Oswego, N. Y. As the fruits of the above union, Mr. Hardin and wife had born to them six children. Arzelia, wife of A. P. Jamison, resident of Wasseca, Minn; Delavan S., who was married to Mary E. Parsons, a native of Northamptonshire, England, and is residing in Mon- mouth ; Nina is the wife of J. D. K. Smith, and their home is in Kldora, Iowa; Chancy Dewit married Clara V. Smith, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa ; Jennie be- came the wife of Frank Brownell, and they reside in Granville, N. Y. ; Dewane died in infancy. ,The two sons are managing Mr. H.'s farms in this county and are also partners with their father and sons-in- law in the banking business in Iowa and Minnesota, which is conducted under the name of C. Hardin & Sons. Since 1840, Mr. Hardin and wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the late war, Mr. Hardin was a staunch Union man. His son Delavan S. was a soldier for about a year. Mr. Hardin's success in life may be attributed to hi» careful, conservative and methodical manner of do- ing things. His judgment on business and financial matters is regarded by his friends as being eminently sound, and he ranks as not only among the most prominent successful business men of Warren County, but also in this part of the State. Perhaps the portrait of no other man in Warren County will be looked upon with more interest, or be more appropriate in this Album, than that of Mr. Chancy Hardin, which the pubhshers take pleasure in giving in connection with this sketch. '/jf||» illiam P. Jones, owner of 165 acres of ex- lSsMI? cellent farm land, on section 22, Swan *r rrjvj J |^g>-^ Township, and one of the earliest pioneers '"W of Warren County, was born in Kentucey, Nov. rr, 1810. He was a son of Elijah Jones, born in Old Virginia, who married Miss Sarah Hamrock, about the year t8oi, the ceremony taking place in North Carolina. She was born in Virginia, in 1777, and of their union seven children were born: Susanna, born in 1802 ; Wyley, in 1804 ; Margaret, in 1809; William P., in r8io; Jessie, in 1812; John, in 1814; and Elizabeth, in 1816. Mrs. Jones, mother of our subject, died in Illinois, in 1857, the father in 1833, in Kentucky. William P. Jones, of whom we write, was married in 1829, to Miss Adora Strode, who was born in v 366 4 WARREN COUNTY. u 1810, in Kentucky, the ceremony being performed by tiie Rev. IWilliam Whitman. Of their union nine children have been born, namely : Mary A., born April 19, 1830; Sarah A., April 15, 1833; Cynthia A., Jan. 24,1834; Elijah, Jan. 29, 1836; Elizabeth, Sept. 8, 1838; Catherina, Oct. 12, 1841 ; Angelina, Sept. 6, 1845; William, May 4, 1848; and Peler, Nov. 7, 1850. Only five of the children still sur- vive. Mrs. Jones, wife of our subject, died April 7, 1877. William P. Jones came to Illinois in 1835, and first located in Greenbush Township. He is a thor- oughly in formed, practical agriculturist, having pur- sued that avocation nearly all his life, and has been abundantly blessed with prosperity, which invarialily is the reward of the industrious and intelligent tiller of the soil. In political opinion, Mr. Jones is a Democrat, having voted for " Hickory " Jackson. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of which denom- ination his wife was also a member. Mr. Jones is now living with one of his sons, Peter B., who mar- ried Miss Ellen Threlkeld, Feb. 6, 1878. They have become the parents of five children, — Mary Grace, 1^ Inez A., Glen A., Frank M. and Wilford. — iiSi- ^avid DufiBeld, a successful farmer, owning a valuable farm, located on section 14, Berwick Township, was born Dec. 30, 1837, in McHenry County, this State. His father, Nathan Duffield, was a native of Vir- ginia, where he was born, in 18 17. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth P. Duffield, a farmer's daughter, of Virginia, and in which State she was born, in 1820, and who bore him ten children, and departed this life in ICS78. Their children were named David, Caroline, Jera- sha, John, Thomas M., Martha, Charles, Nathan, Jane and Alice. The father died Dec. 9, 1885. David Duffield, subject of this biographical notice, has p.issed the years of his life that are gone in ag- ricultural pursuits. He was reared on a farm and acquired an education in the common schools of his native State. Nov. 5, 1S69, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Lydia A. Stafford, in Otsego Co., N. Y. She was born July 13, 1844. Of their union three children have been born, namely : Lalla E., born June 14, 1872; Arlie S., born Nov. 26, 1875 ; and Cyrus A., born Sept. 26, 1881. The parents of Mrs. Duffield, S. P. and Sarah (Smith) Stafford, were born in New York, in 1815 and 1818, respectively. They had five children, — Maria, born 1841; Lydia A., in 1844; Joseph, in 1847; Amanda, in 1853; and Sarah, in i86r. Mr. Duffield is at present pleasantly situated on 80 acres of good farm land, located on section 14, Berwick Township, which he owns, and is active engaged in his chosen vocation. He has been Township Col- lector for a number of years and School Director for quite a long time. Politically, he is a Jefferson- ian Democrat. Mrs. Duffield is a member of the Christian Church. -♦s* jl^enry Charles Parsons, a former citizen of the township of Sumner, was born in«> Wi^ **" Fletcher, Vt., in 1820, and was the son of Elder and Charlotte Parsons. In his early youth his mother was removed by death and he. became an inmate of the household of a man named George Buck, with whom he passed the re- maining years of his minority. He was brought up with a thorough knowledge of farming, and received such education as the common schools of that day afforded. The first prominent event of his adult life was his marriage to Abigail Buck, who became his wife Dec. 25, 1846. She was the daughter of Murray and Polly (Thorp) Buck and her parents were natives of the Green Mountain State. In the maternal line of descent she was of Connecticut origin. Before mar- riage Mr. Parsons had bought a small farm in Buck Hollow, in Franklin Co , Vt., which became the home of himself and his bride. After living on the place two years, the sold out and came to Warren County, arriving in 1848. Their route of travel was via Lake Champlain, Champlain Canal and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and thence by the lakes to Chicago. In that city Mr. Parsons bought a pair of horses and set forth for his point of destination. One of the horses sickened and died on the road. The father "T" ^^^^^^'^^^[1 3^^'^^"'^^ ^ I R I TCH EY , SEc72..5PRTN(rGBC OveToyynshi f^ If-})' Residence- OF A.A.Chapman,Sec.,35.Spring GroveTownship ■ CT^JL •^-T^ >• *t WARREN COUNTY. 369 traded the remaining animal for another span and successfully compled the journey. He located in Hale Township on the farm owned by Murray Buck. After two years he bought 160 acres of land on sec- tion 33, in the same township. At first he built a small frame house, of whicli liis family took posses- sion, and then he turned his attention to the work of improving his land. Two years later the house was burned with all its contents. A good and substan- tial brick house replaced the primitive structure of the pioneer and was his home during tlie remaining years of his earthly course. He made subsequent purchases of land and at the time of his death was the owner of 240 acres, finely stocked and furnished with modern farming implements of the most np- proved patterns. His demise took place Nov. 1 6, 1869. He was a Republican and a practical tem- perance man. Six of the children of which he and his wife became the parents are living. Wealthy is married to Marion Harrison of Sumner Townsliip. Mary is the wife of William Morrison. They setded at Atlantic, Iowa. Horace resides on the homestead. Henry and Grant are also residents thereon. Pearl is the youngest. li^W3 L lexander A. Chapman, a farmer on sec- ^_^^Jr tion 35, in the township of Spring Grove, HW?i'-'^ like so many of the first settlers in this ])art of the United States, is the descendant of a family of New England origin. Ashbel Chap- man, his grandfather, was born in the section of this country first settled in the days of the Pil- grims, and removed thence to Cayuga Co., N. Y., in the beginning of the present century. At that period the Empire State was in its iufancy, the greater por- tion of it still covered with the primeval forest. The tract on which the elder Chapman located was in the same condition as when his ancestors landed U|)on the bleak Massachusetts coast nearly two centuries below. He went sturdily at the work of clearing the the wilderness, and in due time had reclaimed a --uf- ficient spotof ground and erected the first homestead. The, then, nearest point was the Mohawk River, some 150 miles distant. With the breaking out of the dif- ficulties engendered by the second struggle between this country and England, our pioneer turned fioin his axe and plow to assist in the settlement of his rights and to aid in the defense of what had been secured by his forefathers. He continued to reside in New York till about 1836, when he removed to Ohio, locating in Sumiriit County, where he passed to his rest at the ripe age of 80 years. Orson C. Chapman, his son, married Rebecca Gifford, a native of the State of New York. He was born Feb. 26, 1801, previous to the removal of the family to Cayuga County. After marriage he oper- ated there as a business man until 1834, when he removed thence to Oswego County, in the same State, where he passed about ten years, and remov- ing later to Ohio, where he settled in the same por- tion of the State first chosen by his father, viz. ; Sum- mit County. After continuing there six years he returned to Oswego. In 1866 he made another transfer of his home and interests lo Noble Co., Ind., where his demise took place in 1871. His wife, the mother of the subject of tliis biography, still survives him. They were the parents of 12 children. Ale.xander A. Chapman is the fourth child of his" parents and was born in the town of Sennett, in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 19, 1833. In 1856 he sev- ered his connections with the parental home and came to Warren County. He obtained employment^ as a farm hand and continued to work out until he finally chose a partner for life. His marriage to Ann M. Buck occurred Dec. 15, 1858. The parents of his wife, Norman and Maria Buck, were natives of Vermont, who had become settlers in this county in 1848. Mrs. Chapman was born in Loraine Co,, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1834. After his union he settled' in Spring Grove Township, on the farm on which he has ever since made his home. This property for- merly belonged to the father of Mrs, Chapman and then contained only 80 acres improved land, 60 acres of which was under cultivation. There was then only a small frame house on the place. The whole tract of 320 acres owned by Mr. Chapman in- cludes the east half of the southeast part of section 35, and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 36. The place is improved with handsome, modern buildings, and with a fine lawn. A good idea of the homestead will be obtained from the accom- panying illustration. It is justly considered one of the most attractive homes in the county. The children of the household are three in num- lAj \ -64—- 370 WARREN COUNTY. 4* l)er, two sons and one daughter. Norman Ward, the eldest, is a civil engineer, now pursuing his profes- sion in Nebraska. Isa and Frank reside at home, where they are receiving the benefits of a thorough education. In politics, the representative man, whose career we have outlined, is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, to which he has adhered since its organization. sF. M. B. Ray, one of the large land- owners of Lenox Township, a gentlen'an * of more than ordinary executive ability and a successful farmer, residing on section 26, Lenox Township, is the son of Garland ^ind Sarah (I-ee) Ray, natives of Kentucky. His parents came to this county in 1835, and will consequently take rank among its pioneer settlers. They located in Roseville Township, where they continued to reside for about a year, when they re- moved to Lenox Township, where they lived until their death, the decease of Mr. Ray's mother taking place Feb. 24, 1868, and that of his father April 12, 1881. Their children were ten in number, namely: Amelia A., Harriet E., Henrietta ^L, James W., M. B., Eletha, Clarinda J., Julia A., Susan A. and Nancy Elizabeth. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice was born in Edmonson Co., Ky., Feb. 6, 1828, and had reached the age of nine years when he came with his parents to this county, where he has continued to reside until the present time. Mr. Ray ma) be said to have followed the vocation of an agriculturist from childhood, as he was brought up to that occupation and has made it the pursuit of his life. He is at present the owner of over 1,200 at res in this county, all of which, with the exception of 30 acres of timberland, is under an advanced slate of cultivation, and with the exception of 210 acres in Roseville Township is all situated in Lenox Town- ship. He keeps upon his home farm, which com- prises 500 acres, about 100 head of cattle, 20 head of horses and colts, and fattens about 100 head of hogs annually. What of this world's goods he may possess, and the same, as will be readily seen is not small, has been accumulated through his own in- domitable energy, pluck and good judgment. The marriage of Mr. Ray, which occurred in Lenox Township, Seyt. 5, 1850, when Miss Nancy C. Ray became his wife, has been blessed by the birth of ten children. Mrs. Ray is the daughter of John and Sarah Ray, natives of Kentucky. Their children are Richard H., Emeline, Laura J., Letitia, John L., Theodosia, Mary, Hiram, Hattie and Mar- tha. Martha is deceased ; Richard resides in Lenox Township; Emeline is the wife of Tilford Rice and resides in Lenox Township; Laura J. married John Chapman, who resides m Iowa; Letitia became the wife of William Ken, also a resident of Iowa; John L. lives in Lenox Township ; Theodosia married William Parrish, also a resident of Lenox Township; Mary was united in marriage with Theo. C. Alexan- der, who is a farmer in Lenox Township; Hiram is also residing in Lenox Township; Hattie became ' the wife of Martin Landon, who is a farmer in Ber- " wick Township. Mr. Ray has held the office of Highway Coramis- \ sioner and Overseer of Highways. In politics, he "^ casts his vote with the Democratic party. Himself t and wife both belong to tlie Missionary Baptist Church. We present a fine view of Mr. Ray's substantial homestead on page 368. ^«-^h*^ ^rBs^rlando Randall, a successful farmer and ^||^y|c highly respected citizen of Warren County, owning 330 acres of land in Tompkins Township, and residing on section 16, is a na- tive of Chenango Co., N. Y., where he was burn Jan. 28, 1827. The parents of Mr. Ran- dall — Roswell and Ciiarlotte (Page) Randall, were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respect- ively. After marriage, in 1849, they emigrated 10 this county, where the father became a citizen of Tompkins Township, locating on section 16, where he purchased 160 acres of land. The parents con- tinued to reside on their land in Tompkins Town- ship for 16 years, during which time the father was -Y ■e T -j L . ,-r:^z — . WARREN COUNTY. A__- ? -» 371 laboriously engaged in its cultivation. At the ex- piration of that time, he, with his family moved into the village of Kirkwood, and there resided until the death of both heads of the household, which oc- curred in 1878 and 1879 respectively. The gentleman whose name we place at the be- ginning of this biographical sketch, was an inmate of the parental household, until he became 28 years of age. He then, in r856, purchased 80 acres of land on section 21, Tompkins Township, which, by subse- quent purchases, he increased to 330 acres of as good farm land as there is in the county. He is ac- tively engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his farm and is meeting with well merited success. In 1855, Mr. Randall was united in marriage with Miss Melissa Hall, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and a daughter of Oliver and Rachel (Underhill) Hall. They have six children living, named Edgar H., Charles M., Allen C, Deliah R., Charlotte D., and Frank P. In politics, Mr. Randall votes with the Republican party. What of this world's goods he may possess, has been acquired through his own indomitable energy, perseverance and good judg- !»- ment, coupled with the active co-operation of his I good helpmeet, and is regarded he as one of the most substantial farmers of Tompkins Township. ^kurton Godfrey, Road Commissioner, farm- |g er and stock-raiser, residing on section 27, Ellison Township, was born in Ross Co., ^ Ohio, June 28, 1822. The father of Mr. Godfrey, Elisha Godfrey, was a native of Maryland, of New England parentage, and came to Ohio with his father and mother when a young man. The mother of Elisha died in Warren Co 111., and his father in Ohio. Elisha married Miss Dorcas Hill, a native of Virginia. She came to Ohio with her parents when quite young and they both died in Ross County that State., The gentleman whose sketch we write, resided with his parents until his marriage, receiving the ad- vantages afforded by the common schools, and as- sisting in the maintenance of the family, by labor on the farm. His parents came to this State in 1857. Burton Godfrey had preceded them, having arrived here in 1856, and settled in Ellison Township. His parents settled in Ellison, but after witnessing the ter- ril)le hurricane that passed through that village in the spring of 1858, returned to Ohio, where they resided five years and again returned to this county, where tiie father died in 1873, of heart disease. His wife, Burton's mother, soon afterward returned to Ohio, where, in 1881, she died. Burton Godfrey is the second in order of birth of I [ children. He lived with his parents in Ross Co., Ohio, until his marriage with Rebecca J. Penwell. She was born in the county where she was married, and was the daughter of an Ohio farmer. Their married life lasted for five years only, when the wife and mother died, leaving two children — Joseph M. and Mrs. Sarah Lozier. Mr. Godfrey was a second time married, in Pickaway Co., Ohio, April II, 1853, when Mrs. Sarah A. Graham, nee Grimes, became his wife. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Chenoweth) Grimes, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively, who were married ill the latter State and where they both died. They were well-to-do people, loving and kind parents, «-; obliging neighbors and respected by all who knew them. Mrs. Godfrey was the second in order of birth of a family of five children, born of the second marriage of her father, he having been married four times. The date of her birth was Aug. 16, 1824, and the place of her nativity Ross Co., Ohio. She was about ten years of age when her mother died, and afterward lived with her father and step-mother until her marriage to John W. Graham, a native of Pickaway Co.. Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He died in that county June 14, 1847, leaving two children, Charles W. and Benjamin F., both of whom are married and engaged in farming — the former in Ellison Township and the latter in Iowa. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, they lived on a farm in Ohio from 1853 until 1856. On coming to this State Mr. Godfrey purchased 80 acres of land in this county on section 27, Ellison Town- ship, on which he located and where he has since lived. By energetic labor and economy he has added 240 acres to his original purchase, and is at present the proprietor of 320 acres of excellent farm land, under an advanced state of cultivation and ten acres of timber. He has a good residence on his farm, together with *t "T" ^<-7^^ :^rH^ 37 » WARREN COUNTY. barn and other outbuildings, and is one of the suc- cessful farmers of Warren County. His attention in addition to his farm labors has been directed to the raising of Short-horii cattle, in which he is meeting with success. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcojial Church, of which denomination Mr. G. is present trustee and steward. In politics Mr. Godfrey is a slaunch and active worker in the ranks of the Republican party. He has held the office of Collector, .Assessor, Road Commissioner, Overseer of the Poor and many of the minor offices within the gift of the people of his township. -^'#Uiii-^ eorge Thayer. Upon section 28, of Rose- ville Towiisliip, there resides an intelli- gent farmer in comfortable circumstances and well known throughout the comniunicy, by the name of George Thayer. He was born in New York State, and is the sou of Sabin 'i'hayer, a native of that State. Tliere, the elder 'I'hayer, met and married Miss Lovina Kingsbury, who was also born in the Empire State. They were living there in the quiet and peaceful occupation of farming, when their son, George, was born. His birth occurred Aug. 24, 1828. Here young Thayer lived until 1840, when his parents started with their family westward. They found a desirable location in Knox County, where the senior Thayer purchased 80 acres of land, and began its improvement. He was however, not permitted to see tlie beautiful prairies develop to the high condition which they are in at present, for four years after iiis arrival here, he died. His wife lived 20 years longer, dying in 1864. George Thayer left home at a very early age, the death of his father compelling the mother to start him out to help make a living for the family. He worked out by the month until he was 23 years of age, and by economy he had accumulated a little money, and bouglit the place where he now lives. This consisted of but 60 acres at that time, 1863, but since success has crowned the hard labor and good business judgment of Mr. Thayer to a certain extent, we now find him the owner of 220 acres *t acres. He is now engaged in general farming, and is regarded in this community as a gentleman of good, sound business judgment, and a respected citizen. Politically he is a Republican, and together with his wife, belongs to the Baptist Church. In 1851, August 23, the wedding ceremony which united in marriage George Thayer and Miss Jean- nett White, occurred. Miss White was born in New York State, and was the daughter of Ephraim and S.illy (Crane) White, eaily and respected pioneers of H.mcock Co., III., her father and mother dying in tiiat county at a very early day, the death of the former occurring in 1845, and the latter in 1843. Mrs. Thayer is the mother of six children, namely : John W., Bion L., Charles A., Darwin N., Ida L. and Nettie. John W., married Mary Nisely, and their two children are named George and Mary. Bion L. selected for a wife, Stella Cunningham. Lovell and Malvin are the names of their children. ^Ibert Rodgers is an energetic and respect- ed citizen of Lenox Township, where he is iH^^ypKx, cBo epgage(j in agricultural pursuits, on section 27. He is a son of Clark and Nancy (Bar. rett) Rodgers, and was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1840. His jjarents were na ives of the Buckeye State, and came to Illinois in 1853, locating in McDonough County. They after- ward removed to Fulton County, the adjoining coun- ty, where they died, the father Oct. 4, 1880, and the mother Aug. it, 187 i. They had a family of ten cliildren — John B., James O., William H., Eliza A., Albert, May, Martha, Elvira, Scott, and Perry. Albert Rodgers was but 13 years of age when his parents- retiioved to the State of Illinois, and he con- tinued to live with them until he attained the age of 22 years, when he worked out for awhile at farming and mining. He remained a resident of McDon- ough County until 187 I, when he came to Warren County, where he has since been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, having purchased 80 acres of land on section 27, his present location, in the year 1881, and engaged actively and energetically in its improve- ment and cultivation. He was married in Berwick Township, Warren V Cy Jc LM^iji^yf^ i%. -e4--^ WARREN COUNTY. 375 f" C-junty, March 26, 1874, to Miss Martha, daughter of Greenbury and Mary (Moore) Ray, natives of Kentucky, who came to Warren County in 1844. They lived in Berwick Township, where they made their permanent abiding place until their deaths, the mother's demise occurring Dec. 28, 1871, and the father Jan. 24, 1879. Their family comprised the following named children : Martha, Lizzie, Willis, Mary, Wilbur, Jennie and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Rodgers was the eldest of her parents' family, and was born in Kentucky, April 25, 1848. Herself ■ and husband are members of the Baptist Church, and the latter in politics casts his vote with the Dem- ocratic party. ■ — ^>-S-*?^ — o-asMilSD-^^o — *— 5<— - ||.on. Ivory Quinby, deceased, son of Asa and Mehitable Quinby, was born on the 14th day of July, 1817, in Buxton, Maine, and died at Monmoutli, 111., Oct. 23, i8''9. j After completing his preparatory studies, he I entered the Freshman Class of Waterville Col- lege, Maine, in 1832, being then a little over 15 years of age. While in college he ranked high as a student. His favorite study was natural science, and he was especially distinguished for his attain- ments in chemistry. He graduated with honor, his diploma bearing the date of Aug. 3, 1836, he being then a little over 19 years of age. After leaving college, he spent a short time in Parsonsfield, as an assistant teacher in the academy, then under the care of his uncle, the Rev. Hosea Quinby. He then went to Saco and entered the office of Judge Shepley, as a student of law. His health prevented him continuing here long, and in the fiiU of 1837, when not yet 21 years of age, he sought a liome in Illinois. He left Maine with S125, this being the sum total of his worldly goods. He landed first at Qaincy, where he made the acquaintance of Hon. O. H. Browning and John Mitchel, Esq. By the advice of Mr. Browning, he selected Monmouth, then an inconsiderable village, as his future home. He and Mr. Mitchel arranged a partnership and set out for the place of their choice. From Oquawka they came to Monmouth on foot, opened an office, and commenced business as attorneys and counsellors at law. On March 14, 1839, when between 22 and 'JK. 23 years of age, he married Miss Jane A. Allen. She died on the 7th of February, 1847. She was the mother of three children, all of whom died before their father. He does not appear to have continued long in Monmouth at that time. For some cause he aban- doned the practice of law, removed to Berwick and went into the mercantile business. On the 17th of February, 1848, he married Miss Mary E. Pearce, a native of Ohio and daugliter of Tnomas and Phebe (Little) Pearce, of Virginia and Nc'V Jersey respectively. Mr. Thomas Pearce was a soldier in the War of 18 r 2. He came to Tazewell County, this State, in the spring of 1830, removing thence into Warren County in the fall of 183 1. With his team Mr. Pearce hauled the first load of goods to Monmouth. In company with Hon. Sam- uel G. Morse, he laid out the town of Berwick, and resided there several years. He died in 1853, aged 75 years. His widow lived to be 78 years of age, and died in 1869. By his second marriage. Judge Quinby had born to him eight children, only four of whom survived him — Jane (Mrs. Dr. A. F. Bucknam); George, a resident of Dakota where he. owns a large landed estate; Frank, an attorney-at- hiw at Monmouth ; and Ivory, a student. Soon after the opening of Monmouth College, he became one of its warmest friends, and was elected a member of the Board of Trustees. For a short time he held the office of Treasurer. He was a member of the committee entrusted with the erec- tion of the new college building. He was also a member of the Executive Committee, and for some yeirs President of the Board. Occupying these responsible positions, the interests of the college made large demands on his time ; yet it was cheer- fully given. He was punctual and regular in at- tending all meetings of the Committee and Board. The many reports, carefully prepared, on file in his handwriting, show that he gave the college much and careful thought. His colleagues uniformly paid the most profound respect to his opinion. It is be- lieved that no measure he favored was ever voted down. Li addition to the time and thought given, he also made frequent and large donations to the college in money, which amounted to over $8,000. Those bist acquainted with the history of the col- lege affirm that his assistance, in various ways, was r -e^U?! 37« WAR HEN COUNTY. f > so timely and valuable, that without him the enter- prise could hardly have succeeded. Judge Quinby was distinguished for the soundness of his judgment and the candor with which he ex- pressed his opinions. It is doubtful whether there is a man in Monmouth whose opinion, on any ques- tion with which he was familiar, carried greater weight. Many a mooted point has he settled by simply stating his deliberate judgment. In appearance and manner he was somewhat austere, yet, in. fact, he was one of the most tender- hearted of men. There are many who can testify to substantial acts of kindness on his part, which they will be slow to forget. They are not a few who to-day bless his memory. .\t the same time, he was peculiarly modest and unostentatious. In giving money, he shrank from notoriety. He made many offers, to stimulate others to like liberality; but in all such cases he uniformly enjoined secrecy as to his name. When he gave alms, he did not sound a trumpet before him. He hardly let his left hand know what his right hand was doing. Above all, he was a Christian man. He early made a profession of faith in the Baptist Church, and on his death-bed he confessed, unsolicited, in the broadest and most unequivocal terms, his faith in Christ. All in all, in the death of Ivory Quinby, Mon- mouth lost one of the worthiest of her citizens. The vacancy will hardly be filled. Let those who survive imitate his virtues and follow his footsteps, while they revere his memory and lament his loss. At a meeting of the Warren County Bar, Oct. 26, 1869, Mr. Delos Phelps read in open Court the fol- lowing resolutions : Whereas, Divine Providence, in His inscrutable dispensation, has removed from among us Ivory Quinby, long and well known to the citizens of our county, for many years a practicing attorney of ac- knowledged [trobity and ability, in our courts, and for a long time occupying a judicial station among us. Therefore be it Resolved, By the members of the Warren County Bar, assembled out of respect to the memory of our deceased brother, and to pay a proper tribute to a good man who has fallen in our midst, that in the loss of him who now " after life's fitful fever sleepeth well," the members of the legal profession have lost one wlio to the virtue of private life added tlie calm, dispassioned judgment and consistent uprightness of cliaracter, which rendered him, while in the prac- tice of law, an ornament to the profession, a guide to his brethren, and one who worthily illustrated the ' exalted principles of enlightened jurisprudence. Resolved, That we willingly bear testimony to the i ability, sterling integrity, and great usefulness in his day, of our departed^ friend and brother. That we deplore his loss, as an important member of the com- munity at large, and sincerely symoathize with his wife and family in the irreparable loss sustained by them in the death of their husband and father. Resolved, That as members of the Bar of Warren Cuunty, we will attend his funeral in a Ixidy. That a copy of these resolutions be published in the city p.ipers, a copy sent to the family of the deceased, and a copy spread on the records of the County and Circuit Courts of Warren County at the next terms of the same. A. C. Harding, Chairman. J. J. Glenn, Secretary. Hon. A. C. Harding then said : " If the Court please, I move that these resolutions be unanimously adopted by the Bar of this county, and spread upon the records of this Court. They express the respectful and grateful feelings we all entertain for our friend and colleague. Ivory Quinby, Esq., who, since your last adjournment, has passed from the scenes of earthly usefulness to the bourne of the blessed. He went to the tomb with an escort of a multitude of people, who bedewed his grave with tears. The college and the pulpit pronounced and expressed eulogies upon his character, and im- mortalized his memory. No words or tears of mine can add to that homage which his noble life has earned and received. His connection with the courts as a lawyer and Judge has rendered honorable the profession of the law, and left impressions of res[)ect for judicial urbanity and integrity which will long remain upon the minds of his colleagues and the people. His long career at the Bar of this Court w.is never blotted by trick or chicanery; but at every step of his legal ])ractice he honored his profession by frank, manly, courteous and honest conduct. To hini the Bar of this county owes as much as to any of its members for the honorable character it bears. I refrain from entering the fields of eulogy which have been so abundantly harvested to the memory of Judge Quinby by the Rev. Doctors of Divinity, Matthews and Wallace, and by the Reverend and eloquent Wasmuth. But because his character was so peculiarly unostentatious and his charities secret, I deem it proper to add tliat while I knew him in the confidential relation of a partner in the practice of the law for more than 15 years, and for more than eight years in the construction of railways, I never knew him to violate the rule, ' Do unto others as ye would thev should do unto you.' In all distribu- tions of gains and losses he was liberal and just. \Vhile differing in political relations until the great I, *%~ v 4 ^?-T> WARREN COUNTY. 377 Rebellion, no scenes of bitter strife between us is renie iibered to have ever existed, and we rallied together in the hour of the n.Uioa's trial with the good and the true of all parties to the rescue of our imperiled government. In one characteristic, our friend was not generally well known. From some consideration — it may have been that he dreaded the appearance of a desire to distinguish or aggrandize himself — he sedulously shrouded in secrecy his best charities and noblest acts. I know of some of liis charities to the destitute in past days that I never heard mentioned by him or others. His many acts of beneficence to the college of our cities, and his efforts to found a library, were all marked by modest retirement from public notice. After all busine-^s relations between us had been closed, I became en- dangered, and should have been pecuniarily ruined, but that my friend, Judge Quinby, almost unsolicited (for I felt the danger so great that I ought not en- danger him), became absolute security to pay a judgment of more than $300,000. Sir, few or none others could or would have done this from philan- thropic obligations only. But I forget. Pardon this digression. Let us cherish his memory and follow ' his example, that like him, when we pass away, those who remain may strew words of kind remem- brance over our graves; and our names find a place on the pages of this Court, and be written above in the great Book of Eternal Life." At the same meeting, Mr. Strain, who had been intimately associated with Judge Quinby in the Board of College Trustees for many years, paid to his memory the following tribute : " In every emergency, we sought his aid and coun- cil, and it was always, when possible, given in his quiet, unassuming way. His ideas were always clothed in plain, simple and expressive language. In his benefactions there was no sounding of trum- pets, and the public but seldom knew the benefactor. In his almsgiving — which was liberal — his left hand knew not what his right hand did. And it is hiuh praise of him to be able to say that after a life of many years among us devoted to active business — to the discharge of professional duties ; to the per- formance of official trusts, and to the accumulation of a large estate — no tongue speaks but in his praise, and no breath of censure tarnishes his memory. Such a character is indeed a rich legacy to his family aud friends, and the community of which he was a member, and an example of greatest worth to each one of us." At a meeting of the Board of Trustees and Di- rectors of the Monmouth College, on Monday, Oct. 25, 1869, the following action was taken: Resolved, By the Trustees and Directors of the Monmouth College ; I. That in the death of the Hon. I. Quinby, long a member and officer of the Board, we lost a col- league, who we ever found, in all our intercourse with him, an upright, courteous. Christian gentleman, and in whose counsel we have been accustomed to repose the utmost confidence. 2. That we found him a fast, true and efficient friend of the college in the time of need ; by his able counsels, active services, liberal and timely dona- tions, he has placed the college under a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. 3. That we extend to the family of the deceased our sympathies, in this their hour of great affliction, and express the hope that the richest blessings of a covenant-keeping God may descend and rest upon them. 4. That these resolutions be spread upon the records, publishedin the city papers and forwarded to the widow of the deceased. D. A. Wallace, Pres. John J. Glen'x, Sec'y. Thus, in arranging and compiling the accessible matter appertaining to a noble life, a bare recital of the generous acts whereof would alone fill a volume, the writer acknowledges his inability to do ample justice to the subject, and returns thanks to those from whose contributions he has so liberally drawn, and who, from their intimate relationship with Judge Quinby in his lifetime, were best calculated to speak advisedly of him. .A portrait of the Judge is shown on another page of this work. Mrs. Quinby 's second marriage took place on the ist of May, 1877, to Rev. R. Haney, a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church. r^i+- Jij^^^l Imon Kidder, attorney-at-laW; Monmouth, |[ was born in Warren County, Feb. 27, Issa^ 1838, and was the son of Larnard and Mary (Hoisington) Kidder. The subject of this biographical notice was reared to man- hood on his father's farm, attending regularly the common schools, and in 1859 graduated from Lombard University, at Galesburg. Leaving col- lege, he began directly reading law with Philo Reed, at Monmouth, and, in October, 1862, was admitted to the Bar before the Supreme Court at Ottawa. His first practice was with James Strain as partner; later with William C. Norcross, and recently with Mr. Frank Quinby, son of the highly reputed Judge ZTLAJ r -4 378 WARREN COUNTY. Qiiinby, whose sketch is given in this work. At this writing (October, 1885), Mr. Kidder is unassociated with any one. Early in life he was an ardent Re- publican, but owing to the uncertain position of that party upon the question of the whiskey traffic, he abandoned it and politics altogether, and has since thrown his influence in favor of Prohibition. He has sought no office in any way, but in a spirit of duly has served the people in various minor places, such as School Director, Alderman and Justice of tlie Peace. The wife of Mr. Kidder, Anna C, daughter of John Jacobs, Esq., to whom he was married at Mon- mouth, May 30, 1865, died Aug. 31, 1882, leaving one child, Nina. His second marriage occurred at Moline, 111., Oct. 18, 1883, the lady being Mrs. Lucy E. Folger, nee Mapes, widow of Dr. Folger, of Youngs- town. Mr. Kidder devotes his time to his profes- sion, although he has various outside interests. He was one of the organizers of the Monmouth Home- ■ stead and Loan Association, and in 1870 he found time to compile and sy.'itematize the Monmouth City Ordinances, a work vyell and satisfactorily done. He f^ is considered a close student, kn(5wn to be a sound lawyer, and, above all, a gentleman. Mr. Kidder has spent his leisure moments for tlie last ten years in collecting a genealogy of the Kid- der family, which has occasioned considerable corre- spondence and other labor. ^~,^^^^~^. 4 ; ames Bergen Van Arsdale is a farmer in the township of Point Pleasant. He was ji.,.', > \^Qxw in Somerset Co., N. J., Oct. 30, 1844. The family was originally of Holland origin, and in that country were respected members of society. The grandfatlier of Mr. Van Arsdale, of this narration, Abraham Van Arsdale, was born in the same county in New Jersey in whirh his descendants for several generations were also born. His farm was located near Harlingen, in Somerset County, and he was its occupant until his death. His decease took place June 22, 1836. He married Elizabeth Beekman, a lady likewise of Hol- land descent, who was born March 9, 1788, and died May 26, 1847. Their son William was born in Somerset County, Feb. 8, 1815. Sept. 14, 1836, he was married to Johanna V. Bergen. She was born June 7, 1813. For a time after their marriage ihey remained in Somerset County and rented land. Mr. Van Arsdale then purchased a farm near the home- stead and was there a resident until 1850, when he sold all his interests in the State of his nativity and came to Illinois. His wife and three children ac- companied him. They crossed the mountains of Pennsylvania in the stage and arrived at Wheeling, W. Va. At that point they took passage on the Ohio River and made the journey to Illinois on the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. They landed at Copperas Creek, in Fulton County, and the father bought land near Fairview in that county. No im- provements had been made on it and the new pro- prietor erected a dwelling and other needed buildings of good style, and was tliere engaged in the busi- ness of a farmer until his removal to Henderson County in 1856. He sold the estate in Fulton County and made a purchase of land in the county to which he had removed. It was wholly unim- proved and was situated in the vicinity of Raritan. On this he repeated his pioneer experiences, and was there a resident until 1869. In that year he made an exchange for another farm and moved to Raritan, where he has since resided. Three of the five children born in their family are still living. Abraham, who was born March i, 1838, lives in Henderson County. Peter, born May 9, 1842, be- came a soldier in the service of the United States in the Civil War, in the 14th 111. Vol. Cav., and after a term of active military life of nearly three years re- ceived an honorable discharge. He now lives in Henderson County. Mr. Van Arsdale, of this narration, is the youngest child. He was hardly six years of age when his pa- rents removed to Illinois, and he reached manhood in Henderson County. He received the training coin- mon to the children of farmers and a common-school education. His mariiage to Anna M. Lewis occurred April 25, 1868. She was born in Fulton County. July 5, 1849. She survived her marriage but a short time, and Dec. 6, 187 1, Mr. Van Arsdale was again married, to Sarah M. Brokaw. She was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Nov. 3, 1848, and is the daughter of Henry A. and Mary S. (Baird) Brokaw. Her parents were both WARREN COUNTY. natives of the State of New Jersey, came to Illinois in 1857 and settled in Henderson County. In 1863 her father entered the military service of the United States and died at Natchez, Miss. He was enrolled in the Fourth 111. Cav. Her mother is living, at Canton, Fulton Co., 111. Mr. and Mrs. Van Arsdale have had three chil- dren. Willie, the first-born, died at the age of seven weeks. Nellie was born May 20, 1876. Paul was born Sept. 26, 1879. *t fmos Burford, a man who occupies a thor- [ oughly representative position in the coni- Ij |a^ ola niunity, and whose success in life is the 4^ outgrowth of his own energy and clear judg- M ment, is a resident on section 4, Monmouth \ Township. He was born in Donegal Town- ■ ship, Lancaster Co., Pa.. Aug. 18,1829. >» His father, Jeremiah Burford, was also a native of the Keystone State, a farmer by occupation and the son of Robert Burford, an Englishman, who came to this country .when a young man and settled at his marriage in the State of Pennsylvania. He reared two sons, of whom Jeremiah, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. His father died be- fore he had attained the age of manhood. He was first married in Lancaster Co., Pa,, to Lyda Sterner, by whom he became the father of two, children, La- vina and Aaron, both of whom grew to maturity and were married (the former of whom has since died). Of the second marriage of Jeremiah, to Jane Mont- gomery, a native of Pennsylvania, eight children were born, of whom Amos, the subject of this noiice, was the third. Of these offsprings, Margaret beciime the wife of John Burton, at present a resident of Erie, Pa.; Ann was united in marriage to James E. McNair, who is living in Prairie City, Iowa, and has accumulated a coaipetency; Amos, the subject of this notice, was next in order of birth ; Samuel died at St. Joe, Mich., in the fall of rSSj; Mary J. formed a matrimonial alliance with Porter Freborn, who is at present residing in Avon, this State; she died in 1868; Eliza was the wife of W. H. Smith, who fol- lows the vocation of a farmer in Kansas, and died - - - -— ^-X Aug. 17, 1885; Sarah J. is single and resides at Pittsburg, Pa., where she is engaged in clerking; William H. is deceased, and formerly resided in Bos- ton, Mass. He followed the occupation of a railroad conductor. The gentleman whose name heads our sketch, re- ceived a common-school education and resided at home with his parents, assisting in the maintenance of the family, until he attained the age of 28 years. Arrived at that age, he left the parental homestead and came West, his journey terminating in Kansas, which was then the scene of free-soil agitation. He homesteaded 160 acres of land in Anderson County, but owing to the pressure of hard times, he removed to Illinois in July, 1858, and located east of Avon, in Fulton County, where he rented a farmland lived on it about three years, and in 1861 rented the farm where he now resides, the old Kendall homestead. He finally disposed of his interests in Kansas in 1873. His marriage took place in this county, Oct. 17, i86o, the lady who became his wife being Miss Margaret Kendall, the daughter of Robert and Ann (McNair) Kendall, natives of Pennsylvania. They J i were of Scotch extraction, hsr father being a farmer k. who removed to this county when Mrs. Burford was a young lady of 15 years. The parental family at that time consisted of six children, of whom Mrs. Burl'ord was the third. Her parents on coming to this county purchased a partly improved farm of 250 acres, upon which they continued to reside until their death, the demise of the former occurring Jan. 17, 1882, while in his 82d year, and that of the lat- ter Feb. 14, 187 I, in her 7 t St year, both parents hav- ing been born in the first year of the present century. Mr. and Mrs. Burford are the parents of five chil- dren, two of whom are deceased. Anna J. became the wife of George Williams, to whom she bore two children, and departed this life in Monmouth Town- ship, in February, 1884. Mr. Williams at present resides in Columbus, Kansas, his daughters, Stella and Maggie B., living with their grandparents. Park M., their first born son, lives on the homestead, which he assists in cultivating. William R. and Frank A. are also living at home, 'i'he fifth child died in infancy. Upon their union Mr. Burford and his wife settled on the old Kendall homestead, in this county. Our subject first became a landed pro- prietor in 1870, and he has since added to his orig- inal purchase until he is now the owner of 450 acres, -^ 38» WARREN COUNTY. all lying in the township of Monmouth and under an advanced state of cultivation. There are two good residences on the place and the farm is divided into three parts, each of which is well improved. Mr. Barford, in addition to the cultivation of his large farm, is extensively engaged in the breeding of Nor- man horses and other stock of high grades. He is at present Commissioner of Highways, which office he has held consecutively for 15 years. He has also held the position of Assistant Supervisor, and in pul- itics votes with and advocates the principles of the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, at Gerlaw, in this county. We present a view of the fine home of Mr. Burford on another page. -f3=H=' =f"e^ -i~ jiss Desire E. Mather, a retired school teacher, residin;; in Greenbush, was born & '^ July 23, 1810, in Brownsville, Jeffeison Co., N. Y. She acquired a good education in the district schools of her native State; ma- triculated at Belleville College and followed the entire curriculum of that college from which she graduated with honors. From her native State, Miss Mather moved to Ohio, where, in the vicinity of Sandusky, at the early age of 14 years, she first began the profession which she followed for so many years and with such suc- cess. For 16 years she taught in that section of Ohio, and tiien removed to Illinois, coming to Green- bush, this county, Sept. 8, 1850, where she taught nine terms of school. She then went to Polk City, Polk Co., Iowa, and there taught three terms. In fact. Miss Mather has spent her life time in the in- terest of education and as late as 1863 followed her profession, two miles west of Greenbush. Miss Mather is a lineal descendant of the old and highly respected Mather family of the city of London, out of which sprang the Mathers famous in the enrly history of this country. Rev. Richard Mather, who was born in 1596, in Lowton, Lancastershire, England, and whose old residence in that ancient town still re- mains intact, was the first of the name to emigrate to America, coming to Boston in the ship " James," in 1635. Timothy, the son of the Rev. Richard Mather, had a son, Arthur, who in turn had a son named Richard, who was the father of Cotton Mather, of the seventh generation, who died at Bridgewater, where his son, Horace Mather, who was the father of the subject of this notice. Miss Desire Mather, was born in '77S- Horace Mather was first married in 1803, to Miss Desire Emerson, who, in 1807, passed to the land of tlie hereafter/ Mr. Horace Mather was again mar- ried, Oct. I, 1809, to Miss Hulda Smith, of Sackett's Harbor. She was born in February, 1786, and died of quick consumption at Sackett's Harbor, in 1836. Mr. Mather died Aug. 2, 1825. Of his two marri- ages, the following named children were born : Thomas M., Feb. 2, 1804; Horace S., July 22, 1805 ; Zylla, May 4, 1807, died May 6, 1807 ; Desire E., born July 23, tSio; Charles W., June 4, 1812; Min- erva, July 25, 1814, died, aged 19 months; Jane, born March i, 1816; Hulda, .\pril 3, 1818; Sylvia M., Jan. 29, 1820; Dr. David C, April 3, 1823; Sarah Ann, Aug. 2, 1824, died Nov. 4, 1846. Mr. Hor.ace Mather was a man of very superior mental capacity, and, though a farmer by occupation, during the last ten years of life he filled several offices of public trust with great credit to Jiimself and to the satisfaction of the community at large. There was universal mourning throughout JeflTerson Co., N. Y., at his death. vr klement Pierce, who is retired from active ercantile pursuits a»id a pioneer of the l^p^ county, is a resident of Roseville, at which ^[^ place he was engaged as a merchant for some years. He was born in Poultney, Rutland H Co., Vt. Sept. 24, 181 3. Amos and Mary (Sandford) Pierce, his parents, were also natives of the Green Mountain State, and came to Ohio from Vermont, in 1823, and remained there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1834. He then came to this State and purchased with his son, the gentleman whose name heads this personal sketch, 160 acres of land in Greenbush Township, Warren County, upon which he remained, engaged in its cultivation and improvement for nearly three years. He then re- ^4^: WARREN COUNTY. _j__ 4 3 " 383 1 1 res: turned to Ohio, and brought his wife and family to this State. They settled upon the farm which he had began so hard and industriously to cultivate. Here he remained farming and also blacksraithing until 1864. The death of the father occurred July 20, 1872, and that of the mother Sept. 30, 1845. Clement remained with his parents until 1834, and received a common-shool education while under the parental roof-tree, also assisted his parents in the duties of the farm. Then leaving home, he came to Illinois and in September, 1834, settled upon a tract of land adjoining that he and his father had purchased. Here he remained improving the farm and engaged in its cultivation until March, 1845, when he purchased the southwest quarter of sec- tion 35, Roseville Township, and moved upon it. Here he followed farming and stock-raising until June, 1864, when he moved into the, then, little ham- let of Roseville. Here he, in company with Dr. Ragon, embarked in the mercantile business, in wliich they continued for a period of two years, when Mr. Pierce, the gentleman of this notice, bought out the Doctor and conducted the business himself for about seven years, when he sold out. At that time, 1873, he retired from active labors, having been suc- cessful, the result of an energetic and progressive life, which enabled him to have a sufficiency laid aside to provide for himself and family in their old age. Mr. Pierce has held several offices within the gift of the people, for instance, in 1872, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and held that position until 1885, and besides has served in the office of City Council and School Director. He is the owner of 500 acres of land which is in excellent condition and very valuable. He also owns the Pierce Block and several houses at Roseville. Mr. Pierce and Miss Nancy Farr were united in marriage, in the year 1834, she being a native of Essex Co., N. Y. Of their union five children have been born, all living but one, — Mary M., born Aug. 2, 1835; Laura A., Jan. 26, 1837; Amos, Dec. 10, 1843; and Phebe J., Oct. 10, r845; Zacharia T., born April 23, 1848, died Sept, 23, i860. Laura A. married Alexander Bramhall, and resides in Rose- ville Village, and their family consists of seven chil- dren — Nancy E., Mary E., Amos E., Levi A., Linnia B., Emma and Charles VV. Amos, the only son of our subject, married Miss Mary J. Baer, and they reside in Belleville, Kan., and have two sons — Har- ley L. and George C. Phebe J., the youngest daugh- ter married Thomas J. Newbern, and they are residents of Wayne, Kan. Of their union eight chil- dren have been born, namely : Mary, Effa J., Thomas M., Lillia N., Phebe G., Nancy M., Archie C. and Pearly. Mr. Clement Pierce has five great-grandchildren. He is a Republican in politics and religiously, be- longs to the Universalist Church. He is one of the early pioneers of Warren County as well as substan- tial and solid men. ^^ b W. Huston, a successful farmer, owning ^K 160 acres of land, located on section 23, Tompkins Township, where he resides and is engaged in following the vocation of an ag- riculturist, was born April 25, 1830, in Penn- sylvania, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Weakley) Huston, natives of that State. The father of Mr. Huston of this notice was a farmer by occupation and followed his chosen voca- tion in Pennsylvania until his death. His son, S. W., of whom we write, was an inmate of the parental household until he became 23 years of age, having in the meantime acquired a fair education in the common schools. After leaving home, Mr. Huston, October 12, 1853, came to this State and settled in Hale Town- ship, arriving in Monmouth on the evening of Oct. 12,1853. Purchasing 80 acres of land, he moved his family on the land and continued to cultivate it until 1865, when he sold the property and made an- other purchase, this time locating in Tompkins Township, on 120 acres on sections 23 and 24. This he continued to cultivate until he made his residence upon the 160 acres on section 23, which he now occupies as a homestead. The occupation of his life has been that of an agriculturist, and by ener- getically following the same he has met with that success which a life of labor and energy are so sure to bring. Mr. Huston was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Woods, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1856, and their union has been blessed by the birth of ia: V A 384 + '- ..■^. ■ -ir, ■' - WARREN COUNTY. ^^^^ three children (still living), whose names are Carrie S., James W. and Robert W. Mr. Huston in his political views coincides with the principles advocated by the Democratic party. In religion, he is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Barnes P. Firoved. Every village and city has its live, go-ahead and enterprising men, ^^' those who do more than all others towards building up and firmly securing the pros- perity of the place. Distinguished among those is Mr. Firoved, of Kirkwood, who, be- sides being interested in various other enterprises, is also engaged as a farmer and stock-dealer. He was born in Cumberland Co., Pa. His parents, Simon and Isabella (Sprout) Firoved, were also natives of the Keystone State, and were living there at the time of James' birth, which occurred Nov. 13, 1843. ^" 1853, the family moved to Dayton, Ohio, and from there to Bloomington, 111., and in 1856 lo- cated in Monmouth. They soon secured 160 acres of land in Hale Township, where they removed and remained for seven years, when the elder Firoved retired from active labors and removed into the city of Monmouth. He has since lived there and is a highly respected and venerable old gentleman of 75 years of age. His ancestors came from Prussia and settled at Carlisle, Pa., over 120 years ago. His father was a soldier in the War of 181 2, with an elder brother, who was wounded at Lundy's Lane. James P. accompanied his parents to Illinois and remained with them until he was 20 years of age, re- ceiving a liberal education. His fust business enter- prise, after leaving home, was to engage in the mercantile business at Monmouth. He subse([uently moved to Rock Island and later came to Kirkwood, where he entered into the boot and shoe, hat and cap, and general furnishing goods biisinesf, carrying also a line of books and stationery. For ten years he remained one of the leading merchants of this part of the county. He then sold out and engaged in the stock business, feeding and shipping stock ex- tensively. He also purchased 330 acres of land, lying near the village of Kirkwood, and engaged in farming. This highly improved farm is very valu- al le, lying as it does so near Kirkwood, and also contiguous to the city of Monmouth. Besides this property, he also owns a half interest in the Tre- mont House at Kirkwood, in company with W. K. Gamble; owns an interest in the Kirkwood Mineral Spring Company, of which he is Vice-President; and has been a stock-holder and one of the directors in the First National Bank, at Kirkwood, ever since its ovj^anization. He has also favored every enterprise that had for its object the welfare of the community and the building up of his town. It is certainly a blessing to any community to have in its midst such men who have also the inclination as well as the ability to work for the interests and welfare of the en. ire people. He has served the village in differ- ent official positions, always giving eminent satisfac- tion. Politically, he is a Democrat, and, socially, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Jan. 25, 1869, the marriage of Mr. Firoved and Miss Mattie J. Woods occurred. Miss Woods was the daughter of David and Nancy (Ayres) Woods, natives of Indiana, born of parents who were natives of Kentucky. They were among the first settlers of Henderson County, and prominent and representa- tive people of that part of the State. Mrs. Firoved was born Nov. 13, 1849, and has become the mother of two children — M. Mabel, born Mov. 11, 1869; and James Ralph, Nov. 22, 1881. »« ,ugh R. Thomson, one of the successful farmers of Tompkins Township, this county, residing on section 13, and a gentleman jwssessing more than ordinary, push, tact and energy in his vocation, was born in Ohio, Nov. I 22, 1838. His parents were John and Rachel (Francis) Thomson, natives of Ohio, who came to this Slate in 1867, and settled in Warren County, where his father purchased 1 60 acres of good farm land, on which he is at present residing, leading the contented life of an agriculturist. The gentleman whose name appears at the begin- ning of this sketch, remained with his parents until 1862, receiving at their hands a good common-school education. During that year he enlisted in Co. H •t4— ^ "'■■ . -r- . WARREN COUNTY. ■^-4^ 387 4 126th Ohio Vol. Inf. With his Company he went through the entire " Campaign of the Wilderness," participated in the battles of Shenandoah Valley, under Gen. Sheridan, and in the siege of Petersburg. He was once struck by a fragment of a shell and although numerous shots penetrated his clothing, he came out of the war without any serious wounds, af- ter having served three years, lacking two months. After receiving an honorable discharge, Mr. Thom- son returned home, and in 1866 came to this State and taught school at Biggsville, Henderson County, after which he was employed in the Circuit Clerk's office at Oquawka. Prior to teaching school, he had purchased an undivided half interest of 160 acres of land, located on section 13, Tompkins Township, this county, and in 1881 he purchased the remaining half of the same quarter, which constitutes the farm upon which he to-day resides, and where he has been successfully engaged as an agriculturist since locating thereon. Mr. Thomson and Miss Sarah J. McNary, a native of Ohio, were united in marriage in 1867. She was the daughter of John and Sarah (Maxwell) McNary, and bore her husband one child, Jessie L. The wife and mother died Feb. 2, 1882. Mr. Thomson votes with the Republican party. • His religious views coincide with the tenets of the United Presbyterian Church, to which denomi- nation, at Kirkwood, he belongs and is one of its Elders. He has held the office of Road Commis- sioner three years and is rightly regarded as one of the energetic and respected citizens of Tompkins Township. «^>"- homas H. Bice, a retired farmer and resi- dent of Monmouth, was born in Greenup County, Ky., Oct. 14, 1810. He was 3e- scended from a Welsh family, and the first an- cestor upon this continent was named Thomas. He was a wealthy gentleman, and returned to England in a few years for the purpose of collect- ing his property, but was never again heard of. Thomas H., the subject of this sketch, was the son of James and Ann (Hopkins) Rice, who reared five sons and one daughter. James Rice was born in Rockingham County, Va., and removed to Greenup County in 1807. He was drowned while boating on the Ohio River, in 18 14. His wife was of Scotch ancestry and was born in the above county. Two of Mr. Rice's uncles, Thomas and John Hopkins, served in the War of 1812, while Robert Snead, his wife's father, defended the colonies in the Revolutionary War. Thomas H. was the fifth child in order of birth of the family of six children born to his parents, and was brought up to farming and came to Warren County in 1835. The land upon which he located was afterward set off to Henderson County, and he resided there up to his coming to Monmouth, in 1866. Mr. R. was married in Henderson County, April 12, 1849, to Mrs. Maiy I. Ellett, a native of Hanover County, Va., where she was born, April 15, 1814. Her maiden name was Snead, and she died at her home in Monmouth, Feb. 3, 1883, of apoplexy. The morning following her death, a local paper published the following: "Mary I. Rice was born April 14, 18 14, near Rich- mond, Va. She married Mr. Thomas Ellett in 1834, and moved to this county in 1836, boarding, on their arrival, at the old house of Aunt Betty McNeil, on East Broadway, where now stands the residence of John Carr, Esq. Afterward they took up their resi- dence in the building now known as Cowan's black- smith shop, on West Broadway. The family lived in Monmouth only a short time, taking up their resi- dence in Henderson County. Mr. Ellett dying, his widow married Mr. Thomas Rice on April 12, 1849. About 19 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Rice moved to Monmouth, where they have since resided. Of the first union, the deceased mother leaves four children — one son, Virginius C, living in Denver, Col.; Thomas F. Ellett, of Red Oak, Iowa ; Edwin H. El- lett, of Chicago; and Mrs. Sophia Mills, of Rosetta, 111. Those named, excepting the first, were present to attend the funeral. Of the second union, the hus- band and two children remain, Mr. William A. Rice, banker at Rockport, Mo., and Miss Annie, at home. The deceased was a communicant in the Baptist Church since 1832." The funeral services were con- ducted from the first Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rice had born to them five children — James Albert, born Jan. 7, 1850, died June i, 1856 ; William A., born Dec. 13, 185 1, died at Rock- port, Mo., where he was a bank cashier, Dec. 5, _r_/.. 388 WARREN COUNTY. 4 1883; Annie and Minnie were born July 5, 1856, and the latter died June 5, 1864; Jessie Jane was born July 5, 1858, and died May 7, 1859. Mr. R. was for several years engaged in the fruit and nur- sery business. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and since the demise of the old Whig party, has been a Republican. He has always been noted for his generosity, his integrity and an unerring de- votion to the best interests of society, and as one of the truly representative men of Warren County, the publishers take pleasure in presenting his portrait in this Album, accompanying this sketch. -»»♦ jrs. Flora A. Aylsworth, widow of Dr. Homer E. Aylsworth, residing at Rose- lil'^a?^ ville, is occupied in conducting the busi- n ra*^^ ness left by her husband. The latter was jI*" born Sept. 8, 1838, in Burlington Green, Otsego Co., N. Y. His parents were Perry and Luna N. (Belong) Aylsworth, natives of Rhode Island. His father was a farmer by occupation and his fam- ily consisted of three children, — Homer E., Henry M. and Nelson O. The Aylsworths are of English and Welsh ances- try, and came to America in the 17 th century, set- tling in Rhode Island, and from that State emigrated to New York.. Homer E., husband of the subject of this notice, lived with his parents until he attained the age of 16 years. Previous to his leaving home he was sent to Cherry Valley, N. Y., where he acquired a thor- ough and complete knowledge of music. He then went to Michigan and was engaged in teaching vocal and instrumental music in that State for some time. In 1857 he came to this State and occupied his time by teaching school, after which he returned East and attended the Union College, at Schenectady, and in 1863, after following the entire curriculum of that institution, he graduated. He then returned to Roseville, this county, and, under the instruction of Dr. Bradley, commenced the study of medicine. He was under Dr. Bradley's instruction for three years, during which time he attended medical lectures at Michigan University, Ann Arbor, two years, and re- ceived his diploma to practive medicine from that institution in 1S67. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Roseville, which he fol- lowed until shortly before his death, which occurred Jan. 30, 1885. He also established a drug store (the first one in the village), in 1868, which he con- tinued to conduct until his death. Dr. Aylsworth was united in marriage %vith Mrs. Flora A. Eldridge, a native of Stephentown, Rensse- laer Co., N. Y., June 26, 1867. She is the daughter of Augustus and Maria (Murray) Jones, who were old settlers of New York, and was born Jan. 24, 1845, and bore her husband three children — Murray D., Mabel W. and Ivan S. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Aylsworth has continued to success- fully conduct the drug business which her husband had established. The Doctor in his political belief was a Prohibitionist, and religiously was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was an en- terprising man, of more than ordinary business abil- ity, and a respected citizen of this county. In addi- tion to his possessions in this county, he was inter- ested in land in Dakota, having purchased 640 acres | in Clark County (now a part of Day County), located <| on what is called Aylsworth Lake. The Doctor left | a fine home at Roseville, costing about $4,000, in which his wife and children reside. Prior to his - death he was engaged in compiling a biographical history of the Aylsworth family, the completion of which, however, was prevented by his demise. -o-<9- -g^^ 'homas M. Hess, M. D., a practicing physi- cian residing in Berwick village, and a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, was born in New Albany, Ind., Sept. 22, 181 9. Dr. Hess read medicine in Westfield, Clark Co., 111., with Drs. Moore and Briscoe, and then with Dr. Freeman. He entered Stirling Col- lege at Columbus, Ohio, and then settled in Homer, Champaign County, and practiced there for 26 years. The first marriage of Dr. Hess took place Jan. 24, 1839, to Miss Nancy Button, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 4, 1818. The Doctor was again i* ♦tJI) WARREN COUNTY. 389 married, June 16, iS^i.to Mrs. Martha M. Joyce, who was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1843. Mrs. Hess is the daughter of Benj. F. Allen, a native of Vermont, who was born in 1813, and died in 1865, in Maquon, this State. He was a stock-raiser by oc- cupation, and married Miss AlmiraSweetzer, in 1831. She died in 1845, in Delaware Co., Ohio, after hav- ing borne her husband six children, who were named Sarah E., Ethan, Benton, Mary D., Silas W. and Martha. Dr. Hess located in Berwick village in 1881, and has continued to follow his profession there until the present time. He is the father of nine children — Apollos, born Feb. 17, 18^0; William H., Jan. 11, 1842; Smith H., Feb. 10, 1844; Theodore, Dec. 23, 185 1, a twin brother to Ferdinand, who died in in- fancy; Allie Belle, Dec. 19, 1853; Theophilus M., Nov. 22, 1857. The above children were by the first marriage of Dr. Hess, to Miss Nancy Button. Of his second union, namely, with Mrs. Joyce, the fol- lowing children were born: Theo Leota, March 23, 1883; TheolaM., Jan. 14, 1885. Three of the above named are physicians, namely, William H., Apollos and Smith H. The Doctor is a member of the Christian Church, and has preached in the same for nearly 40 years. His wife is also a member of the same denomination. The Doctor joined the Order of Masonry in 1854, and was a charter member of Homer Lodge, No. 199. In politics he is a Douglas Democrat and has always voted that ticket. In 1879 he occupied the pulpit for some four or five meetings in the Christian Church on Western Avenue, Chicago. #^ Sfndrew Jackson Ritehey is one of the solid IP farmers of the township of Spring Grove, f^ where he is the owner of a fine farm, containing 450 acres of excellent land, all of which is in the best possible condition for the purpose to which the owner has de- voted it since it became his property. See page 368. Mr. Ritehey is a settler in Warren County of 1854. He is a native of the State of Indiana, and was born in Decatur County, May 17, 1833. He is the son of William and Martha (Myers) Ritehey, who were na- tives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They were pioneers in the county, in which their son was born, and the father was the owner of a farm there which he had cleared from a heavy growth of tim- ber, it being at the time of its purchase in its native state. The senior Ritehey and his family were the occupants of the farm in Indiana until 1858. In that year they came to Warren County and located in the township of Spring Grove. A few years later the fa- ther and mother removed to Mercer County and there were resident for the period of one year. They went thence to Livingston County, and from there to Butler Co., Missouri. There the father died, in 1875, the widow returning to Fairbury, Livingston Co., 111., where she died, Feb. 22, 1884. The family in- cluded 12 children. Mr. Ritehey was the second son. He was reared under the care of his parents and obtained such education as was possible in the public schools. In 1854 he severed the ties between himself and his boyhood's home and associations and came to Illinois to seek an opportunity to make his own way in the world unaided. He located in Warren County and engaged in farming in the capacity of an assist- ant in the employ of his uncle, George Myers. He remained with him 18 months, or thereabouts. In 1855 he bought 75 acres of unimproved land on sec- tion 2, of Spring Grove Township, for which he paid at the rate of $6 per acre. In the succeeding winter he built a frame house, for which he procured the lumber at Oquawka. In March, 1856, he took pos- session of his farm and new house and prepared to enter at once upon the work of improving the place according to his own plans and_ ideas. He was prosperous in all his undertakings and is now the owner of the fine acreage that has been mentioned. Mr. Ritehey is occupied in the duties of mixed hus- bandry and devotes much attention to the rearing of stock for market. He exhibits some fine specimens of Durham cattle and full-blooded Poland-China swine. In political persuasion he is a Democrat. The marriage of Mr. Ritehey and Miss Mary Lowe took place Sept. 13, 1855. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Lowe. Her father was an Englishman by birth, her mother a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ritehey was born in Washing- ton Co., Pa., March 2, 1839. They are the parents of seven children. Their oldest child, John William, 'JKl -eX-^ — ^ 390 *i WARREN COUNTY. died at the age of four and one-half years. He was born Sept. 12, 1856, and died May 10, 1861. Charles was born June i, 1858, and died May 23, 1861. Sarah F., born Sept. 15, 1869, died May 9, 1861. The parents were thus bereft of three children in the space of 14 days, their deaths occurring from a com- bination of measles and typhoid fever. Ida is the wife of William W. Rowe. They reside on a portion of the old homestead in the township in which her parents reside. Emma — married Sept. 23, 1885, They are also farming on section 12, in this town- ship. Harry and Jessie are the names of the young- er of the surviving children. They reside at home with their parents. The father and the mother are members of the United Brethren Church, in Alexis. ^'^sahel D. B. Sisson, one of the largest land- owners (considering his acreage in Iowa) in Swan Township, where he resides on section 29, was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Sept. 2, 1813. He is a son of Joseph Sisson, born in Rhode Island, Oct. 20, 1789. The father came to this State in 1837, and here resided, engaged in farming, until the date of his death, June 12, 185 1. He was married to Floretta Frisbee, in Jan- uary, 1812. She died in 1882, in Iowa, in her 92d year. Of their union ten children were born — Asa- hel D. B., Gyrus F., Emeline, Rufus K., Ann, Augus- tine W., Marcus F., Andrew J., Mary E. and Martin. The latter died in Henderson County, at the age of five years. Asahel D. B. Sisson came to Swan Township in 1836, being attracted hither by an acquaintance. He had been raised on a farm, and before leaving his native State had been teaching a winter school for some time. After his arrival here he became the pedagogue of the first school established in the town- ship, giving his own labor also in the erection of the building in which he was to instruct the youthful mind. The old log school-house stood on section 17. The next winter he went to Greenbush Town- ship and taught a school for 12 months. He con- tinued school teaching, at different limes for about II years. In 1838, he and his brother Cyrus bought a half-section of unimproved land (one-quarter of which was in timber) on section 29, but no building was erected upon it until 1841, in which year he was married. In the meantime he resided with his father, who had removed here with his entire family in 1837. Mr. Sisson formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Henrietta bcott, Aug. 22, 1841. She was born in 1819, in the State of Kentucky, her father being Peter Scott. He was born in 1795, in North Caro- lina, and married Miss Nancy Russell in 1814; came to this State in 1824, and first located in Taze- well County. His wife was born Dec. 10, 1793, in Virginia, and died in California, in 1875. He died in Oregon, in 1849. They had six children — James, Artemesia, Henrietta, Lemuel, Norman and Lawson, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Sisson of whom we write, had but one child — Lovina C. Sisson, who was born April 10, 1843, and died July 7, 1879. She became the wife of Mr. A. A. Cornell, Oct 16, 1864, and of their union there was no issue. Mr. A. A. Cornell was born March 4, 1836, came to this State in September, •, 1857, and is yet living here. Mr. Sisson devotes his time exclusively to agri-i cultural pursuits. He has 280 acres of good land in- Swan Township, under an advanced state of cultiva- tion, and is also the owner of 540 acres in Iowa. He was Justice of the Peace four years, and the first- Treasurer of Swan Township. Mr. Sisson voted with the Republican party until 1876, when he joined the Greenback party, and since that time has continued to vote with and work for the principles it advocates. 'ffiWi H. Sexton, County Clerk of Warren Co., '^^J|l III-, is a native of Pennsylvania, where it Jl^rT ^PP^^"^^ ^^ ""^^ ^°''" '" '^37- ^^ '"^ P'^' J^^> rentage the biographer is unable to write, as r* like the exact date of his birth, the informa- tion upon that score is not at hand. Shakes- peare says something about some men being " born great; some achieving greatness, and some having greatness thrust upon them." It would be hardly correct to paraphrase by saying that " some are born to office ; some achieve office, and others have office thrust upon them;" for an encyclopedia of American L-^JT 1^ Residence orMRs.ANNAC.SYKES,5EC.9. Monmouth Township. t - . r- V — , , WARREN COUNTY. 393 * office-holding would plainly, if honestly compiled, teach that the second proposition only bore upon truth. But to say that some men are born to " soft things;" some achieve "soft things" and others have " soft things " thrust upon them, would seem to be very nearly borne out by the recotd. Mr. Sexton entered the army of the United States in the late war as a Quartermaster Sergeant ; from this not very hazardous position, he rose in due time to Quartermaster of the regiment; from this position he left the army at the close of the war and came into Warren County to take charge of the office of City Clerk of Monmouth. From City Clerk he rose to Deputy Circuit Clerk, and from that again to Deputy County Clerk and finally to County Clerk. This office he has held on to with great skill ; and as Mr. Sexton has not said anything about abandoning the office, there appears to be very healthy indications that the good people of Warren County need not have their best office become unoccupied for want of a competent office-holder, for at least some consider- able time. We regret that we are unable to say more of Mr. S., but the truth is he has been so busy serving the people by holding their offices, and in- deed holding them with a skill that approaches the professional — that he has had no time for compiling data for the historian. -0-5- -5-^- i^apt. Alfred H. Rockwell, a resident on section 35 in the township of Sumner, is the son of one of the earliest pioneers of the county, having. come hither in 1832 with his parents. Lovett P. Rockwell, his father, was born in Connecticut, Jan. 31, 1798. Joshua Rockwell, who was the grandfather of Mr. Rockwell of this narrative, was a native of the same State and was born Aug. 19, 1774. The former married Nabbie Partridge, who was born Feb. 27, 1775. They left the land of " wooden nutmegs " for Ohio soon after the War of 1812, and located in Ashtabula County. They were members of the pioneer element of the Buckeye State and there the mother died, Aug. 10, 1843. The son, Lovett, had come to Warren County in 1832, and after the death of his wife he joined his children in Illinois. His life terminated in Sumner Township, Aug. 25, 1866. The father of Mr. Rockwell was a very young man when his parents went to Ohio. He was married in Ashtabula County, Dec. 19, 18 19, to Mary E. John- son, a native of the State of New Yoik. She was born in Medina in that State, Nov. 23, 1803. Until T831 the senior Rockwell was variously occupied in Ohio. In that year he made a journey to Warren County on a prospecting tour. He was satisfied with the apparent prospects and bought the north- east quarter of section 25 in township 12. The troubles that culminated in the Black Hawk War were felt in this county, and the terrified settlers had built a fort and block-house for mutual protection in what was afterward Sumner Township. Soon after securing his claim, he returned to Ohio, and in the spring of 1832 sought again the site he had selected for a new home, accompanied by his family. His household included his wife and three children, and they came by the river route to Illinois. They came from the Mississippi River by the Illinois River to Fulton County, and from there to their destination, arriving in June. The dangers from the Indians made it necessary for them to move into the block- house. The property Mr. Rockwell had bought was under some improvements, and a saw-mill with an outfit of burr-stones for grinding corn had been erected on the place. The new proprietor improved the land of which he had become the possessor and operated the mills on it for some years. In 1837 he built a grist-mill, and not long after still further in- creased his business relations by opening a mercan- tile establishment for the sale of general merchandise, such as was required in a pioneer community. His enterprise resulted in the place being made a postal station and he was appointed to manage its connec- tions in behalf of the Government. He conducted the affairs of his several occupations until failing health admonished him that a change was impera- tive. The gold fever afforded a resort and he crossed the plains to the El Dorado of the West, whither he went in 1850. In the year following he bought a ranch in what was known as the Napa Valley. He remained in California a few years, returning in 1853. On his way homeward he was taken sick, and never fully recovered from that illness. He was well enough to resume his business, which he did, and continued to manage his interests two years. In -^H^--^~ i^ 4 !^Jh^ 394 WARREN COUNTY. 1857 he went back to California, but remained there only until the next year. In 185S he came back, but in no better health than when he went away, and he never again gave his attention to business. His death occurred May 17, i860. His wife was his survivor until Sept. 15, 18S4. She was a mem- ber of the family of her son Alfred as long as slie lived after the death of her husband. Six of their eight children lived to mature life, — Albert J., Clar- issa, Alfred H., Maria L., Sarah A. and Edward W. Mary E. and Nancy died young. Only three are now living. Alfred H. is a resident on a part of the homestead property. Maria L. is the survivor of her husband — W. W. Stilhvagon, of California. Sarah A. is the widow of Theodore Hofies. She lives in Chicago. Edward VV., the"youngest son, was born in Sumner Township, Aug. 4, 1840. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. B, 83d 111. Vol. Inf, and received a fatal wound at the battle of Fort Donelson, Feb. 3, 1863, from which he died on the 27th of the same month. Mr. Rockwell was in the first year of his life when his father removed to Warren County with his family. He was born in 1831 in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Until he was large enough to be useful on the farm, he was a pupil in the common schools. After arriving at a suitable age, he acted as assistant in the mill and on the farm until he reached the period of his legal freedom — baring the time he was in California. At the age of 21 his father made him a partner in his business relations and they operated jointly un- til 1857. He then leased the entire property and was its sole manager until 1862. The Civil War was then the engrossing topic, and Mr. Rockwell was too good a patriot to permit the defense of his interests by others altogether, and In August of the second year of the war he enlisted in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf He enrolled in Company I, and was in active service from that time until soldiers were no longer a necessity in the United States. He served with the Army of the Tennessee and was discharged with his regiment in June, 1865. On his return he bought the homestead with his older brother (since deceased). The estate contained 720 acres, and when they made their division Mr. Rockwell took 21 1 acres on sections 35 and 36, including the grist- mill. He is still managing the mill and farm. The marriage of Mr. Rockwell took place Nov. 15, 1854, his wife being Martha P. Crawford, the daughter of James C. and Esther (Sloan) Crawford, who emigrated from Ohio to Mercer Co., 111., in 1833 — theirs being the seventh family to settle in that county. Two years after they moved into War- ren County. The father of Mrs. Rockwell was born in Washington Co., N. Y., and the mother in Blount Co., Tenn., the marriage of the parents occurring Jan. 27, i83r. The mother died May 9, 1882, but the father is still living at this writing (Dec. 22, 1885) in Henry Co., Mo. Mrs. Rockwell was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, March 20, 1832, being only about one year of age when her parents removed to Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell were born eight children, of whom six are yet living. They are named William Elmer, Frank D., Clara A., Alma E., Mary E. and J. Lovett. Wm. E. married Miss Lou Louis and resides in Omaha. Their other chil- dren reside at home. His wife is a worthy member of the United Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Rockwell, in politics, votes as he fought, for the precepts of the Republican party. An excellent view of the old mill and residence of Capt. Rockwell is presented in the accompanying pages. S. Douty, a well-to-do and respected farm- er of Tompkins Township, where he owns 231 acres of land, located on section 30. Here he resides in the prosecution of his voca- tion. He was born Feb. 16, 1832, in Maine. His parents, Oakesman and Mercy (Coulton) Douty, were natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Douty of this notice remained under the par- ental roof until he was 16 years of age. He had the misfortune to lose his father, he having died in 1844, and his mother in 1853. He received a good com- mon-school education in the district schools of his native county, and after leaving home he engaged in the lumber business, which he followed for several years. In 1857 he came to this State, and passed the winter in Galesburg, Knox County. He then rented a farm in Henderson County, and for six years was engaged in farming in that manner, meet- ing with some success. In 1865 he purchased a -hS- ¥ WARREN COUNTY. '- * - !-* y>-^ 395 A farm near Roseville, consisting of 80 acres, on which he moved and labored for one year, when he sold it. At that time he purchased 80 acres on section 30, Tompkins Township, and has there resided ever since. Soon after purchasing this land, with his family he located thereon, and, by hard labor and economy on the part of both heads of the family, he has been enabled to add 151 acres to his original purchase, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 231 acres, where he lives and is engaged in its cultiva- tion and improvement. In addition to the cultiva- tion of his land, he is engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock raising, and by combining both branches of his avocation in life, he is meeting with success. The marriage of Mr. Douty to Miss Sarah Stewart, a native of Clinton Co., Pa., took place Sept. 19, i86i. She was the daughter of Michael and Eliza- beth (Hunt) Stewart, who came to this State in 1859 and located in Henderson County, where they both died, her father in i86g, and her mother in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Douty are the parents of two children, — Ida B. and Wilbur. They also have an adopted daughter, Eva (Shriner) Douty. In politics. Mr. Douty is a Republican. He is also School Director of his district and one of the respected as well as representative citizens of the township. lames E. Amos, farmer, residing on section ii,Greenbush Township, was born in Ver- million Co., Ind., in 1833. He remained with his parents until he attained the age of 21 years, receiving such advantages as were ob- tainable at the common schools, and assisting in the labors in the cabinet shop and finishing the carpenter's trade in Perrysville, Ind. His father, Nathaniel Amos, now deceased, was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1802, and married Miss Jane Evans, in 1824. She was born Feb. 29, 1808, in Pennsyl- vania, and bore her husband eight children, viz.: Benjamin, Joanna, Kittie J. (deceased), James, Wil- liam and George. John W. and an infant unnamed are deceased. James E. Amos, of whom we write, formed a mat- rimonial alliance with Miss Nancy M. Baugliman, April 22, 1856. The Baughman family were early settlers in Fulton County, this State, her father be- ing among the number. She was born March 21, 1842, and died May 5, 1877. ^'^^ "'^.s a member of the Methodist Church. Of their union five children were born — Amanda J., Nov. 3, 1857; Mary E.,Feb. 17, i860; William F., Sept. 15, 1864; Minnie A., Aug. 19, 1869; Iva v., Feb. i6, 1877, all of whom are living. March 30, 1882, Mr. Amos was again married, to Mrs. Josephine Lloyd. Her first husband's name was John J. Butler, who was a native of Ohio, born in 1836, and died in 1863; they were married Dec. 29, i860. The second husband of Mrs. Amos, James R. Lloyd, was born in Kentucky, in 1831, and died Nov. 21, 1879. They were married, Jan. 25, 1866, in this county. Mrs. Amos had two children by her first husband, namely : Mary E,, born Oct. 24, i86r, and Isaac L., born Jan. i6, 1863. The latter died in May, same year. By her second mar- riage, five children were born — Eliza L., Nov. 28, 1866; died Nov. 15, 1876; Nellie, born May 31, 1869; Rosa, April 4, 187 r, and an unnamed infant ^ born Feb. 4, 1875; died May 7, same year, and Joseph R., born Jan. 28, 1878. Mr. Lloyd, second husband of Mrs. Amos, was one of the first settlers . in Greenbush Township. His mother was born in 1801, in Albemarle Co., Va.,and died Nov. 10, 1884. She once attended a reception, given in honor of Gen. LaFayette. William Lloyd, the father of Mr. James R. Lloyd, was born Dec. 5, 1802; was married to Eliza W. Traulliar in 1825 ; was the father of six children — Lucinda F., born Sept. 15, 1828; James R., Feb. 16, 1831; Charles W., June 17, 1833; Sarah E., Dec. 9, 1836, Martillus, July 14, 1839; Thomas J., Feb. 16, 1841 ; James R. was the only one that was married. Sarah E. is the only one of the children living. Mr. Amos, of this sketch, and Mrs. Lloyd were married March 30, 1882. They have 200 acres of good land in this county, which is particularly suited for the raising of stock. On their place they have a good dwelling 26 x 36 feet and two stories in height; also a barn 30 x 42 feet, with a basement. Her former husband, Mr. Butler, belonged to the Chris- tian Church, as likewise docs her third husband, Mr. Amos. The latter is an ordained minister and has occupied the pulpit in the Christian Church for the 'J'yl ■0- 396 WARREN COUNTY. past 24 years. He is a temperance man and votes with the Prohibition party. He is also President of the Western Illinois Christian Conference and Secre- tary of the Illinois State Conference. In his early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and assisted to build the first house that was erected in the city of Bushnell. He also erected 56 buildings in Fulton County. The father of Mrs. Amos, Joseph L. Park, was born in November, 1810; was a member of the Presbyterian Church; married Miss Mary McDonald in 1833, and died in 1852. She was born in Ken- tucky, in 1 81 6, and is still living, residing in Green- bush village. Of their union seven children were born: William B., who died in the army, was born in 1S35; Columbus, in 1837; Josephine, Sept. 17, 1839; John, Jan. 9, 1842; Wallace, June 19, 1844; Marion, Sept. 17, 1849, and Sarah E., May 8, 1852. -13- -^^- -£>• ■ ames F. Thomson, an agricuturist of this county, which vocation he has followed the ■' major portion of his life, is a resident of section 10, Tompkins Township. He was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Oct. 20, 1844, of pa- rents who were natives of Oliio, and named re- spectively John and Rachel (Frances) Thomson. They came to this State in 1867, and settled upon the same section where James F., of this sketch, at present resides, and where the father purchased 160 acres of land on which he is at present residing. The gentleman we name at the commencement of this biography, was an inmate of his parent's family until one year after attaining his majority. His years, prior to that time, were passed in acquiring a rudi- mentary education at the common schools, which he supplemented by a course of study at a Normal school. On attaining the age of 22 years, Mr. Thomson engaged in teaching, and was thus occu- pied for tliree years, one year in Ohio and two years in Henderson County, this State. In 1870, in com- pany with his brother, he purchased the undivided half interest to 160 acres of land on section 13, Tompkins Township. They jointly cultivated the same until i88r, when Mr. Thomson, of this notice, sold his interest to his brother and purchased llie 80 aeres on which he at present resides. He located on his land and began the active labor of an agricul- turist, which he has continued, with success, until the present time. By energetic labor and economy he succeeded in accumulating sufficient to make an additional purchase of 80 acres, and at present is the proprietor of 160 acres of good farming land, all in a body and under an advanced state of cultivation. Sept. 3, 1873, Mr. Thomson was married to the lady of his choice. Miss Mary E. Norcross. She is a native of this State, and a daughter of Hamlin and Clarinda (Hoge) Norcross. Their union has been blessed by the birth of three children, whom they named Carl H., Frank N. and Maggie F. The political views of Mr. Thomson coincide with the principles advocated by the Republican party, with which he always casts his vote. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Thomson was a soldier for the Union in the late War, having enlisted in the 157th Ohio Vol. Inf., and served five months, having engaged in no con- flict, but being actively occupied in guarding prison- ers during that time. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1864. He is one of the rep- resentative citizens of Tompkins Township and a successful and progressive follower of his vocation. "♦^<4##'^- Ij'garzillai Parker, deceased, was a pioneer of Warren County,who located in the town- ship of Spring Grove rather what is now known as such, in 1835. He was born at Snow Hill, Worcester Co., Md., April 18, 1808. His home was there until he was nine years of age, when his parents removed to Ken- tucky, in which State he remained until his removal to Warren County, in the year stated. His father died in Kentucky soon after the family removed to that State. Mr. Parker was accompanied to Warren County by his mother and sister. The journey from Ohio was made overland, they bringing with them their household furniture and also what stock they owned. Mr. Parker built a log house and rived the shingles to cover the roof. After making provisions for shelter he commenced improving the land which t ■Y. . WARREN COUNTY. •^rX^ .^99 4 he had pre-empted. He jjlaced in order for success- ful farming about loo acres of the tract that he at first pre-emi)ted and from time to time continued his purchases of real estate until lie was at the time of his death the possessor of upwards ot 1,000 acres. He had at various times visited Nebraska and Iowa and made large purchases of land in botii .States. iVIr. Parker was a man of zeal, energy and indus- try and was prominent in his method of pushing such projects as he was interested in to a successful termination. Politically, he was a Republican in later days. In the early times, when he was first interested in poli- itics, he was a Whig. He joined the ranks of the "Grand Old Party " when it was organized. He was twice married. Ellen D. Pease became his wife in 1843. She was born near Rockland, Maine, and her parents were pioneers in Mercer Co , 111. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker there were five chil- dren born. Henr)- C is a citizen of Monmoutii Township. Adda P. is married to Phelps Paine, a resident of Lincoln, Neb. Rhoda H. is tlie wife of George Herbert, of Spring Grove Township. Barzil- lal is the next in order of birth. .Sarah is deceased. Mrs. Parker, the mother of the children just enumer- ated, died in 185 1. In 1854 Mr. Parker formed a second matrimonial relation with Mrs. Zoa Uimer. There were two children from this union. Mary W. is married to George F. Miner, of Monmouth. Eva is deceased. Mr. Parker died May [9, [884. gf^^l^on. James H. Stewart, Judge of War- ?iSaB "^^'^ County Court, was born Jan. <;, 1818, 3,,{®«'* at Elkton, Todd Co., Ky., and is the son A of Rev. W;n. K. and Lucretia P. (Moore) r Stewart, natives of North and South Carolina I respectively, and descended from Scotch and Scotch-Irish ancestry. They were married in Chris- tian Co., Ky., April i, 1817, and at once repaired to Elkton, where their three sons and two daughters were born. The Rev. Mr. Stewart was of the Presbyterian Church; came to Illinois in 1830: had charge of a congregation at Vandalia five years; tliere buried his wife in 1831 ; removed to Macomb in 1836, where he preached to his people as long as health per- mitted, and died .\pril 15, J 85 2, in the 62d year of his life. He was a ripe scholar, a graduate of Hamp- den-Sidney College, of Virginia, and was a preacher of recognized force and merit from the time he was 21 years of age. Judge James H. Stewart was the eldest son and was educated at Hanover College, Ind., from whence he graduated in 1836, and at once began the study of law, under James .\llen, and compleiing his course of reading in the office of Cyrus Walker, of Macomb, 111. He was admitted to the Bar at Spring- field, Jan. I, 1840, and immediately commenced to practice at Lewistown, Fulton County, this State. From there, at the end of a year, he removed to Mil- lersburg, Mercer County, where he remained in close practice four and a half _\ cars. He then hung out his shingle at Oquawka, and there added 15 years to his life and much to his knowledge of the law. He was then at Kno.wiile about a year and first came to Monmoirth in tlie spring of 1861. Here lie has spent the matured years of his life. Judge Stewart, the Nestor of the Warren County Bar, has a reputation as wide as the borders of the State in which he re-;^ sides. His name will be transmitted with the his- tory of the community with whose interests he has been so long identified, and the posterity of those whose lives we chronicle to-day, will know him as a man honor. d among men and worthy of their emula- tion. Judge Stewart's official career began at Oquawka, in 1851, when he was elected State's Attorney, for the 15th Judicial Circuit. In 1856, after a division of the district, he was twice re-elected to the same |X)sition for the tenth circuit. In 1881 he was chosen County Judge of Warren, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Willets, deceased, and in 1882, regularly elected for the ensuing term of four years. The Judge is a Democrat in whom there is no guile, and that he is fully appreciated by his party is attested by his record. He has twice been its candidate for Representative from this county, but that body being notorious as a Senatorial Manufac- turing Machine, the good people usually select men especially gifted (?) for that important duty rather than men possessed of knowledge as law-makers. The Judge was alternate delegate to the St. Louis National Democratic Convention of 1876, and dele- gate to that body at Cincinnati, in 1880. ■SZJ-1 "V 4= 400 v":= — . fVA RREN CO UN T Y. ■^r-X^ Beginning as a |>oor boy, Judge Stewart rounds life at a ripe age possessed of a handsome competency. He is largely interesied in agriculture and banking, which receives much of his personal attention. He was married in McDonough County, tliis State, June 30, 1842, to Isabella C. McKamy, wlio was born in Roane Co., Tenn., Jan. 22, 1824, and has borne to him ten children, only three of whom are living — William K., whose biography appears in this volume; Isabella, wife of D. M. Hammack, an attorney at Burlington, Iowa, and Mary M. Lucretia P. was born Aug. 18, 1862, and died Nov. 24, 1878; the rest of his children died in infancy. We felicitate our- selves on being enabled to add to this biographical notice, as well as to the portrait feature of our work, a reproduction of a life-like photograph of Judge Stewart, which was recently taken. Bennett, owning 67 acres of good tillable fi land in Tompkins Township, and also 480 acres in Boone Co., Neb., and residing upon section 19, of the township named, where he is engaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist, was born in Madison Co., N. Y., April 8, 1829, his parents being Jacob ajid Elizabeth (Coss) Ben- nett, natives of Montgomery Co., N. Y. The gentleman whose name heads this biographi- cal notice, lived witli his parents until he was eight I years of age, at which time his father died. He was I then absent from his mother until lie was 14 years I old, when he returned and resided with iier for four I years, receiving at her hands a good common school i education. He t'.ien left home and worked out for five years by the month. In 1854 he came to this ' State, and became a citizen of this county, where lie I was engaged in the occupation of a farmer, working for others and doing odd jobs for one season. Dur- ing that year he purchased the 80-acre tract of land on which he is at present residing, moved upon it with his family and at once engaged in the vocation which he had followed more or less all his life. He erected a fine residence upon his farm, together with a good barn and necessary outbuildings and set out trees, ornamental and fruit, and cultivated and im- i: proved the place, until it presents a fine appearance to the passer-by of to-day. In his chosen vocation, Mr. Bennett is meeting witii that success, which push, perseverance and energy are sure to bring. In 1857, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Liza Thorp, a native of New York, and a daugh- ter of John Thorp. Her father came to this State in 1854, settling in this county, where, with his wife, he lived until their death. In politics, Mr. B. votes with the Republican party, and is regarded as one of the leading, representatives of his vocation in his township. #^ f^f? avid AUard is a farmer in the township of Point Pleasant and is the owner of 240 j'lluSy- ^ acres of land situated on section 8. He t«i was born April 6, 1824, in the town of Eaton, Carroll Co., N. H., of which State his father, Jacob AUard, was also a native. Job Allard, his grandfather, was one of the earliest settlers in the" "Granite State," where he took up a tract of land all in timber, which was located 18 miles from any set- tlement of whites. It was in Carroll County, and he cleared a farm, on which he resided until his death. His son Jacob was born on the same farm, and was the heir to the estate of the father who had done the work of the pioneer on it. Sally (Thurs- ton) Allard, the wife and mother, was also a native of Eaton in the same county. To her and her hus- band ten children were born, of whom six are now living: David is the eldest; Jane is the wife of Daniel Young, and they are living in Freedom, Car- roll Co., N. H.; Joseph S. is married to Miss Fannie W'ornom and is a farmer in this county ; Eliza is Mrs. Bradley Davis, and, with her husband, resides in Stockton, Cal. ; Martha is the wife of Charles Davis and lives in Iowa; Rose A. is the youngest member of the family living, and is married to F. H. Baldwin. They live in Oregon. Mr. Allard was reared and educated in the town where he was born. At the age of 20 he went to Belfast, Maine, and there passed two years in ac- quiring a knowledge of blacksmithing He returned to his native State and operated as a "jour" one ^ -e-Jr^ WARREN COUNT y. ?=$4^ 401 year, July 2, 1846, Mr. Allard was married to Miss Harriet Patch. .She was born in Eator., N. H., and is the daughter of Dennis and Susan (Drew) Patch. He then purchased a farm in the vicinity of the old homestead, and there opened a shop in his own inter- est. He managed the farm and the shop together until 1855, when he sold both, preparatory to moving to Illinois. He settled in Warren County and bought a farm near Jackson Corners, in the township of Elhson. On this he resided until 1864, when he re- moved to Monmouth, to secure for his children the advantages of the schools of that place. He was engaged in the pursuit of his trade in the C.irr Plow Shops there two years, and at the expiration of that time he purchased a farm in Point Pleasant Tovifn- ship, on which he has since resided. It has the usual complement of trees and farm buildings. It has also a grove of forest trees, including white ash, wnl- nut, butternut, ash-leaved maple, white maple, cot- tonwood, willow and chestnut. These cover six acres, and are situated on a mound which is said by survey- ors to be the highest point between the two rivers east and west. To Mr. and Mrs. Allard were born ten children, eight of whom are now living: Frank, Vina, Rose, Josephine, Orrin, Charles, William and Elgena. ohn Jewell, an energetic and industrious f farmer, residing on section 33, of Lenox Township, is a son of Lemuel and Jane _ (Cole) Jewell, natives of York State, and who |C settled there until 185 1, when they came West- ward, located in Lenox Township, Warren County, this State. At the latter place they made their permanent abiding place until taken to their eternal homes. Of their union were born seven chil- dren — Abel, Jacob, Halsey T., Harriet, Henry, Ira and John being their names. John Jewell, of whom we write, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., June 4, 1830, and in 185 i came to Warren County, this State. While residing under the parental roof-tree he attended the district schools in the acquisition of an English education and as- sisted his parents in the duties of the farm. After his departure from home in the year above men- tioned, lie bought 80 acres of land on section -t^-t)^ his present site, which he has made his home ever since. His farm has been put under excellent improvement and cultivation and he has erected suitable buildings thereon. Mr. Jewell and Miss Juliet A. Smith were united in marriage in Warren County, Sept. 30, 1852. She was born in Virginia, Sept. 10, 1820, and bore her husband one child, who died in infancy. She died April 15, 1880, and he was again married, Feb. 24, 1 881, to Flora L. Crosier, a native of Ellison Town- ship, Warren County, where she was born March 3, 1859. She has become the mother of two children by Mr. Jewell — Rodney C. and Rosa. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics, Mr. J. is identified with the principles of the Democratic party. -<^'4#^>- iii illiam F. Smith, retired merchant at Mon-. mouth, was born Feb. 22, 1815, in Louisa J^^n^ Co., Va. His parents, Barnett and Mary J||^> (Grayson) Smith, were of Virginia and de- 4or scended from English ancestors. Of their five sons and four daughters, five of whom are still living, William F. was fourth in order of birth. At the age of 15 ye.irs, Mr. Smith began clerking in a store at Glasgow, Ky., the family having removed into Barren County, that State, in T820. The Ken- tucky farm upon which the old people spent their lives is yet owned by the subject of this sketch. The father died in 1847, "i his 69th year, and the mother in r884, aged 95. Both died in Kentucky. William F. Smith came to Monmouth in Novem- ber, 1835, and opened a variety store. He had only $t,ooo in money, but he was well backed by a Louisville, Ky., firm, for whom he had clerked some time, and after realizing upon his first cargo of goods he had cleared about $[,500. With this he re- turned to Louisville, as the weather promised to be too cold for him up here, but his old backers induced him to return. He next embarked in the dry-goods business with an employe named B. C. Hord as his partner. In 1838, the Louisville firm took an inter- l;^ t^ ■c Tl 402 WARREN COUNTY. •^^^^ est. In 1844, having sold out to the firm, Mr. Smith opened a drug store and continued in that line of business until 1868. Politically, Mr. Smith was originally a Democrat, and as such was elected Probate Justice in 1844-5. Mr. Polk appointed liim Postmaster to fill out an unexpired term of a predecessor, but Zachary Tay- lor, though Mr. Smith had 500 signers to his i)eti- tion while his competitor had only 13, ousted him. In 1849, however, the citizens of the county felt out- raged, and though the Democrats to wliom he had belonged were greatly in the minority, lie was elected to the County Clerkshij) by a large majority, and held the office four years, ending in 1853. In 1S56, he became a Republican, and has affiliated with that party to the present. The marriage of Mr. Smith took place April 12, 1838, at which time Miss Margaret Bell, the ac- complished daughter of Rev. L. G. and Margaret (Beard) Hell, of the Presbyterian Church, became his wife. She was born in Leesburg, Va., April 18, 1817. She bore him ten children — Charles (de- ceased), P^dwin R. (deceased), Mary, Inez B., Will- iam B., Lancelot (1., Carrie K., Lizzie A., Ella and Harry B. .Ml are grown, and the boys arc in busi- ness. .ohn Barnes, owning 200 acres of good ^ farm land on section 24, Tompkins Town- ship, where he lives and is engaged in its cultivation, was born in West Virginia, Jan. 10, 1820. His father, Henry Barnes, was a native of the same State, and the mother of Mr. Barnes, of this notice, Catherine Barnes, whose maiden name was Cunningham, was also a native of Virginia. Mr. Barnes resided with his parents until lie at- tained his majoritv, when he moved to Indiana, and having been brought up on a farm and becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits, he purchased land in the latter State, and followed the vocation which he had chosen in early manhood, at that place, until 1856. During the year last named, Mr. Barnes came to this State, and purchased the farm on which he is at ])reseiil residing. His fann comprises 200 acres of land under an advanced state of cultivation, and its appearance is indicative of the pusli and energy which Mr. B. possesses. Mr. Barnes become the husband of Miss Elvira Love, in 1843, and by her has had four children, as follows ; Ceorge, .\nsell, Cynthia J. and Charles W. The wife and mother died in 1857, and Miss Elizabeth Monroe became his wife. Of the latter union, three children — John F., .Mice and Eddy, have been born. Mr. Barnes votes with the Repub- lican party and he and his wife and five children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. .Soci- ally, Mr. Barnes is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Order of Masonry, and is one of the pushing, go-ahead representatives of his vocation in Tomp- kins Township. :enry F. Trulock, one of Warren County's energetic and successful farmers and IJirge land-owners, and who has been closely identified with the development of the county i since 1850, resides on section 36, Berwick I Township. He was born in Scot Co., Ind., in December, 18 15, and is a son of Parker Trulock, a native of Maryland. The father moved to Indiana in 1815, and there resided, engaged in the occupa- tion of a farmer until his death, which occurred about 1854. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Terrel, in Virginia, and by her had 1 1 children, as follows: John, William, Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Char- lotte, Esther, Samuel M., James W., Parker L. and Henry. Henry F. Trulock has passed the years of his life until the present in agricultural pursuits. Reared on the parental homestead, he there first learned the lessons of an agriculturist and in the schools of his native county acquired his education, and there lived and developed into manhood. The marriage of Mr. Trulock took place Jan. 30, 1845. at which time Miss Margaret Peacock became his wife. Slie was born in Devonshire, Eng., Jan. 28, 1818, and has borne him six children — Sarah E. and Catherine, twins, born May 10 ,1847 ; Nancy A., July 8, 1849; James M., Jan. 21, 1852; Frances *% Res. OF William Edwards, Sec. 35. HaleTownship. WARREN COUNTY. X^ 405 M., March i, 1853; W. H., Oct. 28, 1854; and Harriet J., April 28, 1856. The father of Mrs. Trulocic, Wm. Peacock, was born in England, from which country he emigrated to the United States and located in Indiana, in i8ig. In England, he married Nanc\' Davidson, and of their union six children were born, namely : Mar- garet, William, Roljert, Frances, Mary and John. Mr. Triilock, on coming to this county, at once engaged in agricultural pursuits. He came here in 1850, and located in Berwick Township, and has here resided until the present time. Considering that on his arrival in Warren County, he was only the possessor of a span of horses aiid $250 in money, and has since accumulated his handsome property, he certainly deserves mention in this work, at least as a man of energy, pluck and perseveranci.'. That he has done a large amount of hard work and a good deal of thinking, and passed through many trials, cannot be denied, and his accumulations are 'but the outgrowth of the same, for he was never the recipient of any legacy, and what he has he has ; made for himself. His landed interests in the count)- -are upwards of 800 acres, on which he has five farm ' houses, and in the vocation which he is following i and has followed for so many years, he is meeting • with that success which energy and "good judgment are sure to bring. In politics, he votes with and en- dorses the principles advocated by the Republican party. In this the sunset of his life, he is living in the enjoyment of that competency obtained through years of honest and laborious toil. -^S^^rl+=> antes F. Owens, is of more than ordinary ^^^Ift reputation as a farmer and stock raiser, and *' ^^'"^ is a resident on section 2, Monmouth Town- ship. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 8, 1829. His father, John Owens, was born in Conway Castle, Wales, Marcli 18, 1793, and in his early life was a shoemaker, and later a merchant at Davenport, Iowa. He was only six weeks old when his parents emigrated to the United States and located in New York City. His father and mother lived in that city for some years, wlien they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and tliere resided until their deaths. John Owens, when a young man, engaged to learn the trade of a shoemaker, which, after having mastered it, he continued to follow until his enlistment as private in the War of 1812. At the close of that war, John, l)eing yet a single man and having no means, set out alone and on foot, to cross the Alleghany Mountains, and then returned to Cincinnati, Ohio. He arrived in the Queen City in 1816, when that now populous and i)usy city had but 8,000 inhabitants. On .rriving in that city he engaged in working at his trade, which he followed until his marriage 10 Mrs. Eunice Meeker, nee Kent, a native of New Jersey. She was a descend- ant of .\nneke Jans, of the famous estate of that name, and of wh6m Rev. Bogardus, whose history was closely connected with that of New York, was a member, who was followed by a Spears, then an Ed- ward, and finally a Kent, of whom Mrs. Owens, the mother of the subject of this notice, was descended. The parents were married in Cincinnati, Ohio, and v there the father followed his trade until 1838. At that time eight children had been born to them, four sons and four daughters, of whom James Owens, the subject of this notice, was fifth in order of birth The parents then came to Davenport, Iowa, where the father engaged in the mercantile business, and in which he met with financial success. He was the first Director of the first State bank of that city. After the law was changed and State banks went out of existence, national banks taking their place, Mr. Owens became Director of the First National Bank of Davenport, it being known at the present as the Davenport National Bank. He was a man of great foresight, sound business judgment and possessed of that indomitable energy and perseverance that is so necessarv to success in life. In addition to his banking business at Davenport, he continued his mercantile pursuits and became one of the prosper- ous and well-to-do citizens of that city, in which he 1 continued to reside until his death, which occurred Sept. 24, 1876, aged 84 years. His wife, the mother of the subject of this notice, died in July, 1884, aged I q\ years. The gentleman whose name lieads this notice, was ■ ten years of age when his parents came from Cincin- nati, Ohio, to Davenport, Iowa. He resided at home, attending the public schools at Davenport and act- ing as clerk iu his ftither's store, until 1855. August A ' 4^ ■ cT_L !?Jh- 406 WARRRN COUNTY. n 22, of that year, he was united in marriage, at the residence of the bride's parents in Monmouth Town- ship, with Mary T. Hopper, daughter of William and Edith (Hirrison) Hopper, the latter being a cousin of the hero of Tippecanoe, William Henry Harrison. Her father was a native of Bourbon Co., Ky., her mother cf Rockingham Co., Va. They were married in Todd Co., Ky., Aug. 27, 18 18. The wife of the subject of this notice was born July 20, 1834. She was only an infant when her parents came to this State, the date thereof being 1837. Her parents located on land which was in its natural condition, in Monmouth Township, few families having located there at that time. They brought with them a cooking-stove, which was the first ever brought into the county. They located on their land, and her father engaged actively and ener- getically in its cultivation, and by laborious toil be- came a well-to-do farmer of that township. While a resident of Kentucky he followed the occupation of a tanner and was the owner of slaves, but his con- science taught him that to deal in human flesh was wrong. He consequently liberated his slaves and came to this county, determined to rear and educate his children in a State where the doctrine of slavery did not e.xist. He and his wife continued to reside on the original homestead upon which they first lo- cated in this county until their deaths, that of the mother occurring Dec. r 1, 1865, and the father May 10, 1877. Mrs. Owens, wife of the subject of this notice, re- mained under parental influence until her marriage, her education having been a.quired in the schools of Galesburg, Knox Coun'y, this State. She is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence and is re- spected and honored in the community in which she resides. Mr. and Mrs. Owens are the parents of six children, viz. : Maria F., who became the wife of H. M. Chamberlain, a resident of Greeley, Col. ; Anna B.. who resides at home; Kunice, a teacher by profession, and who is at present in Atchison Co., Mo.; Edith, wife of T. B. Rankin, who resides on a farm in Atchison Co., Mo.; Maggie B. and Charles O. reside at home. Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Owens, they have, with the exception of two years, 1859-60, wlien Mr. O. was in the " Rockies," made their home in Monmouth Township. Mr. Owens is at present the proprietor of 260 acres of good farm land in that township, which is finely improved. A view of his premises is given on page 404. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is to a considerable extent engaged in stock-raising of a general charac- ter. Religiously, he and his wife are memliers of the Christian Church, located at Monmouth. Politically, Mr. Owens is a believer in and a suj>- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held the olifice of Supervisor of his township for some years, and has also been the incumbent of the office of Road Commissioner. ~w\. -"vtaizjzns-^^ >»^|^5i;^^r7>^^ • vx/v*. ij liv Hirt illiam Edwards. Many of tlie most thrifty J^ ltfe^aM n and intelligent agriculturists of this section " '^^ 'p of Illinois, were born and reared upon the ■' other side of the .Atlantic, and to England especially is Warren County indebted for _, some of her most enterprising and prosperous citizens. Prominent among the latter class is Wil- liam Edwards, who is residing upon his splendid farm on section 34, of Hale Township. He is the son of VVilliam and Mary (Williams) Edwards, and was born in England about 1830, where he was reared and lived until May, 1849. There were five chil- dren in his father's family, of whom the following is a record: (ieorge, Eliza, Fannie, William and Jane. George and Fannie are deceased. Eliza married Richard Morgan, and lives in Monmouthshire, Eng- land. There were born of this marriage six chil- dren, two of whom are deceased. Jane, the youngest, is living with her brother, the subject of this sketch. The demise of his parents occurred in England. .■\s alr.ady stated, Williain Edwards was a young man of not 20 years of age when he bid adieu to the shores of his native Isle, to seek a new home in America. He found a location in Ohio, where he re- mained for about two years, when, in .August, 1852, he came U'est to the fertile prairies of the Military Tract, which were being then opened up by the Peoria & Otiuawka, the Northern Cross and the Mili- tary Tract Railways. He found a desirable location in Wairen ("ounty, where he has since been a resi- dent. He is the owner of 240 acres of well improved land, on sections 34 and 35, of Hale Township. I ' T" f -4 WARREN COUNTY. !!-=T4- 407 Upon this he erected a fine set of farm buildings and entered vigorously and energetically upon the task of its cultivation and improvement, until at present it presents the appearance of thrift and energy. A view of the residence and farm buildings of the homestead, are represented in the pictorial depart- ment of this work on page 404. Mr. E. generally votes the Republican ticket, and with his sister, advocates the doctrines of the Church of England. €^ J. Lee, one of the well-known and suc- |, cessful physicians of Roseviile village, __ ' Warren County, this State, is a native of Nj«t Kentucky, where he was born in the year 1818, and is a son of Stephen and Elizabeth (McDonald) Lee, natives respectively of East Tennessee and Virginia. The Lee family of this sketch are of the same family of whom Gen. Robert Lee, the famous General in the late Confederacy was a member. They trace their ancestry back to the time ''of Charles II., of England, one of whom married a daughter of that monarch. They came to Virginia at an early day and their descendants composed many men of note and prcminence in the history of that State, and the father of the Doctor was a full cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The parents of Dr. Lee came to Illinois in 1827 and located in Morgan County, where they bought a considerable body of land and remained in the State of Illinois until their death. At that time no settlers had ventured farther north than Morgan County, and even in that section there were but a few fami- lies. Many of the pioneers, who finally located in Northern Illinois, stopped for a year or two in Mor- gan County, as a few men, like the elder Lee, had moved there at a very early day and had raised crops and thus made provisions for the incoming pioneer. Stephen Lee had a family of six children, as follows: Thomas, Joseph, Nancy, Steplien, Wil- liam and John. The Doctor is the second son of the family, and spent the first 25 years of his life under the protec- tion of his parents He attended the customary common district schools, where he received a fair education, and at the age of 16 years, while engaged in fanning, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Charles Chandler, of Cass Co. He also read with Dr. Schooley, of the same county. He finally became a faithful studejit of Rush Medical College, Chicago. He was in the drug business several years at Virginia, 111., and since 1864 has been in active prac'ice at Roseviile. He is thus one of the oldest physicians in the place and has as his associate coun- sel, Drs. Webster and Crawford, of Monmoutli. Politically, the Doctor is identified with the Re- publican party and religiously he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. He has been quite su- cessful both in his practice and in his ac- cumulations and to-day owns a good farm of 160 acres near Hancock Station, Pottawatamie Co., Iowa, and has a line resilience, with office attached, at Roseviile. His first marriagi was with Miss Sarah Eliza Campbell, a daughter of Judge P. W. Campbell of Mason County, this State, on April 1 1 , 1842, her 19th birthday. Siie died Feb. 10, 1845, leaving two sons, Stephen W. and Joseph N. Stephen W., was a student and graduate of Rush Medical College; practiced medicine in Chicago about 14 years ; died Feb. 22, 1880, of an injury received while in the army, aged 36 years. He was a soldier in the Sec- ond 111. Cav. Joseph N. Lee is farming in Wash- ington Territory at -present, and has been in the territory for the past five years. The Doctor was married to Miss Minerva Gord- ley, his present wife, m March, 1858. ■|v^^|l'v ohn Edward Paine is the Supervisor of ji^aSC Sumner Township, in the current year 1^''* (1885). He is a member of the agricultu- ral class of Warren County, and is located on section 27. He was born in Lake Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1834. He is the son of Charles Henry Paine, who was l)orii in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb 13, 1788, and was a soldier in the war of i8[2. The latter is the son of Gen. Edward Paine, who was a I settler in Ohio when it was still a territory. He A - -4 4o8 WARREN COUNTY. 11 owned ihe site of the city of Painesville, which per- petuates his name. He purchased a considerable tract of land when he located in what was Lake County, after the municipal divisions had been made. He improved a farm, on which he lived until his death, at the age of 96. He was a Gaptaiii in the Revolutionary War, under immediate command of Gen. Washington. After the war he was commis- sioned General of the State Militia in Ohio. His son, the father of Mr. Paine, of this account, was reared in Lake and married in Portage Co., Ohio. Parthenia Mason became his wife May 19, 1817. She was born Sept. 7, 1798, in Connecticut. She vvas aunt to the wife of the lamented President Garfield, consequently Mrs. Garfield and Mr. Paine are first cousins. Mr. Garfield and his wife were at Mrs. Paine's residence visiting. He arrived there several days before the memorable battle ot Bull Run. Upon receiving the news of the battle, his feelings were so worked up he could not continue his visit any longer; so Mr. Paine took him with a team to Monmouth, in order to catch the first train to take him to Ohio. As soon as he could make the neces- sary arrangements, he then enlisted. After their marriage, John Edward Paine and his wife reii oved to Portage County, in the Buckeye State, and located on a timber tract, where the pro- prietor improved a farm. After a term of years they returned to Lake County, where they continued to reside until 1835. They removed in that year to In- diana, where they passed a year, in Porter County. In 1836 they came to Warren County. The family at the time included five children. The trip hither was made by the conveyance commonly used by the emigrants of that period and their method of manage- ment was also the same, and consisted of domestic ar- rangements of about the same char.icter as they were accustomed to at home, wiih the different surround- ings of a house and home on wheels and the lack of locality, as every morning, noon and night found them in a new place. It sliould have been stated that Mr. Paine had made the selection of his loca- tion on a previous visit to the county, and after tak- ing possession he resided there until his death. A log cabin, belonging to Mr. Rockwell (see sketch), stood adjacent, and Mr. Paine rented it for the shel- ter of his family through the first winter after their arrival. During the winter season, Mr. Paine made haste to build his own house, which was of hewn logs. It was double, and well adapted to the comfort of the household of that period. He made the first im- proveiTient on the place in the spring of 1837. After getting settled, he gave his undivided attention to the work of improvement, and soon put his entire acre- age in valuable condition. His life continued until Warren County was in a well developed and prosper- ous condition. His death transpired April 5, 1859. His wife died Jan. 27, 1877. Following is the brief history of their children : Emmeline died at the age of three years; Amanda lives at Monmouth and is the wife of R. A. Gibson ; Emily became the wife of Nathaniel Brownlee, and is his survivor; Lucretia married F. H. Merrill, and they live in Fulton Co.; Charles H. is a resident of Washington Territory ; the subscriber is the next in order of birth; Eliza Arabella is married to C. M. Rogers, of Hale Town- shi|). Mr. Paine arrived in Warren County on his sec- ond birthday. After attending the common schools until he had somewhat advanced toward the period of his youth, he passed one winter attending school at Galesburg. July 26, 1862, he enlisted in Co., B, 83d 111. Vol. Inf, and remained in the military ser- vice until the war closed. His command was sta- tioned for a long time at Fort Donelson, and while there on duty re|)ulsed an attack from a force of Rebels of greatly surpassing numbers. Mr. Paine received an honorable discharge with the regiment in June, 1865. He returned to the homestead of his parents, which is his property, and on which he has since resided. The farm of which he is the owner contains 630 acres It is under excellent improve- ments and is exceptional in the manner in which it is watered. Two never-failing streams flow through it, and it is also well supplied with a growth of natu- ral timber. The latter is situated on the banks of Cedar Creek. The farm residence is of brick and the other buildings are frame structures. Ann E. TurnbuU became the wife of Mr. Paine May 17, i860. She is the daughter of David and Nan- cy (Mitchel) TurnbuU. Her birth took place March '3- "835. in Warren County. Nine of their children are living — Olive P., John M., Mary E. (who is the wife of Delavan Frantz.a citizen of Monmouth), Wil- liam T., Nancy M., Charles H., Anna Belle, Freder- ick C, Frank M. David, the seventh child, was born June 22, 187 1, and died Oct. 14, 1875. Mr. Paine is an Elder in the United Presbyterian Church. *t . --^c^ . WARREN COUNTY. %^ 4it His wife is a member of liie same denoiiiinalion. Politically, Mr. Paine is a believer in the principles of the Re|Hiblican party. — S- -5^- ^I^TP- acob Baldwin, who, in his 78th year, is passing the evening of his life in quiet re- tirement un his little farm of 83 acres, on section 17, Tompkins Township, is a native of It York State, having been born in Fishkill, on the Hudson, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1807, and was consequently a Christmas gift to his parents, Elisha and Jemima (Ryder) Baldwin, natives of that State. Jacob Baldwin, the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the head of this biographical notice, remain- ed with his parents until three years after he had attained his majority, in the meantime attending the common schools and assisting his father in the labors on the farm. Arriving at the age named, he bid adieu to his father and mother, and went forth into the cold and unfriendly world to do for himself. He purchased land and for five years followed the call- ing of a farmer, when he sold this place and pur- chased another farm of 200 acres, in Cayuga County, his native State, on which he located and for 18 years was actively and laboriously occupied in its cultivation and improvement. He then sold his landed interests in York State and in r858 came to this State, and for two years followed his chosen av- ocation, on rented land, in Tompkins Township, this county. At the expiration of this time lie bought 83 acres on section 17, where he is living to day, retired from the active labors of a vocation he has followed more or less all his life. On the loth day of January, 1 833, Mr. Baldwin was married to the lady of his choice. Miss Abigail Brigg. a native of York State and a daughter of Elias and Catherine (Campbell) Brigg, natives of Dutchess County, N. Y., where her father followed agricul- tural pursuits. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bald- win, 13 children have been born, whose names are, Elias B., Elisha J., Philetus R., Charlotte J., Frances J., Oscar, Charles H., Nora A., George W., Hattie M. and Elmer R. Daniel P., the sixth child in or- der of birth, was a veteran in the late war, and was shot on the breast-works at Resaca, from which wound he died. Nine of the children named are married and Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have 26 grand- children and one great grandchild. Mr. Baldwin, in politics, is a Cireenbacker. He is one of the leading citizens of his township and is re- spected for his straightforward, manly dealings with 1 his fellow men. His wife has been a consistent member of the Baptist Church for 40 years. Sarah M. Baldwin, the seventh child in order of birth of the children of Mr. and Mrs. B., died at the age of one year and six months. Of their children, three boys were soldiers in the war for the Union and in fighting for which, as we have already stated, one gave up his life. 7r|^i«llbert J. Rockwell, deceased, was the son 'iS^S of one of the earliest pioneers of the town- d'^^ *" ^'^'1-' '^'^ Sumner, and passed tlie remainder '^■^ of his life, after the removal ot his parents to li^ Warren County, in that township. He was . I prominent in his business relations, combining the vocations of merchant and farmer, the latter oc- cupying the greater portion of his life. He was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1823, and tlie eldest child of his parents, his father being the lineal descendant of a Rockwell who came to this country in 1630. The subject of this notice was nine years of age when he came to Warren County. (An account of the lives of the parents is presented in connection with the personal narration of Mr. A. H. Rockwell, to be found on another page of this work.) Our subject was a pupil in the com- mon schools of Ohio while his family were there res- ident, and when a High School was established in Hcndersonville, Knox Co., 111., he attended it ar.d thus acquired a good and thorough education. His father was engaged in a multitude of business rela- tions, and the son early developed unusual ability as a book-keeper and clerk in the store. In 1855 he opened a stor- on his own account at Denny, and was extensively engaged in business pursuits until 1865. Himself and his brother bought the family L_ irj^jz r cT » i* 4>» WARREN COUNTY. homestead, which they divided i.ot long after their purchase. Reiiring at this period ixom mercantile life, he devoted his attention to farming exclusively for the remainder of his days. His death occurred July 22, 1882. His remains rest in the old Rock- well burying ground situated on the homestead re- purchased by himself and brother. At the time of his death he was the proprietor of a farm of 200 acres. Politically, Mr. Rockwell was a Democrat. He was connected by membership with no religious de- nomination, but was a regular attendant on the ser- vices of the Church to which his wife belonged. Always prominent in his interest and connection with whatever seemed to promise good to the com- munity, he entered heartily into the prosecution of all such enterprises. The deceased took a great interest in the projected railroad through Sumner Township, and lost heavily in his investment in a scheme which unfortunately proved unavailable. Mr. Rockwell was married twice. His first wife, nee Mary J. Craig, was born in Ohio, and died Jan. 28, 1848. Their only child died in infancy. He was again married to Helen M. Burnett, Feb. 12, 1856. She was born in Washington Co., N. Y., May 23, 1833, and is the daughter of Jolin and Lucina (Tefft) Burnett. They were natives of Ver- mont and New York respectively. The grandfather of Mrs. Rockwell, on the father's side, was a native of Scotland, and born about the year 1770. He emigrated to this country about 1788, and settled in Bennington Co., Vt. When the father of Mrs. Rockwell was six years of age, the family moved to Washington Co., N. Y. Mrs. Rockwell's grand- mother on her motlier's side was of English origin. Her parents, on coming to this country, settled in Connecticut, whence tliey also afterward emigrated to Washington Co., N. Y.. where the mother of Mrs. Rockwell was born in 1802. Tlic father of Mrs. Rockwell was known among his large circle of ac- quaintances as Capt. John Burnett, which title he acquired in the early times when " general training- day " was an institution. Six of the children who constitute the issue of Mr. Rockwell's second marriage are living. Fannie F. is the wife of John Whitman, who is settled in Page Co., Iowa, where he is a school-teacher. The other children are John, James, Albert, Archie and Ada G., and reside at home. Mrs. Rockwell is a member of the United Presby- terian Church. Siie is a resident on the homestead. The many friends of her late husband will be pleased to find, on another page, an excellent portrait of the deceased. 'ohn Rogers is one of the farmers of War- ren County who, from a small beginning, has made a competency by the application of the industry and perseverance which is his heritage as a foreigner and one who is born into the world with a proclivity to make the most of such resources as fall to the common lot of mankind. He is a resident on section 2, Spring Grove Town- ship, and is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres. He was born June 24, 1825, in the County Roscom- mon, Ireland. His mother, Catherine, died when he was 17 years of age, and in the succeeding year his father, Michael, married again. When he was 18 years old he went to Yorkshire, England, and was there employed as a farm hand until 1850, when he , came to America. In November of that year he sailed from the port of Liverpool for the United States. The vessel was wrecked and was driven to the Bermudas. Mr. Rogers finally reached New York, after a passage of 13 weeks and three days. The severity of the weather and tiie exposure of the passengers on the wreck caused the death of many, but his good health and powers of endurance ena- bled him to survive all, and he landed in a compara- tively uninjured condition. He went to Orange Co., New York, where he had an older brother, who was the only member of his family, besides himself, who c ime to the United States. He remained there until 1855, when he came to Keithsburg, 111., where he had some frietids, and was there employed in a ware- house for William Gale. He came thence to Warren County, in 1858, where he located on the farm on which he has continued to reside ever since. He h.id bought 160 acres of land in Mercer County, and paid for it, but, as it subsequently appeared, the party had no legal power to sell it, and in conse- quence Mr. Rogers lost both his money and land. *t ^ -4 a=$+ WARREN COUNTY. 413 He, therefore, had to start anew again. In 185 i he came here, and has been 35 years in the West. Po- litically, he has always been a Democrat and has steadily voted for that party. He is engaged in raising Short-horn stock, and is an accomplished leader in that line of cattle. Before he came to Spring Grove Township, he had bought 60 acres of land, of which 30 acres were under the plow at the time of his purchase. His success has enabled him to make further purchases, until he is now the owner of a good f.irm, as mentioned above. He has also become the owner of 200 acres, situated seven miles west of the place on which he lives, and parts of which lie respectively in Warren and in Mercer Counties. The marriage of Mr. Rogers to Mary Murphy took place Dec. 26, 1853. She was born in Ireland. She was living in Orange County, New York, at the time of her marriage. To them have been born six chil- dren. Charles is the leading merchant in Little York, Warren County, and is represented by a sketch on another page. He married Maggie McNamara, and they have two children. William resides in Sumner Township, and is a farmer. He married Miss Hannah McNamara. John is a partner in the store with his brother at Little York. Kate is the wife of Bartholomew McNamara, of Sumner Town- ship; they have two children. Mary and Ann are the names of the two unmarried children. ••«-4<4##i^- ames Simmons, a goodly land owner in j ^^fe - Greenbush Township, residing upon sec- 119?^^ tion 2, was born in Warren County, Ky., Aug. 10, 1809. He is a son of William Sim- mons, a native of Virginia, who was born in 1775, and who died in 1865, at the venerable age of 90 years. The father was united in marriage with Miss Esther Stice, in 1798. She was born in 1779, in South Carolina, and died in 1855. Their union was blessed with the birth of 13 children, who were named Peter, Martin, Betsey, James, Charles, Sarah, Lucinda, John, Roley, Susan, Herbert, Nancy and William. James Simmons formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Melinda Jennings, Dec. 9, 1838. She was born in 1819, in Indiana, and has borneher husband ten children — Elizabeth, born in 1842 ; Sarah E., in 1844; Samantha J , in 1846; Nancy M., in 1848; William E., in 1851, and died May 12, 1884; Eliza E., born in 1855 ; Thomas J., in 1857; Ida M., in i860; James E., in 1863. Mr. Simmons, of this no- tice, when quite young, moved with his parents to Howard County, Mo., where, after a residence of one year, he removed to Boone County, tliat State. After living there about eight years, his father moved to this State, and located near Jacksonville. From that point he subsequently moved to Iowa, where he died in the year stated. Mr. Simmons is the proprietor of 373 acres ofland, located on section 2, Greenbush Township, and where he resides, passing the sunset of his life in the occupation which he has followed so many years, but from the active labors of which he is retired. "T" — , --.r-Sf ■J (ill^ Caldwell Lind, M. D , physician and sur- '.^ geon at Monmouth, is of German extrac- &CS}'' tion, and was l)orn at Millersburg, Ohio, !fC Dec. 16, 1849. His parents were natives of A Pennsylvania and were married in Ohio, rear- ing five sons and three daughters. Two of the sons are physicians, one a jeweler, one a farmer, and one is Supreme Recorder of the order of Chosen Friends, Indianapolis, Ind. Mrs. Linn, the mother, died in 1885, aged 68 years. The senior Mr. Linn is a fawner at or near Paint Valley, Ohio. E. Caldwell Linn was reared upon a farm, alter- nating the seasons at farm labor and attendance at the common schools. At the age of 20 years he en- tered the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio; graduated in 1874, read medicine a while with Dr. W. S. Battles, of Shreve, Ohio, took a course of study and lectures at the Cincinnati (Ohio) College of Physicians and Surgeons, and finally, after one of the most thorough courses of preparatory suidy, graduated in the spring of 1878 from the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons, as M. D. He commenced practice at Hamilton, 111., immedi- ately after leaving college, and at the end of a yeart removed to Bowen, the same State, where he re- -< •-Kl r -e4^ 5=3^ 414 WARREN COUNTY. mained two years. From Bowen he returned to Hamilton, and was there connected with the River- side Infirmary as consulting physician for about a year, coming thence to Monmouth, in the autumn o'i 1 88 1. Thorouuhly conversant witli the current liter- ature of his profession, experienced in therapeutics, conscientious in his practice, Dr. IJnn merits and enjoys the full confidence of his patrons, who are numbered among the intelligent people of Warien ('o. He is prominently identified with the various medi- cal associations, local and general, and wiiliout osten- tatious parade keeps himself abreast with the best of them. The Doctor was married at Shreve, Ohio, Oct. 12, 1881, to Miss Louisa Seeberger, the accom[)lished daughter of A. A. Seeberger, Esq., now of Mon- mouth. Dr. Linn is tlie architect of his own fortune. The recipient of no gratuity, what he is, he has made himself; what he has, he has earned. Dr. Linn is a member and Elder of the United Presby- terian Churcii. -«5- 'ohn Kelsey, residing on a good farm ||^~ located on section 9, Swan Township, of which he is the owner, was born in War- ren Co., 111., Jan. 3, 1840, and is the .son of James Kelsey, a native of Kentucky, where he was born in 1806. The father came to Illi- nois in 1834, and first located in Sangamon County. He came to this county in 1836, and died here Aug. 29, 1844. Before coming to Warren County, the father of John Kelsey was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Vandeveer, in 1835. She was horn in Indiana in 1815, and died in this county, Aug. 29, 1872. They were the parents of five children — Mary J , Margaret .Ann., John, Willi.iin H. and Samuel, all of whom are living. John Kelsey was married to MisS Harriet Day, Oct. 5, 1865, Rev. Whitehead, of the Baptist Church, officiating. She was born in Indiana, June 5, 1849, and has borne her husband five children, two of wlioin are deceased. The record is as follows : Delbert, born Oct. 12, 1866; Emory, Feb. i, 1870, and died March 22, 187 1; Mary, born March 6, 1872; Hershcll, born Aug. 15, 1874, and died Nov. 15, 1876, and Nettie, born Jan. 27, 1878. The pa- rents of Mrs. Kelsey were William H. H. and Sarah (Hamilton) Day. Her fatlicr was born in Indiana, in 1817, and died one year after coming to this State, in 1853. He was married in 1837, and his wife was born in Indiana, in 1818, and died in this State, in 1876. The death of the former was caused by a cancer on the breast and he died after an illness of about one year. Their children were five in num- ber — Amanda, Warren, Emily, Harriet and Mary P., all of whom are living and well-to-do in life. Mr. Kelsey, of this notice, has 140 acres 01 land under an advanced state of cultivation, located on sections 9 and 10, Swan Township, where he resides and is engaged in agricultural pursuits. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is devoting consid- erable of his time and means to the raising of high grades of Short-horns, and his horses are from one- half to seven-eighths Norman. Mr. Kelsey is a mem- • ber of the Baptist Cb.urch, and extremely liberal in his religious opinions, although a firm believer in the immortality of the soul. He is a just man, a kind • father, a generous neighbor, and always willing to aid in any enterprise that is calculated to benefit his fellow men or the community in which he lives. In ■ politics, he is a believer in and sup|K)rter of the prin- ciples advocated by the Democratic party. Mrs. James Kelsey, mother of the subject of this notice, remained a widow for three years after the death of her liusband, when she was again married to John Blue, a native of Kentucky. Their union proved to be a very unliappy one, on account of his intemperate habits which caused some of her chil- dren, by her former marriage, to leave home, and the society of their mother. John, whose biography we write, was one of these unfortunate ones, and at the age of nine years went to live with his uncle, Ab- salom Vandeveer, with whom he resided until he was 20 years of age. By energy and perseverance he has succeeded in accumulating a goodly share of tiiis woild's goods, and is surrounded with a happy family of three children. Socially, Mr. Vandeveer is a member of the .A. F. & A. M., at Youngstown, be- longing to Lodge No. 387. He first joined the order in 1853, at Greenbush, this county, and has been Treasurer of the Lodge for 25 years. For four years .Mr. Vandeveer was Justice of the Peace, in Swan *% '~T' r- *i WARREN COUNTY. !?JV 417 Township, and we deem it no flattery to say that lie is one of tlie representative class of agriculturists of the county. -*-K- m j; arker R. Parrish, a successful farmer in this county, which occupation he has fol- (jtSr-i^ lowed for the major portion of his life, is a resident on section 4, Ellison Township. He fr" was born neat La Fayette, Tippecanoe Co., Ind., Jan. 19,1832. The father of Mr, Par- rish of this notice was Henry Parrish, a native of Virginia, who moved with his parents to Ross Co., Ohio, and there resided until his marriage with Eliza Harvey, a native of Maine, who accompanied her parents on their emigration to that county a i^w years prior to her marriage. After their marriage they resided in Ohio until six children had been born to them, when they moved to Indiana, in 1831, and located near LaFayette, then but a hamlet. The land at that early period was in its natural condition, and the hand of civilization was as yet hardly visible. They entered Government land at a time when the Indian Reserve was but seven miles from their resi- dence, which was located near the battle ground on which Harrison overcame Tecumseh, the afterwards famous Tippecanoe Valley. The parents continued to reside in that beautiful portion of the State, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer, and where they were both finally laid to rest. The subject of this notice was the first child of his parents born in Indiana, and the seventh in order of birth of the family. He resided at home and got his education in the old log-cabin school-house of the day, these being the primitive educational advant- ages then afforded the community. His years, prior to his majority, were passed on the farm, lending a hand in the maintenance of the family, and attend- ing school. On becoming his own master, Mr. Par- rish worked as a general laborer until his marriage. This event took place .\pril 16, 1855, in this county, when Miss Annaretta Godfrey became his wife. She was born July 4, 1828. After marriage Mr. Parrish with his wife returned to Indiana, where they lived in happy union for seven years, when she passed to the land of the hereafter, the date of her demise be- ing May ir, 1862. Three children survived her, namely: Gus A., who married Florence Livermore, and is residing on a farm in this township; Willard, who was united in mnrriage with Mary Cramer and is at present residing at Red Oak, la., near which place he is engaged in stock-raising and farming. The third child, Anna, died at the age of seven years. Mr, Parrish, after the death of his first wife, re- turned to this county, where, in Ellison Township, on Sept. 7, 1863, he was again married, the lady who became his second life-partner being Charlotte Godfrey, a sister of his former wife, and the daughter of Elijah and Ellen (Davis) Godfrey. Her parents were natives of Maryland, prior to whose union the parents of both had removed to Ross Co., Ohio, where Mr. and ?ilrs. Godfrey first met each other and where they were married. The parents of Mrs. Godfrey removed to Indiana, and afterwards came to this county and located in Ellison Township, where her father died, her mother having preceded him to the spirit-land during their stay in Tippe- canoe Co., Ind. Mrs. Parrish was born in that county, Sept. 30, 1837. She was the seventh in or- der of birth of a family of ten children, which con- sisted of eight daughters and two sons, and resided at home, receiving her education in the district schools and assisting her mother in the hoasehold duties, until her marriage with Mr. Parrish. They have become the parents of eight children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are Charles E.i John O., Ida, Nora B. and Effie E., and the de- ceased are Frank, Lucilla and Harry. In 1863, Mr. Parrish purchased 80 acres of land where he is at present residing. Locating on this land, he at once set to work with characteristic en- ergy to establish a home for himself and family, which would afford a comfortable shelter in the de- clining years of their life. By energy and economy, hard work and the exercise of a naturally sound judgment, he was, in 1875, enabled to purchase an additional 160 acres, located on section 3, same township, and a few years afterward added thereto 40 acres of farm land and 28 acres of timber. Mr. Parrish has thus increased his landed interests in this county until he is at present the owner of 308 acres of land, all of which, with the exception of limber, is tillable. In politics, Mr. P. votes with the Democratic < *? LAJ V ^^J^ 418 WARREN COUNTY. party. As an aid in spiritual guidance, he and bis wife early united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In addition to strictly agricultural pursuits, Mr. P. is somewhat extensively engaged in the breeding and raising of stock. He was the second man in this county to recognize the value of the improve- ment of Short-horn stock, and began breeding in 1871. The first Short-horn heifer purchased by him is yet on his farm, and weighs 1,800 pounds. He is also the proud owner of two full-blood Clydes- dale horses, and part owner of three oliiers. Thus successful has he proved himself as a propagator of improved stock. In conneciion with this sketch of the career of a representative agriculturist, we present an excellent view of his homestead, on page \\(>. 'acob Hayden, who is passing the sunset !?• of his life on his farm, on sections 12 and 13, Tompkins Township, where he follows ^^ his chosen vocation, that of an agriculturist, was born in Ohio, in 1820. The parents of Mr. Hayden, John and Nancy (Ellis) Hayden, were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, riiey moved from the latter State to Ohio in 1816, where the father purchased 1 60 acres of land, on which he resided with his family, engaged in its cul- tivation until his death. The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical notice, lived with his parents until he was 22 years old, receiving at tlieir hands a good common-school edmation. .\t that age in life his savings enabled liini to i)urchase 40 acres of la, id, and after living thereon until 1849, he came to this State and for two years farmed on rented land in this county. In 1850 he purchased 80 acres of land in Ellison Township, and tliere re- sided for 15 years, until 1865. During that year he moved to Tompkins Township, and there purchased 95 acres, on which he moved and has resided for 20 years, following the vocation of an agriculturist. Miss Mary A. King, an accomplished young hidy, native of the Buckeye State, Jan. 27, 1846, became the wife of the subject of this notice, and has borne children, namely : Sarah F., George, Charles and Carrie M. In politics, Mr. Hayden casts his vote with the Republican party, and he and his wife are consistent, active workers in the cause of religion, belonging to the Christian Church. ;.,. .f. W. Armstrong, a practicing physician, re- u siding at Kirkwood, this county, was born in Knox County, East Tennessee, Jan. 22, 1807. The parents of "Mr. Armstrong, John and Nancy (Wier) Armstrong, were natives of Tennessee. They moved from that State to Indiana in 1826, where the father followed survey- ing and where he purchased a quantity of land, on which he lived until his death, Oct. 23, 185 i, his wife having preceded him to the land beyond the river, July 5, 1818. k. W. Armstrong, a sketch of whose life we give in this biography, remained with his jjarents until one year after attaining his majority. At the age named, 22, he took a course of study in the Tennes- see Literary College, at which he matriculated and followed tlie entire curriculum of that institution, oc- cupying six years of hi-; lime. He then taught school for two years in the Male Seminary, at Knox- ville, Tenn., and also taught Latin in the college from which he graduated for one year. In 1833 Dr. Armstrong cominenced the study of medicine with Dr. Mcintosh, a graduate of Edinburgh Col- lege, Scotland, with whom he remained two years. He then attended a course of lectures at Drake's College, Cincinnati, and subsequently took a course of study at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, where lie gr.iduated, in 1849. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession and actively con- tinued the same until 1873. During that year he took a trip to California, where he remained one year, then returned, resumed his practice and continued the same until 1879. At this date he took another rest from active labor and spent a year in Arkansas, when he returned and has since continued his prac- tice. In 1844 Dr. Armstrong went to Crawfordsville, Ind., where he lived for 12 years. He came to this county in 1858 and settled at Kirkwood, and from that time until the present, with the exception stated, -f-^ r A WARREN COUNTY. -^rSr^ 419 has actively followed the practice of his profession there. He is a gentleman whose re|mtation in the community is such that it requires at our hands no encomiums, and his success in his profession places him among the most prominent men in the county. Dr. Armstrong wooed and won Miss Mary West- fall, a native of Ohio, and they were married in 1847. Their union has been blessed with the birth of three children — William D., Sarah L. :ind Mattie. In politics, the Doctor votes with the Democratic patty, and, with his wife, belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Armstrong is the oldest physician of Kirlcwood,and although in his 78th year, is enjoying good health. William D. Armstrong married Miss Annie Cargill, a native of Warren County, this .Slate. This union has been blessed with seven children, viz.: Alfred C, Clarence, Mary, Kdith, Mabel, Wil- liam and an infant, at this writing not named. Sarah L. married Samuel Allen, a prominent bus- iness man of Kirkwood; to them have been born ' four children, viz. : Kemper, Wilma, Pearl and Nina. Kemper is now deceased. Mattie is living with her parents and ib a teacher in the public school. ;>. 'ohn T. Me Williams, engaged in general farming on section i, Ellison Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1826. His father, Alexander McWilliams, ]C of Irish descent, was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer by occupation. He married Miss Jane Boyle, in his native State. She was also a na- tive of that State and of Scotch ancestry and descent. John T., the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice, was about 17 years of age when, in 1844, his parents came to this State, locating in Ellison Township, where two years afterward, in 1846, the father died, aged 49 years. His mother died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Alniira Yoho, in Ellison Township, in 1883, aged 81 years. John T. was the fourth in order of birth of a family of twelve children, only four of whom are living, two in Illinois and two in Iowa, Mr. McWilliams being the oldest of the children living. He received a limited educa- tion in the district schools and assisted in the labors of the farm, developing into manhood. The marriage of Mr, McWilliams took place Aug. 30, 1855, in the State of Missouri, at which time Miss Nancy Sackett, a highly educated. Christian lady, became his wife. She was born in 1839, in St. Clair County, this State, and died at her home in Ellison Township, Dec. 5, 1867. By their union five children were born — Charles H., a conductor on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and who formerly followed the same vocation on the Union Pacific Road ; Frank resides in Cheyenne County, Kansas ; Marion is living at Mavshalliown, Iowa, wliere he is engaged in leaching; Mannda B. became the wife of M. J. Ralston, who lives at Creighton, Neb., where he is following the occupation of a farmer ; and Amy is living at home. Afier the death of his first wife, Mr. McWilliams was again married, March 14, 1869, the Chiisliaii lady chosen for his wife being Mrs. Mary Crosier, nee Loftus. Her parents were natives of Kentucky. Of her former union with Mr. Crosier, two children were born, and of her latter union with Mr. McWilliams, three children have been born, one of whom is deceased. The living are A. J. and Archie, who reside at home. Mrs. McWilliams de- parted this life Aug. 3, 1879, at her home in Ellison Township. Mr. McWilliams made his first purchase of land in this county in 1869, the same consisting of 80 acres. He at present has 60 acres under an ad. vanced state of cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. McWilliams enlisted in the Mexican War in an in- dependent company of Illinois Cavalry, and was in active service as e scout, but was in no general en- gagement. He was discharged at the close of the w.ir, in August, 1848. He also enlisted in the war for the Union, joining Co. C, 83d 111. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, where his regiment was uiider the command of General Thomas. He belonged to a mounted company and participated in no general engagement, but in nu- merous skirmishes. He was finally transferred from tlie 83d to the 61st Regiment, and received an hon- orable discharge in 1865. In the cyclone that swept away the village of Ellison, May 30, 1858, Mr. Mc- Williams lost two sisters, Mary A. and Harriet, both young ladies, and both killed by the tornado at that *X ¥ -^fe^ — J^ 420 WARREN COUNTY. time. In politics, Mr. McWilliams is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican parly. ^fSj.^-harles S. Fletcher, a farmer on section 17, cj' Li^^^ Tompkins Township, Warren County, §1^ "^ was born in Ferrisburgh, Addison Co., ^¥) Vt., June 9, 1825. His parents were Samuel (k and Ida (Cousins) Fletcher, natives of Eng- land and Vermont respectively. .Samuel Fletcher was a signal officer at the battle on Lake Champlain under Commodore McDonougli, and re- ceived $1,000 as ijrize money. He was Captain of the Ethan .Allen, a vessel on Lake Champlain, and during a heavy storm in 1832 he was swept over- , board and drowned. His wife's death occurred in 1829. Charles S. Fletcher (the subject of this article), who, previous to his father's death, had been placed in the care of Samuel Spafford, came to Ohio with him in 1832. He continued a member of that gen- tleman's family until he was 14 years of age. He remained in the Buckeye State until lie attained his 20th year, when he embarked in the show business, and for 15 years traveled with a menagerie and cir- cus, during which period he was with a company ex- hibiting through the West Indies and South America, in which countries he also made a large collection of birds, reptiles and other curiosities. At the age of 35 years, Mr. Fletcher came to Ellison Township, Warren County, where he had previously purchased 160 acres of land, and tliere remained, cultivating and improving the same for a period of two years, and then sold and purchased anoilier tract of 160 acres, in the same township, being a resident of it for about the same length of time as he was the other. His ne.xt move was to his present location, where he has landed possessions to the number of 90 acres on section 17 and 5 acres on section 6, tliis township, and 640 acres in Nebraska. In 1876 Mr. F. erected a residence, which cost him in the neigh- borhood of $11,000, which he sold soon after com- pleting. His home farm presents the appearance of thrift and energy, and is in an advanced slate of cul- tivation. He carries on a general farming, and is one of the substantial men of Warren County. Mr. Fletclier and .Miss Sarali E. Wilson, a native of Connecticut, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony Oct. 28, r86o. Her parents were Clark S. and Elizabeth .\. (Peck) Wilson, both natives of the State of Connecticut. They came West in the fall of 1 86 1, and are now residing with Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher. They have become the parents of a fam- ily of eight children, all surviving, except one, as follows: Samuel C, born July 20, 1862; Sidney W., born May 31, 1864; Nina E., born Feb. i, [866, Ninette A., born Nov. 6, 1869; Ida May, born May I, 1872; Ethan Allen, b.)rn Sept. 9, 1876; and Charles B., born Aug. 26, 1884; and Minerva I., deceased. Politically, Mr. F. affiliates with tlie principles of the Republican party. W. Nisely, one of Warren County's ener- ] getic and prosperous farmers, resides on section 34, Roseville Township; is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Hawk) Nisely, having been born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1818. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and the former came to Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 18 1 6, and engaged in the distilling business, and also that of a farmer for some time. They died in Medina, Ohio, the father in 1867 and the mother in 1874. G. W. Nisely remained at home until he was 25 years of age, spending his time in the common schools and at work for his father. He has a good farm of 130 acres, carries on a general farming busi- ness, and is recognized as one of the solid and sub- stantial men of Warren County. On the 9th of March, 1853, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Sarah M. Mabry, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of William and Esther (Leurman) Mabry, of Ohio. They have a family of ten children, to whom they have given the following names: Homer, George W., Mary, Jerome, John F., Hester M., Thomas B., Charles E., .Albert A. and Kittie M. Mr. Nisely is a Prohibitionist in "T" r x^ > WARREN COUNTY. 423 political views, and with his wife, is a member of the Christian Church. There were 13 children in the family of Mr. Nisely's father, eight of whom are living. Samuel, one of the sons, lives in Iowa. The remainder are all living in Ohio, except the subject of this sketch. Jacob Nisely, the father, died in Medina County, at the age of 76 years. His wife, and mother o( George, died also in that county at the age of 76 years. Mr. Nisely left home in the spring of 1855, and stopped in Peoria County, and the next year went to Knox County. He came to Warren County in 1857 and rented land until 1864, when he pur- chased 80 acres on section 34, of Roseville Township and here has lived to the present. Thomas Patton, of the firm of Patton & Beedee, dealers in flour, seeds, pumps, ag- fS^S^"''* ricultural implements, lime, cement, etc., at Monmouth, 111., was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Nov. 20, 1831. The parents of Mr. Pat- ion, John S. and Jane (McCague) Patton, reared two sons and two daughters. The senior Mr. Pat- ton was twice married (see biography of R. S. Pat- ton). The subject of this biographical notice was brought up on his father's farm. Of the children Mr. Palton was the third in order of birtli and the second son. At the common schools he acquired a good English education and taught successfully for several years in Ohio. In 1855 he came to Illinois and resided in Peoria County up to 1868, teaching school in the meantime, five or six winters, and car- rying on a farm during the summer. In 1868 he re- moved to Warren County and was engaged in the occupation of an agriculturist, in Hale Township, for about ten years, coming thence to Monmouth, where he has since been engaged in his present business. His first partner was M. A. Gidding; his second, D. C. Goudy ; and the third, Mr. Beedee. Mr. Patton was a successful former and is likewise a popular and successful merchant. Before coming to Mon- mouth, he was two years School Trustee, and since residing here he has represented his ward two years in the city council. Mr. Patton formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Esther Stevenson, in Marshall Co., III., Oct. i6, 1856. Mrs. Patton died in 1877, leaving four chil- dirn— Ella J. (Mrs. R. Miller), Charles, Nannie B. an( Alice. Mr. Patton's second marriage occurred at Monmouth, in 1878, the present Mrs. Patton hav- ing been Mrs. Eliza J. Davidson, nee Black. Relig- iously, both Mr. and Mrs. Patton are members of the i United Presbyterian Church. ■^ 'i,harles E. Russell. Among the prominent Ij^ young farmers of Warren County, we have ||&°'"*' the subject of this personal narrative. He "^"9 lives on section 14, of Lenox Townsliip, and is '^ a son of Jonathan Russell, a prominent farmer of the county, whose biography is given in this Album. His mother, Lydia A. (Evans) Rus- sell, was a native of Pennsylvania. Charles was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1859. He , received a good education in the schools of this county, his | arents having moved here when he was about a year old. Here he was reared and has since '^ lived. He is the owner of 70 acres of good, tillable land in Lenox Township, section 22. He is a mem- ber of the order of the Golden Rule, and in political faith, is a Republican. Mr. Russell was married at Monmouth, Sept. 4, 1884, to Lonie L. Shaw, daughter of Clarkston Shaw and Melissa J. Codington, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively. Mrs. R. was born in Spring Grove Township, Nov. i, 1864. -^#>|J^^ osepb Tinkham, one of the large land- owners of Warren County, living in retire- y' ' ment at Kirkwood, where he is passing the J^ sunset of his life in peace and quiet, in the ju enjoyment of the comforts which are the re- ward of a life of labor, energy and persever- ance, was born in the Green Mountain State, March 26, 1812. The parents of Mr. Tinkham were Benjamin and Anna (Gray) Tinkham, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respectively. His father was a farmer and died in his native State in 1827. Mrs. Tink- in/c "T ^ •«^ 424 Y. . ' WARREN COUNTY. ■?-^ ham, mother of tlie subject of this notice, came to this State and resided with her children until her death, in i86i. Of this union, six children were born — Mary, |ose|)h, Benjamin, Ransom, Erastus and Amerettc. Joseph, the second child, whose name heads tiiis biography, passed the years of his life prior to at- taining his majority, under the care of his parents, receiving at their hands a good education, and as- sisting his father on the farm. On becoming his own master, his ambition to accumulate a compe- tency for himself immediately began to assert itself. He left the parental homestead and worked out for six years. In 1835, when 22 years of age, realizing that better inducements were offered to young men in the undeveloped West, he emigrated to this State, and located in Warren County, wliere he purchased 160 acres of land. To his original purchase he sub- sequently added 500 acres, uj)on wliich he moved witli his family and resided until 1881, during wjiich ■time the land was brought to a high state of cultiva- tion. In the year last mentioned, he retired from the active labors of life and removed to Kirkwood, wiiere he purchased a house and lot and wliere he has made his place of residence since. Mr. Tinkham was married in 1841, the lady chosen to be his companion for life being Miss Ann Robinson, a native of the Keystone State, where she was born Dec. 13, 1815. Her parents, William R. and Sarah (Witcher) Robinson, natives of the State of Virginia, came to Illinois, locating in Sangamon County, in 1836, and after a period of four years re- moved to Logan County, At the latter place they entered on Government land and began to work the same, their farm being under an advanced state of cultivation when the mother died in 1845. The father's death occurred at the residence of his daugh- ter, Mrs. Ann Tinkham, in Kirkwood village, this county, in 1858. They were natives of Virginia, where her father wjs born in 1779, and her mother in 1795. The grandparents of Mrs. Tinkham were, on the father's side, McKenna Robinson and Kliz- abeth Wamsley, also natives of Virginia. On the mother's side, her ancestors were James Witcher and Mary Kelly, who were likewise Virginians. Of the union of William K. Robinson and Sarah Witcher, 12 children were the offspring, viz.: Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Sarah, Ann, Mary Ann, Lydia, Jane, Mi- nerva, William, Kiltie and Christopher T. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tinkham have been born two children to brighten and bless their family cir- cle. Mary A. marrietl Samuel H. Smith and is the mother of four children — Jessie M., Mary D., Hayden F. and Edna F. who resides in this county. Joseph \\ , married Emily Blanch Cunningham, and their family comprises three children — Willard B., Zelma B. and Mary F., and they also live in this county. Mr. Tinkham is a Democrat in political opinion, and, with his wife, belongs to the Christian Church. He is a stock-holder in the First National Bank at Kirkwood, has served this community as Supervisor, Township Treasurer, and in other minor offices, and is justly regarded as one of the mfluential men of Kirkwood village. Mr. Tinkham's portrait appears on page 422. ^000^ (Ts. Martha M. Bennett, widow of Her- man K. Bennett, resides on section 20, ' Tompkins Township, where she is en- gaged in carrying on agricultural pursuits, 'X cultivating the land left her by her hiisband Herman K. Bennett, who was born Sept. 8, 1833, in Madison Co., N. Y., and departed this life Nov. 8, 1879. Mr. Bennett received a good educa- tion in the common schools and was an inmate of his parents's household until he attained the age of 17 years. At this time he went forth to do for him- self, and for three years worked out by the month. He then came to this Stale and engaged in the oc- cupation of agriculture, which he made a lifetime pursuit. In 1854 he purchased 80 acres of land on section 19, 'I'ompkins Township, on which he loca- ted with his family and at once entered actively and laboriously upon the task of its improvement and cul- tivation. By hard labor and economy, coujjled with the active co-operation of his good helpmeet, he suc- ceeded in saving sufficient to enable him to add 40 acres to his original purchase, the same being loca- ted on section 31. He lived and labored on his farm, determining to make it a permanent home for him- self and family, until his death, at which time he left a clear title to 120 acres of good farm land to his wife and children. The ceremony which united the lives of Mr. Ben- <^ *t -4 *t WARREN COUNTY. i* 425 nett and Miss Martha M. Fitzsimmons, was solemn- ized Marcii 5, 1 86 1. She was a native of New York and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Dewitt) Fitzsimmons, natives of the same State. Their union was blessed with the birth of two children — Will H. and Cora E. Mrs. Bennett has, since her husband's death, pure! ased 160 acres of land, on section 20, east of the old homestead, upon which she now re- sides and manages the cultivation of her entire farm of 280 acres. In politics, Mr. B. was a Republican. He was a gentleman possessed of a large amount of benevolence and never failed to lend a helping hand to tlie needy, or failed to aid any good undertaking that was calculated to benefit the community, either with his time or means. >-5~# o-^>o g!-^-^ Co., 111. to which section he removed in ^u^ September, 1837, from near Woodstock, Cham- r") paign Co., Ohio. He was born in Mansfield, Conn., March 11, 1806, and was of Puritan nn- cestry. He died at the family residence in Swan Township, Sept. 25, 1864, of typhoid fever. His earliest American ancestor, was James K d- der, who, marrying Anna Moore in 1649, came to New England about 1650, from East Grinste' d, County Sussex, England, and settled in Cam- bridge, Mass., but soon removed to Billeiica, Mass. The ancestry has been traced back six gen- erations in England. Maresfield, County Sussex, was the ancestral home of the Kidders in old Eng- land. It is an agricultural country. The Kidders were land-holders there and some of them Wardens of the Parish Church. Richard Kidder, in 1492, was of the manor of Maresfield. The name appears there 200 years earlier. Later, one of them was a Bailiff of Ashdown Forrest, a part of the manor. The manor of Maresfield was the property of John of Gaunt, and there is authority for the statement that Wycliffe found an asylum there for a time during his retirement under the protection of John. From James (ist) above mentioned, the line runs through James (2d) of Billerica, Mass , born Jan. 3, 1854, at Cambridge; married Sept. 23, 1678, to Elizabeth Brown; James (3d), born June 27, 1679; married Mary Abbott, at Concord, Mass., and settled in Mansfield, Conn., in 1703; Nathaniel (4th), of Mans- field, born Oct. 30, 17 12; married Ann Royce ; Na- thaniel (5th), of Mansfield, born March 5, 17-54; married widow Mary (Cross) Barrow; Nathaniel (6th), born Nov. 25, 1782; married Speedy Whit- more; Larnard (7th), the subject of this sketch, born as before stated. Larnard Kidder had moved from ('onnecticut in 1822, with his father's family, near Woodstock, Champaign Co., Ohio, and was married March 22, 1837, to Mary A., daughter of Abisha and Lucinda (Hastings) Hoisington, in Ohio. She had emigrated with her father's family from Windsor, Vt., in 1817, where she was born April 5, 1809, and was of Puri- tan ancestry. After their marriage they moved to Warren Co., 111., settling in Swan Township, as al- ready mention, being among the first settlers of that portion of the county. Though 20 miles away, Mon- mouth was then the nearest postoffice, and the jxjst- age charged by Uncle Sam for carrying a letter in that day was 25 cents. The country was wild prairie with groves and timber along the large streams. The Black Hawk War of 1832, had cleared the country of Indians. Mr. Kidder's first attempt in aid of the development of the, then, primitive country, was on a farm,of 320 acres which is now a portion of the village of Youngs- town. In 1S38 the first house was built on the site where Benjamin H. Kidder's house now stands, about 60 rods north of the southeast corner, south- east quarter section 28, near the east line. It was a story and a half hewed log house, 18 x 20 feet, with large brick fire-place at the north end, the chimney being carried up outside of the wall, as was customary in that day when stoves were an unknown feature of the domestic arrangement. There was one window in the east and one in the south wall, and a door opening upon a porch, extending the length of the east side. The roof was of clap-boards secured by "T" -lAl i Residence of wr M. Lair, Sec. so, Kelly Township -M~ V. WARREN COUNTY. •^^^^ 429 1 h weight poles. It was in this house that life began in earnest. It was a house identical in almost every particular with that built by his father, in Ohio, in 1822, a prototype of the dwelling houses built by our Puritan ancestors among the hills and valleys of New England, on the banks of the Concord and Mer- rimac and by the swift waters of the Wiliimantic and Connecticut, and which, no doubt, were patterned after the homes of the ancestry dwellings on the downs of Sussex, or in the Forest of Ashdown. In such homes our progenitors have faithfully done the labors of this life, cheerfully accepted the privations and heroicly borne the many burdens allotted to mankind. Yet, in them were many joys, and thougii always often cut off more or less widely apart, yet good society and kind friends were not wanting. They contained a thrifty household, the fireside glad- dened by bright faces, children in health and happi- ness, the pure manners and customs of the old times and the oft repeated story of sire and grandsire, 'mother and grandmother, were, as " mother, home and heaven." These, with the sacred regard for re- ligion and the highest standard of morality, must not be too hastily dismissed for the modern advancement, nor can we who have shared sojiie of them in child- hood, recall them but with pleasure, nor dismiss them from thought without a sigh for their departure. Larnard Kidder was a man of energy and great in- dustry, and in addition to his success in the develop- ment of his farm, he had the satisfaction of securing for his children the advantages of more than a common school education. He devoted liimself ex- clusively to farming, that calling iiaving been his inheritance through many generations, and the pros- perity which attended his efforts in the cultivation of his land was of the most satisfactory nature. He was diligent and resolute, practical and honest, faithful in the discharge of duty, moral and upright, and a long and faithful search into the records of the past dis- closes the fact that his forefathers were posseseed of like traits of character, proving that character is hereditary to a very great extent. In religion he was not a member of any Church organization, nor had his ancestors been for several generations. Yet he was not without religious opinions, many of which were in advance of the time in which he lived. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. I. N. West- fall, a Universalist minister. In politics, he was a Whig, then a Republican. He never sought office. but was elected Justice of the Peace, School Director, Township Treasurer and to other minor offices. He left no will. Records of the administration of his es- tate, in Warren County Court, places the amount of inventory at $22,739.38. In taking leave of Mr. Kidder it is claimed for him only, that he was one of the many whose push labor and enterprise made good farms and pleasant homes of the wild lands of Warren County, and hence contributed to the general prosperity — that lie was a good citizen. The children of Larnard and Mary A. Kidder are : Almon, born Feb. 27, 1838, an attorney at Mon- mouth; William O., Aug. 13, 1839; Henry H., May 25, 1841; Benjamin H., April 7, 1843; Nathaniel, July 31, 1845; Olive M. (Davis), Jnly 3, 1847; Ehza A. (Mapes), Aug. 5, 1849. This sketch, which contains the results of much research, is given for a memorial of the dead, yet no more for the benefit of those living, than for those to come. His widow still survives and resides at the old homestead. *ir ffff^fj; eonard W. Edelman is a farmer on section i] l^M - 34. in t'le township of North Henderson, Mercer County, 111., his farm lying on the line between Mercer and Warren Counties. He was born Feb. 15, 1832, in Rush Co,, Ind., and is the son of Alexander Edelman, who was a pioneer of Knox Co., 111. The grandparents of Mr. Edelman were natives of Germany. The latter was born in Tennessee, in i8or, and accompanied the family of his father to Kentucky when a youth. Thence they went to Indiana, where he was a resi- dent through the remainder of his early life and was there married to Mary Heflin. Her great-grandfa- ther Heflin was a soldier in the war of the Revolu- tion, and his daughter lived until a few years ago, when she died, at the age of 95 years. The wife was a native of the State of Kentucky, and the newly married people lived in Rush County until 1840. In that year they came, with the four children which had been born to them, to Illinois. They traveled with ox-teams and covered wagons and brought with them all their houseliold belongings. They made their first location on the prairie, in the township of A- i^ ^ " 430 ' . -Y. . • WARREN COUNTY. -— ^ Rio, in Knox County. A log house was constructed for the accommodation of the faniily and it was the homestead 14 years. The father tlien sold the claim and caniii to Warren County and settled in Kelly Township. He bought a quarter-section (of section 2), resided there a few years, and went thence to Union County, in this State, in the spring of i860, where his life terminited. The deatli of his wife preceded his own by several years. Tl-.ey were the parents of seven children. Lewis G. lives in Wil- lia'nette, C)., Oregon; Leonard \V. is the next in order of birth of the survivors; James A. lives at Snake River, Idaho; Elizabeth resides with her bro'her, the subject of this record. These are the ' surviving children of Alexander and Mary Edelman. Rachael A., one of the daughters, married Samuel \ Smith in October, 1854, and died in March, 1856. } Leonard W. came to Knox County with his parents ' in 1840, and was a resident there with them through • his youth. He was reared on the farm and attended r the common schools as a jKipil. When he was 14, I his mother died and he rem lined with his father I until he was of age. He had become infected with the Western fever to such an extent that when he found himself at liberty to engage with the world in in a single-handed contest, he connected himself with a party to go to the Pacific coast. The company set forth April 5, 1853, to cross the country, and Mr. Edelman drove an ox-team the entire distance from Warren County to the valley of the Williamette, in Oregon. He arrived there in September, after a journey of five months. He slept on the ground every night while on the road. After crossing the Missouri River, the party cast lots for the choice of a sentinel to guard the camp from Indians, and the lot fell to him. When he located in Oregon, he set- tled on a piece of land, of wiiicli he was the occu- pant four years and six months. He made some improvements and fenced a portion of the property, and while he held possession of it was a part of the time at work in the mountains. In 1858 Mr. Edel- man set out to return to his former home in Illinois. He came by way of Panama and New York, landing in May, of the same year. On Aug. 26, 1858, he was married to Lydia J. Miller. Mrs. Edelman is the daughter of Christian and Mary (Brown) Miller. They passed the first year after their marriage on the farm of her father, and the year succeeding was devoted to the care of a rented farm. In 186 1 Mr. Edelman purchased 40 acres of land in the township in which he now live-;. He paid one-half of the purchase money in obtaining a title to his property and on the remainder paid 25 per cent, interest. In 1864 he bought 100 acres on section 33, in the same township, and removed his family to the newly ac- quired farm. He has added to his acreage by later purchase and is at present the owner of 280 acres in North Henderson Township and of 80 acres in Kelly Township, in Warren County. The latter is situated just across the line of the two counties. All the land belonging to Mr Edelman is in first class agricultu- ral condition. It is equip[)ed in the best posr.ible manner for the business of a successful farmer. Mr. Edelman is giving his attention to mixed husbandry, and raises cattle of an excellent grade. The farm residence of the family is on section 34, of North Henderson Township, on the county line, and a view of it is given in this Ai-bum on page 428. The record of the births of the children of the Edelman household is as follows : George W., Aug. 15, 1864; Frank M., April 4, 1867 ; Alfred A., Oct. 3, i86g; Eddie L., June 8, 1872; Ida M., Sept. i, 1874; Lotta D., March 10, 1878. Mary E.,the first born child, was born July 7, 1859, and died Dec. 30, 1863; Ella E., born Sept. 18, 1861, died Feb. 18, 1864. Politically, Mr. Edelinan is a Democrat. He is not a member of any ch nch organization. vtstOM^^ K^>»^-a'OTOTw« F. Guilinger, a successful tiller of the soil, residing on section 23, Tompkins Town- ship, is a son of John L. and Martha M. (Fii.ley) Guilinger, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. The parents came to this State in 1856, locating in Mercer County, where tiie father was engaged in farming for a num- ber of years. He then came to Monmouth, where he resided, retired from the active labors of life, until his death, the date thereof being 1878. His wife, mother of the subject of this notice, departed this life while the family were residents of Mercer County, in 1864. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice, was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in *% r <4-^ WARREN COUNTY. 43' ? 1846. He remained with his parents, receiving the advantages afforded by the common schools and as- sisting his father in the maintenance of the family, and thus developed into manhood. When the Union was imperiled by the secession of the Southern States, Mr. Guilinger enlisted in its cause, becoming a member of Co. A, 83d 111. Vol. Inf. He served four months, when he was transferred to Co. E, 6ist 111. Vol. Inf., and was with that regiment four months. He received an honorable discharge, Oct. 8, 1865, and returned home. On arriving home, he attended school one year and then purchased a farm of 80 acres in Tompkins Township, and entered upon the vocation of an agriculturist, determined to follow the same during his life. The land which he purchased, was on section 23 of the township named, and he at once located upon it and engaged actively and energetically in its improvement and cultivation, and has continued to reside thereon until tlie pres- ent time. Mr. Guilinger was married to Miss Carrie Martin, a native of this State, and a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Sproul) Martin, in 187 i. Of their union three children have been born — Albia L., Ralph M. and Charles G. In his political belief, Mr. Guilinger coincides with the principles advocated by the Re- publican party. In religion he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. [mold Eldred, retired farmer, residing in r Roseville, was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in the year 1817. His parents were '^!j^ John and H.innah (Fox) Eldred, natives of Rhode Island, where his father was engaged ) in the occupation of farming. Their family consisted of 16 children, eight of whom survive. Arnold Eldred, whose name heads this article, re- mained under his parents' influence^ attending the district schools in the acquisition of an English edu- cation and assisting on the farm, and had charge of the same for a while previous to attaining his 27th year. At that age in life he left home and started in the mill business, which he followed until his emi- gration West in 1852, when he came to Illinois and located in Kendall County. He rented a farm in the latter county and entered actively on its improve- ment and cultivation, which he continued for one year, when he came to Roseville Township, Warren County, and purchased 120 acres on section 17, and there remained for 17 years, making his permanent abiding place thereon. He put the land under an excellent state of cultivation and has it well equipped. In an early day he had to go to Pontoosuc, on the Mississippi River, to have his grinding done, and the nearest market was at Peoria, 60 miles away. In 1872 he removed into the village of Roseville, having purchased nine acres of land inside the corporation limits. He built a residence upon the same and is spending the sunset of his years in peace and quiet thereon. Arnold Eldred and Miss Eliza Devoe were united in marriage, Jan. 11, 1852. She vvas a native of New York, and the daughter of Abraham and Polly (Walrath) Devoe, also natives of the Empire State, and by occupation farmers. Mr. Eldred is a prom- inent and leading man of Warren County, and, polit- ically, casts his vote with the Prohibition party. He and his wifs are members of the Baptist Church. ames Campbell, a prosperous and highly .' respected farmer of Hale township, resid- ing on section 6, is a son of James and Jane (Reed) Campbell. The former was a son of William and Margaret Campbell, and was born in County Antrim, Ireland, ir. 1799. He married Jane Reed, daughter of John and Mar- garet Reed. The parents were married on their native isle and emigrated to the United States in the autumn of 1850. Soon after, they came to this State and settled in Henderson County, where they lived until their death They both died in December, 1S74, and only eight days apart, the mother's death occurring on the 12th and the father's on the 20th. Their children were nine in number, of whom the subject of this notice was the eighth in order of birth. The first-born died in infancy, the next was William B., then Joseph, Elizabeth, Margaret, Maria, James and Jane Ann. Joseph is deceased. On his father's side, James Campbell is of Scotch •J^L ^ -f4^ 432 WARREN COUNTY. I* descent ; his maternal grandfather was of English descent, his wife, however, was of Scottish ancestry. She was one of the Daiisons of Scotland. Both the ancestors of Mr. Campbell bore arms under William of Orange. The family were among the first Pro- testants of Scotland, but the father and mother of our subject joined the Methodist I'^piscopal Church shortly after their marriage. All of his children, as they grew up, united with that Church, of which they are still members. Six of the elder Campbell's uncles came to Amer- ica prior to the Revolutionary War. They were a strong, stalwart race, over six feet in height, and all of the six brothers enlisted in defense of the Col- onies. James Campbell, Sr., set sail for America with his family, Aug. 18, 1850, and were many weeks on their journey to New Orleans, where they landed. They came up the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers to Cuba, when they could go no further by water on account of the river being frozen over. From that point, Mr. Campbell walked to where his brother lived in Hen- derson County. He tliere procured teams and moved his family and effects to Greenville Precinct, Henderson County. He arrived there Nov. 18, 1850. He remained witli his brother's family for a short time, when he bought a (piarter-section of land on what was then known as the Lost Prairie, now em- braced in Ball Bluff Townsliip, Henderson County. There was a small log building upon it, in which the family spent the winter, and the following year he erected a frame dwelling. Here the children were reared. The land that the elder Campbell pur- chased when he arrived in Henderson County was from James Fair, the father of Senator James Fair, of Nevada. He came to America some years before Mr. Cam|)bell did, but they were old acquaintances in Ireland. His son, John Campbell, now owns the old home place. When the elder Cami)bell arrived here he had $500 in gold, which enabled him to pur- chase his place, a team, some f;irm imi)lements, some cattle and household utensils. James Campbell, the siibjcc:t of this sketch, was born in Shanco, County Fermanagh, Ireland, Oct. 28, 1848, and was two years old when his parents emigrated from the land of the shamrock to America. James continued tj reside on the parental homestead in Henderson County until the death of his father and mother, when, in the spring of 1877, he came to Hale Township, this county, where he purchased a farm of 182 acres, on which he located with his family and at once began the active labors of his vo- cation, which he has followed until the present time. He also owns a farm of 175 acres in Henderson County, and, in following the pursuit of his chosen vocation, is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are sure to bring. April 24, 1877, Mr. Campbell formed a matri- monial alliance with Nancy E., the accomplished daughter of John and Elizabeth (Younger) Williams. John Williams' father was also named John. He was a Virginian, and on his paternal side was of l'".nglish descent, while through his mother was of Holland-Dutch ancestry. One of Mr. Williams' uncles served in the War of 181 2, and the grand- father in the Revolutionary War. They were all farmers. John Williams and wife came to this State in 1846, and the first four years lived in Warren County, when they moved to Henderson County and lived until the spring of 1880, when, on account ot old age, they sold out their property and now make their home with their son-in-law, Mr. Camp- bell. Mrs. Williams' grandfather was 'I'homas Younger, a descendant of Scotch ancestry, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary Wat, and also in the ^\'^ar of i8i2. His home was in Williamson Co., Tenn., where he was engaged in farming, and continued to reside there until his death. He was a native of South Carolina, a Whig in politics and a member of the Baptist C'luirch. His wife, Mary Knowles, was of English descent. Her father, John Knowles, was a native of North Carolina and a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War. Mrs. Campell's parents were natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively and had nine children, of whom she was the youngest. She was born in Henderson County, this State, June 6, 1857, and has borne her husband three children — M.x M., Frank A., and John E. Frank A. died in infancy. James Campbell became a member of the Method- ist E]jiscopal Church in October, 1868, since which time he has taken a prominent part in the work of his congregation. He has been Steward every year since, excepting one, and a |)art of the time as local and district Steward. He has also been Superin- tendent of the Sunday-school and for a time Class- Leader. In Greenville Township, Henderson County, ^' *+ LA: r ^T_J_ . -Y-^ . """ WARREN COUNTY. !^!:4^ 435 where he attends Church, he is Secretary of the township organization of the American Bible Society. In political matters, he has held the offices of Highway Commissioner and Justice of the Peace. In politics, he votes with the Republican party. A view of Mr. Campbell's home place is shown on page 284. 4 ufua Ogden, of the firm of R. Ogden & Son, breeders and dealers in full-blood and grade heavy draft horses, resides on sec- ^^ rs. Mary Hall, is a resident on section 28, 'I'ompkins Township. Her deceased ''^ husband, Henry VV. G. Hall, was born an. 20, 1825, in New York State, where he ''* resided until 1855, engaged in farming in Lewis County. His younger years were i)assed in attendance at the common schools and in assist- ing his father in the cultivation of the farm. On coming West, he decided on making his home in Warren County, 111., and purchased 40 acres of land on section 28, Tompkins Township, upon which he located his family. By hard labor and economy he increased his landed interests in that township £0 120 acres, on which he resided, engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, until his death, which took place Nov. 22, 1877. In iHjhtics, he was a supporter of the principles of the Repul)lican party. Religiously, he belonged to t'-e Methodist Episcopal Church, as likewise did his wife. Mr. Hall was known as a genial gentleman and an enterprising, liberal, spir- *t V WARREN COUNTY. 437 f ited citizen, always willing to aid in any good cause calculated to benefit mankind, and was especially active in any measure which was for the benefit of the community in which he resided. The marriage of Mr. Hall look place Feb. lo, 1852, his wife (the lady whose name heads this sketch) being a Miss Mary Roberts, a native of New York and a daughter of William L. and Margaret (Jones) Roberts. Her father was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1855, loc;ating on section 28, Tompkins Township, this county, and there resided until his decease, which event occurred Feb. 22, 1877. For fourieen years prior lo his death he was blind. His faithful wife foUo'ved him to the land of the hereaf- ter, Dec. 13, 1882. Two children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hall— Lillie A. and George H. Lillie A. be- came the wife of Lewis H. Martin, and George H., who was married to Emma Holliday, Dec. 23, 1885, resides on the farm with his mother, where he is en- f gaged in its cultivation. Since the death of iier husband, Mrs. Hall has managed the farm, and by 1 her economy and good bubiness judgment, has suc- ceeded in adding 85 acres to the estate left lier by her husband's death, and the shadows of the even- ing of life, coming as they do, in the peace and tran- quility of the dear old homestead, are perliaps even more pleasing than were tlie golden sunbeams of early )'outh. ohn M. Strong is a resident in the town- ship of Point Pleasant and is located on a farm on section 5. He is a native of the State of Indiana and was born June 28, 1S35, in Marion County, eight miles from the capital of the State. Luke Strong, his father, was born in Rutland Ca., Vi., in February, 1796. He married Miss Esther Call, a native of the State of New York. In 1825, accompanied by two brothers, Luke Strong started on foot to seek a home, or rather a location for one, in the Western country. He walked all the way to Indiana and bought a tract of land, which has been designated as the birthplace of his son. After securing the title to his property, he re- turned to Vermont, making the entire journey there the same way in which he had traveled to Indiana. He at once commenced to prepare fur a final removal to the West, and in 1827 he set fortli with ox teams, accompanied by his family. The household im- plements were carried along, and they camped and cooked their frugal meals on the way. On his ar- rival in Marion County, where he was one of the earliest of the permanent settlers, Mr. Strong pro- ceeded to build a log house. He also gave his vig- orous attention to clearing the land, and lived in Indiana until the year 1839 The stories of the resources of the Slate of Illinois had awakened in him a desire to take advantage of tliem for the ben- efit of his growing family, and in the year last men- tioned he came to Illinois and located in Galesburg, which was then a very small place. He had learned the business of a wagon -maker in his younger days, and he bought property at Galesburg and was there occupied at his trade until 1850. In that year he sold his interests there and removed lo Warren County. He purchased a small farm in the town- ' ship of Ellison, on which he resided until his death. That event occurred Sept. 9, 1871. His wife died in 1850. Their three children are all living. Luke ' is living in Kewanee, Henry Co., III. Electa is the wife of William Powers, of Brule Co., Dak. John M Slrong is the youngest of the children of his parents, and was only four years of age when his father and mother removed to Illinois. . He attended school in the city of Galesburg, and the family re- mained there until he was 15 years old. He then removed with them to Warren County, where he passed the remainder of his youth. He was married Sept. 19, 1857, to Miss Martha J. Lofftus, a native of Sangamon Co , III., where she was born Sept. 19, 1841. Mrs. Strong is the daughter of Andrew J. and Lavinia (Meacham) Lofftus, wlio were natives of Kentucky. One year and a half after their mar- riage, they located on the farm where they have since resided. Mr. Strong enlisted, Aug. 2, 1862, in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf, and was in the military service of his country until the close of the war. Fort Donelson was the most important engagement in which he took pari. After obtaining his discharge, he returned to his property in Warren County and resumed the "T^ r ^•€4^ !?^r^ 438 WARREN COUNTY. occupation of a farmer. The place is in a condition calculated lo reflect credit on his exertions and the quality of his good sense and judgment. He is connected in membership with Roseville Lodge A. O. U. W., and with Kirkwood Post, No. 81, G. A. R. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Strong are named J. Arthur, F. Laviiiia, Mattie A., George A. and L. Grant. I^ames H. McQuiston,of Spring Grove, Tp., has been for nearly 30 years a resident in 1^^*^ Warren County. He is a descendant from parents who were born in the southern section of the Union. His father was one of the pioneer settlers in Preble Co., Ohio, where James H. was born, May 29, 1829. Joseph G. McQuiston, his father, was born in South Carolina, April la, 1799. He married Elizabeth Hogue, Sept. 5, 1827. They had four children, two of whom are now living. The son was reared in Preble County, and was brought up to the profession of a farmer, in which vocation his father passed his life principally. He received only the education of the common schools, and, in 1856, he accompanied the family of his father to Warren County. Another brother, William H., came at the same time. The father had made the journey to the county in the previous spring and had bought the northeast portion of section 2,Z^ in the township of Spring Grove. The farm had been placed under some improvement by the former owner. It had on it a double log house, and 60 acres had been fenced. There were also about 55 acres under the plow, and these seemingly trifling improvements made quite an item toward getting a start in the way of establishing a home. Among the first things that were done was the construction of a frame house, into which the family moved as soon as it was in readiness for their occujjancy. The mother died there, Oct. 2, 1870. The father survived until July 5, 1879. As long as the parents lived the son was an inmate of the pa- rental household. On the demise of his father, he succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, where he is now the resident owner and occupant. He has a handsome residence and substantial farm build- ings, and an abundance of water on the place for stock purposes. Mr McQuiston was united in mar- riage to Laura E. Moore, May 29, 1867. They are the parents of the following children ; Frank E., George J., Ada May and Nina M. Mrs. McQuiston is a native of Mercer Co., Pa. Together with her husband she is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. McQuiston is a Republican in political principles. A view of his residence appears on another page. The grandparents of Mrs. McQuiston were James and Elizabeth (Bell) Ewing. They were both natives of Ireland. They emigrated to America and settled in Philadelphia. The mother of Mrs. McQuiston was born in Juniata Co., Pa., March 6, 1802, and re- sided there until she was 12 years of age. She mar- ried George Moore, Feb. 15, 1823. He was a native of Pennsylvania. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Moore and family came West in 1855, and settled in Mercer County, III., and afterwards became residents of Warren County. Mr. Moore died Sept. 8, 1885, having attained the ven- erable age of 89 years. His widow still survives and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. McQuiston. ames F. Pollock was a settler in the county in which he is a useful and honored citizen, v>^ ' in 1837. He made his first acquaintance ^te with it in 1831, when, accompanied by several IC others, he came from Ohio on a prospecting tour. His stay occupied but a few weeks, and he went back to Ohio. The journey was a memora- ble one, from the fact that the going and returning was accomplished by teams overland. Mr. Pollock was born in NovaScotia, Dec. 5, 1806. William Pollock, his father, was a native of Scotland. His mother's maiden name was Mary Fulton, and she was of New England birth and parentage. They came to the " States " when their son was four years of age, located in Chillicothe, Ohio, and were among the pioneers of that section. They maintained their residence there nine years. In 1819 they made an- other removal to Greene County, tlie same State, where Mr. Pollock of this sketch grew to the estate of manhood. He was a farmer by training, and 'T' 4^ 3S Residence of James H.IV19Q.UI5TON, Sec. 33. Spring Grove Township. ^i^-^ -■ >j^t.^-.gj-,. vs!i-f-fft.^ij.--,. .■''R«*rDBNCE or Mrs. M.E.Han EY, Cor. Reno&.Centre Sts. Monmouth WA RREN CO UNT Y. 4-^ 439 ^ when he was 22 years of age he set out to acquire a knowledge of the trade of a blacksmith. He served a year and then engaged in the variety of work com- mon to the class known as journeymen and operated in Greene County a number of years. In the spring of 1837 he came to Illinois. He drove across the distance that intervened with a pair of horses, ac- companied by his wife and two children. They man- aged their affairs while on the journey after the man- ner common to emigrants, and which was a neces- sity, from the fact that there being no public route of travel, there were no hotels, even if the travelers were in condition to pay for their entertainment, which was not always the case. After a journey of six weeks, they arrived in Warren County. Theylo- cated at Little York, in Sumner Township, and there Mr. Pollock bought a lot and built a house. He also erected a shop and engaged in general blacksmith- ing. There was plenty to do in a new country and he made plows and all small articles, such as his patrons needed and also did shoeing and repairing. He operated in that capacity three years, and then |. engaged in mercantile business, in which he contin- f^ ued until 1849. He sold out his store and in the last year named became interested in packing pork, in which he engaged four years. In 1853 he decided on a change of base and crossed the plains to Ore- gon. He left home in May, and reached the head of the Williamette Valley in October, passing more than five months on the route. He took with him a large drove of cattle, leaving with 160 head and ar- riving at his destination with 104. He sold his herd after his arrival and remained on the Pacific coast three years. When he returned East he came via what was known in the days when the gold fever was at its height as the " Nicaragua route." After his arrival at his hoipe he again opened a commercial enterprise at Little York, and after prosecuting his in- terests in that direction two years, sold his business and its relations for the purpose of devoting his time to the pursuit of agriculture. His farm is in a loca- tion which increases its value and desireableness and lies on section 36, adjoining the village. He has always maintained a tenant on the place. Rebecca McFarland became his wife July 30, 1833. She was a native of Greene County, Ohio, aiid was born Nov. 2, 1815. She died Aug. t4, 1869. Eight of their children are now living. Margery is the widow of George Carpenter, and is a resident of Little York. Martha A. married Thomas Steven- son, and they removed to Oregon. Amelia is the wife of H. A. Reynolds, of Little York. John S. and Wil- liam R. are residents of the same place and are both married. Caroline is married to George Davis, and they live in Kansas. Arthur P. is a citizen of Little York. Eulalia M. is Mrs. William McDill, and re- sides in Little York. Esta L is married to Walter Hartley, and lives in Henderson County. Mr. Pollock was the first Postmaster at Little York. When he went to Oregon he resigned the position, but was re-appointed on his return, at the time he resumed commercial business. Politically, Mr. Pol- lock has always been a staunch member of the Re- publican party. -— «- -e-^- LA^ jK^ohn Randolph Webster, M. D., a promi- W^t 'lent physician and surgeon at Monmouth, was born in Penn Hill Township, Lancas-' ter Co., Pa., July 18, 1835, and was the second son and third child of Dr. Samuel and Deborah (Kirk) Webster, natives also of Lancaster County and descendants of the Scotch-Irish. The family came to Monmouth in 1837, and here their children grew to men and women. In his profession. Dr. Samuel Webster stood at the head in this co;-n- munity for many years before his death, which oc- curred at Superior City, Wis., in 1858, while there on business. The most, and probably only, important office which he filled was that of State Senator, in 1851-52, being elected on the old Whig ticket. His widow lives at Monmouth at this writing (January, 1886) aged about 75 years. John Randolph Webster was educated at Macomb, 111., and at Juniata Academy, in Perry Co., Pa., completing his literary course in 1852-53. He was 22 years of age when he began reading medicine with Dr. D. B. Rice, now of Oregon, as preceptor, and soon after entered Rush Medical College, Chi- cago, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1858. Returning to Monmouth, he prac- ticed medicine a few years, when he again took to his studies, this time at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. From here he graduated as M. D. in V ^!-4^ 440 WARREN COUNTY. ^ 1864 and returned to Monmouth, where he has for many years held a high rank as physician and sur- geon. He is a member of the United States Med- ical Society, the Military Tract Medical Society, State Meiical Society, and local medical organiza- tions. In 1862, he received the ap[x>intinent of Assistant Surgeon of the 83d 111. Vol. Inf , but was taken sick at Cairo and compelled to return home. Though a Republican in faith, he is no politician. He belongs to the Masonic Order. His parents were Quakers, and he leans more to that than any other Church. As a business man he is more than ordinarily brilliant. Beginning life as a poor boy, he has, before reaching the meridian of life, accumu- lated a handsiime compe'.ency. He was one of the orgnnizers of liie Second National Bank, in 1875, and two vears later became its Vice-President, a position he has since held. Dr. Webster was married at Monmouth. Sept. 23, 1858, to Miss Susan Nye, daughter of Mr. Elisha Nye, now of California, and a native of Massachu- setts. The Doctor's children living are Harry B., connected with the Second National Bank ; and Ralph VV., a student. Frank, his second son, died when about two years of age. if^d^illiam Laferty, deceased, was born at 4 f g^M [ Northumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 9, 1818, ■Ste^T-^ and died at Monmouth, Jan. 5, 1877. His ,. '> father died while he was but a little child. •^'■>r^ four years old. His mother lived to the green old age of 98 years, her death occurring in July, 1878. He was taught in early life to earn his own bread by the sweat of his brow. His oppor- tunities for education were limited to the winter terms of the Pennsylvania common schools, and as he was but a mere youth when apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, these were but few. He came to Monmouth, in 1836, and here worked at his trade about 20 years. In 1856, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds, and filled the two offices for eight consecutive years. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and one year later (1865) became its President, a position he held at the time of his death. Prior to his election as Circuit Clerk he held various minor offices, such as Supervisor, Assessor, School Director, etc. He was for several years one of the Trustees of Monmouth College, and held at the same time the positions of Trustee and Treasurer of Warren County Library. He was two years Presi- j dent of the Old Settlers' Associition of Warren and Henderson Counties and was the Treasurer of that organization at the time of his death. Like most of tlie pioneers who came to this country at an early day, he had to struggle against the vicissitudes of poverty and obscurity. He landed in Warren County with $60 in money, but being a man of pluck, energy and unyielding integrity, he soon became one of the prominent men of the county and died worth $75,- 000, all of which he left by will to his widow. In all his relations in life, Mr. Laferty was an honest and honorable, a sterling man, a man whose integrity was ' never questioned. By his large circle of acquaint- j ances he was highly esteemed and it may well be . said of him that those who know him best, loved him ^ most. In his death his friends and associates lose a safe and prudent counsellor, the community a valuable • citizen, and all public ;iiid private enterprises of Monmouth a liberal supporter. Jan. s, 1877, the Board of Directors of the First National Bank, of Monmouth, at a meeting called for the purpose, adopted the following resolutions : Whereas, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from our number, by the hand of death, our much esteemed President, William Laferty, who has so faithfully filled the office for the past 12 years, it is but just that a fitting recognitron of his many vir- tues be expressed ; Resolved, That in his death we lose a friend and companion, a good and faithful officer who was es- teemed by us all ; a citizen whose upright, honest and noble life was a standard of emulation for every one. Resolved, That the heart-felt sympathy of this board of directors be e.xtended to his family in this their deep affliction, and that a copy of these resolu- tions be presented to the family of the deceased. The Committee of the Warren County Library and Reading Room, upon the same day adopted the sub- joined resolutions in respect to his worthiness : Whereas, Since our last meeting it has pleased ^JT "T ■C T ^JL WARREN COUNTY. •^r^r^ 441 our common Lord to remove from time to eternity our friend and felloiv trustee, William Laferty; Resolved, That this association, deeply sympathiz- ing with his afflicted widow and relatives, cordially record on our minutes our high sense of his sterling qualities as a man, a husband, a citizen, and of his faithfulness as a member and officer of our Board, who, after years of devotion and liberality for its in- terests, has died respected and lamented by all who knew him. Resolved, That the city papers be requested to in- sert the above in their earliest issues. J. M. Jamieson, Ef. C. M.^TTHEWS, Committee. At a meeting of the Faculty and Trustees of Mon- mouth College, held Jan. 6, the following action was taken : Whereas, In the Providence of God we are called upon to mourn the loss of our honored friend and fellow-citizen, William Laferty; Resolved, That we tender to the widow and family our sympathy in this hour of bereavement; that we r unite with this entire community in sorrow over the I death of one who was everybody's friend and helper, I noble, useful, kind and true; and that we sadly feel ^ how great is the loss of the College in being deprived of his watchful care and counsels. Mr. Laferty was a Republican in i.olitics, and dur- ing the late war was an active supporter of the Union cause. He was married in Berwick Township, this county, Jan. I, 1844, to Miss Sarah Tiffany, who was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., July 4, 1817. There were born to them three children, all of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Laferty was the adopted daughter of Henry and Olive (Kingsley) Cable (her mother having died dur- ing her infancy). Mr. and Mrs. Cable were natives of New England and of German and English extrac- tion. She was educated in New Yoik and taught the first school ever opened in Berwick, Warren County. The large fortune left her by her husband, together with iis increase, amounting in all to nearly $100,000, was placed by a trusted agent, John Brown, familiarly known as " Deacon Brown, " in the hands of the Cashier of the Bank, of which Mr. L. was so long a time President. The conduct of the Cashier, B. T. O. Hubbard, appears to have been limited only by his opportunities and the whole sum of Mrs. Laferiy's money, together with several hun- dred thousands of dollars belonging to other people, was swept away. Suit was brought against both Mr. Brown and Mr. Hubbard, which, while pending, was compromised by Brown, so far as he was concerned, by his paying Mrs. Laferty $10,000, and the cost of the suit. Mrs. Laferty, now in good health, with an adopted daughter, resides at the old homestead. -5"*^<#4i#'^- M. Capps, a prosperous agriculturist and £ stock-raiser on section 15, Roseville Town- F ship, is a son of John and Miram (Cole) Capps, and was born in Edmonson Co., Ky., in 1835. His parents came to Illinois in 1864, locating in Berwick Township. They remained there but four years, when they removed to Creston, Iowa, where the father is living a retired life in peace and quiet with his estimable companion, who assisted him in all his labors and partook of all his trials. They have a family of eight children living. I. M. Capps remained at home with his parents until he attained the age of 2 i years, assisting in the labors on the farm, and received ^t their hands a good common-school education. After arriving at his majority, he worked out for one year in his native State, and in 1857 came to Illinois, locating in Lenox Township. During the first summer after his arrival, he hired out by the month, and attended school dur- ing the winter, which course he also followed the ensuing summer and winter, at the end of which time he rented a farm, and worked for four years solely in his own interest. He then purchased the farm on which he now resides and which contains 27s acres. He has made all of the excellent im- provements with which it is now provided. He is also engaged in the stock business. M.Trch 7, 1861, the marriage of Mr. Capps and Miss Mary S. Dillon was solemnized. Miss Dillon, who was born in Logan Co., Ky., was the daughter of William Dillon, who moved with liis family to Illinois and settled in Floyd Township, this county, when Mary was but eight years of age. She became the mother of eight children, namely : John F., Nina C, Edward, Nellie, Winnie, Fannie, Myra and Bertie. The death of Mrs. Capps occurred Oct. 6, 1885. She was a lady of estimable character and •A- •¥ -Wr^ 442 WARREN COUNTY. greatly admired by a large circle of friends and ac- quaintances. She was a devoted Christian lady and a member of the Baptist Church. She was buried in the Union Cemetery. Politically, Mr. Capps is a Deirocrat, and has held many of the official positions of his township. He is at present serving as Justice of the Peace and School Director. He belongs to the Order of A. O. U. VV, ohn T. Reed is a farmer on section 22 in the tounsliip of Point Pleasant, who sel- "■"^ tied in Warren County in 1850. He was born in Morgan Co., Ind., Sept. 4, 1832. His 1C father, Burrus Allen Reed, was a native of Kentucky and was born in 1808. He married Matilda Thomas, who was born in 1807 and died Oct. 27, 1881. After their m.iniage, about 1828, they emigrated from Kentucky to Morgan Co., Ind., on pack-horses, their culinary outfit l)eing only a coffee-pot and fryiiig-pan, and their only mechanical , ini|)lement an ax. In Morgan County Mr. Reed purchased a tract of timber land, on which he cleared a farm and of wliich he was the owner and occupant until 1850, when he sold tlie property and came to Illinois, with his family, consisting of his wife and 1 1 children, making the journey with ox and horse teams and consuming three weeks' time. They slopped first in the township of Creenbush, for two years; but Mr. R. made his first purchase of land in Swan Township, where he resided until his death, which took place Oct. i, 1885. His 1 1 children are all yet living, and all in this State except James L., who resides in Nebraska, and W. B., who is a farmer in Northwestern Iowa. Matilda E. A. is the wife of Edward Campbell, and they reside in McDonough County, this State. The sons are all Democratic in their political views. Mr. Reed was 18 in the same year in which his parents removed to Illinois. He has a clear remem- brance of the incidents of the journey, which was not particularly distasteful, as he had few of the respon- sibilities resting on him and he was at liljerty to en- joy what there was of novelty or interest in the trip. ^«H^^|e^ ^ f He obtained employment in Swan Township without any difficulty, and he continued to labor as a farm assistant until 1855. He then began to operate as a renter, and from that time has been independent, carrying on his business in his own interest. He pyssessed energy and good judgment, and conse- quently enjoyed success. In 1858 he became by purchase the owner of the farm on which he has since resided and carried out his plans. The gen- eral appearance and character of his property gives evidence of the quality of the above mentioned char- acteristics. The farm is all enclosed and the por- tion in need of draining has been ditched and tiled, and is in the most valuable condition, as is the case in instances where that process is necessary. The marriage of Mr. Reed to Sarah E. Jones was celebrated April 17, 1856. She was born in New York, Sept. 9, 1833. Her parents were Edward and Sarah ^Hedley) Jones. The oldest of the 11 chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Reed is named George H., and he is a resident of the same township in which his father and mother reside. Albert B., Warren E., Matilda A., Charles T., William C, Chester E., Martha and Mary (twins), Nettie M. and Aquilla are the names of the others. In his political faith and connections, Mr. Reed is a Democrat. The parents became members of the Methodist Church in their youth. I onathan Russell, who is at present receiv- Hr ing medical treatment at the insane asy- '*^' lum at Jacksonville, where he was confined in 1878, on account of sickness, the same hav- ing caused his partial derangement, was born in Syracuse, N. Y., March 5, 1819. He con- tinued to reside in his native State until i860, when he came to this county and located in Lenox Town- ship, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits. He followed that occupation until 1878, when a severe case of sickness caused him to become par- tially deranged and he was confined as above stated. The first marriage of the subject of this notice took place in York Stale Jan. i, 1842, Miss Amanda Lyon becoming his wife. Of their union four chil- r ^'^f??* ^%-h^ WARREN COUNTY. 1^>-^ 445 ^ dren were horn — Mary A., Amy J., William D. and Thomas W. Mary A. is the wife of Robert L Mc- Reynolds, a merchant of Roseville Toivnship; Amy 1. man ied Aaron T. Lewis, a resident of Denver, Col. ; William D. was a soldier in t!ie late war, be- ing a member of the 66th 111. Vol. Inf, and died of lung fever, caused by e.xposure, after the battle of Resaca, Ga., in June, 1864; Thomas W. resides in Nebraska. The second marriage of Mr. Russell took place in Warren Co., Pa, Sept. 10, 1852, when Miss Lyda A. Evans, daughter of William and Ann (Gallup) Evans, natives of York State, became his wife. Her father died in Pennsylvania and her mother in York State. Their children were six in number, of whom Mrs. Russell was second in order of birth. She was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 23, 1829, and of her union with Mr. Russell six children were born — Judson B., Amanda C, Charles E. and Myra L. are living; Emma E. and John, who are dead, are buried at Monmouili. Judson B. is a resident of Roseville Township, and a farmer by occupation; Amanda C. became the wife of J. R. Ewan, who is a farmer of Lenox Township; Charles E. also follows the oc- cupation of a farmer in Lenox Township; Myra L. was united in marriage with Oscar H. Ewan, who is engaged in farming in Lenox Township. Mrs. Russell, wife of tlie subject of this notice, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. •JumfS-^^ ja— ^^-Sy^W" 4 ; athaniel B. Hoornbeek, a practicing phy- sician at Youngstown, Swan Township, is a native of New York, having been born in Ulster County, that State, March 2, 1854. He is a son of Jeremiah Hoornbeek, a jironi- inent and well known citizen of the county, who was bom May 3, 1824, in Ulster Co., N. Y., and came to this State in 1854, locating in this county. He was married April 2, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth B. Bruyn, also a native of Ulster Co., N. Y., where she was born, Dec. 23, 1827. 'o them were born seven children — Esther, Nathaniel, Ben- jamin, Adelia, Emeline, John W. and Catherine. Their son, Nathaniel (Dr. Hoornbeek), formed a matrimonial alliance Dec. 24, 1881, with Miss Jes- sie L. Gilbert, born Sept. 12, 1858, They have three children — -Lilliiin, born Oct. 21, 1882; Edwin J., Jan. 7, 1884 (who died July 26 of the same year); and Clyde H., June 27, 1885. The parents of Mrs. Hoornbeek were Edwin A. and Jane H. (Loftis) Gil- bert. Her father was born in 1830, in New York, and her mother in 1836, in Kentucky. They were married Dec. 24, 1854, and had eight children — Edwin, Ella G., Jessie I., George E., Greely H., Mary 1!., Harry V., Rose C. and Fannie E. The subject of this sketch obtained his early edu- cation in the common schools of Warren County, supplemented by a full course at Monmouth College, of which thorough institution he is a graduate of the class of '77, wit'i the degree of A. B. The Doctor graduated second in the classical course. Dr. Hornbeek commenced tlie study of medicine under the instruction of Webster and Killgore, at Monmouth, 111., in 1878. He read with them for about three years, then attended one term at the Iowa Medical College, and look a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, ("hicago, receiving his di- ploma from that institution Feb. 22, 188 1. Locating at Walnut Grove, McDonough County, tlie following year (March 9), he hung out his shingle and at once entered upon the practice of his profession, rernain- ing there, however, only six months, removing thence to Youngstown, Warren County, in October, 1881, where he purchased a fine residence and established himself in the drug business, in connection with his practice of medicine. By careful attention to a cir- cle of patients, which has constantly increased, he has built up a practice which brings him in an am- ple income, independent of which his drug business has proved very lucrative. In religion, the Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church, his wife be- ing of the Baptist persuasion. Politically, he votes with the Democratic party. Dr. Hoornbeek is a young and enterprising profes- sional gentleman, with a bright future before him. Aside, however, from being a leading and well-known physician, he has won his way to a prominent and influential position as a citizen of the county in which he was reared from early childhood. He is, perhaps, as well known as any of the oldest prac- titioners of the county, and in presenting his portrait ^ ■iT > 446 WARREN COUNTY. ^?-4-^ in this Album, which we do on the accompanying page, we feel that it is in every way worthy to be classed with those given of tlie leading men of the county. esse Catt, a well known fanner located on fe- section 34, Berwick Township, where he is engaged in the occupation of an agricul- turist, was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Aug ^r 27, 1824. He is the son of George Catt, a _ \ Pennsylvania farmer, who was born in that State March 5, 1781. The father moved with his parents to Kentucky when a lad, where they re- mained some eight years. The family then removed to Pennsylvania, and resided in that State for some years, when they went to Ohio. From the latter State, George Catt, father of the subject of this notice, moved to Indiana, where he passed the re- mainder of his days, engaged in the vocation of a -farmer, and died about 1857, leaving tliree children. The father's marriage took place about 1808, at which time Miss Mary Smith became his wife. She was born Feb. 6, 1790, in Pennsylvania, and died in 1864. Their children were John, born Oct. 4, 1810; Rebecca, Dec. 23, 1812 ; Mary A., Dec. 2, 1815; Hettie E., June i, 1822; Jesse, Aug. 27, 1824. Re- becca and Hettie are deceased. Jesse Catt, of whom we write, has followed the vocation of an agriculturist all his life. He is pleas- antly situated on a fine farm of 208 acres, on section 24, Berwick Township, of which he is the owner, and is actively engaged in its cultivation. On his place is a good dwelling and barn, 32 x 32 feet in dimensions, and the appearance of his farm to passers by is indicative of that push and energy characteristic of its proprietor. In their religious associations, Mr. Catt and his wife belong to the Christian Church, and have been coniistent members of that denomination for six years. In politics, Mr. Catt belongs to that class of Democrats known as Jacksoiiians. He has been Road Commissioner three years and Township Assessor eight years. Mr. Catt formed a matrimonial alliance June 25, 1846, with Miss Cyrena Tibbits. She was born Jan. r, 1827, in Rush Co., Ind., and has borne her hus- band ten children — William G., born Oct. 3, 1847; Martha A., Dec. 25, 1848; George W., Feb. 7, 1850; Mary A.. July 18, 1852; Sarah E., May 28, 1855; James A., Oct. 12, 1856; Henry Lewis, Dec. 24, 1858; Joel B., Dec. 24, i860; Cyrus D., Nov. 12, 1862; Samuel E., Jan. 7, 1864, all of whom, except James, Henry L. and Joel B., are living. The parents of Mrs. Catt were Seth and Mary (Tolbert) Tibbets. They were married about 1824. Her father was born in Maine, in 1800, and died on the Ohio River in 1842 of yellow fever. He was a farmer by occupation. The mother of Mrs. Catt was born in 1808, and is still living, residing in Indiana. They have nine children — Missouri A., Cyrena, Frances L., Martha, William R., George, Elizabeth, Sarah E. and Samuel. — s6i- -^— R. Nevins, who is passing the sunset of \ his life in retirement in Roseville, and a gentleman whose success in life is attri- butable to his push, pluck and perseverance, was born in Mercer County, this State, Aug. 21, 1838, The parents of Mr. Nevins, of this no- tice, William 1. and Mary A. (Pierce) Nevins, were natives of New Brunswick, N. J., and Clark Co., Ohio, respectively. The former was born Aug. 9, 1801, and was one of the seven children of John W. Nevins. The latter was born Dec. 22, 1774- He has two sisters yet living; .^drianna was born July 28, 1797, and, though living an advanced age, with- out the aid of glasses, she can make as fine a shirt as ai.y one a half century younger. She lives in Louisa Co., Iowa. Eliza was born Feb. 15, 1805, and lives in Millersburgh Township, Mercer County, this State. Mr. William I. Nevins was twice married, the first time being in 182 1, to Mary A. Curry, by whom he hail five children — Nancy E, Sarah A., Hannah M., Rachel A. and James, who died in in- fancy. By his second wife, who was Mary A. Pierce, he had nine children, as follows: Joel F., born April 21, 1831, died Jan. 21, 1833. The family lived at that time, three miles from any other house, and he was taken with the croup after sundown and died before daybreak; Mary E., their second child, ^ *+* 4 WARREN COUNTY. AA1 born Sept. 24, 1833; Rebecca E., Oct. 24, 1835, was the first white child born in Abingdon Township; John R. Aug. 21, 1838; William D., Sept. 21, 1840, who enlisted in Co. E, Ninth Reg. 111. Vol., and was lost in the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862 ; Henry W., born Jan. 9, [843. He was drafted and served nine months in the late War; was taken prisoner at Kingston; marched to Richmond; was paroled in 18 days and sent to St. Louis, and was mustered out at Springfield as a prisoner of war. From the time iie left camp at Springfield, he was not three days in one place until the first of March, when he arrived at New Bern:, N. C, nor had lie his clothes off, except to change. During these five months he was in 13 diflTereiit States. David M. was born Feb. 8, 1845, and was drowned at Clarkesville, Tenn., March 6, 1865, while serving in Co. D, 83d Vol. Inf ; Adrian na J., born March 30, 1847; Cornelia L.,'Jan. 9, 1851. Ten of these have lived to be married and nine are still living. William I. .Mevins lived to see 12 of his children united with the Church, and at the time of his death he had 50 granJchildre 1 and 20 great- graiJ-children. Two of his daughters h;ive borne twicis, as alio has oie of his granddaughters. Three of his sons volunteered in the late War and the ■fourth was drafted. Mr. W. I. Nevins, with his family, came to Illi- nois, Oct. 25, t832, and " took up " 160 acres of land nine miles north of Monmouth, in Warren County, on which they resided for two years. They were very early settlers here, and when they first came, there were but three houses in Monmouth, one of which still stands on the west side of the square and is used as a blacksmith shop. His wife assisted in digging the first well north of Cedar Creek, turning the windlass in drawing up the dirt. The well was 50. feet deep. When he first came to Illinois, Mr. Nevins had less than $5, one-half of which he gave to building a church at Sugar Tree Grove, Warren County, and at that tnne had a wife and four children to support and had to walk eight miles to church. He had no stock and money would not buy any. He got his support mainly by working at the carpenter's trade, while his wife attended the crops. After passing two years on their claim, the elder Nevins sold his interest in ii and moved to Abingdon Township, Mercer County, where he rented land for two years. At the expiration of that time he pur- chased 320 acres in Ohio Grove Township, Mercer County, on which they moved and where the father engaged energetically and vigorously upon its im- provement and continued 10 reside until his death, which occurred June 9, 1877. He was the father of 14 children, and was a gentleman of considerable property, having accumulated the same through his own industry and energy, and was always ready to assist in any and every good cause that tended to benefit the people. He was Provost Marshal for Mercer County during the War and enrolled that county three times, and was generally know as Col. Wm. I. Nevins. He raised a company to go to the Mexican War in 1846, but which was not accepted. William I. Nevins was a gentleman of more than ordinary ability as a business man and died in the faith of the United Presbyterian Church. The gentleman whose name heads this anicle, was an inmate of the parental household until he attained the age of 22 years. His education was acquired in the district schools, and the major poriio.i of his years, prior to that time, were passed on the firm.' After leaving home, J. R. worked out for a year, when he rented land and occupied his time for another year in its cultivation. His father then gave him 40: acres of land, on which he settled in April and re- mained until Aug. 9, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. D, 83d 111. Vol. Inf, and participated in the battle, of Fort Donelson, Feb. 3, 1863. He was also en- gaged in every battle in which the company took part and served his country for about three years, during which time he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. After returning from the War, Mr. Nevins sold the 40 acres his father liad given him and purchased 80 acres in Mercer County. On the latter firm he re- mained for about three years, when he soM the same and came to Roseville Township, this cjunty, and purchased 6o acres on which he resided two and a half years; thereafter sold his 60 acres and pur- chased the 120 acres which he now owns and on which, since then, he has been actively engaged in fanning or stock-raising. In addition to his 120- acre farm, Mr. Nevins owns a residence and three lots in Roseville. The marriage of Mr. Nevins took place Nov. 29. 1861, when Miss Elizibeth A. Barnes, a native of Indiana, became his wife. They have had no chil- dren. Mr. Nevins who is one of the oldest men liv- ing, born in Mercer County, is a believer in and *f^ JL:= r -4^ ?r-T4- 448 WARREN COUNTY. supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Chutch. =Di- emual Wagy is an enterprising and ''liU^R^ thrifty farmer of the township of Point ^^ i j^i*^ T Pleasant. His father was born July 4 | 1805, in Virginia, and accompanied his parents i .J, to Ohio when he was six months old. Al)ra- } ham Wagy was among the earliest of the per- manent white settlers there, and he passed his early life in Ross County. He acquired a knowledge of the business of wagon-making, and married Loieo Cooper, a native of that State, and whose birth oc- curred in [806. In 1848 Abraham Wagy, with his family, removed to Illinois. He settled on a farm, which he bought in the vicinity of Oiena and also became a property owner i that village. Heopened a wagon shop there for the prosecution of his trade and worked at it while liis sons improved the land lie owned. He sold his farm after a few years and bought 160 acres on Haney Creek prairie. On this he resided from that time until r882 and then removed to his present place of abode, in Gladstone. Mr. Wagy remained in the family of hij father and mother until 1864. In that year he caught the gold fever and started with an ox-team for Montana. Af- ter two months of travel he arrived at Virginia City, and was glad to reach his destination after such an experience as he had had of the adventurous career of gypsies, as he had managed his own domestic af- fairs on the road. For a time he prospected and mined in that Territory, operating in the vicinity of Virginia City. He went thence to Boise City, in Idaho, wiiere he remained a short time only. He returned to Illinois with the intention of going i)ack soon to the Territories, but his father prevailed on him to remain and take charge of the homestead. He yielded to his solicitation and managed the place one year. He then rented a farm in the vicinity and operated on that through the next year. In 1866 he bought the northeast quarter of section i\, in Point Pleasant Township. The section was wholly unim- proved, and the proprietor has applied his time and energies with the best effect and the place is now in splendid cultivation. He is now the owner of the entire half-section lying in the north of section 32, which swells his possessions to 480 acres. He is en- gaged in raising fine graded stock — horses, hogs and cattle. Mr. Wagy has been twice married. March 29, 1866, he formed a matrimonial union with Sarah A. Hill. She was born in Vermont and died in 1878, leaving six children. They were nained William S., Lemuel F., Elzie, Gracie, Lovisa and Sarah A. In June, 1885, Mr. VVagy was a second time married, to Virginia, daughter of James and Elizabeth Riggs. Mrs. Wagy is a native of Ohio. Mr. Wagy is a mem- ber of Raritan Lodge, No. 727, A. F. & A. M., and of Raritan Lodge, No. 201, A. O. U. W. ames Bagley, a former resident of Point gjiiL Pleasant Township, now deceased, was -''* one of the numerous class of citizens of ' whom the biographer can truly say, " he was a self-made man." He was a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, and was born in May, 1835. He was of Scotch-Irish origin and was reared in the Presbyterian Church. He was bor.i and bred a farmer and was wholly educated in the district schools. He remained in his native country until he was 19 years of age, wlien he sailed for America and landed at the port of New York nearly out of money. He proceeded up the Hudson River until he arrived in Washington County, in the same State, and there he obtained employment as afarm hind. While there, he made the acquaintance of Mary King, who be- came his wife. She was the daughter of James and Margaret King, and was born in the same county in the old country as Mr. B., Dec 29, 1830. Their marriage took place in t854. Mrs. Bagley came to America in 185 i, and settled in Washington County. After a residence there of several years they came West. They made their first location in Henderson County, where they operated as renters six j'ears. At the end of that time they came to Point Pleasant Township and bought the west half of the southwest quarter of section 7, on which there were at that tittle no improvements of any kind. Mr. Bagley *% "T" Residence OF Mrs. Flora Sigafoos, Sec. 33. Spring Grove Townsh ip. -§-?^ . .Y. . WARREN COUNTY. ^^-^ 45 1 built a small frame lioiise and improved all the land. He also set out fruit, shade and ornamental trees, and lived on the place until the date of his death, which occurred Jan. 2r, 1883. Following is the rec- ord of the three children who are still living: Rob- ert S. lives in Raritan ; M argaret is the wife of Wil- liam Caldwell, of Roseville; tlie remaining child a daughter, is named Martha E. She resides with her widowed mother on the homestead, which is man- aged by a renter. The place is made lieautiful and valuable by a grove of natural timber, and is consid- ered one of the most pleasant homes in the county. The parents of Mrs. Bagley came to America in 1858, and located in Henderson Co., 111., where their lives terminated. Of their sons, Joseph F. and Al- exander King live in Henderson County and Samuel resides in Iowa. ^-»^c » { < - j^aJAci! j_rederiok Sorenson, a farmer of the town- JC ship of Spring Grove, is a citizen of the > "^ United States of foreign birth, having ^^ been born in Sclilesswig-Holstein, Nov. 26, "^^ 1850. He was reared under the customs of i the land of his nativity, and, after completing the time which, by law, he was required to pass in school, he assisted his father on the home farm, until , 1869, when he determined to seek a fortune in that far mote congenial clime, " The land of the free, and the home of the brave." To resolve was to execute, and April 22, 1869, he sailed from Hamburg and was landed in Portland, Maine. He came thence direct- ly to Warren County, where he had been preceded by an older brother, Martin He had no trouble in obtaining employment at farming, cheerfully going to work for $10 a month. He was wholly ignorant of the English language and when the winter season came he attended school for the purpose of familiar- izing himself with the language of his adopted coun- try. He not only accomplished that purpose but acquired a highly creditable English education. In 1870 his parents also immigrated to America, settling in Warren County, where his father bought 40 acres of land on the northeast ([uarter of section 21, on which Frederick and a brotiier went to woik, speedily putting it in a condition for profitable farming. In the succeeding year they became by purchase the owners of the remaining 120 acres of the quarter-sec- tion on which they had located. Mr. Sorenson has always been a part ow>er of tlie place in company with his parents. He was joined in marriage with Catherine John- LAr: nt •H^ ,. 452 — \c=: — WARREN COUNTY. ■?-^ \ son in 1883. Slie is a native of the same German province in wliicli her husband was born. Two chil- dren have bee 1 born to this vvortiiy coujjle — Carl, a son, and one who died in infancy. The members of the household are connected in membership with the Lutheran (!hurcii. In politics, Mr. Sorenson is a Republican. .A view of Mr. Sorenson's home- place appears on page 450. Andrew C. Sor-'nson, the father of the gentleman whose biography has just been briefly sketched, was also born in Schlesswig-Holsiein, in r8ii,and was reared under the le.i;al regulations of his native land, receiving the education provided by law. He mar- ried Annie Mathiason of the same province. She was the daugliter of a well-to-do farmer, and on his death the son-in-law i)ecame the owner of the estate by purchase. It was his homestead and there his children were born and reared, until 1870, in whii h year the transfer of the entire family to the Continent of America took place, tiieir settlement in Warren County being effected as before mentioned. The elder Sorensons were the parents of eight children, and all save two are still living Hansine is the wife of Paul Sorenson, and they are settled in Iowa. Martin is a citizen of prominence as a farmer and a friend of good order and progress in Spring Grove Township, .\nnie is the wife of Peter Hansen, of the same township. Frederick is the next in order of birth. Mary is married to Martin Thuson, of Monmouth. Caroline, who is now a student at Mon- mouth College, lives in the same townsliip where her l)arents located. 'amea Owen, of Point Pleasant Township, '^ is one of the prominent members of the farming community of Warren County. He ^Ji is the owner of 400 acres of fine land located ]t on secliin 12, which is in an exceedingly good condition for successful farming. Mr. Owen is a descendant from ancestors who, by their bravery in the contests with Great Britain, for the liberty of this cou.itry, earned for their succeeding generations the indisputable riglits of American citizens. He was borji in Tennessee (Hawkins County) Dec. 17, 1 81 9, and is tlie son of James Owen. The latter was the son of William Owen, who was born in South Carolina, and was a soldier of the War of tiie Revo- lution. Among tiie battles in which he is on record as having been a participant, were King's Mountain, Cowpens, Eutaw Springs and Camden, besides many smaller engagements. He died in Hawkins Co., Tenn. His son, James Owen, was born in Anson Co., N. C. March 25, 1789, and he was only six months old when the family removed to Tennessee, where they were pioneers of Hawkins County. The Indians of that section of the country were still troublesome and for a short time after the arrival of the family in that State, they resided in a fort. James Owen, br., tliere reached the years of maturity and was still a young man when the War of 18 r 2 again called the citizens of .America to defend her from British encroaclnnent. He enlisted and was in the action called the battle of Horse-Shoe. He mar- ried Sarali Lanior, who was born in Rockbridge Co., Va., about two miles from the Natural Bridge. After marriage, Mr. Owen settled on a portion of the large tract of land which his father had bought in Haw- kins County. Not being a friend to the slave ele- ment, however, he at last resolved to emigrate to some one of the free States, and, accordingly, made preparations to leave the section in which he had been born and reared. He set out with a horse and carri.Tge, containing all his household goods. His wife rode on horseback, carrying the two youngest chil- dren, while the two eldest daughters, aged respec- tively 14 and 16, walked the entire distance to their destination, in the State of Indiana. All else was abandoned by Mr. Owen in his eagerness to retreat from the liated institution, being determined that his children should not grow up within its influence. A location was made in Floyd County, where they set- tled on 80 acres of timber. A " patch" of land was cleared and a log house erected. The heavy timber was removed by hard and persistent labor and there the wife and mother died in 1835. In the year fol- lowmg that event, Mr. Owen sold his place and again set forth with his family for a new start in the role of a pioneer. He and his four children rode on horse- back to McDonough Co , 111., at which place they stopped and located, instead of going to Flint Hills (now the city of Burlington), Iowa, where they had originally intended to settle. They made their home in the northwest part of McDonough County, at a ■< ^t V ■C T ^JL . -v. WARREN COUNTY. ^^^X-¥ 453 point designated as the " Job Settlement," where a tract of land was purchased, on which they resided until 1844. The father then sold out again and went to Missouri, but remained there only a short time, returning to Illinois and locating in Henderson County. There James Owen, the subject of this biography, who had never been separated from his father during the many migrations of the family, bought 80 acres of land on which his father died in October, 1845. On the small farm in Henderson County, where a frame house had been built and some other nominal improvements made, Mr. Owen resided until 1851, when he sold out and came to Warren C'ounty. He made his first purchase of land in Swan Township, of which he was the occupant between two and three years. He then sold out and bought the farm upon which he now lives, located on the northwest quarter of section 12, in Point Pleasant Township. No improvements of any character had been made on it, but the owner soon accomplished the necessary work which put it on a footing of equality with the numerous farms of value in the county. It is also sup- plied with all the needed outbuildings of substantial structure. Besides 400 acres under cultivation Mr. Owen is the owner of 50 acres of good timber land in Swan Township. Mr. Owen had small advantages for obtaining any education in the schools, but his mental calibre is such as to supply all deficiencies of that character. He was fond of reading and possessed ihe natural sagacity to render it a source of profit and a means of intellectual cultivation. His powers as a natural mathematician are something remarkable, and he probably stands at the head of that class of geniuses in the State. He is a Republican hy inheritance and inclination and has been a strong adherent of the party since its organization. July 23, 1846, Mr. Owen was married to Uemanis E. Enierich. She was born in Fayette Co., Ohio, July 14, 1829, and became the mother of 11 chil- dren. They were named James ('., Jacob E., Sarah A , John A., Joseph S., Mary J., Lucinda, Mary F., Cassius C, Willi un C. and George G. The eldest son (James C.) was born May 6, 1847, and died June 2, 1880, from disease contracted during his ser- vice in the late war as a member of Co. H, 83d 111. Vol. Inf He left a wife and four children. Mary J. s ' -X died at the age of nine years. Lucinda died in in- fancy. Mary F. also died in early childhood. Cas- sius C. was born May i, 1861, aid died Sept. 21, 1885. He left a wife and one child. The parents of Mrs. Owen were Jacob and Abigail (Cooper) Emerick, natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. They removed hither in 1832. The father died March 12, 1855, near Fort Scott, Kan. The mother died Nov. i, 1877. errit Paddock ranks among the well-to-do _ and well known agriculturists, vvlio in l^~^'' early life engaged actively and arduously in the labor incident to a farm, and whose efforts have been crowned with success, thus enabling him to spend the remaining years of his life in retirement in the peaceful village of Kirk- wood. He is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., and was born on the 19th of September, 1822; his par- ents are John and Polly (Christian) Paddock. They were natives of the State of New York, where they resided until their death, which occurred in Decem- ber, 1867, and in April, 1840, respectively. Merrit continued a member of the family until he attained the age of 20 years, attending the district schools and working on the farm. After leaving home he worked out for six months, receiving for his salary $10.50 per month, and in 1842 he rented a farm in Oneida Co., N. Y., of 60 acres, which he re- mained on for one year. He then moved to Lewis County, same State, and there worked a farm for two years having only rented it, when he made a pur- chase of some land, a tract of 50 acres, and began its improvement and cultivation, continuing for two years and then sold it. His ne.\t enterprise was to work a farm on shares, also occupying himself in other pursuits, until 1851, when he removed west- ward, locating in Prophetstown, Whiteside County, this State, where he purchased 130 acres of land and remained there until 1853. In the latter year he again returned to Lewis County, in his native State, and remained there for a couple of years, when he returned to Prophetstown and purchased 40 acres of improved land and erected thereon a good residence < V -^^^ 454 . r.VZ=: WARREN COUNTY. f *X and barn, fenced the same, planted trees, etc. He came lo Warren County in i86r, and settled in Tompkins Township. He purchased some land and engaged actively and energetically in its cultivation and improvement, and by subsequent purchases has increased his landed possessions until now he is the proprietor of 143 acres. He resided upon the same until 1872, when he came to Kirkwood and there purchased a house and lot where he has since lived, retired from the active labors of life. Mr. Paddock was married Feb. 20, 1845, to Miss Alvira T. Hall, a native of New York, the ceremony being performed in Lewis County, her native State. Mr. Paddock is a Republican in political views, and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is regarded as one of the solid and influential men of Warren County. ll'^^apt. Elisha C. Atchison, one of Warren County's successful farmers, and a gentle- man who has followed that vocation more or less all his life, is at present lesiding upon section r. Cold Brook Township. He was born in Sumner County, Central Tennessee, Jan. 20, 1820. The father of Mr. Atchison, whose name heads this notice, Nathan Atchison, was a na- tive of Virginia, having been born in Stafford County, that State, and was a fanner by occupation. He was a soldier in the war of 18 r 2, under command of Gen. Jackson. He was married in Tennessee, after at- taining his majority, his wife being Lucretia B.irnard , a native of North Carolina, who moved to Tennessee with her parents previous to her marriage. After their marriage, in 1829, they came to Gallatin Co., this State, from whence they removed to Madison County, where the father died in 1843, at the age of 67 years. The motlier died in Bunker Hill, Macou- pin County, in 1872, aged 82 years. They were prominent citizens of the communities in which they resided, and her father was successful in liis chosen vocHtion, as an agriculturist. The gentleman whose name heads this notice was about nine years of age when his parents came to this State. He continued to reside with them until the death of his father, when he set forth to figiit the battle of life alone. He was married in Knox County, Nov. 24, 1846, to Miss Nabbie L. Fuller, the accom- plished daughter of Samuel and Hulda (Record) Fuller, nativesof Massachusetts and of New England parentage, who, after marriage, moved to Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, and afterwards, in 1844, came to this State, settling in Knox County, where her father died. Her mjther is yet living, with her daughter, Mrs. Atchison, and has attained the ven- erable age of 90 years. Mrs. Atchison, wife of our subject, was born near Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio, Nov. 16, 1826. She was educated in the public schools and resided at home, assisting her mother in the household duties, until her marriage to Mr. A. Of their union eleven children have been born, four of whom are deceased. The names of the living are George W., who married Mary Mitchell ; they reside in Cold Brook Town- ship, and are the parents of three cliildren, one of whom is now deceased. Hulda L. married George Harlan and they are the parents of five children, one deceased; they live at Dallas City, 111. John H., William E., Fred and Minnie reside at home. Mary M. is attending school at Galesburg. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Atchison located in this county and have continued to reside here, with the exception of a few years passed in Galesburg and Monmouth, until the present time. In 1856 M . .Atchison purchased a portion of the property where he now resides. He has, by subsequent [jurchases, increased his lai.ded interests in the county, until he is at present the proprietor of 240 acres, in Cold Brook Township, the major portion of which is under an advanced state of cultivation He and his wife are members of the Universalist Church. In politics, Mr. Atchison casts his vote with the Democr3»'c party. He has been Assessor and Collector and u j Justice of the Peace. In September, 1862, Mr. Atchison enlisted in Co. B, i02d 111. Vol. Inf., as private, and his regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. Im- mediately after enlistment he was elected Captain of the company, ahicli he organized, and went into camp at Knoxville, Knox County. From there he went to Louisville, Ky , and afterwards did some skirmishing, but was in no active engagements. Mr. A. resigned lommand of his company at Gallatin, Tenn., and returned home, where he has since fol- lowed his chosen vocation, agriculture, meeting with success in that avenue of life. r j^4nuiff-r^y '% A WARREN COUNTY. f^ 457 %^0^ oseph B. Malony, manufacturer of har- 1^' ness and dealer in harness and saddlery goods at Roseville, is a son of James ar.d Margaret (Cairnes) Malony, and was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. i6, 1818. His larents were natives of Ireland and came to America about the year 1810, locating in the Key- stone Stale where the father was engaged as contrac- tor for stone work. In 1S24 he removed into Ohio and there engaged in farming, also following his trade at stone work, and laid the foundation for the first flouring mill on the Maumee River. He made the Buckeye State his permanent home and died there about 1826-7, his wife's demise occurring in 1846. Joseph B., the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, went to learn the I ' trade of saddle-maker at the age of 16, at which he served an apprenticeship of three and a half years, and again ten months under the instruction of another firm. He followed the same in the Slates of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and finally settled down in Canton, Fulton County, this State, and opened a shop, which he tarred on for 12 years. At the ex- piration of that lime he removed to Vermont, same county, but remained only a year, when he again re- turned 10 Canton and embarked in the same busi- ness for four years. His next move was to Prairie City, McDonough Co , 111., where he engaged in business and rem. lined until the year 1861. In the latter year the call was made for brave hearts and strong arms to defend the Union flag, and Joseph B., a very patriotic gentleman, enlisted in the Seventh Regt. of III. Vol. Cav., and served two years and four months, having held the position of Serge.int Saddler, bit was disi-.harged on account of disability. He ihen returned to Prairie City and again embarked in business, which he continued until the year 187 2, then coming to Roseville and in- icrcbting himself in his present enterprise, in which he has met wnh remarkable success and is doing a constantly increasing business. He has gotten up many new improvements in harness that have come into general use. He invented ihe first pad for a saddle, padding for a saddletree and the roller at- tachment to the "Sensible Combination Buckle." He is also the inventor of a combination halter, which is not only tlie best in use but cheap and durable. In 1841, one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Joseph B. .Malouey occurred, it being his marriage to Miss Jane Anderson, and of their union were born four children — Richard A., Joseph C, Willia.n N. and James M. Mrs. Malony's de- mise occurred in 1850, and Mr. M. formed a sec- ond matrimonial alliance with a si-.ter of his first wife. Miss Catherine Anderson, and they have be- come the parents of five children, only four of whom survive, as follows: Mary E., Nathaniel L., Margaret J. and Emma. Mrs. Maloney died in 1872. Mr. Malony is a Greenbacker in politics. He is a member of the United Brethren Church at Rose- ville. Kohn Wesley Bolon, Sheriff of Warren !«'" County, was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Sept. 2, 1838. His parents, John and Eliza ( Jo)ce ) Bolon, natives respectively of It Pennsylvani.i. and Virginia, were married in the last named State; settled at once m Ohio, where their five sons and four daughter were born, and where the senior Mr. Bolon died in 1848, aged about 63 years. John Bolon was a son of John and Mary Bolon and a descendant from a long line of English ancestry, who had emigrated to America many years prior to the Revolutionary War. John, the father of Sheriff Bolon, lived in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming, and during the war of 18 1 2, enlisted in the defense of his co mtry. After he grew to manhood he moved to Virginia, where, in Loudon County, he married his wife. During that s ime year he came to Ohio. His wife was the daugh- ter of Col. Thomas B. Joyce, a native of Ireland. He had come to Virginia prior to the Revolutionary War, and with three of his sons took part in that memorable struggle. He was likewise one of the p.itriots who assisted in repelling the British invasion during the war of 1812. He was Colonel of a Vir- ginia regiment, and proved himself to be a brave and "n;r u 458 4 WARREN COUNTY. gallant officer. After the death of his wife, he re- moved to Ohio, and subsequently to Illinois, and re- sided with his daughter, Mrs. Bolon, until his demise, which occurred at the advanced age of 97 years. In politics, he was an old line Whig. Mrs. Bolon brought her children to Warren County in 1855, after living four years in Indiana, and in Floyd Township, this county, spent the rest of her life, dying at the home of the subject of this sketch in 1868, aged 76 years. John VV. Bolon was pretty thoroughly educated at Hillsboro Seminary, in Indiana, wliere lie spent four years, and after coming to Illinois taught school probably two years, which, for himself, was an e.xcel- lent means of further disciplining and forming his mind. Before leaving Indiana he read law some time with Judge Niblock, who has since served so many years upon the Supreme Bench of that State, but abandoned it and turned his attention to farming and stock dealing, which he followed uninterruptedly for 15 years. He now rents his fine farm of 160 acres in Floyd Township. While a resident of the toivnship he s;rved the people 12 years as Road Commissioner, one year as Cojistable, eight years as Supervisor and 14 years as School Director. He has always been a Republican in politics, is a good stump speaker, and in 1882, as candidate for Sheriff, ran far ahead of his ticket. Mr. Bjlon was married in Floyd Township, Jan. 21, 1857, to Lucinda Siginan, a native of Guernsey Cc.Ohi", and daughter of Isaac and Julia (Spears) Sigman, a farmer of Floyd Township. His ancestors were Cierman. Mr. and Mrs. Bolon's children are nanud: Alfred W., Charles M., Emeline, Nettie, Ella, John H. and Roy. The family are all con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. .Mr. B0I0.1, hi.nself, has been a member of that Church for many years and for the last 16 years has had license to preach as a local preacher. He is recog- nized as a fervent and eloquent teacher and is capable of doing great good in the cause of Chris- tianity. Some of Mr. Bolon's children have been married, namely: Alfred W. married Minnie, the daughter of Dr. Blair, of Abington, III. They reside on the homestead in Floyd Township, and carry on the farm ; Charles Milton married Mary Ada Goddard, daughter of Henry Goddard, of Floyd Township, this county. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Berwick Township. Whatever of this world's goods, Mr. B. possesses, he has most diligently labored for. He inherited noth- ing in tlie way of property and when married had only $ioo in money. He has been a hard working, frugal man and has wjn for himself a most enviable position in the estination of his fellow citizens, as well as a fair co npetency. He is not only a genial gentle nan, but possesses most excellent judgment and nerve, and few men in the county are so well fitted for the position he holds. Among the portraits of the leading men of the county given in this book miy be found that of Mr. Bolon. He is a truly representative citizen, and honors the work contain- ing his features. ^fe^jICohn A. Gordon, notary public, real estate ^ and collecting agent, at Roseville, also a ^ surveyor and engineer, was born Jan. 10, I 835, in Mercer Co., Pa., his parents being William and Sarah (Dilley) Gordon, natives of that State. The parents came to this State in 1858, and purchased 80 acres of land located on section 32, Roseville Township, on which they lo- cated and where the father foUovved the occupation of a farmer until his death, in May, 1876 His wife still survives and resides on the old homestead one mile east of tlie village. The children were six in number, ^x'^i: of whom attained the age of majority. (ohii k. Gordon, of whom we write, was the eldest of his parents" cliildren, anl remained at home until he attained his 2 ist year, receiving a good education and assisting in the labors of the farm. He had, prior to attai ing his majority, engaged somewhat in surveying and also in teaching school. Daring the winter of 1855-56, he was engaged in the latter oc- cupation, in New Lebanon, Pa. In September, 1856, he came to Roseville, but previous to that, during the summer of that year, was employed by the Mil- waukee and Missouri River Railroad, in Iowa, mak- ing the preliminary survey. In 1856, the winter of that year, he taught school, and continued in that vocation for three years. He next engaged as clerk ^ i WARREN COUNTY. 459 and book-keeper for Emans & Woodmansee and was with that firm one year. We next, in 1865, find him in Chicago, where lie is taking a regular business course of study at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, from which he received a diploma. He then returned to Roseville and was elected County Surveyor, which position he held until August, 1870, when he engaged with the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad as station agent at Roseville, and held that position two years. At the expiration of this time he became interested in the furniture business and continued thus for ten years, when he sold out and opened an office on Penn Avenue, where he is at present located Mr. Gordon was married in 1861 to Miss Philena Dilley, a native of Mercer Co., Pa., and a daughter of Stephen Dilley, and he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. In his political views, Mr. Gordon is a strong ad- vocate of prohibition, casts his vote with that party, and was an active and energetic worker in the cause. Mr. Gordon has held the position of Police Magis- trate and Village Trustee. He has quite an interest > in the village plat of Roseville, and is regarded as one of the leading business men of that thriving little village. -=«S- -S^-o- Ifejerrick Livermore, of Sumner Township, is il one of the pioneers of [839 who settled in ^ Warren County, and is now one of the most prominent of the agriculturists of the township in which he is located. His birth took place Aug. 28, 1830, in Washington Co., Ohio. His father, Andrew Livetmore, was a native of Shirley, Middlesex C'o., Mass. The latter was the son of James and Polly (Kelsey) Livermore, The ancestral history of the family has been pre- served in the annals of Shirley, which were compiled by the Rev. Seth Chandler. The first progenitor in this country was John Livermore, who came, at the age of 28, to the New World, sailing from Ipswich, England, in .\pril, r634, in the good ship Francis, John Cutting, Captain. John Livermore located in Watertown, Mass., and there his life terminated, April 16, 1684. He was a potter by trade. Oliver Livermore, who was the first of the family to settle in Shirley, located in that place as nearly as can be ascertained about 1767. Andrew Livermore was but seven years old when his parents removed from the " Old Bay State " to the, then, far distant West. The journey was made in the fashion so often recounted in this and other works of similar character, peculiar to the time, when there were practically no means of public travel. The long and difficult route, however, was safely traversed by team, and the family homestead established in Washington Co., Ohio. Andrew Liv- ermore there attained to the age and condition of manhood, and there he was married to Betsey Ful- ler. She, too, was a native of Massachusetts, having been born in Essex County, in 1807. Her parents be- came pioneers of the "Buckeye State" when she was very young. After marriage, Andrew and wife set- tled on the homestead of his father, in Washington County, and resided there until their removal to Warren County, in 1839, that journey also being made in the primitive fashion of the earlier period, the family traveling to Illinois with four horses and a wagon. They brought with them all their portable propeity, and passed four weeks on the road. The senior Livermore bought a farm in township 1 1 (now Kelly Township), and there proceeded with the work common to the pioneer residents of a new country. He built a hewed-log house and split " shakes " for a roof and puncheons for a floor. This place was occupied by the family until 1852, when it was sold and they removed to Point Pleasant Town- ship. The father bought a farm, on which there had been a log house erected. Of this structure they took possession until time and circumstances were favor- able for the building of a more suitable and conven- ient abode. The farm was put in the best possible condition and was the home of the father until hi? death. His demise took place Feb. 30, 1880. The family comprised ten children. Derrick, the subject of this biography, was the eldest. Russell was born April 3, 1832. His death transpired Aug. 28, 1850. Andrew P. was born Aug. 28, r834, and died Feb. 5, t88i. John K. was born Aug. 9, 1836, and is living in Henderson County. Western T. was born Dec. 29, 1838. Jonas was born June 19, 184 1, and died May 8, 1862. Oliver was born July 29, and died Aug. 28, 1842. Socrates was born Nov. 10, 1843; Charles C, Oct. 24, 1847 ; William R.,Oct. 6, 1850, 'J\^ < T ^ T l 460 ^ WARREN COUNTY. j^ Derrick Livermore was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Warren County, :ind in tliat county he has ever since made his home He was brouglit up on the iioniestead of his parenis and lived with them until he became liie head of a fam- ily of his own. His marriage to Betsey Steveis oc- curred Jan. 8, 185 1. She was born in Sangamon Co., 111., Feb. 15, 183 I, and is the daughter of James and Nancy (Miles) Stevens. Her father and mother were natives of the Stale of Kentucky, and joined the early pioneer element of the county where she was born. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Livermore bought 80 acres of land on section 12, in the township of Cold Brook, in the same county where he h.id passed the years of his boyhood and youth, and entered upon the duties of nianliood and which he lias so thoroughly and creditably discharged. He built a small house on the estate and proceeded to the bus- iness of a farmer. There he continued to reside until he sold it and removed to Point Pleas- ant Township, in 1855, where he bought Bo acres situated on section 10, and where he repeated the experience of his former life in the township in which he at first located. He improved the land and made additional purchases, until he became the owner of his present estate of 400 acres, the whole of which is under thorough culiivaiion. The family of Mr. Liv- ermore includes six children. Andrew J. resides in this (Point Pleasant) township Joshua resides in Page Co., Iowa. Eugenie L. is married to B. L. Bird- sail, of Point Pleasant. Mary A., Alice E. and Clara are still at home. Mr. Livermore is a Republican in politics, and a Universalist in religious belief. -ohn Nicol Bruen, deceased, was born in ^^ Essex Co., NT. J., Oct 25, 1825, and died in Monmouth, Nov. 21, 1884 His father, William Bruen, was a descendant from Scotch ancestry, and his mother, Jane (Williamson) Bruen, from the (lerman. They renred three sons and live daughttrs, Mr. Bruen being the eldest. John Nicol Bruen was educated at Bloonifield, N, LAJ J., and his father, who was a shoe manufaturer on a small scale, tried to educate him into the Order of the Knights of St. Crispin, but young Bruen protested after a few months' application to the rudiments of the trade, and the year 1844 found him fanning in Henderson County, this State. An uncle of his, Mr. Bruen, owned an unimproved farm of 160 acres some ten miles from Oquawka, and it was u|)on this tract of land that he gave our subject 80 acres if he would settle on it, and here he sought to establish an independency. Before assuming the dignity of a farmer o'l his own account, however, he hired him- self out to a neighbor who paid him the paltry sum of $7 per month, probably advancing him to $8 per n.onth when he had grown more proficient in the essential departments. He brought with him from New Jersey a scjuirrel rifle and a silver watch. The first he exchanged for fence rails, and the second for prairie-brc-iking. His start in life may be accurately surmised from these facts, and it is proper here to state chat he left his family a handsome competency. He owned a large tract of land in Mills, Montgomery and Pottawatomie Counties, Iowa, all of which is now in a good state of improvement. In r882 i.c had between 2,000 and 3,000 acres of corn, 300 acre. of wheat, 200 of oats and 1,200 head of hogs. He was also President of the Illinois Live Stock Com- pany in Colorado, in which he was a heavy stock- holder. His first marriage was in 1848, to Miss Jane Sharp- less, of Henderson Co., III., who died in 1863, leav- ing three children — Williarri S., Charles E. and Ida. Mr. Bruen came into Monmouth in 1875, and lo- cated, bringing with him the accomplished lady now his widow, who kindly lurnishes the data from which this sketch is written. Before her marriage to Mr. Bruen, which occurred in Henderson County, Oct. 10, 1865, she was Miss Mary A. Martin. Her par- ents were Preston and Ann E. (Taylor) Martin, na- tives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. They were married in the first named State, came to Illi- nois in 183S and spent some years in Morgan County but the greater part of their lives was spent in Hen- derson County, where the present Mrs. Bruen was born. Mrs. Martin died Dec. 15, 1881. They had previously, on the 23d of March, 1881, celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Martin resides at Biggs- ville. 111., now in the 82d year of his age. Mrs. Bruen was educated at Knox College, Gales- ■< V Residence: of Wt^. A.Mitchell.Sec.3. Hale Township Drugstore of E.D.Alexander tC^MAiNSi. Alexis. .Y. WARREN COUNTY. 463 burg, 111., and taught four years in the public schools before her marriage. Her parents reared six sons and four daughters. Four of her brothers and one brother-in-law were in the Union army during the Rebellion. Slie is a consistent member of the l^res- byterian Church. Her husband also attended that Church, though not a member. He was always a liberal contributor to the support of the Church. In politics, he was a Democrat, though frequently voting for men identified with other parties. He was for several years a director and stockholder of the First National Bank of Monmouth. The success of Mr. Bruen may be attributed to his energy, perseverance and broad grasp of business enterprises. No man stood higher in the coutity in which he resided. His word was always as good as his bond. ^^ *r jtenry Sigafoos, deceased, was formerly a resident on section 33 of Spring Grove ^KS^" Township. He was born in Sussex Co., N. O J., Aug. 31, 1832. The death of his father ! when he was in infancy left him in the sole care of his mother, and he remained with her until he was nine years of age, when she was again mar- ried. He then undertook the management of his own affairs and he gave his attention exclusively to the work of obtaining a good and available educa- tion. He had already made considerable progress and he prosecuted his studies until he was qualified to teach in the public schools. He ivas occupied in that business until his transfer of his interests to Il- linois, which took place in 1853. He was unmarried when he located in Warren County, and, associated with his brother, he bought a farm in Lenox Town- ship. He passed the winters in teaching and through the remainder of the year he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. March 18, 1858, he was married to Flora Shaw. Mrs. Sigafoos was born in Hartland, Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, r84o, and was the daughter of Wil- liam and Adeline (Stannard) Shaw. Not long after their marriage, Mr. Sigafoos bought the southeast quarter of section 33, in Spring Grove Township. They moved into a log house which stood on the place. There was besides a frame stable and some of the land was already broken to the plow. The new proprietor re-built the stable at once, and in 187 1 he erected the commodious and good frame house, which has since been the family residence. His death took place April 29, 1881. The four chil- dren of which he and his wife became the parents are as follows : Warren H., residing in this township, born Dec. 2, 1859, and married to Dora Robinson in the same township; Hattie M., born Oct. 20, 1864, and now the wife of Charles Hart of Cameron ; Myr- tle A., born March 11, 1870; while the birth of the youngest child, Laura A., took place Nov. 19, 187D. Mr. Sigafoos was always prominent in his interest in educational matters and discharged the duties of School Director for many years. He was a Repub- lican of strong principles. William H. Shaw (father of Mrs. Sigafoos) was born in Hudson, N. Y., Oct. 27, 1802. He was reared to the estate of manhood in his native State and was there married to Adeline Stannard, March 5, 1829, wlio was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., July I, 1811. They located their home in Hartland, in the same county, and were there resident until 1841. ■■ In the year previous the husband had come to the West alone to seek a suitable location upon which to found a home. He came by the regular route of public travel to Chicago, whence he came to Warren County on foot. He had exchanged his farm in Hartland, Genesee Co., N. Y., for land in this county and on his way thither lie went to Whiteside and Henry Counties. He had made the exchange with- out seeing the property in Illinois, but on looking it over he was entirely satisfied with the bargain he had made, and concluded to make the necessary arrange- ments for the accommodation of his family in War- ren County and establish his home in the place of which he had become the owner. The farm was situated on section 1 1, in the township of Monmouth. There was a log cabin on the farm, of which he took possession and passed the winter on it. During that season he built a frame house for Mr. Talbot. He went back to his old home in the spring for the members of his household, and with them returned to Illinois for a permanent settlement. They reached their home in June. The log house was the abode of the family for a time, when the father erected a more suitable and comfortable home. Mr. Shaw died April 13, 1876, his wife having 'Jyn V '£-t?! ^^=-?+ 464 WARREN COUNTY. deparied this life July 8, 1872. Their family in- cluded seven children in .ill. Two only are now living. Flora is the widow of Henry Sigafoos and lives in Spring ("i rove Townshi|). Henrietta is tiie wife of Barne) Miller and they reside on the Shaw homesiead, in Monmouth Township. A view of the home of Mrs. Sigafoos appears on page 450. -«4=f' 4^ &s- 1^ ewton P. Bruington, a resident of Alexis, has retired from the turmoil of an active business life He is a n.itive citizen of Warren County, having been born in the town- ship of Cold Biook, July 16, 1845. Thomas Bruington, his father, was born in Breckenridge Co., Ky., May 13, 1807. He was the son of James and Jane (McGlothlin) Bruington. He was of Scotch-English origin, the mother being of Scotch descent Thomas Bruington was reared on the liomstead of his parents, in the land of handsome women and good horses, and on the 22d day of January, 1822, suc- cumbed to the charms of one of the belles of the Blue-Grass country — Miss Jane McCilothlin. She was a native of the same county as her husband and was born Aug. 14, 1809. In 1833, the father, de- termining that there was a broader field wherein to rear his growing family, set out for the Stale of Illi- nois, traveling with his houseliold in the conveyance common to the journeyings of the pioneers of those days. He owned a pair of oxen and a wagon and by their aid the route was made. The method of op- eration was quite after the gypsy pattern and the journey was not wholly withuut interest and pleas- ure, notwithstanding its tediousness. The cooking was done by the wayside and the family slept in the wagon. Their destination was Warren Co. and on their arrival they made their first location in Barnett's Grove, in what is now Cold Brook 'I'ownship. Mr. Bruington took a timber claim and built a log house. He placed the structure in the midst of the timber and split logs to make its roof. He cleared a few acres of timber and held possession of the |)roperty there about ten years. On selling out he moved to the prairie *i in the same township and built another log house. This the f.imily occupied a few ye.irs and, as their circumstances improved, they erected a frame house for their accommodation. The father improved an entire section of land. .'Kbout the year 1856 he de- termined to make another change, and on again sell- ing out, he bought a farm in Kelly Township, or rather a large tract of land in the immediate vicinity of the line of Mercer County. There he erected a house, which was one of the first frame buildings in this locality. There he improved another farm and made the common additions of fruit and shade trees to his estate. This remained the homstead while he lived, until a very short time previous to his death he moved to the property belonging to the lady who became his second wife, in the same township. There he passed the latest years of his life. His demise took place Oct 9, 1882. His first wife died Sept. 18, 1849. In 1859 he was married to Mrs. Annie Goflf. She is still living. The issue of the first marriage was nine children, and six are yet living. James is a citizen of Kansas; John M. lives in Texas. Eliza- beth and Jane are deceased. George is a resident of the township of Cold Brook. Thomas lives in Mer- cer County. Newton P. is the subject proper of this sketch and is a resident of the township already named. Eugene lives in Spring Grove Township, and one child not mentioned. Newton P. Bruington passed the years of his boy- hood and youth in his native county; was reared on the farm and educated in the public schools. In 18*^1 he went to Idaho, crossing the plains with his brother John. They had a mule-train consisting of four animals and a wagon. They set out from War- ren County on the tst day of April, of the year named. They made a halt of a few days in Marshall County, Iowa, and with that single exception pushed on to Omaha without pausing. There they replen- ished their stock of provisions and started from there in the latter part of April. They arrived at their destination about the istot August. Mr. Bruington interested himself in mining and continued that ex- citing and delusive occupation about 18 months. He then commenced packing goods from Umatilla Land- ing to the camps in the mountains. In 1863 he re- turned to Warren County. As soon as he was fairly at home he resumed the occupation of a farmer. In 1870 he bought land in North Henderson Township, Mercer County, and devoted himself to the rearingof ¥ 4: ^^^^^ WARREN COUNTY. 465 1- stock. He was the occupant of the farm in North Henderson Township until 1879, when he sold out and came to Alexis. He bought a suitable residence, which has since been his abode. It is located in that part of Alexis which is situated in Suez Town- ship, Mercer Co. Mr. Bruington is still the proprie- tor of 390 acres in North Henderson Township and also of 50 acres in Kelly Township, in Warren County. His acreage is all in first-class condition for farming, and he rents a part of the land ; the re- mainder is stocked and continues under his manage- ment. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., Alexis Lodge, No. 526. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church. His marriage to Nannie Johnston occurred July 13, 1872. Mrs. Bruington was born in Breckenridge Co., Ky., March 30, 1854, and is the daughter of P. W. and Martha (Hayes) Johnston. Her parents were natives of Virginia. On the paternal side she is of English origin. The grandfather came to this country at an early day and settled in Virginia. On the maternal side she comes from old Virginia stock. Blanche and Walter are the names of the children that have been born of her marriage to Mr. Bruing- ton. Blanche was born July 22, 1872; Walter was born Aug. 30, 1878. -#^ 4 — 1- j illiam E. Porter, a member of that well known and highly respected pioneer tam- fy^- ily of which Joshua Porter was the head. > was born Sept. 16, 1839, and is the third child of Joshua and Mary (Tinkham) Porter, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in tliis volume. William F. was born in what is now Spring Grove Township, where his parents had located as early as 1835. They came from New York, but were both natives of Vermont. They were of the agri- callural class and were highly esteemed residents of Spring Grove Township until their deaths. William E. received his early education in the dis- trict schools of the locality uhere his parents resided. When not attending school, his boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in his farm work. He first set out in life on his own account upon arriving at the age of 21. His father then gave him a farm of 80 acres. He subsequently inherited 40 acres more. He now has a well improved farm of 128 acres, which is one among the best farms in Spring Grove Township. Upon the 21st of July, 1867, Mr. Porter was mar- ried to Martha E., daughter of Paul and Maria Mahn. They were residents of Knox County, 111., where Mrs. Porter was born. Her father was of German parentage and her mother a native of Ken- tucky. As the fruits of their union, Mr. Porter and wife had born to them three ddughters — Altha May, Edna L. and Kale E. Mrs. Porter died at her res- idence. May 13, 1874. In politics, Mr. Porter has always been a believer in and supporter of the prin- ciples promulgated by the Democratic party. ohn Hodgson, one of the prominent young ^ business men of Warren County, carrying on the trade of a merchant in Larchland, is a son of George and Margaret (McKinn) Hodg- ]L son, natives respectively of England and Scot- land. They settled in the latter country, where they died. Their family consisted of eight children, John, our subject, being the sixth in order of birth. John Hodgson was born in Scotland, on the 21st of June, 1843, and when about 14 years of age came to Canada and there remained about two months. He next came to Buflfalo, N. Y., and a year later to Henderson County, this State, remaining in the latter place until his enlistment in the army, which occurred in September, i86t, in Co. K, 36th 111. Vol. Inf. He served three years without receiving any serious in- juries. Upon his return from the war he located in Warren County and immediately engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, which he continued for about eight years, when he bought out the stock of general merch mdise wliere he is at present located, in coin- pany with John M. Young, tlie latter gentleman sell- ing out his interest in 1877; and Mr. Hodgson at present conducts the entire business. He has an excellent trade and it is constantly increasing. Mr. H. has jjeen Postmaster of Larchland for nearly 11 years. His first marriage was celebrated on the 24th of December, 1865, in Monmouth, the other contract- ■<^ JU V -i* 466 WARREN COUNTY. ing party being Mary F. Stormont. Tliey became the parents of one child, who died in infancy, and Mrs. Hodgson's demise occurred near Kirkwood abont ten months after her marriage. Mr. Hodgson was again married Sept 5, 1872, near Kirkwood, to Ella S. Moore, who was born in Warren County, Dec. 23, 1845. Of the latter union nine children have been birn — Rol)ert R.. Horace J., Margie M., Ada M., Minnie E., John, Willie, George and one who died in infancy. Mr. H. has been Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace and held other minor offices within the gift of the people of the community in which he resides. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and politically Mr. H. affiliates with the Prohibition party. jlfames S. Kyner, a resident on section 21, Spring Grove Township, became an inhab- itant of Warren County in 1838, when he was ten years of age. Jacob Ryner, his father, was born in Montgomery Co., I'a., wliere he married Rachel Spencer, In the paternal line the family is of German origin and on the other side it is of English extraction. The grandfather of Jacob Ryner was born in Germany. The wife of the latter was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. In 1829, Jacob Ryner removed with his wit'e and children to the State of New York. He passed four years in the State trying to tind what he considered a suitabi'- place for a permanent location, and event- ually removed to Lorain Co., Ohio. The family re- mained there until 1838, when the transfer to Warren County was made. The elder Ryner was well-to-do and he came to Illinois with a couple of two-horse teams and two wagons, and they journeyed all the intervening distance with their aid. They drove a small red cow which supplied the necessary ac- companiment to the corn mush which foimed the principal part of the daily bill of fare. After a jour- ney lasting nearly two months they arrived in War- ren County. The father at first rented land of Ban- nister Gates, in Monmouth Tp., and in this manner continued to operate three years. In 1841 he bought a farm of a man named Talbot which was located on section i in the same township. This was the home- stead until the death of the father, when 80 acres had been improved. The mother is still living. She has borne 11 children, nine of whom still survive: Spencer resides in Alexis. Daniel is a citizen of Wayne (^o., Iowa Josiah lives in Cold Brook Town- ship. Jonathan is a resident of Clinton Co., Iowa. Emmeline married Ethan Cox,of Independence, Ore- gon. James S. is the next in order of birth. Henry lives in Clinton Co., Iowa. Jacob resides on the homestead. Eliza is married to Edward Morrow, of Nebraska. About the year 1845, the parents, Mr. and Mrs Jacob Ryner, went to Philadelphia on a visit. They journeyed with their own team, making the entire trip with horses and a lumber wagon. They started in August and returned to their home in Warren County in November of the same year. Mr. Ryner, of this sketch, was in the first year of his life when his parents removed to New York, and was a small lad when tlie transfer of the family was made to Ohio. After their removal to Warren County he remained with them until 1852, .when he joined a party whose i)urpose it was to cross the country to the Pacific coast He drove an ox-team to Oregon, and arrived there after five months of travel. He remained there two years, and during the time was engaged in farming. In 1854 he started for another overland journey with packed mules across the plains toward the scenes of his early childhood. Sept. 14, 1854, he was married to Mary E. Wal- lace. She was born in Kentucky. After their mar- riage they located in Cold Brook Township. They maintained a residence there for \7. years when they sold their property pre|)aratory to a removal to Monmouth Township. Mr. Ryner bought a farm there on which he was the resident owner t^o years. He sold out again and went to Iowa and bought a farm in Wayne County. .Vfter a residence of six years in the Hawkeye State he returned for a per- manent location to Warren County. He bought a farm of satisfictory location, upon which he is now living. It is in good agricultural condition and is well supplied with farm buildings. Mr. Ryner's wife died in July, 1859, leaving two sons, George and Charles. He was subsequently married, Oct. 29, 1859, to Mary E. Gordon, the daughter of William S. and Anna (Wilson) Gordon. The former was a native of Washington Co., Ky., and a son of Rev. Joel and Nancy Gordon. Rev. *% '-X^ ^■■■"% ■ C i * !?^H^ WARREN COUNTY. 469 Joel Gordon was a native of Scotland, and at a very early day emigrated to the United States, and settled in Kentucky, where lie lived until his death. He was a minister of the Baptist Church, yet was the owner of slaves. He reared a large family, and his son, William S., became a planter. He married and reared a family of ten children, of whom Mrs. Ryner was the fourth child. All of the children are living, married, and have families. The following is the record. Elizabeth J., wife of William White, of Stark Co., 111. ; Joel VV. lives in Oregon; Nancy A., wife of George Taylor, of Harrison Co., Mo. ; Carrie, wife of James Bryner ; Lucinda B., wife of John Gowings, of Burke Co., Iowa ; Melinda, married Milton Bryner, of Warren Co., 111.; Harriet is the wife of Peter Conniff, a resident of Ford Co., 111. ; Joseph lives in Benton Co., Iowa, and John near Youngstown, this County. Mrs. Ryner was born Aug. 4, 1838, in McDonough Co., 111., where her parents moved several years be- fore and settled on a farm. Her father and mother were both members of the Christian Church. In politics the former was a Whig in early life, but later became a Republican. He subsequently moved to Cold Brook Township, this county, where his death occurred in the autumn of 1859. His widow now lives wiih her daughter, Mrs. Carrie Bryner, a twin sister of Mrs. Ryner, at Mt. Auburn, Iowa. Nellie, Eugene, Laura and OUie are the names of the chil- dren of the household of Mr. and Mrs. Ryner. Nel- lie married Adamson Shriver, and lives in Wayne Co., Iowa. They have one son, Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Ryner are members of the Christian Church at Gerlaw, and in politics Mr. R. is a staunch Demo- crat. " fW^ C. urney Jones I Among the energetic and r successful farmers of Warren County, is gi9 A Mr. Furney Jones, who resides on section 34, Tompkins Township. He was born in :^K^ Washington Co., Virginia, on the 13th of April, 1846, his parents being Calvin and Re- becca (McQuown) Jones, natives of the same county and State as their son. They came to the State of Illinois and settled in Henderson County, in 1854, where they rented land, on which they remained, cultivating and improving the same for four years. They then came to Tompkins Township, this county, where, in i860, he purchased 80 acres on section 26, which, after living on for six years, he sold and bought land on section 34, to the amount of 160 acres, where they still reside. Furney Jones, our subject, has always resided with his parents, and now owns 1 20 acres of the original purchase, and also has 80 acres in Ellison Township. He has all of his land in an advanced state of cultivation, and is well equipped with farm implements. Mr. Jones was married in 1877, to Miss Ellen J., a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Peter and Henrietta M. (Habliston) Mundorff. They were natives of the Keystone State, and are at pres- ent settled in Tompkins Township, having come to Illinois in 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Jones' family com- prises four children, Calvin O., Roscoe D., Henrietta and Fanny O. Politically, Mr. Jones is a Republican, and belongs, with his wife, to the Methodist Protestant Church. He has served his township as Assessor and School Director, and is one of Warren County's most sub- stantial and leading men. — ^-5— S — o-®Mi»>-$e-o — ^^-«— J tr. A. G. Vanhoorebeke, one of the most i- e.xtensive and widely known importers of '^ French draft horses in America, as well as a distinguished breeder of the famous Bou- lonnais horses, and a veterinarian of wide repu- tation, is a native of France. He was born at Ghent, capital of the French Flanders, Sept. 23, 1808. His father, Lucas Pierre Vanhoorebeke, was for over a half century Receiver of Revenues and Customs for the French Government in Bel- gium, and afterward held the same position some years under the Belgium Government. The Vanhoorebeke family is one of the oldest in Belgium. They can trace their genealogy back to the 13th century, and many of its members have held honorable positions under the Belgium Govern- ment. Ferdinand Vanhoorebeke, brother of Dr. A. G, was a distinguished and most honored lawyer at the court of appeal at Ghent, Belgium, and his cousin, Emile Vanhoorebeke, was also a lawyer and member of the Belgium cabinet in capacity of Secre- taty of Public Works till the time of his death, in 1870. Several of the Vanhoorebeke family yet oc- cupy honorable and confidential positions. V ic T ' =?^^4-^ 470 f- 4 WARREN COUNTY. Dr. Adolph Gustav Vanhoorebeke was second in the family of four sons, and at the institutions of learning in liis native country received a thorough education in the French and Flemish languages. At 'he age of 25 he entered the renowned Veterinary College of Utrecht, Holland. From that institution he graduated with distinguished honors in 1831, and immediately afterward entered the French army as a veterinary surgeon, in which capacity he faithfully and honorably served his country for ten consecu- tive years. During this period of his life he traveled all over Continental Europe and carefully studied all the various breeds of horses known to that part of the globe. In 1841, he quit the army and located in Antwerp, Belgium, where, for the space of nearly 20 years, he practiced his profession with marked success, and at the same time gave special attention to the heavy equine stocks that are bred in the Netherlands and in Morthern France. But being a liberal in his re- ligious notions. Dr. Vanhoorebeke became a victim of pious persecution, and having been arrested for expressing views antagonistic to the dominant Bel- giac theology, he resolved to go where he could breathe the air of freedom and enjoy the right of free speech. It was in the year i860 Dr. Vanhoorebeke sailed from Europe to the United States and settled in Illinois. Here, in the very heart of the virgin West, he found an ample field for the employment of his rare attainments in veterinary science and his thorough knowledge of the horses of Europe. Throughout a broad area of rich and ra[ndly grow- ing country, he had not a single competitor, nor has he to this day. His spleridid abilities, his varied experience were, at all points of the compass, in supreme request. It was not long, however, till ihi growing demand fjr powerful freight teams in this country literally compelled him to subordinate the practice of his chosen profession lo the work of an importer, and in 1865 he brought from France the premium draft stallions Hercules and Lucifer. The former of these was a Boulonnais of bay livery ; the latter was an Anglo-Boulonnais of black livery. Both of them had brilliant reputations as breeders in Europe, and iluy have fully maintained it in Amer- ica. To the Doctor, therefore, rightfully and un- questionably belongs the honor of being the first importer who ever brought heavy horses directly from France to Illinois. J. \V. Edwards, who was a co-operator with James A. Perry, made, in 1868, the second importation from France to Illinois, which importation consisted of Success and French Emp- eror. The latter animal soon died and Mark \V. Dunham is the present owner of the former. E. Dillon & Co. made the tliird importation from France to Illinois, and Mark W. Dunham, in 1872, made the fourth importation from France to Illinois. It will thus be seen that it is certainly meet that Dr. Vanlioorebeke should have been the pioneer im- porter and breeder of French draught horses in Suckerdom ; for it is perfectly safe to say that he knows vastly more about those animals than any other horseman in the United States. For nearly 50 straightforward years, he made a close, intelli- gent study of tiie powerful etjuine motors of France and the Netherl.inds, right in the regions where they originated, and where the very best specimens of them have always been produced. He published several books on the subject, having in view the im- provement of this useful breed of horses, and has without any doubt been one of the most active con- tiibutors to the desired result. Any man at all acquainted with the history of French heavy horses knows that the most e.\-ellent of them are ever to be found in Bologne and French Flanders. So say Moll, Magne, Gayot, Lefour, and all other standard authorities of France. Dr. Vanhoorebeke, being himself a French veterinarian, who always ranked in Europe with the great authors just named, and hav- ing an experimintal knowledge of more than half a centuiys careful observation and comparison in the field of French horse production may, without egotism, claim to be a full head and shoulders above all other men in America, who are now or ever have been engaged in the introduction of the draught blood of France into the United States, and his residence in Illinois is an honor to the State. While yet he was at New Boston, he imported, in 1868, Brilliant, a Boulonnais bay; Pakolet, a Bou- lounnais bay; a:d Leon, a Boulonnais gray. All these were prize breeders in France, having received both first and second jjremiums of the French Gov- ernment. In 1869, he moved to Monmouth, where he soon obtained the confidence of the best men of that section of the country, who seeing the usefulness of his enterprise patronized his work. Here he en- tered fully upon that career of importing and breed- ^ V TV . -Y- WARREN COUNTY. 471 II 4 ing which will constitute one of the brightest and most indelible pages of the agricultural history of the West. Almost every year since he located in Mon- mouth he has made an importation from France, having brouglit the last one in 1880. It has ever been his motto not to excel in numbers but in qual- ity. That motto he has abundantly verified. He has never dazzled the American eye with his scores or his hundreds at one draw, but he has imported to the United States more horses that have stood A No. I in France than have all liis competitors put together. Of the 85 stallions (all either pure Bou- lonnais or Belgium Boulonnais) which he has brought over, every one of them was a prize animal — most of them first-prize animals — in the land of their na- tivity. Many of his imported horses were awarded prizes at the great expositions of Paris, 1878, Lon- don, 1879; Amsterdam, 1883, and Antwerp in 1885. These horses were the very cream of the Boulonnais (the horses of Bologne), and the Boulonnais are the very cream of French draught animals, if the ac- knowledged equine standards of France may be pre- sumed to know anything upon the subject. Dr. Vanhoorebeke has now 40 head of his cele- brated horses at his beautiful place in the environs of Monmouth. Since engaging as an importer of these aniii als, he has crossed the Atlantic Ocean 49 times. He was first married in his native country, when about 35 years of age, to Hortense Adelaide Wouvver- mans, who died in 1855, leaving four children, one of whom, a son, has since died; another, a daughter, is in Europe, and two are now living in the United States. At Kingston, Mo., the Doctor was again married, Aug. 18, 1866, to Mmle. Henriette Biart, a highly educated and accomplished young lady, native of Belgium, and daughter of French parents. Their three children are named respectively, Adolphe, Florence and Alida. Adolphe has been attending school in France for the past four years, but is now a student at Monmouth College. Mrs. Vanhoorebeke was born at Antwerp, Jan. 28, 1849, and belongs also to a distinguished family whose several members occupy high and honorable positions. Mr. Constant Biart, the cousin of Mrs. A. G. Vanhoorebeke, is a learned lawyer, a Senator, and President of the aim houses and orphan asy- lums at Antwerp, Belgium, and is much honored; and many of this family occupy in France and Bel- gium places of honor and distinction. Mrs. Van- hoorebeke was the third in order of birth of a family of ten children. Her parents came to this country in 1864, and settled in Iowa, where they re- mained about a year. They then came to this State, and after a stay of two years moved to Kan- sas, where they remained one year and then re- turned to Europe. After remaining in the land of their nativity for a period of two years, they again set sail for America. Since then the family have resided in various places in this country, and at this writing (January, 1886) the father is in California with one of his sons, Victor, wiio is a surgeon in the regular army, but now on a leave of aljsence. Dr. Biart is a graduate of the St I-ouis Medical College. The mother of Mrs. Vanhoorebeke is of Holland ex- traction and is now living in Omaha with one of her daughters. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Biart, four are deceased. Of the others, Celina married Herman Hoffman and resides in Leaven- worth, Kan. ; Hortense married Joseph Haag, and also lives at that place; Charlotte m.irried Dr. Charles Biart and resides in Omaha; Henry is now living at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. Dr. Vanhoorebeke, as we see, is a believer in orig- ' nal qualities, and has in every circumstance applied this immutable principle. The portrait of Dr. Vanhoorebeke, appearing on a preceding page, will be welcomed by the pitrons of the Warren County Album with as much satisfac- tion as the publishers experience in adding it to the unexceptional collection presented in this ivork. dward L. Blodgett, a fanner of this county, having a good title to 2S0 acres of land, located on sections 4 and 9, Hale Township, where he resides and is engaged in its cultivation, was born in Orleans County, N. v., Feb. 4, 1834. He received a common school education in Indiana, his parents having re- moved to that State when he was but six years of age. In the latter State, Edward L. lived, labored and developed into manhood. One year after at- taining his majority, in 1856, he came to this State, lJL: r ^ t* 472 iVARREN COUNTY. locating in Henderson County, where he resided for upwards of a year, engaged in farming, then return- ed to Indiana. Two years lie remained in the Hoos- ier State, and in the spring of i860 came back to Illinois, this time locating in Warren County. On coming to this county, Mr. Blodgett worked out for about four years, when he settled in Hale Township. He was a soldier in the late civil war, having enlisted Feb. 20, 1864, in the Tenth 111. Vet. Inf., and served his country for about 18 months. He was engaged in all the battles in which his com- pany took part, participating in the grand review at Washington; was with Sherman in his march to the sea, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. He then returned to Warren County, and engaged in the vocation of agriculture, and has lived here following that occupation until the present time. The major portion of his land is under an advanced state of cultivation. The marriage of Mr. Blodgett dates July 3, 1866, at whicli time, in Henderson County, Miss Dolly Vanwinkle became his wife. She was born in Jeffer- son Co., Iowa, and has borne her husband eight > children, whose names are recorded as follows: Wilson M., Joseph R., Margaret, Mary B., Edward L., Clara, James A. and Emma. Mrs. Blodgett is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and her husband politically is a be- liever in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. jleri Eodgers Graham, M. D., a medical practitioner at Little York, was born in the township of Hale, in Warren County, Aug. 24, 1854. His parents are pioneers of the township where he was born, and are John R. and. Mary (Rodgers) Graham. Dr. Graham obtained a good common-school edu- cation as a foundation, in his boyhood, and after- wards attended Monmouth Academy one year. In 1878, he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of the medical firm of Hamilton, MarsTiall & Holiiday, at Monmouth. Alter leaving their office, he matriculated at Rush Medical College in Chicago, and took his degree as M. I), at that institution in 1881. He inaugurated his careeer as a physician and surgeon at Cameron, in his native county, and oper- ated there two years. Since 1883, he has prosecuted the business of his profession at Little York. He is building u[) a popular and prosperous practice, and his thorough preparation for the responsibilities of the calling to which he has devoted his life, is fast winning for him the confidence of a substantial pat- ronage. In political belief and relations, Dr. Graham is a Democrat. The marriage of Dr. Graham to Miss Emma Alcock, was celebrated Feb. 14, 1880. They have one child, named Frederick. The motlier was born in Saffolkshire, England. The Doctor and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. jf'ohn Coddington, holding a good title to If 200 acres of A No. i land, located on sec- "^ tion 15, Berwick Township, where he re- ■ sides and is engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, was born in Warren County, Ohio, .Aug. 9, 1S28. He is a son of Wm. Codding- ton, born in the State of Maryland, and who married Miss Naonia Ervin. She died in 1828, after having borne her iuisband nine children — Anner, Polly, Sarah, Angeline, Eliza, Benjamin, Samuel, James and John. John Coddington, the subject of this notice, was married to Miss Emily Whitman, in 1851, in this Stale. She was born in Warren County, Dec. 23, 1834, and was the daughter of Wm. Whitman, a pioneer settler of this county. She died March 30, 1880, and of her union with Mr. Coddington the fol- lowing children were born: Naonia, March 17, 1852 ; Wm. C, Aug. 9, 1854; Harriet A., Nov. 12, 1856; Ella M., Oct. 7, 1858; Etta, March i, i860; Elmer E., Jan. 6, 1862 ; Mattie, March 25, 1866; Frank B., Aug. 23, 1869; Cora B., July 22, 1872. Three of whom are deceased, namely : Naoma, who died April 20, 1854; Wm. C, July 31, 1855, and Harriet A., Sept. 29, 1857. The second marriage of Mr. Coddington occurred vr ^ Residence or M.S. Rees, Sec. 32., Kelly Township. Residenceof Aaron Yarde, Alexis. <4r WARREN COUNTY. 47S April 26, 1883, at which time Mrs. Julia Williams, born Jan. 9, 1850, became his wife. They have one child, Roy, born April 19, 1884. Mr. Coddington is pleasantly situated on a fine farm of 200 acres, and he has the same under an advanced state of cultivation. On the place is a good resi- dence, two stories in height, surrounded by good sub- stantial outbuildings. In addition to the cultivation of his land, Mr. Coddington is devoting considerable of his time to the raising of fine stock, his specialty being the Short-horn, of which he has 27 head ; and in the raising of fine horses, his specialty is the Nor- man. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Coddington votes with the Republican party. 4 ^!## -^ aron Yarde, a well-known and highly re- [ spected resident of Alexis, is a pioneer of " Warren County of 1847. He is a native of Somersetshire, England, and was born Nov. II, 1810. His father was a farmer and he was brought up on the same place where his ancestors had lived for many years. He was the second in order of birth of a family of five children, namely: John, who was married to Mary A. Cle- ment, a native of Somersetshire, England, and the mother of four children ; Mary A. became the wife of Isaac Hooper, and was the mother of eight children ; she is now deceased. Moses died at the age of 23 years; Daniel resides in his native place and is married to Miss Mary Rowland. They have a family of nine children. The maiden name of Mr. Yarde's mother was Ann Cousins, who was the daughter of Bartholomew and Mary (Hawkins) Cousins, both of whom were born in 1778. The father died when Aaron was 17 years old, and he was then at liberty to choose a business in which he hoped to do better than as a farmer. He apprenticed himself to learn the trade of a stone- cutter and a general stone-mason, and followed that business 12 vearj, in his native shire. After that, until 1843, he was occupied in farming. In April of the year named he sailed for this country. He was accompanied by his wife and five children, aud the family took passage from Plymouth. They crossed the ocean in a merchant vessel and landed at the port of New Yoik after a voyage of six weeks. From New York they went direct to Geauga Co., Ohio. Mr. Yarde bought a farm of 45 acres at the rate of $8.50 per acre. About one-third was under the plow, and the remainder was not cleared of the natural forest. Mr. Yarde built a small frame house sufficient for the accommodation of his household and proceeded to the work of removing the forest growth. He cleared 15 acres. In the spring of 1847 l''s sold his place for $10 an acre. While he lived there, in addition to the work of clearing the acreage mentioned, he had been engaged in work at his trade also. After making sale of his land he came to Warren County. He bought 80 acres of land on section 3, on what was then designated Town- ship 12, and is now named Kelly Township. The whole place was entirely without improvements and the proprietor proceeded first of all to erect a struc- ture for the shelter of his family. He built a small log house and stables, and broke and fenced 25 acres. He retained the ownership of the place until 1850, when he sold out and bought a farm on section 10, in the same township. It had been improved to some extent, a frame house had been built on it, and it was all fenced. Mr. Yarde built a good barn and other farm-buildings and planted fruit and shade trees. The place contained 160 acres, and at the time he determined to sell it, it was in an excellent condition for profitable operations. In 1872 Mr. Yarde came to Alexis and took pos- session of the residence which is now occupied by his family. He is still an extensive landholder and the proprietor of a farm comprising 160 acres in Mercer County, situated two and a half miles from the village of Alexis. He also owns 17 acres of valu- able land adjoining the place where he resides. Mr. Yarde was married May 7, 1835, to Charlotte Cousins. She was the daughter of Bartholomew and Jane (Sweet) Cousins, and a native of Somersetshire, England. She was born Nov. 12, 1806. Of the eight children of whom they became the parents, six are yet living. Caroline H. is married to John M. Richardson, now deceased. She resides in Iowa and has seven children. Jessie, the widow of Charles Pine, resides in Kelly Township, and has a family of six children. Lucy is the wife of Isaac R. Greene, LAJ" A 476 . "y. WARREN COUNTY. ^ r of Galesburg, 111., and has a family of seven chil- dren. Albert lives in Kelly Township, on tiie old farm and was married to Eliza Lyddon ; they have five children. Charlotte is married to B. F. Gilmore, of Nodaway Co., Mo. Charles F. P. is a citizen of Alexis, and a sketch of his business relations appears on anotlier paf;e. Mrs. Yarde died Oct. 6, 1870, on the old homestead in Kelly Township. Mr. Yarde contracted marriage a second time with Patience M. (Fraber) Allen, March 7, 1872. They were married in Knox t"o.,Ill. She was the widow of Nelson Allen, ftlrs. Yarde is a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., where she was born July 4, 1810. She is the daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Herrick) Fraber; the former wns a native of Germany and came to this country when quite young. The mother was born in New York, of English ancestry. Mrs. Yarde was the mother of three children by her first husband, all of whom died in infancy. She has a great fond- ness for children, and has reared no less than five, whom she has taken by adoption. Among the many views of residences given in the pictorial department of this Album may be found that of Mr. Yarde on page 474. ^.w^«\tacje>©>l@« @*^<3fOT»v.'\/v\~ Joseph W. Vorwick. The only manufac- turer of the Vorwick celebrated road-cart is located at Monmouth, where he began in a limited way to operate a shop u[)on his own responsibility in 1879. He first opened out as a repairer of all sorts of veiiicles, his capital consisting of his strength and skill, Init from the very beginning, almost, the capacity of his shop showed increasing business, until he now stands at the head as a manufacturer in his line in this coun- try. The patent of Mr. Vorwick, being an anti-horse motion road-cart, is the nearest a perfect success that has ever been reached in that most useful and economical of all vehicles. Mr. Vorwick was born at Fort Madison, Iowa, Feb. i. 1849, and was the eldest of five sons born to Joseph and Elizabeth Vor- wick, natives of Germany. He was schooled at Fort Madison and Burlington, Iowa, and at the latter place, when about 1 6 years of age, began the trade of carriage painter, which he perfected at Galesburg, 111 , some three years later. From 21 to 29 years of age, Mr. Vorwick did "jour" work through the vari- ous cities of the country, and in 1875 planted him- self at Monmouth, with the determination to man a shop of his own by the time he should arrive at the age of 30 years. That he succeeded has already ap- peared. In addition to tlie Vorwick Road-Cart, he manufactures all sorts of first class carriages and buggies, and the truth compels us to place his name in the Album as the representative man, in iiis line, at the city of Monmouth. Mr. Vorwick was married at Monmouth, in 1876, to Miss Jennie Eilenberger, daughter of Daniel Eil- enberger, who died while a soldier in the Union army. Mr. and Mrs. Vorwick have two children — Ida and Maudie. -o-S- ■g>-«- '(^ddUlliam S. Paxton, a nioneer carpenter, i^a!i.W contractor and builder, at Monmouth, was jl^!n ^°'^" '"^^ ^°^^ Bridge Co., Va., Dec. 22, J^Y 181 1. His fathe-, ^Villiam Paxton, was a " ' native of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch- Irish ancestry. His mother, Margaret (Struthers) Paxton, was born in Scotland. The sen- ior William Paxton was a farmer, and brought his four sons up to that occupation. The family removed from Virginia to Ohio in 1812, and resided there up to 1 83 1, at which time they came to Monmouth, set- tling soon afterward on a farm six miles northwest from town, where the old gentleman died in March, 1861, in the 82d year of his age. His wife died in 1845, when about 6? years of age. William S. Paxton received a fair education at Xenia, Ohio, and from 16 up to 18 years of age, worked at milling. He then learned the carpenter's trade and followed it almost without interruption un- til 1854. Since tlie latter date he has been engaged in wagon making. As a carpenter and contractor he erected the first court house in Warren County, and roofed the first hotel. He returned to Ohio, in 1854, and lived in Erie County ten years. While there he enlisted in the Third Ohio Cavalry, but be- *t r ■ cT-1- . .y-. . ■ WARREN COUNTY. Ju 477 fore muster was disabled by falling off his horse, and consequently saw no service in the war. The subject of our sketch was married in Erie County, Ohio, to Almira Harrison, wlio was born in Amsterdam, Montgomery Co., N. Y., April 7, 1815, and their only child, a daughter, Ella, is now (Octo- ber, 1885) an accomplished teacher in the public schools of Nebraska. Mr. Paxton has long been a member of the Pres- byterian Church. Was an old line Whig, from the the funeral of which party he joined the Republican procession. It will be seen by the date of his arrival here, that he was indeed an early settler, and he probably had more to do with the very inception of the town of Monmouth than any other man living. In fact his brother and F. B. Talbot, now living in Iowa, broke the first ground for the erection of the first building at this place. We should not forget to mention that he was Adjutant of the First Warren County regiment of Illinois Militia, in 18,34, and was connected with the organization until it was disbanded. ^ rs. Mary Osborn is a pioneer of Warren County, and is one of the oldest living of £. ''\he early settlers of Sumner Township. She «as born in Gallia Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1810, 'X and is the daughter of Daniel and Annie (Thorp) Moler. She is the daughter of pioneer parents, who located in the earliest period in the county in which she was born, and they lived there until 1825. In that year they went to Indiana and located about six miles from La Fayette. There their daughter was married to James Moffit. Their union took place Oct. 16, 1828. Her husband was born in the vicinity of Zanesville, in the Buckeye State. They lived in Indiana until the fall of 1832, and started thence for Illinois with an o.\-team. They had at that time two children. They took with them the machinery for housekeeping and performed all the duties relating to the business of living on the route. When they arrived at the Illinois River, on their way, they determined to pitch their tent there for the winter. They moved into a vacant log house -^ • -Xj and when the spring opened they again yoked their oxen and pushed forward to Warren County. Mr. Moffit made a claim on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 19, in the (then) township 12, now Sumner Township. He proceeded to cut logs, and built a shelter of the primitive kind, common to pioneers. They were well off for cows, having driven three from Indiana. These furnished a good portion of their living while on the road and after their arrival at the places where they took up their abode. On the 8th day of June, 1832, Mr. Moffit suddenly died. In the midst of the newly made widow's dis- tress, the Indian difficuhies that preceded the out- break of the Black Hawk War made it necessary to put aside every other consideration. A block-house was erected for the protection of the settlers and for some time '.he women and children were kept in it for safety, while the men were in the fields. They were there when the murder of William Martin oc- curred, and saw the savages when they rushed from the field where their victim had been at work, bear-- ing aloft the scalp. Mrs. Moffit was terrified and took one of her children in her arms and fled into an adjoining corn field. Her sister took the other-< and followed her. They ran into a field of buck- wheat, where they laid down. They were in terror lest the children should cry out and reveal their hid- ing place. But the little ones kept still, and vifhen the other men of the settlement returned from the fields they went back to the block-house. Many of the women remained in the block-house until the termination of the Black Hawk War, and the defeat of the haughty chief who instigated it converted the Indians into fiends and made them subservient to the whites for personal considerations. Mrs. Osborn remained in the block-house until the fall of the year, when shs again took possession of her cabin home. She was its occupant until her second marriage, but the land was managed by rent- ers. Aug. 2r, 1834, she became the wife of John C. Osborn. He was born in North Carolina, Mar. 30, 1804. He passed the early years of his life there, and was married while he remained in the State of his nativity. His first wife survived her marriage but a short time. In 1832 he came to Warren County. He made iiis first location near Monmouth. When he married his second wife he became the manager of her estate and continued to attend to its interests ;sts 1 -£4^ 478 WARREN COUNTY. n until his death. Under his care it greatly increased in value and he erected a fine set of farm buildings on it. He died March i8, 1874. The children of Mrs. Osborn by Iier first husband are both deceased. George P., Permelia A., Mary Jane, John M., Sarah E and Maria are the names of those who were born of the second marriage. 'I'iie oldest is the manager of the homestead of his mother "> i)f(|IHlliam A. Mitchell. Among the promi- PAl) iit;nt citizens of Hale Township, as well as * successful fiinners, we [)lace the name of '' William k. Mitchell. He has a clear title to 240 acres of good farm land, in an ad- ' vanced slate of cultivation, located on section 3, Hale Toivnship, where he is engaged in the voca- tion of his life. He is a native of Ohio, having been born in Oreene County, that State, July 13, 1838. When William A. Mitchell was about five years of age, his parents moved to this county, and here, in the public schools, he received his education, alter- nating his studies therein with labor on the farm. We say his education was acquired in the public schools, but it was only the rudimentary portion of the same, for he supplemented it by a course of two years' study at Monmouth College. Soon after the Southern Slates had seceded and had demonstrated their intent, by firing on Sumter, and President Lincoln had called for troops to aid in the perpetuity of the Union, Mr. Mitchell responded. He enlisted in August, 1861, in the 36111 111. Vol. Inf, and for four years and three months did valiant service in the Union Army. He enlisted as a pri- vate in Co. C, and was promoted to Second Lieu- tenant of the same company. After participating in all the battles in which his regiment engaged, Mr. M. was mustered out of service at New Orleans, Oct. 8, 1865, whereupon he returned to this county, entered upon the peaceful pursuits of a farmer and has continued to reside here until the present lime. The marriage of Mr. Mitchell to Miss Sarah E. Caldwell, was solenmized in Sumner Township, March 8, 1866. Mrs. Mitchell was born in the township in which she was married, Sei)t. 5, 1S48. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are: Frank M., Robert J., Mary E., Effie D. T., Fred- relta I. and Minerva J. Mr. Mitchell, in politics, votes with the Republi- can party. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner and School Director, and, socially, is a member of Post No. 81, G. A. R., at Kirkwood. He and his wife are members of the United Presby- terian Church. The parents of Mr. Mitchell, Robert K. and Rachel E. (Townsley) Mitchell, were natives of Ohio. They came to this county in 1843, ^"t' ''^^ mother died in Hale Township, July 14, 1851, and the father in the same township, Jan. 5, 1865. Their family comprised four children, of whom William A. is the eldest. The parents of Mrs. Mitchell, Thomas J. and Mary (Allen) Caldwell, were natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. They were married and settled in this county, where her mother died July 29, 1868. Her father yet survives and lives in Sum- ner Township. We give a view of the residence and ' farm building on page 474. The grandfather of Mr. Mitchell was of Scotch- 1 Irish origin. 'i'he grandmother was of English ori"in. E. Lamphere a successful farmer, resid- K' ing on section 36, Tompkins Township, where he is the owner of 180 acres of good farm land, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 7, 1843, and is the son of Washington and Mary (Hall) Lamphere. The parents were natives of New York, from which State they came to Illinois, settling in Greenbush Township, where they remained for two years and where the father was engaged in far.ning. From the latter [)Iace the father moved to Tompkins Township and became the owner of 80 acres of land located on sec- tion ti. He settled on this land with his family and entered actively upon his labors as an agricul- turist, and, by economy and laborious effort, suc- ceeded in accumulating sufficient to purchase an additional 240 acres. He, with his family, continued to reside on his land in Tompkins Township until *x V ^ ^ %c^ JeH ^ T ± :^^!:-4-^ WARREN COUNTY. 481 he passed to the land beyond the river, his demise occurring in 1872. J. E. Lamphere, the gentleman of whom we write, assisted his father on the farm, and received the ad- vantages afforded by the common schools, develop- ing into manhood. On arriving at the age of 25 years, he left the parental homestead and purchased 80 acres of land on section 36, where he is to-day residing, actively engaged in following his chosen vocation, that of an agriculturist. Possessing the same qualities as his father before him, of saving what he made, he has been enabled to add to his original purchase until he is at present the owner of 180 acres in Tompkins Township. He has just completed a fine residence, costing $2,200, and in addition to the cultivation of his land he is engaged to some extent in stock-raising. Mr. Lamphere was united in marriage in 1867, with Miss Emma, the accomplished daughter of A. B. Billings, by whom he had two children — Ralph, - who was born March 12, 1867 ^ and Grant, who was born Feb. 5, 187 i. At the present writing they both are living at home. The wife and mother died in . 1880, and Mr. Lamphere was a second time married, the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, suc- I cesses and reverses, being Miss Mary Efnor, a native I of this State and a daughter of George and Harriet Efnor. Politically, Mr. Lamphere votes the Republican ticket, and, in reHgion, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. JSenjamin H. Gardner is a pioneer of War- 2^ ren County of 1834. He is a native of Virginia, and accompanied his parents to Kentucky when he was a mere lad. In the fall of the year named, in company with a considerable number of persons who, with himself, were desirous of finding a location in a free State, he came to Illinois. They came with ox teams and wagons, brought their provisions with them, and lived while en route in the Gipsy fashion. They arrived in Monmouth, Warren Co. Nov. 3, and Mr. Gardner built his own cabin in township 1 2, range I, (Kelly Township) and in March, 1835, went to this township and made a claim of 125 acres of land on section 30. When the land came into market, he went to Quincy and secured it by purchase from the Gov- ernment. He built a log cabin on the place the same season, and the farm has been his property ever since. He has been, meanwhile, a resident of Abingdon in Knox County, but has never relin- quished the management of the farm. He removed to Knox County to give his children the benefit of the schools there. He has been the owner of other tracts of lawd and at one time was the proprietor of more than 400 acres in Kelly Township. His prop- erty is well improved and supplied with excellent farm buildings. The year after he settled in Kelly Township, Mr. Gardner went on horseback to Greenbush, a dis- tance of 25 miles, to procure iron to make a plow, and brought the material back with him in a sack. He then obtained the services of a blacksmith in making a " barshare" plow. In 1836 he opened one of the first coal banks in Warren County. It is lo- cated on section 30, and the blacksmiths for a dis- • tance of 25 miles around came there for their supplies of coal. Mr. Gardner was born July 14, 181 1, in Louisa County in the "Old Dominion." He is the fifth son of William and Catherine (Hollen) Gardner, both of whom were born in the same State in which their son first saw the liglit of day. Their parents were of English origin. They removed to Kentucky in 1815, crossing the intervening mountains with their team of four horses. They located in Warren Co., Ky., and were among the first of the settlers there. Two of the uncles of Mr. Gardner, Asa and Reuben, were soldiers in the War of 181 2. The former was a lieutenant. The advantages for the education of children in Kentucky were then very limited, and consisted of such as the common schools of that State at that time afforded. Mr. Gardner went from three to four miles on foot daily for the few months yearly in which it was possible for him to do so, and studied in a log school-house which had no windows. He was 23 years old when he started from his home for the purpose of finding a place to live beyond the line of slavery, which he believed to be the " sum of -JTJ^l r ^ 482 WARREN COUNTY. all villanies." He was a Democrat, but nevertheless an abolitionist of the most decided type, and a Free- State man. He left home on the 7th of October, as has been stated, and arrived in Monmouth Nov. 3 following. His marriage to Jemima R. Wallace took place Jan. I, 1835. She was born in Warren Co., Ky., April 27, 1 8 16, and was the daughter of William and Nancy (Smith) Wallace. She died Feb. 4, 1861, after giving birth to nine children. Nancy C. is the wife of H. J. Adcock, of Kelly Township; William is deceased; Mary A. married A. M. Johnston, of Nodaway Co., Mo.; Robert is a citizen of Fremont Co., Iowa; Amanda is deceased; George W. lives in the township of Cold Brook; Rebecca is not liv- ing; Benjamin F. has been dead some years ; Ben- jamin E. lives in Kelly Township. Aug. 23, 1864, the father was again married, Mary A. Deatherage becoming his wife. She was born in North Carolina, in Stokes County, March 28, 1824. She was the daughter of Achillis and Susan (Death- erage) Deatherage, who were of English ancestry, and was third in order of birth of a family of 13 chil- dren, six of whom are living. She came to this county with her parents, who first settled in Mc- Lean Co., 111., in 1832. Here they remained for four years, when they pushed further northward and found a desirable location in Knox County. Mrs. Gardner was first married Oct. 14, 1841, to Samuel F. Patton, and by him became the mother of four children, two of whom are now living — ^(Jeorge W,, one of the county officials of Johnson County, and Julia, the wife of G. W. Gardner, of Cold Brook Township. Myra is the name of the only child of the second marriage. She married Emmet Barnett and now lives in Cold Brook Township. Mr. Gard- ner is a member of the Christian Church at Talbot. There are few men in Warren County more widely known or liighly esteemed than " Uncle Benjamin Gardner." He is one of the venerable pioneers who located here before the hand of civilization had dis- turbed the magnificent scenery of prairie and wood- land. The green flowery carpet which covered tlie undulating surface of the broad prairies, skirted by forests and groves, must have formed a delightful aspect. The beautiful native flowers and the tall prairie grass have given place to fertile fields. All is changed, and no doubt the pioneers often long to behold the unsurpassed beauties of the scenery so common to them for a long time after they came here. As one of the most worthy of the pioneers, and a truly representative citizen of Warren County, the portrait of" Uncle Ben" Gardner is presented in this volume. -«4=r^=r=fE^ ^l^^l ndrew W. Simmons, owner of 479 acres of ^^^^Ji land, all of which is located in Greenbush ^'i^iM Township, except a tract of 80 acres, which j!!}4k lies in Berwick Township, resides on section 8, of the former township. He is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Warren Co., that State, Sept. 2, 181 6. He came to Illinois with his parents in October, 1816. The father of Mr. Simmons, James Simmons, married Miss Sarah Slice, in 1815, in Kentucky. She was born in 1798, in that State, where her husband also first saw the light, in 1795. They both died in this township, the father in 1873 and tiie mother in 1855. Of their union 12 cliildren were born — Andrew W., Sally, R. M., Alfred W., Francis M.,C. R., William J., Nancy, Joanna, Diana, Arminda and M. V. W. Of this large family, eight survive; W. J., Sally, Nancy and Martin having passed to another world. James Simmons came to Illinois in 18 16, and set- tled in Madison County, near Troy, remaining there till 1833, when he removed to Warren County and located on wliat is now known as Greenbush Town- ship, on section 5. He is credited with building the third house in that section of the county. Mrs. Sim- mons was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lee) Brooks. Her father was born in the State of Virginia, Feb. 22, 1791. The family came to War- ren County in 1836, settling in Berwick Township, where they both died, the father Sept. 19, 1842, and the mother Feb. 19, 1847. The fruits of their union were six children, four of whom survive. The subject of this biographical notice formed a matrimonial alliance March 2, 1848, with Miss Ase- nath Brooks. She was born in Warren County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1825, and has l)orne her husband seven chil- dren, namely : Thompson F., Alfred, James, William W., Amanda, Freeman and Rowland. Of the chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Simmons, Thomas F. married i* ^ WARREN COUNTY. i* 483 Emily Hahn, and two olive-branches have blessed their union. Alfred lives at home. James is a farm- er in Berwick Township, and the head of a family, his wife's maiden name being Margaret Holeman. Amanda, the eldest daughter, is the wife of Charles C. Ray, and has borne him one child. VVm. W., Alfred Freeman and Rowland M. reside on the old home- stead. Mr. Simmons is the owner of 479 acres of land, 80 of which is located in Berwick Township, and the remainder in Greenbush. All of this large tract is under an advanced state of cultivation. He has a brick front residence on his home farm, 60 x 40 feet in dimensions and two stories in height, which was built in 1848. The place is also improved with a good barn, of commodious dimensions, which is 36 feet long by 30 feet in width. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is interested in the propa- gation of a superior grade of cattle. Mr. Simmons and wife are members of the old school Baptist Church. Mr. Simmons was elected Supervisor from Greenbush Townsnip, and has held that office for the past 17 years, being re-elected to the position last April by a large majority. He has also served r6 years as Justice of the Peace; as Collector, 11 years, and has held minor offices in his township for the past 25 years. In his politics, he supports the Democratic plat- form. Considering that his accumulations are the reward of his own indomitable energy and persever- ance, and that he is to-day the possessor of a com- petency, we are enabled in this work to justly record that the subject of our sketch is a model representa- tive of his class, not only in Greenbush, but also in Warren County. fW^^avid Terpenning, is a citizen of Kelly j' 6a^^l^> Township, and came to Warren County ^ loiy- within the first year of his life, with his par- j*]«< entSjOf whom an account is given on other ^J^ pages of this work in connection with the 5 sketch of another son. (See sketch of John P. Terpenning ) He was born Dec. 23, 1835, in the township of Clifton Park, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. He came to this township and county in 1836, and grew to the age of manhood within its limits. He lived with his father and mother until he was 31 years of age, and was most of the time, particularly at first, engaged in the pursuits of the farm. He was occupied also in the capacity of a collector, and traveled in the States of Illinois and Iowa. His marriage to Catherine J. Kiger took place Feb. 25, i8!;6. Their children are named Albert L., Jes- sie A.. Ulysses G., Perley D., iNIindwell E., Jennie M. and Daisy R. Mrs. Terpenning was born Oct. 17, 1836, in Gal- ia, O., and removed from there to Stark Co., in 1839. A few years later another removal of her family was ef- fected to Kno.x County. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Terpenning settled on the farm on which they are now living. It is a part of the home- stead of his father, and is in good agricultural con- dition. In 1875 his buildings and the timber stand- ing on his farm were badly injured by a tornado which swept over the place. His loss was estimated at $3,000. IlUam Meachum, the possessor of a good ■' title to 1 60 acres of land located on section ,,^ 21, Berwick Township, is a native of Liv- ^> ingston Co., N. Y., where he was born Aug. 22, 1843. He came to this State with his I ' parents in 1854, and since that time has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. In fact, we may say he has spent his life until this date in that vocation. Mr. Meachum was married Jan. 26, 1870, to Miss Mary M. Griffith, who was born in Indiana, July 23, 1840. She was the daughter of Judah Griffith, a native of New York, where he was born in 1796. Her father was of Scotch ancestry and moved from New York to Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, with his brother, where he remained until 1839, when, in company with his brother and some six other fam- ilies, he moved to a small town in Indiana, called Cadiz. At the latter place lie remained some three years, working at the boot and shoe trade, and then, in 1842, came to this State and located near La Harpe, Hancock County. In 1848 he left that sec- jl^_ 4^ ■*-4h- 484 WARREN COUNTY. tion and came to Warren County, where he resided until 1876, when he moved to Fremont Co., Iowa, and there followed his chosen vocation, agriculture, until the date of his death, in r88i. He was mar- ried to Miss Maria Rockwell, who was born in York State in 1808. She died in 1851, in this county, leaving to the care of her husband nine children namely: Patterson, Griffith, Eveline, Armina, Ma- linda, Carlos, Mary M., Ardin, Ambrose, Ansel and Phebe. William Meachum and his wife are the parents of four children — Riley, born Sept. 8, 187 i ; Pearl P , April 21, 1873; Lucina E., Dec. 22, 1875; and Laura B., Oct. 21, 1877. Mr. Meachum is pleas- antly situated on his fine farm of 160 acres on sec- tion 21, Berwick Township, and in addition to his agricultural duties, is devoting considerable of his time to the raising of Norman horses. In politics, he votes with and endorses the principles advocated by the Greenback party. #^ . ohn E. Alexander, attorney and counsellor 1^" at law, at Monmouth, was born in Freder- ick Co., Md., March 4, 1833. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Beckenbaugh) Al- exander, natives of Maryland and Pennsyl- vania respectively and of English and German extraction. They reared seven sons and one daugh- ter, John E. being the third in order of birth. The senior John Alexander, whose father, Jacob A., was a Colonel in the American Army in the War of 18 1 2, was a carpenter by trade, but he failed lo transmit any great deal of love for hard labor to the junior Jolin. In fact, it is not known that he wished to, for it ajjpears that the youth was kept pretty closely at school. He received a good preparatory training in the High Schools at Middletown, Md., and graduated with honors from Franklin and Mar- shall College, at Lancaster, Pa., in the class of 1853. For ten years succeeding his graduation he taught school as a profession, the two years of 1853-54 be- ing as Professor of English Branches at the Landon Military Academy at Urbana, Md. Tire dis- tinguished General John R. Jones, afterwards of Confederate fame, was the founder of the academy and was its principal. Col. John F. Keenan, Pro- fessor of Languages and Tactics, was in the Mexican War and served on Gen. Butler's Staff. Col. Keenan was also the author of the 39 articles or the " Code of Honor." In 1857-8, Prof Alexander was Principal of the Mercersburg (Pa.) Female Seminary, and in May, 1859, came to Monmouth and taught school for about a year in the basement of what is now Unity Church. From i860 to 1863, he clerked for E. S. Sweeney in the County Clerk's office, and in 1863-4 had charge of the Sheriflfs office, under Riggs. In 1864-70 he was engaged in the hardware trade, and in the latter year, in company with Col. Robert HoUoway, laid out the town of Alexandria, now known as Alexis. He was tlie first inhabitant of the place and first agent there of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. While in the County Clerk's office he began the study of law, which he dropped for a few years ; took it up again, was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1877, and began practice at Alexis, from whence he came to Monmouth in 1883, and has occupied a most honorable position at the District Bar. Though coming late into the practice, his superior education and most thorough business training made the otherwise devious roads lo an elevated position in the first profession in the land, to him one of comparative ease. He is regarded as a painstaking, careful lawyer, and an able advocate. He has been the recipient of no gratuities; whatever of this world's goods he has acquired, and his pos- sessions are ample, he has earned by individual effort and energy. In politics, he is a staunch adherent to the prin- ciples of Democracy, and while an active worker in the interests of that great party, he is in no wise an aspirant to any official preferment. He was one of the founders of the Warren County Library, and is at this writing a Director in its Board. Mr. Alexander was married in Washington Co., Md., Feb. 24, 1857, to Miss Mary C. Reichard (see biography of J. T. Reichard in this volume), and has had borne to him three children, namely: Bertha (Mrs. C. T. Page), Edward D. and Anna M. To- gether with his family, he is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and in Masonry, Mr. A. is a prominent member of the Chicago Consistory. *X T 4^4t!^ r VTmzi; WARREN COUNTY. -^--^ 485 4 ^aj. William G. Bond, a citizen of Mon- mouth, retired from active business, was ' born in Jackson County, Ala., April 2, 1823, and is a son of Major John C. and tMary (Grimsley) Bond, natives of Tennessee, who combined in their make-up the blood of Celt and Teuton. (See biography of John C. Bond). The subject of this sketch accompanied his father to Warren County in 1S34, and grew to manhood upon the farm ; in fact, he followed farming uninter- ruptedly up to 1862, and left it only to join the army in defense of his country. Aug. 26, 1862, Mr. Bond became Captain of Co. H, 83d 111. Vol. Inf. In Feb- ruary, 1863, he was promoted to Major of the same regiment and was in full command thereof from June, 1863, until he was mastered out of the ser- vice, at Nashville, Tenn., June 23, 1865. His first battle was at Garrettsburg, Ky., in November, 1862 ; his second. Fort Donelson, February, 1863 ; next was with Wheeler, along the Great Louisville & Nash- ville Railway, in 1864, where they were engaged ev- ery day and sometimes twice a day for a month or more; later on at Franklin and the six weeks' fight- ing of that campaign. The Major was twice wounded at Fort Donelson, once by a minnieball and again by a shell, both times in the leg, but neither proved se- rious. From February to August, 1864, he was seri- ously ill from an attack of pneumonia, which seized him at Nashville and left him at Clarksville. Wiiile at the latter place and before sufficiently recovered to report to his command for duty, he acted as Pres- ident of the Military Course. Leaving the regular service, he went into the Quartermaster's department at Fort Donelson, and was there employed up to 1868, hunting up the dead and depositing their remains in the National Ceme- tery at that place. From here he entered the Reve- nue department and was employed as store-keeper on the Cumberland River for two years, going thence into the secret service of the Government, with head- quarters at Clarksville, Tenn., up to 1873. In Janu- ary, 1874, he returned to Monmouth, and the follow- ing December received the appointment of Deputy Sheriff, a position he filled for two years. His next and last official duty was performed as Sheriff of Warren County, being elected to that office three times in succession, namely: 1876-78 and '80, clos- ing his services in 1882. With such a record any man might be content to retire to private life. Wherever Maj. Bond has been placed, either by force of circumstances or of his vo- lition, he has done his duty, and there is in neither his military or civil career any skeleton to haunt the closet of his prosperity. Maj. Bond was first united in marriage in Joe Daviess County, this State, when about 22 years of age, to Miss Elizabeth Henry, who died in 1863, while the Major was in the army, and left four children — ^Clarissa Ann, Looney M., Jesse W. and George C. To his present wife, Mrs. Mary E. Moore, nee Taylor, he was married at Dayton, Ohio, in 1868. Maj. Bond went into the army a Democrat, but came out a Republican. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and is an officer in the G. A. R., and one of the respected and well-to-do citizens of Mon- mouth. ■ ll^artin Sorenson is a farmer in the town- ship of Spring Grove. His farm is lo- 'f^ cated on section 9, and contains 80 acres. He is the son of Andrew and Anna (Ma- thaison) Sorenson, and he was born in Schles- wig-Holstein, Denmark, now a province of Germany, March 25, r844. He is the oldest son of his parents, of whom an account is given on another page of this work in connection with that of the son and brother Frederick Sorenson. His father was a farmer in Denmark, where he was the owner of a tract of land, and the son was brought up to a knowledge of the business. He received the edu- cation common in thit country. In 1867 Mr. Sorenson came to the United States. He left the ship on which he made the voyage at Quebec, and came thence at once to Illinois. He first found employment with a farmer in Henderson County, and worked there through the first summer after his arrival. In the succeeding fall he came to Warren County and operated as a farm assistant un- til, in i87r, hewent to Burlington, Iowa, and ob- 'A^- % * 486 . Y. WARREN COUNTY. •^-^^ tained a position to work in the railroad shops at that place. After a year there he came back to Warren County. In 1874 he bought land on section 30 in tlietownshipof Spring Grove, on which he was six years resident. He then sold the place and bouglit the farm on wliich he is now living. It con- tains 80 acres, and is all practically under cultiva- tion. The buildings are good and substantial. The father of Mrs. S. died July 25, 1864. The mother is now in this country, and living witii her daughter. She was born March 20, 18 18. There were two children in tlie family; the name of the other sister is Maggie. Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson, have three children — An- drew, Annie and Thora. The mother was born in Schleswig-Holstein. Mr. Sorenson is a Demo- crat. uther C. Hibbard, a farmer on section 16 in the township of Kelly, comes of some of the best New England Stock. His ances- tors on the paternal side distinguished tiieir names in the first great struggle for their rights and carried the sign manual of their bravery from more than one battlefield of the Revolution. Luther Hibbard, his father, was born in tlie State of Vermont, or what became such, in 1791. About 1800, accompanied by his fether and three brothers, he went from liis native State to New York. They made the journey there with ox-teams and took with them all their belongings. They were among the earliest of the settlers where they located. Luther Ethernet Hibbard, the father of Luther Hibbard, was an officer in the Revolution. His sons, Luther, Harry, Shubal and Henry, bought land in tiie cele- brated " Holland Purchase " in Erie Co., N. Y. The Holland purchase included an immense tract of land in the central part of the State of New York, whicli the government gave to Robert Morris to re- imburse him for money advanced to defray the ex- penses of the Revolutionary War. When the second war with Great Gritain succeeded, father and sons all enrolled in the military service of their country. Henry became a Captain and the father a Major. A son-in-law of Major Hibbard, and Uncle by mar- riage of Mr. Hibbard of this sketch, was a Colonel and was killed by Indians in the same war. Shubal Hibbard was wounded in the arm and underwent amputation. Major Hibbard died in Erie County, about 1825. His son Luther cleared a farm in the same county and lived there until 1S32. In that year he sold out and went to Pennsylvania. He lo- cated in Warren County and remained there until 1 840. His wife had died and he started thence for Ilhnois alone, on horseback. He came direct, as nearly as he could, crossing the State of Michigan. \ He passed the first winter at Rock Island and in the spring came to Warren County. He was an inmate of tlie home of his son, the subject of this account, until his death, which took place Aug. 7, 1847. The wife of Luther Hibbard was Sarah Yaw, before her marriage to him. She was a native of New England and was the mother of a son and a daughter. The latter died at the age of 18 years. Luther G. Hibbard was two years old when his , mother died. He was cared for by his grandmother . uniil her death, at whicii time he was 15 years old. After that event he was again under the care of his fatlier. He was born May 20, 18 r 6, and was there- .' fore 24 when, in 1840, he determined to find a home ' and a field for operation as a business man in the West. He set out for Illinois o.i a raft on the Alle- gany River, and proceeded in that manner to Pitts- , burg. He made his way thence on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Rock Island, and from there to Warren County. He rented land in the township of Spring Grove, which was situated on section 25, I and passed two or thtee years as a farmer. He went next to Galena, where he beca(ne interested in the business of a butcher. He had previously operated somewhat as a buyer of groceries and leather, which he disposed of to the farmers for hides, which he sold in Cliicago. He took his first crops to that city with ox-teams, and sold his wheat for 50 cents a . bushel. He took his provisions with him and camped ; on the route. He was in business at Galena two years, and at the end of that time returned to War- ren County. ' In 1850, Mr. Hibbard bought 40 acres of land on | section 16 in Kelly townshi[), where tiiere were a few acres under the plow. He found a small frame house, which he bought and removed to his farm, and he then entered upon the further improvement of his land. His estate noiv includes 260 acres, *4r LAr; ■£ 4 ,^ WARREN COUNTY. 487 » which is in an advanced state of cultivation. In 1870 he built a large and substantial farm house, which is now the home of the family. His marriage to Esther Presson took place Feb. 26, 1848. Her father, Samuel Presson, was born in Vermont, and the birthplace of her mother was in Massachusetts. The name of the latter before her marriage was Esther Wiswell. Mrs. Hibbard was born in Windham Co., Vt., April 20, 1825. After their marriage, herself and husband located in Che- nango Co., N. Y., fixing their abode there about 1830. In 1844 they came to Warren County and settled in Kelly Township. The life of the father terminated in 1852 ; that of the mother ended in 1854. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard are now five in number. Scoville L. is a resident in Kelly Township. Fannie is the wife of William McCulloch, of the same part of Warren County. Lucy A. is a teacher and resides at home. The two youngest are named Clark G. and Charles L. The first-born child, Edwin L., died at the age of two months. George, the second in order, died at four months of age. Henry Samuel was born July 4, 1852, and died Feb. 27, 1883. Mr. Hibbard was Postmaster at Ionia ten years, and his daughter Lucy was his successor. She served two years. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of education and has give, his children the advantages of the colleges at Abingdon and Galesburg. He has acted as Director, and has assessed the township twice. In political affinity and belief, he is a Democrat. The members of the family belong to the Advent Church. i^enry L. Harrington, M. D., at Mon- iil mouth, was born at St. Tohnsbury, Vt., Dec. Zf^ 28, 1846. His parents, Jubal and Harriet (Locke) Harrington, were natives of Massachu- setts and New Hampshire respectively, and were descended from Irish ancestry. They had two sons and one daughter, and Mrs. Harrington died when the subject of our sketch was about five years of age. His father died at Vineland, N. J., in 1869, at the age of 64 years. Dr. Harrington received his literarv education at Brookfield (Mass.) Academy, and began the study of medicine when 24 years of age, at Toulon, 111. He graduated from Rush Medical College, in the spring of 1875. After graduating he spent 18 months as resident physician at Cook County Hospital. He came to Warren County, in 1877, and located for the practice of his profession at Little York, where he remained upward of four years. In the spring of 1882, he went to Europe and spent one year in the various great hos- pitals of London, traveling through France and Italy. His numerous certificates and diplomas from the several distinguished institutions in which he prac- ticed and studied while abroad, attest his industry and energy in the pursuit of professional knowledge. He returned to Monmouth in 1833, and at once took a prominent position in the very foremost ranks of the profession. Dr. Harrington does not figure in politics; he be- longs to the United Presbyterian Church, and is de- voted to the welfare of his patients. •. He was married at Little York, Warren County, Nov. 17, 1870, to Miss Martha Taylor, daughter of Dr. A. Taylor, and a native of Indiana. His four -<; children bear the names of Mabel, Grace, Paul and Marion. * -€^- ^ ,enry H. Kidder, engaged as an agricultur- ist on section 23 of Swan Township, where he is enjoying success in his vocation and is regarded as one of Warren County's substan- tial and well-to-do citizens, was born May 25, 1 84 1, in this county. He is the son of Larnard Kidder, a native of Connecticut, having been born in that State in March. 1806, and emigrated to the State of Illinois in the year 1837. He located south of Youngstown. Before leaving his native State, in the year 1837, March 22, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary A. Hoising- ton, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Almon, William O., Henry H., Benja- min H., Nathaniel, Olive M. and Eliza A. Henry H. married Miss Elizabeth Woods, Dec. 10, 1868 ; she was born June 20, 1838. Of this union four children have been born, namely: Lora D., born lAj -4 488 WARREN COUNTY. Nov. 29, 1869; Melvin A., Oct. 3, iSyi ; Robert L., June 1, 1876; and Henry W., Jan. 3, 1879 Mrs. Kidder's parents were named Robert and Martha (Morford) Woods. Robert Woods was born Aug. 19, 1802, and died Feb. 10, 18S3 ; and Martha Woods was born Jan. 31, 1806, dying March 12, 1876. Of their union, four children — Seth, Eb'zabeth, Nancy A. and Adeline — were born. Mr. Kidder is the proiirietor of 218 acres of land, upon which he resides and is engaged in raising horses, hogs and cattle, making hogs a specialty. He has been very successful in his chosen vocation, agriculture, attributing it all to his own indomitable energy, economy and perseverance. Mr. Kidder purchased 80 acres of land on section 23 of Swan Township. He moved here in 1867 and has resided here until the present. Under the second call for 300,000 troops to put down the Re- bellion, by Abraham Lincoln, issued in July, i86r, Mr. Kidder responded by enlisting in Co. H, Second ■ 111; Cav. The Company was organized at Macomb, III., Capt. Walker commanding. The regiment was organized Aug. 12, and mustered into service; went into Camp Butler, at Springfield, III. The regiment was ordered to the southern part of the State in Sep- tember of the same year. Picketing along, the regi- ment was not attached to any brigade, but was ' under the immediate command of Lew Wallace ; then was attached to the 13th Army Corps. The first engagement in which the regiment participated was at Union City, Tenn., then under command of Gen. Buford when that place was captured, and they acted as scouts, and skirmishers on the Black River; were at Vicksburg during the charge on the 23d of May, 1863, after which they were ordered to the department of New Orleans. The subject of our sketch was furloughed for 60 days after the battle of Vicksburg. He re- ceived a wound in the left thigh at Mansfield, on the , Red River expedition, when he was compelled to re- main in the hospital for two months, being mustered out Aug. 12, 1864, at Baton Rouge, La. Coming to Springfield, he was paid off, and then returned home. Mr. Kidder now draws a pension on account of the wound received while fighting for his country. Since 1864, the time of his return home, he has been en- gaged in farming, principally raising stock ] Mr. Kidder received opportunities for acquiring a fine education, having attended College at Lombard University, Galesburg, for two years, besides other excellent schools of learning. He studied the arts and sciences, and is a well educated man, as well as one of the prominent and representative citizens of this county. Politically, Mr. Kidder is identified with the Republican party. -o^- -e>-c- w Jghavid B. Stewart is a farmer on section 6 ||, of the township of Kelly. In 1855 he started from his home in Pennsylvania to seek a suitable place for a permanent loca- tion, and visited the States of Illinois, Mis- souri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa. He concluded to locate in Illinois, and returned to his native State to make the necessary preparations. In the spring of 1856 he came to Warren County and entered eighty acres of land on the south half of section 15 in Spring Grove Township. He also bought 40 acres adjoining, where he built a _ house and proceeded to improve the property. He ' lived on that place until the winter of 1872, when he sold out and bought the property where he is at present located. He is the owner of 151 acres of excellent land, all of it being in a good state of till- age and supplied with the recpiisite farm implements. The place is beautified by several varieties of trees. We are pleased to be able to present a view of the home i)lace in this Album on page 428. Mr. Stewart was born Sept. 30, 1826, in Washing- ton Co., Pa. Thomas Stewart, his father, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and was a Presbyterian of Scotch descent. The latter was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents, Robert and Mary Stewart, to America. He was reared in Ad- ams and Washington Counties in the Keystone State, and was married in the county last named. The lady whom he made his wife. Miss Mary Welch, was born in Adams Co., Pa., and they resided there until 1835, when they went to Moundville in West Virginia. Mr. Stewart bought a farm and was a resident there as long as he continued to live. His wife afterwards came to Illinois to see her children and died while in this State, in 1856. They had 11 children, and five of them are still living : Robert *+ V . .Y- . WARREN COUNTY. 491 is a citizen of Kirkwood. William lives at Little York. Joseph lives in Elmwood, Peoria Co., 111. ; he is a retired merchant and is holding the office of Police Magistrate. Mary is the widow of James Graham, and lives in Page Co., Iowa. Mr. Stewart is the youngest. He was nine years of age when his parents removed to West Virginia, where he was reared on the farm. He was educated in the school which was maintained by its patrons and called the subscription school, because its ex- penses were defrayed by subscription. When he attained the period of his legal freedom, he went to Somerset Co., Pa., and, associated with another young man, he engaged in the manufacture of farm implements. He operated there four years, and went thence to Bedford County and was similarly occupied there until the year in which he made his prospecting tour in the West. Aug. 6, 186 1, he was married to Sarah Pilkington, and they had eight children. They are named Jen- nie B., Orlando P is a teacher in the High School at Keithsburg, Harry J., Archie G., Guy, Fred G., Erma and Erla (twins). The third child born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart died when about a year old, in 1867. Mr. Stewart was formerly a Democrat but is now a prohibitionist in political principles. He was Jus- tice of the Peace for 12 years while a resident of Spring Grove Township. His wife was born in Somerset Co., Pa , May 26, 1838. She is the daugh- ter of Benjamin W. and Jane (Henry) Pilkington. Mr. Pilkington was born in Adams Co., Pa. He died May 24, 1844, in Somerset County. ~¥~'kf< — >Jias» tarry G. Harding, one of the best known _j_^ men in Warren County, and whose portrait is given on the opposite page, resides on a J bro 4^ fine place, in the suburbs of Monmouth. He was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 18 11, and was a son of Chancy and Anna (Gates) Hard- ing,* natives of Connecticut and of old English de- scent. Nathan Harding landed at Cape Cod, in *The father of Mr. Hardiiin; n.«e(l the {%) in his name in the early part of liis life, but left it off about tlie .same time as did his son. Chancy (see sketch), wlio is the only brother of Harry G. 1640, and from him sprang the Hardings of this country. His grandson, Chancy Harding, named as the immediate ancestor of the subject of this sketch, was born in Middle Haddam, Conn., Jan. 8, 1775, and died at Iowa Falls, Dec. 11, 1876 ; his first wife, mother of H. G. Harding, was also born at Middle Haddam, r r years later than Chancy, and died while yet a young woman, at Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., April 6, i8ig. The Chancy Harding here mentioned married a second time, his last wife being Sally Mar- tin, who was born at Richfield, Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1794, and died at Iowa Falls, in April, 1885. Thus it will be seen the families upon both sides have been uniformly long lived. Chancy 's first mar- riage occurred at Chatham, Conn., and he removed thence to Otsego County, N. Y., probably in 1809. From there he removed to Iowa Falls, Iowa, after having buried his wife, who died April 6, 18 19. She bore him two sons, H. G., the eldest, and his brother, Chancy. He was brought up to farming, an occupation he has claimed all his life. The common schools of Otsego Co., N. Y., and an academy at Hamilton sup- plied him a good education, and from 16 to 26 years of age he alternated the seasons with farming and leaching. In 1857, he came to Warren County, bought a farm, now part of the city of Monmouth, laid a portion of it off as Clark's addition to the town, and later on, in 1859, he purchased a 40-acre tract in connection with Gen. Harding and laid oat Haley's addition. At this writing (October, 1885), he lives upon a part of his original purchase, owns several hundred acres of the finest farms in the county, and has given his children a handsome com- petency. He was one of the organizers of the Mon- mouth National Bank, in 1870; was a director therein up to 1874; sold out, and, assisted by his brother. Chancy, and others, in January, 1875, organized the Second National Bank of Monmouth, with which he is now connected as a director. Mr. Harding has long been one of the wealthiest men of Warren County, and yet, aside from a few hundreds inher- ited from his father, he has acquired it by his indi- vidual effort and industry. Away back in 1844, before leaving New York, Mr. Harding was elected to the State Legislature from Otsego County, but, to his credit, it must be written that he was wise enough to profit by his first lessons and to steer clear of such a fate in Illinois. The f < IZJVJ {■ -§-?-r^ 492 WARREN COUNTY. ^ *l most the people here have been able to get out of him, in the way of public service, has been to push him into an aldermanship, and twice into the mayor- alty. He has always been an ardent Republican and during the war he was an active supporter of the cause of the Union and good government. After returning from the Legislature in New York, he resumed his farcning operations. He was soon thereafter elected Justice of the Peace, and served the people in that capacity for several years. He was a member of the Bo.xrd of Education for about 15 years, during his residence in Otsego County, and contributed to the best of his ability in fostering and encouraging general education. He was also a mem- ber of the Board of Education in Monmouth for about 15 years. At the time of the laying out of what is known as Haley's addition to the city of Monmouth, in con- nection with General Harding, the lots were di- vided and Mr. Harry G. Harding adopted what was then a new plan in this Western country, in get- ting his property into market. This was by selling lots and assisting many poor people to build small •houses thereon, with the understanding that they should become owners after complying with the spec- ified agreement. This was, that they should pay ■him a monthly installment of but little more than ordinary rent. By this arrangement the prudent and economical mechanic was enabled to secure a home. Mr. Harding in this way disposed of about 100 lots, at prices ranging from $150 to $300 each, and also contributed largely to the building up of the city of Monmouth, as well as performing a most com- mendable act towards his fellow townsmen and neigh- bors. Careful business methods like these will nat- urally bring a fair financial return to their projectors. Mr. Harding also furnished most of the lumber with which to construct the dwelling, and in exceptional cases, where the man was very poor, he furnished all the lumber and gave long time for payment. May 17, 1838, he was married, at Exeter, N. Y.,to Salinda Brainard, a native of Otsego County, and daughter of Nathan Brainard. She died at Kxeter, Aug. 15, 1843, leaving two sons — Delavan, who died soon after hr:r, and De Lloyd. On Nov, 17, 1844. Mr. Harding, at the same town, married Elvira C. Hubbard, daughter of Scth and Lucy (Swan) Hub- bard, and had borne to liim four children. Of his children, De Lloyd, the eldest son, married Mary Bacon; they have one daughter, Elvira, now a young lady, who has been educated at Knoxville. The son resides near his parental home and owns a splendid farm of 225 acres, a mile from the city limits. He is principally engaged in stock dealing and farming. Fred E. was born Sept. 20, 1847, attended Mon- mouth College and completed his business education at Schenectady, N. Y. He is now Cashier of the Second National Bank of Monmouth. He was mar- ried to Lucy Nye, of that city. Frank W. was born March i, 1849, and was united in marriage with Nannie Davenport, of Monmouth. They have three daughters. He was educated at Monmouth College and is the Assistant Cashier of the Second National Bank, at Monmouth. Jennie L, born Sept. 4, 1885, died June 2, 1861. Willie, the youngest, was born Oct. 22, 1857, died Sept. 6, 1858. Mr. Harding's life has been devoted to the prose- cution of his business and the education of his chil- cren. He has ever been careful and methodical in all his operations, and his course has won the esteem and respect of his neighbors. He is public-spirited and liberal, and any object having for its aim the ad- vancement of the material or moral development of Monmouth or WarrenCounty, finds in him an able and earnest supporter. We are pleased in being able to present a portrait of this good and prominentcitizen. tBjea'©^* K*^-a/3OT»*» fpDsli^glg 1^ illiam M. Lair, a well known farmer of 8'i,l' Kelly Township, is the son of \\'illiam "lt'-'> ^^^'i, one of the earliest pioneers of Warren ''ffln^P County. The senior Lair was born in War- ™^ ren County, Ky., April 3, 1797. His father was a German by birth and his mother was '•^ born in North Carolina. They were among the very first settlers in Warren Co., Ky., and their son, the father of the gentleman who is represented in this sketch, was the first white child born there. He was reared to be a farmer, and passed the whole of his youth in his native county. He was married there, Feb. 5, 1827, to Sarah R. Wallace. She was the daughter of William and Nancy (Smith) Wallace and was also a native of Warren Co., Ky. Her grand- father, Robert Wallace, came from Ireland. She was 'Jyl V t . .YTZ . ■- WARREN COUNTY. 493 "f* ^ born May 8, 1809. In 1832 they left their native county with their family, setting out with their own conveyance, for the State of Illinois. They brought with them their household appurtenances and camped and cooked by the wayside. They were four weeks on the road. They passed a year on the Spoon River, in Knox County, and after reaching Warren County settled for a summer in Monmouth. Mr. Lair then bought land on section 30, in "Township 12, Range i,"now Kelly Township. He set about perfecting the arrangements common to pioneers, built a log house for the temporary accommodation of his household, and proceeded with all possible dispatch to the work of improving his claim. Soon after, the first log cabin was replaced by a double- hewed-log structure of goodly dimensions, which constituted their home until 1858. In that year the family removed to the southeast quarter of the same section and once more lived in a pioneer's cabin. This they inhabited until 1861. They then removed to a school-house, in which they lived six weeks, while their own house was in preparation. The new house was a commodious frame building, ^ and was the home of the senior Lair during the re- maining portion of his life. His demise took place April 7, 1872. Six of the children born to him and "■ his wife (thirteen in all) are still living. They are Robert W., who married Mary A. Quinn, and to them were born four children, viz. : Annie, William, Addison and Fannie. Addison is deceased. Robert lives in Spring Grove Township. Harriet is the wife of Dwight Corning, and is the motherof ten children; the names of the six living being Benjamin, Jennie, Jessie, Clark, Helen and Alice. The family reside in Crawford County, Kas. Helen is the wife of Sam- uel McKahan, and they are also residents of Craw- ford County, and the parents of five children, name- ly : Charley, May, Hattie, Altie and an infant de- ceased. Sarah E. married R. B. Ball. Rosa and Fielding F. are the names of their children. They reside in Rice County, Kas. Ella J. is the wife of Ferdinand Burtschy, a resident of Nodaway County, Mo. Four children were in their family — Etta, Ada, Freddie and Gracie. Freddy is deceased. The next in order of birth was William M., the subject of this notice. Catherine, who is now deceased, was the wife of James T. Gilmore. Fielding A. is also de- ceased, but had married Margaret S. Pedigo. Anna E., who is also deceased, became the wife of Irvin »L 'i t Robinson. The remaining five children died while young. William M. Lair was born on the homestead of his father, in Kelly Township, Feb. 5, 1853. He had the training and education of the farmers' sons of that period and, in connection with his mother, ably manages the estate left by his father. A view of the old homestead is given on page 428. He was married Aug. 2, 1876, to Nancy A. Pedigo. Their family now includes four children — Florence, Clark, Maggie and Robert. Mrs. Lair was born in Ken- tucky, in the same county in which her husband's parents were early settlers. The date of her birth was Sept. 4, 1857. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Millegan) Pedigo, who were natives of Warren County, Ky. They came to this county about i860, and settled in Kelly Township. The fa- ther died in 1872. His widow is still living and re- sides in Iowa. Mr. Pedigo had previously been married, by which union he had five children, and by his second marriage had ten children. Three of 1 the fifteen are deceased. -^■ A A T~T" •^ V Y ' ES- pamuel Marvin Eldred, was born in Fulton County, N. Y., Dec. 19, 1828. His parents John and Hannah (Fox) Eldred, were na- tives of Rhode Island. They spent most of their married life in New York. The father came to Illinois to see his children, and died while here at the advanced age of 75 years. The death of the mother occurred in 1864, at the home of her daughter in Michigan. Marvin Eldred remained at home until he was 21 years old, receiving, meantime, a good common-school education. He spent a few years in a lumber mill at Inghams' Mills, New York, until he decided to come West. He came to Illi- nois in 1852 and located in Roseville Township. He purchased 160 acres of land, and by subsequent in- vestments increased his landed interests, making him the owner of 360 acres of good, valuable land. In 1864 Mr. Eldred was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Chase, who was born in Princeville, Peoria County, Oct. 4, 1843. She was a daughter of S. P. and Ann (Houston) Chase, who were nativesof New ^i:^ 4 494 WARREN COUNTY. ^ Hampshire. They removed to Peoria County, this State, in 1842, where they bought wild land. They succeeded in cultivating it and making a comfortable home, where the family remained until the death of Mr. Chase, which occurred in 1870. The demise of the mother occurred in 1875, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Eldred. The issue of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Eldred was one daughter, Anna May, born Oct 14, 1866. The family lived upon the farm until 1874, when they removed to Roseville and the ensuing year pur- chased a lot on Main Street, and erected a resi- dence upon it. Here Mr. Eldred resided until his death, which occurred Jan. 5, 1885. Mr. Eldred was interested quite extensively in buying and feeding cattle for the market. He served his township as Supervisor and his village as Trus- tee. He was careful of his financial standing, and valued his word or any contract or verbal "agree- ment as thoroughly binding as his bond, and, as was remarked, he" always paid 100 cents on the dollar." He was a strong Republican, and as a citizen and neighbor always kind to the poor and enterprising, and was recognized as one of the leading men in this part of Warren County. *i^-€^^ eorge Jacob Kobler, born in Rhine, Bava- ria, Germany, July 6, 1836, came to Amer- S^ ica in 1853. His parents, Henry and Anna Mary (Faath) Kobler, reared two sons and two daughters, George J. being the second in order of birth. Mr. Kobler, of tliis sketch, was faitly educated in his native country, where he learned the trade he has since so successfully fol- lowed, that of butchering. Landing first in New Yotk city, Mr. Kobler proceeded at once to Buffalo, and thence to Cincinnati, where he spent one year, going from there to Louisville, St. Louis and Burlington, Iowa, and stopping some time in each place, up to the one last named, which claimed him as a citizen some three or four years. He was next in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, probably two years, and the year i860 found him in Monmouth. While at Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Kobler was married, D^c. 9, 1859, to Anna Mary Stenz, a native of Germany, and a daugh- ter of Philip and Anna Mary (Myers) Slenz, who came to America when the daughter was only 6 years of age. Anna Mary grew to womanhood in Utica, N. Y., and from there accompanied her parents to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Kobler have had six children — Mena, wifeofMr. E. Alexander, D.D., druggist at Alexis, 111.; Henry, Ella, Lula and Frederick, at home, and Ma- mie, deceased. Mr. Kobler ranks among the substantial and high- ly respected citizens of Monmouth. He has been strictly honest and upright in all his transactions, and has conducted his business so successfully that he possesses a competency for himself and family. Politically, Mr. Kobler votes with the Republicans. ^<>00€ ndrew J. Cayton, whose homestead com- . prises 360 acres of excellent farm land ^ on section 21, Swan Townsliip, was born in Edmonson Co., Ky., Sept. 22, 1830. Hisi,' widowed mother came to Illinois when Andrew f was three years old, and after residing one 1 year in Morgan County, located in Swan Township,] on section 11. Abel Cayton, the father of our sub- , ject, was a native of Tennessee, his demise having , occurred in Kentucky. He married Miss Lively Harrington, who was born in the State of Kentucky in 1808. They became the parents of four children, — Nancy, George, Andrew J. and Maranda. (ieorge and Nancy are deceased. Mr. Andrew J. Cayton belongs to the pioneers of Warren County, having passed his boyhood and ma- ture years in this county. In 1856 he purchased 60 acres on section 21, on which was built a small frame house. All the improvements that are now upon his land, are the result of his own industry and skillful management. He married Miss Nancy C. Lieur- ance, Nov. 12, 1857, She was a native of Illinois, where she was born in 1837, and bore her husband three children, — Clarence A., born Jan. 14, 1859; Jed. O., in 186 i, and Lewis Grant, in 1863. Clar- ence is the only survivor. He is in the mercantile business in Youngstown. He married Miss Abby Johnson. Mrs. Cayton died in December, 1862, and Mr. Cayton married a second wife. Miss Mary Eliza "T" 4^ 4 ■ V. WARREN COUNTY. _!^ T > 495 Clevenger, in 1865. She bore him one child, — Mary Eliza, who died in infancy, and in 1866, the mother also was carried to her final resting place. Mr. Andrew J. Cayton formed a third matrimonial alliance, Feb. 15, 1873, ^'th Miss Ruby L. Bond, who was born June 30, 1827, in Morgan Co., 111. She is a daughter of Major John C. Bond, a native of South Carolina, where he was born in December, 1799. He died May 22, 1882. In 1827 he came to Illi- nois, and located in Morgan County, and was mar- ried to Miss Mary Grimsley,in 1817, she also being a native of the Sunny South, where she was born in 1790. Of their union, five children were born, — • Susan C, born August, 1819; William G., April 2, 182 1 ; Ann, who died in infancy; Jesse W., born in September, 1826, and Ruby L., born June 30, 1827. Mrs. Bond died in Morgan County, this State, in 1828. Mr. Bond was a Democrat in political affilia- tions. Religiously, he was a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. A. J. Cayton's farm of 360 acres is under the finest improvement and cultivation. He has 15 head of thoroughbred Short-horn cattle; has a fine house and barn, with other necessary outbuildings upon his land, his house being a two story, 45 x 50 feet in dimensions, with a good cellar under the entire build- ing. Owing to his own indomitable energy, perse- verance and economy, Mr. Cayton has now sufficient of this world's good to enable him to spend the sun- set of his life in ease and comfort. Besides his farm, to which he devotes considerable of his time, he owns a fine vein of coal about 36 inches thick. Religiously, Mr. Cayton is a member of the Christian Church, and in his political opinions, he affiliates with the Democratic party. -»- -^^^ ^ K^lizabeth Van Tuyl, residing upon section 3, Tompkins Township, this county, is the widow of Isaac Van Tuyl. He was born in New Jersey, May 31, 1808, and his parents were Michael and Sopliia (Coberly) Van Tuyl, natives of New Jersey. Michael Van Tuyl was born March 17, 1775. Sophia Coberly was born Nov. 10, 1782; they were married Dec. 9,1797. J ^ ' K The parents moved from their native State to Ohio m 1814. The father was a farmer by occupation and was the proprietor of 1,280 acres of land, be- sides a saw and grist mill, in the Buckeye State. There he resided, following his chosen vocation, un- til his death, in 1848 ; the death of his wife occurred in March, 1857. Isaac Van Tuyl, husband of the subject of this no- tice, remained at home until 1847, where, in his younger years, he attended the common school and assisted his father, and later became a partner with his father and elder brother. In the year mentioned, he sold his interest and moved northeast of Dayton, Ohio, where he purchased 160 acres of good farm land, on which he located and for si.\ years was en- gaged in its cultivation. He then sold it, and, in 1854, came to this State and settled in Biggsville Township, Henderson County, where he became the owner of 200 acres of land. On this latter tract he Hved for 12 years, cultivating and improving it, and then sold the same and came to this county, where he purchased 152}.^ acres on section 3, Tompkins Township, which acreage he afterward increased by an additional purchase of 480 acres in the same ■ township and 160 acres in Henderson County. He moved on his land in Tompkins Township and was engaged in its improvement and cultivation until his death, which took place in 1880. The first marriage of Mr. Van Tuyl was with Miss Sarah A. Williams, and they had five children, three of whom are living, and named, Michael, Anna and Sophia. The deceased are. Lewis W. and Sarah. Lewis enlisted in the loth 111. Vol. Inf., August, 1861. He remained in the service during the war, and participated in 13 different engagements. Among the most noticeable was Island No. 10, Lookout Mountain, Nashville, and he was with Gen. Sher- man when he made his great march to the sea. He enlisted as a private and was mustered out as First Lieutenant, passing through the whole period of the war and not receiving a wound. He was accident- ally killed by being shot with a gun while in Texas, in 1869. Asher D. and John I. were both in the service, John I. serving three years in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf. He was wounded at Fort Donelson. As- her D. was in the 104th Ohio Vol. Inf., Co. F, and served one year, participating in several battles, the most notable being the battle of the Wilderness. James Morgan, the husband of Anna VanTuyl, was l* ^■M^ :?^-4^ 496 r 4 WARREN COUNTY. also engaged in the war, as First Lieutenant of Co. F, S3d III. Vol. Inf. He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, serving his country three years. Henry Francis, husband of Addeliza Van Tuyl (child of second wife), was in the 83d 111. Vol. Inf, serving three years. Geo. M. Jamison, husband of Sophia Van Tuyl, was a member of Co. K, 84th 111. Vol. Inf., having served one year and being discharged on account of sickness. The second wife of Mr. Van Tuyl was Mrs. Eliz- abeth A. bhauman, formerly the wife of Isaac Shau- man, by whom she had two children, both sons — Asher D. and John I. By her union with Mr. Van Tuyl eight children were born, namely : Addeliza, Henry, Lucy B., VAVx K., William E., Alexander H., May and A. Elmer. Michael Van Tuyl, son by the first marriage, married Fannie Phillips, and they had three children, two of whom survive — Luella and Frank R. Lewis Edward died July 31, 1880; Anna, daughter of the first marriage, became the wife of James Morgan, and to them two children have been born — Flora and Lewis H., both of whom are deceased, the former dying June 13, 1885, and the latter Oct. 7, 1869. Sophia, second daughter of the first marriage, became the wife of George M. Jamison, and to them five children have been born. Their oldest child, Lewis, died Ai)ril 27, 1863, and those remaining are Frederick, Blanche, Herbert and Howard. Asher D. Shauman, first son of Mrs. Van Tuyl's first marriage, was united in marriage with Laura Swihart, and to them four children were born — Hallie, Harry, Harvey and Willie. The first wife of Asher died in April, 1882, and he was again mar- ried, to Miss Mary Brown. John I. Shauman, sec- ond son of the first marriage of Mrs. Van Tuyl, formed a matrimonial alliance with Emily Claybaugh, and to them four children have been born. Their eldest child. Birdie, is deceased, and the names of the others are William W., Lewis V. T. and Emma A. Addeliza Van Tuyl was united in marriage with Henry Francis, and their family comprised seven children. The demise of their eldest, Nellie M., oc- curred Jan. 28, 1S69. Lewis V. T., Ralph, Lucy B., Laura, May E. and Henrietta still survive. Henry Van Tuyl married Sophronia A. Reed, by whom he had four children — George, Olive M., William and Lewis H. William is deceased. Ella K. Van Tuyl married Henry Boston, and they became the parents of seven children — John I., Eugene, Ann E., Ira L., May, Ono and Otis are their names. William Van Tuyl married Hannah M. Wilkins, and they have one child, Chester. Mrs. Van Tuyl was born Jan. 15. 1824, in Ger- mantown, Montgomery Co. Ohio. Since the death of her husband she has remained on the old home- stead and, with the assistance of her four youngest children, two sons and two daughters, manages and cultivates the same The parents of Mrs. Van Tuyl were Asher and Catherine (Cox) Davis. Mr. Davis was born in 1797 and Mrs. D. in 1800. They were natives of New Jersey and Maryland respectively, and were married in 1819. They came to this State in 1865 and settled in Henderson County, where they continued to reside until their deaths, which oc- curred in February, 1881, and June 9, 1875, respect- ively. I -««4- I illiam R. Thorn, a settler in Warren Coun- I ty of 1855, is a resident on section 9 of ij^SV^ ' Spring Grove Township. He is a native ^' of Indiana and was born in Jennings County July 24, 1819. He is of Scotch-Irish origin. William D. Thorn, his father, was a native of J the State of Kentucky. He removed from Scott County to Indiana in 1818. He was a pioneer in Jennings County in the Hoosier State and bought a large tract of land which was covered with timber. He built a log house and in.i)roved a farm, In that pioneeer home the subject of this sketch was born. In 1832 the family removed to Jefferson County and later to Rush County, where the father died, in i860. The maiden name of the mother of Mr. Thorn was Elizabeth Rankin. She was born in Woodford Co., Ky., and after she was widowed by the death of her husband, she came to Warren County and passed the remaining years of her life in the care of her son. Her death took place in 1869. Three of the seven children of whom she became the mother are still living. Ann Eliza is the widow of M. A. Thompson, who lost his life in a skirmish in the Civil War, in the vicinity of Fort Donelson. John D. lives in Spring Grove Township. Mr. Thorn was reared and educated as a farmer in Indiana. In 1846 he became the husband of Susan H. Matthews. She was born in Fleming Co., 'JKl ^ -f4— !?HH^ WARREN COUNTY. 497 ( qua Ky. The newly married people located on land owned by the senior Thorn in Rush County, and that was his field of operation until 1851, when he engaged in mercantile business in Mill Roy in the same county. After a commercial experience of three years, he resumed the profession of a farmer. In the autumn of 1855 he removed to Illinois. He passed the first winter in the west part of the town- ship in which he now resides, where he obtained the use of a vacant house. Meanwiiile he bought a por- tion of prairie land on section 9, and in tlie course of tlie winter erected a frame house on his ]jlace. In the spring of 1856, he and his family removed to their own home, and it has since been tlie family homestead. The farm is favorably situated for farming purposes and is watered by flowing streams. It has also natural groves. Mr. Thorn raises stock and grain. Seven children were born to him and his wife, and of the number four are now living. Mary A. is mar- ried to Robert F. Mulinx and they settled in Taylor Co., Iowa. George W. resides in Page Co., Iowa. Lizzie H. is the wife of William L. Douglass, also of Page Co., Iowa. Alma A. is the wife of Frank N. White, also of Taylor County. Tlie parents are con- nected in membership with the United Presbyterian ' Church. The father and mother of Mrs. Thorn, George and Esther (Palmer) Matthews, were born respectively in Washington Co., Pa., and the State of New Jersey. They were among the earliest settlers of Fleming Co., Ky., and removed about 1850 to Boone Co., Ind., where they passed the remaining years of their lives. She is of Irish extraction. -**'4#-^»- ohn Miles, deceased, was a pioneer of Kelly ?• Township of 1830, being one of the first to locate in that township. He made his claim on section 25. He was more fortunate than many of the pioneers in that he possessed both oxen and horses, and after building his cabin of logs he proceeded to the work of improving his claim. During the first year he broke quite a quantity of land, and succeeded in raising a good crop of corn and a fair quantity of vegetables. When the Black Hawk War broke out, he joined the " Regu- lators.'' For the services he rendered in that de- cisive confli'^t, the Government of the United States gave him a patent of 160 acres of land. Mr. Miles was born in Hardin Co., Ky., Oct. 2, 1794. His parents removed to Harrison Co., Ind., when he was 12 years of age, and there he passed the remaining years of his youth. On attaining to the age of manhood, he studied law, and was admit- to the Bar of Indiana, at Corydon in Harrison County. He went to New Albany, in Floyd County, and opened his career as an attorney there, where he remained and engaged in his profession until 1829. He came then to Illinois and passed the first winter in that part of Sangamon County which now belongs to the county of Menard. He remained there until the spring of 1830, when he came to Warren County as has been stated. After the termination of the hostilities of the Black Hawk War, he was at once admitted to the Bar of his adopted State and practiced law to a limited extent, at the same time giving his attention to the improve- ment of his land. He was prominent in local affairs from the first, and was elected the first Justice of the Peace in the part of the county where he resided. He was the first Supervisor of the township. He was active and energetic, and always accomplished a great amount of other business while improving a large farm and erecting a good set of frame buildings thereon. He died May 23, 1872. In 1822, Mr. Miles was married to Sarah Froman. She was born Jan. 21, 1800, in Indiana. Their children numbered 12 and nine of them are now liv- ing. Harriet married Samuel Brown, and they lo- cated in Vancouver, Washington Territory. Mary is the wife of J. I. Myers, a citizen of Marshall, 111. Evaline is the widow of George Weir, a resident of Bourbon Co., Kan. Henry C. is a farmer and busi- ness man of the township of Cold Brook : a full ac- count of his connection with the development of this part of the State of Illinois is given on other pages of this volume. Joseph W. and Fielding are resi- dents of Willes, Kan. James F. lives in Brunson in that State. John J. is an attorney-at-law in Ash- land, Wis. Sarah J. is the wife of Theodore F. Bull- man, who is the manager of the Miles homestead. (See sketch.) Their mother died June 14, 1855. J(_ u I -4 498 « I* Y • ■ > WARREN COUNTY. ±* OOO ' ^^^f alvin W. Postlewait, is a prominent mer- lin chant of Alexis, and has lived in or near that place since he was a small ciiild. He was born Oct. 8, 1845, in Huntington Co., Pa., and in nationality is of mi.xed extrac- tion. His father, Matthew F. Postlewait, was of German and English parentage, and the paternal grandmother was a Campbell and of Scotch-Irisii descent. His mother, Mary J. Yocum, was of Irish descent on the maternal side,and German on the pa- ternal. Both parents were born in Pennsjlvania. On coming to Mercer County in 1847, the family located in the township of Suez. They settled on a farm, and were among the first of the permanent settlers in that locality. At the time the father purchased the farm but 10 acres had been placed in tillage, and there was a small log house on tiie place. The small acreage that had been broken was also fenced. The new owner broke a few acres additional, and was the oc- cupant of the place until 1856. He then sold it and bought another in the township of Rivola, in the same county, and is yet the occupant of the place. It includes 145 acres, all under excellent tillage. The senior Postlewait is also owner of 80 acres in the township of North Henderson. The son, who is the subject of this sketch, is the oldest of the mule cliildren in the father's family, and he was reared on the farm after the manner com- mon to the training of the sons of farmers in a new country. He obtained a fair education in the public schools, and was afterward sent for a time to a select school in the same township where he lived. At the age of 20 he commenced teaching. He followed that business principally for five years, and then ob- tained employment in a store as a clerk. He held his position at New Windsor until 1874, when he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, and removed to Aledo. He continued to reside in that place two years, and in 1876 formed a partnership in business with S. T. Gibson and H. R. Gilliland. They established themselves as general merchants at Alexis, under the firm name of Gibson, Postle- wait & Co. The senior member of the firm was the gentleman with whom Mr. P. clerked. They con- ducted their affairs jointly until 1879. In that year Mr. Gibson sold his interest, and the style of the reconstructed house was C. \V. Postlewait & Co., until 1882, when another change was efTected by the sale of his interest by Mr. Gilliland to William Durs- ton. In March, 1885, Mr. Postlewait became sole proprietor by the purchase of the claim of his part- ner, and has since managed the business alone, in which he is now engaged extensively and prosper- ously. Matilda E. Durston became the wife of Mr. Pos- tlewait May 22, 1876, and they haveone child, named Orion. The mother was born in Mercer County, and is the daughter of James and Philadelphia (J5ridger) Durston. Her parents were pioneers of Mercer County in 1837. They were both natives of England,and removed to Mercer Co., 111., in 1837, and they both died there. Mr. Postlewait is independent in his political prin- t ciples. "i He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and holds | membershipof Alexander Lodge, No. 702, and has [; been W. M. for the past three years. "s -A/N^'.— < ■ • arker S. Jones, owning 80 acres of land ; on section 35, Tompkins Township, where 'Ji'f'c^ he is following the vocation of an agricul- ^hsJ turist, was born in Washington County, Vir- j/R* ginia, July 28, 1848, his parents being Calvin ' . and Rebecca (McQuown) Jones, natives of the same county and State in which their son was born. They moved from their native State to Illi- nois, and located in Henderson County, on a farm, in 1854, and at present reside on section 34, Tomi> kins Township, this county. Parker S. Jones, whose name heads this notice, received a fair education in the common schools, and remained with his parents until six years after attaining his majority. After leaving home he con- tinued the occupation which he had followed from boyhood, and soon thereafter iiought 80 acres of land on section 32, Tompkins Township, and on which he was located some seven years. He then sold the *P V ■c T ■ . — -)(. — -, WARREN COUNTY. :^»^4^ SOI place and purchased the 80 acres on which he is al present residing. Fel). 15, 1877, Miss Sarah M. Martin, a native of this county, became the wife of the subject of this notice. She was born May 3, 1859, of parents who were named John and Elizabeth (Roberts) Martin, natives of Indiana. They came to this State and located at this county in an early day, were pioneer settlers of the county, and here continued to reside until their death in 1866 and 1867 respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of two chil- dren, Leo M. and Mabel E. In politics, Mr. Jones votes with the Republican party, and in religion he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. Jones is prominent as a farmer of Tompkins Township, and his accumulations of this world's goods are due to his energy and perseverance. 'haddeus S. Clarke, who was at one time prominent in the newspaper circles in this ^ section of Illinois, and whose portrait we give on the opposite page, was born at Ma- comb, 111., June -27, 1833. He was a son of the late David Clarke, who was one of the pioneers of McDonough County, as well as one of the founders of Macomb. David Clarke, before leaving Kentucky, his native State, was married to Miss Eliza S. Russell, also a native of Kentucky, and a member of a family of early pioneers of Mc- Donough County, this State. Her father, Samuel Russell, came to Macomb very early in the history of that city. Shortly after his marriage, David Clarke, with his wife and two children, set out on the trying journey incident to a trip to the fertile prairies of the Military Tract. He located on the site of Macomb and assisted in laying out that place. Here they reared a large family, and the father lived until the death of his wife, which occurred suddenly in the autumn of 1875. She was a most energetic, gentle-heartedold lady, never idle, and the doors of her hospitable home were always open to both friends and strangers. Even when her hair was whitened with the snow of 75 winters, she was a ceaseless and tire- less worker, and on the fatal morning when she was stricken down, she was busily engaged attending to her household duties. She was a devoted Christian lady, and for half a century a faithful member of the Christian Church. The noble and loveable traits of her character endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. She was exceptionally unselfish, the labors of her industrious life being almost wholly devoted to others. David Clarke survived his wife for almost 10 years, he dying in the early part of 1884, at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. S. S. Chapman, Vermont, 111. He was a gentleman of the old pioneer type, a characteristic Kentuckian, scrupulously honest, was widely known, highly es- teemed, and in the early history of this section of the State bore an important and influential part. Thaddeus S. Clarke was reared and educated at Macomb, and in early youth developed a great pas- sion for books. He was a tireless reader, spending many leisure hours in that profitable pastime. Early in life he began the struggle incident to a life of self- dependence, and was always found faithful and in- dustrious in whatever he undertook. He was one of the pioneer mail carriers of Western Illinois, and as early as about 1840, we find him making the long and lonesome journey from Lewistown to Warsaw, on horseback, with the mail sacks. He was so small that once dismounted it was necessary to have as- sistance to remount, and a number of times he was compelled to walk miles for that assistance. The inclinations of young Clarke, as above men- tioned, led him to where there were books and pa- pers, and, in 1850, he began the study of the "art preservative " in the office of the Quincy Herald, which paper at that time was edited by the late Aus- tin Brook. Early in 1854, Mr. Clarke having be- come thoroughly inspired with the doctrines upon which the (then) young Republican party was found- ed, although " born and raised " a Democrat, deter- mined to further advance the principles of the party in the publication of a newspaper, and selected as the central point from which to disseminate his senti- ments, Carthage, in Hancock County, the newspaper appearing as the Carthage Republican. While at the head of this, his first newspaper enterprise, he made a trip to Quincy, Adams County, and there married Miss Octavia Shaw, on Feb. 9, 1854. Af- ter the close of the campaign of 1854, Mr. Clarke returned to Macomb and launched forth a newspa- "• A ' r A jU 502 4 WARREN COUNTY. per known as the Macomb Enterprise, which was the foundation of what is now the Macomb Journal, the leading paper of that city. At the first firing on the flag at Fort Sumter, Thad- deus S. decided to go to the defense of his country's honor and integrity. Leaving his wife and four chil- dren to the care of friends near the mother's old home, he enlisted in Co. F, 50th Regt. 111. Vol. Inf., and was mustered in at Camp Wood, near Quincy. His career under arms was of only eight months' du- ration, he being marked as one of the first to con- tract disease incident to the exposure of army life, and was ever after an invalid from dysentery and pulmonary troubles. What a sad returning to his home was it for him, for during his absence he had been bereft of two bright children, whose untimely taking off was unknown to him until his arrival there. Although unable, physically, to longer defend his country at the front, Mr. Clarke did effective and faithful service with his pen, the power of which was felt mainly through the columns of the paper he founded in 1855. He was a ready and vigorous writer, his productions not only being pleasant to pe- ruse, but were forcible in carrying conviction to the mind of the reader, and few men of local reputation during the trying days of our country's peril, exerted a greater influence with the pen. His influence was also felt in crystalizing the principles upon which the Republican party was builded. He was a fear- less writer, but not a maligner, honest in every pur- pose and always produced an interesting and valua- ble paper. His newsp.iper enterprises, however, were successes mainly far others, the faculty of successful financiering having been denied him. Removing to Monmouth in 1868, he was employed in various capacities on the Atlas and Review for a time, when, in 1873, he launched another paper on the uncertain sea of public opinion, and named it the Monmouth Leader. It proved one of the best local papers ever published in the West, and bid fair to \>t a power under his pen, but the fatal hour was near and the months were few that he was to pass on earth. He died at his home in Monmouth, Oct. 2, 1873, and his remains were conveyed to Macomb, his native town, and interred in Oak Hill Ceme- tery. Surviving the subject of this sketch is the widow and five children : Eugene J., of whom a sketch is -A given elsewhere ; Ida B., the wife of Jacob Leighty, whom she married Jan. 20, 1880; Nellie M., David E. and Bessie E., all residents of .Monmouth. Mrs. Clarke is deserving of the highest commen- dation for her devotion to her family and the earnest efforts she made after the death of her husband to keep the children within the home, and to give them the best possible advantages. She made a noble, and, we are pleased to say, a successful struggle in this direction. As the children grew up they re- mained by her side, and with a devotion born of love and gratitude, cheerfully assisted her in carry- ing her burdens. Mrs. Clarke is a devoted mother, and a Christian lady of the best and truest impulses. She is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. |#-^ IP Oct. 5, .i y|\. public sc rail' erry Anderson, who represents the lumber trade at Ale.\is, was born in Sweden, at Nasum, in the province of Christianstadt, [853. He was well educated in the schools, and was trained in the pursuit of agriculture. In 1873, when he was 20 years of age, he resolved to come to the United States. He left his native land and reached Warren County in the same year. He obtained employ as a farm as- sistant near Alexis and passed two seasons at work by the month. He tlien rented land and interested himself in general farming until i88r. After two years' residence he took out his first naturalization papers, so that he might become a citizen of his adopted country soon as possible. Mr. Anderson had thus far been successful in his agricultural op- erations, and in 1881, in company with \. A. Mc- Clanahan, he bought the lumber business of J. E. LafTcrty at Alexis. The firm continued business un- til July, 1S85, when Mr. McClanahan sold his inter- est to his father, Dr. I. P. McClanahan. The mem- bers of the present firm of McClanahan & Anderson manage iheir business in the careful, well adjusted manner that insures success. During the time he operated as farm assistant Mr. Anderson passed the winter seasons at school, at Al- exis. He passed five successive winters in study, r ¥ -f4^ WARREN COUNTY. •^^X^ S°5 acquiring the English language and becoming famil- iar with the customs of his adopted country. The sixth winter he attended the business college at Dav- enport, Iowa, with the purpose of acquiring a ecu - plete iiiiowledge of business methods. He then ac- cepted a position as clerk in a dry-goods store for R. C. Sargeant, of Annawan, 111., which he retained until his purchase and entry into the lumber busi- ness above referred to. On Aug. 23, 1883, he was united in marriage to the daughter of Daniel W. Burt, a prominent busi- ness man of Alexis. Mrs. Kate A. Anderson was born Oct. 6, 1862. They have onechild, Burt T., born Oct. 3 c, 1884. They are members of the Meth- odist Church at Alexis. Mr. Burt is represented in this work by a personal narration of the events of his career, which will be found on other pages. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics. |; obert H. Henry, retired carriage manu- facturer of Monmouth, was born at VVes- nv'K'i ton,Vt., Feb. 13, 1822, and was one of 10 iV^ children, seven sons and three daughters, born to William Y. and Fannie (Cox) Henry, natives of the State of Vermont, and dating their ancestry back to the earliest settlers of New England. Wm. Y. Henry was engaged in mercantile busi- ness at the time of his death, which occurred when the subject of our sketch was only about seven years of age. The older sous, at least some of them, were mechanics, and when Robert H. was still a mere boy, he began handling tools, so that before he had arrived at man's estate, he was a pretty thorough workman. He was about 21 years of age when he began manufacturing buggies at Barry, Mass., and was there five or six years. In 1847, he came to Monmouth and started a shop for making and re- pairing carriages, etc., a business he was engaged at very regularly up to 1884. At this time he rented out his shop and retired from active labors. While at Barry, Mass., he married Miss Mary Ann Harding, who has shared his joys and his sorrows since he was about 21 years of age. tjr Mr. H. is a member of no Church or secret order. What property he has — and his possessions are am- ple — he has earned by his own earnest and hard labor. ewis B. Davis, deceased, fovmerly a stock- raiser and farmer, residing on section 5, S?W T Cold Brook Township, was a son of Greely 6(j Davis, a native of Venango Co., Pa. His father l^ was an early settler in that county, coinmg .^ there from Steuben Co., York State. After set- tling there he married Miss I.ucy Dow, also a native of Pennsylvania. Greely Davis was a successful farmer and was also owner of a mill in Venango Co., Pa., and resided there until his death, at the ad- vanced age of 74 years, his wife surviving until three years later. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice, one year after he had attained his major- ity, set forth to fight the battles of life alone. Hop- ing to better his financial condition, he accepted the advice of Horace Greely and came West, locating in this county. On arrival here he was poor in pocket, but rich in determination, and at once engaged as a general laborer, which occupation he followed for some months. About this time, he concluded to unite his destiny with another, and, Oct. 16, 1845, was married to Miss Harriet Amanda Wright, born in Bradford Co., Pa., July 9, 1824. She was a daugh- ter of Jacob and Minerva (Barnuni) Wright, the for- mer a native of West Chester, N. Y , and the latter of Middiebury, Vt. They were married in Luzerne Co , Pa., where her father was a distiller and miller for about ten years, when he emigrated to Indiana, in 1831. He continued to reside in Crawford Co., the latter State, until the spring of 1835, when he caine to Warren County, and established the first distillery in the county, which at that time was of much value to the corn producing citizens, furnish- ing a market for their produce. In 1850, during the excitement in the gold regions of California, in com- pany with others, he crossed the plains with teams and wagons, and after spending three years in the land of gold, and meeting witli a fair degree of suc- cess, he returned to Warren County, and purchased 320 acres of land in Cold Brook Township. On this ) [■ . r 4= ■^r^^ 504 WARREN COUNTY. land he located and engaged actively and energetic- ally in its improvement and there resided until Jan. 13, 1876, the date of his deatli, his wife having pre- ceded him to the land of the hereafter 12 years pre- vious, Nov. 22, 1864. She was the eldest in order of birth of a family of nine children, six of whom are deceased. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Davis lived in Monmouth Township for a time, afterwards settling in Cold Brook Tp. He was respected and honored in his township and held the minor offices of the same. In politics he was a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. Mrs. Davis is at present the proprietor of 200 acres of good farm land, in Cold Brook Township, and 300 acres of partly improved land in Osborne Co., Kansas. By her union with Mr. Davis five children were born — Theron married Miss Julia Chapin, and resides on a farm in Cold Brook Township; Mary A. became the wife of James Hartzell, a farmer by occupation, re- siding in Spring Grove Township; Ellsworth and Worden, twins, reside at home and carry on the farm ; one is deceased. Mrs. Davis is conducting the home > farm of zoo acre? with success and is one of the most respected and honored ladies of her township. ■0= A A T— T .i, A. T~7- €4- 'ohn S. Robinson, a farmer on section 31, Ij^ l^ Kelly Township, is the son of a pioneer of tWf.W^ Warren County, Andrew Robinson, who was born in North Carolina, in 1794. He was four years of age when his parents removed to what was then the Territory of Ohio. They located four miles north of the present site of Day- ton, and were among the earliest to settle in the Buckeye State, where they remained until 1822, when they removed to Indiana and lived there until the year 1829, in which the father of Mr. Robinson, of this narration, settled in Warren County. He came hither with his wife and six children, and traveled after the manner common to pioneers of that period, namely, ox-teams. They arrived in Warren County Sept. 12, of the year 1829. Mr. Robinson had been here in the spring previous, and had secured a claim on section 33, Township 12, Range i. It had a log house on it, and this was the shelter of the house- hold while a more suitable and convenient dwelling was in process of construction. The latter was but a log house, and had clapboards for a roof, which had been split from the logs cut for the purpose. They were held in place by poles instead of being nailed. In this they lived until 1835, when the oc- cupants learned that their title to the place was not good, and they removed to section 31, in the same township, where the father secured a claim of which the title could be proved. .Soon after takmg pos- session the title was secured by regular entry in the land office of the government. On this property Mr. Robinson built a hewed log house, in which he lived a year. At the end of that time he removed to Monmouth, where he leased a building and engaged in keeping a hotel. He con- tinued in that business a year, and then returned to his farm. Several years later he removed again to section 26, of Cold Brook Township, and there his i death transpired, Aug. 6, 1849. Mr. Robinson married Nancy Stidt, a native of | Pennsylvania, where she was born May 12, 1794."= They were the parents of nine children : Isabella j and Mary, the two older, are deceased ; Garrett lives | in Kelly Township; John S. is the next in order of J birth; William F. is not living; Martha J. married Mr. C. Hanna, and they reside in Spring Grove Township; Margaret A. is married to James Gard- ner, of Cold Brook Township : Nancy E. is also de- ceased; Columbus is a farmer in the township named, and resides on the old homestead. The mother has been deceased some years. Her demise took place in March, 1876. John S. Robinson was but seven years of age when the family removed to Warren County. He was born in Parke Co., Ind., July 17, 1882. When Mr. Rob- inson had grown to manhood, in company with his brother Garrett he settled on the farm which he now owns. It is located on the southwest tjuarter of sec- tion 3r, and he is the proprietor of 145 acres of prairie in an unbroken body, and all under improve- ments. On section 29 he owns 40 acres of timber and pasture. The buildings and other farm fixtures are of a character to correspond with the advance- ment of the place generally. The first wife of Mr. Robinson, nee Martha Sibley, was born in Pennsylvania. They were married N^ V" < T _i. ■ Y. . "~ WARREN COUNTY. 50s April 28, 1846. Her death took place in April, 1852. In October, 1859, he contracted a second mar- riage with Elizabeth Gardner, and they had ten chil- dren. Eight of the number are now living : Clark is a citizen of Comanche Co., Kas. ; Nettie is mar- ried to Mr. J. P. Miller, of Kelly Township ; Mar- tha married Henry Ruark, and lives in Comanche Co., Kas. ; Cora married Curts Moshier, and lives in Wayne Co., Towa ; Perley, Ivory Q., Itla M., Clarence and Emmett are unmarried and still at home. The first wife became the mother of three children, of whom but one is living. His name is Irvin, and he is a resident of Comanche Co., Kas. The second wife of Mr. Robinson was born April S, 1836, in Kentucky, in Edmonson County. Her parents, Thomas and Catharine (Lair) Gardner, were born respectively in Virginia and Kentucky. Her father died in Kentucky, where her birth took place, and in 1848, her mother, with six children, came to Warren County. The names and residences of the brothers of Mrs. R. will be found below : James Gardner, married Margaret A. Robinson, and resides in Cold Brook Township; Jefferson married Silva Mosher, and lives in Lucas County, Iowa ; Walter M. married Martha Hall, and lives in Cold Brook Township; William married Mary Hinon, and he is now deceased; Sarah married B. H. Kindel, and she is deceased. The mother died Feb. 28, r88r. The fatherofMr. Robinson was a genuine pioneer, and possessed the spirit which characterizes those to whom it sometimes seems that the propensity for fron- tier life is given that the spirit of progress may con- tinually move on. His house was always the home of the traveler in the unsettled country, and his "latch- string was always out." Mr. Robinson is a Republican in political senti- ment. - >5 4 — a^ifi-tSM^" — *— S<- — • Ross Hanna, Secretary of the Weir Plow Company, at Monmouth, was born in Hen- derson Co., III., Sept. 30, 1852, and was the only son of William and Sarah (Findley) %V Hanna. (See biographical sketch of William \ Hanna, this volume). While a lad he worked upon his father's farm in the summer seasons and attended the common schools during the winters. He was 15 years of age when the family removed to Monmouth, and he entered Monmouth College, graduating with honors in the class of 1875. He at once entered the Law Department of Harvard Col- lege and two years later graduated therefrom. Re- turning to Monmouth he embarked in the practice of law, which he prosecuted with flattering success until greater interests took him into the Weir Plow Com- pany, of which his father was Cashier, and on Sept. S, 1881, he accepted his present position. (See his- tory of Weir Plow Company, this volume). Mr. Hanna was married at Union City, Ind., May 30, 1878, to Miss Lizzie Merridith, daughter of Dr. J. H. Merridith, of that city, and has had borne to him two children, John F. and Alice. Aside from his in- terests in the Weir Plow Company, Mr. Hanna is a large stock-holder in the Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Company, and also has an interest in the Dallas National Bank, of Dallas, Tex. In 1882 he headed the Democratic ticket as their ' candidate for State Senator, but soon afterward aban- doned that party and espoused the cause of temper- ance. In 1884 he was a delegate to the Prohibition ' Convention, at Pittsburgh, and took an active part in support of the candidates there nominated. He is an able speaker, a thorough scholar and earnest • and honest in his support of the cause of temper- ance. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, identified with no secret order and possessed of no ambition for political [jreferment. alter Carson, deceased, for many years a prominent resident of Warren County, , was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, June '> 19,1816. The family of the Carsons were '^KjJ^ original settlers in Londonderry, in the J north of Ireland, having emigrated there to es- cape religious persecution in Scotland. The first ancestor in America came to this country in 1740, and at the time of the War of the Revolution inter- ested himself in the struggle, together with five of his sons. He was by trade a saddle and harness maker and located in New Jersey. Walter, one of his sons, who was with him in the war, was the LAji: V' 4 5o6 ~' . -v. — WARREN COUNTY. grandfather of Walter Carson, whose name stands at the beginning of this sketch. Jolin Carson, father of the latter, was reared in Pennsylvania, and lived there until his death. He married Hannah Rogers, who was of English extraction. In the year 1806 John Carson, wife Hannah and two children, set out for an overland journey to what was then the far West. Their means of transportation consisted of one horse and a wagon, and with its aid they came to Harrison Co., Ohio, or what is now known by that name, and were among the earliest settlers in that portion of the Buckeye State. The cash in the family treasury at that time included the exact sum of 50 cents. The father went to work for the wealthier class of citizens and soon obtained tlie means to en- ter and to secure his claim to a portion of real estate. The War of 1812 came on and he became a soldier in the defense of his country. After tlie close of the war he devoted his time to the improvement of his land, which was covered with timber and required ' the outlay of an immense amount of labor to put it in good paying condition. It was Iiis home the re- mainder of his life. Walter Carson was there reared to the estate of manhood. He was brought up on the farm and educated in the common schools. He was married in 1837 to Harriet Millman. Her parents, Jacob and Hannah (Lewis) Millman, were pioneers of Har- rison County, where she was born. The family was formerly from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Car- son settled on 80 acres which was given him by his father in the county where he was married, and as the major portion was covered with timber he set him- self to the task of clearing a place for a home. He placed 40 acres of the farm in a condition for culti- vation and was its owner and occupant until 1854. In that year he sold his claims to property in Ohio, and with his wife and five children started for Illi- nois. They made the journey overland and were on the road 27 days. Mr. Carson rented land in War- ren County for the first two years, and in the fall of 1856 bought a tract of unimproved prairie on the southwest quarter of section 34, Spring Grove Town- ship. A house was erected by the new owner during the same autumn and in the following spring the family removed to it. Mr. Carson devoted the re- mainder of his life to the improvement of the estate, and there his earthly pilgrimage came to an end Dec. 16, 1865, after a residence in Illinois of 11 years. To him and his wife eight children were born. William manages the homestead. John W. resides in Trego Co., Kan. Hannah died in Ohio at the age of three years. George L. died in the same State when he was two years old. Sarah M. died in Spring Grove Township at the age of 11. Francis P. lives in Leavenworth, Kan., and Lucinda J. and Nancy B. reside at home. Both daughters and their mother are connected in membership with the Christian Church. Mr. Carson was a Whig in the days of his early connection with political matters and later was an Abolitionist. Eventually he became a Republi- can. Mr. William Carson is devoting his time and at- tention to the management of the estate of the family and has charge of the personal well-being of his mother and sisters. The farm is in good hands and exhibits the evidences of good management and thrift. It is well equipped with all necessary build- ings and fixtures, a view of which is given on page 450. He is also a staunch supporter of the princi- ples of the Republican party. -f3= A A T T 4=fei- arren E. Taylor, M. D., Health Officer, and one of the prominent young physi- Jj^^f)" cians and surgeons of Monmouth, was born 1^^ at Waukesha, Wis., May 24, 1854. His par- ents, Evander T. and Isabetle (Irving) Tay- _, lor, were natives respectively of the States of Vermont and New York, and descended from the old Puritan stuck of New England ; were married in Genesee Co., N. Y., and subsequently were among the pioneers of Waukesha Co., Wis. The gentleman whose name heads this biograph- ical notice received his literary training at the State University, Madison, Wis., and when about 18 years of age began reading medicine with Q. O. Suther- land, at Janesviile, Wis. The following year he en- tered Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago. He graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D., in 1876, after receiving a full course. He was Demonstrator of Anatomy for one year after his graduation. Monmouth was the scene of his first professional experience, and from here, after a sue- *f . -v. — . WARREN COUNTY. -^^^^ 507 cessful practice of three years, he removed to Kan. The " grasshopper" State held him about two years, and assessed him $30,000. He returned to Mon- mouth in 1881, where he has since resided. Politic- ally, he is a Republican and a recognized worker of more than ordinary ability, though decidedly no of- fice seeker. He belongs to no Church nor to any secret order. Open and frank in his dealings with all men, he lacks one of the essential prerequisites to political preferment in a community largely given to taking its grog out of an orange, i. e., policy. The Doctor was married in Prairie City, 111., Aug. 5, 1879, to Miss Virginia Annette, the accomplished daughter of Dr. R. B. McCleary, of Monmouth, and has two interesting children — Don and Mac. He was a delegate to the American Health Society that met in Washington, Dec. 8, 1875. [heodore F. BuUman is a farmer in tlie township of Kelly. He is a native citizen i^jf^^^ of tlie State of Illinois, where his father set- '^^y* tied in 1830. Joshua D. Bullman, his father, was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Feb 21, 1806, and was a resident in the county where he first saw the light cf day until the fall of 1829. He then went to Indiana and stopped one season in Fayette Co. He was accompanied there by two sisters and a brother-in law. They started from their home in New Jersey with covered wagons and traversed the entire distance across the intervening country. In the fall of 1830 Mr. Bullman left his relatives in Indiana to seek a home in the Prairie State. He set out alone, on horseback, and came to Marshall County. He made a claim in what is now Hopewell Township, in that county, and returned to Indiana to pass the win- ter. In the spring following he set forth a second time, with the same party with whom he left the State of his nativity and came to Marshall County. They built a log house near Lacon, two miles from the Illinois River, on the east side, in which they passed a year together. Then each of the two men of the party erected his house on his own property. When the Black Hawk War engaged the attention of ^n all there was of the Western country, Mr. Bullman volunteered and was in the military service until the declaration of peace. He received as rerompense from the Governnent a warrant for 160 acres of land, a barrel of flour and other supplies. After returning to a life of peace and safety from Indian invasion, Mr. Bullman set himself to work in earnest to im- prove a farm. He is still the owner of the land he received from the Government, and also of an addi- tional amount, which has increased his possessions to 400 acres. He has also assisted all his children to obtain good farms. His homestead is supplied with good and suitable farm buildings. He is in his 80th year. In the year in which he left New Jersey he was married to Catherine F. Hall, of the same county where he was himself born. Of their six children, five are still living. Hetty M. is married to S. R. Lane, of Marshall Co., 111. ; Theodore F. and Mor- timer C. are living on the homestead, in Marshall County; Clementine is the widow of Hiram Smith and lives in Marshall County; Theresa also lives with her father. Mr. Bullman of this sketch passed the years of his - youth and boyhood in his native county. He was born in Marshall Co., 111., Dec. 9, 1836. He was brought up a farmer, and was educated in the com- mon schools and in the high school at Lacon. He was married in Warren County, Feb. 3, 1863, to Sa- rah J. Miles. She was born in Kelly Township and is the daughter of John and Sarah (Froman) Miles, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere, and also of her brother, H. C. Miles, of Cold Brook Township. Mrs. Bullman has been carefully educated and is a grad- uate of Lombard University, at Galesburg. For some years she operated as a teacher in the schools of Knox, Marshall and Warren Counties. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Bullman located on a farm in the township of Hopewell, which was given him by his father. He and his wife were its occupants six years, and in 1875 they came to the Miles homestead, which he now owns and occupies. The farm con- tains 283 acres in advanced cultivation. Jushua J. is the name of the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Bullman. The father is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church, the mother adlieres to the belief of the Universalists. When the senior Bullman settled in Marshall County he was accustomed to haul his JVJ his 4^ -d 508 WARREN COUNTY. L '■ crops to Chicago with teams of oxen and sometimes 1 he sold his wheat for 30 cents a bushel. He assisted y in raising the first mill in the county. »«e— - l®_J|{| oyal Ranney, of the township of Sumner, is a pioneer of the town and county, of 1848. He is located on section 6, and is the proprietor of a fine farm, containing 320 acres. His wife had received from her father 80 acres of land on section 4, in this town- ship, whicli was at first the motive of their removal to the county. But it was not in tillage, and Mr. Ranney found the needs of his family too pressing for him to devote his time to its improvement at that time, and he rented the land for four years, until he had a chance to become a little more independent. In 1852 he bought a part of the farm on section 6, on which he lias since lived and which had at the date of purchase a small frame house on it and a few acres plowed and fenced. Four years later the struc- ture which until then had served the wants of the household was burned, with nearly all its contents. The good and substantial farm residence which has replaced it was the result of the loss, and the farm is also now supplied with an excellent frame barn, with a stone basement. The remainder of the buildings on the place do credit to the good sense and man- agement of the owner. Mr. Ranney was born in Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., Dec. 10, 1810, and lie is the son of Jeremiah and Susan (Beach) Ranney. They were natives of Litchfield, Conn., and in 1809 removed from iheland of wooden nutmegs to Otsego Co., N. Y. They were pioneers there, and the father settled on a tract of unimproved land, on which he remamed until 1818, when he returned to Connecticut with his wife. Her decease occurred soon after, and he married again. In 1823 he made another trial of living in Otsego County, and remained there until 1831. In that year he sold the property in the State of New York and with his wife and five children started for what was then the " far West." They went to Olean, in the Empire State, with their own team, and there took passage on a species of river craft called a flat- boat, and went down the Allegheny River to Pitts- burgh, where they passed to the Ohio River, and thence to the Mississippi River. They located in Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., and made their home there until the death of the father, in 1855. Mr. Ranney went to Connecticut with his father and mother when he was six years old. When his mother died he became the charge of his grandpar- ents, in Litchfield, Conn., and his home was with them until he was 17. He then joined his father in the State of New York and accompanied him in the changes afterward made in the location of the fam- ily. He lived in their family until he established his own domestic affairs. He was married in October, 1839, to Betsey M. Gates. She was horn in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1816, and was the daughter of Joseph and Polly (VanVelzer) Gates. In 1827 her parents removed to Illinois and located in Madison County. Her fa- ther was a physician and was a welcome accession to the pioneer element of that section, as he was skillful in his business and effective in his profess- ional capacity. He remained in the same place as long as he lived and accumulated quite a compe- tency. The family of Mrs. Ranney removed from Ciiyuga County to Buffalo via the Erie Canal. The journey thence was made to Erie, Pa., by the Lake of the same name. At Erie, Dr. Gates built a flat- boat and the party proceeded thence, by way of Beef Creek, where they connected with the Allegheny River. Their route thence to the Missouri River was the common one of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The grandfather of Mrs. Ranney, on the mother's side, was William VanVelzer, who was born in Penn- sylvania. He was of German origin. The grandfa- tlier on the father's side was Joshua Gates, a native of Massachusetts. His parents were of English or- igin. Mr. and Mrs. Ranney settled, after their marriage, in Cai e Girardeau County, and the husband man- aged rented land for nine years. In 1848, as has been stated, they removed to Warren County. The family circle was materially increased by the addi- tion of nine children. Susan A. was born Oct. 4, 1840; she married William E. Smith, of Henderson County. Nathan C. was born July 9, 1842, and is a resident of the same township where his father re- sides; he enlisted in the 109th 111. Vol. Inf., and served two years and was honorably discharged. He 1 ! W^ ■t T * > 4 WARREN COUNTY. j_ T » S" married Emma Wealing. Stephen H. was born July 2, 1844; he died two days after birth. Mary E., was born Aug. 28, 1846; she married Joseph Gates and lives in Wisconsin. Jeremiah was born Aug. 28, 1848, and lives in Henderson County; he married Clara Thompson. Royal F. was born in December, 1850, and died on the 30th day of the same montli. Joseph was born Nov. 29, 1851, and died Dec. 30, 1855. Royal G. was born Sept. i, 1854. Mr. Ranney is a Republican in his political views and relations. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. The Ranney family are of English origin, coming to this country about the year 1750. They were quite prominent during the Revolutionary War, three of the family taking part. One was killed at the storm- ing of Stony Point, under the command of General Wayne. (See history of the revolution). Stephen Ranney was made Colonel of the militia after the Revolutionary War. At the breaking out of the war of 181 2 he was commissioned General. He also had a son, Johnson Ranney, who took part in the same war. Mr. Ranney 's son, R. G. Ranney, is an extensive dealer in fine stock. He has the finest herd of Here- ford Cattle in the several surrounding counties. It consists of over 80 head of thoroughbreds and grades. His bull, Favorite, at the head of his herd. No. 6,952 English Herd Book; 12,507, vol. 4, American Herd Book, was imported by George Morgan, in the year 1882, from Herefordshire, England, and to-day is considered one of the finest animals in this coun- try. -HQ- -e^ eorge G. MoCosh, the editor of the Even- ing Gazette came to Monmouth in 1872, "*" after serving an enlistment of about four years in the volunteer service and in the United States army. From the date of his honorable discharge from the army until the time of his arriv..l in Monmouth, he worked at the printer's case in the offices of several prominent journals, including the Galveston (Texas) Daily News. His first employment in Monmouth was in the capacity of a journeyman printer, the greater nAj part of the next three years being passed in one of the printing offices of Monmouth. The Roseville Gazette^ a weekly paper, was founded by Mr. McCosh May 24, 1876, and pub- lished without interruption until about a year from that date, when it was changed to the Monmouth Gazette, also a weekly. For four or five months in the fall of 1880 there was published in connection there- with a daily, which at the time of its suspension con- tained the statement that it would be resumed at an early date. The fulfillment of this announcement was accomplished Jan. 23, 1883, the date of the first issue of the Evening Gazette, the Monmouth Gazette being continued as a weekly. The success of the new daily was immediate and decided, and its prosperity has been uninterrupted. Considering its age and location, its career has been phenomenal. Its excellent reputation, large circula- tion and prosperous condition in every respect, are results that have been attained through the vigor, perseverance, sound judgment and fixed purpose of. its founder. The Evening Gazette has been from the start an independent journal. The best verdict regarding the propriety of its course is the general' confidence of the people which it has continually enjoyed and which is to be won only by frankness and honesty. In the short period of three years, its circulation rose to between 10,000 and 12,000 a week, its influenceincreasing with its circulation. Mr. McCosh has directed its course without once losing sight of the object to be attained, in which enter- prise he has been seconded at every move by the people of Warren and neighboring counties, and he is able to furnish the readers of the Evening Gazette as good a daily as is published in any city of less than 25,000 population in the United States. In the work of building up the Evening Gazette, Mr. McCosh has been ably assisted by his associate editor, Mr. Cyrus J. Wood, formerly of the Rochester (N. Y.) Herald, who removed to Monmouth in the autumn of 1883. Mr. McCosh was born in Pittsburg, Pa., April i, 1846, and was seventh in order of birth of a family of six sons and three daughters, the children of Robert and Margaret (Armstrong) McCosh. The McCosh family is of Scotch descent. George Mc- Cosh entered the printing office of W. S. Haven, at Pittsburg, as an apprentice, in 1859, and served while there under the direction of Mr. George Nor- V A JU 5»* WARREN COUNTY. ris, Sr., to whos fatherly oversight and kind advice he frequently refers in terms of gratitude. Religiously, Mr. McCosh was reared a United Presbyterian, of which Church his mother, at the advanced age of 76 years, is a devout member, in the city of Burlington, Iowa. Mr. McCosh's father was a carpenter of limited means, strictly honorable and upright in all his dealings, and he taught his children like principles of conduct. He died at Pitts- burgh in 1S63, bequeathing to his children the rich legacy of an unsullied name. His son George, received only a meagre school education, the ad- vantages of which have of necessity been supple- mented by close study at the printer's case and in the office. George McCosh was married April 14, 1875, to the daughter of Deputy-Sheriff C. Coates, Miss Cora Coates, by whom he has two children — Nettie Hard- ing and Harry Thomson McCosh. Mr. McCosh is not only one of the leading journ- alists of the State, but is one of Warren County's most enterprising and valuable citizens. He is an earnest and fearless advocate of what he feels is right, and his able efforts, both through the columns of his paper and personally, are faithfully devoted to upbuilding his city and the prosperity of Warren County. As a prominent representative, both of his profession and of the business element of this county, the publishers take pleasure in presenting the por- trait of Mr. McCosh in this Album. It is engraved from a photograph recently taken. ••H'44^-^>-^ , illiam A. Allen has been from childbood a resident of the township of Sumner, in Watren County. He came here with his parents in 1839, and was then nine years of jge. He was born in Preljle Co , Oliio, Feb. 22, 1830. Andrew Allen, his father, was a native of South Carolina and was born in 1801. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, both his |)arents being the children of parents of that race of people. Their respective families located in South Carolina, where tliey were married. They were dissatisfied in a com- munity where slave-holding was i)revalent, and they removed to Ohio early in the 19th century. Their son Andrew was then very young. The family were among the earliest of the permanent settlers in Preble County. The grandsire of Mr. Allen, of this sketch, was a soldier in the war of 181 2, and died in Monroe County, Ind. Andrew Allen, his son, was reared to maniiood in Ohio, and married Sarali Giles. She was also a native of the State of South Carolina. After their marriage they located in Preble County, and were there resident until 1832. In that year they emigrated to Indiana. They located in Clinton County, where they were pioneers. Mr. Allen bought Government land, which was covered with heavy timber, built a hewed-log house and began the work of clearing a farm. He was convinced tliat there were better opportunities farther West, and, accord- ingly, in 1839, started with his wife and five children for Illinois. The party had one wagon and three horses and they traveled after the gypsy fashion, which was then the prevalent method. They halted on the Sabbath and held religious services. A jour- ney of four weeks brought them to \Varren County. Mr. Allen bought the northeast quarter of section 10, township 12, range 3, which is now named Sumner Township. The place was in a state, of nature, and the new proprietor erected a log house and com- menced the work of improving the land. A good frame house replaced the primitive cabin of the pio- neer, and the whole farm was transformed into a de- sirable and valuable homestead, and such was its office until the death of the wife and mother, when Mr. Allen sold the place and went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Mary S. Rogers. His wife died in August, 1857, and his demise occurred Feb. 7, 1881. Following is the record of their cliildren : John H. lives in Monmouth; William A. is the second child ; Margaret C. is the wife of Marion Jamison, of Fur- ness Co., Neb. ; Nancy A. and Robert B. are de- ceased ; Mary S. married Nicholas Rogers, of Sum- ner Township. Mr. Allen, of this sketch, was nine years of age when his parents removed to Illinois. He passed the years of his minority in the manner common to the sons of pioneer farmers and made his home witii his parents until his marriage, when he located on section 4, of Sumner Townsiiii). Eliza J. Stewart became the wife of William A. Allen April 6,1852. She was born in Washington Co., Pa., and is the daughter of Robert C. and Mary A. (Kirk) Stewart. Five of their children are still *t 'V -hU: :^^4^ WARREN COUNTY. S13 living. Florence E. is married to James C. Robb, of Mercer County ; Mary is the wife of Kenneth Whitman, a resident of Keithsburg ; Robert lives in Sumner Township; he married Mary R. Clioat, and they have one child ; Elizabeth Y. and William Linas are the youngest two. Jennie, the fourih child in order of birth, was removed by death at the age of two years. Emma was the last born and died at the age of two years. The father and mother and all the children, with the exception of the youngest, are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allen entered the military service of his coun- try during the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in September, 1862, in Co. I, 50th 111. Vol. Inf , and ac- companied the regiment to Missouri. He was in the battle of Fort Djnelson. He was in the service a year and was discharged on account of disability to do military duty, in September, 1863. He has never recovered the former vigor and strength which was once liis best possession. The parents of Mrs. Allen were of Scotch-Irish or- igin, the grandparents coming to this country when quite young and settling in Washington Co., Pa. €^ ohn A. Miller is a farmer and breeder of ^ stock in Kelly Township, and is located on section i. He is a native citizen of the township of which he is an important business jL factor and in which he was born Aug. i, 1842. Christian Miller, his father, was born in East Tennessee, Aug. 31, 1807, and removed with his parents to Indiana when he was in his youth. His father, George Miller, bought a quantity of land sit- uated about three miles from Crawfordsville, where he cleared a farm and lived until 1832. In that year he removed to Illinois and was the pioneer set- tler at Sugar Grove in Mercer County. Millersburg, which bears the family name, was named for the first settler in that part of Mercer County. In 1850, George Miller again yielded to the inspiration of the pioneer spirit which controlled him throughout his life, and turned his face toward the setting sun. He crossed the plains- to the Pacific Coast and was a pioneer in the valley of the Willamette in that ter- ritory. He lived there a few years and went into the interior of Oregon, where he remained until his death, at the age of 96. He was a nirarod of more than ordinary pretensions, and killed deer with his rifle after he was a nonogenarian. Abraham Miller, one of his sons, now 90 years of age, was the first Clerk of Mercer County. Christian Miller passed the major portion of his boyhood and youth in Indiana. He was married there Sept. 6, 1833, to Mary Brown. He came to Illinois in 1832, and located for a short time at Hen- derson's Grove, in Knox County; afterwards he re- inoved to Edwards' River in Mercer County, where he continued to reside until 1839. The removal of his family to Warren County was then efifected, and he made a settlement on section i, Kelly Township, where he erected a log house and occupied the pioneer cabin while he put his land in shape for profitable cultivation. He afterwards built a good frame house, which was his home as long as he lived. He died July 28, 1869. Five of the children born' to him and his wife are still living: Jane is the wife of Leonard W. Edelman, who resides in the town- ship of North Hendersou, Mercer County, and of whoin a sketch is given on another page; Samuel Miller lives at Alexis; George is a resident of Atchi- son, Kan. ; John A. is the manager of the home-^ stead; B. Frank lives in Alexis. Mrs. Miller died in 1856. She was born in Ohio, Sept. 6, 1812. Af- ter the death of his first wife, the father married Mrs. Sarah Dean, who was a native of Indiana and is now living in Page Co., Iowa Samuel and Jane Brown, the maternal grandparents of Mr. Miller of this sketch, were pioneers of Knox County. John A. Miller passed the entire period of his youth in the township where he was born. He was reared on the family homestead ar.d received his education in the common schools. He was among the first to enroll himself in the military service in the first year of the Rebellion, and enlisted Aug. 6, 1861, in Co. A, io2d 111. Vol. Inf The command joined the army in Kentucky and also went into Tennessee. Feb. 18, 1862, Mr. Miller was dis- charged on account of inabtlity to perform military duty. He returned to his home and resumed his former vocation of farmer on the homestead, of which he has since been the continuous occupant, with the exception of a single year passed at Galesburg, where he was for that time variously occupied. He i^ •JKl ^ S«4 WARREN COUNTY. is now owner of the homestead and also the owner of 80 acres formerly includt-d in the farm known as the Allen Brown estate in the township of North Henderson, Mercer County. The marriage of Mr. Miller to Mary, daughter of Harvey and Mary (Lofton) Gregg, of Knox County, took place Sept. 29, 1869. Mabel, their only child, was born May 11, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had four children ; the three first-born died within one year. Maud was eight years old at the time of her decease; Ethel died at 18 months; an infant died unnamed. Mr. Miller is an adherent of the Democratic party. ^iOn Calvin M. Rodgers. In presenting this biograpliical notice of tlie career of one of the leading men of Warren County, id and a gentleman who is tlioroughly representa- tive of its progressive elements, we deem it our duty to first briefly advert to the life-story of those from whom he draws his origin. Rev. John Rodgers, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Scotland, aliout the year r735. When about 35 years old he emigrated to this country with his wife and settled in Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrival in the country of his adoption his wife died, and lie was re-married to Isabel Ire- land, a lady of Irish origin. One child was the offspring of the first union, a boy, Thomas. His sec- ond wife bore to him a large family, seven in number, namely : John, Aleri, Aniel, William, Alexander, Samuel, Margaret and Irene. Aleri, the third son of John Rodgers, was the father of the subject of this notice, and was born in Rockbridge Co., Va.,in 1785, whence his father had removed from Pennsylvania a few years previously. He grew to manhood at home, and after his marriage still remained under the parental roof-tree, and was thenceforth never separated from his parents, who passed the declining years of their lives under his protection. In his will, the grandfather of our sub- ject, who was a man of some pretensions to scholar- ly attainments, bequeathed his library, which was considered in those days one of the best in Virginia, tjr la: and consisted largely of classical works, to Washing- ton and Lee Colleges, of Virginia. Some of his books of which he made special bequests are still treas- ured by his descendants. The father of our subject married Mary Davidson, a native of Rockbridge County, and the daughter of John and Mary Davidson, people of Scotch-Irish descent. Four children were born to them in Vir- ginia, John, William, Andrew and Alexander. During the year 18 14, Aleri, witli the rank of First Lieutenant, together with Aniel and one other broth- er, entered the service of their country, and remained until the close of the war. In the year 1822, the father of our subject, with his family, emigrated to the West, settling in Monroe Co., Mo. The journey was performed overland in their own conveyance, and, passing through the States of Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois, they reached St. Louis, at that remote period but a small village, finally arriving at their destination af- ter a long and tedious journey of three months. The father of tlie family settled with his little flock on a half section of land near Florida, Monroe Co., which i had previously been entered by Col. Benton, of St. Louis. He soon increased his domain to 600 acres, but with the many disadvantages attendant upon wresting a living from the soil in that very early day, he became dissatisfied with his location and deter- mined to seek a new one. His family had in the meantime been increased by six children, who were, Mary, Joseph, Phcebe, Isabel, Samuel and Calvin M. In the year 1836, we accordingly find him set- tled in Hale Township, Warren County. Here he had purchased a tract of 400 acres, upon which he erected a home, where the remaining years of his life were passed, his death occurring in December, 1863. The mother of our subject survived until the year 1880. In this connection it is proper to say that to Aleri Rogers, along with his brother Andrew, especial honor and credit is due for having introduced the first reaping machine brought West of the AUeghe- nies. It was of tlie McCormick pattern, and was shipped from Lyncliburg, Va., j'ia Richmond, New Orleans and up the Mississippi to Oquawka, 111., and thence by wagon to the old Rogers homestead in Hale Township. The day of its trial was a memor- able one in the annals of the community, as well as -^ — H^ WARREN COUNTY. SIS *t of agriculture in the entire West, and its first work- ings were voted a grand success. Hon. Calvin M. Rodgers. the subject of this sketch, was born on the 15th of February, 1835, in Monroe Co., Mo. He remained under the parental roof-tree until he had attained his majority, when he was mar- ried. After this event he took charge of the homestead, and also entered into the active man- agement of liis father's affairs. The early days of Mr. Rodgers were passed much as those of the or- dinary farm boy of the period, working hard during the busy season of the summer, and acquiring such limited educational facilities as the district school af- forded, during the dull winter months. During the winter months of 1853 and 1854 he attended Knox College. He was married to Miss Eliza A. Paine, Nov. 27, 1858. She is the daughter of Charles and Parthe- nia (Mason) Paine, her mother being a near relative of ex-President Garfield's wife. To the parents of I Mrs. Rodgers were born six children : Amanda mar- ried Robert Gibson, and is living at Monmouth ; their second daughter, Emily, who is the widow of i Nathaniel Brownlee, also resides there ; Lucretia is the wife of H. F. Murrell, and lives in Avon, Ful- ton Co., 111. ; Charles H. married Sophia Hopper, and removed to the far Northwest, where he is now settled in Kings Co., Washington Territory ; the second son, John E., married Miss Ann Turnbull, and is settled in Sumner Township, this county ; Eli- za, the youngest child, and the wife of the subject of this notice, was born in Sumner Township, Nov. II, 1837. Eight cliildren have blessed the union of Mr. Rodgers and wife, namely: Roniaine M., born May 21, 1861 ; Charles H., Dec. 7, 1863; Aleri, Oct. 19, 1865 ; William D., Oct. 11, 1867 ; Alexander, Jan. 26, 1870; Emily I., Dec. 16, 187 i; Frederick M., June 2, 1874, who died Aug. 11 following, and one son who died in infancy. The subject of this notice has for thirty years been a leading citizen of Warren County. He was elected to his first office in 1856, when but 21 years of age. He has been School Trustee of his Township almost continuously up to the present time. For two terms he has served as Commissioner of Highways, repre- senting Hale Township and for five years has been Supervisor. In 1882 he was chosen by the Repub- lican party as their candidate for the Legislature, from the 27th District, comprising Warren and Mc- Donough counties. Mr. Rodgers' position in this contest was unique. Unlike the majority of political aspirants, he was not a seeker for office, but submit- ting to the unanimous desire of his constituents he became a candidate. He was elected by a hand- some majority. He was again elected to the 34th General Assembly in 1884., Mr. Rodgers was one of the memorable 103 who stood by John A. Logan during the Senatorial con- test of that session, and was a stanch supporter of his candidate from the beginning until he finally re- ceived the necessary majority. The subject of this sketch claims that his success in life may be credited to a kind Providence, good parents, a discriminating public and clever friends, along with some persistent effort of his own. -f3= on Isaac L. Christie, retired farmer and a resident of Monmouth, is a native of Jef- ferson Co., Ind., where he was born Dec. II, 1825. His father, James Christie, was a Virginian, and served his country valiantly dur- ing the war of 1812. His great ancestor was James Christie, who came to America from Ireland, and settled in Lancaster, Lnncaster Co., Pa., in the early part of the i8th century. Like go per cent, of his countrymen, his dislike for the British admit- ted of no discussion when it came to the question of loyalty to the crown or to the colonies. But when the great struggle came, that struggle which was to mark the beginning of a new era, the elder Christie had grown too old to participate, and to his only child, named for himself, he said "Go," and the son, James Christie, went forth, and from the beginning to the ending of the Revolutionary War, he fought against the "red coats." Isaac L. Christie was educated at the common schools of Indiana, where he was brought up to farming. He came to Warren County, in 1864, and lived upon his farm in Lenox Township up to 1877, when he retired from agricultural labor and took up his abode in the city of Monmouth. Since coming A ' , ¥ ^*^-^ 5'6 WARREN COUNTY. here he has sold his farm and was for a year or Iwo engaged in the flour and feed business. Before leaving Indiana he held some minor offices, but he was never termed a politician. In 1874, he was elected as an Independent to represent Warren and McDonough counties in the Illinois Legislature, being nominated at Bushnell without even his knowl- edge or consent. During the Legislature of 1875- 76, the Independents held the balance of power in that body, and as Mr. Christie was one of the lead- ers of that delegation it may be presumed that the two old parties found occasion to wish he had re- mained on tliefarm. Formerly he was a Republican, but in 1878 he identified iiimself with the Inde- pendents, and has since voted and worked as best suited his fancy. The engraving upon a heavy silver-headed cane in Mr. Christie's possession tells the following history, and is well worthy mentioning in this connection. The John Hanks mentioned was a relative of Mr. Lincoln : "JOHN HANKS" to L L. ( 'hristie. Cane nuult- l>v .John ll;u]ks anil Gov. Oglesb}-. lS(iO. from Kail Split bv A. IJnidhi. in 1836." Mr. Christie was married at Madison, Indiana, May 20, 1852, to Miss Louisa Wilson, and has iiad born to him six children: George P. ..connected with the United States army as a printer; Sarah Anto- nette; Ann Elizabeth ; Fannie, born Dec. 12, 1869, died Dec, 1878; Clara Louisa, born June 25, 1875, died Dec, 1878; and Mary Emma, who was the sec- ond child in order of birth, was buried in July, 1857, less than one year old. T i.,harles T. Page is senior member of the firm of Page & Pinkerton, dealers in hard- ware, stoves and furniture, and manufac- turers and jobbers of tinware, at Monmouth himself and partner being the successors to a business established by Chancy Hardin in the early history of Monmouth. Mr. Hardin sold out to M. C. Churchill, who sold the business to Mr. Page in 1874. Mr. Pinkerton came into the firm in 1876, at which time the trade was simply in hard- ware and stoves. In 1879 they added furniture and at this writing their business in that line is the larg- est in the city. Mr. Page was born at Hillsdale, Mich., April 18, 1849. His parents. Rev. William and Frances (Du- rand) Page, natives of Connecticut, were married in York Stale, removed to Michigan and subsequently to Rockford, 111., where the senior Mr. Page died, in 1856, His widow resides at this writing (October, 1885), with her eldest son at Ft. Wayne, Ind. Charles T. Page was educated at Rockford, and, when about 19 years of age, was employed by the Winnebago National Bark, at that place, as bookkeeper. He remained there four years and went to Chicago as assistant cashier of the Home National Bank, a position he filled two years, coming thence to Monmouth. He married at Ale.xis, this State, Sept. 18, 1876, Miss Bertha Alexander, daughter of John E. Alex- ander, and the two children born of this union are named respectively Mary Florence and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Page are members of the Presbyterian -<| Church. — «i- / illiam St. Clair Matson is a farmer on section 2, of Sumner Township, and came ^_„ to Warren County in 1865. He is a na- >^> tive of the State of Maryland and was born in Fredericktown, Aug, 31, 1S23. His par- ents, George and Jane (Barr) Matson, came West when he was but two years old and located in Ohio. They were early settlers of Muskingum County and were both of English descent. The mother died when William was 12 years old and he afterwards resided with a neighbor named Robert Linn, who entered into an agreement to clothe, board and send him to school. The opfwrtunities he had for the latter were of practically no account and af- ter five years he terminated the relations he held with Mr. Linn. During the chief portion of the suc- ceeding year he attended school. After that, until he was 20, he was variously employed, and he then engaged with a merchant tailor, of Bridgeville, Ohio, ■A — ^ ^ __L WARREN COUNTY. JU S17 and Mr. Matson remained with him 18 months. When he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of the business to warrant making a venture he went to Chandlersville, where he opened a shop in partner- ship with another man. Their joint operations con- tinued 18 months, and Mr. Matson afterward con- tinued alone. After a time he became interested in the business of buying and shipping horses to East- ern markets, and on one occasion, when he accom- panied his property in horse flesh to the East, he purchased a stock of goods common to the estab- lishment of a gentlemen's furnishing store, and on his return increased the facilities for his business. In 1850 he removed to Cumberland, in Guernsey Co., where he opened traffic in the same line. From tliat time forward, as long as he stayed in that place, he continued to go East with horses twice a year and at the same time attended to his semi-yearly purchase of goods for his store. Four years later he brought his affairs in Cumberland to a close and turned to Muskingum County. He bought a farm in Salt Creek Township, in that county, and combined the business of trading in horses with that of the pursuit ^ of agriculture. He operated in those vocations until the year in which he removed to Warren County. On arrival in the township where he cast his lot for a permaneacy he bought 150 acres of land, of which he has since been the owner. The place is at pres- ent in as good condition for profit as any in the county of similar dimensions, and is fitted with all necessary and suitable farm buildings. He lias since become by purchase the owner of the property known as the Andrews farm, which he purchased in 1881, and which is situated on section 3. In 1847 Mr. Matson, in company with his wife, Miss Nina L. Chandler before her marriage to him, set up their domestic establishment, which still re- mains intact. Mrs. Matson was the daughter of Zacharias and Fannie (Bingham) Chandler, who were natives of Vermont and New Hampshire respective- ly. Mrs. Matson's grandfather's brothers, two in number, were soldiers in the war of the Revolution ; one, Jesse Chandler, was killed at the battle of Ben- nington. The grandfather was a native of Vermont. On the Bingham side of the house Mrs. Matson is a lineal descendant of Miles Standish, who came over on the Mayflower, in 1629. Mrs. M. has a silk dress that her mother, her grandmother and her great- grandmother were inarried in. It has been in the family over 200 years. The family had in its pos- session a pewter basin that belonged to Sarah Stand- ish, the wife of Miles Standish. Owing to the scarc- ity of lead, it was brought to Ohio and melted into bullets. Mr. and Mrs. Matson have four children — Lena is the wife of William Robb, of Mercer County ; Arthur, Gertrude and Harry are the three younger who sur- vive. The mother was born in Salt Creek Town- ship, in Muskingum Co., Ohio. -#^ ■^IRSEiilr eorge M. Sallee, farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 5, Cold Brook Town- 's ship, is a life-long resident of that town- ^^\ ship, having been born there March i, 1858- "^ Henry Sallee, father of George M., was a . '•- native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupa- tion, and came to the undeveloped West when a young man, with his parents, settling in Cold Brook , Township, where his father died some years ago. Af- ter that event Henry was married to Miss Minerva Wright, a daughter, of Jacob Wright, a farmer and _ old settler in Cold Brook Township, where he died in January, 1876. (See sketch of Mrs. Lewis B. Davis.) The mother of George M. Sallee was born in Monmouth, Sept. 3, 1836, and is at present residing with her son, the subject of this notice. Mr. and Mrs. Sallee, parents of George M., were married, and they located in Monmouth Township, where his father was engaged in farming and also as Collecting Agent for the George W.Brown Manufacturing Com- pany for some time. He died at his home in Cold Brook Township when the subject of this sketch was but one year old. George M. Sallee was the only child of his par- ents, Henry and Minerva Sallee, and after the death of his father, which occurred when he was an in- fant, as already stated, continued to reside with his mother on the old homestead. He alternated his labors on the farm with attendance at the common schools, and after he had attained a sufficient age he cultivated the homestead, and has continued thereon until the present time. His mother owns 160 acres lX: ^ -4 t* Si8 WARREN COUNTY. of good land, under an advanced state of cultiva- tion, together with ten acres of timber, and George M. is the proprietor of 34 acres of timber land in Kelly Township. The homestead on which Mr. Sallee resides, and whicli is under his control, is one of tlie best farms in Cold Brook Township, and he is meeting with suc- cess in the vocation which he has fallowed during his entire life. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics he casts his vole with the Democratic party. The marriage of Mr. Sallee to Miss Josie Frymire, the accomplished daughter of William and Mary (Barnum) Frymire, took place March 28, 1879, a', the residence of the bride's parents, in MonmouthTown- ship. Her father, whose calling was a farmer, died in that township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sal- lee has been blessed by the birth of three children, one of whom is deceased ; Myrtle I. and Lucy A. are the living, and Ruth died in infancy. *% .aniel W. Burt, a grain dealer at Alexis, is practically a native of the State of Illinois, having been brouglit hither by his parents when less than tivo years old. He was born \\ in (Granger, Medina Co., Ohio, May 3, 1839. John Burt, his father, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. The latter went in his young manhood to Ohio, and was a pioneer of the county where his son was born. He became a landholder in the heavy timber district of the Buckeye State, and bviilt a log house for his individual use, as he was still outside the bonds of matrimony. Soon after he had pre- pared a residence he was joined by his widowed mother and his brothers and sisters. After establish- ing them in comfort he returned to the State of New York, whence he came back to his home in the forest, accompaned by his bride. This is a story quickly related, but when one reflects that the journeyings were made with horses, it will be perceived that they were of much greater moment and consumed more time than would at first be suggested. The wife lived but eight months. In due time the husband • A • took a second wife, Miss Lucinda Hammond. She was the daughter of pioneers of the township of Bath, in Medina Co., Ohio, and was born in Tolland Co., Conn., whither her parents removed to Ohio. The senior Burt cleared a farm of 160 acres in the primeval forest, where he located, and also became extensively interested in the lumber trade. He built a saw mill and engaged in all the relations of the business in a new country. In 1839 he came to Illinois for the purpose of prospecting. He visited Knox and DeKalb coun- ties, and liking the appearance of the former best, he resolved to pitch his tent within its borders. Re- turning to Ohio, he lost no time in carrying his res- olution into effect. He sold his property there, and all preparations were complete, when the wife and mother was seized by fatal illness. She died in the summer of 1840, and, after all was over,the bereaved liusband and five motherless children set out for their new home. At the time of the death of Mrs. Burt, all of the household goods were packed and ready fop removal. The journey was made with two two-horse teams,, and the household camped and cooked by the way.K Mr. Burt bought land on the west line of the town- ship of Ontario, in Knox County, and his family lived there seven years. At the end of that time ther father sold the place and bouglit another tract of un- improved land in the same township. The entire acreage was prairie, and the owner iinproved a fine farm. In the spring of 1855 he went to Oneida, where he established himself as a grocer, and was the third to interest himself in a business enterprise there. He continued his operations there until his death, which transpired March 16, 1857. He was a pioneer by nature. His enterprise and abilities fitted him for a business leader, and his judgment of the propriety of a location was unerr- ing. He was prominent in offices of trust in the gift of his fellow-men, and acted as Supervisor, Assessor, Collector and Justice of the Peace. He was also School Director. While in Ohio he was Colonel of the State Militia, and officiated as Postmaster. Mr. Burt, of this narrative, was reared on his father's farm, until he attained the age of 16 years. He then assisted in the mercantile business of his sire at Oneida, until the death of the latter in 1857. 4^ € i WARREN COUNTY. 4^ 521 ■s^ ^ After that event threw the responsibility of the fam- ily and estate on him and an elder brother, they togetlier managed the farm for a period of five years. After that they went to Oneida. There Mr. Burt bought an elevator preparatory to engaging in the business in which he is interested at present. He operated as a buyer and seller of grain at that place three years, and then turned his attention to farm- ing. After an experience of a year as farmer, he went to Windsor, in Mercer County, and again operated as a grain broker. He continued this seven years, and at the expiration of that time removed to Alexis. He passed a year there, occupied in the milling bus- iness, and went thence to Yates City, in Knox Co. In the spring of i88o he returned to Alexis and es- tablished tlie business in which he has since been engaged. He is the sole representative of that line of traffic at Alexis. Sarah .A. Fraser became the wife of Mr. Burt Nov. 15, i860. She was born Dec. 25, 1839, in New Haven, Conn. To them four children were born, of whom three are now living: Katie is married to Perry Anderson, of Ale.xis ; Jessie is the third child ; Frankie, the second child, died at the age of two years; Bertha is the youngest. The mother passed from this world, July 2, 1879. Mr. Burt was again married, March 17, 1882, to Bertha E. Leonard. She is a native of Pennsylva- nia. Ellen L. is the name of the sole daughter and child of the second marriage. Mr. Burt is a Republican of decided principles. He and Mrs. Burt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. - am es Harvey Wallace, M. D., a promi- nent physician and surgeon, residing at Monmouth, and whose portrait is given on the opposite page, traces his ancestry back to 1^ Scotland. Robert Wallace was driven from y Scotland and fled into Ireland during the per- secution of the Presbyterians. His son, William, was born in Ireland, and lived many years in the County Tyrone, in which place he was married, and *X while there had a son, James, born in 177 i. James married Mary Barfit, in Tyrone, and the eight chil- dren born to them were named respectively : Will- iam, Eliza, Benjamin, Mary Ann, James, Robert, John and Margaret Jane. Robert was the father of our subject and came with his parents from his na- tive country, Ireland, in the year 1810, then being three years of age. The Wallaces spent their first year in America in the city of Baltimore, removing thence to Juniata Co., Pa , where Robert grew to manhood and married Eleanor Shaver, a native of the Keystone State, of German extraction, tracing her ancestry back to an early product of the two very distinct races, the Scotch and the German. Robert Wallace, born Feb. 21, 1807, was by oc- cupation a farmer before retiring from active life, and at this writing (October, 1885) resides on a fine farm in Wayne Co., Ohio, where he removed in the year 1854. He is 78 years of age and his wife is 74 years. They reared six sons and two daughters, James Harvey Wallace being the second in order of birth. One of the brothers, W. W. Wallace, is Professor of Mathematics at Westminister College, Pa. ; and John C. is an M. D. at Port Austin, Mich. '^ The other three are farmers in Wayne Co., Ohio. The present Dr. J. H. Wallace, who was born in Juniata Co., Pa., Nov. 16, 1834, spent the first 19 years of his life upon the farm and at the common schools, completing his literary education at Ver- million Institute, Hayesville, Ohio. In 1857, he be- gan reading medicine at Wooster, Ohio, with Dr. T. H. Baker; attended lectures at Buffalo University (medical department) in 1861, and graduated from the Ohio College of Medicine, Cincinnati, in 1862. Directly after receiving his diploma he began prac- tice at Lakeville, Ohio, in partnership with a Dr. McKee, and at the end of 15 months removed to Canaan, that State, where he practiced with much success for about 1 1 years, in the meantime taking a post-graduate course at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He went next to Smithville, Ohio, where he remained till his removal to Monmouth in April, 1876. Here he was associated with Dr. S. K. Crawford about one year and has since been, for the greater part of the time, without a partner. At the present time, however. Dr. John Troutman is associated with him. After the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in 1862, the Doctor was there as a volunteer surgeon, and as- rrJ^i i^ -e-T-^ 522 .Y , WARREN COUNTY. =^!-4-> sisted with his skill in caring for the sick, wounded and dying, so, also, at Vicksburg, from which place he brought home his invalid brollier, who was a sol- dier in Co. H, I 20th Regt. Ohio Vol. Inf Dr. Wal- lace is devoted to the profession he so aptly adorns, and the good people of Monmouth amply attest their appreciation of his skill as a physician, and of his high merit as a citizen. Or. Wallace was m irried at Wooster, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1862, to Miss Sarah J. Troutman, daughter of J. G. and Caroline (Frybarger) Troutman. Of their children, we make the following mention : George E., druggist at Monmouth; Charles R., born in November, 1865, died at the age of five years and five months; Franklin E., student; Carrie L., student; Anna May and Lewis E., at home; and LeRoy, born in 1875, ^^^^ '" '877- Both the Djctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and active workers in various benevolent organizations. He is a member of the Independent Order of Mutual Aid, and also a member of the Knights of Honor, a charter mem- ber of the Order of the " Golden Rule," and a Di- rector in the Monmouth Loan and Homestead Association. Republican in politics, he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont in 1856, and from that time to the present has remained firm to his first convictions, but takes no active part in politics. i III \ ev. Robert Clayton Matthews, D. D., late Pastur of the Presbyterian Church, Mon- mouth, and son of the Rev. John Mat- thews, was born at Shepherdstown, Va., April I, 1K22, and died at Monmouth, Nov. 15, 1881. He graduated with honors from Han- over (Va.) College in 1839; studied law, and after emigrating to Iowa practiced awhile at Fairfield. From Iowa he removed to Mississippi, and was there for some years engaged in teaching. Returning North, probably for that purpose, he was, on the 12th of February, 1846, married near Lavonia, Ind., to Miss Louisa M. Martin, who ac- companied him again to the South, where she died in January, 1849. While at the South, he became converted to the Christian religion, and soon after the death of his wife, entered the New Albany (Ind.) Theological Seminary, from which institution he was licensed to preach the following year. He preached his first sermon at Monmouth, Dec. 20, 1851, and in March, 1852, was regularly ordained and installed by the Presbytery ; and he held the Monmouth charge until the day of his death. He was the eld- est settled Presbyterian Pastor in Illinois when he died, and not one stood higher in the estimation of the people. He was in every particular the true, straightforward, consistent gentleman and most richly honored and adorned his profession and the cause of the Master. During the years of his ministry at this point, and they numbered nearly a third of a cen- tury, his reputation far outstretched the petty limits of a diocese, and he was several times offered in- ducements to accept a different charge, but he steadily stood by the congregation that first received him as their Pastor. At one time, the fact of his receiving from a for- eign Church an offer amounting to something nearly commensurate witli his worth as a Pastor, reached the ears of the late Ivory Quinby. Though not a member of Mr. Matthews' Church at all, Mr. Quinby at once proclaimed against the people tolerating such a step, and declared " that sooner than Dr. Mat' hews should leave the town, he would personally pay his salary for the sake of seeing him walk the streets; that his daily life in Monmouth had done more to elevate the youth and advance morality than all the otiier preachers of the place combined." Dr. Matthews was a preacher of remarkable unc- tion and power, and possessed the great faculty of winning the respect and admiration of even the un- godly. He was connected with Monmouth College from its foundation up to 1870, as a Director, and afterward as a Trustee. The new Presbyterian Church begun by him, and under his eye grew almost to completion, but he was never allowed to occupy it. He preached two elo- quent sermons the Sunday before his death, and in speaking of the anticipated removal at an early day from the old into the new edifice, he said, as if in- spired unto prophecy, " the old church and its old Pastor will pass away together." Dr. Matthews was married again to Miss Isabella M. Ickes, of Bloomfield, Pa., Aug. 16, 1852, and their ¥ -e4r^ WARREN COUNTY. %^ 523 children are mentioned as follows : Mary (Mrs. Rob- ert Woods) ; Susan H. (Mrs. William Vaughn), de- ceased ; Ida C. Ruth, deceased; Henry, deceased; Robert, deceased ; Abner, Edward and Charl'e. By his first wife he had two children — John W., whose biography appears in this work; and Betty Louisa, a missionary of the Presbyterian Church, at Sitka, Alaska. -^##-*- Llark M. Young, a general farmer, and also engaged in fish culture, on section y, Cold gy^"*^ Brook Township, was born in Medina Co , % Ohio, June 7, 1850. The father of Mr. vf Young of this sketch, Lyman H. Young, was ( a native of Connecticut, in which State he re- sided until he developed into manhood. He was married to Emeline A. Cole in Ohio, and is at pres- ent residing in Cold Brook Township, where he is engaged in the occupation of farming. Clark M. Young was next to the eldest in order of birth of seven children, all sons. Three of them were born in Ohio and four in this county. Clark M. was only four years of age wlien liis parents came to this county and located on the farm on which they are at present residing. He continued to re- side on the parental homestead, assisting in the la- bors thereon, until he attained his majority, having received his education in the district schools and at Monmouth College. On becoming his own man, he began teaching in the district schools, and followed that vocation for about ten years. While thus en- gaged, he formed the acquaintance of Miss Annetta Wallace, to whom he was married March 27, 1877. She is the daughter of John and Sarah (McFarland) Wallace, who at present reside on a farm in Mon- mouth Township and rank among the respected and well-to-do citizens. Mrs. Young was born in Mon- mouth Township, Nov. 5, 1854. She received a good education in the public schools and resided under the care of her parents until her marriage with Mr. Young. Of their union one cliild has been born — Lena M., Jan. g, 1880. In 187s, Mr. Young, in company with his brother, purchased loi acres of land, six acres of which they afterward sold, and Mr. Young, of this notice, is at present the proprietor of the balance, which is im- proved, and also ten acres of limber. The farm on which he resides and which he owns is under an advanced state of cultivation, with good residence, barn, etc., and Mr. Young is meeting with success in his chosen vocation. In 1884, in addition to the cultivation of his land, he engaged in Pisciculture and has since con- tinued the same. He is raising German carp, and his success in his new venture at this writing seems to be assured. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Talbot Creek, of which denomination Mr. Young is one of the Elders. He has held the office of Assessor of his township, and at present is Road Commissioner and Scliool Trustee. In politics, he votes with the Republican party. The Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was. organized in March, 1875, and to Mr. YoungJs at- tributed the honor of aiding in its formation. It was their idea that the company should embrace six town-_. ,■ ships only, but it finally embraced the entire county,,^ Upon the organization of the company, Mr. Young,. was made Secretary and has continued to hold that = office to the present time. The company consists of nine Directors, elected annually by those insured, and their policies are out for nearly a million dollars. Lyman H. Young is the President of the Company, and since its organization it has met with continued success. Hilliam McCoy, a retired farmer, stock buy- er and shipper, residing at Kirkwood, is a ,, native of Oliio, having been born in the 5> Buckeye State Dec. 10, 1836. The parents of Mr. McCoy, James and Mary (Creswell) McCoy, were natives of Pennsylvania, in which State the father followed the occupation of a farmer. The gentleman wliose name we place at the head of this biography, was an inmate of the parental household until 1859. His years prior to that date were passed in the common schools and in assisting his father on the farm. After acquiring an educa- tion, he continued to work on the farm summers, and during the winter of 1856-7 taught school. T 'JKn S24 WARREN COUNTY. In the fall of 1858 Mr. McCoy came to this State and taught school that winter, and the next spring again returning East. In 1859, he again returned to this State and stopped with an uncle in Henry County, Henry Creswell by name. He remained with his uncle for seven years, engaged in working on his farm and a part of the time in managing the same. In 1867, he rented a farm in Warren County, three miles west of Kirkwood, and for seven years was occupied in its cultivation, at the expiration of which time he purchased a farm of 240 acres in Henderson County, on which he resided for a time and then moved into the village of Kirkwood. Pre- vious to this, however, Mr. McCoy had purchased 130 acres of land in this county, the date of his pur- chase being in the fall of 1874. He has a fine resi- dence and three-quarters of an acre of land where he is at present residing. In politics, he is inde- pendent. He is one of the Highway Commissioners and a gentleman possessed of far more than ordinary business ability. The marriage of Mr. McCoy to Miss Samantha S. Hutchison, a native of this Slate, took place in 1868, C. and to them have been born two children — Lora E. and Martha A. ^r. Norwood S. Woodward, the represen- i |. taiive Doctor of Dental Surgery at Mon- ll^r "^ moi'th, was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., May 3, 1842. His parents, John S. C. and Caroline (Barclay) Woodward, natives of Penn- sylvania and Maryland, and of Scotch and Irish extraction, reared seven sons and four daughters, and the subject of our sketch was next to the last born. Dr. Norwood S. Woodward is the only son living. His father was a merchant and stock dealer and while absent from home with one of his sons, in 1847, they were both taken ill and died suddenly, at Un- ionville, Pa., After a pretty thorough education, he began at the age of 17 years to study dentistry with Doctor Barcroft, at Elderton, and came to Monmouth in 1863. Here he at once took rankas one of the most skillful and successful operators in the city, and, as time has increased his experience in this delicate and useful profession, he has found no difficulty in hold- ing his position well, if not entirely, to the front. Jan. I, 1868, he was married, at Monmouth, to Miss Maria Crawford, native of Warren County, and daughter of James C. and Esther (Sloan) Crawford, Esq., now of Henry Co., Mo. Their two sons are named respectively Charles N. and Clifford C In politics, Dr. W. is a Democrat, in whom there is no guile, and that his friends, regardless of party, appreciate him as a citizen, is attested by the record. He has represented his ward in the city council four consecutive years and has served the city one year as its Treasurer. He has been several times the delegate of his party to State conventions, and has been prominently identified with the Warren County Central Committee for years. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, is an active member of the Fire Company, and holds an official position in the County Agricultural Society. ]p^Si|{ S. Holliday, M. D., physician and sur- kSi.lLl? geon, at Monmouth, son of Alexander and j^^iy^' Nancy (Mitchell) Holliday, natives of Ai^) County Antrim, Ireland, was born in Lucas- ville, Ohio, Dec. 4, 1850. His parents were married in the Green Isle, in 1838, came to America two years later, resided five years in Pitts- burgh, Pa., removed thence to Lucasville, Ohio, where the senior Mr. Holliday died in 1855, at the age of 46 years. The widow, and children consisting of seven sons (a daughter having died in infancy), re- mained in Ohio several years, William S. coming to Monmouth in 1867, where his two brothers, Mathew and John had preceded him, the first arriving here in 1861, and the latter in 1865. (John, James and Daniel were soldiers in the late war. The first and the latter were members of Co. C, Qrst Regt. Ohio Vol. Inf , and James enlisted in Co. F, 56th Ohio Vol. Inf. James and Daniel enlisted when they were but 13 years of age.) The balance of the family came in 1875. Tlie subject of this sketch was pretty thoroughly trained in the common schools of Ohio; pursued his studies after coming to Monmouth ; entered the academic department of Monmouth College and *r -H^ r^'-^ WARREN COUNTY. 525 spent one year in the College proper; began reading medicine with Doctors Webster and Crawford when about 21 years of age, and, in 1872, entered Lo\iis- ville, (Ky.) Medical College, from which institution he graduated in February, 1874, with the degree of M. D., tailing two prizes, and the clinics, surgery and anatomy medal. He began practice in May following at Monmouth, and though among the very youngest of his profession in the place, he has long enjoyed a reputation tliat might be justly envied by many much older. Dr. Hoiliday was some time associated with Dr. Crawford, six years with Doctors Hamilton and Mar- shall, and since 1884 with Dr. Linn. Dr. Hoiliday has held the offices of Alderman, County Physician and Coroner, his choice for the latter office devolving finally upon the unusual method of "drawing straws" witli his opponent. It was in 1882, the opposing candidate was a physician in the city, and when the votes were counted they were found to be evenly divided. This led to the drawing of straws and re- sulted in favor of Dr. Hoiliday. The Doctor is a member of the State Medical Society, Military Tract Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. He is also a mem- ber of the Order of Modern Woodmen of America; a Mason of high rank ; a Democrat politically, and prominently identified with the Baptist Church. He is a member of Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K.T., and has been for the last two years a member of the City Council, representing the First Ward. On April 29, 1875, the Doctor was married, at Monmouth, to Miss Emma Jewell, a native of War- ren County, daughter of Jacob Jewell, Esq., and his three children are named respectively, Jessie Mabel, Alexander Gaillard and Charles Jewell. i-^*^ imothy P. Perry, Junior, retired farmer at Monmouth, son of Timothy P. and Mary (Clark) Perry, natives of Connecticut, and of English descent, was born in Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 19, 1826. T. P. Perry, senior, reared three sons and five daughters, viz. : Ol- iver H., who lives in South Windham, Conn. ; Mary Ann, who married Asa Burgess, and is now deceas- ed ; Elizabeth L. married Joseph Lillie and now re- sides in Lebanon, Conn. ; Susan married Henry Loomis and is deceased ; Timothy P. is our subject; Silas C. now lives in Almakee Co., Iowa; Eunice married William Huntington, and she is now num- bered with the dead ; and one child died in infancy. Mr. Perry, Sr., was in the war of 1812, and related to Commodore Perry. Mr. Perry of this sketch was the second son and fifth child. The old gentleman was a farmer in his native State, where he died, in 1839, aged 48 years. His widow survived him until 1884, and to the 89th year of her age. The subject of this notice was brought up a farm- er and in youth acquired at the common schools a fair education. At the age of 19 years he began the machinist's trade at South Windham, and followed it about 14 years. The year 1856 brought him to Warren County, and he lived awhile in Tompkins Township, removing thence to Lenox Township, where he secured a fine farm, upon which he resided until 1878. By this time he had accumulated suffi- cient property to enable him to retire to a life of ease, and he forthwith came to Monmouth. Such is the compass in outline of one of Warren County's most solid and respected citizens. Not a soldier, not a statesman ; not great in the eyes of the hero and mammon worshiping people of the world, but as a factor in the substructure of a republic that makes it possible to be great. They subdue the forest, till the soil, build the homes, and around their unpreten- tious hearthstones kindle not only a love of home, but a love of country that warms and develops into patriotism, and in the multiplicity of its increase be- comes so great that the superstructure is wholly de- pendent upon it in times of imminent danger. When a nation becomes imperiled, then the common peo- ple are great, and the Shylocks and the money king and the railroad princes flee from the presence of those that have served as lackeys, and cry out to the factors of the substructure, the yeomanry, to arise and save the country. Thus it is, of a citizen, plain and unpretentious, that we write. Mr. Perry was married in Connecticut, May 13, 1856, to Miss Ellen A. Armstrong, daughter of John and Lucinda (Tenney) Armstrong. Shs was the i2th in order of birth of a family of 13 children. The father was of Englibh descent and the mother Scotch. The father was born in Franklin, New London Co., rJV-nr 4^ ■ cT_L =?=^4-*^ 526 WARREN COUNTY. Conn , in the year 1775, and died in 1839. The motlier was born in tlie above place in the year 1793 and died in South Windham, Conn., in 1876. Out of the family of thirteen, seven are now living and the balance are deceased. The names of those living are Wolcott, and he lives in Milford, Oakland Co., Mich.; Zacheus lives in Franklin, Conn. ; Jackson lives in the same place; Marlin lives in Petaluraa, Cal. ; Alma married Jonathan Hutch and resides in South Windham, Conn. ; Cornelia married Charles Smith and resides at Ellington, Conn.; Ellen is the wife of Mr. Perry, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Armstrong served in the war of 1812. They have one child, Kate. Mr. Perry is a Republican, l)ut such for " revenue only." He is one from principle, and asks no fat of- fice to preserve his loyalty. The only office he ever held was that of Township Assessor of Lenox Town- ship. *r Ifred Lewey is a settler of 1857, in the county of which he is still a resident. He is an agriculturist on section 25, Kelly Townshi[). He was born Aug. 9, 1826, in Guilford Co., N. C. John Lewey, his father, was a native of the same Slate and was born in Orange County, of German parentage. He married Pliebe Clap, of the same county and nativity; they had 12 children, all of whom lived to rear families. They located after their marriage in Guilford County, on a farm situated eight miles eastof Greensborough, which was their home as long as they survived. Mr. Lewey was reared to manhood on the home estate, and was educated in the subscription school, which was the only means of education then availa- ble. In the fall of 1846, he came from his native State to Illinois. He found a i)lace to locate in Montgomery County, where he operated as a farm assistant four years. He then returned to North Carolina and fulfilled a long cherished [jurpose to connect himself in marriage with Sarah Forbis. She was born in the county where her husband was brought up, July 20, 1829. Mr. Lewey had invested his earnings in land in Montgomery County, and he returned to it and with his bride prepared to enter upon life in earnest. He built a house and pro- ceeded with the work of improvement, breaking the soil and enclosing his fields with suitable fences. In January, 1855, his wife died, and Mr. Lewey put an end to housekeeping temporarily. He then went back to North Carolina and passed the ensuing sum- mer. In the autumn he returned to Montgomery Co., III., and was there a resident until 1857, when he came to Warren County as has been stated. In March of that year he was married to Janiza (Brown) McDavid. She was the widow of Jesse McDavid and is the daughter of James Brown, a pioneer of Warren County. She was bnrn in Indi- ana. In the fall of 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Lewey set- tled on the homstead farm of her father, on section 25 of Kelly Township, which is now their property and which they still occupy. William R. and Elizabeth, the children of the first marriage of Mr. Lewey, are both deceased. They died in infancy. The children of the second mar- riage are two in number. Eva E. is the wife of George Gregg, of Knox County. Florence L. is the younger. Mr. Lewey is a Republican in political belief and connections. Mrs. Lewey had one child by her former marriage, named James T. McDavid, who married Ella Pugh; they have three children. He is a resident of Gales- burg. Mrs. Lewey was born Jan. 7, 1830. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky, moved to Indiana and then to Illinois. They came to this point at an early date and were among the first set- tlers here. Isaac, the third son, was a soldier in the Mexican War; William A., the youngest brother, served for three years in the late war. -• -^< |i amuel Diffenbaugh, retired citizen of Mon- mouth, where for many years he was en- gaged in active business, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa.. March 12, 1828, and was the second in order of birth of a family of six sons and one daughter, the progeny of Chris- tian and Nancy (Doner) Diffenbaugh, who were also < natives of Lancaster County and descended from the 1^ t. WARREN COUNTY. 527 German. The senior Mr. Dififenbaugh was a farmer, distiller and tanner, and brought his sons up to a thorough acquaintance with these various industries. Mr. Diffenbaugh of this notice received a fair English education through the common schools, and when about 18 years of age began clerking in a store at New Providence, Lancaster Co., Pa., and followed the same for eight years. He thea removed to York Furnace and there farmed, kept hotel and carried on a foundry, and was general manager at iron works and all kinds of business for about 20 years. In 1863 he came to Monmouth and engaged in the res- taurant, confectionary and notions business, which received his attention up to the year 1881. In 1882 he built the Diffenbaugh Block, corner of Main and Wet Streets, now occupied by the Monmouth Daily Gazette, a restaurant and the Hayden gun store. Mr. Diffenbaugh inherited probably ^1,500. The rest of his valuable property has been acquired by his individual efforts and industry. He is a stock- holder in the Monmouth National Bank and owns land in the West. Mr. Diffenbaugh was married in Lancaster Co., Pa., to Miss Fanny Groff, who died at Monmouth, June I, 1876, at the age of 37 years, leaving five children — Annie (Mrs. J. R. Hickman), born Feb. 26, 1857; Robert B., born Oct. 16, 1859, died May 3, 1861 ; Naomi (Mrs. Harry Hodgins), born March 26, 1862 ; John D., a job printer, born Nov. 8, 1865 ; Harry R., student, born Oct. 14, 1869; and Lillie, born Sept. n, 187 i, died Nov. 3, 1878. Mr. Diffenbaugh has long been a consistent mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church. Two of his brothers were in the Union Army and one of them was killed at Gettysburg. \ sto oseph B. Malony, manufacturer of har- r ness and dealer in harness and saddlery goods at Roseville, is a son of James and Margaret (Cairnes) Malony, and was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1818. His parents were natives of Ireland and came to America about the year 18 10, locating in the Key- stone State where the father was engaged as contrac- lAj tor for stone work. In 1824 he removed into Ohio and there engaged in farming, also following his trade at stone work, and laid the foundation for the first flouring mill on the Maumee River. He made the Buckeye State his permanent home and died there about 1826-7, h's wife's demise occurring in 1846. Joseph B., the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, went to learn the trade of saddle-maker at the age of 16, at which he served an apprenticeship of three and a half years, and again ten months under the instruction of another firm. He followed the same in the States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and finally settled down in Canton, Fulton County, this State, and opened a shop, which lie carred on for 12 years. At the ex- piration of that lime he removed to Vermont, same county, but remained only a year, when he again re- turned to Canton and embarked in the same busi- ness for four years. His next move was to Prairie City, McDonough Co., 111., where he engaged in business and remained until the year i86r. In the latter year the call was made for brave hearts and strong arms to defend the Union flag, and Joseph B., a very patriotic gentleman, enlisted in the Seventh Regt. of 111. Vol. Cav., and serv-ed two years and four months, having held the position of Sergeant Saddler, but was discharged on account of disability. He then returned to Prairie City and again embarked in business, which he continued until the year 1872, then coming to Roseville and in- teresting himself in his present enterprise, in which he has met with remarkable success and is doing a constantly increasing business. He has gotten up many new improvements in harness that have come into general use. He invented the first pad for a saddle, padding for a saddletree and the roller at- tachment to the "Sensible Combination Buckle." He is also the inventor of a combination halter, which is not only the best in use but cheap and durable. In 1841, one of the most important events in the life of Mr. Joseph B. Malony occurred, it being his marriage to Miss Jane Anderson, and of their union were born four children — Richard A., Joseph C, Willia.n N. and James M. Mrs. Malony's de- mise occurred in 1850, and Mr. M. formed a sec- ond matrimonial alliance with a sister of his first wife. Miss Catherine Anderson, and they have be- come the parents of five children, only four of V < T ■ 5»8 4-- WARREN COUNTY. whom survive, as follows: Mary E., Nathaniel L., Margaret J. and Emma. Mrs. Malony died in 1872. Mr. Malony is a Greenbacker in politics. He is a member of the United Brethren Church at Rose- ville. eorge F. Bruner, a thrifty and well-to-do ^^ farmer of Kelly Township, is a resident on «i|i0TOn.p: ggj.([Q,., ^2. Tlie family from which he is ' >t^^ a descendant in the paternal line belongs to two ancestral stocks, that located in the early history of this country in the States of Mary- land and Pennsylvania. The grandfather of John Bruner, the father of the subject of this personal nar- rative, was the son of parents who emigrated from Maryland to Breckenridge Co., Ky., where he was born. (The great-grandfather of John Bruner came from Germany). On the maternal side the family is of Scotch origin. He grew up under the influence that prevailed in the days of Daniel Boone, and left a notable record as a hunter. In one year the ac- count of his exploits relates that he shot 300 deer. John Bruner was born in Breckenridge County, in the Blue Grass country, March 1804. He was rear- ed in the same county, and married Susan Prance. She was born near the capital of Virginia. The elder Bruner remained with his family in Kentucky for a long time and in 1846 removed to Warren County. When they made their journey tliey came by the river route, traveling on the Ohio and Mississippi to Oquawka, whence they came to Monmouth. Mr. Bruner rented land in what is now Cold Brook Town- ship, on which he operated a few years and then bought a place in the same township. He remained thereabout 30 years and in 1884 located in Kelly Township. The wife and mother was removed by death in 1879, her demise taking place on the old homestead in Cold Brook Township. Three only of their eight children are now living. Anzeier, now deceased, was married to Amon S. Gilbert, and two children mourn her loss. John H. resides in the na- tive county of ills parents, in Kentucky; he married Sally Frymire and has one ciiild. Frank is a resi- dent of Salem, Oregon ; he married Mary E. Park- er and has five children. Mr. Bruner of this sketch is the youngest of the survivors. He was born in Breckenridge Co., Ky., Oct. 14, 1844. He was a child of tender years when the family came to War- ren County, and he has known no otiier home, as his acquaintance with this county began with his exist- ence. He t;rew uj) in Cold Brook Township and was educated in the common schools. He resided 1 on the homestead, which he sold in 1863 and re- moved to section 4, in the same township. He was i the owner of his property thereuntil 1884, when he placed tlie farm in tlie hands of a renter and came | to Kelly Township. In that he owns a farm of 126 ; acres, which, like the farm in Cold Brook Township, \ is all in good agricultural condition. The marriageof Mr. Bruner to Miss Mary A. Clay- ton, took place Dec. 24, 1 895 . She was born in Warren Co., Ky , Oct. 29, 1845, and is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Pedigo) Clayton. She was the eldest of two children. Her mother died about 1849. Her father was again married to Miss Ceny Mitchell and j by the last marriage six children were born. Five T I children are now living of both marriages. Mrs. B. j came to this county with her parents in the fall of | j 1855. The names of the children of G. F. Bruner ■«; are Harden F., born March 28, 1871; and Clara, born Sept. 14, r882. Mr. Bruner is a Democrat in his ];olitical proclivi- ties. Mrs. Bruner is a member of the Christian Church. -5- #^ -J- ^^;^^:koridon D. Day, farmer, residing on sec- tl]1^3|^ lion 34, Berwick Township, was born in 1*1^ Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1819, Ijfe and is a son of Stephen Day, born in 1785, yf and who died in Huron Co., Ohio, in 1825. The father of the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Annie Ransom, about I S08, in the State of New York. She was born in 1790, in Vermont, and they moved to Ohio in 1821, where she died in i860. Of their union eight chil- dren were born — Lucinda, Alzina, Ransom, David R., Electa, Coridon, Hiram and Sarah. Coridon D. Day married Miss Lorena Louk, in January, t845, in Fulton County. She was born in New York in 1823, and died in 1852. By their union four children were born — David R., Clara A. ■JKL — ^ i* *T WARREN COUNTY. 531 (twin sister of David R.), Hannah M. and Jefferson. The wife and mother died and Mr. Day was again married to Mrs. Lucinda Griffin, nee Bante. She was born July 23, 1839, in Indiana, and bore her husband seven children, namely : Mary S., Lucinda E., Jason, Silas and Sarah (twins), Stephen and Sophronia. The father of Mrs. Day, Jacob Bante, was born in 1802, and died in Kansas in 1880. He was married to Salida Wilder, in 1826. She was born in 1806 and is still living. Of their union 14 children were born — David H., Lucinda, Isaac Jackson, Daniel Jefferson, John B., Mary J., Benoni S., Lurana, Sally Ann, Jacob, Jessie, Minerva, Amelia and Cylinda. Mr. Day and his family are pleasantly situated on his fine farm of 240 acres on section 24, Berwick Township, and is there actively engaged in the voca- tion of an agriculturist. He has a good residence upon his place, 40 x 40 feet in dimensions; and two stories in height, also a good barn, 24 x 30 feet, of brick. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is to a considerable extent turning his attention to the raising of high grade Short-horn cattle and Nor- man horses, having of the former about 35 head. He also has some 25 sheep upon his place. In pol- itics, he is a Jacksonian Democrat. His father and grandfather were in the Revolutionary War, and his father was also a soldier in the War of 181 2. -13- -£^ I ilson Sheldon, deceased. The Sheldon family are among the pioneer settlers of SjjT"" Warren County. It is of English ances- 'm^ try, and the founder of the family in this country settled in Dutchess County, N. Y,, where George Sheldon, the paternal grand- father of Wilson, was born, Of his offspring was Wilson Sheldon, the father of the present family. He was born in New York, Feb. 3, 1808, and died in the city of Monmouth, Sept. 13, 1873. He came to Warren Co., in 1837, and settled in Floyd Tp. When Wilson Sheldon came to Warren County, in the year stated, it was almost a wilderness; but little had been done in any part of the county towards its settlement. Here and there, however, on some ^ '^A points of timber, might be seen the beginning of the labors of some venturesome pioneer. He finally found a suitable location on the northwest quarter of sec- tion 32, in what is now Floyd Township. This he immediately began to improve, and ere long was known far and wide as one of the most prosperous and enterprising farmers in all that section. Mr. Sheldon was the pioneer cattle-feeder of War- ren County, embarking in this department of farming as early as 1840. In the early part of 1846, he took his eldest son, Hiram, and went to where Fairfield, Iowa, now stands, and bought a drove of two-year- old steers, at $7 per head, which they drove to their farm in Warren County, where they were fattened with others. This was the first drove of cattle ever brought east over the Burlington Ferry. After hav- ing put them in a proper condition for the market, he sold them to be driven across the Alleghanies to the Philadelphia or Baltimore market. After Chi- cago had become a market for stock, which was prior to the building of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy . Railroad, he drove his cattle there. His enterprise was again displayed on the opening of that road, for we find him, in company with D. C. Gale of New- , burg, N. Y., the first to build loading-pens and also the first to ship stock from Monmouth over the new railroad. The arrangement then constructed for, loading was but temporary. He and Mr. Gale con- tinued shipping together until the death of the latter, which occurred several years after their first ship- ment. Mr. Sheldon worked energetically and used all of his influence to have the Quincy division of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad built through Berwick, but was defeated by the Bushnell Land Company. The subject of this sketch married Sarah Matte- son, Feb. 14, 1830. She was a native of New York, and the daughter of Captain Peleg Matteson, a na- tive of Vermont, where he was born, April i, 1778. Capt. Matteson married Martha Downer, Jan. 17, 1802, the latter being born March 19, 1779. Peleg Matteson was a Captain in the war of 1812, and commanded a company at the defense of Sackett's Harbor. In 1838 he came with his family to Illinois and settled in Floyd Township, where he died, Feb. 7, i860. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Sheldon, died Aug. 27, 1857. They were the parents of six chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Sheldon is the only survivor of the original family. She was born Feb. 26, i8ri, and ^ -X^ 536 WARREN COUNTY. sold it and removed to Lenox Township, and tliere purchased another 80 acre tract, and for two years was engaged in its cultivation. He then returned to Hale Township, and lived until 1869, when he came to Kirkwood and purchased property, since which time he has continued to reside there. The marriage of Mr. Lowther took place July 19, 1849, at which time Miss Julia A. M. Robinson, a native of Virginia, became his wife. There were seven children of this union, all dead, but they took an orphan boy, J. H. Sterling, at the age of 18 months, whom they reared to manhood, and since he has attained liis majority have assisted him in ob- taining a foothold, whereby he may acquire in this busy world of strife a competency. Politically, Mr. Lowilier affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also been a member of the Town Board in Kiikwood. «^ 4 lohn T. Eeichard, the leading dry-goods '^ merchant at Monmouth, was born in Wash- ington Co. Md., Nov. I, 1842. His parents, Daniel and Maria (Brewer) Reichard, natives ^C respectively of the States of Maryland and Pennsylvania, and dating their ancestry back to Germany, reared six sons, and they were all brought up to the occupation of the father, farming, but, judging from the memorandum before us, while they inherited any quantity of industry and native ability, the love of labor in the fields was one charac- teristic the old gentleman failed to transmit. Two of the sons became prominent physicians, one a druggist and three dealers in merchandise. The father removed to Warren County, in 1863, and located on a farm in Coldbrook Township, where he lived and labored until his death, in 1866, aged 55 years. His widow survived him until 1873, when she died in Monmouth, at the age of 63 years. John T. Reichard was educated in Maryland, and was at Hagerstown College when his patriotism over- came his desire for classics, and August i, 1862, saw him " right dress " as a private in Co. A, 7th Mary- land Vol. Infantry. There is no reason in the world to believe that he asked for the change, but the writer knows a great many reasjns why he should have been very glad of the transfer from the ranks to clerk in the Qiiarterniaster's department. He had been out only about two months when this occurred, and the fact that he was retained in the position until the close of the war, proves that he was as efficient as clerk as it is known he would have been as a soldier. Leaving the service at Baltimore. Md., he came at once to Monmouth and engaged in farming with his father, and at the death of the latter administered upon the estate and closed it up. In February, 1868, he embarked in mercantile business, and the story of his success was told us by his rivals. Mr. Reichard is a man who would succeed in anytiiing, except that of being ungentlemanly. This no sort of training could induct him into. When the Monmoutli National Bank changed hands, in 18 — , Mr. Reichard became one of its Di- rectors, and subsequently Vice-President, a position he filled up to January r, 1885. He is largely inter- ested in agriculture and stock-breeding, and has been for some years President of the Warren County Agricultural Society. He is a popular Mason, and member of the largest Consistory in the world, that of the Oriental, of Chicago. July r5, 1875, Mr. Reichard was mariied at Newcastle. Ind., to Miss Jeane Elliott, daughter of Hon. J. T. Elliott, late Judge of the Supre:-.i-" Court of Indiana, and his children are named Lillian, George, Marie and Elliott. feiram Baldwin, proprietor of the Baldwin House and one of the pioneers of Mon- mouth, was born in Chester Co., Pa., Dec. 9, 1S08. His parents, Wathel and Catherine (Bair) Baldwin, were married, reared their six sons and four daughters, and died in Chester County. Hiram Baldwin was brought up on his fa- ther's farm and fairly educated at the subscription schools. March 28, 1832, he was married in his native county to Miss Mariah Mackey, a native of Lancas- ter Co., Pa., and of Irish and Dutch parentage. Their two sons, James W. and George W., were born in Lancaster County, the first in 1833 and the latter in 1835. They are both connected with the man- rAJ ¥ ■ rT__L . • Y ■ . " WARREN COUNTY. •*^>-^ 537 agement and direction of the hotel and have been for many years. The Baldwins originally came from England, probably in 1645, and settled in Massa- chusetts The Barrs came from Germany, in 1683, and settled at Gerniantown, Pa. The family came to Monmouth in the spring of 1840, and here Mr. B. began the manufacture of wagons and plows, and followed it about 15 years. In 1846 he moved upon the spot now, and since 1855, known as the Baldwin Hotel. It was origin- ally a two-story, 20 room building; in 1876 it was remodeled and converted into a tiiree-story, 40 room house. Mr. B. learned the trade of carriage maker in Lancaster Co., Pa. He farmed some since com- ing to Illinois, but for 20 years has devoted his time to hotel business. His house, for many years the best in Monmouth, was for many years the rendez- vous of the famous Lincoln and his friends. The room the great man occupied is now No. 17, and contains the furniture he so often used. Mr. Doug- lass, when at Monmouth, stopped at the old Warren House, when not with his friend, Hon. J. W. David- son. Mr. B. is a member of no church ; has never sought office, but the history of Warren County must in truth print his name upon its pages as one of the best men tlie county has ever claimed as a citizen. *4^ Hfeenry H. Pattee, secretary and treasurer of the Pattee Plow Company, of Monmouth, was born at Canaan, Grafton Co., N. H., April 17, 1840, and was the youngest son living of Daniel and Judith (Burleigh) Pattee, natives of New Hampshire, and descended from the French. The senior Mr. Pattee was by occupation a farmer, and brouglit his four sons up to tliat voca- tion, though none of them followed it any great length of time. The father and mother both died in New Hampshire, he in 1875, aged 76 years, and she in 1883, aged 83 years. Henry H. Pattee was educated at the common schools of his native State, and after learning the art of telegraphy repaired to Canada, in 1862, as man- ager of the Vermont and Boston Telegraph Co. He left Canada in 1866, and came to Galesburg, 111., , ■ -X ' where for three years he was engaged in millingbusi- ness. In 1869 he came to Monmouth, and in com- pany with his brother ran the Star Flouring Mill four years. In 1873, he engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. (See Pattee Plow Com- pany.) The stock company was organized in i88r, and Mr. Pattee has since been its secretary and treas- urer. He was first married at Canaan, N. H., in 1867. His wife, nee Miss Lizzie R. Morgan, daughter of Dr. Arnold Morgan, now deceased, died in her na- tive town (Canaan) in 1879. Aug. 25, 1881, Mr. Pattee married Miss Anna E. Willets, daughter of the late Hon. Elias Willets. (See biography of Judge Willets, this volume.) fohn W. Matthews, State's attorney for 1^ Warren County, resident at Monmouth, is a son of the late Rev. Robert C. and Louisa Matilda (Martin) Matthews, and was born at 'W Macon, Noxubee Co., Miss., July 7, r848. (See j y biography of Rev. Robert Matthews, D.D., this volume.) John W. Matthews was educated at Monmouth College, graduated and in the class of 187 1, with the degree of A.B. Immediately after leaving college he began reading law with John J. Glenn, and two years later in the office of Hard- ing, McCoy & Pratt, Chicago. He was admitted to the Bar at Ottawa, in September, 1874, and returned to Monmouth, where he became the junior member of the firm of Glenn & Matthews, for a year, which then became the firm of Glenn, Kirkpatrick & Mat- thews. At the end of one year Mr. M. withdrew from the firm, and was one year alone in practice, and iuivnig satisfied himself that he was able to hold his own at the Warren County forum, he formed, in 1880, the existing partnership, Matthews & Peacock, Mr. T. G. Peacock being a talented young attorney, and the junior member of the firm, In the fall of 1880, Mr. Matthews was elected State's Attorney, which office he filled with such sat- isfaction to the people, that four years later they placed him again at the helm as a pilot of the pleas of the commonwealth. May 30, 1864, he made up his mind tliat the re- -t-if- ^ 538 WARREN COUNTY. 4 bellion had gone on long enough, so offered his coun- try his service as a " backbone breaker " and high private in Co. A, 138th 111. Vol. Inf., for the term of 100 days. Serving out his term in the 138th, he was discharged Oct. 14, 1864, at Springfield, 111., and on the 1 8th of February following enrolled as a musi- cian in Co. H, 47th 111. Vol. Inf., and served until August 17, 1865. With the 47th he penetrated well into "Dixie," and his experience in that country will be remembered by him for many a long year. He left the service to accept a scholarship at Annapolis Naval Academy, but ill health forced him to aban- don it. He was married at Monmouth, in 1876, to Miss Mary G. Stevens, a native of New York, and his son is named Robert C. A daughter, Anna Louisa, died in infancy. Mr. Matthews is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and also of the A. O. U. W. and I. O. O. F. i4— \h A. Carmichael, banker and merchant at SJjpf^g^ Kirkwood. Among the early pioneers |g who came into Warren County in 1836, were ^^ Arthur P. Carmichael and Jane Henderson, both natives of South Carolina. Two years after their arrival they were united in marriage, which was a prominent event among the pioneers of that day. The newly married couple "settled down" in Warren County, but sliortly afterward moved into Henry County, where they lived for 15 years. They at present reside at Red Oak, Iowa. The elder Carmichael was for many years engaged in the mercantile business, ijut since 1877 has been a grain dealer. They had a family of six children — C. A. being their eldest, who was born in 1840 while his parents were living in Henderson Count.'. When he was a young man of zr years of age, the late war had just broken out, and with his brave heart and love for his country he enlisted in Co. F, 17th 111. Vol. Infantry, and for three years and three months did valiant service in behalf of the Union. He was twice wounded, but slightly, however. His fust bat- tle was at Frederickstown, Mo ; then he was at the terrible conflict at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg. and many of the other desperate engage- ments of the war. He held the position of Sergeant and at tiie end of a long service was honorably dis- charged. After the war had closed and Mr. C. had returned home, he found a situation as clerk in a mercantile house at St. Louis. Here he remained only one year, however, when he came to Kirkwood and se- cured a position as clerk for Carr & Beers. At the end of a year they sold out to A. P. Brown, with whom he remained for a year and a half. He then engaged with Chapin, Houlton & Davis, with whom he remained for 15 years. At the end of this long service, in 1882, he bought an interest in the firm, since which time the firm name has been Chapin, Houlton & Co. He is an enterprising, pushing business man, and has long held the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends. Politically he is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, of which denomination he is a Trustee. He is also a member of the Village " Council, and of the Masonic Lodge, and of the G. A. R , in fact is an active worker in everything which . has for its tendency the buildiug up of the commu-" nity and doing good. Mr. Carmichael was married to Miss Jennie, the , daughter of Nelson and Sarah J. Carr, of Kirkwood,"' both natives of New York, Jan. 21, 1869. Nellie, their only child, was born Dec. 17, 1869. jilton C. Robison, general farmer and stock raiser, residing on section 6, Cold Brook Township, was born in Kelly Township, this county, on section 32, Oct. 25, 1835. His father, Andrew Rcbison, a farmer by occupation, and a native of North Carolina, came thence to Ohio, where he was mar- ried to Miss Nancy Stitt, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in Kentucky, and of Irish parent- age. She came to Ohio when a young woman. In that State three children were born to them: Isa- bella, Mary and Robert G , the latter being the only survivor. They afterward settled in Warren Co., Ind., and while residing there three more children -^ ^ ^ ^^.^.^. CC<^. ^ 4 WARREN COUNTY. H^-X> 541 were added to their family : John, Martha and Wil- liam, the latter now deceased. In the year 1829, the family came to Illinois, and settled in Wai re n County, while it was unsettled, and there the father secured a tract of wild land. His demise occurred in Cold Brook Township, where the son, our subject, now resides The mother died at the same place in 1875. Of the three children born in Illinois, our subject, Milton C. L., was the youngest, and also youngest of a family of nine children. He resided at liome until he reached his majority, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm, and alternating his labors thereon by attendance at the common schools, at which he acquired a fair English educa- tion. When he reached man's estate his father died, and he began farming on his own account. The marriage of Mr. Milton C. L. Robison and Miss Drusilla Hennen was celebrated on the 2 2d of February, i860, in Monmouth Townsliip, the latter being a native of Ohio. She came to Illinois with her parents when a young woman, and they engaged in agricultural pursuits to a small extent. Mrs. Rob- ison died at her home in this township, March i, 186 r, after having borne to her husband one child, Drusilla, who lived only 17 days, and whose death occurred the same day as that of tiie mother. Mr. Robison is the possessor of 122 acres of im- proved land, on which he now resides ; in his chosen vocation, agriculture, he has met with decided suc- cess. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat. en. Abner C. Harding, deceased, was born at East Hampton, Conn., Feb. 10, 1807. He removed with his parents to Plainfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 18 15, and soon after that date he engaged in working at a carding machine, but did not continue at that long. He began teaching at 15 years of age. The educa- tion of Mr. Harding was acquired at the schools of Hamilton, N. Y. In 1 82 1 young Harding enlisted as midshipman in the United States Navy, but was rejected for want of proper stature. The next year, in 1832, he en- gaged in peddling tin ware and also taught school. In 1823 he followed the vocation of a drover and was also engaged in teaching school. In 1834-5 his occupation was that of a school teacher. In 1826-7 he read law at Bridgewater, N. Y., and the following year, 1828, removed to Pennsylvania, and was ad- mitted to the Bar, at Lewisburg, that State. Jan. 30, 1829, Mr. Harding was united in marriage with Mrs. Rebecca L. Byers, nee Leibricks, who died at Bloom- field, Pa., in 1833, leaving two children — George F., born in 1830, and Mary R., born in 1833. The for- mer lives in Chicago, and the latter is the wife of George Snyder, a resident of Monmouth. In 1835 Mr. Harding was elected to the Constitutional Con- vention of Pennsylvania. Also, during that year, he formed a second matrimonial alliance, at Bloomfield, that place, with Miss Susan K. Ickes, a native of Perry Co., Pa., where she was born, July 28, 1815. Their marriage took place June 30. During the year 1837 Mr Harding served in the Constitutional Conven- tion of Pennsylvania, where he became acquainted with Thad. Stevens, and in 1837 followed his profes- sion, the law. Miss Ickes, to whom Mr. Harding was married, was a daughter of Dr. Jonas Ickes, who at present resides with Mrs. Harding, near Mon- mouth. He was born in Montgomery Co., Pa., Feb. . 3, 1793, and is therefore, at this writing (November, 1885), nearly 93 years of age. He has lived in Illi- nois since 1856. His wife, «f^ Mary Duncan, to whom he was married in Perry Co., Pa., June 24, 1814, bore him four sons and five daughters, and lived to be 76 years of age, departing this life in July, 1868. In June, 1838, Gen. Harding removed to Mon- mouth and at once engaged in the practice of his profession. He was a good lawyer and a better bus- iness man. He became interested m politics, acting with the Whigs in all matters of interest in his county and State. In 1847-48 and '49, Gen. Hard- ing continued to follow the practice of his profession at Monmouth. During this time he also became in- terested in railroading and built and supervised the building of the road running between Peoria and Burlington, now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1848 he was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention ; was a member of the Illinois Legislature in 1848-49 and '50. In 1851, while Gen. Harding was actively engaged in railroad IT-zV ^ ^ :^^^A^ 542 ^ IVARREN COUNTY. ♦ Lowe, matters, his eyesight began to fail him, and from that time he ceased to practice law. From 1852 to i860, he spent a portion of his time traveling for his health and when not engaged in traveling he was occupied in railroad matters. In 185 I, Gen. Harding, in partnership with Chan- cy Hardin and Judge Ivory Quinby, under the style of C. Hardin & Co., engaged in the construction of what was then known as the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad. Gen. Harding having procured the char- ter some time previous to the above date, the riglit of way was procured by the above named gentlemen and they changed somewhat the original route and built the road from Burlington to Knoxvilleand from the latter place it was to be continued by Kelly, Moss & Co. The latter firm proved unable to com- plete the road, and Gen. Harding bought out their contract and completed the same in 1856, and for a short time the road was operated by the above com- pany, they subsequently selling the same to the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Gen. Harding enlisted as private of the 83d III. Vol. Inf., in 1862. He was elected Colonel, and mustered into service Aug. 21, of that year. As in civil life, so he was in war, bound to rise. In shoit, he was one of tlie few men born to command. On March 23, 1863, he was promoted to Brigadier Gen- eral of volunteers. Another writer has said that this promotion was a reward for his gallant conduct in de- fending Fort Donelson so successfully after it fell into Federal hands, and against an attack of the Confederate Generals, Wheeler, Forrest and Whar- ton, with a command of over 8,000, while Harding had only 800. For the truth of history, it might be well to say that Gen. Harding was at that time al- ready in the line of promotion, though his conduct on the occasion mentioned may have hastened his commission. The true history of that, lo Harding, most imiiortant engagement shows that on Feb. 3, 1863, a portion of Gen. Forrest's command, under Gen. Wheeler, left Palmyra and advanced on Fort Donelson, then garrisoned by Col. Harding, in com- mand of some nine companies of the 83d III. Vol. Inf , a battalion of the Fifth Iowa Cav., and Flood's Battery, consisting of four rifled guns and one 32 pounder siege gun, mounted on a pivot on the north- west corner of the fort. Gen. Harding, learning that the enemy was approaching, telegraphed to Colonel Lowe, at Fort Henry, asking for reinforcements. -A That officer sent word back for Harding to send out scouts and learn the exact course of the rebels, which was done. Lowe could send no aid, but tel- egraphed the gun-boats, then pushing up the river, that Donelson was in a tight place, and at tlie same time telegraphed lo Col. Harding to " iiold the place at all hazards until dark, when help would arrive. " At 2 o'clock p. m., the fort was attacked from the eastward, and an effort made to carry the works. The ammunition of the garrison was low, but it was skillfully and economically handled. Col. Harding was everywhere encouraging his men. Wherever the fight was most severe or the danger most immi- nent, there he was, swowd in hand, advising and commanding his men. Night came on, the enemy had surrounded the three sides of the fort, and Gen. Wheeler under a flag of truce demanded a surrender of the garrison or to take the consequences. Gen. Harding sent back word that they "would take the consequences." The fight was renewed; a second de- mand to surrender made, and again refused. It was 8 o'clock, and Capt. Fitch's fleet astounded the enen-y with well directed broadsides from his several gun- boats, and in 20 minutes not a healthy rebel was in sight. Col. Harding had obeyed orders unnecessary to be given. With the information that help was assured any time within a week, Harding would have held the fort against all such generalship as that manifested by Wheeler in tiiat attack. Why a General, with a su|)er- ior force would hang around a small garrison 6 hours, and in just such position as to have 250 of his men killed, 600 wounded and 105 taken prisoner, might be explained by Wheeler, but by no one else. Col. Harding lost 13 killed, 51 wounded and 20 taken prisoners. It was certainly a successful defense. In 1864 Gen. Harding was elected as the candi- date of the Republican party to represent his dis- trict in the United States Congress, and served in the 39th and 40th (Congresses, being re-elected in 1866. While in Congress, Gen. Harding served on the Committees on Manufactories and Militia in the 39th, and on the C'ommiitees on Union Prisoners' Claims and Militia in the 40th Congress. While in Congress, he secured the charter, in his own naine, to build the railroad bridge over the Mississippi River at Burlington, Iowa. The ownership of tiie charter proved to be very valuable property, which he sfter- ward sold to the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, who built the bridge. ¥ -H^ WARREN COUNTY. %* S43 111 1869 ihe health of Gen. Harding began to fail, and in May, 187 i, he went to Europe, where he re- mained until the October following, when he again returned to his home at Monmouth. Here he contin- ued to reside an invalid during the years 1872-3, and July 19, 1874, at nine oclock p. m., he passed away. The foundation of Gen. Harding's fortune may be said to have been laid in his judicious in- vestment in real estate and the consequent rise of the same in value. As a lawyer he ranked high, es- pecially in tlie branch pertaining to the laws relating to titles and real estate. As a pleader, his papers were prepared with consummate skill, resulting from a broad and comprehensive knowledge and applica- tion of the law bearing on the case in hand. As an advocate, he was a clear, terse and powerful reas- oner, and frequently very eloquent. He participated during his extended practice in some of the most im- portant cause celebra which have shed lustre upon the jurisprudence of Illinois. He began life a poor boy, but as an accumulator of wealth he certainly proved the greatest success known to Warren County. He died leaving a very large fortune. As a gentleman, worthy to be recog- nized in this work as one of the leading citizens of Warren County, in the days that are past and gone, we take pleasure in being enabled to present to the reader a true likeness of one of the County's self- made, respected and honored citizens. evi Maley, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of 1837, in the township of Sumner. He was born March 22, 1822, in Ritchie Co., West Virginia. His father, William Maley, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Aug. r, 1780. The family is of Irisli origin, the father of Mr. Maley last named having been born in that country, whence he came to America about the time of the War of the Revolution. He entered the Colonial military service, and after his enrollment, while on his way to join his command, in company with the organization to which lie belonged, was surprised by a detachment of British dragoons, taken prisoner and confined for some time on board a prison ship, in the harbor of New York. After the close of the war, about 1796, he went to West Virginia. He had be- come the possessor of a tract of land in that part of the Old Dominion which was located in Wood Coun- ty, and by a subsequent municipal division was set off to Ritchie County. The condition of the route thither from the then limited bounds of civilization can better be imagined than described. The way was literally trackless from the county of Rockbridge, in Virginia, where he was warned of the insecurity of the place where he purposed to settle, on account of the Indians there. He heeded the advice and lo- cated in Rockbridge County, among the mountains. Their stay continued four or five years and then three of the sons, one of whom was tiie subject of this personal narration, pushed their way to Wood County. They took possession of their father's claim, erected a log cabin and proceeded to clear the land from the heavy growth of limber. As soon as the work of improvement was fairly under way they were joined by their parents and the remaining members of the family. The grandparents were in- cluded in the household, and their lives came to a close in Wood County, on the frontier farm. William Maley married Nancy Wells. She was a native of Pennsylvania, and her father was one of the pioneers of Wood County. From him she re- ceived a tract of land which comprised 320 acres. Her husband cleared it and placed it in profitable condition for agricultural purposes. It was their home for many years and was the birthplace of their 13 children. In 1837 the household, including 15 persons, started for an overland trip to Illinois ; the party made quite a little procession with their eight horses, two wagons and a carriage. They cooked and ate, and slept on the way in their wagons, and after a journey of four weeks arrived in Warren County. In the vicinity of Little York they found a vacant cabin, which they took possession of, and which was their home through the first winter. Meanwhile the father bought land in the Township of Sumner, on Section 31. It had no house and the family found shelter in a log house which stood on another farm in the immediate vicinity, of which they were the occupants until August of thai sum- mer, when their own house was in readiness for them. With the assistance of his sons the senior Maley improved a farm, and on it he passed the re- mainder of his life. He died in 1858. His wife's ^ iJlr: =^ -§X-*- ^^^-^ S44 WARREN COUNTY. death transpired in 1838. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. He belonged to the seceding branch of the same denomination. Levi Maley came to Warren County with his fa- ther, and was an inmate of tlie parental home until his marriage, Dec. 6, 1841, to Margaret F. Paxlon. She was the daughter of William and Margaret Pax- ton, and was born May i, 1829, in Greene Co., Ohio. Her parents were pioneers of Warren County. Her husband, associated with two brothers, bought land on section 20 in Sumner Township, on which they located at the time of their marriage. Their home was at first the pioneer log cabin, but this in time gave way to a laree frame house, and soon after the other buildings on the place were made to correspond in value and appearance. Mr. Maley died July 15, 1866. His five children were born in the following order: William, born June 5, 1852 ; died Dec. 23, 1S76, leaving a wife and three children. Margaret A. is the wife of William Berry. They live at Little • York. Clarissa married B. S. Dodson, and they are residents of the same place, as is John P. Elizabeth married J. Alison. Mr. Maley united with the Uni- ted Presbyterian church, to which his wife belonged before her marriage. Mrs. Maley is a resident of Little York, with her son John P., who is a stock dealer. jpVrus Bute, resident of Kirkwood,at which place lie is the Police Magistrate, was born in Fayette Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1929, his parents being John and Mary (Morrison) Bute, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. His father was a farmer in his na- tive State, and continued to reside there with his wife until his deatii, which occurred in 1855, that of his wife occurring two years later, in 1857. Cyrus Bute, a sketcii of whose life we give in this volume, remained under the family roof-tree until he attained the age of manhood. He received a com- mon school education in his native county, and as- sisted his father on the farm up to the time he left the old homestead. After leaving home he was engaged in running his father's flour mill, and con- tinued in that vocation until 1850. He then came to this State and located in the neighborhood of Mon- mouth, where for four years he was engaged in culti- vating a rented farm. At the expiration of this time he purchased 75 acres of good farm land, located on section 9, Tom))kins Township, where he has since resided. In 1862, Mr. Bute enlisted in the 83d III. Vol. Inf., Co. A, and served in the Union army until the close of the war. He was appointed 3d Sergeant of the company, and served in that capacity until Feb. 3, 1863, when, after the battle of Fort Donelson, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, continuing to hold that position until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war, in July, 1865. He was en- gaged in many battles and skirmishes, and received but one wound, although he had his clothes pierced with the enemies' bullets in many places. His com- pany gave him the control of a large amount of prop- erty to deliver at Fort Henry, and while on the way he was attacked by guerillas and had two of his men shot, but by killing the leader of the band they suc- ceeded in safely delivering the property at Fort Henry. ,* After the war was over, Mr. Bute returned to War- I ren County and was elected Sheriflf in 1868, and served a term of three years. In 1873 he was elect- ed to the position that he at present occupies. Police Magistrate. His marriage took place in 1841, at which time Miss Margaret Gibson, a native of Pennsylvania, became his wife. Of their union four children were born, all of whom are living, and named as follows: Mary E., Achsa J., Margaret E. and John M. The last named enlisted in the war for the union at the age of 13 years, having joined Co. L. 12th Cav. He participated in quite a number of skirmishes and engagements, never receiving any wounds. After the war was over he continued in the service over a year (being under the command of the late lamented Gen. Custer) doing service in Texas. He was mus- tered out of the service at Houston, Tex. Mr. Bute had one son killed in the army, M. DeLafayelte. He enlisted in Co. C, 36th III. Vol. Inf., and was killed at the battle of Chicamauga, Sept. 20, 1863. In politics, Mr. Bute is a stanch Republican, and socially he is a member of the Order of Masons. Mr. Bute is regarded as one of the representative men of this county, always aiding any laudable en- ^ 4^ -eX-^ !?^H^ WARREN COUNTY. 545 terprise that is calculated to benefit the community in which he resides. The children of Mr. Bute are settled as follows : Mary E., married Dr. E. Hicks, of Greenfield, Iowa ; Achsa J., married L. D. Earp, and resides in Mon- mouth, and has two children, Effie and George ; Margaret E. married Mulford Sewell, and now re- sides in Huntington, Indiana ; John M. married Car- rie Hall, and has one child, Thadeus. — .se?- -.^— Ifciram Sheldon, one of the successful and prominent agriculturists of Warren County, residing upon section 33, Floyd Township, is a native of Oneida Co., N. Y., at which place, on the 20th of November, 183 1, he was born, being a son of Wilson Sheldon, who was born in New York city, Feb. 3, 181 1. He died Sept. 13, 1873, in the city of Monmouth. In 1837, Wilson Sheldon, the father of our subject, came to Illinois and located in Floyd Township. He married Miss Sarah Matteson, a native of New York, Feb. r4, 1830. She was born Feb. 26, 1817, and still survives, residing in Monmouth, enjoying good health. Of this union nine children were born, namely : Hiram, Martha, George, Seneca, Burr, Al- ma, Aurilla, Mary and Jerome. With the exception of Jerome and Aurilla, all of the above are living. Martha is the wife of Wyram Wiswell ; they reside in Galesburg. Alma married David Van Winkle, and lives in Chicago. Mary resides with her mother at Monmouth. George is married and lives in Ne- braska. The balance reside in this county. Hiram Sheldon married Miss Emma J. Aylsworth, Jan. 29, 1862. She is a native of Warren County, and was born in Berwick Township, April 6, 1841. She was a daughter of Hiram Aylsworth, a native of Connecticut, born in the year 1816, and about the year 1836 came to Illinois, and two years later mar- ried Miss Harriet Roberts. She was born on July 16, 1 817. They became the parents of two chil- dren, viz. : Norman and Emma J., who is the wife of our subject. Mr. Aylsworth came from Otsego Co., N. Y., to this State, his demise occurring in 1846, and that of his widow Sept. 4, 1885. After the death of the first husband, Mrs. Aylsworth married An- drew Whitenack, who still survives her. Mr. Hiram Sheldon is the proprietor of 800 acres of good land in this county. His home dwelling is a substantial residence, two stories in height. His barn is 36 x 48 feet, with 20-foot posts. Mr. Sheldon is largely engaged in shipping and feeding stock, and has made this business a very profitable one. Besides this lie is one of the Direc- tors of the Monmouth National Bank, having been connected therewith for about 12 years. He has served in the capacity of School Director and Road Commissioner. Mr. Sheldon is considered one of Warren County's solid and substantial cit- izens, besides being a well-to-do and well known ag- riculturist of Floyd Township. Mr. and Mrs. Slieldon have a family comprising four children: Wilson J., born Oct. 28, 1862; Irene, J.in. 10, 1864; Donna L., Sept. 5, 1868, and Ken- neth R.,Oct. 28, 1876, all now residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon, with three of their children, are members of the Baptist Church, and politically, Mr. S. is a Democrat. -i3- -E>- ';; jt^s>o — i>-5<- osephus Wray, residing on five acres ad- joining the village plat of Kirkwood, where he is passing the closing days of his life in peace and quiet retirement, having the greater portion of his years followed the vocation of an agriculturist, was born in Kentucky, June 6, The parents of Mr. Wray, Isaac and Mary (Carlton) Wray, were natives of Virginia. They moved from their native State to Kentucky, and from Kentucky to Indiana in 1827, where his father was engaged in farming until 1837. During that year, in company with his family, he came to this State and located on section 7, Tompkins Township, where the parents resided until their death, that of the father occurring Oct. 14, 1844, and that of the mother Oct. 16 of the same year, only two days apart. They were buried in one grave in the beau- tiful cemetery at Monmouth. Josephus Wray, their son, and the subject of this notice, with his brother John, purchased 160 acres of land on the same section on which his parents resided. Josephus lived on that land, engaged in the occupation of an agriculturist, until 1878, when for the purpose of educating his children, he moved to Kirkwood and located, as stated at the com- mencement of this notice. He has a fine residence on his five acres, and is living in the enjoyment of the accumulations of a life of labor, coupled with that of energetic effort and determination. The marriage of Mr. Wray to Miss Rebecca J. Woods, a native of Pennsylvania, was solemnized in 1861, and their union has been blessed by the birth of two children — Samuel W. and Mary C. After nine years of married life, the wife was c.iUed to the better land, and Mr. Wray is living with his chil- dren. He is Republican in politics, and one of those gen- tlemen of Warren County whose veracity in business matters, or socially, is never doubted. Jelville C. Soule, real estate dealer at Mon- mouth, is a son of Rev. Justus and Mary ii^iSX^Ann (Harding) Soule, natives of New York, ^^x' and of mixed French and Irish ancestry. Mr. Soule was born in New York State, April 10, _, 1847, and was the second in order of birth of a family of two sons and one daughter. The late Rev. J. Soule was 19 years a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came to Mon- mouth in 1856, preached here awhile, itinerated to Geneseo, 111., and from there, at the end of a couple of years, to Moline, where he died Oct. 21, 1859, aged 50 years. His widow reared the family, saw the children all settled in life, and has since made her home with them. Her eldest son, E. O. Soule, is Division Superintendent of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railroad, and her daughter, Ella F., is the wife of the Rev. Reed Stu- art, of battle Creek, Mich. In the year 1867, at the age of 20 years, he embarked in the book, stationery and music business at Monmouth, under the firm name of Clark & Soule. Melville C. Soule was educated at Monmouth Col- lege. At the age of 21 years he became a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dur- ing a part of the year 187 i and '72 he had charge of a congregation at Groveland, 111. Failing health compelled him to give up the active work of the ministry, and, much to the regret of the people of Graceland, he returned to Monmouth, where, in 1872, he engaged in the lumber business, under the firm name of W. F. Smith & Soule, afterward Soule & Graham. While in this line they did a very large 'JKl ' 5 554 . .y. ■ ' WARREN COUNTY. and lucrative business, running two large lumber yards and taking contracts for building, having at times 27 or 30 men in their employ. Mr. Soule sold out in 1877, and for two years was engaged in the boot and Shoe business. During all these years, he was interested more or less in real estate, which has since 1880 occupied all his time. He is also inter- ested in banking, but notwithstanding all the labor incident to tliese various interests, he gives much time to temperance, church and Sabbath-school work. For 15 years he has been Recording Steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Monmouth; for six years a member of the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, 111. ; and dur- ing the same period has been a member of Hedding College( at Abingdon, III.) Board of Trustees ; and for tlie jxist three years President of the Board. Mr. Soule was married at Monmouth, April 12, 1869, to Miss Ina Belle Smith, daughter of W. F. Smith, whose Ijiography appears in this work, and has had borne to him seven children — Edwin Olin, born Feb. 16, 1870; Francis J., May 19, 1872; Melville Glenn, July 6, 1874 ; Elbert Earl, Nov. 23, 1876; ^ Mary Ella, Nov. 23, 1876, died Aug. 25, 1882 ; Ina Aleta, born March 13, 1880; Myrta L., born May 13, i«83- -5 #-# <- rank L. Hall, general farmer and stock- grower, section 17, Cold Brook Township, was born in this township, June 10, 1865. He is a son of W. M. Hall (see sketch), now aifs:, residing in that township, and who is one of the most extensive land owners there. Our subject resided under the home roof with his parents until he entered college at Abingdon, in 1881. While there he took a special course in the college, and there met his present wife. After she had completed her regular course, June 6, 1884, they were united in marriage, at St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 31, 1884, the lady being Miss Minnie M. Younkin, daughter of Dr. E. Younkin, Professor of Surgery in the American Med- ical College, at St. Louis, since about the year 1872. Her mother was Mattie Hart, native of Ohio, and her father a native of Pennsylvania, both of whom are of American parentage, and the father of German an- cestry. They both in their younger days attended college at Abingdon, and there formed the acquaint- ance which afterwards resulted in marriage. The fa- ther completed his education in surgery at Cincin- nati, Ohio, and they are now residents of St. Louis, wliere they occupy a high position in society and Ptof Younkin takes first rank in the school of medi- cine. Mrs. Hall, of this notice, was born in West Liberty, Iowa, Dec. 21, 1863. Afterward the parents moved to Abingdon, 111., thence to Leavenworth, Kas., and afterward to St. Louis, Mo., where they have since lived. Mrs. Hall received her early ru- dimentary education principally in St. Louis. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hall have resided in Cold Brook Township. They are both members of the Christian Church, and politically, Mr. Hall is a supporter of the princi- ples advocated by the Democratic party «A/\*t — ♦♦ * f ^^y^ ames C. Blythe, of the firm of D. B. Ji Blythe & Co., dealers in haidware, at Kirk- \ wood village, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born, June 14, 1S50, his parents being David B. and Mary M. (Finley) Blythe, natives of the same state. The father of Mr. Blythe came to Illinois in 1865 and settled at Knox- ville, Knox County, where he engaged in merchan- dising. At the present time he resides in Tompkins Township, this county, on 400 acres of land, and is also tlie senior member of tiie firm of D. B. Blythe & Co., at Kirkwood. His wife, the mother of our sub- ject, died in Pennsylvania in 1865. The gentleman whose name we place afthe head of this notice was under the care of his parents until he attained his majority, receiving in the common schools a good education, which was supplemented by a thorough business course at the Keokuk Busi- ness College, Iowa, from which institution he grad- uated in 1877 In 1878 he engaged in the drugbus- iness at Woodburn, Clark Co., Iowa, and was thus occupied until 1882. During that year he sold his interest in the business mentioned and came to Kirk- wood, where he embarked in the hardware business, and iias continued the same until the present time. By strict attention to business, honest and fair deal- "T^ ■^ 4-- ■ V. . " WARREN COUNTY. ISS ing witli his customers and quick sales, he has built up a business, which is a profitable and constantly increasing one. Mr. Blythe was united in marriage with Miss Lau- ra A. Randolph, April 2, 1879. She was the accom- plished daughter of D. W. Randolph, of Woodburn, Iowa, and has borne her husband three children, all sons, namely: Charles B., Harry R. and Edward F. In political matters, Mr. Blythe is an active worker in the interests of the Republican parly. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is also Presi- dent of the School Board, is Fire Marslial at Kirk- wood and a member of the Board of Health. He carries the kirgest stock of hardware in Kirkwood village, and is one of the leading business men, as well as respected citizens, of that thriving little place. *r -amuelT. Shelton, the subject of this bio- p5"^ graphical notice, is one of the most prom- ^^\ inent agriculturists of Warren County, as well as one of its old pioneers and leading citizens. He was born Sept. 6, 1821, in tiie vicinity of Mammoth Cave, near Pruett's Knob, Barren Co., Ky. He attended school in the old log school- house of that early day, which was sustained by sub- scription. His lessons were learned by the feeble light which struggled through window panes made of greased paper. There was only one arithmetic in the school, the lessons being given out on slates and then copied into books. Mr. Shelton, accompanying his father's family, left his native place Oct. 27, 1837, and emigrated to Warren Co., where he arrived November 24, of tliat year. The outfit for moving was a large Kentucky wagon, with a yoke of oxen by the tongue and a span of horses in the lead. The family stopped on the way with the early settlers, and were feasted on ven- ison and wild turkey. Arriving at their destination, the whole family of 12 persons wintered in a log cabin, in size about 16 feet square. The cooking utensils consisted of skillet, oven, pot, frying-pan and coffee-pot. Stoves were unknown at that time, as well as matches, and fire had to be " borrowed " from neighbors. Mr. Shelton worked on his father's farm in his na- tive state until the family arrived in Illinois, when his first labor in this state was to assist his father in splitting rails, for sustenance, meanwhile attending school winters, and studying evenings by the light of a log fire. On April ist, 1838, he commenced for himself as a farmer, renting his labor to his uncle, Isaac Murphy, at $15 per month and board, and his earnings being paid principally by his obtaining a horse and partly in goods from the store. Payment for labor was largely made in pork, which was quite a circulating medium in those days. Payment was also made in wheat at the rate of two bushels per day in e.vchange for an individual's labor, in harvest time. The wheat so obtained was then often hauled to Peoria, a distance of 60 miles, which occupied a week's time, and was there sold in 1846 at 40 cents per bushel, pay being taken in salt at 50 cents a bushel, which was hauled back home and peddled out in exchange for something else. Mr. Shelton continued to work out until about the time of his marriage, and in the meantime was engaged in teach- ing about six months. About this period in Mr. Shelton's life he ran in debt for 80 acres of land in Floyd Township, the same being purchased in the Fall of 1847, but not paid for until 185 r. He remained on that land, en- gaged in following the vocation of an agriculturist for about 30 years, then moved to Cold Brook Township March 27, T876, and purchased 70 acres of land ly- ing in Cold Brook Township, and a portion of the same being within the corporate limits of the town of Cameron, in which he now lives. He is also the owner of the old homestead of 400 acres, and 240 acres elsewhere, and in 1839 located a claim in Washington Co., Iowa, which he afterwards sold. Until he left his old home in Floyd Township, Mr. Shelton had been a practical and successful farmer, stock-raiser and dealer. He became School Director about 1850, and successfully served as Trustee, Township Treasurer, Assessor and Collector, and was also Supervisor from 1863 to 1870. He was elected a member of the State Legislature, in 1870, serving out his term, during which time there were four ses- sions to revise the laws under the New Constitution, and Mr. Shelton also had the pleasure of assisting in the election of John A. Logan the first time he ever became Senator from the great Commonwealth of Illinois. Mr. Shelton has always been active in politics, and has gained no inconsiderable reputation A- • . V <-^':^ 556 ■"¥'■ . WARREN COUNTY, •^r^r¥ as a public speaker. He was for many years a Re- publican, but is now an Anti-Monopolist Greenback- er and Prohibitionist. At present he holds tlie office of Justice of the Peace. Mr. Shelton was united in mirriage in Cold Brook Township, June i6, 1846, with Miss Eliza Murphy, Rev. John G. Haley offici.iting. She was born March 10, 1824, in Northumberland Co., Va. They have four children, namely: Patrick H., born Oct. 30, 1848; Melissa F., Dec. 17, 1849; James M., Feb. 2' 1852; Ophelia E., March 27, 1855. Patrick H. mar- ried Laura E. Claycomb, Nov. 14, 187 i, and resides near Cameron; Melissa F. became the wife of Zach- ariah T. Nelson, June r2, r87o, and resides in David City, Neb.; James M. married Julia E. Sayles, Feb. 4, 1874, and resides near Cameron; Ophelia E. be- came the wife of Eugene M. Clay, Jan. 30, 1876, and resides on the old homestead, near Cameron. David Shelton, father of Samuel T., was born near Danville, Ky., Dec. 23, 1792, and was one of the r veterans of the War of 1812. He died March 16, 1847. His mother, Patsey, was born June 12, 1795, in Virginia, and died Nov. 30, 1883, after a remark- s' bly strong and healtliy life of over 80 years. All the family were long-lived and marvelously healthy. The descendants of David and Patsey Shelton in- creased during a period of 70 years, two months and two days, from the birth of their first child, Sept. 28, 1813, to the death of Patsey Shelton, Nov. 30. 1883, in numbers as follows: 14 children, eight males, six females; eight living and six dead ; 95 grandchildren, 55 males, 40 females; 74 living, 21 dead; 150 great grandchildren, 75 males, 75 females; 124 living, 26 dead; 15 great threat grandchildren, six males) nine females, 10 living, 5 dead, and making a total of 274 children, 144 males and 130 females, 216 living and 58 dead. Also six sons-in law and nine daugh- ters-in-law, 26 grandsons-in-law, and 27 grand- daughters-in-law ; 4 great grand-sons-in-law and three great daughters-in-law, making a total of sev- enty-five which, added to their descendants enumer- ated, makes a grand total of 349. There are twen- ty-eight different names among the 274 descendants, as follows : 105 Sheltons, 29 Freemans, 20 Whit- mans, 16 Robinsons, 15 Norrises, 9 Means, 9 Clay- tons, 7 Otises, 6 Haleys, 6 Mills, 5 Loafmans, 5 Bradleys, 5 Goddards, 4 Clays, 4 Durhams, 4 John- sons, 4 Smiths, 3 Legerwoods, 3 Riggles, 3 Nelsons, 3 Keisers, 2 Hascalls, 2 Sayles, i Thompson, i n Jones, I Seals, i Vesser and i Cutler. The above named live in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Mis- souri and California, tlie larger portion living in the state first named. A newspaper containing the above summary relative to David and Patsey Shel- ton was placed in the corner-stone of the Presbyte- rian Church at Monmouth, 111., which was laid in 1882. Mr. Shelton and his wife belong to the Christian Church, in which he bears the title of Rev., having been ordained an Elder by the congregation, and has served 30 years or more ; also as an Evangelist since i860. e=K- «^/l* i 5 sal P. Randall, residing on Section 2i,Ber- 1^ wick Township, where he is engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, and on which section he owns an excellent farm, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., May 6, 1812. His father was Thomas Randall, a native of Vermont, born in 1787. The father participated in the War of 1812, and was engaged in the battles of Brownsville and Sackett 's Harbor, and remained in the army until the close of the war, dying in JefTe-s-in Co., N. Y., in 1838. He ' married Miss Hannah Field, also a native of Ver- mont, born in 1791. She also died in Jefferson Co., N. Y , in 1882. Their children were seven in num- ber, namely : Betsey, Elijah, Alvira, Asal, Alfred, Deborah and Ardelia, all of whom are deceased ex- cept three. Asal P. Randall formed a matrimonial alliance with Jane A. Brown, at Watcrtown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1836. She vifas born in that county in 1816, and bore her husband two children, Hilly E., born in 1S37, and OrlandoT., in 1843. The wife and mother died in 1852, in Wisconsin, whither Mr. Randall had removed with his family one year previous. After the death of his wife Mr. Randall again re- turned to York State, where, in 1856, he was again married, to Miss Mary Ann Mather, at Brownville, that state. She died June 9, 1878, in Berwick Town- ship, this county, having borne her husband seven children: Edgar, born 1849; Emma, 185 1; Eva, 1855; Francis, 1859; William, 1861 ; Homer W 1863 and May A., 1865. Four of Mr. R.'s children T WARREN COUNTY. •^^^^ 557 4 are married, namely : Orlando, Edgar, Dilly and Francis. Mr. Randall is pleasantly situated on 70 acres of good land, which he has under a good state of cultivation, and there, with his devoted daughters and sons, is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet. He and his family are Close Communion Baptists, and in politics Mr. Randall is, and always has been, a Republican. ^^HJMt^ M3 kapt. John P. Higgins, of Monmouth, was if born in Cumberland Co., Ky,, Aug. 8, 1830, and his parents were Uurrett and i|fe Mary (Graves) Higgins, who reared seven -f^ sons and four daughters, John being the third son in order of birth, and one of the three sons now living. The sons were brought up as tillers of the soil upon the farm of their parental ancestor. The family came to Illinois in 1835, and the parents spent the rest of their lives in Tazewell County, the father dying in 1851, at the age of 62 years, and his widow in i860, at the age of 62 years. From the common schools of Tazewell County, the subject of our sketch took a scientific course at Galesburg Liberal Institute (now known as Lombard University), and in 1855 began teaching school. For nearly 20 years he taught in Warren County. His home was in .Swan Township, where he held the office of Supervisor for four years, beginning in 1879, and was also holding llie office of Justice of the Peace at the same time. In 1881 he removed to Monmoutli, where he was at once appointed County Superintendent, to fill out an unexpired term of that office. Capt. Higgins has always been a Democrat, and as such has held several minor offices in the county. In 1883, he was the candidate of that party for Sheriff, but was defeated, almost as a matter of course in a county &o radical in its blind following of party as to exclude the possibility of recognition of the claims of even a battle-scarred veteran when he chose to assert a conviction contrary to their own. At Macomb, 111., in July, 1862, Mr. Higgins en- rolled as a private soldier in the service of the United States, and at the organization of Co. A, 84th 111. Vol. Inf , he was chosen Captain, a position he filbd until Jan. 25, 1865, when, on account of i health he was forced to resign. Up to that time he was with his regiment all the time, and partici- pated in its numerous engagements. In March, after leaving the army, he came to Warren County and has since made this his home. Capt. Higgins inherited nothing in the way of a fortune. What he has he has earned by the sweat of his brow. He was married in Swan Township, Dec. 4, 1856, to Miss Zoa A. Simmons, and their three children were named respectively, Hezekiah D., who died in 1 871; Robert P. and Nellie C. The Captain is Past Master in Good Hope Lodge in Masonry, and for two years was first Commander of the G. A. R. Post at Monmouth. -i3' €i- 'i.'Ff^Uchael W. Hall, residing in Cold Brook -l- r^"'-^A3 l Township, a gentleman of more than jf|WlV\.\.s ''^ ordinary business ability, owning 1,500 -ji^'''-'\ acres of land in Warren County, and a suc- ■■V- cessful farmer and stock-raiser, was born in I Barren Co., Ky., April 30, 1837. The father of Mr. Hall, Robert S. Hall, was also a native of Barren Co., Ky., and followed the occupation of a farmer during his life time. He was married in the county of his nativity to Julia Harber, and six chil- dren were born of their union, in Kentucky. After the demise of his wife he was again married to Julia Madden, a native of Ohio. Of both marriages of Mr. Hall, senior, nine children were the result — six by the first marriage and three by the second, with record as follows: Susan married A. B. Miller and resides in Kansas : six children have been born to them, of whom two are deceased. Mildred became the wife of Alick Anthony, and the mother of five children : she is now deceased, as also are two of the children. Mary Jane married Edward Grover, and they reside in Mercer County and have a family of five. Michael W. was fourth in order of birth. John D. married Phoebe Airsmith, and they became the parents of two children : father and mother are both deceased. Joseph lives in Texas. Kate is married and resides in Michigan. Robert S. lives in Mon ■^1 "T *t 5S8 — .. /zn — . •- WARREN COUNTY. k- mouth. Tlie three hitter are by the second mar- riage. Michael W. Hall came witii his parents to this county and located in Monmouth Township. His father purchased partly improved land, >vhose value he augmented by cultivation, and at the date of his death was the owner of 400 acres. His death oc- curred in Monmouth Township at about tiie begin- ning of the War for the Union, his wife, the mother of Michael W., liaving departed this life some live years previous. She was killed near the city of JefTersonville, Ind,'by ihe train on wliich she was riding being thrown from tlie track. The cause of the accident was a bovine, who obstinately refused to give way to tlie " iron horse." She was at the time on a visit to her former home in Kentucky, and the accident she received was so severe that, al- though she reached her native State, she lingered but a short time, and tlien, in Louisville, Ky., de- parted this life. After the death of his mother, Mr. Hall engaged in farming on his own account. He liad i)reviously purchased about 50 acres of land in Monmouth Township, and on this he began the occupation which he has continued during his entire life. Sept. 8, 1859, at the residence of the bride's parents in Monmouth Township, Mr. Hall was united in mar- riage with Miss Candis, the accomplished daughter of John and Permelia (Tapscott) Miller natives of Barren Co., Ky. Her parents were niariied in Glas- gow and were of Virginia parentage and Scotch ex- traction. Her father was a cabinet-iliaker, and for some years after marriage resided at Cllasgow Ky., at which place Mrs. Hall was born, Dec. 16, 1843. She was next to the oldest in order of birtli of four children, viz. : Charley, who was married to Adaline Parker, now deceased ; Candis the wife of Mr. Hall; and two who died in infancy. In 1845, when but two years of age, Candis, now Mrs. Hall, was brought by her parents to this State. They located in Monmouth Township, wliere her father followed his trade up to within a short time before his death, which occurred June 7, 1854. Her mother was again married, and died in Cold Brook Town- ship Dec. 22, 1876. After Mr. and Mrs. H. were united in marriage, they located upon a farm in Monmouth Township, which Mr. Hall had previously purchased. Six months later tiiey moved on a farm in Cold Brook Township, consisting of 124 acres, to which Mr. H. has since added tracts located in Cold Brook and Monmouth Townships to the extent as heretofore mentioned and most of which is under an advanced state of cultivation, with the exception of 125 acres which is timber. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Christian Church located at Talbott Creek, to which denomi- nation they have belonged for some 25 years. The issue of tiieir union has been seven children. The living are Frank (see sketch), George C, Addie B., Ella M , James B. and George M., all of whom are living at home and have received good educations. Edison G. is deceased. * -€^- ^ ^vjlil^ij obert S. Patton, Treasurer of Warren >] RJk^ - County, was elected first in 1879 and re- ? &^^"" elected in 1882, term to expire in Decem- •f]\y ber, 1886. The gentleman whose name heads \y this notice was born in Adams Co , Ohio, 1 Jan 16, 1837, and was the first child of five born to Jolm S. and Sarah (Morrison) Patton, na- tives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. They were of Irish extraction. The father was married before to Miss McCague, and by that marriage four chil- dren were the result — George A., Mary J., Natlianicl T. and M.irtha. Of this marriage all are deceased except Nathaniel T. He married Esther Stevenson, she being a native of Ohio and now de- ceased. The five children of the second marriage are Robert S., Carrie S., Eliza M., John H. and Sa- rah ; the latter died while young. Cary S. married Miss Lizzie Harsha; Eliza married J. B. Woods; John H. married Sarah M. Woods. Judge Robert Morrison, grandfather of Mr. P., on the maternal side of the house, was an officer in the war of 1812. His grandf.ither, Nathaniel Patton, on the paternal side of the house, was one of the first defenders of his country. Mr. Patton settled in Hale Township in i860. His parents came the next year and in that town- ship spent the rest of their lives, the senior Mr. Pat- ton dying in 1863, aged ''^4 years, and his widow in 1876, at the same age. Robert S. Patton lived on his father's farm in Hale *x :ki. -x^ ■c T _ L IVARREI^ COUNTY. •^^ S«i Township, which he had previously bought from the heirs, until the spring of 1880, when he removed to Monmouth to take charge of the office that he was elected to fill. He has always been a consistent Republican, but his selection for the office which he so ably filled was made not so much on account of his politics, as his fitness. With the exception of the School Treasury of his township, which he han- dled for 12 years, the present is the only official po- sition he has ever filled or sought to fill. Mr. Patton was married in his native county to Miss Sarah Ann Sheppard, on the 2d of February, i860, and of the seven children born to him, Anna S., George, John and Guy are living, and three were buried in infancy. Mrs. Patton was the daughter of Johnston and Mary (Henry) Sheppard. She was born in Adams Co., Ohio, June, 1839. Her parents came from Ohio. Her parents are of American or- igin as far back as known. Mr. Patton belongs to no secret order, but has been many years a consistent member of the United Pres- byterian Church. 4 ;ohn P. Terpening, a well known resident of Kelly Township, is a settler of Warren County of 1836. He is a native of Sara- toga Co., N. Y., and accompanied his parents ^r to Illinois in 1835. His father, Ezekiel Ter- pening, was born in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y., in 1781. The great-grandfather of John P. came from Holland and settled in New York after i's capture by the English. From there he moved with his family to Ulster County, that State, where he died. One of his sons, Peter, moved to Saratoga County, to what is now called Clifton Park, where he passed the remaining years of his life. He served as a soldier during the war of the Revolution. His son, who was the father of our sub- ject, was a soldier in the war of 18 12. His grandfa- ther, on the maternal side, assisted in defending the rights of the colonies, and died from the effects of the hardships that he endured while in tlie service. His naine was Peake, and he was of English ances- Ezekiel Terpening had learned the trade of a blacksmith. He gave his attention to that business until the proceeds of his labor enabled him to buy a farm, after which he abandoned his trade for the pleasures of agriculture. In 1835, accompanied by his family, he set out to seek a home in the West. They st.irted on the Erie Canal, by which they reached the city of Buffalo, whence they took a steam- boat to Cleveland. From that city they again took passage on a canal extending from that place to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River, where they embarked on a steamboat on the same river and reached the Mississippi River, on which they journeyed to Si. Louis. The freezing of the river detained them there a month, and at the end of that time they proceeded to Quincy, where they arrived on the ist day of Jan- uary, 1836. No vacant house could be found at Quincy, and, in company with other emigrants, they took possession of a camp three miles from the city, where they remained a month. About the ist of February, the father and son (the latter the subject of this sketch) set out for Rock Island County to see the claim J. P. had previously bought, but met a man, who was then living where Moline is now located and whom he knew was living near the place he had purchased. Mr. T. learned from him that the claim had again been sold, the man getting only $5 more than Mr. T. was to give. He had agreed to pay him $450 on taking possession, the ist of March. They were then some 30 miles south of Monmouth, but thought best to go to Hendersonville, Knox County, and look around. They finally found a de- sirable location, on section 33, in township 12 north, of range t west (Kelly Township). Previous to starting, the family had removed to a vacant house in Quincy, where the remaining members were com- fortable situated while the father and son were away seeking a place for their future home. They re- turned to Quincy and remained in that city until spring, when, with a pair of horses and a wagon they drove to their new home. There were a few im- provements on the place, consisting of a log hous; and stable and four acres of prairie broken. This was the homestead during the reinaining years of the life of the father, and he also bought additional land, until he was the owner of 480 acres. He died July 16, 1864. The wife and mother died Feb. 8, 1867. Their family included 11 children. Mr. Terpening of this sketch is the third in order 'SlAl -P^ -t4^r?! 5<^2 WARREN COUNTY. f "T* of birtli. He was born in the same town in which his father was born, April 12, 181 1. He was reared on the homestead in Saratoga County and received a good common-school education. At the age of 21 he became a clerk in a grocery, at Rexford's Flats, in the county of his nativity. In May, of that year (1835), he set out for Illinois. He stopped in vari- ous places in the intervening States of New York and Ohio, and after he reached Jackson, in the Buck- eye State, he came the remainder of the distance to Illinois on foot. In September of the same year he returned to Saratoga County for the sake of fulfilling a promise to a young lady named Mindwell Smith, to whom lie was joined in marriage, Sept. 24tli after he arrived home. She is the daughter of Richard and Sally (Peck) Smith, and was also born in Clifton Park Townshij), Saratoga County, April 2, 18 13. Mrs. Terpening was the eldest of a family of eight children, namely: Abijah, Eliza, Nathan, Richard P., Samuel, Sglomon P. and one who died in in- fancy. Eliza married Solomon Waite, and now lives in St. Clair Co., Mo. Samuel now lives in Pettis Co., Mo. Solomon C. resides at Waterford, N. Y. He was a Colonel in the late war, in which he lost one of his arms. Of the paternal side, as far back as she can trace, Mrs. T. is of American ancestry, and on the maternal side is of English origin. Upon the 2d of November, 1835, the elder Ter- pening and liis family, including the bride of his son, set out for the journey to Illinois that has been re- lated in detail in connection with what has been told above coacerning the fortunes of the father. The ar- rival of the entire party in what is now Kelly Town- slap, occurred March 9, 1836. The elder Terpen- ing bought the southwest quarter of section 33 of L. VV. BilUips. Upon this was a log cabin, 18 x 20 feet in size, and Mr. Hilhips and his family of ten and Mr. Terpening's family of twelve, twenty-two in all, lived in it for tliree weeks. Mr. Terpening says that " we were thicker than three in a bed, as the floor, our only bed, was covered. " At the end of three weeks, Mr. B. had completed his house in the vi- cinity and moved out. (It should have been stated that the elder Teri)ening assisted a man ard his fam- ily to come with himself. This ina^i settled in Scuy- lerCo., Ill) The first year of his stay in Warren County, Mr. Terpening rented a farm on section 28, and in 1837 he bought 80 acres of land on section 26. It was nearly all covered with timber, but a small log cabin had been erected, of which he and his wife took pos- session for a short time, until a more comfortable and convenient dwelling could be prepared for their use. The new house was built of logs, but it was the home of the household for seven years. At the end of that time, Mr. Terpening bought a farm on the southwest quarter of section 34, to which he re- moved. They were there resident five or six years, after which the proprietor bought and removed to the place a frame house. He continued to manage the place until he had broken and fenced about 50 acres, when he again sold his farm and bought a place on section 2, of the townsliipof Cold Brook. The family were the occupants of this until 185 r, when Mr. Ter[)ening bought the farm on which he is at pres- ent residing. It was then unbroken ])rairie. He moved a log house to it and commenced to improve his property. He has placed it in a condition which will compare favorably witii others in the township of similar pretensions. Mr. Terpening's household included eight chil- dren. Smith, the eldest son, resides in Galesburg, 111. ; J. Wesley is a resident of Marion Co., Mo. ;^ Sarah is the widow of William M. Armstrong, who' was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and Cap- tain of Company B, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., to which ref-, erence has so often been made in the course of these records. At the battle of Averysburg he was se- verely wounded and never recovered from the con- sequences of the injury. After his return he was elected Sheriff of Warren County, but did not live to fill his term of office. Harrison P. is a resident of Marion Co., Mo.; Olive is the wife of W. B. Arm- strong, and they are settled in Vernon Co., Mo. ; Nathan is a citizen of the same county ; Charles is the manager of the homestead ; Edwin lives in the township of Cold Brook. The son, Harrison, was a soldier in the Rebellion, and served in the SQth 111. Vol. Inf. William, Wesley and Nathan were soldiers in the same company and regiment of which their brother-in-law was the chief officer. .Ml served through the war. The record of the brothers and sisters of Mr. Ter- pening is as follows : Maria T. is the wife of George W. Brown, of Galesburg, the inventor of the corn planter that bears his name ; Olive is Mrs. Bos well ; Peter lives in Vernon Co, Mo. : George is a resident on section 28, in Kell) Township; "David lives on I WARREN COUNTY. 563 section 33, of the same; William H. is a citizen of Pettis Co., Mo. Mr. T. has held various township offices, such as Collector, Assessor, School Director and Superintend- ent of Highways. He was appointed Postmaster of the office at Utah, under the administration of Zach- ary Taylor, and held the office for eight years. Dur- ing the late war, he was enrolling officer. He wanted to enlist himself and follow the fortunes of his three sons in the service of his country, but owing to his age the recruiting officer would not accept him. His friends very justly thought he had already shown sufficient patriotism and done enough by sending to the front three of his sons, two of his sons-in-law and one brother, Samuel Terpening. Politically, he is a Republican, and he was elected President of the Union League. His wife is a member of the Meth- odist Church. As one of the best known of the early pioneers of this part of the State, as well as a venerable and [highly respected citizen of the county, the portrait of John P. Terpening will be regarded as one of the most valued in this Album. *««- illiam D. Miller, of Berwick Township Warren County, who is the owner of a fine farm, with beautiful surroundings, on sec- 3> tion 10, was born in Perry Co., Ind., Feb. i6, 1848. John Miller, father of the sub- ject of this notice, was born in Kentucky, in January, 1805, and came to Illinois in 1851. He was a farmer by occupation and died on his liome farm, in this county, Oct. 8, 1878. He was married to Miss Lucy Carrin 1830. She was born in Ken- tucky, in 1807, and died in this county, Nov. 21, 1861. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller eight children were born, five of whom still survive them. William D. Miller is the present Supervisor of Berwick Townsliip, and has faithfully served the townsliip in that capacity for seven years. He has also served as School Director for ten years, and as Assessor for three years. By industry , enterprise and frugality he has accumulated a handsome prop- erty, and has beautified his farm with a neat resi- dence and inviting surroundings. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, he has devoted considerable time to raising stock and dealing in graded cattle. May 21, 1873, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Georgia Cable. She was born Sept. 27, 1 85 I. To them a son, Walter, was born, Dec, 19, 1879. In politics, Mr. Miller, like his father before him, affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the recognized leaders of the democracy of Berwick Township. His wife united with and is a member of the Baptist Church of Berwick. -HC3- -et- asurr Sheldon, owning 304 acres of good %f farm land, located on section 32, Floyd ' '' Township, where he resides and is active- ly engaged in its improvement and cultiva- tion, was born Nov. 8, 1838, in the same township, and is a son of Wilson Sheldon, born in New York city, Feb. 3, 1811, and now de- ceased. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to this State in 1837, located on the northwest quar- ter of section 32, Floyd Township, and became the owner of 640 acres of land, where he resided, follow- ing the vocation of a farmer, until 1868, when he moved to Monmouth and lived there until his death, Sept. 13, 1873. He was married to Sarah Matteson in 1831. She was born in Rhode Island, in 1813, and when eight years old her parents removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., where she continued to reside un- til the fall of 1837, when she came to this State with her husband, the subject of this notice. Of their union nine children were born — Hiram, Martha, George, Seneca M., Burr, Alma, Aurilla (who died on attaining her 21st year), Mary and Jerome, the latter dying in infancy. Burr Sheldon was married to Miss A. J. Morey, Oct. 13, 1869. She was born Dec. 10, 1845, in Knox Co., III., and bore her husband two children — Clar- ence M., born Jan. 18, 187 i ; and Carrie, Jan. 16, 1879. The father of Mrs. Sheldon, Hiram T. Morey, was born in New York, about 1820; married Miss Caroline I. Patrick, a native of Kentucky, January, 1845. She was born in 1825, and bore him five chil- ■J'kI S64 WARREN COUNTY. Ju dren — Anna J) Caroline, William F., Hiram and Jane. He came to this State about 1840, and lo- cated at Knoxville, Knox County, where he contin- ued to reside for 20 years, during which time he served as Circuit Clerk four years. He then moved to Monmouth, where he is at present residing, and is keeping books for his son, Hiram Morey, engaged in business on Main Street. The farm of Mr. Sheldon of this notice is under an advanced slate of cultivation, and in addition to the tilling of his land, he is to a considerable extent en- gaged as a stock-dealer, and has also added to these interests the baling and shipping of hay. He has a fine hay press and is doing a very extensive business in that line. Socially, Mr. Sheldon is a member of the k. F. & A. M. Lodge, No 619, Berwick. In religion, he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and in politics, Mr. Sheldon always casts his vote with the Democratic party. He served his township as School ■ Director for a number of years. — o®r yman H. Young. The subject of this sketch is among the substantial and pro- gressive farmers of Warren County. He was born in Litchfield, Conn , Feb. 25, 1822, and is the son of Stephen and Annis (Smith) Young. The former was a native of the above named county, but his father was born in Scotland. He came to America and settled in Connecticut, while it was yet under colonial government. There he lived, and when Stephen was but five years old, died. The maternal grandf;ither of our subject, Joel Smith, was of English nativity. He came to Con- necticut, where he followed the vocation of a farmer. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Young is descended from the best English and Scotch ancestry. Mr. Young was reared and educated in his native state, ayending the excellent schools, and also re- ceiving a good academic education, which he has supplemented with a careful and extensive course of reading, and is not only well informed on general and current topics, but has a mind stored with valuable and practical information. After leaving school he engaged in teaching for the next six months. He ventured West in the Spring of 1854, and settled in Cold Brook To.vnship, Warren County, where he purchased land on Section 7. Here he has since followed farming and stock raising, in both of which departments he has been more than ordinarily suc- cessful. Mr. Young was united in marriage Oct. 11, 1846, with Miss Emeline A., daughter of Walker and Con- stant (Humaslon) Cole. The ceremony was per- formed in Medina Co., Ohio, where Mr. Cole and family resided. They were also natives of Connect- icut, but had settled in Ohio, at an early day. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young seven chil- dren, whose names in the order of birth, are as fol- lows : Stephen Nelson, who is married and living in Nodaway Co.. Mo.; Clark Milton, a farmer of Cold Brook Township, and a sketch of whom is given else- where in this Album. Clarence is married and a farmer of Kelly Township. George L. is also mar- ried, and is a resident of Nance Co., Neb. Elmer • died at the age of four years. Levi E. is married, and also a resident of Nance Co., Neb. Dr. Arthur Young, now a student of Monmouth College, is the =^ youngest of tliis family. Mr. Young has given all his children the benefits of a thorough practical ed- ucation, and they have gone forth into the world fully equipped to meet the responsibilities of life. In 1876 Mr. Young organized and put into suc- cessful operation the Cold Brook Rural Mut4.ial In- surance Company, and was elected its President. About two years afterwards the State Legislature passed an Act permitting mutual companies to or- ganize, and under that Act a re-organization was ef- fected which includes the entire County of Warren. It then took the name of the Monmouth Farmers' Mutual County Insurance Company. Mr. Young was elected its President, which position he has since held. Under his fostering care and guidance the Company has grown to be second to none of sim- ilar character. The volume of business or amount of policies carried last year aggregated $960,000. The benefits accruing to the fanners of the county can be easily estimated. Much credit is due Mr. Young for inaugurating and carrying forward this en^ terprise, which has been of great advantage as secu- rity from loss in case of fire, in the farming districts. Mr. C. M. Young, son of the President, is the Secre- tary of the Company. Father and son perform the *r ¥ ■ cT_i ~ . .v. WARREN COUNTY. •!^W S6S duties of their respective offices for a mere nominal consideration, having the general good of the Com- pany at heart. Mr. Young has held the office of School Trustee and Road Commissioner. In politics he was formerly a VVhig, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a staunch supporter of it. •s/W\<~\ta££r©-^ »^,SiO?J?'»v."./\/w : rville Ray, engaged in stock-raising and ag- ricultural pursuits, on section 8, Berwick .Township, where he resides and owns 200 acres of land, was born in Kentucky, Feb. 18, 1819, and is a son of Hickerson Ray, a native of Virginia, who emigrated to this State in 1845, locating in Roseville Township, this county, where he died about 1855. The father was married to Miss Sarah Kelly about 1815. She was born in Virginia, about 1800, and died in 188 r, in this county. Of their union the C following children were born : Wyatt, Orville, William, Thomas and Elizabeth, twins, Hickerson, John C, Jane, Emily, Harriet and Paradine. Mr. Ray came to Warren county as early as 1840, for a time worked by the month. By using economy and diligence, for which he is noted, he had put him- self in s^uch shape that by 1845 he was able to pur- chase some land, and began farming for himself. At that time he located in Roseville Township. He moved from there to Floyd Township, where he lived until 1870. Orville Ray was united in marriage with Miss Jane Smith, Feb. i, 1845. She was born in March, 1827, in Kentucky, and has become the mother of seven children, six of whom are living, namely, Archie M., Ira T., Harvey L., Eliza, Victoria and Silas O. John H. died in infancy. Archie married Elizabeth Welch, who died leaving two children, Charles and Mary. Ira T. married Miss Millee Ayers, and they have one child. They live in Gage County, Neb. Harvey selected for a wife Milinda Jane Carr : the names of their two children are Mary E. and Mable. Eliza became the wife of John W. Smith, of Ringgold County, Iowa, and is the mother of four children — Nora, Henry, Arthur and Lena. Victoria is the wife of Joshua Roswell. They have four children living, as follows : Arnold N., Charles, deceased, Mina Ester and Harvey. Silas O. lives with his parents. Mr. Ray is the owner of 200 acres of land where he resides, and in addition to its cultivation, is de- voting a considerable part of his time to raising and dealing in fine horses. He has some fine roadsters and heavy draught horses, 23 head in all, and in this branch of his vocation he is meeting with marked success. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Ray are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and in politics Mr. R. votes with the Democratic party. The father of Mrs. Ray, wife of the subject of this notice, John Smith, was born in Kentucky in 1800, and died in this State in 1839. He was married in 1822, to a Miss Usurla Hendricks, who was born in Virginia, in 1800. She died in April, 1873, in this State, after having borne her husband eight children, namely : Elizabeth, David, Nancy, James A. J., John T., William H., Brison B. and Keziah Jane. The parents came to this State during the Black Hawk War, in 1832. They were consistent mem- bers of the Baptist Church, and in politics her father was a strong supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. «^-~ ohn A. MeKnight, of the township of Spring Grove, is a descendant from a fam- '*''^ ily that became associated with the history of this country previous to the War of the Revolution. His first ancestor on the Amer- ican Continent was James MeKnight, who was born in the north of Ireland of Scotch progeni- tors, and therefore belonged to the class of people distinctively known as the Scotch Irish. Their na- tionality as Scotch is practically intact, as in few instances did they intermarry with the native people of Ireland. They were all Protestants of decided type. The first of the family in this country, who has been referred to, settled in Adams Co., Pa., where he continued to reside until 1808. He then went to Crawford County in the same State, and there, by the purchase of a large acreage, became an extensive landholder. The land was covered with A • ■ ^ T !?=-4-> S66 WARREN COUNTY. r timber and he passed his life in its improvement. Captain James McKnight, his son, became noted for his predilection for military affairs, and at the age of 1 8 he was made Captain of a militia Company, which he commanded in the War of 1812. His father gave him a tract of land, on which he settled at the close of the war and which he cleared from its original condition. He remained thereon resident until 1864, when he came to Illinois. He located in War- ren County and bought the southwest quarter of sec- tion 31 in Spring Grove Township and lived there until the date of his death. His wife, previous to her marriage to him, was Miss Lucinda Adams. She was born in Virginia, April 17, 1799. They had nine childven: Mr. McKnight of this sketch is tlie oldest; Mary Ann is deceased; James C. lives in La Bette Co., Kan.; William lives in Mercer Co., 111.; Margaret is deceased; Elizabeth is the wife of Allen Dunn, a farmer of Spring Grove Township; Thomas resides in the township of Monmouth; David S. lives in Alexis; Lucinda, the youngest, who was the wife of Jeff Calvin, of La Bette Co., Kan., is deceased. John A. McKnight was born in Mead Township, Crawford Co., Pa., July 10, 1823. His father, of whom an account is incorporated in this sketch, was '' born in Adams Co., Pa., April i, 1786. Mr. Mc- Knight was brought up in the county where he was born and was reared in the calling in which all his ancestors had been engaged. He received such ed- ucation as could be obtained in the district schools. On arriving at the age of independent manhood, he fitted himself for the business of a carpenter, which he followed eight years. Mr. McKnight was married to Elmina C. Dunn, Sept. 28, 1854. Sl-,e was born in Erie Co., Pa., March 13, 1835. On making ready to locate in life, Mr. McKnight bought a farm in Hayficld 'i'ownship in his native County. The place had no buildings on it and only 20 acres had been cleared. He erected the necessary buildings for the family and his stock and crops and proceeded with the work of clearing the land. He cut the timber on 15 acres while he continued to occupy the farm, but disposed of it in 1857 and came to Illinois. He settled in Warren County on 60 acres of land situated on the southeast cpiarter of section 31. The previous owner had erected a log cabin and had placed 30 acres un- der the plow. The family passed the winter in the log building and in the spring Mr. McKnight built a small frame house. He has since made additional jjurchases of land and he is now the owner of the whole quarter-seciion on which he at first settled. The buildings and all the accessories of the place are of excellent character. He also bought land in Monmouth Township. The first wife of Mr. McKnight died in Septen.- ber, 1 866. Feb. 25, 1868, he was again married, to Sarah J. Stevenson. She was born in Adams Co., Ohio, Jan. 28, 1838, and is the daughter of James and Margaret (Cameron) Stevenson. Her father was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and her mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Of the first marriage of Mr. McKnight there were born five children — James E., Emma E., John O., Ida L. and Edward L. Of the second marriage, Alexander C. and Albert S. are the issue. Mr. and Mr . McKnight are members of the United Presbyterian Ciuirch. He is a Republican in political faith and connections. -4-S < ^lamuel Douglas is a resident of Monmouth. He is a veteran of two wars, and is an Irishman by birth and a Scotchman by descent. He was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in February, i8r9. He was brought upon the Green Isle, and educated in the common schools. At the age of 19 he came to the United States, accompanied by his mother and brother. They landed at the port of New York af- ter an ocean voyage of six weeks' duration. After a residence of a few months in the city of New York he went to St. Louis, Mo., and was occupied in va- rious pursuits in that city until 1839, when he rented land on the bluffs of the river near the city, and turned his attention to farming. He was occupied in thai vocation until 1846, when he came to Mon- mouth. He was one of the early settlers there, and he bought a house and lot and rented land on the borders of the village, as it then was. The Mexican war attr.icted him with an irresistible influence, and he determined to enter the military service of his adopted country. He enrolled Aug. 6, 1846, under *t V ■c T _? _ — . .)(^:=r^ WARREN COUNTY. !?=^^ 567 Captain Wayne B. Stupps, and went to the "halls of the Monteziimas." The company was independent, and was mounted and did effective service as volun- teers. On March 11, 1848, Mr. Douglas was discharged and returned to Monmouth. Soon after lie bought a farm situated two miles east of the city. He was its owner and occupant three years. He then sold the place and removed to town. He was a resident of Monmouth two years, and managed a tract of land which he had purchased in the same township. He was occupied in its improvement when the civil war broke out, and he was one of the first to enlist in defense of the Union. He enrolled July 5, 1861, in Co. B, First 111. Cav., and on the organization of the command was made First Lieutenant. The reg- iment was mustered into service July 15, 1861. Mr. Douglas received a severe wound at the battle of Lexington, Mo., and was taken prisoner in tlie same action by the rebel cavalry under General Price. He was taken to St. Louis and shortly after was set at liberty on parole. He resigned on account of disa- bility June 23, 1862, and returned to Monmouth. For some years after he was in active business life, but has been livins; for some years in retirement at his pleasant residence in the suburbs. Mary A. Merrifield became the wife of Mr. Doug- las. She was borji in Logan Co., Ky,, in February, 1824. She is the daughter of John and Mary A. (Burroughs) Merrifield. A son, Hercules Douglas, resident at Monmouth, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. ohn G. Burchfleld. Among the many notable events of the late war, there were few if any that at the time of their occur- rence created any greater sensation than did the killing of Gen. John H. Morgan, the fa- mous guerrilla chief of Kentucky. Many and different versions of the affair have from time to time been given, but generally by persons wholly unac- quainted with the facts other than through hearsay testimony. The subject of this sketch was one of the piinci- | _ ^ • -X ' pal actors in that tragedy, being present from first to last, and a participant in the raid that had for its design the routing of Morgan from the vicinity of Greenville, Tenn. The very bitter and unrelenting hatred engendered in the hearts of the whole Union people against the leaders of the Rebellion and par- ticularly against Morgan, was calculated later on to fit the mind of the unbiased reader for the accept- ance as true, of the claim of Basil Duke and others, that their chief had been ruthlessly murdered after his surrender. Mr. Burchfleld, who was a member of Co. G, 13th Tenn. Cav. (Federal), after detailing much, and very minutely, the movements of his immediate command upon the morning of August 4, 1864, makes the fol- lowing statement in explanation of the killing of the distinguished partisan at Greenville, Tenn., upon that occasion : " It was just growing light ; we had dashed through the town, completely surprising and putting to rout 1,500 or 2,000 rebels there encamped, and turning, back the street through which we liad charged, I rode up to the hotel of Mrs. Col. David Fry, and ad- dressing that lady, who was my cousin, by the way, was informed by her that Gen. Morgan was just back of the hotel at the house of Mrs. Williams. I reported the fact at once to Capt. Wilcox, who was in command of our men, and he ordered us to surround the block. Andrew Campbell (now of Hawville, Ind.) was on the west side of the block; Lieut. Wil- CO.X and myself entered the grounds and passed north towards the premises of Mrs. Williams. In passing an outhouse on the southeast corner of Mrs. Williams' lot, two officers, Rodgers and Clay, came to the door and surrendered. At that moment a man in shirt sleeves and bareheaded, ran from behind the outliouse towards the residence. We followed through the grape arbor and got between him and the house and ordered hiin to surrender. He fired at us and passed beliind a bunch of vines. I saw Campbell ride out from behind a stable and fire, when we shouted to him not to shoot, as the man was on a line between Campbell and us. The man walked a few paces toward Campbell, who dis- mounted, laid his gun on the fence and was taking deliberate aim, when the man faced about with pis- tol raised, took a step or two towards us, and Camp- bell fired. The ball entered just below the left shoulder and passed out below the left nipple, and V 4 J^ S68 WAX REN COUNTY. Gen. Morgan, with tlie exclamation 'Oh, God!" fell and was dead." The maltreatment of the dead body is all contradicted by Mr. Burchfield. John G. Burchfield was born at Clark Springs, Tenn., May 5, 1846, and was the youngest of five sons of John and Elizabeth (Gourley) Burchfield, both now deceased. He was brought up to farming and received in his eatly life only four months' schooling, but a relative, James I. Tipton, who reared him, taught him and placed him at Henry and Emery College, Abingdon, Va. The war closed the college, and young Burchfield returned to Tennes- see to find that his guardian had died ; and he was apprenticed to a blacksmith, John J. Edens, at Elizabethtown, Tenn. In November, 1861, he went out with Fry's bridge burners, and liel[)ed burn the railroad bridges at Union, across the Holistein River, Nov. 9, 1861, and staid in the mountains until February, 1862. In August, 1863, he entered the army and served until f Sept. 5, 1865. In January, 1866, he came to Illinois, worked at various places, landed at Monmouth in 1879, and >^ has since been in the employ of the Weir Plow Company, He is a skillful mechanic and highly rt- spected by all who know him. He is Past Master of Monmouth Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Principal So- journer in the Chapter, and illustrious Grand Master of the Council. He is also Past Master of A. O. U. VV., and Officer of the Day in the G. A. R. In 1880 he was the candidate of the Greenback party for Circuit Clerk; he is now a Republican. He was married in Springfield, 111., Dec. 10, 1868, to Miss Margaret Bumgardner, and they are the parents of six children — William E., Martha E., George S., Charles M., Orion and Nellie V. The three last named are deceased. enry C. Miles represents one of tlie most important industries of Warren County. He is a brick and tile manufacturer and is lo- cated on section i, in the township of Cold Brook. He is also interested in the manufac- ture of lumber and is the owner of a saw-mill. He was torn in Kelly Township, July 6, 1832, and is the son of John and Sarah (Froman) Miles. He is a member of one of the earliest of the pioneer fami- lies of the county in which he has passed most of his life. After he had spent about the allotted time at school and had worked on the farm until about 17 years old, he commenced to learn the trade of a carpenter. He operated for a short period as a jour- neyman, and afterward commenced to act in the ca- pacity of an independent builder and contractor and has since managed his business as a craftsman in those departments, to which lie has also added bridge building. In 1858 Mr. Miles bought the Ferris steam-mill in Henderson, Knox County, and was engaged in its managemeni until 1862. The civil war interfered with his business and he took up arms in the de- fense of the union. In August of the second year of the war he enlisted in Co. B, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., and after a service of six montlis he was discharged for disability. He relumed to his home, resumed his former business and continued to conduct the affairs of the mill for four years, when it was burned. He im- 1 mediately rebuilt the structure and continued to con- duct it for a period of two years. Then the boiler exploded and blew the mill to pieces, 'Killing two men. The pecuniary loss to Mr. Miles was $3,000. He then turned his attention exclusively to the busi- iness of a contractor and builder, in which he was occupied two years, after which he bought a quarter interest in the steam-mill in Kelly Township, and in which he is at present interested in connection with other business. For the first six years he had a partner, but at the end of that time he became by purchase the sole owner and has since operated singly. He added the tile and brick business in 1882, and is prospering in the several industries in which he is interested. The clay beds are situated about two miles from the factory. Miss Harriet T. Rogers became the wife of Mr. Miles in September, 1854. After their marriage they located in Galesburg, and after a residence there of two years went to Brown Co., Kas., and pre-empted a claim of land, on which they resided six months. At the expiration of that time they returned to Henderson, which was their place of abode until 1882, when they removed to section i, in Cold Brook Township. The farm of Mr. Miles contains 120 acres and is in thorough, good condition for prosper- ous farming. He is also proprietor of r6o acres of land in Kelly Township, situated on section 24, and *i ■JKl ^ I in z $ o I- >: -1 UJ :*: oo o UJ m □;" Ul Q —I < O z z o U1 u ct u < o CD 10 It < Li. u o 1- dS lij u z LI a Ul ■ r . WARREN COUNTY. :?J^ 571 4* has a tract which includes 20 acres on section 25, of the same township. The farms are under the man- agement of his sons. The household comprises seven children — John H., Eddie H., Frank G., Geo. C, Willie, Theodore and Helen. Mrs. Miles is a native of New York. Mr. Miles is a Republican. jlohnCalder. One of the most substantial farmers and highly esteemed citizens of Kelly Township, is John Calder. He is a native of Somersetshire, England, and was 1^ born Jan. 12, 1819. He is the son of William and Elizabeth Calder, who were engaged as farmers in their native land. John remained at home until he attained his 14th year, when he was apprenticed to the trade of a butcher. He served his time faithfully and then went to London to fol- low the calling he had thus chosen. He remained in that city during tlie winter of 1839 and 1840, and in the spring shipped for South Australia. From there he went to Van Diemansland, where he re- mained engaged in different avocations several months. He then went to China, where he stayed for 18 months, going thence to Bombay City, India. He remained a citizen there for six months, when he returned to England. After a six-months sojourn at home, he became restless, and the desire for a change was too great for him to resist. He therefore ship- ped for Aden in Arabia, and from there up the Per- sian Gulf, then back to India, where he remained six months and then returned to England. There he was content to remain during the winter, but on the following spring he embarked for South America and stopped at Monte Video, Buenos Ayres and other places along the River La Platte and in the Argentine and Uraguay Republics a little over two years. From ihence he went to the Brazils, stop- ping at Rio de Janeiro six or seven months, and returned to England in March, 1848. During the last year named, 1848, the expedition was being fitted up to go in search of Sir John Frank- lin, under the command of Sir James Ross and Cap- tain Bird. Mr. Calder shipped in H. M. S. Investi- gator, under the command of Captain Bird. The fleet set sail in the spring of 1848, and passed through David's Straits, Baffin's Bay, Lancaster Sound into Barrow's Strait, at Prince Regent's Inlet, and wintered at Leopold Bay, North Somerset, but discovered no traces of the fated explorer, and, una- ble to push further North, returned to England, in November, 1849. The country had now become thoroughly alarmed for the fate of the great explorer and his party and immediately set about organizing an expedition that would make a thorough search for Sir John and his crew. The Government fitted out the Enterprise, commanded by Capt. Collison, and the Investiga- tor, under Commander McClure. They set sail in January, 1850, and parted company after passing through the Straits of Magellan, never seeing the Enterprise afterward. The Investigator, the vessel upon which Mr. Calder shipped, as Captain of the forecastle, passed the winters of T850 and 1851 at Prince Royal Island, in the Arctic Ocean. In the spring of 1851 Commander McClure turned his ves- sel southward around the southern extremity of Bar- ring's Island, and commenced to force a passage to • the northward, between the western shore of that land and the enormous fields of ice which pressed upon it. The cliflfs rose up like walls on one side, »< while on the other the stupendous palaeoerzostic sea arose from the water to a level with the yards of the Investigator. After many hair-breadth escapes, Mc- Clure took refuge in a bay on the northern shore of Banksland, which he named the Bay of God's Mercy. Here the Investigator remained, never to move again. In the summer of 1852 Commander McClure, with a part of his crew, among whom was Mr. Calder, made a journey across the ice to the Melville Island and there deposited some papers which were after- ward found by the commanders of the "Resolute" and " Intrepid," giving them a clew to McClure 's company. The supply of food, however, ran short the third winter, and all hands were compelled to go on extremely short rations. The cold was intense, often ranging from 60 to 66 degrees below zero. Wa- ter was scarce, in fact their only supply was ob- tained by melting snow, and during the extreme cold weather the snow fall was very light. Water and food were husbanded with the greatest care, and every precaution taken to withstand the terrible suf- fering and starvation as long as possible. In the Spring of 1853 McClure was preparing to abandon 'SZJyl ■ cT_L -^-Xj- 57* WARREN COUNTY. the vessel and with the crew atteirpt to reach the American coast, the same as Sir John Franklin did. In tiie meantime, however, the government of Eng- land was fitting out the Resolute and Intrepid to rescue McClure and his men. The latter vessel, for- tunately, found McClure and his crew just as all ar- rangements had been perfected, and they were ready to make the start for the trip across the ice to tlie coast of America. After suitable arrangements could be made they finally deserted the "Investigator," June 4, 1853, traveling across the ice to the east side of Melville Island, where the "Resolute" and "Intrepid" were stationed. During their short sojourn on this Island they killed several musk o.x. From there, on board the "Resolute," they sailed out into Melville Sound, making a journey of about sixty (60) miles, when they were bound in by ice and obliged to remain there during that winter. On April 14, 1854, they abandoned the "Resolute" and "Intrepid," making their way down to "Beechey Island," where they found the "North Star" awaiting them. Lying there until September, they started for England. They finally reached England, having been gone four years, nine months and fifteen days, and thus closed one of the most noted Arctic expeditions known in all the his- tory of explorations to that far-off region. Mr. Calder had spent five winters in the Polar seas. The many incidents, narrow escapes, the intense suffer- ing and heroic conduct of officers and crew if told would fill a large volume. A grateful government recognized their eminent and heroic services, and presented the crew with medals appropriately de- signed, and in addition Parliament voted them ^10,000. Mr. Calder was presented individually witii a medal for "meritorious conduct," in addition to that received as one of the crew. With a just pride he regards thcni as his most valuable treasures. There is not a man in Warren County, and but few to be found anywhere in America who have traveled so extensively, visited so many foreign ports, or passed so many months in the distant Polar sea. In 1855, Mr. Calder came to .America and settled at Chicago, where he was engaged in butchering, feeding cattle and speculating, until 1863, when on account of failing health he was compelled to leave the city. He came to Warren County and purchased some land on section 8, Kelly Township, where he embarked in farming and stock raising. Here he has since continued to reside, and in the quiet and peaceful calling he has chosen, so radically different from his former experiences, he has been quite suc- cessful. He has an elegant home, a view of which we present in connection witii this sketch, and seem- ingly enjoys life fully as well as when his vessel was plowing the cliilly waters of the North, or sailing in distant seas. On the 20th of February, 1855, before leaving England for America, Mr. Calder was united in mar- riage with Miss Fanny, daughter of William and Esther (Tilly) Cattle. She was born in Somerset- shire, England, June 22, 1829. There has been born to them seven children, four of whom are yet living, the others dying in infancy. Those living are in the order of their birth : John, born Oct. 9, 1858 ; Ka- tie, May 6, 1864; Elizabeth E., July 4, 1866; and Frederick, Jan. 28, 1870. Both Mr. and Mrs. Calder were reared in the Epis- copal Church, and |>olitically Mr. C. is a Repub- ' lican. i-^avid C. Brent, general farmer atid stock- ii;, raiser, residing on section 18, Ellison Township, was born in Lancaster Co., Va. rOct. 12, 182 1, and is a son of Kenner Brent (see sketch of Paul Brent). Our subject, David C, is the eldest of the living children, and was 14 years old when he came to Illinois. He lived on the farm with his father until his marriage, in the meantime acquiring a fair English education His marriage was celebrated on the 7th of March, 1850, in Ellison Township, the lady chosen to become his wife being Miss Jane, daughter of William Brown, from Lancaster Co., Va., who was by occupation a farmer and carpenter, his demise occurring in July, 1883, in this townshii). Mrs. Brent was the eldest child of her father's family of seven children, and was born Jan. r. 1830. Slie was only a small child when her parents came to this township, where she remained with then) until her marriage. The home circle of Mr. and Mrs. Brent has been blessed by the birth of 12 children, three of whom are deceased. The living are six sons and three *x 'JkI ^ WARREN COUNTY. -^^^ 573 daughters, as follows : Elizabeth C, born April 25, 1854; Augusta, Feb. 22, 1856; William K., Dec. 14, 1857; Melvin D., Jan. 8, i860; Thomas, Feb. 14, 1862; Manie, June 17, 1864; Edmund, July 26, 1868; Frank, Oct. 15, 1870; Joseph A., Nov. 27, 1872. After marriage, Mr. Brent settled on the farm where he now lives and is the possessor of 304 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is improved. Mrs. B. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Brent has held the office of Road Commissioiier, and, politically, is identified with the Republican party, being a staunch advocate of its princijjles. and Chapin, banker and merchant at Kirk wood, is not only one of the best known men in the county, but is classed among the early pioneers of this part of the State. His parents, Ebenezer and Catherine (Daggett) Chapin, were natives of New York Vermont respectively. They came west to Indiana in 1832, and were living in Crawford County, that State, when Nealy A. was born, Jan. 28, 1828. His parents were among the early settlers of Indi- ana and after a few years' residence there pushed on westward and found a desirable location in Knox Co., 111., where they arrived in 1836. At that early day there were but few settlers in that section and but little land ever turned by the plow. They re- mained there three years, when they moved into Oquawka village (then in Warren County, but after- wards in Henderson County), where the father died, in 1877. He was formerly a merchant, was an en- terprising, influential and valuable pioneer, and a man highly respected by the community in which he lived. Nealy A. received a liberal education. He as- sisted his father in his store and finally learned the trade of harness-maker, which occupation he fol- lowed until the spring of 1840. After leaving home, which he did in the year of 1840, he was employed as a clerk for three years. He then embarked in the lumber and mercantile business as a member of the firm of Knowles, Ray & Chapin, at Oquawka. Here they remained until 1858, when they removed their business to Kirkwood, where the old firm conducted the business for one year. The firm was then re- organized under the name of Chapin, Creswell & Houlton, who were the leading merchants of the place until 1865, when the company was again re- organized and their business enlarged. The firm was then known as Chapin, Houlton & Davis, mer- chants and bankers. No other change was made until 1882, since which time the firm name has been Chapin, Houlton & Co. Mr. Chapin has been an active, enterprising busi- ness man, and has done a great deal for Kirkwood. He had a great faith in the future prosperity of the village, and while the wild prairie grass was growing on the site of the village plat, he erected a fine residence there. The company put up a fine brick business block, 56 x 64 feet, in 1868. Mr. Chapin has also large landed interests in Henderson County, but his time is entirely given to his banking and mercantile business, and he is justly recognized as one of the leading business men of Warren County. The marriage of Mr. Chapin and Miss Cordelia Perry occurred Jan. 28, 1854. Mrs. C. is a daugh- ter of Jonathan Perry, a prominent citizen of W^arren , County. They have a family of seven children (one deceased) namely: Willis A., born Oct. 31, 1852, died Sept. 4, 1868; Eben H, born Nov. 21, 1854; Florence, Dec. 9, 1856; Katie B., Sept. 29, 1859; Fred L., June 16, 1863; Jennie M., Dec. 11, 1865; Laura A., April 9, 1869; William R., March 24, 1875. Eben married Miss Kate Mathews, of Merid- ian, Conn., Oct. 18, 1882, and is at present the Pastor of the First Universalist Church at Lincoln, Neb. ; they have one child named Charles. Flor- ence married George C. Ellis, an attorney at Med- icine Lodge, Kan. Katie B. married James F. Morgan, superintendent of telegraphy of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, June 14, 1879, and they are now living in Chicago; two children have been born to them — Bessie and Olive. Florence married George C. Ellis, an attorney, now of Medi- cine Lodge, Kan., Feb. i, 1882 ; one child has been born to them, named Nealy, after his grandfather, the subject of this sketch. Politically, Mr. Chapin is a Republican, and, with his wife attends the Universalist Church. T" ■c T i. r^^:^ 574 r WARREN COUNTY. 9<00€ lavid S. Hayden, gunsmith and dealer in sporting goods, at Monmouth, was born in Behiiont Co., Ohio, Aug. 13, 1830. His father, John Hayden, was a farmer and a na- ^J- live of Maryland, and was the only son of John ) Hayden, Sr., who came from Dublin, Ireland, where he had been bound out as a' coverlet weaver at the age of i 2 years, and who, after serving an ap- prenticeship of about two years, became dissatisfied, and stole on board a vessel setting sail to the United States, and secured passage to this country. In Bal- timore, Md , he accepted a position as a coverlet weaver, where he remained until his enlistment in the Revolutionary War, and there served for seven years. He was wounded with a spent ball, this being the only injury received during his seven years' en- listment. At the expiration of his term of service he again engaged with his former employer, at Balti- more, Md., where he served out his apprenticeship. He died in the latter State, at an advanced age. John Hayden, Jr., the father of our subject, was an only child, and determined at the age of 14 years to make his own way in the world. In the year 1 8 17 he came to Ohio, having been previously mar- ried to Nancy Ellis, in Maryland, in T814, and of their union have been born 1 1 children, of whom our subject, David S., was the youngest but two. His parents lived in Monroe Co., Ohio, until their deaths, the father at the advanced age of 95 years and the mother at 75. David S., whose name heads this personal narra- tive, resided with his parents until he attained his 21st year, then setting out to learn his present trade. He served his apprenticeship under his older broth- er, Joseph, who was residing in O.xford, Ohio,, from 1851 to 1858. At the latter date he left Oxford for Monmouth, arriving here Marcli 12, 1858, and com- menced business on his own account. He was the only man of his calling in the county at that time, and has been the pioneer of his trade and followed it from the time he came here, being at present the only gunsmith in the city. He is the proprietor of 25 acres of land and two houses near the city limits, the land being well improved and valuable. Mr. Hayden was married in Henderson County, this State, at the residence of the bride's parents, the event being celebrated on ihe 19th of February, i860, to Miss Martha A. Michaels, daughter ot Frederick Michaels, farmer from Tennessee, and it was in that State that the daugliter was bo:n, March 20, 1^40. She came to Illinois with her father, her mother hav- ing died when she was nine years of age. They af- terwards resided in Henderson County, where the father still lives, at the advanced age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Hayden are the parents of seven chil- dren — Frederick, married; Thomas F., and Ira B., deceased; Fannie M., Lotta A., Ralph D., Ruth G. and Ran. W., all of whom, except the eldest, reside at home. Mrs. Hayden is a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Order and has been a member of the City Council. Politically, he is a Republican. ames W. Morgan, a successful dealer in f real estate, residing in a comfortable and beautiful home near the city limits of Mon- mouth, is the second son and third child of Jas. C. and Penelope (Green) Morgan, and was born Dec. 17, 1828, in Erie Co., New York. The father of James was the fourth child and third son of Benui Morgan, who married Mary Clark, and by her had six children. He was a member of a cavalry company in the Revolutionary War, and died in Connecticut, aged 69 years. He was the fourth son and child of James Morgan, who became the father of seven children by Grace Smith, and who died at Griswold, Conn., Oct. 15, i8or, aged 72 years. James Morgan, the grandfather of James W. Morgan, sub- ject of this notice, was the elder son in order of birth of a family of 1 1 children, his father being Samuel Morgan, who was born Dec. 16, 1705, and died while in office at Preston, Conn.. Dec. 29, 1769, aged 65 years. Samuel was married to Elizabeth Forsyth, and was the oldest son and child of James Morgan, who was born about 1680, and died at Preston, Conn., Nov. 7, 1721, and who became the father of five children. He, James, was the seventh and youngest child of *v V -f4: WARREN COUNTY. 575 ^ his father, Capt. John Morgan, and of the first mar- riage of his father, seven children having been born by his first, and eight children by his second mar- riage. He, Capt. John Morgan, was the second son and third child of James Morgan, and was a prom- inent, public man, being Indian Commissioner and Deputy of the General Court in 1690, and was born March 30, 1645, and died in 17 12, aged 67 years, his father, James Morgan, having been born in Wales in 1670. James, the latter, was quite a young man when he came to the United States, and married Margery Hill, of Roxbury, Mass., and died in Au- gust, 1685, aged 78 years. His family consisted of seven children, and he was a proiinnent public man of his day, and is the progenitor of one of the best known and most successful families of the States. He was the son of a prominent family in Wales,who had figured conspiculously in that country in both general and public life. We find among the family in this country, merchants, fanners, speculators, of- ' ficials, one of the most prominent being Edwin D. Morgan, e.x-Governor of the State of New York. He was firsi elected Governor of the State in i860, and re-elected in 1861, his administration being a suc- cessful and popular one. He afterward received the appointment from President Lincoln as Major Gen- eral of Volunteers. He was also connected with the Western Union Telegraph Company, many Railroad corporations, and was proprietor with Mr. Jones, of the New York limes. James C. Morgan, father of James W., of this notice, was first married to Penelope Green, Jan. i, 1823. She was the daughter of Dyer Green, of Columbia, Herkimer Co., N. Y. The wife and moth- er died July g, 1846, after having borne seven chil- dren, and Mr. Morgan, on Dec. 2, 1846, was again married to Nancy Gette, a daughter of James Gette, of Hamburg, N. Y. She bore Mr. Morgan one child — Henrietta, born Jan. 2, 1848, and died March 4. 1849- James C. Morgan, at the age of iq years, moved from Preston, Conn., to Columbia, Herkimer Co., N. Y., and for five years had charge of his uncle's busi- ness there, which was paper making. In March, 1823, he removed with his young wife to Hamburg, Erie Co., N. Y., and engaged in the hotel business until November, 1843, when he came to Monmouth, 111. He lived at the latter place, owning 40 acres of land inside the city limits, and known as the Morgan Addition to the city of Monmouth, and continued to reside there, the sunset of his life being passed in retirement from active labor, until old age called him to the better land, at the age of 74 years. His death occurred Jan. 31, 1872. He was a good business man, possessing sterling qualities, and a strong sup- porter of temperance. The children of his first wife are recorded as fol- lows: Emeline, born Jan. 10, 1824. became the wife of J. W. Robertson; George W.,born May 31, 1826, died while in the Mexican War, Sept. 13, 1847, and James W., the subject of this notice. James W. was married Dec. 2, 1857, at the resi- dence of the bride's parents, in Henderson Co., 111., to Miss Anna Maria Vantuyl, the accomplished daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Williams) Vantuyl, na- tives of New Jersey and Ohio respectively, and of German descent. Her parents were married in Ohio and resided on a farm near Dayton, that State, where Mrs. Morgan was born April 2r, 1833. Her father's family came in 1854 to this State, and located on a farm in Henderson County. Her father lost his first wife in Ohio, and was again married in the same State. He afterward came to this county and located near Kirkwood, where he died Oct. n, 1880. He was a leading citizen in the community in which he resided, and met with success in the vocation of his life. Mrs. James W. Morgan, after receiving a rudi- mentary education in the common or district schools attended college at Monmouth, 111., in the basement of the old Presbyterian Church, now known as Unity Church, and of her union with Mr. Morgan two children were born— Flora, Jan. 17, 1859, and Lewis Howard, June i, 1867. The subject of this sketch came with his father in 1843 from Hamburg, N. Y., to Monmouth, this county. In 1850, with an ox team and a party of men, he crossed the plains to the land of gold, which required a trip of six months. He remained in Cali- fornia until 1853, in search of gold, spending two winters in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in a small cabin, the snow 14 or 15 feet deep, and no commu- nication with the outer world, from October until the following May of each year. His experience was similar to those of many who sought their fortune in that distant clime. One of his best friends and neighbors, Amos Harding, late of Monmouth, died there of the cholera. Mr. Morgan returned to Warren County in 1853, lAr: V -£-?-^ 576 . .v. WARREN COUNTY. ^?-^ remaining there until August 6ih, 1862, when, in an- swer to the second call for men to fight in the war for the Union, he enlisted in Co. F, 83d 111. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He was elected Second Lieutenant, subsequently pro- moted to First Lieutenant, and served under Gener- als Rosecrans and Sherman, participating in all of the battles in which his regiment was engaged, until he received an honorable discliarge June 26, 1865, at the close of the war. Among the most prominent battles in which his regiment was engaged, was that of Fort Donelson, in February, 1863, when the odds in favor of the Confederate army were in the pro- portion of 10 to I, and where the Union forces suc- ceeded in holding the fort. After the close of the war, Mr. Morgan returned to Monmouth, where he has since, mostly, resided, until the present time. He and his brother became owners of their father's 40 acres of real estate within the city limits, which constitutes Morgan's Addition to the city of Monmouth. James W. managed the sale of the lots for a time, and then bought out his brother's interests. He also owns 24 acres where his residence is located. He and "Deacon Brown," of Monmouth, are also the owners of an entire sec- rion of land in Seward Co., Neb., and Mr. Morgan is the proprietor of 320 acres in Thayer County, that State. Mr. Morgan has been one of the Directors of the Monmouth National Bank for some years, and is at present a stoi kholder in the same. He and his wife are members of the Unity Society, of which Mr. M. is Trustee. Politically, Mr. Morgan votes with the Republican party. The remaining members of the family of James C. Morgan, are John Titus, born Nov. 25, 1831, married Maria Harroun, Nov. 8, 1858; Decatur, born July 23, 1834, Married Elizabeth A. Richardson, lives at VVatseka, 111., and was for a number of years Deputy Internal Revenue Collector; Angeline, born June 25, 1837, married David B. Stevens, and was a graduate of Monmouth College ; Henry, born March 20, 1840, and died Feb. 20, 1841. John Titus was educated at Lombard University, and graduated at the law school, Poughkeei^sie, N. Y., after which he began practice at Monmouth, en- tered the army during the rebellion as Captain of Co. F, 83d 111. Vol. Inf.; look part in the battles in which the regiment was engaged. At the close of the war resumed his law practice ; was elected a member of the Lower House and afterwards to the Senate. He acquitted himself honorably as a mem- ber of the Legislature. He was appointed by Presi- dent Hayes Chief Justice of Idaho Territory, and re- appointed by President Arthur. He has now re- sumed the practice of law in that Territory, and resides at Oxford. ^^ eorge W. Bellinger is a general farmer on section 9, in Kelly Township. He has "^ been Justice of the Peace since 1878. He was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1844. His father and mother, Charles and Sophia (Pine) Bellinger, were natives of the shire of Somerset, England, and came to America, where they located in Ohio. Mr. Bellinger was two years old when they removed to Warren County. They set- tled in the township where he is still living and where he was brought up and educated, so far as the common schools were concerned. He attended Knox College three terms, which were passed in the preparatory deiinrtment. He lived at home with his parents until he was 20. He had become the pos- sessor of the farm on which he now lives and previ- ous to that time he had made some improvements on it. His marriage with Lucinda Holcomb took place March 12, 1869. She was born in Kelly Township, Nov. 15, 1848, and is the daughter of Henry B. and Phebe (Ingersoll) Holcomb, who were pioneers of Kelly Township. A log house had b.en built on the farm of Mr. Bellinger, and when he was married he took possession of the humble abode with his wife. They have now a good farm house and other struc- tures suited to the purpose to which the farm is de- voted. The value and general appearance of the place is much increased by the addition of fruit and shade trees in great numbers. The politics of Mr. Bellinger are in unison with the creed of the Democrats. He has been promi- nent in his interest in general educational matters, *x v- 4 ■ Y. WARREN COUNTY. ^^^r¥ 577 and has served many years as School Director in his district. The children of the household of Mr. Bellinger are as follows : Ben. was born Aug. lo, 1879; Judd, April 8, 1878; Jessie, Jan. i, 1880; Maggie, July 8, 1882 ; Ethel, July 29, 1885. Their first child was born Sept. 4, 1870, and died Jan. 17, 1885. John, the second child, was born Nov. 30, 1873, and died Aug. 31, 1876. The father of Mrs. Bellinger was born in Lorain Co., Ohio, and her mother was a na- tive of Broome Co., N. Y. The former is still living, in LaBette Co., Kas. ^^ 4" |ealy Gordon, Postmaster at Kirkwood vil f lage, is a native of Georgia, having been born in Covington, Newton County, that State, March 31, 1836. The parents of Mr. Gordon, Cornelius and Agnes (McKenzie) Gor- don, were natives of North Carolina. They em- igrated to this state in 1855, locating in Henderson County, where they resided until 1862, and where the father followed the occupation of a farmer. Dur- ing the year named, they came to this county, and settled in Kirkwood village, where they lived until their deaths, which took place in January, 1869, and in April, 1870, respectively. Mr. Gordon, whose name we place at the head of this biographical notice, lived with his parents until their death. He received a good common-school education, and after he attained his majority rented a farm and was engaged as an agriculturist until 1862. At this period the nation became imperiled by the Southern States seceding, and the call having gone forth for brave hearts and strong hands to bat- tle for its perpetuity. Mr. Gordon enlisted in Co. K, 84th 111. Vol. Inf. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chicamauga, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville, and many smaller battles and skirmishes, receiving an honorable discharge in June, 1865. Returning from the war, Mr. Gordon engaged in the nursery business at Kirkwood and was thus oc- cupied until he received his commission as Postmas- ter at that place, and has held the office until the present time. April zr, 1874, Miss Mary Wood, a JlJ native of Henderson County, this State, became the wife of the subject of this notice, and to him she has borne two children — Frank W. and Fred C. So- cially, Mr. Gordon is a member of the G. A. R., be- longing to Post No. 81, at Kirkwood. Religiously, he and his wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church. ^^avid E. Morse, a well-to-do and highly jii, respected farmer, located on 180 acres of " good land, on section 35, Berwick Town- f^ ship, was born in Sangamon Co., 111., Dec. 2, ^ 1832, and is a son of Samuel G. Morse, a na- tive of Windham Co., Conn., where he was born, in April, 1786. The father came to Illinois in i8ii,and located in Vandalia, where he remained ■ some years, then moved to Bond County. While a resident of the latter county he was elected to the Constitutional Convention in 1 8 1 8, that met at Spring- field. He was also Sheriff of Bond County, and a man of considerable political influence at the time in the county in which he resided. He married ■ Miss Jane M. Kirkpatrick, about r82o. She was born in Tennessee, in i8or, and survives her lius- band, who died in 1863, in Greenbush Township. He came to this country in 1835 and located at Ber- wick. Of their union 10 children were born, five daughters and five sons, namely : Adeline, Harriet, Roswell, Margaret A., John, William, Samuel, Da- vid, Mary J., Asenaih and Emeline, all of whom are living except Harriet and Samuel. The mother is residing in Anderson Co., Kas. David E. Morse, of whom we write, was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Davis, May 5, 1857. She was born in Henderson Co., 111., July, r84o, and is the daughter of William F. Davis, who was born in Ohio, in i8r5, and at preseni resides in Mills Co., Iowa. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Jam- ison, in 1839. She was horn in Kentucky, in 1809, and is still living. Their union has been blessed with the birth of five children — Margaret Ann, James, Minerva, Thomas and Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Morse by their union have become the parents of three children — Ann, born May 26, i860; Samuel, ^ -4 i* 578 WARREN COUNTY. Sept. 26, 1862; and Mary, March 19, 1872. They also have three grandchildren — Edwin McQueen, born in November, 1882 ; and David and Lolta Mc- Queen, twins, born Dec. 25, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Morse are pleasantly situated on their fiiie farm of 180 acres, on section 35, Berwick Township, all of wliich is under an advanced state of cultivation. On the place there is a good resi- dence and barn 28 x 34 feet in dimensions, and the place presents an appearance to the passer-by indic- ative of that push and perseverance characteristic of its proprietor. In addition to the cultivation of his land, he is engaged in raising fine horses. In poli- tics, Mr. Morse is a believer in and asupporter of the principles of the Republican party. »ooo« acob Jewell, retired farmer, residing at Monmouih, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1814, and was the second son of Lemuel and Jane (Cole) Jewell, of Connecti- cut and New York respectively, and of English and German extraction respectively. They were the parents of seven children, six brothers and one sister, viz. : Abel, Jacob, Ira, Halsey, Harriet, Henry and John. Three are now deceased. Jacob left home when ten years of age and began to labor for his living. The district schools, with a few months at an academy, afforded him such education as allowed him to teach school a few years while yet a young man. He came to Will County, this State, in 1837, removed thence to DuPage County, in 1838, and to Berwick, in Warren County, in 1839. From the time he arrived in Warren County, he advanced steadily in the accumulation of property up to the time of his retirement. He moved into Lenox Town- ship, in 1843, and from there to Monmouth, in 1867. Of his immense farm property he gave to his children until he now has only about 270 acres. Strictly speaking, he did not retire from active business until 1882, when he turned matters over to his sons. Mr. Jewell was married in Roseville Township, April 10, 1843, to Mrs. Julia Harrison, nee Brooks, native of Richmond, Ky., and daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lee) Brooks. Mr. Brooks enlisted in the Union army and served until lie was honorably discharged. While in the service he received inju- ries, for which he now draws a pension. The chil- dren of Mr. Jewell are mentioned as follows : Wil- liam, a farmer in Nebraska, born April 12, 1844; Charles B., born Dec. 17, 1844, and accidentally shot and killed April i, 1882, leaving a wife and five children; this son, Charles Jewell, was the inventor of the famous twine binder, which he sold to the Mc- Cormick Reaper Company for $1,500 ; Henry, farmer, born May 19, 1847 ; Olive (Mrs. Chas. Blackburn of Monmouth), was born April 29, 1849; l^udley, farm- er in Kansas, born Sept. 7, 1850; Decatur, born March 25, 1852, died aged six months; and Emily (Mrs. Dr. W. S. Holliday), born July 9, 1853. The parents of Mrs. Jewell were natives of Kentucky, and her grandparents of Virginia. On her mother's side she is related to Gen. Robert E. Lee. Mr. J. had two brothers and three sisters. The brothers are now deceased. Two of the sisters live in War- ren County and one in Decatur Co., Kas. Mr. Jewell began life a poor boy, but by untiring perseverance and labor he amassed a handsome for- tune and has the good sense in his ripe old age to enjoy it. He has never been a speculator and has not grown rich at the expense of his neighbors, but hib accumulation of wealth is strictly the product of honest toil. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell are consistent members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. J. is an adherent of the Republican party. #^ —J— ^^^iLugene J. Clarke, City Clerk of Monmouih, is the eldest son of the lateThaddeus S. and Octavia (Shaw) Clarke, and was born at Macomb, III, June 22, 1855. Here he was reared and educated, and under the eye of his father brought up and trained in the printer's art, in whicl>^ even when a very small lad, he became proficient. He has held all the various positions on a newspaper, or in the office, with the exception of the editor-in-chief He came to Mon- mouth with his parents in 1868, where he assisted his father in his newspaper enterprise, as well as worked in the offices of the other leading papers. On the 5th of May, 1879, Mr. Clarke was married in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Miss Ella M. Killian. They subsequently moved to Cincinnati, where they re- 'jyi r \ . ^^,:^ 1^: --* (yUyC4iay'n:^ 2& C?y^U2y ■ >^>^ % -1 I 1 1 €-^r-^ WARREN COUNTY. ■^^^^r^- S8i maiiied for three years, when they returned to Mon- mouth. While living in Cincinnati, their only living child, Elizabeth June, was born to ihem. A son, Clarence Dave, born Sept. 3, 18S4, died March 26, 1885, being a sufferer the few months of his life After lingering and suffering for many months from that insidious, though fatal disease, the consumption, Mrs. Clarke was relieved by death from further pain, on Sept. 4, 1885. Upon Mr. Clarke's return to Monmouth, he was city editor from the starting of the Evening Gazette, until the fall of 1884. In April, 1885, while a re- porter on the Daily Atlas, he was elected City Clerk of Monmouth, which office he now holds. He is Vice Grand of Warren Lodge No. 160 I. O. O. F., and Captain of Philo E. Reed Camp, No. 31, Sons of Veterans. Politically, he is a Republican. .; ichard Haney, D. D. Prominent among 13|^^^ those who have contributed to the spread ^%^^' of the gospel in this portion of Illinois, f V^ stands the name of Richard Haney, whose unceasing labors for many long years past in the Master's vineyard, and whose humble piety and Christian walk in life have endeared him to the thousands who have from timeto time listened to his eloquent discourses and fervent prayers, as he told the story of the Cross and pointed their wayward feet to the realm of eternal bliss. Mr. Haney is a native of Cross Creek, Washington Co., Penn., born April r5, 1812. He is the ninth child and sixth son ofRev. James and Hannah (Freeborn) Haney, both of whom were natives of County Donegal, Ireland. They emigrated with their parents to this county soon after the close of the Revolutionary War, in the year 1792. They first settled in Lancaster Co., Pa., where they were married, and three of their children were born in that county. They were both of Scotch-Irish parentage. James Haney was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over 60 years. From Lancaster the family removed to Washington County, where Mr. Haney was for many years in- structor in an ac adcmy. He was a fine scholar and was recognized as an able educator. He served his adopted country as a soldier in the war of 1812, un- der the command of General Thomas Patterson, of Washington County, who figured conspicuously and did signal service on the frontier in that memorable struggle, driving the combined forces of English and Indians back across the border into Canada. After the surrender of Detroit, peace being declared, he returned to the bosom of his family, and shortly thereafter removed to Richland County, Ohio. His wife, the mother of Richard Haney, our subject, died there in the year 7821, at the birth of her 12th child. Rev. Haney subsequently married Miss Mary Bev- ans, who was a native of Wayne Co., Ohio, by whom he had two sons — the Rev. Milton L. and Henry. The latter died Jan. 26, 7848. Four of the sons of Rev. Haney became Methodist ministers ; two are dead and two survive. Hr. Haney was a remarkable man in many re- spects, a mathematician of ability and a powerful, el- oquent and graceful speaker. He ranked for the period in which he lived among the able pulpit ora- tors of the country. In the year 1834 he removed from Richland Co., Ohio, to Fulton Co., Ill, where he died, on the 5th day of June, r855. Rev. Richard Haney received his rudimentary ed- ucation at the district schools and under the private instruction of his father. He subsequently became a student at Norwalk (Ohio) Seminary ; and here it may be interesting to state, Mr. Haney was enrolled as the first student of that school, which was the first institution of learning west of the Ohio River owned by the Methodist Episcopal Church. He prosecuted his studies there about two years ; a part of the time he served as tutor. He left the seminary when about the age of 21 years and joined the Ohio Con- ference. He was transferred the same year (1834) to the Illinois Conference, and stationed at Rush- ville, Schuyler County. The county being new and sparsely settled, the young preacher had to endure many of the privations and hardships which were in- cident to those early times. Preaching was fre- quently held in the log house of the settler, and oftimes the congregations would gather in the groves to worship together and listen to the fervid eloquence of the young pastor, who, even at that early day, was regarded as a strong and earnest worker in the cause of Zion. His first presiding elder was the celebrated Peter Cartwright, who was the most noted of the early Methodist preachers of the West and a man who is still revered for his piety and great force of character. To him probably more than to any other man the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Missis- T" IIUVJ T *t. 582 WARREN COUNTY. f sippi Valley owes its present prominence and great influence in tlie West. During the long period of his ministry, Mr. Haney has held the office of pre- siding elder for 25 years. This of itself will attest more than anything we can say the strong apprecia- tion in which he has been held by his coadjutors in the cause of Christ. In all [lositions to which he has been called by the church, his piety, unremit- ting labor and pronounced individuality of character have been the means of drawing multitudes of sin- ners from the error of their way. It was the pleas- ure of the writer of this brief sketch to have listened to the recital, by a gentleman well known to the peo- jjle of Warren County, of how he, while listening to Brother Haney 's eloquent and masterly presentation of the plan of salvation, as laid down by Holy Writ, was enabled to see cle rly the road which led from sin's dark chaos into the effulgent light of Christian peace and happiness. The last district in whicii Mr. Haney officiated as presiding elder was at Winona, on the east side of the Illinois River. He has been continuously in the ministry for over 5[ years, having traveled four cir- cuits, and the balance of the time filling stations, prominent among which were tlie Methodist Episco- pal Churcli on Clark Street, Chicago; at Quincy, Bloouiington, Rock Island and Peoria. During his pastorate at the Clark Street Church, Chicago, from 1848 to 1850, he called tlie meeting uliich jjrojected and brought about the establishment of the North- western University, at Evanston, 111. His name stands first as one of the incorporators, and he has been idetitified as one of the trustees ever since. By his wise counsel, he has contributed largely to the growth and development of that noted institution of learning, which, by the liberality of its many friends, has been handsomely endowed to the extent of about $2,000,000. It is the leading institution in the West, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, as one of its founders, Mr. Haney will ever be remembered. During the dark days of the late slaveholders' re- bellion, when our nation's life seemed in danger, Mr. Haney came forward early, and laid his services and life, if need be, upon the altar of his beloved country. He enlisted May 24, 1861, and was made Chaplain of the 16th III. Vol. Inf., commanded by Col. R. F. Smith. 'I'heir first service was in Missouri. From thence they moved to Kentucky, and participated in ■ • -A the breaking of the blockade of Island No. 10. Mr. Haney remained with the regiment until the last of June, 1862, when he resigned, his health having failed, and which he has never fully recovered. Shortly after his return home, he resumed active ser- vice in the ministry, being stationed at Bushnell. In the years 1879-80, at the request of Gov. Cul- lom, of Illinois, and Gov. St. John, of Kansas, Mr. Haney traveled extensively over several Western States, collecting supplies and funds for the relief of the negro refugees from the South to the State of Kansas. He sent to them large quantities of lum- ber, agricultural implements, breadstuffs, clothing and household utensils, besides considerable money. The managers of railioads exhibited commendable liberality in furnishing free trai\siX)rtalion of the goods to the destitute colored people. The efforts of Mr. Haney were crowned with success. The good people of the Mississippi Valley came forward with their accustomed generosity and aided the worthy cause which he represented. It may here be men-' tioned that the extensive establishment of John Deere, at Moline, gave 14 plows, and the Moline Plow Co., through its president, gave an equal num- ber. At the session of the Central Illinois Conference, held at GalesUurg, in 1862, Mr. Haney, as chairman of the committee on the state of the country, drafted the resolutions praying President Lincoln to proclaim the freedom of every slave in the United Slates. The resolution received wide circulation in the press and was forwarded to the President by Bishop Ba- ker and the secretary of the Conference. This w«s the first ecclesiastical body that ever passed such a resolution. The patriotic efforts of thj ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church did much to inspire confidence in the great President and the soldiers in the field. In 1834 Mr. Haney became acquainted with Abra- ham Lincoln, and voted for him both times that he was a candidate lor the presidency. For many years before he became protninent, Mr. Haney had learned to admire the sterling ipialities and marked ability of him, who, in after years, was the most illustrious of our Presidents. On the 17th of July, 1838, Mr. Haney was mar- ried, near Quincy, Ad.ims Co., Ill , to Adaline Mur- phy. She was a native of New Hrunswi( k. New Jer- sey She came to Adams County with her parents WARREN COUNTY. 583 1 in 1835. Her father was a native of Ireland; her mother, Mary (Allen) Murphy, was descended from the French Hugenots, who had been Protestants a hundred years before the revocation of the Edict of Nance. Mr. Haney and his wife were the parents of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, three of whom are deceased. Their eldest son. Rev. James W. Haney, is a member of the Central Illinois Con- ference, now stationed in Blandinsville; Adaline is the wife of Rev. George Palmer, D. D., of the Cen- tral Illinois Conference; Emily the wife of George Baker, a merchant in Dwight, 111. ; Luella, wife of Prof. Robbins, who has charge of the high school at Joliet ; Mary and Elizabeth are unmarried ; Charles is married and a resident of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. Haney died on the isth of January, 1865, in the city of Peoria, where they were residing. Mr. Haney's second marriage occurred May i, 1877, when he wedded Mrs. Mary E. Quinby, widow ' of the late Judge Ivory Quinby (see sketch of Judge Quinby). They now reside at their elegant home in Monmouth. Mrs. Haney is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been for nearly half a century. In politics, Mr. H. was first a Whig, then a Re- ^ publican, and was an active supporter of that party until the question of prohibition became prominent, when he became a promoter and advocate of that movement. While absent attending Conference he was nominated for Congress as the candidate of that party in this district, and received a flattering vote, many of them being cast by his old time friends of both parties. An excellent portrait of Mr. Haney is shown on page 580 =--1^-^ 'ifdifi illiam E. Hall, of the firm of Mundorff & '^MX Hall, liardware merchants at Kirkwood, J^^jL this county, was born in the State of New 3iSfi2> Yoik, Lewis County, in 1846. The parents of Mr. Hall, of this sketch, Gaylord N. and J ' Hannah M. (Slocum) Hall, were also natives of York State. They came to this State in 1865 and located on section 32, Tompkins Township, where his father purchased 1 10 acres of land and followed the occupation of an agriculturist until 1878. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice remained with his parents, receiving at the common schools a good education and assisting his father on the farm until he became of age. On becoming his own man, he worked out by the month until he accumulated some means, when he rented a farm and cultivated the same for a few years. In 1875, his accumulations and savings increasing, he purchased 79 a. res on section 16, Tompkins Town- ship, and remained on the same for eight years, en- gaged in energetic and continuous labor as an agricul- turist. He then sold his land and came to Kirk- wood and, in company with Mr. Mundorff, engaged in the hardware business, which he has continued to the present time. He is the owner of a residence and lot in the village, and his firm, by strict attention to business and fair and honest dealings with their cus- tomers, have established a good and paying trade. In 1869 Mr. Hall formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Delilah Mundorff, a native of Pennsylva- nia, and of their union have been born two children — Myra E. and Leo M. In politics, Mr. H. votes with the Republican party, and in religion, he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. As a business man, Mr. Hall stands prominent among . the foremost of Kirkwood village. illiam Cowan, blacksmith and an early settler of Monmouth, was born in Chester Jl^^d-, ' ^°'' ^^■' ^*^^' '°' '8'S> ^"d was the sec- i> ond son of David and Margaret (Keyl) Cowan, natives of the Keystone State. The senior Mr. Cowan was a tanner and currier in Chester County, where he spent the last years of his life. His widow survived him a few years and died in Washington County, that State. William Cowan was fairly taught in the common schools of his neighborhood when a boy, and at the age of 17 years began an apprenticeship with a blacksmith, named Hamilton Roney. After complet- ing his trade, he " joured " over the country, working at various places, finally returning to Pennsylvania, and at Lancaster worked some months for Hiram Baldwin, now and for the past 40 years proprietor of the Baldwin House. He afterward worked in Phil- adelphia, for the Gas Company and locomotive shops, and from there jumped into the then Western *T •JKl \^ 584 WARREN COUNTY. i* State of Missouri. From Palmyra, that State, he made a short sojourn at Quincy, 111., then back to Missouri and enlisted in tlie only Missouri regiment in the Seminole War. He was in the battle of Okee- chobe and served throughout that Indian war under Gen. Taylor. He returned to Palmyra, and in the year 1839 landed at Monmouth. In 1839 he settled down to blacksmithing in this place, and has since stuck to it. His shop is now (October, 1885) in the building erected as the first hotel in Monmonth. It is an old log structure, originally one and one-half stories high, now so decayed away at the bottom, a log at a time, that it is scarcely one story from the ground to the roof. Mr. Cowan served the people of Monmouth five years as Alderman from his ward, two terms as Mayor and one term as Marshall. He used to be an old time Whig, but drifted into the Republican party, and finally, as he is growing wiser, he is strictly independent. He is a member of no secret order, nor is he connected with any Church. He was married in Marion County, Mo., Oct. 13, 1840, to Miss Nancy C. S. Parrish. -43- -Di- " iP^Sth P. Stem, is a farmer, jesiding in Rose- ville, and a gentleman of more than or- "JC^*^ dinary business ability, with an abundance of practical knowledge obtained by actual ex- perience. He is a native of Mercer Co., Pa., where he was born July 29, 1S33, of parents by name Frederick and Sarah (Harris) Stem, natives of Westmoreland and Fayette Co.s, Pa., respectively. His parents came to this state in 1850 and located one and a-half miles east of Roseville on Section 28, of that township. His father was engaged in farming and stock-raising, and followed that vocation in this county until his death, whicli took ])lace June 8, 1875, his wife having preceded him to the other world in January, 1868. Seth P., the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, remained with his parents until he was 33 years old. He then rented land from his father, on shares, which he engaged in cultivating. Having received a good English education he taught school for several years, also buying and selling land, in which he was rather fortunate, and was enabled to make a little money thereby. The marriage of Mr. Seth P. Stem and Mrs. Mary Stem, nee McDermot, occurred Oct. 9, 1866. Mrs. Stem was a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., and of this union have been born two children, Elsie L., and Nellie B. After marriage Mr. Stem went to farming on a 160-acre tract of good land, on Section 17, add- ing 61 acres more by subsequent purchases, and where he f;irmed for about eight years, when he came to Roseville and purchased the property upon wliich he has since resided. Mr. Stem was a stockholder of the Roseville Union Bank for five years and one of its originators,. Having sold out his interest in the Bank he now lives a retired life, with the excep- tion of overseeing his farm and stock. He resided in Dakota one year, where he has 320 acres of land. Mr. Stem enlisted in Company H, 2d III. Cavalry, on the 6th of August, 1862, and served his country until the close of the war, having participated in the battle at Bolivar, Tenn., and in all the battles fought by Gen. Grant up to the fall of Vicksburg. He then went to the Gulf under Gen. Banks, whose army was several times surrounded by the enemy, and had to cut its way out. At Holly Springs the 2d 111. Cavalry was surrounded by the Rebel forces of Gen. Van Dorn, and all the Infantry captured, but the Cav- alry succeeded in escaping. Companies G, H, I, and K, of the 2d 111. Regt. of Cavalry, were separa- ted during the early part of the war, and were not again together during the term of enlistment of Mr. Stem. His regiment first went to LaGrange, then Holly Springs and then Coffeeville, af'er which it fell back to Memphis; went down the river to Young's Point and was in several engagements between there and Grand Gulf, and participated in the battle of Chainpion Hills. It struck camp at Black River, destroying railroads and lying in wait for Johnson and foraging for supplies for tlie army. After the surren- der of Vicksburg his regiment followed Johnson, and after its return went to Natchez, where it raided the country. It then went to Carlton and bivouacked for a time. The next move of the regiment was to Morganza, where the command was under fire every day for some time. Gen. Green commanded the Rebel forces, and Maj. Montgomery the 6th Missou- ri Cavalry, and at that place Gen. Green captur;d the Infantry. After this Mr. Stem was at New Orleans, where he spent the winter, and then accompanied an "T^ r ■ cT_jL 4 ■V. . •' WARREN COUNTY. •^r^r^ 585 expedition up tlie Red River. Reluming from the latter expedition to New Orleans, he participated in the Mobile campaign, after which he went by way of the Gulf to Pensacola, from there back to Vicksburg, and was finally mustered out at Springfield, 111., June I, 1865. Mr. Stem, with his wife, is a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church, and he belongs to the G. A. R. In politics he affiliates with the Republican par- ty. Mr. Stem is regarded as a solid and substantial citizen as well as a representative man, of Warren County. -^+=r A A -T^ e^ [KJJf^^^^^ordelia A. Tinkham, residing at Kirk- wood, is the widow of Ransom Tinkham, 1^?^ a native of Vermont, he having been born in the Green Mountain State, July 23, 18 15, and his demise occurring in this county. Mar. 21, 1878. The parents of Mr. Tinkham, Ben- jamin and Anna (Gray) Tinkham, were natives of Vermont and the Pine Tree State respectively. Ran- som Tinkham, husband of the subject of this bio- graphical notice, remained with his parents until he attained the age of 21 years, receiving at their hands a good common-school education. In 1836 he came to Illinois and located at Monmouth, and while re- siding there was elected Constable, which position he filled with credit to himself and his constituents. He afterward moved to Tompkins Township and located on section 19, where he purchased 80 acres of land, which he at once began to cultivate and improve. Subsequently he added another 80 acre tract, mak- ing his landed interests 160 acres, and continued to reside there until 1876. During that year he moved to Kirkwood and purchased a residence and lot on the corner of Kellogg and Plum Streets, where he lived in retirement from the active labors of life, en- joying the peace, comfort and quiet which his accu- mulations permitted, until his death. In politics, he was a staunch Democrat, and his life pursuit was that of an agriculturist, in which he met with financial success. He also gave considerable attention to music, and was leader of the first brass band organ- ized in Warren County. The marriage of Mr. Tinkham to Miss Cordelia A. Forwood took place April 23, 1842. She was a native of Maryland and bore her husband six chil- dren, five of whom survive, namely : Sarah A. A., Ophelia C. H., Ransom O. B , Cordelia C. A. and George W. P. Erastus W. D., the second child in order of birth, was born Dec. 17, 1845, and died Sept. 5, 1846. Mrs. Tinkham is residing in Kirk- wood with her two daughters and 'wo granddaugh- ters. Sarah A. A. became the wife of Charles R. Barnett, and to them five children have been born — George W., Cora A., Addie O., Charles E. and Flor- ence A. Ophelia C. H. was united in marriage to Peter Barnett, and of their union two children, Con- stance O. A. and Ina C. A. were born. Mr. Barnett died in 1870. Ransom O. B. married Sarah F. Ack- erman, and they have four children — Lester L., Wil- fred C, Daisy M. and Guy R. are the names of their family. George W. P. chose for his life part- ner Adah L. Oaks, and they have become the par- ents of two children, who have been named Forrest G. and Ralph D. ^^f«'^ GiUiland, of the firm of Foster & Gilliland, ^^^ druggists, at Kirkwood, was born in Hunt- l\\ ington Co., Pa., July r, 1830, his parents be- .'N' ing Mathew and Elizabeth (Rogers) GilUiland, \ natives of Pennsylvania. His father came to this state and settled at Sugar Tree Grove, Hale Township, Warren County, in 1850, and there resided following the peaceful pursuit of an agricul- turist until the date of his death, which took place in 1851. Mr. Gilliland, whose name appears at the head of this biographical notice, remained under the care and instruction of his parents, receiving a good education in the common schools until he attained the age of majority. On becoming his own man in life he left the parental homestead and went forth to fight his battles single-handed and alone, and to acquire, if possible, a competency. He first worked out by the month, and continued to receive remuneration for his services as a laborer, until 1855. During that year he engaged with W. F. Smith, at Monmouth, as clerk in a drug store, and followed tliat occupation for three years. In 1859 he crossed the plains to California, and on arrival in the Golden State prospected for riAji: f ±^r4-^ S86 WARREN COUNTY. gold, and was thus occupied for one year. He then went to Nevada, where he worked in the silver mines, and there remained until 1865, when he returned to Monmouth. His trip across the plains, in a financial sense was of but little benefit to him, and on return- ing to Monmouth he again engaged as a clerk and followed the same for two years. Leaving Monmouth Mr. Gilliland came to Kirk- wood, and in partnership with Mr. S. C. Foster, engaged in the drug business, 'wliich tliey have con- tinued until the preseni time, meeting with that suc- cess which fair dealing and strict attention to business generally bring. The marriage of Mr.Gillil- and to Miss Margaret A. Ebert, a native of Pennsyl- vania, took place in 1869, and two ciiildren have been born to tiie family circle, namely, William and Lewis. In politics Mr. Gilliland is a believer in and a sup- porter of the Republican party. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Socially Mr. Gilliland is a member of the Order of Masonry, and is regarded as one of the energetic and foremost business men of Kirkwood. ^ -^^- ^ 4 ^rs. S. E. Wray, residing at Kirkwood, is the widow of John Wray, who died in 1874. He was born in Kentucky in 1816, his parents being Isaac and Mary (Carleton) Wray, natives of Ireland. He landed on American shores in 1835, and determined to follow the occupation of a farmer. Following in the train whose watchword was "Westward Ho!" he reached the Prairie State and located one mile west of the present village of Kirkwood, where his father and mother died. John Wray was united in marriage vvith Sarah E. Davis, a native of Virginia, Aug. 14, 1843, in Hen- derson County. She came to Illinois with her par- ents in 1833. They settled on a farm of 80 acres, and there her father followed the occupation of farm- ing and the daughter continued to reside until her marriage with Mr. Wray. Of their union ten chil- dren have been born, namely : William W., Mary, Frances M., Andrew E., Caroline C, Eliza J., Sam- uel U., Elizabeth E., John P. and Charles E. Mr. Wray, in his political belief, supported the Republican party. He took an interest in political matters and ivas an active worker for the success of his party. In religion, he was a believer in the ten- ets of the United Presbyterian Church, as is likewise Mrs. Wray. Mr. Wray was a hard working man, generous to a fault, and never known to refuse aid in any cause that was calculated to benefit the community in whicli he resided. He lived on his farm and was there engaged actively and energetically in its im- provement until his death in 1874. Three years after tlie death of her husband, Mrs. Wray moved to the village of Kirkwood and there purchased a resi- dence and two lots, where she is at present living with her two sons and a daughter. -S3^ A. T^ =£>- ^Ij^jjCohn S. Spriggs, M. D., of the pioneer drug J^^IK" house of Spriggs & Brother, at Monmouth, Srsv>^^ , • X /-^ I-, Ki v^ was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 4, '%^£ 1824. His parents, James S. and Elizabeth ]u (Leanian) Spriggs, natives respectively of the \ States of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, traced their ancestry back to England and Germany. They were married in Lancaster Co., Pa., from whence they removed to Philadelphia, where the senior Mr. S. was for many years a merchant. He died in that city in 1838. His widow survived him about 26 years, and came West with her son John S. in 1857, and died at Monmouth in 1864, in the 70th year of her life. John S. Spriggs graduated from New London (Pa.) Academy, when about 18 years of age, and began directly the study of medicine with Dr. John Lea- man, an uncle, of Williamslown, Pa., who was his preceptor. From Dr. Leaman's office he entered the Jefferson College, in 1842, and graduated two years later as M. D. He began to practice in Cum- berland Co , Pa., immediately upon leaving college, and was there 13 years. He came from Cumber- land County to Monmouth in 1857, and soon after engaged in the drug business. He began business in a building that stood upon the site of the present Second National Bank. The building was burned in 187 I, and he next opened up on the south side of the public scpiare, where the firm (for the brothers have been together all the time) have since carried lAjt: t u 4 ■ )!■ WARREN COUNTY. ^■^ 587 on an extensive and lucrative business. As skillful druggists they undoubtedly stand at the head of the trade in Monmouth. Dr. Spriggs was one of the organizers of the Monmouth Mining and Manufac- turing Co., in 1872, his interests wherein he parted with in 1884. Dr. Spriggs was married in Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1852, to Miss Emily E. Williamson, who died at Castile, N. Y., whither she had gone for her health, leaving four children, having buried two. The living are John W., of Monmouth ; Margaret A. (Mrs. W. W. Yeates), of Chicago; Florence E. (Mrs. E. J. Robinson), of Iowa City, Iowa; and Laura Belle (Mrs. W. R. Smith), of Kansas. Their first child, Mary Elizabeth, was born Sept. 17, 1853, and died Dec. 23, 1868; William Francis, was born Oct. 24, 1858, and died Dec. 6, of the same year. Ten years after burying his first wife, the Doctor found a second in the person of Miss Rachel Dy- sart, a native of Belmont Co., Ohio. They were married at Monmouth, May 6, 1885. The Doctor and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican. H. Gilmore, who is engaged in the gro- cery business at Kirkwood, this county, was born in Butler Co., Pa., June 16, 1846, his parents being Hugh and Catherine (Dorothy) Gilmore, natives of Pennsylvania. The father V moved with his family to New London, Iowa, in 1855, and was there resident for 10 years, coming thence to Kirkwood, where he is yet living. J. H. Gilmore, the gentleman whose name we place as the subject of this biographical notice, was an in- mate of the parental household until he attained his 23d year. His years prior to majority were passed in acquiring an education in the common schools and assisting in the maintenance of the family. Two years after becoming his own man, in 1872, he en- gaged with T. F. Lowther in the grocery business at Kirkwood, where he continued for seven years, after wliich, in 1879, Mr. Gilmore purchased his partner's interest, and since then has conducted the business for his own individual profit. By strict attention to business, quick sales and fair dealing with his cus- tomers, he has established a good and constantly in- creasing business. The marriage of Mr. Gilmore to Miss Louisa Brown, daughter of John Brown and a native of this State, took place in 1869. Their union has been blessed by the birth of two children, Carrie and Hugh. In politics Mr. Gilmore is a staunch Republican. He has held the different offices in his township and is one of the foremost business men of Kirkwood. ortimer S Baldwin, at the head of the firm of Baldwin & Putnam, dealers in 'f^ flour, feed, pumps, lime; cement, etc., at Monmouth, is a son of George and Mary L. (Stewart) Baldwin, natives of Pensylvania, and of English and Irish extraction, respect- ively. He was born in Chester Co., Pa., Oct. 27, 1846. The senior Mr. Baldwin was by occupation a farmer during his life and brought his six sons up to that honorable calling. His life was ended in the place where it began, and the hand of Time marked for him 66 years, A. D. 1869. Mortimer S. Baldwin had the benefit of a com- mon-school education in Pennsylvania, and when about 20 years of age was employed as a clerk in a general merchandise establishment at Cochranville, that State. He remained here about three years and then in a similar cap.icity at Penningtonville for about one year. In 1869, we find him farming near Virden, 111., and in 187 1 he landed at Monmouth, where he learned telegraphy. He followed " brass pounding " only a short time and engaged in the grocery business in partnership with a Mr. Hawkins. In 1 88 1, he sold out his grocery and went to Black- foot, Idaho Territory, and there engaged in the butchering business, under contract to furnish meat to the United States Government. A few montlis of this life satisfied him, and Monmouth again became his home. He was connected vvith the Monmouth Merchant Milling Company, as their Secretary, about 18 months, and in 1883 embarked in his pres- ent business, taking in a partner in 1884. Mr. Baldwin began life subject to all the difficul- ties incident to a young man wholly devoid of means, and has had his full share of the ups and downs, JlJ i^ 4 ji- 588 WARREN COUNTY. and, in fact, he has liad occasion to feel that there were more downs tiian ups to his allotment, but not- withstanding it all, he has made a success of life so far, and has outstripped many wlio had mucii the advantage of him at the beginning. He owns tlie Joel Clothing-House Block at Monmouth, a large tract of land in Nebraska, is a stockholder and di- rector in the Monmouth Merciiant Milling Company, at Mitchell, D. T., and has a half interest in the celebrated Portable Hay and Grain Cover, the new- est and most useful invention that has been intro- duced to the agricultural people for ten years. He is a Republican in politics, and, religiously, attends the Presbyterian Church. Mr. B. is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Order. Mrs. Baldwin's maiden name was Laura W. Williams; she is a na- tive of Chester Co., Pa., wiiere Mr. Baldwin made her his wife Feb. 15, 1872. ^«-i{Mf^ fscar N. Kellogg, a gentleman who has met with more than ordinary success in life, a cA^/ good farmer and i'espected citizen of War- &izr' ren County, residing on section 1 1, Cold Brook Township, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1846. Josiah Kellogg, father of the gentleman whose name heads this biographical no- tice, followed the trade of a harness maker until 1851, when he came West, and located in Kelly Township. He continued to reside there, following the vocation of a farmer, until the call was made by President Lincoln for soldiers to defend the cause of the union, when he enlisted, Sept. 2, 1862, as First Corporal in the i02d 111. Vol. Inf., Co. B, under Capt. Elisha C. Atchison. The regiment in which his company belonged was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. Kellogg participated in all the battles in whicli it was engaged until March 13, 1863, when he was promoted to Third Sergeant. He held that rank until tlie battle of Resaca, when he received a shot from the enemy that caused his death. Oscar N. Kellogg, whose life history we write, was but six years of age when his parents came to this county and located in Kelly Townsliij). After the deatli of his fatlier, he resided witii liis mother on the old homestead, where he was engaged in its cultiva- tion and improvement. Oct. 31, 187 i, he was united in marriage witli Miss Margaret, the accomplished daughter of Alex, and Martha (Richie) Armstrong, natives of the North of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent. Her parents were married in their native country and resided in Fermanagh County, where eigiit children were born to them. Mrs. Kellogg, wife of the subject of this notice, was next to the youngest in order of birth of her parents' family and was born in Fermanagh County, Ireland, July 2, 1849. Her parents emigrated to the United States and settled in Kelly Township, this county, where her father died, in May, 1876, aged 70 years. Her mother survives and is residing with her oldest son, James, in Kelly Township, aged 73 years. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg, they located on the old homestead belonging to the father of Mrs. K., on section 28, Kelly Township. Mr. Kellogg subsequently sold liis jwssessions in Kelly Township, and, in February, 1884, purchased 120 acres of good farm land in Cold Brook Township, the : same being the farm on which they at present reside. , It is under an advanced state of cultivation and pre- I sents an appearance indicative of the push and en- [ ergy of its proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which denomination Mr. K. is Steward and also Sunday-school Superintendent. In politics, he al- ways casts his vote with the Republican party. He has held the office of Road Commissioner for six years and School Trustee for the same length of time. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg, two children have been born — Bertha, Dec. 17, 1873, and Estella, Jan. 24, 1877. ^^l__a.. , ames W. Standley, M. D., a practicing ii^Ht; physician in Alexis, established his rela- ■'^^ tions with the citizens 01 that place in 1880. He is a practitioner of the allopathic school and is thoroughly well read in his pro- fession. He has had a valuable experience and is steadily growing in the confidence of the com- munity where he has thrown his glove of challenge to fame and fortune. Dr. Standley was born in Putnam Co., Ind., March -^ *T* f4-^ ■Y- . ' WARREN COUNTY. :^?r4H- 591 18, 1846. His father, Thomas Standley, is respon- sible for the letter " d " which appears in the family name, as it was inserted by him to change its origi- nal name of " Stanley." The latter was a native of South Carolina and married Lydia Moss, a lady who was born in Indiana. The senior Standley removed his family to Wapello Co., Iowa, wlien his son was a child of nine years. The days of the youth of Dr. Standley were passed in loiva, and lie was educated primarily in the pub- lic schools of the county whither his parents re- moved. He went to Putnam Co., Mo., for the pur- pose of commencing his studies preparatory to entering the medical profession, with his uncle, Thomas H. Moss, who was a physician of repute and influence, and under whose preceptorship he made satisfactory progress. On leaving his office, Dr. Standley matriculated at Rush Medical College in the city of Chicago and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1872. In i86g, he went to PlattviUe, Taylor Co., Iowa, to enter upon his professional career, and remained there six months. He operated in Adair Co., Mo., after that period un- til 1871, when he abandoned practice to give his entire attention to his collegiate course. After tak- ing his degree, he went to Greencastle, Sullivan Co., Mo., and practiced as a physician until he came to Alexis in the year named. Dr. Standley was joined in marriage with Emma Bartlett Sept. 9, 1875. She is thedaughter of Charles and Emeline Bartlett and was born in Newark, Ken- dall Co., 111. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. ^JHJ r :l :: : 4 ^on. Deles Porter Phelps, of Monmouth, Asst. Supt. of the Central Iowa Rail- way Company, is a son of Porter and Mary Ellen Phelp-i, notices of whom appear in this work. He was born about ten miles south of Monmouth, in Roseville Tovvriship, Warren Co., Nov. i5, 1837. In the sketch of liis parents, in this volume, will be found an account of his ancestry. His father moved from Knoxville, III., in the spring of that year, and there began the improvement of a small farm. He erected upon it a rude log house, covered with nand-riven boards, kept in place by logs weighting them down, and beneath that roof the subject of our sketch first saw the light. The whole country was then substantially a wil- derness ; only here and there along the timber could be found the rude beginning of some adventurous pioneer. He lived there until the spring of I S44, and many a time, as he has told the writer, has he seen the wolves come up to within hailing distance of the house, and the deer play like sheep within gunshot of the dwelling. For several direc- tions, as far as the eye could reach, there was not then an improvement, or the smoke of a chimney in view. He saw the prairie fires in the autumn sweep across the broad expanse of waving grass swifter than the speed of the fastest horse, and with a roar that could be heard a considerable distance, leaving blackness and desolation behind. During one win- ter, while residing there, two of his father's neigh- bors caught 46 wolves in one steel trap, and finally a large black wolf was caught that broke the chain and went off with the trap, and was killed the follow- , ing spring 10 miles away, almost starved to death, with the trap still clinging to his foot. At that time cooking stoves were substantially un- known, kettles were used in fire places instead, and each cabin, though rude without and within, had one of those great cheerful fire-places with its back log and fore log, andirons, and great chimneys, so beau- tifully described in Whittier's "Snow Bound." Mills were scarce and distant, and not unfrequently had he seen meal manufactured by grating ears of new corn upon the bottom of a tin pan punched full of holes with an awl. He was taught at home a great deal by his par- ents, as no neighborhood had school to exceed three months in the year. School houses as described by him were made of logs generally about 1 6 ft. square, and seats were formed of hewn puncheons; or, if a saw mill was near or a whip-saw available, seats were made of slabs converted into benches by having four holes bored and rude legs placed therein. These legs generally protruded through the top far enough for a wedge to be driven into them to prevent them from falling out, and unfortunate was the unlucky urchin who, in that small and usually crowded room happened to be assigned his seat over that uncom- fortable spot. In the spring of 1844 the elder Phelps sold his farm for $300, moved to the vicinity of Berwick and LT^V r 4: 592 WARREN COUNTY. 4 rented a farm. There, he said, he remembered well with what pleasure and childish wonder he saw tiie iron thumb latches with which the doors were fur- nished. Usually at that time there was used a large wooden latcli, to which there was fastened a string that passed through a iiole in the door above it, and by pulling the string tlie latch was raised. At that time tliieves were almost unknown, and this latch string hung out with a welcoming hospitality to every lost or belated traveler. This year, 1844, was known as the rainy season. The windows of heaven seemed to be opened, and the storm king to rule with unrestrained power. More than once with his brothers and sisters he was put into the cellar, while his father and mother stay- ed above to hold the doors and windows. Often, too, with a common dipper, has he seen them dip water from the well, so saturated was the earth. In 1845, his father having bought the place four miles east of Monmouth, where he lived until his death, ■ moving upon it in the spring of that year. From Berwick there was the wide prairie that lies south and east of Monmouth. It was then supposed : to be too wet to ever be valuable, and rash indeed was considered the man who would leave a point of timber and venture to make his home thereon. The course thence to Monmouth was a straight line, and, in fact, to almost any other point, if one could cross the sloughs and streams which were gen- erally unbridgfd. The prairie spoken of was cov- ered with an immense growth of rank weeds, but a few feet apart, that grew to a height of from 10 to 15 feet, and were covered on top and sides with yellow flowers. Many a time after he was large enough to hunt the cows, he had to stand up on his horse's ba'jk to see over the tops of these weeds, and would find them lying down not 100 steps away, when he could not see them while sitting on the horse. A great bunch of resinous leaves several feet in diameter grew at tlie foot of these tall weeds, and after frost were as inflammable as tinder. In the event of a prairie fire the wind would sweep them in a fiery cloud away in front of the bursting flames, and kin- dle the fire far in advance, which greatly accelerated the speed of the conflagration. Upon this prairie, when he was large enough to ride on horseback with safety, he attended two grand circular wolf hunts with his father and two older brothers, where the lines had been formed upon the borders of the county. and the deer and wolves driven before until late in the day they were found in the circle or square that the encroaching horses formed around the prairie. The first year of residence upon this place, there was killed thereon almost 100 rattlesnakes, and over 400 other snakes. Often, in riding across that prai- rie several years later, he has encountered a wolf or deer, or heard therattle of the disturbed rattlesnake, which horses seemed to avoid with instinctive fear. Here young Delos also attended school for a few months in the year in the primitive log school house. The privileges of school were valued, because scarce in those days. There he first studied Latin under the tuition of his sister Ellen, and also under that of Rev. J. \V. Butler, who afterward became Presi- dent of Abingdon College. President Butler was at that time a student at eiiher Knox College, 111., or Bethany College in Virginia. His father, Major Pe- ter Butler, was almost, if not quite, the first County Surveyor of Warren County, and lived about four miles east of Monmouth. A block house stood up- on his farm that had been built there for protection against the Indians. But Mr. Phelps was indebted to home instruction for much of his learning, espe- cially for iiis love of poetry and eloquence. Extracts from Scott and other standard authors were taught him by his mother, wlio brought them stored in her memory from New York, and taught them to him years before he ever saw them in a book. She taught him so early that he has no recollection of learning to read. He always had a desire to go through Col- lege, and in 1856 the establishment of Monmouth College gave him an opportunity, and he told his father that if he would let him go he would relin- quish all interest in his estate, and in September, 1857, he started. The father did not intend that such should be the price of his son's education, but jvistly considered that those things desired and ob- tained with difficulty, were the most prized. The young student pursued his studies at home and rode on horseback to Monmoutli to recite, slaying out oc- casionally to teach a term in order to get money to aid in the expenses; and thus he really earned more money than he spent while attending College. Mr. Phelps graduated in the cla^ical department in r862, having been in college five years. His was the last class that graduated from the old college building. He studied French under the instruction of his cousin. Miss Annie Stevens, afterwards the t* WARREN COUNTY. 593 wife of A. G. Kirkpatrick, as an extra study. He also studied law during vacations, and at all spare moments, getting the books from A. G. Kirkpatrick, then a leading lawyer of Monmouth. In February, 1862, however, four months before he graduated, he was attacked with acute opthalmia. For weeks he was confined to a darkened room. At one time the sight of one eye was pronounced by his physician as lost, but fortunately he was mistaken. Mr. Phelps was determined to graduate with his class, however, and his sister Annie read his lessons to him, and when he got able to endure the light, with a heavy shade over his eyes, he rode to the col- lege and recited them. He dictated his commence- ment oration to the same sister, who wrote it down and read it to him until he had learned it. He was chosen by his class to deliver the valedictory ad- dress, and delivered that and his oration while so nearly blind he could not recognize his friends half way across the Church, where the commencement exercises were held. He always had a great love for oratory, and many eloquent passages of great orators and statesmen were familiar and delightful to him, and while in college he rarely missed the Friday night meeting of the Philadelphia Literary Society, of which he was a member. Their debates, orations and essays were continued, often, to the "wee sma' hours," and were to him a source of great pleasure and improve- ment. For three successive years, during his college course, he was chosen by his society to represent it in its annual literary contest with the Eccrittean Society, its rival in college. The writer of this has heard him say that to the discipline there received in that society, he attributed much of whatever suc- cess he may have attained afterwards at the bar. For two years after he graduated he vainly tried, by the help of divers physicians, to recover his sight, so as to go on witli the study of his chosen profes- sion, until almost in despair; and though usually cheerful under the disappointment thus suffered, he was wo'it to attribute to it whatever of a sombre hue there might be in his character. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Phelps, despairing of being able to go on with his studies, being still un- able to read for ten consecutive minutes, or even look upward, and lioping to make a little money to aid him in his studies when able to prosecute them, went across the plains to Idaho Territory, where he began digging gold, with, however, indifferent suc- cess, except as to health. The change of climate, exercise and being in the open air invigorated his health, and did much to strengthen his sight, and having lost, in purchasing a mine, what money he had, he concluded to go to Idaho City and teach school. At that place in the winter of 1864-5 ^^ rented a small house, bought some lumber, bor- rowed tools, made seats and desks and opened a school, at one dollar per week per scholar. His school swelled to 55 in number, and finding his quarters too small, he raised, by subscription, nearly $1,000, and built the first school-house erected in that Territory outside of Lewiston, and possibly in advance of any built there. This school-house he afterward gave to the school authorities there, and it was one of the few buildings that escaped the fire which destroyed the city. While teaching, Mr. Phelps spent his spare hours in the law office of Hon. Chas. B. Waite, of Chicago, before then Chief Justice of Utah Territory, and he and other legal friends examined him in the law and wrote a letter in his favor, which he sent to Lewiston, with the accustomed fee therefor, and a ^ license was issued him to practice law. On May 18, 1865, Idaho City was destroyed by fire, and his law license and almost everything else he possessed was burned. That fall he returned East on horse- back across the plains. His sight was then restored so that he could read a considerable portion of the time by daylight, and he continued to study law and was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of this State in the Spring of 1866, at Ottawa, upon ex- amination in open court, not being able to produce tiie license granted him in Idaho Territory. Thus, aside from the improvement of his general health, he had lost about four years of his life, and very im- portant ones, too, coming as they did just at the close of his college life. On the 8ih day of May, 1866, Mr. Phelps came to Monmouth and began the practice of law, his earthly possessions at that time consisting of a horse, blind in one eye, worth about $125. He formed a law partnership with Hon. C. M. Harris, of Oquawka, which was nominal, rather than otherwise, as he continued to reside in Oquawka. In the fall of that year he formed a law partnership with Hon. J. H. Stewart, which continued until he retired fiqm prao, tice, in 1880. •JKr^ r *t. 594 WARREN COUNTY. — -H- In 1868, Mr. Phelps was nominated by the State Democratic Convention for Presidential Elector, and challenged Hon. Henry W. Draper, of Carthage, 111., Republican Elector, to a joint discussion of the questions at issue, at three points in each county in the District, which then extended from Quincy to Rock Island. Mr. Draper accepted for two points in each county, and the debates were held, usually before large audiences. While at Rock Island, hold- ing one of these joint discussions, he was nominated also for District Attorney. Both Districts were largely Republican and he was defeated ; but these debates established his reputation as a brilliant and able speaker, and his name was frequently mentioned thereafter as a candidate for Congress, and in 1876 he came within two or three votes of being nomi- nated. In 1 87 8 he was nominated by acclamation. Col. Frank B. Marsh, of Warsaw, Hancock County, was the Republican candidate, while Hon. A. B. Streeter, of Mercer County, formerly a Democrat, ran on the Greenback ticket. His candidacy di- vided the Democratic vote and defeated Mr. Phelps. In Mercer County Mr. Streeter succeeded in convinc- > ing his old neighbors that there was no chance for Mr. Phelps' election, but that there was for his own on the then Greenback tidal wave, and he secured in that county 868 votes, while Mr. Phelps secured 898. The Democratic vote of that county two years before had been nearly equal to both these numbers. Col. Marsh retained his party strength and Mr. Phelps was defeated by 576 votes. In Warren County he was beaten by but 298 votes, while the usual Republican majority was from 700 to 800. In this campaign he had to contend against two other candidates. Had Mr. Streeter not been in the field Mr. Phelps would have been elected easily by 1,500 majority. In that campaign he probably delivered more public addresses than were ever made iiy any candidate in Illinois during the same length of time, making 38 speeches of from two and a half to three hours each in the last 23 days, or almost two daily, yet such was their character that a prominent gen- tleman declared to the writer that he "went to hear him nine times during that campaign and that the last speech was the best of all." Mr. Phelps is an ardent and uncompromising Democrat, and takes an active part in almost every political campaign, and had his lot been cast where his party was in the ascendancy there is no position to which he might not have aspired. He was ever interested in the welfare of his city and neighbor- hood. In 1875, the citizens of Monmouth, desiring to ob- tain some railroad competition, organized the Bur- lington, Monmouth & Illinois River Railway Com- pany for that purpose. Mr. Phelps was among the first subscribers, to the extent of $r,ooo. He was made a director of the company, and in 1879, when the enterprise seemed likely to fail, Mr. Phelps and Mr. William Hanna assumed control and acquired the ownership of it, and, as will be seen in the no- tice of the Central Iowa Railway Company, pushed it to completion, until now it is growing to be one of the most important roads of the West. There is, perhaps, no more remarkable case upon record of as important a railway as this developing from so humble a beginning by force of judicious management. In this company and in the Peoria & Farmington Railway Company, which was its suc- cessor, the name of which was afterwards changed to the Central Iowa, Mr. Phelps held almost every po- i sition of responsibility and trust; being its Vice-Pres- T" ident. General Manager, Secretary and Legal Counselor. He made the contracts, supervised the construction and directed its operations; was instru- ■* mental in consolidating it with the Central Iowa, of Iowa, of which company he became a director and assistant Superintendant, which latter position he now holds. He organized the Keithsburg Bridge Company, now building an iron bridge over the Mis- sissip|)i River at Keithsburg, 111., and was until recently a director and secretary thereof. In addi- tion to his interests in these railways, which are large, he is a stockholder and director in the Weir Plow Company of Monmouth, and is a large land- owner in Warren County and in Iowa. What he has, he has made by his own efforts. While at the Bar, he was recognized as standing in its front ranks. As a trial lawyer, he perhaps had no superior, and as an advocate before a jury he was in a high de- gree eloquent and persuasive, while an indomitable will made him never despair of winning the most desperate cases. The practice of his firm is seen by reference to the reports of the Supreme Court, and was both lucrative and extensive. He abandoned it in 1880, because his time and energies were en- ^ LAJ 4^ A ■Y. . '~ WARREN COUNTY. u S9S grossed in his railway enterprise. As a business man, he possesses good judgment and great execu- tive ability, as will be seen from his industrious and successful career. On April 13, 1870, Mr. Phelps was married to Sarah Jeannette, daughter of Rev. Anson Tucker, of whom and of her mother and their ancestry sketches appear in this volume. Mrs. Phelps is a lady of rare accomplishments and virtues. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps occupy a delightful home, beautified by many works of art and brightened by two lovely daughters — Eleanor Randolph, 12 years old and Claire Marguerite, eight years old. With a father's partiality, Mr. P. has given the names of Eleanor and Claire to two stations upon the line of the Central Iowa Railway in Illinois. Mrs. Phelps is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of Mon- mouth. She is beloved by the poor and needy of that city as their active and earnest friend and as- sistant. Both Mr. and Mrs. Phelps are now in the prime of life, with promise of abundant years of usefulness and happiness in store for them. 4 S:[ iSij^phraira S. Swinney, one of the pioneers of iiij^^jg Monmouth, was born at Bridgeton, N. J., ^W' June 23, 1817, and was the second in or- iS. der of birth of a family of tliree sons of Daniel ^' J. and Elizabeth (Seeley) Swinney, natives of j Pennsylvania and New Jersey and of Irish and Welsh extraction respectively. Ephraim S. Swinney was educated at Mansfield, Ohio, where his father removed in 1822, and where Daniel J. Swinney, who was a physician and also a preacher in the Baptist Church, died in 1858, at tlie age of 76 years. His widow died at the same place, surviving him only one month, aged 72 years. Mr. Swinney of this notice came to Monmouth in 1837, and here he has since lived, and what he does not know of the early history of this now proud, little city will never be told. He began life here as a la- borer, worked at anything or everything, quarried the rock that laid the foundation of the present County Court House, and in 1839 went into Daniel McNeil's store and Postoffice as a clerk. In 1843 he was elected Recorder of the county, and held the office eight years, or up to the day that office was abol- ished. In 1853 he was elected County Clerk, and held that office eight years, and since 1861 has lived a life of peaceful retirement. On Dec. 21, 1843, he was united in marriage at Monmouth with Miss Mary Berry, whose father, B. Berry, of Flemingsburg, Ky., was killed in the War ofi8i2. The ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Swinney are Mary E. (Mrs. William G. Hutchinson), Miletus L., Ann M. (Mrs. W. D. Tresham), Daniel J., John Milton, Lucy J., Catherine B. (Mrs. C. E. Cornell), Henrietta, Octavia G. and Richard Lee, and all living at the date of this publication (Febru- ary, 1886). -^% \¥- ■ .fj^r^ri/^ . feavid Dunbar Dunkle, Commander G. A. %^ R. Post, No. 330, and at the head of the ,\^r firm of Dunkle & Bristol, grocers at Mon- ©•« mouth, was born at Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 11, Wt 1840. His parents, David and Margaret A. 1 (Henry) Dunkle, were also Pennsylvanians. They were the parents of an only daughter, who grew to womanhood, married a Mr. Stewart, and died soon afterward in Pennsylvania. David was born a few weeks after his father's death, but his mother supplied him with a step-father in the course of time, who taught David how to farm, and the neighborhood pedagogue took advantage of such odd times as the farm could not monopolize, and taught him the rudi- ments of an English education. When about 20 years of age he went to Bedford Co., Pa., and learned the moulder's trade, and on the 27th of August, i86r, enlisted as a private in Co. F, looth Pa. Reg., known as the "Round Heads," and served three years. He was with his regiment in the secret expe- dition against Hilton Head, in November, 186 1; jjarticipated in the engagements at Bufort, S. C. ; James Island, near Charleston ; joined the Eastern army in July, 1862, and fought the enemy at Bull Run, Chantilla, South Mountain, Antietam, and through Gen. Burnside's winter campaign. The spring of 1863 found the regiment in the army of the Mississippi. After occupying Vicksburg, young Da- vid was taken sick, returned to Kentucky and left at L\r: r -H^ jU 596 WARREN COUNTY. 4 Camp Nelson hospital. After liis recovery he re- tiinied to the army of the Potomac, and particii)ated in the early part of the Grant campaign, in the battle of the Wilderness, and on to Spottsylvania. During the whole service he was absent from duty only about four months. After tlie war D. D. Dunkle made a flying trip to Colorado via Monmouth, wliere, after returning East, he settled down in the spring of 1866, since which time, up to engaging in his ])resent business, he has alternated between farming and working at his trade. From 1880 to 1885 he was employed as foreman for the Pattee Plow Company, and in June, 1885, he embarked in the grocery trade. In 1883. he was elected Senior Vice-Commander of the G. k. R. Post, and, in 1885, promoted to Post Commander. He has been appointed Aid-de-Camp on tlie staff of the present Commander-in-Chief of the G. A. R. He is a Past Master in Masonry, High Priest in the Chapter (No. 30), and member of the Oriental Consistory of Chicago. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and in all the" Orders to which he belongs is counted among the brightest and most active members. For the last three years he has also been special correspondent of this county for the Chicago Herald. May 22, 1867, he was married at Viola, 111., to Miss Jennie N. Ayles, who died Aug. 31, 1879, leaving three children — Harry, Maggie and Willie. On the 20th of December, 1882, at Monmouth, he married his present wife, Mrs. Amanda Vine, nee Rodgers. Mr. Dunkle is a Democrat in political affiliations, and Iws twice been elected to represent his Ward in the City Council. f-K-^^-^^^^-J jfjfSiM:^, harles E. Blackburn, of the firm of ifl^^^^ HLickburn & Turnbull, undertakers and 'Ife/''' dealers in undertaking and embalmmg Sfe goods, also proprietors of extensive livery, W sale and feed stables at Monmouth, was born I in LaPorte County, Ind., .Sept. rg, 1847. His parents, Alexander and Delilah (Polk) Blackburn, na- tives of the States of Virginia and Kentucky respec- tively, came to Illinois in 1853, and lived there several years, in McDonough Count}, where, and in Monmouth College, where he applied himself to study for two years, he received his education. In 1872, became to Monmouth, clerked awhile in a hardware store, embarked in the saddle and har- ness business, and drifted into the livery business, in 1880. (See sketch of David Turnbull, in this volume.) Mr. Blackburn was married at Monmouth, Nov. 2, 1871, to Miss Olive Jewell, daughter of Jacob Jew- ell, and of this union three children were born — Bessie, Anna, and an infant son who is dead. j> rof. Thomas H. Rogers, Professor of Mathematics of Monmouth College, was Ohio and New York, were married at Craw- fordsville, Indiana, and the children born of their union were one son and two daughters. The Rev. Mr. Rogers, distinguished ministerof the Presbyterian Church, was a graduateof Miami (Ohio) University, and in 1836, sent as a missionary to In- dia, where he remained tight years. Returning to this country in 1844, he settled down at Oxford, Ohio, and spent the rest of his life. Thomas H. Rogers, of whom we write, also a graduate of Miami (Ohio) University, from which institution he took first honors in Philoso|)hy, class of 1856, has spent his life as student and teacher. Im- mediately upon leaving College he accepted a Pro- fessorship at Logansport (Ind.) Academy; going thence at the end of a year to Monroe (Ohio) Acad- emy, where he taught the three succeeding years. From Monroe he took charge of Paris (III.) Acade- my, coming to Monmouth in 1864. Here he had charge of the Academy for some years before ac- cepting the chair of Mathematics in the College. (See history of Monmouth College ) From 1868 he has been officially connected as Sec- retary and Superintendei.t, with the Public Library; first in connection with the Monmouth Free Reading Room, and since with the permanent organization of the Library, founded by the large and wise liberality of William P. Pressley. Much credit is due to Prof, LAn ■^ ^*4: . ■)(. . WARREN COUNTY. Rogers, as to every one of the Directors of this, Mon- mouth's greatest public institution, for its unusual success, and its almost unparalleled and highly de- served popularity. Speaking thus of a Library at so small a city as Monmouth, may sound extravagant; but the unbi- ased stranger who visits such places from time to time in all parts of the Union and jiatronizes them, though only for selfish purposes, will never spend a week at this city and one hour each day thereof in its reading rooms, without comprehending fully the force of the language here used, and what is of more importance, appreciating its truthfulness. (See his- tory of Warren County Library.) Prof. Rogers was married at Lincoln, 111., Oct. 24, 1862, to Miss Lucinda R. Brainard, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Rev. E. Brainard, of the Presbyte- rian Church. Mrs. Rogers died Oct. 29, 1878, leav- ing two daughters — Amy and Ella, the first a gradu- ate of, and the second a student at Monmouth Col- lege. 597 1 T" iUiam D. Johnson, whose entrance into life was coeval with that of the 19th Cen- -^ tury, and whose silvered hair is strongly (' indicative of a life that has been replete with usefulness and honorable actions, was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Dec. 19, 1800. He is to-day venerated by all who know him as one of the worthiest citizens of Kirkvvood, where he has been a resident for nearly 15 years. The parents of Mr. Johnson, Samuel and Mary (Hall) Johnson, were natives of New Jersey and there resided until their deaths. William D. re- mained an inmate of his father's household until he was 20 yeais of age, having in the meantime received a good common-school education in the district schools. At the age named he settled on a portion of his father's farm, which he cultivated until 1834. On the i2tli day of May, 1834, Mr. Johnson started for the undeveloped West with two teams, contain- ing his family (which at that time consisted of his wife and six children) and such household effects as were portable under the circumstances. They came by way of Pittsburgh, through Pennsylvania and through the Ohio Valley to Indiana|)olis, Lid. From the latter city they came to this State, crossing the Illinois River at Havana, and going thence to Canton, Fulton County. Arriving at the latter place Mr. Johnson concluded it was a good agricultural country and determined to make it his abiding place. He consequently purchased 80 acres of Government land and cultivated the saine until 1836, when he sold it and purchased a 240-acre tract, moved his family, and at once engaged actively and energetic- ally upon its cultivation and improvement, with the determination at that time of making it a permanent home. He lived on that farm for some 21 years, erecting thereon a fine residence and a substantial barn and other necessary outbuildings, set out fruit and ornamental trees and otherwise improved the land, and by a subsequent purchase increased his landed interests in that county to 400 acres. In 1857 he purchased 320 acres in Henderson County, and during that year came to Kirkwood, purchased ground and erected the fine residence upon it which has been his home ever since. The marriage of Mr. Johnson took place in 1821, at which time Miss Martha Shackleton, a native of New Jersey, became his wife. They have seven children living, namely. Pamelia, born Jan. ir, 1822; Samuel J., Aug. 27, 1823; Richard S., April 20,1825; Theodore F., March 26, 1827; Oakley, Feb. 4, 1830; Mary J., Dec. 21, 1832; John H., Nov. 9, 1834: Andrew R., July 2, 1838; he was killed in the late Civil War. Pamelia married Sam- uel Brimhall and resides at Kirkwood ; Samuel mar- ried Hester A. Rapalee ; six children are now living, the result of his marriage — William L., Elsena, Clayton, Perry J., Andrew and Marilda. Of his second marriage one child has been born ; he now lives in Kansas. Richard was married to Lucretia Bruce, and Kansas is now his home; Theodore mar- ried Elizabeth Martin; John W. and Luella are the names of their children ; Oakley is married and liv- ing in Clay Co., Neb. ; Frank and Waldo, besides two deceased, are the children born to him ; Mary became the wife of James Johnson ; one child was born to them— Mattie L. ; Mr. J. died Sept. 4, 1866; John H. married Kate Zook, and resides at Bush- nell. Mrs. Johnson died April 14, 1871, mourned by her family and a host of relatives and friends as a faithful, loving wife, a gentle and devoted mother •J^L V 4 598 WARREN COUNTY. and a generous, warm-hearted neighbor. In politics, Mr. J. is an earnest supporter of the principles ad- vocated by the Republican party. In his religious views, he coincides with the tenets of the Baptist Church, to which denoniinaiion he belongs. He has held many offices of trust within the gift of the peo- ple of his township, and now, as he lingers in the shadows of life, he can look back over the history of tlie past with satisfaction, and live in the enjoyment of that peace and plenty whicli a life of active indus- try has brought him. illiam Wood, in mercantile business at %Wm> Kirkwood, on Main Street, was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, March 7, 1833, his i> parents being Martin H. and Sally (Nettle- ton) Wood. Martni H. Wood, father of the gentleman whose biography we write, came to Illinois from Ohio in 1837. His terminus in this State was Warren County, and on arrival here he purchased a farm on which he located with his fam- ily, and engaged in that pursuit which he has fol- lowed all his life, agriculture. He was one of the early settlers in this county, and has witnessed its - development to the magnificent agricultural condi- tion it occupies to-day, and is yet living, at the ad- vanced age of 87 years, in Henderson County. William Wood, subject of this notice, remained with his parents until he was ten years old, when he engaged as clerk in a store at Oquawka, where he lemained a year. He then changed his position to another store, and followed the same occupation for four years lon};er, and then worked on the river dur- ing the summers, and clerked in the winter, for six years more. In 1856 he purchased 40 acres of land, which he subsequently added to by the purchase of 40 acres in Henderson County, and on which lie re- sided, occupied in its cultivation and improvement for three years. At the expiration of this time he once more engaged in the mercantile pursuits as clerk at Oquawka, and followed the same for four years, until 1868, when he came to Kirkwood, this county, and engaged in the grocery and provision trade. In company with a Mr. Thompson he bought out a Mr. Morris at that place, and after carrying on their business jointly four days, they were burned out. The partners were not disheartened and immediately purchased another building and under the firm name of Wood & Thompson again engaged in business, which co-partnership lasted for one and a half years, when Mr. Wood bought out the interest of his part- ner, and continued the business two years longer. He also during that time was "mine host" of the Tre- mont House at Kirkwood for 18 months, and for a time followed the nursery business, which he merged into the green-house business, and was thus occupied for eight years. Disposing of the latter business, he engaged in a variety store at Kirkwood Village in 1880, and has since continued the same. He keeps a general stock of almost everything that is neces- sary to supply the wants of his customers, and is meeting with success. In politics he votes with the Republican party, and in religion, together with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. , In addition to his business at Kirkwood, Mr. . ' Wood has a farm of 160 acres, in Boone County, Nebraska. He was married Oct. g, 1856, to Martha E. Tyr- \ ell, a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio. The business qualities of Mr. Wood are such as to entitle him to be classified as one of the leading j business men of Kirkwood, and his dealings are such . as to entitle him to the respect of the citizens of the community in which he resides. — £— ^^^^^^~-: — i ames Watson, the only genilcraan engaged in business at Ellison, where he is con- ducting a dry goods, grocery and general mercantile store, and is also Postmaster and School Trustee, was born in this county, Nov. 10, 1855. The father of Mr. Watson of this sketch, Lucius Watson, was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., and came with his parents when eight years of age to this county. They settled near Roseville, and live in Point Pleasant Township. Lucius was a farmer by occupation and married Georgia A. Forte, a native of Kentucky. After marriage he settled in Point Pleasant Township, where he has continued to follow his chosen profession until the present time. He is the proprietor of 280 acres of good farm land ^ v ^^— S-. jifames L. Glasgow, whose accumulations during the years of the past have enabled him to retire from the active labors of life, is residing ujxjn Section 28, Monmouth Town- ship. He was born in Londonderry, Guernsey Co., Ohio, Jan. 24, 1843. The father of Mr. Glasgow, Arthur Glasi/ow, was a native of County Antrim, the son of a farmer, of Irish birth. When 18 years old, Arthur's jjiirents emigrated to the United States, and soon after land ing at an Eastern seaport, located in Guernsey Co , Ohio. There the father and mother both died, and there Arthur, father of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this notice, is at present resid- ing, with his wife, he having purchased the old homestead on which his father first located after coming to the State. Arthur, before the death of his father, was married to Jane Neal, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and they became the par- ents of ten children. Jane (Neal) Glasgow, the mother, came to the United States, with her parents, when she was young, locating with them at Wheel- ing, W. Va., and remaining there until her marriage. J. L. Glasgow, whose name stands at the head of this notice, remained with his parents on the par- ental homestead in Guernsey County until October 16, 1 86 1, when the call for brave hearts and strong arms to battle for the perpetuity of tiie Union aroused in him a sense of duty, and he enlisted in Co. H. 65th Ohio Vol., Inf., his regiment being as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland and under the command of Gens. Buell and Rosekranz. It participated in the second days' battle of Shiloh and the seven days' battle at Stone river, also the battle of Murfreesboro, and Chicamauga. On the second days' fight at the latter place, James L. was taken prisoner, and after passing 13 days as captive of tiie Confederates, was exchanged and on account of dis- ability never more joined his regiment, but was hon- orably discharged at Camp Denison, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1864. After his term of enlistment had expired, he re- turned home, dofTed his uniform, cast aside the ac- coutrements of war and intended to enter again upon the peaceful pursuits of life, but his indisposi- tion was such that it required medical attention, and he went to Madison, Ind., where for six months he was under medical 'reatment. From Madison, he went home, and from there to Nebraska where, after remaining for a time, he went to Eastern Iowa, and 16 months later took a trip over Kansas and Mis- souri looking for land. In the spring of 1868 he starietl across the plains for the Rocky Mountains, working his way on the Union Pacific railroad to Humboldt. From there he accompanied another paiiy to the White Pines of Nevada Territory. He passed seven years in that Territory, during which time he was engaged in mining, meeting with fair success. He afterward sj^ent one year in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Cal., and in 1877 returned to i i^ ¥ WARREN COUNTY. ^^^^^ 603 this county, where he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Maggie McAdam, at the residence of the bride's parents near Monmouth, Jan. i, 1877. Mrs. Glasgow was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, and was educated in her native State. Her mother died there when Maggie was an infant, and her father afterward moved to Iowa, where he died at West Point. Mrs. Glasgow came to this county in 1867 with her relatives, and graduated from Monmouth College in June, 1870. She has borne her husband two children — Robert A., born Sept. i, 1879, and Margaret J., born Jan. 23, 1884. After the marriage Mr. G. returned to Nevada Territory for about ten months, where he was en- gaged in settling up his affairs. In 1878 he purchased 80 acres of land on Section i. Hale Town- ship. On that place, he with his young bride, lo- cated, and there resided for four years, when they moved to Monmouth Township and purchased 13 acres approximate to the city of Monmouth, on I" which they moved and are at present residing. They I have a good residence on their Monmouth Township . property, and their farm of 80 acres in Hale Town- ship is under an advanced state of cultivation, and has good improvements upon it. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church at Monmouth, of which denomination Mr. G. is one of the Trustees. In politics he is a supporter of the Prohibition party, and a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. Mr. Glasgow is next to the eldest in order of birth of a family of ten children, and what is remarkable is, that not a death has occurred, and to them 20 grand-children have been born. -^^r=T 1*1 A c~.i_ *r avid TurnbuU, of the firm of Blackburn & Turnbull, livery, sale and feed stables, Sir^Sr^ undertakers and dealers in undertaking j»J»« and embalming goods, at Monmouth, was born in Greene County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1857. His parents, John and Margaret J. (Allen) Tur,il)ull, spent their lives in Greene County, the old gentleman dying in 1880, aged 80 years, and the old lady in i88r, aged ()t, years. They reared tliree sons and four daughters, and David was second in order of birth. He was brought up to farming and taught in the public schools. Abandoning farming in 1883, he went into the undertaking business at Cedarville, Ohio, and came to Monmouth a year later, and soon afterwards formed his present business relations. •Nov. 26, 1884, he was married, near Xenia, Ohio, to Miss Ada Stevenson, the accomplished daughter of Col. Robert Stevenson, Esq., of Greene County, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Turnbull also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and is an active member of Capt. Rankin's Military Com- pany. ffev. i m W. T. McConnell, residing at Kirk- L^^!; wood, was born in Washington Co., Pa., ^'" April 13, 1847. The parents of Rev. Mc- -,^ Connel were Lemuel and Jane (Lawrence) McConnell, natives of Washington Co., Pa. His father was a farmer in that State and there continued to follow his occupation until his death, in July, 1879. His mother still survives and resides with her son, D. S. McConnell,- who is en- gaged in the mercantile business. Rev. W. T. McConnell, the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, remained in the parental household for five years after attaining his majority. He obtained a rudimentary education in the common schools of his native county, and at the age of 16 years supplemented the same by a thor- ough course of study at the Normal School at Mills- borough, Pa., and followed the curriculum of that institution for one year. He then taught school for two years, and in 1865 still further supplemented his education by matriculating at the Washington and Jefferson College and followed tlie curriculum of that institution for four years, after which he at- tended the New Wilmington College one year and graduated from the same with honors in 187 1. After graduating from the latter institution, the Rev. Mc- Connell attended the Theological Seminary at Alle- gheny, and graduated from the same in 1874. He was Hcensed to preach, April 15, 1873, by the United 'SLJ~_ Hh ^ 604 WARREN COUNTY. Presbyterian Church at Chartiers, Pa., and was or- dained by the United Presbyterian Church, at Beaver Valley, Nov. iS, 1873. He tlien Ijecamc Pastor of the Churches at Mahoning and Poland, the former being located in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio, and served them in that capacity for nine years, after which he was Pastor of tlie Mahoning Church for one year. Since March i, 1884, Rev. McConnell has resided in this county, living at Kirkwood. He was united in marriage April 24, 1873, to Miss AUie Miller, a resident of Cannonsburg, Pa., and daughter of Thomas and Annie (Reed) Miller, natives of Wash- ington Co., Pa. Of their union four cliildren have been born — Lilliana A., Agnes G., Thomas W. A. and Ralph B. In politics he is a believer in and a strong advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party. —5- ^-^ "T" Kaeob W. Brewer, M. D.. distinguished 331! degree Mason, Past Commander-in-Chief of the Oriental Consistory of Chicago, and , prominent jjhysician and surgeon at Mon- If mouth, was born March 2, 1823, in Franklin (Jo., P.i. His parents, Adam and Maria (John- son) Brewer, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively and of German and Irish extraction, were married in Franklin County, and there resided until 1836, when they came to Fulton County, this State. In 185 1 they removed to Knox County and spent the rest of tlieir lives at Knoxville, the elder Brewer dying in i88o, aged 78 years; and his widow two years later aged 82 years. The subject of this biographical notice was reared to manhood on his father'sfarm and educated primar- ily at the common schools, and at Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa. When 24 years of age, he began reading medicine at Canton, 111., under J. R. Walter, M. D., and after devoting himself assiduously to the text book for three years, entered Ohio Medical Col- lege, Cincinnati, and in 1850 graduated from the same. Knoxville was the scene of his earliest strug- gles as an M. D., and here he made reputation and money long before the ten years that he staid there had passed. While at Knoxville he was Coroner of Knox County, and eight years Postmaster. Dr. Brewer came to Monmouth in 1862, and has since practiced medicine and sold drugs. He has been in the City Council as a member; has served often on the Board of Health, and, altogether, has been a useful member of society and a citizen that would reflect credit even upon a better town than Monmouth. His Masonic career began when he was about 25 years of age. At Canton, 111., March 20, 1847, he received his first degree, in Morning Star Lodge, No. 30, and May 20 following, the third degree. In December of the same year he was elected Senior Warden of that lodge, and in 1853-54 held the office of Deputy Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. On Dec. 28, 1856, he re- ceived the 32d degree A. A. S. Rite, and June 22, 187 i, was created Sovereign Grand Inspector General in 33d degree. He was elected Illustrious Commander- in-Chief of Monmouth Consistory, No. 3, in 1S69, appointed Second Lieutenant Commander, Council of Deliberation for Illinois, June 22, 187 1; elected High Priest, Warren Chapter, No. 30, Dec. 12, 1879; and his present rank is the highest known in Ma- =^ sonry. Dr. Brewer was married at Knoxville, 111., Nov. 10, 1852, to Miss Roxalana Hansford, daughter of the late Dr. Charles Hansford, and she bore him one child, Florence, who died in 1882, at the age of 32 years, being at the time of her demise the wife of Cooper Shoemaker, of Monmouth. Mrs. Dr. Brewer died in 18S4, aged about 52 years. She was born in Knox County. iei ev. J. B. McMiehael, A. M. D. D., Presi- dent of Monmouth College, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, July 22, 1833. His parents John and Margaret (Burgess) Mc- Miehael, were natives of Ireland, and the first named came to America when but 15 years of age, and lived in Ohio up to 1848. He then re- moved to Pennsylvania, where he si)ent the rest of his life, dying in Greenville, Mercer County, in 1881. He was a farmer and his five sons were brought up !^H- WARREN COUNTY. 60s *i^ in that vocation. His mother was brought to this country in infancy. The family came from County Antrim, Ireland, the father being of Scotch-Irish de- scent. The mother died in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1844. John McMichael, the father of our subject, was thrice married. Eight children (five sons and three daughters) were born of the first union. These were .\ndrevv, Charles, Jackson B., William, John D., Mary, Eliza, Jane and Maria. Charles and William are deceased. Andrew is a carriage manufacturer at Meadville, Pa. He is married and has two daughters living. John is living at Topeka, Kan., where he is engaged in the lumber business. He is also married and has one son. Mary became the wife of Capt. Samuel Isett, of Altoona. He is now deceased. She is the mother of two sons and one daughter and resides at that place. Eliza J. married William Buchanan, who is a farmer in Kansas. One child is the result of this marriage. Maria is the wife of Mr. DuMars, of Greenville, Pa John Mc- Michael's wife, the mother of the above named .cliil- dren, died in 1844, and he was again married in 1846, Miss Jannette Calvin, from Mercer Co., Pa., ^ becoming his wife. She became the mother of two children — Robert C. and Elizabeth. The former married a Miss Nelson, of Greenville, Pa., who has ^ borne him four children. He is now engaged in farm- ing. Elizabeth married Dennis Cole, of Kansas, and they have four children. After the death of his sec- ond wife, which occurred in 1850, Mr. McMichael married Miss Sarah Straight, of Georgetown, Pa. This union occurred about 1850, and the widow lives at the old homestead. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools while a lad, and at the age of 17 years went to Crawford Co., Pa., and spent the two succeeding years at learning a trade with his brother. From the age of 20 to 22 he was at Greenville (Pa.) Academy, and from there went to Westminister College, in Lawrence County, that State, and after following the entire curriculum of that institution, graduated there- from as A. B. in 1859. In 1862 he graduated from Xenia (Ohio) Theological Seminary, and was soon afterward ordained and settled in Sugar Creek, near Xenia, where he was in charge of a congregation for about 16 years. During the last five years he also held a professorship in the Xenia- Theological Semin- ary. In June, 1878, he was elected to the Piesi- dency of Monmouth College, and on the sth of the following September he entered upon the duties of his office, which position he holds at the present time. Rev. McMichael was married at Washington, Pa., Oct. 16, 1862, to Miss Mary N. Hanna, daughter of Rev. Thomas Hanna, D. D., of that city. Of their union, si.\ children were born, named as follows: Thomas Hanna, John Charles, William Jackson, Grade, James Starr Eckels, and George Harold, who died in 1872, age 14 ijionths. Thomas and Charles are members of the class of 1886, and will graduate on the 17th of June. William belongs to the class of 1878; Gracie attends the public schools and James is the baby. The Doctor is not only a thorough scholar, but a man of rare executive ability. The growth of Mon- mouth College, under his administration, attests his fitness for the position he occupies. (See history of Monmouth College, this volume.) \ illiam S. Weir, President of the Weir Plow Company, Monmouth, and son of William , S. and Frances (Brown) Weir, natives re- 3> spectively of the States of Pennsylvania and 4>3n Kentucky, and of Scotch descent, was born at Yellow Springs, Greene Co., Ohio, July 2, 1835. His father, William S. Weir, Sr., was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1804, and his father, Wil- liam Weir, was a native of Scotland, who left home for America when a young man. He landed at Phil- adelphia, where he married and died about the time his son, William S., was ten years of age. There were four children, two sons and two daughters, in the family. \Villiam S., Sr., became an apprentice when a boy to learn thi trade of wool-carding and cloth dressing. After 20 years of age he turned his attention to farming. He married Frances Brown, and they had a family of five children, four of whom were sons. Of this number, William S., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest. The next are James B., Francis M., John B. and Pauline, all of whom are residents of Monmouth. The family come to Monmouth in 1838. and the J ear following the senior Mr. Weir stiirted a small V -^ t^ 606 WARREN COUNTY. 4 factory near Little York for making woolen goods, and carried it on for about 20 years. The subject of this biographical notice received a limited education at the country schools of Sumner Township, but being compelled to shift for himself, from the time he was 1 1 years of age, he naturally had but small time to devote to books. He followed farming up to 1863. In 1862 he i)a'.ented the" Weir •Two-Horse Cultivator," an implement covering all the importan'. principles employed in every walking cultivator manufactured in this country at the pres- ent time, and yet not all protected by his patent. It will be remembered that Mr. Weir was an unedu- cated farmer, necessarily knowing little of tiie patent laws, and less of their scope in application ; he there- fore had to rely upon his attorneys in obtaining let- ters pate.t that would secure him his rights. Then, as now, the business of the patent attorney was in securing patents, and if one vnluable invention em- bodied a dozen indispensable principles and the at- torney could satisfy the applicant or hoodwink him into accepting letters protecting but one, of course eleven remaining features would be left open for so many different applications, thereby increasing largely the business or chances of business for the attorney. This may not state just the experience of Mr. Weir, but it fully illustrates the practice that let in other manufacturers, who employed im))ortant features of his invention that should have been protected by his patent of 1862. But, " men live and learn," and the proverb is eminently verified in William S. Weir. It has been many years since the duplicity of any pat- ent attorney has operated to close his eyes against the salient [joints of his inventions. With $200 cap- ital, he came to Monmouth in 1863 and had made for him, under contract, 120 cultivators ; in the fol- lowing year 560 were made, and in 1865 he elected a small shop, from which he turned out 800. The following jear, with increased capacity, he put upon the market 1,200 cultivators, and in the winter of 1866-67 had his entire establishment destroyed by fire. Rebuilding his shop> :it once, Mr. Weir jjut out 2,000 implements and i.i the fall of 1867 organized the Wier Plow Comi)aiiy, with himself as President. (A history of which company see in another part of of this volume.) It is useless for the biographer to attempt any enlargement upon the history of Mr. Weir. That he began life a very ix)or boy and un- der the greatest disadvantages, is readily observed from the facts already disclosed; that he has made his life a success, and in doing so accomplished more for the established welfare of Monmouth than any other man in Warren County, is attested by his personal history and by the hundreds of families who are daily benefitted, not to say supported, from the gigantic establishment over which he presides and which s'.iould be made perpetual as a monument to his memory. Indeed, the history of Monmouth it- self must ever be pregnant with the works of William S. Weir. Compare the man who does great work; erects immense shops ; employs hundreds of his fel- low men as laborers in the manufacture of useful ar- ticles, which he sends broadcast throughout the world, returning their products to him to go ajzain .and again into the wages of the poor; compare such an one we say, with the miserable miser, who hoards up his iiundreds of thousands, dispensing onlv \x\ on the guarantee of usury, and note the difference. Mr. Weir was married in Hale Township, October, 1859, to Fidelia J. Boyd, daughter of Thomas and Ann Boyd, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New York. Mrs. Weir died Feb. i. 1884, leaving four children, having buried five in infamy. The living are Ella, Jessie, William B. and Amy. J eorge Sickmon, one of Warren County's successful farmers and stock raisers, re- "^ siding on section t,t,., Monmouth Townsliip, is a native of New York, having been born in lirie County, that State, Jan. 18, 1819. He is at present living in retirement, passing the sunset of his life in the enjoyment of a competency, which has been procured through his own indomi- table energy, |)ersevernncc and good judgment. The father of Mr. Sickmon, Henry Sickmon, was a native of Germany. He and a brother Thomas were the progenitors of the Sickmon family in this country, coming here and locating in Erie County, N. Y. The father was married there to Susan Fran- cis, a native of Cayauga County. After a residence there of some years, Henry Sickmon died and his wife afterNvard came to this State, and resided with 7e -i^ ^' i _L WARREN COtlNTY. 607 f her son George, for 14 years, when in Nov. 1864, she passed to the land of the hereafter, aged 73 years. George Sickmon, whose biography we write, was the fourth in order of birth of a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters ; seven of the former, and one of the latter still survives, and all are married. George lived at home attending the common schools until he attained the age of 11 yiears, when he set out to do for himself in life. He first lived with a farmer in Erie County for eighteen months, then with another farmer for six months and then went to live with Daniel A. Albert, with whom he continued to reside until he attained his majority. On becoming his own man, Mr. Sickmon engaged to work by the month on a farm, which occupation he followed for one year, and was then employed by a gentleman who was dealing in oil, and remained with him one year, in the city of Buffalo. He after- ward went back to Erie County, the place of his na- tivity, where Sept. i, 1842, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah, the accomplished daughter of Abel and Sallie (Green) Green, natives of York State, where they both died when Mrs. Sickmon was quite yoimg, and she is the only member of the fam- ily, who lived to attain the age of majority. She was l)orn in Herkimer Co., N. Y., July 20, 1824. After tlie death of her parents, she lived with her aunt until her marriase. Of her union with Mr. S. six children have been born, all of whom are living — Sallie M., married Felix Regnier, a farmer residing in Monmouth Township; Susan became the wife of William P. Norcross, a large land owner, banker, stock raiser and shipper, residing in Nebraska; Win- field S., is engaged in practicing law at Des Moines, Iowa, his wife's maiden name Ifeing Alvareta Main ; Ann E. is the wife of Isaac J. Frantz, a farmer in Nebraska; and Eliza became the wife of John Ket- tering, who is engaged in farming in Nebraska ; Charles is also a farmer, residing in this township, and his wife's maiden name was Katie Frantz. Two years after marriage Mr. S. with his bride came West, and pitched his tent on a new and un- cultivated 80 acre tract of land, which is now the well improved farm and pleasant homestead on which he resides. He has subsequently, by his in- dustry and perseverance, increased his landed inter- ests, until he at present has 400 acres of good farm land in this county, and in addition to the cultiva- tion of the same, he is devoting a goodly portion of his time to dealing in stock, having sold as high as $12,000 worth annually. His residence and farm buildings are large and commodious and the appear- ance of his farm is indicative of that spirit of push and perseverance which Mr. S. possesses He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Po- litically he is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held the position of Supervisor for three years and also other minor offices. For three and a half years, Mr. S. resided in the city of Monmouth, Yi^here his ability was recognized, and he was elected Street Commissioner and Alderman. - amuel Gibson, retired farmer and one of f^^ the pioneers of Warren County, now {1885) 'r\ living in the suburbs west of Monmouth, was born in Blount Co., Tenn., Sept. 3, 1804, and was the fifth in a family of eight sons and five daughters, born and reared to men and women, ' by Thomas and Martha (Hogue) Gibson, natives re- spectively of the states of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia. The family, except the subject of this sketch, who had preceded" them about one year, came to Il- linois from Xenia, Ohio, where they had resided about 25 years, in 1831, and here the two old people spent the rest of their lives. Samuel Gibson vi'as fairly educated at the common schools of Ohio, and there learned something of the mechanic's trade under his father. He lived in Mon- mouth until 1835, when he moved to hi-i farm adja- cent to the south line of the town. Here he has lived a full half century, and at this writing is in the en- joyment of good health, walks as litlie and erect as" an Indian, and bids fair to join his numerous friends at the celebration of many another anniversary. He joined the United Presbyterian Church when he was 27 years of age, and his life therein has remained unbroken and consistent. August 3, 1826 Mr. Gibson was married in Greene Co., Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Pierce, a native of Bour- bon Co., Ky. She died in February, 1858, and their seven children are mentioned here, as follows : Wil- liam, who left home in 1853, and was last heard from rjir: ^ ^ 608 WARREN COUNTY. %^ ^- j^ames T. Hartman, Supervisor of Cold Jl^ilg' Brook ■I'ownshii), a gontlenian of piore than fc.Ji''' ordinary Ixisiness ability and a good and successful farmer and stock-raiser, residing on Section 12, Cold Hrook Township, is a native y of Marion Co., Indiana, where he was horn April 21, 1835. John Hartman, the father of James '1'., was born in North Carolina, and was of German ancestry. He was married in his native state to Nancy Markliii, ill California, in 1878; Martha H., the wife of Mr. Samuel Little; Sarah E., who with antiring filial de- votion, ministers daily to the wants and comlorts of her aged father; Isabel, wife of J. B. L. Smith, of Indiana; .\lbert G., died in October, 1S82; Mary Jane (Mrs. Martin) died in 1881, and Thomas A. died in 1862, a few days after arriving home from the Union army. Thus briefly we scan the events of a life coexist- ent almost with the history of our Nation, and as we read we realize at once what constitutes the memo- rable matter in a man's life. The date of his birth is treasured; tlie ruddy cheeks and rollicking laugh- ter of his brothers and sisters, as in tlieir cheerful childhood they gathered about the great log fire in the old chimney place of the long, long ago, are cher- ished and not forgotten ; the fatlier and mother are remembered, and the kind old faces of his grandfa- ther and grandmother pass vividly in view; the old log school house of three-quarters of a century ago; the dapper little teacher, and his spelhng schools, later on; the ruby-lipped and bright-eyed girl who developed first into a sweetheart and next into a wife ; J>= the little ones that came and entwined themselves about his heart to be torn rutlilessly away, crushing for a time his every ambition in life, and the names of the living and the dead are repeated. These events, representing the happiest and the saddest in life are ever remembered by the aged, and to the e.\cliision of the thousands of hardships incident to pioneer times, are told lo the biographer in response to his inquiry for the most important data from which to write a sketch. a native of that state. Of their union nine children were born- in North Carolina, and the family then journeyed to Indiana and located on a tract of land which was in its natural condition. James T. Hartman was the first child born to his parents after their emigration to the wilds of the Hoosier State. There was also another child born to the parents, in Indiana, making their children it in number, six sons and five daughters, of which four of the former and two of the latter sur- vive. Mr. Hartman was only eight years old when his father died, and he lived with his mother until he had nearly attained his majority. He received the advantages of the district schools of that early pe- riod, and at the age of 17 years served an ap- prenticeship at Mt. Jackson, near Indianapolis, Ind., under a Mr. Forshee, to learn the trade of a blacksmith. After serving a term of four years, he came to Illinois in December, 1855, settling in Buf- falo Prairie Township, Rock Island County. At the latter place he remained, working' at his trade until ^ 1859, when he emigrated further West to the State of California, and from there to Idaho Territory. In the latter territory he began mining in the Bitter Root Mountains, and continued there for some time, from whence he passed on to the Rocky Mountains where he resumed mining, and continued for three years longer. He then retraced his steps to Warren County, purchased 80 acres of land on his present site, and began its improvement and cultivation. The marriage of James T. Hartman and Miss Hen- rietta Freeman was celebrated in Knox County, Nov. 27, 1862. The lady of his choice was a daughter of F. Leroy and Margaret (Brown) Freeman, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively, both from old families of those states. They were married in Illi- nois, where they both came in early life, settling with their parents in Knox County early in its history, and were there during the Black Hawk War. The pa- rents were farmers and died in Henderson Township, where they h;id lived since marriage. Mrs. Hart- man, of this notice, was born in Henderson Town- ship, Knox C^ounty, Oct. 27, 1841. Her education was commenced in the public schools but finished at college. She remained at home until her marriage, and of her union with Mr. Hartman has been born three children, one of whom is deceased. Minnie is the wife of Clark Robinson, and they reside in Co- manche Co., Kan., her husband being engaged in *i *T" -/yTy^^^L-^^^^^ i T » WARREN COUNTY. ^^-H^ 613 farming; Ettie I. died in infancy, and LiUie G. is at- tending college at Galesburg. Since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hartman have resided on their present homestead, and have made remarkable changes and improvements, until now their farm is considered an excellent one in every respect. Mr. Hartman has served his township as Collector for four years ; Supervisor for the past 12 years, and in politics is a first-class Democrat. 4 — ^ m^-^ '(fySlHlliam Hanna, one of the most widely W.W known and enterprising business men of Illinois, and whose portrait we present on '> the opposite page, is a resident of Monmouth. A view of his elegant home, which is one of the finest in the county, is also presented in this volume. He was born in Fayette Co., Ind., June 19, 1827, and comes of Scotc^i-Irish stock on the paternal side. His father, John Hanna, was a native of North Carolina and married Miss Sarah Crawford, a Virginia lady. In 1835 Mr. John Hanna came to Illinois and settled 12 miles northwest of Monmouth, in Warren County. Here on the farm young Hanna wa s reared and re- ceived such education as the subscription schools of the neighborhood afforded. In 1849, upon the break- ing out of the California gold fever, in company with others, he drove an ox team acrobs the plains to the land of gold. He was successful there to the extent of gathering a few thousand dollars. He returned home in 1851, bought a farm in Henderson County and engaged in agriculture until 1867. That year he came to Monmouth, and, in company with Messrs. W. S. Weir and Dr. W. B. Boyd, formed a joint stock company for the purpose of manufacturing farm implements." The capital stock of the company was ^25,000. Under the skillful and efficient man- agement of Mr. Hanna the business of the company increased very rapidly. In fact, at the end of 14 years the capital stock had increased to the enor- mous amount of $1,000,000, after paying $i63,oooof dividends. Immediately after the company was organized and its factory in operation, Mr. Hanna " took the road " and the following seven years traveled in the inter- ests of the company, introducing its implements and establishing agencies. It was through his persistent and indefatigable efforts that the foundation and subsequent success of the Weir Plow Company was securely laid. In short, his energy and business ability built up and made a great institution of this now world-wide known company. Mr. Hanna, in addition to his vast interests as above stated, has found time to engage in various enterprises, which in the main have for their object the increase of the material wealth and prosperity of Monmouth and vicinity. He is President of the Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Company, wiiich makes sewer pipe, drain tile, fire brick, etc. The company employs a large number of men and manufactures over 100 carloads of its products a month, and arrangements are being perfected to in- crease its capacity to 150 car-loads per month. Mr. Hanna was one of the originators of the Monmouth National Bank, which was established in 187 1, and for ten years (1874 to 1884) served it in the capacity of President. He was one of the "< original incorporators of the Keithsburgh Bridge Company, and still continues as one of its directors. He was President and Treasurer of the Burlington, Monmouth & Illinois River and the Peoria & Farm- ington Railway Companies during the construction of these roads and until their consolidation with the Central Iowa. Without his wealth, energy, judgment and perseverance that railway would never have been constructed. He is a Director of the Iowa Central Railway Company at present. He is aTrustee of the Warren County Library and also of the Lom- bard University, located at Galesburg, and is deeply interested in any and every public enterprise calcu- lated to benefit the people. In 1851 Mr. Hanna was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of James Fiiidley, who settled in Warren County as early as 1832. Three children have been born to them, two of whom are living, J. Ross, a sketch of whom may be found on another page of this volume, and Mary J. E. Politically, Mr. Hanna has steadily voted the Democratic ticket and is a firm believer in the sav- ing grace of that political organization. He has twice been honored with an election as the Mayor ot V 6i4 1 4 WARREN COUNTY. ^^-4^ the city of Monmouth, and during his terms of office brought to bear in the municipal affairs of the city his characteristic energy and excellent judgment. Thus we have a brief outline of the life of one of the most valuable and highly esteemed citizens of Warren County. He started in life poor and un- aided, but by the sheer force of his own indomitable energy and the exercise of good, common, business sense, he has succeeded in carving out for himself a comfortable competency, and at the same time has maintained his reputation as an honorable, consci- entious gentleman — -se;- -ist.-- Ill ev. Anson Tucker, was born in New York State, June 8, i8ii. He graduated from f%^" Haddington College, and was ordained, ^Vw^ in 1835, a minister in the Baptist Church. He was pastor at Sardinia and Lockport, N. Y., Norwalk, O., Adrian, Mich., Lafayette, Ind., Dixon and Monmouth, 111. He died at the latter place, Apr. 23, rS58,aged47. Though conipartively a young man, he had attained considerable prominence in his denomination. He had an unusually refined and sensitive nature, and was strict in his ideas of right and wrong. Beloved by his people wherever he preached, his life was one of great usefulness. He was of a family of ministers, his father and four brothers all being Baptist clergymen, and what is very unusual, all preaching at the same time. He had one other brother.a gifted lawyer,who was study- ing for tiie ministry, when he suddenly died. Mr. Tucker was a man of cultivated literary tastes, and an earnest and eloquent speaker. His friendships were deep and strong, and as a husband and father his affections were tender and devoted. His ancestors came from England and settled in Virginia in the Colonial times, where many still re- main. Judge Tucker, of Richmond, and John Ran- dolph Tucker being of the family. Part of the fam- ily had gone North, apd of that branch was Rev. Anson Tucker. He was married to Caroline Rogers in 1836. They had seven children, six girls and one boy, who died in infancy: Eliza, the eldest daughter, married A. S. Humphries, of Columbus, Miss. ; Erenah married T. W. Raymond, of London, England; Caroline married Guy Stapp, of Monmouth; Jeannette married D. P. Phelps, of Monmouth ; Emma resides in Mon- mouth, and Frances is a resident of Columbus, Miss. Caroline Rogers was born in New York State. She was daughter of Rev. James and Marcy(Champlain) Rogers. Rev. James Rogers was the son of Hon. Thomas Rogers, one of the three contemporary Judges of the State of New York. Marcy Cham- plain was the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Perry) Champlain The Perrys came from England. Elizabeth Perry was the daughter of Freeman Perry, who was Supreme Judge of Rhode Island 44 years. His wife was Mary Hazard. Their children were Joshua, Oliver Hazard, Raymond, Elizabeth, Mary and Susan. Joshua was a physician; Raymond was a sea Captain and Commodore in the Navy, and one of the founders of the United States Navy, and for several months he was a prisoner on board the dread- ful Jersey prison sjiips. After his discharge he was one of the Lieutenants of the Trumbull during her action with the Watt, one of the hardest fought battles in our War of Independence. He had five sons; the eldest, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, gained the battle on Lake Erie, and along with him in that en- gagement was his little brother, Alexander, a boy of 10 years, serving as midshipman and aide. The lit- tle fellow received a ball through the cap, and was subsequently voted the thanks of Congress and a sword of honor, being probably the youngest recip- ient ever known of such national acknowledgment. Another of the five brothers was Commodore M. C. Perry, who crowned a long life of glory by opening the ports of Japan to American commerce, while two more brothers were commanders under Commo- dore McUonough in the battle on Lake Champlain. Another ancestor. Commodore Stephen Champlain, was born Nov. 17, 1789, at South Kingston, R. I. At the age of 23 he was in command of the brig "Dore." He became one of the most active and useful officers in the United States Navy. It is a well authenticated fact that he fired the first and last gun in the battle of Lake Erie. He was then in command of the "Scorpion," and with that vessel overhauled the british ship "Little Belt," and cap- tured her as slie was endeavoring to run away from V WARREN COUNTY. 6.5 1 the fight. He died in Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1870. Rev. Anson Tucker was married a second time in 1854, to Miss Luana Macomber, of New York State. They had two sons, Howard, who was thr3e years old, and Qeorge 15 months, when they both died, within two weeks of each other, and only a few weeks before their father, in the spring of 1858, at Mon- mouth, 111. ~vw.«\tc£a;©^@ M/gf.S'^WJ'^^'vw^ "T" eyton Roberts, General Insurance and Land Agent, at Monmouth, 111., was born at Fountain Green, Hancock Co., 111., Jan. 2ist, 1839. His great grandfather, James Roberts, was from Switzerland, and settled in Wythe Co., Va., in 1775, where his grandfather, John Roberts, was born, in 1781. His father, James E. Roberts, was born in Campbell Co., Tenn., Aug. 28th, 1807. His mother, Sally M., (Cox) Roberts, was also descended from the Swiss. Her great grandfather, Friend Cox, settled in Pennsylvania in 1712. Her grandfather, John Cox, and her father, Benjamin Cox, lived at McKeesport, Pa., where she was born Dec. 2 2d, 1807. The parents of Peyton were married at Hudson- ville, Breckenridge Co., Ky., Aug. 30th, 1S30. They moved to Fountain Green, Hancock Co., 111. in June, 1837, where the father now (1885) lives, at the age of 78. The mother died at this place June 24th, 1846. Peyton Roberts was educated at Hedding College, Abingdon, 111. He entered the Insurance business at the same place in 1863, and on January 4th, 1864, transferred his headquarters to Monmouth, where he has since stood at the very head of the Fire In- surance Underwriters of the County, representing at all times the best companies in the world, and ju- diciously writing his policies in such a manner as to preclude the possibility of misconception ; avoiding all ambiguities, and thereby placing the policy pur- chaser solidly upon the ground of the assured. If this information, thrown into this sketch without the knowledge or consent of Mr. Roberts, but none the less based upon facts, should prove incomprehens- ible to some, the writer knows to all such as may be unfortunate enough as to sustain loss by fire and find an improperly written policy in their possession, there will be no longer any mystery. Mr. Roberts is a Director in the Monmouth Min- ing and Manufacturing Co.; a Director in the First National Bank of Biggsville, 111.; is connected with" the Second National Bank of Monmouth, 111.; is Sec- retary of Trinity Lodge, No. 56r, A. F. & A. M., and Member of the Republican State Central Committee. Mr. Roberts was united in marriage at Bushnell, 111., May 8th, 1866, with Miss Lizzie K. Cox, of Hud- sonville, Ky. They have two children living, Emma and Corinne; one, Lizzie Lena, having died when three months old. Mrs. Roberts is a descendant of the Lendrum family, of Virginia, and the daughter of Ralph and Emily A. Cox, of Vine Grove, Ky. ^^ ohn W. Lusk, of the firm of Lusk Bros., leading grocers of Monmouth, is justly re- ^^"^ garded as one of the enterprising business = men of that city. His father, Wilson Lusk, was an early resident of Monmouth, locating here as early as 1848. On the 21st of Jantiary • of the following year, John W. was born. He was one of a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters, born to his parents, Wilson and Mary Jane (McCoy) Lusk. He was reared and educated at Monmouth, and early in life began to learn the printer's trade, at which he became very profi- cient. In the spring of 1864, when yet a mere lad, he enrolled in the service of his country as a drummer, in Co. A, r38th 111. Inf. He served until the follow- ing fall, when the term of his enlistment expired. Im- mediately upon being mustered out of the 138th, he entered Co. H, 47th 111. Inf., as a private, and serv- ed up to the winter of 1865-6, when he was mus- tered out at Salem, Ala. He did valiant and faithful service, and from the commencement to the close of his enlistment he never missed a day from his regi- ment, and the 47th, being a part of the i6th Army Corps, it is reasonable to suppose that it was in ac- tive duty continually. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment in 'JKl V 6i6 — - . ..irz . WARREN COUNTY. the army, Mr. Lusk returned to his home in Mon- mouth, and for a while worked in the Review office. Subsequently he went lo Macomb, this State, where he was engaged on the newspajjers of that city for a time. In 1869, we find him at Beardstown, in the capacity of foreman of the lllinoisan, a position he acceptably filled for about two years. He then form- ed a partnership with H. A. Wilkinson, and started the Beaidstown Herald., a Democratic weekly paper. At the expiration of about a year, Mr. Lusk sold out his interest in the Herald, and returned to Macomb and after spending a few years as a book-keeper in a grocery house, in 1879 he bought his employer out. In i8Si he sold out his business at Macomb and came to Monmouth, and at once embarked in his pres- ent enterprise, since which time, in connection with his partners, the firm of Lusk Bros, have taken front rank among the leading business houses of Mon- mouth. Upon the 30th of January, 1871, at Macomb, 111., 'Mr. Lusk was united in marriage with Miss Kate Shumate, daughter of a well known citizen of that city. She is a native of Garrard Co., Ky., and has become I>-the mother of two children, Birdie and Claude. Politically, Mr. Lusk is a Democrat, and socially a member of the G. A. R., the I. O. O. F. and .\. O. U. W. esse Walton Bond, an energetic and suc- cessful farmer of Lenox Township, residing upon section 19, is a son of John C. and Polly (Grinisley) Bond. A biography of the former is given elsewhere in this volume. The Bonds came from Ireland with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland, in 1632, and from there were scattered throughout the .South. Jesse W.Bond, the grandfather of the subject of this notice, was born in South Carolina, in 1777. When a small boy, his father's family removed to Kentucky, in which State his father was killed by Indians, leaving three children — Jesse W., Lucy and Nathan. In 1798, Jesse W. Bond, the eldest of the children, was married in Overton Co., Tenn., to Miss Susan- nah Crane. She was born in Georgia, in 1777, and of their union seven children were born — John Crane Bond, the father of the sul)ject of this notice; Ben- jamin, Joel, Ruljy, William B., Jesse W. and Nathan, only two of whom are living, Natlian Bond, of Al- bany, Oregon, and Mrs. Ruby Looney, of Salem, Oregon. Jesse W. Bond, the grandfather, removed to Jack- son Co., Ala., in 18 19. From there he went to Mor- gan ('o.. 111., and in 1830, came to this county, and here resided until his death, in 1842, the demise of his wife occurring in 1858. The grandparents are both buried on the old homestead, in the family burial ground, Greenbush Township, where six gen- erations of Bonds are resting. The homestead at his death jjassed into the hands of Maj. John Crane Bond, father of the subject of this notice, whose biography we give, and when he died he left it to his grandson, John Crane Bond, Jr., eldest son of the subject of this sketch. Jesse Walton Bond was born in Jackson Co., Ala., Sept. 7, 1825. When he was a year old, his parents moved to Morgan Co., 111., and he was nine years of age when he came with his parents to this county. His education was received in the common schools, and he continued to reside with his parents until his marriage. He lived in Greenbush Township until 1850, when he crossed tlie plains to California in search of gold, where he remained two years, meeting with partial success, when he returned for his family and soon afterward went back to California. The following year, 1853, his wife died, and Jesse W. once more returned to this county, but only remained a short time, when he went back to California, the third time crossing the plains. He re- mained in the latter State until [862, when he re- turned to this county and two years later removed to Iowa, and was there engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1869. During that year, he again came back to this county, and took charge of the Warren County Poor Farm, on which he lived until March, 1885. Not desiring a reappointment, he removed to his farm in Lenox Township, where he at present re- sides. He is the owner of 320 acres of land in Lenox Township, all of which is under an ad- vanced state of cultivation. Mr. Bond, of tliis sketch, was first married in Swan Creek Township, this county, Feb. 12, 1848, to Sarah E. Terry, who was born in Madison Co., 111. She 1 *% V i T _L 4-4- WARREN COUNTY. 6,7 was a daughter of Georf;e and Nancy G. (Slice) Terry, and bore him three children — Edwina, Ellen S. and Jolin C. Edwina is the wife of Dr. Randall, of Greenbush Township. Ellen S. married Benja- min F. Reed, who resides in Swan Township. John C. is engaged in farming in Greenbush Township. Mrs. Bond died in Sacramento Co., Cal., Jan. 28, 1854, and Mr. Bond was again married in Green- bush Township, Oct. 25, 1863, to Anna C. Harrah, daughter of John N. and Helen (Wharton) Harrah. Her parents came to Warren County about i860, and settled in Greenbush Township, where they lived until about 1878, when they moved to Sedalia, Mo. Mrs. Bond was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1835, and has borne her husband three chil- dren — ^Sara Helen, Jesse Walton, Jr., and Anna J., who resides at home. Mr. Bond is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics, is a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. His father and grandfather were likewise members of the Democratic party. The Bonds are related directly to Gov. Walton, of 'Georgia, who was one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, and also to Shadrach Bond, the first Governor of Illinois. |,apt. John M. Turnbull, Postmaster at II^^J^^ Monmouth, this State, is a son of David J^" and Nancy (Mitchell) Turnbull, natives of Green Co., Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pa., respec- tively, and bearing through their veins the blood of various Celtic races, with an odd mixture of the Scandinavian, was born in Ohio, July 23, 1833. His parents were married in Xenia, Ohio, in i8^r ; came to Illinois in 1833, and settled upon a tract of land purchased the year before by Mr. TurnbuU's father, the land being now occupied by A. W. Spicer, and lying about one mile northwest from Monmouth. At the end of the following year they removed into Hale Township, six miles north- west from Monmouth, at a place afterwards known as "TurnbuU's Point." Here for many years his house formed a kind of relay for emigrants and pi- oneers, passing and repassing between the great river *t and interior points. In 1850, he removed to the vicuiity of Sugar Tree Grove, and there spent the rest of his life, dying, however, at the home of his son, in Monmouth, in 1871, aged about 63 years. His wife had died a few years before, it is believed in 1866, aged about 62 years. They were the parents of 12 children, only eight of whom — John M., Ann E., Sarah I., Mary A., William W., David A., Thomas B. and Nannie J., grew to the estate of men and women. Three of his sons, John M., William W. and David A. were in the Union army during the late war, and he for two years, 1863-4, held the po- sition of Deputy United States Marshal. Mr. Turn- bull was all his life an active citizen, a zealous work- er, both in Church and State, and while no office seeker, held almost continuously some useful, al- though unprofitable office. He served two terms as Sheriff of Warren County; was several years Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors, and altogether was one of the most useful men in the community. Capt. John M. Turnbull, whose name heads this biographical sketch, was brought up to farming, and was about 28 years of age when he abandoned it. His education was the best to be had at the common schools. When the war broke out he was farming. In August, r86i, he enrolled at Kirkwood, this county, in Co. C, 36th 111. Vol. Inf. as Second Lieu- tenant; was promoted the following spring at Mur- freesboro to the rank of First Lieutenant, and served until May 24, 1864.. In February or March of 1863, he was detailed for staff duty, and was in that position as long as he was in the service. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Perry ville. Stone River, Chicaniauga, Missionary Ridge, in Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, and near Dallas on the night of May 24, 1864, while acting as Brigade In- spector, and in preparing to relieve Gen. Hooker's command, received a gun shot wound in the left knee which cost him the loss of that limb. His regiment formed a part of the First Brigade Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Sheridan, serving on the staff of Gen. T. F. Sherman and W. H. Lytle, and last on Gen. Nathan Kimball's staff, and was staff officer at the time he was wounded. He returned to Warren County, and in January, 1865, removed into Monmouth; his name was pre- sented by Mr. Lincoln for Postmaster at this place, A • . ¥ jU 618 IVARRHIS/ COUNTY. but the President's death occurring in the meantime, his commission was signed by Andrew Johnson, and he took charge of the office in May, 1865. In the fall of 1866 Johnson removed him and appointed Ur. Griffith as his successor, but the Senate refused confirmation of the action, and Capt. Turnbull was, at the end of six months, reinstated. His last com- mission will end January 16, 1887. He was married at Washington, Iowa, Nov. 7, 1854, to Anna P. Orr, native of Baltimore, Md., and their six children are mentioned as follows : Ralph, who died in infancy; Mary, Emma, Clara O., Nannie A., Jennie R., and an infant deceased. The four daughters were all educated at Monmouth College. The family are members of the U. P. Church. -f3=H= 4=4^ oseph W. Adcock, an agriculturist of Kelly Township, is of ancestry and ante- cedents of Southern origin. Edmund Ad- cock, his father, was a pioneer of Warren County of 1833. The latter was born Nov. 23, 1800, in Buckingham Co., Va., and was the son of Joseph and Susan (Cason) Adcock. His par- ents were both members of families of Virginia origin and he was reared to the age of manliood in his native county and in Kanawha County, whither his parents removed when he was in his youth. In the county last named he was married to Cynthia Chris- tian. She was a native of Kanawha County, and her father, Robert ('hristian, had a record as a brave soldier in the war of tlie Revolution. The marriage referred to took place March 13, 1823. The newly married people settled in the same county and were there resident until 1828. In that year they removed to Indiana and located in Crawford County, where they remained two years. In the fall of 1830 they set out for Illinois. The family then included the father, mother and three children. A neighbor of theirs in Indiana had made a prospecting tour to Knox County, and on his return the Adcock family resolved to come to Illinois with him. He had a team and they made the trip together. It was fall when they arrived, and Mr. Adcock secured a claim on section 3 in what is now Henderson Township, Knox County. He obtained an entire quarter-sec- tion and built a house for the temporary accommo- dation of his family. It was the most primitive kind of a structure and covered with clapboards obtained from trees by a process called " riving,'' a term which has the same significance at present though the ap- plication in this locality is considerably diflereot. The floor was made of puncheon. In this the house- hold lived through the Black Hawk War. It was located within a mile of the fort. There were then only a few families in the neighborhood, and the people would frequently become alarmed at the sight of a stray Indian, or rumors of their depreda- tions would put them in such a state of fright tliat, in the early times preceding the contest referred to, they would repair to the fort for protection. On one occasion, Wm. McMurtry and Edmund Adcock, who were in the block-house with their families, went out to attend to their stock and agreed not to remain longer than to perform the service which took them out. They also promised not to discharge their fire-.Trms unless they saw Indians, but the sight of a quantity of squirrels put the last stipulation out of their re- membrances, and they fired at the little animals. The shooting was rapid and alarmed their friends at the fort. The men remaining there hastily gathered their arms and ammunition and started out one by one, without order or system, to the rescue, leaving not a gun in the fort for the defense of the women and children. Happily their fears proved ground- less. In the spring of 1833, Mr. Adcock sold his prop- erty and came to Warren County. He located on the northwest quarter of section 27 in town- ship 12, range i. His brother Henry had previously purchased the land and the tenant lived on the place two years. He then made a claim on the southeast quarter of the same section and removed to a s nail log cabin which had already been erected on the place. A few years later it was abandoned for a new dwelling of rather aristocratic pretentions for that period. Tlie latter was a double hewed-log house and was their residence for some years, or until improved circumstances enabled them to build a frame house. This was the home as long as the father lived. His death occurred May 7, 1859. At <> N^ f 4: WARREN COUNTY. U (>\<) T^ the time he was the owner of the south half of sec- tion 27, about 50 acres of which were in tillage. The wife died Oct. 26, 1865. They had only the three children, with whom they removed to Illinois. The oldest was a daughter, named Cynthia Elizabeth. She married John McMullen, and survived her mar- riage only a few weeks. Joseph and Robert J. are twins. They were born Jan. 23, 1826, in Kanawha Co., Va. They were but four years old when they removed with their parents to Illinois. The brother of Mr. Adcock is a resident of Tompkins Township. The latter was 7 years old when his father and mother took up their residence in Warren County. Every- thing was in its primitive condition and there were no schools, consequently the parents gave their sons such education as they could within the home. Af- ter Mr. Adcock had grown to be quite a youth, there was a school established about three miles distant, which he attended, but it was not of the character of the free schools of to-day, as it was instituted by the pioneers to secure a little instruction for their chil- dren, and they willingly bore all the expense them- selves. Mr. .adcock was married Aug. 30, 1849, to Mary Elizabeth McMurtry. She was born in Crawford Co., Ind.. Sept. 26, 1827, and is the daughter of Hon. William and Ruth (Champion) McMurtry. Her father was a native of Kentucky and settled in Knox Co., 111., in 1829. He rose to distinction in State affairs, and was elected Lieutenant-Governor with .Augustus French, in the second term which was served by that gentleman, in November, 1848. He was a candidate at the time of the first election of Gov. French, when the successful nominee was Mr. Wells. Hon. William McMurtry died at his home in Knox County, in 1875. After the date of his marriage, Mr. .\dcock located on a part of the homestead of his father, a portion of which he liad given to him. During the first year, he lived with the family, and then removed to a log cabin and commenced the life of the true pioneer. This was the home of himself and his wife for sev- eral years, when they removed to the frame house which his family have since occupied. He is now the owner of 459 acres. Eight of the children born to himself and wife are still living. William resides on section 35 in Kelly Township; Edmund follows the legal profession in Chicago; Cynthia married E. E. Terpenning, who is a farmer on section 3 in Cold Brook Township; Robert J., an attorney-at-law, lives in Monmouth; Ruth F. married C. F. Barnett, a farmer on section 18, Sparta Township, Knox Co., 111. Lucy and Mary live at home with their par- ents. In political faith and connection, Mr. Adcock is a Democrat. —5 '^^ ^ em M. Lusk, senior member of the mer- cantile firm of Lusk Bros., of Monmouth, was born at Newburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., Dec. 19, 1843. His parents, Wilson and Mary Jane (McCoy) Lusk, were natives of the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. The former was of German and the latter of Scotch ancestry. They reared four sons and two daughters, our subject being the eldest of the six. The family came West as early as 1846, and located in Iowa, and two years later came to Monmouth. Here Mr. Lusk was reared and received his education, and in the office of the Monmouth Review learned the printer's trade. Mr. Lusk had worked on the above named paper only about six years, when he determined to enlist in the services of his country to defend the flag that had been assaulted the previous year. Accordingly, on July 17, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 83d 111. Vol. Inf., and for three years did faithful and commenda- ble service. In the summer of 1863, while at Clarksville, Tenn., he was detailed as printer at Post Headquarters, which duty he performed during the remainder of his'term of service. He had, however, previous to that time seen some active service on the field. He was at Fort Donelson, and participated in about twenty skirmishes. He was never off duty either as a soldier of the ranks, or when assigned to the printing department, and it may be said to his credit as a brave and devoted patriot, that he did not seek the latter position as the safer one. He was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and dis- charged at Chicago, III. His parchment, bearing all the credits of an honorable soldier, is dated July 5, 1865. He then returned home and resumed the quiet pursuits of life, and has become one of the highly lAj -64^ "J^ 62c u WARREN COUNTY. respected and influential citizens of Monmouth. The firm of Liisk Bros, does a large and lucrative busi- ness in the grocery line, having one of the largest stocks and best assortments carried by any house in the county. September 13, 1866, Mr. Lusk was married at Monmouth, to Miss Mary E. Riggs, who has borne to him six children — Minnie, Jessie H., Adda, Mamie, Fred W. and Jean E. Mr. Lusk is a member of the A. O. U. W., and Quartermaster of the G. A. R. Post; Treasurer or Engine Company No. i, and politically he is a Democrat. --^' : : o l' g ; : I " v^ R ames C. Hogue, a fanner of Tompkins M^ Township, owning 80 acres of land on sec- tion 26, is a native of Indiana, having been born in that State Feb. 23, 1840. His parents were P. F. and Elizabeth A. (Stormout) Hogue, natives of Indiana and Tennessee re- spectively. The parents of the subject of this notice emigrated to this State in 1841, and purchased land in Walnut Hill Township, Jefferson County. On this land the father moved his family and was there engaged in farming for six years, when he sold the same and came to Warren County, buying 160 acres on section 23, Tompkins Township, and on which he resided until 1868. During that year he sold his land and moved to Cutler, Perry County, in the neighborhood of which place he purchased 240 acres and where he is at present residing, following the vocation of an agriculturist. James C. Hogue was an inmate of the home circle until he attained the age of 27 years, during the meantime having received the advantages afforded by the common schools. After leaving home, he purchased the farm of 80 acres on wiiicli he is at present living, moved on the same with his family and has there been continuously occupied in its cul- tivation and improvement until the present time. In 1868, Miss Margery J. Stewart became the wife of the subject of this notice and has borne him six children — Amelia H., Robert E., Anna E., Mary B., Edna S., Norma A. In politics Mr. Hogue votes with the Republican party. His religious views, as likewise those of his wife, coincide with the tenets ! of the United Presbyterian Church. ' By economy and energetic effort, Mr. Hogue has succeeded in accumulating sufficient to enable him to add 40 acres to his original purchase and at pres- ent lie has a clear title to 120 acres of good farm land, and in the vocation which he has chosen for a life pursuit, he is meeting with that success which energy and perseverance are sure to bring. In the early history of the War for the Union, and at a time when strong arms and brave hearts were necessary to fight in defense of the flag, Mr. Hogue was one of the first to enlist in the cause, which he did by joining Co. K, 36th 111. Vol. Inf., as a private, and for four years stood the brunt of battle. He | participated in the engagements of Pea Ridge, Per- ryville, Murphysboro, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville, and was twice wounded, which necessitated his confine- ment in the hospital for 13 months. He enlisted as j private, was promoted Sergeant in August, 1862. He. | re-enlisted with his regiment as a veteran volunteer, 1 Jan. I, 1863, and was promoted to Captain of his I : Company in June, 1865, receiving an honorable dis- J charge Oct. 9, 1865, by reason of services no longer required. *— ^^- * oshua W. Coates, Jr. The writers of the fc- biographical sketches of this book, in their " travels throughout this county, very rarely met an active business man, one who had for jt sometime been engaged in his vocation, who was a native of the county. It will be remembered that the earliest pioneers, those who came between the '30's and '40'B, were few in number, and were only found here and there settled on some neck of timber, or had grubbed out a little farm on tlie i)ank of some small stream. But it was not until after 1850, tiiat any one ventured out upon the broad and fertile [jiairics It was about this period that the old Oquawka Railroad was projected, and settlers began to pour in rapidly, and from 1850 to 1856 there were doubtless more settlers came in than all the years previous from the day Daniel McNeil made his lo- cation where the city of Monmouth now stands. *\ r ^(^J^, /^a^^-^^.^ wm ■e 1 WARREN COUNTY. u 623 Prominent among the few of this class intervieved, is Joshua W. Coates, Jr., vvlio is one of the leading farmers of Roseville Township, where he has resided all his life, having been born here Sept. 17, 1859. He is a son of Joshua W. and Eletha (Ray) Coates, natives of Kentucky and Illinois, respectively. The father, Joshua, Sr., was one of the earliest settlers of the county, having located on section 8, of Rose- ville Township, at a very early period. He pur- chased 240 acres of land there, which he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1862. His wife, who had journeyed with him through so many years of his life, died the same year. Their family consisted of two children, one of whom, William, having died when in the third year of his life. Joshua, Jr., as will be noticed, lost his parents when an infant. He was taken in charge by his mother's sister, now Mrs. Clarinda Talbert, with whom he remained until he began business for him- self. On becoming of age, he went to Iowa and at- tended Howe's Academy for two years, at the end of which time he returned to the farm left by his parents, and where he is now living. His other landed pos- > sessions are 1 20 acres on section 9, and about 1 60 acres located on sections 8 and 9. He owned a farm in Henderson County, which he left in i88j, and went to Eureka Springs, Ark., for the benefit of his health. He then returned to his home in Warren Co., and.in the spring of 1885,10 the place where he is now residing. A view of his residence and accom- panying farm buildings are given on page 416. Mr. Coates is a member of the Union Baptist Churcli, and in political matters casts his influence and vote with the Democratic party. |.on. Robert HoUoway, formerly a promi- nent member of the Bar of Warren County, in i88r removed from Monmouth to his farm in Suez Township, Mercer County. He was a resident of Monmouth foi 30 years, and during that period was extensively identified with its varied interests and its development. He is a native of Kentucky and was born in Bourbon County, Sept. 26, 1829. His father, George Hollo- -suc way, was a native of Virginia, and there remained until he grew to manhood. While still a young man he emigrated to Kentucky and was a member of the pioneer element of that State. He located in Bour- bon County, and was there married to Mary McClan- ahan. She was a native of Kentucky, although her parents were from the State of Virginia. The father of Mr. Holloway having died when he was quite young, his mother devoted much pains- taking care to the education of her son, who was for some time a [.upil in St. Mary's College in Washing- County, Ky. He afterwards graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute, in 1849, of which he was one of the most proficient of its students, his grade in conduct and every class being 500, the maximum. A. M. Garland, now United States At- torney-General under President Cleveland, and his brother, Rufus Garland, were members of the same class with him at St. Mary's College. The elder Garland, Rufus, and Mr. H. being the Ijest students of the smaller d; rmitory, Mr. H. was awarded the first ■ and Mr. Garland the second prize of merit. During his course of study at the Kentucky Military Insti- tute, Mr. Holloway received the appointment of U. Assistant Professor of Mathematics and filled the Chair throughout the remainder of the time he passed at the Institute. He was also elected to the po- sition of Captain of the First Corps of Cadets, and after taking his degree he was elected to the Chair of Mathematics and accepted the honor. Soon after, a change became necessary in order to allow of his fulfillment of his determination to enter upon the study of law, and he resigned his position in the Institute. He proceeded to Lexington, in the State of his nativity, where he entered the law office of the Hon. George Robinson, then of the Supreme Bench of Kentucky, and read there under the preceptorship of that gentleman until 185 i. He also attended Tran- sylvania University at that place during the fall and winter of 1849-50 and 1850-51, and graduated from that institution during the latter term with honors. Judge George Robinson, Judge Thomas A. Mar- shall, both of the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and Madison C. Johnson, a distinguished lawyer of Lex- ington, were professors and law lecturers in the in- stitution. In April, 185 i, became to Monmouth. Soon after i h i * -e^— JU 624 WARREN COUNTY. his arrival he was admitted to the privileges of the Bar of Illinois, and at once entered upon the duties of a law practitioner at that place. He also became interested in the purchase of real-estate and was soon the owner of large tracts of land in Warren and adjoining counties. At one time he owned more tlian 7,000 acres of land, including some fine farms. He thus grew into an interest in the various avenues open to the agriculturist and was soon deeply in- volved in growing stock. He was the first importer of thorough-bred Short-horn cattle in Warren Coun- ty. In 1876 he held a sale at Dexter Park, Chicago, at which he disposed of 7 i head of blooded cattle, which brought an average price of $1,100 a head, a sale at that time without a parallel. In 1881, Mr. Holloway removed to the farm on which he has since resided. He is still carrying on his plans for the improvement of the stock in his own and adjacent counties, and is now more especially interested in the breeding of thorough-bred Clydes- dale horses. He has journeyed to .Scotland several times for the purpose of personally selecting his breeding-stock. His stables contain 150 horses of *" the best accredited type. He became interested in Clydesdale or draft horses, which he has become so largely identified with since, in the following way : While attending a sale of noted Shorthorns in Canada, in 1873, he saw a magnificent Clydesdale stallion, named Jonnie Coope, which he purchased. Two years later, desiring anotlier horse for breeding purposes, to take the place of the one mentioned above, lie purchased Donald Dinnie. He has also imported from Scot- land many of the finest Clydesdales that country has produced. Among these was Druid, the best Clydes- dale horse ever seen in Scotland ; also Pointsman, the largest draft horse living. Among other importa- tions were Prnice George Frederick, Cairn Hroggie Kier, King Edward, Simple Jamniie and Prince of Wales Yet. Mr. Holloway has on his farm near Alexis, the largest breeding stud of Clydesdale mares in the world. His purpose and ambition is to show that in Ameiica draft horses may be grown not in- ferior to those imported from Great Britan, and soon to supply the market with such without further im- portation. Mr. H. came to Illinois with Whig proclivities, but shortly afterward hearing Douglas speak, was con- vinced that his views were correct, and has since continued a Democrat in his political belief. When James Buchannan was elected President, Mr. Hol- loway was Presidential Elector for tiie Congressional District of which Warren County formed a part. From the time he began political speaking he has borne a conspicuous and distinguished part in advo- cating the principles of his party in this portion of the State; and the writer of this sketch was told by some of his friends that Douglas, in speaking of Mr. Holloway remarked, that " he was one of the best stump orators in Illinois." He was a delegate to the National Convention at Charleston in i86oand sup- ported Douglas for President. He has always been prominent in his devotion to the interest of his party, and has on two occasions refused the nomination for Congress in his district. In 1880 he consented to the use of his name and scored a home triumph by polling 1,300 more votes than the Presidential candi- date of liis party. Mr. Holloway was joined in marriage to Catherine E. 'rhom[)son, Oct. 24, 1853. Mrs. Holloway is the daughter of Judge James and Elizabeth (Ewing) Thompson, who were pioneers of Monmouth. She was born in Sidney, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Holloway have four children. They are named Edmunds B., George, Elizabeth Ellen and Mary Belle. The eldest son married Belle Lafferty, of Mercer County. The eldest daughter is the wife of M. M. McClana- han, a practicing physician at Woodhull, Henry Co., 111. The others reside at home. When Mr. H. was married his wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church. About the year 1858, he was converted under the preaching of Rev. R. C. Mathews, and united with the same Church. Some time afterward he was elected an Elder, and con- tinued to fill that position so long as he remained in Monmouth. After his removal to the couniry, he transferred his membership to the Church at Nor- wood and thence to Alexis and has since held the position of Elder in those congregations During almost all of the time Mr. Holloway has been con- nected with the Church he has been a teacher of the Bible class in the Sunday-school, a regular attendant uiJon the services of the Church, and an interested an active worker in all its labors at home and a will- ing contributor of his means to all its agencies for the spreading of the gospel abroad. He has a profound and unshaken conviction in the truth of God's Word *V -¥ ^ ■ ¥■ . WARREN COUNTY. 6as T^ and in its power to reclaim and bless man. Hisin- terest and labors in this work are beyond what he feels in and gives to any other cause. Being so long identified with the interests of Mon- mouth and so well known throughout the county, we are pleased to be able to present a portrait of Mr. Holloway in connection with this sketch. K ohn B. Mesinnis, a retired farmer residing f near the city of Monmouth, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa, Aug. 25, 1813. His father, James Meginnis, was a carpenter in early life and later a farmer, and his demise occurred Jan. 3, 1831, in the county where his son was born. He was a native of Dauphin County, same State, of Irish descent but American parentage, and the son of a Pennsylvania farmer. He remained in his native county until he reached maturity, when he came to Lancaster County and was there united in marriage with Frances Brandt, who was also a native of Lancaster County. Of this union were born nine children, of whom our subject was the eldest. Only three now survive — Fanny, the wife of David Detweiler, who resides on a farm in Dauphin Co., Pa. ; Elizabeth, wife of David Gingrich, also residing on a farm in the same county ; and our subject, John B. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Frances Meginnis was united again in marriage, with Samuel Bossier, but they had no family. She died in her native county. John B. Meginnis remained on the farm with his mother, alternating his labors there with attendance at the district schools, until he attained the age of majority, when he went to Cumberland Co., Pa., and superintended a farm there for his uncle two years. He then rented land there for some time and while in that county was married, at Harrisburg, to Miss Margaret Sprout, on the ist of November, 1838. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (McHose) Sprout, the eldest of her parents' family, and was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., March 18, 1820. Her parents were both natives of that county, where they were engaged chiefly in farming. They were of Scotch ancestry, and the death of the father occurred in 1S55, and that of the mother in 1831, both in tlieir native county. Their family comprised five children, all living, as follows: Mrs. Meginnis, wife of our subject; Mrs. Firoved, wife of Simon Firoved, a retired farmer residing in Monmouth; William married Catherine Hempt, and is engaged in farming at Phelps, this county; John is the hus- band of Miss Mary Wellman, and they reside in Hale Township, where he is engaged in farming; Hettie E., wife of James C. Nesbit, resides on a farm in Hale Township. Mr. and Mrs. Meginnis, are the parents of four children : James married Priscilla Brooks, and re sides on the old homestead in tliis township; Eliza- beth is the wife of B. W. Hardin and resides on a farm in Union Co., Iowa; Fannie B. is at home; and John S., residing on a farm in Monmouth Township, has never been married. After Mr. Meginnis was married, he farmed in Cumberland County until the year 1852, and came thence to Illinois and here purchased land to the extent of 200 acres, partly improved, in Monmouth Tow.iship. On this he lived and farmed, being ««; very successful, until the year 1869, when he left the farm and purchased five acres where he now re- sides. This he has improved as a home. Mrs. Meginnis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. M. is an old line Democrat. X ■^f '. B. Nash, residing on section 16, Hale Township, is one of the successful, sturdy ' "^ tillers of the soil, and owns r6o acres of good farm land. He was born in Greene Co., Ohio, Aug. 18, 1833. When about two years old, his parents came to Warren County, where he received his education, which, owing to the necessity which compelled him to as- sist in the labors of the farm, was somewhat limited. His father died when he was about seven years of age, and he chose for his vocation in life that of agriculture, which he has followed until the present time. He has erected on his farm a good residence, double corn crib, 32 x 24 feet, barn and outbuild- *r 'J\ — ^ ^ 726 - . . .v.- WARREN COUNTY. ^^^ ings, and his premises are indicative of that push and energy of which he is possessed. Mr. Nash was married in Hale Township, Feb. i, i860, to Adeline C. McKinney, who was born in Warren County, on the 12th day of January, 1836. She bore him four children — James T. R., born Jan. 21, 1S61 ; John H., Feb. 16, 1862 ; Mary J., May 22, 1864; and Harry C, Aug. 22, 1867 ; John departed this life April i, 1882, aged 20 years. The wife and mother died June 26, 1870, and Mr. Nash was again married in tlie same township, Oct 7, 1875, to Susan E. Hamilton, who was born in Clin- ton Co., Ind., Oct. 20, 1844. Her parents were John and Sarah (Baldridge) Hamilton, natives of South Carolina and Ohio respectively. They came to tliis county in 187 i, where the father died, in April, 1876; the mother still survives. The parents of Mr. Nash's first wife were Abraham and Anna (Brownlee) McKinney. Mr. Nash has been School Director, and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Po- litically, he is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party. The parents of Mr. Nash were James and Marga- ret (Brown) Nash, natives of Pennsylvania and Ken- tucky. They came to this county in 1835, and set- tled in Hale Township, where they were among the early pioneers, and experienced all the trials and pri- vations incident to the settlement of a new country. They continued to reside in Hale Township until the death of the head of the family, which took place in that township, Jan. 21, 1841. The wife and mother survived her husband, and resides in Hale Town- ship, at the advanced age of 81 years. •>*—«— o««^IS»>^>o — ■ » {< - ^ K. Morris. The subject of the following I'' sketch is one of the substantial and well- to-do farmers of Ellison Tovvnship. He was born May 4, 1835, in Madison Co., Ohio, and is the son of Amos and Rhoda J. (Campbell) Morris, and the youngest of the family now living. He came with his'parents to Warren County in 1854. They settled on section 15, of Ellison Township, where the elder Morris purchased 80 acres of land, to which subsequently other tracts were added. Young Morris received a good common-school ed- ucation in the district schools of his native State and remained an inmate of the parental home until shortly after the breaking out of the Civil War. In February, of 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 12th 111. Cav. The regiment rendezvous was at Chicago and from there went to Springfield, 111., where for three months it was on duty guarding prisoners. The reg- iment was then ordered to Martinsburg, Va., and soon after the entire command, under Gen. Miles, was captured at Harper's Ferry, except the 13th Cavalry, whicii succeeded in cutting its way through the Rebel lines and escaped. Private Morris was sick in the hospital at the time and was captured. He was paroled at Harper's Ferry and from there went to Chicago, via Baltimore and Annapolis. In February, 1863, he re-joined his regiment at Falmouth, Va., and was unfortunate enough to again fall into the hands of the enemy. He was captured in the fight at Farrel Station and sent to Libby Prison, at Rich- mond, from which he was paroled and soon after ex- changed. We soon after, however, find him again at the front at the famous battle of Gettysburg. He did honorable and faithful service for his country, and should be remembered for the valiant part he took -^ in its defense. »OOO C . *■ .on. John Porter, a prominent member of _ the Warren County Bar, resident at Mon- '" mouth, is a son of James and Sarah (Wray) Porter, natives respectively of County Donegal, Ireland, and Juniata Co., Pa., and was born in Huntington Co., Pa., April 27, 1824. His par- were married in Huntington County, where their eight sons and two daughters were born, and where they died, the old lady in 1856, aged about 60 years, and the old gentleman two years later, aged 66 years. Of the ten children born to them, below will be found the record : Nancy, William, Robert W., John, James D., Joseph, David T., Martha M., Franklin T. and Andrew J. Nancy married James Boggs and resides in Mercer County, and is the mother of seven children. William married Miss Isabel Lane, of Huntington Co., Pa. ; they have a family of ten chil- dren. Robert W. married Miss Doyle, of Hunting- ton Co., Pa., and they had five children; his wife died in 1854, and he was again married, to Nancy cuts ir ¥ WARREN COUNTY. -H- 626 ^ Robb, of the same county, and by the latter union has two children. James D. Porter married Miss Mary Irvine, of Philadelphia, and they have two children and at present are residing in Spring Grove Township. Joseph Porter married Mary J. Lytle, of Pennsylvania, who is now deceased ; they had a fam- ily of five children, and he is at present living near Lynchburg, Amherst Co., Va., and has been, and is at the present time, passing through the experience of Judge Tourgee's great character in the Fool's Er- rand. David T. Porter married Miss Emeline Wil- son, of Stone Creek, Pa., and they have a family of ten children and are residing in Chariton Co., Mo. He is one of the most prominent farmers and stock- raisers in that section of the country. Martha M. married John Henry, of Shavers Creek, Pa., and is now deceased. She left a family of six children to mourn her loss. Franklin T. is unmarried. Andrew J. married Miss Tillie Stuckey, of Bedford, Pa. ; they have two children living and reside in Filniore Co., Neb. The last three brothers named served in the Union army. David T. and Franklin T. enlisted in the i02d 111. Vol. Inf., under command of Col. Mc- Murlry, of Knox County, who was afterwards super- seded by Col. Smith. Andrew J. Porter enlisted in the 55th Pa. Vol. Inf., went out as Orderly Sergeant, was promoted to Second Lieutenant, and participated in all the battles in which his regiment engaged, without receiving a single scratch. All three broth- ers received honorable discharges. The first i8 years of John Porter's life were spent upon his father's farm, and afterwards he learned the trade of making and laying brick, working at the same every summer till he married, and teaching school in the winter. The summer of 1845 he worked at his trade in Pittsburgh, Pa., laying brick at $1.50 per day. In 1846 he followed his trade in his native county. His primary education was obtained through the common schools, and from the age of 18 to 23 years he taught in the schools of his county. His last school was taught in Ogle Co., 111., whither he had removed in 1850, and where he spent the summer working at his trade. In the spring of 1851 he took a farm in Warren County, in Spring Grove Township, removing thence the following year to a farm which he had purchased in Sumner Township. Here he farmed with success up to the spring of 1858, when he removed to Mon- mouth, began at once the study of law, and in Janu- ary, of 1863, was admitted to the Bar at Ottawa. His official life began away back in 1855, when he was elected Supervisor of Sumner Township. Two years later, to fill a vacancy, he was elected to the County Judgeship, for the next full term in Nov. 1857. This term the law giving the Court of this county concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in civil suits to the amount of $500, making the prac- tice and pleading the same as in the Circuit Court, was passed by the Legislature, and Judge Porter was forced to study law to protect himself, and this fact probably more than any other accounts for his adopting the law for his profession. In 1861 he was again elected County Judge for four years, and soon afterward may be dated his real beginning as a law- yer. Up to 1862, he had worked with the Demo- cratic party, but since that date the Republican party has had no stronger supporter. In 1868 the party of his adoption sent him to the Legislature, probably the most important session since the war. The 14th amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted ; and so was the famous (or infamous) tax steal, the latter being passed over the Governor's veto, but to the credit of Judge Por- ter, it is said, that while he stood with the majority in the amendment bill, he opposed them in the tax theft. The Judge was the author of and drew the '' bill providing for the appointment of a conservator for habitual drunkards, the bill becoming a law with- out the delay of engrossing. On Jan. 25, 1847, Mr. Porter was married, in his native county, to Miss Mary E. Robb, at which time he rented a farm in Hartslog Valley, where he resided for the ne.xt three years, coming west in the spring of 1850. Their eight children are mentioned as follows: Mary, born in November, 1847, died in April, 1883, and was the wife of W. J. Brooks; Sarah, born in 1849, is at present Mrs. Thomas Donahue, of Belle Plain, Kansas ; James R., banker, of Belle Plain, Kansas; Nannie is the wife of G. F. Bulier, Wellington, Kans. ; Silas W., attorney at Monmouth ; Charles H., a resident of Colorado; Ella F., at home; and George died in infancy. Mrs. Porter was the daughter of William and Mary (Livingston) Robb. The former was a native of the north of Ireland, and the latter of Lancaster Co., Pa., the Livingstons being one of the oldest families of that State. They were the parents of eight children, T rJLrr -H^ =?=?-3- 628 WARREN COUNTY. Mrs. Porter of tliis sketcli being tlie seventh in or- der of birtli. John married Miss Mary Cunningliani ; William married Margaret Cunningham, sister of the former, and they are both deceased, their widows living in Huntingdon Co., Pa. Alexander is de- ceased ; he was a physician and emigrated to Indiana and there died, about the year 1838. James lives in Mercer County 111.; Sarah J. mar- ried Peter C. Swoope, and they are both deceased. They left a family of four children, one of whom is deceased. Nancy Robb is the second wife of R. W. Porter, brother of the subject of this notice, and they at present reside in Sumner Township. Livingston Robb married Mary Wilson, a native of Huntington Co., Pa. ; ihey have a large family and reside on the old Robb homestead, in Haitslog Valley, Pa. Thomas S. Robb married Miss Martha Campbell, of McCon- nellstown. Pa., and they at present reside in Mercer Co., this State; ihey have six children living and have lost several. The Robbs are of Scotch descent, William Robb having come to this country about the year 1800, settling in Huntingdon Co., Pa., where he became a large land owner and a jjrominent and influential man in that section of the country. Judge Porter is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially, he belongs to the orders of Ma- sonry and Odd Fellows. Although now a member of one of the learned professions, so-called, lie is as proud of his record while a mechanic and a farmer as of any other part of his life, and fully believes with Burns, that "the rank is but the guinea's stamp, the man's the gold for a* that." "MCfi/Si©'" — m -wgfSWTOJiA 4 f' ames C. IrwiD, dealer in boots and shoes |- and millinery, at Monmouth, was born in Clarion, Pa., Aug. 19, 1843, and was the r^, son of William and Margaret (Patrick) Irwin, W natives also of Pennsylvania. The family I removed from the Keystone State to Michigan, probably in 1844 or 1845, and there in the city of Detroit the parents spent the remainder of their lives. James C. was educated at the common schools of Michigan; came to Morris, this State, in 1858, and to Monmouth in 1869. While at Morris he enlisted, August, 1862, in Co. C, 76th 111. Vol. Inf ,and served to the close of the war. He returned from the army to Morris, and clerked in a dry goods store up to the date of his coming 10 Monmouth. Here he engaged with an older brother in mercantile business, and gave it his attention up to 1878, his brother, however, retiring from the firm at the end of the first year. In 1878, he closed out his dry goods, retained the millinery department, and put in an extensive stock of boots and shoes. Associated with him in business is Mr. James Man- non as salesman. Mr. Mannon is a native of Ohio, came to Monmouth in 1877, and has been with Mr. Irwin since 1880. Like Mr. Irwin, he is instinctively a gentleman, and the source of their success in their line, the secret to which they without efTort place themselves at the very head of their trade, is readily traceable to the fact that they recognize the rights of their patrons, and are satisfied with reasonable " profits. These are the kind of men who deserve to suc- ceed, and the writer of the industrial history of Mon- mouth places their names in the list of "honorable mention." (^ ames Gardner, owning 200 acres of good farm land, under an advanced state of cul- tivation, located on section 6, Cold Brook Township, was born in Edmonson Co., Ky., %V Sept. 13, 1829. The fatherof James, Thomai ' "* Gardner, was born in West Virginia, and was the son of a farmer, who came to Edmonson Co., Ky. ; was there reared to manhood and married C'atherine Lair, a native of Barren Co., Ky., the daughter of a Kentucky farmer. Seven children were born to the parents while residents of Ken- tucky, James, our subject, being the eldest. James Gardner was 17 years of age when his father died in Edmonson Co., Ky., and two years later his mother, accompanied by her six children, came to this State and located in Cold Brook Town- ship, this county, where the mother remained until i* WARREN COUNTY. 629 %^ 4 her death, which occurred Feb. 28, 1880, at the age of 79 years, the date of her birth being April 26, 1801. James Gardner, after accompanying his mother to this State and county, hved with and labored for her support and the maintenance of the children until his marriage with Miss Margaret A. Robison,' which occurred in Cold Brook Township, May 10, 1853. She was born Nov. 1,1 829, and was the seventh child of her parents' family, having been born in this coun- ty, and is at present the oldest citizen of the county, whose birth is recorded as within its boundaries. She is a daughter of Andrew and Nancy (Stitt) Rob- ison. (See sketch of M. C. L. Robison). Her par- ents came to this State at an early day, and settled in what is now Kelly Township, and known as Rob- ison Point, Sept. 12, 1829. That portion of the county at the time was undeveloped, and her par- ents endured all the privations incident to the im- provement of a new settlement. Their marketing ■ was done at what is now Oquawka, Henderson County. The county at that time included what is now Warren and Henderson counties, the latter hav- ■ ing received its name from Henderson Richie, who wasthe first whitechild born within its present bound- ary. Mrs. Gardner was the oldest white child born in Warren County. After Mr. and Mrs. Gardner were united in mar- riage, they located on a new and unbroken tract of prairie land, which to-day comprises the fine farm on which they reside. It consists of 200 acres, and the labors of the past have placed it under an advanced state of cultivation. When Mr. Gardner first started in this county he was as poor as a church mouse, but by energy and perseverance, coupled with the active co-operation of his good helpmeet, he is to-day the possessor of a fine faim as stated, and from his present standpoint looks back over the history of the past and smiles at the trials and difficulties which he and his good wife encountered and overcame. Their union has been blessed with the birth of seven children, two of whom are deceased : Ella D. became the wife of Clarence Young, a farmer resid- ing in Kelly Township, and of which union three children have been born— Roy, Phebe and Nellie; Eflfie D. was united in marriage to Henry Gates, who resides on a farm in Butler Co., Neb., and they have one child, Bertha; Nancy C, Milton E. and Ira M. are living at home. In politics, Mr. Gardner votes with the Democrat- ic party. Mrs. Gardner having been the first white child born in Warren County, strange to say, has resided within one and a half miles of the place of her na- tivity until the present, and in the sunset of her years realizes the wonderful developments through which the county has passed since her birth. She was never out of the State, even on a visit, until about the nge of 52. f-V-l^f g ) obert A. Gibson, retired farmer, residing at Monmouth, was born near Xenia, Ohio, Nov. 6, 181 :;, and of the eight sons born Yu^ ^'^ Thomas and Martha (Hogue) Gibson, he was the youngest. His parents were natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, and in addition to eight sons, they reared five daughters — a real old-fashioned house full of children. Thomas Gibson came to Warren County in the fall of 1831, and bought a farm containing several quarter sections, about two miles northwest from Monmouth. Here he spent many years of his life, and here his wife ended her days in the year 1842. The old gentleman lived to become 87 years of age, and died in i860, at the iiouse of his son, George, near Little York. The Gibsons came originally from England, and the Hogues from Scotland. The sons of Thomas G. were brought up to farming, and the old mau gave each of them a quarter section. Robert A., whos- name heads this article, received a pretty thorough common school education, and at the age of 18 years, entered Hanover College, In- diana, and graduated as an A. B. in 1838. After leaving College he read taw soine and took a course of lectures, and after returning to Illinois, was ad- mitted to the Bar, in 1844. The farm, however, was his choice, and he abandoned a professional life be- fore he had scarcely begun it. He lived on his farm, two miles northeast from Monmouth, from 1844 to 1875, when in the latter year he rented it out and moved into town, and like the sensible man that lA^ V t 630 WARREN COUNTY. he is, proposes to spend the rest of his life free from care. October 15, 1842, lie was married in Trimble Co., Ky., to Miss Maria Davidge, who lived but about four years and left one child, Sarah, now (Sept., 1885,) employed at the Delevan (Wisconsin), Deaf and Dumb Institute. On the 17th of January, i86r, at Monmouth, 111., Mr. Gibson was again married to Miss Amanda Paine, a grandaughter of Gen. Edward Paine, the founder of the city of Painesville, Ohio, and the daughter of Chas. H. Paine, who came into Warren County, in 1836, and settled near Little York, and spent his life upon his farm, dying in 1859. Mrs. Gibson was educated at Painesville, Ohio; Michigan City, Ind ; Canton, 111.; and Jacksonville (111.) Fe- male Academy, and taught school from the time she was 16 years of age until she was 36. Mr. Gibson had also some experience at school teaching before he went to farming, but not enough to fall in love with it. He also soldiered a little in the Black Hawk war, and it may be presumed that he did not fall in love with war any more than he M did with scliool teaching. He has been a hard- working man, and to the talents given him has abundantly added, like the wise and good servant . spoken of in the parable. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church, votes the Democratic ticket, and enjoys heartily the fruits of his many years' labor. =€>- (v(8 (I ''^''"1^ Porter is one of the prominent and ^^^J9 substantial agriculturists of the township xO of Sumner, and is located on section 2. He is the proprietor of a large tract of land which contains 376 acres, and which is all in fine condition for profitable cultivation, with the exception of 20 acres, which is in timber, and increases the value of the estate. Mr. Porter made his first acquaintance with War- ren County in 1852, when he bought unimproved tracts of prairie, a part of which is included in the property he now owns. After making his purchases he returned to his home and remained there until the following spring, when he removed to Warren Coun- ty with his family. They were the occupants during the first year of a house on section i. Meanwhile Mr. Porter had erected a small frame house on his own land, to which he removed his family in the spring of 1854. A great transformation has been brought about by the application of persevering in- dustry, good management and the best and most ap- proved methods of modern farming. The pioneer home has been replaced by a house of convenient pro- portions, andtheotherbuildings which have been erect- ed are of the sort demanded by the purposes to which the farm is devoted. Shade and fruit trees add to the appearance and value of the place, and there are ample sheds and other arrangements for the protec- tion of the stock on the farm. Mr. Porter was born in Brady Township, Hunting- don Co., Pa., Nov. 5, 1 8 19, and is the son of James and Sarah (Wray) Porter. (See sketch of Judge John Porter.) He received his early education in the common, or as it was then called, subscription school, the system now in vogue not having been establish- ed. Later, he attended the district school in the winter seasons, and passed the remainder of the year in farm labor. He also assisted in the lumber woods, where it was the custom at that day to pass a portion of every year. At the age of 17 he obtained a position as clerk in a store in the village of Huntingdon. He ope- rated in that capacity one year, and then returned home and resumed farming. He alternated that employ with teaching. In 1845 he withdrew from the roof tree of his parents, taking possession of a home of his own, in company with his wife. He was married to Miss Isabella Lane, March 25 of that year. They located on the family home- stead, and remained in Huntingdon County until their removal to Warren County, as has been related. She was the daughter of James and Martha (Steele) Lane. She was born in Huntingdon Co., Pa., Oct. 15, 1824. Her parents on her father's side were English, and on her mother's side of Scotch-Irish origin. She is the ninth in order of birth of ten children, viz. , Mary, Samuel M., Eliza, Fileanor, William A , James R., Martha J., Isabella and Franklin H. One child died in infancy. Samuel, Eliza and Martha J. are deceased. Franklin H. was ^ Jlr % 4- «!!; X--- ^ ^^^^ ^^t^ 4. i* WARREN COUNTY (>7,-S a General in the late Civil War, and is now living in Huntingdon, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have had ii children. Nine are still living. Sarah J. and Etta M. are the two eldest. Minerva is married to James Milligan, of Mercer County. James L and John C. are pros- perous farmers in Cedar Co., Iowa. Clara is a well- known and popular teacher in the public schools. The other survivors are Frank, Warren J. and Pearl. Ada, the seventh child, was born Sept. 4, 1857, and died June 19, 1883. She was well educated, and at thetimeofher death was engaged in teaching. Mar- tha J., the second child, died in infancy. Mr. and Mis. Porter have always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and provided liber- ally for the mental training of their children. They sent them to the academy in Monmouth, and to the college at Dixon. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Porter votes the straight Democratic ticket. f in?'» orter Phelps, one of the pioneers of War- ren County, was born in Madison Co., N. . y|5?^ Y., April 14, 1804, and died at his resi- fc. J dence in Lenox Township, four miles east of ■h\^ Monmouth, Sept. 20, 1885. He was married to Mary Ellen Rees, in Peterboro, N. Y., March 29, 1826. She was born in Cazenovia, Mad- ison Co., that State, May 23, 1805, and died at the family residence July 26, 1884. The name of Plielps is very old, being found at Gloucestershire, England, as far back as the compi- lation of the Dooms Day Book of William the Con- querer. Porter Phelps traces his ancestry back in an unbroken and honorable chain to James Phelps, who was born in Tewksbury, England, about 1530. His grandson, William Phelps, was born at that place in August, 1599, ^'^d came to America, landing at South Boston, tlien Hull, May 30, 1630, but soon after set- tled at Dorchester. He moved to Windsor, Conn., in 163s, and was conspicuous in the settlement of that State, filling many influential positions. Capt. Tim- othy Phelps, his son, was Lorn at Windsor, Sept. i, 1639, and married Mary Griswold, May 19, 1661. He had a son, Timothy, born also at Windsor, Nov. I, 1662. He married Martha Crow, Nov. 4, i686. *r and removed to Hebron, Conn., in 1690. He also had a son Timothy, who was born at Hebron, June 29, 1692, who was married to Hannah Calkins, July 29, 17 14. They, too, had a son named Timothy, also born at Hebron, June 29, 17 18. He was mar- ried to Hannah Northam, Sept. 16, 1742. To them was born a son, at Hebron, whom they named Sam- uel ; the date of his birth was Sept. 2, 1759. He was married to Lydia Porter, Dec. 18, 1785. They were the parents of Porter Phelps, the subject of this sketch, and had moved to Madison Co., N. Y., pre- vious to his birth. Samuel Phelps, and also two of his brothers, were soldiers in the Revolutionary War and the former, while prostrated with fever, was held upon his horse to enable him to escape when New York was evacuated by the Americans. Lydia Porter, the mother of Porter Phelps, and for whom he was named, was descended from John Por- ter, who was born in 1590, in Kenilworth, Warwick- shire, England, at Wraxhall Abbey, the ancient seat of the family, where many of the name are interred. He was descended, in the 12th genera- tion, from William De LaPorte, a Norman knight, who came over in the train of William the Conquerer, at the time of the Norman Conquest, in 1066, as can still be seen upon the rolls of Battle Abbey, his name being transformed to Porter. John Porter, with his wife and children, were among the first to penetrate the wilderness of Connecticut, settling at Windsor, Conn., in 1635, the very year William Phelps arrived there. There he died, April 22, 1648. Their son, John Porter, was born in 1618. About 1650, he married Mary Stanley, daugliter of Thomas Stanley, who came from London in 1635 and was one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Conn. They had a son, John, born Jaji. 3, 165 1; he married Joanna Gaylord, and settled in Windsor, Conn. Of their 12 children, David was born Oct. 3, 1685, and on Jan. 3, 1707, married Anna Phelps, daughter of Captain Timothy Phelps, above mentioned. They had seven children. Their youngest son. Increase Porter, born Feb. 26,1722, married Mary Niles, May rs, 1750. Their youngest daughter, Lydia Porter, born about 1765, married Samuel Phelps Dec. 18, r785, as above stated. She was a sister of Rev. David Porter, D. D., a celebrated Presbyterian Divine, of New York, and grandfather of Prof. Porter, of Yale College. We find by the records that John Porter, who first X' ¥ A 634 WARREN COUNTY. \r came to America, was a man of distinction and pos- sessed of large juoperty for those times. He was a man of line appearnnce and intrusted with positions of imporlance. A long list of names may be traced among his descendants, as well as among those of William Phelps, who came over about the same time, who were distinguished in the various learned pro- fessions and walks of life, throughout the country. The ancestors of Mary Ellen (Rees) Piielps came from Glamorganshire, South Wales, tracing their de- scent from old and distinguished stock. In 1835 Porter Phelps, with his family, started West, traveling the entire distance to this point in a wagon drawn by horses. They were 69 days in reaching Eugene, Ind., where they spent the winter. The following spring they came to Knoxville, 111., where Mr. Phelps was taken sick and was carried in a wagon to Monmouth to be doctored, there being no desirable physician, if any at all, in Kno.wille. His wife, with lieroism born of devotion, remained at Kno.wille to care for their little ones, and from time to time rode on liorseback to Monmouth to see her husband. He stopped while sick at the house of Daniel McNeil, which was situated on East Broad- way, about where the residence of Rev. Dr. McDill now stands. This was then almost the only resi- dence in Monmouth. There was an old log house where court was held. The judge and attorneys who traveled in those times almost, if not quite, from Springfield to Galeua on liorseback or by stages, stopped at the McNeil hostelry. Those were the days when Douglas, Browning, Richardson, Baker, McDougall, Lincoln, Walker, Butterfield and other great men of that day rode the circuit. There were mighty men in this wilderness, even tlien, whose ability has never been surpassed. In the spring of i8.-?7 Mr. Phelps, wiih his family, moved to Roseville Township, where he improved a small farm. In 1S44 he moved to the vicinity of Berwick, and in the spring of the following year took possession of the place wliere himself and wife both died. They reared a family of eight children, one daughter, Mary Gertrude, a lovely girl, dying in 1847. She was greatly beloved and is still remem- bered by those who knew her. Their youngest son, Kenneth (irahani, died in 1S76, a few years after graduating from Monmouth College in the classical department, and when nearly ready to be ordained a minister of the United Presbyterian Church. He was a young man of great promise and most lovable character, whom to have known was but to love. We cannot forbear copying from the beautiful tribute to him of his class-mate, Miss Mary J. Howard : "Six years ago there left this port a sailor lad, whom to know was to love, to name was to praise. Just as he pulled away from the shore, his strength began to fail; the little bark rocked on the waves awhile, and then the angel came down the sunbeam-stairs and earned him upward and away. To day you may go out on the wharves of a village, that lieth cold and still and there you may trace in the rolling grass I he form of an upturned boat. Six years ago he left this dear, old college-port, the subject of his farewell speech, 'A King.' One thing he said we will not forget — ' For all bright things there is a resurrection.' One year ago, on the same day on which a group of boys and girls were starting out to sea, he was mounting the steps on the other shore,' to stand forever in the presence of ' A King. ' Of the soft, brown hair, the ' large gray eyes, so full of truth ; the warm, firm hand, we can only say, ' For all bright things there is a Resurrection. '" ' Samuel David Phelps, eldest son of P(.>rter Phelps, lives upon the old homestead, with his three children — Gertrude, Garrett Kirk and Rees. His wife was ' Jane E. Lockwood, now deceased, and the daughter of Sheldon and P.irthenia Lockwood, who were among the earliest pioneers of Warren County. They came from New York and settled about ten miles south of Monmouth, prior to the Black Hawk War. DeWitt Phelps, the second son, lives southeast of Kirkwood, in this county, and Delos P. Phelps at Monmouth, sketches of whom appear elsewhere in this volume. Ralph Gurley Phelps is a prominent lawyer at Atlantic, Iowa. Ellen Porter and Annie E. reside with their brother upon the old homestead. They are cultured and intelligent women, with great love of literature and poetry and both write more or less for the press. It is impossible for the present generation to real- ize the hardships and privations endured by the pio- neers. Porter Phelps was always an influential man in his neighborhood and was the Supervisor of his township from the date of township organization until the year 1864. He was retiring in his disposition and put forward others rather than "T^ 4^ WARREN COUNTY. 4 63s ., himself. In politics, lie was always a consistent Democrat, and his five sons were of the same faith. Perhaps there is no better way to close this brief mention of the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Porter Phelps than by copying from the notices of their deaths, as published in the county papers. "Mary Ellen Phelps, daughter of David and Ann (Smith) Rees, being a woman of intellectual and re- fined tastes, it required strong effort to make her home in tlie then new country. The decision once made, her unusual intellectual and physical strength was e.\erted that the new abode might be a success, and especially tliat her children might be deprived as little as possible of tlie superior educational ad- vantages of an older country. To the very last she retained her interest in public events, literature, history and poetry, keeping a daily record, and lay- ing down her pen only with her life. A consistent Christian, slie made a profession of faith at the age of 14, uniting with the First Presbyterian Church (Dr. • Aiken's), of Utica, New York. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of tiiis place almost from its organization until 1858, and at the time of her ^ death, and for many years previously, a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Mon- mouth. The mother of eight children, six, with her husband, survive lier. Although her health had been very precarious for some time, she was not confined to her room, and was silting at the breakfast table when the summons came. VVithout a struggle or a word, in a moment's time, she departed. " Of no distemper, of no blast she dieri. But fell like autumn fruit that mellowed long. E'en wondered at because she dropped no sooner; Fate seemed to wind for three and half score years. Yet, swiftly ran she on ten summers more, Till, like a clock, worn out with eatiuj; time, The wheel.s of weary life at last stood still."' "Porter Phelps at his death had attained to more than eleven years beyond the three score and ten al- lotted as the life of man. He was descended in di- rect line, by both paternal and maternal ancestry, from those stern, hardy, conscientious, liberty-loving pioneers, who settled New England in the early part of the 17th century, when America was a wilder- ness. He, himself, was a pioneer, coming West from New York in 1835. Reaching Knox County, III., in 1836, he came to Warren County in 1837, where he has since continuously resided, and for more than 40 of the last years at his home, four miles east of Mon- mouth. Since his residence here he has witnessed this country change from uninhabited prairie and woodland to cultivated fields and cities enriched with a superior civilization. Mrs. Mary Ellen Phelps, a noble help-meet, worthy such a husband, with whom he lived for more than 58 years, died July 26, 1884, and for her he grieved constantly to the day of his death. They reared a family of eiglit children, six of whom sur- vive them. " Porter Phelps inherited the characteristics of his ancestors. He possessed a keen sense of justice, a discriminating judgment that suffered few errors, a passionate love of liberty, home and country, and a conscientiousness which was the mainspring of all his actions. Although physically weak, he was a man of great personal courage. A look of his eye, when aroused, not unfrequently quelled opposition and overawed su; erior strength. His will was in- domitable. His firmness and tenacity of purpose, ' when satisfied he was right, knew no such thing as change. His reading, intelligence, love of books, learning, poetry and eloquence, were remarkable ; •« and, had he chosen such a career, there had been no position in civil life he would not have adorned. To these stronger characteristics he added feelings ten- der and true, friendships warm, sincere and endur- ing. His soul was full of pathos. Many a time, in reading a touching poem or narration, the tears would start, the lip tremble, and the voice break with emotion. "The spirituality of his nature was very great. From early life he had been a sincere and devoted Christian. His faith looked up to Calvary, undim- nied by doubt or fear. He joined the Presbyterian Church when 21 years old, and from 22 was ruling elder at Stockbridge and Addison, N. Y., and Knox- ville, III. He was one of the earliest members of the Presbyterian Church of Monmouth, an elder therein for many years, and when he died was a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church of this city. But a few weeks before his death, he was noticed reading in liis Bible, the tears streaming down his cheeks. The page showed it was of the agony of our Saviour in the garden of Gethsemane. Still later and but a few days before his death, from near the window beside which he sat, he took his bible, founds IIIAJ 4; 636 WARREN COUNTY. the 23d Psalm and read aloud in feeble yet confi- dent voice : ' The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. ' Here he stopped, and after turning his book from side to side, said he could not see. His sight had failed him. This was the last verse he ever read. " He had been a great sufferer through the last months of his life from progressive paralysis, and in- ability to help himself was a great trial to his self- reliant and determined spirit. Yet, through all his sufferings he was ever patient and thoughtful of those who cared for him. His last hours were peace- ful and comparatively painless. " In death his face was calm and beautiful. Faith and hope still sat upon his brow, though the light of his eye was quenched. His life had drawn to a close like the ending of that bright and beautiful autumn Sabbath. " "Hi>w tint' has Ww, day been! liow bright was the sun! How lovely ami joyful the course th:it he run, Thougli he rose in a mist when his r;u-e he begun, And there followed soMieidi'oppiiigs of i-iiiii! BiU when the fair traveler's come to the west. His rays are all gold, his beauties are best : He paints the sky gay as he sinks to his rest. And foretells a bright rising again. Just surh is the Ohrislian : 'his coinse-he liegins Like the siMi in a mist, when he mourns for his sins. And melts into tears; tlien_he breaks. out ami shines. .\nd travels his heavenly way: But when he comes nearer to finish his race. IJke a Ihie setting sun. he looks richer in grace, And gives a sure hope, at the end of his days, Of ri>iiig in brighter array." lfe.amuel W. Eodgers, one of the pioneers of Warren County, and at present (Octo- IVf. ber, 1885), oftlie firm of Glendening & '1^ Rodgers, dealers in wood, coal, hay, feed, etc., at Monmouth, was born near Hannibal, Mo., Oct. 12, 1832. His parents, Aleri and Mary (Davidson) Rodgers, were natives of Virginia, and of Scotch descent. They reared a family of five sons and three daughters, and buried two children in youth. The senior Mr. Rodgers was a farmer by occupa- tion ; removed from Virginia to Missouri, probably in 1821; from there to Hale Township, in 1836, where he died in 1863, about 74 years of age. His widow survived him until July 3, 1879, and was about 89 years of age when she died. S. W. Rodgers was reared on the farm and edu- cated at the common schools. In 1882, he aban- doned agricultural pursuits, removed into town, and the following year entered into his present business arrangements. His first wife, to whom he was mar- ried in Hale Township, in 1S54, died in 1874, leav- ing five children — Ida E. (.Mrs. Horace Parsons), Jasper F., James A., deceased, John S. and Anna Mary. February 28, 1878, Mr. Rodgers was again mar- ried in Mercer County, this State, to Mrs. Mary A. Finley, «« Cabeen, and their only child is named Isabelle C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers are 'members of the Presbyterian Church. #># on. John J. Glenn, the subject of the fol- lowing sketch, is one of the protninent jur- ists, not only of the Tenth Judicial District, but of the State of Illinois. He is a descend- ant from the hardy and vigorous Scotch-Irish I stock, his ancestors being natives of the North of Ireland. They emigrated to America and settled in Maryland, where John Glenn, the father of Judge Glenn, was born in the year 1794. He was reared there, and in 18 18 went to Ohio, and settled in Ashland County, where he followed the vocation of a fanner the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in 1868. He had married Miss Anna John- son, a native of New Jersey, who died in May, 1841. Of this union, five children were born, three sons and two daughters. John J., one of the number, was born in Ashland Co., Ohio, March 2, 1831. The days of his youth, like those of most farmers' sons, were spent upon the farm, assisting his father during the summer months and in the winters attending the district schools. In the latter he received the rudi- ments of a good English education, and was thus prepared for an academic course, which he received in the Vermillion Institute, Haysville, Ohio. He was then fitted for college and accordingly entered > r ■ cT > *! r WARREN COUNTY. ^^ 637 the Miami University.fwhich institution subsequently conferred upon him the degree of M. A. After leaving college, our subject accepted a po- sition as teacher in the academy at Logansport, Ind. He Lad, however, no intention of making teaching the profession of his life, for soon after his arrival at that city he commenced the study of law, in the office and under the direction of Hon. Daniel D. Pratt, then one of the leading lawyers and prom- inent in the counsels of the State and nation. Young Glenn labored diligently in the acquisition of legal lore, and two years later, at New Castle, that State, was admitted to the Bar. Immediately after his ad- mission, lie went to Fori Wayne, opened an office and commenced the practice of his profession. He remained there until i860, when, believing that suc- cess would sooner crown his efforts in newer and more western fields, he came to Illinois and located at Aledo. Here he remained for one year, whence he removed to Monmouth, which has since been his permanent abode. In his new field he soon met with success, and in the course of a few years es- tablished a large and remunerative practice. Judge Glenn was justly recognized as standing in the front rank of attorneys in his Judicial Circuit. He possessed that kind of patient industry and care in the arrangement and preparation of his cases that made him intimately acquainted with their strong points, and these he was equally careful to impress upon Court or jury. In addition to the clearness and logic of his statements, they were always care- fully supported by decisions of the higher courts bearing upon the case. The natural result of such efforts was usually a verdict for his client. He soon earned for himself the reputation of being a careful, conscientious and painstaking lawyer, one who looked after the interests of his chent and used all honor- ble means to secure him exact and equal justice. As an advocate, his appeals to the jury and to the Court were made to the reason and judgment rather than to the passions ; and were not an endeavor to so be- cloud the intellect of his auditors, by sophistical reasoning, that the rightousness of the verdict was left ill doubt when rendered. In 1877, Mr. Glenn's ability as an attorney and his probity of character and worth as a man, received honorable and suitable recognition by his election to the Judgeship of the Tenth Judicial District, under ' 'X the new law that originated in the Appellate Court. In 1879, he was elected for the full term, and in 1885 was re-elected, without opposition, for a second full term. The same characteristics that marked Mr. Glenn as a lawyer are equally prominent in him as a Judge upon the Bench. Painstaking and careful attention to the evidence, and an intelligent application of the law to the case, renders his decisions impregnable, and he has had but few reversals from the higher courts. Politically Judge Glenn has always been a staunch Republican. On the i2th of August, 1856, Judge Glenn was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Magaw, daughter of William and Rachel (Paxton) Magaw, of Preble Co., Ohio. Five children have been born to them, who bear the following names: Anna R., J. McG., William M., Minnie E. and Addie M. The family are all mernbers of the Presbyterian Church, of which Judge Glenn has been an Elder for many years. 4— — h— ^ l-rs..Mary E. Freeman, widow of B. F. Freeman, residing qt Kirkwood, was born '"^ at Washington, Tazewell Co., this State, Feb. 5, 1842. She was united in marriage '^ to B. F. Freeman, Jan. i, 1865. B. F. Free- man, husband of the subject of this notice, was born in Mercer Co., this State, Nov. 29, 1835, and died June 15, 1876. His parents, Fauntleroy and Margaret E. (Brown) Freeman, were natives of Ken- tucky. They came to this State in 1834, and settled in Mercer County, where they remained a number of years, and where his father was engaged in the occu- pation of a farmer. Leaving the latter county they moved to Knox County, where they resided until their deaths, which occurred in 1844 and 1878, re- spectively. B. F. Freeman remained an inmate of the parental household until November, i868, having previous to attaining his majority acquired a good education in the district schools. After leaving home, he pur- chased a farm in Greenville Township, Henderson Co., of 160 acres, on which he located, with his fam- ily, and entered actively and energetically upon the -J* t :*^ 638 WARREN COUNTY. task of its cultivation and improvement, and by a subsequent purchase increased the same about 160 acres, making his total landed interests some 320 acres, on which he lived and labored until his death. He was married Jan. i, 1865, to Miss Mary E. Riddle, and of their union four children are living, viz. : Fauntleroy, .\lta M., Lloyd H. and Mary C. Mrs. Freeman has purchased a residence and lot in Kirkwood VilLige, and is residing tlrere at present with her three children. Her husb.tnd in political matters voted with the Republican party. He was a stockholder in the First National Bank at Kirkwood, and was a warm- hearted, generous, whole-souled gentleman, who was always ready to assist any good enterprise that was calculated to benefit the community in which he resided. He died respected and honored by those who knew him, either socially or in business transactions. eorge W. Brent is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 18, *■ Ellison Township, where ha was born on March the 4tli, 1840. He is the youngest son of Kenner Brent, Sr., who was one of the first settlers in Ellison Township. (See sketch of Paul Brent.) Our subject was reared on a farm and attended the schools in his township until he attained his ma- jority. On becoming of age he set out as a work- man on his father's farm for some time. His first purchase of land was 80 acres in Walnut Grove Township, Henderson Co., which was partly im- proved at the time of purchase. After making fur- ther improvements he added to his possessions a tract of 53 acres in Warren County, where he now resides with his sisters, Virginia and Sarah, the for- mer born in Virginia three months before her parents came to Illinois; Sarah was born in this county. Mr. Brent enlisted in the War of the Rebellion Feb. 14, 1865, in Company H, 49th Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and fought in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged. He was promoted to Corporal December 21, 1865. He was discharged at Selma, Ala., January 21, 1866, and returned home immediately. He iias since continued to reside upon his farm, where he is engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and meeting with success in his chosen voca- tion. The property of Mr. Brent is mostly in a high state of cultivation, and his residence is located in a beautiful hickory grove. ^^(iC S'Dafis H Burke, a pushing, energetic farmer, ^1/- residing on section 19, Hale Township, ^*^^ where he rents an A, No. i farm, is a son j£ oi Thomas and Rebecca (Morgan) Burke, na- ][ lives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. His parents were married and settled in Indiana, and in 1837 did not take the ;idvice of Horace Gree- ley, but came West without it, and settled in Mon- mouth Township. From the date of their settlement we see they were early pioneers, and they no doubt experienced all the trials and privations which the old sturdy pioneers were compelled to pass through * in the early settlement of the county. In 1850, af- ter a residence in the county of some 13 years, the parents removed to Henderson County, where the mother died. After her iL-ath the father removed to Iowa, in which state his demise occurred. The issue of their union was nine children, of whom James H. was second in order of birth. James H. Burke was born in Hancock Co., Ind., May 6, 1833, and at the time his parents emigrated to this county was but four years of age, conse- quently may be classified as a pioneer himself He lived at home until he was 19 years old, receiving such advantages as were at that time afforded by the common schools. In the spring of 1853 he crossed the plains to Northern Oregon, and becom- ing imbued with the spirit of gain, he engaged in mining. From Nortiiern Oregon he went to South- ern Oregon and was there occupied in mining until the summer of 1856, vvhen he returned to this county and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has resided in Warren and Henderson Counties since that time. In 1876 he moved into Hale Township, and is at present following the vocation of farming on section 19, of that township. The marriage of Mr. Burke was solemnized in r; *x LAJ ¥ ■f- x _J' !?^H- WARREN COUNTY. 639 Sumner Township, Feb. 12, 1857, at which time Miss Mary A. Swain became his wife. She was born in Ohio Feb. 23, 1830, and has borne her husband six children, whose names are Harvey H., Kate I., Ra- chel E., Mary A.. Benjamin S. and Harry E. Kate I. is dead. Mr. Burke has held the office of Collector for three years, and at present is Assessor of the town- ship. In politics he is a staunch and active Repub- lican. rury B. Boyd, a pioneer settler of Point it. Pleasant Township, was born in the State' ilcSjV of Virginia, May 10, 1780. He was the nX son of George and Jemima (Birge) Boyd, and Ql was early orphaned by their death. He was made an apprentice to a trade, and when still young went to the State cf Georgia. There he was married, Feb. 18, 1805, to Elizabeth, the daughter of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd. She was born ^ in Georgia, Sept. ii, 1867, and soon after their mar- riage they went to Kentucky, where they located in Bath County, and the husband utilized his good edu- cation in teaching, and in the alternate seasons he worked at his trade. They lived there until 1822, when they went to Pulaski County, in the same State, and remained there until 1825. They re- moved thence to Greene Co., Ind., where they were among the earliest of the pioneer element. They located on land which was covered with heavy tim- ber, and their sons were occupied with the work of clearing the farm, while the father worked at his trade. After a time he purchased a saw-mill. His wife died Aug. r3, 1835, and he was again married, about 12 years later, to Elizabeth Kelshaw. The children of George and Nancy (Dean) Hurd were Mary, George, Elizabeth and Nancy. Mary was married to Joseph Dixson, and died in Greene Co., Ind. George was married and lived in Georgia. Elizabeth was the wife of Drury B. Boyd, subject of this sketch. Nancy became the wife of Sanford Raimy, and they lived in Preble Co., Ohio. While living in Indiana he was twice elected to represent liis District, and served two terms in the Legislature of that State. After his removal to War- ren County, he located at Ellison, and a few years later he settled on section 2, of Point Pleasant Town- ship, where he died, Sept. 7, T856. His wife was killed in the tornado at Ellison in 1858. Two of their children are still living. Mrs. Dixson is repre- sented elsewhere in this work, and it is through her interest in the preservation of the records of her fam- ily circle that these sketches of the members of the family have been obtained. Her only sister was the v^'ife of Elisha Hughen, of Point Pleasant Township, of whom a sketch is given in this work. Since this sketch was written, and since Mr. Hughen 's sketch was printed in this volume, his wife died. Her demise occurred Dec. 14, 1885, at her home in Point Pleasant Township. Mr. Boyd and his family made the trip from Ken- tucky to Greene County with horse-teams. They settled in a small log house, of the most unpreten- tious style, until the father could clear a place, upon which he erected a double-hewed log house. The children of Drury B. and Elizabeth (Hurd) Boyd, were: Eliza, Martha, Thomas H., John, Je- mima, Nancy, Amanda, Mary and Elizabeth. Eliza was born May 25, 1807, was married to|Cary O'Neall, Aug. r2, 1830, died Feb. T4, 1844. Martha, born in 1809, died in infancy. Thomas H., born June 4, 1811, was married to Margaret Jones, April 3, 1838, died March r, 1877. John, born June 14, 1 814, was married to Elizabeth O'Neall, March 11, 1840, died July 5, 1865. Jemima, born Jan. 28, r8[7, was married to Eli Dixson, March 12, 1840, and is the only survivor of the lamily. Nancy was born in 1819, and died in 1825. Amanda, born April 12, 1824, was married to Stephen Dixson, April 10,1845, and died May 3, i86r. Mary, born Sept. 9, 1827, was married to Elisha Hughen, April 8, 1847, died Dec. T4, 1885. Elizabeth, born Sept. 9, 1027, was married to Gary O. Jones, April 5, 1847, died Aug. 14, r856. mi '^£*±Sf^a '(' J ;, octor William E. Pittman, practicing \ :;J^:-J ' :, ., physician at Swan Creek Village, was born ^j^^C^""^ in this county, Feb. 22, 1859, and is a son 'f% of James B. Piitman, a native of Indiana, ^ where he was born in 1830. His father is a farmer by occupation, and resides in Pt. T ... Pleasant Township. He was married to Miss Eliza *ir LAjir "r ■ cT_i ■^^'^ 640 WARREN COUNTY. A. Simmons, in 1841. She was born in 1839, in this county, and bore her husband 1 1 children, Os- car, deceased at 18 years; William E., S. M,, J. B., George, Joseph, Charlie, Carrie May, Harry, Emma, and one who died in infancy. Dr. Piltman formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Zoa Huston, Oct. 15, 1885. She was born in April, 1868, and is a daughter of William H. and Eliza (Crabb) Huston. Dr. Pittman commenced reading medicine preparatory to attending college, with Doctor William Randall, of Greenbush, and was with him for some three months. He then went to Nodaway Co,, Mo., where he read medicine under the instruction of Doctor M. R. Hackedorn, of Ma- ryville, Mo., for about 18 months. ■ He then mairic- ulated at Rush Medical College, March 13, 1882, and after following the entire curriculum of that in- stitution, graduated therefrom Feb. 17, 1885. He also graduated in Dental Pathology and Surgery at the Dental College, Chicago. He liolds a certificate 'of honor from Rusli Medical College, and a certifi- cate of Clinical Instruction from the Central Free Dispensary, in Chicago. ■ He at present has a large and lucrative practice in Swan Creek and the surrounding country. He is a thorough practitioner, and by careful diagnosis of ^disease and faitliful attention to his patients, he has established himself in the confidence of his commu- nity. In politics Dr. Pittman is a supiiortcr of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. -43- -£>- ^*n^ Lharles H. Pierce, of Bersvick Township, is %X engaged in farming on section 31, where '^ "^ he is the proprietor of 160 acres of good land. He was born in Warren County, Feb. 1840. His father, William H. Pierce, is a native of Vermont and came to this State in 1835, locating at the village of Greenbush, wiiere he taught school for about a year. He then purchased the tract which is now in possession of his son and at once engaged in its improvement and cultivation. He was united in marriage with Miss Angelina Wal- din, who was born in Ohio, about 1817. They both came to this State prior to their marriage. The mother of Mr. Pierce died July 14, 1842, and the fa- *:jr ther Feb. 23, 1880. Of their union two children were born — Almiron G. and Charles H. Charles H. Pierce, subject of this notice, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Long, Feb. i, 1862. She was born June 16, 1838, in Jackson Co., Ohio, and they have four children living — Maud Z., Blanche M., William H. and Harriet G. Mr. Pierce is engaged m general farming, and is meeting with success in his chosen vocation. In politics he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advoca- ted by the Republican p.irty. -^ 4- illiam Adcock, Clerk of Kelly Township, and a farmer on section 35, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of his )> township and county and a member of the local Board of Education since 1877. He is the oldest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mc- Murtry) Adcock, was born in the year 1850, in the township where he is and always has been a resi- dent, of a family that has been largely identified with the first settlement and subsequent development of the country. His grandfather, Edmund Adcock, was among the very first, if not the first, white man that settled in this section of country, having been located with his family in Henderson Grove, near the Knox and Warren County line, in the year 1829 or '30, two or three years before the Black Hawk War. William McMurtry, his grandfather on his mother's side, was for 30 years a member of the State Government, having held tlie offices of Lieu- tenant-Governor, State Senator, Re|)resentative and Penitentiary Commissioner during the building of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, 111. ; also Colonel of the i02d Reg't of 111. Vols, in the late war. His fa- ther, Joseph, is a noted land surveyor and for several years was County Commissioner. His brothers are Edmund, a prominent lawyer in Chicago, 111., and Robert, a practicing attorney at Monmouth. Mr. Adcock was biought up to a full understanding of the business of a farmer, and after receiving such education as the conmion schools afforded, became a student at Abingdon College, whence he was grad- uated with the degree of A. B., in 1871. For some years he o|)erated as a teacher through the winter seasons and gave his attention to farming the re- 4= •^^^X^ 4 Warren county. 641 mainder of the year. Of late he has devoted his time exclusively to agriculture. He is a Democrat in political belief and connections and has been a delegate to several County, State and Congressional Conventions tliat have been held since he reached his majority. He purchased the farm of which he is the owner in 1877. It comprises 250 acres of good land, in first class condition, and the proprietor is occupied in the business of mixed husbandry. The union in marriage of Mr. Adcock with Mary J. Henderson, occurred July 13, 1876. Their chil- dren are Edmund, David and Mary S. Mrs. Adcock was born in the year 1858, in the town of Hender- son, Knox Co., 111. Her parents, David Henderson, a prominent citizen and recently member of the Board of Supervisors of Knox Co., 111., and Sophia (Davis) Henderson, were pioneers of Knox County, whither they came soon after the termination of the Black Hawk War. They were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Indiana, and are still living in Knox County. |u_on. Isaac L. Pratt, banker and farmer at |[ Roseville, is one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Warren County. We are glad to be able to give the following very interesting record of the family, of which Isaac L. is a member : The Pratt family are of English ancestry, and date back to Mathew and Elizabeth Pratt, who emigrated to Amer- ica prior to the year of 1625. They settled in Wey- mouth, Norfolk County, Mass. Their ofifspring were Thomas, Matthew, John, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth and Mary Pratt. Matthews' son Thomas is the next in line of these descendants. He and his wife lived in Weymouth until he was killed by the Indians in 1676. Their children were William, Sarah, Abi- gail, Hepzibah and Thomas. Tliomas and his wife moved to Easton, Mass., and their children were Thomas; Abigail, James, Mary, Hepzibah, Deborah and Jane. The father died in December, 1745. James Pratt, son of Thomas, lived in Easton, Mass., at which place he died Oct. 29, 1774, aged 76 years. His wife died Feb. 17, 1762. Seth Pratt, son of Thomas, was the only one of the children who at- tained to manhood. He married Mindwell Stone, of Easton, Mass. By this union there were four chil- dren, viz. : Jonas, Mehitabel, Seth, Jr., and Seaver. Seth, Sr., died Aug. 22, 1802, his wife surviving him until May 23, 1828. Seaver, son of Seth, was born April 27, 1782, and died Dec. 11, 1843, in the sixty- second year of his age. He married Charity Lo- throp in 1806. She was born in Easton, Mass., Aug. 14, 1790, and died Jan. 3, 1850, aged sixty years. The names and births of the offspring of Isaac and Sarah Lothrop were as follows : Sarah, born Aug. 6, 1776 ; Catharine, born March 7, 1778 ; Ruth, Feb. 10, 1780; Washington, born March 26, 1782; Mary, born Feb. 8, 1784 ; Isaac, born March i, 1786 ; Betsy, born July 23, 1788; Charity, born Aug. 14, 1790; Abi- gail-, born March 15, 1793; Anness, born Nov. 23, 1795 ; Jarvis, born Junes, 1798- The offspring of Seaver and Charity Pratt were Laura, born Nov. 26, 1807; Amos, born Oct. 28, 1809; Isaac L., born Aug. 4, 1818; Abijah, born June 12, 1824, and David, born July 6, 1829. Isaac L. Pratt, the subject of this sketch, was, as will be seen from the foregoing, the third in the fam- ily of Seaver and Charity Pratt. He married Miss Harriet W. Drake, a native of Easton, Mass., and a daughter of Joel and Lusannah Drake, whose ances- tors were the first settlers of Easton, Mass., on the mother's side. Their children were Betsey, born Nov. I, 1813; Harriet W., born March 29, 1816; Sarah Ann, born Dec. — , 181 7 ; Nahum, born Sept. 28, 1820; Joel S., born June 8, 1823, and Bethnal F., born July 13, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt were married May 16, 1844. They have had born to them four children, as fol- lows : Isaac F. born June 24, 1846, died July 27 of same year; Isaac Seaver, born Aug. 13, 1848^ died, July 14, 1865; Joel Drake, born Oct. 2, 1851, died Jan. 13,1852; Seth Franklin was born April 20, 1853 ; he is cashier of the Roseville Bank. Mr. Pratt, whose biography we write, was born and reared in Easton, Mass. He remained beneath the parental roof until he was a young man. During this time he attended the district schools, and therein received the rudimentary part of an English educa.- tion. His education was further advanced by attendance at the HoUiston School, HoUiston, 'Jkn ■^ ^ i* 642 WARREN COUNTY. Massachusetts, and at the Teachers' Seminary at Andover for three years. After leaving the school the subject of this sketch was engaged in teaching, and continued in that profession for eleven sessions, eight of which were taught in his native State, and three in this State. His attention was early attracted to the importance and future greatness of the West, which was then rapidly filling up with the best young and energetic blood of the Eastern States. In 1841 he joined the great throng that had for its watch- word, " Westward, ho!" and came to Illinois, arriv- ing here in Warren County April 24 of that year. He remained here one year and a half. During that time he, in connection with E. Mitchell, purchased an unimproved tract of land in Ellison Township in this county. Soon after he returned East to his na- tive town and was there variously engaged for two years and a lialf. During his sojourn there he mar- ried as stated above. In June, 1845, '''^ ^'^^ '^'^ wife returned to Illinois and settled in Swan Town- ship, on section 6, where he purchased sixty acres of land. He at once erected a house, and went to work industriously to cultivate and improve his pur- * chase. He continued to reside there until 1S52, when he moved to Roseville Township, where he had purchased land on section 31. There he erected a substantial building, and there he still continues to reside. Mr. Pratt has been more than ordinarily a success- ful man. His landed interests consist of 2,000 acres of good land in Illinois, 775 acres in Arkan- sas, and 300 acres in Easton, Mass. The latter acreage is a part of the land handed down through five generations of the past. This land and wealth has been the accumulation of years of toil, energy, and the practice of economical habits. It also is the result of wise and judicious investments, backed by good hard common sense and the utmost confi- dence in the future of the great State of Illinois. Religiously, Mr. Pratt subscribes to none of the formulated creeds, but believes in doing unto others as you would have others do unto you, and that in the careful observance of that rule tlierein is con- tained the genuine essence of true religion. Politically, Mr. Pratt is a stanch Democrat. He cast his first vote for Martin VanBuren for the Pres- idency, in 1840, and from that time to the present, tlirough good as well as evil report, he has remained firm and true to his first political love. In 1883, his worth and standing as a man, and character as a citizen, received suitable and honora- ble recognition by his election to represent his dis- trict in the General Assembly of the State. While a member of that body he proved himself a valuable legislator, one who was careful and always present at the sessions of the Legislature. He was a mem- ber of the committees on Finance, Drainage and Re- trenchment. He has been frequently honored with offices of trust in the township in which he resides, and has been Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. This in short is a brief biography of Isaac L. Pratt. He is truly a representative Western man. During his long residence here he has become thor- oughly identified with and understands the interests of the West. His success stamps him as a man of in- domitable energy that brooks no defeat. He started in life poor, a'nd whatever he has attained is the re- sult of his industry, energy and great good common sense. With these virtues, aided by a strong consti- tution, he has carved out for himself and those de- pending upon him, a comfortable competency, at the same time making and retaining for himself a name for strict honor and integrity — which, after all, is the best inheritance to leave to his posteritv. As one of the leading and truly representative men of the county, and a gentleman who is an honor to the community in which he has so long resided, we take pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Pratt in connection with this sketch. ri ^^ I ■^^^^]4.dward D. Alexander, druggist at Alexis, 7 tlb is a native of AVarren County. He is the ''^^^ only son of John E. and Mary C. (Reich- i^ ard) Alexander, who are residents of Mon- '> mouth. Mr. Alexander was born in that city, j May 10, r86o. He attended the city schools until he had finished the branches of primary study, and he subsequently was a student for a year at the college in his native place, where he made good pro- gress. When he decided on his profession he went to Chicago and passed a year at the School of Phar- macy in order to be thoroughly prepared for the re- sponsible duties of his chosen vocation. In 1878 he assumed charge of the drug business which he has since conducted. He is winning the ^ A i* WARREN COUNTY. 643 patronage and support of the community in which he resides and his trade is one of the most prominent in the place in its comparative relations. We present an interior view in this volume of Mr. Alexander's neat and tasteful drug house. He is a young man of ability and perseverance and in the event of his conducting his affairs in the same way in which he has made his initiatory, he has an assured future of usefulness and activity. His business principles are excellent and he is amply fitted for the discharge of the duties of his vocation. In manner and address he is courteous and affable and is always observant of his obligations as a gentleman. In his political principles and affiliations, he is a Democrat. Oct. 16, 1883, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mina Kobler, and one child has been born to them. The latter is named Theo Marie. Mrs. Alexander was born in Monmouth and is the daugh- ter of G. J. and Anna M. Kobler. -^!-i4^i?--i- I '[^ f\fli iehael S. Rees, a farmer in the township -3k of Kelly, located on section 32, is the son '* of a pioneer of Warren County, and was '^ \ born in the township in which he is now a K citizen of prominence. Martin Rees, his father, I came to Warren County in 1836. He was born on Pine Creek, near the center of Pennsylvania, in 1781, of German parentage. At the age of 19 he moved with his parents to Warren Co., Pa., where he divided his time in rafting logs and lumber and in farming. He succeeded in accumulating consid- erable property. He married Miss Jane Davis, at that place and continued to reside there until 1S36. He then sold his farm and personal property, and put his family, which consisted of himself, wife and eight children, on board a raft, with three other families, and moved out upon the waters of the Alle- gheny River, on the loth of May of that year. They floated to Pittsburg, where he sold his raft and pur- chased a keel boat, which he run to Rising Sun, Ind., a small town on the Ohio River. In the meantime they were visited with that terrible disease, the small pox, from which, however, all recovered. They landed, and the elder Rees purchased three yoke of oxen and two span of horses, five wagons, some voung horses and other necessary articles, and started for Monmouth, where he arrived Sept. 10, 1836. Here he remained five days, when he moved to a house located about one mile south of where Gerlaw now stands. He bought the northwest quar- ter of section 36, Spring Grove Township, and also the north half of section 32, in Kelly Township. The latter had a log house, stables and crib upon it, and 30 acres had been broken and fenced. Here Mr. Rees lived for four years, and during the time improved the farm in Spring Grove Township, to which he removed, but after remaining two years he returned to the Kelly Township farm, where he re- mained until his death, which occurred in 1861. He owned considerable land in this and adjoining coun- ties, which he divided among his children. Mr. Rees vi^as a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church for over 50 years, and was highly re- spected for his strict morality and the firmness of his faith. He was noted for strength, energy and industry. Politically, he was formerly a Whig, but became a Republican when that party 'was organ- ized. He served for many years as Justice of the Peace. He was a captain of Pennsylvania volun- teers in the War of 1812, and his wife was pensioned as widow of a soldier of that war. Her death oc- curred Dec. 17, 1882. J3y the three marriages of Mr. Rees, he became the father of nine children, seven by the first and two by the second wife. Seven of them are still living. The maiden name of the second wife of Mr. Rees was Sarah Smith and she was born in Indiana. The third wife was Catherine Struthers. Michael S. Rees, of this sketch, is the oldest child of the second marriage. His birth took place in Kelly Township, Nov. 18, 1S38. He passed the years of his minority in labor on the farm and in ob- taining a limited education in the pioneer schools. He was under the home roof-tree until the death of his father, and he managed the farm for a year after that event. He became a soldier in 1862, and en- listed in August of that year in Co. B, io2d 111. Vol. Inf., 20th corps, remaining in the service until the war ended. His regiment joined the army in the field at Chattanooga, and he was in the action at Resaca, also at Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach- tree Creek, and at the siege and capture of Atlanta, and served in other lesser engagements. From the latter place the command proceeded to ZLM V ^ ^^jh- 644 WARREN COUNTY. Savannah and thence througli North Carolina to Washington to the Grand Review, which constituted the closing scene of the most remarkable war on record. In June, 1865, the regiment was discharged and Mr. Rees returned to his native county and township, and took possession of the homestead which is now his property. The estate of which he is the proprietor contains 325 acres and is all in an advanced agricultural condition. Mr. Rees has put up good buildings of a character suited to the pur- poses to which the farm is devoted, namely, mixed husbandry. We present a view of the homestead in this volume, on page 474. January 16, r868, Mr. Rees was married to Mar- garet Low, and they are the parents of five chil- dren — Eva, who died at the age of six months, Elsie R., EflSe E., Daisy F., and Bertha A. Mrs. Rees was born in the township of Spring Grove, Aug. 3, 1S44, and is the daughter of John and Margaret (Rey- nolds) Low. Her parents came to this county the year previous, from Pennsylvania. Her father was a native of England and came to this country at the age of 16 years. Her mother was a native of tlie , Keystone Stale, as were her maternal grandparents. Mr. Low married the second time, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Lenora Stewart. By the previous marriage he had 12 cliildren and by the last, one. Of this number, six are now living. Mrs. Rees is the fifth in order of birth of the above family. She resided with her family on their farm in Spring Grove Township until her marriage. Her mother died in 1866, and the father in 1878. Mr. Low's second wife is living in Iowa. Her oldest brother, William Low, died in the service of his country, at Paducah, Ky., in 1862. In politics, Mr. Rees votes the Republican ticket, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. ^^^^^-^ - I illiam H. Dawdy, owning 260 acres of land in Berwick Township, 80 acres of which is under an advanced state of cul- tivation, and residing upon section 1 1, of the township named, was born in Knox('o., this State, Oct. 2, 1845, and is a son of John Dawdy, a native of Kentucky, where he was born in 1798. The father was one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, coming to this State in r828, and locating in Knox County; he died in 1874. His marriage oc- curred in 1834, in this State, at which time MissTo- bitha Boydson became his wife. She was born in 1809, in Kentucky, and is still a resident of Knox County, this State. Of her union with Mr. Dawdy, ten children were born, named Benjamin M., Eliza, Emily, Malinda, William H., Jacob W., Alexander C. and Sarah E. The gentleman wiiose name stands at the head of this notice was married to Miss Amanda J. Howard, Jan. 3, 187 i. She was born Oct. 28, 1852, and is a daughter of Nathan Howard, who was born in 1826, in Kentucky, and came to this State in 1855, locating in Warren County. Her father married Miss Martha Hood, and they had nine children, viz.: Lucinda E., Isaac S., Amanda J., Mary C, Sarah A., Joseph, Cora A., Rosa B. and John E., twins. Mr. and Mrs. Dawdy, of this sketch, are the par-, ents of six children: Delia M., born in 1873; Jessie V. in 1874; Daisy D., in 1875 ; George W., in 1877; Perley E., in 1881, and Bertha R., in 1883. Mr. .< Dawdy is pleasantly located and has a good resi- dence. He is turning his attention to the raising of cattle, his specialty being the Short-horns. He is , also dealing in Poland-China hogs, and is meeting with success in both his farming and breeding in- terests. Socially, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., to which order he has belonged for the last 12 years. In politics, he is a Democrat. f WTi' (I ) illiam M. Pinkerton, of the firm of Page qtj'^i) & Pinkerton, hardware and furniture deal- ■^ ers, at Monmouth, was born in Preble Co., % Ohio, near the village of Fair Haven, April 18, 1837. His parents, Ebenezer and Mary (McCrary) Pinkerton, natives respectively of the States of South Carolina and Ohio, and of Scotch-Irish extraction, reared three sons and three daughters, William M. being the eldest son and third child in order of birth. The senior Mr. Pinkerton was by occupation a farmer ; came to Illinois in 1854, and spent the balance of liis days in Peoria County, ^ :aj V 4 WARREN COUNTY. ^-^^ 64s dying in the year 1863, aged 58 years. His widow survived him up to 1883, dying in September of that year, at the age of 75 years. The subject of our sketch was brought up to farm- ing, and followed it in Peoria, McLean and Mercer counties, up to 1876, when he rernoved to Monmouth and entered into the present business arrange- ment. Aug. 18, 1862, at Peoria, he enlisted in Co. C, 77th 111. Vol. Inf., and served three years, participating in 13 battles : Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Magnolia Hills, Raymond, Champion Hills, Black River, Siege of Vicksburg, Bank's E.xpedition in Western Loui- siana, Ft. Morgan, on the Te.xas Coast, Bank's Red River Expedition, Sabine, Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill and the siege and final taking of Mobile. In all these battles he was wounded once, and that so light he never left his command. It must not be sup- posed, however, that the army life did him no injury. As with nearly every other man who saw service, his health was impaired, his constitution undermined, and he was finally forced to abandon the farm on account ^ He was married in Peoria County, December, 1868, to Miss Martha A. Finley, who died at Mon- mouth, April 17, 1877. The children she bore were Grace, Fannie and Martha, and two that died in in- fancy. Jan. 28, i88i,Mr. Pinkerton was again married, to Ehzabeth Peacock, and has had borne to him two children, James H. and Anna Mary. -J #># J^ Mary Jamison, became his wife. She was born July 1, 1833, in the county in which she was married. Her father was a farmer, and was married in Kentucky, afterwards removing, in 1829, to this State, and set- tling in Henderson County. She bore her husband IT children, three of whom are deceased: Batha- nia is the wife of John H. Warfield, who resides in Montgomery Co., Iowa, and is there engaged in the occupation of farming ; Velma became the wife of M. B. Jamison, who resides on a farm in Ellison Township, and is its Supervisor; Arthur J., Schuy- ler L., Charles E., William W. and Ellen, all reside at home with their mother. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Brent settled on a farm of 80 acres, where the family lived for some time. By energetic labor and economy, coupled with good judgment and perseverance, he succeeded in adding to his original purchases, until at the time of his demise, April 22, 1S80, he was the owner of 160 acres of good farm land. Religiously, Mrs. B. is a member of the Method- odist Episcopal Church, and has been for several years. In politics, Mr. B. was, during his life time, a strong supporter of the principles of the Repub- -^ lican party. ^ illiam P. Brent, deceased, was one of the early settlers of this county, coming •Q here in 1835, with his parents, and pre- vious to his demise resided on section 17, Ellison Township. Mr. Brent was born in Lancaster Co., Va., and came 10 this State and county with his parents when he was 15 years of age. He continued to reside with his parents, enduring with them all the privations incident to the settlement of a new country. His years prior to attaining the age of majority were passed on the parental homestead. Oct. 3, 1850, Miss Margaret E., daughter of James and X ^.ornelius McNeil, was born in Philadel- phia, July 17, 1810, and was the son of ^?^ Cornelius and Mary (Allison) McNeil, ™v^ natives respectively of counties Antrim '^*^ and Kerry, Ireland, but their ancestors were originally from Scotland. The senior Corne- lius came to America, in 1792, and Mary Allison came in 1800. They were married in Philadelphia where Mr, McNeil died, in 1826, and his widow in 1847. Cornelius McNeil, Jr., was educated at the com- mon schools of the city of "Brotherly Love," and when 16 years of age was indentured "five years eleven months and two weeks to the trade and mys- tery of Weavers' Machine Making." Mastering the "mysteries" he embarked in business upon his own, hook, and followed it 17 years, in Kensington, where he built a shop with the $169 inherited from his father. In company with John Corkin he bought the ¥ i 646 WARREN COUNTY. Gloucester Ferry House, an old building standing yet near the Walnut Street Ferry, Pliiladelpliia, and run it wiili great success about four years. He left Pliihidelpliia in 1855, having been swindled out of his pro[)evty by some descendents of the pa- triarch, Abraham, and spent a year at South Bend, Ind. The year following he came to Monmouth, where he has since been known as a first-class me- chanic. We should not forget to say, however, that he was in the employ of the United States Government awhile during the war as a carpenter, and as such was at Nashville, Tenn., during the last battle at that place. His specialty for some years past has been the manufacture of washing machines, a patent upon which he controls. Politically, Mr. McNeil formerly belonged to the Whig party, then affiliated with the Democrats, and is now an Independent. July 4, 1836, Mr. McNeil was married, in Phila- delphia, to Miss Elizabeth Young, and has had born to him II children, seven of wlioni are deceased. The living are James, Isabella (Mrs. Henry Duer), Letitia (Mrs. J. A. Chafee) and Miss Ida. Mr. McNeil belongs to no Church, but his lieart is true to Masonry, which means, i[i tlie enlightened world, the highest order of religion. ^i„li Dixson. From an early history of Greene : L i^-k '■ County, Ind., we get the followmg facts of ^t^ ' ^'^'^ I^ixson family: Eli Dixson, who is the fa- therof Mrs. Jemima Di.xson's husband, referred to elsewhere in this work, was a son of Solo- mon and Sarah Dix.son and was born in 1769, in Virginia, near the Blue Ridge Mountains. He emigrated to Georgia, where, near the city of Augus- ta, he married Rebecca Hart, in 1799, and moved to Preble County, Ohio, in 1806, settling in what is now called Dixson 'I'ownship, being the first settler in that township. He remained there about twelve years, during whicli lime he cleared a farm and exer- cised a prominent influence in tlie settling of tlie neighborhood. He removed to Greene Co., Ind., in 1818, and settled in Smitli Township, where he im- proved a farm. He was noted for his liberality and l)enevolence in helping such as were not able to help themselves. He served two terms in the State Leg- islature, from Greene, Owen and Putnam Counties. He died respected by all who knew him, March 9, 1836. He had six brothers and tliree sisters, viz. : Samuel, John, Joseph, Henry, Solomon Stephen Ruth, Sarah and Elizabeth. Sam'l Dixson died in Greene Co., Ind., Aug. 30, 1850, aged 53 years. John Dixson was drowned in the Ohio River, near Shaw- neetown. Joseph Dixson died at his residence, in Greene Co., Ind. Henry Dixson died in Tennessee. Solomon Dixson was born Oct. 4, 1771, died Oct. 8, 1824, in Greene Co., Ind. Stephen Dixson was killed by the Indians, near Terre Haute, Ind., dur- ing the war of 181 2. Rebecca, the wife of Eli Dixson, was the daughter of Isaac and Hester Hart, and was born near .Au- gusta, Ga., Sept. 2, 1779, and died Oct. i, 1852. She had four brothers, viz.: William, Isaac, Thomas and Phineas ; and two half-brothers, viz. : Amos and Jerry Greene ; and one half-sister, who married a Mr. Jones. Her brotlier, William, died in Georgia; Isaac and Tliomas died in Preble Co., Ohio, and 1 Phineas in Peoria Co., 111. Her half-brothers, sister and mother emigrated to Michigan at an early day. Eli and Rebecca Dixson 's family consisted of ^ eight sons and three daughters, viz. : Samuel, Sarah, Solomon, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Eli, Stephen, John, Phineas, William and Prior. Samuel was born June 22, 1800, died Dec. 17, 1844; Sarah (Johnston) born Aug. 27, 1801, died April 29, 1839; Solomon, born June 21, 1803, died June 20, 1851 ; Elizabeth, died in infancy; Rebecca (Johnston), born Oct. 24, 1807, died June 27, 1834; Prior, born Nov. 15, 1809, died Sept. 10, 1850; Eli, born Mays, 181 1> died Oct. 27, 1857; Stephen, born Dec. 21, 1814, died March i, 1879; William, born 1822, died Feb. 9, 1870. Joiin Dixson was born in 1816. He, being the only sur- vivor of the family, still resides in Greene Co., Ind.; Samuel, Solomon, Eli and Rebecca (seniors), Sam- uel, S ilomon, Sarah, Rebecca Prior, Phineas, Eli, and William all being buried in the Dixson grave- yard, in Greene Co., Ind. Mrs. Jemima Dixson, of Point Pleasant Townshi]), is a settler of Warren County of 1858. She came here after the death of lier husband with her four cliildren, and located in tlie same township in whicli she is still living. She was born in Bath Co., Ky., Jan. 28. 18 17, and is the daughaer of Drury B. and Elizabeth (Hurd) Boyd, of whom an account is given on another page in this volume. The latter removed -H- -H- ¥" t 4 M WARREN COUNTY. 647 to Pulaski Co., Ky., when his daughter, Mrs. Dix- son, was a child of five years. The family was trans- ferred to Greene Co., Ind., in 1825, when she was eight years of age. There she passed the remaining years of her youth, and was married, March 12, 1840, to Eh Dixson. He was born in Preble Co., Ohio, and was the son of Eli and Rebecca (Hart) Dixson, men- tioned above. At the time of their marriage, they settled on a farm, which he had purchased in Smith Township, in White River Bottom, in Greene Co., in the State of Indiana. Mr. Dixson was a man of excellent character and a successful farmer. He improved and added to his acreage to a considerable extent. He resided on the same place until 1850, when he came to Illinois to prospect. In 1855, he came again, and at that time to Warren County. He decided to make an invest- ment here, and he accordingly bought unimproved land in Point Pleasant Township. He returned to the farm in Indiana with every intention of removing his family to Illinois and of settling on the land he had bought. In 1857 he was engaged in making the necessary arrangements for a transfer of his interests, and in the midst of his operations, with that end in view, he was taken sick and died, Oct. 27, of that year. His widow rented the Indiana farm the fol- lowing year and removed to Illinois. Her father and other relatives had located in Warren County, and she joined them, settling on section 12, in Point Pleasant Township. The farm on which she look up her residence was at the time unimproved, but that has all been changed, and the place is in a splendid condition for prosperous management. Mrs. Dixson and her children are still the owners of the property in Indiana. To her and her husband five children were born. The oldest, Samuel B., was born Jan. lo, 1841. He married Jennie C. Davis, April 14, 1870, and they had one child. Bertha. He died Aug. 14, 1S74, in Point Pleasant Township, where he had lived and managed the family farm up to that time. His widow and daughter reside in Burlington, Iowa. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Mrs. Dixson, was born Aug. 16, 1842, and died in her infancy. Rebecca was born May i, 1845, and died March 30, 1862. Mary E., the only daughter now living, was born April 13, 1849, and is the wife of Lambert Lester, of this township. Eli is the youngest child and is the only surviving son. He was born in Jefferson Township, Greene County, Ind., Jan. 8, 1853, and was five years old when he accompanied his mother to Illinois, where he has since lived. He was educated in the common schools primarily, and afterwards attended Abidngon College (Knox County) two years. Later, he went to the Commercial College, at Monmouth. He is a farmer and a citizen of prominence, and is one of the Directors in the Roseville Union Bank. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Roseville. The farm of which he and his mother are the joint owners contains 560 acres and is one of the finest and most valuable places in the township. He is also part owner of the Indiana homestead. ^3- -S5- ^ || obert Moore, owning an excellent farm, lo- cated on section 15, Tompkins Township, Wp(^^'" where he follows the vocation of an agri- ^I'W culturist, is a native of Ohio, having been k' born in that State in 1818. His father, Abra- i I ham Moore, and his mother, Margaret Moore, whose maiden name was Wolverton, were natives of Pennsylvania. After their marriage, in 1829, they came from their native State to Hancock Co., 111., and there resided until the father's death, which oc- curred in 1834. Robert Moore, whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, was an inmate of the paren- tal household for 20 years, receiving during that time a good education in the common schools. At the age named he left the parental roof-tree and engaged in farming, which occupation he had followed, more or less, up to the time of his leaving home. He first farmed in Iowa for one year, and was one of the first to run a steam ferry across the Mississippi at Flint Hills, now Burlington, at which he was engaged fortwo years. In 1837 he came to this county and bought lai-.d, on which he located and again engaged in farming. He married, Feb. 20, 1846, Jane Adams, who bore him two children — -Ellen S. and Wilson M. She died Feb. 22. 184S, and in 1852 Mr. Moore married Delilah Stone. In 1849, when the gold fever was at its height, he crossed the plains to California and Oregon and for three years prospected in those States for gold, meeting with signal success. He then returned to Illinois and purchased 240 acres of land in Ellison Township, which he successfully cultiva ted until 1S55, when he sold it and purchased the lAr: he 1 4= r^^^^ 648 WARREN COUNTV. 160 acres on which he is at present residing. He has lived on the latter tract of land for 20 years, contin- uously engaged in its cultivation and improvement, and has been amply rewarded for his labors. Mr. Moore was a soldier in the Black Hawk War of 1832, but received no injuries from the engagements in which he took part. He has a wife and seven chil- dren living, the names of the children being — Ellen S., Marion E., William A., John S., Willis C, Grace B. and Fred A. In his political views, Mr. Moore coincides with the principles of the Republican party, and is one of the leading representatives of his vocation in Warren County. eorge Bruington, engaged as a general farmer and stock raiser on section 16, Cold '^ Brook Township,was born in Knox County, near the Warren County line, on the 4th of October, 1840. His father, Thomas Bruing- ton, a faimer by occupation and a native of Breckenridge Co. Ky., was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was married in the county of his nativity to Jane McLaughlin, who was also a native of Breckenridge Co. Ky., and of the same parentage and descent. Before their emigration West in 1833, when they came to the State of Illinois and located in Kno.x County, they had a family of three children. Mr. Thomas Bruington came into the new western country and found it an improved, unbroken prairie, and made a trade of his horse and a gun for liis first farm of 160 acres. After improving that farm and when George, of whom we write, was but a small child, they removed into Cold Brook Township and here purchased 160 acres, where the son now resides, and entered actively and energetically on its im- provement. While residing at this place the moth- er's demise occurred, in the year 1849. ^'^^ ^^^s the mother of nine children, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth. The father then married again in Kelly Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1883. His second wife was Mrs. Anna Goff, tiee Ingersol. When i8 years of age, George Bruington, of whom we write, set out to battle for himself, going in 1858 to Missouri, and the following year to Pike's Peak, Col. To this latter place he went in view of mining, but having no success, in the spring of 1861, he re- turned to his township and began to farm on his own account. The marriage of Mr. Bruington with Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas Wallace, one of the old settlers in this county, occurred June 7, 1863. The cere- mony was performed at the residence of the bride, who was born Sept. 1839, in Cold Brook Township, and resided at home with her parents until her mar- riage. Her motlier's maiden name was Margaret Murphy. She now resides with her son, John Wal- lace, a resident of this township, at the venerable age of 85 years. Mr. Wallace, iier husband, and father of Mrs. Bruington of this notice, died in this township, April 9, 1861. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Bruington five children have been born. Margaret J., teacher; Jessie L., Arnold, Elmer and Alma. Margaret and Jessie have been educated in Lombard University, Galesbiirg, 111. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. B. settled on the farm where they now live. Mr. B. is the owner of 440 acres of well-improved land, sup- plied with all the necessary outbuildings, and a fine residence. Mr. Bruington is a member of the Christian Church. He has been Road Commissioner for 15 years and in politics is an active Democrat. ^^fe^dward R. Houlton, who resides at Kirk- *™'L' wood, and is extensively engaged as a dealer in thoroughbred cattle, and in j^S- agriculture, was born at Houlton, Maine, Au- gust 3r, 1838. His parents, Joseph and Almira (Ray) Houlton, were New Englanders, the former having been born in New Salem, Mass., and liie latter at Concord, New Hampshire. They came from Maine to Illinois in 1851, and found a desira- ble location in Ellison Township, at the head of Ellison Creek. Here the senior Houlton purchased 1,000 acres of land. At that time, that section of the county was all new and the fertile prairie land had never been turned by the plow. He was among the first settlers in that section of the State, and un- til his death, which occurred in 1883, was one of the most influential, widely known and highly respected *% +* ( 2fl^ ^ ^ 1^3-i- < i WARREJsr COUNTY. ^49 citizens of that section of the county. They reared a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, viz. , Joseph, Frederick, Edward, Charles, Frances and Frank. Edward accompanied his parents to Illinois, and remained with them until he was 19 years of age, when he started out to labor for himself. His first work after leaving home was in the capacity of a clerk for Knowles, Ray & Chapin, of the well known mercantile firm of that day, located at Kirkwood. In 1858, young Houlton bought out the interest of Mr. Knowles, and the firm name was changed to Chapin, Creswell & Houlton. Mr. Houlton was connected with the firm until 1885, when he sold out his inter- est and turned his attention to stock raising and farming. He is also connected with the Kirkwood Mineral Springs Company and besides his interests here, which are quite extensive, he owns 4,000 acres of land, adjoining Yankton, Dakota, which is stocked with Short-horn and Durham cattle. He divides his time and attention between his farm in Dakota and his interests here, giving considerable attention to the Mineral Spring Company, of which he is the President. Mr. Houlton is an excellent business man, received a good common school education, and attended the Commercial Colleee at Chicago in 1858, from which he received a diploma. The above record tells of his success, and his high standing in the community tells of the esteem in which he is held by those who have known him ever since he began as a clerk in the store at Kirk- wood. Politically he is a Republican, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. |i! obert H. Nance. It is only occasionally that we come across in our travels a well- ^^' to-do and active farmer, who is a native of this county. We have in the person of Mr. Nance, however, such a gentleman. He was born Jan. 20, 1856, and is the son of John W. Nance, a well known and early pioneer of this section, and a native of Nortli Carolina, where he was born May 15, 1814. He came to Illinois about 1844, and for about fifteen years lived in Greenbush, when he located upon a farm on section 26, of Berwick Township, where Robert H. now re- sides. The elder Nance at present lives at Abing- don, 111. His wife, Nancy Simmons, is a native of Tennessee where she was born Feb. 2, 1815. She was a daughter of Charles Simmons, and became Mrs. Nance May 24, 1826, in Tennessee. To them were born the following 1 1 children, Rufus D., Fran- cis M., Susan A., Sarah E., Mary J., William C. Nancy C, Martha W., John A., Harriet E. and Rob- ert H. Robert H. married Miss Malinda J. Shirley, Aug. 16, 1875. She became the mother of two children, when, Sept. 10, 1879, her demise occurred. Walter E. their only living child, was born Dec. 26, 1878. Their first, who died in infancy, was born Feb. 22, 1877, and died on the 3rd of the following March. Mr. Nance is conducting a general farming busi- ness, and is an active enterprising young man, highly respected in the community. Politically he is a Democrat. ^- J-'ir* -^ ^r. William Randall, a member of the reg- « ,1-, ular school of medicine, practicing at "Qt^"^ Greenbush, graduated at the Jefferson pX Medical College, Philadelphia, at the head , of his class, March 9, 1858. He soon after- ward located in Greenbush, this county, where he has built up a good practice and has been very successful. The Doctor is also a graduate of sur- gery, and his library is complete. Dr. Randall was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., 25 miles from Cincinnati, in the town of Aurora, May 27, 1834, and is a son of George Randall, born in Canterbury, Kent Co., Eng., in 1796. His father emigrated to the United States in 181 9, and located in Shawneetown, 111. He was a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, and followed his sacred calling in this county some ten years, and died in 1866. He had located in Indiana, where his mar- riage to Miss Rhoda Ewbank, which took place in 1826, was blessed by the birth of eight children, namely : John E., George F., William, Mary, Thomas E. and Richard R., twins, Rebecca J. and Elizabeth V. Two are deceased — Mary and Richard. The wife and mother was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in 1806, and died in Indiana in 1859. Dr. Randall, of this sketch, was first married V- ^*4— 1!=^^ 650 WARREN COUNTY. March 10, 1863, to Miss Caroline, daughter of F. G. and Adeline Snapp, who bore him four children — George S., born Dec. 27, 1863; Channing C, Aug. 5, 1865 (deceased); Claud C, Jan. 8, 1870 (de- ceased) ; Clyde W., Oct. 6, 1872 ; she died May 20, 1875. The Doctor married Edwina C, daughter of J. W. and Sarah E. Bond, Feb. 26, 1879, and by this union there is one child, William B., born April 3,1882. In politics, the Doctor is a believer in the princi- ples advocated by the Democratic party. His suc- cess as a practitioner is due to his careful diagnosis of the diseases of his patients, and his constant at- tention to his cases. Dr. Randall is a gentleman who not only reflects honor upon his profession, but is a credit to the com- munity m which he lives. His large and e.xtended experience, his deep and abiding interest in his pro- fession and the general welfare of the community, make him both a valuable physician and citizen. He is as widely known and as highly esteemed as any practitioner in the county, and numbers among his patrons and friends many of the best people in War- si ren County. As both a representative of his chosen profession and a citizen of the county, the publishers take pleasure in placing Dr. Randall's portrait in this Ai3UM in connection with this sketch. -J ^-# i- lamuel Knox Crawford, M. D., prominent physician and surgeon at Monmouth, and Professor of Surgical Anatomy in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, is a native of Fredericksburg, Ohio, where he was born, Jan. 22, 1835. His parents, Hugh B. and Rebecca (Knox) Crawford, were born in the Ligonier Valley, Pa., and traced their ancestry back to the North of Ireland, Protestant, and in the fe- male line, to a direct kindred with the famous John Knox. They reared to men and women three sons and five daughters, and buried in youth and child- hood, two sons and a daughter. The subject of this notice, who was tlie youngest of the family, spent the first 20 years of his life, when not in school, upon his father's farm. He graduated from Fredericksburg (Ohio) Academy, when about 21 years of age, and three years later *t entered the Medical Department of the Ann Arbor (Mich.) University, having in the interim completed a full course of the study of medicine with Doctor Timothy H. Baker, of Wooster, Ohio. His first course of lectures was attended at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, in March, 1861, and from Ann Arbor went direct to Bellevue, (N. Y.) Hospital, and there spent the summer under clinical instruction from the distin- guished doctors, Flint and Clark, and passed the fol- lowing winter at Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia. In May, 1862, Dr. Crawford entered the United States service as Surgeon, or Medical Director of the Hospital Steamer, "Sunny Side," and made several trips between Pittsburgh Landing and Cincinnati. July following, he became Assistant Surgeon of the 50th Ohio Vol. Inf , and was promoted to Surgeon of that regiment during the succeeding autumn. He served in this position until March, 1864, when he was detailed as chief of the Operating Board for the Second Division, 23d Army Corps. This duty placed him in charge of the Field Hospital, where we find, him in December, 1864, when the 50th and 99th Regiments were consolidated, and he was by special order made Staff Surgeon to Brigadier General J. T. Cooper. This charge in nowise relieved him from his responsibility as chief of the Operating Board, and he discharged double duty up to April 26, 1865. Remembering the facts that Dr. Crawford was never absent from duty, but at his post while his conmiand fought the desperate battles of Perryville, Resaca, Goldsboro, the Atlanta Campaign with its 100 days' fighting, Franklin and Nashville, and even an ordi- nary mind can imagine something approximating his exi)erience, and the intelligent can know that in placing him in the chair of Surgical Anatomy, the managers and directors of the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons understood what they were doing. July 20, 1865, Dr. Crawford first landed at Mon- mouth. He is a member of the Warren County Military Tract, American and State Medical Societ- ies. For 10 or 12 years he lectured regularly to Monmouth College classes upon anatomy, physiol- ogy, and hygiene. He has for several years held commissions from various life insurance companies as Medical Referee of the State, and, in 1884, he -M- WARREN COUNTY. •^^^^ 651 was made Professor of Obstetrics in the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, at Cleve- land, Ohio, a position he was unable to fill by reason of the multiplicity of duties already claiming his time and attention. The Doctor is also a writer of repute, as attested by the popularity of his "Letters to a Young Physician," in the Obstetrical Gazette (Cin- cinnati), 1879 and 1882 ; an article on "Typhoid Fe- ver," Transactions Illinois Medical Society, 1874, and also an elaborate paper on Obstetrics. Nov. 2, 1865, Dr. Crawford was united in marriage at Fredericksburg, Ohio, with Miss Maria Irvine, daughter of the late Samuel Irvine, D. D., of that place, who has borne him eight children — Ada L., born Oct. 8, 1866, died Dec. 7, 1874; Charles, a stu- dent; Mary I., Samuel K., Hugh B., who died in infancy ; Fannie C, Grace May and John Jay. ■•«^<#i^^-^ wiui»s 4 \ obert A. Elliott, owning 160 acres of good farm land under an advanced state of im- provement in Lenox Township and resid- ing on section 34, of the same, is one of the energetic and successful farmers of Warren County. The parents of Mr. Elliott, Thomas H., and Ellen A. (Helvestine) Elliott, were natives of England and Virginia respectively. They were married in the latter State and removed from there to Jackson Co. O., where the father still resides. His wife died May 5, 1880, leaving to the care of her husband 11 children, whose names were William H., Margaret, Mary J., Eliza, John Q., George, Charles, Sophia, Thomas, Ellen, James and Rob- ert A. Robert A. Elliott of whom we write, was a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Jackson County, Jan. 8, 1849. He lived with his parents, at- tending the common schools and assisting in the la- bors on the farm until he attained the age of 17 years, in 1865, when he came to this county and since that time has continued to reside here. His life to the present has been passed in agricultural pursuits in which he has met with success. In 1869, four years after arriving in this county, he had accumu- lated sufficient to enable him to purchase 80 acres of land on section 34 Lenox Township. On this f.irin he settled with his bride and they unitedly en- tered upon their separate tasks of improving and beautifying their home and cultivating their land. As the years rolled by, their savings enabled them to purchase an additional 80 acres, making their to- tal landed interests in Lenox Township 160 acres, all of which is under an advanced state of cultiva- tion, and is supplied with a good residence, and all necessary farm buildings. The marriage of Mr. Elliott took place March 14, 1869, in Lenox Township, at which time Miss Sarah, the accomplished daughter of John and Clarinda J. (Ray) Shirley, became his wife. Her parents were born in Kentucky and their children were four in number, Sarah being the eldest, after whom Hiram, Malinda and Annie were born. Sarah, Mrs. Elliott, was born in Lenox Township, this county, and re- sided with her parents until her marriage with Mr. E. They have become the parents of seven child- ren, Nettie A., Sophronia J., Nora M., Annie H., Eletha S., William E. and Ethael P. Mr. Elliott has been School Trustee and Treasurer in his town- ship and he and his wife belong to the Baptist Church. In politics he votes with and is a supporter of the principles advocated by the Democratic party. ames C. Morris, a farmer and stock-raiser, resides on section 9, Ellison Township. He was born in Gloucester County, the flk name it bore at that time, but now known as Atlantic Co., N. J., on the 14th of March, r827. His father, Amos, was a native of New Jersey and married Phoebe Campbell, who was also born in that State. Both were of English and Scot- tish extraction. The parents of Mr. Morris had seven children, he being the fifth child of the family. He lived at home and attended the common schools up to the date of his marriage, when he resolved upon removing to Madison Co., Ohio. Our subject was only three years old when his parents first arrived in Madison County. In the same place his marriage was celebrated on the 26th of March, 1851, the lady's name being Miss Mary C. Moore, a native of Madison County, born March 26, 1832. Slie was the daughter of John and Cath- erine (Coon) Moore, of Virginia. The father was rju i 3- ■a. JU 652 WARREN COUNTY. born near Harper's Ferry, Va., the latter in Ross Co., Ohio. Mrs. Morris was a baby of 18 months at the date of her father's death. The mother and daughter always lived together up to the date of the latter's death. Mrs. Moore's demise took place at her res- idence July 28, 1884, at the advanced age of 78 years. Mrs. M. was the younger daughter of five children, herself being the mother of 12 children, six of whom are now deceased. There are at present still living — Alice, Emery F.,George B., A. R., Jesse E. and Walter T. Mrs. M. received a good com- mon school education, and before her marriage was a great favorite with her companions and school- mates. After the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Moore, they took up their residence in Madison County, and commenced to farm, which occupation they contin- ued until 1856, when they came West to Mercer County, where they resided for four years, thence to Warren Co., 111., where the parents had first arrived ■ in 1854. In 1863, when Mr. Morris purchased 80 acres of land, he decided to settle his residence where he at present lives. Besides this, he owns 160 )>< acres of prime land, which from time to time has been considerably improved. For more than ten years our subject has filled the , office of Township Assessor, a position in which he has shown himself well fitted not only for this office, but any other ordinarily falling within the scope of men in his position. He is a consistent Democrat in politics, and a warm advocate of right, no matter what cause or in whatever form appearing. I^apt. Richard A. Howk, farmer, ice "Sllj^^jT dealer and general speculator, residing at "ll^" Monmouth, is a son of Horace and Fanny (Crouch) Howk, natives of the State of New York, and of German descent. Richard was born in Washington Co., N. Y.,Feb. 22, 1834, and was the eldest of three sons of his parents' family. His mother died in 1838, and his father in i88i,both in Washington County. The father of Capt. Howk was born in Washing- ton Co., N. v., in 1817; the mother in the same county, in the year 1820. The brothers of Capt. Howk were John, who died in infancy; and the third brother was also named John, and now resides in Wayne Co., N. Y. He was married to Catharine Whitcomb, a native of New York State.and to them have been born five boys, viz. : Leon, Edward, Jud- son, Horace and Jay. The subject of this notice was brought up to manhood upon his father's farm, and educated at the common schools of Granville, N. Y.; came to Mon- mouth in 1858; began work as train baggageman for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (then Peoria & Oquawka Railroad) and was directly appointed Freight Conductor, and followed the business alto- gether for about two and a-half years. He then turned stock shipper for a few months from Peoria and Quin- cy, 111. In April, 1861, he enrolled as a private in Co. G, ist 111. Vol. Cav., and with that command fell into the hands of the enemy at Lexington, Mo. Be- ing at once retired, he joined the nth 111. Vol. Cav. as First Lieutenant of Co. K, and followed the for- tunes of Col. "Bob," Ingersoll's regiment about a year and a half. Leaving the nth at Memphis, Tenn., he returned to Illinois and raised Co. L for the 12th Cavalry, and went out as its Captain, and in 1862-63 was a member of Gen. Wallace's staff. From first to last while connected with his regi- ment, Mr. Howk had participated in all its engage- ments. With the I St Cavalry his term was brief; with the nth he was in Tennessee at Ft. Donelson, Donelsonville, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone Ridge, etc. ; with the 12th he was in the far South and up the Red River, that stream which the poet says "Damned poor Banks forever." The Captain was about a year and a half upon detached service as a Quar- ter Master at New Orleans, and left the army in August, 1865. At the battle of Shiloh the Captain received a bul- let in his leg, which still remains there, through a period of 24 years, and continues to annoy him. He received another wound by his horse running away at Baton Rogue, which almost disabled his right arm. Returning to Monmouth after the war closed, Mr. Howk engaged in business, and has since been one of the most active and enterprising men in the coun- ty. He is an ardent Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. Capt. Howk was married at Monmouth, Jan 1 2, 1866, to Miss Margaret Harper, the daughter of *4^ JU WARREN COUNTY. 653 Parker B. Harper. Her parents were natives of Ohio. She was the third in order of birth of a fam- ily of nine children, viz. : Harvey, who was killed at the battle of Stone Ridge, Mo. ; Eliza J., Sarah, James, Thomas, Walter, Charley, and one deceased. Mrs. Howk was born in Greene Co., Ohio, in 1848. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Howk are men- tioned as follows: Albert, a graduate of Monmouth College, is now connected with the engineering de- partment of the Union Pacific Railroad ; Edward is engaged in the grocery business at Monmouth, and Mamie resides at home. Capt. Howk is purely a self-made man ; what he has of this world's goods, and his fortune is ample, he has acquired by his individual effort and in- dustry. ohn MeClanahan. To the present gener- ation of Warren County, the statement that the name which leads this biographical notice was one of the most honored in the records of the county, will be acknowledged by all, so identified with the best interests of the people was he who is represented in this sketch. He was a native of Virginia, where he was born in 1794. His parents went, in his youth, from the Old Domin- ion to Highland Co., Ohio. They were pioneers there and there they reared their family. John MeClanahan passed the years of his minor- ity in Highland County, and when the period ar- rived for him to take up in his own behalf the weapons of warfare with the elements of fame and fortune, he went to Adams County, in the same State, and there became identified with the devel- opment of the county by connecting himself with its agricultural interests. He located " in the timber," where he bought a large tract of land, cleared a patch for a house, and settled himself to carve out a home and fortune as so many had already done in portions of the country now far advanced in improve- ment. He was connected with the history of Adams County until 1837, when he sold his possessions there and went to Brown County, also in Ohio, and, in company with another party, bought an e.xten- sive tract of land. It was a valuable piece of prop- erty from the fact that it contained a water-power, grist and saw-mill. The owners managed their busi- ness together about three years, when they divided the proceeds and acreage, and Mr. MeClanahan took his share in land. Much of it was under par- tial cultivation, and he devoted himself with vigorous energy to the pursuit of agriculture until 1855. He liad already made a considerable distribution of his land among his children, and, in the year named, sold all he had remaining and came to Illinois, lo- cating in Monmouth. Mr. MeClanahan took possession of the property known as the Thompson farm, which is situated about one mile west from the seat of Warren County, in the capacity of a renter. He continued to man- age the estate two years and at the expiration of that time he removed to Spring Grove Township, where he had bought a farm and on which he had made some miprovements. He operated there as a farmer until 1862, when he could no longer resist the ele- ment that attracted and overwhelmed every patriotic citizen, and cast his fate in with the contending j elements of the Civil War. In July of that year he raised a company of soldiers, and, on the organiza- tion of the command, was made its Captain. It was attached to the 83d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf., and was designated Co. B. The regiment joined the forces in the field and participated in the engagement at Fort Donelson. Capt. MeClanahan, while gallantly ■' leading his men in a charge, fell at the head of his command, mortally wounded. He was taken into the hospital and tenderly cared for during a severe suffering of 19 days, when, on the 22d of February, 1863, he yielded up his life for his country's cause. His remains were brought back to the home he had given his life to defend. He sleeps the sleep of the just and fearless man who saw more than life in the defense of a principle, and more than the reward of the patriot who valued above all else an unsullied flag and a country intact, as the heritage from those who had erected the most glorious national structure in the history of all the ages. John MeClanahan was known all his life as pos- sessing the elements of true courage and chivalry. He was always the foremost in any enterprise that bore even the smallest promises of permanent ben- efit to the general well-being. While living in Ohio he was one of the most prominent of the business men of the Buckeye State, and he was for a long lime tlie moving spirit in the Ripley & Hillsborough Stone Pike Company. He also, while in Ohio, held -^ A i* 654 WARRBI^ COUNTY. *% various public positions, and served two terms in the Legislature of the State as a Representative of Brown County. Mr. McClanahan married Miss Margaret B. Wright, of Fall Creek, Highland Co., Ohio, and of their union 17 children were born. The race is of Scotch-Irish origin and is tenacious of life. Of the sons and daughters of John McClanahan, 14 yet survive, and worthily represent tlie honored name of their sire. The mother died in October, 1874, aged 74 years. Of her husband it may further be added that he was wholly self-educated, and that means a far more liberal cultivation than that afforded by the restricted curriculum of the schools. But he was a thorough student of books in a general way, and was a most successful teacher for many winter seasons in Ohio. In political connection he was by inher- itance a Democrat, but when the Republican party was organized, its tenets harmonized with his views and he enrolled under its banners. His brave and honored life terminated in defense of its fuiidamental principles, and " O'er his sacred dust shall wave the Jree of liberty." -«^'4#=^" i|« D. Birdsall. This gentleman is a farmer and blacksmith, and resides in Tompkins Township. He was born Jan. 3t, 1816, in Westchester Co., N. Y. His parents were John and Letitia (Fowler) Birdsall, both natives of New York. They went to Canada in 1820, where '.hey continued to live until 1838, en- gaging for the time in farming. On coming to War- ren County, they settled in Ellison Township, and purchased 320 acres of land. On this they remained 15 years, when they sold the estate and moved into Henderson County, where they purchased 160 acres, on which the family lived until the death of our subject's father in 1863. I'he death of the mother took place in 1838, an incident that had a saddening effect on the whole household, and more especially to the boy, P. 1). Birdsall. Up to his twenty-fifth year Mr Birdsall remained at home, receiving in the interim a common school education, and assisting his father on the farm. Af- icr 'eaving home he engaged in the flouring mill busi- | 'A nessat Biggsville.and soon after removed to Oquawka, where in the capacity of blacksmith he worked for nine years, then returning to Warren County he set- tled in Tompkins Township, and purchased 120 acres, upon which he still lives, carrying on general farming and the blacksmith trade. He was married, in 1842, to Miss Fannie Ryder, a native of New York, by which union 1 2 children are living: Charles E., Alexander, Mary, Nancy, John, George, Jacob, William, Flora, Fannie, Clara and Frank. Of these, seven are married, and altogether he has 15 grandchildren. In politics, Mr. Birdsall is a prominent Green- liacker, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is one of the representa- tive men of Warren County, and considered a consistent member of his Church, and steadfast politician in principle. • K>OC>^ harles Albert Hebbard, Editor of the Roseville Times, is a native of this State having been born at Oquawka, Hender- a^ son County, September i, 1844. His boyhood ' was spent in this section and when a lad of 16, he was apprenticed to learn the machin- J ist trade in the C. B. & Q. R. R. shop at Galesburg. 1 Here he remained industriously engaged at the em- | ployment he had so early in life selected, from i860 | to 1863. He only then left the work-shop to go to | the front in defense of his country's flag. He en- listed on Nov. 18, 1863, at Springfield, 111., in Co. F, 1 13th 111. Vol. Inf. He was sent to the front and did valiant service in the cause he esteemed so dear, and on the loth of June, 1864, at Guntown, Miss, received a gun-shot wound in the left side. He continued in the service, however, until Septem- ber of the following year, when he was mustered out at Springfield, 111. Mr. Hebbard, like many other enterprising men of the North, felt that there were good openings for various enterprises in the States that were recently in rebellion. He was therefore persuaded to return to Arkansas and for the next two years was engaged running a gang of choppers in getting out wood for steamboats. This not proving satisfactory, he once more returned to Galesburg, and for a time engaged at his trade. Being ambitious and longing for a bet- ■^ WARREN COUNTY u (>i^ ter education he made his arrangements for again entering the school-room. He entered the Grand River Institute, at Austinburg, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, a year later. From this institution he was graduated with the degree of B. S. Shortly after leaving the school-room as a student we find him in charge of the Jefferson High School, of Jefferson, Ohio. For two years he successfully, and to the satisfaction of the general public, managed that school. We next find him at the head of the Madison Seminary, at Madison, Lake Co., Ohio, where he remained for four years. He then returned to Ashtabula County and went into the service of the Western Lock Manufacturing Company, taking charge of the manufacturing de- partment. This position he held for four years, his education as a machinist proving invaluable to him. Mr. Hebbard again resumed his profession as a teacher, and in the early autumn of 1884 came to Roseville and took charge of the schools at this place. So satisfactory has been his service here that he has been retained in the same position since. On the first of September, 1885, he purchased the Roseville Times. This he enlarged and by devoting >i to it his characteristic energy as a business man and ability as a writer, has made it one of the most valu- able and interesting local papers in the county. It is now a six-column quarto and not only ably edited but creditably printed. Mr. Hebbard is earnestly en- gaged in the efforts to give the people of Roseville and vicinity a good and valuable newspaper. While living in Ohio, Mr. Hebbard was united in, marriage with Julia A. Williams, of Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. The date of this, to him very important event, is 187 1. .m%a 4 *» ^ ^^ C. VanRiper, a retired farmer, on section 16, Tompkins Township, was born in Hud- son Co., N. J., March 25, 1830. His par- ents were Cornelius and Mary R. (Sickles) VanRiper, also natives of New Jersey. A. C. remained under the parental roof until he was 23 years of age. During that time he received a good common school education. After leaving home he engaged in the dairying business in New Jersey, which occupation he followed successfully for five years, and then followed other pursuits up to 1855, when he came to Illinois. Then he conuiienced purchasing and selling land, but abandoned this af- ter 16 months, returned East, where he remained until the year 1861, when he revisited Illinois and occupied himself with the former business of land purchase and sale, at the same time pursuing farming more or less. He at present own 120 acres of land, 40 acres lying in the corporation of Kirk- wood, on which he now resides. A great portion of his time, however, is taken up in visits to the East. He was married to Miss Cornelia Ackerman, a native of New Jersey, by whom he had six children — Mary G„ Euphemia E., Cornelius, Abraham, Ed- ward and Jeannie. Mary G. married M. G. John- son, and by this union there are two children — Gertrude and Freddie. Euphemia E married New- ton Spence. By political persuasion, Mr. VanRiper is a Demo- crat, and with his wife and two daughters belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He has been elected to office on the Village Board as one of the "City Fathers." He also filled the position of Captain of the police force in Jersey city. He is one among the leading, most thoughtful and substantial men of Kirk wood. Ifolin Lorimer, auctioneer and dealer in car- 1^ riages, buggies, etc., at Monmouth, as well as one of Warren County's prominent bus- iness men, was born in Muskingum Co. Ohio, March 26, 1831. His parents were Dr. Sam- uel and Mary (Few) Lorimer, natives respect- ively of old Ireland and the Slate of Ohio. They both died before John was three years old, and at this writing, he and his sister older, are the only survivors of his father's family. His youth was spent principally at school, supple- menting a pretty thorough common school training by a course at New Concord (Ohio) College. Leaving College he taught school about four years in Ken- tucky, Ohio and Illinois and then after a year or two spent at farming, settled down at Monmouth. He came here in 1856, since which time he has been one of the busiest men in Warren County. He be- gan auctioneering in 1861 and has kept it up stead- ily, notwithstanding a multiplicy of duties of various J -H^ 656 r v. WARREN COUNTY. Ju kinds have necessarily demanded much of his atten- tion. He was elected Constable in 1861 and held the office 19 years. Was elected City Marshal, in 1864, and held the office about three years. Was Deputy Sheriff of Warren County several years. He ran an auction store eight years in Monmouth and has been engaged in the buggy and carriage business about eight years, two years of the time on the road carrying with him a full line of vehicles. September 13, 1853, he was married at New Con- cord, Ohio, to Miss I. M. Russell, a native of the Keystone State, and daughter of Thomas Russell, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lorimer have had born to them five children, as follows : Rachel N., wife of J. M. Harvey, of Buena Vista, Colorado ; Samuel B., interested with his father, in tlie carriage and buggy business ; John, now a resident of Colorado; Thomas and Minnie, in Monmouth. Mr. Lorimer is identi- fied with no Church or secret order, and through life he has depended upon his own individual effort and industry for such of this world's goods as he pos- sesses and enjoys. He is a good liver and a man that enjoys life wherever he is. •w-v^-\t4C£r©-S@' >».^f^^(5*v.'W'vv .avid Tuttle. Prominent among the num- erous retired farmers of Roseville, ranks the subject of this personal sketch, who is spending the evening of an active and use- ful life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his toil. David Tuttle was born in Greene Co. Pa., Oct. 13, 1800, and is consequently 85 years of age. His parents Israel and Mary (Martin) Tuttle, were natives of New Jersey, but at a very early day moved into Pennsylvania and secured farming property. He had a family of ten children, four sons and six daughters. The wife, Mrs. Mary Tuttle, died in Pennsylvania in February, 1824, and Israel Tuttle in January, 1842. David was a member of the home family until a young man of 24 years of age. Of course during these years he assisted his parents on the farm and attended such schools as the neighborhood afforded. His first venture after leaving home was to purchase a farm of 120 acres. Here he lived for several years, when he sold out and purchased his father's farm, where he lived until 1850. Feeling that the West offered superior advantages, he sold out and came to Illinois, finding a desirable home in Warren County. Here 011 section 28, of Roseville Township, he se- cured a valuable 80 acre tract of land, where he lived and farmed until iSSo. He then sold out and moved into Roseville, buying eight acres where he now resides. Politically Mr. Tuttle is a Prohibition- ist, and together with his wife belongs to the United Brethren Church. In 1854, January 24, Mr. Tuttle and Mrs. Philena E. Young, a native of Ashtabula Co. Ohio, were united in marriage. Mrs. Tuttle was born Dec. 13, i82i,and was a daughter of Samuel and Philena (Ward) Overbaugh. They were natives of New York and Connecticut respectively and had a family of two daughters. Mr. O. died in 1822, the year following the death of his wife. F. Loudon, whose hair is silvered by the lapse of time, is passing the sunset of his life in peace and quiet at his residence in Kirkwood. He is a native of South Caro- lina, having been born in that State in 181 2. The parents of Mr. Loudon, George and Mary (Ferris) Loudon, were natives of Ireland and South Carolina respectively. They moved to Indiana in 1816, where the father purchased 80 acres of land, on which he moved with his family and there re- sided until tlie death of both heads of the house- hold. W. F. Loudon, the subject of this notice, received an education in the common schools and from about the age of 12 years until he was 25, he worked at various occupations, assisting in the maintenance of his fatiier's family. In 185 1, he came to Henderson County, this State, and there purchased 40 acres of land. On this land he located and entered vigor- ously and energetically upon the vocation of an ag- riculturist and was there occupied for two years. He then came to this county and for two years followed farming on rented land, when he purchased 160 acres on section 8, Tompkins Township, and there, for 25 years, was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has lived in Kirkwood Village for the past four years where he has 1 2 acres of land and a good res- I *x V -64^ WARkEN COUJ^TY. — -H- 657 idence, and is passing the evening of his life in quiet retirement. The marriage of Mr. Loudon with Miss Jane Mar- tin was solemized in 1836, and their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, Margaret, Nancy, George, Mary A., and James H. After 40 years of married life, during which the wife had shared the toils and trials, the successes and re- verses, of her husband, she passed to the better land, the date of her death being 1876. Mr. Lou- don in his poHtical belief endorses the principles of the Democratic party and religiously is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. ¥ <-^^-» * Joseph Pine located in Warren County in 1844. He is now a resident of Galesburg, ][5p!?'°l' 111. He was 16 years of age when his par- ents started from Ohio for Illinois. They came over the intervening country with their own conveyance, and reached Warren County after a slow, but, in some respects, pleasant and profitable journey. Mr. Pine is a native of Somersetshire, England. He was born May 2, 1828, and is the son of Rob- ert and Elizabeth (Morris) Pine. His father emi- grated with his family from England to Amer- ica, sometime in the year 1840. Mr. Pine was then 12 years old, and has a distinct remembrance of the incidents of the voyage from Liverpool to Philadel- phia, as the time passed on the ocean was six entire weeks. They went to Lake County, in the Buckeye State, and were there resident until their removal at the time stated to Illinois. They started on their overland trip with three horses and a pair of oxen. The members of the household and the domestic belongings were accommodated in two large wagons. In the vicinity of Cleveland the father exchanged the oxen for horses, and the distance between them and their destination seemed to diminish with pro- portionate rapidity. The senior Pine bought a claim on section 14, in the part of Warren County then designated on the government charts as township 12, and which on its organization as a municipality was named Kelly Township. There were 20 acres of the property in tillage, and a log house had been erected. The lat- ter was of the style of architecture which pointed out a most primitive condition of things, and the roof was made of "shakes," which were kept in their places with poles. The usual improvements were afterward made on the place by the owner, who hved there until the close of his life. His death trans- pired about 1870. The family included six chil- dren, and the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth. Mr. Pine remained a member of his father's house- hold until his marriage to Letitia Watson, which event took place in 1853. His wife was born in Ken- tucky, and is the daughter of Basil and Matilda Wat- son, who were members of the pioneer element of Kelly Township. At the time of his marriage Mr. Pine located on section 9, in the same township where his father had settled, and improved the farm on which he fixed his permanent residence, and which is still in his possession. In March, 1876, he rented his farm and went to Galesburg, where he is now living. He is manu- facturing brick and terra cotta articles of merchan- dise, and is a member of the Stock Company in that place which was incorporated in 1885. He is the ' Superintendent and one of the Directors of the Works. His son, Edwin A., lives in Kelly Township, and is officiating as Assessor. Frank J. is a hardware dealer at Alexis, and is represented in this work. Janet and Linnie May are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Pine. Mr. Pine is a member of the denomination known as Second Adventists. ohn Tucker, owning the undivided half interest to 450 acres of land in Swan Township, and residing upon section 20 of the same, was born in the township where he at ]C present resides, Nov. 21, 1846, his parents both being natives of Washington Co., Pa. Mr. Tucker formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Ida F. Bostwick, Oct. 11, 1871. She was born July i, 1852, in Roseville Township, this county, her father's name being Alanson Bostwick. He was born in Connecticut, in 1814, and married Jane A. Jones, in 1848. She was born in 1818, and bore her husband *+~ V t 658 WARREN COUNTY. three children — Ida F., Ozro P. and Ora A. Her father died Dec. 23, 1876. The father of Mr. Tucker, of this notice, James Tucker, was born May 15, 1807, in Washington Co., Pa., came to Illinois in 1834 and located in Swan Township, this county ; removed from there to Rose- ville, where he is at present residing. He was mar- ried to Miss Caroline Johnson, April 27, 1840. She was born July 9, 1809, in Washington Co., Pa. They were married in the Keystone State, and of their un- ion four children- were born — Daniel J., Aug. 20, 1841; James M., Feb. 24, 1844; John, Nov. 21, 1846, and George, Feb. 22, 1849. Daniel J. died in the army, Sept. 20, 1861, at Lexington, Mo., of ty- phoid fever, after an illness of eight days. He par- ticipated in the battle of Le.\ington, on the 20th of September, that year, and died on the 28th of the same month. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker of this sketch are the happy parents of two children — Carrie J., born Sept. 9, • 1873, and Ora A., January 11, 1877. Mr. Tucker has a good residence on the place, two stories in height, and is there passing his life in the prosecu- >^ tion of a vocation which he has followed since he was old enough. In politics he is a believer in and a supporter of the principles advocated by the Re- publican party, which ticket he has always voted. ; oshua C. Ray, a successful farmer owning 1^^ 150 acres of land located on section 4, Greenbush Township, where he resides 1^ and is actively engaged in the prosecution of the labors of an agriculturist, was born in Lenox Township, this county, in 1852, and is a son of Woodford Ray, a native of Kentucky, where he was born in 1824. The latter followed the voca- tion of a farmer and died in September, 1865, at the age of 45 years, in Missouri. The father formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Nancy Simons in 1850. She was born in Kentucky in 1831, and died in May, 1852. Of their union two children were born, — James G. and Joshua C, our subject. After their mother's death, the father was a second time married, and by this wife had five children, namely ; Ida J., Charles C, Lewis R., Harriet and Delos. Joshua Ray, subject of this biographical notice, was married April 2, 1874, to Eliza Morris. She was born Jan. 25, 1855, and has borne her husband three children, one of whom, Mary E., died July 12, 1880. Marshal 15. was born Jan. 2, 1875, and Wal- ter, Oct. 29, 1880. Mr. Ray and his family are pleasantly situated on their fine farm in Greenbush Township, and in addition to their acreage in this county, Mr. Ray is the owner of 12 acres in Mc- Donough County, this State. In politics, he votes with the Democratic party. The father of Mrs. Ray, Bethuel Morris, was born in Ohio, in 1826, and inarried Miss Mary Crawford in 1847. She was born in Ohio and bore her hus- band six children, as follo\vs: Merribah, John B., Almira, Flora, Eliza E. and Melissa. Mr. Morris and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and, in politics, he votes the same ticket as his son- in-law, Mr. Ray. ev. George W. Hamilton, pastor of Little York United Presbyterian Church, was born in New Wilmington, Mercer Co., Pa., March i, 1848, and was the son of George Hamilton, also a native of Pennsylvania, and the grandson of Thomas Hamilton, whose birthplace was Ulster, County Tyrone, Ireland, and the date of his birth 1763. In belief this latter gen- tleman was a staunch Presbyterian of the Old School, and came of a direct line of Scotch ancestry. He emigrated to the United States in 1784, locating in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he lived for some time, then removed to Beaver County, of that State, where he died. He had all his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. Early in life he married Miss Agnes Mitchell, who was likewise born in County Tyrone, March 2, 1773, and like her husband was of Scotch descent. They had 13 children, all of whom reached maturity. The fatlier of the subject was the nth in order of birth and in his native county grew to man- hood, being reared on his father's farm, and in early life married Rebecca Strain, a native of Beaver County, who was born in 18 19. Shortly after mar- riage they removed to Mercer County, where he took up land, which he worked until 1855, and in that year he moved into Iowa, settling near Dubuiiue. Here he bought a farm, upon which his wife died, in ^ WARREN COUNTY. the year iS6[, he surviving her until 1876, when he followed her to their long home. Rev. G. W. Hamilton, our subject, and the ninth child in the large circle of brothers and sisters, was seven years of age at the time ot his parents' removal to Iowa. Here he grew to the years of maturity, receiving his early education in the district schools, and in 1872 graduated from college, having taken a full classical course. Subsequently he entered the Theological Seminary of Xenia, Ohio, in which he continued two years, and leaving this he became a student under Dr. Patton, of Chicago, with whom he remained one year. He commenced his ministra- tion in 1875, in the States of Michigan, Iowa and Missouri, laboring two years before receiving ordina- tion. This event took place at Elvira, Clinton Co., Iowa, March 27, 1877, and at this time he was in- stalled pastor of the Church there, the pulpit of which he occupied until August, 1880. Receiving a call to the United Presbyterian Church of Little York, he took up his abode in that town, in October of that year, which pastorate he holds at the present time. His marriage occurred Sept. 5, 1878, to Anna C. Young, native of Michigan. Mr. Hamilton is a man of large usefulness and adorns the position he occupies, and is, heart and mind, enlisted in the work of "bringing in the sheaves." 4 5'V\/v^-^ B. Holeman. One of the energetic and successful farmers of Warren County is Mr. D. B. Holeman, who resides upon j^ section 35, Roseville Township, having been born in this township Nov. 20, 1850. He is a son of Reuben and Susannah (Crab) Holeman, who are natives of Indiana, and whose biography appears elsewhere in this book. D. B. Holeman, the gentleman whose name heads this personal narrative, remained at home until he attained his 20th year, in the meantime receiving a common-school education and assisting his parents with the labors on the farm. He afterward farmed with his father on shares for two years, and in 1872 thinking he could better himself considerably, he went to Kansas, and located in Linn County. Here he made a purchase of 80 acres of land and engaged 11 ;tock-raising, continuing the saaie for two years, itjzafl/®^* K4 — >.'^~S/B'OT>v rederick Heinzman, an agriculturist, re- £_ siding upon section 33, Greenbush Town- ship, where, on his fine farm of 240 acres, he is prosecuting his vocation, was born in Baden, Germany, Oct. 11, 1827, and emigrated to this country in 185 1, landing at New York, from whence he proceeded to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained one year and worked at the mason's trade, which he had learned in the fatherland. At the end of the time stated, Mr. Heinzman came to Springfield, this State, and resided at that place for two years, engaged in working at his trade, when he went to Decatur, and, after remaining there a year, moved to Prairie City. In the latter place he worked at his trade until 1874, when he came to this township and located on section 33, Greenbush Township, where he purchased 80 acres of land. He at once located on his land and engaged actively and energetically in its improvement and cultivation, and by economy and perseverance has, by subse- quent purchases, increased his landed interests in Warren County to 240 acres, and is also the owner of 80 acres in McDonough County. Mr. H. has a good residence upon his place, 35 x 45 feet in dimen- n^j 4 <5S9 when he exchanged his property for some land situ- ated about three miles distant and entered upon the latter tract, of 80 acres, where he engaged in mixed husbandry for three years. He again returned to Illinois, and in [88r purchased 1465^ acres of land, 80 of which is in Roseville Township and is in ex- cellent cultivation ; 37 acres are prairie land and 295^ good timber. Mr. D. B. Holeman was married in 1870 to Miss Harriet Smith, a native of Warren County and daughter of Allen and Susan (Miller) Smith, natives of Indiana, who came to Illinois in 1848 and settled in Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Holeman have had their home brightened and blessed with the birth of two children — Susannah, born Oct. 12, 1871 ; and William B., Aug. 29, 1875. Mr. Holeman affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the representative and solid men of Warren County. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he fills the position of School Director. t 66o WARREN COUNTY. sions, with a good cellar, the walls of which are of his own work. His barn is 30 x 40 feet with a good basement. Mr. Heinzman was united in marriage with Fred- rica Behler, March 6, 1855. She was born March 5, 1828, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America in 1854, landing at New Orleans. From there she proceeded to Decatur, 111., where she re- mained one year, at the expiration of which time she married Mr. Heinzman. Of their union ten chil- dren have been born, namely: May E., Jan. 16, 1856; Frederick, May 25, 1857; Frank, Aug. 11, 1858; Louisa F., Dec. 2, 1859; Rudolph, May 5, 1861; John, Oct. 27, ^1862; Charles Oct. 14, 1864; Minnie, born March 30, 1866, died July 25, 1881 ; Albert, born May 14, 1868, died April 29, 1870; and Lillian, born July 10, 187 1. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. H. votes with the Democratic party. His father, Jacob, was born in 1802, in Germany, and married Miss Mudinger. who was born in that country in 1800. The father died in Nebraska, in 1881, and the mother in this " county in 1875. They had nine children, five of whom are deceased. The living are Frederick, Mary, Jacob and Charles. ambert Lester, a prominent farmer on sec- tion 13 of Point Pleasant Township, was born in Greene Co., Ind., Jan. 11, 1839. f Thomas C. Lester, his father, was a native of South Carolina, where he was born Aug. 3, 1816. The latter was a son of Peter R. and Haney (O'Neil) Lester. The families of both his parents were South Carolinians. His great-grand- father, James Lester, was an Englishman. His wife a Deneford ; her given name is not recollected by her descendants of this generation. She was reared in Ireland, came to America at an early day and was united in marriage to the «bove named James. They had eight children, seven of whom were boys : John, Isaac, James, Peter, Charles, Abner, Samuel and the daughter, Joicey. All except Abner and Samuel lived to raise families of their own. The parents, with their children, moved to South Caro- lina before the Revolutionary War, and about the year 1787, Peter, the fourth son, married Jane Ru- ble, who was born in Newbury, S. C. To them were born II children, five boys and six girls, as follows: Patty, Sally, Peter, James, Mary, Willis, Rhoda, Vincent, Simpson, Cinderella and Jane. They all grew to maturity and reared families of their own; only three of the number arc now living, namely : Peter, the grandfather of our subject; Vincent, who lives in Greene Co., Ind.; and Simpson, who resides at Batesville, Mississippi. Peter Lester re- moved with his family to Indiana when his son Thomas was but five years of age. He was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers in the county of Greene, and is still living there at the age of 96 years. The son just referred to— Thomas C. — grew to manhood in Greene County, where he was mar- ried to Eliza Hughen, wlio was born in South Caro- lina, Dec. 31, 1815. His father presented him with 80 acres of land on his marriage, which was situated in the township of Plummer, on Wliite River, in the same county in which the father resided. As it was all in heavy timber, there was a vast amount of hard work before him to make a suitable home for the new-made wife. But he built a log house on a •< small clearing, in which they took up their residence, and the work of reclamation from the original forest went vigorously on. The husband was a man of' energy and industry, and in a very short time placed 40 acres under good culture. He was enabled to make a further purchase of land, whicli he thor- oughly improved, and remained the occupant of the farm as long as he lived. His death transpired in May, 1851. His widow lives at present in Clay Co., Neb. There were five children in the family of Thomas Lester, but none now living save the sub- ject of this sketch and Mary, the wife of Walter Paine, of Edgar, Clay Co., Neb. Mr. Lester was 12 years old when his father was removed by death. He continued to live in his na- tive county until October, 1856. The homestead was then rented, his mother having remarried, to a man named ^Villiam R. Hindnian. The latter removed the family to Warren County, in the year named, and located in Point Pleasant Township. The son accompanied the family and was married to Mary E. Di.\on Oct. 19, i86g. His wife is tlie daughter of Eli and Jemima (Boyd) Dixon, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this book. Previous to his marriage he became the owner of 1^ ^ WARREN COUNTY. i* 66] 40 acres of land, which he had purchased in 1863, and which constituted the nucleus of the splendid farm upon which he now resides. His mother re- sided with him on the 40-acre tract until he married. He has been prosperous and has added to his estate until he is the owner of 400 acres of excellent land, all in a good state of cultivation. It includes 30 acres of timber land, whose value is appreciated in a prairie country. Mr. Lester is a Democrat in political views. Mrs. Lester belongs to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Minnie J. Lester, the sole daughter of the parents' home and hearts, was born Feb. 7, 1876. Among the views of farm residences given in the pictorial department of this Album, may be found that of Mr. Lester's, on page 380. ohn S. Whelan, a well-to-do, sturdy tiller 1^ of the soil, resides in this county, on his '■'''' farm of 160 acres, located on section 18, Hale Township. He is a son of James and Margaret (Moore) Whelan, natives of Ireland. They were the parents of seven children, of whom John S. is the third in order of birth. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Oct. 23, 1853. When John S. was but two years of age his parents brought him to Illinois. They located in this county in August, 1861, in Swan Township, where his fa- ther died. His mother still survives. The subject of this notice received a good common school education in the district schools of this county, and continued to reside here, engaged in the occupa- tion of farming, until 1876, when he removed to Hen- derson County, and there lived for five years following the same occupation. At the expiration of this time he came to Hale Township, and purchased the land which he still owns and occupies. This land is all under an advanced state of cultivation, and in the vo- cation which he has followed the major portion of his life he is meeting with success. The ceremony which united tlie lives of Mr. Whe- lan and Miss Kate Mason, the accomplished daugh- ter of Michael and Johanna (Shaw) Mason, natives of Ireland, was solemnized February i, 1876, in Henderson County. Miss Mason was the fourth in order of birth of a family of nine children. She • . ■ -X was born in Ohio January 16, 1855, and has borne her husband four children, Charlie M., Mary E., Ka- tie and J. Edgar. Mr. Whelan has held the office of School Director in his Township, and in his politics is independent. He and his wife are faithful and active members of the Catholic Church. ^v'w-Atiiaz/®^^-' >S■x•^^S/OT?r»v- -uvv~. homas Meadows, farmer on section 3, Berwick Township, was born in this county, ^ Dec. 18, 1845, and is a son of Henry Meadows, a native of Kentucky, where he was born March 28, 1798. The father of the sub- ject of this notice came to Illinois prior to the Black Hawk War, in 1832, and died Jan. 13, 185 1, in this county. He was married to Miss Mary Coffey March 26, 1818. She was also a native of Kentucky, born there Sept. 6, 1799, and died Aug. 24, 1881. They had 14 children, namely : Nancy, born May 21,1819; Andrew, May 10, 1820; Jane, April 15, 1821; Martin C, March 12, 1822; Eliza- beth, July 23, 1823; James and Martha (twins), > Nov. II, 1825; Mary, July 3, 1827; Sarah, July 5, 1829; Henry W.. Dec. 30, 1831; Althea, Jan. 5, 1834; John G., Nov. 30, 1837; Artimisia, Feb. 20, 1836; Erastus, April 16, 1842; and Thomas, born as stated above. Thomas Meadows, the subject of this biographical notice, was married to Miss Mary J. Brown, March 9, 1865. She was born Oct. 13, 1846, in Indiana, and her parents came to this State in 1854, locating in this county. Her father, Wm. L. Brown, was born in Ohio, Dec. 31, 1820, and was there married to Miss Julia A. Newkirk, Jan. i, 1S46. She was born Sept. i, 1826, and was also a native of Ohio, and both are still living, residing at present in Ab- ingdon. They have been blessed with eight chil- dren — Mary Jane, born in October, 1846; Almeda Ann, who was born Oct. 6, 1848, and married Wm. P. Meadows March 10, 1870; Sarah M., born Sept. 26, 1850, (niarriedGalen P. Meadows Feb. 7, 187 i); John W., born Aug. 27,' 1852 ; Harriet E., born Feb. 27, 1855, (married Wm. L. Roney Sept. 24, 1874); Jerusha R., born June i, 1858 (married Albert J. Haynes in 1879); Alzora, born June 24, 1861, is deceased; and Alvira A., born Nov. 29, 1863, be- came the wife of Lewis J. Supple April 3, 1884. ^ -4 i* 662 WARREN COUNTY. Thomas Meadows, of whom we write, and his wife are the parents of the following children : El- mer, born Feb. 12, i866, Ira D, Feb. 10, 1868; Austin T., March 16, 1870; Leonard P., Dec. 22, 1874; Charlie L, Jan. 20, 1878; Vella Ann, June .7, 1885. Mr. Meadows is the proprietor of 98 acres of good land, located on section 3, Berwick Township, and as an agriculturist is meeting witii tlie success which energy and perseverance are sure 10 bring. In poli- tics, he votes with the Democratic party, and, re- ligiously, he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Church. -W-«- oi\zs\ ^' ^' Monmouth, the name of his establishment )v^ being the Maple City Cigar Factory. He was born Oct. 8, 1842, at Delmat, Holstein, Ger- many. He came to America in 1861, four years after his father, who died suddenly at Palmyra, Mo., in 1868, while en route from Hannibal, Mo., to Monmouth. Reimer Lahann's first employment in the United States was farming, which he followed for a year and a half near Troy, N. Y., after which he went to work at cabinet making, in Troy, N. Y., where he resided until 1866, during which time he also learned the cigar-maker's trade. While a resident of New York State he served a term as a member of the National Guards, assisting the organ- ization in protecting lives and property at a time when riots and disturbances were imminent. Immediately upon removing to Monmoutli, which be did in 1866, Mr. Lahann began the manufacture of cigars. He rolled the smokers himself. His bus- iness was on a small scale, but with slight assistance from his estimable wife, a good start was being made. The fire of '68 com|)letely cleaned out the busmess, but Mr. Lahann was not discouraged. He began work again at the beginning. By gradual development his establishment, which he has built up alone and unaided, except by his wife, has become one of the leading institutions of Monmouth. The Maple City factory is Mr. Lahann's pride, and it is evidence of his industry and business ability. From 35 to 40 men are constantly employed in the factory and a num- ber of salesmen are continually on the road, dispos- ing of the different brands of cigars, all of which have an excellent reputation. The factory turned out in 1884 over 1,500,000 cigars. During the last four months of that year the number sold was 440,525, while during the corresponding period of '85 the number was 493,500, a most gratifying increase. Not only its size, l)ut its prosiierous condition, makes the institution one of particular advantage to the city of Monmouth, inasmuch as the place becomes known throughout tlie extensive territory in which the cigars are sold. Mr. Lahann's adherence to the practice of using only a superior quality of stock has done much to overcome the prejudice for Eastern cigars where- ever the products of the Maple City factory are ob- tainable. Mr. Lahann was married at Troy, N. Y., Jan. 24, 1865, to Miss Katie Fougard, of Huhrhesse, Ger- many. Their children are Ida, Andrew and Nina May, the first the wife of Mr. Fred T. Hayden, the second a cigar-maker and the third a school girl. Mr. Hay- den and Andrew Lahann are both employed in the factory. Mrs. Hayden has a daughter, born Feb. 2, 1886, and Mr. R. Lahann proudly responds to the title of grandfather. Mr. Lahann is a Knight Tem- plar in Masonry, an Odd Fellow, a member of the Leiderkranz Society, and in politics, a Republican. -<^4^#-H*- eorge W. Stice is extensively engaged as an agriculturist upon section 30, Swan ^ Township, where he owns 910 acres. It 1^^ is all tillable land but 15 acres, which is cov- C ered with timber. He has erected a good, f substantial two-story dwelling, which is 30 x 30 feet in dimensions, upon his farm ; also a good barn, 38 X 42 feet. He is a breeder of Short-horn cattle, having at present seven head, also excellent grades of roadsters. In his chosen vocation, he has met with remarkable success, being an industrious, per- severing and economical farmer, and to himself and good helpmeet, his wife, is his prosperity attribut- able. Mr. George. W. Stice, of whom we write, was born in Madison Co., 111., July 8, 1832, and is the son of 1 i t 'JKl V t ■ v. WARREN COUNTY. 663 i Charles Slice, a native of North Carolina, where he was bom in 1795, on the nth of February. The latter came to this State in 18 14 and located in Madison County. The elder Mr. Stice was a Ranger during the War of 1812, and was under General Whiteside in the Black Hawk War in 1832. It was while in that war that he came through this county and saw the fertility of the soil, and was so well pleased that in 1833 he came to what is now the southern part of Henderson County ; but as that lo- cality proved unhealthful, he came to Greanbush, this county, engaging in merchandising and was ap- pointed Postmaster. After a residence of seven years there, he exchanged his town property for a farm on section 29, Swan Township, which he occupied until his death. Miss Patsey Whitley was the lady chosen to share his joys and sorrows, successes and reverses. She was born in 1800, in Illinois, and of her union with Mr. Stice 12 children were born, as follows : Sarah, Andrew, Nancy, Tabitha, James and Diana (twins), Martha, Charles, George W., Oscar, and a pair of twins who died in infancy. Mrs. Stice, the mother of our subject, died in 1847, the father's demise occurring April i, 1869, in Swan Township. George W. Stice was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe King, Jan. ig, i860. She was a native of McDonough County, and the daughter of R. T. King, who was born in Washington Co., East Ten- nesse, Nov. 28, 1817. He came to Illinois in 1835, and on Nov. 28, 1839, was married to Miss Martha A. Holden, who was born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, July 2, 1822. Her father was a native of Vermont, moved to Ohio at an early day, and had a family comprising eight children — Phebe, born Feb. 4, 1841 : William H., Feb. 12, 1847 ; James M., in November, 1849; John H., in July, 1852; Myrim H., Oct. 10, 185s ; Isabella L., in 1857 ; Thomas F., Feb. 28, 1859; and Charlie, Aug. 8, 186 1. All the above children are at present living and have at- tained the age of manhood and womanhood. Mr. King was really one of the pioneers of McDonough County. George W. Stice, whose name heads this article, is the father of three children hving and three deceased. George F. was born Oct. 29, 1864 ; Freeman S., Oct. 15, 1870; Sylvia A., Oct. 2, 1872; Edith, born Dec. 3, i860, died in infancy; Charles, born Jan. 8, 1862, died Nov. 13, same year; Harry, born April 30, 1876, died May 22, 1876. Mr. Stice lived on sections 26 and 27, of Point Pleasant Township for 16 years. In the spring of 1874 he moved to sec- tion 30, Swan Township, where he had purchased lund and here he has lived to the present time. In addition to the cultivation of his land, Mr. S. is engaged to a considerable extent in the breeding of Short-horn cattle and graded roadsters. In pol- itics, he is a strong advocate of temperance and votes with the Prohibition party. His wife is President of the W. C. T. U. county organization, and has held the position for five years. She is also President of the Band of Hope at Swan Creek, and is a lady of most excellent qualities. Mr. Stice is one of the leading representative citizens, not only of Swan Township but also of Warren County. yrus B. Bristol, Jr., of the grocery house of Bristol & Glendening, at Monmouth, was born at Fairmount, W. Va., Feb. 13, 1840. His parents, the Rev. Cyrus Beecher and Maria (Henderson) Bristol, were de- scended respectively from old English and Irish families, and were bom, the first named in New Haven, Conn., and the latter in Fayette Co., Pa. They reared four sons and four daughters, and as if the figure four were destined to play some con- spicuous part in his history, the subject of this sketch was the fourth child in order of birth and was four years old when his parents removed to Armstrong Co., Pa. The Rev. Mr. Bristol had charge of two churches in Armstrong County for about 12 years^ and in 1856 came to Illinois. He resides now (Oct- ober, 1885) at Schaller, Iowa, with his son, W. R. T. Bristol. He is 87 years old; his wife 78. At Elder's Ridge, Glade Run Academy and an institution of learning in Pittsburgh, Pa., Cyrus B. Bristol, Jr., accjuired a pretty thorough English edu- cation. After coming to Illinois he learned the car- penter's trade, and worked at it for some years. Feb. 20, 1862, he enrolled in Mercer County, this Slate, as a private in Co. B, 65th 111. Vol. Inf , and re-en- listed at Knoxville, Tenn., March 30, 1864. Soon after his first enlistment he was promoted Corporal. He veteranized as Second Sergeant, was promoted to *4 664 WARREN COUNTY. +^ Orderly Sergeant and mustered out as Sergeant Major, July 13, 1865; was commissioned Second Lieutenant, but did not muster. He saw service un- der Burnside in East Tennessee; was in the 23d army corps and took part in all the engagements of that army from Dalton to Atlanta. He smelt gun- powder and heard the bullets at Columbia, Ga. Franklin, Tenn., and Nashville. After the battle of Nashville, his regiment was transferred to the Eastern Army and took a hand in the Wilmington and Fort Fisher engagements. At Harper's Ferry, Sept. 15, 1862, the enemy gobbled him up along with the regiment, held them a day or two and paroled them. He was with his command from beginning to end and never missed duty but two days. Returning from the war, he farmed two years in Mercer County, and went to Pennsylvania, where, on the i6th of May, 1867, at the town of Kent, In- diana County, he was married to Miss S. J. McFar- land, a native of that place and a daughter of Mr. William McFarUiiid. In 1868, he came to Mon- mouth, where he has since resided. He worked for the Weir Plow Company about nine years, and has been in the grocery business since 1879. His first partner in mercantile business was W. T. Wiley ; second, W. P. Pressley ; third, A. S. Carson ; and the present partnership was formed in June, 1885. (See biography of D. D. Dunkle). Mr. Bristol is a Mason, a member of the G. A. R. and Master Workman in the A. O. U. W. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Presby- terian Church. ■^_ol. James W. Davidson, an attorney and ciliKS^r counsellor at law, residing at Monmouth, 'Slfe,V'*' has practiced at the Warren County Bar ^% a greater number of years than any other man ^ now living. He was born in Barren County, \ Ky., Sept. 16, 1813, and was the third of si.\ sons bred and reared to manhood by Hezekiah and Eleanor (Wilson) Davidson, natives of the States of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of Irish and Scotch extraction respectively. Hezekiah Davidson was a mechanic, and in his day was the most extensive manufacturer of guns and cotton gins in the country where he resided. He came to Warren County in i83r, and spent the rest of his life on his farm near Monmouth, dying in 1841, in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His widow survived him up to the winter of 1857-8. Col, James W. Davidson was in his youth inured to the toils of farm life, and also learned the trade of his father. He afterwards acquired a thorough acad- emic education, teaching school two years in Logan and two years in Simpson counties, Ky. He went to Mississippi and remained there about one year. He returned to the old Kentucky home to find that the rest of the family had some time before emigrated to the West. He had traveled from Brandon, Miss., to Barren Co., Ky.,on horseback, and without delay he pressed forward, and by the same conveyance reach- ed Monmouth. Remaining tliere but a short time, he returned to Kentucky, and at Bowling Green, in the office of W. L. Underwood began reading law. During the last two years spent under the instruction of attorney Underwood he taught school in Simpson County, going tlience to Logan County, Ky., where ' he taught about two years. At Russellville, Ky., he finished his course of study witli lawyer Benjamin E. Gray, and was admitted to the Bar. He landed at Monmouth, May 10, 1839, and at once hung out his shingle as attorney-at-law. Something of the confidence with which young Davidson inspired the people in his abilities as a lawyer, may be surmised from the fact that before the convening of the first term of Court after his arrival in Warren County, Nov. 1839, he was entrusted with no less than 83 causes. When Court set, however, his early ambition was doomed to disappointment. The cold November day augmented the decline of his young, though invalid wife, and hercondition became at once so precarious as to forbid his absence from her bedside, and the Court convened and adjourned regularly for more than two years without his attend- ance. Not that his young wife yet required his at- tention, for before the roses bloomed and while yet the new spring time was just warming into life the little seeds that were to shoot forth the bright flowers and green grasses, Mary E. (Wickware) Da- vidson, to whom he was married in Kentucky, Aug. 26, 1838, yielded up her life, leaving to the care of *% V A WARREN COUNTY. i* 665 her husband an only child, Thaddeus C. Davidson now a business man at Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Davidson has led the Democratic party of his district in two heated campaigns for Congress, his last nomination being by acclamation at Peoria, in the fall of 1858. In the first, he ran 1,271 votes ahead of Buchanan. Senator Douglas publicly complimented him by saying, "his campaign was, under all circum- stances, the grandest he had ever witnessed." In June, 1857, James Buchanan appointed Mr. David- son United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois, but because the influence of the office was not used against Mr. Douglas, Davidson was soon afterward replaced. At the request of the members of the Bar of his Judicial District, Mr. Davidson ran for the Circuit Judgeship in 18 — , but his Democracy was too pro- nounced to carry a majority in a district so ultra radical, and previous to the election he withdrew from ^ the contest. In 1 844, he was defeated by seven votes for the Illinois Legislature. I''or46 years Mr. David- son has devoted his time to the practice of law, and during the last decade has been ranked as the Nestor of the Warren County Bar. Criminal causes have re- ceived so much of his attention as to make it proper to say that that branch of his practice has been his specialty. April 4, 1843, ^^r. Davidson was married to his sec- ond wife, Mary E. Coleman, a native of Hopkins-- ville, Ky., who was born July 2, 1823. The parents of Mrs. Davidson were James and Lucy O. (Hawkins) Coleman. The father was of German extraction and the mother of Scotch. The family of Mr. Coleman consisted of ten children, five brothers and five sisters. The only survivors are Mrs. Davidson and one brother, William P. Coleman, who is now a resident of Sacramento, California, President of a Sacramento bank, and an influential citizen ; and one sister, the wife of Dr. Huston, of Blandinsville, McDonough Co., this State. One of Mrs. D.'s brothers, Stephen O. Coleman, formerly of St. Louis, Mo., was a soldier in the Mexican war, and in the late war was Captain of the St. Louis Grays and with his company served until near the close of the war, and was killed at the battle of Wilson Creek, near Springfield, Mo. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. David- son, we make the following brief memoranda Rosalind O. and Cordelia A. died in infancy ; Jes- sie P. is now the wife of Mr. H. A. Webster; Lucy Ellen, is the widow of Frank Huff; Harry died in in- fancy; Stephen Lee is a business man in Kansas City ; Julius M. resides at Monmouth ; Kate married a Mr. Johnson ; and Pearlie was united in marriage to a Mr. Montgomery. 9<00€ >:[Spi; illiam P. Pressly was born near Abbey- •Sp?v7prf^ ville. South Carolina, March 17, i8ir. His ^ father, David Pressly, and his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Patterson, came from Ireland in their early youth. William was the youngest of seven children. He attended for some time Miami University, at O.xford, Ohio. In 1832 he bought a farm in Preble Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming with that energy and success that has always marked his busy life. After about 20 years his health failed him, and he went into busi- ■ ness for a time in Hamilton, Ohio. In 1859 he came to Monmouth. For one year he farmed west of the city limits. Then he began mercantile life here and from that time to the present he has been identified with Monmouth as one of the most successful, un- tiring, energetic and reliable of the business men of the city. He dealt finally in dry- goods, and of late years also in groceries. No man, far or near, has sustained in all these years a more unblemished credit than Mr. Pressly and none have made a more benevolent use of money carefully invested "where it would do the most good." In the year 1863 he gave to Monmouth College 700 acres of choice farming land in Iowa. This would have proved e.xceedingly valuable to the college if it could have been held for a few years longer. He has given, for the purpose of educating native Egyp- tian ministers and teachers, $20,000 to missions in that sorely troubled land. He was practical in this as in all his benevolences, thinking that a native could best deal with natives. In this county W. P. Pressly will ever be remem- bered as the founder of the Warren County Library, To estabhsh a library for the county he bought an ample lot and built a substantial and excellent brick +^ 'JKl -^ ^ 666 ■ ■y WARREN COUNTY. 4^ building in 1870. He provided that the building should be kept up, and books constantly purchased from the rents of two large store-rooms, also given by him. As the library has grown in usefulness and other needs have become manifest, he has increased its power for good by increasing his gift. The $18,- 000 which he has expended in this way has founded one of the most successful popular libraries in the West. In accordance with his own idea it is a peo- ple's librar)', for the country as well as for the city. Thus its benefits are intended for and enjoyed by a population four times that of Monmouth. The practical good sense of a careful business man has given direction and insured success in his own life time, and under his own eye, to that which his money founded and his judgment sanctioned. Mr. Pressly was married in 1833 to Mary Gilmore, of Preble Co., Ohio, who died in 1836. In 1838 he was married to Mary Miller, of Virginia. She died in 1885. Their four children, Virginia, Sarah, Mary Jane and Henry are all deceased. Henry, a fine, bright, excellent young man, gave his life in the service of his country, before Vicks- burg. Mr. William P. Pressly has always been prominent as a devotedly religious man in Sabbath-school work, in a devout knowledge and use of Scripture, and in that broad Christian charity which lives for others and recognizes " One Lord and One Faith" in the Christian world. W. Jones, the subject of this brief per- sonal sketch, is one of the leading farm- ers of Roseville Township, living on y ^ \ section 12. His farm comprises 297 acres '•'V' and is finely improved and cultivated. He I makes a specialty of raising the cereals and is also interested in stock-raising, being succesful in his particular line of labor and a go-ahead, indus- trious agriculturist. Mr. Jones was born in Hardin Co., Ky., in 1836, and his parents are Jesse P. and Magdalen (Gray) Jones, both natives of Kentucky. All their lives they followed the occupation in which Mr. Jones is at present engaged. He remained at home until he reached his majority, receiving a common-school ed- ucation, and soon after leaving home he visited the State of Illinois, remaining one summer. He then returned to Kentucky, in which State he continued two years, at his home. In i860 he came to Warren County and rented a farm in Roseville Township. He then, in 1867, bought a farm in Fulton County, which property he held two years, and wliich he sold at the end of this time, and in 187 i bought his pres- ent home. He has been active and energetic and has allowed nothing to deter him from the discharge of his duty, and, as the result of this, he is the owner of one of the pleasantest homes in the county. In the year 1S72 Mr. Jones was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary J. Hiett. To their family circle have been added four children — Em- eranza, Mary E , William J. and Edith M. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church and he is a member of the Masonic Order. He has been School Director for some length of time and is a rigid Democrat in belief and sentiment, with which party he also votes. He is one of the representa- tive citizens of Warren County and a desirable friend and neighbor. rohn Flake is one of the settlers of 1856, and a leading farmer by occupation, resid- 11^^^ ing on section 3, Kelly Township. His W£ farm includes 102 acres, all improved and cul- ^F tivated, and upon it stands a good and com- I modious farm residence. He also devotes some attention to stock-raising and has proved him- self successful in business. Mr. Flake was born in Dearborn Co., Ind., Sept. II, 1830. His father, Amos Flake, was a native of Indiana and of German descent. John grew up from childhood in the county of his birth, living at home on the farm and receiving his education in the com- mon schools. He continued with his parents until his marriage, Oct. 28, 1852, with Miss Amelia Welhoff, who was born in Butler Co., Pa., Nov. 23, 1833, and was the daughter of Jacob and Wilhelmina (Steele) Welhoff. Michael Flake, grandfather of our subject, was of German descent and was one of the first settlers in Dearborn Co., Ind. He " took up " a tract of tim- ber land, upon which he fixed the boundaries and commenced its cultivation and improvement. From here he went to Hawesville, Ky., where he became N^ i* X i* WARREN COUNTY. 667 a slave-holder. The father of the subject came to Mercer County in 1856 and settled in North Hen- derson Township, where he bought a farm, and where he lived until his death, in 1862. The father and mother of Mrs. Flake were born in Pennsylvania and Germany, respectively. The young people took up their abode at the Flake home- stead, where they lived until 1856. From there they came to Warren County, locating in Kelly Township, where the husband purchased land on section 9, and where they lived for two years. At the expiration of this time he was confronted witli the old title, where- upon he leased the place for five years and bought the place which is now his present home. In 1868 a tornado swept over the country and de- stroyed his house, barn and fences. This was a great loss to him, but he rallied from the shock and soon after rebuilt, this time a neat frame house. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Flake has been made complete by the addition of six children as fol- lows : Augustus, Laura, Emily, Amos, Hattie and Albert. The father and mother and three of the children of this happy household are members in regular standing in the Methodist Church. Mr. Flake 'is a Republican in political sentiment and a useful man in the community. In 1863 he added to his property a sorghum mill, which he has run ever l|, since. W. Conlee, station agent of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, at Rose- yille, is one of the leading representative citizens of this village. He is President of the Village Board and of the Board of Education, and is one of the most enterprising and wor- thy men claimed by the town. He was born in Morgan Co., 111., in 1847. His parents were Josiah and Mary A. (Brown) Conlee, natives of Madison Co., 111., and Tennessee, respectively. They were by occupation farmers and the father entered the better life in July, 1882. His relict, the mother, still survives him, living in the liome of J. W. The subject of this notice lived under the parental roof until he reached the age of 22 years, receiving a common-school education, and, while at home, showing an interest in the affairs of the farm, work- ing with his father. He afterward learned telegraphy and was employed by the Chicago & Alton Railroad in the years 1869-70. He went from here into the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, where for 12 years he has held the position of station and express agent. He deserted the ranks of single blessedness on be- half of Miss Minnie, daughter of John Powell, of Roseville. The event securing his happiness took place in 1880. One bud has blossomed on the pa- rental stalk, a son, Grover C, and the little home circle is a pleasant and attractive one. Mr. Conlee is a man of keen foresight and logical common-sense. -He feels aii interest in public af- fairs and is Democratic in political sentiment. He is Master Mason in the lodge of that order, an Odd Fellow of the encampment at Bushnell, as well as one of the Select Knights, A O. U. W. He owns a pleasant residence, on the corner of Gossett and Chamberlain Streets, and is desirably situated and filling a wide sphere of usefulness. By religious pro- fession he is a Baptist and an active worker in all philanthropic and worthy enterprises, and may truth- fully be called " good," in its worthiest sense. ♦^^^ — ••• — ;»\A/» N^ asper Galloway is a resident of Little g York and a native of Ohio, being born in ^^ Green County, Feb, 29, 1844. He is the ^!!^ son of Anthony and Catherine (Junkin) Gal- loway. His father also was born in Ohio, and his mother came from the State of Penn- sylvania. When Casper was nine years of age, his parents came to Illinois and located in Warren County, where they lived for two years, and remov- ing from this place went to Henderson County, where his father bought a farm, in Green Bush Township, close to the Biggsville line. He, how- ever, enjoyed his new home but a short time, being snatched away by death in the prime of manhood, in the year 1856. Following his death, his wife bought a farm over the line in Biggsville Township, which property she still occupies as a home Mr. Galloway of this narrative grew up in the home of his mother, remaining with the bereaved widow until 1864, and proving a valuable assistant and confidant. At this date he entered Monmouth College, from which institution he graduated with the degree of A. M. in 1870. Soon after graduation he went to Washington, D C, where he received an appointment as clerk in the Census Bureau, in which position he labored for one year and from which he came back to Warren County, en- gaging as a teacher, in which profession he continued until 1878, when he formed a business association with G B. Harvey as partner. This was located at Ale.xis, and he engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1882, at which time he sold out and for about a year was idle. He next took a trip to the West for the purpose of seeing the country, with which he was pleased, so much so that in 1883, he came to Little York, and bought a building then in process of construction. On the completion of the same he formed a business connection with Charles Rogers as associate partner, and the two opened a general A- • , V ■ cT_jL •^^'-^ 668 WARREN COUNTY. store. This firm coniiniied with a large and gratify- ing trade until May, 1884, at which date Mr. Gallo- way sold out to his partner. In the year 1873, April 24, he espoused Miss Re- becca A. Wakefield, wlio was born in Miffland Co., Pa., Dec. 3, 1 844. and to them have been given five children, as follows: Horace C, Mary C, Edith, Jennie and Chester A. Mr. and Mrs. Galloway are devoted members of the Presbyterian Church, which religious denomination they strongly supi>ort. He is a member of Lodge No. 702, Alexis, A. F. &. A. M., and of Little York Lodge, No. r53, L O. O. F., and is in politics a Republican. ^. -^r ^ooo c : I D. Patch. Standing prominent among the leading merchants of Roseville, and identi- fied as proprietor of the Commercial House, is the gentleman of whom this brief personal sketch is written. The hotel which he con- ducts has been in active working order since 1873, at which time it was erected. Mr. Patch was born in Eaton, Carroll Co., N. H., and his parents, originally from Maine, were Dennis and Susan (Drew) Patch. While yet young, Dennis learned tlie carpenter trade, at which he worked for a number of years, then, in 1857, with his wife and little family, removed to the State of Illinois. Here he settled in Ellison Township, purchasing 80 acres of land, to which he afterwards added 40 acres. Making one or two changes into different parts of the township, he eventually settled down and there remained until his death. Their family was un- usually large, consisting of 14 children, of whom 12 grew to manliood and womanhood, nine still sur- viving. Mr. Patch came to Illinois in 1856, and stopping in Ellison Township, began a teacher's life in the schools of Warren County. At this profession he continued, teaching a large share of the time until 1868, when he bought a farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. To this, with native thrift, he added work at his trade as a carpenter, until, in 1869, he went to Kewanee, Henry County, and there engaged in mercantile pursuits. Following this for three years, he closed his labors in this direction, and, coming to Roseville, bought a lot and erected the present Commercial Hotel. In tSyS, he en- gaged as clerk in the Grange store and in this busi- ness he continued until 1882, when he purchased the entire stock from the company and has since been sole projirietor. To the original goods he has added agricultural implements, reapers, mowers, plows, wagons, etc. He purchased on the corner of Main and Walnut Streets, the Grange store and four lots. His stock includes dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, and also groceries. In 1865, Sept. 21, he entered into conjugal relations with Miss Sarah E. Morford, native of Mercer Co., Pa., and daughter of Benjamin Morford of Roseville, now de- ceased. The family of Mr. Patch consists of four children — Grace D., Flora M., Fred. G. and Gertrude, one child having been lost by death, a son, named Ralph. Grace and Flora are in attendance at the Hillsdale College, of Michigan. This is their second scholas- tic year, they expecting to graduate in three years from the date of their entrance to the institution. Mr. Patch is an active worker in public affairs. He is a Greenbacker in political sentiment, and belongs to the A. O. U. W. Lodge, and is well known as a citizen who has at heart the best interests of his home town. ^^ ^avid Graham, a citizen of Monmouth, wns iv born in Todd Co., Ky., April 12, 1821. His parents, Matthew and Janette Gra- ham, were of Scotch descent and moved from South Carolina, their native State, to Kentucky, about the year 1804, where there were born to them ten children, eight sons and two daughters. The eldest, Martha Graham McDill, was born in 1805 and died in 1841 ; Andrew, born in 1807, died in 1848; John W., born in 1809; Robert C.,born in 181 1, died in 1878; William M., born in 1S14, died in 1863; Margaret Graham Porter, born in 1816, died in i86t ; Wilson M., born in t8i8, died in 187 I ; James H., born in 1823; A. Y., born in r826, died in 1876. In 1878, the entire family moved from Kentucky to Preble Co., Ohio. The father died in 1857 and the mother in 1843. David Graham came with his father to Henderson County in 1836, where he was brought up to the vocation of farming, which he has pursued all his life. He removed to Monmouth in 1867, where he has resided ever since. Coming from the old Whig party into the Republican ranks, the latter has been the recipient of his unciualified support ever since, though at no time has he been known as a politician. He was married Nov. 3, 1846, in Warren County, to Miss Elizabeth Brown, daughter of the late Hon. John Brown, of this county. She was born July 8, t826. They have had born to them six children — Elizabeth (Mrs. G. H. Cowden), Clara (Mrs. A. G. McCoy), James A., Mary L. (Mrs. W. B. Bryson), Fannie, M., and Ralph W., who died in 1861. The family are communicants of the United Presbyterian Church. N^ V ^r- ■4-i- \.m^ -2/-^ lis -i3_ M^U^^ F- ^ C^* ^ -^-t?! ryrr- M i^ ^ ^ WARREN COUNTY. 66s INTRODUQT^ORY ~«>- :=^ ^^-'^ IME is ever moving on. The deeds and actions of to-day form the subject of history to-morrow. From the rec- ord of these deeds men form opinions, and their actions in the present and future are gov- erned thereby. Warren County fur- nishes tlie world a record that is of great interest, a record that tells of heroic deeds of its pioneers, how that vast territory was se- cured from savage tribes and made the home of civilized man. In Rock Island County originated the trouljles, and from this county nearly every movement was made, in the Black Hawk War, and here the chiefs gath- ered together in council, and treaties were made re- sulting in lasting peace. Upon the lovely island and magnificent bluffs that overlook the river, the red men were wont to stray, and many beautiful and touching legends are told of their presence here. The white men came, and that country so lovely in nature has been greatly changed, but it can never be robbed of its great beauty. The island and the bluffs still exist, and the valleys are transformed into fields of waving grain. The trails of the hunters and the wily red man have £;iven place to railroads and broad thoroughfares, school-houses, churches, mills, postoffices, manufactories and elegant dwelling-hous- es are now to be seen upon every hand. The rec- ord of the marvelous change is history, and the most important that can be written. It is but little more than half a century since the white men came to this beautiful land for the pur- pose of securing homes, but in that time what great and startling events have transpired! Monarchies since then have crumbled into dust and republics have been reared upon their ruins. Inventions that have revolutionized labor have been given to the world, and in much of what has been done the peo- ple of Warren County have borne a leading part. The question is often asked, why men leave the comforts and pleasures of civilized lands and strike out into a new and almost unknown country, bearing the toils and privations which are unavoidable. Not more from choice than necessity did the old pioneers bid farewell to the play-grounds of their childhood and the graves of their fathers. One generation after another had worn themselves out in the service of avaricious landlords, or to eke out a miserable existence upon barren or worn-out land, which they called their own. From the first flashes of the morn- ing light until the last glimmer of the setting sun they had toiled unceasingly on from father to son,«arry- ing home each day upon their aching shoulders the precious proceeds of their daily labor. Money, pride and power were handed down in the line of succession from the rich fatlier to his son, while un- ceasing work, continuous poverty and everlasting obscurity were the heritage of the working man and his children. For the sons and daughters of thq 'T' ^ 666 lVARREI\f COUNTY. poor man to remain there was to follow and never to lead — to be poor forever. Without money, prestige or friends, the old pioneers drifted along seeking the garden spot, the place where he might establish a home, where he might ed- ucate his sons and daughters, giving them privileges he never enjoyed himself. The broad prairie and beautiful groves of Warren County in that early day were indeed inviting to those seeking a home in a more favored land, and here planted their stakes, many of whom the present generation have rea- son to rise up and call blessed. To secure and adorn the homes desired by the pioneers, more than ordinary ambition was required, greater than ordina- nary endurance demanded. How well they have succeeded, let the broad, cultivated fields and fruit- bearing orchards, the flocks and the herds, the pa- latial residences, the places of business, the spacious halls, the clattering car-wheels and ponderous en- gines all testify. There was a time when pioneers waded through deep snows, across bridgeless rivers and through bot- tomless sloughs, more than a score of miles to mill or market, and when more time was required to reach and return fro;r; market than is now required to cross the continent or Atlantic Ocean. These were the times when their palaces were constructed of logs and covered with " shakes " riven from forest trees. These were the times when children were stowed away during the nights in the low, dark attics, amongst the horns of the elk and the deer, and where through the chinks in the " shakes " they could count the twinkling stars. These were tlie times when chairs and bedsteads were hewn from the for- est trees, and tables and bureaus constructed from the boxes in which goods were brought. These were the days when all were required to work six days in the week and all the hours in a day from sunrise to sunset. Now all is changed. In viewing the bless- ings which now surround us, we should reverence those that made them possible, and ever fondly cher- ish in memory the sturdy old pioneer and his log cabin. Generation after generation comes and goes like the •vwca/tMS-''— f^l leaves of autumn. Nations have been born, have had their rise and fall, and then passed away, leav- ing scarcely a riffle on the great ocean of time to show that they ever existed, so imjjerfect and muta- ble has been the means to perpetuate their achieve- ments. It was left to modern ages to establish an intelligent, undecaying, immutable method of per- petuating this history; immutable in that it is almost unlimited in extent, and perpetual in its action; and this is through the art of printing. Nations may be- come disintegrated and pass away, monuments and statues may crumble into dust, but books will live. This art has been rapidly advancing from its first in- ception until now it would seem that tliere were no longer any further grounds for improvement. This is pre-eminently an age of printing, an age of books. To the present generation, however, are we indebt- ed for the introduction of the admirable system of local history and local biography By this system every man, though he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, has the means to perpetuate his life, his history through the coming ages ; so alike has every community. We come now to the work before us : To our pat- ==> rons, we say, tiiat the scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the physical man is left; the monument which his children or friends may erect to his mem- ory in the cemetery will crumble into dust and pass away ; but his life, iiis achievements, the work he has accomplished, which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated by this book through coming ages. Shakespeare has said : Till' evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft iiitened with tlieir bones. Our aim i;i this work has been only to preserve the good. We have sought to gather from the best sources of information obtainable, the conditions and incidents of early.pioneer life, and to present them together with tlie present development of the county. Many of the pioneers came into this beautiful coun- ty without a dollar in their pockets, but with the unflinching determination to carve out their fortunes and build up a community. With undaunted hearts and a courage equal to that of the great heroes of our country, they began life. *4^ LA^ r ■ cT__L WARREN COUNTY. !?^^4-§^ 667 ^^^^'^€^^^>#^^^^»r^^^w^^P^ 4 Y way of preface to the history of Warren County, a brief account of the settlement and organization of the State of Illinois is essential to the proper understanding of the condition of the country in this part of the State prior to its settlement. The terri- tory now embraced by this State at one time belonged to the Aborigines. The time of their settlement here has never been definitely fixed by history. They have never, however, been treated by historians in other than a nomadic sense ; never having been recognized as citizens, or even occupants of this continent. Therefore, we will make our bow to the illustrious precedence that has been es- tablished by historians, and pass on. We will say, then, that this territory was originally a part of Flor- ida and belonged to the Spanish Government ; that the Spanish chevalier, Fernando de Soto, with his band of followers, was the first to discover this beau- tiful land. This was as early as 1541. The Span- ish, however, never took possession of it and it was first occupied by the French, who, after having planted settlements along the St. Lawrence and in Canada, fitted out one of their Jesuit missionaries and sent him westward up the St. Lawrence. From thence he was to take the Mississippi and follow its course. This explorer was the famous Father Marquette. He reached the great " Father of Waters " in the spring of 167;^, hoisted the sails on his little bark canoes, and, with his companions and two Indian guides, with joy unspeakable, floated down the majestic river ' between the broad plains of Illinois and Iowa. While descending the Mississippi, he discovered an Indian trail and immediately moored his boats and took the ' trail. After walking about six miles, they came to an Indian village, when the inhabitants advanced to meet them, and through their calumets, the pipe of • peace was smoked. In saluting Father Marquette, they addressed him in a language familiar to him. " We are Illinois, " they said. " How beautiful is the son, O Frenchman, when thou comest to see us Our village awaits thee, thou shalt enter in peace all dwellings." He remained with these hospitable people a few days and then descended the Missis- sippi River until he was satisfied that it entered into the Gulf of Mexico, when he returned and reaching the 39th degree of north latitude, entered the Illinois River and followed it to its source. He was cor- dially invited by the Illinois Indians to occupy its banks and remain with them. Desiring, however, to continue his travels, he declined their generous offer and was conducted by one of the chiefs, accompan- ied by several of his warriors, to a point near Chicago, if not that point, where he remained to preach the gospel to the Miamis, sending his companions back to Quebec to announce his discoveries. This may be said to be the inception of the settlement of Illi- nois by the Caucasian race. Father Marquette's discoveries and his fame iA!r: ^ 668 ■ Y . WARREN COUNTY. ^ thrilled the hearts of many adventurers in France, and among these was Robert Cavalier de la Salle. La Salle came to this country, remained awhile, and then returned to France. He sought an interview at once with Lojis XIV, whom he inspired with his own enthusiasm and from whom he received a commission to explore the valley of the Mississippi. He returned with a number of mechanics, military stores, merchandise, etc., in the year 1678. After leaving the St. Liwrence and Niagara Rivers and crossing Lake Erie, he reached Green Bay, and next entered St. Joseph River. At these places he es- tablished trading posts. He then descended the Il- linois River as far as Lake Peoria, where he was met by a large p^rty of Illinois Indians, who offered him the calumet and witli whom he formed an alliance. He was received with great joy and when they learned tliat he was lo establish a colony among them, their happiness knew no bounds. Thus began the first white settlement in this fair Territory. A long war arose between England and France over the possession of this country. Peace was con- cluded between these two countries, Feb. 10, 1763, by virtue of which France ceded to England the Canadas, Nova Scotia, Louisiana (east of the Miss- issippi) and her possessions on the Mississippi and Ohio, which included tlie Territory of Illinois. At this time the white population numbered al>out 3,000 souls. These resided along the Mississippi and Illi- nois Rivers, the largest towns being Kaskaskia and Cahokia. Although Illinois was ceded in (863, it was not taken possession of by England until 1765, when Capt. Sterling, sent by Gen. Gage, then Comman- der-in-Chief of the British forces in Ainerica, as- sumed control in the name of Great Britain. Illi- nois remained in the possession of the British until 177S, when Col. Rogers Clarke vvas secretly fitted out by the Commonwealth of Virginia with seven companies, money, arms, ammunition and military stores, and clothed with all the authority he could wish. After a brief resistance, he took possession in the name of Virginia. Reporting his signal triumph to the Governor of that State, the Legislature passed an act in October, 1778, establishing "As the County of Illinois, all that part of Virginia west of the Ohio " (which surpassed in dimensions the whole of Great Britain), and appointed Col. John Todd Civil Com- mander and liieutenant Colonel of that county. After establishing garrisons at Kaskaskia, Cahokia and at the falls of the Ohio (on the site of Louisville), Col. Clarke exerted his great influence to bring about a good feeling between the Indians and the Americans. After the close of the Revolutionary War and the surrender of Cornwallis with his whole army, Oct. 19, 1781, to the Americans, a treaty of peace was signed between England and the United Colonies, by virtue of which the independence of the latter was recognized and all the land East of the Missis- sippi and south of the lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Superior and the Lake of the Woods, which included Illinois, was ceded to the Americans. All this terri- tory, by virtue of the conquest through that renowned soldier, Col. Rogers Clarke, was claimed by Virginia; in part, it was also claimed by New York, Massa- chusetts and Connecticut, but having in view the all- paramount object, a Union among the States of the Confederacy and the establishment of a permanent Government, the people of these States, through their patriotic influence, ceded all their rights to this territory, which was called the Northwestern Terri- tory, to the Federal Government. Subsequently Congress, in the summer of 1787, passed a general law for the government of the Territories of the United States. This law provided for a Governor, a Secretary, a Court of three Judges, Representatives, . and a legislative Couni ii, which was to be appointed by Congress. The legislature was authorized to elect by joint ballot a delegate to Congress. Gen. Arthur St. Claire, a distinguished officer of the Revolution- ary Army, was appointed to the Governorship (which was the first to be appointed to the Northwestern Territory), and Commander-in-chief of the Territory. The new Government, however, was not destined to remain in peace, for the Indians again commenced hostilities, incited by English gold and also by the hope of recovering their favorite hunting grounds. St. Clair being feeble in health and unable to prop- erly command his troops, was disastrously defeated by the Indians. To remove the disgrace of this de- feat and retrieve the credit of the American arms, the gallant Gen. Wayne was sent out, who com- pletely routed the Indians and once more restored peace. In 1803 a new Territory was formed, called the Territory of Indiana, whicli embraced the whole of the Northwestern Territory, with the exception of that part from which Ohio was formed, and William *4^ WARREN COUNTY. ^r¥ 669 H. Harrison was appointed Governor. This Gov- ernment remained until 1809, when another change was made and Illinois was erected into an independ- ent Territory, with Ninian Edwards as Governor. Peace had been made and the whole people com- menced again their agricultural pursuits on ground which had been occupied by the red men. This con- dition remained until the second conflict with Eng- land, known as the War ofi8i2. A bold, daring chief, Tecumseh by name, taking advantage of this war between the two countries, incited his people again to battle and joined the British forces, who again occupied a part of this Territory. This war was carried on chiefly in the Northwestern Territory, and Gen. Harrison was one of the chief actors. The con- flict was hot and decisive, and the Americans were again victorious. The defeat of the British by Com- modore Perry, on Lake Erie, and on land at the bat- tle of the Tlianies by Gen. Harrison and the gallant Colont-l Johnson (in whicli battle Black Hawk took part), the killing of Tecumseh and the rout and slaugliter of his warriors, terminated this conflict in the Nor'hwestern Territory, which was once more united to the Republic, never again to be separated. In 1812, under the ordinance of 1787, a delegate was sent to Congress and a Territorial Government established. In this manner the Territory existed, with Ninian Edwards as Governor, until 1818. The population at the close of the War of 181 2 did not exceed 12,000 souls. In 1818 the inhabitants num- bered 50,000. At the beginning of this year the peo- ple of the Territory unanimously resolved to enter the Union as a State, and instructed their delegate, Nathaniel Pope, who was then in Congress, to bring the subject before that body and take such means as was necessary to accomplish this result. The bill for the admission of Illinois into the Union as a State, was passed in April, 1818. An election was held under the provisions of this Act, for State officers, and Shadrack Bond was chosen Governor, and entered upon the discharge of his du- ties in October, of the same year, with the seat of government at Kaskaskia. Subsequently, Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas were chosen Senators. In 1822 Edward Coles, an anti-slavery man, was elected to succeed Gov. Bond. In 1826 Gov. Coles' term expired, and Ninian Edwards was elected to succeed him. This brings the history of the State, the principal points of which have only been touched. down to the period when the settlement of Warren County begins, and at this point the former is left that the history of the latter may be taken up. jri9^ Organization of "Warren County. HE Legislature of the State of Illinois, at its session during tiie winter of 1822-23, laid out into counties what is known as the Mili- ^ tary Tract, together with other unorganized ter- ritory. This land was situated between the Il- linois and the Mississippi Rivers, extending as far north as the north line of Warren County. At this session Pike County was formed from this terri- tory, with a county seat at Atlas. Subsequently the counties of Adams, Fulton, Peoria and Schuyler were organized with McDonough attached to the latter for judicial purposes. During the Legislative session of 1824 and 1825, Warren County was fotmed, which comprised all that part of the Military Tract west of the 4th P. M., extending to the Mis^issiI)pi River, and including the territory now occupied by Hender- son County. At tliis time it was attached to Pike County for judicial purposes. Subsequently it was attached to Peoria County. The county was named after Gen. Joseph Warren, of Revolutionary fame. The first settlement in the territory now embraced by this county, was made in 1827, by Mrs. Talbot, her son, John B., and her nephew, Allen G. An- drews. For more particular information regarding its early settlement, the reader is referred to the his- tory of the several townships. The first furrow turned m Warren County soil was in 1828. The foundation for six settlements was made during this and the following year, and the zeal of the settlers was only equaled by their industry, and one pioneer was soon followed by another. By the summer of 1830 it was estimated that there were between 300 and 400 inhabitants in the county, who had established the reputation of being prosperous. Of so much importance had it become that Peoria County deemed it expedient to send up an officer with the view of levying a tax for her benefit, she having previously establislied a judicial district here. The inhabitants of Warren, as long as they •Xl V 4 ? > 670 WARREN COUNTY. i* were not taxed and had a justice before whom they could transact their little legal business, and consum- mate their matrimonial alliances, did not care to what county they were attached or belonged. Marriage licenses were dispensed with in those days, and all that was required was the posting up of a notice for ten days, announcing the coming event. There was no road then from this county to Peoria, a distance of some 50 miles, and in going to and from, the Kickapoo and Spoon rivers had to be ford- ed, which was rather dangerous in high water time. So when a movement was made to put a tax on the people of Warren County for the small benefits they had received, they rebelled against it as much as the Boston Tea Party did against the tax of Great Brit- ain. In the Spring of 1830, therefore, having a desire to manage their own municipal affairs, and to have whatever taxes they might be called on to pay go in- to tiieir own exchequer; and believing, also, that they ' had the requisite population for a full county organ- ization, they petitioned the Hon. Ricliard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit, for an order to 'hold an election for the purpose of forming a com- plete county government. About this period the census had been taken by a commissioner sent on ' by the county court of Peoria County, wiio reported about 300 inhabitants, which was not sufficient for a county organization ; nor wa"; this report satisfactory to the people of Warren County, who claimed about 400. Subsequently the U. S. Marshal passed through the county and reported 350. Daniel McNeil was selected to go with tlie petition and present it to Judge Young, who was then at Pe- oria. The Judge saw the justice of the petition, and at once granted the prayer of the citizens of Warren, and apix)inted Saturday, the third day of July, A.D. 1830, for tlie election of three County Commission- ers, one Sheriff and one Coroner. The election was to be held at the house of Adam Ritchey, for the purpose of having this order carried into execution. He appointed John B. Talbot, Adam Ritchey, Jr., and Robert K. Hendricks, Judges of the said elec- tion. The election was to be held viva voce, between the hours of 9 o'clock in the forenoon, and 7 o'clock in the afternoon. The third day of July, 1830, was waited for with a good deal of anxiety by the voters of Warren. It came as all things do, in good time. It wa beau- tiful day. A lovely breeze was wafted over the prai- ries; a few clouds flitted above in the blue summer sky, the air was balmy and enlivened by the sweet songs of wild birds. After their morning's work was done, the voters wended their way from their several homes to the place of election to cast their first vote in their new settlement, to exercise the great gift of the freeman. What a precious boon is this ! The right of self-government ; the exercise of sufTrage, holding witliin ourselves the jjower to regulate and control our political affairs. And yet, how little is it appreciated by some, and to what extent are its grand and sacred rights abused! There was no pol- itics in this election, and the voters cast their tick- ets for the men they deemed most worthy. The elec- tion passed off harmoniously, and the hope was expressed that in all future elections there would be tlie same good feeling manifested, and the same in- tegrity of tlie ballot-box preserved. 1 The election resulted in the choice of John Pence, •, \ John B. Talbot and Andrew Ritchey, Jr., for County | Commissioners; John Rust, Sheriff; and John Ritch- | , ev, Coroner. ^ The persons named in Judge Young's order for Judges of Election, declined to serve, and the peo- ple appointed Robert K. Hendricks, Sheldon Lock- wood and Peter Butler in tlieir places. For Clerks of Election, they appointed Stephen S. Piielps and Daniel McNeil. There were 37 votes polled at this election, three voters being absent. The county was organized, the Commissioners as- sumed their duties, and for many years the political government of the county was very nicely conducted in this way. For a brief season it was under the management of the County Court, but for over thirty years the public affairs of the county have been in the hands of the Board of Supervisors. After the organization of the county, theseltlers felt themselves of greater importance, and worked for the progress of their new homes with renewed zeal. It was many years, however, before the beautiful and fertile prai- ries were settled. In fact this was not done to any considerable extent until the advent of the "iron horse." The introduction of railroads stimulated emigration, and increased the activity in manufac- tures and agricultural pursuits. While the county through its generous aids to railroad enterprises has 44- J^ r WARREN COUNTY. 671 %* encumbered itself with a large debt, yet it has been benefitted by the rise of property and the general development and increase of all branches of indus- try. From the advent of the Talbots, its first settlers, in 1827, it has moved steadily on, with few draw- backs, until it now has an estimated population of 23,000, with an assessment value, as shown by the reports of 1885, of $4,928,755 on the improved lands; $68,655 o"^ unimproved lands ; town lots, $794,872 ; personal projierty, $1,583,087. Strictly speaking, there is no unimproved land in the county. For a gen- eral average of valuation of lands, the county ranks among the first in the State, and by no means would it appear insignificant if compared with the counties of any of the Eastern States, and if the editor who wrote tiie following stanza, in 1847, could pass over, this country now, and through its broad, cultivated fields and elegant homes, he would undoubtedly be ashamed of his verse : ''Great western waste of bottom land. Flat as a pancake, rich as grease, AVliere gnats are full as big as toads, And skeeters are as big as geese. O, lonesome, windy, grassy place. Where buftalo and snakes prevail; The first with dreadful looking face. The last with dreadful sounding tail. I'd rather live on camel rump, And be a Yankee double beggar. Than where they never see a stump, And shake to death with fever'ii 'ager." The old log cabins have disappeared and in their places are fine dwellings ; ox teams as a means of travel and transportation are gone, and the steam car now rushes over the prairie; the mortar and corn-cracker live only in the memory of the pioneer, while the products of the roller mill are placed in his store room ; the dread of the savage no longer dis- turbs his slumbers, nor does the wolf come in the darkness of the night to destroy his flocks. With complacency he can take a retrospective view of the past and contemplate the transformations made dur- ing half a century. Yes, half a century ago, before the pioneer there was doubt and uncertainty, priva- tions and dangers; before him to-day, standing out in broad, radiant light, is a complete social and po- litical government, under American institutions and shining resplendent with American freedom. -SU^l r ■ cT_i JU 672 WARREN COUNTY. liidiaii Hist f\ ^^i^ wr^ HEN this Territory was first - occupied by tlie Aborigines ;:i3j orliuli.ins, lias never been definitely ascertained. When Father Marquette, with his companions, sailed down the Mississippi in their frail bark canoes, they discovered a trail leading out from Illinois' beautiful shores and followmg it, came, after a journey of a ftw miles, to an Indian village. The inhabitants of this primitive village came forward to meet Father Marquette and party, and addressing them in a language that was familiar to Marquette, said, "^Ve are Illinois," whicli translated means, "we are men." This was in the summer of 1673. After remaining here awhile. Father Marquette and party sailed down the Mississippi River until he satisfied himself that this river emptied into the Oulf of Mex- ico. Then he returiied and entered the Illinois River and followed it to its source. Along its banks as well as at its source, he found Indian settlements. These Indians desired him to remain with ihemand make their liome his home, but desiring to pursue his explorations, he declined their- generous invita- tion and was conducted by some of their chiefs to the site now occupied by Chicago. At this place he also found an Indian settlement, the Miamis. When La Salle visited this territory, five years later, he found several Indian settlements along the large water courses, among which were the villages of Kaskaskia and Cahokia. The first peo|)le to set- tle among the Indians were the French, and they were most heartily welcomed, and lived together on the most friendly terms with these then very innocent and warm-hearted people. It is evident that had there been no coiifl ct between France and England, and, later on, none between England and America, there never would have been any trouble between the white and the red man. From the discovery of this country by Columbus, to the commencement of hostilities between the white inhabitants, all travelers and settlers to this country were received with the greatest cordiality. These innocent peo|)le were deluded and deceived, first by one white faction and then by another, until they did not know who to believe, nor who, if any, were their real friends. This much may be consist- ently said in palliation of the atrocities in after years committed by them. The Sac tribe of Indians, at the close of the long war between England and France over the Canadian Territory, which terminated in favor of the former, were driven from their village near Quebec, by the united efforts of the different tribes of Indians then inhabiting that country. They then settled at Mon- treal, from which place they were subsequently again driven by the combined strength of their ene- mies to Mackinac. Here they met the British troops, who gave them provisions and made them presents. They were not permitted to remain long here, for ^ WARREN COUNTY. ■^^^r^ 673 their remorseless enemies still pursued them, driving tliem from one place to another, until they reached Green Bay, where they first mei the Fox Indians. They made a village near Green Bay on what was afterward named Sac River. They held a council with the Foxes and a national alliance was formed between them. Subsequently the Foxes abandoned their village and joined the Sacs, and as neither were sufficiently strong to meet their enemies with any hope of success, they soon became as one band or nation of people. They were still driven, liowever, by their enemies to the Wisconsin River, where they remained in peace for some time. While here a party of tlieir young men started out on an expedi- tion, and coming to Rock River, followed it to its mouth. Tliey then returned to the village and made a report of all they had seen of the beautiful country and large rivers below. Upon hearing the reports of the grand country south from the young men, these tribes gathered up tlieir little possessions, descended the Rock River, met the Kaskaskias, drove them away, and commenced the building up of a new village, which they resolved never to leave. This was the first settlement in the territory now embraced by Illinois, made by the Indians after the whites came in. With this settlement was Pyesa, father of Black Hawk ; and here Black Hawk, who was the great grandson of Nanamakee, was born, in 1767 ; here, also, Black Hawk learned the first les- sons of war, going out with his father, who had joined the Muscows, against the Osages. During the war with the Osages, Black Hawk distinguished himself as a fighter. Finally this tribe became sat- isfied to live in their own country. After peace had been established with the Osages, a war with the Cherokees came on. In the war with this nation, Black Hawk's father was killed, and he became chief and fell heir to the great medicine bag of his forefathers. Black Hawk, after a long and arduous campaign with the Chippewas, Kaskaskias and Osages, delivered his hunting-grounds from these enemies. He then, with many of his braves, visited St. Louis, to pay his respects to his " Spanish father," as he termed him. It was while liere that he was informed that the Americans were coming to take charge of the country. This made Black Hawk sad, for he had been prejudiced against the Americans by the British. They soon arrived, and Black Hawk met them for the first time as he went to take leave of the Spaniards. As the Americans came in one door. Black Hawk with his followers went out the other and returned to their home on Rock River. On arriving home, they reported what they had seen and the new people they had met. Some time after, Lieut. Pike with some soldiers arrived at their village. This was the first time the Indians here met the Americans on their own hunt- ing grounds. Lieut. Pike found these Indians wav- ing the British colors, and he gave tliem an American flag, which they raised. During the War of the Revolution, between Great Britain and the Colonies, most of the Indian tribes took part with tlie former. In the treaty of peace between the two countries, the Indians had not been included. Several tribes, therefore, stimulated on by English gold, continued their hostilities, and in the Northwestern Territory several hundred whites had been killed, including men, women and children, be- fore the Government took active measures to stop the slaughter. This work was delegated to Gen. Arthur bt. Clair, former Governor of the Territory, which was in 17 91. The expedition of Gen. St. Clair, owing possibly to his feeble health, was dis- = astrous. The Americians were completed routed, a panic seized the army and they could not be brought to a standstill until they reached Fort Jefferson. Subsequently a new and larger force was sent out under the command of Gen. Wayne, one of the heroes of the Revolution, whicli proved more suc- cessful than the former ; the Indians were defeated at every point and sued for peace, wliich was con- cluded Aug. 7, 179^;. During these two conflicts, Little Turtle was the most skillful and indefatigable chief among them. Peace was restored once more and so remained for many years, the ivhites pursuing their occupations on soil once the favorite hunting ground of the Indians. Prior to the War of 1812, there rose in this coun- try an Indian of most extraordinary character, a great warrior and considerable of a statesman. His name was Tecumseh, chief of the Pawnees. He fought to unite all the Indian tribes in one grand ef- fort against the Americans to recover their lost hunt- ing grounds. As a preliminary step, he sought to educate his people, to improve their morals and in- still into their hearts a more ardent love of country. He had several interviews with Gov. Harrison, who was formerly the Governor of this. Territory and at •J\l -e-lU 674 WARREN COUNTY. ^ this time was Governor of Indiana Territory, with a view of regaining this country for his people. At the last interview, the Governor i)lainly told him " that the President would put his warriors in petti- coats sooner than give up the country he had fairly acquired, or to suffer his people to be murdered with impunity." The opportunity finally came for which Tecumseh had so long waited, of avenging what he conceived to be the injury his people had sustained at the hands of the Americans. The war of 18 12 came on. Murders continued to be committed, and even Gov. Harrison's own soldiers were fired upon. Gov. Har- rison, indignant at these outrages, started out with a force of a thousand men, attacked their town, Tip- pecanoe, which had been well fortified, and after a bloody conflict, drove them into the swamp. Tecum- seh, who was away at this time, upon returning was greatly exasperated at this defeat. He, with his band, immediately departed to Canada, and offered his ■ services to the British, not for any love he had for them, but because after the battle of Tippecanoe he felt that he could have no success against the Amer- =" icans, unless aided by British troops. Tecumseh was killed at the Tames, where he led some 1200 Indians, bravely and desperately fighting for victory. Black Hawk was also in this battle. The loss of the battle and the defeat of the British on Lake Erie put an end to the war, and the Indians soon were brought to peaceful terms. There was no further trouble from them until about the time of the settlement of this county. There were several large villages in the territory, the largest being on Rock River, near its confluence with the Mississippi. This was Sac Village, the home of Black Hawk and his people, and at one time there was some 1 2,000 Indians here. The Indians were engaged in hunting, fish- ing, lead-mining and raising corn. The Black Hawk War. 'HE Black Hawk War, as a military exhibi- tion, was not much of an affair. From first to last the forces of the Government, inclu- ding the Wisconsin Volunteers, the friendly Indians and the six Artillery companies, sent out by Gen. Scott, did not exceed 6,000 men. After the long peace the Indians again became trou- bleso;iie, in th; sum n^r of 1827. The Winnebagoes, Sac-i, Foxes and other tribes had been at war with each other for over a csntury, and although at times through the mediatioi of the United States peice was restored between the n, yet a bitter enmity ever existed. During this summer a war party of VVin- nebagoes surprised a party of the Cliippewas, and killed eight of their men. Foar of the Winneba.;oes were arrested by the commander of the United State-; troops, at St. Peters, and delivered to the Chippewas, by whom they were im uediately shot. This was the first irritation of the Winnebagoes, and they were further aggrieved at seeing the Americans occupying their country ; for many of them had penetrated it as far as the Wisconsin, in search of lead. Red Bird, in order to avenge himself, made an attack up- on the Chippewas and was defeated, but to satisfy his desire for vengeance he surprised and killed sev- eral whites. On hearing of this the miners, who were working the lead-mines at Galena, organized a company of volunteers, and being reinforced by a company of United States troops, marched against the Winnebagoes. To save his nation from war Red Bird, with six others of the most influential men of his nation, surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. Part of them were executed, and a part pined away in jail. From tiiis time to 1831, there were no further disturl)ances. But to return to the causes that brought on the Black Hawk War. In 1804 a treaty was formed be- tween the United States and the chiefs of the Sacs and Fox nations, by virtue of which the Government acquired, togetlier with other territory, the title to tiie Rock River country. Black Hawk, however, a chief of the Sacs and a noted warrior, claimed that this treaty was obtained through fraud, and that whatever had been done was without his knowledge or consent. Black Hawk's version of this treaty is this : One of the Sac Indians killed an American and was taken prisoner and confined in tlie prison at St. Louis. The council was held at the Sac Village to see what could be done, and it was determined to send Quasquame and other chiefs to St. Louis to get the offender released by paying for his crime, tiiis being the way of adjusting such affairs with the In- dians. The party started on their mission with the best wislies of the nation. They remained a long time, and when they returned they encamped near the village but remained away from it. They were r ■ Yl WARREN COUNTY. ^^^ 675 4 dressed in fine clothes and had valuable medals and other ornaments. Early the next day Quasquame came into the Council Lodge and gave the following account : " On our arrival at St. Louis we met our American father and explained to him our business, urging the release of our friend. Tlie American chief told us he wanted land. We agreed to give him some on the west side of the Mississippi, likewise more on the Illinois side opposite Jefferson. When the business was all arranged, we expected to have our friend released to come home with us. About the time we were ready to start our brother was let out of the prison. He started to run a short distance when he was shot dead." Black Hawk said this was all they could remember, and it subsequently was as- certained that this party were all drunk during the greater part of the time they were at St. Louis. This was all his nation knew of the treaty of 1804. "It," says Black Hawk, " has since been explained to me. I find by that treaty that all of the country east of the Mississippi and south of Jefferson was ceded to the United States for $[,000 a year. I will leave it to the people of the United States to say whether our nation was properly represented in this treaty, or whether we received a fair compensation for the extent of country ceded by these four indi- viduals. I could say much more respecting this treaty with the whites, but I will not at this time. It has been the origin of all our serious difficulties with the whites." Whatever may be the real facts regarding this treaty, however. Black Hawk was not satisfied with it, and he was determined if possible to regain the territory which he claimed had been ceded away from his people without his knowledge. He pro- nounced the treaty a fraud and void, and gathering his chosen band of warriors about him, which num- bered about 300, he re-crossed the Mississippi, took possession of the disputed lands and ordered the whites to leave the country at once. The settlers reported the matter to Gov. Reynolds, and he dis- patched Gen. Gaines with a company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers to the scene of action. Black Hawk was taken by surprise; the troops burned their vil- lages and forced them to submission. Another treaty of peace was concluded, by which the Indians ceded all right and title to the land east of the Mis- sissippi, and agreed to remain on the western side of the river and never re-cross it without permission from the President of the United States or Governor of the State of Illinois. Seeing such a large force arraigned against him, the proud spirit of Black Hawk was compelled to submit, though with a determination to seek the first opportunity to be avenged upon his enemies. In the spring of 1832, having rallied about him the braves of the Sac and Fox nations to the number of 650, he re-cro>sed the Mississippi and directed his march into the Winnebago and Pottawattamie coun- tries, hoping to make them their allies ; Gov. Rey- nolds upon being informed of the invasion, hastily collected a body of 1,800 volunteers, divided into four regiments, and a spy battallion under command of Col. James B. Henry, all under the command of Gen. Samuel Whiteside. This army marched to the Mississippi, reduced to ashes the Indian village of Prophetstown, the home of the Prophet, and then proceeded for several miles up the river to Dixon, to join the regular forces of Gen. Atkinson, and to await the arrival of provisions. It would seem at first glance that the force mus- tered by the Government against Black Hawk was needlessly large, but when it is remembered that it L^ was anticipated that Black Hawk might form an al- liance with some of the other tribes, it will be ad- mitted that the Government was wise in its precau- tionary movements. At Dixon, there were two full companies, then awaiting to achieve immortal fame in an encounter with the dusky warriors. These troops advanced under Maj. Stilhnan. They made their first encampment on Rock River near a creek which entered into it, which is now known in history as Stillman's Run. They had been sent to spy out the Indians. While here in camp they saw a party of them at a distance, and several of tlie command mounted their horses and charged after them, killing three of their number. But the main body of the band under Black Hawk returned the charge, which produced a panic among the volunteers, and in pre- cipitous flight they hurried back to Dixon. This was the first engagement of the Black Hawk war, which occurred May 12th, and there was not much in it for the white soldiers to boast of. Had it occurred during the rebellion, it would have been called a "skedaddle." After calling the roll, 11 men were found missing. A council of war was convoked by Gen. Whiteside, when it was agreed to march back the next day to LAn r 4 676 WARREN COUNTY. 4 the battle-field. Arriving there they were surprised at not finding any Indians, but they found the poor dead soldiers, and after burying tlieni and erecting a rude monument to their memory, they returned to Dixon, where they were joined by Gen. Atkinson with his regulars. After this engagement, the Indians committed many depredations, massacred the inhabitants, burned their houses, and neglected nothing known to the peculiar mode of Indian warfare. By June isth, about 4,000 volunteers had been organized. This made a formidable array against the small Indian force, and it kept in check other tribes, who were friendly to Black Hawk and were much inclined to join him. About this lime. Black Hawk with a part of his force attacked Apple River Fort, near Galena. This was a mere palisade of logs in the form of a square. This little garrison of 25 men resisted the attack from their savage enemy for 15 long hours, when they withdrew with great loss. There were several small engagements and skirmishes, when the battle at Kellogg's Grove under Maj. Dement came off. The latter had fortified himself here in the midst of the Indian country. From iiere iliey sallied out to reconnoitre, when they found themselves sud- denly confronted by some 300 Indians under Black Hawk, and it was with difficulty they regained their camp. The Indians undertook to storm it, but they were repulsed with great loss, and finally retreated, carrying their dead with them. Upon hearing of this engagement, Gen. Atkinson sent a detachment to overtake the flying Indians, while he marciied Northward into the territory of the Winnebagoes to meet the Indians that were concentrating there. There was some dissatisfaction among the volun- teers about this time, who had not anticipated the hardships and fatigues of an Indian war. They had also been wasteful of provisions, and it became necessary to send out troops to replenish their stores. Reaching the Winnebago country, Black Hawk for- tified himself there near the four lakes, with the de- termination to decide the fate of war by a general battle. The troops marched very slowly and cau- tiously through the country, passing through Turtle Village and up along Rock River to Burnt Village. Here they were delayed for a wiiile, following out false trails and waiting for provisions, when hearing that Black Hawk was encamped on Rock River, some 35 miles distant, they started in pursuit. They overtook the Indians at the bluffs of the Wisconsin River, in the afternoon of July 21st, and unable any longer to escape the hot pursuit of the Government forces, the Indians turned and fought until they were completely routed. Night having set in, the battle for the day ended. This engagement was led by Gen. Henry. Escaping during the night across the river, the Indians made for the Mississippi, hoping to be able to cross to the western side. They reached the Mississippi before the troops came up, but were prevented from crossing by the steamboat " Warrior," which happened just at this time to come along. The Warrior greeted them with canister shot and a brisk fire of musketry, causing them se- vere losses. Pending this conflict, tiie forces under (ien. .Atkinson and Gen. Henry arrived. Atkinson was decoyed off by a ruse of the wily Indians, and Gen. Henry perceiving this and discovering the main body of the enemy endeavoring to make their es- cape, advanced on them, when a line of battle was formed and the engagement became general. The Indians, who fought with desperate valor, were furiously met at every point by volunteer forces, slaughtering them with their bayonets and driving them into the river. Hearing the general engage- ment. Gen. Atkinson returned from his pursuit of Black Hawk and with his force of 20 men joined in the fight, which terminal, d in a complete victory for the Government. There were some 300 Indians killed and drowned and 50 taken prisoners. Black Hawk, with 20 of his followers, made his escape up the Wisconsin River. Thus ended the Black Hawk War, the decisive and last battle of which was fought Aug. 2, 1832, near the mouth of Bad Axe River. And thus ended the last conflict with the red man on the east side of the Mississippi. Black Hawk and his party were pursued by the Winnebagoes and captured at the Delles of the Wisconsin, and .turned over to Gen. .Street, the United States Indian Agent. Among tiie prisoners were Black Hawk, his son and the Prophet, who had been largely instrumental in bring- ing about this war, and who was his strong right arm to its close. They were taken to Jefferson Barracks, when a treaty was concluded, by which the Indians ceded to the United States their lands on the Mis- sissippi between the Des Moines and Turkey Rivers. They were afterwards taken to Washington and from there made a tour of the United States. '^ -^^rX-h WARREN COUNTY. 677 In his interview with the President, Black Hawk, in extenuation of his action in going into battle with the whites, said: " I am a man and you are another. I took up the hatchet to revenge the injuries which could no longer be borne. Had I borne them longer, my people would have said, ' Black Hawk is a squaw; he is too old to be a chief. He is no Sac' This caused me to raise the war-whoop. I say no more about if, all is known to you. Keokuk once was here. You took him by the hand and when lie wanted to return, you sent him back to his nation. Black Hawk e.xpects that like Keokuk, he will be permitted to return." By order of the President, Black Hawk and the other prisoners were set free June 4, 1833. On the 3d of October, 1838, Black Hawk passed away to the happy hunting grounds of the future, at the age of 71 years, at his home in Iowa, surroinided by his wife and family. He had taken cold on his way to Rock Island to receive his annuity. He was buried near his home on the southwest quarter of section 2, Township 70, range 12, Davis Co., Iowa. He was 1 dressed in a suit of military clothes given to him in "Washington by President Jackson. The overthrow of Black Hawk and his band of followers, the successful terminaton of the war, and the capture of Black Hawk was important in this, that it quenched forever the last germ of Indian hos- tilies between the red man in the Northwestern Ter- ritory and his acknowledged master, and extinguished all claims of the Indians to this part of the country. Engaged in this war there were quite a number of persons who in after years played a very important and distinguished part in American history. Fore- most among these was Abraham Lincoln. At the first call of Gov. Reynolds, he enlisted in a company of volunteers and was chosen Captain. This com- pany, with the first levy, was disbanded. He re- enlisted as a private and served to the end of the war. He was mustered in at Dixon into Capt. He's Company under Zachary Taylor, then Lieutenant Colonel, by Lieut. Robert And;,-rson, who so gal- lantly defended Fort Sumter at the opening of the Rebellion. At this place, too, and among the Gov- ernment soldiers, was one also noted in after life, although not to his credit, Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant. After Maj. Anderson evacuated Fort Sumter, he called on President Lincoln and received his thanks for his gallant defense of the fort. Mr. Lincoln asked the Major if he remembered ever having met him before, who replied that he did not. " My mem- ory is better than yours," said President Lincoln ; " you mustered me into the United States service as a high private of the Illinois Volunteers, at Dixon's Ferry, in the Black Hawk War." Another incident connected with this war is of some interest : When Black Hawk was captured he was turned over to Lieut. Jefferson Davis, with instructions to deliver him at Jefferson Barracks. Black Hawk was subse- quently for a while confined in Fortress Monroe, where, a generation later, Davis was confined as a traitor. Both made war against the United States, and were the cause of the shedding of much blood ; but if any extenuation should be given to either of these men for their crime, it should be given to the distinguished Indian warrior. Great consternation was felt during the trying days of the Black Hawk war, by the few pioneers then liv- ing in the county. The winter of 1831-32 was a rather mild one, and spring opened with a fair and prosperous outlook for the settlers. The spring daysi however, had not half passed away before a cloud arose which darkened all their hopes, and sent dis- may into every heart. Black Hawk was threatening, with his band, to re-cross the Mississippi River to recover his hunting grounds, and another Indian war, with its nameless terrors, was imminent. The signs were too true ; war was again to be inaugurated. About the first of May Gov. Reynolds was at Yellow Banks with quite a large number of volunteers to meet and keep back the Indians. Warren County was deficient in war material, and had no war lead- ers. It was feared that when the troops left Yel- low Banks the Indians would sweep over the entire country. When the Governor and his troops withdrew, the citizens became greatly alarmed. A petition was forwarded to him representing their exposed condi- tion, and praying for aid. Upon receiving the peti- tion the Governor issued the following order : I do hereby appoint Daniel McNeil, Jr., to give notice that an election for Major of the Militia Com- pany and an odd Battalion in Warren County, will be held in Monmouth at some convenient tin, e within ten days from the date of this order, and I further authorize the said McNeil to conduct said election according to law, and to give the person elected a Ma- V A 678 WARREN COUNTY. jor's certificate of the election, which will authorize said Major to cause elections to he held for company officers, so that Militia be organized with speed to defend their lives from Indian depredation ; and in case of necessity the said McNeil is authorized to call one or more companies to range the frontier for its defense. John Reynolds, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Illinois Militia. Notice was given in accordance with the above or- der, an election was held, and Peter Butler was cho- cen as Major of the odd Battalion. Maj. Butler forthwith ordered an election for company officers in the different districts of the county, which completed the organization of the Militia. After Gov. Reynolds withdrew his troops and passed on towards Rock River, the citizens became greatly alarmed for their safety and felt that they ought to have a patrol, or a body of rangers. A pe- tition was accordingly presented to McNeil, asking that volunteers be called in accordance with the Governor's order. A call was made May 31, 1832, to meet at Monmouth June 4th. At this time the requisite number volunteered, elected their officers, were mustered into service and reported for duty at the war department at Washington, and to the Gov- ernor of the Stale. For the benefit of the readers, a copy of the mus- ter-roll is here given : Peter Butler, Captain ; James McCammon, ist Lieutenant; Solomon Purkins, 2d Lieutenant; Isaac Walton, 1st Sergeant; Benj. Tucker, 2d Sergeant; M. I). Ritchey, 3d Sergeant, and Adam Ritchey, 4th. Privates, John Van Atta ; James C. Caldwell, John Quinn, Thomas Ritchey, Andrew Gilson, George Gilson, William Stark, W. H. Dennison, Isaiah Osborn, John Armstrong, D. B. Cartwright, G. Van Atta, Elijah Hilton, James Rea- son, Win. Laswell, P. Vancanean, John D. Richey, S. L. Hogue, David Russell, C. A. Smith, John Findley, Amos Williams, Gabriel Short, Jolin McCoy, R. S. Dennison, John Maley, R. S. Stice, John Hen- dricks, William Patton and Ezra A. Allen. Tiiese troops were subsequently disbanded in consequence of the Governor's orders calling upon the counties of Warren and McDonough to furnish a company to serve as mounted rangers. This company was quickly raised and largely made up of the volunteers mentioned. Maj. Butler was elected Captain, with James McCallon 1st Lieutenant. These war prepa- rations, however, proved unnecessary. The Indian hostilities were not carried into this county. Antic- ipating, however, that the Indians would invade the county, the families throughout had resorted to the forts for safety, and many had left. There were no depredations committed in the county until the war was over, and Black Hawk was captured, which was in the early part of August. After the war was over the murder of William Martin, in Sumner Township, was committed by some straggling Indians of Black Hawk's band, an account of which will be found in ' the history of that township, also in the legal his- tory of the county. This event threw the people again into consterna- • tion. When full particulars of this murder was known, and they were assured that there was no further trouble with the Indians, the inhabitants re- paired to their several homes and to their peaceful walks again. Following this peaceful condition of things, came emigration, settling in all parts of the country, and the future once more looked bright and prosperous. ^iiA- rp ^ . •)(■ . ' WARREN COUNTY. 679 1 ,..sv-,„ ■is.^-^);arOTjv~ ^ jirif •/^'i^ : N Friday, July g, the first term of the County Commissioners' Court was held at the house of Alexis Phelps. Daniel r^'x^'it ^j^d^^jga rys'V McNeil, Jr., was appointed S^i }'? /-. ^"Hi'^<^ Clerk of the Court, this Ijeing the first appointment of the The first order made was that McNeil should file his bond. The first account approved and ordered to be paid was that of Adam Ritchey, John B. Talbot and John Pence, for amounts respectively, $3.00, S3. 00 and $1.50. The first road viewers were appointed on Sept. 7, 1830, upon the petition of William McCuUough, for a road from Lower Yellow Banks to the southeast corner of section 36, in town 12, north of range i west, Kelly Township. Stephen S. Phelps, David Findley and Allen G. An- drews were appointed viewers. Jacob Rust was licensed to keep a grocery or inn Oct. ist, 183 r, at Monmouth. Wm. Causland was licensed to keep an inn at Yellow Banks, June 11, 1831. Stephen S. Phelps was licensed to keep a store at the same time and at the same place. On Dec. 5, 1831, Elijah Davidson was licensed to keep a gro- cery at Monmouth. The order of the County Com- missioner's Court that the Circuit Court hold its next term at Monmouth, tlie permanent seat of justice, was made April 12, 1831. Daniel McNeil, Jr., took an oath to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties of his office, ac- cording to the best of his ability and understanding. and to support the Constitution of the United States and State, presented his bo id to the Commissioners' Court, which was accepted, and then entered upon the duties of his oflfice. It was ordered by the County Commissioners' Court that a temporary seat of justice or place for holding the County Commissioners' and Circuit Courts for the county, be held at the house of Mr. Alexander Phelps, at the Yellow Banks, on fractional section 15, in town 11 north, of range 5 west. The Court appointed Stephen S. Phelps Treasurer for the County, and required of him a bond of $r,ooo for the faithful discharge of his duties, which bond was presented and approved. They also authorized him to purchase a small "blank book," for the pur- pose of entering county orders and keeping the said Treasurer's account with said County of Warren. At this time the Court divided the County into two election precincts, to be known as precinct num- ber one and precinct number two. Number one was laid out as follows : Commencing at the northeast corner of township 12 north, of range 4 west (Kelly), thence west to the Mississippi River, thence down said river to the township line, between 7 and 8 north, thence east to the southeast corner of town- ship 8 north and range 4 west, thence north to the place of beginning. The place for holding the election was ordered to be at the Court House, or the place of holding Courts, and Jeremiah Smith, James Jamison and Thomas D. Wells were appointed Judges of the Election to be held in this precinct. Precinct number 2 was laid out as follows : Com- nAj h A- 6So .V. . WARREN COUNTY. mencing at the northeast corner of township 12, north of range i west (Kelly), thence west to the northwest corner of township 12, north of range 3 west (Sumner), tlience south to the southwest corner of township 8 north, of range 3 west (Point Pleasant), thence east to the southeast corner of township 8, north of range i west (Greenbush) and thence north to the place of beginning. The place of election was located at the house of James Hodgins, and Thomas C. Jennings, James Hindley and James Hodgins were appointed Judges of the Election. For the purpose of electing Justices of the Peace and Constables, the county was divided into two districts — tlie Mississippi and Cedar Creek districts. The Mississi|jpi district comprised what is now Hen- derson County. The place of election was fixed at the place of lidding courts in this district, and Jere- miah Smith, James Jamison and Thomas D. Wells were appointed Judges of the Election. Cedar Creek District included Warren County. The place of holding the elections for Justices of tlie Peace and Constables were fixed at James Hodgins', and John Findley, Thomas C. Jennings and James Hodgins were ap[)ointed Judges of Election for this district. An election was ordered by the County Commis- sioners' Court, to be held the first Monday in August, which was the day for the general election through- out the State. It was also ordered that in addition to the State officers to be elected, there should be chosen three County Commissioners, one Sheriff, one Coroner, two Justices of the Peace and two Con- stables for each precinct. Anticipating this election and the full organization of the county. Judge Young, on the 5tli day of July, 1830, issued the following order : State of Illinois, | Fifth Judicial District. ) 'I'o all whom these jiresents may concern. Greet- ing : Know ye. that I, Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of Illinois, north of the Illinois River, and presiding Judge of the Circuit ("ouit, in and for the county of Warren, and State aforesaid, in pursuance of the power vested in me, by virtue of the loth section of the act enti- tled " an act supplementary to an act regulating the Supreme and Circuit Courts," ajiproved Jan. 19, 1829, do hereby order and appoint that Circuit Court be held in and for the said county of Warren, at such places as m;iy be sel<:cted and ])rovided by the County Commissioner's Court of said county, on the fourth Monday in June and the first Monday in Oc- tober, until I shall make another order to the con- trary. Richard M. Young, Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. The Judge gave the above order while holding court at Galena. Subsequently he made an order appointing Daniel McNeil, Jr., Clerk pro tern, for the Circuit Court. At this general election 47 votes were cast, being within three of the entire vote of the county. John B. Talbot, Peter Butler and John Pence were elected County Commissioners; Stephens. Phelps, Sheriflf; and John Ritchey, Coroner. At the Yellow Banks District, John Pence and Daniel McNeil, Jr., were elected Justices of the Peace, and James Ryerson and William Causland, Constables. John B. Talbot and Adam Ritchey, Jr., were elected Justices of the Peace for Hodgin's Grove District, and David Find- ley and James Hodgins Constables. The first regular term of the County Commission- ers' Court 1: et on the second Monday in August, 1830. At this meeting John Pence and Peter But- ler only were present, John B. Talbot, the other Commissioner being absent. At this session the Court ordered to be summoned a grand and a petit jury for a term of Circuit Court to be holden the first Monday in October. This term of court was not held, and consequently the men who were summoned for jurors were not wanted. The Judge and Clerk met, transacted some formulatory business and then returned to their homes. After the organization of the county, the people were a little anxious to place themselves on good terms with Uncle Sam, as will be seen from the fol- lowing order, which was indicted by the County Commissioners : State of Illinois, Warren County The Clerk of the Warren County Commissioners' Court will certify to the Postmaster-General of the United States, at Washington city, that the county of \V:irren was organized on the 3d day of July, 1830, and that the temporary seat of Justice is and was located at Lower Yellow Banks (Oijuawka), on the Mississip|)i River, on the gth day of July, and about half way between the Des Moines and Rock River Rapids, and request the Postmaster-General to es- tablish a Postotfice at said County seat, to be called Warren Court House Postoffice; and further request the Postmaster-General to forward the mail immedi- ately to said oflfice, either from Fulton and Schuyler Counties, or from Venus, Hancock County. *t ■c T -!- WARREN COUNTY. ?^^^^M- 68i Given under our hands in vacation of Court, this loth day of September, A. D. 1830. John Pence, John B. Talbot, County Commissioners. The county having been fully organized, the ques- tion of the permanent seat of Justice came up for their action. Not being able to settle this matter among themselves, the citizens petitioned the Legis- lature to make the location. Upon receiving the pe- tition, the Legislature took action at once by special act, approved Jan. 27, 1831, and appointed Hazen Bedell, of Hancock County; John G. Sanborn, of Knox County ; John McNeil, Fulton County, Special Commissioners to select the site. Having duly qualified themselves, they met at the house of Ste- phen S. Phelps, on the first Monday in April, and at once proceeded to the work in hand. There were several contestants for thelocation, among which were Hodgins' Point, Center Grove, Yellow Banks, Ellison Creek, Monmouth, and some other names were put in. From these each County Commissioner drew one name. The names drawn were Isabella, Kosci- usco and Monmouth. They were put together and the drawing again commenced, the agreement being that the first name drawn should be the one selected. Kosciusko was the lucky name. When this name appeared before them in all its un-Saxon orthogra- phy, they were in doubt. They felt sure that not one fourth of the inhabitants could ever learn to spell that name. Finally, they decided to draw again, and this time the name of Monmouth came out, which was accepted. They completed their work on the 7th of April, sealed up their report, ad- dressed it to the County Commissioners' Court, and returned to their homes. On the 1 1 th of April, a special meeting of the Court was called. The sealed package was opened and the following report was found : "To the Honorable County Commissioners' Court of Warren County : The undersigned Commission- ers, appointed by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, entitled an " act to establish a permanent seat of Justice for Warren County,'' ap- proved Jan. 27, 1831, respectfully report that they located the seat of Justice for said county on the southwest quarter of section 29, in township 11 north, of range 2 west (Monmouth Township) of the 4th principal meridian, which said quarter section is repotted, and we believe to be, Congress land, and they have given the said seat of Justice the name of Monmouth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seal this 7ih day of April, A. D. 1831. John G. Sanborn. Hazen Bedell, John McNeil. This report was accepted by the County Commis- sioners, though with some reluctance, as stated in the history of Monmouth, and was ordered to be placed on record. After the organization of the county, Mercer County was attached to it for Judicial and other pur- poses, until it should be organized as provided by law. In the spring of 183 r, the matter of laying out the county seat was taken up by the County Commis- sioners. Plans were carefully prepared and furn- ished and the survey given to Peter Butler, April 25, 1831, who received 2 1 j4 cents per lot for the same. On the 26ih the Court located the public square. On the 6th of June, the lots were put up at public sale. There were 46 lots sold, amounting in all to $965.62^. At the April term, 1831, the Commissioners' CourtS ordered that proposals be received and contracts be entered into for the purpose of building a Court- House from plans to be furnished by the Court. From the plans presented, it would appear that these pioneers did not think that expensive halls or build- ings were necessary for the seat of Justice. The following were the specifications: "To be 20x22 feet on the ground, 9 feet between sleepers and the joists, and to be built of logs hewn down inside and out, and finished as the County Commissioners shall direct." The construction of this building was let at public vendue to Francis Kendall at $57. It was located on the west side of Main Street, about a block below the square. Those early Commissioners were statesmen as well as economists, and the duties that they felt called upon to discharge were manifold. At their June term 1831, we find them licensing Wm. Caus- land to keep an inn at the Yellow Banks, which was then temporarily the seat of Justice, under some very commendable restrictions and provisions, to wit : " On his producing to the Clerk of this Court, the Treasurer's receipt for $2.50, and paying the Clerk his fee ; and that the following rates be al- •JKl ^ -e4U: :?^^rW- 682 WARREN COUNTY. lowed in said tavern : Horse keeping per night, 25 cents: single feed ])er night 12^^ cents; for each meal of victuals, 25 cents; lodging per night, per bed, 12}^ cents, but if two persons lodge in one bed, 6j^ cents; for each half pint of brandy, 25 cents; for eacli half pint of rum or wine, 18^ cents; for each half pint of whisky, i2j^ cents. If any person shall call for a less quantity than a half pint of either of said liquors, the same price as per half pint." If liquors could be had at the present day at the above rates, it is not probable that the good people of Mon- mouth could enforce their prohibition laws. This inn was the first opened in the county. At the same time a license was given to Stephen S. Phelps to sell merchandise. Viewers were appointed at this term to lay out a road from Broadway, in Monmouth, to Yellow Banks, now known as Oquawka. The first regular term of the Circuit Court was called to meet at Monmouth, June, 1831. On ac- count of threatened Indian troubles, no term was held. It was the same in October. In October of the following year, the first session of the Court was held. Judge Richard M. Young presiding. For the proceedings of this Court, the reader is referred to the legal history. The August elections of 1832 re- sulted in the choice of Peter Butler, Sheriff; John Ritchey, Coroner ; Jeremiah Smith, John B.Talbot and James McCallon, County Commissioners; Wm. Edmundson, Representative of the District em- bracing the counties of Calhoun, McDonough and Warren; Wm. McCreery, Senator of the District embracing the cou.ities of Schuyler, Kno.x, Fulton, Calhoun, McDonough and Warren; Joseph Duncan for Congress, for all Northern Illinois. During the year 1833, the laws for the collection of taxes were passed and tlie land in the Military Tract was no longer exempt. The Clerks of the County Commissioners' Court were made the collectors from September to March, and if the taxes were not then paid the non-resident lands were sold by the Clerks instead of the Auditor as heretofore. This gave the citizens an opportunity to become bidders without going to Vandalia, then the seat of Government. In 1837, under the act of the General Assemby passed in 1837, a Probate Court was established. The residents of the territory now embraced by Henderson County, were not satisfied with the loca- tion of the county seat at Monmouth, and made an effort to have it changed to a more central location. Failing in this, they seceded and organized them- selves into a county which was called Henderson. From about the beginning of the organization of the county, the County Commissioners, ardently sustained by the people, commenced the laying out and improvement of roads, which under an organ- ized system they have continued until the present day. The result of this has been that to-day the public roads of tlie county are unexceptional. The municipal affairs of the county continued un- der the government of the County Commissioners until 1849, when they were turned over to the County Court. They remained in charge of this Court until June, 1850, when they were for a brief period in the hands of tlie Board of Supervisors; then the county matters were again placed in the hands of the County Court. (See County Court history). In 1854 the government of the county was again placed in the hands of the Board of Sup-' ervisors. The last session of the County Commissioners' Court was held Nov. 12, 1849. Under the Constitu-<' tion of 1848, the County Judge and two associates had been chosen at the general election, in 1849, who were to supersede the Commissioners' Court and take charge of the municipal affairs of the county. These officers were commissioned by the Governor of the State, and after taking the oath of office, duly entered on the discharge of their duties. The first session of tliis Court was held Dec. 3, 1849. At this session, the Court appointed three Commis- sioners, Joseph Paddox, John C. Bond and Ira F. M. Butler, to divide the county of Warren into town- ships in accordance with the township organization laws. Board of Supervisors. li^T the election held in November, 1849, the peoi)le had declared themselves in favor of townsliip organization. The commis- sioners met and proceeded in the discharge of their duties, completing their work and making their report to the Court. The Board of Supervisors chosen at the spring elections, on the 8th day of April, 1850, organized and proceeded to the transaction of county business. They adjourned *4^ LAJ r WARREN COUNTY. ±^4^ 683 r on the 5th of June, to meet on the second Monday of November following, but this Board never met again. The Supreme Court had decided the elec- tions illegal on account of the insufficiency of votes cast. Accordingly the municipal affairs of the county reverted back again to the County Court. This Court continued to transact the county business until 1854, holding their last regular session on April ist of this year. A petition was presented to the County Court, in session Sept. 12, 1853, signed by James McCoy and 50 legal voters of the county, praying that the town- ship organization be submitted again to the people at the ne.xt general election, to be holden on Tuesday after the first Monday in November next, which pe- tition was duly granted by the Court, and the Clerk was ordered to give the notice of same for the next general election. An election was accordingly held on the 8th of November, 1853, for township organi- zation. The whole number of votes cast was 1,396, for organization 768, being a majority of all the votes cast at said election. The County Court at its De- cember Term, 1853, again appointed Commissioners to divide the county into townships. John C. Bond, Samuel Holland and Robert Gilmore were the appointees. On June 5th following the Board of Supervisors were elected. On April 4, they met, organized and assumed control of the county affairs. A vote had been taken for and against township organization at the regular fall election of 1851 and 1852, and at each of these elections, township organization had been voted on and had been defeated. The people seemed to be very much adverse to it at this time. At the November election of 1853, a vote was taken, as stated above, for township organization, which proved successful. Since then the affairs of the county have been conducted by the Board of Supervisors, and in the main with unusual satisfaction. The different town- ships have generally sent able and honest members to represent their interests and to legislate for the county. During the war the Board did much toward aiding the cause of the Union. The names of the . men comprising tlie Board since 1853 are given in sketches of the various townships. 4 LAjr "t^ -8-^^^ 684 L ir — : v^=i; — WARREN COUNTY. J^ ^a^^pCjgraphic'i^L 5^(®>(5)(G).^f6) -'^ir'- () country in the world is more fertile than tliat known as the MiHtary Tract. Warren County is situated in this %2<^ district, near the Western .: border of the State, and ■^ contanis an area of 540 square miles, divided up into 15 full townships. It has no large water courses flowing through its territory, cutting deep channels, but several small streams. In the Northern part it is intersected from East to West by Middle Henderfon and Cedar Creeks. About the middle of the county is South Henderson branch, which rises in township 10, range 2, section 10, and runs nearly due West. In the southern part is a small stream called Ellison Creek, which with its little tributaries rises in Ellison Township and runs west- ward. In the northern part of Lenox Township, is Slug Run, which runs nearly south, forming a con- fluence with Cedar Fork, near the eastern line of the county. Cedar Fork rises near the western bound- ary at Roseville Township, and meanders southeast- erly. Southeast of this is Nigger Creek and its branches, Little Nigger and Swan Creek, which run in an easterly direction. With these and some smaller streams the couniy is pretty well watered, and very good facilities afforded for drainage. Warren County presents to the eye no scenes of rugged grandeur, but rather the quiet beauty of rounded outlines, of surface clothed with green and far-reaching prairies and beuitiful little groves. It has no mountain chains within its borders. The mean elevation of tlie county is 600 feet above the level of the ocean. Springs are not abundant but good wells can be obtained from a depth varying from 10 to 60 feet. It is seldom necessary to go to the latter depth ; but if so, water is reached after passing through a strata of blue clay. The county is largely undulating prairie, inter- spersed with groves of fine timber. The soil is a dark vegetable, rich loam, uniform in its general char- acter, beneath which is a subsoil of yellow clay. ^ Along the water courses there was originally a liberal growth of timber, consisting of the oak varieties, elm, ash, hickory, black walnut and the maples. In addition to these can be found along the slope and the bottom lands, the sycamore, box elder, linden, Cottonwood, locust, coffee tree, wild cherry, wild plum, thorn, crab apple, dogwood, red bud, hackberry and mulberry. The alluvial deposits are principally on the bor- ders of the water courses, and rarely exceed a half mile in width. It is claimed that coal measures un- derlie the greater portion of the county, but it has not been found profitable to mine it simply for the coal only. In Roseville Township, near the village, the coal seam crops out, and so along Swan and Lit- tle Nigger Creeks. East of Monmouth, on the site of the Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Co., coal was found at a depth of about 70 feet. In min- ing for clay for the tile factory, coal was taken out for awhile, but this company has long ceased to mine for coal, and finds it cheaper to purchase elsewhere. The soil in the county is remarkable fertile, with scarcely an acre of [joor ground, and is adapted for the production of all the cereals grown in this latitude. t^ t =?=4^ WARREN COUNTY. 68s ^^gal ^iptoF^. 4 ;HE legal profession occupies a most important place in our political, as well as in our social system. It is con- nected with the closest of family ties, and is often called upon to settle the sputes most vital to domestic hap|jiness. To this profession are we indebted for our constitutions and our laws, and in a great mea- sure the management of our polit- ical system. To it also inust we look for the enforcement of our laws, the punishment of its violators and the maintenance of good order in society. The Judicial system of Warren County, as at present constituted, maybe di- vided into four parts: The Justice Court, County Court, Circuit Court and the Supreme Court. John B. Talbot was the first Justice of the Peace, receiving liis appointment when tlie county was attached to Peo- ria County, and Daniel McNeil, Jr., was the first ap- pointed after the county was organized. The first elected, which was at the election held the first Mon- day in August, 1830, was John Pence, and Daniel McNeil, Jr., for the Yellow Banks district, and John B. Talbot and Andrew (Sandy) Ritchey,for Hodgin's Grove district. When the county was organized it was in the fifth lA: judicial circuit, with Judge Richard M. Young pre- siding. At the time the Judge issued his order for an election for county organization, he fixed the terms of holding the Circuit Court for the fourth Monday in June, and the first Monday in October, which was to be held at such places as the County Commissioners' Court might select. The Commis- sioners, however, for reasons not known, failed to make any provision for an October term of court, and there was none held. The first term of this court subsequently was called for June, 1831. There were two cases docketed for this term, to wit : John Pence, vs. Joshua Vandruff, an appeal case from the Justice Court, and Charles Collins vs. Thomas S. Sublett, an action for debt. The docket reports that no court was held on ac- count of Indian disturbances. It was the same with the October term following. In October, 1832, the Indian troubles having been settled, a term of court was held, which was the first regular term in the county. Hon. Richard M. Young presided, with Thomas Ford, states attorney, Daniel Mc- Neil, Jr., clerk, and Stephen S. Phelps, sheriff. The first case tried was an action for an assault and battery ; the People vs. William Dennison. The de- fendant was found guilty and fined $14 and cost. The two first cases docketed were then tried. The judg- ment in the Justice Court was affirmed, and the other case was non-suited at plaintiff's cost. The Grand Jurors for this term were .Me.xander Davidson, William Russell, Thomas S. Sublett, James Ritchey, T ■A 686 WARREN COUNTY. John Caldwell, Peter Smith, Thomas Caldwell, Field Jarvis, John Smith, John G. Haley, Elijah Hanan, John Vanaton, John E. Murphy, \Vm. R. Jamison, Elijah Davidson, Jacob Rust, Robert M. Black and Wm. Whitman. Davidson was appointed foreman. After a few days of session the Grand Jury came into court and reported that they had not found any cause for indictment, and there being no further business before them they were discharged. The first petit jury sworn in for the trial of causes were : Sheldon Lockwood, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Henry Meadows, John C. Jamison, Abner Short, Lewis Vertrees, Sam- uel Gibson, Robert Wallace, George Peckempaugh, James Gibson, Joseph W. Kendall and Thomas Gib- son, Sr. They tried the assault and battery case above mentioned. The members of the Bar were fond of having tlieir little fun in those days, probably more so than now. They had more t.me then for recreation and frolic, and never failed to embrace the opportunity. John ' Porter had been admitted to the Bar at one of the sessions of the Court during this term. He was for- tunate in securing a trial case, in which he made his ' first plea or maiden speech, which is reported to have been a very fair one. On the motion docket is the following order: "Members of the Bar vs. John 'Porter: — Now, come the plaintiffs and move the Court for an order on defendant to ' wet ' his maiden speech." This order was allowed. The records do not inform us however, whether the young attorney's fees in this case were sufficient to defray the ex- penses necessary to carry out the Court's order. -5 #.#. ^ Trial of the Murderers of William Martin. £% ..... W VERY novel case m tlie history of cnmi- ^-,.|r, nal practice came up in the June term of 41^^ 1833. This is a case in which it was pro- posed to try persons for the crime of murder by proxy, and in which Indian law was to be introduced into the state Courts. It was none other than tiie case of the trial of the Indians turned over as substitutes for the real murderers of William Martin. This was the first indictment for murder, and the first criminal case docketed. The grand jury were John Humphrey, who was the foreman, IS,) ss. Jesse W. Bond, James Ryason, David Maurice, Wm. McCoy, Thos. C. Jennings, Alex. Davidson, James Brown, William Russell, R. Black, Robvrt Wallace, Sr., James Jenkins, John Vanaton, Roland Simmons, Solomon Perkins, Emmons Williams, Wm. Baty, Jonathan Tipton and Peter Scoit. The indictment of the Indians is given below, witiiout comment : At the June term of the Warren County Circuit Court, in the year A. D. 1833 : State of Illinois, Warren County, The Grand Jurors chosen, elected and sworn in for the county of Warren, in the name and by authority of the people of the State of Illinois, upon their oaths present: That Shash-quaw-a-shi, a/w.f Neesh-wak- que, Muck-que-che-qua, Muck-qua-po-la-shah, and Was-a-wan-a-quot, being Indians, lateof said county, not having the fear of God before their eyes, but be- ing moved and seduced by the instigations of the devil, on the gth day of August, A. D. 1832, with force and arms, at and within the county of Warren aforesaid, in and upon William Martin, against the peace of God and the people of the State of Illinois, then and there, being unlawfully, wilfully, felon- iously and of their malice aforethought, d.d make an assault, and that the said Shashquaw-a-shi, alias Neesh-wakciue, a certain gun, of the value of $10, then and there loaded and charged with gun powder, one leaden bullet, which gun he, the said Shash- quaw-a-shi, alias Neesh-wakque, in his right hand, then and there in hand, and held to, against and upon the said William Martin, then and there, and unlawt'ully, wilfully, feloniously and with malice aforethought, did shoot and discharge, and that the said Sliash quaw-a-shi, rt//(W Neesh-wakque, with the leaden bullet aforesaid, out of the gun aforesaid, then and there by force of the gun powder shot, and sent forth as aforesaid, against the aforesaid William Mar- tin, in and upon the left side of the back of him, a little below the left shoulder blade, the said William Martin, then and there, unlawfully, wilfully, feloniously, and of his malice aforethought, did strike, penetrate and wound, giving to the said William Martin one morial wound, of the depth of six inches and of the breadth of one inch, of which said mortal wound the aforesaid William Martin then and there instantly died. And that the aforesaid Muck-que-che-qua, Muck-qua-jio-la shah and Was- a-wan-a-quot, then and there, unlawfully, wilfully and feloniously, and of their malice aforethought, were present, helping, aiding and abetting, and com- forting, assisting and maintaining the said Shash- (iuaw-a-shi,(7//aj Neesh-wakque, the felony and mur- der aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, to do and to commit; and so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths aforesaid, do say that the said Shash- -^ _AJ 4 WARREN COUNTY. %* 687 A quaw-a-shi, alias Neesh-wakque, Muck-que-che-qua and Muck-qua-po-la-sliah and Was-a-wan-a-quot, then and there, in manner and form aforesaid, the said William Martin, and unlawfully, wilfully and fe- loniously, and of their malice aforethought, did kill and murder, contrary to the form of the statute in such cases made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the people of the State of Illi- nois. Thomas Ford, State's Attorney. This indictment was forwarded to the Governor, with the request that the same be forwarded to the President of the United States, requesting him to make a demand, through the Indian Agent of the band of Indians for the murderers. The particulars of the murder are as follows : On the afternoon of the 9th day of August, 1832, VViihani Martin was out in the fields cutting some grass for his horses, when five Indians rushed out from the timber near by, ran up to Martin, shot and killed him, and then as quickly disappeared into the woods again. This field was a short distance south of the block-house or fort. The fort was east of Little York or between Little York and where Hugh Martin's brick house now stands. Mrs. Osborn was living in this block-house with two sinall children at the time and heard the shots. She, with the two children, rushed out through acorn field into a buckwheat field and laid down on the ground. The McCoy girls are reported to have seen the shooting. One of the murderers was arrested and confined for a time in the fort at Rock Island, then called Fort Armstrong, from which he made his escape. The Indians, who at this time desired to be on friendly terms with the whites, according to their custom, delivered up the next of kin to the real murderers, and these were the ones which were indicted and brought into the Court for trial. The Sheriff of the county, Peter Butler, was notified to be at the Yellow Banks and receive the prisoners, the i-eported murderers of Mar- tin. At the appointed time, March 20, 1833, he was at the Yellow Banks, was there met by Col. Daven- port, the Indian Agent, Keokuk, and a number of other Indians, who had in custody four young Indian warriors, who had been divested of their weapons, and who were turned over to the Sheriff as substi- tutes for the real murderers, and by the Sheriff taken to Monmouth and there confined in jail to await their trial. Their names were J-o-nah, Ka-ke-mo, Wau-pe-sho-kon and S-sa-fe-mo. While the prison- ers were in jail, they afforded the people of Mon- mouth considerable amusement in various ways. The case came up for trial at the June term and created a good deal of excitement. Col. Davenport, LeClair, interpreter, Keokuk, and some 50 chiefs and warriors came from the Yellow Banks and en- camped near the place of trial with the United States flag waving over their encampment. They had, at the suggestion of Col. Davenport, employed Messrs. Field, Galewood & Hempstead to defend them, for which they received large fees. The pris- oners were brought into court under a writ of habeas corpus, and there being no indictment against them for the supposed crime of murder, they were, on mo- tion of the attorneys, ordered to be discharged from their imprisonment and to go hence without delay. With this order the Court took occasion to repri- mand Keokuk and his chiefs for delivering innocent persons to be tried for the guilty. Keokuk responded through his interpreter, that one guilty of the crime had been turned over to the Government for the murder, but had made his escape, and with the other four had gone beyond the Rocky Mountains; that he had, in accordance with the Indian custom, turned over the next of kin. The prisoners were very joyful at their deliver- ance, and with the rest of the Indians returned to their hunting grounds beyond the Mississippi. Trial of Joe Smith. '^^ggrtf 'HE next important case to come before the Court was that of Joe Smith, the Mormon "^ prophet, who, with several other Mormons, had been arrested for ofTenses against the peace and dignity of the State of Missouri. In the autumn of 1841, the Governor of Missouri made the demand on Gov. Carlin, of Illinois, to de- liver up to him Joe Smith for these oflTenses. Gov. Carlin issued his executive order to this effect, and its process was being carried out when the attorneys of Joe Smith sued out a writ of habeas corpus and the case came up for hearing before Judge Stephen A. Douglas, who was then on the Circuit, and hold- ing Court at Monmouth. The warrant of the Governor had been returned zia: ^ 688 V . WARREN COUNTY. f once before its execution. Joe Smith was under in- dictment for murder and at the lime of his arrest was at Nauvoo, which was in this Judicial Circuit. At the trial Smiili had many of his Mormon friends with him and was backed by plenty of money which was used very freely. He had secured the best legal talent in the State to defend him, such men as O. H. Browning, Walker, Archibald, Liiile and Williams ; for the State was B. Knowlton, Pros- ecuting Attorney, Aoraham Lincoln and Joim H. Mitchell. Lincoln, however, was not present at the trial. The Court House was packed to its utmost capacity. Able aguments were made on both sides and the excitement became intense. When the case was submitted, the Court granted the motion and quashed the writ, on the ground that the writ, hav- ing been once returned before its execution, was functus officio. Thus ended one of the notable cases before Warren County Court. In 1843, Gov. Carlin issued another writ against Joe Smith, under which he was arrested again, but discharged by his own municipal court at Nauvoo, under a writ of habeas corpus. The Common Council at Nauvoo, of which Smith was the presiding member, had passed an ordinance empowering the municipal court of that town with jurisdiction in all cases of arrests made in tliat city, by any process whatever, notwithstanding ihecliarter granted to the municipal court gave jurisdiction only in cases of arrests for breach of some ordinance. John Baxter. fNF; of the most exciting murder trials in this county was that of John Baxter, as acces- sory before tiie fact of the murder of Col. M George Davenport, July 4, 1845. Young Bax- ter had been almost raised in the family of Davenport, and had been always treated witii £;reat kindness and was regarded as one of the fam- ily. Col. Davenport, who was Indian Agent, had received a large amount of silver from the Govern- ment, a part of which was for the Indians, and the gang of robbers called the " Banditti of the Prairies" were anxious to get hold of it. Baxter, being aware of the reception of this silver, furnished information. it was claimed, about this money, and it was for this that Baxter was indicted and tried. The case was brought to Warren County under a change of venue, for trial at the June term of 1846. Baxter had been tried for this crime at Rock Island and was sentenced to be hung. A stay of execution had been granted and finally a new trial with a change of venue. Judge N. H. Purple was then the presiding Justice, 'and William Elliott, the State's Attorney. He was assisted in the case by Joseph Knox, an able lawyer. Messrs. Wells, Wilkenson, Manning, Davidson and Ralston were for the de- fense. The case was continued until the November term. The jail of Warren County not being a very safe place for the confinement of prisoners, Baxter was committed by order of the Court to the jail of Adams County, and to the custody of the Sheriff of that county for safe keeping. He was tried at the November term, 1846. Some of the ablest jurists in the State were in this case, especially in the defense, and every point was contested with marked ability. .'\.fter the arguments were closed, the Judge charged the jury. His charge was able, clear, emphatic and imiressive, causing many persons in the court-room to shed tears ; even His Honor himself was seen to weep. The jury retired with the case late Saturday night. On Sunday morning they sent word that they had arrived at a decision. The Judge came in and the jury was brought into Court, when they rendered a verdict of " guilty." On being polled, one of the jurors stated he did not believe the prisoner guilty as charged under the indictment. They were di- rected by the Court to again retire. In a short time they again came into Court and rendered the follow- ing verdict : " VVe the jury find the defendant guilty in manner and form as charged in the indictment." A motion was made for a new trial and arrest of judgment, which was overruled. The Court then pronounced the sentence, whicii was that the ])ris- oner be hanged on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1846. The case was taken to the Supreme Court and came back in due course, with the sentence of the lower court affirmed, together with the instructions that the sentence be pronounced on "any day but Sunday, and that the prisoner be executed as a mur- derer. Pending the delivery of the second sentence, he Legislature had passed an Act for Baxter's indi- < V 4 ■ r . WARREN COUNTY. 4H- 689 L vidual benefit, commuting the sentence lo life im- prisonment or making optional with the defendant, the choice between imprisonment and hanging. This Act also made it obligatory on the Judge to request in open Court the prisoner's wishes in the matter; thus was presented in Court the anomly of a prisoner be- coming the Judge in his own case. This was virtu- ally introducing an ex-post-facto law, or making an act punishable in a manner which was not provided for at the time it was committed. The case was brought into Court, May 5, 1847, and the Court- room was packed to its utmost. The prisoner for the third time was called to the Bar, to receive the sentence of death. The Act of the Legislature was read to him and then the Judge pronounced the sen- tence of death, fixing the day of the execution. May 28th. He explained to the prisoner that although the law required him to pronounce the sentence of death for the crime of which he had been found guilty, yet he was not to be executed unless he pre- ferred execution to a life in the State Penitentiary. The prisoner was then asked in open court, which mode of punishment he would prefer, the Legislative ^ provision or the decision of the Supreme Court. He eagerly replied, that he would prefer the Legislative provision. As the sentence of the Judge is rather a remark- able document and may be of interest to the new generation of people in Warren County, it is given in full. The sentence is as follows : " John Baxter, a jury of the country has found you guilty of murder, the highest and most aggravated offense known to the laws, and in your case ingrati- tude, and the ties of friendship severed and confi- dence betrayed, have tinged your guilt with a deeper and darker strain. The murdered man had been your friend and patron. You had once been an in- mate of his family, and but a short period of time before liis melancholy and tragical end, you had en- joyed the lio^pitality of his house, and under the pre- tence of the partiality of a friend had wound and wound yoiirself into his confidence and affection. The time also wliich was selected for tlie commission of your purpose marks its commission with more than ordinary turpitude. You had no cause of hatred, or even complaint against the deceased. Money ap- peared to have been your only incentive. No sud- den impulse, no injury inflicted at the moment, noin- , ward, long concealed and pent up malignity of heart arising from wrongs and injustice inflicted and often repeated, impels you to the commission of the crime. But without any apparent motive other than that of gain, on the fourth day of July — a day hallowed and sacred to National devotion and festivity — while a race of freemen rejoicing and rendering thanks to heaven for the blessings of free Government, and the fancied security of their property and persons under the benign and salutary influences of just laws and equal rights, you and your confederates in crime, in- vaded the sanctuary of home, and coolly, relentlessly, slaughtered an aged and venerable man, without one emotion of compunction or remorse. A just and righteous retribution for blood thus shed demands the life of the offender. Not alone by way of punishment for the offense or expiation of the crime, but also as a salutary example to those who may come after. Remember then, that although the law demands your death, that death is no atonement for your crime ; nor does it subtract one tithe from the over- whelming amount of moral guilt which rests upon your soul. When the penalties of the law shall have consigned you to a premature and untimely death, there is a higher power to which you must answer for this act as well as for the conduct of your whole life. Let then the short space of time allotted to you here be spent in deep contrition and repentance. . Prepare yourself to die! Your time of life is short and much remains 10 be accomplished. Expect not, hope not, for the interference of the Executive in your behalf, or that chance or accident may aid you = to escape from your impending doom. Such hopes and expectations will be idle and visionary, and will only tend to retard the work of repentance and re- form which is so indispensable to your future and " eternal state of being. Your life is forfeited to the laws of your country, and you must die a disgraceful and ignominious death. It was not in tiie power of an impartial jury, or of able or zealous counsel who have stood up most manfully in your defense ; it is not in the power of the court to avert the sentence of the law and save you from your impending fate. To Heaven alone, you must address your prayers for mercy and forgiveness. As 5'ou must die, die penitent and like a Christian, and though the forgivene^^s of the world cannot restore you to life and the endearments of society and friends, yet the tears of sympathy will sometimes be shed over your early and ignoble doom ; and those who have known you here may not wholly curse your memory. Black and unmitigated as your crime may be, how- ever much you may have scoffed and derided the laws of God and man, you may, if sincerely penitent and humble, still hope for pardon and salvation through the redeeming power and stainless purity of the Redeemer's blood. To that Beneficent Power and Mercy, with the deepest emotions of pity and compassion, I com- mend you and your eternal destiny. The sentence of the law and the sentence of the court is, that you "T^ r -M^ JU 690 WARREN COUNTY. should be taken from this place to the jail of the County of Warren, and from thence to the ])lace of execution ; and that on Wednesday, tlie gth day of December, next, (1S47), between the hours of i and 4 o'clock p. m. of said day, you be lianged by the neck until you be dead, and may God Almighty have mercy on your soul." As the act of the Legislature above referred to stands out alone and almost unprecedented in the annals of Legislation, it is made a part of this his- tory, and is as follows : Whereas, John Baxter, late of the county of Rock Island, was convicted of the murder of George Davenport, at the November term of the Circuit Court of Warren County, 1846, and is now confined in the jail of said county of Warren, to await the sentence of death to be pronounced upon him at the next term of Circuit Court of said county: Section i, Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the general assembly, That the punisliment of John Baxter be, and the same is hereby commuted from that of death to imprison- ment in the Illinois Penitentiary during the term of his natural life, and the Sheriff or other officer, after the sentence of death shall be j)ronounced against said Baxter, instead of executing said sentence of death, shall, within 20 days after sucii sentence, re- move said Baxter to the Penitentiary at Alton, and , the Warden or keeper of said I'enitentiary shall re- ceive said Baxter, and detain him in his custody, and subject him to the same rules and regulations as other convicts are, who are sentenced to said Pen- itentiary for life. Section 2. The Secretary of State shall furnish a certified copy of this act to tlie Siieriff of Warren County or other proper legal officer, upon whom de- volves the duty by law of executing said sentence upon said Baxter, and also shall furnish a certified copy of the act to the Warden or keeper of said Pen- itentiary; Provided, this act shall not be enforced unless said Baxter shall at the time his sentence is pronounced, consent or agree in open court, to the provisions of this act. John Baxter remained in prison for many years ; becoming so weak and emaciated that i)is longer con- finement in the penitentiary would be certain death, he was pardoned out by the Governor and died a short time afterward, in the Northern part of the State. Joseph Knox, the prosecuting attorney, admitted to Col. Davidson, of the defense, some years after the trial, that he believed the State had hung two in- nocent men, and sent to the penitentiary a third. He said he believed that Fox and Birch were the guilty parties in the murder of Col. Davenport, and that the LiOngs were innocent, Brockner and McMahill. glESaBNOTHER exciting murder trial was held in Ijfj^^a Monmouth just before the war. In this >mJP^ case Ferdinand Brockner and Pickney H. Mc- 'Jl" Mahill, were indicted and brought to trial for the murder of Thomas Traylor, at his home in Greenbush Township. Mr. Traylor was sitting in his house reading one evening, when a shot was fired through the window, inflicting upon him a mortal wound. The persons mentioned above, being sus- pected, were arrested, indicted and finally brought to trial. The prosecuting attorney was James A. Mc- Kenzie, and they were defended by that distinguished criminal lawyer, the late W. W. O'Brien, and one of Monmouth's not less distinguished attorneys. Col. J. W. Davidson. The prisoners were acquitted. In early days there was a good deal of land litiga- tion in Monmoiitii, and some of the ablest lawyers in the state were before the Monmouth bar; and on this bench some of the ablest judges of the stale have presided, men who have been distinguished in polit- ical life and in the halls of the Legislature. This County was first in the Fifth Judicial District, then in the Tenth and the Eighth, and under reorgan- ization it was again placed in the Tenth. Probate Court. 'HE Probate Court was established in 1837, which provides for a Probate Justice of the Peace, who shall have charge of all Pro- bate matters, and be also vested with the same ])ower and jurisdiction in civil cases as were given to Justices of the Peace. VV. F. Smith was the first Probate Justice. This law remained in force until 1849, when a County Court was estab- lished. County Court. N 1849 the General Assembly, under the constitution of 1848, passed an act approved Feb. 1 2th, providing for a Court of Record to be styled the County Court, and to be pre- sided over by a County Judge. Under this act the County Court was vested with all the powers and jurisdiction heretofore resting in the Pro- -^ ■*i^ -t4— WARREN COUNTY. -^^^ 691 bate Court. In addition thereto it was further pro- vided that the County Judge, with two Justices of the Peace, to be known as Associate Justices, should sit as a County Court and have all the powers that were vested in the Commissioners' Court, the latter, under this act, being abolished. The first session of this Court was held Dec. 3, 1849, with Judge Ivory Quinby presiding. This Court had charge of County matters until the township-organization system was adopted, and the power was vested in the Board of Supervisors, which was permanently done in 1854. In 1872 the General Assembly passed an act giving it concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in all civil cases where the value of property in controversy should not exceed $5°°' ^"d in criminal cases, where the punishment was not imprisonment in the peniten- tiary or death. The names of the officers of the Courts will be found in the list of County officials. * -^^- ^ Judges and Members of the Bar ^N this connection only a brief history of the Judges that have presided at Monmouth can be given. Hon. Richard M. Young, who presided at Galena, was the first Judge to preside in the Circuit who had jurisdiction here from the organization of the County un- til 1837, when he resigned to take his seat in the United States Senate, to wliich place he had been elected. Judge Young was born in Kentucky, and was among the first settlers in Northern Illinois. He was of unimpeachable character, a good jurist and did much to give tone and dignity to the Bench and Bar in the Circuit over which he presided. He was of a social nature; gentle, courteous, en- tertaining, and refined in his manner. Though in the Senate during its palmiest days, when the most noted men of the country were members, yet he dis- tinguished liimself for his ability, and was brought into general notice. After serving out his term in the United States Senate, he was appointed by Presi- dent Polk, Commissioner of the General Land Of- fice. He has been dead many years. Hon. James H. Ralston succeeded Judge Young, filling out an unexpired term, Mr. Ralston was orig- inally from Kentucky. His health being poor, he resigned after remaining on the bench about a year. In 1840, he was elected to the State Senate. In 1846, President Polk appointed him Assistant Quartermas- ter of the United States Army, and he was ordered to report for duty to the Commander of the Illinois Volunteers, then en route for Mexico. He served in this capacity until the close of the Mexican war. After the Mexican war, he emigrated to California, where he died. Hon. Peter Lott, formerly of New York, was the next to serve on this bench. Mr. Lott, before his promotion to the Bench, had practiced at this Bar. He was only a fair lawyer, but quite a politician, and after leaving the Bench was appointed Circui' Clerk of Adams County. In 1852, he went to California, having been appointed by President Pierce, Super- intendent of the United States Mint at San Fran- cisco. He was removed by President Buchanan, and subsequently went to Kansas, where he died. Hon. Stephen A. Douglas served in this Circuit, from 1841 to 1843. The life and career of this dis- tinguished American is too well known to need an extensive notice here. He resigned to take his seat in the United States Congress, from the Fifth Con- gressional District. Judge Douglas' familiarity with cases and author- ities, the readiness with which he dispatched busi- ness, his acute and judicial mind, were the astonish- ment of all. There had been cases on the docket for years, and it was loaded down with unfinished business, but Judge Douglas cleaned out the docket and when he left the Bench there were only new cases for his successor. The ability which he showed as a Judge, and his popularity on the Bench, were accessories to his political elevation. His sociability also made him popular ; while a suit was pending, he watched every point of law, kept track of all the proceedings, while at the same time he would leave the Bench, go back among the spectators — "the boys," as he would call them — and talk familiarly with Tom, Dick or Bill, take or give a cigar, enjoy a social smoke with them, and often sitting on their lap, while at the same time he would closely follow the case on trial. Stephen A. Douglas served in the House of Rep- resentatives, until 1847, when he was elected to the United States Senate. In i860, he was nominated ^ 'JCll T ^f4-^ :?HH- 692 WARREN COUNTY. 4 by a faction of the Democratic party for the Presi- dency. Upon the election of President Lincoln and the breaking out of the Rebellion, he, true to his country, visited President Lincoln before leaving Washington for the camps of Illinois, and gave him his heartiest sui)port. Arriving at Springfield, he was publicly received by Gov. Yates, to whom he gave the same assurance of his entire co-operation in putting down the Re- bellion. Springfield and the camps were full of volunteers for the war. He was asked by the Leg- islature and the leading citizens to give a public address. Here he made one of the greatest and most noted speeches of his life, denouncing the se- cession movement as a wide-spread conspiracy to overthrow the best Government that the sun ever shone on. The next day lie rode through the can.p with his beautiful and accomplished wife, making short speeches to the soldiers. His action at this particular time was a great service to the Union. It was lieralded throughout the country that "Douglas sustains Lincoln." From Springfield he hastened to Chicago, where he delivered in the "Wigwam" his great and last speech, pleading, even at the threshold of death, for the cause of the Republic. His exhaustive labors, together with tiie severe cold already contracted, were too much for his over- taxed constitution, and after the s])eech, he returned to the Tremont House and laid down to rise no more in this life. Hon. Jesse B. Thomas was the next on the Bench following the lamented Douglas. He had a very difficult position to fill. He had, however, a judicial mind, and made an excellent Judge, discharging the duties of the office with credit to himself and satis- faction to the people. He was subsequently appointed to another district, and soon after he died. Hon. Norman H. Purple served from 1840; 101849, when he resigned. He was distinguished for his legal attainments and executive ability, and retired shedding lustre over the ermine. He was a good criminal lawyer and a fine advocate, and had the reputation of being one of the best attorneys at tliis Bar; with this he had also the reputation of being a great wag. He died at Peoria years ago. Hon. William A. Minchall, formerly from Tennes- see, and at this time from Rushville, succeeded Mr. Purple, serving from 1849 to 185 i. He had been prominent in politics before he was elected to the Bench. He was a good lawyer and an excellent Judge. His S|)ecialty as a lawyer was on the trial of land cases. He was trying an important case at one time, when Judge Purple was presiding, and was making a long and exhaustive argument for his client. Finally, the Judge asked him which side of the case he was on, anyway. Minchall stop[)ed and looked around for some moments, and then turning to the Clerk, said, "Mr. Clerk, will you please tell me which side of the case I am on?" He has been dead some years. Hon. William Kellogg, from Canton, served after Minchall. He was a good lawyer and had an ex- tensive practice before his elevation to the Bench. As a Judge he gave general satisfaction. He has been dead some years. Hon. H. M. Weed, presided from 1852 to 1855. He was a fair lawyer, but did not achieve much of a reputation as a «Judge. He died in Peoria many years ago. Hon. John S. Thompson, from Mercer County, served five years from 1855 to i860. He was not brilliant, but a careful Judge, and gave general sat- isfaction. After leaving the Bench, he went to Cali- fornia, where he accumulated a large fortune. He is now living in Soutliern California. Hon. Aaron Tyler, of Knoxville, was the next Judge to preside, only one year. He was only a medium lawyer, but a conscientious man. He died at Knoxville. Hon. Charles B. Lawrence, was the presiding Judge here, from 1S61 to 1864. As a lawyer he was good in all branches of the profession except crim- inal, and was an ornament to the Bench. He was one of the ablest jurists that ever i)resided in this Circuit. From the Circuit he was promoted to the Su|)reme Court of the State, where he remained several years adding new laurels to his judicial fame. His health giving away, he made a trip south in 1884, with the hope that change of air and rest would restore his pliysical power and renew his vital energies. But it was too late. He died before he reached home, and his remains were brought back and interred in the Galesburg Cemetery. Hon. John J. Glenn was elected, in 1877, and is still presiding. He had, distinguished himself as a •f4" WARREN COUNTY. ±* 693 S= lawyer and advocate before his promotion to the Bench. He is a man of fine executive ability, very quick and clear in his solution of law points, sound in his judicial decisions, and irreproachable in char- acter. He is distinguished also for tiie large amount of judicial business which lie dispatches during his term of court. During his long incumbency lie has added new lustre to the Monmouth Bench. (.See Biography). Hon. Arthur A. Smith. In the fall of 1867, Arthur A. .Smith assumed the ermine, and is still one of the Judges of this Circuit, residing at Galesburg. He is a good sound lawyer, a man of strict integrity, and during his long service has reflected credit upon the legal profession. Hon. George W. Pleasants was elected to this Circuit in 1879, but seldom presides at Monmouth. He is well read in his profession, a man of fine ability, and is a good presiding officer, and conscien- tious in the discharge of his judicial duties. In 1877, this Circuit was changed from the Eighth to the Tenth, the Eighth Circuit comprising Kno,x, Warren and Henderson Counties was consolidated with the Circuit North, consisting of the counties of Mercer, Henry and Rock Island, and is now called the Tenth Judicial District. There are three Judges elected represented at present, as follows: Arthur A. Smith, of Galesburg; John J. Glenn, of Mon- mouth ; and George W. Pleasants, of Rock Island. These Judges arrange their work usually so as to en- able them to preside in their respective counties. State's Attorneys. |ON. THOMAS FORD, was the first gen- tleman to hold this position for this county, and was in this office when the Indians were brought up for trial. He was a man of considerable learning, of noble manhood, strict integrity, a good lawyer, and very prepossessing. As a Prosecuting Attorney, he was thorough, forci- ble, and very successful. He served until 1835, when he was elected Judge four terms by the Legis- lature, twice a Circuit Judge, once a Judge in Chi- cago, and an Associated Justice of the Supreme Court. He was assigned to the Ninth Judicial Dis- trict, and while holding this office was nominated by the Democrats for Governor, and elected by a large nnjority. He died at Peoria, Nov. 2, 1850. Hon. William A. Richardson succeeded Gov. Ford, serving until 183/. He was a man of great moral courage and strong will power. He was a good law- yer and a successful Prosecuting Attorney. When the Mexican War broke out he enlisted and was as- signed to the command of a regiment, and served with distinction. Returning home aficr the termin- ation of the war, he received the nomination by the Democrats for Congress,' and was elected five times serving until i860. During the latter part of Presi- dent Buchanan's term he was appointed Governor of Nebraska, which position he resigned after a service of a few months. Hon. Henry L. Bryant, served from 1837 until 1839. He was a good lawyer and made a fair Pros- ecuting Attorney. Hon. William Elliott followed Mr. Bryant, serving from 1839 to 1848. He was an excellent lawyer and ' also a good fighter, serving with distinction in the Black Hawk War, where he was wounded in a hand- to-hand encounter with one of the red braves whom he killed. He also served in the Mexican War. He died soon after the close of this war, at his home in Louisville. Hon. R. S. Blackwell, from Rushville, filled the office from 1848 to 1852, and was one of the most brilliant and successful Prosecuting Attorneys that ever presided in this Circuit. He was a splendid criminal lawyer, a good advocate and very forcible before a jury. He was also a thorough law student, well versed in all the intricacies of the profession. Subsequently he located in Chicago, where he prac- ticed many years and distinguished himself before the Chicago Bar. He was a lecturer at one time be- fore one of the law colleges. He has been dead sev- eral years. Hon. H. G. Reynolds from Rock Island, was Prosecuting Attorney from 1850 to 1854. He was a good attorney and a successful prosecutor. He was also an active man in all public enterprises and (juite a politician. While in this office he moved to Knox- ville. After the expiration of his term, he moved to Springfield, where at one time he was Grand Secre- tary of the Masonic Order. From Springfield he emigrated to Kansas. *+ r -H^ 694 . ,- X . . WARREN COUNTY. n ■^* Hon. William C. Gowdy succeeded Mr. Reynolds from 1854 to 1855. Before assuming this office, he had built up an extensive practice and had estab- lished a fair reputation as a lawyer; also as a politi- cian, being very active in the Democratic Conventions. He moved to Chicago in 1859, where lie is still en- gaged in the profession. Hon. A. M. Craig served from 1855 to '56. James H. Stewart succeeded Mr. Craig, serving about nine years. He was a good lawyer and a careful and painstaking Prosecuting Attorney. There were very few escaped punishment while he held the office. His long service showed that he was appre- ciated by the people he served. (See biography). Hon. James A. McKinzie, of Galesburg, served from 1864 to 1872, succeeding Mr. Stewart. He made a good Prosecuting Attorney and filled the of- fice with credit to himself and the people who elected him. His specialty was in the criminal practice. Hon. William Marshall succeeded Mr. McKinzie serving four years and with marked ability. He studied his cases well and was a good prosecutor. Hon. George Snyder succeeded Mr. Marshall, holding the office from 1876 to 1880, discharging his duties in an able manner. Hon. John \V. Matthews, of Monmouth, the pres- ent incumbent, entered upon the discharge of his duties in 1880, and was re-elected in 1884. Mr. Matthews is a good lawyer and is very zealous in his application to the duties of the office. He lias been successful as a prosecutor and is very popular. He is yet young and bids fair to achieve distinction in the profession. (See biography, on page 357.) Members of the Bar. |L''(jJl MOXG the lawyers who have practiced at i ^M3i ''^s Monmouth Bar and who have died ifjl,^ ' ^"^ nioved away, may be mentioned the fol- lowing : O. H. Browning, of Quincy, 111., was a fine orator and a good advocate, and proba- bly one of the best land lawyers that ever pleaded at tliis Bar. He was a member of the Leg- islature several years and was also elected to a seat in the United States Senate. His reputation as an at- torney extended throughout the State. Ivory Quinby was one of the first lawyers to locate at Monmoutli. He was also the first County Judge under the act of 1849. Judge Quinby was a sound lawyer and active in all matters that tended to de- veloj) and improve the county, and was ever ready to aid the deserving and needy. He died Oct. 23, 1869. (See biography, page 375.) Julius Manning, who resided at Knoxville, was one of the finest pleaders at this Bar. He was an eloquent speaker and almost unrivaled before a jury. He was very methodical in his work, was a close student, and would never accept office, though he took a deep interest in politics. He was a man of social habits and fond of good society. He died July 4, 1862. Cyrus Walker, from Macomb, practiced at this Bar. He was a fine criminal lawyer and one of the best that ever appeared before the Warren County ^ Bar. He died a few years ago. J. H. Mitchell was an ornament to the profession. \ He is reported to have been a man of extraordinary -^ memory and of remarkable character. He was a ' fine counsellor and good in all branches of the pro- fession. A. C. Harding was one of the prominent members of tliis Bar, and a very successful practitioner. He had an extensive practice up to the time of his de- mise. (See biography, page 541.) Wyatt B. Stapp was for a long ti.ne a member of this Bar and a good general lawyer and successful practitioner. He took a prominent part in the pub- lic affairs of the county and was a much esteemed citizen. He died some years ago. The Bar of Warren County is still ably represented by J. W. Davidson, who is now the oldest represent- ative of the profession in the county ; also by James H. Stewart, an old timer ; and others, whose names will be found in the biographical department of this work. -vMCjar©^" K-j — »^^!/tW7»v "T r < T _L WARREN COUNTY. j_ T » 69s >'>^§i^sx§M^g)3^ >: " J W Mmmmmmm^ ^^ (3UNT Y Commissioners' Court, the April term, 1831. It was ordered that propos- als should be received and contracts be entered into for the buildingof aCourt House, on plans to be furnished by f^*&|^^ the Court. The plans were not intri- ■^€^?ls5J cate, nor did they require in carrying them out much architectural skill. A marble or frescoed hall was not needed in those days for the dispensation of Justice. The building was to be 20 x 22 feet on the ground, 9 feet between floors, and to be built of logs, hewn on the outside and inside. The construction of this building, within the walls of which Justice was to be meted out to the people of Warren County, was let at public venue to' Francis Kendall, at $57. It was located on Main Street, a little north of Garden Street. This crude building served the purpose for which it was erected for several years, and after it was superseded by a new one was sold for $21, to James Hodgin, September, 1835. At the March term of the Court, in 1835, it was decided to have a new Court House, and a commit- tee of three was appointed to prepare plans for the same. It was decided to have a frame building, the dimensions of which were to be 20 x 30 feet on the ground and one story and a half high. The contracts were let separately, to different persons, the entire cost to be $773. It was located on block 2,Z' ^"ts 5 and eight. Daniel McNeil, junior, was appointed to superintend its construction. It was never fully completed, and was only used about two years, or only until another building was erected. In June, 1837, the County Commissioners made an order for a new Court House, had plans and specifications made, and closed the contract for its erection to Cornelius Tunnicliff, for $8,998, who was the lowest bidder. It was located in the Court-House block. Tunnicliff, after commencing the work, drew $1,000 as his first installment, and then absconded. The contract was turned over to his sureties, Daniel Mc- Neil, Jr., Justus Woodworth, Mordica McBride and George H. Wright, who completed the work. It was received from their hands March 14, i84r, when they were relieved from their bonds. This building is still ,used by the county. Its dimensions are 40 X 50 feet, two stories high, with a stone foundation and brick walls. A large vault has been added to tlie building since it was completed, for the deposi- tory of records. The buildmg is inadequate to meet the demands of the county and the advanced condi- tion of the people ,and it is expected that in a few years it will give place to a large, handsome and modern structure. County Jail. N the 5th day of September, 1832, the Ji County Commissioners made an order ap- propriating lot No. 15, Block 6, for the r purpose of having constructed upon it a jail. Some crude plans were drawn containing the size and material for the jail, and bids were called for. The construction was let to Jacob i "T V *u a* 696 U 1 4 WARREN COUNTY. Rust, the lowest bidder, for $300. It was completed and accepted by the Commissioners, March 4, 1833, and the 'I'reasiirerof the county was directed to pay Mr. Rust the money. This jail was rather remarka- ble for its construction, and its builder received much praise for the ingenuity of his work. It was thought in those days that once a prisoner was inside its walls, there was but one way for him to get out, and that was through the door, with the aid of the jailer's key. In the first place an excavation of two feet was made in the ground, and floor laid at the bot- tom. This floor was composed of two layers of hewn logs, one foot square, one layer crossing the other. The walls of the first floor were of the same thick- ness, and constructed of the same material, the ends of which were dove tailed into each other. The upper story was l)uilt of one thickness of logs, closely joined and fastened with bolts. In the center was a heavy trap-door, which was secured by strong iron hinges and a padlock. A substantial solid roof was built over this. A window 6x12 inches was cut in the lower story, which was crossed by iron bars laid between the logs. A stairway led up from the outside into the upper floor, through a heavy oaken door The prisoner was conducted througii a trap-door into the room below by a portable stairway, which was drawn up after his descent. This jail, though strong in its capacity for holding prisoners, was not large enougli to meet the demands of the rapidly increasing population of the county, and on Marcli 2?, 1839, the County Commissioners decided to build a new one. Specifications and plans were made out and submitted, and the contract was let to the lowest bidders, Messrs. Woodworth & Mer- rill, July 19, 1839, for $8,495. ^' ^^'*s ''""' °" 'o' ^' block 10, and was completed and accepted l)y the County Commissioners, March 27, 1841. The foun- dation was of stone, and the superstructure of brick. It was two stories high, containing four cells and two dungeons, and for those days was regarded as a good building for jail |)urposes. At the December term, 1856, of the Board of Supervisors, the jail question was again brought up. The building upon which so much money had been expended had not proved satisfactory as it was expected. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter, who reported the nsiifificien cy of the jail facilities, and the inferior structure of the building, but stated also that the county finances would not warrant the building of a new one. At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Supervisors another committee was appointed to in- vestigate the jail matter, and vested with the power to sell the old jiil. It was decided at this time to repair and enlarge the jail. This was done at an ex- pense of something over $2,000. The great increase of population in the county, of latter years, brought with it also an increase in the criminal list. With the advancement of civilization and science, came also an advancement in the skill and devices of the burglar and jail breaker, and a new, larger and safer place for the confinement of criminals was demanded. At the June term of 1882, the Board of Supervisors apuointed a coininiitee, consisting of C. A. Dunn, J. T. Hartman and T. A. Dilley, to examine into the matter of construction of the new jail, and to devise plans for the same. They were also empow- ered to visit other counties, if necessrry, in order to post themselves in regard to the construction of places of confinement, 'i'he committee received specifications and plans from P. J. Pauly & Bro., of St. Louis, among others, which they upon examina- tion found to be advisable, and reported that they be adopted. The committee was further authorized to.u':ij'^^>.tt^tt^^-j;.'i-vta.'fiaa'ta^'i^'ia.'i^'i^iaj^ -^ LAVERY was undoubtedly the prime cause of the Rebellion and ir.ost of the dissension pre- ceding it. Conseiiuenily, as a suitable preface to the Warren County war record, a very brief recital of the events and imme- diate causes leading to and culmi- nating in the late Civil War, are necessary. The introduclion of slav- ery into this country followed the first settlements. It grew with the Colonial development and became an important factor in its government. Almost fro'm the first, its poisonous fangs were fastened on the political fabric, and clung there with the ten- acity of death's grip, and it is not at all to be won- dered at. Slavery had its peculiar fascinations; it appealed to the indolence and cupidity of the peo- ple. Then as now, a large percentage of mankind preferred to live by other men's labors than by the sweat of their own brow. It is safe to say that in all ages and climes mankind does not materially differ. An axiom stated to-day without fear of contradic- tion, could with the same degree of assurance have been proclaimed wlien Solomon reigned in all his glory. The great cardinal mistake made by the founders of this Government was when they had, by a long and terrible war, released themselves from the bondage of Great Britain, to establish a Government for themselves and their posterity, the very corner- stone of which they in turn violated by the en- .' slavement of another race. \Vhile this was done, these patriots of the Revolution, these founders of the greatest Government the world has ever known, gave immortality to their convictions in the declara- tion "That all men were created equal, with certain inalienable rights, among which were life, liberty and tlie pursuit of happiness." It was expected, however, by the founders of the Government, many of whom held slaves, that the institution of slavery would gradually fade away and finally cease to exist. The contrary to this, however, was the result. Encroachments after encroach- ments were made by the slave power, until it vir- tually had possession of the Government. For nearly half a century it was the dominant power in the politics of our country. Not satisfied with slavery in the cotton and sugar growing States of the South, its advocates wanted it to extend its territory. Some of the greatest minds, the brightest statemen in the country — and as great and bright as were ever produced in any country — in endeavoring to placate tliis power, hoping thereby to prevent disruption, be- came the victims of its deadly power, and were brought to untimely political death, while this car of Jug- "*i^ WARREN COUNTY. 699 4 gernaut rolled triumphantly over their political graves. The Missouri Compromise was made, then came the Kansas-Nebraska bill with its agitation and strug- gle over the right to introduce slavery into the Terri- tories, and then the Fugitive-Slave Law. In 1856 the Whig party broke up, and its members, with a portion of the Democrats, formed a new party, known throughout the world since as the Re- publican party. This was the initiatory movement which presaged the downfall of the slave power. A Presidential campaign was made this year by the new party, but it was defeated. In i860 it made an- other campaign and won, with Abraham Lincoln at the head. The South, believing that in the Union they had lost their political power forever, yet knowing (the political leaders at least) that the Government under any party could not interfere with slavery wliere it already existed, nevertheless set up this false issue and consummated the secession of the Southern States on the strength of it, proclaiming to their de- luded followers that the Government, Abraham Lin- coln at least, would take their slaves from tliem. Before the inauguration of the new administration most of the Slave States liad seceded ; the United States Mint, the forts and the arsenals had been seized and the American flag had been torn down, and soon after the inauguration of President Lincoln, April 12, 1861, they opened fire on Fort Sumter and demanded of its commander, Maj. Anderson, its sur- render. Had the incumbent of the White House been a man of firmness and patriotism, had he even been a shadow of that sterling patriot and President, Andrew Jackson, these outrages to the country would never have been committed, nor secession allowed, and the war tliat followed would have been averted. But President Buchanan was weak, imbecife, and in the hands of the Soutliern leaders. He held that he had no power to prevent secession and protect the forts and property of the Government — in other words, tliat the Government was powerless for its own preservation. The firing on Fort Sumter sent a thrill of indigna- tion through the entire North, and through every pa- triotic heart in the country. A new President was now at the head of the Government, and a man in whom the Nation had confidence. There was no law authorizing the President to raise an army, and Congress had as yet passed no bill investing him with the authority to call for troops ; but President Lincoln believed that a Government liad within it- self the power of self-preservation. Upon this belief, with his great, patriotic heart, he acted. A call was made for 75,000 volunteers to protect the Government. This call was made on the i6th of April, 1 86 1. Gov. Yates responded, issuing a call on Illinois for lier quota. It was met with great en- thusiasm. Within two weeks Illinois had over dou- ble her quota enlisted and in camps. The people had confidence in " Honest Abe," as he was affec- tionately called, and also in their brilliant and noble Governor, Richard Yates; and so it was throughout the entire Northern states. Volunteers poured into the camps from every department of life; from the farm, the manufactories, the offices, the bar, the bench, the pulpit and the school room. Political differences were obliterated ; angry words that had been given in that heated and memorable canvass but a few short months before, were forgiven; party distinctions vanished as mist before the morning suni and party platforms were swept as a morning dream from the minds of men. All were joined with one common bond of sympathy and united in one effort, the saving of the American Union. The writer was at Camp Yates by the first of May, enrolled for the cause. The camp was then nearly full, and it was by strategy that his company got inside, and when in it was near being expelled. Vol- unteers continued to pour in from all parts of the State, but there was no longer any i-oom in the camp, and arrangements were made outside for some. Word was sent out all over the State ordering volun- teers to stay at home, but still they came. One full company of as fine looking men as ever carried arms, well dressed, uniformed and thoroughly equip- ped with arms, arrived. They were told there was no place for them, that the State did not want them, and that they could not be used or provided for. They were so well uniformed — the only volunteers then out of a camp of 10,000 that had any other dress than the one they wore at home — so noble looking, so patriotic and so importunate in their en- treaties to be let in, that the gates were thrown open and they were admitted. They spent the day in camp mingling with the boys, the raw recruits, and ^(^^ V -«^ 700 WARREN COUNTY. -^-^ were happy, poor fellows, until their fate was made known to them. Just before night they were told that the Govern- ment did not need them, could not place tliem, and that they must go home. A cloud of sadness over- spread their brave countenances as they turned and walked slowly away to where their arms were stacked. They were l)rout;ht up in double line facing tlie out- ward gate, and the order to march was given. It was a solemn and pathetic scene, and one not to be forgotten. The evening was calm and clear; the sun had just gone down beyond the western horizon, throwing back its mellow rays upon the crowded camp. A long open line was made for the company to pass out, which was densely packed each side, and far back to the rear. These patriots who had left the sacred home, and all the lies so dear, to give their life's blood for their country, marched slowly out with great tears coursing down their cheeks. All heads were uncovered as they [lassed by, and many were the tears that were dropped by those they left behind. It was but a short time, however, before they were wanted; another call for volunteers was soon made. The members of tliis company undoubtedly all re- sponded, and many of them probably breathed their last on the battle field. Such is war. The third call, July, 1861, was for 500,000 men, and for a period of three years. After this, call suc- ceeded call, until the grand total reached the enor- mous figures of 3.339,748. Of this number, Illinois furnished altogether about 290,000 men, of which Warren County is credited with 2,277. So gener- ously did Illinois respond in sending out volunteers, without stopping to figure, that her quota was found to be largely in excess of any other State. When President Lincoln's attention was called to this fact, he replied : " The country needs the sacrifice ; we must put the whip on the free horse." Wiiiieall the States did well, Illinois more especially distinguished herself by tlie number and quality of her service. Aside from furnishing the President, wlio was Com- mander-in-chief of the army, she gave to the country that foremost captain of the world, Ulysses S. Grant, whose recent death has left a mourning Nation. She also gave to the service that distinguished General, John A. Logan, who now represents her in the Uni- ted States Senate. Tlie soldiers brought home with them 300 battle flags, the product of their numerous victories. The first fla.g that waved in triumph over Riclimond after the surrender was an Illinois flag, which was there unfurled to the Southern breeze by Illinois soldiers. During the dark days of the struggle, when re- verses met our army, when apparently there seemed to be no ground to rest our hopes upon, when ominous clouds hung over the face of the Republic, when the hearts of the patriots grew sick with dispa'r, they would turn to that great President and to that great Captain and say, with a just cause, and with them at the head of the Government, backed by the brave and patriotic soldiers in the field, " we cannot but win, we cannot fail in our efforts to preserve the Na- tion. " Illinois had, also, to keep her inspired with hope, the noble Yates, the great war Governor, who with a father's care looked after the wants of the soldiei's froin his State, and give his whole attention to the cause. This struggle brought out the true greatness of the American people and produced some of the greatest men of history. The great wisdom, practical and far-seeing statesmanship, the radiant virtues, the Christian-like character of Lincoln made him the wonder of the civilized world. No less known and distinguished was the modest, silent, patriot-soldier, Ulysses S. Grant, wiio, after the surrender of the greatest rebellion the world ever beheld, gave the most noble exhibition of Christian charity, by refus- ing to march with his army into the captured city, that the brave soldiers and people, who had so long resisted his forces and defied the power of his mili- tary genius, might not be humiliated ; that they might return to peaceful pursuits with spirits unbro- ken. No less immortal was that act, which breathed a sentiment very close to the Divine heart, " let the soldiers have their horses, they will need them for making their crops. " Warren County was among tlie first to respond to the call for troops. No county in the State did bet- ter or responded more nobly, either in furnishing soldiers or means to defray the expenses of the war. Such was the patriotism and enthusiasm with which they responded to the call of the Government, that when the last draft was ordered, there was hardly a man in the county subject to its provision. -^ *+ V < 6 _jL . -n . ' WARREN COUNTY. Ju 701 For the Infantry rervice there went forth from this county, in the 83d regiment, 630 volunteers ; in the 138th regiment, 222 ; in the io2d regiment, 107 ; in the 14th regiment, 42 ; in the 47th, 78: in the i7lh, 124; in the 36th, 16 ; in the 61st, 73 ; in the 15th, 106; in the 59th, 67 ; in the s8th, 23; miscellane- ous, 128. In the Cavalry Service, the enlistment was as follows : First Cavalry, 165 ; Eleventh Cavalry, 185; Twelfth Cavalry, 66; Nmth Cavalry, 17; Sev- enth, 23; miscellaneous, 59. The 83d Regiment of Infantry was made up mostly of volunteers from Warren County, and was organized from Monmouth, in August, 1862, A. C. Harding being elected Colonel. It was mustered into service Aug. 21st, arrived at Cairo the 29th and reported to Brigadier-General Tuttle, who com- manded the post there. About the 5th of Septem- ber, the regiment arrived at Fort Henry, where it was divided up, a part remaining there and at Fort Heiman, the balance moving to Fort Donelson, where they had their headquarters during the year. The companies left at Forts Henry and Heiman sub- sequently re-joined the regiment at Fort Donelson, where it remained until Sept. 20, 1863, and then moved to Clarkson, Tenn. Here it had almost daily skirmishes with the enemy, some of them being al- most engagements, and also had very heavy guard duty to perform. It was engaged in several expedi- tions, under the command ol Maj. -General Rosseau, in pursuit of Gens. Forrest and Wheeler, who were trying to cut off Gen. Sherman's communications. This regiment, with Co. C, Second Illinois Light Ar- tillery, successfully resisted the attack of Forrest and Wheeler to re -capture Fort Donelson. The engage- ment lasted about seven hours, when Forrest and Wheeler were compelled to retire, with a loss of 800 killed and wounded, while there were only 13 killed and 51 wounded of the Union forces. For this gal- lar.t defense of the fort. Col. Harding was promoted to Brigadier-General, and Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Smith to Colonel. (See biography of Gen. Harding, page 541.) In r864 this regiment was largely engaged in the defense of extensive communications and heavy patrol duty. In the ever-memorable winter of 1864- 5, it was on provost duty at Nashville, where it was mastered out, after the surrender of the rebels, June 26, 1865. The 138th regiment was organized in Quincy, III, by Col. John W. Goodwin, and was mustered in for 100 days service, June 21, 1864. On July 26, it was assigned to duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., Col. Goodwin commanding. It was mustered out of ser- vice at Springfield, Oct. 14, 1864. The volunteers from Warren County, in these as well as in the other regiments, served with distinc- tion during the war on various battle-fields, where many of them gave up tlieir lives to perpetuate the Union. The glorious triumph of the cause of the Union was darkened by the tragic death of President Lin- coln, who was stricken down by the bloody hand of the assassin, Booth, April 14, 1865. But in the i midst of this great sorrow and that caused by the sacrifice made for liberty on a thousand battle-fields, with mourning hearts at every fireside, the Nation began the work of cementing together, closer than ever, the bonds of union. How well this work has been performed is evident by the close commercial relations between the two sections of the country, by the interchange of the social courtesies, by the reunions of the " boys in blue " with the " boys in gray," and by friendly discussions over the reminis- cences of the " tented field." Warren County, like all the other counties in the United States, mourns its friends and kindred, who rest in soldier's graves ; around its firesides there are many vacant seats. The absent ones, though years have rolled away, are not forgotten. The same con- dition of things exists in the South. Time has soft- ened if, not obliterated, the bitterness engendered by the war; the two sections have mingled their sor- rows together, and the great conflict is remembered only as a lesson for our future guidance. ■^ ^, yo3 WARREN COUNTY. f ^ ■ " '^^?i^^: ^^^- - " |w> Warren County Library, NK of the most beneficial in- stitutions of tlie county is the Warren County Library, located at Monmouth, and '.■^^.^ which deserves more than a -^ brief mention. There were ^iJX^" several attempts made, from time to f'li Ll^O time, by Church societies, and by citi- zens to establish a public library, but there was nothing done by tliem more than to secure a reading room until W. P. Pressly, one of Monmouth's benefactors took hold of the enter- prise and made it a success. The following is a brief account of the ori- gin of the library. The need for a public reading room, well supplied with books had been long felt, and in 1867, an effort was made to raise funds for this purpose through the meeting of a joint stock company, which was a failure. During the follow- ing year, the Evangelical Union, composed of repre- sentatives from the difTcrent cluirches of Monmouth, took hold of the matter. After consultation with the citizens of the town, it was determined to have an organization independent of the union, which was done by 25 persons becoming resironsible for the means to sustain a reading room for two years. Judge Ivory Quinby took a prominent part in this matter. He drew up articles of association and by- laws, and'furnislied a room, rent free, for two years. During this period it was demonstrated that a pub- i: lie library would be an institution of great useful- ness and one which would be extensively patronized. A reading room was supplied with pajiers and pop- ular periodicals, and on the ist day of June, 1868, 1 it was opened as the Monmouth Reading Room and Library. As there were no funds for the purchase of any books, none were obtained. The reading ^ room, however, was constantly visited by the young and the old, and the papers and periodicals were eagerly looked for and zealously read. During this . time a citizen of Monmouth was quietly but earn- estly watching the result of this first step in a public library direction to determine its usefulness, and to see to what extent a larger institution would be ap- preciated and patronized, and the proportionate benefits that would accrue; a citizen who believed that money was placed in the hands of man for other and more noble purposes than to hoard and pile up in combination time-lock vaults, or increase his acreage. This citizen was Mr. \V. P. Pressly. In 1870 he erected a two-story brick building 42 X7S feet, and donated it to the association for a public library and reading room. The provisions of the donation were that the upper floor should be used for a library hall and reading room, and the store rooms on the first floor to be rented, the proceeds thereof to be used in |)urchasing books. He also expressed a wish that the Constitution and By-Laws should be changed so as to benefit the country as well as the city. After this action of Mr. Pressly, the association was incorporated as the " Warren County Library and Reading Room Association." r I WARREN COUNTY. loi z^ Subsequently the Board of Supervisors passed an order granting " all the rents, profits and issues hereafter accruing from the Seminary Block;" and reserving the privilege by provision in the constitu- tion of the association to appoint one of the trustees. It was provided that the proceeds from this county grant should go to the purchase of books in the de- partment of agriculture and practical arts. The system of extending the library was successful and highly beneficial. As it was started by its founder for the use and benefit of all classes of people, both in the town and country, so it has been patronized and sustained by all. Since the foundation of the Library, generous do- nations have been made from some of the citizens, prominent among whom was the lamented and noble William Laferty. The founder has never ceased to remember his pel project, but has from time to time increased his benefactions. To meet the demands of the large additions and the increasing patronage, Mr. Pressly, in 1884, built an addition to tlie hall, 22 .\ 60, two stories high, constructed of brick and connecting with the former building on the west. This gives a capacity for 20,000 volumes without en- cioaching on the Reading Room. During this year (1885) a generous citizen who desired his name not to be known, increased the endowment fund by a donation of $5,000. Mr. Pressly also added another source of revenue to the Association by the donation of a fine dwelling house in the rear of the building facing the opposite house, the rents of which are used for the benefit of the Association. The selection of reading matter is entrusted to a committee. A cataloguing committee is also one of the features of the institution, and a very excellent system has been adopted. A small charge is made for books which are taken out of the Library. The endowment fund now amounts to over $r 3,000, which is loaned out at 8 percent. The contents of the Library may be summed up as fol- lows : Books loaned for house use, 11,988; used in room, per Librarian, 9,587 ; magazines loaned out, 1,985; reference books used from the open book- cases, 8,000. In addition there are 11 daily papers, 55 weeklies, 2 semi-weeklies, 76 monthlies and quar- terlies. The average daily attendance at the reading room is estimated at 162. The reading room is well furn- islied, large and well lighted. Great care has been taken since its foundation in the purchase of books, the result of which has been that this Association has an exceedingly well-selected library, the credit^ of which is largely due to Prof. Thomas H Rogers. Too much praise cannot be given to the founder;!, of this Library, who has given it may be truly said, his all to this institution, and some missionary work. In order that he might increase his fund for benefi- cent purposes, he has deprived himself not only of the luxuries, but the actual comforts of life. With the snows of three score and ten winters whitening his head, he is still toiling on, still saving and labor- ing, that he may have more to give, and more with which to bless. *ir V ^ J 04 wakr&n county. -^^r^ Railroads, ^ ► I 4 o^a-<||»-^o — » I< " - ?(f?f*.^AILROADS Iiave now become ib'^ necessary adjuncts to the development of a country, and no community of any propor- tions is content to exist without ^. them. The State, through its _^ Legislature, was very mag- ^ nanimous in its support and donations to railroad enterprises, the result of which is that Illinois is more tlioroughly connected with railroad lines than any other State in the Union. The people of Warren County have ever been exceptionally generous in their donations to rail- road enterprises, as the followingfacts will show. In Warren County there are really now but two lines, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy,and the Central Iowa. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. t HE first railroad meeting in this county was held in Monmouth, the 27 th day of Februry, 1851. At this meeting J. W. Da- vidson, A. C. Harding, W. 15. Stapp and James G. Madden were appointed a Commit- tee to wait on the County Court asking for a call for a special election, to vote for or against the county of Warren subscribing $50,000, to be ex- pended on the construction of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, with a lateral branch to Burlington. The matter was presented to the County Court, which re- , suited in the following order being made : The County Court now being sufficiently advised in re- gard to the premises, it is ordered tliat an election , be held on the 12th day of April next, at the usual ' places of voting for the voters of Warren County, to ' vote for or against the subscription of said county of $50,000 of the capital stock in the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, the bonds to be issued for said stock to run 20 years from their date, at 7 percent, interest, paya- ble annually ; and the clerk is ordered to issue elec- tion notices in accordance with this order." The election having been favorable to the stock subscription, to the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, the County Court, at the September term, made an order authorizing Ivory Quinby to subscribe for Warren County $50,000 of the capital stock of said road, so soon as the company shall have had subscribed to its capital stock $450,000. IvoryQuinby, who was the Presiding Justice, upon examination found that the $450,000 had been subscribed, and thereupon, in accordance with his instructions, subscribed for the County of Warren, $50,000 of the capital stock of the company. This was the beginning of railroad enterprises in this county, and the starting of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad. The ideas of railroads was at this time somewhat limited. Col. Davidson drew up a charter for this road, and presented it to one of *x V ■ tT * 4 IVAHREN COUA2 Y. 7°S the leading members of the Legislature, to be placed before that body for its approval. This member asked him if he ever expected to build a railroad 80 miles long. The Colonel replied, "Give us the char- ter, and I will build the road." The charter was granted, and subsequently the road was built. The people of Oquawka refused to subscribe or aid the enterprise, but the people of Burlington came for- ward with the necessary aid, and the route was changed to that place, and Oquawka was left out in the cold. Railroads were not built in those days as rapidly as now. On March 5, 1855, the last rail was laid and the first passenger train came to Monmouth from the West. The side track at the depot had not been completed, so as to allow the passenger train to pass the construction train. The passengers were taken on board the latter and carried on to Gales- burg. Next morning on its return from Galesburg it was saluted from an old brass field piece which had been takes from the walls of Vera Cruz during the Mexican War. This field piece was handled by Capt. Wyatt B. Stapp. After the salutes were given, the train moved on toward the great " father of waters." This was probably the most important event to the people of the county, since its organi- zation. The Northern Cross Ry. Co. had about this time completed their track to Galesburg. It secured the privilege of running its trains over the Peoria & Oquawka R. R. to Burlington. About 1856, the Chicago & Aurora, the Northern Cross, the Peoria & Oquawka and the Central Mili- tary Tract Companies were all consolidated under the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany. This name was derived from the terminal points. J. W. Brooks was elected President of the new road. This road opened up one of the most magnificent sections of the United States, known as the Military Tract, the northern line of which passed through the middle of Henry County. Upon the building of this road settlers began to pour in, and within five or six years every quarter-section of land was taken, and to-day it is one of the highest culti- vated sections in the country. It was thought at first that this road would hardly pay. Before the completion of the road the tri- weekly stage line to Peoria carried all the traveling X people and the coaches were seldom more than half full. Not long after the completion of the road, however, it crowded the company to do all the freight business brought to Monmouth for shipping. -*3- -ef- ^cx St. Louis Division, C. B. & Q. R. R. N 1856, another railroad project was pre- sented to the county for its support. This was the Alton & Rock Island Road. A proposition to subscribe to the capital stock of fthis enterprise, $r 00,000, was voted on and carried, and the Board of Supervisors at tlieir December term subscribed that amount. Nothing, however, came of this project. The provisions were that the road should come through Monmouth. Warren County was very liberal in aiding railroad projects. The next railroad scheme presented to thern for aid, was the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis road. At a special meeting in August, 1869, the Board of Supervisors decided to submit the question of the county subscribing $200,000 to the capital stock of the Rock Island road. An election was or- dered for September 23, 1S69. On the question of , subscription to the capital stock of this road, there were 1,775 votes cast for, and 975 against. Having received the support of the people, the stock was duly taken ; the condition was that it should pass through Monmouth. David Turnbull, one of the members of the Board from Hale, was appointed agent of the County to subscribe to the stock, for which bonds of the company were issued running 20 years and bearing eight percent, interest. Besides the $200,000 subscribed by the county, the several townships contributed their aid, their subscription amounting to $84,000. The bonds of the county still outstanding to rail- roads amount to $171,000. The first passenger train of this road was run into Monmouth, tlie 22d day of August, 1870, making the connection tlirough to St. Louis. A large gathering vi^as at the depot to welcome it, and a salute fron the old Mexican field piece was given. There was no celebration or excitement ; it was received as one of the matter-of-course events of the day. This road was completed through to Rock Island Nov. it, I ■ {T__ > , ±=hH- 706 WARREN COUNTY. 1870. The remainder of its line it was never able to complete. This road was sold under a foreclosure of mortgage to the St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago Railroad Company, which was incorporated April 21, 1876. It was soon afterward leased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, who now operate it as its St. Louis Division. This road was sold for $1,600,000, and it is said that it cost %\\- 000,000. The bond holders, who live in Germany, were the losers of about six-sevenths of their invest- ment. ^3- -E3- Central Iowa Railway Company. • NE of the most important enterprises for Warren County of late years, is the above S/S^*^ named railroad. The more important and (3?y creditable to the county in this, that the en- terprise owes its conception and completion to the indomitable energy, nerve and will of two of Monmouth's worthy citizens, Delos P. Phelps and William Hanna. The construction of tliis road at the time, with all the other lines in full operation and backed by an almost inexhaustible capital, was no holiday task, and one that few men would haVe the courage and nerve to undertake. In 1875, a company was organized at Monmouth, called the Burlington, Monmouth & Illinois River Railroad Company, the object of which was to con- struct a narrow gauge road, with a view of compet- ing with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for'the Warren County traffic. Some few subscriptions were obtained, but not enough to warrant the breaking of ground. A small amount of grading was done in 1878. In 1879, Messrs. Hanna and Phelps were placed upon tiie E.xecutive Committee, and immediately went to Peoria for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions, and to concentrate all their efforts to secure the grad- ing of the road as far west as possible. They also assumed the responsibility of buying up the old grade and franchises of the Peoria & FarniinL;t()n Railroad Company, and changing the enterprise from a narrow to a standard gauge line. They let contracts upon the faitli of subscriptions made, which in many instances were not honored, and they found them- selves involved to the amount of about $40,000. At this critical period they offered -to donate their per- sonal subscriptions, and all they had done, to any person or company that would complete the road from Peoria to Farmington, or to l)e two of twelve persons to advance a sufficient sum for that purpose. Meeting with no acceptance to either of these propo- sitions, they offered to buy out a majority of the stock at twenty-five cents on the dollar, which pro- posal was accepted. After this they made an effort to interest other persons in the work, and in a measure were success- ful. The road was finished from Peoria to Farming- ton in October, rSSr, and operated until October, 1882, when building west was begun, and the track completed to Keithsburg, on the Mississippi River. About a million and a-half of dollars in hard cash were expended in securing the completion of this road. Friends and enemies had predicted financial ruin for Messrs. Hanna and Phelps, and a defeat of the en- terprise. The task they undertook was a Herculean one, and one to shake the nerve of the most resolute, but after many days and nights of sleepless anxiety, the work was accomplished, and will forever remain as an enduring monument of what perseverance, energy, sagacity, and an indomitable will can accom- plish. The Central Iowa, which owned a railroad from Albia to Manly Junction, in Iowa, having a road leading from Oskaloosa, Iowa, east to the Missis- sippi River, opposite to Keithsburg, a consolidation was effected with the Illinois line, or the Burlington, Monmouth & Illinoi^ River Railroad, which had been prosecuted under the name of the Peoria & Farmington, after the franchises of the latter were secured, under the name of the Central Iowa Rail- way Company, which embraced the entire system. Since the consolidation a magnificent iron iiridge has been built across the Mississippi at Keithsburg, a road built from Manly Junction to St. Paul, and tlirough trains without break are now running from St. Paul to Peoria ; and this road which had so un- l)ropitious a lieginning, is now one of the great and im- portant transportation lines of the country. William Hanna is President of the Company, and Delos P. *^ A ■ y. WARREN COUNTY. /' • 707 h Phelps has the management of the Illinois Division To these men too much credit cannot be given for the consummation of this grand project. After pass- ing through the struggles, and what appeared almost insurmountable barriers to accomplish their project, they now, in the hey-day of success, can have the luxury of that condition that comes from a success- ful achievement of a noble purpose. 4 County Officials. ROM its first organization to the present , time; from Daniel McNeil, Jr., and Ivory '>^ Quinby down, the officials of Warren County, with hardly an exception, have been '^ of unexceptional character; men of integrity, ability and usefulness. Very few counties can present a better list than the one appended below, some of whom have not only achieved State but Na- tional distinction, who have been identified with the organization of the State, the framing of its laws, and the perfecting of its political and legal system. County Commissioners. John B. Talbot, Adam Ritchey and John Pence, 1830, under a special election. John Pence, John B. Talbot and Peter Butler, 1830-32, under a regular election ; Jeremiah Smith, John B. Talbot and James McCallon, 1832-34; Robert Gilmore, William Whit- man and W. S. Jamison, 1834-36; Samuel G. Morse, Alexander TurnbuU and John B. Talbot, 1836-38; Alexander TurnbuU, Samuel G. Morse, James C. Hutchinson, 1838 ; Samuel G. Morse, John C. Bond and J. C. Rutchinson, 1838-39; James C. Hutchin- son, John C. Bond and James P. Hogue, 1839-40; John C. Bond, James P. Hogue and Peter Butler, 1840-42; James P. Hogue, Peter Butler and James Tucker, 1842-43; Peter Butler, James Tucker and H. Bromlee, 1843-44; Alexander TurnbuU, Thomas Griffee and James Tucker, 1844-45 ; Alexander TurnbuU, Thomas Griffee and James Drain, 1845- 46; H. E. Haley, James Drain and John B. Jenkin, 1846-47 ; James Drain, John B. Jenkin and Josiah Whitman, 1847-48; John B. Jenkin, John W. Gid- dings and Josiah Whitman, 1848-49. County Clerk. Daniel McNeil, Jr., 1830 ; Elijah Davidson, 1838- 43; Daniel McNeil, Jr., 1843-48; William F. Smith, 1849; Ephraim S. Swinney, 1849-61 ; W. J. Thomp- son, 1861-65; W. G. Bond, 1865-73; W. H. Sex- ton, 1S73-86. Recorder. Daniel McNeil, Jr., 1830-43; Ephraim S. Swin- ney, 1843-48. Circuit Clerk. Daniel McNeil, Jr., 1830-41; Ira F. M. Butler, 1841-48. Circuit Clerk and Recorder. W. B. Stapp, 1848-49: R. S. Monroe, 1849-50; H. S. Hascall, 1850-51 ; William Killings, 1851-56; William Laferty, 1856-64; T. M. Luter, 1864-68 : '=< V ^4-^ ^==4^ 7o8 WARREN COUNTY. J. L. Dryden, 1868-80; George C. Rankin, 1880-S4, re-elected. Probate Judge. Daniel McNeil, Jr., 1831-37. Probate Justice. W. F. Smith, 1837-39; Geo. C. Lamphere, 1839- 43 ; Erastus Rice, 1843-49. CouNTV Judge. Ivory Quinby, 1849-55 ; James Thompson, 1855- 57; John Porter, 1857-65 ; Joseph K. Ripley, 1865- 73; Elias Willets, 1873-81; James H. Stewart, 1881-85, re-elected. County Court. Ivory Quinby, Judge; John Riggs and Joseph Ho- gan, Associates, 1849-53, under the Constitution of 1848. Ivory Quinby, Justice ; John Riggs and Wm. Lair, Associates, 1853-54. County School Commissioners. Alelander Phelps, 1837-39; W. S. Berry, 1839- 43; Samuel Wood, 1843-47 ; A. C. Harding, 1847- 49; James G. Madden, 1849-51; W. B. Jenks, 1851-53; VV. F. Smith, 1853-55; A. H. Tracy, 1855-61 ; A. B. Cox, 1861-65. County School Superintendents. James I. Wilson, 1865-69; James B. Donnell, 1869-77; W. E. Watt, 1877-81; J. P. Higgins, 1881-82, Maggie L. Wiley, 1882-84, re-elected. Coroners. John Ritchcy, 1830-35; Alexander TurnbuU, 1835-36; George H. Wright, 1836-40; H. C. George, 1840-42; David Smitli, 1842-46 ; Joseph McCoy, 1846-50; Robert Thompson, 1850-52 ; \Vm. Talbot, 1852-54, Robert Grant, 1854-60; Samuel Douglas, 1860-64; John B. Webster, 1864-68; W. L. Cuth- bert, 1868-70; R. B. McCleary, 1870-78; Henry B. Young, 1878-80; George H. Breed, 1880-82; Wm. S. Holliday, 1882-84, re-elected. County Treasurer and Assessor. James Jamison, 1830-31 ; Tiios. C. Jennings, 1831 ; Elijah Davidson, 1831-36; Gilbert Turnbull, 1836-43; R. N. Allen, 1S43-49; George Babcock, '849-53; James W. Butler, 1853-55. Treasurer. R. S. Thompson, 1855-61; Draper Babcock, 1861-65 ; Wm. Shores, 1865-67 : D. D. Parry, 1867- 75; James Hurdman, 1875-79; John F. Wallace, 1879-82; Robert S. Patton, 1882-84, re-elected. Surveyor. Peter Butler, 1831-35; Wm. C. Butler, 1835-39; Benjamin Thompson, 1839-43; Joseph Paddocks, 1843-55 ; E- E- Wallace, 1855-59; Thos. S. Mc- Clanahan, 1859-65 ; Albert S. Crawford, 1865-69; John A. Gordon, 1869-71; John B. McCulloch, 1871-75; Thos. S. McClanahan, 1875-79; John F. Wallace, 1879-82; Thos. S. McClanahan, 1882-84, re-elected. Sheriff. Stephens. Phelps. 1830-32; Peter Butler, 1832- 34; John G. Haley, 1834-36; Ira F. M. Butler, 1836-40; Samuel L. Hogue, 1840-41 ; John Brown, 1841-50; R. N. Allen, 1850-52; C. L. Armsby, 1852-54; James McCoy, 1854-56; C. M. Mills, 1S56-58; Seth Smith, 1858-60; David Turnljull, 1860-62; David C. Riggs, 1862-64; David Turn- bull, 1864-66; Wm. Armstrong, 1866-67 ; W. L. Cuthbert, 1867-68: Cyrus Bute, 1868-70; J. A. J^ Boynton, 1870-72 ; W. L. Cuthbert, 1872-74; J. A. Boynton, 1874-76; Wm. G. Bond, 1876-82 ; John W. Bolon, 1882-84, re-elected. State's Attorney. Thomas Ford, 1832-34; W. A. Richardson, 1834- 36; Henry L. Bryant, 1836-38; Wm. Elliott, 1838- 50; H. G. Reynolds, 1850-54; Wm. C. Goudy, 1854-55 ; A. M. Craig, 1855-56; James H. Stewart, 1856-64; James A. McKinzie, 1864-72 ; Wm. Mar- shall, 1872-76; George Snyder, 1876-80; John W. Matthews, 1880-84, re-elected. Circuit Judges. Richard M. Young, 1830-36; James H. Ralston, 1S36-39; Peter Lott, 1S39-40; Stephen A. Douglas, 1841-43; Jesse B. Thomas, 1843-45 ; N. H. Pur- ple, 1845-49; Wm. A. Minchall, 1849-50; Wm. Kellogg, 1850-53; H. M. Weed, 1853-55; John S. Thompson, 1855-60: Aaron Tyler, 1860-61; Chas. B. Lawrence, 1861-64; John S. Thompson, 1864- 67 ; Arthur A. Smith, 1867-85 ; John J. Glenn, 1877-85; George VV. Pleasants, 1879-85; the three last named Judges preside in this Circuit and their terms expire in 1891. *:jr 4^ €4-*^ -•-hH^ WARREN COUNTY. ^09 OOP — — o25o" Educational Matters. :HERE are 134 school districts in Warren County, 8 graded schools and 134 ungraded ~^^ schools. The total value of school prop- erty is $111,185, ^^'t'' 7 Isi'ick and 131 frame buildings. Of scholastic age, there are io,66g pupils, the entire enrollment is 5,494, and the total ta.x levy $53,168.94. Miss Maggie Wiley is the County Superintendent, who gives her whole time to the school interests of the county. All the schools have good teachers and they are well conducted, having the most approved text books and all the modern adjuncts to education. They have a County Teachers' Association, which holds annual sessions, of two days, during the latter part of November, at Monmouth. Local associations are held at Monmouth, Kirk- wood, Roseville, Alexis, Cameron, Berwick, Little York, Greenbush and Hale. The Annual Summer's Institute of two weeks, which is held under section 5, of the School Act, meets at Monmouth. At tliese sessions, exercises and drills are had and a complete review of the modes of teaching is gone through. A journal de- voted to the educational interests of the county, called the School Chronicle, is published by this In- stitute. --€; Old Settlers' Association. ' HE matter of perpetuating the memory of pioneer life, its incidents, with its joys and S^ sorrows, its hopes and fears, had been dis- cussed among the early settlers of this and Henderson County for some time. Finally a call was made through the press for the old settlers to meet at Young America, now Kirkwood, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 27, 1872, for the purpose of maturing some plan for an organization to meet the objects in view. At the appointed time a large number of the early settlers met at Young America and the meeting was called to order by Samuel Hutchinson, wlio stated the objects of the meeting. T. S. Lowther was nominated as Chairman and Jud- son Graves was chosen Secretary. It was decided at this meeting to form an old settlers' organization, and to admit all persons as members who had set- tled in either of the counties of Henderson or War- ren prior to the formation of Henderson County. This meeting adjourned to meet again Feb 22. At this meeting the officers of the Association were de- cided upon and a committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws to be submitted at the next meeting. First officers elected : President, S. S. Phelps; Vice-Presidents, R. W. Ritchie, A. C. Harding and John Carts; Secretaries, Judson Graves and E. H. N. Patterson ; Treasurer, N. A. Chapin. The meeting adjourned to meet for their first annual reunion, which was fixed for the first Wednesday in June, and was to be held at Young America (now Kirkwood). At the day appointed there was a grand gathering of old pioneers, and a very enjoyable time was had. They all came with their lunch-baskets laden with those choice eatables that tend so much to enhance the pleasures of such gatherings. Speeches were made, songs were sung, stories were told, and the incidents and reminiscenses connected with the early settlement, its privations and hard- ships, were freely discussed. Before the reunion broke up, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the time was changed for the meeting to the first Wednesday in September. The association has held its reunion ever since, and its membership now embraces nearly all the old settlers. The constitution has been amended so as to admit all persons who have been in the county 30 years. They met the last season at Mineral Springs, near Kirkwood, which has become the favorite resort of the people of the county, and had a grand time. It is said that there were more people there than ever before at any of their reunions. Before adjourn- ment the following officers were elected : Samuel Hutchinson, President (since deceased) ; Benjamin Tinkham, Vice-President; N. A. Chapin, Secretary; Mrs. Wm. Hanna, Treasurer. Executive Commit- tee— O. S. Barnum, D. Babcock, W. C. Tubbs. Wm. Boden and G. R. Graham. Corresponding Secre- tary, A. H. Swain. There are at present 221 mem- bers belonging to this organization. J LAJH V -E^^!?: Jid WARREN COUNTY. Agricultural Fair. ^m^ agricultural society was organized Aug. 7, . ^...^ "852, at a iiublic meeting held at the ^^^ Court-House, Monmouth. Following are names of the temporary officers : Samuel Hallan, President; G. W. Palmer, Vice-Pres- ident; J. G. Madden, Secretary; and F. B. Weakley, Treasurer. Their first annual election was held Sept. 4, 1852, with the following results : Sam- uel Hallan, President; Robeit Gibson, Vice-Presi- dent; J. G. Madden, Secretary; and VVm. Billings, Treasurer. Their first annual fair was held at the Court-House, Oct. 15, 1852. It was regarded as a great success. Tliere were many entries made and over 1,000 persons in attendance. As there was not much money about in those days, the premiums only consisted in certificates. Since that period, the society has progressed, and it has now a very fair standing ; is out of debt and is in a prosperous con- dition. The grounds enclose about 30 acres, in which there is a good half-mile track, exhibition buildings, stalls, pens, etc., all valued at $6,500. In 1884 there were 2,099 entries. At this meet- ing a saddle-horse was entered which had taken the first premium in 1859, then ten years old. Generally, the annual receipts are about $5,000. For this year the premiums offered amounted to $4,000. A good deal of interest is manifested in this fair, and some as fine stock as there is in the State is annually ex- hibited here. Present officers: J. T. Reichard, President; Thos. W. Beers, Vice-President; Geo. Rankin, Secretary; and W. B. Young, Treasurer. Executive Committee — L. H. Gilmore, J. N. Mc- Kelvey, S. C. Hogue, Peyton Roberts, H. C. Gid- dings, J. R. Harnett, \V. B. Porter, R. S. Patton, N. S. Woodward. The fall meeting of thi.s association was attended with success, although the attendance was limited for the first two days on account of the rains. The exhibition of stock was exceedingly good. A finer exhibition of high-bred Percherons and Clydesdales has rarely been seen so also with the Red Jersey pig. Some fine cows were also on exhibition. The races were fair and some very good time was made. It is a pity, however, in laying out the grounds that' the society did not arrange for a mile track. In the exhibition hall there was an excellent display of art work, showing fine taste and skill. The soil pro- ducts on exhibition demonstrated the fact that the soil of Warren County is unsurpassed in rich- ness and that its farmers are skilled in the science of agriculture. -< ''^ '^^^^ 4 ¥ ■ )(. . ~" WARREN COUNTY. ^ 7it ,«s< mMsji^ «'^'=^^''-*S||f@) ^i ;K A ,t«4*^^^|j*^^ jj^ijFs^^ »^^ ppWNSHIP history is an es- sential and prominent part of the county history. The various parts of Warren County were settled by men most of whom have repre- sentatives now living in the 5unty, or are still living here 3mselves. A careful reading of the incidents relating to the earl)' settlement of the several town- ships will repay the reader, as each ;5j ^Si^Q, I?' o'""^ contains the names of the first -i^i G=V i\-^^ settlers, and many other items which are required to make the history complete. The township histories are given in their alpha- betical order, and the sketches of the villages are included in their respective town- ships. The city of Monmouth follows the town- ships. BERWICK TOWNSHIP. |g^«i|;ERWICK was among the earliest town- ^p^ ships to be settled, and in this Solomon Kaisey was the pioneer, casting his for- tunes here as early as the spring of 1829. He located on section 7. With him came his family, and his brother-in-law, Solomon Per- kins, and family. Mr. Perkins located on section 4 These men, with their strong and true-hearted life partners, after securing their lands, settled down to construct for themselves and children, homes for the future. In the midst of plenty, surrounded with all the comforts of civilization, with all our wants sup- plied, we are too apt to forget the pioneer to whom we are indebted for all these comforts. Soon after the above named settlers, came Peter Scott, Mr. Smith and Jonathan Tipton, who located in the neighborhood. In 1832, Isaac, Daniel and Elisha, brothers of Solomon Perkins, the two latter with their families, moved in and located near the settlement. Isaac went to the Black Hawk war, and was killed. Robert and George Ray came in 1831-2, locating in the timber, on section 6. With these men came their families. They and their wives are dead. H. M. Lewis, W. H. Cable and E. W. Allen came into the township in 1835, and were followed soon after by many others. These early settlers formed a nu- cleus, around which gathered in a few years an ex- tensive settlement. Miss Jane Allen taught the first school in tiie township, in 1835, in a log school house built by Thomas Pearce, near where the village of Berwick now is. This school house had no doors or win- dows, or what these are understood to be in modern times. There were holes in the wall to admit light and air, and one also for egress and exit, and this was all. And here in this rudely constructed cabin the first children of Berwick Township, with the ruddy glow on their cheeks, with the bright sparkle in "T" •jyi V — ^ WARREN COUNTY. f their eye, with innocence and hope in their young hearts, conimenced their education, directed by their devoted teacher, Jane Allen. Here they commenced to learn lessons in books and lessons in life, and fit themselves for the duties which in after years were to be imposed upon them. What hopes and aspira- tions may have filled these young hearts just enter- ing upon this world's stage! What ties formed here, that may have been stronger in after years than chains of brass or steel! What a contrast between this rude cabin and the finished school-house of to- day ! And yet with all our improvements and w'hat we call our advanced civilization, with our Female Sem- inaries and Boarding Schools, and all our modern ad- juncts to study, is there anyone prepared to say that the pupil of to-day learns better than those did then? Miss Jane Allen was married to Judge Ivory Quinby, March 14, 1839. She died Feb. 7, 1847. The second school taught in the township was by Miss Sarah Cable, in 1837. Berwick was organized as a township, April 4, 1854. The proceedings of this election either were not recorded or have since been lost, and hence the first officers under the new organization cannot be given. It is numbered 7 north, of range i west, of the fourth principal meridian, and has for its north- ern line Floyd Township. On the east lies Knox County, on the soutii Greenbush, and the west Rose- ville Township. The streams, Nigger Creek, Cedar Creek and Cedar Fork meander southwesterly through the township, which afford good opportunity for drainage. Along and adjacent to those streams the land is somewhat broken and liberally timbered. The remaining portion of the township is rolling prairie. It is a good farming country; the farms are well cultivated and mostly owned by those wlio work them ; the dwelling houses are well built and comfortable. The Iowa Central runs through the township, en- tering at the northwest corner and running along through the northern tier of sections. It was com- pleted through here in January, 1883. In 1880, Bersvick had a population of 1,003 souls, and this is about the number of inhabitants at the present time. The following statistics are given regarding the schools in the township, which were taken from the County Superintendent's annual report, ending June 30th, 1885. There were eight school districts in the township, with a valuation of school property amounting to $3,500, and the buddings are con- structed, one of brick, the rest of wood. Of persons under 2t years of age, there were 451, of whom 257 were of scholastic age, 272 being enrolled. The highest wages paid to teachers was $45, the lowest $30 per month. The tax levy for this year was $1,925. From the Assessor's report of 1885, the following; items are obtained : Number of acres of improved land, 22,572; num- • ber of acres of unimproved land, 160; value of im- proved lands, $294,770 ; value of unimproved land, $1,330; total value of lots, $7,002; number of horses, 775; number of cattle, 1,484; asses and mules, 55 ; sheep, 429; hogs, 2,824 ; steam engines, I ; carriages and wagons, 225 ; watches and clocks, 159; sewing and knitting machines, 106, pianos, 4 ; melodcons and organs, 27. Total value of personal property, $30,430. Below we give the names of the citizens who have represented this township as Supervisors: E. Q.pe- Lewis, 1854-64; S. B. Crane, 1865; H. M. Lewis, 1866-78; W. D. Miller, 1879-85. CHURCHES. Berwick was very early in establishing church or- ganizations, which indicates that the early settlers were zealous in matters of religion. Baptist Church. — This society was organized July 28, 1833, at John Smith's house. Sheldon Lockwood and wife, John Smith and wife and Elizabeth Hanon constituted the first membership. Revs. John Clark and John Logan presided at this organization. Rev. G. Bartlet was the first Pastor, taking charge Aug. I, 1833, and serving until December, 1834; then they were without a pastor for over a year, when Rev. R. M. Wilbur assumed charge, serving until Septem- ber, 1844. He was followed by Rev. Isaac Matteson, who served the church until June, 1845, giving place then to Erastus Minor, who remained until June, 1 847. Rev. Joel Sweet was the next pastor in charge, serving the Society until February, 1850. Rev. Jo- se[)h Elliott came in December, and remained until May, 185 1. Following Mr. Elliott was Rev. Wm. T. Bly, who served his flock until 1853, when Rev. G. D. Simmons took charge, remaining until October "T" -y- • -x^ . ■ WARREN COUNTY. :^Jh- 713 > Ar 1854. Rev. Truman Gregory accepted a call March, 1855, and remained until June, 1856, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. S. P. Warren, who took charge in March. Mr. Warren served until 1859, and was followed by Rev. C. E. Bailey, who remained until January, 1861. Rev. P. P. Shirley took charge in September, the same year, and was with the church until May, 1864, when Rev. R. L. Caldwell assumed the pastorate, remaining until July, 1866. He was succeeded in September by Rev. J. B. Congers, who served until October, 1868. Rev. Cary Telsberry became pastor March, i86g, remaining until Febru- ary, 1870, and was followed in June by Rev. Homer E. Norton, who remained until November, 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. D. G. Zaak, who took charge in June, 1875, and served the congregation until death took him home. Sept 25, 1S76. Rev. George Gray was the next to accept the call, Jan. i, 1877, and remained until Jan. i, 1881. Rev. J. F. Cald- well followed in August, remaining until 1884, when ' he was succeeded by the present pastor, J. F. Mer- riam. The congregation has a membership at pres- ent of 115; total membership since its organization 541. The first building was erected in 1840, and was located a little north of the present edifice. It is occupied now as a dwelling house by R. A. Beck. The present church building was erected in i8'56, at a cost of $3,000, and was dedicated in 1857. A good parsonage is attached to the church, costing $1,400. A good Sabbath School is one of the interesting fea- tures of this organization, having a membership of r4S. It is a large commodious building, and well furnished. The society is prosperous and the mem- bers active. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1832, in the early part of the year. Rev. Mr. Cordier was the first preacher to hold service about this neigh- borhood, which was at Thomas Pearce's house. Rev. Barton Randall organized the first clas?, in the spring of 1833. This class was composed of Thomas Pearce and wife. Barton H. Cartwright and wife and Robert Ray and wife. This was the beginning of the Meth- odist Church at Berwick. They held their first meet- ing at Thomas Pearce's house and other private houses until 1837, when tlie organization was perma- nently located at Berwick Village. After it was lo- cated at this village the society was served by Revs. Thomas Hobart and Thomas Kirkpatrick. In 1852 they erected the first church building. This is now used for a store by Mr. Beck. In 1868 they erected a new edifice at a cost of $4,000. It is of Gothic architecture, and is an attractive building, or was when it was new. It is now sadly out of repair, and if not attended to soon, will be worthless. With the church is a good parsonage. Present membership is about 30. Rev. G. B. Snedaker has charge, holding service every two weeks. Mr. Snedaker also serves the Cameron Church. BERWICK CEMETERY. This cemetery was laid out in 1840, and was among the earliest located in the county. It con- tains four acres of ground, and is a very pretty rest- ing place for the departed. The first person buried here was the son of Franklin Ogden, in 1840. It is under a trustee's government. In this cemetery are some very neat little tombstones, and the grounds are well cared for. Berwick Village. N 1836 Thomas Pearce and Samuel G. Morse thought that the township was of sufficient importance, in population at least, to warrant them in founding a village. Ac- cordingly they laid out their plat. It was lo- cated on the west half of the northwest quarter of section 5, and the east half of the northeast quar- ter of section 6, and contained fifty and five-eighths acres. It was first called Bowling Green, but was subsequently changed to Berwick. It was surveyed by Peter Butler, and the plat was recorded July 14, of the same year. This little village is nicely located and has a fine agricultural country surrounding it. At one time there was quite a trade carried on here, and it is yet a good shipping point for stock and grain. The ship- ping is done by the Iowa Central Railroad, which has a station here. Its population numbers about 175 persons. The village is laid out with a plaza or square in the center, after the Southern or Mexican style of laying out towns. Miss Sarah Cable taught the first school here, in 1837. They have at present a good school in the village, with an average attendance of 35 pupils. R. A. Beck is the present Postmaster, and has had a tenure of office for some 16 years. Its business is represented by Beck & Lewis, and -^ A ' anu A 7'4 WAF.KEN COUNTY. cd} Dement & Sheldon, wlio have general merchandise stores. Dr. F. K. Morse keeps a drug store, and is also a practicing physician. C. Oseran has a boot and shoe store, and Tliomas Brown does the black- smithing for the village. J. L. Stormct supplies the people with a market. The people of this village have provided for the education of their children by erecting a good school building, and securing the services of a good teacher. They have an average attendance at the school of about 30 pupils. COLD BROOK TOWNSHIP. l|30LD BROOK TOWNSHIP, or the terri- ^ tory that is now embraced by it, was among the earliest that was settled in th>i county. As early as 1828, Peter Pecken- paugh, from Indiana, found his way up into this locality, and put down his stake for a home, on section 30. Peter did not have long to I wait, for Peter Butler and Jeremiah McFarland came on soon, seeking homes for themselves and their families. The former located on section 31, and the latter on section 25. These pioneers were from Kentucky. They all had their families to brighten their pioneer firesides, and this gave them hope, courage and strength to put the axe into the timber, the plow-share into the virgin soil, and carve out homes for themselves and families. If there is any one position in life more lonely than another, it is that of a man starting out in a new country all alone to make his fortune, without wife or children to assist him in building up a home; it would seem that his condition must be something akin to "Coleridge's Ancient Mariner" — "Alone, alono. all, all alone Alone on a wido, wido sea. So lonely "twas, that God himselt, Scarce:sccmed there to be." Peter Peckenpaugh died but a few years ago. His wife died in 1850. Mr. McFarland has only been dead a few years. Peter Butler, who figured quite extensively in the early history of the county, moved to Oregon, in 1853, where, after an active life, he died. He was one of the first County Commission- ers. William Whitman and family, and Josiah Whitman, his brother, were the next to settle in the township, whicli was in the spring of 1829. They came from Kentucky and made claims upon section 32. William was a preacher of the Christian Church, and in those early days, charmed his hear- ers with his eloquence. He died at his home in 1838. Josiah Whitman was married to Han- nah Davidson. He died near Monmouth in 1865. His widow is still living in this city. Wil- liam Whitman's widow married Rev. Richard John- son, who was also a minister of the Christian Church. They are both dead. Richard H. Rag- land and family, of Kentucky, moved into the town- ship at an early day, locating in the timber near Cedar Fork. This pioneer did not live long in his Western home,but passed on to the eternal one, dying in 1839. His widow survived him, nearly half a century, dying in 1885, at the old homestead. Their cliildren are residing in the townsnip. In 1830, Aaron Hardin, from Schuyler Co., 111., came in and located on section ^^. He left the county at an early day. John G. Haley, witli liis wife, Elizabeth, came in this year, and located their home on section 29. He was a very active and influential man, and an Rider in the Christian Church. He was quite prominent in the early days in county matters, and was at one time Sheriff of the county. He moved to Missouri in the fall of 1870, and died there some years later. His first wife, Elizabeth, died in 1847, ^' the old homestead. They had a family of seven children, three boys and four girls — Mary Jane, Henry, Edward, Eliza, Cynthia Ann and Thomas. Of these children three are living — Jane and Eliza in Warren County, and Thomas in California. Mr. Haley married for his second wife, Mrs. Mar- tha Whitman, "Aunt Paisey," who came from Ken- tucky, in 1831, locating on section 7. Her seven children were William C, S. Squire, Sally, C, John C.,Lucy A., Huldy A. and Christina J. They are all living except Huldy A. and William C, and all in the county except S. Squire. Aunt Patsey is liv- ing with her daughter, Mrs. Hascall, on section 7, in Floyd Township, in her 89th year. She is still strong and hearty, and bids far to live many more years. Of those who came after the pioneers above men- tioned up to 1837, there were Phillip Horney, H. S. Hascall, Max Haley, P. R. Haley, Alva Gordon *v ^i-X WARKEJS/ COUNTY. -1 -;-/ 7'S I David R. Shelton, Sr., with a family of 13 children, Edward Grounds, William Harper, Sr., Seth C. Mur- phy, Jacob Rust, David Morro\v,\Villiam Fraynieyer, and Mrs. Claycomb and children, Henry and Wil- liam Bruner, Thomas Wallace, Sr., William and Jo- seph Murphy, William Wallace, Alexander Moore, Nelson E. Hills, Thomas Griffee, Jesse Cleveland, Henry Landers, William and John Davidson, John Undenvood, John P. Cone, S. S. Wallace and John E. Murphy. Thus a goodstart was made toward settling the township. They were an industrious, intelligent class of pioneers, and went to work with energy and perseverance to build up homes, develop the town- ship and improve the country. Seth C. Murphy taught the first school in the township, in a small log house on section 30, or in the "Neck." This was in 1832. Mr, Murphy died in the fall of 1836. Rev. William Whitman was the first preacher to entertain these pioneers with gospel eloquence, which was in the old town of Cold Brook, ■in 1831, the services being held in Peter Pecken- paugh's house. Alma Arasmith and Elizabeth Peckenpaugh led off in this township in the first bamatrimonial venture. This very interesting event, which created quite a sensation in this neighborhood, was duly solemnized on Christmas day, 183 1, by , Rev. William Whitman. Jacob Rust was the first man to embark in the mercantile business, which he did by opening a store in a log cabin in the town of Cold Brook. Jacob did not have an elaborate assort- ment of goods, nor was there much capital invested, but his little cabin store, as humble as it appeared, was a pleasing sight to those pioneers. A postoffice was opened at Cold Brook, in 1832, and Alva Gordon was the favorite son who held Uncle Sam's commis- sion. Tliomas Wallace started the first saw mill in the township, about a mile north of Cold Brook, on Ce- dar Creek. This was one of the first mills in the county, and was started in the summer of 1832. Subsequently he put in a stone for grinding corn. Cold Brook received its name from some cold springs which were located near there. It was platted by I John G. Haley. In 1832, Mr. Haggett and John Bundy started a blacksmith shop here, which was the first in the township. At one time. Cold Brook was quite a town, and a thriving trade carried on. The Brink & Walker stage line passed through the town. It was twelve miles fiom here to Knoxville and eight miles to Monmouth. Mr. Gordon served as Post- master until 1840, when H. E. Haley was appointed. A. D. Hawkins succeeded him and was the last Postmaster in the town. Upon the completion of the railroad, Mr. Hawkins moved the office with his store 10 Cameron, where it was established in 1855. The starting of the town of Cameron broke the town of Cold Brook up, and the owners of the land there have had the good sense to convert the site into fields. If many of the other would-be towns in the county would follow the example of the town of Cold Brook, there would be many acres of good land put to a proper and beneficial use. A sad accident occurred near this town in the early days (1838). Mat Dean and John Hardin were fishing in the mill pond. They were sitting on a log, one end of which lay on the bank and the other ran out into the pond. Dean suddenly had a fit and fell off the log into the water. Hardin see- ing him go down, plunged in after him, and they were both drowned. Singularly enough, their bodies were found some distance apart. Hardin's body was found a few hours after the accident, but that of Dean was not recovered until the next day, and not until after the pond had been dragged. It was found clinging with knees and arms to the under side of the log upon which they had been sitting. This township was organized April 4, 1854. The minutes of this meeting are imperfect, but we find that Philip Horney was chosen Moderator, and Jos- eph Stewart, Clerk. After the votes were polled, it was found that Benjamin F. Morey was elected Sup- ervisor; J. S. Parker, Clerk; James McFarland, Assessor and Collector; Andrew Claycomb and B. F. Morey, Justices of the Peace; W. H. H. Clay- comb, T. F. Taylor and B. S. Parker were elected Commissioners of Highways. It is township 1 1 nortli of range i west, and is bounded on the north by Kelly, on the east by Knox County, on the south by Floyd and on the West by Monmouth Town- ship. The only village in the township is Cameron, sit- uated on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, where some of the people do their trading. This road runs nearly all the way on the southern line of this township and was completed through it in the early part of 1855. It is watered by Cedar and Talbot Creeks and i A t* 716 WARREN COUNTY. their branches. Much of the township contains broad, rolling prairie, and some parts are rather broken. The land lying along and bordering the streams is very well timbered. Most of the farms are well cultivated and provided with good buildings. The farmers with but few exceptions are out of debt and prosperous. More attention is being given by the farmers to the raising of stock than was formerly done, and the production in this line is increasing every year. The population, in 1880, was 1,084, and it is esti- j mated there has been a little gain since that time. The County Superintendent's reports for the year ending June 30, 1885, contains tlie following school items: There are eight school districts, one graded and seven ungraded schools, with a valuation of school property amounting to $6,400. All of the school-buildings are frame. Of persons under 21 years of age, there wore 425, of whom 272 were of school age, and 252 were enrolled. The highest wages paid to teachers is $45 and the lowest $25 per month. The tax levy for this year was $2,170. From the Assessor's report for the year 1881;, the following information is obtained : Number of acres improved land, 22,439 ; value of improved land, $314,- 025; total value of lots, $3,375; number of horses, 922; cattle, 1,688; asses and mules, 37; sheep, 157 ; hogs, 3,249 ; steam engines, i ; carriages and wagons, 308; watches and clocks, 197; sewing and knitting machines, 99 ; pianos, 7 ; melodeons and organs, 35. Total value of personal property, $708.02. Below is given the names of the citizens who have been honored with the office of Supervisor: SUPERVISORS. Benj.S. Morcy 1854 Philip Horncy 1855 \V. H. H. aayconib....l8s6 Philip Homey 1857 W. H. H. Claycomb....i858 Henry Murphy 1859 W. H H. Claycomb i860 James McF.-irland 1661-2 I,. M. Catcs 1863-4 J. H. Murphy 1865 Philip Horney 1866 J. K.Iiiirnctt 1867-70 I, M . (iatcs "871-3 J. T Itartman >874-5 Philip Horney 1876 J. 'I". Hartman 1877-85 Cameron. AMERON is located on the line of the ^, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad "^Ss^ and principally in Floyd Township. Af- ' jPj ter the route of this road was determined, Robert Cameron concluded that this would be a good locality to lay out a town. It was first platted Feb. 22, 1854, and was called Cameron- ■ti ville, and was located south of the track. There were a few people at least here who must have had great expectations regarding this town. Why they did so remains a mystery. We find it was platted again at two different times, once by Ivory Quinby and John H. Warren. This plat was filed Dec. 21, 1854, and was located on sections 32 and 33 in township II north of range i west, containing 79 acres. It was surveyed by J. W. Adcock. Camer- onville south of the railroad track was platted by Robert and Sarah Cameron, March 6, 1854, and was located on sections 5 and 6, township 10 north of range i wes*, and was also surveyed by J. W. Ad- cock. Waste's Addition to Cameron was platted July 13, 1855, and was located on section 4, town- ship 10 north of range i west, and was surveyed by S. M. Moore. Robert Cameron made another addition to Camer- on ville, Aug. 2, 1856. Waste's addition lay east of the first plat and also extended across the railroad track into Cold Brook Township, and was called \ Cameron. This place, or noted village, is known in the sad years gone by, by travelers as a sort of a , cross between a watering place and a harbor of re-*< fuge. It is not remembered, that anybody ever had the courage or audacity to accuse a traveler of vol- untarily stopping, but he has been quietly or uncere- moniously " dropped," by the conductors, to fool it back to Galesburg, and there wait for the next train to carry liim on to his destination, giving him in tiie meantime ample opportunity to stretch his limbs, for which he left his car, and was left by it. The railroad officials corrected their management at Galesburg some years ago, and hence Cameron has gone down, not having any more unfortunate travel- ers to supply with cigars, cookies, crackers and cheese. Tiie first man to open a store here was A. B. Haw- kins, who moved over from the old town of Cold Brook. The postoffice was established here after the railroad was completed, in February, 1855, and Mr. Hawkins was appointed jjostmaster. After this, the name of Cameron was united upon, and it has been known as such since that time. Edward Hunt followed Hawkins as postmaster, and served during President Buchanan's administration. Har- rison Waste came in during the Republican admin- istration of President Lincoln. He was followed by H. C. Higgin, H. H. Kelly, and E. Hart, who is the 'T^ ¥ -H^ .ir. . — WARREN COUNTY. t>7 present postmaster. After the advent of tlie rail- road, some houses from Galesl)iirg opened business here. At one time it was quite a shipping point for grain, and it still receives most of the products from the western portions of Cold Brook and Floyd Townships, and some from the eastern parts of Lenox and Monmouth. The population, as estimated by S. T. Shelton last spring, is 306. There is a general store carried on here by E. Hart, and one by L. T. Kelly. Robert Atkinson keeps harness and saddlery ; Temple & Son cany on the drug business ; E. \V. Rowe has also a general store. CHURCHES. The Christian Church is the same society that was organized at Peter Peckempaugh's on section 30, April 30, 183 1, and is one of the first church or- ganizations in the county. The first members were among the first settlers of the county. As they were somewhat historical, their names are given be- low : William Whitman, Sarah Whitman, Julia A. Whitman, Henry C. Haley, Elizabeth Haley, John C. and Francis Murphy, JohnG. Haley, Richard H. Ragland, Nancy Ragland, Wm. M. and Elizabeth Davidson, Josiah Whitman, Elijah Davidson, Sr., Margaret Davidson, Sr.,and Margaret Davidson, Jr., Elijah Davidson, Jr. Six of the above members are still living: Julia A. Whitman, now Mrs. Davidson; Elizabeth Haley, now Mrs. Jones ; Francis Murphy, now living in Oregon; Margaret Davidson, Jr., also in Oregon; Elijah Davidson, Jr., in Oregon; and Elizabeth Davidson, now Mrs. Lucas, and living at Abingdon. This church was constituted upon the belief that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ments are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice, and sufficient for the government of the Church. They erected their first church building at Savanna, afterward called Cold Brook, which was completed in 1839. Rev. Wm. Whit- man was their first pastor. Before their church building was constructed, meetings were held in school houses and in private famihes. This society at one time numbered over 200 members. In 185 1 many of its members went to Oregon, enough to form quite a congregation there. The place where they settled was called Monmouth, after the town in Warren County. In i860, Cameron having be- come a thriving railroad town, and the business of Cold Brook having been transferred to that place, it was decided to move the church also. Accord- ingly an edifice was put up at Cameron, at a cost of $2,300. In an early day the people attended this church from far and near; from Abingdon, Mon- mouth, Ellison, Gerlaw, etc. Among the preachers that have served this church are : Revs. Wm. Whit- man, Alexander Reynolds, James R. Ross, Livy Hatchett, John Rigdon, (cousin of Sidney Rigdon of Mormon fauie), William Davenport, A. J. Kane, Isaac Murphy, John G. Haley, Josiah Whitman, Alex Johnson, L. S. Wallace, J. S. Ed- wards, John E. Murphy, and T. H. Good- night, now in Kansas. Some of these early preachers are still living. When the church had no regular pastors. Elder S. T. Shelton, one of Cold Brook's most prominent and favored citizens, would preach to the congregation. Re- cently they have secured the services of Rev. Charles Laycock, a talented young preacher. They have now about 125^ members with a large and in- teresting Sabbath-school. This society is prosper- ous and is doing good work in the Christian field of labor. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1856 ; M. B. Morey and wife, J. B. Porterfield and wife, Benjamin Tinkham and wife, and William P. Crosby and wife, constituted the first members. Their building was erected in 1857, at a cost of $1,300. This building was burned in Sept. 1877. A new edifice was erected in 1883, and was dedicated July ist, the same year. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Revs. George W. Palmer, pastor, and Thomas H. Pryon. It is a neat frame structure, costing about $3,000, with a seating capacity of probably 250 persons. They have a good parson- age, which cost $1,000. Rev. J. B. Snedaker is the present pastor who presides over about 60 members. In connection with the society is an interesting Sab- bath-school with about 45 members. The First Baptist Church. A number of the members of tliis church assembled June 30, r866, for the purpose of perfecting an organization. Rev. J. N. Talman of Monmouth preached the sermon, when Rev. H. H. Parks was called to the chair. J. N. Talman was chosen clerk pro tern. Letters were presented by D. F. Smith, C. C. Manford and F. G. Manford. Several others gave their names and de- 'Jk^ ^ 7.8 Y~. WARREN COUNTY. clared themselves in favor of uniting as soon as they could receive letters from their former churches. After this, articles of faith were adopted. Rev. John Balton was the first pastor. The church was com- pleted and dedicated in August, 1869. Rev. Balton terminated his labors with the church, March 4, 187 1. He was followed by J. K. Pennington, wlio remained until 1S78, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. G. Kent, who served until 1880. Rev. T. \\'. Jones then took charge and remained for a while, wiien he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Depperman. At present the society is without a pastor, but occasionally they have services at the church. Schools. Cameron has a fair graded school. It is a union district from Floyd and Cold ISrook. i'.efore the con- solidation in 187 1, they had separate schools and school buildings. After the districts were united, a good two-story building was erected for scliool pur- poses. Miss Libbie Regnieris the present principal, and Miss Kate Boggles, assistant, with an average attendance of 75 pupils. ■\tac/2/®iS^ M§}— -'SI^WOTX- \f ELLISON TOWNSHIP. I J LLISON was organized as a township, .\pril 4, 1854. Agreeable to the notice previ- ously given, the legal voters of this town- 'fi^ sliip met on this day and proceeded to elect their officers and perfect their organization. E. Mitchell was chosen Moderator, and A. S. Smith, Clerk. The result of this meeting was the election of E. Mitchell, for Supervisor, Wm. Coleman, Clerk; J. P. Rutherford, Assessor; N. B. Cramer, Collector; H. F. Sexton and S. 1). Perkins, Justices of the Peace ; H. S. Sexton, Overseer of the Poor ; D. Leacock and N. Eldridge, Commissioners of Highways ; W. H. Gilmore, George W. Scott, Con- stables. Thus equipped for self-government the people of this township, received new life and went on in their development and prosperity. This territory is in township 9 north of range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by Tompkins, on the east by Roseville, on the south by Point Pleas- ant Township, and on the west by Henderson County. Field Jarvis was the first settler in this township, locating in 1829 at the head of Ellison Creek. It was some years before he had any neighbors. Isaac A. Watson and Wm. P. Thompson settled in this township ill 1835. Kenner Brent, his wife, Eliza- betln^nd a large family of children, among whom were Kenner, Jr., David C, Wm P. and Paul, came in Maicii, 1836, locating on section 18. They were from Lancaster Co. Va. Mr. Brent and his wife, Elizabeth, are both dead. Some of their children are still living in the township. Mr. Brent was in -the war of 1812, where he distinguished himself for his bravery in several active engagements, Seneca Sals- bury and family from Ohio, located in 1836, on sec- tion 4. Among those that soon followed these pio- neers and settled in the township before 1 840, are Mr. Meacham and family, C. Higler and family, Mathew Cox and family, Samuel Baldwin and Jesse Coleman with their families; also, Mr, Staley ; John and Edward Ray, with their families ; Benton God- frey, Paul, William and John Birdsell, Daniel Lea- cock, James Gregory, William Talbot, Decatur Lof- tus, and family from Tennessee ; William Brown and family from Virginia. Mr. Jarvis was a large, pow- erful man, and a noted bee-hunter. The early set- tlers depended u|)on Field almost entirely to furnish them with honey. Horace Sexton and wife, Hannah, came in and settled in the northwestern part of the townsliip, in the si)ringof 1840. Wlien tliey settled, there was but one house between them and Mon- mouth. They came from Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Horace Sexton died at the old homestead, in Oct., 1877 ; his widow is still living. Seneca Salsliury and wife are both dead, the former but recently. It is said that at the time he erected his dwelling house, it was the finest house in the county. Mr. Salsbury was the first Postmaster in the township. The first village that started was Lancaster, on section 22. It contained a tavern, two stores, a black smith shop, and Post Office. As a village it is now deserted, and is only known in the memory of the early settlers. ■' Hut now llic sduncIsdC |iopulatioii fail, N(i (.■In'ci-rul nnniinns Ihirluate tlio gale; Nil l)usy .-^lops tlu' grass-grown foot^way troad, But all tlie blooming flush of life is fled." But while it is no longer a village, on its site can -< ir v 4 WARkkN COUNTY. ^^^ 719 be traced broad fields of grain, and extensive herds of cattle graze and chew their cuds at ease on the green pasture. The first couple to enter into the sacred ties of matrimony were Decatur Loftus and Mary Barrett. Their honey-moon and after life were spent on sec- tion 25. The first birth and death are not remem- bered. This township has not been exempt from the wrathful winds of earth, though it has been shown that it deserved no such affliction. On the 30th day of May, 1858, towards sunset, the blue sky became overcast with dark, ominous clouds. Soon the roar of the wind was heard in the timber west of Ellison Village. The dreadful sound increased and in a few seconds a tornado with lightning-like speed and des- tructiveness overshadowed the town. But a few mo- ments and only a few, buildings were left standing, and nearly all of the inhabitants were more or less injured, and many of them killed. The gale came from Iowa and did no damage un- til after it passed the Bluffs. Its path was about 40 rods wide and about 6 miles long in its destructive course. It made one of its fearful revolutions in front of Mr. Kelly's house, and after demolishing the town, raised up from the ground a few miles northwest and passed away. There were several stores in the village, blacksmith shops, taverns, etc., all of which were demolished. Fifteen persons were killed and fatally wounded and many were disabled for life. Of those killed and who died from the ef- fects of tlieir wounds, were the Misses McVVilliams, Mrs. Thompson and child, Mrs. Brazelton, Martin Wentworth, Miss Lacy, Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. McCartney and child, Mr. Johnson and child, Mr. Hurd, and Mr. Thompson, who lived out on the prairie. On the approach of the tornado, Mr. Thompson, with his family, had gone into a cave, dug on purpose for protection against such a catastrophe. Curiosity got the best of his judgment, and against the admo- nitions of his sensible wife, he put out his head to see how a tornado looked in its best humor, when the end of a rail that was flying about in the air struck him in the head, knocking it off, and sending his headless body back into the cave, where it fell at the feet of his wife and children. This tornado was terrible in its power and must have been very heavily charged with electricity. It tore the ground up for rods, and took wagons and literally tore them to pieces. From one heavy wagon wheel it look off the tire and neatly cut a piece from it two feet in length. Over a score of the dead, wounded and dying were brought into J. M. Kelly's residence and laid about on the floor. The scene was most heart- rending and beyond all description. Their groans and sufferings were sickening to behold. There were only two men in the town unhurt ; these were J. M. Kelly and W: L. Edwards, who are still living. Ellison, before this dreadful visitation, was a thriving, attractive, pleasant little village. It broke up and disheartened its business men and virtually ruined the town as a trading point. This town is the home of Mrs. Nancy Wilcox, grandmother of the celebrated opera singer, Emma Abbott. A very good story is related about the grandmother. In the fall of 1854 Mrs. Wilcox at- tended the Methodist Love Feast, in the Methodist Church at Ellison village, which was presided over by the Rev. Richard Haney. During the meeting, or Love Feast, Mrs. Wilcox arose to give her relig- ious experiences Among other facts related by this' lady, was one of the difficulties which beset her be- fore she joined the Church. When she had made up her mind to number herself with God's people, she'* addressed her husband, saying : " Isaac, my beloved husband, I have decided to give my heart to God, and to join the Methodist Church." Her husband very energetically replied : " Nancy, I'll be damned if you do! " Mrs. Wilcox, with equal emphasis, re- plied : " Isaac, I'll be damned if I don't! " Since that day Isaac died the death of tlie righteous and Mrs. Wilcox is still living, in her good old age, the life of a Christian. Ellison Township is very liberally watered, by Nigger Creek, with its tributaries, and Ellison Creek. In the southwestern part the land is broken and pretty well timbered ; the balance is mostly rolling prairie, with a rich and productive soil. There are many fine and well cultivated farms in the township, and the farmers are mostly all in independent cir- cumstances. No railroad lines pass through its ter- ritory and the people do their trading mostly at Roseville and some at Ellison. Population, in 1880, was 1,041, and it has not gained any since that time. The County Superintendent, in her report ending June 30, 1885, gives the following information relat- ing to the public schools of the township : There were seven schools districts, with a valuation of school property of $6,525. In these districts all the •jKl ¥ 4; 720 WARREN^ COUN'TY. ^ buildings were frame. Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 401, of whom 293 were of scholastic age, 270 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $50 per month, the lowest $25 per month. The tax levy for this township was $2,450. From the Assessor's reports for the year 1885, the following information has been obtained : Number of acres of imi)roved lands, 22,740; value of im- proved lands, $325,585 ; number of horses, 787 ; cattle, 1,647; mules and asses, 40; sheep, 18; liogs, 3,055 ; steam engines, i ; carriages and wagons, 290, watches and clocks, 141 ; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 97 ; pianos, 5 ; melodeons and organs, 34 ; total cash value of personal property, $56,610. The following named citizens have rei)resented Ellison Township as Supervisors : Eliphalet Mitchell, 1854-55; George W. Palmer, 1856; N. A. Eldridge, 1857-64; Wm. A. Albright, 1865; N. A. Eldridge, 1866-67; Thos. Paul, 1868; \V. R. Rayburne, 1869-70; J. A. Pierson, 187 i ; S. B. Crane, 1872; E. Mitchell, 1873; S. B. Crane, 1874; E. Mitchell, 1875-77; A. K. Morris, 1878; E.Mitchell, 1879; A. K. Morris, 1880; E. Mitchell, 1881-82 ; M. V. Jamieson, 1883-85. Ellison Village. 1|ii||[M0NG the early towns of the county plat- ted was that of Ellison. It was laid out under the proprietorship of Joseph De- hague, and tiie i)lat was recorded May ro, 1836. It embraced the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 6. Wil- liam Butler was the surveyor who laid»it out. This village grew with the settlement of the township and there was at one time quite a trade carried on here, in fact, until its destruction by the tornado of 1858. After tliis calamity most of the tfade was trans- ferred to Roseville. There is a post office here, which is presided over by James Watson. Mr. Wat- son is also proi)rietor of a general store. J. "E. Painter carries on a grocery, and harness and saddlery bus- iness. The blacksmithing is attended to by W. L. Edwards. There are also two wagon and repair shops, carried on by J. M. Kelly and G. Davidson. The most important industry of this village is the tile factory, which was started in 1882. The clay used is a very superior quality and taken from a bank about a mile from the town. Mr. Edwards employs on an average five men and has one kiln. Dr. E. Wilkinson attends to the sick in the village. Ellison has a good school and a very popular teacher in the person of W. F. Shirkey ; average at- tendance at this school is about 45 pupils. FLOYD TOWNSHIP. LOYD came into the township organiza-- tion with tlie other townships. The records ^ of the proceedings of the first meeting were burned, and only a part can l)e given. :^^ The election was held April 4, 1854, at the { old town of Cold Brook, when the follow- ing officers were chosen: William Laferty, Super- visor; H. S. Hascal, Clerk; G. B. Cross, Assessor; Thomas B. Cross and Charles Phelps, Justices of the Peace; James L. Grant and Bradley Hecox, Com- missioners of Highways. It is numbered 10 north, of range i east, and is bounded on the north by Cold Brook, on the east by Knox County, on the south by Berwick and on the west by Lenox Townships. This territory was not overlooked by the early settlers of ■ Warren County. John Armstrong has the credit of being the first to locate in the township, which was in 1829. He came witli his family and located on the south side of the township, on section 23, put up a cabip, the first in the township, and commenced to improve his land and construct for himself and fam- ily a home. He was born in Illinois, May 11, 18 12, and died in 1882, leaving his kindred and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. The next to move in was Benjamin F. Allen, with wife and nine children, from Oneida Co., N. Y. The names of the children arc Truman D., Eliza, Frederick, Jane, Edwin, Henry and Emery (twins), Albert and Am- brose. These children are all dead but Ambrose and Trumaix p. Mr. Allen located on section 29. He died July 10, 1872, at the old homestead, and his widow three years later. Louis and Isaac Vertrees, from Kentucky, with tlicir families, came here in 1830, locating their lionies on section 3, where they made many improve- ments. Isaac, after some years, moved back to his i: ■+* 4 WARREN COUNTY. ^ 721 native State. Louis was attached to his home, lived there throughout his long life, and died April 13, 1883, [respected and loved by all who knew him. Elijah Davidson was another early settler, moving in in 1S30. He was also from Kentucky. After liv- ing here over 20 years, he, with a part of his family, joined the colony that emigrated to Oregon in 1851. Carter T. and Hosea, sons of Elijah Davdson, set- tled here with him. Carter died in Oregon a few years ago. Hosea moved to Missouri, where he died. Alexander Davidson, son of Elijah, came in about this time. All the Davidsons settled on the school section 16. After these families came John Dodge, his son, John Milton, Felix and David Rob- inson, George and Henry Cable, Wilson Sheldon, M. D. Matteson, Cornelius Tunnicliff, Thos. D. Allen, and others. After the Black Hawk War the town- ship settled up quite rapidly. Among those coming in after the war was Henry Cable, his wife and six children — Sarah, Mary, Ezra, George C, Chauncy M. and William H. They came in 1835, and set- tled about a mile and a half east of the town of Ber- wick, near the township line. Mr. Cable came from Oneida Co., N. Y. Here he lived for over 40 years, irevproving his farm, accumulating property and rear- ing his children, most of whom settled about hin. During this long period he took an active part in all the public affairs of the township. In 1866 he moved to Monmouth, where he died, March 8, 1877, at the age of 80 years. His wife, Olive, died in February, 1875, in her 84th year. Mary died in 1851 ; Sarah, who married Mr. Laferty (see biography) is still liv- ing in Monmouth. The sons are all living on farms in Floyd Township, except'Chauncy M., who is living in Monmouth. During the Black Hawk War, many of tiie settlers, fearing attacks from the Indians, went into Knox County, where they remained until the war terminated. The first birth, death and marriage is not definitely remembered, nor the first school taught. The children living in the territory now embraced by this township, attended school at the old town of Cold Brook; so also did the people go there for their religious services, which were held under the aus- pices of the Christian Church. Some of the preach- ers of this Church would hold services occasionally at private houses in this township. In 1839, a Chris- tian Church was estalilished at Meridian, near the line between Floyd and Berwick Townships, the members joining this organization withdrawing from the Cold Brook Church. Another congregation was formed from the Cold Brook Church, in 1845, at what was called Short's Corners, section 16. It was one of short duration, and was disbanded in 1847. The township is watered by Slug Creek and its tributaries, which run southeasterly into Berwick, uniting with Nigger Creek, which empties into Spoon River. The land in this township is nearly all prai- rie, with slight undulations, except in the southwest portion, where it is timbered and some- what broken. Along the upper line of the township is the divide, the waters on the north emptying into the Henderson and then into the Mississippi, and those on the South into Spoon River, and then into the Illinois River. The principal crops raised now, are corn and hay. It was once a very heavy producing township in all the cereals, but the land became worn out and a change of product was nec- essary. The farms in the township are all good and well managed. The dwelling houses are comforta- ble, and many of them are constructed with taste. In all the school districts are good schools and good school buildings. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes along the northern line of this township, or between this and Cold Brook. The nearest depot and trading place is Cameron. In pop- ulation it is estimated that Floyd has not lost in numbers since 1880, it containing then, according to the census reports, 1,162. From the Assessor's report for the year 1885, the following information is obtained : Number of acres of improved land, 22,385 ; num- ber of acres of unimproved land, 360; value of im- proved land, $301,5 11 ; value of unimproved lands, $2,880; total value of lots, $4,170; number of horses, 1,065; cattle, 1,422; asses and mules, 6; sheep, 147 ; hogs, 2,665 'i steam engines, 2 ; car- riages and wagor;s, 204; watches and clocks, 73; sewing and knitting rnachines, 87 ; pianos, 6; organs and melodeons, 34; total value of personal property, $606.40. SUPERVISORS. William Laferty . . .1854-5 John F. Giddings 1856 Thomas B. Cross 1857-60 Lewis V'ertrees 1860-3 Charles Wa.iite 1863 W. C. Clyborne 1864 S . T . Shelton 1865-70 C. W. Eoydston 1871 Lewis Vertrees 1872 C. W. Boydston 1873-4 JohnW. Bolon 1875-8 D. C. Graham 1879 JohnW. Bolon 1880-2 D. C.Graham 1883-c i^ ^ JU 712 WARREN COUNTY. ^^^■^ GREENBUSH TOWNSHIP. REENBUSH TOWNSHIP was one of the early settled townships of the county. Ro- ^ land Simmons was the first man to settle here, which he did in 1830, making a claim on ;;' section 6. He was an energetic, thriving ] man, prominent in the public affairs of the township, and a good citizen. He died in the sum- mer of 1858, leaving a large family of children and many friends to mourn his loss. His wife preceded him to the other world many years before. They both died at the old homestead where they first lo- cated. Jesse W. Bond and William Taylor, with tiieir families, came in soon after Mr. Simmons, and made claims on section 19. These pioneers were active and valuable citizens, and did much toward im- jiroving and building up the township. They became prominent and active in all public affairs, accumu- > laled fine properties, which they left to their children. They, witli their wives, have been dead some years — all dying at their homesteads. James Simmons, his wife and seven children, from Madison Co., III., came in 1833, and located on section 35. He first came to Illinois in 1816. His children were Andrew W., Sally, Roland M., Alfred W., Francis M., Charles R., William J. and Joanna. Four children, Nancy, Diana, Arminda and Mar- tin VanBuien, were born in Greenbush. This pio- neer diid at the farm, Aug. 21, 1873. His wife, Sally, died Aprils, 1855. He left a good inheritance to his children, and was oneof tlie prominent citizens of the township. Along after these pioneers came John C. Bond, William McMahill, Payton Vaughn, Thomas Moul- ton, James B. Smith, Jesse Looney, Aaron Powers and Amos Pierce. Some of these pioneers brought with them families. Amos Pierce settled on section 7, and died in July, 1872. His wife died in 1845. (See biography.) James B. Smith died on his way to Oregon. After this the settlement in the township advanced quite rapidly, particularly after the Indian troubles had been finally adjusted. A young child of Roland Simmons was the first death in the township, which occurred in 1830. The fiist couple to enter into matrimonial relations were Moses D Hand and Elizabeth Crawford. They were joined in the holy bonds of wedlock Dec. 23, 1835, by John C. Bond, Justice of the Peace. The next important event was the death of the sister of John Long. Her body was interred in the Bond burying ground. The first post office was opened at Greenfield, now known as Greenbush, by Charles Slice. Blankenship & Brother were the first to em- bark in the n>ercantile business. Mr. Desbro was the first educated young man to open school in the township, which was in a log house southeast of Greenbush. The first religious exercises, or preach- ing, was at Roland Simmons' house, by a Methodist circuit rider, in the winter of 1833-4. In early days the people of this township did tlieir trading and marketing at Peoria, Oquawka and sometimes at Chicago. Greenbush went into township organization with the other townships, but the records have been lost and only a part of the proceedings of the first elec- tion can be given. We find, however, that David Armstrong acted as Moderator at tliis election. Levi Lincoln was elected Supervisor; William Shores, Collector; A. W. Simmons, Assessor; F. H. Merrill, Clerk; John C. Vauglin and L. L. Ury, Justices of the Peace; J. Butler R. M. Simmons and H. H. Hewitt, Commissioners of Highways. This township is numbered eight north, of range i west, and has for its boundary line, Berwick Town- ship on the north, Knox County on the east, Fulton County on the south and Swan Township on the west. It is very liberally watered by Swan and Nig- ger Creeks and their tributaries, which run eastward and empty into Spoon River. The Quincy branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R. crosses the southeast cor- ner of the township. In the northeast portion of the township and along the main creeks the land is some- what broken, and is very well timbered ; the other portion of the township is rolling prairie. -The soil is rich and productive, corn and hay being the prin- cipal crop, which have a prolific growth. There are some grand old farms in Greenbush and many fine dwellings. Tlie peofile do their trading mostly at Avon, Fulton County, and at Greenbush Village. The population of this township, in 1880, was 1,053, which is about the present number. In the annual report for the year ending June 30 ^ ■ )(■ WARREN COUNTY. 723 1885, the County Superintendent gives the following information regarding the public schools. There were 10 school districts, the school property being valued at $2,500. All the school buildings are frame. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 406, of which 286 were of scholastic age, 243 being en- rolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $50 per month, and the lowest $25. The tax levy for this township was $1-825. From the Assessor's report for 1885, the following information was obtained : ' Number of acres of im- proved land, 22,000 ; number of acres of unin: proved la. id, 1,000; value of improved land, $312,120; value of unimproved land, $4,060 ; value of lots, $2,800: number of horses, 900; cattle, 2,060; num- ber of mules and asses, 129; sheep, 636; hogs, 2,- 660; steam engines, i ; carriages and wagons, 227; watches and clocks, 159; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 90; pianos, 4; melodeons and organs, 34. Total value of personal property, $840.49. Greenbush has been represented by the following named citizens as Supervisors: John C. Bond, 1854; Levi Lincoln, 1854; John C. Bond, 1856-67 ; A. W. 'Simmons, 1868-71; L. M. Green, 1872; Danford Taylor, 1873-74; A. W. Simmons, 1875-76; L. M. Green, 1877 ; A. W. Simmons, 1878-83 ; Israel Spor- gin, 1884; A. W. Simmons, 1885. —^m^^ — Greenbush Village. REENBUSH was one of the early aspiiing localities, the citizens of whom looked for. * ward with great expectations to the time when there would be solid brick blocks, crowd- ed streets, and all the bustle of a great city. It was platted April 29, 1836, by Roland and James Simmons, on the northeast quarter of section 5, the plat embracing about 40 acres. The name of the village was afterward changed to that of Green- bush, on account of there being another town of the same name in this btate. This town for some years was quite a thriving village, having several stores and business enterprises, but when the railroad came through, which makes and unmakes towns, tlie trade went elsewhere. There is one general store iiere now owned by J. C. Johnson, who has a thrivi.ig country trade. Mr. Johnson is also Postmaster of the village. Population about (oo souls. There is a good school here, which is taught by Mr. Blair, with an average attendance of about 30 pupils. RELIGIOUS. There are two Churches here, the Baptist and Meth- odist, which grew out of early organizations in the township. The Baptist Church. The members of the society met on the third Saturday in June, 1836, at the house of Brother Caleb Hedges, organized, and formed the basis for quite a large congregation. Present at this meeting were John Murphy, James Kelsey, John Riggs, Joseph Rudges, B. VV. Lewis, Caleb and Polly Hedges, Ellis Lewis, Martha Riggs, Rosanna Muri^hy, Rachael Butler, Polly Vandeveer and Rev. Chas. Vandeveer. Mr. Vandeveer was chosen Mod- erator, and John Murphy, Clerk. After mature de- liberation, they decided to send for ministers for the purpose of being constituted into a church. On the third Saturday in July, they again met with addi- tional members who had come in with letters from oilier societies, to prepare and adopt articles of faith and a constitution for their guidance. Elders Chas. Vandeveer and Robt. Mays were present to consti- tute the church, which was given the name of New Hope. This church belonged to the Spoon River Association. Rev. Chas. Vandeveer was chosen the first pastor, in August, 1830. Services were held in different parts of this and Swan Township, in private houses. Rev. Chas. Vandeveer served his flock until 1854, when death took him to a new field of labor. He was succeeded by Rev. George Tracy, who as- sumed charge in June 1855, and retired the following year. In May, 1857, Rev. Isaac Vanmeter was called to take charge, and is the present pastor, having served nearly a generation. In 1850, when the Academy was built at the village of Greenbush, the society was permantly located there. This Academy was put up by the people of Greenbush for a school building and for the holding of religious and other meetings. It was a two-story building, the upper part of which was principally devoted to school pur- poses. At present there are 43 members, and servi- ces are held every fourth Sunday, the pastor hav- ing other charges in different parts of the county. 'I he Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the town of Greenbush at a very early day. Meet- »— ^^«- 724 « %\ i • • WARREN COUNTY. 4^= ings were held in private houses at first, and after the establishment of school buildings services were held in them, and when the Academy building, as it was called, was erected, whicli was in 1850, at Greenbush village, they held their services there, in the lower room. In 1S70 they completed their new church building, at a cost of $5,000. In April, 1S7 i, it was dedicated. Rev. Rosvvell Morse preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. Mr. Matthews was the first pastor in charge after the new edifice was erected. He was succeeded by Revs. Hitchcock, Jones, Blacksvell, Grant, Torpin and Streator. Rev. N. G. Clark is the present pastor, with service every other Sunday. His other appointments are in Mc- Donough County, which, with Greenbush, belong to the Pleasant Mounds circuit. Present member- ship of this society is about 50. It was at onetime quite a thriving church, and they had a very grace- ful, neat little edifice. The building has fallen into decay, and is sadly out of repair. Many of the members have gone away, and others have ceased to attend the church. — -iS ^ ' • ' ^ • ♦ '{iQc- — HALE TOWNSHIP. I^ALE is situated in the western tier of town- ships, and is numbered 10 nortli, of range 3, west. Its northern boundary is Sumner townsliip, on the east lies Monmouth, on the south Tompkins township and on the west Hen- derson County. The first election after township or- ganization had been adopted, was held April 4, 1854, in school house number i. Wm. Nast presided as Moderator, and \V. S. VVier, (l\^rkp(o tern. Upon a vote being taken for tliese offi( ers, Wm. Cannon was chosen Moderator, and S. W. Rodgers, Clerk. Fifty- nine votes were cast at this election, which resulted in the choice of Wm. Fleming for Supervisor, Wm. Clark, Clerk, B. B. Findley, Assessor, J. C. Ward, Collector, G. H. Smaley and Andrew Jenkins. High- way Commissioners, T. F. Lowther and W. S. \Vier, Justices of the Peace; Ira A. Palmer and I). Vanfleet Constables. The first act of the Commissioners of the High- ways was to levy a tax of 20 cents on the $100, for the improvement of roads. The territory now occupied by Hale township was settled about as early as any jiart of the county. Adam Ritchey, Sr., with his wife, Elizabeth, were the first settlers. They located near Sugar Tree Grove, in 1828. Here he erected a cabin and began his im- [irovements. This family was large enough to have witliin themselves social amusement and compan- ionship, and to relieve pioneer life from that dreary loneliness, usually one of its unavoidable and un- pleasant features. There was Adam, Jr. John, Ab- igail, Martha, Elizabeth, Matthew, Caroline and James, Ritchey. Take them altogether they formed cpiite a little colony, and soon made their impression in the townsliip. Adam Ritchey died many years ago, and was buried in the Ritchey burying-ground. His widow, Elizabeth, moved to Iowa, where she subsequently died. David Findley and Thomas Campbell came to this settlement in 1829. In 1830, Joiin Kendall and wife, Elizabeth, William and Samuel Gibson, with their wives, James Jenkins, wife and cliildren and James Maley and wife, added their numbers to the settlement. Soon after came John Caldwell, wife and three children, John W., Eleanor and Martha, and located on section 1 1. Tlie Cald- wells were from Bedford Co., Pa. John Caldwell was a man of great force of character, and took an active part in the affairs of the county. He was one of the leaders in the establishment of the Associate Church at Sugar Tree Grove, and was one of the first Elders. His wife died at an early day, and he joined her in the other world in December, 1865. Eleanor married John Black. Both she and Martha are dead. John W. Caldwell is living at Monmouth. (See biography.) To this settlement was added in October, 1831, William Paxton, wife and seven children. They came from Xenia, Oliio, and located on section 2. The names of the children were: W. S., John S., Thomas M., Jane L., Ann, Margaret F., and Mary E. Mr. Paxton took an active part in the public af- fairs of the township, and was an upright and worthy citizen. He died in March, 1861, at iiis home. His wife had preceded him, departing this life in Jan- uary, 1845. Thomas M. is living on the place; John S. is in Iowa; William S. is living at Mon- mouth. (See biography.) The daughters are all ■H- V 4; oMio brifjlit little isle of tlieir own. In a blue siiinnicr ocean far oil' and alime. Where a leaf never dies in the still blooming bowers. And the bee baii 3,686 ; steam engines, i ; carriages and wagons, 357 ; watches and clocks, 214; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 102 ; pianos, 10; melodeons and organs, 24. Total cash value of personal property, $80,328. The township has honored the citizens whose names appear below, with the office of Supervisor : SUPERVISORS. Wm. Flcmine 1854 John R. Gr.iham 1855 David Turnbull 1855 John Urown 1857 David Turnbull 1858-60 Edward Hums 1861 Newton liarr 1862 David Turnbull 1863-5 Lcander I-'indley 1866 Hugh Nash 1867 David Turnbull 1868-70 Newton IJarr . . . . 1871 H. G. Lord 1872 John N. Carson 1873 Newton I!arr 1874-5 C. M. Rodgers 1876-80 Newton Barr 1881 C. M. RodEcrs i88« J. N. McKelvey 1883-4 D. A. Turnbull 1885 ^^ 4 KELLY TOWNSHIP. g^ELLY Townsliip is located in the north- east corner of the county, and is numbered 12 north, of range r west. Mercer County lies on the north, Kno.x County on the east. Cold Brook on the south and Spring Grove Township on the west. The territory now embraced by this township was settled as early as any other portion of the county. James B. Atwood was the first pioneer to move in and make a home here, which was in the early part of 1828. He lo- cated on section 27. Mr. Atwood sold his place to Edmund Adcock, a few months later, and moved away. Mr. Adcock and family came from Bucking- ham Co., Va. He was born Nov. 23, 1800, and died May 7, 1859, at the old farm. His son, J. W., now owns and lives on the place. Andrew Robison with wife and six children, moved in Sept. 20, 1829, and settled on section 33. He subsequently ascer- tained that he had located on land that had been bought by David Ingersol, and he moved to section 31. (See biography.) The land they first settled on is now occupied by the cemetery. Mr. Atwood was the only settler in the township when the Robisons came in, and at that time there were no settlers in Spring Grove Township. Andrew Robison died at his home Aug. 6, 1849, and Nancy, his widow, at the same place, March 15, 1876. William A. Lair came in October, 1832, and located a home on section 30; he is now dead. B. H. Gardner, from Kentucky, came into the county in 1834, spent the winter in Monmouth Township and made his location in Kelly, on section 30, in the spring of 1835. James Brown came in 1830, settling on section 25; Mr. Brown is now dead. He served in the Black Hawk War. Of the other settlers that came in from 1829 to 1835, there were David Ingersol, wife and six children — James, Jane, Anna, Nellie, Adelina and Thomas, who was a baby; Henry and John Peck- empaugh, William Lair, Stephen Mitchell, John Mil- ler, Henry and Edward Martin, James Stevens, John Miles, George and James Brown, Ezekiel and Olive Terpeniiig and Calvin Glass, with their familes. Hiram Ingersol, son of David Ingersol, followed his father in the latter part of 1835. Mr. Ingersol is living with his wife neai Alexis. His father died July TO, 1842, at the old homestead; his mother many years before. From this nucleus grew a large and prosperous settlement. The first child born in the township and the first female child said to be born in the county, was Mar- garet Ann, daughter of Andrew and Nancy Robison, Nov. I, 1829, and was their seventh child. This daughter married James Gardner, in May, 1852. She, with her husband, are still living on section 2, in Cold Brook Township. During the early days of the settlement, many of the seasons appeared to have been backward and cold, the natural results of which were light crops. By planting the Indian maize, commonly called "scjuaw corn," which they procured from the Indians, they succeeded in raising a fair crop, as this species of corn matured much earlier than any other. They would also use the maize for re-planting when the other corn did not come up. The winter of 1830 and 183 1 was long and cold and there was much suffering in the new settlements. A deep snow fell in December, and the corn had not been harvested at this time. The settlements were isolated from each other, and it was hazardous for the settlers to pass from one house to another, and often it was at- tended with frozen feet or other parts of the body. At this time there was but one mill in the county, known as Smith's mill, which was about two miles east of Oquawka. Hand mills and mortars were brought into requisition, corn was dug from beneath the snow, dried, placed in the mortar, pounded into meal and then cooked and placed before the cold and hungry families. There was but little stock, LAr -6-5-^ ~' . ■](■ WAJiREN CO UN 7 Y. ^ 729 and what there was took care of itself. The stock near the bottoms, or about the timber, got along tol- erably well and very few died. This winter was alike hard on the Indians. The watercourses were heav- ily crusted with ice, upon which laid a deep body of snow, which made it impossible for them to procure fish. The feathery tribes had sought Southern climes and the deer had gone to other and more con- genial quarters. The first grist mill was put up by Calvin Glass, in 1832, on the banks of the Henderson, on section 12. It was rather a primitive arrangement; nevertheless, it was very welcome to the pioneers of that day, and much better than the mortar, which they had often used to pound up their corn. It was run by water- power, but the power was none too strong, and the bolting was done by hand-power. The second mill was started by Chester Potter, and was located on the banks of the main Henderson, section 22. The people in the early days traded at Monmouth, ■ Kno.xville, Oquawka and Old Hendersonville, as it was called. There were some interesting political contests even in that early day. The elections were held at Rob- ison Corners, until the township organization system was adopted. This was where the corners of Mon- mouth, Cold Brook, Spring Grove and Kelly Town- ships came together. The settlers were not without their religious entertainments. Preachers from dif- ferent denominations came in and held forth, some- times in school-houses and sometimes at private residences. Elder Haney was among the first to expound the gospel according to the Methodist be- lief. They were not so particular then as now as to what day they worshipped. Whenever a preacher would come around to administer religious food, they would assemble to partake of the feast at some school-house or private residence, and there be en- tertained with graphic descriptions of the beauties of Heaven and the terrors of hell. These old pioneer preachers were ardent workmen and very radical in their views. There was no half-way house for them to slop at, and a member of their congregation who was heterodox or sought a road to Heaven, smooth in its course and lined with flowers, had no sympathy from them. Caleb Smith's house was a favorite place for holding these meetings. Sometimes Sister Smith would be spinning when the meetings were held. This supplied the pUce of a choir, and the music of her wheel would go on while the exhorter was entertaining the audience with his most eloquent passages. Mrs. Smith, who was a very industrious woman, thought that she could not give up her en- tire time to the religious services, and, therefore, kept her wheel in motion, having always one ear to- ward the preacher. The first school in this township was taught by Peter Terpening, in 1837, in a log school-house which stood on section 28. He was the son of Ezekiel and Olive Terpening, who were early set- tlers. Ezekiel Terpening died July 16, 1864, aged 82 years, and his widow, Olive, Feb. 8, 1867, aged 79 years. It was along the road by the Adcock farm, that the troops, some 1,600 in number, passed on their way to Rock Island, during the first Black Hawk War, in 1831. In 1839, the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized. They held their meetings for many years in private houses and in school buildings. In 187", a church building was erected at a cost of $2,500, at Utah, which was formerly called Tylerville. A church building was also erected at Ionia, which place is also known by the name of Shanghai. The = societies have been served by many pastors, the last being Mr. Bolen. A Second Advent Church was started at Ionia in 1857, with some rs members. In 1867 they erected their first building, at a cost of about $2,800. It was a very good frame structure. The first Pastor was Rev. Guy Rathborne, who remained with the Church several years. In May, 1868, this building was demolished by the great tornado which visited this place, but was rebuilt at a cost of about $1,400. Services are held regularly by this society, which has a membership of about 60 and also an interest- ing Sunday-school. At one time there were stores in Ionia, and a good trade was carried on here, but when the railroad came through, and a station was made at Alexis, its business was destroyed and only a postoffice now remains. There were one or two stores also at Tylerville. The merchants who located here have sought richer fields for trading, and their buildings are deserted. Tylerville still has a postoffice, known as Utah, and has John Landon for its Postmaster. It is located in the southeast corner of section 34. A meeting was held for the organization of the township of Kelly, April 4, 1854, at the Tylerville *r •jki r A 730 WARREN COUNTY. school-house. This meeting was organized by the appointment of William Graham as Moderator, and E. C. Atchison, Clerk. The result of the election was as follows: John Miles was elected Supervisor; John Terpening, Assessor; Ira S. Ingersol, Col- lector; Samuel Black, Overseer of the Poor; James Stevens and \V. J. T. Wallace, Commissioners of Highways ; Aaron Yarde, G. C. Adcock and Chris- tian Mills, Justices of the Peace ; David Vestal and Nathan Smith, Constables. There was quite a little contest about the name of this township. The Democrats wanted it named after Capt. John Kelly, and the Whigs after William Graham. Finally the Democrats were successful and the naming of the township was given to them. The St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad passes near the northwest corner of this township. Kelly is watered by Henderson Creek and its branches. A large portion of the land is undulating, with broad level fields. The southwest portion is quite broken in places and contains much fine tim- ber. People do most of their trading at Ale.xis; > some, however, go to Galesburg. The population of this township in 1880 was 1,135, and it will not vary much from these figures at the present time. According to the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1885, there were eight school districts, with eight frame buildings. The school property was valued at $3,760. Of persons under 2 1 years of age, there were 47 8, of whom there were 333 of scholastic age, 239 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $45 per month, and the lowest $25. The ta.\ levy for this townsliip was $1,950. SUPERVISORS. John Mills 1854 Thos. Bannington 1855 Wm. Graham 1856-65 Joseph Pine 1866-7 Wm. Graham 1868-70 J. W. .\dcock 1871-3 Joseph I*ine 1874 M. McCuUock 1875-f, Nathan Crane 1877-8 John Ruckcr 1879-81 C. E. Johnson 1883 John Rncker 1883-5 LENOX TOWNSHIP. HIS township completed its organization April 4, 1854, holding its election in the school-house in District No. i. Ebenezer Landon was chosen Chairman ; Norman Mat- teson, Moderator ; B. F. Wiggins, Clerk. There were 19 votes cast at this election, the result of which was as follows : Porter Phelps was chosen Supervisor; B. F, Wiggins, Clerk; Norman Matteson, Assessor ; S. Carmer, Collector ; E. Lan- Lon, Overseer of the Poor; C. C. Dickson, Jacob Jewell and C. Lucas, Commissioners of Highways ; James M. Dickson and Jacob Jewell, Justices of the Peace; M. Landon and S. Dickson, Constables; J. Oglesby was chosen Path Master for the south district, and Luther Robinson for the north district. Messrs. Carmer, Wiggins, Landon, Dickson (Consta- bles) failed to qualify and a special election was held June 13 to fill their places. N. Matteson was chosen Clerk; S. Carmer, Collector; Ebenezer Landon, Overseer of the Poor; and Enoch Hawkins and Sanford Carmer, Constables. It was organized un- der the name of Ripley, but was changed the year following to Lenox. It is numbered 10 north of range 2 west. J. W. Bond and family were the first settlers in the township. They came in 1833 and located on section 18. (See biography). Seth Murphy and Ephraim Smith came in 1836, the former settling on section 35 and the latter on section 36. With them came their families. Mr. Murphy was from Ken- tucky and Mr. Smith from Ohio. Mr. Murphy died at the old homestead, and his wife in Monmouth. Mrs. Smith died on the old farm, and her husband moved to Abingdon, where he died a few years ago. Porter Phelps and family, from New York, moved into the township in 1837, and located on section a, where, after a long life of usefulness, he died on the 14th day of April, 1885. His wife, Mary Ellen Phelps, died July 26, 1884. They reared a family of eiglit children, six of whom are still living. Mr. Phelps was a prominent man, not only in his town- ship but also in the county. He was an ardent patriot and a true hearted Christian, having a pas- sionate love for liberty, home and his country. He was an intellectual man, fond of study, and books of poetry, philosopliy and metaphysics. With a warm and tender heart, and strong attachments for his friends and neighbors, he died regretted by all who knew iiim, in his 82d year. (See biography). Jesse Riggs was one of the early settlers of the county, but did not locate in Lenox Township until 1840, when, with his family, he moved in, locating on section 35, where he still lives. (See biography.) In the latter part of 1840 Garland Ray moved into the township, from Roseville, witii his wife and ten *r •6-?^ ^rT= — . WARREN COUNTY. ■^^^^ 7.^' children, two sons and eight daughters. Mr. Ray died at his home, in April, 1882. His wife had died many years before. His son, James W., died while on a visit to Missouri. M. B. is living on section 20. His daughters, Ann, Harriet, Henrietta and Letlia, are dead. Clarinda Jane, Julia Ann, Susan and Elizabeth were married. Susan lives in Idaho ; Clarinda Jane and Julia Ann, in this county, and Elizabeth in Henderson County. James Dickson was also an early settler, locating, with his family, on section 31. He died some years ago, and his children moved away. Mathew Arm- strong was another early settler, locating in the north- western part of the township. The children during the early days attended school in Roseville Town- ship. In the early part of 187 1, the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis R. ,R. Company laid its line through the township. It runs directly north and south, a mile east of the western line. This line is ' now controlled by the C. B. & Q. R. R. Company. The Iowa Central completed its track through the township in 1883. It enters in the northern part of the township on section 3, and runs along the east- ern line, passing out on section 22. This township is watered by the Henderson Branch and its tributaries, which heads in section 10, running westerly, and Cedar Creek, which runs south- easterly. The nature of the land is rolling, with level prairies. There never was much timber in the township, and there is hardly an acre of ground which cannot be easily plowed. The principal grains are oats, hay and corn. The latter is cultivated ex- tensively. It is probably the largest grain-producing township in the county. Certainly there is no town- ship that can present any finer farms, farm buildings and dwellings. There are two railroad stations in the township, Phelps and Larchland, which afford the people mail facilities, trading and shipping. PHELPS. There is a station on the Iowa Central R. R. line, in this township, on section 13, named after Hon. Delos P. Phelps, who is prominently connected with this road. The first freight train stopping at Phelps was from Peoria, and it arrived April 16, 1883, and discharged a car load of lumber. The Methodist I Church has an organization here, holding their meet- ings in the school house, near the station. Services are held every two weeks, and are presided over by Rev. G. B. Snedaker, who also serves the Methodist Episcopal Church at West Prairie. In 1880 the census reports gave Lenox Township a population of 992 souls. It is not thouglit that there has been any material change since that time. The County Superintendent in her report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, gives the follow- ing information regarding the schools of this township: There were eight school districts, with one brick and seven frame buildings ; the school property was val- ued at $6,900. Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 321, of whom 258 were of scholastic age; 218 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teach- ers was $40 per month ; and the lowest $20. The tax levy for this year was $2,619 46. West Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church. — A class of this society was formed in the fall of 1856, at the house of Joseph Amie. John Shelton, Evan Ewan and wife, Joseph Amie and wife, were mem- bers of this class, which was organized by the Rev. Frank Chaffee. Meetings were held in the school house and at private residences until the year 1863, when they erected a house of worship, which was located on the southwest quarter of section 29, at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Hender- son Ritchey, who was the first child born in the county. This society was known as the West Prairie Church. Rev. Franklin Chaffee was the first pastor. In i860 they had a great revival, which largely in- creased their membership. This was during the Rev. Mr. Elliott's pastorate. Succeeding Mr. Chaffee were respectively Revs. Crosier, Beck, Elliott, Sulli- van, Carruthers, Farris, Coe, Couch, Fowler, Ells- worth, Brown, Ailsworth and Winsor. The present pastor is Rev. G. B. Snedaker, with a membership of about 25. Their building is a plain, substantial and commodious structure. Connected with the so- ciety is a Sabbath School. From the Assessor's report of 1885, the following items are taken : Number of acres of improved lands, 22,296 ; value of improved lands, $368,760; value of lots, $[,955 ; number of horses, 770; cattle, 931; asses and mules, 16; sheep, 22; hogs, 3,068; steam engines, 2 ; carriages and wagons, 265 ; watches and clocks, 138; sewing and knitting ma- chines, 97 ; melodeons and organs, 25. Total cash value of personal property, $53,924. A • V -e4-^ jU 73« WARREN COUNTY. The following citizens who have represented this township as Supervisors, are : Porter Phelps 1854-63 Zepiieniah Lewis 1864.65 G. M. Saylcr 186668 J. W. liriilenthal ... . 1^69. 73 £van Ewan 1874 D, R. Smith 1875 Evan Kwan 1876 U, R. .Smith 1877 -f^4=f G. M. Sayler 1878.79 J. \V. Robertson 1880 U. M. Saylcr 1881 T L. Capps 1882 J T Lewis 1883 T. L. Capps 1884 H. T. Jewell r88s f=r«- Ijarchland. ARCHLAND is the railroad station of the St. Louis Branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R., situated near the southwest corner of Len- O^ ox Township. It was formerly called Lenox I**) and was started after the completion of the ■ : railroad. Larchland is quite a shipping point for grain, which is handled chiefly by J. H. Robert- son, who has an elevator. John Hodgson has a large general store and carries on an extensive business, and is also the Postmaster. Tlie first Postmaster here was Henry Redant, who was appointed in 1870. He was succeeded by J. M. Young, and Mr. Young by Mr. Hodgson. There is also a blacksmith and wagon shop here. Larchland has constructed recently a fine new school house wliich is a very creditable building. Having secured a good building, they next provided a good teacher to instruct their children, and have now a first-class village school, with a good large attend- ance. Churches. The Methodist Prolcslant Church. There are two of these societies at this .Station ; one called Liberty Chapel, and the other Grace Chapel. \\\ 1863, a class was organized at the school house, about two miles west of this village, which was called Prospect Chapel. It was afterward changed to Liberty Chapel. This class under tlie administration of the Rev. S. M. Davidson, erected a church building, in 1869, and through the zeal of the pastor, was enabled to com- plete it at a cost of $1,800. The lot on which this house of worship was erected was presented by Joshua O. Talbot. Size of the building, 25x40 feet. It was dedicated by Rev. C. Gray, of the North Il- linois Annual Conference, in Nov. 1869, and named Liberty Chapel, by Joshua O. Talbot. They have also a good parsonage adjoining the church building, which was built at a cost of S'i°oo. The first regu- lar pastor was Daniel McCormick, in 1863. Rev. Thomas Rook served from 1864 to 1865, and John Brook from 1866 to 1867 ; Rev. S. N. Davidson, from 1868 to 1869. These were followed respect- ively, each serving from one to two years, by Revs. J. L. Bortan, W. Williams, W. J. Stubbles, M. Handy, James N. Mayall, Thomas Keely, J. W. Kidd. Rev. John A. Richard is the present pastor, who presides over a membership of 74. Grace Chapel. A revival meeting was held in Larchland, in 1876, which resulted in the increase of members of this church and the establishment of an organization here. A meeting of the members was called, at which it was decided to purchase the old Presbyterian Churcli building, that society hav- ing been disbanded, and offering their house for sale. It was bought for $300, and sold on condition that religious services would be continued there. The membership of both Chapels is 74, and they are pre- sided over by the same pastor. This is the only or- ganization of the Methodist Protestant Church in the country. Services are held at Liberty Chapel in the morning, and at Grace Chapel in the afternoon of each Sunday. A good Sabbath-school is continued at both places of worship the year around. J. W. Barber and his wife, Mary A., are the only members now living that were present at the first organization of this church. This organization in Warren County originated from the Honey Creek Circuit in Henderson County, which was established Oct. 24, 1857, Rev. Madison Haney being the first pastor, and Wilson Nichols assistant. This same year, a class was or- ganized at Ellison. During the tornado of 1858, while Elder Haney was out riding on Circuit duty, and coming toward his home at Ellison, his wife who was at that place was severely injured. Mr. Haney was the organizer of this church in Warren County. The Station in Lenox Township beU)ngs to the North Illinois Con- ference, of which Rev. W. W. Williams, who resides at Cuba, Fulton Co. 111., is president. *% ■T" ■ cT_jL ■.V. . •" WARREN COUNTY. :±:^?^ 733 ouglas 1878 O. S. Uarnum, Asst 1878 Samuel Douglas 1879 Alex. Rankin, Asst 1879 Samuel Douglas 1880 Geo. Sickmon, .-Vsst .. .1880 Samuel Douglas 1881 Amos Purford, Asst 1881 C. .'\. Dunn 1882 C. 1'. Averill, Asst 1882 J. R. llanna 1883 A. T. liruncr, Asst 1883 Sipher Moses 1884 A T. Bruncr, Asst 1884 G. W. Claycomb 1885 A. T, Hruner, Asst 1885 ^--(^(^^c^v^-S POINT PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. I OINT Pleasant was organized as a town- ship, April 4, 1854. Albert Mitchell was chosen Moderator at the meeting, and J. D. Conkling, Clerk. The township was very thinly settled at this time, and there were only ten votes cast at the election. Albert Mitchell was chosen Supervisor; Albert Livermore, Clerk; E.J. Hazelton, Assessor and Collector ; Thomas Boyd, Franklin Booth and Andrew Livermore, Commis- sioners of Highways; John A. VVaugh and W. T. Johnson, Constables; Warren Park and Lucius Watson, Overseers of tlie Poor. Point Pleasant is located in the southwest corner of the county ; is numbered 7 north of range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by Ellison, on the east by Swan, on the south by McDonough County on the west by Henderson County. This township was about the last to settle up. Solomon Sovereign and Abraham Baldwin were the first settlers, coming in in 1835, and locating on section 13. Mr. Sovereign remained on his farm for some years and then moved to California, where he is still living. Mr, Baldwin moved to Missouri, where he died. After these pioneers came Wm. Parkhurst, Mr. Sutton, and Mr. Garrett. Parkhurst was from New Eng- land, and located on section 25. He afterward moved to Minnesota. Mr. Garrett settled on sec- tion 24, on Swan Creek, and Sutton in the limber on •; section 12. In 1849, Lucius and Isaac Watson came in and located on section i. James Owen also ' came in about this time with John A. Waugh. In ■^ 1849 '1 school-house was built and the first school in the township was taught. In 1850 a postoffice was I established at a place called Colfax. In 1875 the J Methodists organized a society near Colfax postoffice with some 18 members. Rev. J. W. Coe was the first pastor to serve this church, and meetings were held in school-houses. Later on they erected a house of worship, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. P. S. Garretson succeeded Mr. Coe. This society has not kept up its organization, but meeiings have been held occasionally. Point Pleasant Township with exceptions of sec- tions 12, 13 and 14, which are a little broken on the eastern line, is rolling prairie. The soil is rich and very productive, and it contains some of the best farms in the county. There are many very fine dwelling houses and beautiful homes, and the farm- ers are mostly in independent circumstances. In fact, this township has been truly named, for it is in- deed a pleasant township to live in and to look upon. It is watered by the middle and south branches of Nigger Creek, which heads about the middle of the townshi|) and courses easterly. It has no railroad lines running through its territory, the nearest rail- *x - h' r -tX WARREN COUNTY. road station being the St. Louis branch of the C, B. & Q. R. R., which has a station at Swan Creek. There are no stores, shops, or manufacturing estab- lishments. Tlie people do their trading mostly at Swan Creek and Roseville. In the productior. of corn and the raising of hogs, Point Pleasant ranks among the first townships in the county. It is also unexcelled in the production of the smaller grains. The population is about the same as in i8So, when the last census was taken, which was 915. According to the report of the County Superin- tendent for the year ending June 30, 1885, there were nine school districts in wliich there were nine frame school buildings. The school property was valued at $3,700. Of persons under 2r years of age there were 407, of whom 275 were of scholastic age, 261 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teach- ers was $47.50 per month, and the lowest was $30. The tax levy for the township was $2,480. The Assessor in his report for the year 1885, furn- ishes the following items: Number of acres of im- proved lands, 22,531 ; value of improved lands, $339,610; number of horses, 846; cattle, 1,524; mules and asses, 77 ; sheep, 372 ; hogs, 3,670; car- riages and wagons, 298; watches and clocks, 134; sewing and knitting machines, 90 ; pianos, 3 ; organs and melodeons, 35. Total cash value of personal property, $63,364. SUPERVISORS. Warren Park 1854 .\Ibert Mitchell 1855-57 R. T. King 1858-59 Leonard Connell i860 Albert Mitchell 1861 George W. Slice 1862-63 R T. Kin? 1864-67 C;co. %V. Slice' 1868 -43 — James M. Humes 1869 70 R. T. King 1871-72 A. S Smith 1873-76 Thomas Pennington. 1877 A S.Smith 1878-80 W. T. Boyd 1881-83 A. S. Smith 1884-85 -DH ROSEVILLE TOWNSHIP. 'HE legal voters of the township of Rose- ville met at the Union Church, agreeable to notice, and proceeded to form the township organization. They cliose Richard Ray chair- man, and voted to elect all officers by yeas and nays, except those tlie law required to elect by ballot. Truman Eldridg was chosen Moderator and John C. Franklin, Clerk. When the votes were counted it was found that Wm. Johnson was elected Supervisor; Samuel Cole, Clerk; W. B. Smith, As- sessor; Elijah Hannon, Collector ; Stephen Dilly, Overseer of the Poor; James W. Ray, S. T. Hadly, and Reuben Holeman, Commissioners of Highways ; John Riggs, Isaac L. Pratt, Justices of the Peace ; Thomas H. Riggs, G. W. Kerby, Constables. Roseville Township is numbered 9 north, of range 2 west, of tlie 4th principal meridian, and is bounded on the north by Lenox, on the east by Berwick, the south by Swan, and the West by Ellison Township. It is watered by the north and soutii branches of Nigger Creek, which meanders easterly through the township. Bordering tliese water courses, there is a liberal growth of timber, with broad, rolling prai- ries predominating in the township. Along the east- ern line, however, and particularly about the streams, the land is broken. Tne St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad enters the township on sections 5 and 6, passes south between these sections and sections 7 and 8, and deflecting a little westward, goes out about the middle of section 31. This road was completed through the township in the summer of 1870. John and James Armstrong have the credit of be- ing the first settlers in Roseville Township. They came in 1829, from the south part of the State, and located on section i. They did not remain long, but sold out to Thomas Pearce, who came in 1831. Mr. Pearce came from Oliio, with his wife and children — Andrew G., Thomas, Theodore, Melissa, Minerva, Mary E. and Sarah D. Andrew G. (see biography) still lives on the old homestead ; Theodore and Thomas died in their youth ; Minerva died when a woman; Melissa, wlio married R. E. Hill, died in Iowa; Mary E. was married to Judge Ivory Quinby, Feb. 17, 1848, and is still living in Monmouth ; Sa- rah T. was married to William Whitenack, and is living in Monmouth. Thomas Pearce died at his homestead Aug 22, 1853, aged 75 years. He was one of those sturdy pioneers so essential to the de- velopment of a new country. His widow died Feb. 29, 1869, at the advanced age of 78 years and five months. William R. Pearce came in soon after. He did not remain long, but settled near Pekin, where he died in the winter of 1833. Sheldon Lockwood and John Smith, from Ken- "T irjvj -H- 735 < i ^ ■4 736 WARREN COUNTY, JU I 4 tucky, with their families, were the next additions to this settlement, which was in the winter of 1831-32, locating on sections i and 11. They camped in the timber, putting up a rude shanty to protect them from tlie cold blasts of winter, until the log cabin could be built. While Lockwood was at work on the cabin, Smith, with an ox team, went to the town now known as Springfield for some provisions. Smith was gone over a month, and before he returned the little band of pioneers that he had left behind him became pretty hungry, and no man, probably, was evermore cordially welcomed home than Smith. Lockwood died some years ago, at the old farm, and his widow died June, 1884, at the advanced age of 88 years. Mr. Smith died in 1837, and his widow married William Gunter. She has been dead some years. John Murphy and W. Carr were the next to settle in the township. The former was from Kentucky, and located on section i, where he lived and died; the latter was from Indiana, and settled on section 13. These pioneers did not remain long in their sol- itude, but were soon followed by many more families seeking homes in the West. Among these was Tru- man Eldridg, who located southwest, near the town of Roseville. (See biography.) Mr. Carr's house was struck by lij;litning in 1838, killing two of his children. He died in 1879, at the age of 84 years, and his widow followed him in 1880. 'l"he first religious services in the township were held in the winier of 1832, by Elder Cordier, a Meth- odist circuit rider. Thomas Pearce then opened his hospitable doors for Divine worship. This was a great event for these dwellers in the wilderness, and the religious enlluisiasm became very great. Sub- sequently, in the spring of 1833, a Methodist Class was formed by Rev. Barton Randall, at Mr. Pearce's house, which was the first in the township. This was the bejrinning (>f the Berwick Methodist Episco- pal Church. Miss Jane A. Allen taught the first school in the township, in a log cabin in Pearce's Giove, in the summer of 1834. She subsequently was married to Judge Ivory Quinby, March 10, 1839, and died Feb. 7, 1847. A new settlement could not be happy without hav- ing a marriage fea^t lo enliven it, and William Haines and Lucinda Pearce made the sacrifice to please the good people of the township. The warm rays of the summer sun rested upon two loving hearts that were joined as one amid the congratulations of their friends, on July 3, 1832. They are now living at Ottumwa, Iowa. Roseville Township gradually increased with its settlement, its rich soil and fair fields stimulating production and inviting emigration, until now it is third in rank of population and one of the best pro- ducing townships in the county. Its population, according to the last census, was 1,708, and it is estimated that these figures have been increased since that time. Its beautiful farms, enclosed with well trimmed hedges, and decorated with fine dwelling houses and farm buildings, present an ever-pleasing aspect to the traveler. Within its borders there is a good, thriving town for the people to do their trading and marketing, which obviates the necessity of making long journeys to other places for this purpose. The County School Superintendent, in her re|X)rt for the year ending June 30, 1885, has the following items regarding the public schools of this township. There were 11 school districts, with one graded and ten ungraded schools, and one brick and ten frame school buildings, with a valuation of school property at $15,900. Of the persons under 21 years of age there were 67 2, of whom 496 were of scholastic age, 494 being enrolled. The higiiest wages paid to teachers was $75 per month, and the lowest $25. The tax levy for the township was $6,950. From the Assessor's report for the year 1885, the following information is obtained: Number of acres of improved land, 22,788; value of improved lands, $344,559; total value of lots, $68,937; number of horses, 970; cattle, 1,696; mules and asses, 59; sheep, 372; hogs, 3,297; steam engines, i; car- riages and wagons, 357 ; watches and clocks, 347 ; sewing and knitting m.ichines 211; pianos, 10; melodeons and organs, 69. Total cash value of per- sonal property, $91,226. SUPERVISORS. Wm. Jolinson 1854 John Kiggs 1855 lames liarrett 1856-7 1). C. RiKgs 1858 lotin Rices 185Q I). C. Risks 1860 Jotin Riecs 1861 1). C. Ki^gs 1862 John RiKgs 1863 Thompson Brooks 1864 D. M I'aliafcrro 1863-9 S. M. F.ldred 1870 D. M. Taliaferro 1871 Wm. Dillv >87i-3 Alphcus Lewis 1874 '1'. J. Morris 1875 Alphcus t.ewis 1876-80 T. A. Dilly 1881-3 R. I.. McReynoUls 1884 H. T. Lope 1885 V' — . ^r ^— WARREN COUNTY. i* 737 ^^ Roseville Village. ' HIS thriving village, now so favorably 11 known throughout this section of the State, - ^ made its first start in the world under a different banner. The name by which it first "i" appeared to the public was Hat Grove, and it I covered a piece of ground but a little way from its present site. Its commencement may be dated from the establisment of the postoffice, with Truman Eldridg as Postmaster. Not until after the completion of the -Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad, however, was there much progress made toward a business town. Lancaster and Elli- son, in what is now Ellison Township, were having a fine local trade, which continued to increase until the railroad came through the county, making the station at Roseville. A small store was first ojiened at this place by John Adams (a very iiistorical name) where Pierce's brick building now stands. Adams did not remain long in business, but was succeeded by E. P. Emans, who opened a general merchandise establishment with a very liberal stock of goods, and who is at present one of the leading merchants of the place. After the completion of the railroad, the business of Lancaster was moved over to Roseville. Ellison had been ruined years before by the great tornado and the trade which this place at one time had also come here. The first train came into Roseville July 4, 1870, and was made quite an event by the people of the village, who celebrated the day of our independence with the advent of the railroad. From this time on Roseville has had a steady growth. There is no richer farming country in the county than that which surrounds this village. Like all the towns in the county, it labors under the disadvant;ige of not hav- ing a water power for manufacturing purposes; yet, the site is a very pleading one and reasonably healthy. But we have anticipated a little and we return to an earlier period. The town was platted in 1868, by Solomon Sover- eign, and the surveys were made by that energetic citizen, John A- Gordon, who has stood by this town all these long years. The plat was laid out on the northeast quarter of section 31, and contained 40 acres. The next addition to the town was by Tru- man Eldridg, embracing 60 acres, and laid out on the southeast quarter of section 30. This was in 1870, and also surveyed by Mr. Gordon. The town con- tinued to grow, and dreams of a future large c.ty were had by many of Roseville's speculative citizens, and even by the conservative-minded. Reeve's ad- dition came next and was platted the same year, so also was that of Pratt & Dilly, containing 60 acres on section 31. Munford's addition was the next and last. It was platted December, 1875, and embraced the south half of the southwest quarter of section 30. With all these blocks and stre'ets laid out, the town had ample room to grow. But as there is a Divinity that shapes the ends of individuals, it may be stated with the same degree of logic, that there is a Divinity that also shapes the ends of towns; and it remains for the future to disclose whether Rose- ville will ever occupy as a town all the ground laid . out for her. Business houses and dwellings increased, and it looked to the more sanguine citizens that in the no , distant future all the blocks would soon be covered with fine buildings of one kind or the other. Some of the most progressive people were in favor of an . incorporation. The movement, however, failed for want of sufficient support. Subsequently another at- tempt was made with like results. The movers for incorporation were persistent in agitating their pro- ject and finally an election was ordered fur the pur- pose of voting on this subject. This election was held May 30, r873, and resulted in the defeat of the movement of incorporation, Two years later another election was held. May 4, 1875 At this election, the movers for incorporation were successful, winning by 75 votes against 42, which made them very jubilant. An election for Village Trustees was then called for June 8, 1876, which resulted in the choice of J. C. Turnbull, Sr., Ezra P. Eman-, John A. Gordon, James S. Reed, and J T. Loihrop. On the 14'h of June following, the Trustees met at the office of John A. Gordon, and completed their village organization by the election of Ezra P. Euians, President of the Board ; Benjamin R. 0.-,tran(ler, Clerk ; R. L. Mc- Reynolds, i'reasurer. On motion, J. S. Reed, Jolin A. Gordon and E. P. Emans were appointed a com- mittee to prepare an ordinance lor the city govern. "T" LA: "^ ^ 738 ■ ■y. BARREN COUNTY. i* ment. Under the incorporation the village has gone along very smoothly, and there has been no occasion to regret the action of the majority. There are some good business houses here, and fine dwellings ; and taking the town altogether, it is a pleasing and attractive one. The population is es- timated now to be between 900 and 1,000. The principal manufacturing industry of this vil- lage is that of Daniel Bird & Sons' Tile Factory, which was started in 1879. They employ on an av- erage 12 men, and three kilns. They also manufac- ture brick which is of [a good quality. Mr. Bird found a two foot vein of coal near his clay beds and also an excellent quality of fire-clay. This firm through their manufactory are contributing no little to the business and prosperity of Roseville. Messrs. Blazer & Steninger, proprietors of the Roseville Creamery, are doing a good business in their line. They gather their cream from an ex- tended area of territory, and make during the season about 500 pounds of butter per day. As above stated, Truman Eldridg was the first Postmaster of the town, then known as Hat Grove. He resigned in favor of Benjamin Morford who held the place until 1861. E. P. Emans then took charge and held the office until 1866, and was followed by Amos Pierce, who served until 187 1, when \V. T. Gossett was appointed, and is the present incum- bent. PRESS The first paper started at Roseville, was the Rose- ville Gazette, by that enterprising and successful news])aper man, G. G. McCosh, now proprietor of the Monmouth Gazette, May 24, 1876, who was at that time foreman of the Monmouth Rei'iew: It was a six-column folio, published every Wednesday, and was independent in politics. The printing was done at 77ie Review office. In June, 1877, Mr. McCosh moved his paper to Monmouth and changed the name to the Monmouth Gazette. The Roseville Gazette was a lively, spicy sheet and attracted no little attention in the news|)aper field, the result of which was the starting of an opposition paper at Roseville, by Wilson Bros., called IVilson's Weekly. The editor of the Gazette having accom- plished what he desired, modestly withdrew from the field to Monmouth, where he could have a more ex- tensive scope for his abilities, Wilson's Weekly was too weak to stand after the Gazette had departed, or withdrew its aid, and was soon changed to the Roseville Titties, under a new management. This paper was subsequently pur- chased by C. Elliott, who continued its publication until the spring of 1885, when he sold out to C. H. Hebbard, present proprietor and editor. Mr. Heb- bard has enlarged the Titties to an eight-column folio, and also e.xtended the job office. The Times is independent in politics, and has a liberal circula- tion, and is a well conducted paper. OFFICERS. Present officers of the Village Government ; Trus- tees, J. W. Connelly, J. W. Malcomb, George Mecham, N. G. Taft, S. H. Tuttle and W. B. Ditch. President of the Board, J. W. Connolly ; Clerk, J. B. Lozier; Treasurer, E. P. Emans. SCHOOLS. Roseville has the credit of having the best school building in the county, and one of the best graded • schools. Tlie building is a large two-story brick structure, solid and liandsome in its architecture, and containing si.x apartments. It was erected in ^ 1880. C. A. Hebbard is the Principal of the | school, who is an experienced teacher and a gentle- man of education. He has Mrs. M. E. Higgins for First Assistant; Miss Bertha Taft, Second Assistant, and Miss S. A. Ragon in the Primary Department. Enrollment, 188 pupils. This school is thor- oughly graded, and all of the English branches are taught here. SOCIETIES. Roseville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 519, was chartered Oct. 4, 1867, with i8 members. First of- ficers : D. Adams, W. M. ; W. Clayton, Sr. W. M. ; J. B. Wilsey, Jr. W. M.; B. Ragon, Secretary; D. N. Taliaferro, Treasurer; T. Bradley, S. D. ; Wm. Stan- field, J. D.; Israel G.ired, Tyler. Present officers : J. W. Connelly, W. M.; N. G. Taft, Sr. W. M.; A. C. Stem, Jr. W. M.; R. L. McReynolds, Treasurer; T. B. Bohen, Secretary; J. W. Bockus, S. D. ; C. J. Danielson, J. D. ; J. L. Davenport, Tyler, The Lodge has a fine, well furnished hall, with a mem- bership of 33. The hall is neatly decorated, well equipped and in good working condition. G. A. R., A. C. Harding Post, No. 127, was ch.ir- tered March 17, 1882, with 30 members, J. W. *+" r -84^ WARREN COUNTY. -^^^^ 739 Coates, C. : F. B. Davis, V. C. ; J. Whitenack, J. N. C; T. S. Fowler, Chaplain; Dr. N. A. Griffith, Sur- geon; J. M. Tucker, O. D. ; J. J. McClen, Agt. ; R. L. McReynolds, Q. M. The present membership of the Post is 50. It is in a good working order, and increasing in numbers. They have a good hall, which is well furnished. Present officers: D. M. Fay, C. ; T. S. Miller, S. V. C. ; M. G. Taft, J. V. C; Ellis Scott, Secretary; James Chapman, Chap- lain; Sylvester Bryner, O. D. ; George C. Murpliy, Adj. ; R. L. McReynolds, Q. M. ; John T. Bragg, O. G. They meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. I. O. O. F., Roseville Lodge, No. 537, was insti- tuted Jan. 21, 1874, with five charter members. J. W. Kennor was the first N. G. ; H. G. Simmons, V. G. ; J. S. Greer, Secretary; R. B. Tredmore, Treas- urer. This Society was first organized at Youngs- town, and was known as the Youngstown Lodge, and was so chartered. In June, 1874, it was moved to ' Roseville. Tne Society occupies the Masonic Hall, has money in the Treasury, is well equipped and in good working order. They intend to erect for J>^ themselves, in the near future, a hall for lodge pur- poses. Present membership about 50, with the fol- lowing officers : A. C. McPeak, N. G. ; J. H. Morn- ingstar, V. G. ; J. E. Hartley, Secretaiy; A. C. Stem. Treasurer. Selected Knights of the A. O. U. W., was insti- tuted Nov. 8, 1883, with 28 members. Present officers are: R. L. McReynolds, S. C; E. D. Patch, V. C; G. C Murphy, Lt. C; T. B. Bohn, Recor- der; S. P. Stem, Treasurer; C. A. Anderson, R. T. ; S. N. Edwards, S. B. ; J. L. Davenport, Chaplain ; S. Roseberry, Marshal. Membership, 35, This Society holds its meetings in Masonic Hall. A. O. U. W., No. 112, was organized May 15, 1878, wiih C. S. McDonough, P. M. W. ; J. VV. Coates, M. W. ; VV. T. Gossett, Recorder. Present membership of the Lodge, 61. Present officers: J. S. Roseberry, M. VV.; L. D. Patch, M. W. . John Powell. Treasurer; S. N. Edwards, Overseer; T. B. Bohn, Recorder; G. R. Davenport, Financier; VV. H.Buckley, Recorder; R. B. Davenport, G. ; M. N. Anderson, I. W. ; D. F. Morningstar, O. W. They meet in the Masonic Hall, and are in a prosperous condition. RELIGIOUS. The Congregational Church was first organized with 12 members, at Hat Grove, in the old school house, November, 1851. Rev. J. Blanchard, Mod- erator, and L. E. Sykes, Clerk. This school house is now used as a dwelling. In 1855, they erected their new church building, costing $3,000. It is a very neat frame structure, with a seating capacity of about 300. It was dedicated March 5, 1856. Sup- plies were furnislied by other congregations for awhile. In the latter part of 1856, they secured their first pastor, Rev. J. R. Rodgers, who was ordained at the time the cluirch was dedicated. Revs. A. Moore, T. H. Johnson, A. R. Mitchell, L. S. Morgan, Aldred Morse, Cyrus H. E.iton, ^. E. Arnold, A. J. Drake, followed in succession, serving from one to two years. In 1868, Rev. James D. Wyckuff ac- cepted a call, and served the Church for nine years, or until 1877. He was followed by Rev. R. A. Woods, who served one year. Rev. S. Goodenow then took charge, and remained until 1880, when Rev. R. B. Guild became pastor, remaining until 1883. In August, 1883, Rev. F. C. Cochran was ' called, who served until August, 1 885. The pastor- ate is at present vacant, but the Church is negotiat- ing for a minister. Present membership 79. A Sab- bath-school with about 60 members is connected with this Society. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in the year 1841. It had its beginning with a membership of seven. The first preaching place was in the house of Solomon Sovereign. Subsequently they secured the school house, in which they held their meetings, and ne.\t they worshipped iu the Congregational Church. In 1864, the Methodists built their present church edifice, which was during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Windsor. The church building w.is ded- icated by the Rev. O. S. Munsel, President of Bloom- ington University. The structure cost $4,ooc, and is a substantial building, with a seating capacity of 350. In 1881, the building was thoroughly repaired, at a cost of about $750, and is now in good order. This appointment once belonged to Oquawka Cir- cuit, and most of the records of this Church are still with that circuit. Roseville became apart of Ellison Circuit, in 1855, and in i86g became the head of the circuit, and remains so at the present time. The following is a list of the names of the pastors in their regular succession, as sent by the Confer- LA_r: 'i^ -f-?-:!?: 740 ■V. . •" WARREN COUNTY. !?-4^ 4 eiice : Revs. William Clark, H. Pressan, A. D. Mc- Cool, William Haney, A. Fisher, Josiah Kerns, W. J. Beck, A. E. Higgins, W. B. Morse, Amos Morey, H. H. Crosier, B. C. Swarlz, J. T. Windsor, G. C. Woodruff, W. B. Caruthers, Thomas Watson, J. W. Coe, Abram Beeler, C. B. Couch, J. W. Coe, N. T. , Allen, J. Q. Adams, T. F. Fowler, D. McLeish, the present pastor. The present membership of the Church is 102 ; the entire circuit has 175 members. Attached to this society is a prosperous Sunday School, presided over by C. J. Boyd. They have had I many revivals of religion in this Church from time to time, which have increased its membership, though many have died and moved away. The Cliiistian Church was organized in i860, with about 20 members. In 1871 the society erected a house of worship, which cost them $1,500. At a later period they secured a parsonage at a cost of about $600. This congregation was organized from the Downing School-house Society, in Swan Township, and afterward the Ellison Township Church united with them. Rev. M. Jones is the presentpastor of this Church, which has now about 100 members. During the past season Mr. Jones, by his zeal and earnest preaching, got up quite a revival in the Church, which resulted in adding many members to their faith. On account of the early records being lost, the full history of this organization cannot be given. The Baptist Church was first organized in Feb- ruary, 1852, with 25 members, and was called the Hat (Jrove Baptist Churcii. Rev. G. S. Minor pre- sided over the organization. Rev. Joseph Elliot was the first pastor installed, which was in 1853, and served the Church 18 months. During the early history of the society Rev. William T. Bly got up a very extensive revival, and added largely to its mem- bership. A church building was erected in 1863, at a cost of $1,500, and was dedicated in the fall of the same year. They have also a good parsonage, which cost $1,200, including lots. After Mr. Bly they had alternates for a while. In May, 1855, Rev. Win- throp Morse took charge, remaining one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Elliot. In June, 1858, David L'eland became pastor for a few months. Suc- ceeding hun for short terms were Revs. Henry B. Johnson, Daniel B. Gunn, William Storrs, A. Jones, Jr., Elijah Russ. Mr. Russ was succeeded in 1872, by Rev. George D. Kent, who retnained with the Church until 1876, when he was followed by E. C. Cady, who served until 1881. Rev. J. E. Ladd then served one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Isaac Fallis, the present pastor. They have about 150 members, and a thriving Sabbath School of about 80 members. The Evangelical Swedish Lutheran Church was organized in 1876, by Rev Charles Anderson, of Ans- gari College, Knoxvilie. Rev. George Wieburg was installed as the first i>astor, in the fall of this year. He remained two years with the Church and was succeeded by Rev. Charles J. Liindell, who remained until 1880, when Rev. Charles Bargstrum took charge, serving one year. Rev. J. VV. ('.irlson followed, serv- ing one year. After Mr. Carlson came Rev. N. A. Blomstrand, the present pastor. The church build- ing was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,000. Pres- ent membership about 30, and a Sabbath School, numbering about 20. Preaching every third Sui day. The Union Baptist Church is located on section 2, and was organized in 1841, by Rev. John Logan and Robert Wilbur, with the following members : Thomas, Elizabeth and Asmeth Brooks, John and Rosina Murphy, Hasula, Jane and Elizabeth Smith, Julian Shirley, Wilson M. and Malvina Gunter, Wil- liam M. and Ann Brooks, David and J. A. J. Smith, Nancy Fields, Harriet R ly, Elizabeth Robb and Wil- ■ liam Hiet. First regular pastor was Rev. John Mur- phy, who served from i84[ to 1845. He was followed by Rev. John C. Ward, who remained with his flock until February, 1851, when he was suc- ceeded by John James. Mr. James served the Church until 1854, and was succeeded respectively by Revs. William Whitehead, Mr. R. Newton, Tronier, H. H. Parks, R. W. Welsh and S. Peckard. The lat- ter is the present pastor, and has been with the society since June, 1876. In i860 they erected their house of worsliip, costing about $1,900. SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP. PRING Grove Township was organized un- der the Township Organization Laws, April 4, 1854. A meeting for this purpose was held at the usual place for holding elections. Thomas Gibson was chosen Moderator, and James H. Carmichael, Clerk. When the ballots wer? counted it was found that Robert i M^ . -Y. WARREN COUNTY. ■I^r^ 74 0:, c i 4 Gilmore was chosen Supervisor; Thomas Gibson, Jr., Clerk; John Ray, Assessor; James L. Porter, Collector; Watson Gates, Overseer of the Poor; Robert and William Walker, Justices of the Peace ; Josiah Porter, S. R. Boggs and Thomas Averel, Commissioners of Highways; Joseph Ray and Jo- seph Meyers, Constables ; James R. Patterson, Rob- ert W. Gerlaw, Overseers of Roads and James H. Carmichael, Pound Master. Spring Grove is situated in the middle of the northern tier of townships, number 12 north, of range 2, west. The county of Mercer is at the north, and on the east, south and west sides He re- spectively the townships of Kelly, Monmouth and Sumner. The nature of the land in the greater por- tion of the township is rolling, ; in the western part it is in places quite broken. It is liberally watered by the Middle Henderson, Cedar Creek and tributa- ries, which meander westward into the Henderson River. Along the water courses the township is pretty well timbered. The facilities for drainage are good, and there is but little dead land in the town- ship, nearly all being subject to cultivation, and very fertile. James Humphreys has the credit of being the first settler in the township, liaving located here in 1833. He was soon followed by Robert Gilmore and fam- ily, of whom James T. and L. H. Gilmore were members. He located on section 25, which he sub- sequently sold, and bought a farm on section 24. John Armstrong and Wm. Miller with their fami- lies came in, in 1834. John H. Frantz and family located in the township, iif 1835, and David H. Mc- Curry, in 1836. Horace Smith with his family en- larged the setdement in 1837. He came from Penn- sylvania with his wife, Margaret, and four children — Robert, Isabelle, Mary and John. Charles and Owen were born in the township. Mr. Smith loca- ted on section 3, on which place he lived until 1858, when he died. His widow survived him nearly a score of years, and died in the spring of 1885. All the children are living. Mary, who was married to Nathan Pettit, is living at Alexis. Elder Richard Haney was the first preacher to hold service in the township. He preached at first in private houses. Mrs. Wilket, who was quite an elderly lady, taught the first school, in 1841, in a house built by her brother, on section 5. She had sixteen pupils who were very much attached to her and did all they could to please and make her happy . She long ago passed on to the other world. A postoffice was opened at Spring Grove, in 1835, soon after the Rock Island stage route was estab- lished. There was a little settlement at this place, and some trading done before the Rock Island & St. Louis R. R., was built and the town of Alexis was started, when the business, with most of the settle- ment here, moved to the latter place. Spring Grove is a beautiful towjiship, many parts of it very picturesque, and containing some grand farms. It ranks second in the production of stock, and is very fair in the production of the cereals. The Rock Island & St. Louis R. R. was com- pleted through the township in Jime, 187 i. It en- ters in the northeast corner of section r,and running south by west, passes out on section 34. The people do their trading mostly at Alexis, and at Gerlaw, from which places considerable stock is shipped In 1880, the population according to the census, was 1,400, and it is estimated now to be about 1,500. There is a United Presbyterian congregation at Spring Grove, which was organized by the Monmouth Presbytery, June 22, 1855. J. C. McKnight was the first pastor, serving from June, 1856, until March, i860. He was succeeded by Wm. M. Gra- ham, who served the Church until 1863. Then they were without a pastor for about a year, when they secured the services of T. P. Patterson, who remained until December, 1868. Rev. David Inches then took charge and remained until 1874, and was followed by Revs. Rufas Johnson, Wm. J. Mc- Croney and A. W. Johnson, the present pastor, who was installed Aug 25, 1885, tliis being his first charge. They have a good church building costing about $3,500, also a good parsonage. The membership is about 85. In addition to the services they have a fine Sabbath-school. On section 10 there is located a religious society called the Church of God. It was organized in 1865 by Randolph White. The first meeting of this so- ciety was held in school-houses. In 1869 they com- pleted their church building at a cost of some $1,500. No regular services are held here now, but -e4^ 742 WARREN COUNTY. — rW- sometimes they have preaching by a woman of the faith wlio comes from Monniouih. From the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1885, the following statistics have been obtained : There were 10 school districts in the township with one graded school, and 9 un- graded. The 10 districts embraced i brick and 9 frame school buildings; the value of the school properly was $7,050. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 695, of whom 412 were of scholastic age, 551 being enrolled. 'l"he highest wages paid teachers was $60; ihe lowest, $25 per montli. The tax levy was $3,459.86. From the Assessor's report for 1885, the following facts are obtained: Number of acres of improved land-i, 21,794; number of acres of unimproved lands, 766; value of improved lands, $283,140; value of unimproved land<, $3,625 ; total value of lots, $35,150 ; number of horses, 849; cattle, 2,009; mules and asses, 19; sheep, 440; hogs, 3,706; steam engines, 4; carriages and wagons, 253; watches and clocks, 54; sewing and knitting machines, 85 ; pianos, 4; nielodeons and organs, 44. Total cash >^ value of personal property, $92,925. SUPLRVISORS. Robl. r.ilmorc 1854-56 M. A. Thompson 1857 R. W.Ucrlaw 1838-62 L. H . (iilmore 1863 R. W. r.crlaw 1864-65 R II. (iilmorc 1866-68 James I*. Porter 1869-70 L. H. tiilmore 1871-72 Cr.ilg Hanna 1873 I,. H. (iilmorc 1874-78 Angus McCoy 1879 A.J. Kcid 1880 B. K Forwootr 1881-82 John I'. Blaney 1883 John S. Winbigler 1884-85 Alexis. HIS pretty and atira-.tive little village is situated in the northeast corner of Spring (irove Township on section i, and on the 'Isle)' line of the St. Louis Branch of the Chicago, tw Burlington & Quincy Railroad, about 12 miles I northeasterly froin Monmouth. It was plat- ted in 1870, by Messrs. Robert Holloway and J. E. Alexander, and was named after the latter gentle- man. The survey was made by Thomas F. McC^lan- ahan on the 7th of September, and recorded on the i6th of the same month. The original plat contains 160 acres, on section i, in Spring Grove Township, and 160 acres in Mercer County, section 36, town 13 north of range 2 west. With the exception of a few residences the town has not extended into the latter section. Schuyler Palmer originally owned this land; he planted the first crop and made the first improvements here, which was in 1855. His house stood on tiie east side of where Main Street now is, near the little grove, and was the first house built in this part of the county. Mr. Palmer sold the land to Tiiomas Lawhead, Sr., and he to Messrs. Holloway and Alexander. It was first named Alex- andria, in honor of one of its founders, but there be- ing a name similar to this in the State, considerable confusion followed in the mail service and in the shipping of goods. Conseijuently it was changed to Alexis. This name was suggested by the arrival in this country, ^bout this time, of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis. O. G. Chapiiian and C. W. Gates opened the first store in the town, in November, 1870, on Main Street; they also received the first car-load of lum- ber that was shipped on this part of the railroad. . T. B. Patterson opened the next store, on Market I Street, near the Baptist Church, or what is now the 1 Presbyterian Church. ■< Richardson & Riner opened the first hotel at the depot. This hotel is now kept by Blayney and called the Alexis House. About the same time, U. ■' W. Hull started a hotel on the corner of Main and South Streets, called the Alexandria House. The railroad was completed to Alexis and Mon- mouth about the ist of January, 187 1. The post- office was established Jan. 17, following, and O. G. Chapman was appointed Postmaster, a pMjsition he has held since that time. The town grew so rapidly, the people decided that they ought to have a village government, and an election was duly called to take this matter under consideration. It was held June 28, 1873, at Churchill & Wray's Hall. The County Judge ap- pointed T. Loveridge, W. T. Richardson and Robert S. Wray, judges of election. This was quite an im- portant event to the people of this new town, and the following named citizens were entrusted with its destinies: John C. Blayney, A. G. Talbot, O. G. Chairman, O. E. Bugbee, Daniel Churchill and James Loveridge. These Trustees met at Flake's Hall, July 28, and completed the city government by electing John C. Bla) ney, President of the Board ; "T" L^ir 'V ■ cT_jL WARREN COUNTY. !?^^4-4- 743 John Douglas, Clerk; Charles E. Johnson, Treas- urer; and H. R. Gilliland Street Commissioner. On the night of Jan 24, 1878, fire broke out under the floor of the Masonic Hall on Main Street, and nearly destroyed the west side of that street. Among the sufferers were D. S. McKnight, hardware dealer, two stores and one dwelUng; James Shaw, notions and grocery; Dr. J. P. McClanahan, drug store; Thomas Loveridge, dry goods and grocery ; Hardy & Knox, dealers in groceries and clothing; Bolinger & Yarde, grocery store ; Benjamin Churchill, restaurant and boarding-house; Jacob Wolff, harness and sad- dlery. On May 8. 1879, another fire broke out, on the east side of Main Street, which destroyed several business houses. This town is excellently located and is surrounded by a rich agricultural country. It has a healthy growtii, and improvements are steadily goirg on. The industiial interests of Alexis, for a new and small town, are very good. The Alexis tile and brick factory was established in 1878, by George Bruington and Thomas Townsley. The business was carried on two years by tliem, when Bruington sold out to Townsley, who has since had sole charge and ownership. Mr. Townsley is prepared with machinery and buildings to do an extensive business in this line of manufacture. He has the best of clay, which is easily obtained and comparatively in- exhaustible. At present he has 20 hands in his em- ployment. Another very important industry for Alexis is Daniel Churchill's wagon and carriage shop. For hand-made wagons, buggies and carriages, Mr. Churchill has a wide reputation. Porter Bros, have also established a reputation for handling good buggies and carriages. A creamery was established here last spring by D. W. Little, who is making about 1,000 pounds of butter a week. There are several good business houses in the town and all appear to be prosperous. Alexis is one of the desirable towns lo live and do business in. It has a population of 398. Pres- ent officers : N. P. Bruington, D. W. Burt, S. B. Miller, F, J. Pine, J. S. Canon and W. E. Durston, Trustees. Mr. Bruington is President of the Board. T. B. Patterson is Clerk; C. W. Postlewaite, Treas ^ • -A . urer ; and George Poe, Street Commissioner. A short distance west of Ale.xis, on the county line road, is the stock farm of Col. Robert Holloway, one of the most extensive breeders of horses in the State. (See biography.) He breeds pure Clydes- dales, of which he is a large importer. His large farm, containing 640 acres, his extensive stables and long experience, eminently qualify him for achiev- ing success in carrying off the prizes in the Clydes- dale line of stock. At the Chicago exhibition of 1884, Col. Holloway won three-fourths of all the premiums in the Clydesdale list. His Carmerogie, a yearling, took the first prize in New Orleans, St. Louis and Chicago, for the best bred horse in this country from imported stock. Carmerogie Kier, once belonging lo Col. Holloway 's stables, is now in Scotland, owned by the Duke of Hamilton. Col. Holloway established his stables about 12 years ago. He has spent many years of hard labor and large sums of money in improving his stock and perfecting his breed, and eminently deserves the suc- cess that has followed his efforts. SCHOOLS. Alexis has a eood graded school, where a full Eng- lish course is taught. They have a good frame buildmg, large enough to accommodate all the schol- ars. J. S. Canon, is Principal ; Miss Anna Bain has charge of the grammar department; J. P. Campbell, the intermediate ; and Miss Maggie Boggs, the pri- mary department. They have an average attend- ance of 150 pupils. PRESS. Alexis is not without its newspaper experience, and, like most all small towns, she has furnished an- other field for the entombment of those enterprises. Tlie Alexis Journal made its first appearance Feb. 13, 1874, and was a seven-column, folio paper, edited by James Everett. The patronage was not enough to warrant its continuance, and it was sus- pended at the close of the third volume. The plant was purchased by Dr. Chaffee and the Alexis htdex was started. This was a five-column, eight-page paper. It had a brief life and expired like its pred- ecessor. Since then no one has been enterprising enough to attempt the publication of another journal here. SOCIETIES. Alexandria Lodge, No. 702, A. F. & A. M., was 1* *t 744 WARREN COUNTY. instituted Oct. 8, 1872, with 11 charter mem- bers. John E. Alexander was W. M. ; John H. Mc- Grew, S. W. M. ; Joseph R. Scott, J. W. M. They have at present 46 members, with a good hall ; they were burned out in the fire of 1878. The present officers are: C. W. Postlewaite, \V. M.; J. R. Mc- Call, S. VV. M.; Wm. Jackson, J. W. M. ; Wm. Bel- linger, Tyler; Truman Lord, Secretary ; John Bel- linger, Treasurer. The lodge was named after John E. Alexander, the founder of Alexis. Alexis Lodge, No. 526, L O. O. F. — This lodge was organized Oct. i, 1873, and received its charter the 15th of the same month. The charter members were Thomas M. Bell, J. H. McGrew, Daniel Churchill, John N. Carr and R. T. \\'ray. Thomas M. Bell was the first N. G. In the fire of 1878 the hall of this lodge was burned, together with all their records, furniture and regalia. They have now a membership of 77, and are in good working condition. Present officers are : George Bellinger, N. G. ; Chas. Bellinger, B. G. ; S. P. Leonard, Secretary ; Alfred Bellinger, Treasurer. They contemplate tlie erection soon of a fine hall for their use, and have already purchased a lot. CHURCHES. The Presbyterian Church was organized at Blay- ney's Hall, in 1881, in connection with the Norwood Church, with 60 members, by Rev. L T. Whiitemore. Meetings were held for awhile in Blayney's Hall and afterward in the United Brethren Church. The or- ganization of the First Presbyterian Church of Alexis was at a meeting held in the United Brethren church. May 29, 1883, with 65 members. In the summer of 1883 they purchased tiie building belong- ing to the Baptist Missionary Association for $1,200, and re-modeled it at a cost of $800. After several removals, the present membersliip is about 75, and is under the pastoral ciiarge of Wm. J. Palm, the first installed pastor. The Church is steadily grow- ing, with hopeful prospects. They have a Sabbath- schoolconnected witli the Church, with a membersliip of 100 scliolars, presided over by J. P. McClanahan. United Presbyterian Church. — This congregation was organized April 4, 187 i, by Rev. J. H. Hender- son, witii about 25 members. M. McClanahan and W. A. Elder were the first elders. Mr. Henderson supplied liie Church for a year, and after him Drs. Black and Doig. Meetings were at first held in the school house, near town. In 1873 the society erected a very neat frame building, which is tastily finished, costing 3,100. With this they have good parsonage, located on the same lot. In 1876 they secured the services of Rev. F. McKerahan, their first regular pastor. He served the congregation until 1882; they were then without a pastor two years. In June, 1884, Rev. J. D. Palmer accepted a call and is the present pastor. It has a membership of 63 and an interest- ing Sabbath-school of 100 members. Methodist Episcopal Church. — This Church has a small congregation here. When first organized, meetings were held in the grove, then in Caldwell's Hall. Rev. P. L. Call, from Iowa, preached for them awhile. They hold their meetings now in the church of the United Brethren, and have service every two weeks, being supplied from the North Henderson Church. The United Brethren Church have an organiza- tion in the village. Tiiis society was formed in the township in 1856. After Alexis was started, the so- • ciety located there, where they put up the first church building. It was dedicated in November, 1872. The building is a good, substantial, frame structure, cost- ing $2,250. Rev. H. KUne is the present pastor, holding services here every two weeks. Present membership about 24, with a Sabbath-school of 48. . Gerlaw. \ ERLAW post office was established about __^ ,y" the ist of January, 187 i, with A. Elder as KD?^ Postmaster. Mr. Elder had a long serv- ^lV| ice, remaining until Aug. i, 1883, when J. A. w Foster took charge. It was established soon , after the advent of the St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Ger- law was founded by K. VV. Gerlaw, who owned the land about here, and was platted by Thomas S. Mc- Clanahan, May 2, 187 I. It is located on the north- west corner of section 34. (See view, page 356.) A. Elder opened the first store in the toNvn. He deals in general merchandise and grain. Mr. Elder sold out to Parker & Hart and Hart sold out to Parker, in 1883. Subsequently he took in J. A. Foster as partner. Dr. W. H. Rupp attends to the medical wants of ir ^ -e-J^ '• . -ir- WARREN COUNTY. -^^r^ 745 this hamlet. J. P. Lindqiiist has a wagon shop, and there is also a blacksmith and a shoe shop here. Gerlaw has a good school building, and a good school, with an average attendance of 30 pupils. Its popu- lation numbers about 75. Christian Church. This congregation was organ- ized June 20, 1859, by Rev. L. S. Wallace, at Mauck's Grove, with 49 members. Of these mem- bers only three are now living — Sarah Lair, Harriet Carson and B. H. Gardner. They had erected a house of worship, before organizing, at a cost of $r,ioo, which is a very neat and substantial build- ing. It was moved to Gerlaw, in September, 1873. Rev. Mr. Lucy succeeded Mr. Wallace, remained one year, and was followed by James Gaston, who also served one year. Revs. Henry Murphy, H. R. Trickett, J. B. Boyer and Mr. McPherson, followed in succession. After this the Church had supplies for some years, when, in November, 1883, they se- cured the services of the Rev. Chas. Laycock, who is the present pastor. They have services every Sun- day, with a membership of some 60, and a Sunday- school of 30 scholars. SUMNER TOWNSHIP. MEETING was held at Little York, April if 4, 185 1, for the purpose of establishing a « township organization. Thomas Graham was chosen Moderator, and George Black, Clerk. The polls were then opened to receive the votes of the citizens. Upon counting the ballots, the following officers were found to be elected: J. P. McGaw, Supervisor; Thomas Gra- ham, Collector; John E. McGreg, Assessor; John Porter, John Martin and John Nealy, Commission- ers of Highway ; A. A. Allen and T. J. Caldwell, Justices of the Peace ; George Gibson and Hugh Brownlee, Constables ; William Preston and Samuel Graham, Overseers of Roads. The vote for Clerk was a tie, and the Justices of the Peace appointed Thomas Brownlee to take the place. It was organized first as Union Township, and they changed it to Sumner, in 1855. It is situated in the northwest quarter of the county, in township 12 north, of range 3 west, and is bounded on the north by Mercer County, on the east by Spring Grove, on the south by Hale, and the west by Hen- derson county. The territory that is now embraced by Sumner, was settled as early as any other part of the county. Matthew D. and Adam Ritchey, and Otter Craig, came into the township in 1828. William McCoy, Jonathan Buffun and L. P. Rockwell, u oved in, in 1830. Hugh Martin, Sr., with wife and seven chil- dren, came in the fall of 1832, locating on section 28. Mr. Martin, who first located in Fulton County, had, previous to moving into the county, been in and se- cured his land. William McCoy and L. P. Rock- well bought Adam Ritchey's claim of 160 acres, which included a block house that he had erected upon the hill and used as a fort. This liouse was the first building in the townsliip. Among others who came in, in 1832, was Chester Potter and David Maler. Mr. Potter located with his family at Rock- well's Mill, on Cedar Creek. He moved from here in 1833, and located in Kelly Township, on section 22, where he died, Oct. 19, 185 1. Cecilia, his daughter, who was married to Hiram Ingersol, is the only one of the Potter family now living. The first child born in this township, was Hen- derson, son of Adam (Sandy) Ritchey, who was born Dec. 23, T828. The first death was that of William Martin, in the fall of 1832. The second death was that of a young man by the name of Moffit, who was killed by falling off a fence, the fall breaking his neck. They were buried by the side of each other in Sugar Tree Grove Cemetery. William Martin, as is well known, was killed by the Indians, soon after the close of the Black Hawk War. This occurred Aug. 9, 1832. He was out in the field, mowing some grass for his horses, near the old town of Denny, southeast of Hugh Martin's res- idence, when some half dozen Indians rushed out to him from the timber, shot him and then fled to the woods. One of the shots was fired so close to him that the powder burned his hair. It is reported that after shooting him the Indians took his scalp, but this is denied by some old settlers who are good au- thority. The murder was supposed to have been done by Indians who had been detached from the main band, and were prowling about seeking some > l;(j= 4 746 WARREN COUNTY. ^?^-^ subject for their vengeance. This sad affair was witnessed by the McCoy girls, who were not very far from the old fort. The killing of Martin threw the entire settlement into great consternation, and it was feared that another Indian war would be inaugu- rated. The families in this vicinity gatheied into the fort, bringing with them their provisions, where they remained for some weeks, until all apprehen- sions from any further trouble was removed. Happily there were no further attacks from the Indians. The saddest events of life often have amusing fea- tures. It was so in this unhappy affair. This fort, which was located west of Cedar Creek, near the old town of Denny, section 27, had been used at times during this period for the holding of religious meet- ings. At the time of this tragic event religious ser- vices were going on in the fort, attended i)y the set- tlers living in the vicinity, particularly the women, and presided over by Mr. Miles, a Methodist preach- er. While Miles was preaching, a man rode swiftly into the fort, and with bated breath announced the murder of Martin by the Indians. The preacher, it is reported, did not wait to close his sermon, nor even pronounce a benediction ; nor did he " stand on the order of his going," but mounted his horse, which had been hitched near by, and away he flew, trusting more to the speeed of his animal than he did to the protecting hand of God. He did not stop his horse until he reached Yellow Banks, on the Missis- sippi, and it is stated that the last that was seen of him, he was swimming his horse across the Illinois River. James Kendall opened the first store in the town- ship, in 1833. It was located in Little York, and he had for his store house a little log cabin. He died soon after, and William, his brother, took the store, and subsequently sold it to Arthur McFarland. The first post office was established at Little York, in 1838, and J. F. Pollock was the first Postmaster; held the office about 16 years, when he moved to Oregon. Mr. Pollock came in 1837, and located on section 28. Peter Terpening taught the first school, in 1837. P. L. Rockwell and Jonathan Buffun put up tiie first saw mill. It was erected at the Cedar Fork of the Henderson, generally called Cedar Creek, a short distance east of the old town of Denny, They worked on the mill during the winter of 1830-1, and had it ready with the opening of spring for operation. This was also the first saw mill in the county. A stockade was put up near this mill, upon the west bank of the creek, for protection against Indian raids. In 1832 Chester Potter took charge of the mill, and, having had some experience in the grist mill business, in Ohio, where he came from, he concluded he would try his hand in the far West. After some geological prospecting, he succeeded m finding a granite boul- der (" nigger-head, as Mr. Potter called it "). from which he cut two burrs, 12 inches in diameter, and set them up in the saw mill for grinding corn. With these stones, grists were ground for the neighboring families and others in different i)arts of the county. As this was the first and only mill at that time in the county, it was largely patronized. The proprietors of this enterprise were truly benefactors. While it was not equal to tlie mills of the present day, yet it was undoubtedly appreciated more, for to it the early pioneers looked for the meal with whicii to make their bread. These old burrs can yet be seen in the township; Mr. Potter remained here one year and then moved into Kelly Township. It may be as well to close the history of this mill, at least up to the present time, though we travel ahead of the de- velopments of the townshi|). In 1837 Mr. Rockwell formed a partnership with D. G. Baldwin and erected, on the site of the old pioneer mill, a new and large flouring mill. With the exception of shut- ting down a few days for repairs, this mill has been running pretty constantly ever since. It has been enlarged and its machinery improved, which includes two French burrs. It is now owned by A. H. Rock- well, son of L. P. Their brand of flour is called the Eagle Mill Brand. Water-power is still used, with a double Laffell turbine wheel. The first post office in the township, and one of the first in the county, was located at this mill, with Jonathan Buffun as Postmaster. Mr. Buffun held the office for about a year, and then L. P. Rockwell was appointed, and held it for nearly 20 years. The first religious society organized in Sumner Township was the Cedar Creek Church, July 4, 1835. It was called the Associate Reform, and was organ- ized by Rev. Dr. Blakie, now of Detroit, who was a Missionary sent out to the new settlement of the West, to gather into an organization those who had been members of this society in the East. It was also called the Sharon Church. A few families made ^ 4^ A WARREN COUNTY. 747 4 up the first organization, of which the Giles family seemed to predominate. There was John Giles, who was the ruling Elder, 'and who probably succeeded to that distinction by virtue of a large kindred con- stituency; John B. Giles, Susanna, Nanry, Pru- dence, Margaret, Susan, Jane and Mary L. ; Hugh Martin, James Campbell, John Williamson, James and Mary Findley, Nancy Robinson, George and Mary A. Jay, constituted the remainder of tlie con- gregation. Some years before Dr. Blakie came, Rev. John Wallace, a Missionary from Virginia, was here preaching, in private houses, to the people. He was finally employed by this congregation, after it had organized, as a stated supply, preaching pretty regu- larly here from 1835 'o 1840. Rev. James C. Por- ter came out in 1840. He was liked by the society, and was installed in 1841, and continued in the ser- service of this congregation until about the time of his death, Nov. 15, 1863. He was a man of consid- ' erable ability and largely increased the membership of this Church. It was during the latter part of his pastorate that •this Church joined in the Union with the Associate Presbyterians and became United Presbyterians. Rev. John C. Reynolds succeeded Mr. Porter, and remained until July, 1872, when he gave place to J. M. Atchison, who was installed Dec. i, 1872. Mr. Atchison served the congregation several years, and was followed by the Rev. J. A. Gherelt, who retired in the spring of 1885, and was their last pastor. This congregation had a long and prosperous life. Their first house of worship was built of logs and was located about two miles northeast of Little York; it was built in the summer of 1836. In 1845 they erected a larger building of frame near the old log one. In 1866, the congregation outgrew this building, and they erected a larger and more com- modious edifice, at a cost of about $4,000 ; later on a good parsonage was put up. The church build- ing is beautifully located, about three miles norlh- east of Little York, and the parsonage about a mile north of the church. All of the original members are either dead or have moved away. The widow of Rev. John Wallace is yet living, in Little York. At the present time they have no service, but the Sabbath-school is still kept up. Last 4th of July, it celebrated its semi-centennial anniversary. This township is well watered by the Middle Hen- derson and its branches and Cedar Creek. At one time it was one of the best timbered townships in the county, and fine bodies of timber are still stand- ing, particularly along the borders of the streams. The nature of the land is undulating ; in the south- western and southeastern portions quite broken in places, wliile the northeastern part is very little undu- lated. The soil is rich and easily cultivated. The township is dotted over with grand farms, which are ornamented with fine dwellings and farm buildings. Some of the houses are elegant in construction. There is a station at Denny and Little York, where the people of the township do most of their trading and get their mails. The Iowa Central Railroad was completed through the township in the spring of 1883. The population, according to the census of 1880, was 948. It is estimated that there has been a gain since then. According to the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1885, there were seven school districts, in all of which there were frame school buildings. The school property was valued at $4,000. Of persons under 21 years of age there were 427, of whom 324 were of school age, 211 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $50 per month, and the lowest $28. The tax levy was $2,155.19- From the Assessor's report for the year of 1885, tlie following items are obtained : Number of acres of improved land, 21,772 ; number of acres of unim- proved land, 800; value of improved land, $282,- 355; value of unimproved land, $4,535 ; total value of lots, $8,635 ; number of horses 870; cattle, i,66r; mules and asses, 35; hogs, 2,318; carriages and wagons, 248; watches and clocks, 25; sewing and knitting machines, 57; pianos, 4; melodeons and organs. 29. Total cash value of personal property $63,535- SUPERVISORS. John P. McGaw ...1854 John Porter 1855 Frank Brownlee 1856-7 H. C. Maley 1858-60 John Atchison 1861-4 H. C. Maley 1865-7 A. H. Rockwell 1868-9 R . C . Stewart 1870-1 R.W.Porter 1872-7 Thomas Brownlee 1878 R. W. Poiter - .... ....1879-81 J. J- Ivy 1882-3 J. E. Pine 1884-5 LAn r ■ cT_L 748 WARREN COUNTY. i^r^H- ^34=4 I A 1^^ €i- Little York. fHlS thriving village has a very pleasing and a very healthy location. The immediate town and the land adjacent is well drained '^P^ by Cedar Creek. This is an old town and one of the oldest in the county. A store was opened here as early as 1833, by James Kendall, which was the first in the township. This ambi- tions town was platted in 1836, and the papers were filed Aug. 25 of the same year. William C. Butler was the surveyor, and the owners of this then valu- able town property were \Vm. McCoy, M. D. Ritchey and McCalion & Hogue. It was located on the south- east 20 of the northwest 21, in township 12 north of range 3 west of the 4th P. M. In 1838 the post- office was established here, and J. F. Pollock was appinted Postmaster. The establishment of a postoffice forms quite an event in the history of a town, and so the good people of this hamlet consid- ered it in that pioneer day. Mr. Pollock held the office about 16 years, when he resigned. We are not informed that he resigned with a fortune made in the service of Uncle Sam. He was succeeded by William Munsey, who held the office two years, and then Isaac Hopper had charge. Mr. Pollock re- turned to Oregon in 1856, and the Government again honored him with the postoffice appointment. In 1863, Mr. Williver was appointed and held the place about three years. He was succeeded by Wm. Munsey. who died in the service, and left the commission to his son Milton. In 1876, Mr. Henr)' was appointed and held it until 1883, when M. M. Palmer assumed charge, and is the present Post- master. Little York has had its ups and downs, its bright and its cloudy days, like all other towns. Through the long years it has held its own, and if the fine business houses that border its streets are any indi- cation, it has made a gain. The Indian that 50 years ago was prowling about these grounds would have to tax his memory very much to recognize it, or call up any familiar objects. The Central Iowa R. R. was completed to this place, Feb. 22, 1883, and the first regular train came in April 5th of the same year. It was built up from Monmouth. The first mail by railroad arrived July i, 1883. Unlike most towns through which railroads pass, Little York instead of going down, has increased its population, and its business. The buildings are all bright and new, and there is not an old rookery in it. The people, too, are fresh, smiling, full of hope and common sympathy. They look upon the bright side of life and keep the dark in the background. It has a population now of some 300 souls. M. M. Palmer has a drug store here that would do credit to any town. He also keeps books, station- ery and jewelry. Hardware and furniture by Bird- sail & Pollock ; harness and saddlery by T. D. Gor- don ; general merchandise by Chas. Rodgers, and boots and shoes by Hans Joehnk; groceries by E. B. Wallace and general merchandise by Bowers. & Mor- ris. Z. D. Dorothy has a hotel and restaurant ; J. W. Leeper, carries on blacksmithing ; and Julius Poerschman supplies the people with a market. Schuckman & Graham manufacture wagons and bug- gies; B. S. Dodson has a livery and feed stable. There are two large elevators at the depot owned by Harvey & Son, and John Brownlee, grain dealers. Drs. C. Sherrick and A. R. Graham look after the J health of the village 01 uure properly speaking, the sick. Little York has a very interesting school, which is taught by J. Brock. They have a nice little school building with an average attendance of 45 pupils. The United Presbyterian Church. This society was organized here 1863, by Rev. John Scott of Mon- mouth, with some 40 members. The congregation was formed mostly of the Henderson Sugar Tree Grove, and the Cedar Creek Churches. The build- ing was constructed this year, and subsequently a parsonage was added, the whole costing about $5,- 000. The Rev. W. H. McMillan was the first regu- lar pastor, who was installed Oct. 4, 1864, and re- mained until April 1870. Rev. W. P. Campbell took charge in June, 1871, and remained until December 1874. In February, 1876, the society secured the services of Rev. David Anderson, who remained until Oct. 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. G. H. Hamilton, who is still serving this church, the mem- bership of which is about 90. i^ ■ tT_ . ■ Y ■ WARREN COUNTY :?!:^4-*- 749 -K3- -et- 4 SWAN TOWNSHIP. j^WAN Township was organized April 4, 1854. A full account of the meeting can- not be given as the records were destroyed by the tornado. Absalom Vandeveer, was elected the first Supervisor; A. B. Sisson, Clerk, and Wm. G. Bond, Assessor and Col- lector. Swan lies in the southern tier of the town- ships and is numbered 6 north, of range 2 west, of the 4th P. M. Roseville Township lies on the north, Greenbush on the east, McDonough on the south, and Pt. Pleasant on the west. The first settlers in this township were Mrs. Lively Cayton, widow of Abel Cayton, with her child- ren, and George Simmcfns and family. They came in the fall of 1832, Mrs. Cayton locating on section ri, and Mr. Simmons on section i. All were from Kentucky. Mrs. Cayton had four children — Nancy, George, Andrew J., and Miranda She died at the old homestead in the spring of 1871. Her son Andrew J., is living still on the old farm (see biog- raphy). George and Nancy are dead. Miranda was married to John Rayburne and is living in Mon- mouth. A. B. Sisson from Albany Co. N. Y., came to the township in 1836, The following year, his father and all the family, including eight children, arrived, locating on the northwest quarter of section 20. A. B. Sisson located on section 29. Joseph Sisson died in 185 r, in Greenbush ; his widow died in May, 1882, in Page County, Iowa, at the age of 92 years. The children, C. F., R. K., Augustine VV., died in 1851. M. F. died in 1882; A. J., Ann, Mary E., are living. Anna married Matthew Hammond, and is living in Iowa; Mary E., married George Welty, and is living with her husband in Kansas. In 1833, Peter Scott, Daniel R. Perkins, and Elijah Hanon with their families moved in. Mr. Scott located on section 18. Mr. Perkins and Elijah Hanon on section i. Peter Scott subsequently moved to Oregon, where he died. To this small circle of pioneers. Rev. Chas. Van- deveer and his family were heartily welcomed in 1834. His family consisted of wife and five child- ren ; John, William, Absalom, Syntha and Maria. They located on section 2. This acquision to the neighborhood made the howl of the wolves less dis- agreeable and lonely, and life on the prairies of the West more attractive. It gave them hope for the settlement, and brightened up their hearts. Surrounded as this present generation is with a numerous population and all the comforts that wealth and civilization can bring, they cannot appreciate the joy that comes to the lonely heart on the prairie or in the wilderness, from the visitation of a human soul. Here, away from strife and discord, away from the trappings and conventionalities of society, away from fashion, more deadly to the natural born instincts of the soul than the presence of the Upas Tree, the hu- man heart asserts itself; here, the Divinity in man manifests itself, and here man is seen truly after God's own image. Syntha Vandeveer was married to John Arm- strong, both of whom ate now dead. Charles Van- deveer died in 1854, and his faithful partner fol- lowed him a few years afterward. These pioneers were soon followed by Richard Orr, Reece Perkins, and Wm. Talley with their families. They located in the timber on sections 1 and 18. Clement Pierce with his young " yankee " wife, as she was called, (see biography) came in about this time. In the spring of 1835 Joseph Ratekin, wife and nine chil- dren — Samuel, George, Polly, Fountain, Lafayette, Berlinda, Lucinda, Edward, and Joseph S., from Morgan Co., 111., moved in and located on section 19. This family was originally from Kentucky. Jonathan Ratekin, another son, came in soon after. Joseph Ratekin was an active and prominent citi- zen, and not only himself but his children contrib- uted largely to the development of the township. He died Jan. 30, 1867, and his widow, Feb. 9, 1875. Joseph S. Ratekin resides at the old homestead and is one of the leading pioneers of the township. James Tucker came in soon after the Ratekins, lo- cating on section 4. Some years later he re- moved to Roseville, where he still resides. At the first public land sale of the Military Tract held June i6, 1835, at Quincy, 111., Mr. Tucker, Peter Butler, Daniel R. Perkins, Louis Vertrees, Jesse W. Bond and John Riggs all met at Quincy, for the purpose of purchasing their homes, and all came home together. Having secured their lands they felt well, and the future looked bright before ■Jl -^fe^ -^r^^ 7SO WARRBN COUNTY. them ; but they had only five horses to ride and the journey was long. To be neighborly, charitable and obliging was the notable feature among the early settlers, and they arranged to " ride and tie," and in this way they reached their new homes without much fatigue. Of this party Mr. Tucker is the only one living. From this time on the settlement increased rapidly and this territory became one of the leading points of the county. Mr. Hendricks taught the first school in the town- ship, in the spring of 1833. It was held in a log cabin, without any floor, and no windows except loop holes in the walls. Sally Simmons, niece of RoUa Simmons, was the pretty maid who carried off the first matrimonial prize in the township. David Young was the lucky man to be captured. Tlie event was celebrated in true pioneer style. Mrs. Young is still living in Greenbush, but lier husband is dead. The first death in the township was that of Isa- bella, daughter of John Long, which occurred at the farm now owned by Joseph Pitman. The first child (or children) born was in 1854 — a son and daughter (twins) of Joel and Lovisa Bond. They are now living in Kansas. Rev. Silas Cartwright was tlie first expounder of the Gospel in this township, in 1834. To the wor- shipers it was a great religious treat. It was like manna to the soul, like the gentle dew to the wither- ing flower. Mr. Cartwriglit was a circuit rider, and the service was held in the school- house on section 6. Ashel B. Sisson taught the second scliool in the winter of 1837-8, in a log school- house on section 17. The first postmaster was Peter Scott, who was commissioned in 1837. The postoffice was located ou the northwest quarter of section 18. Mr. Scott held the office until he moved to Oregon, when Joseph Ratekin was appointed. George W. Worden succeeded Mr. Ratekin, and held the office west of where the depot now stands. In 1870 the Rockford, Rock Island (now the St. Louis Branch of the C. B. & Q. R. R.), completed its line through the township. It enters on section 6, running south through sections 7 and 18, then southeast across the northeast corner of section 19, then through sections 20, 21, 27 and 35. The first train steamed into the township July 4, 1870. Tliis road was of great advantage to the people as it furnished them ready means for the transportation of their products. On the 27th day of May, 1872, this township was visited with a tornado. It came from the northwest and struck the township about four o'clock in the afternoon, two miles and a half northwest of Youngs- town on Swan Creek. Its path was some 80 rods wide, and its line of destruction extended several miles. Its power was terrific and irresistible, de- molishing everything within its course ; killing cattle, hogs and poultry, the latter flying through the air like snowflakes. During the passing of this tornado it was almost as dark as night. Young George Vandeveeer was killed ; his father had his arm broken, and was otherwise injured; Mrs. Perry died from the effects of her injuries. Mrs. A. J. Cayton had her arm broken, her slioulder put out of joint, and was otherwise so injured that .she has never fully recovered. Mr. Cayton, who was out of the house at the time, was taken up and carried about roo yards, and was dropped down, unconscious, with a badly injured neck. Swan is watered by the middle and southern branches of Nigger Creek and by Swan Creek, which meanders easterly through it. The nature of the land is rolling, except in an northeasterly portion, which is somewhat broken. It is adorned with many beautiful groves, and adjacent to the streams are some fine bodies of timber. This townsliip is well cultivated and the farms, all with good dwellings and otiier buildings, are above the average. There are a few farms liere that are unsurpassed for their beauty and unexcelled in their productions anywhere. It has two thriving little villages, Swan Creek and Youngstown, where the people do most of their trad- ing, secure tiieir mail, and dispose of their products. The population in 1880, according to the census at that time, was 1,137. It is estimated that there has been some gain since that period. According to the County Superintendent's report for the year, ending June 30th, 1885, there were nine school districts, with nine schools. The school property was valued at $2,795 '< ^^^ buildings were all frame. Of persons under 21 years of age, there were 546; of whom 358 were of scholastic age, 275 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $40., and the lowest $25 per month. The tax levy for the township was $2,141.94. *x •jyi ¥ -tx ^¥^ *t WARHEN COUNTY. 75' The Assessor's report for 1885, contains the follow- ing items : Number of acres improved land, 1,657; number of acres of unimproved land, 5,080; value of improved land, $251,140; value of unimproved lands, $52,225 ; total value of lots, $11,125 ; number of horses, 823; cattle, T324; asses and mules, 18; sheep, 386; hogs, 2,631; steam engines, i; car- riages and wagons, 231; watches and clocks, 1 14; sewing and knitting machines, iio; pianos, 4: me- lodeons and organs, 34. Total cash value of per- sonal property, $62,356. SUPERVISORS. Absalom Vandeveer 1854-7 Hezekiah Simmons 1858 William G. Bond 1859-62 A. Vandeveer 1863-4 V. R. McKinley 1865 A. Vandeveer 1866-70 Jacob Miller 1871-2 G. \V. Beckner 1873 A. Vandeveer 1874 G. W. Beckner. 1875-77 J. P. Higgins 1878-8 A. Vandeveer 1882 A. A.Cornell 1883-5 #^ Youngstown Village. ^OUNGSTOWN is situated almost in the center of Swan Township, on the St. Louis branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. More particularly described, its site rests on the southwest quarter of section 22, and the southeast quarter of section 2r, the northeast quarter of section 28, and the northwest quarter of section 27, and was platted by W. Kid- der, B. H. Kidder, K. Kidder, Mary A. and Eliza Kidder, J. B. Shawler and Olivia M. Davis. It was surveyed by Thomas S. McClannahan, on the ist and 2d days of September, 1870. McKinley 's addi- tion was laid out afterwards on section 27. By the extent of territory embraced in these plats, it would seem that the founders of Youngstown had very ex- travagant hopes regarding its future growth. It was started after the completion of the railroad and the location of a station at this point. A. J. Cayton was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded, in 1873, by H. V. Simmons, who held the office about a year, and VV. G. Thomas was appoint- ed. H. A. Taylor then held the office for awhile, and was superseded by C. W. Mapes. In 1881, C. A. Cayton was commissioned and remained in serv- ice two years, when he was succeeded by J. W. Moo.i. When the Democratic administration came into power, Mr. Cayton was reinstated and is the present Postmaster. H. V. Simmons opened the first store in the vil- lage, and was soon followed by others. Youngstown has a rich farming country around it, has a good trade, is quite a shipping point, and a very pretty little hamlet. The population is about 125. Youngstown Lodge, No. 387, A. F. & A. M., was chartered Oct. 8, 1863. The charter members were Wm. R. Chaplin, Wm. Cayton. Swiss Loutz, John Bowman, A. S. Hazington, Stephen Lawrence, A. Z. McGuin, J. VV. Nance, P. Ray, J. A. J. Smith, L. Barlow, J. C. Smith, J. W. Baird. The first officers were Wm. R. Chaplin, W. M.; Wm. Clayton, Sr. W. M. ; Lewis Lantz, Jr. W. M. The lodge was de- stroyed by fire in February, 1885. During the past summer they erected a new hall, which was dedi- cated on the 28th of October, 1885. It is a neat, pleasant hall, and is well furnished. The Lodge is in a prosperous condition. The present officers are : J. S. Ratekin, W. M.;A. T. Brown, Sr. W. M. ;' George Taylor, Jr. W. M. ; G. W. Beckman, Secre- tary, and A. Vandeveer, Treasurer. Swan Creek. HIS thriving little village is situated on the western part of Swan Township, on sec- ^.^ tions ig and 20. It was platted on April ^^ 16, 187 I, by John A. Gordon, County Survey- or. The land upon which the town is located was dedicated for the use of the inhabitants by James Tucker, Verlinda Worden, Caroline J. Tucker, George W. Worden, Joseph S. Ratekin and Hannah M. Ratekin. Swan Creek, a thrifty town, is not overgrown, and those who are in business here have a good trade and are prosperous. After the railroad came in, the post- office was moved into the village, and John H. Lippy was appointed Postmaster, succeeding Mr. Worden, who had held the office in the township. Mr. Lippy is the present Postmaster. A most important indus- try in the village is the Swan Creek Brick and Tile Company. This company was incorporated Aug. i, 1885, with a capital stock of $6,000. The Direct- ors are A. B. Sisson, E. V. Bliss, M, B. Roberts, Wm. ■JKl r 4 752 WARREN COUNTY. ih H. Stephenson and Chas. Torrence. Officers : Royal Bliss, President, \Vm. S. Bliss, Secretary; and A. A. Cornell, Treasurer. This company manufactures about 9,000 tile per week, and employs 15 men. They get their clay on Swan Creek, about four miles southeast of the town. William L Bliss and John H. Lippy are dealers in general merciiandise. M. B. Roberts carries on the drug business, hardware and groceries. Restaurant by Joseph Repple. Dr. B. A. Griffith is the village physician. I'opulation is estimated at about 250. The village has a good school, with an average at- tendance of 40 pupils. Miss Rhoda Byarlay is the present teacher. They have a good, substantial, plain school building. SOCIETIES. G. A. R., I). J. Tucker Post, No. 407, was organ- ized Feb. 9, 1884, with 14 charter members. Pres- ent officers : Edgar Bliss, C; J. C. Buchanan, Sr. V. C; A. J. Johnson, Jr., V. C; B. A. Griffith, Adjt.; John Bouton, O. D ; R. H. Ostrander, Q. M.; C. M. McClanahan, Surg.: Alex. Bouton,Chaplain ; William ^ F. Stephenson, O. G.; Isaac Edil, Sergt. Maj ; Elias D. Acton, Q. M. S. Present membership 18. The Post is in a good condition, and holds its meetings regularly in the Union Hall. The I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 203. This society was chartered Oct. 15, 1885, with six charter members. The present officers are: U. R. Warren, M. G.; Frank Jerrid, V. G.; Robert Bradley, Secretary ; J. S. Ratekin, Treasurer. Present membership of this society is ro, and ihey liold their meetings in Union Hall. RELIGIOUS. Tiie Universalists have a society here, and preach- ing every two iveeks by Miss Anna Fleming, of Avon. Services are lield in the Union Hall. Miss Fleming, wlio is an eloquent speaker, has awakened quite an interest in this township among the believ- ers in this particular faith, and her services are largely attended. A Sunday School was organized here several years ago. It was free to all, irrespective of religious views or creeds. A good deal of interest has been manifested in this scliool since its foundation, and a Sunday has not passed that service has not been held. Since the erection of Union Hall, this Sunday *T School has held its meetings here. A. A. Cornell is the present Superintendent. ^^ TOMPKINS TOWNSHIP. ^^sSii THIS township is situated in the middle of the western row, and is in number 10 ^ nortii, of range 3, west. It is bounded on the nortli by Hale, on the east by Lenox, on the south by Ellison Township, and on the west by Henderson County. A meeting was held by the citizens for the purpose of establishing a township government, April 4, 1854. Nathan Carr was called to the cliair ; Orrin Lam- phere was chosen Moderator, Ransom Tinkham and Selh Smith, Assistants ; T. W. Beers and Daniel M. Smiley, Clerks. The result of the vote was as fol- lows : For Supervisor, Joseph Tinkham ; Clerk, Daniel M. Smiley; Assessor, James H. Martin; Collector, John L. Hanna; Justices of the Peace, William Hanna and James L. Rusk; Commissioners of Highways, Seth Smith and T. F. Hogue ; Consta- bles, H. R. Norcross and John L. Hanna; Overseers of the Poor, William Norcross and Orrin Lamphere. John Quinn was the first settler to stake out a home in the township, but he pulled up his stake in a short time and moved to other fields. Samuel Hanna and family and Wilson Kendall moved in, in 1830, and made claims, the former on section 5, and the latter on section 6. The Kendalls lived in the township several years and then moved to Oregon. Mr. Hanna's family consisted of a wife and nine children: William, John, Isabella, Eliza- beth, Miles, Samuel, Jr., Gieen, Mary and James. Elizabeth was married to Robert Hutchinson, and Mary became the wife of Henry Creswell. They were a remarkable family, especially noted for their benevolence and charity. Mrs. Hanna was always ready lo aid the poor and the sick, and her hand was ever ready, and her purse open, for charitable pur- poses. The family were wealthy, and she had plenty of means to second the promptings of her generous heart. Mr. Hanna and his wife died at the old homestead at an advanced age, beloved and mourned by all who knew them. James Gibson and Samuel Creswell, with their ^ ■4: ■ . ■)C^ . WAJiREN COUNTY. 753 TP" families, came in the same year. James Gibson lo- cated on section 7. He was a good citizen, a suc- cessful farmer and accumulated for his family a fine property. He and his wife died at the old farm, where his son, John K., now lives. (See biography.) The Creswells were from Ohio, and came to the township with si.x children, James, Hannah, Mary, Henry, Rachel and Rebecca. Hannah died before marriage; Rebecca was married to William Hanna, eldest son of Samuel Hanna. She is also dead. Mr. and Mrs. Creswell died some years ago at the old place. Mr. Creswell was a very able and intel- lectual man, having no superior in the township. Before he came to this county he was a member of the Ohio Legislature. James Creswell married Mary Ann Woods, and is now living in Henderson County. Henry married Mary, youngest daughter of Samuel Hanna, and is living in Des Moines, Iowa. Rachel was married to J. M. Woods, and both are still liv- ing. Zachariah M. Davis located in the township soon after the Gibsons, and near their farm. They are now living in Nebraska. They had two cliildren, Joann and Martin. Joann married Lew Leslie, and is dead ; Martin is still living. Samuel Hutchinson came in, in the spring of 1833. He is recently deceased, in Monmouth. In 1835 Joseph and Ransom Tinkham, from New England, with their families, came in and settled in the lower tier of sections, where they lived for many years. Ransom is dead, but his family are living in Kirk- wood. Joseph is also living there. During this year and the following, Judson Graves, DeWitt Phelps, A. P. Carmichael and C. H. Warren moved in, making, with those who had preceded them,quite a little settlement, and givinga neighborly aspect to the new country. With the good start thus made, the township increased in population and developed very rapidly. Isaac Ray, from Kentucky, wife and six children — Talitha, Eliza, John, Isaac, Jr., Josephus and Mary Jane, moved in, in 1837, locating on section 7. The children are all dead but two, Talitha and Jo- sephus. The parents died at the old home. (See biography of Josephus.) The first school house was erected by Mr. Hanna, near his home, and the first school was taught by Mr. Banker. Mr. Creswell was the enterprising man who first put up a grist mill in the township. It was located near Mr. Hanna's place, and was operated by ox-power, the oxen working a tread mill. The first church built in the toivnship was at Kirkwood, and the first service held in it was by Rev. Jas. Brace, afterwards of the United Presbyte- rian Church. Prior to this, religious meetings were held in private houses. The eastern portion of this township is undulating prairie, the northwestern part is somewhat broken. It is watered by South Henderson Creek and its tributaries. A part of the township is liberally tim- bered, particularly along the water courses. The to- pography of the township is attractive, and the en- tire area is very well adapted for farming and stock raising, and both of these branches of husbandry are carried on well and successfully. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was constructed through the township in the early part of 1855. It enters the township near the northeast corner and passes out on section 18. The people do their trading chiefly at Kirkwood, which is a thriving town. In 1880 the township, as shown by the census, had a population if 1,994, and there has been since that time a small gain. According to the County Superintendent's report for the year ending June 30, 1885, there were ten school districts in the township, with one graded and nine ungraded schools. All the buildings were frame. The school property was valued at $7,000. Of persons under 21 years of age, theie were 725, of whom 548 were of scholastic age, 426 being enrolled. The highest wages paid teachers was $85 and the lowest $25 per month. The tax levy for this year was $4,725. From the Assessor's report for the year 1885, the following items have been obtained. Number of acres of improved land, 21,794 ; number of acres of unimproved land, 388; value of improved land, $349,700; total value of lots, $7 1,740 ; number of horses, 883; cattle, 2,047; mules and asses, 44; sheep, 85; hogs, 2,922; steam engines, i ; carriages and wagons, 349; watches and clocks, 214; sewing and knitting machines, 102; pianos, 10; melodeons and organs, 24;- total cash value of personal prop- erty, $155,985. < -JUKI 4= :^^^ 754 WARREN COUNTY. SUPERVISORS. Joseph I'inkham "855-6 Wm. Hanna 1857 (leorge Tubbs 1858-61 J. I.. Bachelor 1861-2 Henry Tubbs 1863-5 James Moore 1866 Cyrus Bute 1867 Henry Tubbs i8b8-g N. A. Chapin 1870 W. G. Latimer 1871 .1872 Henry Tubbs W. M. Oalbraiih 1873 Hugh Gilmorc ^^lA-% Thos. Beers 1876 J. E. Barnes 1877-9 r. W. Beers 1880 W. G. Latimer 1881 Henry Tubbs ..1882 Robert Gamble 1883-4 J. C. McLinn 1885 — *^ — Kirkwood. HIS charmingly located town was started a short period before the advent of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was first called Lyndon. It was, however, in- corporated Aug. 5, 1865, under the act of the Legislature as Young America. At the elec- tion, J. K. Cummings, J. B. Sofield, A. Carmichael, O. Laniphere, J. L. Bachelor, were chosen Trustees. At a meeting of the trustees, August 15, for the pur- pose of completing their corporate government, T. K. Cummings was chosen President of the Board ; J. B. Sofield, Secretary; and J. L. Bachelor, Clerk. At a meeting held August 5 ist, the boundary lines were determined, as follows, viz. : Commencing 80 rods north of the southeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 9, 10 north 3 west ; thence west one mile, to the northeast quarter of section 8 ; thence south one mile, to the center of the west line of the northeast quarter of section 17, thence east, to the center of the east line of the northwest quarter of section 16; thence north, one mile, to tlie place of beginning. A petition was presented to the Board by a major- ity of the legal voters, requesting that the name be changed from Young America to that of Kirkwood, which petition was granted, May 14, 1874, with but one dissenting vote. It was first platted by David Irvine and A. G. Kirkpatrick, the plat containing 80 acres on the east side of the southeast quarter of section 8, and was filed for record Oct. 20, 1854. There were 12 sub- sequent additions to the town. Carr and Rankin had the enterprise to start the first store in the town, which was located on the corner of Kirk and Cherry Streets. Knowles, Ray & Chapin opened the next store, on the north side of the railroad track. The first building erected here *x was for a hotel, by the railroad company. This was also located on the north side of the track and Avas used for a restaurant. VV. \V. Gilmore was the first Postmaster, receiving his commission soon after the railroad station was establislied. S. C. Smith erected the first dwelling house. It was located in the northwest part of the town. The first school taught in the town, then called Lyndon, was by David Abby, over a warehouse. Soon after this school was opened, a school-house was erected, which was located on tlie north side of the railroad. Its completion was made the occasion of a celebration. Having thus secured so favorable a start, the fu- ture growth of the town was assurred. Messrs. Chapin, Houlton & Davis established a private banking institution at an early day and are now do- ing a large business. This is one of the reliable banking houses in the county. After the inaugura- tion of the National Banking system, tlie First Na- tional Bank of Kirkwood was established, which is doing an extensive business. The mercantile line is well represented here, and there are many very fine stores, some of which would be very creditable to any city. The Kirkwood Roller Mills, by Davidson & Sons, is one of the manufacturing industries which give credit to a town and materially aid in its develop- ment. It has been running now about 22 years, and under the roller system about four years, retain- ing one burr for grinding middlings. Tlie capacity of this mill is about 40 barrels every 24 hours. This firm is constructing a large btick building near the track of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, into which tliey intend to put new and improved machinery, which will give them a capacity of 100 barrels per day. They expect to be able to start this mill by the first of June, 1886. In natural advantages of location, Kirkwood has no superior in the county. In walking about the town, one is impressed with the fact that the art of man could not construct more beautiful or desirable ■ sites for dwellings. The citizens, with commendable skill and taste, have enhanced the natural attract- iveness of tliese grounds by setting out sliade-trees, ■ which have grown into grandeur, laying out broad streets, and erecting elegant and imposing residences. Much of this, however, if not all, is lost to the trav- :l_ T » WARREN COUNTY. 755 4 eler who only passes through, stopping, it may be, for a night at the hotel, and in consequence of which Kirkwood has obtained rather an unenviable reputa- tion. If the people would fence in, or fence out, the depot, with its immediate surroundings, it would give the traveler at least the luxury of imagining that over or beyond this fence there might rest one of the most attractive towns within the Military Tract. The present officers of the village are : F. M. Davidson, President of the Board of Trustees ; J. C. Betzinger, C. H. Mundorff, J. C. McLinn, and C. A. Carmichael, Trustees; E. Schenbarger, Clerk; W. K. Gamble, Treasurer ; John Effort, Marshal. The population of the town is about i,ioo. MINERAL SPRINGS. About a mile from the corporate limits, is located the Mineral Springs of Kirkwood. This place is a favorite refort for tourists, and the waters are be- lieved to contain medicinal qualities. Whether this is really so or not, it does not matter, as long as the impression is made upon the imagination of the vis- itors that they do. However, the end is accomp- lished. People come here, have relaxation, change of air and exercise, and feel better. They drink a great deal of water — as people do at all watering- places — and imagine they are effected by it. Pos- sibly they are. They would feel the same effects, however, at any place, by drinking the same amount of pure water. One advantage of this place at least, is that that there is plenty of water, and it is easily obtained, having a constant flow; and there is not much danger of the visitors drinking the springs dry, though it would seem at times to a healthy looker-on that there was a deep laid conspiracy en- ergetically executed to accomplish this. These grounds are very pleasantly located and are naturally attractive. A small museum has been es- tablished, which contains some very fine and rare fossils and geological specimens that are of interest to the scientist as well as the naturalist. If the grounds were more extensively improved and a good large hotel located here, it would be a very agreea- ble place for a person to spend a few weeks in idle- ness and gossiping, providing, always, that they have nothing else to do, or can make no better use of their time. MISCELLANEOUS. W. W. Gilmore was the first man to distribute the mail to the people of this town. He held the office of Postmaster for ra years and was followed by George Williams. Succeeding Mr. Williams was W. M. Galbraith, John E. Willets, E. L. Senberger, J. B. Sofield, and N. Gordon, the present incum- bent. The town of Kirkwood has an excellent graded school, with very fair school buildings. J. C. Stock- ton is Principal; Mattie Armstrong, First Assistant; Cynthia Shatby, Second .\ssistant; Nellie Willets, primary department. The south school is under the charge of Miss Laura Brown. Enrollment about 250. The location of the cemetery is one of exceeding beauty, the site embracing about eight acres, and it is situated about one mile west of the town of Kirk- wood. Originally there were only three acres in the site. John Ramsel, W. D. Johnson and J. L. Bach- elor bought the land in 1856, organized an associa- tion and had the land laid out for cemetery pur- poses. They afteiwards conveyed their rights to . the town, under which control it now is. Subse- quently the corporation extended the grounds by purchase. They are embellished by shade-trees and some very neat and artistically designed monuments. Most of the lots are well cared for. The people of Kirkwood have sought to protect themselves from the ravages of fire, and have estab- lished a very good fire department. It consists of two companies, the Excelsior, which is a hook and ladder company, with Thomas Calahan as Foreman ; T. S. Kyler, as First Assistant; George R. Everett, Secretary ; witli a membership of 20. The Cham- pion Con, pany runs a chemical engine, which is al- ways ready for use. E. H. Gilmore is Foreman; C. O. Carmichael, Assistant; Chas. Mundorff, Secre- tary; S. F. Allen, Treasurer; J. P. Davidson, Man- head; and William Sofield, Nozzleman. This company has 14 members. J. C. Bly is Chief Fire Marshal. Kirkwood has a most excellent band, of which Henry Plitscher is the Leader. There are 1 1 in- struments, and the members practice regularly and are well organized. SOCIETIES. Masonic Lodge, A. F. & A. M., A. Lincoln, No. 518, was chartered Oct. i, 1867, with 18 members. First officers, N. Pierpont, W. M. D. C. Davis, S. I ^^-^ i 7S6 WARREN COUNTY. h VV.; L. M. Mitchell, J. W. Present officers: A. B. Holliday, W. M.; J. C. Betziiiger, S. W. ; J. W. Kelly, J. W. ; W. J. Sofield, J. D. ; B. D. Sofield, S. D. ; H. J. Cutler, Treasurer ; Cyrus Bute, Secretary ; Jacob Long, Tyler. Present membership, 46. They hold their meetings in the Odd Fellows Hall. I. O. O. F., Kirkwood Lodge, No. 675, was started Nov. 17, 1880. J. P. March, James B. Butler, Thos. W. Beers and Jacob J. Yager were tiie charter mem- bers. This Lodge has a very good hall, wliich is well furnished, and the lodge is well equipped and in good working condition. G. A. R. Post, No. 8(. This Post was organized Aug. 4, 1880, with 34 charter members, and was the firstorganization ofthekindin Warren and Henderson Counties. The first officers were : C. A. Carmichael, C; R. R. Davison, S. V. C; G. V. Johnson, J. V. C; VV. G. Latimer, O. D. ; John Holliday, U. G. ; J. H. Gilmore, Q. M. , .S. C. Hogue, Chaplain ; S. C. Glover, Adj. Many of the members of the Post are from Henderson County. The majority of them af- terwards withdrew and formed a Post at Oquawka. Later on, many of the comrades who ijelonged to >« Monmouth Township, started a Post in Monmouth City. The Kirkwood Post is one of the best in this part of the country. They have a good hall, which is well furnished and equipped, and they are in the most flourishing condition. .Since their firstorgani- zation they have enlisted 194 comrades. The "old boys" of this part of the country do not forget the incidents and associations connected with the late war, nor the patriotism lliat inspired them to shoul- der their muskets, leave their home and kindred, and offer up their lives on the altar of their country. The present officers of the Post are; J. M. Dennis, C. ; J. S. Glover, S. V. C. ; A. Edwards, J. V. C. ; S. G. Baggett, O. D. ; J. C. Berry, O. G. ; J. H. Gilmore, Q. M.; W. M. Glover, Chaplain; R. R. Davison, Adj. The Post meets the first and third Mondays of each month, and since their organization have never failed to have a quorum for the transaction of business. PRESS. Kirkwood has been quite a little graveyard for newspaper enterprises. The Monmouth Atlas had a branch office here, and printed a special edition for Kirkwood, in 1867. It did not prove profitable, and the project was abandoned. In 1868, Judson Graves concluded to embark in the newspaper world, and deal witli plain facts as well as fancies, under the title of Kirkwood Plaindealer. It was a weekly paper, six- column folio. Republican in politics. It continued for about three years, laboring for the enlightenment of the denisens of Kirkwood, but failing to produce that degree of enlightenment necessary for its con- tinuation in Kirkwood, it m.xde its bow to the town, and struck out for a new field of labor, landing at Galesburg, where it appeared rehabilitated as the Galesburg Plaindealer . The Kirkwood Nezas was the next to seek the fa- vor of the people, whom it desired especially to bless. This daring adventurer was W. H. Leedham. His sheet went fortii to the public, June, 1875. It was a sixcolu:nn folio, issued every week, and inde- pendent in politics. Subsequently, it was enlarged to a seven-column paper. Whether the publishers were attracted to this place as a rich journalistic field, or to it as a cemetery where burial services would be performed with facility and cheapness, his- tory does not inform us; but no sooner was the A'eias launched upon the journalistic sea, than the Kirk- wood Etiterprise appeared, with sails all set, bearing ij right down upon her bow with an order for her to »^ fold her sheets or "pi ' her columns. A compromise was effected by the News selling out to the Enter- prise. The Enterprise was started by Everett & Broi. At first it was rather a small sheet, but was afterwards enlarged to a six-column folio. It was independent in politics, and liberal in religious mat- ters. It closed its career very iiappily in the fall of 1880, and the autumn very generously covered its grave with her leaves. In March, 1880, Barnes and Smaley established the Kirkwood Leader. It was an eight-column folio, issued every Wednesday, and was independent in politics. The firm published the Leader eight months, and then sold out to Bradshaw & Hook. With the new and bright year, 1885, Mr. Charles Bradshaw became sole proprietor and editor. He is a newspa- per man with considerable exi)erience, the tide is in his favor, the rocks, reefs and shoals in the journal- istic sea have been passed, and his venture is a suc- cess. The Leader is ably edited, has a good circu- lation, is a credit to the town and should be liberally supported. CHURCHES. Presbyterian Church. — In the early part of 1856, V •f4— .ir:=; — WARREN COUNTY. — HH^ 757 the members of this society held a meeting and dis- cussed the question of an organization. The result of this meeting was the appointment of a committee, upon solicitation by the Schuyler Presbytery, to assist in the formation of a society. The committee con- sisted of the Rev. J. H. Nevins, Dr. R. C. Matthews, Hiram Norcross and James Boggs, who went about their work with great zeal, and completed the organ- ization with 26 members, which they styled, " South Henderson Church." The first pastor installed was Rev. J. H. Nevins, who served the Church one year. The first Elders were Alex. M. Harvey, Nathan Carr and Jacob Ackerman. Rev. W. L. Lyons succeeded Mr. Nevins, and remained in the work over tiiree years. While Mr. Lyons was in charge, they erected their first house of worship. It was a small frame structure, and stood in the south part of the town. They then had supply preaching for some years. In 1865 Rev. J. W. Allen was secured; he was an able, energetic and zealous man, and through his efforts, ' supported by a liberal congre£;ation, the present building was completed. It is a fine, large, imposing structure, of Gothic architecture, well finished, and >= costing about $8,000. After two years' service, Mr. Allen resigned, and was followed by Rev. G. N. Johnson as a supply, and also by J. H. Marshall. In 1884 Rev. E. W. Thompson accepted a call, and is still with the Church. Present membership is about 100, with an interesting Sabbath-school, of about the same number. United Presbyterian Church. — -The first preaching in the community was supplied by the Rev. Marion Morrison, who preached in a school house adjacent to the town for about one year, before a congregation was organized. The first meeting looking toward an organization was at the home of Mr. J. S. Paris. March i, 1858, Boon's Hall was secured as a place for worship. The Presbytery provided them with preaching during the summer and autumn, and, on Nov. 4, 1858, a commission of Presbytery, consist- ing of the Rev. D. A. Wallace and Elders M. B. Campbell and J. W. Woods, met at the Centre School-house and organized the congregation with 15 members. At this meeting three Elders were elected — J. \V. Woods, Leander Lindly andMathew Wood. At the next meeting of the commissioners, Nov. 20, same year, for the ordination and installa- tion of the Elders-elect, J. H. Martin was also chosen Elder. The name of the congregation at this time of the organization was that of Young America. It was changed to Kirkwood early in 1875. They met for worship, for five years in rented halls. In 1861 they took steps toward building a place of worship. They had it finished for worship Nov. 7, 1863. It is a neat church, with a capacity of about 300, costing about $2,800. Rev. S. N. Moore served the con- gregation from June 13, 1863,10 February, 1864. He was not ordained nor installed, on account of being adjudged by the Presbytery, at the time of his trial for ordination, guilty of heresy, at which time his license was withdrawn. Rev. J. B. Foster began his labors June, 1864, and resigned his pastorate the last of August, 1867, to connect himself with the Presbyterian Church. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. J. McSurley, who began his labors in October, 1867. He resigned to connect himself with the Presbyterian Church, Dec. 31, 1868. Rev. J. M. Waddel was ne.xt called to take charge, in the spring of 1869, and he also resigned, in 1876, to connect with the Presbyterian Churcli. He was succeeded ■ by Rev. L. N. Laferty, July 8, 1877. Mr. Laferty resigned Dec. 30, 1883, to accept an appointment by the Home Mission Board, at Creston, Iowa. In b< March, 1884, Rev. Wm. McConnell was called, and was installed April 24, 1884, and is still with the Church. The present membership numbers 230. A large Sabbath-school is attached to this congrega- tion. Baptist Church. — The members of this Church met Oct. 12, 185s, for the purpose of organization. This society was organized and called the Lyndon Bap- tist Church. It was organized by Rev. James Ho- vey, with ten members; Mr. Hovey was the first pastor. It was then in the Salem Association, but was subsequently changed to the Peoria Association. Succeeding Mr. Hovey, in December, 1864, was Rev. B. F. Caldwell, who remained until the close of 1866. He was followed by Rev. E. J. Lockwood, who served until about the ist of June, 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. H. E.Norton. Mr. Norton remained until February, 187 1, when Rev. Henry Taylor was called, who served the Church until No- vember, 1872. In January, 1873, Rev. Mr. Seward assumed the pastoral chair, remaining until 1875, and was followed by the Rev. Mr. Fuller, who served until August, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. E. G. Cheverton, who remained until August, 1880. They were served by supplies then for awhile. In *t '-Kn. •4^ 7S8 ■ Y. WARREN COUNTY. July, 1882, the Rev. Mr. Deppernian was secured. He was the last pastor, serving until 1884. They have a very good church, wliich cost $1,500. Present membership about 42. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized here in 1856, at the Young America Hotel, by Rev. O. S. Swartz. In the first class formed, there were John and Elizabeth Ramsdcll, Mary E. Youmas, Daniel and Matilda Tinker, Oliver and Rachel Hall, William and Margaret Roberts. The first pastor who took charge of this Church was Rev. James Tubbs; following him were Revs. C. Springer, B. C. Couch, M. Spurlock, J. J. Flaherty, Samuel Fisher, Jesse Smith, C. H. Bruce. A house of worship was erected in 1865, costing, with grounds and parson- age, about $8,000. It was dedicated by Dr. Eddy. To Rev. Jas. Tubbs, the credit in a great measure, is due for the completion of this building. They have a good membership and a large and interesting Sabbath-school. We regret that we are unable to give a more full account of the history of this Church, but the pastor who promised, and on whom we relied for informa- tion regarding its organization, growth and present condition, failed in his promises, and hence our his- tory is not as complete as it otherwise might have been. A historian has to depend upon ivritten and traditional matter for his works, and when the former is meagre and the latter unobtainable, his histories must of necessity be incomplete. *X ■/>\\>rM^^ M ton and otiiers. 11 1''. City of Monmouth may be considered to have been founded when the commis- sioners, John Ct. Sanburn, Hazen Bedell, and John McNeil, appointed under an Act of the General As- sembly, established at this point a permanent seat of Justice, which was ap[jroved Jan. 27, 1830. Its settlement was started by pioneers moving in from different parts of this and Henderson Counties, the first coining in being Daniel Mc- Neil, Elijah Davidson, and Joel Hargrove. 'I'hey were soon fol- lowed by John Pence, Peter But- ler, John B. Talbott, Wm. S. Pax- Its location is within about four miles of the geographical center of the county and may be more particularly described as being situ- ated on the southeast quarter of section 29, in town- ship 1 1, north of range 2 west, of the 4th P. M. In making their report the Commissioners stated, that they believed the location selected b) them was "Congress land." To this location they gave the name of Monmouth. The site was chosen on the 7th day of April, 1831, and was accepted by the County Commissioners. It is a matter of history that the County Commissioners were not satisfied with the name of Monmouth nor the location of the County seat, and one of them threatened to nullify it. But the Calhoun doctrine had not then been in- troduced into the politics or government of Illinois, and the action of the Commissioners held good. The survey of the town was let to the lowest bidder, who was Peter Butler, at 22 >^ cents per lot, April 25, 1831. The work of " Peter Butler, Surveyor," was accepted by the County Commissioners, June 6, 1831. The seat of Justice had been temporarily located I* -€4r^ '■ . 'Y^ . ■ WARREN COUNT y. •=^rH- 759 at Oquawka, bat no session of Court had been held there. Monmouth was platted by Peter Butler in 1836, and certified by him Sept. 8ih following. A patent was given to this one quarter section, by the U. S. Government, to John Pence, Peter Butler, and John B. Talbott, Feb. 12, 1836, and was signed by that grand old patriot, President Andrew Jackson. Daniel McNeil, Jr., was appointed Commissioner by the County Court with power to sell and deed lots to purchasers. Upon petition being sent to the Postmaster-Gen- eral asking that a postoffice be established in the county, Daniel McNeil, Jr. was appointed Postmas- ter of Warren Court House as it was called. This name was given that the mail might be taken where- ever the seat of Justice was located. The appoint- ment was made in the spring of 1831, but the mails were delayed in coming and did not arrive until June, and at that time Monmouth had been located as the seat of Justice and the mail was opened here, which was the first in the county. Warren Buffun had been appointed Postmaster at Cedar Creek in the winter of 1831, but owing to delay above men- tioned, no mail was received here until June, when it came through to Monmouth postoffice. It is said of Daniel McNeil, (who held nearly all of the offices in the town and county) that he used to carry the postoffice in his hat, and if he met a citizen for whom he had a letter, he would doff his hat and hand him his mail. Postage in those days was 25 cents and unpaid. The good Daniel, how- ever, would not withhold the letter if a person did not have the postage; and it is said that he had set- tled, from his own pocket, some heavy bills with the postoffice department. 'I'he jMoneers would jest- ingly, and with truth say, that McNeil was always in his office. It has been previously said that he held about all the offices in tlie county, so many in fact that it made him poor and he was obliged to earn bread for his fimily. When out, his good dame would act as his deputy. Daniel McNeil lived where John Carr's house now stands, on Broadway, on the edge of the ravine. It was the first cabin put up in the town. The first tavern was located on Broadway below the Court House Square on tlie opposite side of the street in block 20. This famous hostelry, wliich still stands after the lapse of half a century, was a double log house with an attic, and was opened by James M. Garrison, in the fall of i83r. Sur- viving its need for hotel purposes and having been occupied for various uses of man, it finally came into possession of W. S. Paxon, a worthy pioneer, who now uses it as a blacksmith shop. The first couple married in Garrison's Inn were Caesar Love and Venus McComiick (colored) Feb. 25, 1836. In this hotel E. S. Swinney used to lodge. He had his bunk directly under the roof in tlie northwest corner. To look at this corner now one would be inclined to sympathize with Bro. Swinney, and think he had a close time of it The second couple married in the town were Josiah Whitman and Hannah Davidson, Oct. 12, 1832. The first marriage in the county was that of Samuel White and Huldah Jennings by John B. Tal- bott, J. P., May 10, i83r. W. S. Paxton broke the first ground in the town for Daniel McNeil, who planted the first crop. Mc- Neil had his first official building east of the Bank on Broadway. According to Joel Hargrove, Wm. S. Paxon opened the first store in the town, in the spring of 1831, where Scott & Bros', grocery house now stands. Iti was in a little wickup, or round shanty, built with poles, mud and straw. Robert Black was the pioneer in the school de-' partment in this town, opening a school in the sum- mer of 1 83 1. The second school was opened by Alpheus Russell. Thomas B. Ciillum was licensed to keep a store at Monmoutl,, July 4, 1831, and he celebrated Inde- pendence day by opening his little stock of goods for sale to the settlers. He was followed in October by Joel Hargrove, and in December by Elijah David- son. June 6, 1 83 1, the sale of lots by order of the Commissioners took place. The order read: "The highest and best bidder to be tlie purchaser, provid- ing the large or ' ouilots ' be not sold unless the bid offered should amount to at least $2 per acre ; the bid on the ' inlots ' be not sold for less than $4 per lo*, and those adjoining the Public Square not to be sold unless the bid offered be at least not less than $10 per lot. There was realized from the sale of lots this day $965.62." The town was retarded in its growth by the In- dian troubles. Soon after the sale of the lots a re- •JKl r ■4. i* 760 ir WARREN COUNTY. port came of the rising of Black Hawk's band. This alarmed the settlement very much and some fami- lies left the town. After consultation it was decided that forts be built and that the settlers come together for mutual protection. Accordingly one fort was built about a mile from town, and another at Peter Butler's place a few miles from the settlement. After the Indian troubles were over other business houses were opened and this settlement advanced rapidly. With the increase of population came a desire to have a corporate government of some kind, and Daniel McNeil, Jr., took the lead in this movement. Finally notices were posted about tlie town inform- ing the legal voters that a meeting would be held Nov. 29, 1836, at the school-house, to determine this question. The proceedings were under the gen- eral law of this State, approved Feb. 12, 1831, which was entitled an " Act to incorporate the inhabitants of such towns as may wish to be incorporated." At the election Elijah Davidson was chosen President of the meeting and Henry Jennings to act as Clerk. The objects of the meeting having been fully set forth by the Chairman, Mr. Davidson, voting was announced to be in order. There were 23 votes cast in all for incorporation, there being none in op- position. When the result of this election was made known, an election for Town Trustees was ordered for Dec. 5th following. At the December election Elijah Davidson, Daniel McNeil, Jr., James McCal- lon, Alexander Ritchey and George H. Wright were elected Trustees. A meeting of the Trustees was duly held at which Daniel McNeil was chosen Pres- ident of the Board, and Henry Jennings. Clerk and Treasurer. The first meeting of the Board after organization was at the house of James McCallon, Dec. 26, when they passed their first ordinance, which was as fol- lows: " Be it ordered by the President and Trustees of the town of Monmouth in council convened that the corporation be one-half mile east, one-half mile west, one-half mile south, and one-half mile north from the center of the Public Square, contain- ing one mile square.' The village continued to grow and prosper, fine blocks went up and large business houses and man- ufactories were established and the future develop- ment of Monmouth seemed to be assured. With an increased population came a desire among the citizens for a city government. Accordingly a bill was presented to the Legislature for this purpose. It was passed and received the approval of the Governor, June 21, 1852, the first section of which read as follows : " Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General As- sembly, that the inhabitants of the town of Mon- mouth, in the county of Warren, and State of Illi- nois, be and are hereby constituted a body jwlitic and corporate by the name and style of the City of Monmouth, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and may have and use a common seal which they may change and alter at pleasure." The second provision of this bill fixed the boundaries of the corporation which was to extend one mile each way from the Public Square ; and the tliird section provided for the division of the city into two wards. The election under this act was held Oct. 23d, 1852, at which Samuel Wood was elected Mayor, N. A. Rankin, Secretary; E. S. Swinney, James Thomp- son and William Rodgers, Aldermen. The officers- elect met Nov. 3, and organized the Council by ap- pointing E. F. Corwin, Clerk; (i. W. Savage, at- torney ; James Thompson, Treasurer, and James Finney, Marshal. The following is a list of the gentlemen who have served the city in the capacity of Mayor : i^ M.WORS. Samuel Wood 1852 Cicorge \V . P.ilmcr 1853 E. S. Swinney 1854 Robert tirant 1855 W. H. Voi.ng 1856 1 vory Quinby 1857 Jacob H Holt 1858 N A. Rankin 1859-60 H.G. Harding 1861-63 .^amucl Wood 1863 \\'m- S - Cowan 1864-65 (ieorge Habcock 1866 John M. 'rnrnbull 1667 Samuel Wood 1868 J. A. Templeton 1869 S. Uouglas 1870 W. B.'fiovd 1871 \V. M. Huflington 1872 I). Babcock 1873 Jacob H. Holt "374-75 J.L. Uryden 1876 Jacob H.Holt 1877 J. M. McCutcheon 1878-79 William Hanna 1880-81 I. P. Pillsbury 1882 Henry Burtingim 1883-85 Wm. B. Vouug 1885-86 Ivory Quinby opened the first bank in this town, which was a private institution. In 1862 the First National Bank was established, which was the 38th established in the United States. In 1872 C. Jones & Co. opened their [)rivate bank, which was subse- quently merged into the Monmouth National Bank. Later on the Second National Bank was established. With one exception these banks have all been suc- cessful, and have had a good standing in the financial world. This exception is too 7f/f// known by the peo- ple of Monmouth to need any comments or explana- tions in this work. Suffice it to say that aged men r - .. ^Yziz . WARREN COUNTY. 761 4 and women, once in affluent circumstances, lost ev- erything thrOiigh the action of a man, who to-day is within the lour walls of the penitentiary. In the suburbs of Monmouth are located Doctor Vanhoorebeke's stables, which were established over 20 years ago. Dr. Vanhoorebeke was one of the first to introduce imported slock into this State, and in the line of his business has crossed the ocean 98 times. He breeds entirely from pure French horses, and mostly from imported stock. For fine draft horses Dr. Vanhoorebeke's stables are unex- celled by any in the State. He has a ready sale for all his stock, and at high figures. In the line of in- troducing good draft horses into the county and State, the Doctor has been a benefactor. .\ visit at his sta- bles is a treat which any lover of good horses will enjoy. The city is well and ably represented in the med- ical line by Drs. J. W. Brewer, H. L. Harrington, S. M. Hamilton, J. R. Webster, H. Marshall, J. H. Wallace, W. S. HoUiday, S. K. Crawford, W. E.Tay- lor and E. C. Linn. With this able array of med- icai men and those reliable druggists, Spriggs & Bros., and W. M. Schultz & Co., Monmouth is pretty well fortified against sickness or epidemics. The city of Monmouth has a very good Opera House, whicli is one of the features of the town. It was erected by Mr. Schultz in 1875, at a cost of about $50,000, including the store-houses below. It is a favorite place of amusement for the people of this city. There are many fine business blocks in the city, as well as a number of beautiful residences. Some of the church buildings are very creditable, and even an ornament to the place. The public buildings, however, with the exception of the jail, are about as inferior as any in the State. Monmouth is beautifully situated and well laid out, with a square or plaza in the center. The streets run in regular parallel lines and are adorned with handsome shade trees. The town is doited over with elegant residences and comfortable homes. The people, as a class, are intelligent and industrious. If marked by any particular phase of character, it is that of being rather set in their notions ; and it may be, too, that some of the inhabitants are a little prescriptive and Pharisaical. The population of Monmouth is estimated to be at the present time about 5,500. Upon the completion of the C. B. & Q. Railroad through Monmouth, iu 1855, quite an impetus was given to the growth of the town, and from that time on its growth has been steady With the completion of the railroad some very important manufactories were established in Monmouth. INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS. Weir Plow Company. — At an early date the in- ventive brain of W. S. Weir began to conceive of a better way for cultivating corn than with a hoe. He soon brought his ideas into practical operation. In 1859 he completed a plow which, upon a test being had, proved successful. After some further altera- tions and improvements he had his cultivator pat- ented in 1862. Later on a factory was established, and the first year 400 cultivators were made. The year following he turned out some 500 cultivators. In 1869 a company incorporated as the Weir Plow Company, with a capital stock of $25,000. The members of this company were W. S. Weir, William Hanna, W. B. Boyd and Joseph Stephenson. The site was secured for the factory near the C. B. & Q. Railroad, and suitable buildings were erected. < Since then several changes have been made in the 1 company, and many improvements made in the plow and cultivator. Extensive buildings have been put up for manufacturing purposes, which have been ' filled with the most complete and best machinery. They occupy now, with buildings and grounds, about four acres, and manufacture a full line of agricul- tural implements, such as cultivators, plows, double shovels and harrows. The capital stock has been increased to $500,000, and the present stock-holders are W. S. Weir, William Hanna, Delos Phelps and J. Ross Hanna. Active work generally begins about the first of Oc- tober, and closes in June. They employ from three to four hundred hands, and their trade extends into all the Western and Southwestern States, Ohio, Indi- ana and also into Mexico. Most of their timber is from Kentucky and Missouri. This Weir Plow Company has been a great auxiliary to the growth of Monmouth. The superior qualities of their ag- ricultural implements are known and appreciated throughout the country. The Pattee Plo7v Company was another establish- ment which has aided materially to the growth of Monmouth. It was established in 1875, under the :a: I ^ ■ CX n ^__ T » 762 WARREN COUNTY. firm name of Pattee Bros. & Co. The members of this firm were James H. Pattee, Henry H. Pattee and I. P. Pillsbury. They started with the manu- facture of the "New Departure" Tongueless Culti- vator, of which Mr. Pattee was the inventor. In 1 88 1, they incorporated, with a capital stock of $10,000. James H. Pattee is President, I. P. Pills- bury, Vice-President, and H. H. Pattee, Secretary and Treasurer. During the manufacturing season, this establishment employs about 100 men, and man- ufacture principally the Tongueless Cultivator, the Combined Walking and Riding Cultivator, and the Cotton Planter. Their Tongueless Cultivator was patented in 1872, by J. H. Pattee. At this time, a tongueless cultivator was unknown, and like all men who present new ideas or new inventions, Mr. Pattee was the subject for much ridicule. But with Mr. Pattee, like all other brainy men, who have an idea or an invention to present for the benefit of the world, the shafts of ridicule fell harmless upon him. ' If it had been a failure, people would have said, " I told you so." Having been a success, it would be more difficult now to find a man who did not say, •7 "he knew it would be a success," than it was for Diogenes of old to find with his lamp an honest man. Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Company. — Following on in the development of the city, we come to this company, which was established in 1872, by Messrs. A. M. Black and J. M. VViiite. Subse- quently it became the property of tliose worihy citi- zens, Spriggs & Bros., who carried on the work for several J ears. In 1872, it was incorporated, with a capital stock of $350,000. W. H. Koonce was elected President; B. T. Hubbard, Secretary ; J. S. Spriggs, Treasurer. In 1874, the capital stock was increased toSioo,ooo, and G. B. Henderson luckily succeeded B. T. Hubbard as Secretary. In 1875, J. H. Spriggs was elected President, and, in 1866, Mr. D. D. Parry succeeded Mr. Spriggs. In 1877, William Hanna became President, with J. H. Spriggs, Vice-President, and J. S. Spriggs, Treasurer. In 1884, Mr. Hanna bought out Spiiggs & Bros, stock, and with his son, J. Ross Hanna, now controls tiie establislmient. When the enterprise was first started, it was expect- ed coal mining would be carried on extensively with the pipe and tiling business. It was found, however, that the coal veins were limited, and tliat part of the business has been abandoned. Mr. Hanna has greatly enlarged the capacity for manufacturing tile, and has now in tiiis establishment some of tine largest kilns in the country. They have 22 acres ap- propriated for the use of the works, the buildings covering about two acres. The clay beds are from 70 to roo feet down, and furnish an excellent quality of clay. About 1,000 car loads of tile are manu- factured yearly, and 500 bushels of coal are used daily. From 65 to 75 hands are constantly employed at this establishment. Rcimer Lahann. While speaking of the industrial elements which have so materially advanced the prosperity of Monmouth, the cigar factory of Reimer Lahann should be mentioned. Mr. Lahann started his factory in i860, with no capital other than a strong heart, energetic mind, and a sympathetic wife, who was truly a help-mate. His business has stead- ily increased, until last year he manufactured 1,500,000 cigars. By the close of this year he ex- pects to make 1,8000,000. He employs from 30 to 40 hands. SCHOOLS. Tlie first public school opened in Monmouth, in-^ 1834. The County Commissioners acting under a petition signed by several citizens, established the boundary of the first school district, which they , called No. i, which included the town of Monmouth. A building was erected on the site now occupied by the Methodist Church. This school was opened in June, and was held three months, at an expense of less than $50. At this period there were 50 chil- dren in the settlement between the age of 5 and 12 years, and of this number 25 attended the schools. It was not long before this building was insufficient to meet the demand of the increasing number of pupils, and a new building was erected. This new building soon was inadequate to meet the wants of the population, and other buildings were put up, and private schools were also opened. Ward schools were finally established, the educational advantages were extended, and systems of instruction were im- proved from time to time up to the present period. The public schools of Monmouth are now divided up into four districts, or wards, having one school for eacli ward in the city. They are all graded and pro- vided with good teachers. Miss K. B. Leighty is Principal of the East Ward School, with the Misses J. H. Boyd, Winnie McCly- *T' V 4 ■ Y. WARREN COUNTY. 763 4 monds, Ella Erskine and Kate Manchester as As- sistants, with an enrollment of 280 pupils. West Ward School, presided over by Miss L. B. Daer as Principal, who is assisted by the Misses J. S. Wiley, F. E. Sterret, Ida Matthews and M. Kin- kead. Enrollment, 207. North Ward. In this school Miss M. A. Sterrett is Principal, and the Misses Minnie S. Nelson, Jennie McBrown, Anna Peacock, and Mrs. M. D. Sterrett are Assistants. Enrollment, 243. South Ward. Miss W. Scott is Principal of this school With her are the Misses Jessie K. B^cock, A. Fleming.Sadie Parkinson, Delia Caldwell and Mag- gie McDill, with an enrollment of 268. The school buildings are inferior, old, with large cracks in the walls, and are not, some of them at least, very safe. Take them altogether for a city with the wealth of Monmouth, they are not at all creditable. Some day, if they are not lorn down, they will be tumbling down, burying beneath their ruins innocent children. MONMOUTH COLLEGE. V* This College was founded by the Reform Associate Presbytery of Illinois, and was first started as an Acad- emy. It was established as a Church institution, and "^ has contmued so. In 1856, it was converted into a College, when Trustees were appointed. In 1847, it was incorporated under the name and style of ''The Monmouth College." This act was amended in 1859, vesting the control of the College with the United Presbyterian Synod. It was further amended in 1869, establishing a more liberal government, and providing for the admission of other bodies to its constituency. After several changes, additions and improvements, they have now a fine school building, three stories high, and constructed of brick, costing altogether about $35,000. The building is well furnished and the rooms are commodious. All the facilities for a thorough collegiate education have been provided, which includes a good faculty. After several exper- iments, a liberal endowment fund has been secured, upon a practical basis. This College is well patron- ized by the people of the county, and on its roll there are many students from other parts of the State. PRESS. The Monmouth Atlas .'—TMvi is the oldest paper Jlj in the county. It was established by C. K. Smith, and its first sheet was issued to the reading public Oct. 30, 1846. Mr. Byron was the editor. At that time it was a six-column folio paper and was issued every Saturday. It is a rare treat to peruse its old pages, every column of which is full of interesting matter. It was issued about the time of the begin- ning of the Mexican War, and its early issues are replete with the descriptions of the battles of Cero Gordo, Monterey, etc. Jan. r, 1844, the publishing day was changed to Friday. In October, 1857, Mr. John S. Clark purchased the Atlas, and has edited it from that time to the present. In i860 it was in- creased to an eight-column paper. In September, 1884, a daily was started, and this venture has been eminently successful. The Atlas has a circulation of about 1,600, and a good job office is connected with the paper. It is Republican in politics, and is a well edited, briglit and newsy journal, and a credit to the county. It is an unusual thing to find a man who has been in the editorial chair as long as Mr. Clark. Moiitnouth Review. — The first issue of this paper was made Dec. 28, 1855, by A H. Swain, its founder and editor. It came out pretty fully fledged at first, having seven columns and issued every Friday. It was started about the time of the dissolution of the Whig party and the formation of the Republican party, which has since been so potent a factor in American politics, and was devoted to the principles of the Democratic party and the interests of Warren County. In 1856 it was an ardent advocate of the claims of James Buchanan for the Presidency. It was loyal to the Union and to the country during the war. In 1866 it was enlarged to an eight-col- umn paper, its present size. It has a circulation now of about 1,200, which is constantly increasing. The plant contains a steam-power press and a fine job office. The Review has never changed its ed- itor nor proprietor, nor its politics ; and it never has failed to make its appearance on publication day, which now covers a period of 30 years. There are but few papers in the country that have been under so long and continuous a management. It is neatly gotten up, ably edited, and zealously devoted to the interests of its patrons. Mr. Swain says he started his paper on a quarter of a dollar and has got that quarter yet. Amid the many changes of this life, it is pleasant once in a while to meet a man who has ■< \ -4 ±* 764 WARREN COUNTY. held on to a business so long and so successfully, and who is still hale and hearty and at his daily post of duty. The Monmouth Weekly Gazette, was established in 1876, by G. G. McCosh, an experienced newspaper man. It was started as a seven-column folio, issued every Wednesday. In 1883 it was enlarged to a nine-column folio, its present size. Mr. McCosh having been prosperous in his weekly venture, and believing there was an opening for a daily, concluded to start one. With this man, to think was to act, and in February, 1883, he sent forth his daily sheet, which he called The Evening Gazette. The editor has had no occasion to regret his action, for the daily Gazette has been a prosperous enterprise. The cir- culation of this paper is from 1,000 to 1,200 per week and is increasing. The Gazette is independent in politics, is lively in its editorial department and is full of interesting reading matter. A good job office is connected with the paper, where first-class work ' can always be secured. The (iresses are moved by steam. The genial editor is always ready to make new friends and welcome the old ones. Being com- paratively young in the editorial chair, he even now displays rare ability as an editor, and we expect to see the day when he will be among the distin- guished journalists of the State. -MILITARY. Co. H, Sixth Jiegt. I. N. G., 0/ Monmouth.— This company was oiganized April 29, 188 1, with 43 members. Its present officers are: Captain, Geo. C. Rankin ; First Lieutenant, Rufus H. Scott ; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Wm. F. Reichard ; First Sergeant, Samuel H. Hogue. The Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Sergeants are respectively J. R. Hickman, E. D. Brady, Wm. W. Shields, S. W. Porter. Corpor- als, John N. Thomson, E. I. Camm, S. L. Hough- ton, V. H. Webb. The first Captain was Wm. G. Bond. Size of armory, 60 x 66 feet. Adjoining this hall is an elegantly furnished parlor, and a room with lockers for uniforms. The company has fatigue and dress uniforms and is completely equipped with Springfield rifles. They are fine, soldierly looking men, well up in their drill and are creditable to the city of Monmouth. BANDS. . The Monmouth Marine Band was first organized in 1869, with a small membership. These members, however, were zealous and attached to the profes- sion, and determined to have a first-class band. They practiced regularly and systematically and finally became distinguished for the excellence of their playing. In 1878 they took the premium at the Fire Tournament in Chicago, and have since that time won honors in different parts of the State. They have a membership at the present time of 16, all of whom are good musicians. Prof. F. W. White, second E flat and Director; J. F. Saville, first E flat and leader; and J. A. Montgomery, bass drum and manager. There are not many bands in the country that can excel the Marine Band for the taste, skill and harmony of their music. Many a pleasant moment was spent during the past summer by the writer in listening to the sweet, melodious strains of music sent out on the warm evening air by this band, for which he takes this opportunity to express his grateful thanks. The Cadet Band was organized about a year ago, with Frank Young as leader. It is composed of' young men who are ambitious to distinguish them- selves in the musical world. They are in constant ^ practice and are improving every day. - There is also a colored band in town which has ' been recently started. They are practicing with a good deal of zeal and it is expected that at no dis- ■ tant day they will bcLume quite proficient and dis- tinguish themselves as musicians. They certainly deserve a great deal of credit for their perseverance. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department of Monmouth consists of two engine companies, one a chemical, and two hook and ladder companies. H. A. Webster is Chief and is an experienced fireman. Monmouth Engine Company, No. i, has N. S. Woodward for Foreman, with 22 Imembers. This Company has one of Silsby's best nickel-plated en- gines, fourth size. It is a beautiful machine, costing $4,000. With it there are three hose-carts, and 2,400 feet of hose. This engine has the power of throwing 500 gallons of water per minute. Cisterns and wells are provided at difi"erent parts of the city for water supplies. Mayor Holt Engine Company, No. 2, has a chem- ical engine with two 80-gallon tanks. They use a solution of soda and sulphuric acid. It is stationed at the freight depot. W. T. Hayes is Foreman, *4^ -^ ^^^ ± T ^ WARREN COUNTY. 765 ^ *i with ten members. A team is connected with this engine which is at all times ready for use. Hook and Ladder Companies. — Rough and Ready, No. I, has a membership of 20, of which Oscar Henry is Foreman. The Alert, No. 2, has a mem- bership of 25, with John P. Gray, Foreman. The Rough and Ready Hook and Ladder Com- pany, as well as the Alert, have won a National rep- utation for their activity in the drill and for their athletic performances; and have in their hall many trophies of their victories. The Rough and Ready Company won the first belt at the first annual tour- nament of the Illinois State Firemens' Association, held at Decatur, Oct. 12, 1876. The feat was to run 300 rods, raise a 20-foot ladder and place a man on the top. This feat they accomplished in 70 sec- onds, being the best time made. The belt, which is made of solid silver and very neatly and artistically designed, was to be given to the company that should be victorious in three annual contests. The second contest was at Galesburg, Aug. 30, 1877. They performed the great feat at this time in 55 seconds, making the best time. At the third contest of the annual Tournament of the Illinois State Fire- men's Association, held at Chicago, Sept. 5, 1878, two trials were allowed, their average time being 49 seconds, which was the quickest time made. This gave them the victory over all contestants and they were presented with the belt. This company has another belt, also made of solid silver, or this com- pany and the Alert, No. 2, who went out as the Nip and Tuck Company, which they won at the Illinois State Firemen's Tournament, held at Quincy, in 188 1. At this contest they made the time in 46^ seconds, and took the belt from the KnoxviUe Hook and Ladder Company, who h;d won it at the tour- nament held at Monmouth, Sept. 3, 1880, when the time was made in 52^^ seconds This belt had been previously won by the Abingdon Hook and Ladder Company, at the Illinois State Firemen's Tourna- nament, held at Peoria, Sept. 4, 1879; time 49}^ seconds. The Rough and Ready Conip.nny have also a beautiful firemen's lantern, which they won at the National Firemen's Tournament, held in Chicago, Sept. 5, 1878, time 49 seconds. 'J'his lantern was the gift of the National Firemens Journal. At the Annual Illinois Firemen's Tournament, held at Quincy, tlie National Firemens Jourtial offered a lantern as a prize, which was won by the Nip and Tuck ; time 46^ seconds ; this was a sweepstake prize. At this tournament there was also offered by Brunswick & Balke a prize, consisting of a fine bil- liard table, to be given to the best company in a hub and hub contest, distance 300 yards. This prize was won by the Nip and Tuck Company. The fire department have a neat hall, where they hold their meetings. This hall is decorated with the photographs of the firemen in uniform, the engine, hook and ladder wagon, etc. In this hall they also have a well selected library, for the use of them- selves and their families. SOCIETIES. Monmouth Masonic Lodge, No. J7, was instituted Oct. 6, 1846; George C. Lamphere was W. M. ; Samuel Webster, Sr. W. M.; John C. Young, Jr. W. M. This lodge now numbers 74 members ; present officers, W. S. Holliday, W. M. ; J. W. Gael, Sr. W. ' M.; A. G. McDowell, Jr. W. M., and D. D. Dun- kle. Secretary. They have a large, fine hall, which they own. It is neatly frescoed with emblematic ' illustrations of the order. The lodge is well equipped and in a flourishing condition. It is the first society organized in the county. Warren Chapter, No. jo, R. A. M., was organ- ized Oct. 2, 1856. At the first organization David B. Rice was H. P.; Wm. A. Seaton, K. ; Samuel Stanley, Scribe. Th's lodge numbers at present 80 members, and meets in the Masonic Hall.; present officers, D. D. Dunkle, H. P. ; Levi Roadhouse, K. ; Levi Page, Scribe, and A. C. McDowell, Secretary. The Masons met with some misfortune last spring, having had the roof of their hall taken off by the cy- clone that visited this place. Another roof, however, was put on and their hall is again in good condition. Trinity Lodge, No. jdi, A. F. cr A. M., was or- ganized June 27, 1867, with 16 charter members; first officers, Joseph Hill, W. M.; J. N. Reece, S. W.; E. C. Johnston, J. W.; S. Gamble, Treasurer; G. R. Barbour, Secretary; A. H. Swain. S. D. ; L. Stansbury, J. D. ; C. Coates, Tyler. Present officers, O. B. Wilcox, W. M. ; L. F. Schusler, S. W. ; John H. Hogue, J. W.; E. C. Johnston, Treasurer; Pey- ton Roberts, Secretary ; R. Dony, S. D. ; J. H. Beeny, J. D. ; H. T. Harkless, Tyler. This lodge LAr: 766 WARREN COUNTY. has a fine farm, which is well equipped and in a good working condilioii. EncampmenI, No. 8j, was chartered Oct. 13, 1868, with seven members — C. W. Palmer, J. T. Wallace, G. A. Samson, R. S. Frew, Wni. M. Smiley, T. O. Hamsher and Jeremiah M. McGrew. This lodge is well attended and is also in a flourishing condition. Warren County Lodge, No. 160, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 10, 1855, with C. W. Palmer, W. B. Jenks, Elisha Nye, George McGowan as the charter members. In 187 i the fire destroyed their building; the records were at this time also burned. In 1875 some 20 of the members i>f this lodge seceded and formed a new organization. In 1881 they completed and moved into their new hall. It is large, airy and elegantly equipped and beautifully decorated. Their furniture and regalia cost about $1,500. Financially they are in good condition, having something over $3,000 out at interest ; number of active members at present is over 117. L C. Nott is the Noble Grand. /. O. O. F., No. 5JJ, Monmouth Lodge, was or- ganized May 18, 1875, with 23 charier members. The first officers were L. S. Holden, N. G. ; John V>. Weir, V. G.; Isaac Mark, R. S. ; Peyton Roberts, P. S. ; Riemer Lahann, Treasurer. The membership at present is 127, with the following officers: Henry Mclntyre, N. G. ; Riemer Lahann, V. G. ; E. W. Stevens, R. S.; L. S. Holden, P. S. ; W. VV. Brooks, Treasurer. This lodge has a fine, large hall, neatly furnished and elegantly equipped with all the para- phernalia of the order. It is out of debt, has money at interest, and is in a prosperous condition. Meetings are held by the Lodge every Wednesday. Monmouth Lodge, I. U. O. F , Rebecca Degree, No. 128. — This order was instituted November, 1853, with 54 members, and have increased their numbers since their organization to 60. Present officers, Mrs. A. E. Mcintosh, N. G.; Mrs. Nettie Emert, V. G. ; Mrs. Maltie Baker, R. S,; Mrs. E. W. Stevens, F. S. ; Mrs. .Mmira Cottrell, Treasurer. They meet the second and fourth Fridays in each month. Rebecca Degree Lodge, Ao. 122, /. O. O. F., was instituted Oct. 11, 1870. They have quite an inter- esting lodge and meet regularly, in the Warren Lodge Hall. Mrs. N. Y. Frew is at present N. G. McClanahan Post, G. A. R. No. 330 was char- tered Aug. 27, 1883. First officers: J. P. Higgins, C; 1). D. Dunkle, Sr., V. C. ; J. G. Burchfield, Jr., V. C. ; J. H. Hurdman, Adj't. There were 34 char- tered members in the organization. The Post num- bers at present 65, witli the following named of- ficers : D. D. Dunkle, C. ; W. T. Ramsey, S. V. C. : S. A. Hogue, J. V. C. ; J. H. Hurdman, Adjt. They have a good large hall, 22x60 feet, which is nicely furnished. The Post is in a flourishing condition and hold their meetings twice a month. They have an altar tastefully gotten up, which stands in the center of the hall, erected to the memory of their fallen comrades. Monmouth Relief Corps, No. 6. This is an aux- iliary to the G. A. R. McClanahan Post. It was chartered June 18, 1884, with 25 members. Mrs. E. J. Hurdman, President. They meet in the G. A. R hall. Considerable interest is manifested in this lodge by the ladies of Monmouth, and it is increas- ing in its membership. A. O. U. W. Lodge, jg2, was organized in Aug- ust, 1881, with 37 charter members. This society has been prosperous and has increased its member- ship to 68. They have a hall which they have fitted up for their meetings, and it is neatly furnished. Present officers: George M. Peters, P. M. W. ; C. B. Bristol, M. W. ; F. Ahlstrand, Foreman ; James Wilson, Overseer; J. F. Coleville, Recorder; C. E. Blackburn, Financier; A. H. McGrew, Receiver; M. Raims, Guide. This society has lost only two members since its organization. Modern Woodmen of America, Maple City Camp, No. 94. This camp was organized April 22, 1885, with 19 charter members. Officers: C. E. Black- burn, Counsel ; A. W. Morton, Advisor; H. M. Put- man, Clerk; David Turnbull, Banker. They have now 20 members and meet regularly in the A. O. (J. W. hall on the 2d and 4th Tuesdays of each month. Maple City Camp is new, but it is active, is steadily increasing in numbers, and is in a prosperous condi- tion. Order of Chosen Friends, Monmouth Council, No. 15, was instituted Aug. 7, 1883, with 25 mem- bers. Edward Parkinson was Chief Counsellor; E. J. Clark, Secretary ; and H. M. Wright, Treasurer. This society meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall, holding tlieir sessions twice a month. Present membership is about 50. Present officers as follows; J. W. Smith, C. C. ; Wm. B. Vorwick, V. C. ; J. Chaffee, Secretary; E. C. Linn, Treasurer; J. H. Moore, P. ^ *4^ ^ t WARREN COUNTY. 767 \ C. C. ; J. T. Piper, Prelate; H. H. Reed, Warden; G. H. Coaltrap, Guard. This is an insurance order and a beneficiary one, with pohcies ranging from $1,- 000 to $3,000. Some of tiie cardinal features of this society are that it furnishes its benefits at cost. Its plans are equitable and just, and its fraternal obli- gations binding and forcible. It makes no distinction in regard to sex, and the season of old age is soft- ened and made bright by reaping substantial benefits at 75 years. When a member becomes permanently disabled, he receives one-half of his benefits. The sick are looked after and a home is found for the orphaned. It has for its foundation mutual aid ; for its superstructure reciprocity. This Order is grow- ing and it is in a prosperous condition. They pro- pose in the near future to have a hall of their own for their meetings. Lfiderkranz of Motunouth was instituted March 17, 187 I, and was incorporated Feb. i, 1875. The ob- ject of this society is to further the sociability and unity of the Germans. At the time of the incorpor- ation a beneficiary order was attached to it. The financial matters of each are kept apart and mem- bers of the Leiderkranz if physically disabled can- not be members of the Beneficiary Order. They as- sume the same charitable duties as most of the other societies, such as taking care of the sick and helping those that are in great need. Should a mem- ber be sick, or rather an invalid, 40 weeks, then his beneficiary claim ends; his case is considered one of chronic illness, and he has no longer any claim upon the society. When a member dies, $30 is given to the family of the deceased for funeral expenses, and one dollar is assessed on each member for their ben- efit. They have a large hall fitted up for their use and have about 50 members. Their financialstanding is good and they are as a society, prosperous. Pres- ent .officers : John B. Andrews, President; David Woelber, V. P.; German Leins, Secretary; P. D. Good, Financial Secretary; Reimer Lahann, Treas- urer. Supreme Council, Order 0/ the Golden Rule. This order had its inception in Monmouth and was incor- porated under the general corporation act, approved April 18, 1872, with the following officers: O. S. Barnum, S. P. ; John Troutman, S. S. ; W. B. Young, S. T. ; J. H. Wallace, S. M. D. ; T. S. Stamps, S. D. As this is a new order it may not be inopportune to mention its objects. Like most societies, it is se- cret in its government, with signs of recognition and insignia of office. It aims to unite all persons of a moral character into a social, benevolent and frater- nal society, with the principles of the Golden Rule as its foundation, and to aid its members in the struggles of life in any way that may be suggestive by common feelings of humanity. The Order also proposes to establish a fund by voluntary contribu- tion for the benefit of widows and orphans of de- ceased members. Another feature of this Order is the extending to women the privilege of meeting the men of the country in the halls of secret organiza- tions. It is beneficiary in its operations, afford- ing an opportunity to its members in case of death of leaving a very liberal provision to their families or heirs; also of receiving a certain annuity while liv- ing. Since this order was established there has been several organized in different parts of the State. Order of the Golden Rule, Council No. i. This council was instituted March 20, 1884, with 92 char- ter members. First officers were W. C. Norcross, C. H. ; V. H. Webb, C. C. ; D. C. Barnes, C. Capt. ; A. G. McDowell, C. G. ; James Westerfield, F. G. ; Frank Downer, S. G. ; David J Parret, Sentry; D. E. Ward, Secretary; Wm. Glendening, Treasurer. This society meets at present in the Odd Fellows'' Hall and has a membership of upwards of 100. It was the first local Lodge of this order organized. Citizens' League of Warren County. This League was organized in the spring of 1885, and was char- tered July 2d following. There are six directors who are named in the charter for the first year, to-wit : J. Ross Hanna, Robert A. Wilson, W. H. McQuis- ton, C. C. Secrist, Isaac Kirkpatrick and O. S. Bar- num. The objects of this League are to enforce the laws and ordinances enacted for the suppression of the liquor traffic. Headquarters of this society is at Monmouth. Its charter extends for 20 years. IVo/na/t's Christian Temperance Union. The first Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Monmouth was organized in June, 1872, under the name of the Monmouth Ladies' Temperance Society. Its objects were the education of the old and young in the im- portant truth that it is dangerous and morally wrong to use intoxicating liquors as a beverage; also the recovery of the fallen and the cultivation of sound temperance sentiment. Signing the pledge and *% 'JKl =v- 4 768 WARREN COUNTY. paying 50 cents fee constitutes a membership. It was the first woman's temperance organization in the county, and was working efficiently 18 months be- fore the Woman's Tempt:rance Crusade was organ- ized in HiUsboro, wliich was Dec. 23, 1873. When tlie Illinois Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1878, it at once became auxiliary and has continued to be one of the most useful tem- perance organizations in the State. In April, 1879, another Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized in Monmouth, and by way of distinction this Union iias been known as tlie First Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The Union elects aniuially a President and Vice-President from each Church in the city, a Corresponding and Recording Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent. The fol- lowing branches of work are recommended by the National and .Stale Woman's Christian Temperance Union : Band of Hope work, Sunday-School work, scientific temperance work, evangelistic and press work, young woman's work, work among foreigners, colored people, prisons and jails, and temperance lit- erature. Present membership, 144. This organiza- tion has been useful in creating the strong temper- ance sentiment which exists in Monmouth. The Crusade Society. This is another temperance organization, which was started May 10, 1879, witli Mrs. A. J. Herbert as President; Mrs. L. M. Reed, Vice-President; and Mrs. H. J. Boyd, Secretary. Mrs. D. Babcock is the present President, and the Society has some 60 members. They liold their meetings regularly, and are very energetic in their endeavors to suppress the liquor traffic in the city of Monmouth. CHURCHES. The First Presbyterian Church. Tlie Schuyler Presbytery, at their spring meeting in 1836, ap- pointed Rev. Silas Riggsto organize the Presbyterian Church in Warren County. At the September meeting of the Presbytery, held at Monmouth some years later, the committee reported the organization of a society to be named the First Presbyterian Church of Warren County. This was the first Presbyterian organization effected in the county. In October, 1839, it took the name of Fall Creek Church. At this meeting of the Presbytery, when the report of the organization of the Church was made and accepted. Revs. Sill and Riggs were appointed to supply the Church as often as they could. The Fall Creek Church, with the consent of its members, was dissolved Aug. 26, 1873. Its mem- bership had run down to less than half a score, owing to tlie fact tliat other organizations had been formed, which supplied the wants of those living in their vicinity. This was the outgrowth of the Mon- mouth First Presbyterian Church. The Presbyte- rian Church of MonmoLth was organized Sept. 2, 1837, by Rev. L. G. Bell, who was appointed to the work by tiie Schuyler Presbytery, at its meeting in Macomb, April 12, t837. It was organized with 16 members, all of whom being members of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren County, were dis- missed to enter the new Church. James P. Hogue and Hamilton Roney were installed as Elders. The following are the names of the first members : Nancy Jenkins, Margaret Montgomery, Margaret Hogue, Margaret Roney, James Brasselton, M. A. Marick, Lydia Talbert, Mary A. Hogue, Eliza Andrews, Thomas G. Hogue, Benjamin Hercules, Hamilton Roney, and George P. and James P. Hogue. The Church had supplies until September, ,< 1839, when they secured tlieir first settled pastor. Rev. Samuel Wilson. Revs. L. G. Stewart, M. Hammer, James Stafford, W. K. Stewart and Jos. Gray were the supplies. Mr. Wilson's services were ter- minated by his death, which occurred Aug. 15, 1847. During his pastorate 67 meinbers were added to the Church. Up to 1842 this society had no church building, but held their services in difTerent places, sometimes in a store, sometimes in the old American hotel and at private houses. On the 17 th day of April, 1842, Theodore Coburn and his wife gave a deed conveying to the trustees of the Church lot 6, in block 32, old to.vn plat of Monmouth, upon which a church building was constructed at a cost of about $800. This they used as a place of worship until 1851, when the building was taken down and the brick sold to James Hill. In 1848 the Rev. William F. Ferguson became the supply of the Church, serv- ing it until 1851. It was very hard times in those days, but this zealous congregation was resolved to have a new house of worship. During the year 185' many of the congregation, aided by their pastor, were engaged in hauling himber from Oijuawka for the new building. That season was a wet one, and it was impossible to get the lumber to their church "T* V t 4 u I WARREN COUNTY. 769 building. During the construction of their new- edifice they were tendered the use of the Method- ist building every alternate Sabbath. In the latter part of December, 185 i, Rev. Robert C. Mathews, a talented young man from the South, was called and engaged to preach for them for three months. He was subsequently engaged and served the Church until death took him away, Nov. 15, 1879-* (See bi- ography in this volume). Mr. Mathews did more to harmonize the discordant elements among the vari- ous Churches of this community, by his Christian spirit and his great devotion to his Master's work, than all the other clergymen together. "In his duty, prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all." In 1852 the edifice was so far completed as to en- able the congregation to hold their meetings in the basement. It was finished and dedicated in 1853. It cost about $3,000. In 1863 the church building was enlarged ljy the addition of 22 feet to the length r of it, at a cost of $1,500. In 1S76 the society de- termined to erect a larger and more commodious edifice, and for this purpose a building committee » was appointed. They were unable to raise the nec- essary funds that year, however, but secured the lots for the building, for which they paid $1,350. The matter rested here until the early part of 1880, when measures were again taken to raise funds to go on with tiie work. A portion of the money necessary was raised, and in October the contract was let. The contract price was $14,700, the building to be completed by October, i88t. To give more room an additional lot was purchased, at a cost of $150. The building was completed and dedicated May 7, 1882. The total cost of the building, with lots, furniture, organ, etc., was $21,058.83. The pipe organ cost $1,350. The edifice is a large handsome structure of Gothic architecture ; the walls are built of brick trimmed with stone, and rest on a stone foundation. The auditorium is 48x84 feet, and is very neatly fin- ished. In the basement there is a lecture-room, parlor, a Sunday-school room, a study and a kitchen. The whole building is heated by a furnace. In 1 881 the Rev. A. H. Dean, the present pastor, was called and took charge. The Church is now out of debt and is prosperous, having 350 members and a large and interesting Sunday-school. The latter was started in 1838. In 1864 it was divided into three departments, the Bible class, intermediate and infant. Each department has its separate room. The total membership of the Church since its or- ganization numbers 987. From this Church and Sabbath-school 12 persons have entered the minis- try. Two of this number became Missionaries to foreign countries. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Momnouth. — As the organization of this Church was the com- mencement of Methodism in the county, and a great deal of the early history of the Church is con- nected with this society as well as the general early pioneer life of the county, a somewhat extended ac- count of the history of this Church is given. Abraham Swartz came into Warren County in April, 1829, and located near Monmouth. The county was then new and there were not more than a dozen families then residing in it, and Mr. Swartz and wife were the only Methodists; and as a few Methodists had settled in Knox County, Mr. Swartz and his wife, in order to be with his Church people, left Warren County and moved into Knox, which left the former without a Methodist. Field Jarvis settled at the head of Ellison Creek in the summer of 1829, and, in the winter following, John F. Eberman, whose ^ wife was a Methodist, came in and settled near Mr. Jarvis. Daniel McNeil Jr., settled at what was then Yellow Banks (Oquawka), in 1830. Jonathan Buf- . fun settled at Cedar Creek the same year. Nathan- iel Hopper, a young man, with his father, settled near by in the spring of 1831. Jacob Mills, a brother of Mr. Mills of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came from the East in tlie autumn of 183 1, and rode through the counties of Knox and Warren for some three months, preaching wherever he could get a iiearing. These were nearly the only meetings in Warren County of the Methodists until the au- tumn of 1832, when Elder Barton Randall was sent as a circuit preacher on the mission. The first quarterly meeting of the mission was held in Knox County, at which time Thomas Pearce and Daniel McNiel, Jr., were appointed as Stewards of Warren County. The second quarterly meeting was ap- pointed to be held at Thomas Pearce 's residence, March 18, 1833. The weather was cold and blus- tering, and the Methodists were so scattering that no person attended, and the meeting was dismissed by the preacher. The third quarterly meeting was held in June, 1833, at the house of Mr. Samuel Jamison, five miles nAJ ^ cT ' t. 770 WARREN COUNTY. -^ * south of Yellow Banks, in Henderson County, at which meeting the Presiding Elder, Peter Cart- wright, attended and presided. On Sunday the sac- rament was administered for the first time in this section. The weather was fine and some of the members had traveled 30 miles in order to be pres- ent. There was a general turn out from all parts of this county. At this meeting three children were baptized, ten persons joined the Church on trial, and the seven following named members surrounded the table of the Lord and partook of the emblems of His body and blood shed for them: Barton H. Cart- wright, Robert Bell, Thomas Pearce, Daniel Mc- Neil, Field Jarvis, Elisha Griffith and his wife. There were at this lime a number of preaching places in Warren County. A class was formed at Brother Pearce 's, called at that time Bowling Green> and one at Jamison's Settlement, yet there were few names returned belonging properly to this county. In the autumn of 1833, the Conference appointed Rev. D. R. Trotter, as circuit preacher. In 1834, a class was formed in Monmouth and one at the Ihead of Ellison Creek, while the old classes at Bowl- rTing Green and Jamison's Settlement grew a little and the mission, upon the whole, prospered so that Brother Trotter, at the annual Conference of 1834, '"held at Mt. Carmel, 111., urged the necessity of a division of the mission. Knoxville Mission was then formed out of Henderson River Mission and included Knox and Henry Counties, wliile Hender- son River Mission included Warren and Mercer Counties. Rev. 15arton H. Cartwright was appointed to the Knoxville Mission and Rev. Peter R. Boerin to the other. Brother Boerin taking sick, Rev. Bar- ton H. Cartwright was ordered to take charge of both Missions. In the summer of 1830, Daniel McNeil, Jr., opened a Sunday-scliool about two miles from the Yellow Banks, which continued for about three months. He had in this school about 16 scholars. The next year he opened a Sunday-school in the Court-house at Monmouth, but it was discontinued for want of help. In 1832 the school was again opened in Monmouth under more propitious circum- stances, but the Indian disturbances broke up the school for a time. Rev. Asa D. West, who settled in Monmouth, in 1834, was the first local minister of any rank wlw settled in Warren County, except Barton H. Cart- wright, who was licensed 10 exhort and then licensed to preach. In 1834, there were in Warren County eight preaching places, one local elder, one local preacher, three class leaders, and about 50 Church members. Rev. Asa D. West, George Pearce, Field Jarvis, Nathaniel Hopper and Daniel McNeil con- stituted the first Board of Trustees for Monmouth, who were elected Dec. 13, 1834, when there was neither church nor parsonage buildings in Monmouth, and but little prospect of having any very soon. At the next Conference, held in 1835, Rev. Justus Woodworth was appointed for this circuit. In Octo- ber, 1836, the Henderson River and the Knoxville Missions were discontinued, and the two Missions were formed into a circuit called the Knoxville Cir- cuit, in the Quincy District, and Rev. Joel Haring- ton was appointed preacher. At a Quarterly Conference held at Knoxville, in June, 1837, Thomas Jones, Justus Woodworth, Dan- iel McNeil, Alfred Allen and Jesse Coleman were appointed Trustees to build a meeting house at Monmouth. In the fall of 1837, Rev. Henry Summers was made Presiding Elder, Rev. Chauncy Hobert, preacher in charge. At the Annual Conference of 183S, Rev. Asa D. West was appointed to take charge. In the .\nnual Conference held in October, 1839, the Knoxville Circuit was divided, the line of Warren and Knox Counties to be the division line. There were at this time about 550 members in the circuit, or about 275 members in each of the counties of Warren and Knox. Rev. William H. Clark was appointed circuit preacher. The first Quarterly Conference for Mon- mouth Circuit, was held at the head of Ellison Creek, near New Lancaster, on the i6th day of No- vember, 1839. There were present Revs. N. G. Berryman, William H. Clark, Asa I). West, and Local Elder, Joseph Williams. The next Conference re- turned Mr. Clark to Monmouth Circuit. Rev. William Haney was afterward placed in charge, Mr Clark having taken sick. At the Annual Conference in 1 84 1, Rev. Zadock Hall was appointed circuit preacher. The Illinois Conference, held in August, 1842, formed a new district called Peoria, and appointed Rev. A. E. Phelps, Presiding Elder. The Method- t* -*4- -){■ ■ . WARREN COUNTY •^-^^ 77' *x ist chapel was so far completed that on Sept. 23, 1842, it was opened for worship. William Justice succeeded Brother Royal, and John Morey followed Brother Justice. In 1844, Richard Haney was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1845, Rev. Barton H. Cartwright was appointed to take charge. In 1846, Rev. William Haney was the preacher in charge. At this time Monmouth Circviit embraced Monmouth, Oquawka, Olena, Warren, El- lison, Stringtown, Berwick, besides several other preaching places. In 1847, Monmouth was placed in the Rock Island Circuit, with the Rev. John St. Clair, Presiding El- der, Joseph O. Gilbert, preacher in charge. In the fall of 1848, the district was again changed, so that Monmouth Circuit was in the Knoxville District, with John Morey, Presiding Elder ; James Taylor, preach- er in charge. In answer to the question as to the number and condition of the Sabbath-schools in the first Quarterly Conference for the year, held at Mon- mouth, Sept. 30, 1848, it was said that there are none on the circuit. At the Fourth Quarterly Conference , it was reported that there was one Sunday-school on the circuit. At the Annual Conference, Rev. B. Ap- plebee was appointed preacher in charge. He was returned for the second year. Brother Applebee seems to have been the first jireacher who served the Church here two years in succession, and judg- ing from the increase of the number of Sunday- schools in the circuit during his first year, the appointment was a good one. At the Quarterly Con- ference held at Ellison, Sept. 7, 1850, the report showed the number of schools to be 11; officers and teachers, 96; scholars, 300. In 1 85 I the Monmouth Circuit was divided so as to leave Berwick and Ellison to another circuit. James F. Chaffee was appointed to the Monmouth Circuit, Feb. 21, 1852. In 1853 Monmouth was made a station, with Rev. John P. Brooks in charge. The first quarterly meeting for Monmouth station was held Oct. 23, 1852. At this meeting the Su- perintendent of the Sunday-school reported that the Sunday-school was in an extremely critical condi- tion, and withoJt efficient co-operation of the Church it must cease to exist. At the next Conference Rev. B. C. Swarts was appointed preacher in charge, and at the next Rev. Richard Haney was appointed Pre- siding Elder, and H. Richey preacher in charge. In _ — . -•- . 1855 Brother Elijah House succeeded H. Richey. In the fall of 1856 Rev. J. Soule was stationed at Monmouth, with Rev. R. N. Morse as Presiding El- der The Rock River Conference was divided, and Monmouth placed in the Peoria Conference. During 1857 $6,200 were secured on subscription to build a church. The lot was purchased where the building now stands, and the work on a new edifice com- menced. Rev. A. D. McCool succeeded Rev. J. Soule. In the spring of 1858 the old church build- ing was sold, and the basement of the new one used for worship. At the Conference held in 1858, Rev. Henry Summers was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1859 the name of the Conference was changed from Peoria to Central Illinois Conference, and the name of Monmouth given to the district. Rev. R. C. Rowley was appointed for Monmouth station, Rev. O. C. Price was sent to Monmouth as pastor and Rev. John Morey succeeded Rev. H. Summers as Presiding Elder for Monmouth district, in the fall of i86r. Rev. John P. Brooks was appointed next to succeed Rev. O. C. Price, bat having been elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, he resigned the charge. Rev. J. Tubbs was appointed to fill ' out the term, ; Rev. C. Springer was sent to Mon- mouth, and Rev. Francis Smith appointed as Pre- siding Elder. In 1865 Rev. J. S. Cummings was appointed to the charge at Monmouth, and at the close of this year was made Presiding Elder at Onarga district and Rev, E. Wasmuth appointed to Monmouth, with Rev. W. H. Hunter as Presiding Elder. Mr. Wasmuth remained three years, being the first pastor to remain on the charge that length of time. In the fall of 1868 he was succeeded by Rev. A. Magee, with Rev. Richard Haney Presiding El- der. In 1870 Rev. P. Warren was appointed pastor of Monmouth station. He was succeeded by Rev. G. Evans, who remained until the fall ol 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. William Underwood. Mr. Underwood was followed by Rev. S. Jones, and Rev. J. S. Cummings Presiding Elder. Mr. Jones re- mained two years and was succeeded by Rev. John D. Smith. During Mr. Jones' term the parsonage was erected, at a cost of $i,8co. Mr. Smith re- mained two years and was followed by Rev. J. S. Cummings, and A. K. Falls was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1880 Rev. S. VV. Barnes was sent in charge, remaining two years, when he was followed by Rev. R. G. Pearce, who remained one year and V 772 WARREN COUNTY. was succeeded by Rev. G. R. Palmer, who remained one year, when, on account of foiling health, he was obliged to resign. In May, 1885, Rev. George C. Wilding was transferred from the West Virginia Conference and stationed at Monmouth. He is the present pastor, and Rev. M. C. Bowlens the Presid- ing Elder of the district. When Mr. Wilding took charge of the Church he found it in rather a disor- ganized condition, and in some financial embarrass- ment. He has restored harmony in the Church and also put it in a good financial condition. The mem- bership of the Churcli at present is 304. The Trinity Episcopal Church was organized as a Mission July 15, 1878, with 13 members. The ves- try were co nposed of W. P. Rupp, Joiin W. Litter. E. I. Canjm and V. H. Webb. The cliurch building was erected in 1883, and w.is consecrated on the 22d of November, of the same year. The corner- stone of this chapel was laid July 3d, and com- pleted at a cost of $3,600, including lot. This soci- ety has been supplied by Rev. George H. Higgins, of Galesburg, C. W. Leffingwell and E. H. Rudd, of Knoxville. Service once a month. During the in- terval lay service is held by Rev. V. H. Webb. The first installed clergyman was Rev. W. F. Lloyd, serv- ing 18 months, commencing January, 1S81. Follow- ing Mr. Lloyd was Rev. E. H. Rudd, with monthly service. He served one year and was succeeded by Rev. R. G. Walker, who remained with the Church six months, with service every Sunday. Following Mr. Walker was Mr. Rudd, who served uniil September, 1884, and was the last regularly installed pastor. Rev. V. H. Webb, who was ordained a Deacon June 23, 1885, has had charge of the Church. Since his installment there has been regular service every Sun- day, either by a clergyman or a lay-reader. Present communicant membership, 35. A Sunday-school is connected with the Church numbering 50 schol- ars. Mr. Webb presides over this school. The present vestry is V. \l. Webl), E. L Camm, John S. Spf'ggs, James R. Marshall and E. C. Morgan. United Presbyterian Church. — The first society of this Church was organized May 9, 1853, by Rev. Robert Ross, with 21 members. It was organized in the south room of the Academy, where they held their services until 1856, when they used the old College Chapel. Rev. D. A. Wallace, from East Boston, Mass., was their first regular pastor, who was installed the first Sabbath in October, 1856. Mr. Wallace served the Church until i860, when he was succeeded by Rev. Alex. Young, who had charge until 1862. Rev. D. G. Bradford accepted a call and commenced his services Nov. 26, 1863, and con- tinued until August, 1867, when he resigned. In the spring of 1868 Rev. R. B. Ewing look charge of the Church and remained until June i, 1870. Rev. J. G. Barnes was tlie next pastor, who entered upon his duties the second Sabbath in May following, and served the society until he died, which was in 1880. Mr. Barnes was succeeded by Rev. P. H. Hanna, the present pastor. The first house of worship for this congregation was completed in 1858 and was dedicated July 4th, the same year. Tiiey had at the dedication a union service, Rev. Joiin Scott deliver- ing the first address. It was a frame building, cost- ing about |l6,ooo. They have a membership at present of 436, with a Sabbath-school numbering 250 scholars. A committee has been recently a()pointed to take into consideration the construction of a new church edifice in the near future. Second United Presbyterian Church was organized J^ Oct. 25, 1862, by Rev. D. A. Wallace and Elders ' Wm. Goudy and W. J. Thompson, with a member- ship of 19. At a meeting of the congregation, Nov. 12, 1862, it was deciiLd to call Rev. Alex. Young and D. A. Wallace as pastors. The call was ac- cepted and the Church was served by these gentle- men for several years. At the close of the year, 1868, Mr. Wallace retired and Mr. Young was retained as pastor, and remained with the society until July, 187 1. The first service of the Church, and all the meetings were held at the residence of Mr. A. Y. Graham, until June, 1863. From this date on, and until their church building was com- pleted, the meetings were held in the College Chapel. Their house of worsliip was completed in the spring of 1867. It was a frame structure, built on the site of the present edifice, and cost about $to,ooo. It was torn down to make room for the new church in the fall of 1879. The w^tw building was completed in 1880, and dedicated Dec. 12th, of the same year, by Rev. W. T. Campbell, assisted by Revs. Alex. Young, D. M. Ure and J. B. McMichael. Mr. Young was succeeded by Mr. Ure, August, 1872, who served as pastor until August, 1874. November 28, Rev. W. T. Campbell received a call, which he ac- Jl: ¥ ^ ■ v. . • - WARREN COUNTY. 773 4 I cepted, and on Feb. 28, 1875, was duly installed as pastor. The present edifice is situated on the corner of East Garden and College Streets, and was completed at a cost of about $20,000, in 1880, and was dedica- ted Sept. 12, the same year. It is a large, commo- dious brick structure, with an auditorium 54 x 84 feet, and is well finished. In the basement there is a lecture room, two Sunday-school rooms, a study and a kitchen. The building is heated by a furnace. Mr. Campbell is the present pastor and has a con- gregation numbering 350 souls. A Sunday-school numbering 255 pupils is one of the interesting fea- tures of this Church. In connection there is a Ladies' Missionary Society, who are laboring for the salvation of the heathen. Christian Church of Monmouth. — Soon after the village of Monmouth was laid out it was found that 20 believers in this faith resided adjacent to the town, and, on the 31st day of March, 1839, a meet- ing was called for the purpose of organizing a con- gregation. At that meeting Elders Pliny and Livy Hatchett and James R. Ross were present and as- sisted in forming an organization. Elijah Davidson was chosen Clerk and Deacon, and Alexander Da- vidson, Elder. There were 19 members forming this first congregation : Hezekiah Davidson, Eleanor, Alexander and Rachel Davidson, William C. and Ann Hall, William C. and Rebecca Butler, James S. Hodgens, Jacob L. and Nancy Burgan, Elijah, Nancy, Gamelia Ann, Solomon S., Thomas H., Eliz- abeth and \\'illiam B. Davidson. During the year 1839 several meetings were held, at which the ques- tion of building a house of worship was discussed, and a committee appointed to secure funds for this purpose, the result of which was that a church build- ing was erected, at a cost of some $Soo. It was a frame structure, and located on the northeast corner of the block upon which the Baldwin House now stands. On the iglh of April, 1843, a meeting was called to choose additional officers, when Elijah Davidson and James Hodgens were chosen Elders, and John H. Sparling, Solomon S. Davidson and David Smith, Deacons. On the 4th of November, 1843, N. A. Rankin, Elijah Davidson and Ira F. M. Butler were chosen Trustees. In 1861 a new build- ing was erected and dedicated by Rev. Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati, who delivered an able address on the occasion. The present number of members is 136. The Church has enjoyed many seasons of prosperity, adding laTgely to its membership, but emigration westward has from year to year depleted its num- bers. Since the organization services have been held every Sunday morning and evening, and a prosper- ous Sunday-school is connected with the Church, which was organized about the time the congregation was. The following pastors have served the Church since its organization : Revs. Pliny and Livy Hatchett, James R. Ross, Alex. Davidson, A. J. Kane, James E. Gaston, T. J. Matlock, John Errett, Lawrence S. Wallace, John LaGrange, J. M. Williams, A. P. Aten, F. M. Bruner, N E. Corey and J. W. Kelsey, who is the present pastor. They have a plain, neat and substantial church building, and the congrega- tion is in a thriving condition. The Third United Presbyterian Church of Mon- mouth, was organized in May, 1868. During this year a church building was put up at a cost of $2,- 500. Rev. John N. Henderson was the first pastor, and served the Church untill 1872. They had sup- plies then until 1874, when Rev. Daniel Inches as- sumed the pastoral duties, and remained until Au- gust, 1876. At this time tlie Church was disbanded by the Presbytery. A Union Mission School has been organized here wliich is under the control of the Second United Presbyterian Church. Mr. H. H. Bell is Superintendent of this school, and has about 175 scholars. Unity Church. This society was organized in 1S82 under the auspices of the members of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches, with Rev. Arthur Bevis as their preacher. They purchased the old Presby- terian building and used that as a house of worship. There were about 25 members at the formation of this society. Mr. Bevis remained two years when he was succeeded by Rev. C. K. Gibson, who remained until June, 1885, when he terminated his relations with the society. Since Mr. Gibson left they have had no pastor, and it is doubtful if they will ever have another, as the organization was effected only by great effort on the part of a few of its members. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augustana Synod, was organized in 1859 by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, then pastor of the Lutheran Church at Galesburg, III. The members of this first organ- ization were as follows: John Beck. Mons Cassel, Ake Nelson, Louis Nelson, James Olsson, James Skibber, Olof Johnson, Truls Swensson, Jorgen Han- lAjr I *t 774 - . -X^ . WARREN COUNTY. .i_T> 4 sen and their families. Services were held in private houses by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, until 1866. From 1866 to 1868 they were conducted by Rev. A. W. Dahlston. During this year the Church was re- organized and services were held in the Court House, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, and also in the second story of John Beck's shoe store. In 1870, the churcii edifice was erected at a cost of about $(,600, and in 187 i it was dedicated. From 1870 to 1875 services were conducted by the Rev. N. T. VVintjuist and other ministers in the vicinity. The first installed pastor was Rev. .\. V. Holmgren, who took charge of the congregation in 1876. He was succeeded in 1877 by Elias Peterson, who left in 1878. From thence until 1885, services were con- ducted by professors and students from the Theo- logical Seminary in Rock Island, 111. On July i, 1885, Rev. J. K. Floren took charge and is the present pas- tor. Mr. Floren was born in Sweden, in 1859, and came to this country, in 1872. He was graduated at Augustana College, in 1883, and at the Theolo- gical Seminary at Rock Island, in 1885; and was or- dained in Rockford, 111., June 28, 1885. Under the administration of this talented young man this Church IS rapidly increasing in numbers and stand- ing. They have a Sabbath-school of about 30 mem- bers. With the society there is ;i parsonage costing about $1,500. African Methodist Episcopal Church, was organ- ized in 1868, in a hall on Main Street. Some 12 members were present at the organization, of whom Francis and Zachariah Price and A. H. Knight were the leaders. In 1869, they erected and dedicated their house of worship, which cost, including lot, about $800. They had supplies for several years, when the Rev. S. F. Jones came in and took charge. A large Sabbath-school is connected with this organ- ization which belongs to the Circuit of Monmouth and Macomb. They have at present about 35 mem- bers, who are under the charge of Rev. W. G. Reyn- hart. African Baptist Church, was organized in 1865, at the house of Mrs. Miller. They had only a few members at the time of the organization. Rev. J. C. Graves was their first pastor. Two years later they erected a church building at a cost of $t,5oo. At present their membership numbers 30, with Sabbath- school of 35. They have no regular pastor but are served by preachers from outside. Immaculate Conception (Catholic) Church. Rev. James Ryan was the pioneer Father of the Church in this part of the country. Services were first held after the manner of the primeval days, under a cot- ton-wood tree about the center of what is now the city of Monmouth. This service had this pleasing feature — it was voluntary and of choice, not forced as of necessity, for fear of violence as in the days when persecution was rank and dominant. This little band of pilgrims representing some 15 families assembled about thirty years ago, as stated, under the cotton-wood tree, with Father Ryan from Galesburg as their spiritual counsellor. They afterward held their meetings in a log cabin, the home of Stephen Cannon ; subsequently in the Court House with Rev. Michael Powers, the Missionary in charge. This was a quarter of a century ago. While this society was under the charge of Father Powers, the first church building was completed, which was in 1864, at a cost of $3,000. At this time there was a mem- bership of 35 families. Soon after the completion of the church. Rev. D. Bowles took charge and was the first resident pastor. He added to the Church prop- erty by the purchase of a parsonage. Father Bowles was succeeded by Rev. James H.Upin, who founded the Churches at Alexis, Raritan and Keithsburg. The membership was increased under Father Halpin's administration to 70 families. Rev. Thomas O'Far- rell succeeded Mr. Halpin, remaining three years. He was followed by Rev. William Murphy who served the Church tliree years when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. C. Duffy, the present pastor, who took charge in 1883. Under Father Duffy's able and energetic pastorate the present grand church edifice was erected and the membership largely in- creased. Lots were purchased on Broadway west of the Court House at a cost of $3,750, ujxin which the finest church structure in the country was erected, costing $22,000. It was dedicated Oct. 5, 1884, by Bishop Spaulding of Peoria. This is one of the best constructed buildings in the county. Its archi- tecture is graceful and complete in its style. The ground was first tiled and then a cement bed was made, upon which a stone foundation was built. The sujierstructure is constructed of Chicago pressd brick trimmed with Ohio stone. A graceful spire towers up into the heavens, surmounting the whole. The inside is neatly finished and furnished with beauti- fully frescoed walls and ceiling. The altar is con- V t • r. WARREN COUNTY. ±* 775 structed with elegance and classical taste. The present membership is about 150 families. Baptist Church. — As the Album of Warren County appears with the history of the Baptist Church at Monmouth left out, we feel it a duty we not only owe to our patrons, but to ourselves, to make the fol- lowing statement and place the responsibility where it properly belongs : The historian, in gathering up material for Church history, called, as the natural and first place to go, on the Pastor of this Church, by whom he was referred to one of the Deacons of the Church, who was Steward or Clerk, and had the records. The Pastor knew but little about the Church, having been Pastor, as he stated, only two years and a half ! After repeated solicitations from the Clerk, and much importuning, the historian was obliged to leave the county without any data regard- ing this Church, and with the belief that an account of it was not desired by those in authority. After leaving the county, the parties having the records of the Church were further solicited by the historian through the mails, for the necessary data, but with- out success. Hence, having failed to procure any information from the parties upon whom we had to depend, and to such as we always look for inform- ation regarding Churches, this Baptist Church has " no representation in this book. , MONMOUTH CEMETERY. It would seem that when the people of Monmouth first laid out grounds for the interment of their dead, they did not expect their town to grow very much, for they only set aside an acre for this purpose, and in what is now the settled portion of the town. This cemetery is now located in the northeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 29. As a natural sequence to the growth of the town, this ground was in a few years all taken up and it became necessary to have new and larger grounds. In 1858, a new cemetery was laid out. It was lo- cated on the northwest corner of the northeast quar- ter of section 20. In 1880 an addition was made to this from the southwest corner of the southeast quar- ter of section 20. The ground now enclosed for the cemetery embraces about 20 acres. It is rolling and beautifully located, having rare natural advantages for this purpose. The interments here are more numerous than would be supposed, calculating the time of its loca- tion and the population. There are many costly monuments, and most of the tombstones display refinement and taste. The lots are usually well cared for and in the season of flowers are adorned with those emblems which speak to the heart and move it to deeper emotions than the cold marble. If some of the tombstones were righted, the grass and weeds removed, and the unsightly fences around the lots taken away, it would add much to the beauty of this cemetery. tjr .j^ ¥ J, «4= -— <^ ry^ Abbey, George 197 Adams, John 23 Adams, Jolin Qiiincy 39 Adcock, Joseph W 618 Ailcock, William 640 Alcxamler, E. U 642 Alexander, J. E 484 Allard, David 400 Allen, \Vm. A 512 ^ Almond, Wm. S 255 Amos, James E 395 Anderson, Perry 502 Armstrong, A.AV., M. D 418 Arthur, Chester A 99 Arthurs, James F 198 Atchison, Capt. E. C 454 Aylesworth. Flora A 3B8 Babcock. Draper 218 I!abcock, Elijah C 221 Haglcy, James 448 Railey, J 261 Baldwin, Hiram 536 Baldwin, Jacob 411 Baldwin, M . S •■587 Barber, J. W 215 Barnes, John 402 Beck, R. A 210 Bcckner, George W 309 Bellinger, Cicorge W 576 Bcngtson, Olof 268 Bennett, John 342 Bennett, I-orenzo ... .400 Bennett, Mrs> M. M 424 Bcvcridge, John L 171 Billings, A. B 318 I'illini;slcy, David S 324 Bird. Daniel ...230 Birdsall. P. D 654 Bissell, William H 151 Black, A. H 353 Blackburn Charles E 596 BIOGFJfll^P^I^plj. niayncy, John C 534 r.lodsictt, Kciward L 47' lily the, J. C 554 llolon, J. W 457 liond, J. W 189 lioncl, Major John C 189 lioiKl, Jesse W 616 Hond, Shadrach m liond, W. U 485 Booth. Franklin 244 lioyd, Drury I! 287 Koyil, Drury li 639 Uoyd, W. T a6o liradshaw, Charles O a86 lircnt, David C 572 Krciu.i;. W 638 lirent, W. I> 645 lircnt. Paul 330 lircwcr, J. W., M. D 604 Bristol, C. li 663 Brooks. Chester 249 lirooks, W. H 205 liruen, John N 460 liruinKton, George 648 Iiruini;ton, N. P 464 Hruner,(leorgc F 528 Buchanan, James 75 Btillman, Theodore F 507 iiurchfield J. G 567 Burford, A 381 Burke, J. H 638 Burt, U. W 518 Bute, Cyrus 544 Bycrs, Jacob 253 c Cable, Ezra 22^ Cable, W. H 335 Caldcr, J 571 Caldwell, John .. . 242 Campbell, James. . . . . .431 Campbell, John P 199 Capps, I M 441 Capps, Orvillc 336 C.ipps, T. L 334 Carmichacl, C. A 538 Carr, J. O 317 Caison, Walter . . .505 Catt, Jesse 446 Caytnn, A. J 494 Chapin,N.A 573 Chapman, A. A 369 Chapman, Orson O 399 Chattcrton, M rs. Sarah J 327 Christie, I. L 515 Clark, John S •■763 Clarke, E. J 578 Clarke, T. S 501 ClaycombG. W.. 548 Cleveland, S. G rover 103 Coats, J. W 620 Coddington, John 472 Cogbill, J. W 281 Coles, Edward -115 Colver, Charles S 304 Conlce, J. W 667 Cowan, William 583 Co wick, Levi B 202 Crandall, Emery H -. .360 Crane. S. B 333 Crawford, S. K., M. D 650 Crosby, William 348 Cullom, Shelby M 175 Cuininings, J . K 321 D Davidson, J. W 664 Davifi, I.. B 503 Dawdy, W. H 644 Day, Coridon D 528 DifTenbaugh, Samuel 536 Dixson, Eli 646 Dixson, Stephen 359 Douglas, H. S 200 Douglas, Samuel 566 Douty, I.. S 394 Duffey,Rcv. F. C 774 Duffield, David 366 Dull, C. M 270 Duncan, Joseph 131 Dunkle, D. D 595 Edelman, Leonard W 439 Edwards, Ninian 119 Edwards, William 406 Eldred, Arnold 43' Eldred, Sarah M 493 Eidredg, Truman 262 Elliott, R. A 65 Emans, E. P Evans, James A 279 Ewing.W. L.D.... 127 62 '5> II 76 K Field, J. I 34» Fillmore, Millard 67 Firoved, James P 384 Fish. George W 303 Flake, John 666 Fletcher, Charles S 420 Ford, Ihomas 139 Forwood, B. F 227 Frantz, H. M 334 Frantz, J. H 317 Frantz, W. H 195 Freeman, Mary F. ^37 French, Augustus <" 143 G Galbraitb, James 53a Gallaugher, William 533 Galloway, C 667 Gardner, Benjamin H 481 G ardner, James 628 GarBeld, James A 95 > ■*i^ ■ tT ' INDEX. — H^ 777 Gerlaw, R. W 357 Gibson, R. A 629 Gibson, Samuel.. 607 GidJings, H. C 306 Gilliland, H. R ." 547 Gilliland, S 585 Gilmore, James T 291 Gilmore, J. H 587 Gilmore, L. H 270 Glasgow, James L 602 Glenn, Hon. John J 636 Godfrey, Burton 37' Gordon, John .-V 45^ Gordon. N 577 Gossett, George 298 Gowdy, Joseph S '99 Graham, A. R 47= Graham, D 668 Graham, J. R 275 Graham, Samuel 552 Grant, Ulysses S "37 Grigg, John D 294 Grooms, Samuel E 330 Guilinger, J. F, 430 H Hall. Frank L Hall, Leonard. ^ Hall, Mrs. Mary H.ill,M. W Hall, Wm. E... Hallam, D. M Hamilton, John M Hamilton, Rev. G. W.. Hamilton, S. M., M. D Haney, Richard Hanna, William Hanna, J. R Hardin, Chancy Harding, H. G Harding, Gen. .-V. C Harrington, H. L., M. D Harrison , Wm. H Hartman, J. T Hayden, D. S Hayden, Jacob Hayes, Alfred Hayes, Rutherford H Hebbard, C. A Heinzman, Frederick Henderson, S. S . . . - Henry, R. H Hess, Thos. M., M. 1). . Hibbard, Luther C Higgins, Capt. J . P Hodgson, John Hogan, H. M. Hogue,J.C Holeman, D. 1> Holeman. Reuben Holliday, W. S., M. D HoUoway, Robert Holman, Perrine Hoornbeek, Jeremiah Hoornbeek, Dr. Nathaniel B 280 436 557 .^83 281 179 65S 316 58. .613 ■505 363 491 S4I .487 5' ,608 ■574 .418 .306 • 9' ■654 ■659 210 503 .388 486 ■557 ■46s 300 .620 .659 •358 •524 ■ 623 .360 •■3"5 445 Houlton, E. R 648 Houlton.F. R.. 190 Hughen, Elisha J 425 Huston, S. W 363 Howk, Capt. R. A 653 Ingersoll, Hiram 348 Irwin, James C 628 Ivcy, John J 345 J Jackson, Andrew 43 Jared, Israel 269 Jefferson, Thomas 27 Jenkins, Isaac zoo Jenks, W. B zo6 Jewell, Henry L 436 Jewell, Jacob 578 Jewell, John 4°' Johnson, Andrew 83 Johnson, Win. U 597 Johnston, E. C 304 Jones, Furney 469 Jones, N. W 666 Jones, Parker S.. 498 Jones, Wm. P 3^5 K Karns, Philip J 205 Kellogg, Oscar N 588 Kelsey, John 414 ^ Kelsey, James 255 Kettering. Eenj. T -323 Kidder, Almon 377 Kidder, Henry H 487 Kidder, Larnard 42^ Kidder, Nathaniel 29S Kidder, William O 3^1 Kirby, I. B 198 Kirby, Joseph us 208 Kling;ngsmith,Mrs. Mary C.208 Kobler, G.J 494 Laferty, Wm. . - 440 Lahann, R 662 Lair, Wm. M 492 Lanpherc, J. E 478 Lnthrop, J iiliiis I 275 Lee, Dr. J 407 Lester, Lamben 660 Lewey, Alfred 526 Lewis, Hoh.H. M 2S5 Lincoln, Abraham 79 Linn, E. C, M. D.- 413 Lippy, J. H 247 Livermore, Derrick 459 Lorimer, John 655 Loudon, Wm. F 656 Lowther, John F 535 Lucas, J . C 217 Lusk, J. W 615 Lusk, Lem M 6ig M Madison, James 31 Maley, Levi 543 Malony, Joseph B 527 Marshall, Hugh, M. D 6oi Martin, Joseph 293 Martin, Hugh. . 342 Mather, Miss Desire E 3S2 Matson , W. St. Clair 516 Matthews, Kev. Robert C 522 Matteson,B. P 294 M atteson , Col by 223 Matteson, Joel A 147 Matthews, John W., 537 McClanahan, John 653 McClannahan, J.A.,M.D.286 McClanahan, John P., M. D.551 McConnell, Rev. W.T 603 McCosh, George G 511 McCoy, William 523 McCurdy, R. W 288 MeKnight, John A 565 McM ah ill, George \V 352 McMichael.J.B.. A.M.,D.D 604 McNeil C 645 McQiiiston James H 438 McWilUanis, John T 419 Meacham, F. W. 216 Meachiim, Harrison 322 Meacham, Wm 483 Meadows, Thomas 661 Meginnis, J. B 625 Miles, Henry C... ... 568 Miles, John 497 Miller, John A.. 513 Milter, J- W Miller, William D 563 Mitchell, William A 478 Mcnroe, James 35 Moore, Robert '47 Moore, Wm. V,, Sr 279 Morey, G. W 230 Morford, Rebecca 248 Morgan, lames W 574 Morris. A. K 626 Morris. F. K., M. D 206 Morris. J. C 651 Morris, Easton z8o Morris, Thomas J 311 Morse, David E 577 Murdock, J. H 291 N Nance, R. H . . 649 Nash. J. B 625 Nesbit, John A 235 Nevins, J- R -446 Nicol, W J 352 Nisely, G. W 420 o Ogden, Rufus 435 Oglesby, Richard J . 163 Osborn, Mrs- Mary 477 Owen, James 452 Owens, J. F 405 Paddock, Merrit 453 Page, Charles T 516 Paine, John Edward 407 Palmer, G. W 222 Palmer, John M 167 Palmer, Schuyler 259 Parker, A G 211 Parker, Barzillai 396 Parrish, P. R 4*7 Parry, Hon. D. D 235 Parsons, H . C 366 Patch. L. D 668 Patch, William 243 Pattee, Henry H 537 Paiton, N. Thomas 423 Patterson, Hon. .Azro.,. .. . . .328 Patton. Roberts 558 Paxton, William S 476 Pearce, T h eodore C 354 Perry, L. B 310 Perry, Marvin 346 *< Perry, Timothy P., Jr 525 Phelps, Dclos Porter .591 Phelps, Porter 633 Phelps, DeWitt 315 Phillips, A. S 299 Pierce, C H 640 Pierce, Clement 3?2 Pierce, Franklin 71 Pine, Frank J 54^ Pine, Joseph 657 Pinkerton, Wm- M 644 PIttman, W. E.,M. D 639 Polk, James K.. 59 Pollock, James F . -.-438 Porter, Hon. John 626 Porter, Joshua •■333 Porter, T- J • .-■ 333 Porteri William E 465 Porter, Wm 630 Parsons, Charles Henry 366 Postlewait, C. W 49E Pratt, Isaac L 641 Pressly, Wm. P 66«; Pruitt, Willis 201 tjuinby. Ivory -375 R Randall. Asal P 556 Randall, O ^■.■370 ^ mAj -^ Randall, Dr. WiUiam 64 Ranking C. G 32* Rankin, George C 532 Rankin, N. A 215 Ranney, Royal 508 Ray, J. C 658 Ray. M, B 370 Ray, OrviUe 565 Rayburn, W. R 309 Reed, John T 442 Reid, Andrew J 341 Rces, M. S 643 Rcichard, John T 536 Reynolds, J. B 249 Reynolds, John 123 Reynolds, John W 276 Rhinehart. I>. W 211 Rice, Thomas H 387 Riggs* J esse 353 Ritchey, Andrew Jackson 389 Roberts, Peyton 615 Roberts, Ransom 425 Robertson. J. W 229 Robinson, G. W 201 Robinson, Milton C 538 Robinson, John S 504 Rockwell, Alfred H 393 RocTcwell, Albert J 4" Rodgers, A 372 Rodgers, S. W 636 Rodgers, Hon. Calvin M ... .514 Rogers, Charles 514 Rogers, John 412 ^ Rogers, Prof- Thomas H — 596 Roncy, Hercules 274 Russell, Charles E 423 Russell, Jonathan 442 Ryner, James S 466 Sallee, George M 517 Salter, John, Sr 548 Alexander, E. D 461 Brooks. W. H ao4 Buford, A 380 Calder. J 570 Campbell, James. 284 Carson, William 450 Chapman, A. A .368 Coats, Joshua W 416 Crane, S- B 232 Edelman, L. W 428 Edwards, William 404 Frantz, J. H 258 Fraotz, W. H 192 Sawtell, Mrs. Jemima... ..aaS Sexton, W. H 390 Seymour, A. G 21a Shaw, D. J 351 Shawler, Jacob 32* Sheldon, Burr 563 Sheldon, Hiram S45 Sheldon, Wilson 53» Shclton. Samuel '1' 555 ShuUz, k. H 254 Shultz. C 254 Sickmon, George 606 Sigafoos, Henry 4*3 Simcock. John -• 347 Simmons, Andrew W 482 Simmons, James 4»3 Sisson, Asahcl D. B 390 Sisson, A. J ?97 Smith, James 256 Smith, W'm. V 401 Sofield, J. B 3'^9 Sorenson, Frederick 45 » Sorcnson, Martin 485 Soulc, MclvillcC 553 Speakman, William P 209 Sperry, .Alonzo 20a Spriggs, James H 545 Spriggs, John S., Jr $35 Spriggs. John S., M. J> 586 Staat, Henry 241 Standley, James W. M. D...588 Stark, William 353 Stem, David 287 Stem, Scth P...'. 584 Stewart, l>avid B 488 Stewart, James H 399 Stewart, William K 250 Slice, G. W 662 Strong, John M 437 Swinney, Ephraim S 595 Swain, A. H 339 Sykcs, William P 267 Sickmon, George 606 Taylor, /iachary O3 Taylor, Warren E., M . I). . .506 'I'eare, Henry 228 Teare, Robert 374 'I'crpcning, I>avid 483 Tcri>cning, John P 56' Thayer, (ieorge. . . 37a 'I'homas, Timothy ...218 Thompson, Erick 334 Thomson, H. R 384 Thomson, James F 306 Thorn, William R 496 'I'inkham, Joseph 423 Tinkham, Mrs. Cordelia A. ..585 Torrance, Charles 273 'IrulocW, Henry F. 402 Tucker, Kev. Anson 614 Tucker, John 657 TurnluiU, J. C, Sr 327 'iurnbuU, Captain John M..617 Turnlmll, David ... .603 Tuttlc, David — 656 1 witchell, J. C 546 Tyler, John 55 Van Arsd.-ile, J. B 378 Van Burcn, Martin 47 Vandcvecr, .\ 242 Van Gilder, David 312 Vanhoorebcke, Dr. A. G ...469 Van Riper, A. C 655 Van Tascll, Isaac 244 V.-in Tasell, James W 36a :^0 -oto— Forwood, B. F 246 CIcrlaw, R. W 356 Gilmoic, J . T .. .296 Haney, Mrs. M. E 438 Hanna, William.. 6ro Hoornbcck, Jeremiah 320 Ivey, John J 344 Jewell, Henry L 404 Lair, William M 428 Lester, Lambert 380 Lewis, H.N 384 Lucas, J. C aao Matteson, Colby aao Mitchell, Wm. A 4fii McQuision, James H.l 438 Owens, ). F 404 l*almcr, Schuyler 258 Parrish, Parker K 416 Porter, T. J 332 Ray, N. B : 368 Rayburn. W. R 308 Rees, M, S 474 Ritchey, A. J 368 Rockwell, A. H 392 Rockwell, Htrlen M 372 Koncy, Hercules 27a Van Tuyl. Mrs. Elizabeth A. 495 \'aughan, P. A . 248 Vorwick, Joseph W 476 w Wagy, Lemuel .'. 448 Wallace, John C 535 Wallace, James H., M. D 521 Washington, George 19 Watson, James 598 Weakley, T. A 288 Webster, John R., M. D 439 Weir, William S 605 Whelan, J. S 661 White, J. M 207 Wickcrsham, E. 1 236 Wilson, W. W a24 Wingaie, John a^K) Wondcrly, John 247 Wood, John 155 Wood, Samuel 303 Wood, William 598 Wood, Cyrus J 197 Woodward, Dr. Norwood S...424 Woodward, R. B 336 Wray, Joseph us 553 Wray, Mrs. S. E 586 Varde, Aaron... 475 Varde, Charles F. P 451 , Yates, Richard 159 Young, Clark M 523 Young, Joseph L 285 Young, Lyman H .564 Shaw, D. J 33» Shawler, Jacob 320 Sigafoss, Flora 450 Sisson, .*\ . J 296 Simcock, John 344 Sykcs. Anna C 393 Sorenson, Fred 45" Stewart, D B 428 Torrance, Charles 272 Weakly, Thomas A 284 Wondcrly, John 346 Varde, Aaron .474 *^ rJL: r 4 rv^ -^^-4-»- INDEX. 779 Adams, John 22 Adams, John Quiiicy 38 Arthur, Chester A g8 Beveridge, John L 170 Bissell, Wm. H 150 Bolon, J. W 456 Bond, Maj. J. C 188 Bond, Shadrach no Buchanan, James 74 Byers, Jacob 252 Carlin, Thomas 134 Chatterton, L. E 326 Clarke, T . S goo Cleveland, S. Grover 102 Coles, Edward 114 Cullom, Shelby M 174 I'uncan, Joseph 130 Edwards, Ninian 118 Evans, James 278 Ewing, Wm. L. D 126 Fillmore, Millard , . 66 Ford, Thomas 138 Forwood, B. F .226 Frantz, W. H 193 French, Augustus C 142 Gardner. B. H 480 Garfield , James A 94 Gilmore, J. T 290 Grant, Ulysses S 86 Haney, Rev. Richard 580 Hanna, William 610 Harding, Gen. A . C 540 Harding, Harry G 490 Hardin, Chancy 362 Harrison, Wm. H so Hayes, Rutherford B 90 Hollo way, Robert 622 Hoornbeek, Jeremiah ■314 Hoornbeek, Dr. N. B 444 Jackson, Andrew 42 Jefferson, Thomas 26 Johnson, Andrew 82 Lincoln, Abraham 78 Madison, James ■ ho Matthews, R. C 523 Matteson, Joel A 146 McClanahan, Dr. j. P 550 McCosh, G- G 510 Monroe, James 34 Ogden, Riifus 434 Oglesby, Richard J 162 Palmer, John M 166 Phelps, Delos P 590 Phelps, Porter 632 Pierce, Franklin 70 Polk, James K 58 Pratt, Isaac 640 Quinby, Hon. Ivory 374 Randall, Dr. William 648 Rankin, N. A 214 Reynolds, John 122 Rice, Thomas H 386 Roukwell, A. J 410 Shaw, D.J 350 Sheldon, Wilson 530 Staat, Frances 238 Staat, Mrs. Margaretha 239 Stewart, Hon . James H 398 Swain, A. H 338 Sykes, Wm. P 264 Sykes, Anna 265 I'aylor, Zachary 62 Terpening, John P 560 Tinkham, Joseph 422 Tyler. John 54 Van Buren, Martin 46 Vanhoorebeke,Dr. A. G 468 Wallace, Dr. J H 520 Washington, George 18 Wood, John 154 Wood, Hon. Samuel 302 Yates, Richard — 158 INTRODUCTORY 665 EARLY SETTLEMENT 667 Organization of County 669 INDIAN HISTORY 672 The Black Hawk War 674 CIVIL GOVERNMENT 679 Board of Supervisors 682 TOPOGRAPHICAL 684 LEGAL HISTORY 685 Trial of the Murderers of Wm Martin 686 Trial of Joe Smith 687 John Baxter 688 Brockner & McMahill 690 Probate Court 690 County Court 690 Judges 691 State's Attorneys 693 Members of the Bar 694 PUBLIC BUILDINGS 695 County Jail 695 County Poor Farm WAR FOR THE UNION WARREN COUNTY LI- BRARY RAILROADS Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. 697 698 702 704 704 Central Iowa Railway 706 MISCELLANEOUS County Officials Educational Matters Old Settlers' Association Agricultural Fair TOWNSHIPS Berwick Cold Brook Ellison Floyd Greenbusli Hale Kelly • '\- • 707 707 709 709 7 10 711 711 714 7.8 720 722 724 728 Lenox Monmouth Point Pleasant Roseville Spring Grove Sumner Swan Tompkins CITIES AND VILLAGES: Berwick Cameron Ellison Greenbush Larchland Roseville Alexis Gerlavv Little York Youngstown Swan Creek Kirkwood CITY OF MONMOUTH 730 733 734 735 740 745 749 752 713 7,6 720 723 732 737 742 744 748 751 75' 754 75 S i* ^ r^^-*- *p V v/ ^- " 'fc-^ — i^ " y ■> <(?•'■ --t^--^^- - V .y- ^ : •• > ♦ ^? •>. ° **(,— ^' » N •*» \^°,. ,o' v^ V?-; ,*- •'''^. *, y., * ' -.> \ • • / */• \^ ^^^. c^' x^^ ^ : V V- ■ \ ■^ .i> "''*, d- ct. 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